Loop Power Device Monitoring Controller

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for connecting power devices to a main power line are inefficient, particularly when multiple devices are connected in a loop, as they can lead to unsafe conditions due to disturbances causing overpowering of connecting power lines, and there is a need for effective monitoring systems to manage these conditions.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for monitoring power devices connected in a loop to a main power line, which includes a controller to identify disturbances and adjust the power output of the devices based on the impact on the power lines, ensuring safe operation by reducing power transmission when necessary and compensating with other devices to maintain grid stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If power devices are connected in a loop to reduce the number of connecting power lines, then the number and rating of power lines is reduced, but disturbances may cause open conditions leading to overpowering of the power lines

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of connecting power linesVSAvoidsafety of power lines
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the operational status of power devices in the loop and provides feedback to the controller. When a disturbance or open condition is detected, the controller receives this feedback and automatically adjusts power device outputs to prevent overpowering, thus maintaining safety while preserving the loop configuration benefits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

A controller acts as an intermediary between the power devices and the power lines. It monitors disturbances and mediates the power flow by adjusting device outputs, preventing direct harmful effects on the power lines while maintaining the loop's reduced infrastructure advantage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If individual connecting power lines are provided for each power device, then the safety and reliability of each connection is improved, but the number of power lines required increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of connecting power lines
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple power devices are merged into a single loop configuration, sharing common power lines instead of having individual dedicated lines. This combining approach reduces the total quantity of power lines while the monitoring and control system ensures that reliability is maintained through active management of power distribution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the power output of devices is dynamically adjusted to prevent overpowering, then the safety of power lines is improved, but the complexity of the control system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety of power linesVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Power devices are equipped with controllers that can autonomously detect disturbances and adjust their own power outputs without requiring complex external control infrastructure. Each device serves itself by monitoring its own status and responding to disturbances, which maintains safety while minimizing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2325969B1Systems and methods for monitoring power devices
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
  • EP2325969B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2325969B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Systems (100) and methods (200) for monitoring power devices (105) that are connecting in a loop to a main power line (120) are provided. A plurality of power devices (105) that are connected in a loop to a power grid line (120) may be provided. The loop may include a plurality of power lines (130, 131, 132, 133, 134). A disturbance within the plurality of power devices (105) may be identified, and an impact of the identified disturbance on the plurality of power lines (130, 131, 132, 133, 134) may be determined. A power output of one or more of the plurality of power devices (105) may be adjusted based at least in part on the determined impact.