Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates, in general, to the field of power quality, and more specifically, relates to power quality issues commonly seen in powerlines which are created by any load regulator.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Regulators are devices used to control the voltage or power in various electrical systems. Existing regulators, such as resistive, phase angle-controlled triode for alternating current (TRIAC) and diode for alternating current (DIAC), a capacitive type, and inductive type regulators, have been widely used but suffer from several drawbacks. These drawbacks include high power consumption, electromagnetic interference/radio frequency interference (EMI/RFI), low power factor, bulkiness, fire hazards, and high costs. To address these limitations, a new scheme has been proposed in this patent, which utilizes active semiconductors firing at zero crossing, thereby avoiding the generation of harmonics.
[0003] Resistive regulators are simple devices that control power by varying the resistance in the circuit. However, they are known for their inefficiency and high power consumption. Phase angle-controlled regulators, such as TRIAC and DIAC, control the power by varying the phase angle of the voltage waveform. While they are widely used, they generate harmonics in the power system, leading to EMI/RFI interference and reduced power quality. Capacitive-type regulators control power by using capacitors to shift the phase angle of the current waveform. However, they suffer from low power factor, which results in inefficient power usage. Inductive-type regulators use inductors to control power, but they also have issues with power factors and generate harmonics.
[0004] In addition to these performance limitations, traditional regulators can be bulky due to the use of large components such as resistors, capacitors, and inductors. This not only occupies significant physical space but also increases manufacturing and installation costs. Moreover, the generation of harmonics can lead to equipment malfunction, interference with other electrical devices, and reduced system reliability.
[0005] Therefore, it is desired to overcome the drawbacks and limitations associated with existing solutions, and develop by utilizing active semiconductors that fire at zero crossing points of the voltage waveform. Active semiconductors, such as solid-state devices like Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors (MOSFETs) or Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs) provide efficient control over power without generating harmonics. By firing at the zero crossing points, the scheme ensures smooth transitions and eliminates abrupt changes in voltage, reducing EMI/RFI interference. Furthermore, the use of active semiconductors allows for compact and lightweight designs, eliminating the need for bulky components like resistors, capacitors, and inductors. This not only reduces the physical footprint of the regulator but also lowers manufacturing and installation costs. Additionally, the absence of harmonics improves power quality, minimizing the risk of equipment damage and enhancing overall system reliability.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE
[0006] An object of the present disclosure relates, in general, to the field of power quality, and more specifically, relates to power quality issues commonly seen in powerlines which are created by any load regulator.
[0007] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a device that ensures smooth transitions and eliminates abrupt changes in voltage, reducing EMI/RFI interference.
[0008] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a device that uses active semiconductors that allows for compact and lightweight designs, eliminating the need for bulky components like resistors, capacitors, and inductors.
[0009] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a device that reduces the physical footprint of the regulator but also lowers manufacturing and installation costs.
[0010] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a device where the absence of harmonics improves power quality, minimizing the risk of equipment damage and enhancing overall system reliability.

SUMMARY
[0011] The present disclosure relates to the field of power quality, and more specifically, relates to power quality issues commonly seen in powerlines which are created by any load regulator. The main objective of the present disclosure is to overcome the drawback, limitations, and shortcomings of the existing device and solution, by providing the circuit to turn on and off during specific time periods that are determined by the positioning of the regulator's knob on the zero-crossing period.
[0012] The existing circuitry currently in use often faces the challenge of reducing the signal's amplitude and altering the firing angle, thereby causing the generation of unwanted harmonics. The proposed circuit is designed to turn on and off during specific time periods that are determined by the positioning of the regulator's knob on the zero-crossing period. This innovative functionality ensures that the circuit operates in a harmonic-free manner, offering improved performance and minimizing the generation of unwanted harmonics.
[0013] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The following drawings form part of the present specification and are included to further illustrate aspects of the present disclosure. The disclosure may be better understood by reference to the drawings in combination with the detailed description of the specific embodiments presented herein.
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram for an existing circuit used for regulation.
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of the proposed circuit used for regulation, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates the waveform of the existing circuit used for regulation with different knob positioning.
[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary waveform of the proposed scheme used for regulation with different knob positioning, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[0020] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0021] The present disclosure relates, in general, to the field of power quality, and more specifically, relates to power quality issues commonly seen in powerlines which are created by any load regulator. The proposed circuit disclosed in the present disclosure overcomes the drawbacks, shortcomings, and limitations associated with the conventional circuit by providing the circuit to turn on and off during specific time periods that are determined by the positioning of the regulator's knob on the zero-crossing period. This innovative functionality ensures that the circuit operates in a harmonic-free manner, offering improved performance and minimizing the generation of unwanted harmonics.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram for an existing circuit used for regulation. The circuit 100 can include user input interface 102, selector knob 104, controlled firing angle 106, active semiconductor switching component 108, load 110 and input AC source 112. The user input interface 102 is a mechanism through which the user can provide specific instructions or commands to the circuit. The selector knob 104 is coupled to the user input interface 102, the selector knob 104 is an input interface provided for the user. It allows the user to select and adjust various operating parameters of the circuit, including the firing angle. The controlled firing angle 106 is a crucial aspect of the proposed circuit. It determines the precise timing at which the active semiconductor switching elements are triggered to conduct current. By adjusting the firing angle, the circuit can control the power delivered to the load. The firing angle is typically adjusted using control signals derived from other circuit components. The active semiconductor switching component 108 refers to the use of semiconductor devices, such as transistors or thyristors, for switching operations within the circuit. The load 110 represents the device or system that the circuit is intended to regulate. The input AC source 112 is the primary power source for the circuit. It typically refers to an alternating current (AC) input with a voltage rating of 240 volts and a frequency of 50 hertz. It serves as the energy input to the circuit.
[0023] The proposed circuit design aimed at addressing the issue of harmonics generated when there is a primarily inductive load and equipment is switched on or off at times other than the zero crossing of the AC signal. These harmonics can have a negative impact on overall power quality. The existing regulator circuits, as depicted in FIG. 1, utilize active semiconductors to alter the firing angles and reduce the average energy consumption. However, the abrupt switching on or off without reaching the zero-crossing mark can lead to the generation of harmonics. To overcome this issue, the proposed circuit, as shown in FIG.2, incorporates a zero-crossing detector. The AC signal is tapped and fed into a processing unit, which includes a timer, oscillator, buffer, and basic logical gates. The output from the rotational knob determines the position, which in turn dictates the duration of the supply being on or off. The waveform depicted in FIG. 3 illustrates the conventional triggering and operation of the regulator based on the firing angle principle, which is characteristic of the semiconductor triode for alternating current (TRIAC). The position of the knob determines the amount of supply, with position 1 allowing the least amount and position 4 enabling maximum power transfer. The present disclosure can be described in enabling detail in the following examples, which may represent more than one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0024] The advantages achieved by the device of the present disclosure can be clear from the embodiments provided herein. The device ensures smooth transitions and eliminates abrupt changes in voltage, reducing EMI/RFI interference. The device uses active semiconductors that allow for compact and lightweight designs, eliminating the need for bulky components like resistors, capacitors, and inductors. The device reduces the physical footprint of the regulator but also lowers manufacturing and installation costs. Further, the absence of harmonics improves power quality, minimizing the risk of equipment damage and enhancing overall system reliability. The description of terms and features related to the present disclosure shall be clear from the embodiments that are illustrated and described; however, the invention is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents of the embodiments are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, the invention can include other embodiments that are within the scope of the claims but are not described in detail with respect to the following description.
[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of the proposed circuit used for regulation, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0026] The proposed power regulator circuit 200 (also referred to as device 200, herein) for regulation consists of several components that work together to achieve the desired functionality. The circuit 200 can include user input interface 202, selector knob 204, zero-crossing detector 206, active semiconductor switching element 208, load 210, input source 212 and processing unit 214.
[0027] The user input interface 202 is a mechanism through which the user can provide specific instructions or commands to the circuit. It may include buttons, switches, or any other form of input device. The user input interface 202 is utilized to communicate the desired settings, such as the desired power level.
[0028] The selector knob 204 is coupled to the user input interface 202, the selector knob 204 is an input interface provided for the user. It allows the user to select and adjust various operating parameters of the circuit, including the firing angle. By rotating the selector knob 204, the user can modify the firing angle and hence regulate the power output to the load according to their requirements or any other relevant parameters.
[0029] The zero-crossing detector 206 is a circuit that detects the point at which an AC signal crosses the zero-voltage reference level. The zero-crossing detector's main function is to detect the zero-crossing points of an AC signal and provide a corresponding output signal. This output signal is then used for various purposes, such as triggering events or controlling power.
[0030] The active semiconductor switching component/element 208 refers to the use of semiconductor devices, such as transistors or thyristors, for switching operations within the circuit. These active switching elements are responsible for controlling the flow of current to the load. By turning on and off at specific times, they regulate the power delivered to the load.
[0031] The load 210 represents the device or system that the circuit is intended to regulate. It could be any electrical or electronic load that requires a stable and controlled power supply. The load 210 can vary depending on the specific application, such as lighting fixtures, motors, or electronic equipment. The input AC source 212 is the primary power source for the circuit. It typically refers to an alternating current (AC) input with a voltage rating of 240 volts and a frequency of 50 hertz. It serves as the energy input to the circuit.
[0032] The processing unit 214 incorporates various components such as a timer, oscillator, buffer, and basic logical gates. It receives the output signal from the zero-crossing detector and processes it based on the user's input and the position of the selector knob. The timer within the processing unit modifies the timing of the circuit based on the user's input. It counts the time intervals between zero-crossings and adjusts the ON/OFF duration of the regulator accordingly.
[0033] In an implementation, the user input interface 202 is configured for receiving specific instructions or commands from a user. The selector knob 204 is coupled to the user input interface, the selector knob is configured to select and adjust various operating parameters of the circuit. The zero-crossing detector 206 is configured to detect zero-crossing points of an AC signal. The processing unit 214 is coupled to the zero-crossing detector, the processing unit configured to receive output from the zero-crossing detector and the user input interface. The processing unit 214 can control the active semiconductor switching element to regulate the flow of current to a load, wherein the processing unit 214 adjusts the on and off duration of the active switching element based on the input of the user and the position of the selector knob, ensuring turn on and off occurs at zero-crossing points of the AC signal.
[0034] The processing unit 214 incorporates a timer, oscillator, buffer, and logical gates to trigger the relay. The relay is driven by the processing unit to control the power supply to the load based on the adjusted on/off duration of the active semiconductor switching element 208. The processing unit 214 modifies the timing of the regulator circuit based on the input received from the user through the selector knob and counts the time intervals between zero-crossings of the AC signal. The active semiconductor switching elements 208, controlled by the user input, selectively turn on and off during specific time periods, wherein the power regulator circuit configured to operate in a harmonic-free manner and provide stable and controlled power to the load, based on the user's preferences and requirements.
[0035] The oscillator is responsible for generating the timing signals required for the operation of the circuit. It provides precise timing references to synchronize the switching of the regulator. The buffer amplifies the processed signal from the processing unit and prepares it for further use, such as triggering the relay. These gates, such as AND, OR, or NOT gates, are used within the processing unit to perform logical operations on the signals and control the timing and switching of the circuit. Further, the relay is triggered by the output signal from the processing unit. It is an electromechanical switch that controls the connection between the input source 212 and the load 210. When triggered, it allows the flow of electrical energy from the input source to the load.
[0036] To implement this circuit, the user provides input via the selector knob, which is then processed by the processing unit to determine the appropriate translation. Various methods can be employed for this translation, such as logic gates, resistor networks, or other suitable approaches. By combining these components, the proposed circuit achieves regulation of the power delivered to the load. The active semiconductor switching elements 208, controlled by the user input, selectively turn on and off during specific time periods. This enables the circuit to operate in a harmonic-free manner and provide stable and controlled power to the load, based on the user's preferences and requirements.
[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary waveform of the proposed scheme used for regulation with different knob positioning, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The proposed scheme, represented by the waveform in FIG. 4, ensures that the turn-on and off events only occur during the zero crossing of the AC signal. In this design, a total time period of 80 milliseconds is considered, encompassing 4 cycles of a 240V, 50Hz power supply. The signal is altered or clipped within this time period. position 4 allows for complete energy transfer without any turn off or on events, meaning the relay is not triggered. On the other hand, position 1 allows the relay to be triggered immediately after one zero crossing. This results in the circuit being on for only 20 milliseconds within the 80-millisecond time period, while remaining open for the other 60 milliseconds. This pattern continues until the user changes the position. The same principle is applied to the other positions: position 2 turns on for 40 milliseconds, completing the entire two cycles, while position 3 turns on for three cycles, translating to 60 milliseconds, with the remaining one cycle in the off state.
[0038] The proposed circuit design aims to address the generation of harmonics caused by inductive loads and non-zero crossing switching. By incorporating the zero-crossing detector 206 and the processing unit 214, the circuit ensures that the switching events occur only at the zero crossing, improving power quality. The position of the knob determines the duration of the supply being on or off, with each position allowing for a specific amount of energy transfer.
[0039] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the regulator circuit 100 of the disclosure may be provided using some or all of the mentioned features and components without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described herein, it will be clear that the disclosure is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, as described in the claims.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0040] The present invention provides a device that ensures smooth transitions and eliminates abrupt changes in voltage, reducing EMI/RFI interference.
[0041] The present invention provides a device that uses active semiconductors that allows for compact and lightweight designs, eliminating the need for bulky components like resistors, capacitors, and inductors.
[0042] The present invention provides a device that reduces the physical footprint of the regulator but also lowers manufacturing and installation costs.
[0043] The present invention provides a device where the absence of harmonics improves power quality, minimizing the risk of equipment damage and enhancing overall system reliability.
, Claims:1. A power regulator circuit (200) comprising:
a user input interface (202) configured for receiving specific instructions or commands from a user;
a selector knob (204) coupled to the user input interface, the selector knob configured to select and adjust various operating parameters of the circuit;
a zero-crossing detector (206) configured to detect zero-crossing points of an AC signal; and
a processing unit (214) coupled to the zero-crossing detector, the processing unit configured to:
receive output from the zero-crossing detector and the user input interface; and
control an active semiconductor switching element to regulate the flow of current to a load, wherein the processing unit adjusts the on and off duration of the active semiconductor switching element based on the input of the user and the position of the selector knob, ensuring turn on and off occurs at zero-crossing points of the AC signal.
2. The power regulator circuit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing unit (214) incorporates a timer, oscillator, buffer, and logical gates to trigger the relay.
3. The power regulator circuit of claim 1, wherein the relay is driven by the processing unit to control the power supply to the load based on the adjusted on/off duration of the active semiconductor switching element.
4. The power regulator circuit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the load comprises electrical or electronic load that requires a stable and controlled power supply.
5. The power regulator circuit of claim 1, wherein the processing unit (214) modifies the timing of the regulator circuit based on the input received from the user through the selector knob and counts the time intervals between zero-crossings of the AC signal.
6. The power regulator circuit of claim 1, wherein the active semiconductor switching elements (208), controlled by the user input, selectively turn on and off during specific time periods, wherein the power regulator circuit is configured to operate in a harmonic-free manner and provide stable and controlled power to the load based on the user's preferences and requirements.
7. The power regulator circuit of claim 1, wherein the power regulator circuit comprises an input AC source (212) with a voltage rating of 240 volts and a frequency of 50 hertz serving as the energy input to the circuit.
8. The power regulator circuit of claim 1, wherein the regulator circuit operates within a predetermined time period of 80 milliseconds, corresponding to a specific number of cycles of the AC signal.