WO2023027803A1 - Système et procédé de système de commutateur de transfert hybride partagé à auto-test de relais intégré - Google Patents

Système et procédé de système de commutateur de transfert hybride partagé à auto-test de relais intégré Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023027803A1
WO2023027803A1 PCT/US2022/035213 US2022035213W WO2023027803A1 WO 2023027803 A1 WO2023027803 A1 WO 2023027803A1 US 2022035213 W US2022035213 W US 2022035213W WO 2023027803 A1 WO2023027803 A1 WO 2023027803A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
relay
power source
load
primary
preferred
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2022/035213
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Scott Cooper
Kevin R. Ferguson
Grant Young
Anthony Bryan Mcdonald
Original Assignee
Vertiv Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US17/459,837 external-priority patent/US12061235B2/en
Application filed by Vertiv Corporation filed Critical Vertiv Corporation
Priority to EP22861858.3A priority Critical patent/EP4392793A1/fr
Priority to CN202280065092.4A priority patent/CN118103719A/zh
Publication of WO2023027803A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023027803A1/fr

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J9/00—Circuit arrangements for emergency or stand-by power supply, e.g. for emergency lighting
    • H02J9/04—Circuit arrangements for emergency or stand-by power supply, e.g. for emergency lighting in which the distribution system is disconnected from the normal source and connected to a standby source
    • H02J9/06—Circuit arrangements for emergency or stand-by power supply, e.g. for emergency lighting in which the distribution system is disconnected from the normal source and connected to a standby source with automatic change-over, e.g. UPS systems
    • H02J9/068—Electronic means for switching from one power supply to another power supply, e.g. to avoid parallel connection
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R31/00—Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
    • G01R31/327—Testing of circuit interrupters, switches or circuit-breakers
    • G01R31/3277—Testing of circuit interrupters, switches or circuit-breakers of low voltage devices, e.g. domestic or industrial devices, such as motor protections, relays, rotation switches
    • G01R31/3278—Testing of circuit interrupters, switches or circuit-breakers of low voltage devices, e.g. domestic or industrial devices, such as motor protections, relays, rotation switches of relays, solenoids or reed switches
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2300/00—Orthogonal indexing scheme relating to electric switches, relays, selectors or emergency protective devices covered by H01H
    • H01H2300/018—Application transfer; between utility and emergency power supply
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
    • H01H9/54—Circuit arrangements not adapted to a particular application of the switching device and for which no provision exists elsewhere
    • H01H9/541—Contacts shunted by semiconductor devices
    • H01H9/542—Contacts shunted by static switch means
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J2310/00—The network for supplying or distributing electric power characterised by its spatial reach or by the load
    • H02J2310/10—The network having a local or delimited stationary reach
    • H02J2310/12—The local stationary network supplying a household or a building
    • H02J2310/16—The load or loads being an Information and Communication Technology [ICT] facility

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to transfer switches used in data centers and other facilities to transfer power being supplied to one or more loads from one power source to a different power source, and more particularly to a shared, hybrid transfer switch system which enables the switching time to be significantly reduced when transferring a load from a first power source to a second power source.
  • a transfer switch is used to reliably facilitate switching of the downstream power distribution infrastructure between two independent power sources (e.g., utility or “preferred” power source and a backup or “alternate” power source) so that uninterrupted operation of the connected equipment (e.g., servers, routers, etc.) is maintained.
  • the transfer may occur automatically when suboptimal power quality conditions are detected on the active source.
  • the transfer may also be initiated manually by a worker at the facility when maintenance of the active power source is required.
  • the transfer switch is manufactured in a variety of physical forms, performance capabilities, and range of ampacities for single and three-phase power distribution.
  • the transfer switch is preferably located within an equipment rack (i.e., within the rack “space”). It supplies input either directly to IT equipment, via its own receptacles, or to other rack power distribution equipment (e.g., power strips).
  • the transfer switch uses contacts of electromechanical relays that are electrically interconnected in series and parallel combination. During transfer, these relays are precisely controlled to open the electrical circuit between the previously active source and load, and to quickly close the new circuit for the newly active source, while ensuring that the two sources remain electrically isolated from each other.
  • the sequence can be “break-before-make”, in which the active contacts are opened before the new contacts are closed (also referred to as an “open transition”), or “make-before-break”, in which the new contacts are closed before the previous contacts are opened (also referred to as “closed transition”).
  • the voltage phasing of the new power source and load may be unsynchronized for open transition or, in the case of closed transition, must be synchronized.
  • ITIC Information Technology Industry Council
  • CBEMA Computer and Business Equipment Manufacturers Association
  • ITIC Information Technology Industry Council
  • CBEMA Computer and Business Equipment Manufacturers Association
  • Curve describes the AC input voltage envelope that can be tolerated by an IT load with no interruption in function. Transfer switching performance should at least conform to the maximum limits of this Curve, i.e., faster than 20 ms at 70% voltage. For greater market competitiveness, transfer should complete within one-half line cycle, i.e., less than or equal to 8 ms at 60 Hz line frequency.
  • typical electromechanical relay contacts operate at release and closure times that cannot achieve such performance for an open transition.
  • reliable detection of power quality conditions and management of the transfer to prevent cross conduction of sources or failure of components typically result in additional incremental delays, which make it difficult or impossible to meet this one-half line cycle transfer timeframe.
  • a solid-state switching device for example, a TRIAC (bidi rectional/bilateral triode thyristor), anti-parallel SCR (silicon-controlled rectifier) pairs, or an IGBT (insulated-gate bipolar transistor).
  • Solid-state relays have previously been used in combination with electromechanical relays in hybrid switching configurations. In these hybrid solutions, terminals of the solid-state switches are permanently electrically connected in parallel with the relay contacts, such that a dedicated solid-state switch is required for both first and second power sources.
  • solid-state switches require more parts as well as expensive isolated drive circuitry. Accordingly, a circuit design that reduces the number of solid-state switches would reduce cost and simplify the transfer circuit.
  • a shared transfer switching system with built in relay testing ability, for transferring power received by a load from a preferred AC power source to an alternate AC power source, or transferring power being received by the load from the alternate AC power source to the preferred AC power source.
  • the shared transfer switching system may comprise one first primary relay and one first secondary relay coupled in series, and in series with a preferred power source and a load, to enable the load to be powered by the preferred power source.
  • the system may also include one second primary relay and one second secondary relay coupled in series, and also in series with an alternate power source and with the load, for providing power from the alternate power source to the load when the preferred power source is not available to power the load.
  • the system may also include a controller for controlling operation of the second primary relay and the second secondary relay, and a switching subsystem.
  • the switching subsystem may be in communication with the controller and the first primary relay, the first secondary relay, the second primary relay, the second secondary relay, and the load.
  • the switching subsystem may be configured to be controlled by the controller to control a switch over from one or the other of the preferred or alternate power sources to the load.
  • the system may also include a relay test subsystem including a relay test software module and a voltage detection subsystem operably associated with the controller for carrying out a relay test process.
  • the relay test process includes performing a plurality of voltage tests by selectively opening and closing the second primary relay and the second secondary relay to verify proper operation of the second primary relay and the second secondary relay.
  • the present disclosure relates to a shared transfer switching system with built in relay testing ability, for transferring power received by a load from a preferred AC power source to an alternate AC power source, or transferring power being received by the load from the alternate AC power source to the preferred AC power source.
  • the shared transfer switching system may comprise one first primary relay and one first secondary relay coupled in series, and in series with a preferred power source and a load, to enable the load to be powered by the preferred power source.
  • the system may also include one second primary relay and one second secondary relay coupled in series, and also in series with an alternate power source and with the load, for providing power from the alternate power source to the load when the preferred power source is not available to power the load.
  • the system may also include a controller for controlling operation of the second primary relay and the second secondary relay, and a switching subsystem.
  • the switching subsystem may be in communication with the controller and the first primary relay, the first secondary relay, the second primary relay, the second secondary relay, and the load.
  • the switching subsystem may be configured to be controlled by the controller to control a switch over from one or the other of the preferred or alternate power sources to the load.
  • the system may also include a relay test subsystem including a relay test software module and a voltage detection subsystem operably associated with the controller for carrying out a relay test process.
  • the relay test process includes performing a plurality of voltage tests by selectively opening and closing the second primary relay and the second secondary relay, to verify proper operation of the second primary relay and the second secondary relay.
  • the present disclosure relates to a method for testing a plurality of relays associated with a system for transferring power from one or the other of a preferred AC power source or an alternate power source to a load.
  • the method may comprise using one first primary relay and one first secondary relay coupled in series, and in series with a preferred power source and a load, to enable the load to be powered by the preferred power source.
  • the method may further include using one second primary relay and one second secondary relay coupled in series, and also in series with an alternate power source and with the load, for providing power from the alternate power source to the load when the preferred power source is not available to power the load.
  • the method may further include using a switching subsystem in communication with the first primary relay, the first secondary relay, the second primary relay, and the second secondary relay, and the load, the switching subsystem configured to be controlled to switch over from one or the other of the preferred or alternate power sources to the load.
  • the method may further include carrying out a relay test process including performing a plurality of voltage tests by selectively opening and closing the second primary relay and the second secondary relay, to verify proper operation of the second primary relay and the second secondary relay.
  • Figure 1 is a diagram of one embodiment of a shared, hybrid transfer switch system coupled to a first (preferred) power source and a second (alternate) power source.
  • the switching topology is symmetrical on both sides of the load, so only one side is illustrated to not clutter the drawing;
  • Figure 2 shows the system of Figure 1 with the various relay contacts in the positions they assume when the system is in a steady state of operation receiving power from a first power source;
  • Figure 3 shows how specific relays are controlled during a first intermediate step of a switching sequence in switching the load from the first power source to the second power source for an open transition, in which one of the relay contacts associated with the preferred power source is initially opened, to momentarily interrupt power to the Load;
  • Figure 4 shows how specific relays of the system are further controlled during a second intermediate step in which the anti-parallel SCR circuit is turned on to provide an alternate current path from the alternate power source to the Load;
  • Figure 5 shows how specific relays of the system are further controlled during a further intermediate step, in which one of the relay contacts associated with the alternate power source is closed, with the anti-parallel SCR circuit forming an alternate current path to the Load;
  • Figure 6 shows the positions of the contacts of the various relays of the system when the system is operating in a steady state after having transitioned to using a second power source, and after having turned off the anti-parallel SCR circuit.
  • Figure 7 is a graph showing the timing of the transitions that occur when switching from the preferred power source to the alternate power source
  • Figure 8 shows an embodiment of the system configured to handle a single phase AC power source
  • Figure 9 shows an embodiment of the system configured to handle a 3- phase delta AC power source
  • Figure 10 shows an embodiment of the system configured to handle a 3-phase wye configured AC power source
  • Figure 11 shows another embodiment of the system of Figure 1 which incorporates a relay test feature for testing the various relays of the system without the need to interrupt power from the preferred power source;
  • Figure 12 shows the system of Figure 1 1 but with a certain one of the relays closed (indicated by dashed lines) during one phase of the testing;
  • Figure 13 is an illustration of various waveforms which help to illustrate the detected voltages at various stages of the relay tests performed under the control of the controller; and [0030] Figure 14 shows a flowchart of various operations that may be performed by the system of Figure 11 in checking the various relays associated with the alternate power source.
  • the present disclosure in the various embodiments discussed below, enables significantly faster transfer times that what is typically possible with present day electromechanical relays.
  • the switching performance of the relays is enhanced by use of a solid-state switching device, for example a TRIAC (bidi rectional/bilateral triode thyristor), anti-parallel SCR (silicon-controlled rectifier) pairs, or an IGBT (insulated-gate bipolar transistor).
  • a solid-state switching device for example a TRIAC (bidi rectional/bilateral triode thyristor), anti-parallel SCR (silicon-controlled rectifier) pairs, or an IGBT (insulated-gate bipolar transistor).
  • the selected solid-state switching device is in connection with the relays’ contacts and can close the circuit faster by two or three orders of magnitude than what is possible using just conventional electromechanical relays.
  • the solid-state switching device makes a configurable connection between either of the corresponding poles of the relay contacts of the circuits of the two power sources, such that the solid-state switching device is shared between the circuits of the two power sources.
  • the same solid-state switching circuit may be configured on the side of the active power source to provide soft-start during power up (cold start) or configured on the side of the inactive power source to facilitate a fast transfer.
  • the solid-state device is kept activated until the relay contacts have settled into a closed state.
  • the solid-state switch may be switched into connection with the relay contacts of the inactive source circuit to decrease the make time transfer.
  • the various embodiments all provide a soft-start feature which helps to limit the in-rush current through the components of the system when switching from one power source to another.
  • a shared-hybrid switching system 10 is shown in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the system 10 includes a controller 12 for controlling the switching of a plurality of relays 14a and 14b, 16, 18, 20, 22, and an anti-parallel SCR pair 24, to control switching of power from one or the other of a “preferred” or primary AC power source 26 and an “alternate” or secondary AC power source 28, to a Load.
  • a controller 12 for controlling the switching of a plurality of relays 14a and 14b, 16, 18, 20, 22, and an anti-parallel SCR pair 24, to control switching of power from one or the other of a “preferred” or primary AC power source 26 and an “alternate” or secondary AC power source 28, to a Load.
  • the switching topology is symmetrical on both sides of the Load, so only one side has been illustrated in Figure 1 so as to avoid cluttering the drawing.
  • Common sides of the relay contacts 14a and 14b are coupled to one another at a first common connection point 14c, and one side (“tail”) of the anti-parallel SCR pair 24 is also coupled to the first connection point 14c.
  • the purpose of the relays 14a and 14b is to “swing” the shared SCR circuit tail between power sources to enable fast transfer.
  • the opposite side of the anti-parallel SCR pair 24 is coupled to a second common connection point 17 along with common sides of the primary relays 16 and 18.
  • the Load is also in communication with the second connection point 17.
  • a thermistor 30, in this example a NTC thermistor, is coupled between one side of the SCR pair 24 and the first common connection point 14c, and forms a current limiter to mitigate contact current overload when the anti-parallel SCR pair 24 is turned on during a transition operation.
  • the Load may be one or more devices or subsystems requiring AC power for operation, for example one or more servers, network switches, power distribution units (PDUs), or virtually any other component that requires AC power for its operation.
  • the system 10 may be located within a suitable housing (not shown) and mounted in a data center equipment rack, and may incorporate one or more AC receptacles (not shown) for supplying AC power directly to other devices and components.
  • the relay 14a may be part of a first Form A double pole normally open (DPNO) relay assembly with another like relay (the like relay being part of the mirror image portion of the system 10 shown in Figure 1 ).
  • the relay 14b may similarly be part of a second Form A DPNO relay assembly used in the mirror image portion of the system 10.
  • relays 14a and 14b may comprise a Form C single pole double throw (SPDT) bistable relay. While it is believed that configuring the relays 14a and 14b as portions of separate Form A DPNO relays will be the more preferred implementation, both implementations are possible.
  • the primary relays 16 and 18 may be Form A single pole normally open (SPNO) relay contacts (the conventional snubber circuit is not shown).
  • the secondary relays 20 and 22 may comprise Form A DPNO relay contacts to provide source isolation for predictable startup state and operation in a diagnostics mode (the conventional snubber circuit is not shown).
  • diagnostics mode it is meant that relay 20 or relay 22 can be opened when the circuit is closed on the opposite side, so that the primary relays 16 or 18 may be momentarily closed in sequence, without causing cross-conduction between the sources.
  • the controller 12 may determine if relay 16 or relay 18 may be closed or opened.
  • the anti-parallel SCR pair 24 includes SCRs 24a and 24b, with the gates 24a1 and 24b1 of the two SCRs being in communication with the controller 12.
  • the anti-parallel SCR pair 24 likewise preferably includes a snubber circuit and a series fail safe fuse, which are not shown to avoid cluttering the drawing.
  • Figure 2 shows the system 10 in a steady state of operation being supplied with power from the preferred power source 26.
  • Relay contact 14a is open, relay contact 14b is closed, the SCRs of the anti-parallel SCR pair 24 are both turned off, relay 16 is closed and relay 18 is open.
  • Figure 3 shows the first operation in switching to power from the alternate power source 28.
  • the system 10, again, in this example is configured as a “break before make” system, although it is possible to control the system 10 such that it operates as a “make before break” switching system. It is expected, however, that the “break before make” control scheme will be the more preferred control configuration.
  • Figure 4 shows the next operation in which either the SCR 24a or the SCR 24b of the SCR pair 24 is then triggered on by the controller 12. It should be understood that the two SCRs in the SCR pair 24 do not both conduct simultaneously when triggered on by the controller 12. One of the SCRs conducts during the positive quadrant of the sinusoid, and the other conducts during the negative quadrant of the sinusoid. Thus the SCRs 24a and 24b conduct alternately as the sinusoid alternates positive and negative. All of the relay contacts 14a, 14b, 16, 18, 20 and 22 remain in the same state as shown in Figure 3.
  • Figure 5 shows the next operation in which, while the anti-parallel SCR pair 24 is maintained in an “on” state by the controller 12, the controller closes relay contact 18. This places the anti-parallel SCR pair 24 in parallel with relay contact 18. Current is thus able to flow to the Load through relay contacts 18 and 22, as well as through the combination of the relay contact 14b and the anti-parallel SCR pair 24. It will be appreciated that the anti-parallel SCR pair 24 has essentially enabled power to be provided until the relay contact 18 is closed in Figure 5, thus overcoming the delay time that would have otherwise been experienced in waiting for the relay contact 18 to respond and fully close.
  • Figure 6 shows the next operation in which the anti-parallel SCR pair 24 is no longer triggered by the controller 12 and naturally commutates off, relay contact 14b is opened and relay contact 14a is closed.
  • This final configuration of the relays 14a and 14b shown in Figure 6 prepares the system 10 for the next transition in the event the preferred power source 26 is re-selected as the power source for the system 10.
  • Figure 7 shows a plurality of graphs to illustrate the timing of the above described transition from the preferred power source 26 to the alternate power source 28. It should be understood that Figure 7 depicts idealized (simulated) waveforms; in an actual circuit, when contacts are commanded to open, they cannot break instantaneously, as shown here.
  • Curve 100 represents the current through relay contacts 20 and 16 and the Load when the preferred power source is active;
  • curve 102 represents the voltage across the Load;
  • line 104 represents the current through the relay contacts 22 and 18 and the Load when the alternate power source is active;
  • curve 106 represents the preferred power source voltage before relay contact 20; and
  • curve 108 represents the alternate power source voltage before relay contact 22.
  • a fault occurs, which is at the 19.0ms point on the graph.
  • the anti-parallel SCR pair 24 is no longer triggered by the controller and naturally commutates off.
  • Arrow 120 represents the total time duration during which one of the SCRs of the anti-parallel SCR pair 24 is conducting and supplying current to the Load
  • arrow 122 indicates the total overlap time during which one of the SCRs of the anti-parallel SCR pair 24 is connected in parallel with the relay contact 18.
  • the total time that the Load experiences no power being supplied is only 5ms, which is well within the desired timeframe of 8ms or less at a 60Hz line frequency as specified by the ITIC curve developed by the Information Technology Industry Council.
  • Figure 8 shows a system 200 in accordance with the present disclosure configured to implement a single phase topology.
  • essentially two iterations of the system 10 are incorporated, with each pair of relays 14a, 14b, 20 and 22 being respectively controlled together.
  • Figure 9 shows a system 300 in accordance with the present disclosure configured to implement a 3-phase delta topology.
  • One instance of the system 10 is used for controlling transitions from each of the X, Y and Z phases 26x/26y/26z of a preferred power source to the X, Y and Z phases 28x/28y/28z of an alternate power source.
  • Figure 10 shows a system 400 in accordance with the present disclosure configured to implement a 3-phase wye topology.
  • four instances of the system 10 are used to control transitions from each one of the preferred power phases X, Y and Z (labelled 26x, 26y, 26z), and the Neutral, and the alternate power source phases X, Y and Z (labelled 28x, 28y and 28z), and the Neutral line.
  • the relay contacts 20 of the two instances of the system 10 associated with the X and Y phases are switched together, and the relay contacts 20 of the two instances of the system 10 associated with the Y phase and the Neutral line are switched together.
  • the relay contacts 14a, 14b and 22 are handled in the same fashion.
  • the various embodiments of the system 10 presented herein may also be implemented in a “make before break” (“closed transition”) configuration.
  • the source voltages phasing may be unsynchronized or synchronized, with the latter condition required for the “closed transition” configuration.
  • IGBTs insulated gate bipolar transistors
  • TRIACs TRIACs
  • Another advantage of the present system 10 is that since the antiparallel SCR pair 24 is only required to carry current for a brief time interval until the relay contacts 16 and 18 have settled during a transition operation, the SCRs of the antiparallel SCR pair 24 may have a lower duty rating that what would otherwise be needed to handle the current flow from the preferred power source 26 or the alternate power source 28.
  • the system 10 also provides a significant “soft start” benefit in that, at start up, the anti-parallel SCR pair 24 are gradually triggered at larger conduction angles until turned on fully. This ramps up the voltage so that the current flow into the Load is effectively ramped up, too. This soft start benefit also mitigates inrush current during a cold start, when power is initially applied to a reactive load in a fully discharged state.
  • the use of the solid-state anti-parallel SCR pair 24 in parallel with the contacts facilitates fast transfer, of course, but also the shunting action of the SCRs means that the relay contacts can naturally bounce into a final closed position without causing arcing, wear and erosion of the contact surface of each of the relays, which often occurs with conventional power transfer circuits when abruptly switching from one power source to another.
  • the significant reduction and/or elimination of contact bounce can extend the life of the relay contacts, as well as reduce the stress on other various components of the system 10 caused by large inrush currents.
  • a system 500 in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown which incorporates relay test software module (“RTSM”) 12b accessible by the controller 12 and a relay voltage detection subsystem 12c.
  • the voltage detection subsystem 12c makes use of a voltage sensing resistor string (“VSRS”) subsystem 12d, which is a conventional voltage sensing circuit comprised of both series and parallel coupled resistors, and is coupled at a node (node N1 ) and also to ground.
  • VSRS voltage sensing resistor string
  • the construction of the VSRS subsystem 12d is well known in the art, and this subsystem may form a portion of the voltage detection subsystem 12c or it may form a stand-alone circuit.
  • VSRS 12d is shown coupled only across the secondary relay 22 in Figure 11 , it will be appreciated that an additional VSRS identical to the VSRS 12d will also be coupled across the secondary relay 20 for monitoring the voltage at node N2, and also in communication with the controller 12, but such has been omitted to avoid cluttering the figure.
  • a suitable switching subsystem may be used to controllably uncouple the VSRS subsystem 12d from node N1 and place it at node N2, across the secondary relay 20 with respect to ground.
  • a load voltage sensing resistor string (“LVSRS”) subsystem 12e is also incorporated in the system 500.
  • the LVSRS subsystem 12e is comprised of series and parallel coupled resistors, and is coupled across the Load and ground, and enables monitoring a voltage across a load in real time, or at selected times commanded by the controller 12.
  • the RTSM 12b, the voltage detection subsystem 12c, and the VSRS subsystem 12d may be viewed as forming a “relay test subsystem.” If the LVSRS subsystem 12e is included, this component may also form a portion of the voltage detection subsystem 12c.
  • the RTSM 12b is shown stored in a non-volatile memory 12a associated with the controller 12, it will be appreciated that the RTSM 12b could instead be stored in a standalone non-volatile memory component that is accessible by the controller 12.
  • the system 500 also includes a user interface 13 having a Human Machine Interface (“HMI”) health button 13a.
  • HMI health button 13a enables a user to initiate a relay test operation using the RTSM 12b, which will be described in detail in the following paragraphs.
  • the HMI health button 13a or optionally a separate dedicated control, may enable a user to also initiate a check of the voltage across the Load using the LVSRS subsystem 12e, which will be described in greater detail in the following paragraphs.
  • the voltage detection subsystem 12c may capture sample waveforms using both the VSRS subsystem 12d and the LVSRS subsystem 12e simultaneously.
  • the RTSM 12b functionality of the system 500 provides a plurality of important benefits, without requiring the addition of extra electrical components (e.g., additional relays, dummy loads, etc.) into the system 500 to check the functioning of the relays 18/22 and 16/20. Accordingly, the physical components and interconnections of the system 500 may be identical to those of system 10, with the exception of the nonvolatile memory 12a, the RTSM 12b, the VSRS 12d and the user interface 13.
  • the RTSM 12b enables the relays 18 and 22 to be tested while the Load is being powered by the preferred power source 26. Conversely, the RTSM 12b allows the relays 16 and 20 to each be tested while the Load is being powered by the alternate power source 28.
  • the sequence of operations carried out by the controller 12 using the RTSM 12b is the same in both cases, so the following description will describe only the operations of testing relays 18 and 22, with it being understood that identical operations are carried out in testing relays 16 and 20 when the alternate power source 28 is being used and the preferred power source is not being used.
  • system 500 shown in Figures 1 1 and 12 like system 10 in Figure 1 , illustrates only one-half of the components required to carry out system operation, with it being appreciated that the switching topology is symmetrical on both sides of the Load, and controlled in the same way using the RTSM 12b, so only one side has been illustrated in Figures 11 and 12 so as to avoid cluttering the drawing.
  • the voltage at node N1 detected by the voltage detection subsystem 12c, using the VSRS 12d will be the input voltage provided by the alternate power source 28.
  • the voltage at the input of the alternate power source 28 is identified by the waveform 602
  • the voltage between the primary relay 18 and the secondary relay 22 (at node N1 ) is identified by waveform 604.
  • the user may press the HMI health button 13a. This action will open both the alternate source secondary relay 22 and relay 14b, as shown in Figure 12, assuming that relays 22 and 14b are operating properly.
  • the contacts of secondary relay 22 break i.e., the relay opens
  • the number of resistors that are “active” in the VSRS 12d increases, such that the change in voltage drop across the VSRS 12d effectively causes a decrease in the measured voltage level at node N1 relative to the input voltage at the alternate power source 28.
  • the voltage measured at node N1 drops substantially (typically by 15% or slightly more), as indicated by the difference between waveforms 602 and 604 at point 602a in Figure 13.
  • the voltage measured by the voltage detection subsystem 12c at node N1 using the VSRS 12d, will drop appreciably when the secondary relay 22 is commanded by the RTSM 12b to open and its contacts actually open.
  • the peak voltage detected at node N1 is equal to or less than 85% of nominal peak reference voltage, then it may be determined that the secondary relay 22 has successfully opened.
  • the nominal peak reference voltage is established during the steady state operation as the nominal AC output of the preferred power source 26, prior to a condition that elicits an auto transfer operation. Under normal operating conditions, the input voltage available from the alternate power source 28 will be nearly equivalent to nominal peak reference voltage.
  • the RTSM 12b causes primary relay 18 associated with the alternate power source 28 to be closed, as indicated by line 18’ in Figure 12.
  • This connects the preferred power source 26 to the primary relay 18. More specifically, the preferred power source 26 is connected to node N1 .
  • the peak voltage is again measured at the inactive source’s primary and secondary relay series connection (i.e., at node N1 ). If the peak voltage is restored to within a few percent margin of the nominal voltage (i.e., the primary power source 26 voltage), then it can be determined that the primary relay 18 has successfully closed.
  • the final operations are for the controller 12 to restore the normal relay states, that is, to command the inactive source’s primary relay 18 to open, and to command relay 14b and the secondary relay 22 to close. After these operations, the system 500 returns to normal auto-detection operation.
  • FIG. 14 Referring briefly to a flowchart 700 of Figure 14, the above-described operations for checking the primary relay 18 and the secondary relay 22, while the system 500 is using the preferred power source 26 to power the Load, are summarized.
  • the operations in flowchart 700 of Figure 14 are carried out when the system is initially in its normal auto-transfer detection state (i.e., as shown in Figure 11 ). It will be appreciated that the corresponding operations shown in Figure 14 may be used when checking the relays 16 and 20 while the system is using the alternate power source 28 for providing power to the Load.
  • the controller 12 makes a determination if a command has been received from a user to start the relay test process (i.e., typically from the HMI health button 13a). If such a command is received, then at operation 704 the controller 12 begins using the RTSM 12b to open relay 14b and secondary relay 22. The voltage detection subsystem 12c and the VSRS 12d are then used to make a voltage measurement at node N1 , as indicated at operation 706. This voltage reading may be recorded in the memory 12a. The RTSM 12b then causes the controller 12 to make a check if the voltage present at node N1 is equal to or less than 85% of the nominal peak reference voltage, as indicated at operation 708.
  • the RTSM 12b causes the controller 12 to report that the secondary relay test has failed, and at operation 724 the RTSM 12b causes the controller 12 to abort the relay test procedure and close relay 14b to restore the normal auto-transfer detection state. If the test at operation 708 produces a “YES” answer, the secondary relay 22 has successfully opened, and at operation 710, RTSM 12b causes the controller 12 to report that the secondary relay test has been passed. The RTSM 12b then causes the controller 12 to close the primary relay 18, as indicated at operation 712.
  • the RTSM 12b then causes the controller 12 to make another voltage check at node N1 , as indicated at operation 714.
  • the RTSM 12b then causes the controller 12b to determine if the voltage just measured at node N1 is at, or close to, the nominal peak reference voltage, as indicated at operation 716. If this test produces a “YES” answer, then the controller 12 may report/record that the primary relay 18 has successfully closed, and the primary relay test has been passed, as indicated at operation 718. If the check at operation 716 produces a “NO” answer, then at operation 726 the RTSM 12b causes the controller 12 to report that the primary relay has failed to close, and the primary relay test has not been passed. After relay testing is complete and test results have been reported, at operation 720 the RTSM 12b causes the controller 12 to restore the relay states for normal autotransfer detection and end the relay test process.
  • a significant advantage of the system 500 and the RTSM 12b is that the voltage tests described above can be completed in just a few line cycles of the AC signal, for example, in only six line cycles of the AC input signal from the primary power source 26. Still another significant benefit is that the relay voltage tests described above can all be carried out without interrupting the supply of power to the Load from the preferred power source 26. Likewise, if the system 500 is operating using power from the alternate power source 28, then the relays associated with the preferred power source (i.e. , relays 16 and 20) can all be checked without interrupting power from the alternate power source 28 to the Load.
  • the controller 12 may be programmed, for example, to perform the above-described voltage tests through the controlled opening/closing of the various relays on a scheduled basis, such as weekly, without needing to switch the Load to a different power source before performing the relay tests.
  • the system 500 can be commanded to make a voltage check of the voltage across the Load. As noted above, this check can be made simultaneously with a check being performed by the VSRS subsystem 12d.
  • the LVSRS subsystem 12e sensing capability provides redundancy and can help determine whether an internal or external fault has occurred during normal run time that caused a transfer; for example, the active power source’s primary relay (relay 16 or relay 18) unexpectedly opened. For example, if the active source is the preferred AC power source 26, and the primary relay 16 was to unexpectedly open, this would mean that the output voltage reading would be invalid, but the input voltage from the preferred AC power source 26 would still be present.
  • the system 500 will automatically transfer to the other power source (i.e., preferred power source 26 or alternate power source 28).
  • a loss of voltage may have occurred due to source failure or an internal hardware fault, e.g., a secondary or primary relay contact spontaneously opened. If the internal hardware fault is a permanent condition, then the self-test would reveal the internal failure as the root cause.
  • the LVSRS subsystem 12e thus provides a valuable subsystem for helping to assess the health of the primary relays 16 and 18. Importantly, the testing performed using both the LVSRS subsystem 12e and the VSRS subsystem 12d may be performed without interrupting power to the Load.
  • Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.
  • first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.
  • Spatially relative terms such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

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Abstract

La présente divulgation se rapporte à un système de commutation de transfert partagé doté d'une capacité de test de relais intégrée, permettant de transférer une puissance reçue par une charge depuis une source d'alimentation CA préférée vers une autre source d'alimentation CA, ou de transférer une puissance reçue par la charge depuis l'autre source d'alimentation CA vers la source d'alimentation CA préférée. Le système commande sélectivement divers relais parmi les relais utilisés pour appliquer la puissance depuis la source d'alimentation préférée ou l'autre source d'alimentation vers la charge, de telle sorte que les relais sont commutés d'un état ouvert à un état fermé à des moments contrôlés, pendant la réalisation de mesures de tension à des emplacements sélectionnés entre les relais. Le système peut identifier quels relais spécifiques parmi une pluralité de relais associés à chaque source de la source d'énergie préférée et de l'autre source d'énergie ont été correctement ouverts et fermés, et ainsi vérifier que tous les relais nécessaires pour commuter entre la source d'alimentation préférée et l'autre source d'alimentation fonctionnent correctement.
PCT/US2022/035213 2021-08-27 2022-06-28 Système et procédé de système de commutateur de transfert hybride partagé à auto-test de relais intégré WO2023027803A1 (fr)

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EP22861858.3A EP4392793A1 (fr) 2021-08-27 2022-06-28 Système et procédé de système de commutateur de transfert hybride partagé à auto-test de relais intégré
CN202280065092.4A CN118103719A (zh) 2021-08-27 2022-06-28 用于具有集成继电器自测试的共享混合式转换开关系统的系统和方法

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US17/459,837 US12061235B2 (en) 2019-05-06 2021-08-27 System and method for shared hybrid transfer switch system with integrated relay self test
US17/459,837 2021-08-27

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Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070121257A1 (en) * 2005-11-30 2007-05-31 Arindam Maitra Multifunction hybrid solid-state switchgear
US20100264743A1 (en) * 2007-10-31 2010-10-21 Hyun-Chul Jung Static transfer switch device, power supply apparatus using the switch device and switching method thereof
US20120106021A1 (en) * 2010-11-01 2012-05-03 Raritan Americas, Inc. Methods And Apparatus For Improved Relay Control
US20150123473A1 (en) * 2013-11-01 2015-05-07 Juniper Networks, Inc. Uninterruptable power supply for device having power supply modules with internal automatic transfer switches
US20200358309A1 (en) * 2019-05-06 2020-11-12 Vertiv Corporation System and method for shared hybrid transfer switch
US20210389375A1 (en) * 2019-05-06 2021-12-16 Vertiv Corporation System and method for shared hybrid transfer switch system with integrated relay self test

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070121257A1 (en) * 2005-11-30 2007-05-31 Arindam Maitra Multifunction hybrid solid-state switchgear
US20100264743A1 (en) * 2007-10-31 2010-10-21 Hyun-Chul Jung Static transfer switch device, power supply apparatus using the switch device and switching method thereof
US20120106021A1 (en) * 2010-11-01 2012-05-03 Raritan Americas, Inc. Methods And Apparatus For Improved Relay Control
US20150123473A1 (en) * 2013-11-01 2015-05-07 Juniper Networks, Inc. Uninterruptable power supply for device having power supply modules with internal automatic transfer switches
US20200358309A1 (en) * 2019-05-06 2020-11-12 Vertiv Corporation System and method for shared hybrid transfer switch
US20210389375A1 (en) * 2019-05-06 2021-12-16 Vertiv Corporation System and method for shared hybrid transfer switch system with integrated relay self test

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