Series Coupled Power Supply Constant Current Limiting Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing series coupled power supplies face challenges in maintaining a steady output current while preventing overcurrent conditions, as conventional protection schemes either terminate output or lead to inefficient voltage regulation.
Innovation Solution
A power supply system with a control circuit that switches between constant current and constant voltage modes based on defined thresholds for each power supply, ensuring output current is regulated at a target value and voltage is maintained within safe limits, allowing for series coupling without damaging overcurrent conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional latching OCP scheme is used, then overcurrent protection is achieved, but output current and voltage terminate to zero causing power loss
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply dynamically switches between constant voltage mode and constant current mode based on real-time monitoring of output current and voltage levels. This dynamic operation allows the system to maintain protection while avoiding complete power termination, thereby reducing energy loss compared to static latching schemes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operating parameters by transitioning between different operational modes (CV and CC) based on defined thresholds. When output voltage reaches the defined voltage threshold, the system switches from CV mode to CC mode, maintaining current at the defined current threshold until voltage drops below the threshold, at which point it returns to CV mode. This parameter-based mode switching enables continuous operation with reduced energy loss.
2Reliability
If foldback current limiting scheme is used, then overcurrent protection is achieved, but output current and voltage decrease linearly causing inefficient voltage regulation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts between constant voltage and constant current operation based on real-time conditions, maintaining efficient voltage regulation while providing overcurrent protection. Unlike the static foldback scheme that forces linear decrease, this dynamic approach maintains optimal regulation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between CV and CC modes based on defined thresholds. When voltage reaches the defined voltage threshold, it transitions to CC mode maintaining current at the defined current threshold. This parameter-based switching avoids the inefficient linear decrease of foldback schemes while maintaining protection.
3Reliability
If constant current mode is maintained at high output voltage, then current regulation is achieved, but system complexity increases due to mode switching requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses clearly defined parameter thresholds (defined current threshold and defined voltage threshold) to determine mode transitions. When output current reaches the defined current threshold, the system switches to CC mode. When output voltage reaches the defined voltage threshold in CC mode, it switches back to CV mode. These explicit parameter-based rules simplify control logic despite the mode switching.
Data Source
AI summary
A control circuit for controlling multiple power supplies having their outputs coupled in series is configured to in response to an output current reaching a defined current threshold of a power supply of the power supplies, control the power supply to operate in its constant current mode so that the output current is regulated at the defined current threshold as the remaining power supplies operate in their constant voltage mode, and in response to the output voltage of the power supply reaching a defined voltage threshold, control the power supply to operate in its constant voltage mode so that the power supply provides a first regulated output voltage to its output as the remaining power supplies provide a second regulated output voltage different than the first regulated output voltage to their output. Various other systems, power supplies, control circuit and methods are also disclosed.