How it works
The KINOLT KS® is such a simple piece of equipment that one might think of it as a conventional generator-set. It is made up of a diesel engine that is coupled to a kinetic energy accu, via an electromagnetic clutch. The kinetic energy accu is the combination of a kinetic energy accu and a synchronous machine.
The KINOLT KS® also includes a control panel and a choke/power panel.
In the heart of the KINOLT KS®‚ is its kinetic energy accu; a clever but simple system to store and retrieve kinetic energy. The kinetic energy accu consists of two rotating parts: the outer rotor runs mechanically-free around the inner rotor. The inner rotor, driven by the main shaft, rotates at 1500 rpm (50 Hz) or 1800 rpm (60 Hz). It contains two sets of windings; a three-phase AC winding and a DC winding.
In conditioning mode, the AC winding is powered to generate a rotating magnetic field which turns the outer rotor to the speed of maximum 3000 rpm. However, the relative speed between inner and outer ring of the bearings is only 1500 rpm, since the shaft itself is rotating at 1500 rpm. The outer rotor stores kinetic energy advantageously, since the amount of kinetic energy increases quadratically with the distance from the centre of rotation.
In independent mode, the DC winding is powered and the outer rotor is electrically coupled to the inner rotor by induction. Its kinetic energy is transferred to the inner rotor - it drives it. This energy transfer is regulated by accurately controlling the current injected into the DC winding. The kinetic energy accu is a totally brushless system.
Operation description
In conditioning mode, when the mains supply is within tolerance, the synchronous machine is acting as a motor, driving the main shaft and thus the accu, storing kinetic energy in it. When the inner rotor rotates at 1500 rpm (50 Hz) or 1800 rpm (60 Hz), the outer rotor then rotates at maximum 3000 rpm. The kinetic energy is thus stored.
During mains failure or voltage perturbation the stored kinetic energy is now transferred to the kinetic energy accumulator, which acts as a generator. This happens without any interruption to the user.
Shortly after, the diesel engine starts and couples to the kinetic energy accu by latching the electromagnetic clutch. The energy is then relayed from the diesel engine to the synchronous machine and then to the loads.
Sequence:
When the engine reaches 1500rpm (1800 rpm for 60 Hz), it transfers power to the load, until the mains supply returns.
This concerns the transfer from conditioning to independent mode and back. The frequency is maintained within narrow tolerances, the accu’s speed decreases and then the diesel engine starts to provide power to the load.
In the event of a diesel engine start-up failure, the electromechanical clutch will close shortly after opening QD1 and the kinetic energy of the accu will start the diesel engine. This gives the KINOLT KS® a KINSTART possibility; a second guarantee to start the engine.