High Frequency AC Voltage Regulator Bypass for Energy Savings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional AC voltage regulators, relying on low-frequency magnetic structures, face inefficiencies in energy savings due to increased power consumption when boosting low input voltages, and mechanical wear issues with electro-mechanically adjusted auto-transformers, while existing power electronics still utilize large and heavy magnetic components despite high-frequency pulse width modulation.
Innovation Solution
A high-frequency AC voltage regulator system that employs a bypass contactor combined with fast bidirectional AC semiconductor devices to bypass internal power electronics when input voltage falls below an optimum energy savings level, directly applying low mains voltage to the load and reducing energy waste by minimizing voltage drop and power electronics usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a full AC voltage regulator boosts low input AC voltage to maintain set output voltage, then output voltage stability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the voltage boosting function from the full AC voltage regulator system by introducing a separate upstream voltage boosting device. This allows the HF AC voltage regulator to focus only on buck (voltage reduction) operations, eliminating the need for internal voltage boosting circuitry and reducing energy consumption while maintaining output stability through coordinated operation with the boosting device.
Solution Approach 2:
The voltage regulation system is segmented into two independent functions: voltage boosting (handled by upstream device) and voltage bucking (handled by HF AC voltage regulator). This segmentation allows each component to operate optimally in its specific mode, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining output voltage stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional low-frequency magnetic structures are used in AC voltage regulators, then voltage regulation capability is improved, but device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating frequency parameter from traditional low-frequency (50/60Hz) to high-frequency operation. This parameter change enables the use of smaller, lighter magnetic structures while maintaining voltage regulation capability, as high-frequency transformers and inductors require significantly less magnetic material for the same power handling capacity.
3Manufacturing precision
If electro-mechanically-adjusted auto-transformers are used for voltage regulation, then voltage control precision is improved, but mechanical wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electro-mechanical adjustment mechanisms with solid-state high-frequency power electronics. The HF AC voltage regulator uses electronic switching devices (IGBTs, MOSFETs) to achieve precise voltage control without any moving parts, eliminating mechanical wear while maintaining or improving voltage control precision through electronic modulation techniques.
4Use of energy by moving object
If high-frequency pulse width modulation is used in power electronics, then energy efficiency is improved, but magnetic component size remains large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies high-frequency pulse width modulation (PWM) to operate switching devices at frequencies significantly higher than traditional methods. This parameter change in switching frequency enables the use of smaller magnetic components (transformers and inductors) while maintaining or improving energy efficiency, as the magnetic components operate at higher frequencies where smaller sizes are sufficient for the same power transfer.
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 achieves significant energy savings by reducing the size, weight, and cost of magnetic structures and minimizes power consumption by switching off internal power electronics during low input voltage conditions, ensuring efficient energy delivery and extended equipment lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
A bypass contactor system is activated, and switch off the HF AC voltage regulator power electronics. The fast bidirectional AC semiconductor device and the slower contactor transition so that the fast bidirectional AC semiconductor device initially bypasses the HF series AC voltage regulator
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
An energy saving alternate current (AC) series voltage regulator comprises an AC high frequency (HF) series voltage buck power regulator, a bypass contactor (K1), a bidirectional AC semiconductor device (S1) connected in parallel with the bypass contactor and a control circuitry. Under the condition of an input AC mains voltage (Vin) drops below a specified and set optimum energy savings voltage or a lower selected voltage point, the control circuitry transitions both the slow bypass contactor and the fast bidirectional AC semiconductor device, then the AC high frequency (HF) series voltage buck power regulator are switched out to save the AC high frequency (HF) series voltage buck power regulator internal power electronics usage. Under this condition, the lower input AC mains voltage is directly delivered to an electrical load by the contactor bypass system, hence achieving more energy savings.