Method for using chemical thermodynamics to buffer the voltage of electric circuits and power systems
First Claim
1. A method for buffering the voltage of electric circuit (EC) system that undergoes transient voltage changes, above or below a nominal operating voltage of the EC system, during use as a result of variances in loads on, or power to, the EC system, comprising:
- placing a new load upon the EC system and its normal operating voltage by electrically connecting an electrochemical device to the EC system by a direct current (DC) circuit via a voltage transformer;
selecting a step-up or step-down transformer rating for the voltage transformer for causing the new load to have a voltage that varies without regulation in proportion to the voltage of the EC system during transient voltage changes;
selecting a capacity, a chemical concentration and an electrode design for the electrochemical device, wherein the selecting steps cause the new load to be powered by the EC system at voltage levels that cause at least one electrochemical reaction exhibiting Nernstian behavior of the reaction rate to occur within the electrochemical device;
providing, during a first transient voltage change in the EC system, additional voltage from the EC system to the electrochemical device to exponentially increase the load on the EC system when the EC system voltage increases, to retard the first transient voltage change that would occur in the absence of the placing, selecting and providing steps; and
providing, during a second transient voltage change in the EC system, reduced voltage from the EC system to the electrochemical device to exponentially decrease the load on the EC system when the EC system voltage decreases, to retard the second transient voltage change that would occur in the absence of the placing, selecting and providing steps.
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Abstract
A method for buffering the voltage of an electric system that undergoes transient voltage changes includes the step of placing a new load upon the electric system by electrically connecting at least one electrochemical device to the electric system so that electrical current flows from the electric system to the electrochemical device. Also included are the steps of causing at least one electrochemical reaction to occur within the at least one electrochemical device; varying the new load placed upon the electric system as transient voltage changes in the electric system occur; and changing the electrical current from the electric system to the electrochemical device in a manner that retards transient voltage changes in the electric system that would occur in the absence of the steps of placing, causing, and varying.
39 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for buffering the voltage of electric circuit (EC) system that undergoes transient voltage changes, above or below a nominal operating voltage of the EC system, during use as a result of variances in loads on, or power to, the EC system, comprising:
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placing a new load upon the EC system and its normal operating voltage by electrically connecting an electrochemical device to the EC system by a direct current (DC) circuit via a voltage transformer; selecting a step-up or step-down transformer rating for the voltage transformer for causing the new load to have a voltage that varies without regulation in proportion to the voltage of the EC system during transient voltage changes; selecting a capacity, a chemical concentration and an electrode design for the electrochemical device, wherein the selecting steps cause the new load to be powered by the EC system at voltage levels that cause at least one electrochemical reaction exhibiting Nernstian behavior of the reaction rate to occur within the electrochemical device; providing, during a first transient voltage change in the EC system, additional voltage from the EC system to the electrochemical device to exponentially increase the load on the EC system when the EC system voltage increases, to retard the first transient voltage change that would occur in the absence of the placing, selecting and providing steps; and providing, during a second transient voltage change in the EC system, reduced voltage from the EC system to the electrochemical device to exponentially decrease the load on the EC system when the EC system voltage decreases, to retard the second transient voltage change that would occur in the absence of the placing, selecting and providing steps. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for retarding transient voltage changes occurring on an electric circuit (EC) system, above or below a nominal operating voltage of the EC system, the system comprising:
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an EC system, wherein the EC system comprises a high voltage transmission line; a DC circuit; a step down transformer connected to the EC system to step down a high voltage on the high voltage transmission line of the EC system to provide a lower voltage that varies without regulation in proportion to the high voltage of the EC system during transient voltage changes; an electrochemical device electrically connected through the step down transformer to the EC system so that electrical current can flow from the EC system to the electrochemical device, wherein the step down transformer comprises a voltage transformer rating and the electrochemical device comprises a capacity, a chemical concentration and an electrode design that are selected to cause the electrochemical device to be powered by the EC system at voltage levels that cause at least one electrochemical reaction exhibiting Nernstian behavior of the reaction rate to occur within the electrochemical device so that the lower voltage flowing to the electrochemical device varies with changes in the voltage level on the high voltage transmission line causing the load provided by the electrochemical device to exponentially vary to retard transient voltage changes occurring on the EC system that occur as a result of variances in loads on or power to the EC system; wherein the system provides, during a first transient voltage change in the EC system, additional power from the EC system to the electrochemical device to exponentially increase the load on the system when the EC system voltage increases, to retard the first transient voltage change; and wherein the system provides, during a second transient voltage change in the EC system, reduced power from the EC system to exponentially decrease the load on the system when the EC system voltage decreases, to retard the second transient voltage change. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification