Is there a purely resistive energy storage load?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of purely resistive energy storage in electrical circuits, particularly in the context of induction motors. Participants explore whether a component exists that can store electric charge without exhibiting reactive characteristics, and they consider implications for energy efficiency in motor applications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the existence of a purely resistive energy storage device, suggesting that storing energy and being reactive are closely related concepts.
  • One participant proposes the idea of modifying the rotor resistance in an induction motor to capture energy rather than dissipate it as heat, although they express skepticism about the feasibility of this approach.
  • Another participant suggests rephrasing the original question to focus on reducing losses in induction motors, indicating a broader interpretation of the issue.
  • Some participants mention variable frequency drives (VFDs) as a more modern method for controlling motor speed compared to resistive methods.
  • There is a discussion about the characteristics of batteries and capacitors, including the comparison of a battery to an ideal voltage source and the implications for measuring source impedance.
  • Participants discuss the importance of understanding the difference between resistance and impedance, with one expressing a desire to measure the real and reactive components of a battery's impedance.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the existence of a purely resistive energy storage load. Multiple competing views are presented regarding the nature of energy storage and the methods for managing energy in induction motors.

Contextual Notes

Some discussions involve assumptions about the definitions of terms like "pure" and "reactive," which may not be universally agreed upon. The conversation also touches on practical limitations regarding the measurement of battery characteristics and the equipment required for such measurements.

tim9000
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Hi,
So is there a type of battery or ANYTHING that stores electric charge or potential that is purely real and does not look reactive in a circuit?
Cheers
 
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Good question. What is your circuit? Normally you would put a bypass capacitor across the battery to keep AC out of it. Chances are, I don't understand the problem.
 
Storing energy and being reactive are somewhat synonymous. So at first glance, I say no.

But a better answer depends on how strictly you mean pure. Can you elaborate?
 
manzana said:
Good question. What is your circuit? Normally you would put a bypass capacitor across the battery to keep AC out of it. Chances are, I don't understand the problem.
Hi,
Well I don't really have a problem, I was just thinking about a specific type of use for an induction motor where rather than varying the resistance of the rotor to vary the slip, some of the resistance could be saved as energy instead of dissipated as resistive heat. Maybe vary the amount of stored energy rather than vary resistance of rotor.
anorlunda said:
Storing energy and being reactive are somewhat synonymous. So at first glance, I say no.

But a better answer depends on how strictly you mean pure. Can you elaborate?
Not really, I accept that what I'm asking there probably doesn't exist any appropriate component or product (with a purely real characteristic). I'm sure you could do it via some sort of conversion, but that's not what I'm after.

Because as far as I'm aware it's the real part of the impeadance of the induction rotor that needs to be varied, not the reactance.
 
I'm going to make a general statement here that applies to many PF questions.

Whenever someone uses the word pure with respect to real life electric circuits, he is begging for a contradiction of terms.Could your question be rephrased as "How can I reduce losses in an induction motor?"
 
anorlunda said:
I'm going to make a general statement here that applies to many PF questions.

Whenever someone uses the word pure with respect to real life electric circuits, he is begging for a contradiction of terms.Could your question be rephrased as "How can I reduce losses in an induction motor?"
Pure was a poor choice of word, I mean such that the resistive component is comparitively so large that any reactive component can be ignored.

I'm not trying to reduce losses as such, I'm trying to increase the resistance of the rotor and instead of losing the energy, capture it...Unless...: As far as I know you need to increase the resistance of the rotor to modify the slip, if this can be done in a way that doesn't result in loss, THEN your statement would apply. But as far as I know it can't. Not that I'm knowledgeable on the subject, no doubt you may well be about to enlighten me.
 
anorlunda said:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Induction_motor#Speed_control

VFD. Variable frequency drive is the answer. Controlling speed with resistors is pretty old fashioned.
Yeah, I am aware of a variable frequency drive, what I'm contemplating WOULD require modification of the rotor circuit, I think. I'm thinking about an arrangement that isn't a motor or generator as such, but a type of apparatus which doesn't really have a stator, relative to earth. Where the rotor and stator rotate, without a set frequency.
 
When you get your invention working, post again and tell us about it. For now though, I think we answered your question.
 
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  • #10
Yeah, similar question though: Does anyone know how capacitive nickel–cadmium or lithimum batteries (NiCd, Li battery) appear in an electric circuit?
 
  • #11
A battery is a DC voltage source wth internal resistance. A capacitor is a capacitor. I don't know what capacitive batteries means.
 
  • #12
I think you want to look into double fed induction machines. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doubly_fed_electric_machine
-
There is an older type of brush type motor called repulsion/induction. It was known for being able to start heavy loads. When it came up to speed the brushes were short circuited so it basically became an induction motor. If you can find one of these you may be able to do some experimenting.
 
  • #13
tim9000 said:
Yeah, similar question though: Does anyone know how capacitive nickel–cadmium or lithimum batteries (NiCd, Li battery) appear in an electric circuit?

If you look at the equations for a capacitor..

Q = CV
I = Cdv/dt
C = I / (dv/dt)

For a voltage source dv/dt is zero (because the voltage is constant) so it's not unreasonable to compare a voltage source with an infinitely large capacitor. In the small signal model of a transistor circuit the power supply is usually treated as a short circuit.

However real world batteries aren't ideal voltage sources. You would need to measure the specific battery over the frequency range of interest.
 
  • #14
Averagesupernova said:
I think you want to look into double fed induction machines. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doubly_fed_electric_machine
-
There is an older type of brush type motor called repulsion/induction. It was known for being able to start heavy loads. When it came up to speed the brushes were short circuited so it basically became an induction motor. If you can find one of these you may be able to do some experimenting.
Thanks for the link!
 
  • #15
CWatters said:
If you look at the equations for a capacitor..

Q = CV
I = Cdv/dt
C = I / (dv/dt)

For a voltage source dv/dt is zero (because the voltage is constant) so it's not unreasonable to compare a voltage source with an infinitely large capacitor. In the small signal model of a transistor circuit the power supply is usually treated as a short circuit.

However real world batteries aren't ideal voltage sources. You would need to measure the specific battery over the frequency range of interest.
Ah, interesting points.
So if I was to measure the source impedance of a battery, would that give me only the real part?
 
  • #16
tim9000 said:
So if I was to measure the source impedance of a battery, would that give me only the real part?

Google the difference between resistance and impedance.
 
  • #17
CWatters said:
Google the difference between resistance and impedance.
Ha, look, with respect I know the difference between impedance and resistance. I can remember off the top of my head:
Zo = RL * ( V-VL ) / VL
however that Zo of the battery may be the magnitude of a complex impedance, and I'm wondering how to tell how much of it is real and how much is reactive.
 
  • #18
Depends what equipment you have. You can buy meters that will give you an answer or you can do it with a scope, signal generator and some maths. This from Tektronix explains how to measure the capacitance and resistance of an unknown capacitor.

http://goo.gl/6uN4u7
 
  • #19
CWatters said:
Depends what equipment you have. You can buy meters that will give you an answer or you can do it with a scope, signal generator and some maths. This from Tektronix explains how to measure the capacitance and resistance of an unknown capacitor.

http://goo.gl/6uN4u7
Right'o. Thanks for the document!
 

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