Power converter arrangement and method for operating such a power converter arrangement

Abstract

The present invention provides a power converter arrangement and a method for operating such a power converter arrangement, wherein the arrangement includes a plurality of power converter modules, each module having an associated driver device; and a superior control device, which excites the power converter arrangement, wherein the corresponding driver device has a first parameter memory and a sending device, wherein a dynamically immutable first parameter of the associated power converter module is stored in the first memory, wherein the control device has a receiving device, a processing device and a second parameter memory, wherein second parameters (at least some of the second parameters are the same as the first parameters) are stored in the second memory, and the processing device is designed to compare the first and second parameters, or wherein the processing device is designed to store the first parameter received in the second memory as a second parameter, wherein the corresponding sending device is connected to the receiving device by means of a connecting device so that the first parameter can be sent from the corresponding driver device to the control device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention describes a power converter arrangement comprising a plurality of power converter modules, each power converter module having an associated driver device and having a superordinate control device for activating the power converter arrangement. The invention further describes a method for operating such a power converter arrangement. Background Art

[0002] In the generally known prior art, dynamically variable parameters are sent from the driver device to the control device during the normal operation of the power converter arrangement, and the operation is adjusted at least in part according to these parameters. For example, such parameters include the temperature of the power converter module or the power semiconductor components contained therein, or additionally, the power currently output by the power converter module.

[0003] Particularly in the situation that high power is arranged to extremely high power power converter, it is the conventional technology of this area to construct each individual phase (phases) by connecting a plurality of identical power converter modules in parallel.In this case, it is usually necessary to select power converter modules so that they can be compatible with each other.For example, this is necessary, so that current is evenly distributed to each individual power converter module.In the situation that a power converter module in the power converter modules connected in parallel is replaced, particularly during maintenance, it is particularly important to use "suitable" power converter module again.

[0004] With the aforementioned circumstances in mind, the present invention is based on the object of providing a power converter arrangement and an associated method for operating the power converter arrangement, wherein the aforementioned disadvantages are mitigated or eliminated. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a power converter arrangement, which comprises a plurality of power converter modules, each of which has an associated driver device and a superior control device, which excites the power converter arrangement, wherein the corresponding driver device has a first parameter memory and a sending device, wherein a first dynamically invariable parameter of the associated power converter module is stored in the first parameter memory, wherein the control device has a receiving device, a processing device and a second parameter memory, wherein the second parameter is stored in the second parameter memory, and the processing device is designed to compare the first parameter and the second parameter, or wherein the processing device is designed to store the first parameter received in the second parameter memory as the second parameter, wherein the corresponding sending device is connected to the receiving device by means of a connecting device so that the first parameter can be sent from the corresponding driver device to the control device. It goes without saying and is also preferred that this is also common to the described function of the processing device.

[0006] Dynamically non-variable parameters are intended to be understood as meaning parameters that are no longer variable during normal operation of the power converter (that is, not during its production or subsequent testing or commissioning). Such parameters may be identification parameters or excitation parameters of a particular power converter module, specific parameters such as switching parameters, which are determined, for example, in a test operation.

[0007] Here, the corresponding sending device, the connecting device and also the receiving device can be additionally designed to send dynamically variable other parameters (such as, for example, the current temperature of the power semiconductor components of the power converter module) from the corresponding driver device to the control device. For example, this sending can be performed using a multiplex operation.

[0008] It is particularly preferred that the respective driver device and the associated power converter module form a structural unit, wherein the driver device is arranged, for example, in a housing of the power converter module.

[0009] Dedicated processing means may be associated with each receiving device in the control device, or alternatively, a common processing means may be associated with a plurality of receiving devices.

[0010] A dedicated second parameter memory may be associated with each processing device in the control device, or a shared second parameter memory may be associated with a plurality of processing devices in the control device.

[0011] According to the present invention, the aforementioned object is further achieved by a method for operating a power converter arrangement of the aforementioned type, wherein, before normal operation of the power converter arrangement, first parameters are stored in a corresponding first parameter memory, and in order to start normal operation, the first parameters are sent from the corresponding driver device to the control device, and wherein the operating mode of the power converter arrangement depends on these first parameters.

[0012] The term "operating mode" is understood to mean, in addition to the various types of operations of the power converter as conventionally used in the art, also particularly means non-operation. During non-operation, for example, if an inappropriate power converter module has been installed in the case of repair, the conventional operation conventionally used in the art is clearly prevented.

[0013] It is advantageous here that when one of the first parameters is an identification parameter and before starting normal operation of the power converter arrangement, the corresponding identification parameters of each driver device are compared in the processing device with the applicable identification parameters stored in the second parameter memory and operation of the power converter arrangement is only started if all the corresponding identification parameters correspond to the applicable identification parameters.

[0014] It is further advantageous that, when one of the first parameters is an identification parameter and during normal operation of the power converter arrangement, the corresponding identification parameters of each driver device are compared in the processing device with the applicable identification parameters stored in the second parameter memory at regular intervals (in particular periodically) and operation of the power converter arrangement is only continued if all of the corresponding identification parameters correspond to the applicable identification parameters.

[0015] It is also preferred that when one of the first parameters is an excitation parameter, and before starting normal operation of the power converter arrangement, the corresponding excitation parameter of each driver device is stored as a second parameter in a second parameter memory, and normal operation of the power converter arrangement is started based on the corresponding second parameter.

[0016] Features or feature groups cited in the singular (eg receiving device, processing device or second parameter memory) may of course occur multiple times in the component or power semiconductor device according to the invention, unless expressly excluded or excluded per se or inconsistent with the concept of the invention.

[0017] It goes without saying that various modifications of the present invention (whether citing them in terms of the power converter arrangement or citing them in terms of the method) can be implemented individually or in any desired combination to achieve improvement. In particular, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the features mentioned and illustrated above and below can be used in combination as indicated, and can be used in other combinations, or can be used alone. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] According to the following Figures 1 to 4 Further explanations, advantageous details and features of the invention are apparent from the description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention schematically shown in the accompanying drawings or from the corresponding parts thereof.

[0019] Figure 1 A block diagram showing a variant of the power converter arrangement according to the invention is shown.

[0020] Figure 2 A schematic three-dimensional view of a power converter arrangement according to the invention is shown.

[0021] Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of a power converter arrangement according to the invention is shown.

[0022] Figure 4 An assembly of a power converter module and a driver device comprising a power converter arrangement according to the invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Figure 1 A block diagram of a variant of a power converter arrangement 1 according to the invention is shown. The figure shows a plurality of structural units 10, each of which is formed by a power converter module 2 (here a single-phase inverter module, by way of example only) and a driver device 3 (which is connected to the power converter module to control it).

[0024] In terms of the content related to the present invention, the driver device 3 has a first memory as a first parameter memory 30, which is designed in a conventional manner in the art. The first dynamically immutable parameter of the associated power converter module 2 is stored in the parameter memory 30. This first parameter (alone or in any desired combination) can be one or more identification parameters or one or more excitation parameters. The identification parameter is particularly used to identify the power converter module 2 or component 10 to the superior control device 4 suitable for use. In addition, the identification parameter can also be used to identify counterfeiting. The excitation parameter is used to correctly excite the power converter module 2, particularly in the case of multiple components 10 (that is, multiple power converter modules 2 together form a power converter of one phase of a multi-phase system).

[0025] All of these dynamically immutable first parameters share their common feature, which is that they have been stored in the first parameter memory 30 before the start of normal operation of the power converter arrangement 1 and do not change during normal operation of the power converter arrangement 1. These first parameters are preferably stored in the first parameter memory 30 during production or during a test operation of the component 10 immediately after production. The first parameters may also be stored in the first parameter memory 30 during commissioning of the power converter arrangement 1 (but never during normal operation).

[0026] Furthermore, the driver device 3 has a transmission device 32 which is designed and provided for outputting the first parameter from the first parameter memory 30 .

[0027] The power converter arrangement 1 further has a superordinate control device 4, which here (without limiting the general characteristics) has a second memory as a second parameter memory 40, which is designed in a conventional manner in the art. In addition, the control device 4 associated with each component (also without limiting the general nature) has a receiving device 42 in each case, which is associated with a dedicated processing device 44 here. The receiving device 42 is connected to the sending device 32 of the associated component 10, more precisely to the driver device 3 of the component, by means of a connecting device 5 in each case.

[0028] In principle, the combination comprising the transmitting device 32, the connecting device 5 and the receiving device 42 can be designed in a manner customary in the art. In particular, these components may already be present in a power converter arrangement 1 according to the prior art, and thus for example be used to transmit dynamically variable parameters during normal operation, such as the temperature of the power converter module 2. According to a modification of the invention, these components are then also used to apply the method according to the invention.

[0029] Within the scope of the method according to the invention, dynamically non-variable first parameters are stored in respective first parameter memories 30 before normal operation of the power converter device 1 is started or restarted (for example after maintenance). In particular, immediately before the desired start of normal operation, the first parameters stored in each first parameter memory 30 are read out of the first parameter memory and sent to the control device 4 via the connection device 5 by means of the sending device 32 of the corresponding driver device 3.

[0030] In this case, the first parameter is received in the receiving device 42 and processed in a corresponding processing device 44 or else in a processing device 44 common to all receiving devices 42 and thereby determines or at least jointly determines the operating mode.

[0031] In a first variant, the identification parameters are stored in the first parameter memory 30. The processing means 44 then compare these respective identification parameters with the allowed applicable identification parameters stored in the second parameter memory 40. In a particularly preferred variant, these applicable identification parameters are downloaded from a server (e.g. a server of a manufacturer of the component or parts of the component) by means of a communication link into the second parameter memory 40 to be processed dynamically as required (that is to say before the comparison).

[0032] If this comparison has a positive result, the power converter arrangement 1 then starts normal operation. If at least one identification parameter in the first parameter memory 30 is found to be inapplicable in the comparison, an emergency operation or a non-start operation is initiated, in which, for example, components 10 without applicable identification parameters are not included in the operation.

[0033] In particular, additionally but also possibly as an alternative to the functionality of the first modification just mentioned, within the scope of the second functionality, excitation parameters are stored in the first parameter memory 30. These respective excitation parameters are individual parameters of the respective components 10, and here in particular parameters of the respective power converter modules 2. For example, such parameters can be individual maximum permissible state values ​​(such as temperature or current load), but also switching parameters (such as individual delay times for switching in respective groups of components 10).

[0034] The processing device 44 then stores these first parameters as second parameters (in unchanged or modified form) in the second parameter memory 40. Then, within the scope of normal operation, the second parameter memory 40 and the second parameters are accessed and the corresponding components 10 are thus activated based on these second parameters.

[0035] The first parameter is also advantageously checked in a periodic manner during normal operation by the control device 4 or sent independently by the respective driver device 3. Subsequently, during normal operation, the respective functions can be performed and the operating mode can be maintained or changed based on the result.

[0036] Figure 2 A schematic three-dimensional view of a power converter arrangement 1 according to the invention is shown. The figure shows six assemblies 10, wherein in each case two assemblies 10 form one phase of a three-phase inverter. The respective assemblies 10 each comprise a power converter module with a water cooling device and an integrated driver device.

[0037] The assembly 10 forms a stack having a cooling water inlet 100 and also having a cooling water outlet 102 .

[0038] The corresponding driver device has an interface 50 and is connected to the control device 4 by means of the interface, which also includes the transmission device 5. The printed circuit board of the control device 4 is arranged laterally adjacent to the stack on one of the narrow sides of the stack and is protected from environmental influences by means of a cover 402 and a seal 400.

[0039] Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of a power converter arrangement 1 according to the invention is shown, which in principle has the same Figure 2 Here, however, three components 10 form one phase in each case.

[0040] Figure 4 Show according to Figure 3 1 is a cross-sectional view of an assembly 10 comprising a power converter module 2 and a driver device 3 of a power converter arrangement according to the invention. The figure shows a water cooling device 22 of the power converter module, a power electronic circuit 20, and a driver device 3, the power electronic circuit 20 being arranged directly above the water cooling device and being thermally connected to the water cooling device, and the driver device being located at a certain distance above the power electronic circuit. In addition, the figure further shows a housing 24 of the power converter module 2 and also shows its load connection element 200 (also see Figure 2 and Figure 3 ).

Claims

1. A power converter arrangement (1), comprising a plurality of power converter modules (2), each power converter module (2) having an associated driver device (3) and a superordinate control device (4), the superordinate control device (4) stimulating the power converter arrangement (1), in, The corresponding driver device (3) has a first parameter memory (30) and a sending device (32), wherein a first dynamically invariable parameter of the associated power converter module (2) is stored in the first parameter memory (30), The control device (4) comprises a receiving device (42), a processing device (44) and a second parameter memory (40), wherein a second parameter is stored in the second parameter memory (40) and the processing device (44) is designed to compare the first parameter with the second parameter, or wherein the processing device (44) is designed to store the first parameter received in the second parameter memory (40) as the second parameter, wherein the corresponding sending device (32) is connected to the receiving device (42) by means of a connecting device (5) so that the first parameter can be sent from the corresponding driver device (3) to the control device (4), wherein one of the first parameters is an identification parameter and, before starting operation of the power converter arrangement (1), each driver device (3) is designed to send a corresponding identification parameter to the processing device (44), and the processing device (44) compares the corresponding identification parameter with an applicable identification parameter stored in the second parameter memory (40), and wherein the operating mode of the power converter arrangement (1) depends on all the corresponding identification parameters corresponding to the applicable identification parameter.

2. The power converter arrangement according to claim 1, wherein: The respective transmission device (32), the connection device (5) and also the reception device (42) are additionally designed to transmit dynamically variable further parameters from the respective driver device (3) to the control device (4).

3. A power converter arrangement according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein: The corresponding driver device (3) and the associated power converter module (2) form a structural unit (10).

4. A power converter arrangement according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein: A dedicated processing device (44) is associated with each receiving device (42) in the control device (4), or a shared processing device (44) is associated with a plurality of receiving devices (42) in the control device (4).

5. A power converter arrangement according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein: A dedicated second parameter memory (40) is associated with each processing device (44) in the control device (4), or a shared second parameter memory (40) is associated with a plurality of processing devices (44) in the control device (4).

6. Method for operating a power converter arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: Prior to normal operation of the power converter arrangement (1), first parameters are stored in the respective first parameter memory (30), and in order to start the normal operation, the first parameters are sent from the respective driver device (3) to the control device (4), and wherein the operating mode of the power converter arrangement (1) depends on these first parameters.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein: At regular intervals, in particular periodically, the corresponding identification parameters of each driver device (3) are compared in the processing device (44) with applicable identification parameters stored in the second parameter memory (40), and operation of the power converter arrangement (1) is only continued when all corresponding identification parameters correspond to applicable identification parameters.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein: One of the first parameters is an excitation parameter, and before starting the normal operation of the power converter arrangement (1), the corresponding excitation parameter of each driver device (3) is stored as a second parameter in the second parameter memory, and the normal operation of the power converter arrangement (1) is started based on the corresponding second parameter.

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