DC Power Distribution Bus With Switching Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional DC power distribution systems in offshore platforms or vessels require separate power sources and extensive infrastructure for redundancy, leading to increased cost, complexity, and space usage due to the need for separate feeders and breakers for each consumer, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A DC power distribution system utilizing power switching assemblies with semiconductor devices and a system controller to manage current flow between bus sections, allowing for direct connection of power switching assemblies to consumers and enabling seamless switching between redundant power sources, reducing the need for separate feeders and optimizing power distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate power sources and extensive infrastructure are used for redundancy, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple power distribution functions into a single integrated DC power distribution bus system. Instead of having separate power sources and feeders for each consumer, the system combines power sources, distribution bus, and switching assemblies into one unified infrastructure that serves multiple consumers, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining redundancy capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The DC power distribution bus and switching assemblies are designed to serve multiple functions and multiple consumers simultaneously. The power distribution system can dynamically allocate power to different consumers based on demand, making the infrastructure universal rather than dedicated to specific consumers, thus reducing the need for separate feeders and breakers for each consumer.
2Reliability
If separate feeders and breakers are provided for each consumer, then reliability is improved, but the number of components and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple feeder functions are merged into a single DC power distribution bus. Instead of having separate physical feeders for each consumer, the system uses one shared bus with switching assemblies that can connect any consumer to any power source, dramatically reducing the quantity of components needed while maintaining the ability to provide dedicated power paths when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching assembly acts as an intermediary between the power sources and consumers. Rather than requiring direct dedicated connections (feeders and breakers) between each power source and consumer, the switching assembly mediates power distribution, enabling any power source to supply any consumer through the shared DC bus, thus reducing component quantity.
3Reliability
If bus ties are kept normally open with limited closing, then fault isolation is improved, but power distribution flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically controls the state of bus ties through power switching assemblies with semiconductor devices. Instead of keeping bus ties statically open or closing them only in limited circumstances, the system can rapidly and controllably switch bus tie states based on real-time power distribution needs, fault conditions, and consumer demands, thereby achieving both fault isolation and distribution flexibility simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback control through the system controller to monitor power distribution conditions and automatically adjust bus tie states. The controller receives information about power consumption, generator availability, and fault conditions, and uses this feedback to optimally control the switching assemblies, enabling adaptive fault isolation while maintaining power distribution flexibility.
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 solution reduces the number and cost of prime movers and generators, minimizes infrastructure complexity, and allows for efficient power distribution while maintaining redundancy, thereby reducing fuel consumption and wear, and freeing up space on offshore platforms or vessels.
Implementation Method 1
a first semiconductor device and a second semiconductor device electrically coupled between the first terminal and the second terminal to control current flow between the first terminal and the second terminal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A DC power distribution system comprises a plurality of power sources (24, 25, 26, 27) and a DC power distribution bus comprising a plurality of DC bus sections (20, 21, 22, 23). The system further comprises one or more power switching assemblies (29, 30, 31) to couple one of the DC bus sections to another of the DC bus sections and a system controller (28) controls the power sources and the power switching assemblies. An inverter (32, 34, 36) is connected to one of the power switching assemblies (29, 30, 31) to supply a consumer (33, 35, 37). The first terminal of the assembly is electrically coupled to a first bus section (20) and the second terminal is electrically coupled to a second bus section (21). First and second semiconductor devices (114, 116) are electrically coupled between the terminals to control current flow between the terminals and there is a current connection (124a, 124b) from each terminal to a power switching assembly controller (126) for providing an indication of current at each terminal. A control signal line (128, 130) is connected between the power switching assembly controller (126) and each semiconductor device (114, 116) for providing a control signal to the semiconductor devices to control the current flow through them and an inverter coupler (40, 41) couples each current connection to the inverter.