Abstract:
A power distribution line communication system for, and method of, reducing effects of signal cancellation at locations along the distribution line (2) due to standing waves caused by reflections of a carrier signal impressed on the distribution line (2). A same outgoing data signal is modulated on each of a plurality of carrier signals (40, 42, 44) having different frequencies. The carrier signal frequencies are selected such that all of the carrier signals (40, 42, 44) will not experience signal cancellation at a same location on the distribution line (2). The modulated carrier signals (40, 42, 44) are simultaneously impressed on the distribution line (2) for transmission to remote locations (4), thereby ensuring reception of the outgoing data signal at each remote location (4).
Abstract:
Voltage flicker is a power quality problem in power distribution circuits (10) which is caused by the operation of fluctuating loads (18) such as AC and DC electric arc furnaces, spot welders, starting of large ac motors, and the like. Converters (12) based on Voltage Source technology (VSC) connected in shunt close to the fluctuating load are found to have the capability of reducing the voltage flicker level. Flicker control systems (20) responsive to the active and reactive power components are used to exploit the capabilities of VSC in accordance with the invention. The flicker control systems (20) reduce the voltage flicker observed at the point of common coupling by adapting, e.g., H-infinity, Linear Quadratic Gaussian, Mininum Variance Control, and self-tuning design methods for flicker control in power systems (10) having fixed or self-tuning flicker controller parameters.
Abstract:
A method for measuring an AC current in a conductor (10) in which a DC current also exists including the step of obtaining a first AC current measurement, obtaining a measure of a power factor, fundamental frequency component and second harmonic component (S2) and adjusting the first AC current measurement in accordance with an error value to obtain a corrected current measurement (S3, S4). The error value is determined as a function of the power factor, fundamental frequency component and second harmonic component.
Abstract:
The solid insulation transformer (10) has a rectangular core (50) covered with a compressible closed cell foam to eliminate stress during curing of the cast dielectric material (18) surrounding the core and during operation. Heat pipes (22) are placed between the inner coil and the core to extract heat before the temperature builds up. For safety and to eliminate the need for a separate enclosure, an outer multilayer casing (16) having an incorporated grounding conductive layer is provided to cover the sides of the cast body. The outer casing prevents explosion if dielectric breakdown and arcing occur, and reduces the danger of electric shock.
Abstract:
An improved arc-resistant switchgear enclosure is disclosed. The disclosed arc-resistant switchgear enclosure provides a cost effective structure to collect and channel the pressure and hot gases through the switchgear enclosure. In preferred embodiments, an internal arc chamber (30') is formed by assembling modules and creating a void within the center of the switchgear enclosure. As multiple compartments or modules (10, 12', 14, 24) for a switchgear enclosure are connected, an arc chamber is created within the enclosure. Upon initiation of an arc fault within a particular compartment, a relief flap (40, 42) or cover (42) for that particular compartment opens to channel the pressure and the gases into the internal arc chamber or directly through the top of the enclosure (100). Pressures and gases are vented into the internal arc chamber and flow horizontally through the arc chamber until a path to the top of the switchgear enclosure is reached. These pressures and hot gases are then channeled upward and safely out of the switchgear enclosure. Also disclosed is a ventilation system for an arc-resistant switchgear enclosure that provides natural ventilation while preventing any arc gases from entering the lower, ventilated compartment or compartments. This ventilation system permits the proper venting of pressurized gases originating in the lower ventilated compartment or compartments.
Abstract:
A computer workstation-based interactive tool for assessing the reliability of power system is disclosed. This tool can be used to determine the effect on the reliability of both substations and bulk generation and transmission systems of system additions, design alternatives, maintenance practices, substation configurations, and spare part policies. Each utility using the present invention is modeled analytically. The model includes load characteristics, demand projections, voltage profiles, energy and operating constraints, operator and automatic responses to the occurrence of contingent events, generating unit dispatch, contingency remedial actions, load shedding practices, demand-side management, and equipment failure modes including planned and unplanned maintenance.
Abstract:
A method for manufacturing a laminate comprising at least two sheets of magnetic material is disclosed. The laminate (10) may be used to form a stacked transformer core. The method increases the productivity of the core-stacking process, decreases the core loss destruction factor, decreases total core loss, decreases acoustic noise generated by the electrical device employing the laminate, and does all of this in a manner which is commercially practical. The method comprises applying an adhesive (12), preferably a hot melt adhesive, in a pattern of thin beads onto one side of a first lamina or sheet of magnetic material, the pattern comprising a plurality of lines, the lines being substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to a direction of grain orientation or rolling direction of the lamina. A second lamina is then stacked onto the one side of the first lamina, and then a compressive force is applied to specified areas of the laminate. The spacing between the respective lines of adhesive is preferably 1-20 millimeters and, for an approximate diameter (D) of each bead, the spacing (S) between the beads of each line is preferably between D and 2D.
Abstract:
An apparatus for detecting a partial discharge in a high voltage transformer comprising a live tank (100) comprises a metal box (200) detachably connected to the tank (100); a first acoustic sensor (210) inside the box for converting acoustic waves in a first frequency band to a first electrical output signal; signal conditioning circuitry (216) inside the box for amplifying and filtering the first electrical signal; an electrical to optical converter (222), inside the box, for converting the amplified and filtered electrical signal to an optical signal; a fiber optic link (300) for carrying the optical signal to a location remote from the transformer; and an optical to electrical converter (402) at the remote location for converting the optical signal to a second electrical signal, the second electrical signal being indicative of a partial discharge inside the tank (100). The second electrical signal may be fed to an oscilloscope (500) or recording equipment (600) for determination of the occurrence of a partial discharge.
Abstract:
A one-terminal process for locating a fault associated with a multi-phase electric power transmission system is disclosed. The process is based on the principle that the current in a fault sequence can be determined by a distribution factor in positive or negative sequence, i.e., it is only ncessary to determine the positive or negative sequence current in the fault. The fault may be a phase-to-ground fault, a phase-to-phase-to-ground fault, a phase-to-phase fault, or a phase-to-phase-to-phase fault. The process begins by obtaining data from one end of a transmission line. If the data is oscillographic data, phasors are calculated. If the measured data is in phasor form, or after phasors have been calculated, the fault type is determined. Thereafter, a decision is made whether the pre-fault data is sound. If the pre-fault data is sound, an appropriate equation is selected for the calculation of the fault location parameter "m". If the pre-fault data is not sound, a decision is made whether the phase is a three-phase fault. If so, a classical reactance formula is employed to compensate for the fault through a resistance by measuring only the imaginary part of the apparent line impedance. If the fault is not a three-phase fault, the reactance formula is not employed and the appropriate equation is selected for the calculation of the fault location parameter. Accurate fault location techniques for radial lines and long lines are also disclosed. The system is insensitive to the zero sequence current distribution factor. No information about the system source impedances is required.
Abstract:
Twin metal billets (31) are fed to dual circumferential grooves (44) formed in a rotary wheel (43), and are advanced to a die (21) which has a die opening with a circumferentially discontinuous, annular cross section. The metal merges in the die opening and exits therefrom in the form of a slit tube (34, 36). The tube is advanced over a forming member (38) to form a flat strip (39). As the tube is advanced over the forming member, an alignment system (300) maintains the tube in a centred position. The alignment system includes a light source (302a, b) disposed within the tube and two arrays of photo-transistors (308) arranged to receive light from the light source, the amount of light sensed by each array being a function of the position of the slit in the tube relative to a desired position. Any difference results in a steering roll (318) in contact with the outer surface of the tube pivoting in a direction which will bring the tube back into alignment.