Engine Generator Wye Delta Switching for Variable Speed Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing engine generators face challenges in maintaining adequate output across varying engine speeds, as winding specifications optimized for high engine speed fail to provide sufficient output at low speeds, and vice versa, leading to inefficiencies in power delivery.
Innovation Solution
An engine generator with a variable speed engine, a three-phase winding, an inverter unit, and a connection switching mechanism that switches between wye-connection and delta-connection configurations based on detected load size, allowing the generator to optimize power output across a range of engine speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If engine speed is variably controlled to respond to load current fluctuation, then operational efficiency is improved, but adequate power output across all speeds cannot be guaranteed with fixed winding specifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines variable engine speed control with dynamic winding connection switching. The connection switching unit responds to engine speed changes caused by load variation, automatically adjusting the winding configuration to maintain adequate power output throughout the variable speed range, thereby preserving operational efficiency while ensuring adequate power delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The generator unit achieves multi-functionality by being capable of providing adequate power output across the entire engine speed range through configuration switching. A single generator unit with switchable connections replaces what would otherwise require different winding specifications for different speed ranges, making the system universally applicable to variable speed operations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables the engine generator to provide adequate output over a wide range of engine speeds by dynamically switching between wye- and delta-connection configurations, ensuring efficient power delivery regardless of engine speed, thus eliminating the need for costly upgrades to the generator unit.
Implementation Method 1
a generator unit (2) having a three-phase winding (24) and driven by the engine (1) to generate power
Implementation Method 2
an inverter unit (3) configured to convert alternating current output from the generator unit (2) to alternating current of a predetermined frequency to output to a load (36)
Data Source
AI summary
An engine generator, including a general purpose engine, an engine speed of the engine being variably controlled, a generator unit having a three-phase winding and driven by the engine to generate power, an inverter unit converting AC output from the generator unit to AC of a predetermined frequency to output to a load, a connection switching unit switching a connection configuration of the winding to one of a wye-connection and a delta-connection, a load detection unit detecting a size of the load, and a connection switching control unit controlling the connection switching unit to switch the connection configuration to the wye-connection when the size of the load is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, and to switch the connection configuration to the delta-connection when the size of the load is higher than the predetermined value.