Fault-tolerant power distribution systems for a modular power plant
First Claim
1. A fault-tolerant power distribution system for locally distributing electrical power generated in a power plant to a power distribution module of the power plant, the power plant having a generator that converts thermal energy into a power signal, the system comprising:
- a first feed to the power distribution module;
a first transmission path between the first feed and the generator;
a second feed to the power distribution module;
a second transmission path between the second feed and the generator;
the first transmission path having a first switch for selectively coupling and decoupling the first transmission path to the generator, wherein when the first transmission path is coupled to the generator the first transmission path transmits a first portion of the power signal to the first feed, wherein the first feed provides the first portion of the power signal to the distribution module for use locally by the power plant;
the second transmission path having a second switch for selectively coupling and decoupling the second transmission path to the generator, wherein when the second transmission path is coupled to the generator the second transmission path transmits the first portion of the power signal to the second feed, wherein the second feed provides the first portion of the power signal to the distribution module for use locally by the power plant.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Fault-tolerant power distribution systems for modular power plants are discussed. The systems enable the transmission of a portion of the power generated by a modular power plant to remote consumers. The systems also enable the local distribution of another portion of the generated power within the power plant. The various fault-tolerant systems enable the plant to continuously, and without degradation or disruption, transmit power to remote consumers and distribute power within in the power plant in the event of one or more faults within the distribution system. The various embodiments include redundant power-transmission paths, power-distribution module feeds, switchgear, and other hardware components. Such redundant transmission paths and hardware enable the systems to continuously, and without degradation or disruption, transmit power to remote consumers and locally distribute power to the power plant when one or more faults occur within one or more of the redundant power-transmission paths and/or hardware components.
20 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A fault-tolerant power distribution system for locally distributing electrical power generated in a power plant to a power distribution module of the power plant, the power plant having a generator that converts thermal energy into a power signal, the system comprising:
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a first feed to the power distribution module; a first transmission path between the first feed and the generator; a second feed to the power distribution module; a second transmission path between the second feed and the generator; the first transmission path having a first switch for selectively coupling and decoupling the first transmission path to the generator, wherein when the first transmission path is coupled to the generator the first transmission path transmits a first portion of the power signal to the first feed, wherein the first feed provides the first portion of the power signal to the distribution module for use locally by the power plant; the second transmission path having a second switch for selectively coupling and decoupling the second transmission path to the generator, wherein when the second transmission path is coupled to the generator the second transmission path transmits the first portion of the power signal to the second feed, wherein the second feed provides the first portion of the power signal to the distribution module for use locally by the power plant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A fault-tolerant power distribution system for locally distributing electrical power generated in a power plant having a first generator and a second generator, the system comprising:
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a power distribution module configured for local power use within the power plant; a first plurality of transmission paths between the first generator and the power distribution module to selectively transmit a first portion of a first power signal from the first generator to the power distribution module, the first plurality of transmission paths including a first switchgear module and a second switchgear module arranged between the first generator and the power distribution module; a second plurality of transmission paths between the second generator and the power distribution module to selectively transmit a first portion of a second power signal from the second generator to the power distribution module; a first switch that when in a first state, couples the first generator to the first switchgear module and when in a second state, decouples the first generator from the first switchgear module; a second switch that when in a first state, couples the first generator to the second switchgear module and when in a second state, decouples the first generator from the second switchgear module; a third switch that when in a first state, couples the second generator to the second switchgear module and when in a second state, decouples the second generator from the second switchgear module; a fourth switch that when in a first state, couples the second generator to the first switchgear module and when in a second state, decouples the second generator from the first switchgear module; a first feed for the power distribution module, wherein the first feed is selectively coupled to the first switchgear module, wherein when coupled to the first switchgear module and the first switchgear module transmits the first power signal, the first feed provides the first power signal to the power distribution module and the power distribution module distributes a portion of the first power signal to the power plant; and a second feed for the power distribution module, wherein the second feed is selectively coupled to the second switchgear module, wherein when coupled to the second switchgear module and the second switchgear module transmits the first power signal, the second feed provides the first power signal to the power distribution module and the distribution module distributes the portion of the first power signal to the power plant. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A fault-tolerant power distribution system for locally distributing electrical power generated in a power plant that includes a plurality of generators that each generate one of a plurality of power signals, the system comprising:
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a plurality of distribution modules for local power distribution within the power plant; a plurality of front-end modules, each one of the plurality of front end modules receiving an input from the plurality of generators and having a front-end module output; and a backend bus that is coupled to the outputs of each of the plurality of front-end modules and to an input of the plurality of distribution modules; wherein the front-end modules and the backend bus are configured to enable selective transmission between any selected one of the plurality of generators and any selected one of the plurality of distribution modules, and wherein the plurality of generators comprises at least a first generator that generates a first power signal, a second generator that generates a second power signal, and a third generator that generates a third power signal, and wherein the plurality of front-end modules further comprises; a first front-end module that selectively transmits at least a portion of each of the first, the second, and the third power signals from an input of the first front-end module to an output of the first front-end module; a second front-end module that selectively transmits the portion of the second power signal from an input of the second front-end module to an output of the second front-end module; and a third front-end module that selectively transmits the portion of each of the first and the third power signals from an input of the third front-end module to an output of the third front-end module. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification