Equivalent Utilization Modeling for Electrical Equipment Thermal Loads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods fail to accurately account for thermal loads and dynamic effects in electrical equipment, leading to inefficient grid security calculations and premature aging of electrical components.

Innovation Solution

A method using static and dynamic mathematical models to determine an equivalent electrical load that reflects the thermal load of electrical equipment, considering ambient temperature and load history, allowing for more accurate grid security calculations and operational management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If maximum loads are assumed when planning electrical equipment utilization, then temperatures do not exceed limit values in the assumed equilibrium state, but this leads to conservative grid security calculations and premature aging of equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrid securityVSAvoidequipment utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static equilibrium-based load assumptions to dynamic thermal response modeling. The system uses thermal response curves that capture how equipment temperature evolves over time in response to varying load profiles, enabling time-dependent load calculations that reflect actual thermal inertia and delayed temperature responses, thereby optimizing equipment utilization while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by introducing thermal response characteristics as additional parameters alongside traditional electrical load parameters. The system determines load calculations based on both electrical load magnitude and duration, using thermal response curves that parameterize temperature evolution over time, allowing for more nuanced and accurate grid security assessments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If thermal loads are not accurately accounted for, then grid security calculations are simplified, but this leads to premature aging of electrical components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalculation methodVSAvoidequipment lifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing thermal response curves that characterize equipment thermal behavior under various load conditions. These pre-computed thermal response characteristics are then reused in grid security calculations, avoiding the need for complex real-time thermal simulations while still capturing the essential thermal aging effects on equipment lifespan

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces thermal response curves as an intermediary between electrical load inputs and temperature/output predictions. These curves serve as a mediator that translates electrical load profiles into thermal responses, simplifying the calculation process while maintaining accuracy in assessing equipment aging and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If equivalent electrical load is determined using dynamic thermal response, then thermal load representation is more precise, but this increases calculation complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal load representationVSAvoidcalculation method
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces calculation complexity through preliminary action by pre-computing thermal response curves that encapsulate complex thermal dynamics. These pre-calculated curves are stored and then applied to determine equivalent electrical loads, transforming a potentially complex real-time calculation into a simpler lookup and interpolation process that maintains high measurement precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses copying by creating simplified representations of complex thermal behavior through thermal response curves. Instead of performing full thermal field simulations, the system copies the essential thermal response characteristics into lookup tables or analytical expressions that can be efficiently evaluated, maintaining precision while reducing computational complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4172640B1Method and system for determining a characteristic variable
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 REINHAUSEN GMBH DE
  • EP4172640B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4172640B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Described and claimed is a method for determining a characteristic variable for mapping a thermal load of an electrical equipment item (9, 11, 19, 21) for a time of determination on the basis of an ambient temperature of the electrical equipment item (9, 11, 19, 21) at the time of determination and of a determined value of a thermal operating parameter of the equipment at the time of determination by means of a first mathematical model which describes a dependency of the thermal operating parameter of the equipment at a time of calculation on the ambient temperature of the electrical equipment (9, 11, 19, 21) at the time of calculation and the electrical utilisation of the equipment (9, 11, 19, 21) at the time of calculation. The characteristic variable is determined for the time of determination as the equivalent electrical utilisation of the electrical equipment item (9, 11, 19, 21) for which the first mathematical model, under consideration of the ambient temperature at the time of determination, predicts the value of the thermal operating parameter of the electrical equipment determined for the time of determination. Also described and claimed are a method for calculating grid security and a method for managing the operation of an electrical equipment item as well as corresponding systems.