Multiphase power supply with plural series connected cells and failed cell bypass
AssigneeRobicon Corporation
InventorsPeter W. Hammond, Marc F. Aiello
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A high output level is maintained in power supplies having multiple cells in each leg. Failed cells in any leg are bypassed to provide a current path through the respective leg. All of the unfailed cells are utilized while maintaining equal magnitude between phases and a balance phase relationship in the line-to-line output voltage. The invention may be utilized in conjunction with a peak voltage reduction circuit, and a by-pass switch.
Claims47
A method of operating a multiphase power supply having a plurality of converter cells connected in series in each of a plurality of legs each of said legs connected between a node and a respective line and such supply having line-to-line voltage outputs between pairs of said legs comprising:
- (a) detecting a failed cell in any of said legs;
- (b) forming a current path in any of said legs having at least one failed cell by providing a bypass around each of said failed cell;
- and
- (c) controlling the cells in the legs of said power supply to maximize said line-to-line voltage outputs, and to keep all line-to-line voltage outputs generally equal in magnitude.
A method of operating a multiphase power supply having a plurality of converter cells connected in series in each of a plurality of legs each of said legs connected between a node and a respective line and such supply having line-to-line voltage outputs between pairs of said legs comprising:
- (a) detecting a failed cell in any of said legs;
- (b) forming a current path in any of said legs having at least one failed cell by providing a transfer of at least one of the input and output of each of said failed cells;
- and
- (c) controlling the cells in the legs of said power supply to maximize said line-to-line voltage outputs, and to keep all line-to-line voltage outputs generally equal in magnitude.
A multiphase power supply having a line-to-line voltage output comprising:
- (a) a plurality of converter cells in series arrangement in each of a plurality of legs each of legs connected between a node and a respective line;
- (b) a controller to control the output voltage of each of said cells thereby supplying said line-to-line voltage output between pairs of said legs;
- (c) said controller detecting a failed cell in any of said legs and in response thereto removing said failed cell from said series arrangement;
- (d) said controller controlling said cell outputs to maximize said line-to-line voltage output and to keep all line-to-line voltage outputs generally equal in magnitude.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.