Showing papers on "Electric power published in 1972"

On the Optimal Dynamic Dispatch of Real Power

Abstract: Electric utilities presently use static optimization techniques to solve the economic load allocation problem. Experience has shown that a number of difficulties arise when these solutions are incorporated in the feedback control of dynamic electric power networks. This research attempts to overcome the disadvantages of such controllers by combining economic load allocation and supplementary control action into a single dynamic optimal control problem.

Optimal power-flow solutions for power system planning

Abstract: Since the development of sparsity techniques by Tinney, the power-flow program has become an extremely effective and often used tool for planning electric power networks. This program solves for the unknowns--voltages, phase angles, etc.--of a set of simultaneous nonlinear algebraic equations, the ac power-flow equations. The optimum power flow is likely to replace, in due time, the normal power flow in many important planning functions discussed in this paper. A number of mathematical programming techniques have recently been studied to solve the optimum power flow and several small-to-medium sized experimental programs have been written. The generalized reduced gradient (GRG), one of the most elegant nonlinear-programming techniques, is described and it is shown how it can be extended to solve optimum power flows of very high dimension (of the order of several thousand nodes). This extension consists mainly of using sparsity techniques in several of the solution steps of the GRG.

Hybrid electrical vehicle drive

Abstract: A vehicle electric drive is provided including a traction motor powered by a battery or, alternatively, by a constant power generator. When the voltage on the battery is above a first predetermined level the battery alone supplies electric power to the motor. When the battery voltage falls below a second predetermined level, a switch sensing the battery voltage starts an internal combustion engine to drive the generator; the power from the generator is effective to supply the traction motor and, simultaneously, recharge the battery. The recharging power applied to the battery equals the difference between the fixed power from the generator and the variable power to the traction motor. When the engine is running, it operates under the constant load of the generator; the engine is also operated at a constant speed. This constant speed-constant load engine operation permits the engine to be designed and adjusted to minimize exhaust pollutants.

Closed‐cycle performance of a high‐power electric‐discharge laser

Abstract: The performance characteristics of a large‐volume CO2 electric‐discharge convection laser operating in a closed‐cycle mode are described. The use of a combined dc and rf excitation field and aerodynamic stabilization techniques resulted in the attainment of a stable and homogeneous discharge. Operating in a master oscillator‐power amplifier mode, continuous‐output power levels greater than 20 kW have been achieved for extended periods of time, with a maximum optical power of 27.2 kW at an efficiency of 17.2%.

The energy crisis

Abstract: This book, which was written before the 1973 Arab oil embargo, presents a very sobering look at the energy crisis. It covers the entire range of energy sources and consumption. The book's theme is that the world is running out of energy, that energy is the big question of the future, and that the U.S. has no energy plan for the 1970's and 1980's. The topics covered include the electric power shortage, the worldwide petroleum reserves, U.S. natural gas, U.S. coal, atomic energy and exotic power sources, a comparison of nations in terms of energy, and the politics of energy, both domestic and international. The book also covers the 'fallout' problems of nuclear electrical development, such as shortages of copper and aluminum to conduct the electrical energy thus generated. The book also looks at pollution from fuels, and at the prospects of a water shortage. The book considers the relationship of energy food, and population.

Power Reliability Cost vs Worth

Abstract: Properly fitting a power system to the society it serves is an exceedingly difficult and important problem. Service reliability, a very important factor in this fit, has been determined somewhat arbitrarily in the past. Errors here are costly both to the supplier of electric power and to the power consumer. This paper presents the first method for determining economic optimum service reliability. A method for estimating ating the cost of service interruptions is proposed and the cost obtained is compared with values determined by others. A primary purpose of the paper is to provoke discussion and further research into the cost of power r interruptions and the optimizing of system design considering this cost.

Electricity Demand Growth and the Energy Crisis: An analysis of electricity demand growth projections suggests overestimates in the long run.

Abstract: The research reported by D. Chapman, T. Tyrrell, and T. Mount [ Science 178, 703 (1972)] was sponsored by the National Science Foundation Program of Research Applied to National Needs.

Electrical connecting device

Abstract: An electrical connecting device, which is immersible remote controlled and able to transmit also remote control or telemetry signals. A primary coil (15) connected to the primary circuit is arranged upon a support or rod (1) in order to be displaceable, together with the magnetic core component integral with it, relatively to the secondary coil (16) with its magnetic core portion, all this in such a fashion as to create inductive coupling for the transmission of alternating (three-phase) electrical power, and to enable said two parts to be arbitrarily interpenetrated and parted from one another, in a single operation and whatever the orientation.

Remote meter reading system using electric power lines

Abstract: A remote meter reading system in which transmitters provide data signals over electric power line conductors to indicate the measurements of each of a plurality of meters to associated receivers at a remote location. The meter transmitters are divided into groups, the transmitters of each group being operative to generate different frequency signals in a given frequency band assigned to such group. The transmitters of each group are further divided into subgroups, each subgroup of transmitters being connected to a correspondingly different pair of the power line conductors. A receiver unit is provided for each subgroup of transmitters, the receiver for a subgroup being tunable to the frequencies in the band assigned to the group, and being connected to the same pair of line conductors as the transmitters of its associated subgroup.

Electrically heated portable lunch box

Abstract: A portable food storage chest comprising a first insulated chamber for storing food in cold condition; a second chamber for warming or heating food, and electrical means for heating the second chamber, said means being adapted to receive electric power either from a main source or from an automobile battery.

Slim hole drilling electric power unit

Abstract: A slim hole drilling power unit which employs at least one electric motor in mechanical connection with the drill pipe for rotating the drill pipe and moving with same as it advances toward and away from the wellbore. The power unit contains its own fan means so that no cooling air supply hose to said power unit is necessary.

Space nuclear power systems

Abstract: Space nuclear power systems are considered for use in those particular spacecraft applications for which nuclear power systems offer unique advantages over solar and/or chemical space power systems. Both isotopic and reactor heated space electrical power units are described in an attempt to illustrate their operating characteristics, spacecraft integration aspects, and factory-to-end of mission operational considerations. The status of technology developments in nuclear power systems is presented. Some projections of those technologies are made to form a basis for the applications of space nuclear power systems to be expected over the next 10-15 years.

Heating power plants

Abstract: Steam produced by a turbine in the course of generating electric power is released through conduit means into one or more surface condensers, where it is condensed. Heat exchange fluid contained in a closed system including a heat consumer outlet is continuously recycled under pressure through the one or more surface condensers wherein the fluid is warmed. When the heat exchange fluid is insufficiently cooled by passage through the heat consumer outlet, supplementary cooling means are provided to cool the heat exchange fluid prior to recirculation through the one or more surface condensers.

Electric power cable apparatus for transmitting power from a floating structure

Abstract: A self-contained, fluid impregnated, high voltage, electric power cable or cables extending between a fixed point underwater and a movable platform, such as the deck of a barge floating on such water, the cable or cables being surrounded by a series of interconnected rigid pipes having interconnections which permit limited tilting of the axis of one pipe with respect to the axes of the next adjacent pipes so as to avoid bending of the cable or cables which would damage the electric characteristics thereof.

Amp-hour meter

Abstract: A submersible having a bank of storage batteries for power is provided with a circuit giving crewmen a real-time indication of power used or power remaining in the batteries. A sensor element interposed in series with the load created by the submersible's machinery bleeds off a small sample of the load current which is proportional to the power drain of the machinery. An integrator circuit coupled to a unijunction transistor functions as a relaxation oscillator to generate pulses at a rate proportional to the magnitude of the load current and to pass them to a circuit for producing counter pulses. Counter pulses are coupled to a digital read-out for providing a visual indication of power used or power remaining in the batteries and also are fed-back to the integrator circuit to repeatedly reset it during the integration sequence. Increased reliability is ensured by the provision of a biasing-circuitry arrangement which is "on" only during the period when load current is being drawn from the bank of storage batteries.

Power supply having a plurality of power sources that are sequentially placed on load one at a time

Abstract: An electrical power, supply, particularly adapted for intermittent use, that has an extremely long standby life is disclosed. The power supply includes a series of batteries that are selectively placed in the load circuit. A new battery is placed in the load circuit when the battery previously supplying power to the load is substantially exhausted. Three different circuits are disclosed for sequentially placing the batteries in the load circuit. All three circuits are particularly adapted for use with electrochemical batteries that are activated by a squib or the like. Thus, the circuits not only place a new battery in the load circuit when the preceding battery has substantially spent its useful life but also provides for the activation of the new battery as it is placed in the load circuit. In addition, one of the circuits can be used with conventional activated batteries as well as the reserve type batteries that have to be activated.

Stabilizing means for an a-c motor drive

Abstract: An a-c adjustable speed motor drive system including an a-c motor and power conversion means for converting d-c electric power to adjustable frequency, adjustable voltage electric power for delivery to the motor is provided with stabilizing means for damping motor speed oscillations. The stabilizing means includes apparatus for generating a first signal having oscillations therein related to oscillations in the d-c voltage of the electric power supplied to the power conversion means and means responsive to the first signal for generating a stabilizing signal phase shifted with respect to the first signal. The stabilizing signal is supplied to and utilized by the control apparatus for the power conversion means as a control signal to adjust the power output, preferably the output voltage, of the power conversion means. The stabilizing signal generator means includes a phase shifting network for phase shifting the stabilizing signal relative to the first signal by an amount sufficient to cause oscillations in the output voltage to occur substantially in-phase with oscillations in the motor speed.

Integrated engine-generator concept for aircraft electric secondary power

Abstract: The integrated engine-generator concept of locating an electric generator inside an aircraft turbojet or turbofan engine concentric with, and driven by, one of the main engine shafts is discussed. When properly rated, the generator can serve as an engine starter as well as a generator of electric power. The electric power conversion equipment and generator controls are conveniently located in the aircraft. Preliminary layouts of generators in a large engine together with their physical sizes and weights indicate that this concept is a technically feasible approach to aircraft secondary power.

Food heating device

Abstract: This disclosure describes a food heating device for heating and cooking food items such as TV-dinners which are prepackaged in standard electrically conductive containers. The device includes a rigid enclosure having a base and a cover for providing access to the interior of the enclosure to allow insertion or removal of the food package. The food package is supported on the base and, a step-down transformer supplies low voltage electrical power to the conductive food package. First and second clamps are supported by the enclosure means and clampingly engage first and second edge portions of the conductive food package, respectively, so that the electrical current passes direcly through the food package and at least some of the food contained therein to rapidly and efficiently heat the food.

Electric control system for driving an electric vehicle

Abstract: An electric motor for driving a wheel of a vehicle may be arranged to be supplied with electric power, through a chopper control system using controlled rectifiers, from an electric battery group connected in parallel with an electric generator driven by a driving machine such as a prime mover. The efficiency of the driving system can be increased and the temperature rise of the electric battery can be kept low by providing an inductor which permits discharging D.C. current to flow from the electric battery and prevents charging current of high frequency from flowing to the electric battery.

System and apparatus for dual transmission of petrochemical fluids and unidirectional electric current

Abstract: Discloses a multiple duct delivery conduit for dual transport of fluid refinery products and direct current electric power over long distances in combination with a system of energy conversion for supplying such products and power from one or more oil and/or gas wells at a source location. The dual conduit comprises two conductive pipes each used to convey electric current and a fluid petroleum derivative and an enclosing pipe for conveying a dielectric gas.

Electric power supply system

Abstract: An electric power supply system having a capacitor as an auxiliary power source in addition to a DC battery as a main power source. In this power supply system, the capacitor is charged only through a resistor by a source voltage of the DC battery to a voltage approximately equal to the source voltage. The resistor has a value of resistance considerably higher than that of a load to be connected with the power supply system. The DC battery is grounded at its positive or negative terminal. The power supply system is adapted for energizing an actuator of a safety device for a motor vehicle.

Transportation system for hostile environments

Abstract: A transportation system is disclosed and claimed herein for the conveyance of petroleum or other products from areas having adverse climatic conditions to a destination where the materials may be more conventionally handled. The system likewise includes means for returning transportation vehicles to the point of origin for refilling. A pipe conduit system is suspended from a plurality of supports and receives at least one vehicle movable on a trackway therethrough. The vehicle is self driven and receives power from a power supply located within the conduit. Additionally, outside rails may be secured to the pipe conduit, so as to receive additional outside driven vehicles for the transportation of freight or passengers. The vehicle of the present invention comprises a transportation container suspended on opposite ends thereof from two independent drive units. The drive units have a housing with male and female coupling members secured thereto and extending outwardly in opposite directions therefrom. Received around the housing is a rotatable drum that serves as a single wheel for the driving unit and engages the trackway within the conduit. The drum is provided with preferably an alternating current electric motor coupled to a hydrodynamic torque converter which in turn is coupled to a sun and planet gear arrangement. The interior periphery of the drum is associated with one of the gears of the sun and planet gear arrangement so as to receive driving power therefrom. Electric power is received by contacts on the housing that engage current rails received in the upper portion of the conduit. Both the transportation system and the vehicle are claimed.

System for supplying electric power to loads in hazardous atmospheres

Abstract: In a power supply system for use in hazardous conditions, such as in mines, an inverter housed within a flame-proof enclosure is connected to a d.c. supply line and generates an a.c. output around the lower end of the kiloHertz range, e.g. up to approximately 100 kHz. The output may be connected to a load, such as a fluorescent lamp, either directly, or through a connector comprising a transformer having separable primary and secondary windings, or via a control circuit which provides an intrinsically safe supply.

Electrically insulated railway car truck

Abstract: An electrically insulated railway car truck for carrying a car body includes an electric motor adapted to drive the truck by means of power from the third rail. The spacing of the electric motor, wiring arrangement and bolster position with respect to the third rail minimize the likelihood of flash-over or shorting of the electrical power to the truck or car body.

Cryo-electric engine-refrigerator combination

Abstract: A cryo-electric apparatus converts heat into both refrigeration and electrical power, the apparatus being operable in part according to the Vuilleumier thermodynamic cycle with interconnected compression and expansion spaces for a working gas, each of said spaces formed by a piston-cylinder assembly, the pistons operable through a crankshaft that also provides mechanical output power to drive a generator or alternator producing electrical power; a control system senses refrigeration and electrical output of and demands upon the apparatus and correspondingly regulates the apparatus which is essentially self-running once started.