Voltage regulator for a power distribution system and method of controlling same

A voltage regulator having a first side and a second side and being structured to operate in a forward mode wherein power flows from the first side to the second side and a reverse mode wherein power flows from the second side to the first side, comprising:

• a first terminal provided on the first side of the voltage regulator;
• a second terminal provided on the second side of the voltage regulator;
• a common terminal;
• a current sensor;
• a first winding provided on the first side of the voltage regulator coupled to the first terminal and the common terminal;
• a second winding provided on the second side of the voltage regulator coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal;
• a regulating element structured to vary a winding ratio between the first winding and the second winding;
• and
• a control unit having a processor and a memory, the control unit being structured to:
• measure a first current flowing through the voltage regulator using the current sensor;
• cause the voltage regulator to operate in the forward mode if the first current is greater than a reverse current threshold;
• if the first current is not greater than the reverse current threshold, verify whether or not reverse power is flowing through the voltage regulator by causing the regulating element to vary the winding ratio and monitoring at least one of a first voltage at the first terminal and a second voltage at the second terminal;
• cause the voltage regulator to operate in the forward mode if it is verified that reverse power is not flowing through the voltage regulator;
• and
• cause the voltage regulator to operate in the reverse mode if it is verified that reverse power is flowing through the voltage regulator.

A voltage regulator having a nominal input and a nominal output structured to operate in a forward power mode wherein power flows from the input to the output and a reverse power mode wherein power flows from the output to the input, comprising:

• means for sensing current flowing through the voltage regulator;
• means for altering a voltage between the input and the output;
• means for determining the voltage at the input and output;
• and
• a control unit structured to:
• determine a direction of power flow through the voltage regulator using at least the current sensing means;
• determine a verified direction of power flow through the voltage regulator by adjusting the voltage altering means and analyzing an effect caused thereby one or more voltages measured by the voltage determining means;
• select a voltage regulating scheme based on the verified direction of power flow.

A method of controlling a voltage regulator having a nominal input and a nominal output structured to operate in a forward power mode wherein power flows from the input to the output and a reverse power mode wherein power flows from the output to the input, the method comprising:

• sensing current flowing through the voltage regulator;
• determining a direction of power flow through the voltage regulator based on the sensed current;
• determining a verified direction of power flow through the voltage regulator by altering a voltage between the input and the output and analyzing an effect caused thereby on at least one of a voltage at the input and a voltage at the output;
• and
• selecting a voltage regulating scheme for controlling the voltage regulator based on the verified direction of power flow.