Showing papers on "Electric power published in 1973"

Gas turbine and steam turbine combined cycle electric power generating plant having a coordinated and hybridized control system and an improved factory based method for making and testing combined cycle and other power plants and control systems therefor

Abstract: A combined cycle electric power plant includes in interconnected relationship a steam turbine, two gas turbines, three electric generators, two heat recovery steam generators, a hybrid computer control system, a plant protection system and various items of auxiliary equipment. A computerized simulator is interfaced with the control system at the factory site to test the controls and the control system is then modularly disassembled in various structures and shipped to the field site for reassembly without need for extensive field testing. The control system includes a digital control computer, a digital monitor computer and modular analog controls for the turbines. Various levels of automated control can be employed including coordinated plant control which involves supervisory operation of the analog controls by the control computer. In analog control, complete plant operation is produced by operation of the analog controls without the control computer.

System for generating electrical energy to supply power to propel vehicles

Abstract: Solar radiant energy and high-intensity light are converted to electrical energy to supply electrical power for propelling vehicles in a safe, economical and efficient manner. The radiant energy can be beamed from outer space by the use of satellites with collecting surfaces which can produce and store electrical power and which can distribute the electrical power to earth stations for redistribution to high-intensity light sources. High-intensity light-receiving cells or panels are fixed to the surface of a vehicle to collect the high-intensity light and to convert the light into useful electric power to operate the vehicle. Energy can be stored in batteries for subsequent use. A vehicle can also be powered by hybrid means including solar cells and gas turbines.

The Hydrogen Economy

Abstract: Although electrical energy today is considered to be a universally convenient energy source that is instantly available at the turn of a switch, we tend to take for granted the additional availability of two other energy sources—natural gas and oil-gasoline. These chemical energy sources have two outstanding operational advantages over electricity: (1) they can be stored up in varying amounts, either within their distribution networks or in portable containers; and (2) transportation of energy over long distances is far cheaper for natural gas or oil than for electrical power. Present trends in the use of energy accentuate these differences, as the user tends to concentrate his use of power into smaller peak periods of the day, and as the intense concentration of population in local areas strains the electrical transmission network. Moreover, as society is becoming increasingly conscious of the need to protect the environment it lives in, electric power cables are being forced underground at phenomenal expense, to lie out of sight in company with the existing natural gas and oil pipelines. Today’s increasing demands for electrical power are resulting in an increasing potential for atmospheric pollution resulting from the need to burn more “dirty” fuels at the electric power stations.

Electric power means for vehicles

Abstract: A plurality of individual batteries are independently mounted for reciprocatory movement according to the motion of a supporting vehicle, and means are actuated by the reciprocal movement of the batteries for converting such movement to constant rotary movement to drive means for regenerating said batteries. The batteries are disposed in spaced relation to facilitate cooling.

1974 Energy Requirements for Electric Cars and Their Impact on Electric Power Generation and Distribution Systems

Abstract: Assuming the availability of a high energy and power density battery of 100 Wh/lb and 100 W/lb by the 1980' s, the energy consumption and efficiency of electric and heat engine cars are compared on an equal basis. This is achieved by considering a reference electric car of 3150-lb weight similar in body construction, aerodynamics, and rolling resistance to a conventional heat engine car of equal weight, and comparing the performance of the two cars over the same driving modes. The reference electric car is then used as a baseline to evaluate the possible improvements in future electric cars. The energy consumption for an optimized 2000-lb electric car of driving range, comfort, and performance comparable to a conventional car is estimated. Assuming a gradual growth in electric car population leading to their widespread use by the 1990's, the impact on electric power generation and distribution systems is estimated. Though the analysis is based on a high energy and power density battery the results may be extrapolated to electric cars using lower performance batteries. It is noted that batteries with lower energy density can provide sufficient driving range to fulfill a significant portion of our transportation needs and their continued development and improvement will accelerate the achievement of the high energy-density goal [1].

Expressway power generating system

Abstract: A system comprising a plurality of rollers or the like installed along expressway lanes or the like such that they will be actuated by vehicles passing over them. The rollers are coupled to a network of electrical power generators so that as vehicles pass along the expressway they cause production of useful electrical power.

Wind operated power generating apparatus

Abstract: A wind operated electric power generating apparatus providing a pressurized supply of air to inflate air cells carried by an endless belt, said air cells rising in a tank of fluid to drive said belt, said belt operating an electric current generator.

Low leakage electrical power input circuit for electromedical and other similar apparatus

Abstract: A low leakage power input circuit for electromedical or other electrical equipment having an electrical power element, normally the primary winding of a transformer, and where the leakage current from the supply circuit to a grounding circuit should be very small made up of a power cord made up of a high line, a neutral line, and a grounding conductor, said high and neutral lines adapted for connection at one end to an electrical power source and said neutral and grounding conductor adapted for connection at the same end of the power cord to electrical ground, high and neutral lines connected at the power end of the power cord to the electrical power element of the electrical equipment, a first guard means enclosing the electrical power element of the electrical equipment and connected to the neutral line or to ground via a separate ground line, and a second guard in the form of a conducting metal enclosure, enclosing the first guard and insulated therefrom, and connected to the grounding conductor

Reactor megawatt demand setter

Abstract: The electrical power output of a nuclear powered generating station, as requested by an operator or by an automatic dispatch system for the grid with which the station is associated, is controlled in a manner which insures that the nuclear steam supply system limits are not violated. The invention permits the nuclear powered generating unit to operate at maximum permissible power for the existing nuclear steam supply system conditions by exercising control over the unit turbine in such a manner that the rate of load change will be controlled as a function of the proximity of the actual load to the desired load and the rate of load increase will be algebraically limited by the proximity of the nuclear steam supply system conditions to the steam supply system operating limits. Additionally the turbine load will automatically be reduced when necessary at a rate which equals or exceeds a value which is commensurate with the magnitude of any violation of the steam supply system operating limits.

An Electric Drive

Abstract: The report describes an invention that is one of the family of AC electric drives permitting a broad range of control of the power of actuating mechanisms with blower-type change of drag torque, e.g., in ship electric power systems, in powerful fan and pump units, etc.

Electric water faucet

Abstract: The electrical water faucet is designed to control the flow of water from an outlet, through the use of switches controlling electrical solenoids. This unit can be installed in remote areas to confine static service line water pressures. This electrical water faucet has a manual control to operate it if electrical power should fail.

Hybrid electric power vehicle

Abstract: In the hybrid electric power vehicle disclosed, a generator driven by a heat engine turns a motor which moves the vehicle. A main circuit controls the motor with power from the generator. The main circuit includes a first thyristor or relay contact for connecting the main circuit and the battery in series with each other or in parallel with each other and a commutation circuit that operates as a chopper. A second thyristor provides the energy from the generator to the motor in the form of pulses. A switch-over circuit opens the relay contact on the basis of the relationship between the degree to which the accelerator pedal is depressed and the motor speed so as to connect the main battery and the generator in series. An output ratio control circuit turns the two thyristors on so that the generator and main battery outputs are supplied to the motor together. The output of the battery is varied by the first thyristor in response to the degree to which the accelerator pedal is depressed.

Starting inhibit scheme for an hvdc converter

Abstract: A high-voltage converter comprises a plurality of electric valves interconnected in a bridge configuration between a-c and d-c electric power conductors and means for cyclically firing the valves in a normal sequence. To stop the converter its firing means is blocked, and for subsequently restarting the converter, starting means is operative to disable the blocking means. Means is provided for inhibiting such operation of the starting means if the magnitude of voltage across the a-c conductors is under a predetermined limit or if the magnitude of current in the d-c conductors is over a predetermined limit, thereby avoiding restarts under conditions which are likely to result in an immediate commutation failure.

Electric heating means for fuel vaporization in internal combustion engines

Abstract: Electric heating means for fuel vaporization in internal combustion engines to improve the efficiency, performance and starting thereof, an optimum amount of electrical power being supplied to the heating means during operation of the engine. An important feature relates to the use of heating units mounted in an intake manifold preferably with there being one heating unit for each engine cylinder, mounted adjacent the intake valve. In an engine having fuel injection, a heating unit is mounted on the downstream side of each fuel injector. Another important feature relates to the provision of means controlled by ambient temperature sensing means for automatically adjusting the optimum amount of electrical power supplied to electric heating and vaporizing means.

Power-refrigeration apparatus for recreational vehicles and the like

Abstract: Recreational vehicles, and the like, which have occasions to rely upon accessory-driving power developed wholly while travelling under their own motive forces, or wholly while supplied from an external source at standstill, or wholly while supplied from a self-contained source at standstill, are provided with an auxiliary system, for developing both regulated electrical power and mechanical-refrigeration power, in which asneeded independent primary drives by an electric motor, hydraulic motor, and auxiliary internal-combustion engine, and their collateral as-needed mechanical isolation from one another, are automatically and uniquely achieved by way of centrifugal clutches requiring no electrical excitations, and in which related electrical controls for the system are all therefore of advantageously low-power types.

Power control and supervisory system

Abstract: There is herein disclosed an electrical power control and supervisory system for monitoring the outputs of a plurality of regulated power converters and generating error signals which are fed back to control the converter outputs and provide power on/off control signals to properly sequence the application and removal of power to solid state logic circuitry.

Dolly using a warm-kept battery as its driving power source

Abstract: A dolly using a warm-kept battery as its driving power source is described, which comprises a member for loading thereon an article to be conveyed and a shoe for feeding a required electric power from a trolley, and which is adapted to run along equipped rails for conveying said article, said dolly being characterized in that it is provided with a battery serving as a driving power source for said dolly which battery is covered by a heat insulating material and includes a heater associated with a thermostat and heated by an electric power fed from said trolley through said shoe, and plug portions which can be detachably engaged with members for forcibly discharging hydrogen gas produced upon charging said battery.

On the structure of optimal area controls in electric power networks

Abstract: Static optimization techniques have been used by the electric power industry for several years to solve the problem of economic load allocation. Experience has shown that difficulties frequently arise when these solutions are incorporated in the feedback control of dynamic electric power networks. In a recent paper, economic load allocation was formulated as a dynamic optimal control problem in an effort to overcome the disadvantages of controllers currently used. At the heart of that problem is the area control problem that is treated in detail in this paper. An unusual feature of the area control problem is that it contains kinks. The maximal principle is modified for this situation. Necessary conditions for an optimal controller are obtained for the general case of n generators. The optimal feedback controller is synthesized for the case of two-generator load sharing.

Electromagnetic wave energy converter

Abstract: Electromagnetic wave energy is converted into electric power with an array of mutually insulated electromagnetic wave absorber elements each responsive to an electric field component of the wave as it impinges thereon. Each element includes a portion tapered in the direction of wave propagation to provide a relatively wideband response spectrum. Each element includes an output for deriving a voltage replica of the electric field variations intercepted by it. Adjacent elements are positioned relative to each other so that an electric field subsists between adjacent elements in response to the impinging wave. The electric field results in a voltage difference between adjacent elements that is fed to a rectifier to derive d.c. output power. The element pairs may be arranged in a two-dimensional array to provide power conversion of randomly polarized electromagnetic waves, such as sunlight.

Electrical transportation system

Abstract: In a transportation system, a vehicle driven by an induction motor, is guided along a given path. Adjacent to the path is at least a section of electrical conductor which is electrically connected to the induction motor by means of pickup or collector shoes on the vehicle. The speed of the vehicle is controlled by varying the frequency of the electrical power fed to the electrical conductor. This can be accomplished by using a power source whose frequency varies with time or by using several power sources, each having a different frequency; each of such power sources being connected to a different segment of the section; such segments being insulated from each other.

Peak load pricing model of an electric utility using pumped storage

Abstract: Electric utilities are increasing their use of water power at a rapid pace to supplement system capacity during peak demand intervals During off-peak periods electricity derived from fuel generators is used to store water, and when the peak period arrives, the demand is satisfied by production from both fuel and hydroelectric generators This pumped storage technique is particularly well suited to nuclear plants that cannot be ‘turned off’ during low demand intervals By using electricity for pumped storage, the nuclear generators can operate continuously at their most efficient output levels This paper presents a peak load pricing model, based on partial equilibrium welfare criteria, for determining the optimal prices in the peak and off-peak periods and the amount of electric power that should be used during the off-peak intervals to pump water Current peak load models have always assumed that the consumption and the production of electricity are instantaneous and have not considered the storage possibility by using water resources A pricing rule for welfare maximization emphasizing capacity charges is first derived, and then a graphical model is developed that can be adapted to the installation of a particular utility A method of evaluating plant expansion programs by using the model is also indicated, the benefits from increased consumption and lower operating costs being compared to the additional capacity cost The suggested procedure can handle expansion programs of a complex nature including those faced with indivisibility constraints

Justification of the AEP Real Time Load Flow Project

Abstract: There is current interest by many utilities to enhance security of operation through monitoring real time system information. American Electric Power is at this time in the final stages of testing what appears to be the world's first power system state estimation project to obtain a complete real time load flow solution of its EHV system.

Electric power unit commitment scheduling using a dynamically evolving mixed integer program

Abstract: Prepared in association with Electric Power Systems Engineering Laboratory and Dept. of Civil Engineering, M.I.T.