Universal Power Supply/Research Development
The universal power supply contains the power electronics and power suppliesfor:
- Inverters
- Welders
- Induction furnaces
- Charge controllers
- Laser Cutters
- Stepper motors
- Plasma cutter power supplies
(the other mechanical components of the above devices are covered as separate tools of the GVCS)
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.
More info:
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.
The modules could create: (1), 60 hz electricity at common voltage such as 110 or 220 or 440. (2), DC current for plasma cutters or welders; (3) battery charge-controller current; (4) high frequency power for induction furnaces; (4) regulation of variable voltage (say 60-220 v ac) to charge batteries; (5) DC-DC conversion. That just about covers all power devices for advanced civilization, more or less.
Anyway, the general scheme would be to: (1) rectify a typically oscilating 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.
Anyway, a thesis could be written on the above. We're interested in implementation. Our practical needs at Factor e Farm are:
1. Powering welders, plasma cutters, battery chargers, induction furnaces, CO2 laser cutters 2. Inverters for household power from batteries 3. Voltage regulation/conditioning to get grid-quality power from variable power sources such as windmills, steam engines (especially solar powered) 4. Battery charging from windmills, steam engines
Basically, we want to create a universal switched mode power supply kit, with some power conditioning and regulation.
Please propose a basic starting circuit to take any AC input (from an ac generator), and take it to either battery storage or an inverter/converter.
The first step would be to specify parts for a system that can run from 100W to about 20kW for starters. Is this feasible, or is the problem statement ill-defined?
We have not discussed 3 phase. Afer the above, we'd have to go to 3-phase converters, since many appliances of interest (such as induction furnaces) run off 3-phase.
So if the above is too much, let's start first by defining the problem statement clearly. For us, the problem statement is creating an open source power electronics toolkit for the world, relevant to any post-scarcity community. I'd like it to be modular, in that components can be plugged into the system readily (replacements) of power modules and brain modules alike. This would include plug-in of power-handling components with ready connection to heat sinks.