DC Plant Controller Prioritizing Diverse Power Sources

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional DC power plants typically rely on multiple power sources of the same type to provide primary DC power, but with the increasing use of alternative and sporadic power sources, there is a need for a system to efficiently select and manage multiple power sources of different types to ensure stable operation, especially in remote areas where commercial power grids may not be accessible.

Innovation Solution

A DC plant controller that identifies and prioritizes power sources based on criteria such as operational cost, carbon footprint, noise generation, and environmental factors, and assigns output characteristics and power limits to rectifiers and DC-DC converters, allowing for efficient load sharing and standby management among engine-driven generators, windmill-driven generators, solar arrays, and AC mains.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple power sources of the same type are used, then the system is simple to manage, but the system lacks adaptability to diverse power sources with different characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to diverse power sourcesVSAvoidcomplexity of power source management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller dynamically adjusts output characteristics (voltage, current, power limits) of different power sources based on their priority assignment. This allows the system to accommodate diverse power source types by changing their operational parameters rather than requiring identical hardware configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The power source management is segmented into discrete priority levels, with each power source assigned a specific priority. This segmentation simplifies the control logic by breaking down the complex problem of managing diverse power sources into manageable discrete states, where the controller only needs to determine which priority level is currently active

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multiple power sources share the load, then the reliability is improved, but the control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of power supplyVSAvoidcomplexity of load sharing control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic load sharing where power sources are selectively activated or deactivated based on real-time priority assignments. Rather than continuously balancing load across all sources, the controller dynamically adjusts which sources are active and their output characteristics, simplifying control while maintaining reliability through redundant power sources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Each power source is configured with predetermined priority levels and output characteristics that are automatically applied by the controller. The system self-regulates by automatically selecting appropriate power sources and adjusting their parameters without requiring complex real-time coordination algorithms, thereby improving reliability while keeping control manageable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If priority-based assignment is implemented, then the environmental impact is reduced, but the control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidcomplexity of priority-based control

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Priority assignments and output characteristics are predetermined and configured in advance based on environmental considerations. The controller simply executes these pre-established priorities rather than performing complex real-time environmental assessments, thereby reducing environmental impact through green energy preference while keeping the control system relatively simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller adjusts operational parameters (output voltage, current limits, power allocation) of power sources based on their environmental priority. By changing these parameters dynamically according to pre-set environmental priorities, the system reduces harmful environmental factors while maintaining manageable control complexity through parameter adjustment rather than complex decision-making

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS9722422B2DC plant for selecting among multiple power sources

Publication Date: 2017.08.01 ACLEAP POWER INC

AI summary

Various embodiments of a DC plant. In one embodiment, the DC plant includes (1) power sources couplable to a common DC bus, (2) rectifiers and DC-DC converters associated with the power sources and (3) a DC plant controller. The DC plant controller includes a source identifier configured to identify the power sources, a source prioritizer coupled to the source identifier and configured to prioritize the power sources based on at least one criterion, and an output characteristic assigner coupled to the source prioritizer.