Method and device for real-time thermal protection of the electrical elements of a converter (inverter), preventing overloads and overheating

Abstract

One aspect of the invention concerns a process 100 for protecting electrical architectures, in particular the conductive elements (cables, connectors, busbars) of a power converter such as an inverter, against electrical overloads and overheating. Procedure (2a) involves estimating the temperature of a conductive element in real time, using a thermal model that takes into account the current flowing, the temperature of adjacent components, as well as conduction and convection phenomena. The process (2b) maximum current or a maximum permissible power is determined with the help of mapping, and then used to control the power source so as not to exceed this limit. In addition, the system incorporates continuous temperature monitoring and, if a critical threshold is exceeded over a calibrated period of time, activates a degraded mode (e.g. inverter shutdown) to preserve the integrity of the electrical architecture. The process (100) limits inverter current or power to meet converter and electrical architecture constraints by adjusting the control loop. This approach is particularly suited to applications where cable dimensions are optimized and high currents could damage components.