CONTROL SYSTEM FOR STARTING UP AND SYNCHRONIZING A PLURALITY OF GENERATORS AND METHOD OF OPERATION
First Claim
1. A power-generating system comprising:
- a plurality of engine driven electrical generators each having a field winding;
a common busline;
a plurality of actuatable switching means each for, upon actuation, electrically connecting a corresponding one of said plurality of generators to said common bus line;
means for substantially simultaneously actuating each of said plurality of actuatable switching means so that each of said plurality of generators are substantially simultaneously connected to said common busline;
a plurality of engines each coupled to a corresponding one of said plurality of generators to thereby drive the corresponding one of said plurality of generators;
means for substantially simultaneously starting each of said plurality of engines to thereby substantially simultaneously apply motive power to each of said plurality of generators;
a plurality of first actuatable circuit means each having a first position for coupling a corresponding generator field winding to a source of excitation and a second position for decoupling a corresponding field winding from a said source of excitation;
a plurality voltage regulator means each for monitoring the value of a signal developed by a corresponding generator and including circuit means for developing an output signal having a value representative of a said monitored signal, each said voltage regulator circuit means being coupled to a corresponding generator field winding; and
, second actuatable circuit means for, upon actuation, coupling said common busline to said voltage supply line to thereby energize said voltage supply line.
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Abstract
An electrical control system for starting up and synchronizing a plurality of alternating current generators, such as emergency power generators, and a method of operation thereof. The plurality of generators are simultaneously connected to a common busline, and motive power is simultaneously applied to each of the generators. As the generators begin to supply power, synchronizing circuits monitor the power developed by each generator and cause the generators to maintain substantially identical speeds as the generators are brought up to a normal operating speed. Accordingly, when the speed of the generators reaches the normal operating speed, the generators are in synchronization. The common busline may then be coupled to the main voltage supply line to thereby energize the main supply line.
20 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A power-generating system comprising:
- a plurality of engine driven electrical generators each having a field winding;
a common busline;
a plurality of actuatable switching means each for, upon actuation, electrically connecting a corresponding one of said plurality of generators to said common bus line;
means for substantially simultaneously actuating each of said plurality of actuatable switching means so that each of said plurality of generators are substantially simultaneously connected to said common busline;
a plurality of engines each coupled to a corresponding one of said plurality of generators to thereby drive the corresponding one of said plurality of generators;
means for substantially simultaneously starting each of said plurality of engines to thereby substantially simultaneously apply motive power to each of said plurality of generators;
a plurality of first actuatable circuit means each having a first position for coupling a corresponding generator field winding to a source of excitation and a second position for decoupling a corresponding field winding from a said source of excitation;
a plurality voltage regulator means each for monitoring the value of a signal developed by a corresponding generator and including circuit means for developing an output signal having a value representative of a said monitored signal, each said voltage regulator circuit means being coupled to a corresponding generator field winding; and
, second actuatable circuit means for, upon actuation, coupling said common busline to said voltage supply line to thereby energize said voltage supply line.
- a plurality of engine driven electrical generators each having a field winding;
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2. A power-generating system as defined in claim 1 including a source of excitation coupled to said second circuit means, said source of excitation comprising direct current storage batteries.
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3. A power-generating system as defined in claim 1 including detection circuit means for monitoring a generated signal and having circuit means for actuating said first actuatable circuit means from a said first position to a said second position when a said generated signal attains a predetermined value.
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4. A power-generating system as defined in claim 1 wherein said engine-starting means includes a plurality of switching means each for, upon actuation, starting a corresponding one of said engines;
- and, means for substantially simultaneously actuating each of said plurality of switching means.
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5. A method of operating a power-generating system including a plurality of engine-driven, power generators each including a control winding, and a control system having a voltage regulator means for each said generator, comprising the steps of:
- substantially simultaneously starting each of said plurality of engines to thereby substantially simultaneously apply motive power to each of said plurality of generators;
energizing the control windings of each of said plurality of generators with a field excitation source; and
, applying A control signal developed by each of said voltage regulators to a corresponding control winding of one of said plurality of generators.
- substantially simultaneously starting each of said plurality of engines to thereby substantially simultaneously apply motive power to each of said plurality of generators;
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6. A method as defined in claim 5 including the step of electrically disconnecting a said field excitation source from each said field winding.
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7. A method as defined in claim 6 including the step of electrically connecting said common busline to a main voltage supply line to thereby energize said supply line.
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8. A method of operating a power-generating system including a plurality of engine-driven, power generators each including a control winding, and a control system having a voltage regulator means for each said generator, comprising the steps of:
- substantially simultaneously electrically connecting the output terminals of each of said plurality of generators to a common busline;
substantially simultaneously starting each of said plurality of engines to thereby substantially simultaneously apply motive power to each of said plurality of generators;
energizing the control windings of each of said plurality of generators with a field excitation source; and
, applying a control signal developed by each of said voltage regulators to a corresponding control winding of one of said plurality of generators.
- substantially simultaneously electrically connecting the output terminals of each of said plurality of generators to a common busline;
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9. A method as defined in claim 8 including the step of electrically disconnecting a said field excitation source from each said field winding.
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10. A method as defined in claim 9 including the step of electrically connecting said common busline to a main voltage supply line to thereby energize said supply line.
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11. A control system for starting up a plurality of engine-driven electrical generators and comprising:
- a common busline;
first circuit means for electrically coupling said plurality of generators to said common busline;
actuatable means for substantially simultaneously starting a plurality of engines to thereby substantially simultaneously apply motive power to a plurality of generators;
second circuit means for applying a source of excitation to a plurality of electrical generators; and
, voltage regulator means for monitoring the value of a generated signal and including circuit means for developing an output signal having a value representative of a said monitored signal, said voltage regulator circuit means being adapted to be electrically coupled to at least one of said plurality of generators.
- a common busline;
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12. A control system as defined in claim 11 including a source of excitation coupled to said second circuit means, said source of excitation comprising direct current storage batteries.
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13. A power-generating system as defined in claim 11 wherein said first circuit means includes a plurality of actuatable switching means each for, upon actuation, electrically coupling a corresponding one of said plurality of generators to said common busline.
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14. A power-generating system as defined in claim 13 wherein said first circuit means includes means for substantially simultaneously actuating each of said plurality of switching means to thereby substantially simultaneously coupling each of said generators to said common busline.
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15. A power-generating system comprising:
- a plurality of electrical generators each having a control winding;
a common busline;
first circuit means for electrically coupling each of said electrical generators to said common busline;
means for substantially simultaneously applying motive power to each of said generators;
said circuit means for coupling a source of excitation to each said control winding of said plurality of generators; and
, signal regulator means for monitoring a generated signal and including circuit means for developing a signal representative of a said monitored signal, said voltage regulator circuit means being coupled to said control windings of each of said plurality of generators.
- a plurality of electrical generators each having a control winding;
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16. A power-generating system as defined in claim 15 wherein said motive power means is a plurality of engines each for driving a corresponding one of said plurality of generators;
- and, third circuit means for, upon actuation, substantially simultaneously starting each said plurality of generators to thereby substantially simultaneously applying motive power to each said plurality of generators.
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17. A power-generating system as defined in claim 16 including a source of excitation coupled to said second circuit means, said source of excitation comprising direct current storage batteries.
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18. A power-generating system as defined in claim 16 wherein said first circuit means includes a plurality of actuatable switching means each for, upon actuation, electrically coupling a corresponding one of said plurality of generators to said common busline.
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19. A power-generating system as defined in claim 18 wherein said first circuit means includes means for substantially simultaneously actuating each of said plurality of switching means to thereby substantially simultaneously coupling each said generators to said common busline.
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20. A power-generating system as defined in claim 16 wherein said signal regulator means comprises a plurality of voltage regulator means, each one of said plurality of voltage regulator means having an input circuit coupled to a corresponding generator for monitoring a generated signal and an output circuit for developing a signal having a value representative of a said monitored signal, each said output circuit means being coupled to a corresponding one of said control windings of said electrical generators to thereby vary a signal applied to the corresponding control winding in response to a corresponding generated signal.
Specification