Active Damping System for DC Power Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

High voltage direct current power systems in hybrid vehicles experience stability issues due to constant power loads, which cause voltage oscillations and require large passive LC or RC dampers that are difficult to manage.

Innovation Solution

An active damping system with a stabilization resistor and switch, controlled by an active damper controller, selectively connects the resistor in parallel with the input filter inductor to dampen current ripples, eliminating the need for passive dampers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If traditional passive LC or RC damping networks are used to stabilize the system, then system stability is improved, but device size and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoiddamping network size
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces passive mechanical/electrical damping networks (LC or RC circuits) with an active damping system using power electronic switches and control logic. The active damper controller monitors system conditions and dynamically switches dampers in and out, replacing static passive components with a dynamic controlled system that achieves stability without requiring large physical damping networks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic control through the active damper controller that continuously monitors system state and adjusts damper configuration in real-time. Unlike fixed passive damping networks, the system dynamically determines when to connect or disconnect dampers based on detected oscillations, allowing the damping characteristics to adapt to changing operating conditions while maintaining compact size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If large passive damping networks are installed to reduce voltage oscillation, then power quality is improved, but system weight and volume increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage oscillationVSAvoiddamping network weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces heavy passive damping components with lightweight power electronic switches and control circuitry. The active damping system uses semiconductor devices and microcontrollers to generate compensating signals that cancel voltage oscillations, eliminating the need for bulky inductors and capacitors that would be required in passive damping networks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental approach from passive energy dissipation to active parameter control. By using power electronic switches to dynamically alter circuit parameters (impedance, damping factor) based on real-time system state, the system achieves oscillation suppression without requiring the fixed, heavy components needed for passive damping across all operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Power

If constant power loads are added to increase system capability, then power delivery is improved, but system stability deteriorates due to negative impedance effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower delivery capabilityVSAvoidDC bus stability
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback control through the active damper controller that continuously monitors DC bus voltage and current, detects oscillations caused by constant power loads, and generates compensating switching signals. The controller uses feedback from voltage and current sensors to detect the negative impedance effect and actively counteracts it by switching dampers in response to detected oscillations, stabilizing the system while maintaining high power delivery capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 stabilizes the system by actively damping current ripples, improving power quality, reducing system weight, size, and cost by eliminating the need for large passive dampers.

Implementation Method 1

An embodiment includes a method of actively damping a current ripple in a direct current (DC) input in a DC system. The method includes receiving the DC input, selecting the current ripple from the DC input, comparing the current ripple to a reference current ripple and generating a stabilization pulse in response to the current ripple exceeding the reference current ripple.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2562898B1Direct current electric power system with active damping
Publication Date: 2022.09.28 HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORP
  • EP2562898B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2562898B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2562898B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An active damping switching system can include an active damper apparatus having a stabilization resistor, stabilization switch coupled to the stabilization resistor, an active damper controller coupled to the stabilization switch, a current sensor coupled to the active controller. The system can further include a direct current power source coupled to the active damper apparatus, a constant power load and an input filter disposed the constant power load and the active damper apparatus.