TWI559642B - Underwater power supply and the operating method thereof - Google Patents

Description

Underwater power supply and its operation method

An underwater power supply and a method of operating the same, especially an underwater power supply capable of supplying a voltage suitable for the load according to a load having a different demand voltage and a method of operating the same.

Many existing instruments used in the marine industry need to use electricity as their energy supply. Therefore, for underwater equipment, since the depth of work depends on actual requirements, underwater equipment can be provided underwater. It is important to operate an underwater power supply that operates from a source of electricity.

However, the sockets on the traditional underwater power supply are designed for specific devices and their voltages. It is often the case that a specific outlet is already occupied, while other outlets are still idle, greatly reducing the use of the underwater power supply. Flexible space.

In addition, when a particular outlet fails, the entire underwater power supply must be lifted off the surface and repaired before it can continue to be used. In addition to the high cost of maintenance, it also wastes a lot of time and manpower.

To solve the problems mentioned in the prior art, the present invention provides an underwater power supply, comprising a power supply module, at least one power connection module, at least one connector, and a main control module.

The power supply module includes a first controller and at least one power supply unit, wherein the at least one power supply unit is respectively connected to the first controller; and the at least one power connection module includes a second controller The second controller is coupled to the first controller.

Each of the at least one connector is connected to each of the plurality of power supply units through each of the at least one power connection module, and the control module is coupled to the first controller.

The present invention further provides a method for operating an underwater power supply. First, step (a) is performed to connect a load to a connector on a power connection module, and then step (b), a first control is performed. The device activates a second controller through the power connection module.

After the step (c) is performed, the second controller transmits a charging request to a main control module through the first controller, and then performs step (d), the main control module needs the charging according to the load. A charging voltage message is required to be sent to the first controller.

Finally, in step (e), the first controller turns on a plurality of power supply units, and the power supply unit that meets the charging voltage message supplies the load power through the connector.

Thereby, the invention has the load requirement for automatically recognizing the plugged socket, and provides the correct working voltage according to the requirement, so that the installation of the power source configuration is more flexible and convenient.

10‧‧‧Underwater power supply

100‧‧‧Power supply module

101‧‧‧First controller

102a‧‧‧Power supply unit

102b‧‧‧Power supply unit

103a‧‧‧Power relay

103b‧‧‧Power relay

104a‧‧‧Open and close relay

104b‧‧‧Open and close relay

105‧‧‧ Signal Relay

106‧‧‧Control relay

200‧‧‧Power connection module

201‧‧‧Second controller

202‧‧‧load

203‧‧‧Connector

203a‧‧‧Connector

300‧‧‧Main control module

400‧‧‧Signal Converter

400a‧‧‧Signal Converter

500‧‧‧Buck Converter

600‧‧‧Power input module

(a)~(e)‧‧‧ steps

1 is a schematic view showing the circuit structure of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a flow chart showing the operation of the present invention.

In order to understand the technical features and practical effects of the present invention, and can be implemented in accordance with the contents of the specification, the following further describes the preferred embodiment as shown in the following figure: Please refer to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a circuit of the present invention. For convenience of explanation, the portion of the circuit structure grounded in FIG. 1 is represented by a thicker circuit line. As shown in FIG. 1 , the underwater power supply 10 shown in this embodiment mainly includes a power supply module 100 , a power connection module 200 , and a main control module 300 . Wherein, the dotted box portion shown in FIG. 1 can be further provided with a cable connected through a dry watertight joint, and the lines touched by the dotted line between the power supply module 100 and the power connection module 200 are integrated. In an underwater cable, and the number of the power connection module 200 is not limited to one, it can be added according to user requirements. With the addition of the power connection module 200, the number of the connector 203 and its connectable load 202 can be connected. Nor is it limited to one.

The power supply module 100 includes a first controller 101 and a plurality of power supply units, which are a power supply unit 102a and a power supply unit 102b, respectively. The power supply unit 102a and the power supply unit 102b are each connected to the first controller 101, and the supply voltages of the plurality of power supply units (102a, 102b) are different, and can be designed to be 12, 24, 48 or 96 volts. In the example, the power supply unit 102a is 12 volts, and the power supply unit 102b is 48 volts.

In addition, the first controller 101, the power supply unit 102a, and the power supply unit 102b are further connected to the power input module 600 through the buck converter 500 for the first controller 101, the power supply unit 102a, and the power supply unit 102b. The power source, and the output voltage of the power input module 600 to the buck converter 500 is 110, 220 or 440 volts.

The power connector module 200 includes a second controller 201, and the connector 203 is connected to the power supply unit 102a and the power supply unit 102b through the power connection module 200. The second controller 201 is connected to the first controller 101. The 203 is individually connected to the voltage sensor 202, the power supply unit 102a, and the power supply unit 102b.

The main control module 300 is connected to the first controller 101. In this embodiment, the main The control module 300 is connected to the first controller 101 through a cable provided with two signal converters, namely a signal converter 400 and a signal converter 400a, and the first controller 101 is also connected to the cable. The second controller 201 is connected for use as a voltage signal sensing transmission; the first controller 101 and the second controller 201 communicate via a controller area network (CAN BUS) communication protocol. In addition, in order to control the operation of the second controller 201, the first controller 101 is further connected to the second controller 201 via the signal relay 105 for determining whether to supply the power required for the operation of the second controller 201.

The first controller 101 or the second controller 201 is an input/output controller (I/O Controller) for implementing the command of voltage signal transmission, power supply or relay control in the embodiment.

In this embodiment, the power supply module 100 further includes a plurality of power supply relays (103a, 103b) and a plurality of open/close relays (104a, 104b). Wherein, each of the power supply relays (103a, 103b) is individually connected to each of the power supply units (102a, 102b), and each of the opening and closing relays (104a, 104b) is separately associated with the first controller 101 and each of the power supply relays ( 103a, 103b) connected.

In addition, the power supply module 100 further includes a control relay 106 connected to each of the opening and closing relays (104a, 104b) and the first controller 101.

The number of the power supply unit 102a, the power supply unit 102b, and the corresponding power connection module 200 and the connector 203 in the embodiment may be set according to user requirements, and the connector 203 may be in the form of a watertight joint or the like. The connector structure is implemented. For the part of the power supply unit, for example, a third 96 volt power supply unit may be added according to the demand of the load 202, or a set of power connection modules 200 and connectors 203 may be added, which are respectively different from the three types. The power supply unit of the voltage is connected through a plurality of relays, etc., only the principle of operation and the concept of the present invention All similar ones are included in the scope of the present invention.

1 and FIG. 2, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the circuit structure of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the operation of the present invention. When the embodiment operates, it is performed by steps (a) to (e) shown in FIG. 2: (a) connecting a load to one of the connectors on a power connection module; (b) a first controller activates a second controller through the power connection module; (c) the second controller transmits a charging request to a main control module through the first controller; (d) the main control module The group transmits a charging voltage message to the first controller according to the charging requirement required by the load; and (e) the first controller turns on the plurality of power supply units, and the power supply unit that meets the charging voltage message transmits the A connector supplies the load power.

First, step (a) is performed to connect a load to a connector disposed on a power connection module. The load 202 can be any underwater power consuming device, such as a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), etc., as shown by the step (a) in Figure 1, the power line is connected to the power connection module. In the socket 203 of 200, proceeding to step (b), a first controller activates a second controller through the power connection module.

In the step (b), the connector 203 in the power connection module 200 and the connector 203 will sense the connected load 202, and then the first controller 101 and the voltage will be transmitted through the line of the step (b) shown in FIG. The pin connected to the sensor 202 is grounded. When this happens, the first controller 101 activates the signal relay 105 to turn on and activate the second controller 201.

Then, in step (c), the second controller transmits a charging request to a main control module through the first controller. In step (c), the second controller 201 is as shown in step (c) of FIG. The position of the label is generally transmitted to the first controller 101 through the power connection module 200 to sense the charging request of the load 202, and then the first controller 101 transmits the charging request to the main control module 300.

The main control module 300 can be a control center on the ship or on the shore, and the main body is an industrial computer or a computer, etc., in view of the first controller between the first controller 101 and the main control module 300 in this embodiment. The 101 and the main control module 300 are respectively located under water and water, so when the signal is to be transmitted from underwater to the water, the optical signal is transmitted.

Moreover, the communication language of the first controller 101, the second controller 201, and the main control module 300 can be similarly set to a communication protocol based on the controller area network (CAN BUS), but the first controller 101 is considered. And the main control module 300 must be transmitted through the optical fiber signal. Therefore, at least one signal converter, that is, the signal converter 400 and the signal converter can be disposed on the optical fiber cable connecting the water and the underwater. 400a.

The signal converter 400a can translate the information sent by the first controller 101 into a fiber-optic signal, and then pass through the connector 203a, and then transmit the composite cable to the water by the optical fiber and the power transmission, and then the optical signal is transmitted by the signal converter 400. Switching back to the language used by the controller area network (CAN BUS), the first controller 101 and the main control module 300 are assisted in communication. In this embodiment, the connector 203a may be a wet watertight joint, and the present invention does not Limited.

The main control module 300 further includes a memory in which the charging request data of various vehicles is stored, so that the main control module 300 can quickly determine the charging requirement required for the current connection of the load 202.

Therefore, in step (d), the main control module transmits a charging voltage message to the first controller according to the charging requirement required by the load. The main control module 300 converts the charging voltage signal into the optical fiber signal through the signal converter 400 according to the charging requirement required by the load 202. Thereafter, the signal converter 400a translates to the first controller 101 to perform an action. Therefore, when the main control module 300 determines the current charging requirement required to connect the load 202, it will transmit the selected charging voltage message to the first controller as generally indicated in step (d) of FIG. 101.

Finally, in step (e), the first controller turns on a plurality of power supply units, and the power supply unit that meets the charging voltage message supplies the load power through the connector. In this embodiment, the detailed action mechanism of step (e) is as shown by the label position of step (e) in FIG. 1, and the first controller 101 commands the control relay when the voltage required for the load is 12 volts. 106 is connected to the line connecting the opening and closing relay 104a. At this time, the first controller 101 also simultaneously issues a command to turn on the opening and closing relay 104a, and when the opening and closing relay 104a simultaneously receives the direct reverse command from the first controller 101 and comes from When the control relay 106 is connected to the conduction command, the opening and closing relay 104a is turned on, so that the power supply relay 103a receives the conduction command from the opening and closing relay 104a.

After the power supply relay 103a is turned on, the power supply unit 102a can supply a voltage of 12 volts to the outlet 203, so that the load can receive a power supply of 12 volts.

On the other hand, if the voltage required by the load changes to 48 volts, the first controller 101 commands the control relay 106 to turn on the line connecting the opening and closing relay 104b. At this time, the first controller 101 also simultaneously issues the conduction opening and closing relay 104b. It is commanded that when the opening and closing relay 104b simultaneously receives the direct reverse command from the first controller 101 and the conduction command from the control relay 106, the opening and closing relay 104b is turned on, so that the power supply relay 103b receives the switch from the opening and closing relay. The turn-on command of 104b, after the power supply relay 103b is turned on, the power supply unit 102b can supply a voltage of 48 volts to the socket 203, so that the load can receive a power supply of 48 volts.

The detailed mechanism of the conduction method contained in the step (e) is a foolproof mechanism, which can effectively prevent the power supply unit 102a and the power supply unit 102b from being simultaneously turned on. In addition, in this embodiment The power supply relay 103a or the power supply relay 103b can also be implemented by using a Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor (MOSFET), and the present invention is not limited thereto.

In this embodiment, the optical fiber signal, the power input module 600, and the power output by the voltage converter 500 are integrated into the same composite cable and transmitted to the underwater, through the connection as a wet watertight joint. The device 203a is connected to the power supply module 100 to provide its signal control and power source. If the user has special needs, the power input and the optical fiber signal can be split into two cable transmissions, which is not limited by the present invention. .

The power input module 600 can provide a voltage of 110, 220 or 440 volts for outputting to the buck converter 500 and then outputting to the underwater. In this embodiment, the main control module 300 The charging requirement data of various vehicles is stored in the memory, so that the main control module 300 can quickly determine the charging requirement required for the current connection 202. The load 202 preset in the memory of this embodiment can be The underwater environment sensor, more precisely, may be a temperature sensor, a salinity sensor, a depth sensor, a flow rate sensor, a wave sensor, a seismograph, a sonar or a microphone, etc. The environment of the underwater environment is collected and monitored. Of course, the load 202 may also be a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) if necessary, and the invention is not limited thereto.

Therefore, the embodiment has a charging requirement for automatically recognizing the load 202 inserted into the connector 203, and provides a correct working voltage according to the charging requirement, so that the installation of the power supply configuration is more flexible and convenient, and provides a relatively convenient underwater power supply. The supplier and its method of operation.

However, the above is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, that is, the simple equivalent changes and modifications according to the scope and description of the present invention remain It is within the scope of the present invention.

10‧‧‧Underwater power supply

100‧‧‧Power supply module

101‧‧‧First controller

102a‧‧‧Power supply unit

102b‧‧‧Power supply unit

103a‧‧‧Power relay

103b‧‧‧Power relay

104a‧‧‧Open and close relay

104b‧‧‧Open and close relay

105‧‧‧ Signal Relay

106‧‧‧Control relay

200‧‧‧Power connection module

201‧‧‧Second controller

202‧‧‧load

203‧‧‧Connector

203a‧‧‧Connector

300‧‧‧Main control module

400‧‧‧Signal Converter

400a‧‧‧Signal Converter

500‧‧‧Buck Converter

600‧‧‧Power input module

Claims (13)

An underwater power supply comprising: a power supply module, comprising: a first controller; at least one power supply unit, each connected to the first controller; at least one power connection module, comprising: a first a controller connected to the first controller; at least one connector, each of the at least one connector being connected to each of the plurality of power supply units through each of the at least one power connection module; and a main control module The group is connected to the first controller; wherein the main control module is connected to the first controller through a cable provided with at least one signal converter. The underwater power supply device of claim 1, wherein the power supply module further comprises: a plurality of power supply relays, each of the plurality of power supply relays being connected to each of the plurality of power supply units; and a plurality of opening and closing The relay, each of the plurality of opening and closing relays is respectively connected to the first controller and each of the plurality of power relays. The underwater power supply device of claim 2, wherein the power supply module further comprises a control relay coupled to each of the plurality of opening and closing relays and the first controller. The underwater power supply of claim 1, wherein the first controller or the second controller is an input/output controller (I/O Controller). The underwater power supply of claim 1, wherein the first controller and the second controller The communication protocol between them is the controller area network (CAN BUS). The underwater power supply of claim 5, wherein the first controller is coupled to the second controller via a signal relay. The underwater power supply of claim 1, wherein the at least one power supply unit supplies a different voltage value to each other, the different voltage value being 12, 24, 48 or 96 volts. The underwater power supply device of claim 1, wherein the first controller and the plurality of power supply units are further connected to a power input module through a buck converter. The underwater power supply of claim 8, wherein the output voltage outputted by the power input module to the buck converter is 110, 220 or 440 volts. The underwater power supply of claim 1, wherein the connector is further connected to a load, the load being an underwater environment sensor. The underwater power supply of claim 10, wherein the underwater environment sensor is a temperature sensor, a salinity sensor, a depth sensor, a flow rate sensor, a wave sensor, a seismograph , sonar or microphone. A method for operating an underwater power supply, comprising: (a) connecting a load to a connector disposed on a power connection module; (b) a first controller is activated by the power connection module a controller (c) transmitting, by the first controller, a charging request to a main control module; (d) the main control module transmitting a charging voltage according to the charging requirement required by the load And the (e) the first controller turns on the plurality of power supply units, and the power supply unit that meets the charging voltage message supplies the load power through the connector. The operating method of the underwater power supply device of claim 12, wherein the communication protocol between the main control module, the first controller, and the second controller is a controller area network (CAN BUS). And the main control module and the first controller can communicate with each other through at least one signal converter by using a fiber-optic signal and a controller area network (CAN BUS) communication protocol.