Starting Device for Pumped Storage Machine Sets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pumped storage plant machine sets require the water turbine to reach synchronous speed before initiating pump or phase shift operations, making it impossible to start these modes if the turbine is unavailable, and frequency converters are not economically viable.
Innovation Solution
A starting device with an electric motor and drive transmission system that can be coupled exclusively to the synchronous machine for starting, allowing pump or phase shift operations without the turbine, and can be retrofitted to existing systems, enabling quick and cost-effective operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the water turbine is used to bring the synchronous machine up to synchronous speed, then the machine set can operate in turbine mode, but pumping or phase-shifting operation cannot be initiated if the turbine is unavailable, defective, or undergoing maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a starting device with an electric motor as an intermediary means to bring the synchronous machine up to synchronous speed. This mediator enables pumping or phase-shifting operations to start without relying on the water turbine, thus resolving the contradiction between operational flexibility and reliability for pumping operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention separates the starting function from the turbine by introducing a dedicated starting device with an electric motor. This segmentation allows the turbine to be maintained or replaced independently while the starting device ensures pumping operations can still be initiated, improving both adaptability and reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a frequency converter is used to start the synchronous machine from standstill, then pumping operation can be initiated without the turbine, but the solution is not economically viable
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a simpler, more cost-effective starting device with an electric motor instead of an expensive frequency converter. This cheaper alternative achieves the same functional goal of enabling pump start without the turbine, making the solution economically viable while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the electrical frequency converter system with a more straightforward electric motor-driven mechanical starting system. This substitution reduces complexity and cost while achieving the desired adaptability to start pumping operations without the turbine.
3Reliability
If the starting device is permanently coupled to the synchronous machine, then starting is reliable, but the device causes wear and energy losses during operation and cannot be used for multiple machine sets
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the starting device dynamically connectable and disconnectable from the synchronous machine shaft through a coupling mechanism. This dynamic configuration allows the device to be coupled only during starting operations and decoupled during normal operation, eliminating wear and energy losses while maintaining starting reliability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The starting device is coupled to the synchronous machine shaft in advance for the starting process, then decoupled after starting is complete. This preliminary coupling ensures reliable starting while the subsequent decoupling prevents wear and energy losses during operation, and allows the device to be relocated for use with multiple machine sets.
4Reliability
If the starting device is complex and cannot be easily removed, then installation is reliable, but the device cannot be quickly moved to another machine set for use during maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The starting device is designed as a segmented, modular unit with a detachable coupling mechanism that separates the electric motor from the synchronous machine shaft. This segmentation enables quick removal and relocation to another machine set while maintaining reliable installation through standardized coupling interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling between the starting device and synchronous machine shaft is designed to be dynamically connectable and disconnectable. This dynamic coupling ensures reliable connection during installation while allowing quick removal and relocation to another machine set, minimizing downtime and enabling flexible maintenance operations.
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
Enables the starting of pump or phase shift operations even without the water turbine, reducing downtime and operational costs by allowing the machine set to be used during turbine maintenance or low water conditions, and facilitating the use of the starting device across multiple machine sets.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor (32), and a drive transmission device (34). The drive transmission device (34) is configured to be coupled on one side to an output shaft of the electric motor (32) and on the other side to a shaft of the synchronous machine (16)
Implementation Method 2
drive transmission device (34) which is configured to be coupled on one side to an output shaft of the electric motor (32) and on the other side to a shaft of the synchronous machine (16)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a starting device for a machine set of a pumped storage power plant, wherein the machine set comprises a water turbine, a synchronous machine and a water pump, wherein the water turbine, the synchronous machine and the water pump are arranged coaxially to a common longitudinal shaft axis, wherein the starting device comprises an electric motor and a drive transmission device, wherein the drive transmission device is configured to be coupled on the one hand to the output shaft of the electric motor and on the other hand to the shaft of the synchronous machine.