Redundant Current Valve Control via Active Standby Indicators
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
High-voltage power transmission systems require redundant control of current valves, but existing solutions rely on separate switch-over logic circuits, which can be faulty and disrupt system operation, necessitating a method to avoid using such circuits.
Innovation Solution
The method employs active/standby indicators to determine which valve control signal to apply, allowing parallel and independent determinations between two converter control units, eliminating the need for a separate switch-over logic circuit and enabling fast change-over without disrupting system operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate switch-over logic circuit is used to provide redundant control of current valves, then reliability is improved through redundancy, but device complexity increases and the circuit itself becomes an additional source of possible faults
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the separate switch-over logic circuit from the system. Instead of having a dedicated circuit for switching between redundant converter control devices, the invention integrates the switching function directly into the converter control devices themselves. Each converter control device independently determines whether to send valve control signals based on its own operational status, removing the need for external switch-over logic and thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability through redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The converter control devices perform self-service by autonomously determining their own operational status and making switching decisions without requiring external switch-over logic. Each device monitors its own functionality and independently decides whether to remain active or transition to standby mode, eliminating the need for separate control circuits and reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If a separate switch-over logic circuit is used to ensure continuous operation during switch-over, then reliability is improved, but the complexity of coordinating hand-shaking signals and maintaining continuous control increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each converter control device independently monitors its own operational status and autonomously determines when to send or stop sending valve control signals. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex hand-shaking coordination between devices and external switch-over logic, while still ensuring continuous operation because the standby device is already prepared to take over immediately if the active device fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The standby converter control device is prepared in advance to assume control by continuously monitoring the active device's status. When the active device fails, the standby device immediately begins sending valve control signals without requiring complex real-time coordination or hand-shaking protocols, thereby ensuring continuous operation while reducing coordination complexity.
3Reliability
If a separate switch-over logic circuit is used, then redundant control is provided, but the risk of faults increases and components cannot be replaced during operation
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the separate switch-over logic circuit, the invention eliminates an additional component that could fail and requires replacement. The switching function is integrated into the converter control devices themselves, which are already essential system components. This allows for easier maintenance because there are fewer separate components to fault-isolate and replace, and the integrated design enables hot-swapping of converter control devices without affecting system operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The converter control devices are designed to perform multiple functions: they both control the current valves and independently determine their own operational status and switching decisions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate switch-over logic components, reducing the total number of replaceable parts and simplifying maintenance procedures while maintaining redundant control capability.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention concerns a method and device for providing redundant control of a controllable current valve (46, 48) in a converter (16) of a power transmission system (10). The device includes a first converter control unit (34) sending a first valve control signal (CP1A, CP2A) and an associated first active/standby indicator (A_A), a second converter control unit (36) sending a second valve control signal (CP1B, CP2B) and an associated second active/standby indicator (A_B) and a valve control unit (32). An active/standby indicator indicates if a corresponding converter control unit is active or standby and only one indicator indicates an active unit at a given point in time. The valve control unit (32) receives the active/standby indicators and valve control signals, selects a valve control signal (CP1A, CP2A) to be applied if the corresponding active/standby indicator (A_A) indicates an active converter control unit and controls the current valve using the selected valve control signal.