Transformers with multi-turn primary windings for dynamic power flow control

• US 10,418,814 B2
• Filed: 02/26/2016
• Issued: 09/17/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smart Wires Inc.
• Original Assignee: Smart Wires Inc.
• Inventors: Munguia, David, Iyer, Amrit, Inam, Haroon, Carrow, Joe, Das, Debrup, Kelley, Arthur, Farahani, Ali
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Thienvu V
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stables, David M
• Application Number:
  US15/055,422
• Publication Number:
  US 20170163036A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,299 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/2823 Wires H01F27/2866 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/29 Terminals; Tapping arrangements for signal inductances
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/18 Arrangements for adjusting, eliminating or compensating reactive power in networks for adjustment of voltage H02J3/16
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/1807 using series compensators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/26 Arrangements for eliminating or reducing asymmetry in polyphase networks
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/14 Mounting supporting structure in casing or on frame or rack
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 40/30 Reactive power compensation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 40/50 Arrangements for eliminating or reducing asymmetry in polyphase networks

Abstract

Active impedance-injection module enabled for distributed power flow control of high-voltage (HV) transmission lines is disclosed. The module uses transformers with multi-turn primary windings, series-connected to high-voltage power lines, to dynamically control power flow on those power lines. The insertion of the transformer multi-turn primary is by cutting the line and splicing the two ends of the winding to the ends of the cut high-voltage transmission line. The secondary winding of the transformer is connected to a control circuit and a converter/inverter circuit that is able to generate inductive and capacitive impedance based on the status of the transmission line. The module operates by extracting power from the HV transmission line with the module floating at the HV transmission-line potential. High-voltage insulators are typically used to suspend the module from transmission towers, or intermediate support structures. It may also be directly suspended from the HV transmission line.

Claims

1. A transformer for use in a series-connectable distributed active impedance injection module that is directly connected to a high-voltage transmission line, the transformer comprising:

a non-gapped transformer core;

a multiple-turn primary winding on the transformer core;

a multiple-turn secondary winding on the transformer core;

the multiple-turn primary winding being adapted for splicing in series with the high-voltage transmission line;

the multiple-turn secondary winding being adapted for connecting to a converter that generates and injects voltages at a phase angle for injection of an inductive or a capacitive impedance onto the high-voltage transmission line;

the multiple-turn secondary winding being isolated from ground, wherein one side of the multiple-turn secondary winding is connected to the multiple-turn primary winding to provide a virtual ground at a potential of the high-voltage transmission line;

the multiple-turn primary winding increasing the voltage injection of a distributed active impedance injection module.

2. The transformer of claim 1 wherein the multiple-turn secondary is also adapted for connecting to a shorting switch.

3. The transformer of claim 1 wherein the multiple-turn primary winding is comprised of a ribbon conductor.

4. The transformer of claim 3 wherein the multiple turn primary winding is comprised of a braided ribbon conductor.

5. The transformer of claim 3, wherein a conductive foil is used as conductor for the windings.

6. The transformer of claim 1, wherein the active impedance injection module is insulated from the ground and is at the potential of the high-voltage transmission line during operation.

7. The transformer of claim 1, wherein distributed active-impedance injection module is enabled to inject any of an inductive or a capacitive impedance on to the high-voltage transmission line, via the transformer, for line balancing and control of power transfer.

8. A method of providing distributed active-impedance injection in a high-voltage power grid, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of active impedance injection modules distributed over transmission lines of the power grid, each active impedance injection module being directly connected in series with a high-voltage transmission line, isolated from ground and configured to inject an inductive or a capacitive impedance onto the high-voltage transmission line, wherein each active impedance injection module comprises a housing that encloses a transformer core having a multiple-turn primary winding on the transformer core and at least one multiple-turn secondary winding on the transformer core, a converter coupled to the at least one multiple-turn secondary winding, a power supply, and a controller coupled to the converter;

cutting the high-voltage transmission line into segments at a location where the active impedance injection module is to be connected; and

splicing an end of each of a pair of adjacent cut segments of the high-voltage transmission line to a respective end of the multiple-turn primary winding of a respective active impedance injection module; and

supporting each housing by the high-voltage transmission line by ends of the multiple-turn primary winding spliced to the ends of the cut segments of the high-voltage transmission line or by insulators attached to a high-voltage transmission line tower or by a separate support structure.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the provided injection modules provide line balancing and power flow control capability for the high-voltage transmission line system by injecting active impedances onto the high voltage-transmission lines onto which these are spliced.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein each housing is directly suspended from the respective high-voltage transmission line tower by at least one insulator.

11. An active impedance injection module for distributed dynamic line balancing and power flow control over a high-voltage grid system, the active impedance injection module comprising:

a transformer having an un-gapped transformer core, the transformer core having a multiple-turn primary winding and at least one multiple-turn secondary winding thereon;

at least one converter coupled to each of the at least one secondary winding; and

at least one controller coupled to each of the at least one converter;

wherein the transformer, the at least one converter and the at least one controller are housed in a single package forming the active impedance injection module for suspending on a high-voltage power line of the grid system;

wherein the active impedance injection module is suspended from the high-voltage power line by cutting the high-voltage power line into two cut ends and splicing two ends of the multiple-turn primary winding to the two cut ends of the high-voltage power line, thereby suspending the active impedance injection module on the high voltage power line at a line voltage isolated from ground.