Electrical Bus Conduction Heating for Cold Startup and Frost Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power converters in wind turbines face challenges in efficiently heating the electrical bus for cold startup and condensation/frost control, leading to potential component failure and short circuits due to inadequate heat distribution and excessive energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that apply direct heat conduction to the electrical bus using power resistors, with a controller determining temperature differences and activating heaters to maintain a predetermined temperature threshold, ensuring efficient heat distribution and component warming without relying on air heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If warmed air is used to heat components and bus work, then components are warmed above minimum operating temperature, but heat escapes excessively and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating function from the air heating system and applies it directly to the bus work and components through conductive heaters. This separates the heating action from the air circulation system, allowing direct heat transfer to where it is needed without heating the entire cabinet air volume, thereby reducing heat loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces conductive heaters as an intermediary between the power source and the bus work/components. These heaters provide a direct thermal conduction path from the heating element to the bus work and components, bypassing the need for air as a heat transfer medium and reducing heat loss to the cabinet walls.
2Temperature
If conventional air heating is used, then components are warmed, but heat distribution to cabinet corners is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies heating elements directly at the locations of the bus work and components that require warming. This localized heating approach ensures that each component receives adequate heat directly at its position, including corners and hard-to-reach areas, eliminating the heat distribution problems of conventional air heating systems.
3Ease of operation
If fans are operated during heating, then air circulation occurs, but heat escapes immediately from the cabinet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating function from the air circulation system, allowing fans to operate independently for air circulation while heaters provide direct conduction heating to bus work and components. This separation eliminates the conflict between fan operation and heat retention, as the heating no longer depends on air circulation.
4Ease of operation
If multiple heaters are over-applied in the cabinet, then heat distribution improves, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating function from the general cabinet heating approach and applies it specifically and directly to the bus work and components through conductive heaters. This targeted approach provides effective heat distribution to all necessary areas without the excessive energy consumption of over-applying multiple air heaters throughout the cabinet.
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 effectively warms the electrical bus components while minimizing energy consumption and heat loss, ensuring reliable operation in cold conditions and preventing condensation-related issues.
Implementation Method 1
applying heat to the electrical bus via conduction when the temperature outside of the electrical cabinet is below a predetermined temperature threshold
Implementation Method 2
employing one or more power resistors to apply the heat directly to the bus work
Data Source
AI summary
A method for heating an electrical bus in an electrical cabinet containing at least one current conversion device includes determining a temperature inside of the electrical cabinet. The method also includes determining a temperature outside of the electrical cabinet. Further, the method includes applying heat to the electrical bus via conduction when the temperature outside of the electrical cabinet is below a predetermined temperature threshold or a difference between the temperature inside of the electrical cabinet and the temperature outside of the electrical cabinet is less than a desired temperature difference.