Redundant module with symmetrical current paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing redundancy modules for redundant power supplies suffer from unequal loading of parallel power supply units, leading to reduced service life and lack of monitoring capabilities for decoupling diodes, which can result in inefficiencies and potential failures.
Innovation Solution
A redundancy module with a control and regulation device that manages current paths with controllable semiconductor components and measuring elements to detect short circuits and regulate current balance, allowing for active decoupling and monitoring, potentially eliminating the need for decoupling diodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If decoupling diodes are used to decouple short-circuit currents in redundant power supplies, then the power supply units are protected from short-circuit currents, but the parallel-operated redundant power supply units are subjected to unequal loads which shortens the service life of individual power supply units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical parameters (resistance values) of the decoupling sections dynamically through control and regulation device to achieve current balance. By adjusting the resistance values of the actuators in response to measured path currents, the system equalizes the load distribution among parallel power supply units, preventing unequal loading while maintaining short-circuit protection functionality.
2Reliability
If decoupling diodes are used in redundancy modules, then short-circuit currents are decoupled, but the functionality of the decoupling diodes and the presence of the redundancy cannot be monitored
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by introducing measuring elements that continuously monitor path currents and voltages in each decoupling section. The measured values are fed back to the control and regulation device, enabling real-time detection of short-circuit conditions, functional status of decoupling sections, and redundancy availability. This feedback mechanism provides comprehensive monitoring capability while maintaining the short-circuit protection function.
3Loss of energy
If Schottky diodes are used to minimize power loss in decoupling diodes, then power loss is reduced, but the service life imbalance and lack of monitoring remain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fixed-parameter Schottky diodes with controllable semiconductor components (actuators) whose resistance values can be dynamically adjusted. This allows the system to optimize both power loss and current distribution by changing the electrical parameters of the decoupling sections in response to operating conditions, achieving current balance while maintaining low power loss.
4Loss of energy
If Schottky diodes are used with low forward voltage, then power loss is minimized, but unequal loading and lack of monitoring capabilities persist
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds feedback through measuring elements that monitor the electrical parameters (current, voltage) of each decoupling section. This enables detection of short-circuit conditions, functional status of redundancy, and load distribution, providing comprehensive monitoring capability while using controllable semiconductor components to maintain low power loss through optimized parameter control.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a redundant module for decoupling from short circuit currents in a redundant voltage supply. The redundant module comprises at least two power supply units, and the number of inputs corresponds at least to the number of power supply units. Each input is routed via a separate current path to a common current node of an output for providing an output current. Each current path forms a decoupling section, and each decoupling section is assigned to at least one measuring element for measuring the input voltage, the input current, and/or the input power and to a control element for regulating.