Method and apparatus for determining voltage regulator tap position
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsDavid Fletcher, Richard Dean Blackburn, Joseph Rao
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for dynamically determining tap position in a step voltage regulator is disclosed. A present tap position is determined and the value of an applied voltage across a tap changing mechanism is measured. Based upon the value of the applied voltage, a directional change in the tap position is detected. A trigger signal is also generated which is responsive to a detected change in tap position. Finally, a new tap position is calculated based upon the present tap position and the directional change in the tap position, when the trigger signal indicates that a change in tap position has taken place.
Claims22
A method for dynamically determining tap position in a step voltage regulator, comprising:
- determining a present tap position;
- measuring an applied voltage across a tap changing mechanism;
- detecting a directional change in the present tap position based upon the applied voltage;
- generating a trigger signal responsive to the change in the present tap position;
- and
- calculating a new tap position based upon the present tap position and the directional change in the present tap position when the trigger signal indicates that a change in tap position has taken place.
A voltage regulator, including a series of selectable taps for raising or lowering an input voltage, the voltage regulator comprising:
- a reversible motor having a pair of windings, including a “raise” winding and a “lower” winding;
- a motor control circuit connected to a microprocessor, said microprocessor generating signals to energize said “raise” and said “lower” windings, said motor control circuit further comprising a phase comparator, said phase comparator comparing phase voltages across said “raise” and said “lower” windings;
- and
- an operations trigger switch coupled to said motor, said operations trigger switch providing a signal to said microprocessor indicative of a change in tap position.
A step voltage regulator, comprising:
- an autotransformer having a plurality of windings across which an input power voltage is applied;
- a plurality of removably selectable taps for raising or lowering said input power voltage;
- and
- a tap changing mechanism, said tap changing mechanism further comprising:
- a split phase motor having a pair of windings;
- a motor control circuit connected to a microprocessor, said microprocessor generating signals to energize said pair of windings, said motor control circuit further comprising a phase comparator, said phase comparator comparing phase voltages across said pair of windings;
- and
- an operations trigger switch coupled to said motor, said operations trigger switch providing a signal to said microprocessor indicative of a change in tap position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.