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EP-4736309-A1 - EXCITATION SYSTEM FOR GENERATOR

EP4736309A1EP 4736309 A1EP4736309 A1EP 4736309A1EP-4736309-A1

Abstract

An excitation system for regulating excitation current in a generator is described. The excitation system includes a direct current (DC) to direct current (DC) converter configured to receive a first DC voltage input and convert the first DC voltage input to a second DC voltage output. The excitation system further includes an automatic voltage regulator (AVR) coupled to the DC to DC converter. The AVR is configured to receive the second DC voltage output from the DC to DC converter and control the second DC voltage output provided to the generator for regulating the excitation current in the generator. The second DC voltage output is controlled based on an output voltage of the generator to maintain the output voltage at a predetermined output voltage.

Inventors

  • KALLA, Nageswara Rao
  • RAMIGANI, Sunitha
  • MUSUNURI, SHRAVANA KUMAR

Assignees

  • Caterpillar Inc.

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20240517

Claims (15)

  1. 1. An excitation system (110) for regulating excitation current in a generator (118), the excitation system (110) comprising: a direct current (DC) to direct current (DC) converter (120) configured to receive a first DC voltage input and convert the first DC voltage input to a second DC voltage output; an automatic voltage regulator (AVR) (122) coupled to the DC to DC converter (120), the AVR (122) configured to: receive the second DC voltage output from the DC to DC converter (120); control the second DC voltage output provided to the generator (118) for regulating the excitation current in the generator (118), wherein the second DC voltage output is controlled based on an output voltage of the generator (118) to maintain the output voltage at a predetermined output voltage.
  2. 2. The excitation system (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the DC to DC converter (120) is configured to receive the first DC voltage input from a DC power battery source (114) included in a generator set starting system (104).
  3. 3. The excitation system (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first DC voltage input is a constant voltage independent of the output voltage of the generator (118).
  4. 4. The excitation system (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second DC voltage output is different from the first DC voltage input and corresponds to a step up voltage level or a step down voltage level of the first DC voltage input depending upon an excitation requirement of the generator (118).
  5. 5. The excitation system (110) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the AVR (122) is configured to control the second DC voltage output based on a difference between the output voltage of the generator (118) and the predetermined output voltage.
  6. 6. A method (200) for regulating excitation current in a generator (118), the method comprising: receiving (202), by a direct current (DC) to direct current (DC) converter (120), a first DC voltage input; converting (204), by the DC to DC converter (120), the first DC voltage input to a second DC voltage output; receiving (206), by an automatic voltage regulator (AVR) (122), the second DC voltage output from the DC to DC converter (120); controlling (208), by the AVR (122), the second DC voltage output provided to the generator (118) for regulating the excitation current in the generator (118), wherein the second DC voltage output is controlled based on an output voltage of the generator (118) to maintain the output voltage at a predetermined output voltage.
  7. 7. The method (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first DC voltage input is received from a DC power battery source (114) included in a generator set starting system (104).
  8. 8. The method (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first DC voltage input is a constant voltage independent of the output voltage of the generator (118).
  9. 9. The method (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second DC voltage output is different from the first DC voltage input and corresponds to a step up voltage level or a step down voltage level of the first DC voltage input depending upon an excitation requirement of the generator (118).
  10. 10. The method (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second DC voltage output is controlled based on a difference between the output voltage of the generator (118) and the predetermined output voltage.
  11. 11. A generator system (100), comprising: a direct current (DC) power battery source (114) configured to provide a first DC voltage input; a generator (118) configured to provide an output voltage; and an excitation system (110) for regulating excitation current in the generator (118), the excitation system (110) including: a direct current (DC) to direct current (DC) converter (120) configured to receive the first DC voltage input and convert the first DC voltage input to a second DC voltage output; an automatic voltage regulator (AVR) (122) coupled to the DC to DC converter (120), the AVR (122) configured to: receive the second DC voltage output from the DC to DC converter (120); control the second DC voltage output provided to the generator (118) for regulating the excitation current in the generator (118), wherein the second DC voltage output is controlled based on the output voltage of the generator (118) to maintain the output voltage at a predetermined output voltage.
  12. 12. The generator system (100) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the DC to DC converter (120) is configured to receive the first DC voltage input from a DC power battery source (114) included in a generator set starting system (104).
  13. 13. The generator system (100) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first DC voltage input is a constant voltage independent of the output voltage of the generator (118).
  14. 14. The generator system (100) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the second DC voltage output is different from the first DC voltage input and corresponds to a step up voltage level or a step down voltage level of the first DC voltage input depending upon an excitation requirement of the generator (118).
  15. 15. The generator system (100) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the AVR (122) is configured to control the second DC voltage output based on a difference between the output voltage of the generator (118) and the predetermined output voltage.

Description

Description EXCITATION SYSTEM FOR GENERATOR Technical Field The present disclosure relates to an excitation system for generators. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an excitation system capable of utilizing direct current (DC) voltage input from a generator set starting system to regulate excitation current in a generator. Background Generators are widely used in various applications, including construction, manufacturing, and power generation, for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. Generators generally utilize an excitation system to generate and regulate the magnetic field necessary for power generation. Generally, an excitation system generates and controls an excitation current that establishes a magnetic field within the generator, facilitating the generation of electrical power. A Permanent Magnet Generator (PMG) or an additional auxiliary winding embedded in a stator of the generator may be employed to provide the excitation current. United States Patent Application No. 20150364950A1 relates to an auxiliary excitation device applied to a generator with a self-excited automatic voltage regulator (AVR). The auxiliary excitation device is installed between a battery and the AVR and constantly monitors the status of output voltage of the generator. When the output voltage of the generator instantaneously drops to a preset variation level, the auxiliary excitation device will convert a DC voltage from the battery into an AC voltage and boost the AC voltage to an auxiliary AC power. The auxiliary power is outputted to the AVR for the AVR to output excitation power to the generator, thereby providing additional excitation power to the generator and raising the output power of the generator. Summary In an aspect, the present disclosure relates to an excitation system for regulating excitation current in a generator. The excitation system includes a direct current (DC) to direct current (DC) converter configured to receive a first DC voltage input and convert the first DC voltage input to a second DC voltage output. The excitation system further includes an automatic voltage regulator (AVR) coupled to the DC to DC converter. The AVR is configured to receive the second DC voltage output from the DC to DC converter and control the second DC voltage output provided to the generator for regulating the excitation current in the generator. The second DC voltage output is controlled based on an output voltage of the generator to maintain the output voltage at a predetermined output voltage. In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for regulating excitation current in a generator. The method includes receiving, by a direct current (DC) to direct current (DC) converter, a first DC voltage input and converting, by the DC to DC converter, the first DC voltage input to a second DC voltage output. The method further includes receiving, by an automatic voltage regulator (AVR), the second DC voltage output from the DC to DC converter and controlling, by the AVR, the second DC voltage output provided to the generator for regulating the excitation current in the generator. The second DC voltage output is controlled based on an output voltage of the generator to maintain the output voltage at a predetermined output voltage. In yet another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a generator system. The generator system includes a direct current (DC) power battery source configured to provide a first DC voltage input. The generator system further includes a generator configured to provide an output voltage and an excitation system for regulating excitation current in the generator. The excitation system includes a direct current (DC) to direct current (DC) converter configured to receive the first DC voltage input and convert the first DC voltage input to a second DC voltage output. The excitation system further includes an automatic voltage regulator (AVR) coupled to the DC to DC converter. The AVR is configured to receive the second DC voltage output from the DC to DC converter and control the second DC voltage output provided to the generator for regulating the excitation current in the generator. The second DC voltage output is controlled based on an output voltage of the generator to maintain the output voltage at a predetermined output voltage. Brief Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 is a view of an exemplary generator system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and FIG. 2 is a method for regulating excitation current in a generator of the generator system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Description Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or the like parts. Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary generator syste