IP Library Granted Patent US 9,590,421
Granted Patent B2
US 9,590,421 · App. 14/260,253 · Granted Mar 7, 2017

Dynamic power flow controllers

Inventors: Deepakraj M. Divan (San Jose, CA); Anish Prasai (San Jose, CA)
Assignee: VARENTEC, INC.
H02J3/06G05F1/70H02J3/1878H02P13/06H02M5/10H02M2001/0077Y10T307/32
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,590,421
App. No.
14/260,253
Granted
Mar 7, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

Dynamic power flow controllers are provided. A dynamic power flow controller may comprise a transformer and a power converter. The power converter is subject to low voltage stresses and not floated at line voltage. In addition, the power converter is rated at a fraction of the total power controlled. A dynamic power flow controller controls both the real and the reactive power flow between two AC sources having the same frequency. A dynamic power flow controller inserts a voltage with controllable magnitude and phase between two AC sources; thereby effecting control of active and reactive power flows between two AC sources.

Claims (16)

1. A system of controlling active and reactive power flows between a first AC source and a second AC source, comprising:

a transformer comprising a first set of windings and a second set of windings, the first set of windings of the transformer configured to be coupled to a first line-neutral voltage of a first phase, the first line-neutral voltage corresponding to a first AC source; and

a power converter having an input and an output, the input of the power converter configured to be coupled to a second voltage corresponding to a second phase and a third voltage corresponding to a third phase, the output of the power converter coupled to the second set of windings of the transformer;

wherein the power converter is configured to inject an adjustable voltage in series with a voltage across the second set of windings of the transformer to create a second line-neutral voltage, the second line-neutral voltage corresponding to a second AC source.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the transformer comprises a first tap configured to provide the second voltage and a second tap configured to provide the third voltage, the first tap and the second tap are configured to be on the first set of windings.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the transformer comprises a first tap configured to provide the second voltage and a second tap configured to provide the third voltage, the first tap and the second tap are configured to be on the second set of windings.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second voltage is provided by a voltage source.

5. The system of claim 4 , further comprising the voltage source.

6. The system of claim 4 , wherein the voltage source is a medium voltage to 480V transformer.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the transformer is a three-phase transformer and the first set of windings are connected in a delta configuration.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the transformer is a single-phase transformer.

9. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a control module, the control module configured to regulate a duty cycle of the power converter.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the control module is configured to regulate the duty cycle based on a constant such that the adjustable voltage comprises a first voltage component in quadrature with the first line-neutral voltage.

11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the control module is configured to regulate the duty cycle based on an even harmonic such that the adjustable voltage comprises a first voltage component in phase with the first line-neutral voltage.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the even harmonic is a second harmonic.

13. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a fail-normal switch, the fail-normal switch coupled across the power converter.

Assignments (4)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 11, 2021
From: WINDSAIL CAPITAL FUND, L.P., AS AGENT
To: VARENTEC, INC.
Reel/Frame 055238/0621 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 30, 2019
From: VARENTEC, INC.
To: WINDSAIL CAPITAL FUND, L.P.
Reel/Frame 050869/0593 →
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Mar 20, 2018
From: DYNAMIC POWER FLOW CONTROLLERS
To: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Reel/Frame 045645/0147 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 23, 2014
From: DIVAN, DEEPAKRAJ M.; PRASAI, ANISH
To: VARENTEC, INC.
Reel/Frame 032745/0714 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61815241 · Apr 23, 2013
Related Publication 20140319910A1 · Oct 30, 2014