Fast changeover switch

United States Patent [19]
Yamamoto et al.
US006051893A
[11] Patent Number: 6,051,893
[45] Date of Patent: Apr. 18, 2000
[54] ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR
LOAD
[75] Inventors: HiroshiYamamoto; Hiroyuki Sasao;
Kenichi Koyama; Yukimori Kishida;
Toshimasa Maruyama; Masakazu
Fukada, all of Tokyo, Japan
[73] Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha,
Tokyo, Japan
[21] Appl. No.: 09/181,556
[22] Filed: Oct. 29, 1998
[51] Int. Cl.7 .................................. H02J 3/00; H02] 9/04
[52] US. Cl. .................................. 307/43; 307/64; 307/87
[58] Field of Search .................................. 307/64, 70, 80,
307/87, 43, 65, 42
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
3,662,182 5/1972 Ullmann et al. ........................ .. 307/64
4,142,136 2/1979 Witter ............ .. 318/779
4,704,652 11/1987 Billigs . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 361/5
4,811,163 3/1989 Fletcher .... .. 307/64
5,644,175 7/1997 GalIn .......... .. 307/131
5,650,901 7/1997 Yamamoto ................................ .. 361/8
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
“Static Transfer Switch: Increased Reliability & Redun
dancy Of Power At Critical Data Processing Centers”, The
CYBEREXpert, vol. 94, No. 15, 1994, pp. 1—12.
1.5 H31
12 PS1 110
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Primary Examiner—Jeffrey Gaffin
Assistant Examiner—Rios Roberto
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Leydig, Voit & Mayer, Ltd.
[57] ABSTRACT
A fast changeover from one power system to another in the
event of an irregularity in the power source system substan
tially reduces operating costs by minimizing a power loss in
switches during conduction, dispenses with a cooling device
for cooling a thyristor switch, and implements the thyristor
switch in a compact and low-cost design. The power supply
system for a load includes one switching apparatus for
connecting a load to one power source system, and another
switching apparatus for connecting the load to another
power source system. Each of the switching apparatus
includes a pair of thyristors connected in anti-parallel and a
mechanical switch connected in parallel with the thyristor
pair. The thyristor pairs and the mechanical switches are
controlled so that the mechanical switches conduct a load
current when the load is supplied with power from the one
power source system in a steady power supply state. The
thyristor switches conduct the load current during a power
source changeover time within which the load is discon
nected from one power source system and connected to the
other power source system, and do not conduct the load
current during the steady power supply state.
3 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
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6,051,893
1
ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR
LOAD
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
As the con?guration of load devices connected to poWer
facilities installed in factories and buildings is diversi?ed in
con?guration, they become more sensitive to drops in poWer
supply stability such as a poWer supply interruption and an
abnormal voltage drop. HoWever, there is an increasing need
to prevent the shutdoWn of the load device due to drops in
the poWer supply stability and to thereby preclude inconve
niences to the community. To receive a reliable poWer
supply, consumers of electricity adopt a tWo-circuit feeding
system so that, for example, they can sWitch from one circuit
to the other if one circuit fails. The present invention relates
to a poWer supply system for a load Which, in order to supply
poWer to the load from a plurality of different alternating
current poWer sources, selectively sWitches to any of the
plurality of poWer sources to supply poWer to the load. More
speci?cally, the present invention relates to an electric poWer
supply system for a load Which, in the event of an abnor
mality such as a voltage irregularity or an interruption of
poWer in one poWer circuit, can sWitch the load, Without any
interruption, to another poWer circuit in normal operating
conditions.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 5 shoWs a conventional poWer supply system for
load. Referring to FIG. 5, there are shoWn an alternating
current poWer source system 1 (hereinafter referred to as a
?rst alternating current poWer source system), another alter
nating current poWer source system 2 (hereinafter referred to
as a second alternating current poWer source system), a
mechanical-type sWitch 3 (hereinafter referred to as a ?rst
sWitch) for sWitching the ?rst alternating current poWer
source system 1, a voltage transformer (PT) 31 for detecting
the voltage at the ?rst alternating current poWer source
system 1, a mechanical-type sWitch 4 (hereinafter referred to
as a second sWitch) for sWitching the second alternating
current poWer source system 2, another voltage transformer
41 for detecting the voltage at the second alternating current
poWer source system 2, and a load 5, for example, a
mechanical apparatus, a lighting system, an air-conditioning
system, an elevator system, or a computer or a controller for
controlling these systems and the like. A sWitch controller
342 receives the outputs of the voltage transformers 31, 32,
and controls the ?rst sWitch 3 and second sWitch 4 to
selectively turn them on and off in response to the outputs of
the voltage transformers 31, 32. When the second alternating
current poWer source system 1 is in normal operating
conditions, the sWitch controller 342 causes the ?rst sWitch
2 to close While opening the second sWitch 3 so that poWer
from the ?rst alternating current poWer source system 1 is
fed to the load 5. When a poWer interruption takes place in
the ?rst alternating current poWer source system 1, poWer
can not be continuously supplied to the load, and the sWitch
controller 342 causes the second sWitch 4 to close after
opening the ?rst sWitch 2 so that the second alternating
current poWer source system 2 feeds poWer to the load 5 via
the second sWitch 4. Hence, the load 5 is continuously
supplied With poWer. Since the ?rst sWitch 3 and second
sWitch 4 are mechanical-type sWitches, the changeover from
the ?rst alternating current poWer source system 1 to the
second alternating current poWer source system 2 takes
several hundred ms or more, and during the changeover
time, an interruption of poWer to the load is unavoidable.
15
25
35
45
55
65
2
The above-described poWer supply system or poWer receiv
ing system, employing the mechanical-type sWitches, Works
With a load capable of tolerating a transient interruption of
poWer, but When the load 5 is a computeriZed apparatus or
equipment, Which is sensitive to a transient interruption of
poWer or an abnormal voltage drop, such a system cannot be
used. When the load 5, such as a computeriZed apparatus or
equipment, is sensitive to a transient poWer interruption or
abnormal voltage drop, the folloWing conventional tech
nique is employed.
FIG. 6 shoWs another conventional eXample employing
such a conventional technique, namely, a poWer supply
sWitching system that includes thyristor sWitches instead of
the mechanical-type sWitches to assure fast changeover
speed in the changeover operation of poWer supply systems.
Referring to FIG. 6, there are shoWn a ?rst thyristor sWitch
6 composed of a pair of thyristors in anti-parallel
connection, and a second thyristor sWitch 7 composed of a
pair of thyristors in anti-parallel connection. When a ?rst
alternating current poWer source system 1 is in normal
operating conditions, the thyristor pair of the ?rst thyristor
sWitch 6 are continuously supplied With a gate signal to keep
them in a closed state and the thyristor pair of the second
thyristor sWitch 7 are not supplied With a gate signal to keep
them in an open state. Thus, the ?rst alternating current
poWer source system 1 thus feeds poWer to the load 5 via the
?rst thyristor sWitch 6. When a poWer interruption takes
place in the ?rst alternating current poWer source system 1,
the gate signal to the thyristor pair of the ?rst thyristor
sWitch 6 is immediately stopped, and the ?rst thyristor
sWitch 6 is opened at the moment a current ?oWing through
the thyristor reaches Zero. The thyristor pair of the second
thyristor sWitch 7 are then supplied With a gate signal to turn
them on, and a second alternating current poWer source
system 2 feeds poWer to the load 5 via the second thyristor
sWitch 7. When the thyristor sWitches are used, the
changeover from the ?rst alternating current poWer source
system 1 to the second alternating current poWer source
system 2 is completed Within a 1/2 cycle, so that if there is a
poWer interruption from the ?rst alternating current poWer
source system 1, the changeover operation to the second
alternating current poWer source system 2 is performed
Without adversely affecting the load 5. In the ?gure, there are
also shoWn a voltage transformer 61 for detecting the
voltage at the ?rst alternating current poWer source system
1, another voltage transformer 71 for detecting the voltage
at the second alternating current poWer source system 2, and
a sWitch controller 672 for receiving the outputs of the
voltage transformers 61 and 71. The sWitch controller 672
controls the above-described ?rst thyristor sWitch 6 and
second thyristor sWitch 7 to selectively turn them on and off
in response to the outputs of the voltage transformers 61 and
71.
As can be understood from the above discussion, in the
selective poWer supply system or selective poWer receiving
system, having these thyristor sWitches, a load current
alWays ?oWs through either the ?rst thyristor sWitch 6 or the
second thyristor sWitch 7. Accordingly, When a poWer loss
attributed to an internal loss in the thyristors takes place,
increased operating costs result from the generated poWer
loss. Since the load current constantly ?oWs through either
the ?rst thyristor sWitch 6 or the second thyristor sWitch 7,
the thyristor sWitches 6 and 7 are subject to abnormal
currents such as short-circuit currents and overload currents,
and the current resistance rating of the thyristor elements
forming the thyristor sWitch must be high enough to With
stand transient abnormal currents for short periods of time.

6,051,893
3
Moreover, thyristor switch and the thyristor elements form
ing the thyristor sWitch require a large cooling system to
dissipate heat generated as a result of continuously ?oWing
load currents and transient abnormal currents, leading to a
bulky and costly design.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been developed to resolve the
above problem, and it is the principal object of the present
invention to enable a fast changeover from one poWer source
system to another in the event of an irregularity in a poWer
supply system Which supplies or receives poWer, to mini
miZe a generated loss in a live sWitch, and to substantially
reduce operation costs of the poWer supply system.
It is another object of the present invention to dispense
With a cooling device for cooling a thyristor sWitch.
It is yet another object of the present invention to make
the thyristor sWitch compact and loW-cost.
To achieve the above objects, the poWer supply system for
a load of the present invention includes a sWitching appa
ratus for connecting or disconnecting a load to or from one
poWer source system, and another sWitching apparatus for
connecting or disconnecting the load to or from another
poWer source system, Wherein each of the sWitching appa
ratuses includes a pair of thyristors in anti-parallel connec
tion and a mechanical-type sWitch connected in parallel With
the thyristor pair, and Wherein the thyristor pairs and the
mechanical-type sWitches are controlled so that the
mechanical-type sWitch for the respective poWer supply
system conducts a load current both When the load is
supplied With poWer from the one poWer source system in a
steady poWer supply state and When the load is supplied With
poWer from the other poWer source system in a steady poWer
supply state, and so that the thyristor sWitches conduct the
load current during a poWer source changeover time Within
Which the load is disconnected from the one poWer source
system and connected to the other poWer source system, and
do not conduct the load current during the steady poWer
supply state.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically shoWing an entire
poWer supply system according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram shoWing in detail the circuit
that sWitches from a ?rst poWer source to a second poWer
source in the controller shoWn in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3(a)—FIG. 3(y) are Waveform diagrams for each
section in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4(a)—FIG. 4()‘) are diagrams illustrating the
changeover process from the ?rst poWer source to the
second poWer source.
FIG. 5 shoWs a conventional poWer supply sWitching
system for a load.
FIG. 6 shoWs another conventional poWer supply sWitch
ing system for a load.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the draWings, the preferred embodiments of
the present invention Will noW be discussed.
Embodiment 1
Construction of the Embodiment
Referring to FIG. 1, a ?rst semiconductor sWitch
(hereinafter referred to as a ?rst thyristor sWitch) 8 com
10
15
25
35
45
55
65
4
prising a pair of thyristors 8a and 8b in anti-parallel
connection, is connected betWeen a ?rst alternating current
poWer source system 1 and a load 5. The ?rst thyristor
sWitch 8 is controlled so that it is conductive for only a
period during Which the load 5 is sWitched from the ?rst
alternating current poWer source system 1 to a second
alternating current poWer source system 2, or for only a
period during Which the load 5 is sWitched from the second
alternating current poWer source system 2 to the ?rst alter
nating current poWer source system 1. A gate drive circuit 9
feeds a gate signal to the thyristors 8a and 8b. A ?rst
non-static-type bypass sWitch 10 is typically a mechanical
quick operating vacuum sWitch, and is serially connected
betWeen the ?rst alternating current poWer source system 1
and the load 5, and is also connected in parallel With the ?rst
thyristor sWitch 8. A sWitch drive circuit 11 drives the ?rst
bypass sWitch 10. Acurrent-pickup current transformer (DT)
12 detects the current ?oWing through the ?rst bypass sWitch
10. A current-pickup current transformer 13a detects the
current ?oWing through the thyristor 8a. A current-pickup
current transformer 13b detects the current ?oWing through
the thyristor 8b. A voltage-pickup voltage transformer 14
detects the voltage at the ?rst alternating current poWer
source system 1. A ?rst hybrid sWitching system or a
sWitching apparatus 15 is composed of the ?rst thyristor 8,
gate drive circuit 9, ?rst bypass sWitch 10, sWitch drive
circuit 11, current-pickup current transformers 12, 13a, and
13b, and voltage-pickup voltage transformer 14.
A second semiconductor sWitch (hereinafter referred to as
a second thyristor sWitch) 16, composed of a pair of thyris
tors 16a and 16b in anti-parallel connection, is connected
betWeen the second alternating current poWer source system
2 and the load 5. The second thyristor sWitch 16 is controlled
so that it is conductive for only a period during Which the
load 5 is sWitched from the second alternating current poWer
source system 2 to the ?rst alternating current poWer source
system 1, or for only a period during Which the load 5 is
sWitched from the ?rst alternating current poWer source
system 1 to the second alternating current poWer source
system 2. A gate drive circuit 17 feeds a gate signal to the
thyristors 16a and 16b. A second non-static-type bypass
sWitch 18 is typically a mechanical quick operating vacuum
sWitch, and is serially connected betWeen the second alter
nating current poWer source system 2 and the load 5, and is
also connected in parallel With the second thyristor sWitch
16. A sWitch drive circuit 19 drives the second bypass
sWitch. A current-pickup current transformer 20 detects the
current ?oWing through the second bypass sWitch 18. A
current-pickup current transformer 21a detects the current
?oWing through the thyristor 16a. A current-pickup current
transformer 21b detects the current ?oWing through the
thyristor 16b. A voltage-pickup voltage transformer 22
detects the voltage at the second alternating current poWer
source system 2. A second hybrid sWitching system or
sWitching apparatus 23 is composed of the second thyristor
16, gate drive circuit 17, second bypass sWitch 18, sWitch
drive circuit 19, current-pickup current transformers 20,
21a, and 21b, and voltage-pickup voltage transformer 22. A
controller 24 controls the ?rst hybrid sWitching system 15
and the second hybrid sWitching system 23.
FIG. 2 shoWs the speci?c construction of the controller
24. Referring to FIG. 2, a voltage sensor 100 receives a
signal V1M (signal corresponding to the voltage at the ?rst
alternating current poWer source system 1) detected by the
voltage-pickup voltage transformer 14 and computes the
root-mean-square value of the voltage, and outputs a signal
V15 corresponding to the computed root-mean-square value

6,051,893
5
of the voltage. A voltage monitor circuit 101 receives the
output signal V15 of the voltage sensor 100, monitors the
level of the root-mean-square value of the voltage in level,
and outputs a change command signal CHG When the output
V15 becomes out of a range de?ned by a predetermined
voltage loWer limit value VL1 and a predetermined voltage
upper limit value VH1. Based on a signal IPSMJL detected by
the current-pickup current transformer 12 (signal corre
sponding to the current ?oWing through the ?rst bypass
sWitch 10), a current sensor 102 determines an instantaneous
current Waveform of the current ?oWing through the ?rst
bypass sWitch 10, and then outputs a determined signal IFS1
of the instantaneous current Waveform. Apolarity detection
circuit 103 receives the output signal IFS1 of the current
sensor 102 and determines the direction of the current
?oWing through the ?rst bypass sWitch 10 based on the
output signal IPS1 of the current sensor 102, and provides an
output signal IP1=“1” When the current ?oWs through the
?rst bypass sWitch 10 from the ?rst alternating current
poWer source system 1 to the load 5, and provides an output
signal IP1=“0” When the current ?oWs through the ?rst
bypass sWitch 10 from the load 5 to the ?rst alternating
current poWer source system 1. A current sensor 104 detects
a current value ITA of a current ?oWing through the thyristor
8a, based on the signal ITSA detected by the current-pickup
current transformer 13a (signal corresponding to the current
?oWing through the thyristor 8a). A current level monitor
circuit 105 receives the output signal ITA of the current
sensor 104, and detects Whether the output signal ITA of the
current sensor 104 is equal to or smaller than a set value IO.
A current sensor 106 determines a current value ITB, based
on the signal ITSB detected by the current-pickup current
transformer 13b (signal corresponding to the current ?oWing
through the thyristor 8b). A current level monitor circuit 107
receives the output signal ITB of the current sensor 106 and
detects Whether the output signal ITB of the current sensor
106 is equal to or smaller than the set value IO. A memory
circuit 108 is supplied With the output CHG of the voltage
monitor circuit 101 and the output 11,1 of the polarity
detection circuit 103, and operated to store the state of the
output signal IP1 of the polarity detection circuit 103 in
response to a rising edge portion of , Working as a trigger, of
the output CHG of the voltage monitor circuit 101 toWard
“1”, and the memory circuit 108 thus generates an output
P11. A?rst opening command circuit 109 receives the output
CHG of the voltage monitor circuit 101, and feeds to the
sWitch drive circuit 11 an opening command signal
PS1OPEN for opening the ?rst bypass sWitch 10 at the
moment the output CHG of the voltage monitor circuit 101
becomes “1”.
Atimer circuit 110 is supplied With the output CHG of the
voltage monitor circuit 101, and generates GSTP1 “1” for a
predetermined duration T1 When the output CHG is at “1”.
A NOT gate 111 receives the output P11 of the memory
circuit 108 and generates m “0” When P11 is “1”, and
generates m “1” When P11 is “0”. A NOT gate 112
receives the output GSTP1 of the timer circuit 110 and
generates an output TM1 “0” When the output GSTP1 is “1”,
and generates an output TM1 “1” When the output GSTP1 is
“0”.
AnAND gate 113 receives the output CHG of the voltage
monitor circuit 101, the output P11 of the memory circuit
108, and the output TM1 of the NOT gate 112. AnAND gate
114 receives the output CHG of the voltage monitor circuit
101, the output TM1 of the NOT gate 112, and the output
m of the NOT gate 111. An AND gate 115 receives the
output IZA of the current level monitor circuit 105 and the
output IZB of the current level monitor circuit 107.
10
15
25
35
45
55
65
6
A time delay circuit 116 receives the output CHG of the
voltage monitor circuit 101 and generates an output TM2
“1” after a predetermined time T2 from When it is supplied
With the signal that the output CHG has become “1”.
A time delay circuit 117 receives the output OK of the
AND gate 115, and generates an output TM3 “1” after a
predetermined time T3 from When it is supplied With the
signal that the output OK becomes “1”.
An AND gate 118 generates an output M2B When it
receive?e output TM2 of the time delay circuit 116 and the
output PL1 of the NOT gate 111.AnAND gate 119 generates
an output M2A When it receives the output TM2 of the time
delay circuit 116 and the output m of the memory circuit
108.
An OR gate 120 receives the output TM3 of the time
delay circuit 117 and the output M2B of the AND gate 118.
An OR gate 121 receives the output TM3 of the time delay
circuit 117 and the output M2A of the AND gate 119.
An AND gate 122 receives the output of the OR gate 120
and an output TMS of a NOT gate 127, to be described later.
AnAND gate 123 receives the output of the OR gate 121 and
an output TMS of the NOT gate 127, to be described later.
Atime delay circuit 124 receives the output TM3 of the time
delay circuit 117, and generates an output TM4 “1” after a
signal that the output TM3 becomes “1”. A PS2 closing
command output circuit 125 receives the output TM4 of the
time delay circuit 124, and generates a close command
signal PS2CLS “1” for the bypass sWitch PS2 at the moment
the output TM4 becomes “1”. A time delay circuit 126
receives the output PS2CLS of the PS2 closing command
output circuit 125, and generates an output TM5 “1” after a
signal that the output PS2CLS becomes “1”. The NOT gate
127 receives the output TM5 of the time delay circuit 126
and generates TMS “1” in response to the output TM5 “1”
and TMS “1” in response to the output TM5 “0”.
FIG. 3(a)—FIG. 3(y) are Waveform diagrams, in Which the
abscissa represents time, FIG. 3(a) plots the source voltage
of the ?rst alternating current poWer source system 1, FIG.
3(b) plots the load voltage of the load 5, FIG. 3(c) plots the
current of the bypass sWitch 10 (PS1), FIG. 3(a) plots the
current ?oWing through the thyristor (8a), FIG. 3(e) plots the
current ?oWing through the thyristor (8b), FIG. 3(}‘) plots the
current ?oWing through the thyristor (16a), FIG. 3(g) plots
the current ?oWing through the thyristor (16b), FIG. 3(h)
plots the current ?oWing through the bypass sWitch 19
(PS2), FIG. 3(i) plots the output CHG of the voltage monitor
circuit 101, FIG. plots the output 11,1 of the polarity
detection circuit 103, FIG. 3(k) plots the output PL1 of the
memory circuit 108, FIG. 3(l) plots the output PSlOPEN of
the ?rst opening command circuit 109, FIG. 3(m) plots the
output GSTP1 of the timer circuit 110, FIG. 3(n) plots an
output GIA (GIA=PL1><TM1) of the AND gate 113, FIG.
3(0) plots an output GIB (GIB=m><TM1) of the AND gate
114, FIG. 3(p) plots the output TM2 of the time delay circuit
116, FIG. 3(q) plots an output G2A (G2A=(PL1><TM2+
TM3)><TM5) of the AND gate 123, FIG. 3(r) plots an output
G2B (G2B=(m><TM2+TM3)><m) of the AND gate 122,
FIG. 3(s) plots the output OK of the AND gate 115, FIG. 3(t)
plots the output TM3 of the time delay circuit 117, FIG. 3(u)
plots the output TM4 of the time delay circuit 124, FIG. 3(v)
plots the output PS2CLS of the PS2 closing command
output circuit 125, FIG. 3(w) plots the output TM5 of the
time delay circuit 126, FIG. 3(x) plots the output IZA of the
current level monitor circuit 105, and FIG. 3(y) plots the
output IZB of the current level monitor circuit 107.

6,051,893
7
Detailed Description of the Operation
Next, the operation of the embodiment 1 Will be dis
cussed. The operation of the system shoWn in FIG. 1 and
FIG. 2 Will be discussed referring to the Waveform diagrams
shoWn in FIG. 3. To clarify the operation of the present
invention, the operational status at each process step is
discussed referring to FIG. 4.
(1) Operation Under Normal Operating Conditions
First, referring to FIG. 4(a), operation under the normal
operating conditions Will be discussed.
In the ?rst hybrid sWitching system 15, the ?rst bypass
sWitch 10 is in the closed state, and the ?rst thyristor sWitch
8 is not supplied With a gate signal, and is in the open state.
In the second hybrid sWitching system 23, the bypass sWitch
18 is in the open state, and the second thyristor sWitch 16 is
not supplied With a gate signal, and is in the open state. As
shoWn by a solid line, the ?rst alternating current poWer
source system 1 feeds poWer to the load 5 via the ?rst bypass
sWitch 10.
(2) Description of Changeover Operation
Next, the changeover operation from the ?rst alternating
current poWer source system 1 to the second alternating
current poWer source system 2 in the event of a voltage drop
in the ?rst alternating current poWer source system 1 Will be
discussed With reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4.
As shoWn in FIG. 3(a), the case of a voltage drop in the
voltage V1 in the ?rst alternating current poWer source
system 1 at time t2 Will be considered. The voltage-pickup
voltage transformer 14 detects the voltage V1 in the ?rst
alternating current poWer source system 1, the voltage
sensor 100 computes the root-mean-square value of the
voltage, and the computed result V1s is input to the voltage
monitor circuit 101. The voltage monitor circuit 101 com
pares V1s With a predetermined voltage upper limit value
VH1 and a predetermined voltage loWer limit value VL1,
and makes the change command signal CHG “1”, as shoWn
in FIG. 3(i), When the output V1s of the voltage sensor 100
is V1s>VH1 or V1s<VL1. When the change command
signal CHG becomes “1”, the changeover operation from
the ?rst alternating current poWer source system 1 to the
second alternating current poWer source system 2 starts and
takes the folloWing ?ve-step sequence.
STEP 1
In STEP 1, as shoWn in FIG. 4(b), the ?rst bypass sWitch
10 is opened and one of either the thyristor 8a or the thyristor
8b of the thyristor pair 8 is selectively ?red.
This operation Will noW be discussed.
Referring to FIG. 2, When the change command signal
CHG becomes “1”, the ?rst opening command circuit 109 is
activated, outputting the open command signal PS1OPEN to
the sWitch drive circuit 11 of the ?rst bypass sWitch 10. At
the moment the sWitch drive circuit 11 receives the open
command signal PS1OPEN, the ?rst bypass sWitch 10 starts
its opening operation.
The current-pickup current transformer 12 detects the
current ?oWing through the ?rst bypass sWitch 10, and feeds
the detected signal IFS1M to the current sensor 102. The
current sensor 102 converts this signal into a control signal
that is proportional to the current ?oWing through the ?rst
bypass sWitch 10, and feeds its output IFS1 to the polarity
detection circuit 103. The polarity detection circuit 103
outputs the output signal IP1 “1” When the current of the ?rst
bypass sWitch 10 is ?oWing from the ?rst alternating current
poWer source system 1 to the load 5. The polarity detection
circuit 103 outputs the output signal IP1 “0” When the
10
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current of the bypass sWitch 10 is ?oWing from the load 5 to
the ?rst alternating current poWer source system 1. FIG. 3(c)
shoWs the current ?oWing through the PS1 bypass sWitch 10,
and since the current ?oWs in a positive direction from time
t1 to time t2, namely, from the ?rst alternating current poWer
source system 1 to the load 5, the output signal IP1 of the
polarity detection circuit 103 is “1” during this period as
shoWn in FIG. As described above, When the output
CHG of the voltage monitor circuit 101 becomes “1” at time
t2, the rising edge of the output CHG Works as a trigger,
causing the memory circuit 108 to store the state of IP1 at
time t2, and as shoWn in FIG. 3(k), the memory circuit 108
outputs the output PL1 “1”.
The AND gate 113 and the AND gate 114 carry out the
folloWing logic operation.
Here, X denotes an AND operation, G1A is the output of
the AND gate 113, and G1B is the output of the AND gate
114. M denotes the output of the NOT gate 112. PL1 is the
output of the memory circuit 108, and m is the output of
the NOT gate 111.
The output G1A serves as a drive command for the gate
drive circuit 9a that ?res the thyristor 8a. The output G1B
serves as a drive command for the gate drive circuit 9b that
?res the thyristor 8b. Speci?cally, by providing the outputs
G1A and G1B as expressed in equation (1), one of the
thyristors 8a and 8b that is directionally aligned With the
current ?oWing through the ?rst bypass sWitch 10 is selec
tively ?red at time t2.
In the Waveform shoWn in FIG. 3, the logic operation
expressed in equation (1) gives the output G1A “1” and the
output G1B “0” at time t2 as shoWn in FIG. 3(n) and FIG.
3(0), and the gate drive circuit 9a is driven at time t2, ?ring
the thyristor 8a. Since, as described above, the ?rst bypass
sWitch 10 is supplied With the open command signal at time
t2 and starts the opening operation, an arc voltage, occurring
betWeen electrode contacts of the ?rst bypass sWitch 10,
causes the current ?oWing through the ?rst bypass sWitch 10
to commute to the thyristor 8a, Which is ?red at time t2, from
time t2 to time t3 as shoWn in FIG. 3(c) and FIG. At
time t3, the current of the ?rst bypass sWitch 10 fully
commutes to the thyristor 8a, and the current ?oWing
through the ?rst bypass sWitch 10 is Zero. The ?rst bypass
sWitch 10 fully opens its electrodes at this point, no longer
permitting the How of current, and keeps a Zero current state
from time t3 on.
Referring to FIG. 4(b), the current, having ?oWn through
the ?rst bypass sWitch 10, commutes to the thyristor 8a, and
the load 5 is supplied With the current via the thyristor 8a.
STEP 2
In STEP 2, as shoWn in FIG. 4(c), the gate signal to the
selected thyristor 8a is suspended a predetermined time after
the commuting to the ?rst bypass sWitch 10 is fully
completed, and the changeover operation to the second
alternating current poWer source system 2 is carried out.
To this end, the controller 24 shoWn in FIG. 2 causes the
timer circuit 110 to start operating at time t2, at the moment
the output signal CHG of the voltage monitor circuit 101
becomes “1”, and to output the gate signal stop command
signal GSTP1 after a delay time T1, Wherein the time T1
lasts from the start of the opening of the ?rst bypass sWitch
10 to the completion of the commuting to the thyristor 8a at
time t3.

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The AND gate 113 and AND gate 114 give the output “0”
at time t3, at the moment the gate signal stop command
signal GSTP1 becomes “1”, and stop the gate command
signals to the gate drive circuit 9. As a result, the gate signal
to the thyristor 8a is suspended.
STEP 3
In STEP 3, after a predetermined period of time that is
long enough to recover suf?cient insulation betWeen the
electrodes of the ?rst bypass sWitch 10, subsequent to its
transition to the Zero current state, one of the thyristors 16a
and 16b of the thyristor pair 16 is selectively ?red using the
logic condition determined from the thyristor 8a selected in
STEP 1, and the changeover operation of the load 5 from the
?rst alternating current poWer source system 1 to the second
alternating current poWer source system 2 starts as shoWn in
FIG.
To this end, in the controller 24 shoWn in FIG. 2, the time
delay circuit 116 gives the output TM2 “1” after a prede
termined time delay of T2 from the moment the output CHG
of the voltage monitor circuit 101 becomes “1” as shoWn in
the Waveform in FIG. 3(0). The duration T2 is set to be long
enough for the ?rst bypass sWitch 10 to recover suf?cient
insulation betWeen its electrodes subsequent to its transition
to the Zero current state at time t3. After the duration T2 has
elapsed, there is no problem With insulation in the ?rst
bypass sWitch 10 even if the thyristors 16a and 16b in the
second hybrid sWitching system 23 are ?red, and one of the
thyristors 16a or 16b of the thyristor pair 16 is selectively
?red at time t4.
The logic operation to select one of either the thyristor
16a or 16b is carried out by the AND gates 118 and 119
according to the folloWing logic:
M2B=PL1><TM2 (2)
Where M2A is the output of the AND gate 119, M2B is the
output of the AND gate 118, PL1 is the output of the memory
circuit 108, m is the output of the NOT gate 111, X denotes
an AND operation, and TM2 is the output of the time delay
circuit 116.
The output M2A of the AND gate 119 is input to the AND
gate 123 via the OR gate 121, and the output M2B of the
AND gate 118 is input to the AND gate 122 via the OR gate
120.
The AND gate 122 and AND gate 123 perform the
folloWing logic operation on the outputs of the OR gate 120,
OR gate 121 and NOT gate 127:
G2B=(M2B+TM3)xm (3)
Where X denotes an AND operation, + denotes an OR
operation, G2A is the output of the AND gate 123, G2B is
the output of the AND gate 122, M2A is the output of the
AND gate 119 expressed in the above equation (2), and M2B
is the output of the AND gate 118 expressed in the above
equation Although the operation of the time delay
circuits 117 and 126 and the timing of the outputs TM3 and
TM5 of the time delay circuits 117 and 126 are discussed
later, here, TM3 and TM5 are TM3=0 and TM5=0 Within a
duration from time t4 to time t5 as shoWn in FIG. 3(t) and
FIG.
The output G2A of the AND gate 123 serves as a drive
command for the gate drive circuit 17a that ?res the thyristor
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16a. The output G2B of the AND gate 122 serves as a drive
command for the gate drive circuit 17b that ?res the thyristor
16b. Speci?cally, by providing the output G2A of the AND
gate 123 and the output G2B of the AND gate 122 as
expressed in equation (3), the output G2B becomes “1” at
time t4 as shoWn in FIG. 3(q) and FIG. 3(1), and the gate
drive circuit 17b for the thyristor 16b is selectively driven,
?ring the thyristor 16b.
In the logic operation of the present invention, since the
thyristor 16b selected according to equation (3) can be
conducted in the direction opposite to the direction of the
current ?oWing through the thyristor 8a, selected according
to the logic operation expressed in equation (1), there is no
risk of shorting the ?rst alternating current poWer source
system 1 and the second alternating current poWer source
system 2, even if the thyristor 16b is ?red at t4, Which is
When the thyristor 8a is conducting.
STEP 4
Changing to the Thyristor Pair 16
In STEP 4, a current ?oWing through the selectively ?red
?rst thyristor 8a is monitored, and When it is determined that
the current drops beloW a holding current and that the ?rst
thyristor pair 8 reaches its non-conduction state, all of the
gate signals to the second thyristor pair 16 are driven on, and
the thyristor sWitches 16a and 16b are fully turned on.
Referring noW to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, this operation Will be
discussed.
When the thyristor 16b is ?red at time t4 in STEP 3, the
current ?oWing through the thyristor 16b Works to cancel the
current ?oWing through the thyristor 8a because the voltage
V2 at the second alternating current poWer source system 2
is higher than the voltage V1 at the ?rst alternating current
poWer source system 1, as shoWn in FIG. 3(a), and the
current ?oWing through the thyristor 8a starts decreasing at
time t4, as shoWn in FIG. 3(a'), and then drops doWn to Zero
at time t5. As shoWn in FIG. 3(g), the current ?oWing
through the thyristor 16b, in contrast, starts increasing at
time t4, and becomes equal to the load current at time t4, and
the entire load current ?oWs through the thyristor 16b
thereafter.
The current ?oWing through the thyristor 8a is detected by
the current-pickup current transformer 13a. The output
signal ITSA detected by the current-pickup current trans
former 13a is converted, by the current sensor 104, into an
absolute current value signal ITA that is proportional to the
magnitude of the current. The current level monitor circuit
105 determines Whether the absolute current value signal
ITA is loWer than a predetermined level I0, and When the
relationship ITA<IO holds, the current level monitor circuit
105 outputs IZA=“1” as a current Zero determination signal.
When ITAZIO, the current level monitor circuit 105 outputs
IZA=“0”.
Similarly, the current ?oWing through the thyristor 8a is
detected by the current-pickup current transformer 13b. The
output signal ITSB detected by the current-pickup current
transformer 13b is converted, by the current sensor 106, into
an absolute current value signal ITB that is proportional to
the current. The current level monitor circuit 107 determines
Whether the absolute current value signal ITB is loWer than
the predetermined level I0, and When the relationship ITB<IO
holds, the current level monitor circuit 107 outputs IZB=“1”
as a current Zero determination signal. When ITB 210, the
current level monitor circuit 107 outputs IZB=“0”.
Referring to the Waveform diagram shoWn in FIG. 3(a'),
the current ?oWing through the thyristor 8a drops beloW the

6,051,893
11
predetermined value IO at time t5, and the output IZA of the
current level monitor circuit 105 is “1” at time t5.
Referring to the Waveform diagram shoWn in FIG. 3(6),
the current ?owing through the thyristor 8b is Zero at time
t5, and since it is loWer than the predetermined value IO, the
output IZB of the current level monitor circuit 107 continu
ously remains at “1” as shoWn in FIG.
The output IZA of the current level monitor circuit 105
and the output IZB of the current level monitor circuit 107
are respectively input to the AND gate 115. At time t5, both
the outputs IZA and IZB become “1”, causing the output QK
of the AND gate 115 to change to QK=“1”.
The output QK of the AND gate 115 is input to the time
delay circuit 117. The time delay circuit 117 monitors a
duration T3 from When the thyristors 8a and 8b shift from
their Zero current to When the thyristors 8a and 8b com
pletely recover their off capability, and the time delay circuit
117 makes its output TM3 “1” at time t6 after the time elapse
of T3 from the moment the output QK of the AND gate 115
becomes “1” at time t5. When the output TM3 of the time
delay circuit 117 becomes “1”, the thyristor pair 8 are
determined to be in a completely off state, and the gate
signals are fed to both thyristors 16a and 16b of the thyristor
pair 16 to ?re them.
To this end, the time delay circuit 117 feeds its output
TM3 to both the OR gate 120 and the OR gate 121, and since
both the output G2A of the AND gate 123 and the output
G2B of the AND gate 122 become “1” from time t6 on
according to the logic operation de?ned by equation (3), as
shoWn in FIG. 3(q) and FIG. 3(r), the tWo gate drive circuits
17a and 17b are driven to give the gate signals to the tWo
thyristors 16a and 16b, respectively.
As a result, the thyristor sWitch 16 permits the second
alternating current poWer source system 2 to feed poWer to
the load 5.
STEP 5
In STEP 5, to eliminate loss due to the conduction of the
thyristors, the bypass sWitch 18 is closed, as shoWn in FIG.
4(1‘), to cause the current to commute to the bypass sWitch
side after a predetermined time T4 from time t6 Which is
When the thyristor sWitch 16 is fully turned on.
This operation Will noW be discussed.
The time delay circuit 124 makes the close command
signal PS2CLS “1” at time t7 after a predetermined time T4
from time t6, as shoWn in FIG. 3(v). As a result, the bypass
sWitch 18 is closed, causing the current that had ?oWn
through the thyristor pair 16 to commute to the bypass
sWitch side, and the current ?oWing through the thyristors
16a and 16b become Zero as shoWn in FIG. 3(}‘) and FIG.
3(g), and the entire load current ?oWs through the bypass
sWitch 18 as shoWn in FIG.
Further, after assuring a sufficient time T5 that is long
enough for the current of the thyristor pair 16 to commute to
the bypass sWitch 18 subsequent to the transition of the
bypass sWitch close command signal PS2CLS to “1”, the
gate signals to the thyristor pair 16 are suspended.
To this end, the time delay circuit 126 and NOT gate 127
are provided. The time delay circuit 126 gives the output
TM5 “1” after a time elapse of T5 from the moment the
bypass sWitch close command signal PS2CLS becomes “1”.
As a result, the output G2A of the AND gate 122 and the
output G2B of the AND gate 123 become “0” at time t8 as
expressed in equation (3), as shoWn in FIG. 3(q) and FIG.
3(r), and the gate signals to the thyristor pair 16 are
suspended. Hence, the changeover operation is completed.
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In the above control, the load voltage VL applied to the
load 5 drops only during a period from time t2 to time t5, as
shoWn in FIG. 3(b), and since from time t5 on the load
voltage VL reverts to its normal level, no adverse effects are
given to the load 5.
Embodiment 2
The embodiment 1 has been discussed in connection With
the method in Which the thyristor 8 is selected subsequent to
the detection of the current ?oWing through the ?rst bypass
sWitch 10. In an alternative method, means for detecting a
voltage across the terminals of the ?rst bypass sWitch 10 is
provided, and the polarity of the detected voltage is deter
mined to selectively ?re either one of the thyristors of the
thyristor pair 8.
Embodiment 3
the method in Which the thyristor 8 is selected subsequent to
the detection of the current ?oWing through the ?rst bypass
sWitch 10. In an alternative method, means for detecting a
voltage across the terminals of each of the thyristors is
provided, and the polarity of the detected voltage across
each thyristor element is determined to selectively ?re either
one of the thyristors of the thyristor pair 8.
Embodiment 4
the method in Which the second thyristor pair 16 is ?red
subsequent to detecting that the current ?oWing through the
?rst thyristor pair 8 drops beloW its holding current. In an
alternative method, means for detecting a voltage across
each thyristor is provided and the status of the applied
voltage is determined to ?re the second thyristor pair 16.
According to the present invention, as described above,
the bypass sWitch is arranged in parallel With the thyristors,
and a current is alloWed to How through the bypass sWitch
during normal operation. During the changeover time, the
commutation operation from the bypass sWitch to the thy
ristors and the changeover operation from the ?rst thyristor
sWitch to the second thyristor sWitch are performed quickly.
Hence, a fast-response electric poWer supply system With an
extremely loW poWer loss results.
What is claimed is:
1. An electric poWer supply system for a load, comprising:
a ?rst sWitching apparatus connected betWeen a ?rst
poWer source system and a load and
a second sWitching apparatus connected betWeen a second
poWer source system, independent of the ?rst poWer
source system, and the load, the load being connected
to a common connection point of said ?rst and second
sWitching apparatus and the poWer supply system per
forming a changeover from a state in Which the ?rst
poWer source system feeds poWer through said ?rst
sWitching apparatus to the load, to a state in Which the
second poWer source system feeds poWer through said
second sWitching apparatus to said load,
each of said ?rst sWitching apparatus and said second
sWitching apparatus comprising
?rst and second thyristors connected in anti-parallel
and
a bypass sWitch connected in parallel With said ?rst and
second thyristors,
Wherein said bypass sWitch of said ?rst sWitching appa
ratus conducts a load current during normal operation,

6,051,893
13
and, for a changeover, after current ?owing through
said bypass switch of said ?rst switching apparatus is
commuted to one of said thyristors of said ?rst switch
ing apparatus by making one of said ?rst and second
thyristors conductive, opening said bypass switch of
said ?rst switching apparatus, the load is switched to
the second power source system by making said ?rst
and second thyristors of said second switching appa
ratus conductive, and closing said bypass switch of said
second switching apparatus so that the current ?owing
through said ?rst and second thyristors of said second
switching apparatus is commuted to said bypass switch
of said second switching apparatus, and the changeover
comprises:
(a) opening said bypass switch of said ?rst switching
apparatus;
(b) detecting a current ?owing through said bypass
switch of said ?rst switching apparatus and turning
on said ?rst thyristor of said ?rst switching
apparatus, based on the current detected;
(c) turning off said ?rst thyristor of said ?rst switching
apparatus after a time duration subsequent to the
opening of said bypass switch of said ?rst switching
apparatus;
(d) turning on said ?rst thyristor of said second switch
ing apparatus, said ?rst thyristor of said second
switching apparatus being opposite in polarity to
said ?rst thyristor of said ?rst switching apparatus;
(e) detecting the current ?owing through the ?rst thy
ristor of said ?rst switching apparatus and turning on
said second thyristor of said second switching appa
ratus when the current ?owing through said ?rst
thyristor of said ?rst switching apparatus drops
below a threshold current; and
(f) turning on said bypass switch of said second switch
ing apparatus while turning off said ?rst and second
thyristors of said second switching apparatus, sub
sequent to the turning on said ?rst and second
thyristors of said second switching apparatus.
2. An electric power supply system for a load, comprising:
a ?rst switching apparatus connected between a ?rst
power source system and a load and
a second switching apparatus connected between a second
power source system, independent of the ?rst power
switching apparatus and the power supply system per
forming a changeover from a state in which the ?rst
power source system feeds power through said ?rst
switching apparatus to the load, to a state in which the
second power source system feeds power through said
second switching apparatus to said load,
each of said ?rst switching apparatus and said second
switching apparatus comprising
and
a bypass switch connected in parallel with said ?rst and
second thyristors,
wherein said bypass switch of said ?rst switching appa
5
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of said second switching apparatus, and
means for detecting a voltage across said bypass switch of
said ?rst switching apparatus, wherein said ?rst thyris
tor of said ?rst switching apparatus to be turned on is
selected depending on polarity of the voltage across
said bypass switch of said ?rst switching apparatus.
3. An electric power supply system for a load, comprising:
a ?rst switching apparatus connected between a ?rst
power source system and a load and
a second switching apparatus connected between a second
power source system, independent of the ?rst power
switching apparatus and the power supply system per
forming a changeover from a state in which the ?rst
power source system feeds power through said ?rst
switching apparatus to the load, to a state in which the
second power source system feeds power through said
second switching apparatus to said load,
each of said ?rst switching apparatus and said second
switching apparatus comprising
and
a bypass switch connected in parallel with said ?rst and
second thyristors,
wherein said bypass switch of said ?rst switching appa
of said second switching apparatus, and
means for detecting a voltage across said ?rst and second
thyristors of said ?rst switching apparatus, wherein said
?rst and second thyristors of said second switching
apparatus are turned on when said ?rst and second
thyristors of said ?rst switching apparatus are supplied
with a reverse voltage.
* * * * *

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