Load Sharing Gateway for Digital-Analog Generator Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of new generators with digital communication systems into power networks utilizing analog communication techniques poses challenges, requiring either modification of the new generators or maintaining both analog and digital generators, due to incompatibility between digital and analog load sharing methods.
Innovation Solution
A device that acts as a gateway between digital and analog communication lines, converting load sharing information and simulating load situations to facilitate seamless communication and power sharing between generators using different communication protocols, without generating power and disrupting existing load sharing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a new generator with digital communication is added to an analog power network, then the network can utilize modern digital technology, but the generator cannot be integrated due to communication protocol incompatibility
Solution Approach 1:
A gateway device is introduced as an intermediary between the digital communication line of the new generator and the analog communication lines of existing generators. The gateway converts digital load sharing signals to analog signals and vice versa, enabling seamless integration without modifying the generator or existing network infrastructure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If analog communication lines are used for load sharing, then existing generators can communicate, but new digital generators cannot join the network
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway acts as an information bridge that accurately translates load sharing data between digital and analog domains. It receives digital load sharing information from the new generator, converts it to analog format for transmission to legacy generators, and performs the reverse conversion for incoming analog signals, preserving information integrity throughout the translation process.
3Reliability
If digital communication protocol is used, then modern generators achieve better communication reliability, but incompatibility with analog networks arises
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway preserves the communication reliability benefits of digital protocols by maintaining digital communication between the new generator and the gateway itself, while only performing protocol conversion when interfacing with analog network components. This approach allows the generator to operate with full digital reliability while achieving analog network compatibility through the gateway interface.
Data Source
AI summary
The aim of the invention is to use a separate device between the analog and digital communications lines to convert the digital load sharing information from the digital communication line to the analog communication line and vice versa. The device does not generate power itself for the load sharing and therefore does not disturb the load sharing of the generators on the both sides of the device. The device can be seen as a gate between the digital communication line and the analog communication line. The device simulates load situation of the generator/s connected to the digital communication line for load sharing with other generator/s connected to the analog communication line, and similarly it simulates load situation of the other generator/s connected to the analog communication line for load sharing with the generator/s connected to the digital communication line.