Asymmetric Power Supply Pathways for Reliability

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power supply systems with redundant pathways often increase complexity and costs while introducing additional potential failure modes, and there is a need for a more efficient and reliable method to switch between single-conversion and multi-conversion power supply paths in response to faults.

Innovation Solution

A power supply system that operates in a first mode using a single-conversion path from AC to DC and switches to a multi-conversion path upon fault detection, utilizing automated switching elements and a control device to transition between modes, reducing the need for duplicate energy storage devices and maintaining reliability with fewer components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple fully redundant pathways of identical structure are used, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is segmented into two distinct pathways with different structures: a primary single-conversion path and a secondary multi-conversion path. This segmentation allows each pathway to have specialized components optimized for its function, rather than duplicating identical complex systems, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs asymmetric design by creating two non-identical power supply pathways. The primary path uses a simpler single-conversion architecture, while the secondary path uses a more complex multi-conversion architecture. This asymmetry allows the system to balance reliability requirements with complexity reduction, as the pathways are not exact duplicates but serve the same redundancy function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Reliability

If multiple fully redundant pathways of identical structure are used, then reliability is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is segmented into two distinct pathways with different structures: a primary single-conversion path and a secondary multi-conversion path. This segmentation allows each pathway to have specialized components optimized for its function, rather than duplicating identical complex systems, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs asymmetric design by creating two non-identical power supply pathways. The primary path uses a simpler single-conversion architecture, while the secondary path uses a more complex multi-conversion architecture. This asymmetry allows the system to balance reliability requirements with complexity reduction, as the pathways are not exact duplicates but serve the same redundancy function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Reliability

If multiple fully redundant pathways of identical structure are used, then reliability is improved, but the number of potential failure modes increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidpotential failure modes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric design by creating two non-identical power supply pathways. The primary path uses a simpler single-conversion architecture, while the secondary path uses a more complex multi-conversion architecture. This asymmetry allows the system to balance reliability requirements with complexity reduction, as the pathways are not exact duplicates but serve the same redundancy function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of creating exact copies of the same power supply pathway, the patent uses a simplified version (single-conversion) as the primary path and a more complex version (multi-conversion) as the backup. This selective copying approach reduces the propagation of identical failure modes while maintaining the redundancy function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach provides a reliable and cost-effective power supply system that minimizes the likelihood of failure while reducing complexity and costs by automatically switching to a backup mode when faults occur, maintaining uninterrupted power to critical loads.

Implementation Method 1

power is supplied via a single-conversion power supply path from an alternating current (AC) power supply to a direct current (DC) output coupled to an electrical load

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSingle-conversion power supply path:

Implementation Method 2

electrical power is supplied via a multi-conversion power supply path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMulti-conversion power supply path:

Data Source

PatentUS9559607B1Power supply and distribution systems and operating strategy

Publication Date: 2017.01.31 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG

AI summary

A power supply system includes an AC input interface, a DC output interface, and each of a single-conversion power supply path and a multi-conversion power supply path extending between the AC input interface and the DC output interface. Operating the system in a first or standard mode includes conveying electrical power between an AC power supply and an electrical load by way of the single-conversion power supply path. Operation in a second or non-standard operation mode includes conveying the electrical power by way of the multi-conversion power supply path.