초록 ▼

An automatic transfer switch (ATS) system and method of operating an ATS system to switch between first and second powers received from respective first and second power supplies, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes sensing a first phase associated with the first power and a second

An automatic transfer switch (ATS) system and method of operating an ATS system to switch between first and second powers received from respective first and second power supplies, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes sensing a first phase associated with the first power and a second phase associated with the second power, and determining whether the first and second phases have failed to become synchronized within a first time period. The method further includes providing a control signal at a second output port when it is determined that the first and second phases have failed to become synchronized within the time period, determining that the first and second phases have become synchronized in response to the control signal, and switching between the first and second powers once it is determined that the first and second phases have become synchronized.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) system comprising:at least one input port capable of being coupled to first and second power sources and receiving first and second input powers from those power sources;a first output port capable of being coupled to a load and providing output power to the loa

1. An Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) system comprising:at least one input port capable of being coupled to first and second power sources and receiving first and second input powers from those power sources;a first output port capable of being coupled to a load and providing output power to the load;at least one sensing device that is coupled to the at least one input port and senses first and second characteristics of the first and second input powers, respectively;at least one control device coupled to the at least one sensing device that determines whether a first phase of the first input power and a second phase of the second input power either have or will become synchronized within a first period; anda second output port coupled to the control device, wherein a control signal generated by the control device is output at the second output port when the control device determines that the first and second phases either have not or will not become synchronized within the first period;wherein the control signal is configured to cause a change in operation of at least one of the first and second power sources so that at least one of the first and second phases is adjusted in a manner that could lead to synchronization of the first and second phases, and the control signal is a high-level signal, which is intended to precipitate a change in an output frequency of one of the power sources.2. The ATS system of claim 1, wherein the sensing device is selected from the group consisting of:an analog phase sensor; anda voltage sensor capable of detecting zero-crossings of first and second voltages of the first and second powers, respectively.3. The ATS system of claim 1, wherein the at least one control device is one of a microprocessor, a hard-wired control device, and a programmable logic device.4. The ATS system of claim 1, further comprising:at least one switching component having at least first and second states, wherein when the switching component is in the first state, the first input power is communicated to the first output port, and wherein when the switching component is in the second state, the second input power is communicated to the first output port.5. The ATS system of claim 4, wherein the at least one switching component includes at least one relay.6. The ATS system of claim 4, wherein the at least one switching component is coupled to, and the state of the at least one switching component is controlled by, the at least one control device.7. The ATS system of claim 4, wherein the control device causes the at least one switching component to switch when it is determined that a circumstance appropriate for switching has occurred and it is further determined that the phases of the first and second power sources are synchronized.8. The ATS system of claim 7, wherein the circumstance appropriate for switching occurs when at least one of peak-shaving is being performed, testing of a generator is being performed, and a circumstance has occurred indicating that a fault may occur.9. The ATS system of claim 7, wherein the switching of the switching component causes the first input port to be electrically coupled to the first output port when the second input port was previously electrically coupled to the first output port, and causes the second input port to be electrically coupled to the first output port when the first output port was previously electrically coupled to the first output port.10. The ATS system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second characteristics concern the phases of respective output voltage levels received at the first and second input ports.11. A power supply system comprising:a generator capable of outputting a generator power at a first frequency and further capable of outputting the generator power at a second frequency upon receiving a control signal; andan ATS system coupled to the generator and includingfirst and second input ports for receiving the generator power and an additional power, respectively, and a first output port capable of being coupled to a load;means for determining first and second phases associated with the generator power and the additional power, respectively;means for switching having at least first and second states, wherein in the first state the first input port is coupled to the first output port, and in the second state the second input port is coupled to the first output port; andmeans for controlling the switching means, for determining when the switching means should switch between the first and second states, and for providing the control signal to the generator when it is determined that operation of the generator at the first frequency is excessively delaying a phase synchronization of the generator power and the additional power, wherein the control signal can take on a variety of values, each of which is intended to precipitate a respective change operation of the generator to the second frequency.12. The power supply of claim 11, wherein the means for controlling provides the control signal to the generator when it is determined that the phases of the generator power and the additional power have not become synchronized within a first period, and the means for controlling discontinues the control signal after the generator power and the additional power have become synchronized in phase.13. A method of switching between a first power received from a first power supply and a second power received from a second power supply as the power to be provided at a first output port capable of being coupled to a load, the method comprising:sensing a first characteristic associated with the first power and a second characteristic associated with the second power;determining whether first and second phases associated with the first and second powers, respectively, either have failed or will fail to become synchronized within a first predetermined period of time;providing a first control signal at a second output port when it is determined that the first and second phases either have failed or will fail to become synchronized within the first predetermined period of time, wherein the first control signal can take on a variety of values, each of which is intended to precipitate a respective change in an output frequency of the second power supply;the first control signal is a voltage signal configured for reception by the second power supply to control an output frequency of the second powerdetermining that the first and second phases either have or will become synchronized following the providing of the first control signal; andswitching between the first and second powers when the first and second phases have become synchronized.14. The method of claim 13, further comprising ceasing the providing of the first control signal following the switching between the first and second powers.15. The method of claim 13, wherein the second output port is capable of being coupled to the second power supply, and the first control signal is a voltage signal configured for reception by the second power supply to control an output frequency of the second power.16. The method of claim 13, wherein the switching occurs while at least one of peak-shaving is being performed, testing of a generator is being performed, and a circumstance has occurred indicating that a fault is expected.17. The method of claim 13, wherein the first and second characteristics are the phases of output voltages associated with the first and second powers, respectively.18. The method of claim 13, further comprising switching back to an original one of the first and second power supplies when it is determined that the respective power is no longer experiencing a fault.