Three-Phase Energy-Saving Transformer with Reactive Power Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing energy-saving devices for electrical energy transformation, such as transformers, suffer from inefficiencies due to energy losses, harmonics, distortions, and inrush current peaks, leading to suboptimal energy savings and increased consumption.

Innovation Solution

An energy-saving device with a three-phase transformer design featuring first and second switching means that allows seamless configuration changes between 'saving' and 'bypass' modes, utilizing electromagnetic coupling between primary and secondary windings to minimize transient conditions and reduce energy inefficiencies, harmonics, and inrush currents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a power transformer is inserted between the power source and the loads to transform electrical energy values, then the electrical quantities can be converted to suitable output values, but energy losses occur due to Joule effect in windings and dispersion of flows

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical quantity transformationVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful reactive power component from the total power flow by introducing a compensating device that generates equal and opposite reactive power, thereby eliminating the energy losses caused by reactive power circulation in the transformer windings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary reactive power compensation device that acts as a mediator between the power source and the loads, providing the necessary reactive power locally and preventing it from circulating through the transformer, thus reducing energy losses

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If the power of the electrical energy being controlled is increased, then the transformation capability is enhanced, but the energy losses due to Joule effect and dispersion become greater

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower of electrical energyVSAvoidenergy losses
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of high power causing proportionally higher losses into a benefit by using the high power capability of the transformer while simultaneously compensating for the losses through reactive power compensation, making the system efficient even at high power levels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Adaptability or versatility

If switching means are inserted to enable configuration changes between saving and bypass modes, then operational flexibility is improved, but anomalous transient operating conditions could damage the device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoiddevice safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-charging the capacitor before switching and ensuring proper sequencing of switch operations, thereby preventing transient overvoltages and current surges that could damage the device during mode transitions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent provides beforehand cushioning by incorporating snubber circuits and controlled switching mechanisms that absorb and dissipate transient energy during configuration changes, protecting the device from damage while maintaining operational flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

The device achieves an energy saving of at least 10% by reducing energy consumption, harmonics, and inrush currents, while optimizing energy transmission and regulation, as demonstrated in commercial complex tests.

Implementation Method 1

a three-phase transformer (10) comprising three transformation assemblies (11), each comprising a primary winding (2) electromagnetically coupled to a secondary winding (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

first switching means (4) connected to second ends (6) of the primary windings (2) of the transformation assemblies (11), enabling a connection state of the windings (2, 3) to be changed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical switching:

Data Source

PatentEP2740132B1An improved, high-efficiency, energy-saving device for inserting between a power source and a motive and/or lighting power load
Publication Date: 2017.07.12 ENERGIA EUROPA
  • EP2740132B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2740132B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2740132B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An energy-saving device (1) inserted between a three-phase power supply (A) and a three-phase load (L), comprising a three-phase electrical transformer (10), each phase of which includes a transformation assembly (1 1) with a primary winding (2) connected at a first end (5) to one phase of the power supply (A) and electromagnetically coupled to a secondary winding (3) connected at its second end (S1) to one phase of the load (L). The device (1 ) involves the primary winding (2) comprising two portions (21, 22), where a principal portion (21) extends between a first point (PO) and a second point (P1), and the second portion (22) extends from the second point (P1) to a third point (P2). The device also involves each of the transformation assemblies (11) being dimensioned so that the value of the voltage (Vpo-p2) established between the first point (P0) and the third point (P2) of the primary winding (2) is in the range defined by the voltage (Vkvp), applied to the principal portion (21) multiplied by the coefficients 1.2043 - 2% and 1.2043 + 2%; the value of the voltage (Vso-si) between the first end (SO) and the second end (S1) of the secondary winding (3) is in the range defined by the voltage (Vkvp), multiplied by the coefficient 0.1021 - 5% and 0.1021 + 5%; the value of the current (IPO-PI) flowing through the principal portion (21) is in the range defined by the current (Ikas) flowing through the secondary winding multiplied by the coefficients 0.1133 - 5% and 0.1133 + 5%; the value of the current (lPi.p2) flowing in the second portion (22) is in the range defined by the current (Ikas) multiplied by the coefficients 0.0940 - 5% and 0.0940 + 5%; the value of the magnetic induction relating to the configuration defined by the first point (P0) and the third point (P2) of the primary winding (2) and of the secondary winding (3) is in the range defined by the coefficient of magnetic induction (Ckim) for the configuration defined by the principal portion (21) of the primary winding (2) and of the secondary winding (3) multiplied by the coefficients 0.9965 - 0.03% and 0.9965 + 0.03%.