Method and apparatus for detecting whether an inverter has a fault

Abstract

A method for detecting whether or not an inverter has failed according to one aspect includes the steps of stopping the operation of the inverter, setting a plurality of pins constituting a processor as output ports or input ports, and detecting whether or not the inverter has failed based on the operation of at least one of the plurality of pins set as the output port or input port.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for detecting the presence or absence of a fault in an inverter. [Background technology]

[0002] An inverter is a device that converts direct current into alternating current and is used in various industrial fields that use electronic devices such as electric motor drives, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), and active power filters, as well as in renewable energy systems and hybrid vehicles.

[0003] Despite advances in inverter design and control technology, many types of unexpected inverter failures occur frequently. Inverter failures include digital input / output errors in the processor connected to or contained within the inverter. These digital input / output errors can affect inverter operation. Therefore, digital input / output error detection is necessary to improve inverter reliability and eliminate the negative effects of inverter failures. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention provides a method and apparatus for detecting whether an inverter has a fault, and a computer-readable recording medium having a program for executing the method recorded thereon. The technical problem to be solved is not limited to the above-mentioned technical problem, and other technical problems may exist. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A method for detecting whether or not an inverter has failed according to one aspect includes the steps of stopping the operation of the inverter, setting a plurality of pins constituting a processor as output ports or input ports, and detecting whether or not the inverter has failed based on the operation of at least one of the plurality of pins set as the output port or input port.

[0006] A computer-readable recording medium according to another aspect includes a recording medium having a program recorded thereon for causing a computer to execute the above-described method.

[0007] In yet another aspect, the processor stops the operation of an inverter, sets a plurality of pins connected to a gate driver as output ports or input ports, and detects whether or not there is a fault in the inverter based on the operation of at least one of the plurality of pins set as the output port or input port. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] Without adding a separate circuit, it is possible to check for digital input / output errors that occur in the processor when the inverter is stopped, so it is possible to easily and accurately check for inverter failure before power is supplied to the inverter. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processor according to one aspect and elements connected to the processor. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for detecting whether or not a fault has occurred in an inverter according to one aspect. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example in which a processor according to one aspect detects whether or not an inverter has a fault. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of setting a pin of a processor to an output port and checking for an error according to one aspect. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for generating a short circuit according to one aspect. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for generating a short circuit according to one aspect. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of setting a pin of a processor to an input port and checking for an error according to one aspect. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A method for detecting whether or not an inverter has failed according to one aspect includes the steps of stopping the operation of the inverter, setting a plurality of pins constituting a processor as output ports or input ports, checking the operation of at least one pin among the plurality of pins set as the output port or input port, and detecting whether or not the inverter has failed based on the checking results.

[0011] The terms used in the embodiments are generally used and widely as much as possible, but these may change depending on the intentions of those skilled in the art, legal precedents, the emergence of new technologies, etc. In addition, in certain cases, the applicant may arbitrarily select terms, and in such cases, the meanings thereof will be described in detail in the relevant description. Therefore, the terms used in the specification should be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the overall content of the specification, rather than simply the names of the terms.

[0012] Throughout the specification, when a part "comprises" a certain element, this means that it can further include other elements, rather than excluding other elements, unless specifically stated to the contrary.

[0013] Furthermore, terms including ordinal numbers such as "first" or "second" used in the specification may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms may be used to distinguish one component from another.

[0014] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The detailed description disclosed below together with the accompanying drawings is intended to describe exemplary embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to show the only embodiments in which the present invention can be implemented. In the drawings, parts that are not relevant to the description may be omitted in order to clearly explain the present invention, and the same reference numerals may be used throughout the specification for the same or similar components.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processor according to one aspect and elements connected to the processor.

[0016] 1, the processor 110 may be connected to at least one terminal device 130 via the gate driver 120. For example, the terminal device 130 may be, but is not limited to, a field effect transistor (FET). The processor 110 may also include a pin 111, which may connect the processor 110 to the gate driver 120.

[0017] For example, the processor 110, the gate driver 120, and / or the termination device 130 may be included in the inverter, or the processor 110, the gate driver 120, and / or the termination device 130 may be connected to the inverter.

[0018] The inverter can be included in a power generation device or system that uses renewable energy (e.g., solar thermal, photovoltaic, biomass, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, ocean energy, waste energy, etc.). For example, in the case of a solar power generation device or system, the inverter can be a micro inverter or a string inverter connected to at least one photovoltaic (PV) module. If the inverter is a string inverter, an optimizer may be connected to the PV module.

[0019] However, a device or system including an inverter is not limited to the above examples. For example, any device that needs to convert power from DC to AC or AC to DC can include an inverter without limitation. For example, any processor included in a device or system that needs power conversion can be included as processor 110 without limitation.

[0020] The processor 110 can process computer program instructions by performing basic arithmetic, logic, and input / output operations, where the instructions can be provided from the processor's internal memory or from an external device. Additionally, the processor 110 can provide overall control over the operation of other components included in the inverter.

[0021] For example, processor 110 may be embodied as an array of logic gates or as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and memory storing a program executable by the microprocessor. For example, processor 110 may include a general-purpose processor, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a neural network processing unit (NPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a controller, a microcontroller, a state machine, etc. In some environments, processor 110 may also include an application-specific semiconductor (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), etc. For example, processor 110 may refer to a combination of processing devices, such as a combination of a digital signal processor (DSP) and a microprocessor, a combination of multiple microprocessors, a combination of one or more microprocessors coupled with a digital signal processor (DSP) core, or any other such configuration.

[0022] On the other hand, although not shown in Figure 1, the processor 110 may include a memory. For example, the memory may include any non-transitory computer-readable recording medium.

[0023] As an example, the memory may include a non-volatile mass storage device such as a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a disk drive, a solid state drive (SSD), or a flash memory. As another example, the non-volatile mass storage device such as a ROM, an SSD, a flash memory, or a disk drive may be a permanent storage device separate from the memory. In addition, the memory may store an operating system (OS) and at least one program code (e.g., code for causing the processor 110 to perform the operations described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7).

[0024] These software components may be loaded from a computer-readable recording medium separate from the memory. Such a separate computer-readable recording medium may be a recording medium directly connectable to the computer, such as a floppy drive, disk, tape, DVD / CD-ROM drive, or memory card. Alternatively, the software components may be loaded into the memory via a communication device rather than a computer-readable recording medium. For example, at least one program may be loaded into the memory based on a computer program (e.g., a computer program for causing the processor 110 to perform the operations described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7) installed by a file provided via a communication device by a developer or a file distribution system that distributes application installation files.

[0025] An error in the digital input / output of the processor 110 may affect the operation of the inverter. To prevent an error in the digital input / output of the processor 110, the processor 110 must meet the functional safety (UL991) standard certification. In particular, it must be confirmed that the function of the processor 110 satisfies the digital input / output diagnostic item among the internal safety diagnostic items. Here, the digital input / output diagnostic item refers to an item for diagnosing whether the pins 111 included in the processor 110 are correctly performing their input and output functions.

[0026] Generally, if an error occurs during inverter operation, it is possible to determine whether a digital input / output error has occurred in the processor 110 based on a sensing value output from or input to the inverter. However, the above-described method makes it difficult to determine which pin among the pins 111 the error occurred in. Furthermore, according to the above-described method, a separate circuit must be added to the processor 110 to determine the type of pin in which the error occurred. Furthermore, the inverter must be operated to determine whether a digital input / output error has occurred in the processor 110.

[0027] The processor 110 according to an embodiment can check for a digital input / output error occurring in the processor 110 even when the inverter is stopped without adding a separate circuit. Therefore, it is possible to easily and accurately check for a fault in the inverter before power is supplied to the inverter.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for detecting whether or not a fault has occurred in an inverter according to one aspect.

[0029] The method shown in Figure 2 comprises steps that are processed in chronological order by processor 110 shown in Figure 1. Therefore, even if omitted below, the content described above with respect to processor 110 can also be applied to the method shown in Figure 2.

[0030] In step 210, the processor 110 stops operation of the inverter.

[0031] For example, when a signal requesting detection of whether or not there is a fault in the inverter (hereinafter referred to as a "fault detection request signal") is detected, the processor 110 can stop the operation of the inverter. An example of the processor 110 stopping the operation of the inverter will be described later with reference to steps 310 and 320 of FIG. 3.

[0032] In step 220, the processor 110 sets the pins 111 that make up the processor 110 as output ports or input ports.

[0033] For example, the processor 110 may set at least one pin of the multiple pins 111 configuring the processor 110 to an output port or an input port in order to check for a digital input / output error. An example of the processor 110 setting a pin to an output port or an input port will be described later with reference to step 330 in FIG. 3 .

[0034] In step 230, the processor 110 detects whether or not there is a fault in the inverter based on the operation of at least one pin out of the plurality of pins 111 set as output ports or input ports.

[0035] The processor 110 may check the operation of at least one pin set as an output port. For example, the processor 110 may set at least one pin as an output port and generate an output signal. The processor 110 may then convert the pin set as the output port into an input port and receive an input signal corresponding to the output signal. The processor 110 may then compare the output signal with the input signal to check whether an error has occurred in the at least one pin.

[0036] As one example, the processor 110 may compare an output signal generated by the at least one pin with an input signal received by the at least one pin due to a ground short to determine whether an error has occurred on the at least one pin. As another example, the processor 110 may compare an output signal generated by the at least one pin with an input signal received by the at least one pin due to a supply voltage short to determine whether an error has occurred on the at least one pin.

[0037] The processor 110 may check the operation of at least one pin set as an input port. For example, the processor 110 may set at least one pin as an input port and check whether an error has occurred in the at least one pin based on a signal received from the termination device 130 of the processor 110. Specifically, the processor 110 may check the normal range of the strength of a signal corresponding to the termination device 130, and the processor 110 may receive a signal from the termination device 130. The processor 110 may then check whether an error has occurred in the at least one pin based on whether the strength of the received signal is within the normal range.

[0038] An example of processor 110 detecting whether or not an inverter has a fault based on the operation on the pin will be described later with reference to steps 340 to 370 in FIG.

[0039] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example in which a processor according to one aspect detects whether or not an inverter has a fault.

[0040] In step 310, the processor 110 checks the inverter fault detection request signal.

[0041] For example, the fault detection request signal may be generated according to a preset detection period or may be input by an inverter manager. If the fault detection request signal is confirmed, the processor 110 executes step 320. If the fault detection request signal is not confirmed, the processor 110 continuously monitors whether the fault detection request signal is confirmed.

[0042] In step 320, the processor 110 stops the operation of the inverter. For example, the inverter may be connected to the processor 110 as a separate device, or the processor 110 may be included within the inverter.

[0043] In step 330, processor 110 sets at least one pin of multiple pins 111 configuring processor 110 to an output port or an input port to check for digital input / output errors. If processor 110 sets the pin to an output port, processor 110 executes step 340. If processor 110 sets the pin to an input port, processor 110 executes step 350.

[0044] In step 340, processor 110 checks the operation for the pin set as the output port, and executes step 360. An example in which processor 110 checks the operation for the pin set as the output port will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0045] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of setting a pin of a processor to an output port and checking for an error according to one aspect.

[0046] In step 410, the processor 110 generates an output signal that can be output from an output port. In step 420, the processor 110 converts the pin 111 that has been set as an output port into an input port.

[0047] In step 430, the processor 110 checks whether the output signal output from the pin is the same as the input signal input to the pin. For example, the processor 110 may output the output signal through a pin connected to the gate driver 120 among the pins 111 set as an output port. The processor 110 may then change the pin set as the output port to an input port. The processor 110 may then receive a signal corresponding to the output signal as an input signal through the pin changed to the input port and check the received signal.

[0048] Through the above process, the processor 110 can check the signal before the output signal is output and discharged as an input signal. For example, the time for outputting the output signal may be shorter than the time for changing the pin set as an output port to an input port. Also, the time from when the output signal is output until the output signal is erased because the pin set as an output port is changed to an input port may be longer than the time for checking for an error.

[0049] If the output signal and the input signal are identical, processor 110 determines that the pin is operating normally (step 440). If the output signal and the input signal are different, processor 110 determines that an error has occurred in the pin (step 450).

[0050] For example, the processor 110 may detect a short circuit that occurs while checking for pin errors. An example of the processor 110 detecting a short circuit will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0051] 5 and 6 are diagrams for explaining an example of a method for generating a short circuit according to one aspect.

[0052] 5, the gate driver 120 connected to the processor 110 may be connected to the ground 140. The processor 110 may distinguish a case where a ground short occurs and an abnormal input signal is transmitted to at least one pin of the processor 110, and may check whether an error occurs in the pin.

[0053] If a ground short occurs in the ground 140 connected to the gate driver 120, a signal (e.g., 0V) output from the ground 140 due to the ground short may be input to a pin set as an input pin. If the input signal input from the input pin (e.g., the input signal due to the ground short) is 0V, the processor 110 can confirm that the corresponding pin operates normally even in a situation where a ground short occurs. Alternatively, if the input signal is not 0V, the processor 110 can confirm that an error has occurred in the corresponding pin.

[0054] 6, a supply voltage is connected to a gate driver 120 connected to a processor 110. The processor 110 can distinguish a case where a supply voltage short occurs and an abnormal input signal is transmitted to at least one pin, and determine whether an error has occurred in the pin.

[0055] If a supply voltage short circuit occurs in the supply voltage connected to the gate driver 120, a signal (e.g., 5V) output from the supply voltage due to the supply voltage short circuit may be input to a pin set as an input pin. If the input signal input from the input pin (e.g., the input signal due to the supply voltage short circuit) is 5V, the processor 110 may confirm that the corresponding pin operates normally even in the situation where a supply voltage short circuit occurs. Alternatively, if the input signal is not 5V, the processor 110 may confirm that an error has occurred in the corresponding pin.

[0056] 3, in step 360, the processor 110 determines whether or not a fault has been confirmed for all pins 111 constituting the processor 110. If the confirmation of the operational status of all pins 111 has been completed, the processor 110 executes step 370. Alternatively, if the confirmation of the operational status of all pins 111 has not been completed, the processor 110 re-executes steps 330 and 340. At this time, the processor 110 can check the operational status of all pins 111, and can check the operational status of pins connected to the gate driver 120.

[0057] In step 370, based on the results of checking the operational states of the pins set as output ports, the processor 110 can check whether there is an error in at least one pin provided in the processor 110. Based on this, the processor 110 can check whether there is a fault in the inverter.

[0058] For example, if it is confirmed that an error has occurred in at least one pin out of all the pins 111, the processor 110 can determine that a fault has occurred in the inverter.

[0059] In step 350, processor 110 checks the operation of the pin set as an input port. Then, processor 110 executes step 360. Below, an example of checking the operation of the pin set as an input port by processor 110 will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

[0060] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of setting a pin of a processor to an input port and checking for an error according to one aspect.

[0061] In step 710, the processor 110 checks the normal range of signal strength corresponding to the terminating device 130. In step 720, the processor 110 receives a signal from the terminating device 130 via the gate driver 120.

[0062] In step 730, processor 110 checks whether the strength of the signal received from terminating device 130 is within a normal range.

[0063] If the strength of the received signal is within the normal range, the processor 110 executes step 740. In step 740, the processor 110 determines that the corresponding pin is operating normally if the strength of the received signal is within the normal range.

[0064] If the strength of the received signal is not within the normal range, the processor 110 executes step 750. In step 750, the processor 110 determines that the corresponding pin is not operating normally if the strength of the received signal is not within the normal range.

[0065] Referring again to FIG. 3, in step 360, processor 110 determines whether or not all pins 111 constituting processor 110 have been checked for the presence or absence of a fault.

[0066] If the check for the presence or absence of a fault has not been completed for all pins 111, the processor 110 re-executes steps 330 and 350. If the check for the presence or absence of a fault has been completed for all pins 111, the processor 110 executes step 370.

[0067] In step 370, the processor 110 may check whether or not there is an error in at least one pin based on the check result of the operational status of the pins set as input ports. For example, the processor 110 may check the operational status of all pins 111, and may check the operational status of the pin connected to the termination device 130.

[0068] Based on this, the processor 110 can determine whether or not there is a fault in the inverter.

[0069] According to the above, the processor 110 according to an embodiment can check for a digital input / output error occurring in the processor 110 even when the inverter is stopped without adding a separate circuit. Therefore, it is possible to easily and accurately check for a fault in the inverter before power is supplied to the inverter.

[0070] Meanwhile, the above-described method can be created as a computer-executable program and can be implemented on a general-purpose digital computer that runs the program using a computer-readable recording medium. Furthermore, the data structure used in the above-described method can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium by various means. The computer-readable recording medium includes magnetic storage media (e.g., ROM, RAM, USB, floppy disk, hard disk, etc.), optically readable media (e.g., CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), etc.

[0071] The embodiments of the present invention disclosed in this specification and the drawings are merely specific examples presented to easily explain the technical contents of the present invention and to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be interpreted as including all modifications and variations derived based on the technical concept of the present invention in addition to the embodiments disclosed in this specification.

Claims

1. A method for detecting whether or not an inverter has failed, comprising the steps of: stopping the operation of an inverter; setting a plurality of pins constituting a processor as output ports or input ports; and detecting whether or not the inverter has failed based on the operation of at least one of the plurality of pins set as the output port or input port.

2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said detecting step checks for activity on said at least one pin configured on said output port.

3. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the detecting step includes the steps of: configuring the at least one pin as the output port to generate an output signal; converting the pin configured as the output port to an input port to receive an input signal corresponding to the output signal; and comparing the output signal with the input signal to determine whether an error has occurred in the at least one pin.

4. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the detecting step compares an output signal generated at the at least one pin with an input signal received at the at least one pin due to a short to ground to determine whether an error has occurred at the at least one pin.

5. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the detecting step compares an output signal generated at the at least one pin with an input signal received at the at least one pin due to a supply voltage short to determine whether an error has occurred at the at least one pin.

6. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said detecting step checks for an operation on said at least one pin set in said input port.

7. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the detecting step includes the steps of: setting the at least one pin to an input port; and determining whether an error has occurred on the at least one pin based on a signal received from a device connected to an end of the processor.

8. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the detecting step includes the steps of: checking a normal range of a strength of a signal corresponding to a device connected to the termination; receiving a signal from the device connected to the termination; and determining whether an error has occurred in the at least one pin based on whether the strength of the received signal is within the normal range.

9. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer to execute the method of claim 1.

10. A processor that stops the operation of an inverter, sets multiple pins connected to a gate driver as output ports or input ports, and detects whether or not there is a fault in the inverter based on the operation of at least one of the multiple pins set as the output port or input port.

11. The processor of claim 10 , wherein the processor checks for an operation on the at least one pin configured on the output port.

12. 12. The processor of claim 11, wherein the processor configures the at least one pin as the output port to generate an output signal, converts the pin configured as the output port to an input port to receive an input signal corresponding to the output signal, and compares the output signal with the input signal to determine whether an error has occurred in the at least one pin.

13. 13. The processor of claim 12, wherein the processor compares an output signal generated at the at least one pin with an input signal received at the at least one pin due to a short to ground to determine whether an error has occurred at the at least one pin.

14. 14. The processor of claim 13, wherein the processor compares an output signal generated at the at least one pin with an input signal received at the at least one pin due to a supply voltage short to determine whether an error has occurred at the at least one pin.

15. The processor of claim 10 , wherein the processor checks an operation on the at least one pin set in the input port.

16. 16. The processor of claim 15, wherein the processor sets the at least one pin to an input port and checks whether an error has occurred on the at least one pin based on a signal received from a device connected to an end of the processor.

17. 17. The processor of claim 16, wherein the processor checks a normal range of a strength of a signal corresponding to a device connected to the termination, receives a signal from the device connected to the termination, and checks whether an error has occurred in the at least one pin based on whether the strength of the received signal is within the normal range.

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