Method and system for operating a generator using a dynamic capability curve

• US 6,924,628 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2003
• Issued: 08/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Energy Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
• Inventors: Thompson, Edward David
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cuevas, Pedro J.
• Application Number:
  US10/373,611
• Publication Number:
  US 20040164717A1
• Time in Patent Office: 890 Days
• Field of Search: 322 20- 21, 322/25, 702/61, 324/142
• US Class Current: 322/20
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 31/00 Arrangements for regulating or controlling electric motors not provided for in groups H02P1/00 - H02P5/00, H02P7/00 or H02P21/00 - H02P29/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/006 Means for protecting the generator by using control control effected upon generator excitation circuit to reduce harmful effects of overloads or transients H02P9/10

Abstract

Method and system are provided for operating a generator using a dynamic capability curve. In one embodiment, the method allows providing a family of static capability curves corresponding to nominal reference levels of pressure of a fluid for cooling the generator. The method further allows acquiring data indicative of the actual pressure of the cooling fluid. A dynamic capability curve is generated to be responsive to the actual pressure of the cooling fluid. The family of static capability curves may be displayed relative to the dynamic capability curve, thereby allowing the operator to monitor and control the operation of the generator based on the actual pressure of the cooling fluid and further in view of at least one of the nominal reference levels of pressure for the cooling fluid.

Claims

1. A method for operating a generator using a dynamic capability curve, the method comprising:

providing a family of static capability curves corresponding to nominal reference levels of pressure of a fluid for cooling the generator;

acquiring data indicative of the actual pressure of the cooling fluid;

generating a dynamic capability curve responsive to the actual pressure of the cooling fluid; and

displaying the family of static capability curves relative to the dynamic capability curve, said static capability curves and said dynamic capability curve comprising data displayable over a first area indicative of a power generation mode of the generator and a second area indicative of a power absorption mode of the generator, thereby allowing the operator to monitor and control the operation of the generator regardless of whether said generator is in the power generation mode or in the power absorption mode, based on the actual pressure of the cooling fluid and further in view of at least one of the nominal reference levels of pressure for the cooling fluid.

2. The control method of claim 1 further comprising generating a graphical indication of real and reactive power flow of the generator relative to the family of capability curves and to the dynamic capability curve.

3. The control method of claim 1 further comprising adjusting at least one operational parameter to affect the position of the graphical indication of real and reactive power relative to the dynamic capability curve and at least one of the curves of the family of static capability curves.

4. The control method of claim 1 further comprising processing the dynamic capability curve to be graphically distinctive relative to the displayed family of capability curves.

5. The control method of claim 4 wherein the processing of the dynamic capability curve to be graphically distinctive relative to the displayed family of capability curves is selected from the group consisting of generating a dotted curve, a dashed curve, a distinctly colored curve, a flashing curve, bolded curve, distinctly shaded or colored regions and any combination of the foregoing.

6. The control method of claim 1 wherein the generating of the dynamic capability curve comprises interpolating between respective curves of the family of static capability curves.

7. A system for operating a generator using a dynamic capability curve, the system comprising:

a date file configured to store a family of static capability curves corresponding to nominal reference levels of pressure of a fluid for cooling the generator;

a device configured to acquire data indicative of the actual pressure of the cooling fluid; and

a processor configured to generate a dynamic capability curve responsive to the actual pressure of the cooling fluid, the processor being further configured to access the data file for displaying the family of static capability curves relative to the dynamic capability curve, wherein said processor is configured to generate and display said static capability curves and said dynamic capability curve over a first area indicative of a flower generation mode of the generator and a second area indicative of a power absorption mode of the generator, thereby allowing the operator to monitor and control the operation of the generator regardless of whether said generator is in the power generation mode or in the power absorption mode, based on the actual pressure of the cooling fluid and further in view of at least one of the nominal reference levels of pressure for the cooling fluid.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the processor is further configured to provide a graphical indication of real and reactive power flow of the generator relative to the family of capability curves arid to the dynamic capability curve.

9. The system of claim 8 further comprising an adjuster for adjusting at least one operational parameter to affect the position of the graphical indication of real and reactive power relative to the dynamic capability curve and at least one of the curves of the family of static capability curves.

10. The system of claim 7 further comprising a module configured to process the dynamic capability curve to be graphically distinctive relative to the displayed family of capability curves.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the processing of the dynamic capability curve to be graphically distinctive relative to the displayed family of capability curves is selected from the group consisting of generating a dotted curve, a dashed curve, a distinctly colored curve, a flashing curve, bolded curve, distinctly shaded or colored regions and any combination of the foregoing.

12. The system of claim 7 wherein the processor comprises an interpolator configured to interpolate between respective curves of the family of static capability of curves.

13. A method for operating a generator using a dynamic capability curve, the method comprising:

acquiring data indicative of the actual pressure of a fluid for cooling the generator;

generating a dynamic capability curve responsive to the actual pressure of the cooling fluid;

displaying said dynamic capability curve over a first area indicative of a power generation mode of the generator and over a second area indicative of a power absorption mode of the generator, thereby allowing the operator to monitor and control the operation of the generator regardless of whether said generator is in the power generation mode or in the power absorption mode,

generating a graphical indication of real and reactive power flow of the generator relative to the dynamic capability curve; and

adjusting at least one operational parameter to affect the position of the graphical indication of real and reactive power relative to the dynamic capability curve.

14. The control method of claim 13 further comprising displaying relative to the dynamic capability curve a family of static capability curves corresponding to nominal reference levels of pressure of the cooling fluid.

15. The control method of claim 13 further comprising processing the dynamic capability curve to be graphically distinctive relative to the displayed family of capability curves.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the processing of the dynamic capability curve to be graphically distinctive relative to the displayed family of capability curves is selected from the group consisting of generating a dotted curve, a dashed curve, a distinctly colored curve, a flashing curve, bolded curve, distinctly shaded or colored regions and any combination of the foregoing.