Generator Field Transient Suppression via Pre-charged Capacitor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle electrical systems experience detrimental voltage transients due to sudden variations in electrical loads, which can damage components and are not adequately addressed by existing technologies, particularly in high-power generator systems without batteries.
Innovation Solution
A control device with a charging module is used to maintain the voltage of an electrical energy source above the regulation voltage, storing or providing energy to the generator field coil to suppress both under and over voltage conditions, thereby reducing generator output voltage transients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the voltage regulator switches off the field coil to reduce over voltage, then the system voltage is reduced, but the voltage remains above threshold for an unacceptably long time causing false over voltage detection or component damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a capacitor as an intermediary energy storage device between the field coil and the voltage regulator. When the voltage regulator switches off the field coil, the capacitor provides a discharge path for the stored magnetic energy, enabling rapid voltage reduction while preventing false over voltage detection. The capacitor acts as a buffer that mediates the energy transition, allowing the system to respond quickly to load changes without causing harmful voltage transients.
2Power
If high power generators are used to meet increased electrical power consumption, then sufficient power is provided, but transient voltages become more detrimental to electrical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by pre-charging a capacitor to a voltage higher than the system operating voltage before transient events occur. When sudden load changes happen, the pre-charged capacitor is already positioned to immediately absorb or supply energy as needed, cushioning the system against voltage transients. This preparatory energy storage prevents harmful voltage spikes and dips that would otherwise damage electrical components in high-power generator systems.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the field current dissipation period is extended to maintain system voltage, then voltage stability is improved, but the system voltage remains above threshold too long causing voltage regulator deactivation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action through the oscillatory charge-discharge cycles of the capacitor. The capacitor periodically absorbs energy when system voltage rises and releases energy when system voltage falls, creating a rhythmic balancing effect. This periodic energy exchange allows the voltage regulator to maintain stable system voltage without the field current remaining elevated for excessively long periods, preventing both voltage instability and prolonged over voltage conditions that would cause regulator deactivation.
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 solution effectively minimizes voltage transients, enhancing power quality and protecting electrical components by rapidly managing voltage fluctuations, even in batteryless systems, and can function as a standalone voltage regulator.
Implementation Method 1
The control device is coupled with an electrical energy source, such as a capacitor
Implementation Method 2
The generator operates to provide electrical current to the electrical loads
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle electrical system comprises a generator, voltage regulator, electrical energy source, and control device. The generator provides electrical current to one or more electrical loads. Voltage variations are suppressed by storing electrical energy of the field coil of the generator in the electrical energy source, and by proving electrical energy from the electrical energy source to the field coil. The control device comprises a controller and a charging module operative to maintain the voltage of the electrical energy source at a predetermined voltage that is above the regulation voltage so as to reduce the generator output voltage variations.