Power flow control subsystem having multiple configurations

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10938210-B2
Application number	US-201916590088-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 1, 2019
Priority date	Jan 31, 2019
Publication date	Mar 2, 2021
Grant date	Mar 2, 2021

Abstract

A power flow control subsystem having multiple configurations is described. The subsystem is three-way configurable: as a transportable configuration, as a deployable configuration, and as a transmission line configuration. The transportable configuration includes a collection of impedance injection modules and at least one bypass module carried on a wheeled vehicle such as a trailer. The deployable configuration is an assembly of the collection of impedance injection modules and at least one bypass module, operable to perform power flow operations. The transmission line configuration includes connection of a deployable configuration to a phase of a high voltage transmission line for performing power flow control. The deployable configuration may be open or closed frame. The deployable configurations may be mounted on one or more wheeled vehicles in a mobile subsystem, or semi-permanently mounted at a ground site.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A subsystem of a power flow control system, the subsystem comprising:
a plurality of impedance injection modules; and
at least one bypass module;
wherein the subsystem is configurable in three configurations:
a transportable configuration wherein the plurality of impedance injection modules and the at least one bypass module are attached to and carried by a wheeled vehicle;
a deployable configuration wherein the plurality of impedance injection modules and the at least one bypass module are mechanically and electrically connected to form a single unit operable to perform power flow operations; and
a transmission line configuration wherein the deployable configuration is connected to a high voltage transmission line for executing a power flow control operation.

2. The subsystem of claim 1 wherein:
the deployable configuration comprises an open frame and the plurality of impedance injection modules and the at least one bypass module are attached to the open frame.

3. The subsystem of claim 1 wherein the deployable configuration comprises a closed frame and the plurality of impedance injection modules and the at least one bypass module are contained within the closed frame.

4. The subsystem of claim 1 wherein power flow control operation is executable while the deployable configuration is carried by the wheeled vehicle.

5. The subsystem of claim 1 wherein power flow control operation is executable while the deployable configuration is attached to a semi-permanent foundation.

6. The subsystem of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of impedance injection modules is a Transformerless Static Synchronous Series Converter (TSSSC).

7. The subsystem of claim 1 , wherein:
the plurality of impedance injection modules comprises five impedance injection modules;
the at least one bypass module comprises one bypass module; and
the subsystem is operable to perform power flow control of at least 5 MVAR (mega volt amps reactive).

8. A method for installing and operating a power flow control system comprising:
defining a power flow control subsystem comprising a plurality of impedance injection modules and at least one bypass module;
transporting a plurality of such power flow control subsystems to an installation site on an at least one vehicle;
assembling each of the plurality of power flow control subsystems into a deployable configuration operable to perform power flow operations while carried by the at least one vehicle;
attaching each deployable configuration to a phase of a high voltage transmission line; and,
operating each deployable configuration to achieve power flow control.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the at least one vehicle comprises:
a host vehicle on which impedance injection modules and bypass modules are transported and on which a plurality of such deployable configurations may be deployed; and
a guest vehicle for transporting further impedance injection modules, further bypass modules and further installation equipment.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the deployable configuration comprises an open frame and the plurality of impedance injection modules and the at least one bypass module are attached to the open frame.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the deployable configuration comprises a closed frame and the plurality of impedance injection modules and the at least one bypass module are contained within the closed frame.

12. The method of claim 8 further comprising executing a power flow control operation while the deployable configuration is carried by the at least one vehicle.

13. The method of claim 8 further comprising executing a power flow control operation while the deployable configuration is attached to a semi-permanent foundation.

14. The method of claim 8 , wherein:
the plurality of impedance injection modules comprises five impedance injection modules, each comprising a Transformerless Static Synchronous Series Converter (TSSSC);
the at least one bypass module comprises one bypass module; and
the method further comprises performing power flow control of at least 5 MVAR (mega volt amps reactive).

15. A method for installing and operating a power flow control system comprising:
defining a power flow control subsystem comprising a plurality of impedance injection modules and at least one bypass module;
transporting a plurality of such power flow control subsystems to an installation site on an at least one vehicle;
assembling each of the plurality of power flow control subsystems into a deployable configuration operable to perform power flow operations;
mounting each deployable configuration on a semi-permanent foundation;
attaching each deployable configuration to a phase of a high voltage transmission line; and,
operating each deployable configuration to achieve power flow control.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the at least one vehicle comprises:
a host vehicle on which impedance injection modules and bypass modules are transported and on which a plurality of such deployable configurations may be deployed; and
a guest vehicle for transporting further impedance injection modules, further bypass modules and further installation equipment.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the deployable configuration comprises an open frame and the plurality of impedance injection modules and the at least one bypass module are attached to the open frame.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the deployable configuration comprises a closed frame and the plurality of impedance injection modules and the at least one bypass module are contained within the closed frame.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein each of the plurality of impedance injection modules is a Transformerless Static Synchronous Series Converter (TSSSC).

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein:
the plurality of impedance injection modules comprises five impedance injection modules;
the at least one bypass module comprises one bypass module; and
the method further comprises operating the power flow control subsystem to perform power flow control of at least 5 MVAR (mega volt amps reactive).

Assignees

• Smart Wires Inc

Inventors

• Parks John
• Puchta Bryce
• Farahani Ali
• Bloch-Rubin Ted
• Sanders Mark
• Schmautz Will
• Heier Casey

Classifications

• H02J3/18

  Arrangements for adjusting, eliminating or compensating reactive power in networks · CPC title

• H02J3/1814 Primary

  having reactive elements actively controlled by bridge converters, e.g. unified power flow controllers [UPFC] or controlled series voltage compensators · CPC title

• H02J3/06 Primary

  Controlling the transfer of power between connected networks; Controlling load sharing between connected networks · CPC title

• H02J3/00 Primary

  Circuit arrangements for AC mains or AC distribution networks · CPC title

• H02B3/00

  Apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture, assembly, or maintenance of boards or switchgear · CPC title