Synthetic generator synchronization
AssigneeGoogle Inc.
InventorsKrishnanjan Gubba Ravikumar, Angad Sandhu
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Abstract
The present disclosure contemplates a method for synchronizing a large number of generators on an AC bus by synchronizing each generator's output to a nominal output that is generated from a common external source. For example, each generator, using a high speed communication signal, can synchronize to a nominal output provided by a master generator, or centralized command module. In another example, each generator can generate its own nominal output referenced to a common external time signal, such as a global positioning system (GPS) signal, or other reference. By synchronizing independently of bus voltage and frequency, the generators are able to synchronize in parallel, instead of serially.
Claims20
A method for synchronizing a synchronous generator with other synchronous generators, the method comprising:
- obtaining a value representing a number of additional synchronous generators that would be required to supply sufficient power to a bus connected to one or more loads;
- receiving an external clock signal;
- determining, based on the external clock signal, a target output phase for the bus;
- controlling the synchronous generator to generate an output having the target output phase, a target output voltage, and a target output frequency;
- receiving synchronized signals from at least a portion of the other synchronous generators, wherein each respective synchronized signal from the synchronized signals indicates that the other synchronous generator from which the respective synchronized signal is received is synchronized with the target output voltage and target output frequency;
- determining that a number of the received synchronized signals meets or exceeds the value;
- and
- in response to determining that the number of the received synchronized signals meets or exceeds the value and the synchronous generator being controlled to generate the output having the target output phase, the target output voltage, and the target output frequency, closing a breaker associated with the synchronous generator to cause the synchronous generator to energize the bus simultaneously with the other synchronous generators.
A system comprising:
- a communications network;
- and
- a plurality of synchronous generators communicably coupled to each other by way of the communications network and for powering one or more loads, each synchronous generator comprising a controller configured to perform operations for synchronizing synchronous generator with other synchronous generators of the plurality synchronous of generators, the operations comprising:
- obtaining a value representing a number of additional synchronous generators that would be required to supply sufficient power to a bus connected to one or more loads;
- receiving an external clock signal;
- determining, based on the external clock signal, a target output phase for the bus;
- controlling the synchronous generator to generate an output having the target output phase, a target output voltage, and a target output frequency;
- receiving synchronized signals from at least a portion of the other synchronous generators, wherein each respective synchronized signal from the synchronized signals indicates that the other synchronous generator from which the respective synchronized signal is received is synchronized with the target output voltage and target output frequency;
- determining that a number of the received synchronized signals meets or exceeds the value;
- and
- in response to determining that the number of the received synchronized signals meets or exceeds the value and the synchronous generator being controlled to generate the output having the target output phase, the target output voltage, and the target output frequency, closing a breaker associated with the synchronous generator to cause the synchronous generator to energize the bus simultaneously with the other synchronous generators.
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium coupled to one or more processors and having instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations for performing synchronization of a synchronous generator with other synchronous generators, the operations comprising:
- obtaining a value representing a number of additional synchronous generators that would be required to supply sufficient power to a bus connected to one or more loads;
- receiving an external clock signal;
- determining, based on the external clock signal, a target output phase for the bus;
- controlling the synchronous generator to generate an output having the target output phase, a target output voltage, and a target output frequency;
- receiving synchronized signals from at least a portion of the other synchronous generators, wherein each respective synchronized signal from the synchronized signals indicates that the other synchronous generator from which the respective synchronized signal is received is synchronized with the target output voltage and target output frequency;
- determining that a number of the received synchronized signals meets or exceeds the value;
- and
- in response to determining that the number of the received synchronized signals meets or exceeds the value and the synchronous generator being controlled to generate the output having the target output phase, the target output voltage, and the target output frequency, closing a breaker associated with the synchronous generator to cause the synchronous generator to energize the bus simultaneously with the other synchronous generators.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.