Active Current Limiting Circuit for ATS Inrush Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ATS power supply systems face issues with inrush current during switching, leading to potential damage and inefficiencies, with existing solutions like increasing bulk capacitor capacity or using resistive passive current limiting circuits resulting in increased cost, power loss, and limited flexibility.
Innovation Solution
An active current limiting circuit with bidirectional switches that use current sampling signals to control the switching process, reducing inrush current, lowering power consumption, and enabling flexible control for charging capacitors and providing load output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a resistive passive current limiting circuit is used, then inrush current is limited, but power loss increases and flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional resistive passive current limiting circuit with an active current limiting circuit that uses controllable switches (such as MOSFETs or IGBTs) and sensing components. This substitution allows for electronic control of current limiting through feedback mechanisms, replacing passive resistance-based limiting with active electronic regulation, thereby reducing power loss while maintaining inrush current protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The active current limiting circuit incorporates feedback mechanisms where sensing components detect current levels and feed this information back to control the switching elements. This feedback loop enables dynamic adjustment of current limiting, allowing the system to respond to actual operating conditions and minimize power loss while effectively limiting inrush current during switching transitions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the capacity of the bulk capacitor is increased, then inrush current is reduced, but cost and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the approach of increasing bulk capacitor capacity with an active current limiting circuit that electronically controls inrush current. Instead of relying on larger passive energy storage components, the system uses controllable switches and feedback control to actively manage current flow during switching transitions, achieving inrush current reduction without increasing capacitor size or cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The active current limiting circuit dynamically changes operating parameters (switching timing, duty cycle, or resistance values) to control inrush current based on system state. This parameter adjustment allows the system to adapt to different operating conditions and effectively limit inrush current without requiring fixed, oversized capacitor components.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the capacity of the bulk capacitor is increased, then inrush current is reduced, but power loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the passive approach of using larger bulk capacitors with an active current limiting circuit that uses controllable electronic switches and feedback control. This substitution eliminates the need for oversized energy storage components and their associated losses, instead using efficient electronic switching to limit inrush current with minimal power dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
The active current limiting circuit dynamically adjusts switching parameters to control inrush current, optimizing power efficiency. By changing switching timing, duty cycle, or effective resistance based on real-time conditions, the system achieves inrush current limitation without the continuous power losses associated with larger passive capacitor banks.
4Ease of operation
If a relay transfer switch is used in ATS power supply, then switching between input power supplies is achieved, but transfer time is long (about 5 ms)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical relay transfer switches with solid-state electronic switching components (such as MOSFETs or IGBTs) controlled by electronic circuits. This substitution eliminates the mechanical moving parts and associated delay, enabling much faster switching between power supplies through electronic control signals, thereby reducing transfer time from milliseconds to microsecond or nansecond ranges.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this disclosure provide an active current limiting circuit, a power supply device, a power supply system and a control method, wherein at least one bidirectional switch in the active current limiting circuit is turned on or off based on the current sampling signal obtained by sampling the current in the bidirectional switch in the active current limiting circuit. With the active current limiting circuit, the inrush current generated in switching the power supply lines may be efficiently reduced, power consumption may be lowered, output of large power may be provided, the capacitor may be charged and sufficient power output may be provided to the load. And furthermore, the bidirectional switch in the active current limiting circuit may be flexibly controlled based on the current sampling signal, thereby improving operating efficiency of the active current limiting circuit.