Hydraulic PV AC Generation Without Inverter Harmonic Distortion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic power inverters used in photovoltaic systems produce AC electricity with synthetic waveforms leading to total harmonic distortion and lack of inertia, causing power quality issues and susceptibility to thermal damage, and require costly grid integration.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a hydraulically-coupled motor generation process that converts DC electricity from a photovoltaic system to AC electricity without electronic power inverters, employing a motorized pump, turbine, and electric generator to harness kinetic energy from water flow for clean waveform AC power generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional electronic power inverters are used to convert DC to AC electricity, then the conversion function is achieved, but the AC electricity suffers from total harmonic distortion and power quality degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electronic power inverter system with a mechanical motor generation system. DC electricity drives a motor that mechanically couples to a generator, which produces AC electricity. This mechanical substitution eliminates the electronic switching components that cause harmonic distortion, resulting in cleaner sine wave output with superior waveform quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a hydraulic coupling mechanism between the motor and generator. The motor drives a pump that creates hydraulic pressure, which then drives a hydraulic motor connected to the generator. This hydraulic transmission provides smooth mechanical power transfer and enables inherent ride-through capability during grid disturbances, while maintaining clean AC waveform generation.
2Reliability
If electronic power inverters without inertia are used, then the system is simpler, but the system lacks inherent ride-through capability and suffers from additional power quality issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a hydraulic energy storage system that acts as a cushion against disturbances. The hydraulic pump stores energy in the form of pressurized fluid during normal operation, which can be rapidly released to maintain generator operation during grid disturbances or transient events, providing inherent ride-through capability before electronic controls can respond.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a dynamic hydraulic coupling system that can adapt its characteristics in response to operating conditions. The hydraulic fluid's compressibility and the system's mechanical inertia provide dynamic response characteristics that enable smooth transitions and inherent ride-through capability, while the system remains relatively simple in structure compared to electronic solutions.
3Reliability
If electronic power inverters with switching components are used, then DC to AC conversion is achieved, but the components are susceptible to thermal damage from electromagnetic transients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces vulnerable electronic switching components with robust mechanical motor and generator components. The mechanical system has inherent thermal mass and no semiconductor junctions susceptible to thermal runaway from electromagnetic transients. The motor-genera tor connection through hydraulic coupling provides galvanic isolation, protecting the DC side from AC side transients and vice versa.
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 system provides AC electricity with reduced harmonic distortion, inherent ride-through capability, and lower grid integration costs, enabling easier marketability and integration of energy storage systems like water tanks for multiple uses.
Implementation Method 1
a motorized pump configured to receive direct current (DC) electricity from a source of electric power, and convert the DC electricity to first motive power to move water
Implementation Method 2
a turbine configured to convert kinetic energy of the water supplied from the at least one supply location to second motive power
Implementation Method 3
an electric generator connected to the turbine, the electric generator configured to convert the second motive power to the AC electricity
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for supplying alternating current (AC) electricity. The method includes receiving direct current (DC) electricity from a source of electric power at a motorized pump, and converting the DC electricity from the source of electric power to AC electricity. This includes converting the DC electricity to first motive power at the motorized pump to move water from a source location to at least one supply location. The water is supplied from the at least one supply location to a turbine, and kinetic energy of the water is converted to second motive power at the turbine. The second motive power is converted to the AC electricity at an electric generator that is connected to the turbine, and the AC electricity is supplied from the electric generator.