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

• US 10,424,929 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2018
• Issued: 09/24/2019
• 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:
  US15/975,373
• Publication Number:
  US 20180262006A1
• Time in Patent Office: 503 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. An apparatus for injecting a voltage or impedance in series with a high-voltage transmission line comprising:

an injection module having;

an injection transformer having a multiple-turn primary winding and a multiple-turn secondary winding on a non-gapped core, the primary winding being adapted for connection in series with the high-voltage transmission line by being directly attached to the high-voltage transmission line and by cutting the high-voltage transmission line and splicing respective ends of the primary winding in series with the high-voltage transmission line, wherein the injection transformer is suspended and insulated from ground at the high-voltage transmission line during operation;

the secondary winding being connected to a converter, and having a virtual ground established at the high-voltage transmission line by connecting one end of the second winding to the high-voltage transmission line;

the converter being coupled to a controller for controlling the controller; and

the secondary winding being connected across a bypass switch for providing protection to connected circuits coupled to the secondary winding.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the injection module is contained in a housing supported by the high-voltage transmission line, a transmission line tower, or a special purpose tower.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the housing is insulated from ground and is also virtually grounded to the high-voltage transmission line.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the number of turns in the primary winding is selected to reduce the operating voltage of circuitry connected to the secondary winding, and to increase the coupling to the high-voltage transmission line.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the number of turns in the secondary winding is selected to reduce the operating voltage of circuitry connected to the secondary winding and to allow use of off-the-shelf power electronic components.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the apparatus is enabled to inject any of an inductive or a capacitive impedance generated by the injection module on to the high-voltage transmission line, via the injection transformer, for line balancing and control of power transfer.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the injection module is contained in a housing, the housing being supported by the high-voltage transmission line, a transmission line tower or a special-purpose tower, the apparatus being insulated from its support.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the modules are also virtually grounded to the high-voltage transmission line.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein power for operation of the apparatus is extracted from the power transmitted over the high-voltage transmission line.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the power for operation of the apparatus is extracted from the high-voltage transmission line using a current transformer.

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 un-gapped transformer core having one or more multiple-turn primary winding and at least one multiple-turn secondary winding thereon;

a converter coupled to each of the secondary windings; and

a controller coupled to the converter;

wherein the transformer, the converter and the controller are all housed in a single housing 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 for operation and isolating the active impedance injection module from ground at a line voltage of the high-voltage power line.