Gate Control Device Optical Power Redundancy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
High-voltage DC power transmission systems face challenges with galvanic isolation of gate control devices, requiring bulky and expensive transformers, and the reliability of laser sources used for optical power and control signals is lower than LEDs, leading to maintenance cycles of about one year, which is not sufficient.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a gate control device is connected to two valve control units, one active and one standby, using optical signals for both power and control, with an optical communication interface converting these signals to electric power and incorporating a reliability control module to select the active valve control unit, thereby enhancing system reliability and simplifying design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If optical signals are used for both power supply and control in gate control devices, then galvanic isolation is achieved and transformer hardware is eliminated, but the reliability of laser sources decreases compared to LEDs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a standby valve control unit that remains in standby mode ready to take over immediately if the active valve control unit fails. This pre-positioned backup system cushions against the lower reliability of laser sources by ensuring continuous operation capability without requiring intervention during failure events.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the laser sources by using lower power levels during normal operation and switching between multiple laser sources. The valve control unit can distribute the power supply load between multiple laser sources, reducing the stress on each individual laser and thereby improving overall reliability.
2Ease of operation
If a single active valve control unit is used, then the system is simpler to operate, but the mean time between failures decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The standby valve control unit is prepared in advance with all necessary components and connections, ready to immediately assume the role of the active unit upon failure. This eliminates the need for complex failover procedures or manual intervention, maintaining ease of operation while significantly improving mean time between failures through automatic redundancy activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a switching mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the active and standby valve control units. This mediator automatically detects failures and redirects control signals and power supply connections from the failed unit to the standby unit, maintaining system simplicity while enabling seamless failover to preserve reliability.
3Productivity
If maintenance cycles are extended, then operational continuity is improved, but the reliability requirements become more stringent
Solution Approach 1:
The standby valve control unit provides a cushion against component failures that would otherwise require maintenance intervention. By having a pre-configured backup system, the active unit can operate for extended periods without maintenance while the standby unit ensures continuous operational capability, effectively decoupling maintenance cycles from operational continuity requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter monitoring and dynamic adjustment capabilities that detect early signs of component degradation. By monitoring laser source performance parameters and adjusting operational conditions in response to detected changes, the system can extend maintenance intervals while maintaining reliability through proactive parameter management rather than reactive maintenance.
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 eliminates the need for central selection functions, reduces hardware and software complexity, extends the mean time between failures of laser sources, and ensures continuous operation by redirecting optical power, significantly decreasing maintenance intervals and costs.
Implementation Method 1
an optical communication interface for receiving optical signals from two valve control units... said at least one optical interface being further configured to convert an optical signal to an electric signal for supply to a corresponding power supply module
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 4
AI summary
A gate control device (30) for a semiconductor device comprises at least one power supply module (42, 46), at least one optical communication interface (40, 44) for receiving optical signals (OS1, OS2) from two valve control units (36, 38) and converting them to electric signals for supply to a corresponding power supply module (42, 46), where in normal operations mode one valve control unit is an active valve control unit and the other is a standby valve control unit, where the optical signal of an active unit energizes the gate control device and provides semiconductor device controlling data, a semiconductor device control module (52) and a reliability control module (50) that performs selection of active valve control unit.