Distributed Power Supply Control for Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Power supply systems face issues with power shortages due to central control device failures and time lags in signal transmission, leading to excessive power supply apparatuses being set to no-output states, which can result in inadequate power distribution and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A power supply system with autonomous control units in each power supply apparatus that independently determine their output state based on load parameters, using reference conditions specific to each group, to optimize power distribution and prevent power shortages by dynamically adjusting output states and reducing output current.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a central control device manages the output states of power supply apparatuses, then power distribution can be coordinated, but the system becomes vulnerable to control device failures and signal transmission delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the centralized control function into distributed autonomous control units, where each power supply apparatus independently determines its own output state based on local load parameter assessments. This segmentation eliminates the single point of failure in centralized control while reducing signal transmission dependencies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each power supply apparatus is equipped with autonomous control capability to self-determine its output state without relying on external central control commands. The control unit independently evaluates load parameters and makes decisions, making the system self-managing and resilient to central control failures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of energy

If power supply apparatuses are set to no-output state to optimize efficiency, then energy consumption is reduced, but power shortages may occur due to excessive apparatuses being turned off

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumption efficiencyVSAvoidpower supply adequacy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where each control unit continuously monitors load parameters and adjusts the output state of power supply apparatuses accordingly. The feedback loop ensures that apparatuses are turned off only when load conditions permit, preventing power shortages while maintaining efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control system dynamically adjusts the output state of power supply apparatuses based on real-time load parameter variations. The reference conditions and threshold values are not fixed but adapt to changing system conditions, allowing the system to respond flexibly to load changes and prevent both power shortages and excessive energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the number of power supply apparatuses varies due to addition or maintenance, then system flexibility is improved, but tracking the available apparatuses becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem configuration flexibilityVSAvoidapparatus status tracking

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Each power supply apparatus autonomously manages its own status information and control decisions without requiring centralized tracking. When apparatuses are added or removed, they independently integrate into or exit from the system based on local assessments, eliminating the need for complex centralized status tracking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses load parameters as the basis for control decisions rather than relying on tracked apparatus status information. By changing the control basis from status tracking to parameter-based assessment, the system naturally adapts to configuration changes without information loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Speed

If signal transmission time lag exists between central control device and power supply apparatuses, then control responsiveness is reduced, but communication infrastructure is simplified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol response speedVSAvoidcontrol architecture simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the control decision-making function from the central control device and places it directly within each power supply apparatus. This removes the signal transmission path and associated time lags, achieving instantaneous local control responses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The centralized control architecture is segmented into distributed control units, eliminating the need for long-distance signal transmission. Each segment operates independently with immediate local response capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10811877B2Power supply system and power supply apparatus

Publication Date: 2020.10.20 FUJI ELECTRIC CO LTD

AI summary

A power supply system, including: a plurality of power supply apparatuses; and an acquisition unit to acquire a load parameter representing load state of the plurality of power supply apparatuses as a whole, wherein each power supply apparatus has a control unit to control, depending on the load parameter, output by said power supply apparatus according to a reference condition different from at least the other one of the plurality of power supply apparatuses, will be provided.