Arrangement and Method for Reducing a Magnetic Unidirectional Flux Component in the Core of a Transformer

Abstract

An arrangement for reducing a magnetic unidirectional flux component in the core of a transformer includes a measurement apparatus which provides a measurement signal corresponding to the magnetic unidirectional flux component, a compensation winding magnetically coupled to the core of the transformer, wherein magnetic flux flowing in the core induces a voltage in the compensation winding, a switch device arranged electrically in series together with the compensation winding in a current path, a control device which controls the switch device via a control parameter, where the switch unit comprises a magnetic core and a winding arrangement which is magnetically coupled to the magnetic core, and the control parameter is supplied to the winding arrangement such that the magnetic saturation state of the core is variable, whereby the conductive state of the switch unit can be produced.

Claims

1.-12. (canceled)

13. An arrangement for reducing a magnetic unidirectional flux component in the core of a transformer, comprising: a measurement apparatus which provides a measurement signal corresponding to the magnetic unidirectional flux component; a compensation winding magnetically coupled to the core of the transformer, the magnetic flux flowing in the core inducing a voltage in the compensation winding; a switch device arranged electrically in series with the compensation winding in a current path; a control device which controls the switch device via a control parameter such that the switch device is switchable to a conductive state at an activation time which is dependent on the measurement signal and is network-synchronous, whereby a compensation current is injected into the compensation winding, an effect of which is directed against the unidirectional flux component; wherein the switch device comprises a magnetic core and a winding arrangement which is magnetically coupled to this core; wherein the control parameter is supplied to the winding arrangement such that a magnetic saturation state of the core is variable, whereby the conductive state of the switch unit is produceable.

14. The arrangement as claimed in claim 13, wherein the winding arrangement comprises: a control winding which is connected to the control device to introduce a control current; and a load winding which is integrated into the current path.

15. The arrangement as claimed in claim 14, wherein the control winding comprises a plurality of auxiliary windings which are connected in series and having an arrangement which is selected such that an induced voltage at the connection terminals is zero.

16. The arrangement as claimed in claim 14, wherein the load winding is further configured as a device for limiting the current in the current path.

17. The arrangement as claimed in claim 13, wherein the switch device is arranged in an internal space of a transformer tank which is filled with an insulating and cooling liquid.

18. The arrangement as claimed in claim 13, wherein the activation time which is dependent on the measurement signal and is network-synchronous is phase-synchronous to the voltage in the compensation winding.

19. A method for reducing a magnetic unidirectional flux component in the core of a transformer, the method comprising: providing, by a measurement apparatus, a measurement signal corresponding to the magnetic unidirectional flux component; inducing a voltage by a compensation winding magnetically coupled to the core of the transformer and in which the magnetic flux flowing in the core, a switch device being arranged electrically in series with the compensation winding in a current path, said switch device comprising a magnetic core and a winding arrangement which is magnetically coupled to the magnetic core; controlling, by a control device, the switch device via a control parameter, whereby the switch device is switchable to a conductive state at an activation time, the activation time being specified according to the measurement signal and being network-synchronous; and injecting the control parameter into the winding arrangement as a control current, such that a conductive state of the switch device is achieved by varying the magnetic saturation state of the magnetic core.

20. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the switch device comprises: a control winding which is connected to the control unit; and a load winding, which is integrated into the current path.

21. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the control winding comprises a plurality of auxiliary windings which are connected in series and having an arrangement which is selected such that an induced voltage at the connection terminals is zero.

22. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the load winding is configured as a device for limiting the current in the current path.

23. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the activation time which is dependent on the measurement signal and is network-synchronous is phase-synchronous to the voltage in the compensation winding.

24. A method for converting a transformer, the method comprising: injecting a compensation current via a core of the transformer having or being equipped with a compensation winding which is suitable for compensating a unidirectional flux component present in the core; and generating the compensation current by a switch device connected to the compensation winding, said switch device being formed by a magnetic core and a winding arrangement which is magnetically coupled to this core, the switch device being controllable by a control unit.

25. The method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the switch device is arranged in an internal space of a transformer tank.

26. A transductor for reducing a magnetic unidirectional flux component in a core of the transformer, wherein the transductor includes: a magnetic core, and a load winding and a control winding, which are arranged on the magnetic core and are magnetically coupled together via the magnetic core, wherein the load winding is connected in a current path in series with a compensation winding which is arranged on the core of the transformer; and wherein the control winding is connected to a switch device which is configured to inject a control current into the control winding in a network-synchronous manner and in accordance with the unidirectional flux component that is to be compensated.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In a further explanation of the invention, reference is made in the following part of the description to drawings, from which further advantageous embodiments, details and developments of the invention can be derived on the basis of a non-restrictive exemplary embodiment, and in which:

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a schematic block diagram which generally illustrates the operating principle of a unidirectional flux compensation comprising a clocked switch unit for generating a compensation current;

[0027] FIG. 2 shows a waveform of the compensation current in the block schematic diagram from FIG. 1;

[0028] FIG. 3 shows an arrangement comprising a magnetic switch which comprises a transductor in accordance with the invention;

[0029] FIG. 4 shows a graphical plot of a B/H curve which illustrates the operating principle of the magnetic switch in accordance with the invention;

[0030] FIG. 5 shows a first exemplary embodiment of the magnetic switch in accordance with the invention;

[0031] FIG. 6 shows a second exemplary embodiment of the magnetic switch in accordance with the invention;

[0032] FIG. 7 shows a third exemplary embodiment of the magnetic switch in accordance with the invention;

[0033] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the method in accordance with the invention; and

[0034] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the method for converting a transformer in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0035] Before explaining the embodiment of the invention, a brief illustration of the operating principle of the unidirectional flux compensation via a clocked switch element is given with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. In FIG. 1, the compensation winding K is portrayed as voltage source U.sub.K, i.e., the load alternating flux passing through the compensation winding K induces therein a voltage U.sub.K that is present at the terminals K1, K2 of the compensation winding K. This voltage U.sub.K is used as an energy source for generating a compensation current I.sub.K. There is no separate energy source. The generation of the compensation current is effected by a clocked switch unit 5. This switch unit 5 is situated in series with the compensation winding K in a current path 6. A reactor 2 is also situated in the current path 6. The reactor 2 is used to limit the current i in the current path 6, specifically by limiting the current rise at the instant of closing by virtue of its inductance L. In order to compensate a magnetic unidirectional flux component Φ.sub.DC in the core 1 of the transformer, the switch 5 is clocked by a control unit 9 in a manner which is network-synchronous but can vary in activation time, such that an electrical current with harmonic vibrations is produced in the current path 6, where the electrical current contains a direct component that counteracts the unwanted unidirectional flux Φ.sub.DC in the core of the transformer. As mentioned previously, it is not necessary when using this operating principle to provide an external energy source in the form of a battery or capacitor, because the energy comes from the induced voltage U.sub.K itself. The switch unit 5 can be formed of semiconductors, as disclosed, e.g., in the document WO 2012/041368 A1 cited in the introduction. Thyristors in phase-angle control are suitable for this purpose, being fired at a specific phase angle and blocking again automatically at current zero. The level of the direct current can be adjusted via the phase angle, i.e., via the activation time.

[0036] FIG. 2 shows the time characteristic of the pulsating direct current. The voltage U(t)=U.sub.K sin(ω*t) is present at the terminals K1, K2. The switch is open and therefore i=0 until the firing time point t.sub.x. After the firing time point t.sub.x, the switch 5 is closed and remains closed until the next current zero (T−t.sub.x). The time characteristic of the current in the interval [t.sub.x, T−t.sub.x] is i(t)=U.sub.K/ω*L(cos(ω*t.sub.x)−cos(ω*t).

[0037] The operation of the “magnetic switch” is explained in greater detail below.

[0038] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of the inventive arrangement for the compensation of a magnetic unidirectional flux component Φ.sub.DC in the core 1 of a transformer, which is not shown in detail. A section of the magnetically soft core 1, coupled to a compensation winding K, can be seen in FIG. 3. In addition to the alternating flux, a disruptive magnetic unidirectional flux Φ.sub.DC also flows proportionately in the core 1.

[0039] In order to compensate this unidirectional flux component Φ.sub.DC, it must first be identified in respect of level and direction. One possibility for measuring the unidirectional flux component Φ.sub.DC is proposed in PCT/EP2010/054857, for example, which operates in the manner of a “magnetic bypass”: part of the main magnetic flux in the transformer core is diverted via a ferromagnetic shunt part and fed back in again downstream. The magnetic field strength in the core section that is bypassed by the shunt arm can be determined either directly or indirectly from this diverted flux part that is routed in the shunt of the core. This capturing of the magnetic field strength or magnetic excitation functions reliably and is highly suitable for long-term use. However, other methods are suitable.

[0040] In order to reduce the effect of a unidirectional flux component Φ.sub.DC, a switch device is inventively connected at the terminals K1 and K2 in FIG. 3, where a compensation current I.sub.K can be generated and injected into the compensation winding K via the switch device without an external energy source. In contrast with the prior art, this device has no power-electronic structural components. It consists essentially of a current controlling power transductor 4. This transductor 4 acts as a clocked switch, i.e., its control winding 3 receives a control current 11 which can be varied in level and is triggered by the network, thereby achieving a switching function in the current path 6. Three inductances 20, 2 and K are arranged in an electrical series connection in the current path 6, the arrangement being depicted schematically rather than symbolically in FIG. 3.

[0041] In practical embodiments, the component groups below the dash-dot line in the illustration of FIG. 3 are situated not in the internal space 14 of the transformer tank, but outside.

[0042] The current limiting reactor 2 and the load winding 20 of the transductor 4 can also be combined to form an inductance L.

[0043] The generation and injection of the compensation current I.sub.K into the compensation winding K is explained in greater detail below.

[0044] As stated above, the generation of the compensation current I.sub.K is effected by the magnetically acting switch device 5 in the manner of a transductor. This consists essentially of a winding arrangement 3, 20 formed of a control winding 3 and a load winding 20 which are coupled to a magnetic core 10. The core 10 is closed and has no air gap. The magnetic material in the core 10 is premagnetized via the control current 11 flowing in the control winding 3, i.e., modulated between the state of saturation and non-saturation.

[0045] FIG. 4 illustrates the operating principle of the switch device with reference to the B/H curve of the core 10. The continuous lines show the unfired state, while the broken lines show the through-connected state.

[0046] If the core 10 is not saturated, i.e., the inductance is high, the impedance is high and only a very small excitation current I.sub.0 flows in the current path 6. The switch 5 can be considered as blocking or open.

[0047] If starting at the time point t.sub.x the core 10 is partly then fully (see point P.sub.x in FIG. 4) saturated via the control winding 3, then the inductance decreases significantly and an increasing current I.sub.K begins to flow in the current path 6. The flux that is linked to this current I.sub.K causes the magnetic material of the core 10 to remain saturated, such that the initial firing by the current 11 in the control winding 3 is no longer required and can be switched off. (This fundamental characteristic is similar to a thyristor: once it has been fired, the thyristor can no longer be controlled, in particular switched off, via the control interface.) In this state, the switch device 5 is therefore in a conductive state, i.e., the switch 5 is closed. This through-connected state continues until the alternating current zero is reached. The current flow is then interrupted and the switch 5 must be fired again for a subsequent switching action. The reactor 2 is used for current limitation in the through-connected state.

[0048] Depending on the level and direction of the compensation current I.sub.K that is required for GIC or DC compensation, the activation time t.sub.x is controlled such that the resulting arithmetic mean value of the pulsating current in the compensation winding K brings about the desired Φ.sub.DC compensation effect. The activation time t.sub.x determines the extent of the GIC or DC compensation effect. This “firing” or activation process is triggered in a phase-synchronous manner, i.e., synchronous to the voltage in the compensation winding K. The current injection into the control winding 3 is therefore similar to the conductive switching of a semiconductor, such as the firing of a thyristor. As in the case of a thyristor, the “firing” is followed by a current flow which automatically expires again. The magnetic switch 5 initially remains saturated until the current zero or near to the current zero, when the saturation of the ferromagnetic circuit is terminated again. The magnetic switch then has a high inductance again and can be considered as blocking, i.e., as an open switch in terms of its switching state.

[0049] As illustrated above, the injection of the control current 11 is synchronous to the network, while the level and direction of the control current 11 are specified according to the magnetic unidirectional flux component Φ.sub.DC that is to be compensated. Therefore, two signals are supplied to the control device 9 on the input side. Firstly, the induced voltage U.sub.K that is present at the terminals K1, K2 of the compensation winding K and from which the activation time can be specified in a network-synchronous manner, i.e., phase-synchronous to the voltage U.sub.K in the compensation winding. Secondly, a measurement signal 8 that comes from a measurement apparatus 7 that detects the magnetic unidirectional flux component Φ.sub.DC. The capture and processing of these two signals 8, 14 is known and can be transferred from the previously cited document PCT/EP2010/054857, for example.

[0050] The magnetically acting switch 5 can be formed in various ways.

[0051] FIG. 5 shows a first possible embodiment of the switch 5 in accordance with the invention. Illustrated is an exemplary core 10 of the switch unit 5 in the form of a single-phase sleeve core. For purposes of simplicity, FIG. 5 only shows the right hand symmetrical half. The central limb 12 supports the load winding 20 of the transductor 4. The control winding 3 and load winding 20 are magnetically coupled together via the core 10. The control winding 3 consists of a plurality of individual windings or auxiliary windings 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d. These auxiliary windings 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are arranged above and below in the window 13 of the 1-limb core. They are interconnected at the ends of their windings such that the magnetic material of the core 10 can be switched between saturated and non-saturated according to the direction of the direct current in the auxiliary winding arrangement 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d.

[0052] FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of a transductor, in which two auxiliary windings 3a, 3b are arranged at the top in the window and are connected in series with opposite winding directions but the same number of turns. The flux Φ.sub.h in the transductor 5 induces a voltage that then amounts to zero. This aids the injection of the control current 11.

[0053] FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of a transductor, in which the saturation in the core 10 of the transductor 4 is varied via a control winding or auxiliary winding 3 and via an air gap L, according to the desired switching behavior. By virtue of the coupling via the air gap, the auxiliary winding current injection can be switched off using a minimal induced voltage.

[0054] As stated above, the semiconductorless switch device 5 in accordance with the invention has the significant advantage that greater reliability and operational security can be achieved. The disclosed embodiments of the invention allow Direct Current Compensation (DCC) technology to be used in transformers in a very high power class. A comparatively high voltage at the compensation winding can be managed with modest technical expenditure. The use is no longer limited to voltages within the low-voltage specifications, i.e., up to 690 V. The power transductor can be utilized for the compensation of GIC, where comparatively high compensation currents are required. This was not previously possible, since the use of thyristors is not only technically limited due to power dissipation, but is also hard to justify financially. Moreover, it is difficult to guarantee the required reliability over an extended operating period using a semiconductor switch device. A large heat sink and possibly fan cooling, normally essential for semiconductor switch elements, is not required due to the arrangement in the internal space of the tank.

[0055] It is also advantageous that the switch in accordance with disclosed embodiments of the invention can be installed in the transformer tank, which has the advantage of liquid cooling. Efficient and reliable cooling allows the use of unidirectional flux compensation in transformers of very high power, such as HVDCT transformers.

[0056] For the purpose of generating the compensation current, the voltage that is induced in the compensation winding serves as an energy source. A separate energy store, such as a battery or a capacitor, is not required.

[0057] It is also advantageous that the switch device in accordance with disclosed embodiments of the invention is formed largely of materials that would also be otherwise used in the construction of transformers (insulated winding wires, magnetically soft core materials). The handling of these materials is familiar to the manufacturer of a transformer. The costs of manufacture are significantly lower in comparison with a solution featuring semiconductors. In comparison with a semiconductor switch, which must be estimated to have a service life of less than 15 years, the “inductive switch” in accordance with disclosed embodiments of the invention has a comparatively longer service life. Electrical transformers that are used in energy supply and distribution networks are long-term capital goods for which a long service life and high reliability are demanded. Always seeking reliability and long service life, the clients, i.e., network operators, will welcome the omission of power-electronic structural components.

[0058] It can be said in summary that power electronics are made obsolete by the invention and can be completely replaced by a passive solution. In order to compensate a unidirectional flux component, there is no longer a need for semiconductor components, and only the control electronics for modulating the switch device and the measurement apparatus for capturing the unidirectional flux component are required.

[0059] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a method for reducing a magnetic unidirectional flux component in the core 1 of a transformer. The method comprises providing, by a measurement apparatus 7, a measurement signal 8 corresponding to the magnetic unidirectional flux component Φ.sub.DC, as indicated in step 810. Next, a voltage U.sub.K is induced by a compensation winding K magnetically coupled to the core 1 of the transformer and in which the magnetic flux flowing in the core 1, as indicated in step 820. In accordance with the invention, a switch device 5 is arranged electrically in series with the compensation winding K in a current path 6, where the switch device 5 comprises a magnetic core 10 and a winding arrangement 3, 20 which is magnetically coupled to the magnetic core 10. Next, the switch device 5 is controlled by a control device 3 via a control parameter 11, whereby the switch device 5 is switchable to a conductive state at an activation time, as indicated in step 830. Here, the activation time is specified according to the measurement signal 8 and is network-synchronous.

[0060] Next, the control parameter 11 is injected into the winding arrangement 3, 20 as a control current, such that a conductive state of the switch device 5 is achieved by varying the magnetic saturation state of the magnetic core 10, as indicated in step 840.

[0061] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a method for converting a transformer. The method comprises injecting a compensation current I.sub.K via a core 1 of the transformer having or being equipped with a compensation winding K which is suitable for compensating a unidirectional flux component Φ.sub.DC present in the core 1, as indicated in step 910. Next, the compensation current I.sub.K is generated by a switch device 5 connected to the compensation winding K, as indicated in step 920. In accordance with the invention, the switch device 5 is foiled by a magnetic core 10 and a winding arrangement 3, 20 which is magnetically coupled to this core 10, where the switch device 5 is controllable by a control unit 9.

[0062] Thus, while there have been shown, described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.