Voltage Management Device Using Transformer Tap Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial and domestic installations face damage and increased management costs due to variations in power supply voltage from electrical networks, which existing voltage regulation devices fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A device that detects input voltage and current parameters, using a transformer with multiple taps and remote controller switches to selectively partition the input voltage, reducing output voltage and minimizing energy consumption by bypassing excess voltage, ensuring a constant output voltage and reducing heating losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If voltage regulation devices are used to stabilize power supply voltage, then output voltage stability is improved, but device complexity and additional energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transformer primary winding is divided into multiple segments or taps, allowing selective connection to different portions of the winding. This segmentation enables voltage regulation by switching between taps rather than using complex continuous regulation mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining output voltage stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects appropriate transformer taps based on the detected input voltage level. The control unit monitors voltage variations and switches between different primary winding taps in real-time, enabling adaptive voltage regulation that maintains stable output without requiring overly complex static regulation equipment.
2Stability of the object's composition
If voltage regulation devices are used to stabilize power supply voltage, then output voltage stability is improved, but additional energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the necessary voltage regulation function from complex stabilization systems. By using simple tap switching on the transformer primary side rather than full active regulation, it achieves adequate voltage management with minimal additional energy consumption, removing unnecessary regulatory overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses simple, low-cost tap switching mechanisms instead of expensive, energy-intensive active regulation equipment. The tap switches are basic electromagnetic components that consume minimal energy compared to continuous active regulation systems, providing cost-effective and energy-efficient voltage management.
3Adaptability or versatility
If transformer primary winding taps are switched to regulate voltage, then output voltage is reduced to match network variations, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transformer with multiple primary taps serves multiple functions: voltage regulation, voltage matching to network variations, and inherent isolation. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single transformer component rather than requiring separate regulation devices, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The transformer acts as an intermediary between the variable voltage electrical network and the connected load. By switching taps on the primary side, the transformer mediates voltage variations before they reach the secondary side, providing adaptive voltage matching without requiring complex control systems on the load side.
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 significant energy savings by stabilizing output voltage, reducing additional consumption from electrical network voltage variations, and ensuring reliable power supply while minimizing transformer heating and losses.
Implementation Method 1
a transformer 2 with a set of independent primary windings P1, P2, P3 and a secondary coil S1 in series with the unregulated input voltage
Implementation Method 2
Relays 10, 12, 14, 16 on the low current primary side are switched by a control processor 20 to energize selected primary coils P1, P2, P3
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A device (1) for managing the power supply voltage (Val) deriving from an electrical network is described; the device comprises means (4) having at the input said supply voltage of the electric network and configured to limit the peaks of the supply voltage by providing at the output terminal an output voltage (Vout; Vout1, Vout2, Vout3) having a value less than the supply voltage deriving from the electric network. Said means comprise at least one transformer (41) provided with a primary winding (L1; L1a, L1b, L1c) and a secondary winding (L2; L2a, L2b, L2c) arranged in phase opposed, said secondary winding being connected between the input (IN; IN1, IN2, IN3) and output terminals (OUT; OUT1, OUT2, OUT3) of the device and said primary winding comprising at least two taps (S1, S2), said device comprising further means (3, K2, K3) configured to select one of said two taps of the primary winding as a function of the electric network supply voltage value, said supply voltage (Val) being placed between said selected tap and the neutral (N).