Generator Control Arrangement Seamless Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical power generator control arrangements for gas turbine engines require separate voltage and current control loops, making it difficult to switch between modes without interrupting operation, especially during parallel operation or fault conditions, which can lead to unpredictable voltage transients.
Innovation Solution
A generator control arrangement that uses a processor gain to combine reference voltage and current error values, allowing seamless switching between voltage and current control modes by setting the gain to zero or greater than zero, enabling efficient and stable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate voltage and current control loops are used, then voltage control and current control can be implemented independently, but switching between modes interrupts operation and causes unpredictable voltage transients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate voltage control and current control loops into a unified control structure where both control modes share common computational resources and control pathways. The processor integrates voltage error processing and current error processing in a single architecture, allowing seamless transition between voltage control mode and current control mode without interrupting generator operation. This merging eliminates the switching interruptions that previously caused unpredictable voltage transients.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate voltage and current control loops are used, then each control mode can be implemented independently, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processor is designed with multi-functionality to handle both voltage control and current control operations within a single unified structure. The same processor components and control pathways are used for both control modes, eliminating the need for completely separate control loops. This universal design reduces overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to operate in either voltage control mode or current control mode as needed.
3Reliability
If voltage control mode is used during parallel operation abandonment, then voltage must be maintained, but switching from current control to voltage control causes large unpredictable voltage transients
Solution Approach 1:
The unified control structure prepares both voltage control and current control pathways to be simultaneously available and pre-coordinated. When transitioning from current control mode to voltage control mode during parallel operation abandonment, the system has already established the necessary control relationships and error processing pathways, allowing for a smooth transition that maintains voltage stability without causing large unpredictable voltage transients.
Data Source
AI summary
A generator control arrangement for an electrical power generator, the arrangement comprising a controller arranged to regulate output voltage from a generator to a target value, the controller including a voltage comparator for comparing a presented voltage with a desired output voltage, the presented voltage derived in a transfer comparator by combination of a reference voltage value and an error value between a reference electrical current value and a measured electrical current value subject to a processor gain whereby the processor gain can be specifically set at zero to enable control by voltage or the processor gain can be specifically set at greater than zero to enable control by electrical current.