Multi-source Power Distribution System Control Logic

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current multi-source electrical power systems face complexity and reliability issues due to the use of auxiliary contactors for controlling power distribution, leading to heavy, expensive components and increased failure points, as well as the risk of crash paralleling of out-of-sync generators.

Innovation Solution

A control system that monitors electrical characteristics such as voltage, frequency, and power across multiple power sources and buses, using simplified logic to selectively couple and de-couple power sources based on these characteristics, thereby avoiding the need for auxiliary contactors and preventing cross-linking of generators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If auxiliary contactors are used to control power distribution, then power source coupling and de-coupling can be achieved, but system weight increases and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidsystem weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes auxiliary contactors from the power distribution system entirely. The main contactors directly perform both power switching and control functions, extracting the unnecessary auxiliary components that added weight and failure points while maintaining the essential power distribution capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The main contactors are designed to perform multiple functions: power switching, control signal transmission, and status indication. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate auxiliary contactors, reducing system weight and component count while maintaining full operational capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If auxiliary contactors are used for power source control, then power distribution switching is enabled, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower distribution control capabilityVSAvoidcontrol logic complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Main contactors are designed to handle both power switching and control functions simultaneously. The contactor coil receives control signals and the contactor switches both power and control circuits, eliminating the need for separate auxiliary contactors and simplifying the overall control architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the functions of main contactors and auxiliary contactors into a single component. The main contactor's auxiliary terminals are used directly for control signaling, combining what were previously separate functional elements into one integrated solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If auxiliary contactors are deployed, then power source coupling can be controlled, but cost increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower source switching capabilityVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes auxiliary contactors from the system, eliminating their associated costs. The main contactors alone provide all necessary control functionality, reducing component count and overall system cost while maintaining full operational capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Main contactors perform multiple functions including power switching, control signaling, and status indication. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for expensive auxiliary contactors while maintaining ease of operation for power source switching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If auxiliary contactors are used, then power distribution control is achieved, but failure points increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower source coupling controlVSAvoidsystem failure points

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes auxiliary contactors from the system, eliminating the failure points associated with these additional components. The main contactors alone provide all necessary control functionality with fewer potential failure points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using main contactors for power switching and separate auxiliary contactors for control, the patent inverts the approach by using main contactors for both functions. This reversal eliminates the additional failure points of auxiliary contactors while maintaining control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS10826294B2Multi-source power distribution system

Publication Date: 2020.11.03 GE AVIATION SYST LTD

AI summary

Systems and methods for controlling power distribution are provided. More particularly, in one embodiment, a method can include monitoring a first plurality of electrical characteristics for each power source of a plurality of power sources. The plurality of power sources can include a first generator, a second generator, an auxiliary power source, and an external power source. The method can include monitoring a second plurality of electrical characteristics for each bus of a plurality of buses. The plurality of buses can include a first electrical bus, a second electrical bus, and an electrical tie bus. The method can further include selectively controlling a power distribution of the plurality of power sources among the plurality of buses based, at least in part, on the first and second pluralities of electrical characteristics.