AC-Link Power Converter Virtual Port Mode for Lower Current Stress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power converters face challenges in maximizing power transfer between ports while minimizing stress on the converter components, particularly due to the contradictory requirements of maximizing voltage and connection time during energy transfer.
Innovation Solution
The power conversion circuit introduces an additional 'virtual' port connection mode where the link reactance is directly connected between two ports with the same polarity voltage difference, bypassing intermediate connections, allowing for reduced stress and optimized power transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the link reactance is connected through intermediate common mode connections during power transfer, then the converter can operate with standardized switching sequences, but the power transfer phase is prolonged and current stresses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual port as an intermediary connection that enables direct power transfer between ports with same polarity voltage differences. This virtual port acts as a mediator that bypasses the need for intermediate common mode connections, allowing direct coupling between source and load ports while maintaining standardized switching sequences through controlled activation of the virtual port connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the power transfer process into distinct modes by introducing the virtual port connection mode alongside traditional common mode connections. This segmentation allows the system to selectively use direct virtual port connections for same polarity transfers, thereby separating and optimizing different transfer scenarios to reduce overall power transfer time and current stresses.
2Ease of operation
If the link reactance is connected through intermediate common mode connections during power transfer, then the converter can operate with standardized switching sequences, but the current stresses on converter components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual port serves as an intermediary that provides a direct power transfer path between ports with same polarity voltage differences, bypassing the intermediate common mode connections that cause current stress accumulation. This mediator approach maintains standardized switching sequences while reducing the stress burden on converter components by shortening the current path and transfer duration.
3Loss of time
If the link reactance is directly connected between two ports with same polarity voltage difference, then the power transfer phase is shortened and current stresses are reduced, but the converter requires additional connection modes
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual port is designed as a universal connection mode that can be activated between any pair of ports with same polarity voltage differences. This multi-functional approach allows the same virtual port mechanism to serve multiple power transfer scenarios, thereby reducing device complexity despite adding connection modes, as the virtual port provides a standardized direct connection template that can be applied universally across different port combinations.
4Stress or pressure
If the link reactance is directly connected between two ports with same polarity voltage difference, then current stresses are reduced, but the converter requires additional connection modes
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual port connection mode provides a universal solution for reducing current stresses across all same polarity power transfer scenarios. By establishing a standardized direct connection template that can be applied between any compatible port pair, the system reduces component stress consistently without requiring separate complex connection mechanisms for each scenario, thereby managing device complexity through universality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces current stresses and shortens the power transfer phase, resulting in improved efficiency and effectiveness in addressing the technical problem of existing technologies have not effectively solved the technical problem of power transfer optimization.
Implementation Method 1
immediately after each drive of current, to temporarily disconnect said link reactance from said first and second multiports respectively, to thereby resonantly transfer a quantity of energy from said inductor to said capacitor
Implementation Method 2
Switches turn on near to zero voltage and their turnoffs are capacitance buffered, resulting in low switching losses
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for extending power transfer in a power conversion circuit, characterised in that, inside a resonating mode (2, 6), between two conducting modes in which power is transferred by successively connecting the link reactance (120, 121) to a first port having in absolute value a higher voltage difference with the common phase to a second port having a lower voltage difference with the common phase, the link reactance (120, 121) is directly connected to the first port and to the second port (DC2, DC3), without any intermediary connection with the common mode (COM), inserting thereby in the power conversion circuit operation an additional mode (2a, 6a) within the resonating mode (2, 6), said connection intervening at the time the voltage across the link reactance (120, 121) is exactly equal to the difference of first port and second port voltages respectively referred to the common phase.