Patent Publication Number: US-2013249315-A1

Title: Switching component and switch system comprising the same

Description:
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate to a switching component and a switch system comprising the switching component, and more particularly, but not exclusively, relate to a switching component and a switch system comprising a number of power switches with lower rated powers in series and in parallel. 
     Power switches are widely used in many electric systems. Traditionally, power switches are a single switch element which is switched on or off in circuits to make the circuits closed or open. The electric system often utilizes a number of the power switches, each performing its own function. If any one of the power switches is at fault, the system cannot work to achieve its function. Therefore, the reliability of the system is very low. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide a switching component. The switching component comprises a plurality of parallel switch sets. Each switch set comprises a plurality of power switches and a backup power switch in a series. The backup power switch has a default position of closed, wherein a rated powers of the plurality of power switches and the backup power switch are less than a rated power of the switching component. Furthermore, the switching component is modular. 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide a switching component. The switching component comprises a plurality of power switches formed in a redundant array. A rated power of each of the plurality of power switches is less than the switching component. Furthermore, the switching component is modular. 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide a switch system. The switch system comprises a switching component, a detection circuitry and a switch controller. The switching component comprises a plurality of power switches formed in a redundant array. A rated power of each of the power switches is less than that of the switching component. The switching component is modular. The detection circuitry is coupled to the switching component to detect the conduction state of each of the power switches and generates a detection signal. The switch controller is coupled to the switching component and the detection circuitry to generate a switch control signal instructing each of the power switches to open or close, based on the detection signal. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Features of embodiments of the present invention will become evident from the following description when is taken in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a switching component in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of the switching component of  FIG. 1  in a failed condition, wherein one power switch of the switching component is short-circuited; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of the switching component of  FIG. 1  in a failed condition, wherein the power switch of the switching component is open-circuited; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of the switching component in an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of the switching component of  FIG. 4  in a failed condition, wherein one power switch of the switching component is open-circuited; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of the switching component of  FIG. 4  in a failed condition, wherein power switches in series of the switching component are all short-circuited; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic diagram of the switching component in an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram of the switching component of  FIG. 7  in a failed condition; and 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram of a switch system which utilizes the switching component of  FIGS. 1 ,  4  and  7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The terms “first”, “second”, and the like, as used herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. Also, the terms “a” and “an” do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. The use of “including,” “comprising” or “having” and variations thereof herein are meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. The terms “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings, and can include electrical connections or couplings, whether direct or indirect. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic diagram of a switching component  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Switching component  100  is modular and has an input terminal  14  and an output terminal  15 . Switching component  100  includes two parallel switch sets 1, 2. Each switch set 1, 2 includes two power switches  11   a - 11   d  and a backup power switch  12   a,    12   b  in series. Power switches  11   a - 11   d  and the backup power switch  12   a  and  12   b  are formed in a redundant array. Rated powers of the power switches,  11   a - 11   d,  and the backup power switch  12   a,    12   b  are less than a rated power of the switching component  100 . In an embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , power switches  11   a - 11   d  and backup power switches  12   a,    12   b  are substantially similar, and the rated powers of the power switches,  11   a - 11   d,  and backup power switch  12   a,    12   b  are substantially similar as well. In an embodiment of the present invention, the number of the switch set 1, 2, power switches  11   a - 11   d  and backup power switch  12   a,    12   b  may change according to particular application environments. For example, the switching component may include more than two switch sets, and each switch set may include more than two power switches and more than one backup power switch. 
     Power switches  11   a - 11   d  are switched on or off simultaneously to determine whether the switching component  100  is opened or closed. Backup power switches  12   a,    12   b  each have a default position of closed and are closed when the power switches  11   a - 11   d  work well.  FIG. 2  depicts a failure condition where one of the power switches  11   a - 11   d,    11   a  is short-circuited. In response, backup power switch  12   a  is switched on or off simultaneously with the power switches  11   b - 11   d  to replace the failed power switch,  11   a.  Since power switches  11   c  and  11   d  along with the backup power switch  12   b  are in normal operating conditions, the backup power switch  12   b  remains closed. Thereby, switching component  100  may still be switched on and off due to the backup power switch  12   a.    
       FIG. 3  depicts a failed condition where one of the power switches,  11   a - 11   d,    11   a,  is open-circuited. Switch set 1 along with power switch  11   a  fails to work. Switch set 2, which has the power switch  11   c,    11   d  works properly. Power switches  11   c  and  11   d  are switched on and off simultaneously and the backup power switch  12   a  remains closed. Thereby, switching component  100  works well and performs its function. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a schematic diagram of switching component  200  in accordance with an embodiment. Switching component  200  includes a number of power switches  21   a - 21   d  and backup power switches  22   a,    22   b.  Power switches  21   a - 21   d  and backup power switches  22   a,    22   b  are substantially similar and are formed in a redundant array. Switching component  200  includes a number of first auxiliary switches  23   a - 23   f  each connecting in parallel with each of power switches  21   a - 21   d  and backup power switches  22   a,    22   b.  Each of the first auxiliary switches  23   a - 23   f  has a default position of open. When power switches  21   a - 21   d  and backup power switches  22   a,    22   b  work well, the first auxiliary switches  23   a - 23   f  are open. Each of the switch sets 3, 4 includes second auxiliary switches  24   a,    24   b  connecting in series with power switches  21   a - 21   d  and backup power switches  22   a,    22   b.  The second auxiliary switch  24   a,    24   b  has a default position of closed. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , when power switch  21   a  is open-circuited, the first auxiliary switch  23   a  connected in parallel with the power switch  21   a  is closed, and backup power switch  22   a  replaces the power switch  21   a.  So that the switch set 3 with the power switch  21   b  and the backup power switch  22   a  may work as well as switching component  200  works well and performs its function. In an embodiment, first auxiliary switches  23   a - 23   f  comprises logic switches, such as relay, contactor, et cetera. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , when power switches  21   a,    21   b  and backup power switch  22   a  of one switch set 3 are both short-circuited at the same time, the second auxiliary switch  24   a  is switched off. Switch set 4 still works normally, so that switching component  200  still performs its function. In an embodiment of the present invention, second auxiliary switches  24   a,    24   b  comprises a logic switch, such as relay, contactor, et cetera. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a schematic diagram of switching component  300  in accordance with an embodiment. Switching component  300  comprises a number of single-pole double-throw switches  35   a - 35   d  each having a common terminal  351  and two separate terminals  352 ,  353 . Power switches  31   a - 31   f  and backup power switches  32   a - 32   c  each have an input terminal  311  and an output terminal  312 . The common terminal  351  and one of the separate terminals  352  connect respectively to the input terminal  311  and the output terminal  312  of power switches  31   b,    31   d  or backup power switch  32   a,    32   b  of one switch set 5, 6. Another separate terminal  353  connects to the input terminal  311  of the power switch  31   d,    31   f  or the backup power switches  32   b,    32   c  of another switch set 6, 7. Each of the single-pole double-throw switches  35   a - 35   d  has a default idle state, that is to say, the common terminal  351  does not connect to the two separate terminals  352  and  353 . The switching component  300  also has the first auxiliary switches  33   a - 33   e  and the second auxiliary switches  34   a - 34   c.    
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , power switches  31   b,    31   c  and backup power switches  32   a,    32   b  are in faulty condition. Common terminal  351  of the single-pole double-throw switch  35   a  electrically connects to the separate terminal  353  thereof, so that power switches  31   a  and  31   d  of different switch sets 5, 6 form a new switch set. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, backup power switches acts as power switches, which switch on and off simultaneously with other power switches. The power switch, the backup power switch, the first auxiliary switch, the second auxiliary switch and the single-pole double-throw switch may be selected and assembled according to different application requirements. Furthermore, the number of the aforementioned switches may change according to the application environment. Power switches with lower rated power, the backup power switches, the first auxiliary switches, the second auxiliary switches and the single-pole double-throw switches are used to enhance the reliability of the switching component and the system using the switching component. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , switch system  400  comprises switch component  401 , a detection circuitry  402  coupled to the switching component  401  and a switch controller  403  coupled to switching component  401  and detection circuitry  402 . Switching component  401  may be any one of the switching components  100 ,  200 ,  300  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  4  and  7 . Detection circuitry  402  is configured to detect the conduction state of each of the power switches described above and generate a detection signal indicating the conduction state. 
     Switch controller  403  is configured to receive the detection signal and generate a switch control signal to instruct each one of the switches, including the power switches, the backup power switches, the first auxiliary switches, the second auxiliary switches and the single-pole double-throw switches based on the detection signal. Switch controller  403  drives the power switches open or closed, set the default positions of the backup power switches, the first auxiliary switches and the second auxiliary switches, drives the backup power switches, the first auxiliary switches, the second auxiliary switches and the single-pole double-throw switches open or closed in the faulty condition state. In an embodiment of the present invention, switch controller  403  comprises a power switch controller (not shown) and a logic switch controller (not shown). The power switch controller drives the power switches. The logic switch controller controls logic switches, including the first auxiliary switches, the second auxiliary switches and the single-pole double-throw switches based on the detection signal to reconfigure the switches of switch component  401  in a faulty condition. In an embodiment of the present invention, the logic switch controller comprises an embedded smart controller. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, detection circuitry  402  detects the faulty condition of the power switches and generates a faulty signal. When the faulty signal is received by switch controller  403 , switch controller  403  reconfigures the switches to make sure switch component  401  can work in a faulty condition, enhancing the reliability of switch system  400 . 
     While embodiments of the present invention have been described herein, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 
     Furthermore, the skilled artisan will recognize the interchangeability of various features from different embodiments. The various features described, as well as other known equivalents for each feature, can be mixed and matched by one of ordinary skill in this art to construct additional systems and techniques in accordance with principles of this disclosure.