Hydraulic Machine Operating Point Determination via Electronic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the operating point of hydraulic machines in hydraulic energy conversion systems face challenges with inaccurate measurements, especially under low waterfall conditions and in the presence of impurities like dust or sand, as they rely on direct or indirect methods that are not reliable for 'dirty' water conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method that calculates the operating point using an algorithm compiled by an electronic control unit, eliminating the need for measurement devices linked to the water flow, allowing for accurate determination of net head and flow rate in both 'clean' and 'dirty' water conditions, without direct measurement devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If direct measurement devices are used to measure flow rate and net head, then measurement data can be obtained, but measurement accuracy deteriorates under low waterfall conditions and dirty water conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical measurement devices (flow meters, pressure sensors) with an electronic calculation system that uses an algorithm to compute flow rate and net head from electrical parameters (power, voltage, current) and operational data (guide vane position, rotational speed). This substitution eliminates the reliability issues of mechanical devices in dirty water and low waterfall conditions while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electronic control unit as an intermediary that calculates flow rate and net head indirectly through mathematical algorithms based on measurable electrical parameters and operational data. This intermediary approach avoids direct contact with the problematic water environment while still providing accurate measurements through computational methods.
2Measurement precision
If pressure sensors connected by derivative small pipes are used (Winter-Kennedy method), then net head measurement is possible, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to pipe blockage by impurities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pressure sensor system with derivative pipes (Winter-Kennedy method) with an electronic calculation system that determines net head from electrical measurements and operational parameters. This eliminates the vulnerability to pipe blockage by dust, rust, or sand while maintaining the ability to measure net head accurately.
3Measurement precision
If measurement devices linked to water flow are installed, then physical values can be measured, but device complexity and susceptibility to impurities increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement devices that must be installed in the water flow path with a simplified electronic system that calculates physical values from electrical parameters. This reduces device complexity and eliminates the need for devices to be exposed to water impurities.
Data Source
AI summary
This method allows determining the operating point of a hydraulic machine in a considered operating range, such as turbine mode, and comprises steps that consist in a) determining two coordinates (N′11, T′11) of a first series of potential operating points of the hydraulic machine for the orientation affected to guide vanes of the machine, b) measuring the rotation speed of the machine, and c) determining the torque exerted by water flow on the machine. The method further includes steps consisting in d) calculating two coordinates (N11, T11) of a second series of potential operating points of the machine in function of the rotation speed (N) measured at step b) and the torque determined at step c), and e) deducing the two coordinates (N11_real, T11_real) of operating point that belongs both to the first and the second series in the said considered operating range of the machine.