US6492801B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method, apparatus, and system for real time reactive power output monitoring and predicting
Assignee: Southern Company Services Inc
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Filing: 2001-08-21
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Granted: 2002-12-10
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Expires: 2021-08-21
Abstract
Abstract An actual real-time reactive power output reserve of a generator is calculated by determining a real-time reactive power output of the generator at present operating conditions, determining a maximum reactive power output of the generator at the present operating conditions based on a maximum volt-ampere output capability of the generator, a real-time transmission voltage level of a transmission system connected to the generator, and a real-time maximum acceptable generator terminal voltage, and subtracting the real-time reactive power output from the maximum reactive power output. A future near-term reactive power output reserve of the generator is calculated by determining an expected maximum reactive power output of the generator at rated operating conditions based on a rated maximum volt-ampere output capability of the generator, a scheduled transmission voltage level of a transmission system connected to the generator, and a maximum acceptable generator terminal voltage, and subtracting the real-time reactive power output from the expected maximum reactive power output.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas R. Sims
- 👤 Daniel W. Noles
- 👤 Daryl K. Hallmark
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 19:32
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02J; H02J3/00; H02J3/18; H02J3/1885; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E40/00; Y02E40/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for determining an actual real-time reactive power output reserve of at least one generator, comprising the steps of: determining a real-time reactive power output of the generator at a present gas cooling gas pressure; determining a maximum reactive power output capability of the generator at the present cooling gas pressure; and determining the real-time reactive power output reserve of the generator by subtracting the real-time reactive power output from the maximum reactive power output capability.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for determining an actual real-time reactive power output reserve of at least one generator, comprising the steps of: determining a real-time reactive power output of the generator at a present gas cooling gas pressure; determining a maximum reactive power output capability of the generator at the present cooling gas pressure; and determining the real-time reactive power output reserve of the generator by subtracting the real-time reactive power output from the maximum reactive power output capability.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the real-time reactive power output is determined based on a maximum volt-ampere output capability of the generator at the present cooling gas pressure, a real-time transmission voltage level of a transmission system connected to the generator, and a real-time maximum acceptable generator terminal voltage, including real-time voltage limits associated with station service load buses connected to the generator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising predicting a future reactive power output reserve of the generator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein the step of predicting the future reactive power output reserve comprises: determining an expected maximum reactive power output capability of the generator at rated cooling gas pressure; and subtracting the real-time reactive power output from the expected maximum reactive power output capability to obtain the future reactive power output reserve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the steps for determining the reactive power output reserve are repeated at regular intervals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the steps are performed for a plurality of generators.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
77 words
An apparatus for determining an actual real-time reactive power output reserve of at least one generator, comprising: means for determining a real-time reactive power output of the generator at a present cooling gas pressure conditions; means for determining a maximum reactive power output capability of the generator at the present cooling gas pressure; and means for determining the real-time reactive power output reserve by subtracting the real-time reactive power output from the maximum reactive power output capability.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
77 words
An apparatus for determining an actual real-time reactive power output reserve of at least one generator, comprising: means for determining a real-time reactive power output of the generator at a present cooling gas pressure conditions; means for determining a maximum reactive power output capability of the generator at the present cooling gas pressure; and means for determining the real-time reactive power output reserve by subtracting the real-time reactive power output from the maximum reactive power output capability.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the real-time reactive power output capability is determined based on a maximum volt-ampere output capability of the generator at the present cooling gas pressure, a real-time transmission voltage level of a transmission system connected to the generator, and a real-time maximum acceptable generator terminal voltage, including real-time voltage limits associated with station service load buses connected to the generator.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 7 , further comprising means for predicting a future reactive power output reserve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the means for predicting the future reactive power output reserve comprises: means for determining an expected maximum reactive power output capability of the generator at rated cooling gas pressure; and means for subtracting the real-time reactive power output from the expected maximum reactive power output capability to obtain the future reactive power output reserve.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the determination of the reactive power output, maximum reactive power output capability, and reactive power output reserve is repeated at regular intervals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the reactive power output reserve is determined for a plurality of generators.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
99 words
A system for determining an actual real-time reactive power output reserve; comprising: at least one generator; input means for receiving information from the generator in real time, including information regarding a present cooling gas pressure; and a processor connected to the input means, wherein the processor determines a real-time reactive power output of the generator at the present cooling gas pressure, determines a maximum reactive power output capability of the generator at the present cooling gas pressure, and determines the real-time reactive power output reserve by subtracting the real-time reactive power output from the maximum reactive power output capability.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
99 words
A system for determining an actual real-time reactive power output reserve; comprising: at least one generator; input means for receiving information from the generator in real time, including information regarding a present cooling gas pressure; and a processor connected to the input means, wherein the processor determines a real-time reactive power output of the generator at the present cooling gas pressure, determines a maximum reactive power output capability of the generator at the present cooling gas pressure, and determines the real-time reactive power output reserve by subtracting the real-time reactive power output from the maximum reactive power output capability.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
81 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the input means also receives information from a transmission system connected to the generator, and the processor determines the real-time reactive power output capability based on a maximum volt-ampere output capability of the generator at the present cooling gas pressure, a real-time transmission voltage level of the transmission system connected to the generator, and a maximum acceptable generator terminal voltage, including real-time voltage limits associated with station service load buses connected to the generator.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the processor predicts a future reactive power output reserve of the generator.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system of claim 15 , wherein for predicting the future reactive power output reserve, the processor determines an expected maximum reactive power output capability of the generator at rated cooling gas pressure and subtracts the real-time reactive power output from the expected maximum reactive power output capability to obtain the future reactive power output reserve.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the processor repeats the determination of the real-time reactive power output, the maximum reactive power output capability, and the real-time reactive power output reserve at regular intervals.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the reactive power output reserve is determined for a plurality of generators.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-12-09 | 2006-06-10 | 2006-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-12-09 | 2010-06-10 | 2010-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-12-09 | 2014-06-10 | 2014-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |