Control of initial current transients
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for providing power for N1 electrical devices, numbered n=1, . . . , N1 (N1≧
- 2), where each device has an associated current transient I(n) upon power-up or power-down, the method comprising;
providing a set of Q1 subsets of the N1 devices, numbered q=1, . . . , Q1, where Q1 is an integer ≧
2 and the sum of the current transients I(n), for at least one of device power-up and device power-down, for all devices in at least one subset number q is no greater than a selected current value I(max;
q) that may depend upon q; and
when at least one device in subset q′ and
at least one device in subset q′
+1 are in an active mode for at least one index q′
(1≦
q′
≦
Q1−
1), (i) initiating delivery of current to the devices in subset number q′
at a selected time t(q′
) and (ii) initiating delivery of current to the devices in subset number q′
+1 at a selected time t(q′
+1), where t(q′
+1)−
t(q′
) is at least equal to a selected positive threshold time delay Δ
t(thr;
q′
;
q′
+1).
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Abstract
Method and system for providing current transient control for N electrical devices, numbered (N≧2), where each device has an associated current transient I(n) upon power-up or power-down. Q subsets (preferably mutually exclusive) of devices are provided, where the sum of current transients (in-rush, etc.) for all devices in subset number q (q=1, . . . , Q; Q≧2) is no greater than a selected current value, such as (i) a maximum current that can be supplied by a current source or the maximum current that can be passed through a front end component associated with at least one device without injuring the device and (ii) a maximum current that can be supplied by a current source for power-up. A device may be redundantly assigned to more than one subset, to improve reliability. A time delay is implemented between power-up (or powerown) of any two distinct device subsets. Within an activated subset, a time delay is optionally implemented between any two distinct devices in the subset. Two or more subsets of devices can be activated separately and sequentially through receipt of an activation signal having a distinct value for each subset.
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Citations
28 Claims
-
1. A method for providing power for N1 electrical devices, numbered n=1, . . . , N1 (N1≧
- 2), where each device has an associated current transient I(n) upon power-up or power-down, the method comprising;
providing a set of Q1 subsets of the N1 devices, numbered q=1, . . . , Q1, where Q1 is an integer ≧
2 and the sum of the current transients I(n), for at least one of device power-up and device power-down, for all devices in at least one subset number q is no greater than a selected current value I(max;
q) that may depend upon q; and
when at least one device in subset q′ and
at least one device in subset q′
+1 are in an active mode for at least one index q′
(1≦
q′
≦
Q1−
1), (i) initiating delivery of current to the devices in subset number q′
at a selected time t(q′
) and (ii) initiating delivery of current to the devices in subset number q′
+1 at a selected time t(q′
+1), where t(q′
+1)−
t(q′
) is at least equal to a selected positive threshold time delay Δ
t(thr;
q′
;
q′
+1).- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
choosing said number Q1 to be ≧
2; and
when said set of N1 devices is in an active mode, for at least one index q′
(1≦
q′
≦
Q1−
1), (i) initiating delivery of current to said devices in subset number q′
at a selected time t(q′
) and (ii) initiating delivery of current to said devices in subset number q′
+1 at a selected time t(q′
+1), where t(q′
+1)−
t(q′
) is at least equal to a selected positive threshold time delay Δ
t(thr) that is independent of at least one of the times t(q′
) and t(q′
+1).
- 2), where each device has an associated current transient I(n) upon power-up or power-down, the method comprising;
-
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising providing a parameter adjustment mechanism that allows a selection of at least one operating parameter for at least one of said current values I(max;
- q) and said threshold time delays Δ
t(thr).
- q) and said threshold time delays Δ
-
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting said current value I(max;
- q) to be no greater than an estimated maximum current value that can be supplied by a current source that provides power-up for said devices.
-
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting said current value I(max;
- q) to be no greater than an estimated maximum current value that can be passed through an electrical component associated with one of said devices without injuring said device through which said current is passed.
-
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising initiating delivery of current to all of said devices in said subset q substantially simultaneously.
-
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising initiating delivery of current to at least two of said devices, q′
- and q″
, in said subset q at selected times that are spaced apart from each other by at least a selected non-negative value Δ
t(thr;
subset q).
- and q″
-
11. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing said Q1 subsets as mutually exclusive subsets.
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12. The method of claim 1, further comprising assigning at least one selected device to at least two of said Q1 subsets, number q1 and number q2, with q1≠
- q2.
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13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:
-
determining if said selected device in said subset q1 is receiving reliable current; and
when said selected device in said subset q1 is not receiving reliable current, initiating delivery of current to said selected device, as part of said subset q2, when current is delivered to said subset q2.
-
-
14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
-
providing a second set of Q2 subsets of N2 of said devices, indexed q′
=Q1+1, . . . , Q1+1, . . . , Q1+Q2, where Q2 is an integer ≧
1 and the sum of the current transients I(n′
) for all devices in at least one subset number q′
is no greater than a selected current value I(max;
q′
);
when the second set of N2 devices is in an active mode, for at least one index q′
(Q1+1≦
q′
≦
Q1+Q2), (i) initiating delivery of current to the devices in subset number q′
in the second set at a selected time t(q′
) and (ii) initiating delivery of current to the devices in the subset number q′
+1 at a selected time t(q′
+1), where t(q′
+1)−
t(q′
) is at least equal to a selected positive threshold time delay Δ
t(thr;
q′
;
q′
+1); and
providing an activation signal that is received by said first set of said N1 devices and by the second set of N2 devices, and activating said first set or the second set only if the activation signal has a first activation value or a second activation value, respectively.
-
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15. A system for providing power-up or power-down of N1 electrical devices, numbered n=1, . . . , N1 (N1≧
- 2), where each device has an associated current in-rush I(n) upon power-up, the system comprising;
a current source that supplies up to an estimated maximum current; and
a computer that is programmed;
to provide Q1 subsets of the N devices, indexed q=1, . . . , Q1, where Q1 is an integer ≧
2° and
the sum of the current transients I(n), for at least one of device power-up and device power-down, for all devices in at least one subset number q is no greater than a selected current value I(max;
q) that may depend upon q; and
when at least one device in subset q′ and
at least one device in subset q″
+1 are in an active mode, for at least one index q ′
(1≦
q′
<
Q1−
1), (i) to initiate delivery of current to the devices in subset number q′
at a selected time t(q′
), and (ii) to initiate delivery of current to the devices in subset number q′
+1, at a selected time t(q′
+1), where t(q′
+1)−
t(q′
) is at least equal to a selected positive threshold time delay Δ
t(thr;
q′
;
q′
+1).- View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
to provide a second set of Q2 subsets of N2 of said devices, indexed q′
=Q1+1, . . . , Q1+Q2, where Q2 is an integer ≧
1 and the sum of the current transients I(n′
) for all devices in at least one subset number q′
is no greater than a selected current value I(max;
q′
) that may depend upon q′
;
when the second set of N2 devices is in an active mode, for at least one index q′
(Q1+1≦
q′
≦
Q1+Q2), (i) to initiate delivery of current to the devices in subset number q′
in the second set at a selected time t(q′
) and (ii) to initiate delivery of current to the devices in subset number q′
+1 at a selected time t(q′
+1), where t(q′
+1)−
t(q′
) is at least equal to a selected positive threshold time delay Δ
t(thr;
q′
;
q′
+1); and
to provide an activation signal that is received by said first set of said N1 devices and by the second set of N2 devices, and to activate said first set or the second set only if the activation signal has a first activation value or a second activation value, respectively.
- 2), where each device has an associated current in-rush I(n) upon power-up, the system comprising;
-
19. The system of claim 15, further comprising a parameter adjustment mechanism that allows a selection of at least one operating parameter for at least one of said current values I(max;
- q) and said time delays Δ
t(thr;
q′
;
q″
+1).
- q) and said time delays Δ
-
20. The system of claim 15, wherein said computer is further programmed so that:
-
said integer Q1 is at least equal to 2; and
when the set of N1 devices is in an active mode, for at least one index q′
(1≦
q′
≦
Q1−
1), (i) to initiate delivery of current to the devices in subset number q′
at a selected time t(q′
), and (ii) to initiate delivery of current to the devices in subset number q′
+1, at a selected time t(q′
+1), where t(q′
+1)−
t(q′
) is at least equal to a selected positive threshold time delay Δ
t(thr) that is independent of at least one of the times t(q′
) and t(q′
+1).
-
-
21. The system of claim 20, further comprising a parameter adjustment mechanism that allows a selection of at least one operating parameter for at least one of said current values I(max;
- q) and said time delays Δ
t(thr).
- q) and said time delays Δ
-
22. The system of claim 15, wherein said current value I(max;
- q) is selected to be no greater than an estimated maximum current value that can be supplied by a current source that provides power-up for said devices.
-
23. The system of claim 15, wherein said current value I(max;
- q) is selected to be no greater than an estimated maximum current value that can be passed through an electrical component associated with one of said devices without injuring said device through which said current is passed.
-
24. The system of claim 15, wherein said computer is further programmed to deliver current to all of said devices in said subset q substantially simultaneously.
-
25. The system of claim 15, wherein said computer is further programmed to deliver current to at least two of said devices in said subset q at selected times that are spaced apart from each other by at least a selected non-negative value Δ
- t(thr;
subset q).
- t(thr;
-
26. The system of claim 15, wherein said computer is further programmed to provide said Q1 subsets as mutually exclusive subsets.
-
27. The system of claim 15, wherein said computer is further programmed to assign at least one selected device to at least two of said Q1 subsets, number q1 and q2, with q1<
- q2.
-
28. The system of claim 27, wherein said computer is further programmed:
-
to determine if said selected device in said subset q1 is receiving reliable current; and
when said selected device in the subset q1 is not receiving reliable current, to initiate delivery of current to said selected device, as part of said subset q2, when current is delivered to said subset q2.
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Specification
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Current AssigneeAmerican Power Conversion Corporation (Schneider Electric SE)
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Original AssigneeDavid E. Harvey, Mary Ann Schmitz
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InventorsHarvey, David, Schmitz, Mary Ann
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Primary Examiner(s)HAN, YOUNGHUIE JESSICA
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Application NumberUS10/112,139Time in Patent Office845 DaysField of Search323/275, 323/276, 323/277, 323/901, 323/908, 363/49, 363/50, 363/56.03, 361/57, 361/93.1, 361/93.9, 318/135, 326/93, 327/391US Class Current323/277CPC Class CodesG05F 1/573 with overcurrent detectorG06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. re...H02H 9/001 limiting speed of change of...H05K 7/1484 Electrical diagrams relatin...Y10S 323/908 Inrush current limiters
