Configurable Power Conditioning System for Transient Demand Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Poorly matched electrical power systems with high transient demand for power due to poor power factor and crosstalk interference lead to increased energy costs, as they require higher power consumption and result in penalties from power providers.
Innovation Solution
Placing an energy storage element, such as a plurality of de-tuned capacitors, near the power input of the entity, combined with a reactive element to repress high-frequency harmonics, and using a control module to reconfigure the system based on measurements and user commands to optimize power factor and reduce electrical noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If an energy storage element is placed near the power input to reduce crosstalk and transient demand, then power factor improves and transient demand decreases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
An energy storage element (capacitor) is introduced as an intermediary component between the power source and the electrical system. This capacitor acts as a mediator that supplies reactive power locally, improving the power factor without requiring complete system redesign. The capacitor stores and releases energy to compensate for reactive power demands, thereby reducing transient power demand while adding a manageable level of complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the electrical parameters of the system by introducing capacitive reactance to counteract inductive reactance. By adjusting the capacitance value, the power factor can be optimized. This parameter change approach allows for improvement in power factor and reduction in transient demand through selective component values, balancing performance gains with acceptable device complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a reactive element is placed in series to repress high-frequency harmonics, then electrical noise decreases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A reactive element (inductor) is placed in series as an intermediary to filter high-frequency harmonics. This inductor acts as a mediator between the power source and the load, blocking high-frequency noise while allowing fundamental frequency power transmission. The series inductor creates an impedance that selectively attenuates harmful high-frequency harmonics, reducing electrical noise with minimal impact on overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The reactive element is strategically placed only where high-frequency harmonic filtering is most needed - in series with the power input. This localized approach applies quality improvement (noise reduction) precisely where required, rather than attempting to filter throughout the entire system. The local placement of the reactive element targets specific harmful frequencies without unnecessarily complicating other parts of the system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the energy storage element and reactive element are made configurable, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage element and reactive element are made dynamically configurable rather than fixed. Switching mechanisms allow the capacitance and inductance values to be adjusted based on system conditions, load requirements, and power quality measurements. This dynamic configurability enables the system to adapt to varying operational scenarios, optimizing power factor and filtering characteristics as needed, while the switching architecture manages complexity through controlled reconfiguration rather than permanent complex design.
Solution Approach 2:
The configurable energy storage and reactive elements serve multiple functions: power factor correction, transient demand reduction, harmonic filtering, and electrical noise suppression. By making these elements adjustable, a single system configuration can address multiple power quality issues simultaneously. This multi-functionality approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate dedicated components, improving adaptability while actually reducing overall system complexity.
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 reduces the transient demand for power, lowers energy bills, and minimizes penalties by maintaining optimal voltage and current alignment, thereby improving power transfer efficiency and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The energy storage element may comprise a plurality of de-tuned capacitors
Implementation Method 2
A reactive element may be placed in series with the energy storage element to repress high-frequency harmonics and to reduce electrical noise
Data Source
AI summary
Poorly matched electrical power systems (e.g., those with a poor power factor and crosstalk interference) that create a high transient demand for power result in unnecessarily high power bills. High transient demand for power may be decreased, and power bills thereby reduced, by placing an energy storage element near the entity's power input, thereby reducing crosstalk. The energy storage element may comprise a plurality of de-tuned capacitors. A reactive element may be placed in series with the energy storage element to repress high-frequency harmonics and to reduce electrical noise. The energy storage element and/or the reactive element may be configurable. A control module may reconfigure the system responsive to measurements obtained at the entity and/or user commands received over a network or at the module itself.