Electricity: power supply or regulation systems – In shunt with source or load – Using choke and switch across source
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-14
2001-07-10
Nguyen, Matthew (Department: 2838)
Electricity: power supply or regulation systems
In shunt with source or load
Using choke and switch across source
Reexamination Certificate
active
06259234
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Such converter modules are intended in particular for use on-board satellites in order to power a telecommunications bus. The power supply system is controlled from a main control system CMEA which delivers the signals required for operating the various modules.
On-board systems generally have three operating ranges, and sometimes only two operating ranges:
I) a regulation range or daytime mode: excess power supplied by the solar cells is diverted or “shunted” sequentially, e.g. using the so-called “S
3
R” technique;
II) the battery charging range (BCR): excess power delivered by the solar cells is used to charge the or each battery, and the charging current is controlled by a signal supplied by the amplifier MEA; and
III) the battery discharge range (BDR) or “nighttime mode”: current discharge from the batteries is controlled by a signal supplied by the amplifier MEA.
When two-range operation is used, then range II (battery charging) is omitted.
A more detailed description of a three-range system can be found in particular in the publication by P.R.K. CHETTY, entitled “Improved power conditioning unit for regulated bus spacecraft power system”, published in the ESA Proceedings SP126 of the “3rd ESTEC Spacecraft Power Seminar”, Sep. 21-23, 1977—NOORDWIJK (pp. 101-110).
In that technology, each of the operating ranges is provided by a specific module. For example, the prior art system shown in
FIG. 1
implements
32
shunt modules numbered
1
to
32
and powered by the signals S
3
R,
12
battery discharge regulator modules numbered
1
′ to
12
′ and powered by signals BDR, and four battery charging regulator modules numbered
1
″ to
4
″ and powered by the signal BCR.
The modules
1
to
32
and
1
′ to
12
′ power the line BUS having capacitance C via forward-connected diodes as shown.
The modules
1
to
32
and
1
″ to
4
″ are powered by the current SA generated by the solar cells, while the modules
1
′ to
12
′ and
1
″ to
4
″ are powered by the voltage delivered by the storage battery(ies) BAT.
As shown in
FIG. 1
, the prior art system is complicated both from the point of view of the number of modules and from the point of view of the interconnections required.
Proposals have already been made to implement both-way modules that perform both battery charging II and discharging III. The resulting saving in terms of complexity is relatively marginal, since integrating the charging function makes it possible to omit only a small number of modules (see FIG.
1
).
Proposals have also been made for a circuit that regulates by means of a switched “buck” regulator. Reference on this topic can be made to the article by G. SHIVANNA entitled “A new universal spacecraft power conditioner”, published in “ESA Proceedings of 4th European Research Organization”, September 1995, pp. 41 to 45.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The idea on which the invention is based is a shunt type module of topology that makes it possible to adapt a single module so that it can perform both of the above-mentioned functions I and III, and preferably to adapt a single module so that it can perform all three functions I, II, and III.
The invention also relates to a converter module for supplying an electrical power supply from at least a first source of electricity, in particular a current source, e.g. a solar panel, the module including a first branch having self-inductance that extends between a power supply terminal for the first source and a node point, and which is functionally associated with a shunt switch connected between the node point of the first branch and a common mode pole. It has a second branch having in series, between the node point and the common mode pole: a controlled switch and a filter, in particular a capacitive filter that is preferably damped. In particular, the input terminal of the switch can be connected to an output terminal of the filter and the output terminal of the switch is connected to said node point.
The node point is advantageously connected to an output terminal of the module via a first self-inductive element. The filter may have a power supply terminal constituted by an active terminal of a second source of electrical energy, e.g. one or more batteries. The power supply terminal of the filter can be connected to an output terminal of an input self-inductive element whose input terminal is connected to an active terminal of the second source, where appropriate via a switch element. The module may have a first or “buck” diode connected in parallel between the node point and the common mode pole.
In order additionally to give the module a function of charging the second source, and in a preferred embodiment, the module includes, in series between the node point and said active terminal of the second source: at least one second self-inductive element and at least one diode that is forward-connected relative to current for charging such a battery constituting said second source, and further includes a controllable charging switch connected between the common mode pole and a terminal common to said diode and to said second self-inductive element.
The module is advantageously controlled by a control circuit which presents at least one of the following operating modes:
a) the controlled switch can be in its closed position only if the shunt switch is in its active position;
b) the controlled switch and the shunt switch are controlled in phase opposition;
c) the control circuit controls the shunt switch as a function of the result of comparing the output voltage from the module and the current flowing through the first self-inductive element with respective thresholds;
d) the control circuit has a logic element that deactivates closure of the shunt switch when the control circuit is in a state of drawing current from or discharging the second source; and
e) the controlled switch is activated on or off in response to comparing a sawtooth signal with the output voltage of the module.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3696286 (1972-10-01), Ule
patent: 5486752 (1996-01-01), Hua et al.
patent: 5977754 (1999-11-01), Cross
“A Novel Zero-Voltage Switched PWM Boost Converter”, Record of the Annual Power Electronics Specialists Conference (PESC, Atlanta—Jun. 12-15, 1995—vol. 2, No. Conf. 26, Jun. 12, 1995, pp. 694-700.
“Analysis of a New Compound Converter as MPPT, Battery Regulator ANDBUS Regulator for Satellite Power Systems”, Proceedings of the Annual Power Electronics Specialists Conference (PESC), Seattle, Jun. 20-25, 1993, No. Conf. 24, 20, Jun. 1993, pp. 846-852.
Agence Spatiale Europeenne
Nguyen Matthew
Sughrue Mion Zinn Macpeak & Seas, PLLC
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