Electrical power supply system and method for electrically powering electrical devices

Abstract

The present invention relates to a safety power supply system, hereinafter "SAES" (100), and a method (200) for supplying electrical power to a set of electrical devices. The SAES (100) comprises: a power supply including a positive pole V+ and a negative pole V-, said power supply being configured to supply power to a first (V1+; V1-) and a second pair (V2+; V2-) of power supply terminals. The SAES (100) comprises a first PMOS device 1 including a drain D1, a source S1, and a gate G1; and a second electrical circuit (120) with a second PMOS device 2 including a drain D2, a source S2, and a gate G2. PMOS1 and PMOS2 are each configured to operate as a normally closed switch so as to allow power to be supplied to the first and second pairs of power supply terminals, respectively.PMOS1 and PMOS2 are each configured to operate as an open switch in case of a short circuit, so as to break the electrical connection between V1+ and V+ via PMOS1, and respectively between V2+ and V+ via PMOS2. Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Electrical power supply system and method for electrically powering electrical devices. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of fire safety systems (FSS), particularly those enabling the detection of a fire and / or the activation of a fire alarm and / or a fire suppression system. Such FSS can typically be installed in buildings, but also in aircraft or ships. More specifically, the present invention relates to power supply systems for providing energy to a set of electrical devices. State of the art

[0002] A fire safety system (FSS) typically comprises a set of electrical devices dedicated to fire detection and / or securing the object (building, ship, aircraft, etc.) protected by said FSS. These electrical devices include, for example, a control module, generally centralized, and various remote devices (e.g., smoke detector, fire door, automatic extinguishing device, alarm, etc.) that detect fire and / or activate safety devices. The control module is configured, on the one hand, to collect information relating to the fire safety of said object, and on the other hand, to control or command the remote devices based on the information collected, in order to minimize the risks associated with a fire.To ensure the proper functioning of the fire safety system (SSI), a backup power supply is configured to power at least some of the SSI's electrical devices, including remotely operated devices such as fire dampers or doors, and signaling units, via a power cable. However, such a power supply configuration can be problematic in the event of a short circuit or open circuit involving the power cable, as it can cut off the power supply to certain electrical devices, such as all the remote devices connected to the power cable, or render them inactive, thus endangering the occupants of the building and / or the building itself. Summary of the invention

[0003] An object of the present invention is to propose a safety power supply system, hereinafter SAES, for a fire safety system and a method for electrically supplying electrical devices of a fire safety system which reduce the risks associated with a short circuit or an open circuit.

[0004] According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a SAES for electrically supplying a set of electrical devices such as those included in a fire detection and alarm system, said SAES comprising: - a power supply comprising a positive pole V+ and a negative pole V- for supplying electrical power, said power supply being configured to supply power to a first and a second pair of power supply terminals intended to supply power to said set of electrical devices; - said first pair of power supply terminals comprising a positive terminal V1+ and a negative terminal VI- intended to be connected to a first power supply cable to supply power to said set of electrical devices, for example remote devices of the SSI; - said second pair of power supply terminals comprising a positive terminal V2+ and a negative terminal V2- intended to be connected to a second power supply cable to supply power to said set of electrical devices. Said first and second power supply cables thus form a pair of redundant cables, each electrical device of said set being preferentially connected to each of said redundant cables;

[0005] the SAES being characterized in that it comprises - a first electrical circuit connecting the positive terminal V1+ to the positive pole V+, and the negative terminal VI- to the negative pole V-, said first electrical circuit comprising a first PMOS device, hereinafter PMOS1, comprising a drain Dl, a source SI, and a gate G1; - a second electrical circuit connecting the positive terminal V2+ to the positive pole V+, and the negative terminal V2- to the negative pole V-, said second electrical circuit comprising a second PMOS device, hereinafter PMOS2, comprising a drain D2, a source S2, and a gate G2;

[0006] and in that PMOS1 and PMOS2 respectively are each configured to operate as a normally closed switch (switch ON) so as to allow power to be supplied to the first and second pairs of power supply terminals respectively, said PMOS1 being each configured to operate as a normally open switch (switch OFF) in the event of a short circuit between the positive terminal V1+ and at least one of the negative terminals VI- or V2-, and PMOS2 being likewise configured to operate as a normally open switch in the event of a short circuit between the positive terminal V2+ and at least one of the negative terminals VI- or V2-, so as to cut the electrical connection between V1+ and V+ via PMOS1, and respectively between V2+ and V+ via PMOS2.

[0007] According to embodiments, said first electrical circuit comprises a first PNP transistor, hereinafter "PNP1", comprising a base Bl, a collector Cl, and an emitter El, and said second electrical circuit comprises a second PNP transistor, hereinafter "PNP2", comprising a base B2, a collector C2, and an emitter E2, said PNP1 being configured to electrically connect the gate G1 to the positive pole V+ in case of a short circuit between the positive terminal V1+ and at least one of the negative terminals VI- or V2-, said PNP2 being configured to electrically connect the gate G2 to the positive pole V+ in case of a short circuit between the positive terminal V2+ and at least one of the negative terminals VI- or V2-.

[0008] According to embodiments, each of the PMOS has its source connected to the positive pole V+ and its drain connected to the positive terminal, each of the PNPs has its collector connected to the gate of the PMOS.

[0009] In particular, the first circuit can be configured as follows: - the positive pole V1+ is connected to the drain DI and, via a resistor R3, to the base Bl; - the negative terminal VI- is connected to the negative terminal V-, and, via a resistance R2, to the grid G1 and the collector Cl; - The source SI is connected, on one side, to the emitter El, which is itself connected to the positive terminal V+, and on the other side to the collector Cl via a resistor RI

[0010] and the second circuit is configured as follows: - the positive pole V2+ is connected to the drain D2 and, via a resistor R6, to the base B2; - the negative pole V2- is connected to the negative terminal V-, and, via a resistor R5, to the grid G2 and the collector C2; - the source S2 is connected, on the one hand to the emitter E2 which itself is connected to the positive terminal V+, and on the other hand to the collector C2 via a resistor R4.

[0011] According to embodiments, the SAES comprises said first power cable connected to terminals V1+ and VI- in order to power said set of electrical devices and said second power cable connected to terminals V2+ and V2- in order to power, in a redundant manner, said electrical devices of said set.

[0012] According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method for electrically powering a set of electrical devices, for example the electrical devices of an SSI, said method comprising: - an electrical power supply to said set of electrical devices by means of a first electrical cable connecting a first pair of electrical power supply terminals comprising a positive terminal V1+ and a negative terminal VI- to said set of electrical devices; - an electrical power supply to said set of electrical devices by means of a second electrical cable connecting a second pair of electrical power supply terminals comprising a positive terminal V2+ and a negative terminal V2- to said set of electrical devices;

[0013] the method according to the invention being characterized by - a connection, by means of a first electrical circuit, from the positive terminal V1+ to a positive pole V+ of an electrical power supply, and from the negative terminal VI- to a negative pole V- of said electrical power supply, said first electrical circuit comprising a first PMOS device, hereinafter "PMOS1", comprising a drain D1, a source SI, and a gate G1; - a connection, by means of a second electrical circuit, of the positive terminal V2+ to the positive pole V+, and of the negative terminal V2- to the negative pole V-, said second electrical circuit comprising a second PMOS device, hereinafter "PMOS2", PMOS2, comprising a drain D2, a source S2, and a gate G2; - an operation of each of the PMOS1 and respectively PMOS2 as a closed switch in nominal mode so as to allow the supply of power to the first and respectively second pair of power supply terminals, and, in case of a short circuit between the positive terminal V1+ and at least one of the negative terminals VI- or V2-, an operation of PMOS 1 as an open switch so as to cut the electrical connection between V1+ and V+, likewise, in case of a short circuit between the positive terminal V2+ and at least one of the negative terminals VI- or V2-, an operation of PMOS2 as an open switch so as to cut the electrical connection between V2+ and V+. Methods of implementation

[0014] The present invention proposes using PMOS to ensure the security of the power supply to said electrical devices via said first electrical circuit configured to supply said first power cable and said second electrical circuit configured to supply said second power cable. Said electrical devices, for example a set of remote devices of a fire alarm system, can thus be supplied by two separate power cables, i.e., said first cable and said second power cable, thereby ensuring a reliable power supply. of said electrical devices even if the electrical connection of one of said cables to the power supply were to be broken. Typically, each of said electrical devices includes two pairs of connectors, each allowing a connection to one of said power supply cables.

[0015] Preferably, said first electrical circuit comprises a first PNP transistor, hereinafter "PNP1", comprising a base Bl, a collector Cl, and an emitter El, a drain D2, a source S2, and a gate G2, and said second electrical circuit comprises a second PNP transistor, hereinafter "PNP2", comprising a base B2, a collector C2, and an emitter E2. In particular, said PNP1 is configured to electrically connect the gate G1 to the positive terminal V+ in the event of a short circuit between the positive terminal V1+ and at least one of the negative terminals VI- or V2-, and PNP2 is configured to electrically connect the gate G2 to the positive terminal V+ in the event of a short circuit between the positive terminal V2+ and at least one of the negative terminals VI- or V2-.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, each PMOS has its source connected to the positive terminal V+ and its drain connected, notably via a fuse, to the positive terminal, i.e., D1 connected to V1+ and D2 connected to V2+, and each PNP has its collector connected to the gate of the PMOS, i.e., C1 is connected to G1 and C2 is connected to G2. Furthermore, and preferably, each PNP has its emitter connected to the positive terminal V+, and its collector connected, notably via a resistor, to the negative terminal V-. Figures

[0017] Other aspects of the present invention will be better understood from the following figures, for which identical references are used to designate identical or similar objects:

[0018] [Fig.1] Schematic illustration of a SAES according to the invention.

[0019] [Fig.2] Flowchart of a preferred embodiment of a method according to the invention.

[0020] [Fig.3] preferred embodiment example of a SAES according to the invention. Examples

[0021] [Fig. 1] presents a schematic illustration of a SAES 100 according to the invention. The latter comprises a first electrical circuit 110 and a second electrical circuit 120, each connected to the positive V+ and negative V- terminals of a power supply, and each connected at its output respectively to a first pair of power supply terminals comprising a positive terminal V1+ and a negative terminal VI- and to a second pair of power supply terminals comprising a positive terminal V2+ and a negative terminal V2-. A first power cable can be connected to terminals V1+ and VI-, and to terminals V2+ and V2- a second power cable, each of said cables serving to supply power to a set of electrical devices. In other words, each of said cables acts as a power bus to distribute the supply voltage to all electrical devices connected to said power cables, thus providing power supply redundancy and ensuring a secure power supply in the event of a power failure related to or connected with one of said cables. According to the present invention, each electrical device therefore includes a dual power input so that it can be connected to each of said cables.These electrical devices are typically safety-operated devices such as room pressurization devices (smoke extraction fans), duct and / or ventilation / purge valve opening and closing devices, fire door opening and closing devices, alarm devices, signaling / guidance devices to safe areas, etc. These electrical devices are generally used in buildings (offices, factories, airports, etc.), but also in aircraft, ships, or trains.

[0022] According to the present invention, the first electrical circuit 110 and the second electrical circuit 120 each comprise a PMOS, respectively a PMOS1 111 and a PMOS2 121. The first and second electrical circuits 110, 120 are configured such that their respective PMOS functions as a closed switch in the absence of a short circuit or open circuit involving their respective supply terminals. Figure 2, illustrating the method according to the invention, allows for a more detailed description of the operation of the SAES 100 according to the invention.

[0023] In a first step 201, the electrical devices of said assembly are supplied with electrical energy by said first electrical cable and said second electrical cable, thus allowing redundancy of the power supply.

[0024] Said method further includes a connection 202, by means of the first electrical circuit 110, from the positive terminal V1+ to the positive pole V+ and from the negative terminal VI- to the negative pole V-, as well as a connection 203, by means of the second electrical circuit 120, from the positive terminal V2+ to the positive pole V+, and from the negative terminal V2- to the negative pole V-.

[0025] As explained previously, in nominal operating mode 204, each of the PMOS1 and PMOS2 acts as a closed switch. However, in a second step, in the event of a short circuit 205 between the positive terminal V1+ and at least one of the negative terminals VI- or V2-, the electrical connection between V1+ and V+ is automatically broken by the PMOS1, which is configured to act as an open switch in the event of a short circuit 205, and similarly, in the event of a short circuit 206 between the positive terminal V2+ and at least one of the negative terminals VI- or V2-, the The electrical connection between V2+ and V+ is automatically interrupted by the PMOS2, which is configured to act as an open switch in the event of a short circuit. Advantageously, the electrical configuration of said first electrical circuit, and respectively of the second electrical circuit, allows the PMOS1, and respectively of the PMOS2, to operate as a closed switch in the absence of a short circuit or an open circuit involving at least one of the supply terminals connected to the circuit it equips. Indeed, the intrinsic diode (usually called the "body diode") of the PMOS1, respectively of the PMOS2, allows the positive terminal V1+, respectively V2+, to be energized by connection to the positive terminal V+. Figure 3 shows the details of such a connection for a preferred embodiment. According to this Figure 3, the PMOS1 comprises a drain D1, a source S1, and a gate G1, and the PMOS2 also comprises a drain D2, a source S2, and a gate G2.Preferably, the first circuit comprises a first PNP1 transistor including a base Bl, a collector Cl, and an emitter El, and the second circuit comprises a second PNP2 transistor including a base B2, a collector C2, and an emitter E2.

[0027] In this preferred embodiment, the first circuit 110 comprises the following construction arrangements: - the positive pole V1+ is connected to the drain Dl and, via a resistor R3, to the base Bl; - the negative pole VI- is connected to the negative terminal V-, and, via a voltage regulation circuit VSigi between the source SI and the grid Gl, to the grid G1 and the collector Cl; - the source SI is connected, on the one hand to the emitter El which itself is connected to the positive terminal V+, and on the other hand to the collector Cl via the said voltage regulation circuit between the source SI and the grid Gl.

[0028] In particular, the second circuit includes the following construction arrangements: - the positive pole V2+ is connected to the drain D2 and, via a resistor R6, to the base B2; - the negative pole V2- is connected to the negative terminal V-, and, via a voltage regulation circuit VS2G2 between the source S2 and the grid G2, to the grid G2 and the collector C2; - the source S2 is connected, on the one hand to the emitter E2 which itself is connected to the positive terminal V+, and on the other hand to the collector C2 via the said voltage regulation circuit between the source S2 and the grid G2.

[0029] Preferably, said voltage regulation circuit between the source SI and the gate Gl comprises a resistor RI and a resistor R2, the resistor R2 being connected, at one of its terminals, to the negative terminal VI- and, at the other of its terminals, to the gate Gl, said other terminal being further connected to the collector Cl and to one of the The terminals of resistor R1 are connected to the source S1, with the other terminal of resistor R2 connected to the source S1. The same design is preferably applied to the voltage regulation circuit between the source S2 and the gate G2, in that said regulation circuit comprises a resistor R4 and a resistor R5, said resistor R5 being connected, at one of its terminals, to the negative terminal V2- and, at the other of its terminals, to the gate G2, said other terminal being further connected to the collector C2 and to one of the terminals of resistor R4, the other terminal of resistor R4 being connected to the source S2. Other design arrangements of said voltage regulation circuits may be implemented to regulate the voltage between the source and the gate of the PMOS so as to satisfy the technical connection specifications of the PMOS. For example, resistors R1 and R2 may be replaced by a Zener diode and a resistor.This also applies to resistors R4 and R5, which can be replaced by a Zener diode and a resistor.

[0030] As illustrated in [Fig. 3], the gate Gl, or G2 respectively, is energized via the set of resistors RI and R2, or R3 and R4 respectively, in nominal operating mode. Also, in said nominal operating mode, transistors PNP1 and PNP2 are inactive (transistors OFF). However, if one of the supply terminals is short-circuited, for example V1+ with VI- or V2-, or V2+ with V2- or VI-, then the transistor in the electrical circuit connected to the shorted positive terminal, i.e., PNP1 for a short circuit involving V1+ and PNP2 for a short circuit involving V2+, becomes active (transistor ON), thereby energizing the gate to which its collector is connected, i.e., the gate Gl for collector C1 and the gate G2 for collector C2, thus automatically triggering the change of state of the PMOS from the "closed switch" state to the "open switch" state.In this latter state, the short-circuited positive terminal is disconnected from the positive V+ pole.

[0031] Preferably, the SAES according to the invention may include a fuse Fl connecting the positive supply terminal V1+ to the drain DI and to the resistance R3 of the first electrical circuit, and a second fuse F2 connecting the positive supply terminal V2+ to the drain D2 and to the resistance R6 of the second electrical circuit.Advantageously, when the PMOS according to the invention, for example PMOS1 or PMOS2 respectively, is in the "open switch" state, the short-circuit current will pass through the fuse connecting the shorted positive supply terminal to the electrical circuit (first or second electrical circuit depending on whether terminal V1+ or V2+ is short-circuited) and through the short-circuit point (for example between V1+ and VI- or between V1+ and V2- for the first electrical circuit), and the short-circuit current will not pass through the redundant electrical circuit (first or second electrical circuit depending on whether terminal V1+ or V2+ is short-circuited) which has no not seen its positive power supply terminal short-circuited. In particular, each of said first and second electrical circuits is configured to allow a change of state of the PMOS going from the "closed switch" state to the "open switch" state before said fuse has had time to melt and electrically disconnect said short-circuited positive power supply terminal.

[0032] As illustrated in [Fig. 3], the first and second electrical circuits are symmetrical, each operating in the same way, the operating principles of the first electrical circuit applying mutatis mutandis to the operation of the second electrical circuit. In particular, said first and second electrical circuits may have the same electrical components, i.e., the same resistors, the same PMOS and PNP transistors. Finally, in the event of an open circuit involving one of said positive supply terminals, for example V1+, connected to one of said electrical circuits, then the current will flow through the PMOS of the other of said electrical circuits (in the case of V1+, through PMOS2).Meanwhile, the PMOS of the electrical circuit connecting the positive supply terminal in an open circuit will remain in an "open switch" state via the set of resistors in said circuit, specifically resistors RI and R2 in the case of PMOS1 and via resistors R4 and R5 for PMOS2.

[0033] In conclusion, the present invention proposes a new SAES for electrical devices, particularly adapted to SSI, and allowing to guarantee in safety, i.e. to secure, the electrical supply of said electrical devices.

Claims

1. Demands Emergency power supply system, hereinafter "SAES" (100), comprising: - a power supply comprising a positive pole V+ and a negative pole V-, said power supply being configured to supply power to a first and a second pair of power supply terminals intended to supply power to a set of electrical devices; - said first pair of power supply terminals comprising a positive terminal V1+ and a negative terminal VI- intended to be connected to a first power supply cable to supply power to said set of electrical devices; - said second pair of power supply terminals comprising a positive terminal V2+ and a negative terminal V2- intended to be connected to a second power supply cable to supply power to said set of electrical devices; The SAES is characterized by the fact that it comprises: - a first electrical circuit (110) connecting the positive terminal V1+ to the positive pole V+, and the negative terminal VI- to the negative pole V-, said first electrical circuit comprising a first PMOS device, hereinafter "PMOS1", comprising a drain Dl, a source SI, and a gate G1; - a second electrical circuit (120) connecting the positive terminal V2+ to the positive pole V+, and the negative terminal V2- to the negative pole V-, said second electrical circuit comprising a second PMOS device, hereinafter "PMOS2", PMOS2, comprising a drain D2, a source S2, and a gate G2; - PMOS1 and PMOS2 are each configured to operate as a normally closed switch in nominal mode so as to allow power to be supplied to the first and second pairs respectively of power supply terminals, said PMOS1 and respectively PMOS2 being each configured to operate as an open switch in case of short circuit, for PMOS1, between the positive terminal V1+ and at least one of the negative terminals VI- or V2-, and, for PMOS2, between the positive terminal V2+ and at least one of the negative terminals VI- or V2-, so as to cut the electrical connection between V1+ and V+ by PMOS1, and respectively between V2+ and V+ by PMOS2.

2. SAES (100) according to claim 1, wherein said first electrical circuit comprises a first PNP transistor, hereinafter "PNP1", comprising a base Bl, a collector Cl, and an emitter El, and said second electrical circuit comprises a second PNP transistor, hereinafter "PNP2", comprising a base B2, a collector C2, and an emitter E2, said PNP1 being configured to electrically connect the gate G1 to the positive pole V+ in case of a short circuit between the positive terminal V1+ and at least one of the negative terminals VI- or V2-, said PNP2 being configured to electrically connect the gate G2 to the positive pole V+ in case of a short circuit between the positive terminal V2+ and at least one of the negative terminals VI- or V2-.

3. SAES (100) according to claim 2, wherein each of the PMOS has its source connected to the positive pole V+ and its drain connected to the positive terminal, each of the PNPs has its collector connected to the gate of the PMOS.

4. SAES (100) according to claim 3, wherein the first circuit is configured as follows: - the positive pole V1+ is connected to the drain DI and, via a resistor R3, to the base Bl; - the negative pole VI- is connected to the negative terminal V-, and, via a resistor R2, to the gate G1 and the collector Cl; - the source SI is connected, on the one hand, to the emitter El which itself is connected to the positive terminal V+, and on the other hand, to the collector Cl via a resistor RI and the second circuit is configured as follows: - the positive pole V2+ is connected to the drain D2 and, via a resistor R6, to the base B2; - the negative pole V2- is connected to the negative terminal V-, and, via a resistor R5, to the grid G2 and the collector C2; - the source S2 is connected, on the one hand to the emitter E2 which itself is connected to the positive terminal V+, and on the other hand to the collector C2 via a resistor R4.

5. SAES (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising said first power cable connected to terminals V1+ and VI- in order to power said set of electrical devices and said second power cable connected to terminals V2+ and V2- in order to power, redundantly, said electrical devices of said set.

6. Method (200) for electrically powering a set of electrical devices, said method (200) comprising: - a power supply (201) to said set of electrical devices by means of, on the one hand, a first electrical cable connecting a first pair of electrical power supply terminals comprising a positive terminal V1+ and a negative terminal VI- to said set of electrical devices, and on the other hand, a second electrical cable connecting a second pair of electrical power supply terminals comprising a positive terminal V2+ and a negative terminal V2- to said set of electrical devices;- a connection (202), by means of a first electrical circuit (110), from the positive terminal V1+ to a positive pole V+ of an electrical power supply, and from the negative terminal VI- to a negative pole V- of said electrical power supply, said first electrical circuit (110) comprising a first PMOS device, hereinafter "PMOS1", comprising a drain D1, a source SI, and a gate G1; - a connection (203), by means of a second electrical circuit (120), from the positive terminal V2+ to the positive pole V+, and from the negative terminal V2- to the negative pole V-, said second electrical circuit (120) comprising a second PMOS device, hereinafter "PMOS2", comprising a drain D2, a source S2, and a gate G2; in nominal mode (204), each of the PMOS1 and respectively PMOS2 operates as a closed switch so as to allow the supply of power to the first and respectively second pair of power supply terminals; in case of a short circuit (205) between the positive terminal V1+ and at least one of the negative terminals VI- or V2-, operation of the PMOS 1 as an open switch so as to cut the electrical connection between V1+ and V+; and in case of a short circuit (206) between the positive terminal V2+ and at least one of the negative terminals VI- or V2-, operation of the PMOS2 as an open switch so as to cut the electrical connection between V2+ and V+.

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