Patent Description:
A generator is an important device in a power system, and its safe running plays a decisive role in guaranteeing the stable running and power quality of the power system. An excitation system for a generator may provide an adjustable DC current to an excitation winding of a generator. The excitation winding of the generator cuts the magnetic lines of force while the generator rotates, allowing the generator to generate an alternating current and then transmit power to a transmission grid. <CIT> discloses a battery charging system, in particular for motor vehicles. <CIT> discloses a field current measurement device.

Against the above-described background, the present invention proposes a method for determining a state of a generator in a power supply system as defined in the appended claims.

According to the present invention, a state of a generator is monitored to determine, in a timely manner, whether an excitation system is switched on when the generator is in a standstill state, and a prompt message is sent, so that an operator can perform follow-up processing operations according to the prompt message; this allows a reduction of damage to the generator.

According to the method as described above, optionally, said monitoring whether the generator is in a standstill state comprises:.

According to the method as described above, optionally, the preset condition further comprises: an output voltage of the generator is smaller than or equal to a second preset threshold.

The method as described above, optionally, after monitoring that the excitation system is switched on, further comprises:
triggering a switch-off operation of the excitation system.

The method as described above, optionally, further comprises:
after monitoring that the generator is in a standstill state, activating a prompt function, the prompt function being used for monitoring whether the excitation system is switched on and, after monitoring that it is switched on, sending the prompt message.

The method as described above, optionally, after activating the prompt function, further comprises: if it is monitored that the generator is in a starting state or a running state, disabling the prompt function.

The present invention further provides an apparatus for determining a state of a generator in a power supply system as defined in the appended claims.

According to the apparatus as described above, optionally, the first monitoring unit is specifically used for:.

According to the apparatus as described above, optionally, the preset condition further comprises: an output voltage of the generator is smaller than or equal to a second preset threshold.

The apparatus as described above, optionally, further comprises:
a trigger unit used for triggering a switch-off operation of the excitation system.

According to the apparatus as described above, optionally, the first monitoring unit is further used for:
after monitoring that the generator is in a standstill state, activating the second monitoring unit and the sending unit.

According to the apparatus as described above, optionally, the first monitoring unit is further used for:
if it is monitored that the generator is in a starting state or a running state, blocking the second monitoring unit and the sending unit.

The present invention further provides a power supply system as defined in the appended claims.

The present invention further provides a readable storage medium storing a machine-readable instruction that, when executed by a machine, causes the machine to implement a method for determining a state of a generator in a power supply system as described above.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings to make the above-described and other characteristics and benefits of the present invention clearer to those of ordinary skill in the art. Among the drawings,.

In order to further clarify the objective, technical solution, and benefits of the present invention, the present invention will be described below in greater detail with reference to embodiments.

A generator may be in one of three states: standstill, starting, and running. Transitions between the states may be divided into the following types:.

The inventor discovered that after a generator in a power supply system has remained in a standstill state for a period of time, sometimes the circuit of the generator is damaged to a certain extent; the power supply system is located, for example, in a power plant. Based on this discovery, the inventor, after conducting research, found that when a generator is in a standstill state, if an excitation system used for the generator is in an operating state, then a relatively high current will be generated in the excitation system. Since the excitation system is connected to the circuit of the generator, an excessively high current will affect the generator; if this condition persists, the circuit of the generator will be damaged. The above-described condition occurs when an operator mistakenly switches on the excitation system, that is, if the excitation system is switched on while the generator is in a standstill state. Therefore, the present invention provides a method for determining a state of a generator in a power supply system, so as to monitor whether the corresponding excitation system is switched on when the generator is in a standstill state.

This embodiment provides a method for determining a state of a generator in a power supply system, in which the main execution unit is an apparatus for determining a state of a generator in a power supply system; the apparatus may be located in a generator or in an excitation system, or may be a standalone apparatus, for example, a background capable of monitoring a generator and an excitation system at the same time.

See <FIG>, which is a schematic flowchart for a method for determining a state of a generator in a power supply system according to this embodiment. The method comprises:
Step <NUM>: Monitor whether the generator is in a standstill state.

For example, various parameters related to the running of the generator are monitored to determine whether the generator is in a standstill state. Specifically, these parameters may be acquired periodically and then analyzed. These parameters are, for example, the frequency, voltage, current, rotation speed, etc. of the generator, and may be acquired directly by using various sensors or by processing parameters.

As an illustrative example, the frequency of a generator may be acquired periodically; if the frequency of the generator is smaller than or equal to a first preset threshold, it may be determined that the generator is in a standstill state. The frequency may be obtained, for example, by a sensor; a voltage or a current, for example, may be obtained and then the frequency may be calculated using the voltage or current; if the frequency is smaller than a first preset threshold, then it is determined that the generator is in a standstill state. Certainly, it may be further determined whether the generator is in a standstill state by further determining whether an output voltage of the generator is smaller than or equal to a second preset threshold. This step and the frequency judgment may be performed at the same time, or may be performed sequentially, without being subject to specific restrictions. If the output voltage of the generator is smaller than or equal to the second preset threshold and the frequency of the generator is smaller than or equal to the first preset threshold, then it is determined that the generator is in a standstill state. The second preset threshold mentioned herein may specifically be the remanence voltage, which refers to the voltage measured, by using only the remanence of the iron core without applying excitation, at an end of the generator when the generator is rotating; generally, the remanence voltage of a generator is relatively low.

Step <NUM>: If the monitoring result is yes, monitor whether an excitation system is switched on, the excitation system being used for supplying power to the generator.

An excitation system may be in one of two states: switched on and switched off. When switched on, the excitation system is in an operating state and its circuit is carrying a DC current; when switched off, the excitation system is in a shutdown state and its circuit is carrying no currents. Whether the excitation system is switched on or not may be specifically determined by judging whether a DC voltage of the excitation system is greater than a third preset threshold, which will not be described in detail again herein. How to obtain a DC voltage of an excitation system pertains to the prior art, and thus will not be described in detail again herein.

Step <NUM>: If it is monitored that the excitation system is switched on, send a prompt message indicating that the excitation system is switched on.

The prompt message may be sent in various forms; for example, it is possible to inform an operator by giving a voice prompt, sending a short message, displaying a message on a screen, etc. and, after receiving the prompt message, the operator can perform follow-up operations, such as manually disconnecting the excitation system; certainly, an apparatus for determining a state of a generator in the power supply system can also automatically trigger a switch-off operation of the excitation system, and such automatic control allows the excitation system to be switched off as soon as possible, thereby reducing damage to the generator circuit.

This embodiment further explains the method for determining a state of a generator in a power supply system of the first embodiment. See <FIG>, which is a schematic flowchart for a method for determining a state of a generator in a power supply system according to this embodiment. The method comprises:
Step <NUM>: Monitor whether the generator is in a standstill state, and if the monitoring result is yes, proceed to step <NUM>.

Specifically, it is possible to determine whether the generator is in a standstill state by periodically acquiring relevant parameters of the generator; the period may be determined according to actual needs, for example, once every <NUM> second. Further, it is possible to judge whether relevant parameters of the generator meet the following preset condition: the frequency of the generator is smaller than or equal to a first preset threshold; if the judgment result is yes, it is determined that the generator is in a standstill state. Certainly, the preset condition may further comprise: a voltage of the generator is smaller than or equal to a second preset threshold and/or a rotation speed of the generator has dropped to a threshold. If the above-described preset condition is met, then it may be determined that the generator is in a standstill state. The monitoring method may be, for example, the specific monitoring method adopted in step <NUM>, which will not be detailed again herein.

Step <NUM>: Activate a prompt function to trigger step <NUM>, and perform step <NUM>.

A prompt function is not activated until it is determined that the generator is in a standstill state, which allows a reduction of the burden on relevant equipment. The prompt function is used for monitoring whether an excitation system is switched on and, after it is monitored that the system is switched on, sending a prompt message.

In other words, activation of the prompt function means that step <NUM> and step <NUM> may be triggered in sequence.

Step <NUM>: Monitor whether the excitation system is switched on, and if the monitoring result is yes, proceed to step <NUM>.

Specifically, how to monitor whether an excitation system is switched on is the same as step <NUM>, and thus not be detailed again herein.

The prompt message may be sent in various forms, for example, by giving a voice prompt, sending a short message, or displaying a message on an operator's monitoring computer; the prompt message may also be sent to another functional module of an apparatus for determining a state of a generator in the power supply system, for example, a functional module capable of triggering a switch-off operation of an excitation system.

Step <NUM>: Monitor whether the generator is in a starting state or a running state, and if the monitoring result is yes, then proceed to step <NUM>.

Likewise, based on periodically acquired state parameters of the generator, it may be determined that the generator is in a starting state, for example, if the generator meets the following conditions at the same time:.

If the above-described conditions are met, it indicates that the generator has switched from a standstill state to a starting state. A voltage of a generator may be obtained in real time according to data collected by a voltage sensor, and whether the generator circuit-breaker (GCB) of the generator is started may also be determined in real time according to data collected by a corresponding sensor. The GCB completes the function of connecting a generator and a transformer, or is used for connecting a generator and a power grid. Whether the GCB is turned on or not may be determined by monitoring the real-time status of the GCB. Certainly, it is also possible to judge whether a generator is in a starting state by another method, which will not be detailed again herein.

Condition <NUM> may further comprise judging, at the same time, whether the GCB is turned on and whether a current carried by the generator is greater than a minimum switching current; if these two judgment results are yes at the same time, it indicates that condition <NUM> is satisfied.

As an illustrative example, if a generator meets the following conditions at the same time, then it indicates that the generator is in a running state:.

If condition <NUM>, condition <NUM>, and condition <NUM> are met, then it indicates that the generator is in a running state. Specifically, whether a generator is in a running state may also be judged by another method, which will not be detailed again herein.

Condition <NUM> may further comprise judging, at the same time, whether the GCB is turned on, whether a current carried by the generator is greater than a minimum switching current, and whether the power of the generator is greater than a fifth preset threshold; if these three judgment results are yes at the same time, then it indicates that condition six is met. Thus, judging a plurality of conditions at the same time can ensure that a judgment result is accurate.

Step <NUM>: Disable the prompt function.

If it is determined that the generator has switched from a standstill state to a starting state or a running state, then the prompt function is disabled to allow a reduction in the workload of the corresponding equipment.

After the prompt function is disabled, step <NUM> and step <NUM> will no longer be performed in sequence, but step <NUM> or step <NUM> may still be performed separately or neither step will be performed, depending on actual needs.

With a method for determining a state of a generator in a power supply system according to this embodiment, after it is monitored that the generator is in a standstill state, the function for monitoring whether an excitation system is switched on is enabled and, when it is monitored that the excitation system is switched on, a prompt message is sent in a timely manner; and the function for monitoring whether an excitation system is switched on is disabled when the generator is out of a standstill state. Thus, damage to the circuit of the generator may be minimized, while the workload of the corresponding equipment is reduced.

This embodiment provides an apparatus for determining a state of a generator in a power supply system, which is used to implement the method for determining a state of a generator in a power supply system according to the above-described embodiments. The apparatus may be located in a generator or in an excitation system, or it may be a standalone apparatus, for example, a background capable of monitoring a generator and an excitation system at the same time.

See <FIG>, which is a schematic structural diagram for an apparatus for determining a state of a generator in a power supply system according to this embodiment. The apparatus comprises a first monitoring unit <NUM>, a second monitoring unit <NUM>, and a sending unit <NUM>.

The first monitoring unit <NUM> is used for monitoring whether a generator is in a standstill state, and if the monitoring result is yes, a second monitoring unit <NUM> is triggered; the second monitoring unit <NUM> is used for monitoring whether an excitation system for supplying power to a generator is switched on, and if it is monitored that the excitation system is switched on, a sending unit <NUM> is triggered; and the sending unit <NUM> is used for sending a prompt message, the prompt message indicating that the excitation system is switched on.

Optionally, the first monitoring unit <NUM> is specifically used for:
periodically judging whether the generator meets the following preset condition: the frequency of the generator is smaller than or equal to a first preset threshold; if the judgment result is yes, it is determined that the generator is in a standstill state.

Optionally, the preset condition further comprises: an output voltage of the generator is smaller than or equal to a second preset threshold.

Optionally, as shown in <FIG>, the apparatus further comprises a trigger unit <NUM>, the trigger unit <NUM> being used for triggering a switch-off operation of an excitation system. As shown in <FIG>, the trigger unit <NUM> may be triggered by the sending unit <NUM>, and certainly may also be triggered by the second monitoring unit <NUM>, depending on actual needs.

Optionally, as shown in <FIG>, the first monitoring unit <NUM> of this embodiment is further used for, after monitoring that the generator is in a standstill state, starting the second monitoring unit <NUM> and the sending unit <NUM>. The starting mentioned herein can mean causing both the second monitoring unit <NUM> and the sending unit <NUM> to reach a state of being able to run; thus, the second monitoring unit <NUM> can, upon being triggered by the first monitoring unit <NUM>, monitor whether an excitation system is switched on, and can trigger the sending unit <NUM>.

Optionally, as shown in <FIG>, the first monitoring unit <NUM> of this embodiment is further used for, if it is monitored that the generator is in a starting state or a running state, blocking the second monitoring unit <NUM> and the sending unit <NUM>. This allows saving of power while reducing the operating workload.

Each unit of this embodiment operates in the same manner as those of the previous embodiment, and thus no similar description will be provided again herein.

The present invention further provides a power supply system comprising a generator, an excitation system, and an apparatus for determining a state of a generator in a power supply system according to any one of the above-described embodiments.

The present invention further provides an apparatus for determining a state of a generator in a power supply system, which comprises at least one memory and at least one processor, wherein the memory is used for storing an instruction and the processor is used for implementing, according to an instruction stored in the memory, a method for determining a state of a generator in a power supply system as described in any of the preceding embodiments.

An embodiment of the present invention further provides a readable storage medium. The readable storage medium stores a machine-readable instruction that, when executed by a machine, causes the machine to implement a method for determining a state of a generator in a power supply system as described in any of the preceding embodiments.

The readable medium stores a machine-readable instruction that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to implement any of the methods as described above. Specifically, a system or apparatus can be provided that is equipped with a readable medium storing a software program code for implementing the functions of any of the embodiments described above, and the computer or processor of the system or apparatus is caused to read out and execute a machine-readable instruction stored in the readable storage medium.

In this case, the program code read from the machine-readable medium itself can implement the functions of any of the above embodiments, and therefore the machine-readable code and the readable medium storing the machine-readable code form a portion of the present invention.

Examples of readable storage media include floppy disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, optical disk (for example, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, and DVD+RW), magnetic tape, non-volatile memory card, and ROM. Alternatively, program code may be downloaded from a server computer or cloud via a communication network.

Those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that various transformations and modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed above without departing from the essence of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be defined by the appended claims.

It should be noted that not all the steps or units in the above-described flows and system structural diagrams are required, and certain steps or units may be omitted as needed. The sequence of performing steps is not fixed and may be adjusted as needed. The apparatus structures described in the above embodiments may be physical structures or logical structures; in other words, certain units may be implemented as the same physical entity, or certain units may be implemented as a plurality of physical entities separately, or certain units may be jointly implemented by certain components in a plurality of standalone devices.

In each of the above embodiments, a hardware unit may be implemented mechanically or electrically. For example, a hardware unit or processor may comprise a permanently dedicated circuit or logic, for example, a special processor, an FPGA, or an ASIC, for completing corresponding operations. A hardware unit or processor may further comprise programmable logic or circuitry (for example, a general-purpose processor or any other programmable processor), which may be temporarily configured by software to perform corresponding operations. Specific implementations (mechanical, or dedicated permanent circuits, or temporarily configured circuits) may be determined on the basis of cost and time considerations.

Claim 1:
A method for determining a state of a generator in a power supply system, wherein the generator is used for supplying power to a transmission grid, characterized in that the method comprises:
monitoring (<NUM>) whether the generator is in a standstill state;
if the monitoring result is yes, monitoring (<NUM>) whether an excitation system is switched on, the excitation system being used for supplying power to the generator; and
if it is monitored that the excitation system is switched on, sending (<NUM>) a prompt message, the prompt message being used for indicating that the excitation system is switched on.