Shutdown Control System for Distributed Power Generation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In distributed power generation systems, existing electrical shock protection solutions fail to reliably prevent shutdown circuits from being turned off due to communication link faults, leading to frequent shutdowns and reduced usability.
Innovation Solution
A shutdown control system with a main circuit and control circuit, where a system control unit (SCU) and power source control units (PCUs) transmit and receive communication signals to determine the operation mode of shutdown circuits, ensuring they operate in a security mode when communication links are broken, thereby preventing incorrect mode operation and maintaining system usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single communication link is used between the host device and shutdown circuits, then the system structure is simple, but the reliability is poor because communication signals may be absorbed or blocked causing shutdown circuits to fail to receive instructions
Solution Approach 1:
Each shutdown circuit is equipped with dual communication capabilities: one for receiving instructions from the host device and another for communicating with adjacent shutdown circuits. This local quality enhancement ensures that even if one communication path fails, the shutdown circuit can still receive mode control instructions through alternative paths, thereby improving communication reliability without requiring a completely redundant system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
Adjacent shutdown circuits serve as intermediaries in the communication network. When a shutdown circuit cannot receive instructions directly from the host device, it can obtain mode control instructions from neighboring shutdown circuits that have successfully received them. This intermediary mechanism distributes the communication burden and provides multiple pathways for information transmission, enhancing reliability while maintaining system simplicity.
2Reliability
If the shutdown circuit turns off immediately when communication link is broken, then the electrical shock protection is ensured, but the usability deteriorates due to frequent shutdowns caused by temporary or random abnormal conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The shutdown circuit is pre-configured with multiple operation modes (first operation mode and second operation mode) that can be switched based on communication status. Instead of immediately shutting down when communication is lost, the system preliminarily prepares alternative operation modes that maintain electrical shock protection while allowing continued operation. This preliminary preparation enables graceful degradation rather than abrupt shutdown, improving usability while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The operation mode of each shutdown circuit is made dynamic and adaptable based on real-time communication conditions. When communication links are temporarily abnormal, the system dynamically switches to an alternative operation mode that maintains protection functionality. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to respond flexibly to transient issues without unnecessary shutdowns, thereby improving usability while preserving electrical shock protection reliability.
3Reliability
If multiple communication paths are implemented between shutdown circuits, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional communication signals and coordination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is segmented into hierarchical levels: host device to shutdown circuits, and shutdown circuits to adjacent shutdown circuits. This segmentation allows each segment to operate semi-independently, reducing the complexity of coordinating all components simultaneously. The segmented architecture enables localized communication failures to be contained and resolved without affecting the entire system, improving reliability while managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication signals are designed with multi-functionality to reduce overall system complexity. The same communication infrastructure serves multiple purposes: transmitting mode control instructions from the host, enabling peer-to-peer communication between shutdown circuits, and providing redundancy paths. This universal communication protocol eliminates the need for separate dedicated channels for each function, achieving high reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A shutdown control system and a shutdown control method are provided. A main circuit is a series circuit formed by connecting multiple shutdown circuits in series or a series-parallel circuit formed by connecting multiple such series circuits in parallel. Each shutdown circuit is connected to at least one direct current power supply. A control circuit includes a SCU and multiple PCUs corresponding to the multiple shutdown circuits. The SCU and the PCUs are configured to transmit respective mode control instructions when respective condition is satisfied. Each PCU is configured to obtain multiple criteria based on the mode control instructions from the SCU and other PCUs, determine a target operation mode of the shutdown circuit corresponding to the PCU based on the multiple criteria, and control the shutdown circuit corresponding to the PCU to operate in the target operation mode.