Portable Temporary DC Power System for Switchgear Commissioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The commissioning of switchgear in buildings is delayed due to the lack of 130 VDC power needed to energize controls, as it is typically not available during the construction phase, requiring temporary AC-to-DC converters and significant resources for multiple units, complicating the process and making it a critical path item.
Innovation Solution
A portable temporary DC power system that converts 480 VAC to 130 VDC, allowing multiple switchgear to be commissioned concurrently, with a modular design including an AC-to-DC converter, breaker panel, and receptacles, facilitating portability and easy installation, enabling early commissioning off the critical path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If 480 VAC power is available on construction site but 130 VDC power is not available, then switchgear commissioning is delayed and becomes a critical path item, but providing temporary AC-to-DC converters for multiple switchgear requires significant resources and complicates the process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple AC-to-DC converter units into a single integrated temporary power system with a common DC bus. This allows multiple switchgear units to be commissioned simultaneously using one consolidated system rather than requiring separate converters for each switchgear, thereby reducing overall system complexity while enabling parallel commissioning operations
Solution Approach 2:
The temporary power system is designed as a universal platform that can serve multiple switchgear units concurrently. The system includes multiple receptacles and circuit breakers that can connect to different switchgear locations, allowing a single power system to perform the function of multiple individual converters and enabling flexible deployment across various construction sites
2Productivity
If multiple converter units are used to commission multiple switchgear in parallel, then commissioning efficiency is improved, but resource requirements and system complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple separate AC-to-DC converter units into a single integrated system with a common DC bus and multiple output circuits. This consolidation maintains the ability to commission multiple switchgear units in parallel while reducing the total number of discrete converter units from potentially twenty to just one, thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing resource requirements
3Quantity of substance
If fewer converter units are used with serial commissioning, then resource requirements are reduced, but commissioning time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple AC-to-DC converter units into a single integrated temporary power system with a common DC bus. This allows multiple switchgear units to be commissioned simultaneously using one consolidated system rather than requiring separate converters for each switchgear, thereby reducing overall system complexity while enabling parallel commissioning operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides dynamic flexibility by allowing the user to configure commissioning operations either in parallel or serial mode depending on the number of switchgear units and available receptacles. This dynamic adaptability enables the system to optimize between using fewer units with serial commissioning or more units with parallel commissioning based on specific project requirements
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables simultaneous commissioning of multiple switchgear units by a single installer, reducing resource requirements and eliminating the need for multiple converters, thus streamlining the process and saving time and costs, while allowing for easy relocation of the power system.
Implementation Method 1
an AC-to-DC power converter in electrical communication with the input structure; the AC-to-DC power converter is configured to supply DC power to the breaker panel
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply system includes an input structure configured to receive AC power; an AC-to-DC power converter in electrical communication with the input structure; a breaker panel including a plurality of breakers, wherein the AC-to-DC power converter is configured to supply DC power to the breaker panel; a plurality of receptacles, wherein each receptacle is in electrical communication with a breaker such that a breaker controls power to an associated receptacle; and a transport structure configured to facilitate portability of the power supply system.