Fuse Block Power Transfer With Backfeed Isolation for Emergency Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nuclear power plants face challenges in quickly and efficiently providing emergency power to critical smaller electrical loads during power outages, as existing backup systems are complex, expensive, and prone to delays in deployment, particularly during natural disasters or grid failures, and current solutions do not effectively target only the necessary equipment for maintaining safety.
Innovation Solution
A portable power system that securely attaches to power distribution components, such as fuse blocks, to provide AC and DC power to critical loads, featuring a control module, battery, transfer switch, and inverter, allowing for secure power transfer and isolation to prevent backfeeding, and enabling testing and analysis of power systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large portable machinery and power generators are deployed as FLEX equipment, then emergency power can be provided to nuclear power plants during extended loss of power events, but the system becomes extremely expensive to maintain and complex to implement during extreme events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the power restoration function into two distinct components: a portable power system that provides emergency power and a fuse block that enables secure connection to the power distribution system. This segmentation allows the power system to be transported and deployed independently, reducing the complexity of handling and implementing the entire emergency power solution.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuse block acts as an intermediary component that facilitates the connection between the portable power system and the nuclear power plant's power distribution system. It provides a standardized interface that simplifies the connection process during emergency deployment while ensuring safe and secure power transfer.
2Adaptability or versatility
If FLEX equipment is dispersed throughout the United States in strategic locations, then power can be provided to multiple nuclear power plants, but significant delay occurs in mobilizing equipment during large-scale natural disaster events
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the power generation components from the connection interface components, the system can be deployed in modular units. The portable power system can be transported to the affected area and quickly connected using the standardized fuse block interface, reducing mobilization time while maintaining the ability to service multiple plants.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuse block can be pre-installed on the power distribution system at each nuclear power plant, so that when emergency power is needed, the portable power system can be quickly connected without requiring complex installation procedures. This preliminary preparation significantly reduces deployment time during emergencies.
3Reliability
If FLEX equipment is designed to provide power to the entire nuclear power plant, then comprehensive power backup is achieved, but power cannot be targeted to only critical pieces of equipment that need power to maintain safety
Solution Approach 1:
The fuse block interface enables the portable power system to connect to specific locations in the power distribution system where critical equipment is served. This allows power to be targeted locally to only the equipment that needs it for safety, rather than providing blanket power to the entire plant, improving both efficiency and flexibility.
4Speed
If portable power devices are quickly deployed to restore power, then critical equipment receives power faster, but poor connections may cause arcing, inconsistent power transfer, and reduced power transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The fuse block serves as an intermediary connection device that provides a standardized, pre-prepared interface between the portable power system and the power distribution system. This intermediary ensures reliable electrical connections during quick deployment, preventing arcing and inconsistent power transfer that would occur with ad-hoc connections.
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
Enables rapid and efficient restoration of power to critical equipment, minimizing damage and ensuring safety by providing reliable, isolated power to specific loads, while allowing for testing and analysis of power systems, thus addressing the limitations of existing backup systems.
Implementation Method 1
A portable power system that securely attaches to power distribution components, such as fuse blocks, to provide AC and DC power to critical loads, featuring a control module, battery, transfer switch, and inverter
Implementation Method 2
A portable power system that securely attaches to power distribution components, such as fuse blocks, to provide AC and DC power to critical loads, featuring a control module, battery, transfer switch, and inverter
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for transferring power. A power transfer device may be configured to securely fit in a fuse block, fuse holder, and/or the like. The power transfer device may transfer power from a source to a load connected to the fuse block, fuse holder, and/or the like, while also isolating the power to prevent the power from backfeeding to the source. The power transfer device may be used to perform testing, measurements, and/or analysis (e.g., voltage measurements, power measurements, frequency analysis, system impedance testing, etc.).