Power generation system and method with resistive braking capability

• US 10,050,433 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2014
• Issued: 08/14/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ai Alpine Us Bidco LLC
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Panosyan, Ara, Boeld, Christoph, Schaumberger, Herbert
• Primary Examiner(s): Fureman, Jared
• Assistant Examiner(s): Htun, Win
• Application Number:
  US14/566,749
• Publication Number:
  US 20160172842A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,342 Days
• Field of Search: 290 40, 290 41, 290 44, 361 20, 322 17, 318152, 307103
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/067 on occurrence of a load dump control on sudden change of load H02P9/10
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 9/026 Current limitation using PTC resistors, i.e. resistors with a large positive temperature coefficient
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/10 The dispersed energy generation being of fossil origin, e.g. diesel generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 3/22 by short-circuit or resistive braking
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/006 Means for protecting the generator by using control H02H7/06 takes precedence; control effected upon generator excitation circuit to reduce harmful effects of overloads or transients H02P9/10
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/04 Control effected upon non-electric prime mover and dependent upon electric output value of the generator
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/102 for limiting effects of transients

Abstract

A power generation system includes a generator operatively coupled to an engine for generating electrical power and supplying the electrical power to a grid. Further, the power generation system includes a resistive braking system operatively coupled between the generator and the grid. The resistive braking system includes a mechanical switch connected in parallel with a resistor, and a controller for, in response to a grid event, controlling power from the engine and operating the mechanical switch to redirect current between the mechanical switch and the parallel connected resistor.

Claims

1. A power generation system comprising:

a generator operatively coupled to an engine for generating electrical power and supplying the electrical power to a grid;

a resistive braking system operatively coupled between the generator and the grid, wherein the resistive braking system comprises;

a mechanical switch connected in parallel with a resistor; and

a controller operatively coupled to the engine, wherein the controller, in response to a grid event, is configured to;

send a first control signal to partially or fully switch OFF an ignition of the engine to control mechanical power from the engine to the generator;

send a second control signal to open the mechanical switch before a first predetermined time from an occurrence of the grid event to redirect current from the mechanical switch to the parallel connected resistor;

send a third control signal to partially or fully switch ON the ignition of the engine after the first predetermined time;

send a fourth control signal to close the mechanical switch if the grid event is cleared before a second predetermined time from the occurrence of the grid event; and

send a fifth control signal to switch OFF the ignition of the engine if the grid event is continued after the second predetermined time.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the resistor is sufficiently sized for absorbing a certain amount of the electrical power and energy from the generator when the mechanical switch is opened.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to regulate a speed of the generator based on the controlled mechanical power from the engine.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to detect the grid event based on an input signal.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the input signal comprises a voltage signal, a current signal, a generator power signal, a speed signal, a rotor angle signal, an engine power signal, an engine torque signal, or any combination thereof.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the engine comprises a gas turbine, a gas engine, or a wind turbine.

7. A method of supplying electrical power to a grid from a generator coupled to a resistive braking system connected between the generator and the grid, the resistive braking system comprising a mechanical switch connected in parallel with a resistor, the method comprising:

supplying the electrical power to the grid through the mechanical switch under normal operating conditions; and

upon a grid event being detected, (a) sending a first control signal from a controller for partially or fully switching OFF an ignition of the engine for controlling mechanical power from an engine to the generator, (b) sending a second control signal from the controller for opening the mechanical switch before a first predetermined time from an occurrence of the grid event so that current from the generator is redirected from the mechanical switch to the resistor, (c) sending a third control signal from the controller for partially or fully switching ON the ignition of the engine after the first predetermined time, (d) sending a fourth control signal from the controller for closing the mechanical switch if the grid event is cleared before a second predetermined time from the occurrence of the grid event, and (e) sending a fifth control signal from the controller for switching OFF the ignition of the engine if the grid event is continued after the second predetermined time.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the grid event is detected based on an input signal.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the input signal comprises a voltage signal, a current signal, a generator power signal, a speed signal, a rotor angle signal, an engine power signal, an engine torque signal, or any combination thereof.