High Reliability Power Supply Configuration and Testing

• US 20160054394A1
• Filed: 08/19/2014
• Published: 02/25/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems Corporation (Astronics Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems Corporation (Astronics Corporation)
• Inventors: Jouper, Jeffrey A.
• Granted Patent: US 10,054,646 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/16538 in AC or DC supplies G01R19/16519 and G01R19/16528 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/008 on air- or spacecraft, railway rolling stock or sea-going vessels
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/30 Marginal testing, e.g. by varying supply voltage testing computers during standby operation or idle time G06F11/22
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/40 Testing power supplies testing photovoltaic devices H02S50/10
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 29/021 in voltage or current generators
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 29/702 by replacing auxiliary circuits, e.g. spare voltage generators, decoders or sense amplifiers, to be used instead of defective ones
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 5/147 Voltage reference generators, voltage or current regulators; Internally lowered supply levels; Compensation for voltage drops G11C5/141 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/10 Parallel operation of dc sources
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/44 for aircrafts
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/06 with automatic change-over , e.g. UPS systems

Abstract

Disclosed is a power supply system having a minimum of two power supplies that are together configured to supply at least a specified level of power when one of the power supplies is in an offline condition. When in operation, a self-test control circuit causes one of the power supplies to enter an offline condition and a power interruption protection circuit of the offline power supply is tested. While the offline power supply is being tested, the remaining power supplies provide sufficient power to whatever loads may be present.

Claims

1. A power supply system, comprising:

at least two power supplies;

the power supplies collectively configured to supply a predetermined amount of power when one of the power supplies is in an offline state and the remaining power supplies are in an online state; and

a self-test control circuit configured to cause a first one of the power supplies to enter an offline state and test at least one power interrupting function of the first one of the power supplies.

2. The power supply system of claim 1 wherein the self-test control circuit is configured to return the first one of the power supplies to an online state when testing of the first one of the power supplies is complete.

3. The power supply system of claim 2 wherein the self-test control circuit is configured to, upon causing the first one of the power supplies to reenter an online state, cyclically test the power interrupting functions of the remaining power supplies.

4. The power supply system of claim 1 wherein the self-test control circuit is configured to cause the one of the power supplies to remain in an offline state after testing if a critical condition is detected.

5. The power supply system of claim 3 the self-test control circuit is configured to flag problematic conditions that it detects when the power supplies are tested.

6. The power supply system of claim 3 wherein the cyclical testing is continuously conducted at a predetermined temporal interval.

7. The power supply system of claim 3 wherein the cyclical testing is conducted when the power supply system is first initiated.

8. The power supply system of claim 3 wherein the self-test control circuit is configured to flag one of the power supplies for future maintenance if the self-test control circuit detects a non-critical condition and is further configured to cause the one of the power supplies to remain in an offline condition if the self-test control circuit detects a critical condition.

9. The power supply system of claim 2 wherein the power interrupting functions include ground fault interruption (GFI) protection.

10. The power supply system of claim 3 wherein the power supplies and the self-test control circuit are located on an aircraft.

11. The power supply system of claim 7 wherein the at least two power supplies are three power supplies.

12. A method of testing a power supply system, comprising the steps of:

providing at least two power supplies and a self-test control circuit;

operating the two power supplies in an online condition to supply power to at least one load;

causing through the self-test control circuit a first of the power supplies to enter an offline state;

testing at least one power interrupting function of the first of the power supplies while the remaining power supplies continue to provide power to the loads.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of:

returning the first of the power supplies to an online condition unless a critical condition is detected during the step of testing.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of:

flagging any critical or non-critical conditions for maintenance.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of:

cyclically testing the remainder of the power supplies one at a time by causing them to enter an offline condition and then testing at least one power interrupting function.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein testing is stopped if a critical condition is detected in any of the power supplies that are tested.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the power supplies and self-test circuit are on an aircraft.

18. The power supply system of claim 13 wherein the power interrupting protection functions include GFI protection.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the cyclical testing is repeated after a predetermined temporal interval.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the cyclical testing is performed when the power supply system is first initiated.