Local Power Supply Phase Merging for Single-Source Reliability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing local power supply installations typically require three-phase energy sources, such as diesel generators or multiple inverters, to supply power to all phases during network failures, which is inefficient and costly.

Innovation Solution

A local power supply installation with a multiphase transmission line, a disconnecting device, a network monitoring device, and a network former that connects all phases to form a common phase during failures, allowing power to be supplied from a single-phase inverter or generator, eliminating the need for additional multiphase generators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If three-phase energy sources (diesel generators or multiple inverters) are used to supply power to all phases during network failures, then all loads can be powered, but the system complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply reliability during network failureVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the network former (9) universal by enabling it to supply power to all phases through the common phase configuration. The single-phase inverter or generator can serve multiple phases simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate three-phase energy sources and reducing system complexity while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If three-phase energy sources are used, then all loads can be powered during failures, but the energy efficiency decreases due to redundant infrastructure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply continuityVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines all phase outputs into a single common phase during network failures, allowing the network former to supply power through a single inverter or generator. This eliminates redundant energy conversion processes and infrastructure, improving energy efficiency while maintaining continuous power supply to all loads

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If single-phase installations are used, then the system complexity is reduced, but only some loads can be supplied with power during network failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidload coverage capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the three-phase system into independently controllable phases with individual disconnecting devices (5, 10, 15). During normal operation, each phase operates independently. During failures, these segments are reconfigured by closing the disconnecting devices to merge all phases into a common phase, allowing the single-phase inverter to supply all loads across all phases, thus achieving full load coverage with simplified single-phase infrastructure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables automatic transition between multiphase and stand-alone network operations without additional infrastructure, ensuring all loads are powered during failures and optimizing energy usage by connecting or disconnecting inverters based on demand.

Implementation Method 1

The standby power supply may be provided, for example, by an inverter which converts a DC voltage from a storage unit to an AC voltage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInversion (electrical):

Data Source

PatentEP2668705B3Local power supply installation
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 SMA SOLAR TECH AG
  • EP2668705B3 patent drawingFigure 1~1a
  • EP2668705B3 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2668705B3 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A local power supply installation (1) comprising a multiphase transmission line (4) for transmission of electrical power from a power supply network (2) to a load arrangement (3) has a disconnecting device (5), configured to separate the transmission line (4) into two mutually electrically isolated sections, a feeding section (6) and an outgoing section (7), when the disconnecting device (5) is operated. A network monitoring device (8), which is connected to the feeding section (6) of the transmission line (4), is used for monitoring a status of the power supply network (2). Furthermore, the local power supply installation (1) comprises a network former (9) connected to the outgoing section (7) of the transmission line (4) via at least one phase, and at least one connecting device (10) connected to the outgoing section (7) of the transmission line (4). The connecting device (10) is configured to connect at least one phase in the outgoing section (7) of the transmission line (4) to another phase in the outgoing section (7) of the transmission line (4) to form a common phase.