Supervisory Controller for Paralleled DC Power Sources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Parallel DC power supplies in aircraft systems do not automatically share loads equally, leading to overloading and potential failure of one power supply due to slight voltage differences caused by component tolerances and other factors.
Innovation Solution
A supervisory controller is introduced to coordinate power sharing among paralleled DC power sources by adjusting the generator controllers' commands or gain, allowing for active or passive power regulation to achieve desired load sharing, ensuring balanced power distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If multiple DC power supplies are connected in parallel to provide electrical power to aircraft loads, then the power capacity and reliability are improved, but the power supplies do not automatically share loads equally due to voltage differences, causing one power supply to be overloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a supervisory controller that continuously monitors the output voltage and current of each DC power supply, and automatically adjusts the voltage setpoint of individual power supplies based on their load current. This feedback mechanism ensures equal power sharing by dynamically compensating for voltage differences between paralleled power supplies, preventing any single supply from being overloaded while maintaining high power capacity and reliability.
2Reliability
If the voltage setpoint of each DC power supply is adjusted dynamically based on load current, then equal power sharing is achieved, but the control system complexity increases due to the need for supervisory controller and current sensing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a supervisory controller as an intermediary device that coordinates between multiple DC power supplies. This controller receives current signals from sensing devices, calculates the required voltage adjustments, and commands the appropriate power supply to adjust its output. By centralizing the coordination function, the system achieves precise power sharing without requiring complex modifications to each individual power supply unit.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems for power sharing coordination of parallel sources are provided. Aspects include a first DC power supply, a second DC power supply, a first generator controller configured to operate the first DC power source, a first current sensing device coupled between the first DC power supply and the common bus point, a second current sensing device coupled between the common bus point and a load, wherein the first generator controller is configured to receive a first current signal from the first current sensing device, receive a second current signal from the second current sensing device, determine a load share percentage for the first DC power supply, determine a first voltage adjustment based on the first current signal, the second current signal, and the load share percentage, and operate the first DC power supply to adjust a first voltage output by the first voltage adjustment.