Power Factor Control System Dynamic Target Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current demand control systems for power-consuming apparatuses do not effectively address the decrease in power-source power factor, leading to increased electricity charges and potential penalties, as they fail to optimize the power-factor control efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A power-source power factor control system that dynamically adjusts the operation state of load apparatuses based on real-time power-source power factor measurements, using a variable target value to optimize the power factor while minimizing changes in operation capability, thereby improving and stabilizing the power factor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If demand control is performed based on amount of power only, then power consumption is reduced, but power-source power factor deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidpower-source power factor
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the control parameter from amount of power only to a composite parameter that includes both amount of power and power-source power factor. The demand control signal is generated based on both parameters, allowing simultaneous optimization of power consumption and power factor by adjusting load operation states according to the combined demand index.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If load apparatus operation capability is actively changed to optimize power factor, then power-source power factor is improved, but operation capability of load apparatus deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower-source power factorVSAvoidoperation capability of load apparatus
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the target value of power-source power factor based on the current operational state of load apparatuses. Instead of fixed power factor targets, the system modifies targets in real-time to balance power factor improvement with minimal impact on load operation capability, using dynamic weighting between power factor and operation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial action by selectively adjusting only certain load apparatuses or certain operational parameters of loads rather than uniformly reducing all load capabilities. This allows power factor optimization through targeted adjustments while maintaining overall operation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of operation

If fixed target value of power-source power factor is used, then control simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to varying power factor conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to power factor conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static fixed target values to dynamic target values that automatically adapt to varying power factor conditions. The target value is calculated based on current power factor measurements and load characteristics, providing both simplicity through automated calculation and adaptability to changing conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where actual power factor measurements are continuously monitored and used to adjust the target value. This closed-loop control provides adaptability to varying conditions while maintaining ease of operation through automated feedback-based target adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3611816B1Power factor control system, phase modifying device, and active filter device
Publication Date: 2022.04.13 DAIKIN INDUSTRIES LTD
  • EP3611816B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3611816B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3611816B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(f)

AI summary

A load apparatus (1, 2) is connected to an AC power source (3) and is supplied with power from the AC power source (3). An operation state control unit (1c, 2c) controls, based on a target value about a power-source quality including either a power-source power factor of the AC power source (3) or a power-source harmonic of the AC power source (3) and on a present power-source quality, an operation state of the load apparatus (1,2).