Generator Set Adaptive Control for Load Transients
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional engine governor systems in gensets struggle to maintain engine speed and output voltage when load changes suddenly, especially when AC power is directly supplied to outside power lines or loads, as they either reduce armature voltage or further open the throttle, leading to excessive speed and voltage drops.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that adjust the throttle and excitation voltage of the generator in anticipation of load changes, using predefined transition settings and voltages to minimize transient effects, with adaptive learning to redefine these settings based on operational characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the engine governor opens the throttle to maintain engine speed during sudden load increases, then engine speed stability is improved, but the mechanical response time is insufficient to prevent excessive speed drop
Solution Approach 1:
The control system performs preliminary action by detecting the connection of a new load and preemptively adjusting the throttle position and excitation voltage before the load is fully connected. This anticipatory adjustment prevents the excessive speed drop that would otherwise occur during sudden load increases, resolving the contradiction between maintaining speed stability and the mechanical response time limitations of the governor system.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the armature voltage or field current is relaxed to maintain engine speed, then engine speed stability is improved, but the output voltage of the generator decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary action by preemptively increasing the excitation voltage when a new load is detected, rather than relaxing it. This counterintuitive approach maintains both engine speed stability and output voltage levels by preparing the generator to handle the increased load demand without sacrificing voltage output.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system changes the parameter of excitation voltage from its normal level to a higher transition level in response to detected load changes. This parameter change allows the generator to maintain both speed and voltage output during transient load conditions, resolving the contradiction between speed stability and voltage maintenance.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the throttle is further opened to prevent excessive speed drop, then engine speed stability is improved, but the system complexity increases due to additional rectifiers and inverters
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the unnecessary rectifier and inverter components from the system. By using a simplified control approach that directly adjusts throttle and excitation voltage based on load detection, the system achieves speed stability without requiring the complex power conversion infrastructure of previous solutions, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining performance.
4Reliability
If predefined transition settings are applied in anticipation of load changes, then transient effects are minimized, but the need for adaptive learning increases to optimize performance
Solution Approach 1:
The control system implements feedback by monitoring the operational characteristics of the generator set and using this information to adaptively refine the transition throttle position and excitation voltage settings. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically optimize its response to different load conditions, maintaining reliable power delivery while managing the complexity of adaptive control through intelligent learning algorithms.
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
This approach effectively maintains engine speed and output voltage stability during sudden load changes, ensuring consistent power delivery to connected loads without the need for rectification or inversion, thereby reducing adverse transient effects.
Implementation Method 1
The generator produces alternating electric current
Implementation Method 2
an excitation voltage applied to the generator is altered in ways that compensate for an effect that connecting the given load to the generator has on the electricity provided by the generator
Data Source
AI summary
A generator set includes an internal combustion engine and a generator driven by the engine. The generator provides electricity to a plurality of loads, each of which is selectively connected to the generator by a switch. The generator set is controlled by a method that includes receiving a command to connect a given load to the generator. In response to that command, a throttle of the engine is changed to a transition throttle position and an transition excitation voltage is applied to the generator. Then the switch is operated to connect the given load to the generator. Thereafter, in response to a defined event occurring, the throttle is changed to a normal position and a normal excitation voltage is applied to the generator.