Multiplex Winding Synchronous Generator Voltage Regulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Synchronous generators with duplex stator windings are prone to current unbalance and circulating currents, leading to thermal damage due to overheating, which is not effectively addressed by existing technologies.

Innovation Solution

A multiplex winding synchronous power generating system is introduced, featuring a rotating part with multiple windings, a prime mover, a stator part with multiple windings, rectifiers, 3-phase 5-level motor drives, at least one H-bridge, and a generator voltage regulator that regulates current of local DC busses, reducing parasitic effects of current imbalance and circulating currents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If duplex stator winding configurations are used in synchronous machines, then fault tolerance and reduction of cross section of magnet wire and terminal leads are achieved, but current unbalance and circulating currents occur leading to thermal damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault toleranceVSAvoidthermal damage due to overheating
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The control system continuously monitors currents in all phases and windings, detecting unbalance and circulating currents in real-time. Based on feedback signals, the controller adjusts switching patterns of the multilevel inverters to eliminate harmful currents while maintaining balanced operation, preventing thermal damage to the stator winding insulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes operating parameters including switching frequencies, pulse width modulation (PWM) duty cycles, and inverter switching patterns to optimize current distribution in the multiplex windings. By adjusting these parameters, the system eliminates circulating currents and maintains balanced phase currents, preventing overheating while preserving the fault tolerance benefits of duplex windings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If multilevel topologies are used to achieve high power levels, then low harmonic distortion and reduced EMI emissions are achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveharmonic distortion and EMI emissionsVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power conversion system is divided into multiple independent inverter modules, each handling a specific phase or winding set. Each module contains its own H-bridge or multilevel inverter circuitry, allowing independent control and simplifying the overall system architecture. This modular segmentation reduces harmonic distortion and EMI while making the complex system more manageable and maintainable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multilevel inverter system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: power conversion, harmonic elimination, EMI reduction, and current balancing across all phases and windings. By integrating these functions into a unified control architecture, the system achieves high performance without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same hardware infrastructure serves multiple purposes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enhances reliability and fault tolerance, reduces electromagnetic interference emissions, and achieves low harmonic distortion with moderate switching frequency, thereby preventing thermal damage and improving power system efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a generator voltage regulator that regulates current of voltages of local DC busses of the three 3-phase 5-level motor drives

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Resistance: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of rectifiers, three 3-phase 5-level motor drives

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRectification: Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3291436B1Power generating systems having synchronous generator multiplex windings and multilevel inverters
Publication Date: 2022.10.26 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP
  • EP3291436B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3291436B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3291436B1 patent drawingFigure 2C~2D

AI summary

Multiplex winding synchronous power generating systems and vehicle power systems are provided that include a rotating part (434a) including a plurality of windings, a primer mover (436) configured to drive the rotating part, a stator part (434b) having a plurality of windings, a plurality of rectifiers (404a-f), three 3-phase 5-level motor drives (444a-c), at least one H-bridge (454), at least one 3-phase AC motor (448a-c), and a generator voltage regulator (450) that regulates current of voltages of local DC busses of the three 3-phase 5-level motor drives.