Asymmetric Gain Regulator for Power Converter Voltage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The asymmetrical safety margins in electronic power converters for electromechanical power transmission chains complicate voltage control due to the square-dependency of electrical energy storage, making it challenging to maintain stability and efficiency, especially in mobile working machines.
Innovation Solution
An electronic power converter with a regulator that weights deviations from the reference level using different gain coefficients for positive and negative deviations, allowing for asymmetrical control and improved stability, particularly in cases with asymmetric safety margins and non-linear functions like the square-function, with the gain coefficient on the narrower safety margin having a higher value to maintain control and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the reference level of the intermediate circuit voltage is chosen to be in the middle between the lower and upper limits (300V and 750V), then the electrical energy corresponding to the reference level is in the middle between the electrical energies at the limits, but the safety margins become asymmetrical (271V below reference, 179V above reference), which complicates the control of the voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by using different gain coefficients for positive and negative deviations of the intermediate circuit voltage from its reference level. Specifically, a first gain coefficient is used when the voltage deviates in one direction, and a second gain coefficient is used when it deviates in the opposite direction. This asymmetric control strategy directly addresses the asymmetrical safety margins caused by the square-dependency of electrical energy on voltage, simplifying the control by matching the control parameters to the actual asymmetrical constraints.
2Quantity of substance
If the square of the capacitor voltage or inductor current is used as the control quantity to account for the square-dependency of electrical energy, then the electrical energy distribution is accurately controlled, but the square-type non-linearity is included in the control quantity which complicates the control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control parameter from the raw voltage or current to the deviation of voltage from its reference level, weighted by different gain coefficients. This transformation linearizes the control relationship by working with deviations rather than absolute values, and the gain coefficients compensate for the square-dependency effect. This approach maintains accurate electrical energy control while avoiding the complexity of directly controlling squared quantities.
3Measurement precision
If asymmetrical control with different gain coefficients is implemented for positive and negative deviations, then the control precision and stability are improved, but the control algorithm becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control by adjusting the gain coefficients based on the direction of voltage deviation. The controller dynamically selects between the first gain coefficient (for positive deviations) and the second gain coefficient (for negative deviations), allowing the control system to adapt to the asymmetrical safety margins in real-time. This dynamic approach improves control precision and stability while keeping the algorithm relatively simple through conditional selection rather than complex calculations.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic power converter includes a storage circuit (101) capable of storing electrical energy that is determined by an electrical quantity, voltage or current, of the storage circuit. The electronic power converter includes an electronic power converter stage (102) connected to the storage circuit and a regulator (103) for controlling the electronic power converter stage to regulate the electrical quantity at least partly on the basis of deviation of the electrical quantity from its reference level. The regulator is configured to weight the deviation with a first gain coefficient when the deviation is positive, and to weight the deviation with a second gain coefficient when the deviation is negative. The first gain coefficient has a value different from that of the second gain coefficient because the reference level is typically not in the middle of the allowed range of variation of the electrical quantity.