Universal Power Supply/Research Development: Difference between revisions
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*'''Types of Alternating Current''' include square wave, modified sine wave, triangular wave, true sine wave, and more. | *'''Types of Alternating Current''' include square wave, modified sine wave, triangular wave, true sine wave, and more. | ||
*'''High-frequency Transformer, Low-frequency Transformer, or No Transformer?''' | |||
*'''Galvanic Isolation''' refers to the separation of circuit sections such that direct current cannot pass between them but energy can be still be transferred through other means such as induction. An isolation transformer can be used to achieve galvanic isolation. | |||
*'''Switching Solid-State Transistor: Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) or Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET)?''' | |||
*'''Master and Slave''' refer to the situation where multiple inverters are stacked in parallel. In order for the output AC to have a synchronized waveform, the phase generation must be performed by a single source and the phase output connected to all inverters in the stack. The phase generating inverter is called the master inverter, and the phase receiving inverters are called slave inverters. The connecting wires between the inverters for phase sharing are called phase cables. | |||
===Relevant Links=== | ===Relevant Links=== | ||
Revision as of 19:17, 21 September 2011
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The universal power supply contains the power electronics and power supplies for:
- Welders
- Plasma Cutters
- Battery Chargers
- Induction Furnaces
- CO2 Laser Cutters
- Stepper Motors
- Charge Controllers
Applications
- Powering welders, plasma cutters, battery chargers, induction furnaces, CO2 laser cutters
- Inverters for household power from batteries
- Voltage regulation/conditioning to get grid-quality power from variable power sources such as windmills, steam engines (especially solar powered)
- Battery charging from windmills, steam engines
(the other mechanical components of the above devices are covered as separate tools of the GVCS)
Physical Dimensions
As an example, the Zapp Star 1000 Nickel-Iron Battery is listed as 15" x 6" x 20". Ten of these for a 12 volt battery with 1000Ah would require 10.4 cubic feet with an approximate weight of 1400 pounds (using similar BeUtilityFree specs). This is not man-portable. Scaling down to 12 volts at 100Ah reduces the dimensions to 1.5 cubic feet and 150 pounds. Build ten of these and you can wire them in parallel to increase work time or in series to increase voltage (which may be advantageous in charging). Assume roughly 1.5 cubic feet 150 pound 12 volt 100Ah battery cube.
What are the dimensions of hydraulic power cube? Use the same cube frame?
Other specifications
- Scalability via modular add-on
- Quick disconnect components wherever possible
- Logic circuits millable with basic CNC Circuit Mill
- Insulators printable with 3D Printer or Ceramic 3D Printer
- Ability to operate with any voltage from a few volts to 1kV
- Ability to generate any frequency
- Open Source Enclosure - enclosure design that allows maximum scalability and flexibility
- Design for flexible fabrication via Open Source Fab Lab, initially using off-shelf components
In practice, the above will be implemented by refining one functionality after another, and adding modules that will allow for different functions and scales.
We're interested in a universal, modular power conversion device for electricity. I am talking about different modules that can be plugged together for something like a Lego Set of power electronics. Each module would in itself be modular, so it can consist of a number of units connected for scaling current or voltage.
Modules
- 50/60 hz electricity at common voltages such as 110 or 230 or 440
- DC current for plasma cutters or welders
- Battery charge-controller current
- High frequency power for induction furnaces
- Regulation of variable voltage (say 60-230 v AC) to charge batteries
- DC-DC conversion.
- Synchronous inverter so that multiple units can be stacked for applications that require higher current
That just about covers all power devices for advanced civilization, more or less.
Design Path
The general scheme would be to: (1) rectify a typically oscillating input from some power generating device, if it's not DC already, (2) chop it up, (3) scale it, (4) form it, (5) and finally, spit it out as DC or AC.
We want to create a universal switched mode power supply kit, with some power conditioning and regulation.
Please propose a basic starting circuit with the following specs: (1) Takes any AC input (from an ac generator) to either battery storage or an inverter/converter. (2) Specify parts for a system that can runs from 100W to about 20kW for starters. Is this feasible, or is the problem statement ill-defined?
After the above, we'd have to go to 3-phase converters, since many appliances of interest (such as induction furnaces) run off 3-phase.
Inverter Research and Development
- Inverter Function is to input direct current (DC) and output alternating current (AC).
- Direct Current is the flow of electric charge in one direction.
- Alternating Current is the flow of electric charge in reversing directions.
Theory
- Electromagnetic Induction allows the transformer to take an input voltage and current change and give a higher output voltage.
- Commutation periodically reverses the direction of charge flow of direct current as to produce alternating current. Digital signals for solid-state commutation can be produced with an oscillator circuit.
- Electromechanical Inverter contains electrically switched moving components that facilitate commutation.
- Solid State Inverter contains non-moving transistors that facilitate commutation.
- Stackable Inverters can be connected together to the same DC power source in order to supply greater AC output power.
- Types of Alternating Current include square wave, modified sine wave, triangular wave, true sine wave, and more.
- High-frequency Transformer, Low-frequency Transformer, or No Transformer?
- Galvanic Isolation refers to the separation of circuit sections such that direct current cannot pass between them but energy can be still be transferred through other means such as induction. An isolation transformer can be used to achieve galvanic isolation.
- Switching Solid-State Transistor: Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) or Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET)?
- Master and Slave refer to the situation where multiple inverters are stacked in parallel. In order for the output AC to have a synchronized waveform, the phase generation must be performed by a single source and the phase output connected to all inverters in the stack. The phase generating inverter is called the master inverter, and the phase receiving inverters are called slave inverters. The connecting wires between the inverters for phase sharing are called phase cables.
Relevant Links
Paper on Low-Power Inverter Including Circuit Diagram and Specific Explanations
Systematic Breakdown of a Square Wave Inverter
- Timing Circuit periodically sends directional switch signals to the inverter circuit.
- Inverter Circuit sends periodically reversing current to the operational amplifier.
- Operational Amplifier amplifies the input voltage and maintains its current direction.
- Transformer takes input voltage and a change in current to a higher output voltage.
- Case contains and protects the electronics of the inverter.
See also
