Flywheel Energy Storage Voltage Regulation via Controller Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flywheel energy-storage systems face instability due to irregular charging/discharging during unstable DC bus voltages, leading to potential system errors and reduced power quality.
Innovation Solution
An electric power-regulating system comprising an electric-load end, power-supply end, power regulator, DC-bus device, flywheel energy-storage device, and switch device, controlled by a controller that manages current flow direction to limit energy accessibility from the DC bus, ensuring stable operation and continuous power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a static switch is introduced to promote control independence of each flywheel, then control flexibility is improved, but system complexity increases and operational reliability deteriorates due to strict timing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the static switch component from the system and replaces it with a controllable switch device (IGBT module) that can be precisely controlled by a controller. This removes the need for strict timing control while maintaining control independence, thereby reducing system complexity and improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a controller that monitors the operational state of each flywheel energy storage device and adjusts the switch device accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables precise control of current flow direction without requiring strict timing control of static switches, resolving the contradiction between control independence and system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a static switch is used for controlling flywheel energy-storage array, then control flexibility is improved, but operational reliability deteriorates due to inaccurate close/open timing control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical static switch with an electronically controlled switch device (IGBT module) that can be precisely controlled by a controller. This substitution eliminates the timing inaccuracies inherent in static switches while maintaining control flexibility, thereby improving operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from static switch timing to controllable switch device gating signals. The controller can precisely control the turn-on and turn-off timing of the IGBT module, eliminating the timing inaccuracies of static switches and improving operational reliability while maintaining control flexibility.
3Quantity of substance
If flywheel energy-storage array is expanded to meet large information center demand, then energy storage capacity is improved, but system control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the flywheel energy-storage array into multiple independent units, each with its own controllable switch device. The controller can independently manage each unit's charging and discharging operations, simplifying the control of large-scale systems by breaking them down into manageable segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal controller that can manage multiple flywheel energy storage units through the same control mechanism. The controllable switch device and control algorithm are applicable to each unit, enabling standardized management of expanded capacity systems without proportionally increasing control complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If DC capacitor is used for energy exchange among devices and flywheel array, then energy flexibility is improved, but voltage stability deteriorates causing system errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controller as an intermediary between the DC capacitor and the flywheel energy storage units. The controller monitors DC bus voltage and regulates the charging/d discharging operations to maintain voltage stability while allowing flexible energy exchange, preventing voltage instability from causing system errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the charging/d discharging parameters of the DC capacitor based on voltage conditions. When voltage is stable, energy exchange is permitted; when voltage becomes unstable, the controller restricts energy exchange to maintain voltage stability, thereby preventing system errors while maintaining energy flexibility under normal conditions.
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
The system stabilizes flywheel energy storage by reducing acceleration rates during voltage instability, maintaining power quality and preventing system errors, thus ensuring continuous and reliable energy supply.
Implementation Method 1
flywheel energy storage is one of energy storage techniques that stores the electric energy into a high-speed rotating flywheel in a format of mechanical energy
Implementation Method 2
The system introduces a motor to convert the electric energy into the mechanical energy to be stored in a high-speed rotating flywheel
Implementation Method 3
the flywheel would drive a generator to produce the required electricity
Data Source
AI summary
An electric power-regulating system includes an electric-load end, a power-supply end, a power regulator, a DC-bus device, a flywheel energy-storage device, a switch device and a controller. The flywheel energy-storage device connects the DC-bus device. The switch device is connected between the flywheel energy-storage device and the DC-bus device. The switch device provides at least one current-flow direction between the DC-bus device and the flywheel energy-storage device. The controller controls the power regulator and the flywheel energy-storage device. When a voltage of the DC-bus device exceeds a operation range, the controller selectively limits the current-flow direction of the switch device. Further, when a voltage-bias direction of the switch device and the current-flow direction are the same, the controller allows a current of the DC-bus device to flow into or out of the flywheel energy-storage device in the current-flow direction. In addition, an electric power-regulating method is also provided.