Rotor Angle Estimation in Synchronous Generators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the load angle and rotor angle in electrical power generators, especially during high load conditions and transient periods, are inaccurate due to magnetic saturation and require additional costly components, making them unsuitable for small synchronous generators in smart and micro grids.
Innovation Solution
A power system with an angle computation unit that determines and estimates rotor and load angles by monitoring changes in rotor angle and using held values during steady state periods, allowing for accurate angle estimation during transient periods without additional components, enabling detection of out-of-step conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional costly components are used to determine rotor angle during transient periods, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a microprocessor to compute rotor angle by copying and processing electrical signals already present in the system. Instead of adding specialized sensors, the system captures voltage and current signals, processes them through algorithms in the microprocessor, and derives rotor angle information computationally. This approach achieves accurate measurement without physical additions to the generator structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical/mechanical measurement methods with computational/electronic processing. Rather than using mechanical encoders or specialized electrical sensors to directly measure rotor position, the system uses a microprocessor to calculate rotor angle from electrical parameters (voltage, current, frequency). This substitution of computational methods for physical measurement devices reduces complexity while maintaining precision.
2Measurement precision
If traditional methods are used to determine load angle during high load conditions, then device complexity is kept low, but measurement precision deteriorates due to magnetic saturation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters used for load angle determination from direct magnetic field measurements to computational derivation from electrical parameters. By using voltage, current, and frequency measurements processed through microprocessor algorithms, the system avoids the magnetic saturation problem that plagues traditional methods. The computation uses parameters that remain reliable even under high load conditions where magnetic saturation occurs.
3Reliability
If existing rotor angle determination techniques are used during transient periods, then device complexity remains low, but reliability decreases due to magnetic saturation and high load conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through the microprocessor system that continuously monitors electrical parameters (voltage, current, frequency) and adjusts rotor angle computation in real-time. During transient conditions, the system receives feedback from these measurements and dynamically calculates rotor angle using algorithms that account for changing system conditions. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable determination even when magnetic saturation occurs during transient periods.
Data Source
AI summary
A power system, including: a synchronous electrical generator having a rotor; and an angle computation unit configured to: determine a rotor angle in a steady state period of the synchronous electrical generator, determine a change in rotor angle in a transient period of the synchronous electrical generator, and estimate the rotor angle in the transient period based on the steady state rotor angle and the change in rotor angle.