Redundant Power Backplane Balancing for High-Availability Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial automation systems face challenges in maintaining high availability and reliability, particularly in petrochemical applications, where downtime is not acceptable, and existing power distribution systems struggle with concurrent validation testing and diagnostic capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of redundant, concurrently operating power supplies through power ORing circuitry that balances and adjusts power outputs to ensure continuous operation, with online validation testing and diagnostic capabilities to monitor and maintain system health.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundant power supplies are implemented to improve availability, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power distribution system is segmented into multiple independent power converters (first power converter, second power converter) that can operate autonomously. Each converter has its own control system and monitoring capabilities, allowing them to function as independent units that collectively provide redundant power supply to the load components through separate backplanes.
Solution Approach 2:
A control system acts as an intermediary between the power converters and the load components. This intermediary monitors power output from both converters, compares their differences, and sends control signals to balance the power distribution. The control system mediates the interaction between redundant power sources, enabling coordinated operation without direct complex interconnections between the converters themselves.
2Reliability
If power balancing control is implemented to ensure equal power distribution, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the power output difference between the first and second power converters. When an imbalance is detected (difference greater than or equal to a threshold), the control system sends control signals back to the power converters to adjust their output. This closed-loop feedback mechanism automatically maintains balanced power distribution without requiring complex manual intervention or sophisticated control algorithms.
3Reliability
If concurrent validation testing is performed to detect faults early, then system reliability is improved, but loss of time occurs during testing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary validation testing by continuously monitoring power output parameters during normal operation. The control system compares power differences between redundant converters in real-time, enabling early detection of potential faults before they cause system failure. This preliminary monitoring action allows fault detection without requiring separate dedicated testing periods, thus avoiding operational downtime.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this present disclosure may include a system with a first power converter and a control system. The first power converter may supply a first output power to a first backplane at least sometimes concurrent to a second power converter supplying a second output power to a second backplane. The control system may be electrically coupled to the first backplane and the second backplane. The control system may balance a first electrical property and a second electrical property provided to each of one or more load components electrically coupled to the first backplane and the second backplane.