Method and system for bypassing a power cell of a power supply

1. A system, comprising:

a multi-winding device having a primary winding and a plurality of three-phase secondary windings;

a plurality of power cells, wherein each power cell is connected to a different three-phase secondary winding of the multi-winding device; and

a bypass device connected to first and second input terminals of at least one of the power cells and to first and second output terminals of the at least one of the power cells.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the bypass device comprises:

a first contact having stationary portions and a movable portion, wherein the first contact is connected to the first and second output terminals;

a second contact having stationary portions and a movable portion, wherein the first contact is connected to the first input terminal;

a third contact having stationary portions and a movable portion, wherein the first contact is connected to the second input terminal; and

a solenoid coupled to the movable portions of the first, second and third contacts.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the solenoid is a magnetic latching contactor.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the magnetic latching contactor has one coil.

5. The system of claim 3 , wherein the magnetic latching contactor has at least two coils.

6. The system of claim 2 , further comprising a control circuit connected to the bypass device.

7. The system of claim 6 , further comprising a position sensing device connected to the bypass device and the control circuit.

8. The system of claim 6 , wherein the control circuit comprises a printed circuit board.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the control circuit is configured to control the bypass device.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the control circuit is connected to a master control device.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the bypass device includes at least one electrically-driven contactor.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the electrically driven contactor is at least one of a single pole single throw contactor, a single pole double throw contactor, or a multi-pole contactor.

13. A method, comprising:

determining that a failure has occurred in a power cell of a multi-cell power supply; and

applying a pulse of current from a control circuit to a solenoid which is coupled to the following:

a first contact which is connected to a first input terminal of the power cell;

a second contact which is connected to a second input terminal of the power cell; and

a third contact which is connected to first and second output terminals of the power cell.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein determining if the failure has occurred comprises comparing an output voltage of the power cell to a commanded output voltage.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein applying the pulse to the solenoid comprises at least one of the following:

applying the pulse with a positive polarity; and

applying the pulse with a negative polarity.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein applying the pulse to the solenoid comprises at least one of the following:

applying the pulse to a first of two coils; and

applying the pulse to a second of two coils.

17. The method of claim 13 , further comprising:

determining a position of a movable portion of the first contact;

determining a position of a movable portion of the second contact; and

determining a position of a movable portion of the third contact.

18. The method of claim 13 , further comprising changing the position of the movable portion of the first contact, the movable portion of the second contact, and the movable portion of the third contact in response to the pulse of current applied to at least one coil of the solenoid.