TDK Obtains Patent for its Programmable, Scalable Power Supplies

TDK-Lambda has officially obtained a U.S. Patent for its new Genesys+™ series of programmable power supplies (US Patent Number: D877074). The patent itself is protection for TDK-Lambda’s methods for controlling and monitoring paralleled power supplied connected via a master-slave configuration.

According to a TDK news release, while the  Genesys+ series has been active for the past three years, the line has expanded greatly since. Initially, TDK had 5kW 1U height (1.75” high), and now they have a full selection of fully programmable power supplies, ranging from 1.5kW to 15kW. With the variable power outputs, voltage and current outputs can range from 0-10V and 0-2.6A to 0-600V and 0-1500A. 

 

 

All of these can work constant voltage, current or power modes. On top of this, it utilizes DSP (Digital Signal Processing) technology for improved efficiency, allowing for higher power densities and enhanced functionality. 

On top of all that, the technology TDK has patented allows up to thirty of these power supplies to be paralleled to one another via a master-slave configuration. These power supplies are all connected via a simple data link, and with the extra functional load on the system, the performance is not compromised. 

On startup, each power supply configures their parameters internally and with one another automatically, and the one master power supply becomes the single point of reference. Via this supply, someone can see all the loads being drawn from each supply, as well as all other parameters for supply outputs and general settings.

To program these power supplies there are multiple options for the user to do so:

• Front Panel Display: Using the front panel display and buttons, one can set up and program all of the power supply’s functions
• LAN connection (remote)
• USB 2.0
• RS232/485
• Isolated Analogue Control and Monitoring (0-5V and 0-10V)
• Optional:
  • GPIB
  • Anybus CompactCom Platform which supports:
    • EtherCAT
    • Modbus-TCP
    • Compatible with other interfaces to be released

 

According to the datasheet, the power supplies also have many more robust features, including 16-bit ADCs and DACs, arbitrary waveform generation, lightweight (up to just over 50 pounds for heaviest supply), active three-phase Power Factor Correction (PFC), slew-rate control and auto-trigger capabilities. 

These power supplies are also equipped with a multitude of safety functions, such as auto/safe start, the ability to withstand up to 4242VDC for 1 minute, Class A conducted and radiated emissions compliance according to the IEC/EN61204-3 specification, and AC line fault functions. 

The voltage and current outputs each have a maximum error of +/-0.5%, and line and load regulations of 0.01% and 0.02% respectively, so these power supplies are very accurate and have the ability to withstand a large range of input and output deviations with minimal effect on performance. The units also were designed to be well ventilated on the sides to optimize thermal management when stacked.

Overall, these robust power supplies have added to an already impressive resume loaded with attributes such as high efficiency, fully programmable, stable, accurate and safe, by adding the capability to network 30 of these with one another, giving a central location and “brain” to program, control and observe the conditions that these power supplies will operate in.