HVDC Fault Detection via AC Quantity Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems face challenges in detecting and isolating faults, particularly distinguishing between internal and external faults, leading to unnecessary system shutdowns and inability to continue power transmission during faults.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for detecting faults in a DC power transmission system by analyzing AC electrical quantities across conductors, using Clarke transformations and pulse width modulation to differentiate between internal and external faults, allowing selective activation of protective functions and continued power transmission from unaffected components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the entire HVDC transmission system is shut down in the event of an intersystem fault, then system safety is ensured, but power transmission capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem safetyVSAvoidpower transmission capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The HVDC transmission system is divided into independent poles (first pole and second pole), allowing selective shutdown of only the affected pole during an intersystem fault while the other pole continues to transmit power, thus maintaining partial productivity while ensuring safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fault detection and protective function activation is localized to specific conductors and poles based on precise fault identification, allowing unaffected parts of the system to continue operating normally while only the affected components are isolated

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Speed

If fault detection methods are simplified, then response speed is improved, but fault location precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault detection speedVSAvoidfault location precision
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical analysis methods with electrical signal analysis by evaluating AC electrical quantities and their relationships during fault conditions, enabling rapid and precise fault detection through electrical measurements rather than mechanical inspection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the evaluation parameters from simple presence/absence detection to quantitative analysis of AC electrical quantity relationships (comparing measured values against expected relationships), enabling both rapid detection and precise fault location identification through parameter comparison

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If protective functions are activated for all conductors during a fault, then system protection is ensured, but unnecessary shutdowns occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem protectionVSAvoidpower transmission continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective function activation is made local and selective, applying protection only to the specific conductor or pole where the intersystem fault is detected, while leaving other conductors and poles operational to maintain power transmission continuity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system is segmented into independent protective zones for each pole and conductor, allowing the protective function to be activated only in the affected zone while other zones continue to operate normally, thus ensuring protection where needed without causing unnecessary shutdowns

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 precise fault detection and isolation, preventing unnecessary system shutdowns and allowing continued energy transfer by distinguishing between internal and external faults, thereby maintaining power transmission through unaffected parts of the system.

Implementation Method 1

determining respective values of an AC electrical quantity associated with the first conductor, the neutral conductor and the associated with the second conductor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic Induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3451477B1Detection of a fault in a DC transmission system
Publication Date: 2020.05.27 SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3451477B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3451477B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3451477B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Described is a method for detecting a fault (63, 65) in a direct current transmission system (1) with a first conductor (3), a neutral conductor (5) and a second conductor (7), comprising: determining respective values ​​(67, 69, 71, 45, 47, 49) of an alternating current quantity (I, V) that are assigned to the first conductor (3), the neutral conductor (5) and the second conductor (7), respectively; analyzing the values ​​(67, 69, 71, 45, 47, 49); and determining whether and, if so, which conductor of the first, second and neutral conductors is affected by the fault from a result (83) of the analysis.