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US6486569B2
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Power flow management in an electric power grid
Assignee: Hydro-Québec
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Filing: 2001-06-15
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Granted: 2002-11-26
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Expires: 2021-06-15
Abstract
Abstract Power flow management is achieved in an electrical power transmission network using serial impedance modulation distributed throughout the transmission lines of the network. Switching units are mounted to insulated portions of transmission line towers in proximity to phase lines for modulating power flowing in at least one phase line conductor of at least one bundle conductor phase line in an electric power transmission line at a plurality of segments in the network. Power flow is managed in at the segments by changing the series impedance of the line by controlling the switching units. Enhanced insulation between phase line conductors is added. The power flow in a plurality of electric power lines of the network is analyzed, a desired change in impedance for the electric power lines is determined, and at least some of the switching units are controlled to implement the desired change in impedance.
Inventors
- 👤 Pierre Couture
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 16:05
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G7/00; H02G7/20; H02J; H02J13/00; H02J13/16; H02G1/00; H02G1/02; H02G7/16; H02J13/18; H02J3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of power flow management in an electrical power distribution network, the method comprising steps of: providing at least one switching unit mounted to insulated portions of transmission line towers in proximity to at least one bundle conductor for opening and closing a current path in at least one of a plurality of conductors of said bundle to cause an impedance change modulating power flowing in at least one conductor of said at least one bundle conductor in an electric power transmission line at one or more segments in said network; providing insulation between said conductors of said bundle so as to be able to withstand a voltage difference between said conductors caused by said switching unit in said segments; and managing the power flow in said segments by changing the series impedance of the line by controlling said at least one switching unit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of power flow management in an electrical power distribution network, the method comprising steps of: providing at least one switching unit mounted to insulated portions of transmission line towers in proximity to at least one bundle conductor for opening and closing a current path in at least one of a plurality of conductors of said bundle to cause an impedance change modulating power flowing in at least one conductor of said at least one bundle conductor in an electric power transmission line at one or more segments in said network; providing insulation between said conductors of said bundle so as to be able to withstand a voltage difference between said conductors caused by said switching unit in said segments; and managing the power flow in said segments by changing the series impedance of the line by controlling said at least one switching unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein said step of managing comprises: analyzing power flow in a plurality of electric power lines of said network; determining a desired change in impedance for at least one of said plurality of electric power lines of said network; controlling at least some of said switching units to implement said desired change in impedance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as defined in claim 2 , wherein said transmission line is an AC transmission line.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as defined in claim 3 , wherein said step of controlling comprises transmitting a control signal to said switching units via a communications network.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as defined in claim 4 , wherein said communications network is a wired network associated with said transmission line.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as defined in claim 4 , wherein said communications network is a wireless network.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method as defined in claim 4 , wherein said control signal comprises a plurality of switching units commands addressed to specific ones of said switching units, said step of determining comprising selecting a combination of switching units and impedance change values expected to result in said desired change.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method as defined in claim 7 , wherein said series impedance change is a variable increase in impedance caused by opening current flow in one or more of said conductors, said combination of switching units and impedance change values being selected to reduce excess joule heating at points in said line.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as defined in claim 8 , wherein said combination of switching units and impedance change values are changed periodically to yield the same desired impedance change while allowing said conductors to cool.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method as defined in claim 4 , wherein said switching units are provided at transmission towers in two groups for modulating impedance of two consecutive said segments from each tower, said two groups of switching units sharing a same communications interface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method as defined in claim 4 , wherein said control signal is transmitted to communications interfaces at said towers, said communications interfaces communicating in turn with said switching units via a local wireless communications interface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as defined in claim 4 , wherein said switching unit comprises electronic switches, and said power flow managing is carried out in real time.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as defined in claim 2 , wherein said series impedance change is a variable increase in impedance caused by opening one or more of said conductors.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as defined in claim 13 , wherein one of said conductors is permanently left unswitched so as to conduct without modulation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as defined in claim 13 , wherein said switching units comprise electromechanical switching units having a plurality of switching states that prevent an open circuit as said switching states are changes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as defined in claim 2 , wherein one conductor of said conductors is permanently left unswitched, said at least one switching unit comprising electronic switches.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as defined in claim 2 , wherein said switching units comprise electromechanical switching units having a plurality of switching states that prevent an open circuit as said switching states are changed.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as defined in claim 2 , wherein said transmission line is a three-phase AC transmission line, said switching units controlling power flow in three phases of said line.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein said switching units are provided at transmission towers in two groups for modulating impedance of two consecutive said segments from each tower.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB2324417A
Cited
US6018152A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-11-25 | 2006-05-27 | 2006-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-11-25 | 2010-05-27 | 2010-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-11-25 | 2014-05-27 | 2014-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |