James T. Carleton

A New Regulator and Excitation System [includes discussion]

A new regulated excitation system in which magnetic amplifiers replace rotating amplifiers has been developed. This paper outlines the philosophy employed in designing the new system and describes the system in detail. Test data is presented showing the superior performance which has been obtained.

New Techniques on the Anacom--- Electric Analog Computer

The paper outlinies the direct-analog approach used on the Anacom and describes the sigma amplifier which combines adding, integrating, delay, and other operations into a single computer amplifier and results in an improved computing technique. Examples include a speed-regulating system, and systems of simultaneous differential equations such as the aerodynamic equations of flight of an airplane. An adjustable nonlinear resistor and other functional devices are described, together with their use in analogs of fluid flow, saturating iron cores, magnetic amplifiers, and hysteresis. An analog for corona is given.

The figure of merit of magnetic amplifiers

REGULATING systems are a combination of devices whereby a large amount of energy is controlled by a small amount of energy. Large amounts of heat can be controlled by a small amount of thermal energy in a thermocouple. A feeble voltage can regulate the speed of a tandem mill; a tiny magnet governs the voltage of a large alternator; and a microwatt radar signal can guide a missile at supersonic speeds. It follows that power amplifiers play a major role in regulating systems; therefore, some of the principle characteristics of proportional power amplifiers will be examined.

Magamp regulator tests and operating experience

THE FIRST INSTALLATION of the Magamp regulator and excitation system on a turbine generator was placed in service in the Springdale Station of the West Penn Power Company on April 1, 1953. The machine to which it was applied is a 50,000-kw 3,600-rpm hydrogen-cooled topping unit. Performance tests were conducted on the unit on July 19, 1953. The purpose of this digest is to present the operating experience and the results of the tests.

Electrical analogue of a 2-stage Rototrol

THE HIGH-CAPACITY 2-stage Rototrol shows great promise as the principal element in large generator excitation systems. Figure 1 illustrates a voltage-regulating system. The main unit is a 70,000-kva 3,600-rpm turbo-generator. The excitation is supplied by a 200-kw 2-stage Rototrol. The static network consists of a saturating reactor, the impedance of which is compared automatically with a capacitive reactance of constant value. As the generator voltage increases, the reactance of the saturating reactor decreases until at the regulated voltage, the reactances of both elements are equal. In this manner, a reference point is obtained. The output of the static network is rectified by dry-type rectifiers and introduced into the control field of the Rototrol.