Redundant module with symmetrical current paths

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9413170-B2
Application number	US-201113521428-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 13, 2011
Priority date	Jan 13, 2010
Publication date	Aug 9, 2016
Grant date	Aug 9, 2016

Abstract

The invention relates to a redundant module for decoupling short-circuit currents in a redundant voltage supply. The redundant module comprises at least two power supply units, and the number of inputs corresponds at least to the number of power supply units. Each input is routed via a separate current path to a common current node of an output for providing an output current. Each current path forms a decoupling section, and at least one measuring element for measuring the input voltage, the input current, and/or the input power as well as a control element for regulation purposes are assigned to each decoupling section.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A redundant module for decoupling short-circuit currents in a redundant voltage supply, comprising:
at least two power supply units;
a number of inputs which corresponds at least to a number of power supply units; and
a control device, wherein each input is routed via a separate current path to a common current node of an output for providing an output current, wherein
each current path forms a decoupling section, each decoupling section having associated therewith at least one measuring element for measuring input voltage, path current flowing through the current path, and/or input power, and a control element comprising a variable resistor, and the control device is connected with the variable resistor of each current path to control a balance of path currents by i) adjusting a variable resistor of a first current path with a lowest positive input voltage to a minimum resistance value, and ii) setting a variable resistor of a second current path as the active control element, the current of the first current path defining the target value for controlling the current of the second current path.

2. The redundant module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the control device is adapted for current, voltage, and/or power control and is connected to the measuring elements and the control elements.

3. The redundant module as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the control device is adapted to symmetrically distribute the output current to the current paths, or to distribute the output current into path currents with defined ratios.

4. The redundant module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the control element comprises a MOSFET and the measuring element comprises a measuring resistor, said MOSFET and measuring resistor being connected in series in the current path of the decoupling section.

5. The redundant module as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the MOSFET of each decoupling section has a diode connected in parallel thereto.

6. The redundant module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the measuring element of each decoupling section has a sense amplifier associated therewith.

7. The redundant module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each decoupling section comprises a decoupling diode connected in series with the respective control element and the measuring element.

8. The redundant module as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the decoupling sections comprise measuring elements connected to the control device, for monitoring temperature.

9. The redundant module as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the control device is adapted to detect a failure or a short-circuit in the power supply units at the input of the decoupling sections and to switch off an affected current path.

10. The redundant module as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the control device comprises a number of digital and/or analog interfaces adapted for diagnosis, programming, and parameterization, and for communication with other control and regulation devices of a system, a machine, or a device.

11. The redundant module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein at least a second redundant module is connected in parallel to the output, said parallel-connected redundant modules being adapted to communicate with each other and to provide a common control for a symmetrical or predefined current distribution to all decoupling sections.

12. A method for providing a redundant voltage supply having at least two power supply units and a redundant module according to claim 1 , comprising the steps of:
(a) determining the input voltages applied at the decoupling sections;
(b) disabling the control elements in decoupling sections at which no voltage is applied;
(c) adjusting the control element in the decoupling section at which a lowest positive input voltage is provided to a minimum resistance value;
(d) determining current, voltage, and/or power measurement data in all decoupling sections; and
(e) controlling the control elements of at least one further decoupling section, wherein the measured value of the decoupling section at which the lowest input voltage is applied is determined as a target value for a respective controlling.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12 , including controlling the control element as a function of the current flowing through the decoupling section.

14. The method as claimed in claim 12 , including controlling the control element as a function of its output voltage.

15. The method as claimed in claim 12 , including continuously monitoring the input voltages at the inputs of the redundant module, and switching off the current through the associated decoupling section in case of failure or short-circuit of a power supply unit.

Assignees

• Henkel Hartmut
• Heinemann Michael
• Neuendorf Andreas
• Phoenix Contact Gmbh & Co

Inventors

• Henkel Hartmut
• Heinemann Michael
• Neuendorf Andreas

Classifications

• H02J3/0073

  by providing alternative feeding paths when the main path fails · CPC title

• H02J1/102

  being switching converters (H02J1/108, H02J1/12 take precedence) · CPC title

• H02J1/108 Primary

  having arrangements for blocking reverse current flow, e.g. using diodes (H02J1/12 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A47L11/282

  having rotary tools · CPC title

• H02H7/1227

  responsive to abnormalities in the output circuit, e.g. short circuit · CPC title