Multi-Bus Bleed-Down Using One Sinking Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery electric machinery with multiple high-voltage power buses face inefficiencies in bleed-down operations, requiring multiple sinking devices that increase time and cost, especially during maintenance or shutdowns, due to varying voltage levels across different power buses.
Innovation Solution
A supervisory electronic control unit (ECU) coordinates a single sinking device to simultaneously drain multiple power buses by controlling DC/DC converters and activating the sinking device in response to a bleed-down condition, ensuring contemporaneous voltage application across all buses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sinking devices are used to drain multiple power buses, then each bus can be drained independently, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a single sinking device to perform the bleed-down function for multiple power buses simultaneously. The supervisory ECU coordinates the sinking device to drain multiple buses through controlled voltage application, making one device serve multiple functions that previously required separate devices for each bus.
2Productivity
If multiple sinking devices are deployed for multiple power buses, then each bus receives dedicated drainage capability, but the cost and component count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple sinking devices into a single sinking device. By combining the drainage capability for multiple power buses into one device, the system reduces the quantity of sinking devices from multiple units to a single unit while maintaining the ability to service all buses.
3Device complexity
If a single sinking device is used for multiple power buses, then cost and complexity are reduced, but coordination control becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The supervisory ECU implements feedback control by monitoring the voltage levels of multiple power buses and dynamically adjusting the operation of the sinking device accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables the single sinking device to respond to the specific needs of each bus, maintaining ease of operation despite the increased coordination requirements.
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
The solution enables faster and more cost-effective bleed-down operations by reducing the need for multiple sinking devices, thereby extending the life of other components and minimizing electrical hazards.
Implementation Method 1
a sinking device electrically connected to the first bus and the second bus... activating the sinking device... to dissipate electrical energy
Data Source
AI summary
In some implementations, a supervisory electronic control unit (ECU) may output, to a first controller, a first control signal commanding the first controller to provide a first voltage to a first bus during a bleed-down operation. The supervisory ECU may output, to a second controller, a second control signal commanding the second controller to provide a second voltage to a second bus during the bleed-down operation. The supervisory ECU may activate, during the bleed-down operation, a sinking device electrically connected to the first bus and the second bus.