US 9,304,522 B2 · Systems and methods for dynamic AC line voltage regulation with energy saving tracking

Abstract

Systems and methods for dynamic AC line voltage regulation are provided. A simple and cost-effective method for achieving AC line voltage regulation in AC systems including split-phase systems, of which the voltage for each voltage line may be regulated over a specified range, is provided. Buck and boost regulation is achieved for lowering or increasing the line voltage, respectively, with reference to the incoming grid voltage. Systems for dynamic AC line voltage regulation may comprise an AC/AC converter which uses fractionally rated switches and magnetics that handle only a fraction of the load current, resulting in lower costs. The use of an AC snubber further provides safe and robust switching of the main switching devices by eliminating failure prone switching sequences that are dependent on accurate assessment of voltage and/or current polarity for AC or bi-directional switches.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A voltage regulation system, comprising:

a converter comprising
a set of switches, and
a transformer comprising a primary winding and a plurality of secondary windings, wherein each of the primary winding and the plurality of secondary windings couple to a distribution transformer, the primary winding further couples to a neutral line, and each of the plurality of secondary windings further couple to a corresponding AC line, such that the primary winding forms a parallel circuit with each of the plurality of secondary windings;
wherein the primary winding has more turns than any of the plurality of secondary windings;
and
a control module regulating a duty cycle of the converter.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

13/867,006Filed 19 Apr 2013 · us provisional application

Priority

19 Apr 2012

Published

US 2013/0278235 A124 Oct 2013

Granted

5 Apr 2016

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

G05F 1/12
Regulating voltage or current: wherein the variable actually regulated by the final control device is AC
G05F 1/253
Using bucking or boosting transformers as final control devices: the transformers including plural windings in series between source and load
H02J 3/16
Arrangements for adjusting voltage in AC networks by changing a characteristic of the network load: by adjustment of reactive power
H02J 3/18
Circuit arrangements for AC mains or AC distribution networks: arrangements for adjusting, eliminating or compensating reactive power in networks

Systems and methods for dynamic AC line voltage regulation with energy saving tracking

Life of this patent

Systems and methods for dynamic AC line voltage regulation with energy saving tracking

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15