Phase-Based Device Control on Polyphase Electric Distribution Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electric transmission grids, there is a lack of phase-based control for devices connected to polyphase power systems, leading to inefficiencies and potential imbalances that can cause issues like brown-outs or black-outs, as end users and devices are unaware of their operating phase and cannot be efficiently controlled in a phase-specific manner.
Innovation Solution
Devices in a computer network monitor the alternating-current (AC) waveform to determine their phase and join a directed acyclic graph (DAG) specific to that phase, allowing for phase-based control through demand response messages, with phase determination possible by detecting zero crossings relative to a frequency hopping superframe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If phase-based control is implemented for devices on a polyphase electric distribution system, then grid balance and efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for phase monitoring and DAG management
Solution Approach 1:
Devices automatically monitor their own AC waveform and determine their operating phase without external assistance. The device autonomously joins the appropriate DAG based on its detected phase, enabling self-service phase-based control that improves grid efficiency without requiring complex external control infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of devices from generic power consumption to phase-specific operation. By monitoring AC waveform parameters (zero crossings) and using these to determine phase assignment, the system enables parameter-based control that improves grid balance while keeping individual device complexity manageable
2Adaptability or versatility
If devices monitor AC waveform to determine phase, then phase-based control capability is achieved, but loss of time occurs during phase detection and DAG joining
Solution Approach 1:
Devices perform phase detection by monitoring AC waveforms and identifying zero crossings before fully joining the DAG. This preliminary action of detecting phase characteristics in advance allows the device to quickly join the correct DAG without delays during operation, reducing overall time loss while achieving phase-based control capability
3Reliability
If phase imbalance occurs in the electric distribution system, then reliability of power delivery deteriorates causing brown-outs or black-outs, but the system lacks the information needed for phase-based control
Solution Approach 1:
Devices provide feedback about their operating phase by monitoring AC waveforms and reporting their phase assignment through DAG communication. This feedback mechanism enables the system to detect and respond to phase imbalances, improving power delivery reliability by allowing phase-specific control actions when imbalances are detected
Solution Approach 2:
The DAG structure serves as an intermediary that connects devices to phase-specific control mechanisms. Through the DAG, devices receive phase information and control messages, enabling the system to overcome the lack of phase information awareness and implement reliability-improving phase-based control
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
This approach enables dynamic phase-based operation and control of devices, improving grid balance and efficiency by allowing phase-specific messages and actions, thus preventing inefficiencies and power imbalances.
Implementation Method 1
a device in a computer network monitors an alternating-current (AC) waveform of an electrical power source at the device
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a device in a computer network monitors an alternating-current (AC) waveform of an electrical power source at the device, where the power source is part of a polyphase power source system. Once the device determines a particular phase of the polyphase power source system at the device, then the device joins a directed acyclic graph (DAG) specific to the particular phase. In another embodiment, a device detects a time of a zero crossing of the AC waveform, and may then determine a particular phase of the polyphase power source system at the device based on the time of the zero crossing relative to a corresponding location within a frequency hopping superframe of the computer network.