Switching Power Supply Parallel Operation Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in the inefficiencies and complexities in connecting multiple switching power supplies in parallel due to manufacturing precision limitations, environmental interference, and the inability to combine renewable energy sources with different reference voltages, leading to uneven power distribution and reduced efficiency in data centers.
Innovation Solution
A switching power supply apparatus that adjusts usage rates without signal lines and current share buses, utilizing a power stage circuit, current sensor, current monitor, voltage divider circuit, and feedback circuit to control power conversion based on sensed values, allowing for balanced energy sharing among multiple power supplies with different reference voltages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple switching power supplies with different reference voltages are connected in parallel, then power distribution can be achieved, but uneven power sharing occurs due to manufacturing precision limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where each power supply monitors the combined output voltage through a voltage divider circuit and compares it with its reference voltage. This feedback loop allows each power supply to automatically adjust its output based on the actual combined voltage, ensuring that power supplies with different reference voltages can share the load evenly without requiring precise manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the combined output voltage itself serves as the mediation element. Instead of directly comparing reference voltages between power supplies, each power supply uses the combined output voltage as an intermediary to indirectly coordinate its output, enabling seamless parallel operation despite manufacturing variations.
2Ease of operation
If signal lines and current share bus are used to adjust usage rates, then power sharing can be controlled, but circuit complexity increases and system stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for external signal lines and current share bus by integrating the control function directly into the feedback circuit. Each power supply independently controls its usage rate based on local feedback from the combined output voltage, removing the complex interconnection infrastructure while maintaining control capability.
3Productivity
If upper switching power supplies operate at higher temperature, then stacking in rack is achieved, but machine life shortens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic load sharing where each power supply's usage rate can be dynamically adjusted based on its operating conditions including temperature. This allows the system to shift load away from overheating upper power supplies to cooler lower ones, extending overall system life while maintaining the stacking configuration.
4Loss of energy
If renewable energy sources are combined with public power plants, then energy efficiency improves, but different reference voltages prevent parallel operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal parallel operation mechanism that works regardless of the power source type or reference voltage value. By using the combined output voltage as the feedback reference instead of individual power supply reference voltages, the system achieves multi-functionality that accommodates different power sources (renewable or public) with different reference voltages in parallel operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A switching power supply and a power supply apparatus that incorporates the switching power supply are provided. Advantages of the switching power supply include the following: 1. Two or more switching power supplies can be used in parallel when they have the same kind of input power and the same rated output power. 2. Two or more switching power supplies can be used in parallel when they have the same rated output power but different kinds of input power. 3. Two or more switching power supplies can be used in parallel when they have the same kind of input power but different rated output powers. 4. Two or more switching power supplies can be used in parallel when they have different kinds of input power and different rated output power. 5. When the above-described switching power supplies are connected in parallel, the respective load proportion of each of them can be adjusted at will.