Automatic transfer switch system capable of governing the supply of power from more than two power sources to a load

• US 20040169422A1
• Filed: 02/28/2003
• Published: 09/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kohler Company
• Original Assignee: Kohler Company
• Inventors: Eaton, Zane C., Henegar, George C., Hackbarth, Anthony J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,005,760 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/64
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/06 with automatic change-over , e.g. UPS systems
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/068 Electronic means for switching from one power supply to another power supply, e.g. to avoid parallel connection

Abstract

An automatic transfer switch (ATS) system and method of operating an ATS system for governing the providing of power from first, second and third power sources to a load are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a first ATS device having first and second input ports and a first output port, a second ATS device having third and fourth input ports and a second output port, and at least one communication link coupling the first and second ATS devices. The second output port of the second ATS device is coupled to the second input port of the first ATS device. Additionally, a first signal is provided from the first ATS device to the second ATS device by way of the communication link when power should be supplied from the second ATS device to the first ATS device.

Claims

1. A system for governing the providing of power from first, second and third power sources to a load, the system comprising:

a first Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) device having first and second input ports and a first output port;

a second ATS device having third and fourth input ports and a second output port; and

at least one communication link coupling the first and second ATS devices,

wherein the second output port of the second ATS device is coupled to the second input port of the first ATS device, and

wherein a first signal is provided from the first ATS device to the second ATS device by way of the communication link when power should be supplied from the second ATS device to the first ATS device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first signal is a high voltage level.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein a second signal is provided from the first ATS device to the second ATS device when power should not be supplied from the second ATS device to the first ATS device.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the second signal is a low voltage level.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first ATS device determines that power should be supplied from the second ATS device to the first ATS device when the first ATS device detects a fault in the power being supplied to the first port of the first ATS device from the first power source.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first ATS device includes a first switching mechanism, wherein in a first state the first switching mechanism causes power to be supplied to the first output port from the first input port, wherein in a second state the first switching mechanism causes power to be supplied to the first output port from the second input port, and wherein in a third state the first switching mechanism prevents power from being supplied to the first output port from the first and second input ports.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the second ATS device includes a second switching mechanism, wherein in a fourth state the second switching mechanism causes power to be supplied to the second output port from the third input port, wherein in a fifth state the second switch mechanism causes power to be supplied to the second output port from the fourth input port, and wherein in a sixth state the second switch mechanism prevents power from being supplied to the second output port from the third and fourth input ports.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first signal causes the second switching mechanism to enter one of the fourth and fifth states, and an absence of the first signal causes the second switching mechanism to enter the sixth state.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the following is true:

the first ATS device includes at least one sensing device capable of detecting a characteristic of the power received at the first input port, and at least one control device capable of determining whether power should be supplied to the first ATS device from the second ATS device based upon whether the characteristic is detected; and

the first ATS provides the first signal causing the power to be supplied to the first ATS device from the second ATS device based upon one of a command and information provided to the first ATS device indicating that at least one of testing of a backup system and peak shaving operation is appropriate.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first ATS device includes the control device, wherein the control device is further capable of producing the first signal to be provided to a control device of the second ATS device, and wherein the control device is also capable of detecting the characteristic that signifies that a fault has occurred or is expected to occur.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the first ATS device further includes an additional input port.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a third ATS device having fifth and sixth input ports and a third output port, wherein the third output of the third ATS device is coupled to the fourth input port of the second ATS device, and wherein an additional communication link couples the second ATS device with the third ATS device.

13. A system for governing the coupling and decoupling of first, second and third power sources to and from a load, the system comprising:

a first Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) device having first and second input ports and a first output port;

a second ATS device having third and fourth input ports and a second output port, wherein the second output port is coupled to the second input port; and

control means for governing whether the second ATS device is operating to supply power to the first ATS device when the second ATS device receives power at at least one of the third and fourth input ports.

14. A method of controlling the delivery of power from first, second and third power sources to a load, the method comprising:

providing a first Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) device having first and second input ports and a first output port, and a second ATS device having third and fourth input ports and a second output port, wherein the second output port is coupled to the second input port and wherein the second ATS device is additionally coupled to the first ATS device by a communication link;

providing a control signal from the first ATS device to the second ATS device by way of the communication link when it is determined that a first condition has occurred;

providing, by way of the second ATS device, power being supplied to at least one of the third and fourth input ports to the second input port of the first ATS device.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

sensing a power being supplied from one of the power sources to the first input port of the first ATS device; and

determining whether the power being supplied at the first input port satisfies a characteristic.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

sensing a status of the power being supplied at the third and fourth input ports; and

determining at the second ATS device, upon receiving the control signal, which of the powers being supplied at the third and fourth input ports is communicated to the second input port.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

modifying the control signal when it is determined that the power being supplied at the first input port no longer satisfies the characteristic;

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first condition is at least one of:

an occurrence of a fault;

an indication that a fault is about to occur;

an indication that a test is being performed; and

an indication that peak shaving is being performed.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

providing a third ATS device having fifth and sixth input ports and a third output port, wherein the third output port is coupled to the fourth input port, and wherein the third ATS device is further coupled to one of the first and second ATS devices by an additional communication link.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein at least one of the first and second ATS devices includes an additional input port.