Fiber Optic Ring for Multi-Cell Power Supply Bypass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-cell power supply systems fail to effectively manage power cell failures, leading to potential damage during non-severe failures and loss of system state during power outages, as prior bypass devices do not adequately isolate failed cells or preserve operational state.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optic ring connects bypass devices in each power cell to a central control, enabling bi-directional communication and using bi-stable contactors that maintain state without power, allowing for precise control and preservation of system state, even during power outages, and ensuring seamless operation by isolating failed cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional wired communication is used to connect bypass devices to central control, then system complexity is reduced, but communication reliability deteriorates due to electromagnetic interference and voltage differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces fiber optic cables as an intermediary communication medium between bypass devices and central control. This optical intermediary eliminates direct electrical connections, thereby preventing electromagnetic interference and voltage difference issues while maintaining communication reliability across different electrical potential levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional electrical/wired communication system with an optical communication system using fiber optic cables. This substitution eliminates the mechanical and electrical contact issues inherent in traditional wired systems, providing immunity to electromagnetic interference while maintaining system connectivity.
2Reliability
If bypass devices are continuously powered to maintain communication, then communication availability is improved, but energy consumption increases and state preservation during outages is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass devices are designed to maintain their operational state without continuous external power supply. The devices utilize stored energy or memory mechanisms to preserve their state information during power outages, enabling them to resume communication and control functions automatically when power is restored, without requiring continuous power consumption.
3Reliability
If fiber optic cables are used to connect bypass devices, then communication reliability and voltage insulation are improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber optic communication system is divided into modular segments, with each bypass device having integrated fiber optic interfaces. This segmentation allows for standardized, pre-assembled units that simplify installation and maintenance, reducing the complexity burden despite the advanced technology used.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of a bypass system for a multi-cell power supply are provided. An aspect includes a plurality of power cells, each of the plurality of power cells comprising a respective bypass device comprising one or more contactors. Another aspect includes a central control. Yet another aspect includes a fiber optic ring comprising a plurality of fiber optic links that connect the respective bypass device in each of the plurality of power cells and the central control in series, wherein the fiber optic ring starts and ends at the central control, and the central control is configured to communicate with the one or more contactors in the plurality of bypass devices via the fiber optic ring.