Patent Application
20250007322
The present disclosure relates generally to power systems and bypass lines for power systems. More particularly, aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for providing direct current and alternating current from a power supply to a load.
The use of power systems, such as uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), to provide regulated, uninterrupted power for sensitive and/or critical loads, such as computer systems and other data processing systems, is known. Known uninterruptible power supplies include on-line UPSs, off-line UPSs, line interactive UPSs, as well as others. On-line UPSs provide conditioned AC power as well as back-up AC power upon interruption of a primary source of AC power. Off-line UPSs typically do not provide conditioning of input AC power but do provide back-up AC power upon interruption of the primary AC power source. Line interactive UPSs are similar to off-line UPSs in that they switch to battery power when a blackout occurs but also typically include a multi-tap transformer for regulating the output voltage provided by the UPS. Known UPSs generate thermal losses and have slow response times.
At least one aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a power system. The power system includes an input configured to receive input AC power; an output configured to provide output power to a load; an AC/DC converter coupled to the input and configured to convert the input AC power into DC power; a bypass line coupled between the input and the output and configured to provide the input AC power to the output as AC output power, the bypass line comprising a hybrid circuit breaker, the hybrid circuit breaker including: an electromechanical switch configured to open at a first switching rate, a solid-state switch rated to open at a second switching rate that is slower than the first switching rate, and a voltage suppression device; and a controller coupled to the hybrid circuit breaker.
In some embodiments, the solid-state switch comprises at least one transistor. In certain embodiments, the at least one transistor incudes an insulated-gate bipolar transistor. In certain embodiments, the voltage suppression device includes at least one varistor.
In some embodiments, the voltage suppression device includes at least one varistor.
In some embodiments, the controller is configured to: monitor the input AC power; and responsive to a determination that the input AC power is unacceptable, operate the electromechanical switch to open and operate the solid-state switch to close. In certain embodiments, the controller is further configured to: operate the solid-state switch to open after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since opening the electromechanical switch. In certain embodiments, the predetermined period of time is a time sufficient to avoid arcing in the hybrid circuit breaker. In certain embodiments, upon the electromechanical switch and solid-state switch opening, the voltage suppression device is configured to absorb current in the bypass line. In certain embodiments, the electromechanical switch is further configured to utilize the Thomson effect to achieve the first switching rate.
In some embodiments, the electromechanical switch, solid-state switch and voltage suppression device are coupled in parallel.
Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a bypass line for a power system coupled between an input of the power system and an output of the power system, and configured to provide input AC power to an output of the power system. The bypass line includes a hybrid circuit breaker, the hybrid circuit breaker including: an electromechanical switch configured to open at a first switching rate, a solid-state switch rated to open at a second switching rate that is slower than the first switching rate, and a voltage suppression device.
In some embodiments, the solid-state switch comprises at least one transistor. In certain embodiments, the at least one transistor incudes an insulated-gate bipolar transistor. In certain embodiments, the voltage suppression device includes at least one varistor.
In some embodiments, the voltage suppression device includes at least one varistor.
In some embodiments, the bypass line further includes a controller configured to: monitor the input AC power; and responsive to a determination that the input AC power is unacceptable, operate the electromechanical switch to open and operate the solid-state switch to close. In certain embodiments, the controller is further configured to: operate the solid-state switch to open after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since opening the electromechanical switch. In certain embodiments, the predetermined period of time is a time sufficient to avoid arcing in the hybrid circuit breaker. In certain embodiments, upon the electromechanical switch and solid-state switch opening, the voltage suppression device is configured to absorb current in the bypass line. In certain embodiments, the electromechanical switch is further configured to utilize the Thomson effect to achieve the first switching rate.
In some embodiments, the electromechanical switch, solid-state switch and voltage suppression device are coupled in parallel.
Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method of operating a power system, the power system comprising an input configured to receive input AC power; an output configured to provide output power to a load; an AC/DC converter coupled to the input and configured to convert the input AC power into DC power; a bypass line coupled between the input and the output and configured to provide the input AC power to the output as AC output power, the bypass line comprising a hybrid circuit breaker, the hybrid circuit breaker including: an electromechanical switch configured to open at a first rate, a solid-state switch rated to open at a second rate that is slower than the first rate, and a voltage suppression device; and a controller coupled to the hybrid circuit breaker. The method includes monitoring the input AC power; and responsive to a determination that the input AC power is unacceptable, operating the electromechanical switch to open and operating the solid-state switch to close.
In some embodiments, the method further includes operating the solid-state switch to open after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since opening the electromechanical switch. In certain embodiments, the predetermined period of time is a time sufficient to avoid arcing in the hybrid circuit breaker. In certain embodiments, the method further includes absorbing current in the hybrid circuit breaker with the voltage suppression device after the solid-state switch is opened. In certain embodiments, the method further includes utilizing the Thomson effect in the electromechanical switch to achieve the first switching rate.
In some embodiments, the electromechanical switch, solid-state switch and voltage suppression device are coupled in parallel.
Various aspects of at least one embodiment are discussed below with reference to the accompanying figures, which are not intended to be drawn to scale. The figures are included to provide illustration and a further understanding of the various aspects and embodiments, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, but are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the figures, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every figure. In the figures:
Examples of the methods and systems discussed herein are not limited in application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The methods and systems are capable of implementation in other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Examples of specific implementations are provided herein for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. In particular, acts, components, elements and features discussed in connection with any one or more examples are not intended to be excluded from a similar role in any other examples.
Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Any references to examples, embodiments, components, elements or acts of the systems and methods herein referred to in the singular may also embrace embodiments including a plurality, and any references in plural to any embodiment, component, element or act herein may also embrace embodiments including only a singularity. References in the singular or plural form are not intended to limit the presently disclosed systems or methods, their components, acts, or elements. The use herein of “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. References to “or” may be construed as inclusive so that any terms described using “or” may indicate any of a single, more than one, and all of the described terms. In addition, in the event of inconsistent usages of terms between this document and documents incorporated herein by reference, the term usage in the incorporated references is supplementary to that of this document; for irreconcilable inconsistencies, the term usage in this document controls.
Hybrid circuit breakers of the present disclosure can provide bypass backfeed isolation with power losses lower than with a static-bypass switch. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a bypass line 10 including a hybrid circuit breaker is incorporated in a power system. For example, the bypass line 10 of
As further shown in
In some embodiments, the power system 12 is another type of uninterruptible power supply.
In some embodiments, the power system 12 is part of a datacenter. In some embodiments, the power system 12 includes a datacenter.
As shown in
Referring to the embodiment of
The electromechanical switch 32 and the solid-state switch 34 may be configured to open at different switching rates. In some embodiments, the electromechanical switch 32 is rated to open at a first switching rate, and the solid-state switch 34 is rated to open at a second switching rate that is slower than the first switching rate.
In some embodiments, the electromechanical switch is further configured to utilize the Thomson effect to achieve the first switching rate.
The electromechanical switch 32 has relatively low power losses. In addition, the electromechanical switch may include an electromagnetic repulsion-based actuation mechanism. In some embodiments, the electromagnetic repulsion-based actuation mechanism may be a moving coil actuator (voice coil), moving magnet actuator, or a Thomson coil actuator. In some embodiments, when the electromechanical switch 32 opens, it uses the Thomson effect for very fast switching. For example, electromagnetic switches utilizing a Thomson coil actuator may open in less than a millisecond.
After the electromechanical switch 32 opens, a current path is maintained from the input 14 to the output 16, through the solid-state switch 34. When sufficient time has passed such that an air gap in the electromechanical switch 32 is sufficient to avoid an arc or a spark, the solid-state switch 32 opens and residual current is absorbed by the voltage suppression device 36.
In the embodiment of
In the embodiment of
The bypass line further includes a controller 42 operatively connected to one or more other components of the bypass line. The controller 42 may be located within the hybrid circuit breaker 30, external the hybrid circuit breaker, or anywhere else within or external the power system 12.
In the embodiment of
The controller 42 is configured to determine whether the input AC power is acceptable or unacceptable. Responsive to a determination that the input AC power is unacceptable, the controller 42 is configured to operate the electromechanical switch 32 and/or the solid-state switch 34. For example, responsive to a determination that the input AC power is unacceptable, the controller 42 may cause the electromechanical switch 32 to open and cause the solid-state switch 34 to close.
After a predetermined amount of time, the controller 42 is configured to open the solid-state switch 34. Upon the electromechanical switch and solid-state switch opening, the voltage suppression device is configured to absorb residual current in the bypass line.
In some embodiments, the controller 42 is configured to open the solid-state switch 34 after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since opening the electromechanical switch. In some embodiments, the predetermined time is a time sufficient to avoid arcing in the hybrid circuit breaker 30. In some embodiments, the predetermined time is less than 1 millisecond. In some embodiments, the predetermined time is about 500 microseconds. Because of the relatively fast opening time of the solid-state switch 34, the hybrid breaker of the present disclosure is suitable for use with power systems in which the input power and output power are high.
When the controller 42 determines that the AC power at the input 14 is unacceptable, the converter 18 can convert DC power from the battery 20 to AC power that is provided to the load at the output 16.
Alternatively, when the controller 42 determines that the AC power at the input 14 is acceptable, the hybrid circuit breaker 30 remains closed until the controller 42 determines that the AC power at the input 14 is unacceptable. When the AC power at the input 14 is acceptable, the AC power is provided front the input 14 to the load at the output 16, and the AC/DC converter 18 charges the battery 20 with DC power that is derived from the AC power of the input 14.
Hybrid breakers of the present disclosure allow for increased performance of power systems, such as power systems in datacenters. Hybrid breakers of the present disclosure ensure less downtime of the power system in which the hybrid breaker is used.
Hybrid breakers of the present disclosure have improved efficiency. Hybrid breakers of the present disclosure reduce energy use. Hybrid breakers of the present disclosure reduce carbon emissions because they require less power for operation. Hybrid breakers of the present disclosure have a reduced footprint relative to other breakers. Hybrid breakers of the present disclosure have simpler structure relative to other breakers.
Hybrid breakers of the present disclosure provide bypass backfeed isolation with limited power losses and/or with power losses much lower than in a static-bypass switch. Hybrid breakers of the present disclosure generate reduced thermal losses relative to other breakers.
Hybrid breakers of the present disclosure provide native protection in a power system.
As described above with respect to
In at least one embodiment, the power system 12 includes a control line 44. In one embodiment the control line 44 is a communication layer between the hybrid circuit breaker 30 and the converter 18. In other embodiments, the control line 44 can allow communication between the hybrid circuit breaker 30 and other components of the power system 12. For example, in one embodiment, the control line 44 allows communication between a controller in the hybrid circuit breaker 30 (e.g., controller 42 or another controller) and a controller of the power system 12. The control line 44 can allow the hybrid circuit breaker 30 to inform the components with which it is in communication of current upstream electrical network conditions. In at least one embodiment, such information can allow the power system 12 and/or converter 18 to turn from a current source mode to a voltage source mode and so provide necessary power to the loads 16.
This control line 44 may also be used to provide network information (e.g., voltage, frequency, phase, or other properties) and information regarding the hybrid breaker (e.g., a state of health of the hybrid breaker, a default, warnings, or other information).
Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a method of operating a power system.
In some embodiments, the electromechanical switch, solid-state switch, and voltage suppression device are coupled in parallel.
The method includes monitoring the input AC power at block 110. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of the input AC power and to monitor the input AC power level. The controller is configured to determine whether the input AC power is acceptable or unacceptable.
At block 120, responsive to a determination that the input AC power is unacceptable, the electromechanical switch is operated to open.
At bock 130, the method includes operating the solid-state switch to open after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since opening the electromechanical switch. In some embodiments, the predetermined period of time is a time sufficient to avoid arcing in the hybrid circuit breaker 30.
At block 140, the hybrid circuit breaker 30 absorbs residual current. The voltage suppression device of the hybrid circuit breaker 30 is configured to absorb current in the hybrid circuit breaker 30 after the solid-state switch is opened.
The method may include opening the electromechanical switch and the solid-state switch at different switching rates. In some embodiments, the electromechanical switch is rated to open at a first switching rate, and the solid-state switch is rated to open at a second switching rate that is slower than the first switching rate. In some embodiments, the method utilizes the Thomson effect in the electromechanical switch to achieve the first switching rate.
As discussed above, the hybrid circuit breaker 30 may provide downstream protection against arc flashing (in the case of low incident energy) during normal operation when there is a short circuit in the system. In addition, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, a hybrid circuit breaker 30 of the present disclosure may also be used to mitigate current inrush of loads having a capacitive profile (e.g., a load with an input capacitor) or an inductive profile (e.g. a transformer or a motor).
For example, according to an aspect of the present disclosure, a hybrid circuit breaker 30 of the present disclosure may be used as a soft starter. The hybrid breaker may be used to control current inrush for inductive loads (e.g., an inductive load of a transformer). The soft starting operation can allow a smooth ramp up of the output voltage to limit current inrush at the load and to reduce constraints required of the electrical distribution network.
In
Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of this invention, it is to be appreciated various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.
