H02J3/1807

Modular FACTS devices with external fault current protection
11309701 · 2022-04-19 · ·

Flexible AC transmission system (FACTS) enabling distributed controls is a requirement for power transmission and distribution, to improve line balancing and distribution efficiency. These FACTS devices are electronic circuits that vary in the type of services they provide. All FACTS devices have internal circuitry to handle fault currents. Most of these circuits are unique in design for each manufacturer, which make these FACTS devices non-modular, non-interchangeable, expensive and heavy. One of the most versatile FACTS device is the static synchronous series compensator (SSSC), which is used to inject impedance into the transmission lines to change the power flow characteristics. The addition of integrated fault current handling circuitry makes the SSSC and similar FACTS devices unwieldy, heavy, and not a viable solution for distributed control. What is disclosed are modifications to FACTS devices that move the fault current protection external to the FACTS device and make them modular and re-usable.

Magnetically controllable inductor in a series circuit

A device is for reactive power compensation in a high-voltage network having a phase conductor. The device has a first high-voltage terminal, which is configured to be connected to the phase conductor. For each first high-voltage terminal, a first and a second core section, which are part of a magnetic circuit, a first high-voltage winding, which encloses the first core section, and a second high-voltage winding are provided. Moreover, the device has a saturation switching branch, which saturates the core sections and has controllable power semiconductor switches. A control unit is used to control the power semiconductor switches. The first and the second high-voltage windings are connected by the high-voltage end to the associated first high-voltage terminal and on the low-voltage side can be connected to one or the saturation switching branch. To be able to be connected in series into the high-voltage network, a second high-voltage terminal is provided.

Adjustable frequency drive systems and methods of employing power compensation

An apparatus, such as an adjustable frequency drive (AFD), includes an inverter configured to be selectively coupled to a motor in a first mode and an AC line in a second mode and a control circuit configured to operate the inverter as a motor drive in the first mode and as a power compensator in the second mode. The power compensator may provide power factor correction. The control circuit may include a scalar controller configured to control the inverter according to a voltage vs. frequency characteristic determined by a field weakening point reference and the control circuit may vary the field weakening point reference in the second mode. The inverter may have an input coupled to a DC bus and the control circuit may be configured to adjust a frequency of the inverter in the second mode to increase a voltage on the DC bus.

Magnetic Field Control Device and Magnetic Field Control Method of Synchronous Machine
20220085608 · 2022-03-17 ·

The present invention provides a magnetic field control device and a magnetic field control method for a synchronous machine, which can fundamentally cope with the problem of the lack and fluctuation in the voltage maintaining ability from a point of view of a power generation of a power system. A magnetic field control device of the present invention is a device for a synchronous machine that controls a magnetic field of the synchronous machine connected to a power system. The magnetic field control device comprises a magnetic field control system operating electric current flowing through a magnetic field coil of the synchronous machine; a regulator of the magnetic field control system; and a compensation circuit variably regulating a control constant of the magnetic field control system according to a magnitude of magnetic field current or an equivalent of the magnetic field current.

POWER FACTOR DETERMINATION
20220069581 · 2022-03-03 ·

A method and apparatus are disclosed for indicating one or more characteristics associated with a power factor for a power line. The apparatus includes at least one feedback element for coupling to a power line that delivers electrical power from an Alternating Current (AC) source to a load and for providing a first feedback voltage that represents a voltage provided by the power line; at least one further feedback element for coupling to the power line for providing a further feedback voltage that represents a current provided by the power line; and at least one impedance element, having an electrical impedance, wherein a first potential difference across the impedance element that is responsive to a potential difference between the first feedback voltage and the further feedback voltage, indicates a characteristic associated with a power factor for the power line.

Ultracapacitors with high frequency response

An electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) is disclosed including: a first electrode including a first current collector and first plurality of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) disposed substantially directly upon the first current collector; a second electrode comprising a second current collector and second plurality of CNTs disposed substantially directly upon the second current collector; and an electrolyte disposed between and in contact with (e.g., wetting) the first and second electrodes. In some embodiments, the EDLC is configured to have a capacitive frequency window comprising about 1 Hz to about 50 Hz.

Line control circuit configuration
11146067 · 2021-10-12 · ·

A configuration of switches added to a line control circuit allows for switching back and forth between a configuration featuring a series-connected thyristor switch and reactor and a configuration featuring a parallel-connected thyristor switch and reactor. Connecting the reactor in series with the thyristor switch allows a controlled high-impedance circuit configuration that is particularly well adapted for cold furnace start-ups and furnace idling. In this manner, there is reduced need for such equipment as extra startup transformers, alternate low-voltage power supply configurations and temporary specialty electrical apparatus for cold furnace start-ups.

Grid Influencing System

Various embodiments of the teachings herein include a grid influencing system for a power supply grid comprising: a current-conducting grid influencing component; and a vacuum circuit breaker including a vacuum circuit breaker tube containing an at least partly integrated pre-arcing device for actively generating an arc between two contacts.

Method of changing a switching module using pressure-applying device
11026341 · 2021-06-01 · ·

A switching module may include a plurality of cooling plates stacked along a vertical direction, a switch disposed between the cooling plates, a first supporting member disposed below the lowermost cooling plate, a second supporting member disposed above the uppermost cooling plate, first and second pressing support portions disposed between the lowermost cooling plate and the first supporting member, and a pressing member disposed between the uppermost cooling plate and the second supporting member.

High voltage superconductors for datacenter campus
11031706 · 2021-06-08 · ·

A system for powering a datacenter campus including a first main direct current (DC) superconductor cable configured to receive direct current DC electrical power from a first alternating current (AC) power grid through a first AC-DC converter, a second main DC superconductor cable configured to receive DC electrical power from a second AC power grid through a second AC-DC converter, a DC-DC hub connected to the first and second main superconductor cables, and a plurality of secondary DC superconductor cables, wherein each secondary DC superconductor cable includes a first end electrically connected to the DC-DC hub and a second end electrically connected to server racks housed in a respective datacenter building of the datacenter campus.