Generator Stator Inter-Circuit Fault Detection via Voltage Difference Comparison
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current generator protection systems cannot detect inter-circuit faults in multi-circuit generators, leading to potential catastrophic damage and significant financial loss due to undetected faults that can cause high currents and subsequent ground faults.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for detecting inter-circuit faults within a generator stator, involving a sampler for phase voltages and currents, pre-defined blocks to enable fault detection, a level detection block for determining differences, and a comparison logic device to identify inter-circuit faults, which can generate a signal to isolate the generator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If parallel circuits are introduced in each phase to increase power density, then generator power output is improved, but susceptibility to inter-circuit faults increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stator winding is divided into multiple parallel circuits within each phase, allowing independent monitoring and fault isolation. The detection system segments the fault analysis by comparing voltage differences across individual circuits to identify inter-circuit faults specifically.
Solution Approach 2:
A detection system acts as an intermediary between the parallel circuits and the protection mechanism. It monitors voltage differences across circuits and triggers isolation only when inter-circuit faults are detected, preventing unnecessary shutdowns while protecting against catastrophic failures.
2Reliability
If existing protection systems are used, then ground fault protection is provided, but inter-circuit faults remain undetected
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system performs preliminary analysis of voltage differences across parallel circuits before catastrophic failure occurs. By continuously monitoring and comparing voltages, it identifies inter-circuit faults early, enabling preventive isolation before the fault progresses to ground fault or equipment damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system detects faults by monitoring changes in voltage parameters across parallel circuits. When voltage differences exceed thresholds or show abnormal patterns, it indicates an inter-circuit fault, triggering the protection mechanism.
3Productivity
If inter-circuit faults are not detected, then generator operation continues, but catastrophic damage and financial loss occur
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system provides continuous feedback on the health of parallel circuits by monitoring voltage differences. This feedback enables real-time detection of inter-circuit faults and triggers appropriate protection actions, maintaining productivity by preventing catastrophic failures while enabling quick recovery through targeted isolation.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the invention provide a system and method for detecting inter-circuit faults within a generator stator. In one embodiment, a computer system includes: a sampler for sampling phase voltages and phase currents of a generator stator; a plurality of pre-defined blocks for enabling, based on the sampled phase voltages and currents, an inter-circuit fault detection scheme; a level detection block for determining, in response to the enabled inter-circuit fault detection scheme, a plurality of differences between the sampled phase voltages; and a comparison logic device for comparing, in response to the enabled inter-circuit fault detection scheme, each of the differences of the sampled phase voltages and determining, based on the differences, an inter-circuit fault within at least one phase of the generator stator. The system may also include a negative sequence voltage block for detection of inter-circuit fault within a generator stator.