Power Converter Aging Detection via Energy Efficiency Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing condition monitoring methods for power electronic devices, particularly those with semiconductor components, are inadequate for reliably detecting aging processes that lead to functional failures, necessitating a more efficient and straightforward monitoring approach.
Innovation Solution
Determine the energy efficiency of power electronic devices at multiple observation times using measured values, comparing energy efficiencies to identify age-related changes and potential defects, allowing for proactive maintenance and component replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If direct measurement of electrical or thermal parameters of semiconductor components is used for condition monitoring, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces energy efficiency as an intermediary parameter that indirectly reflects the condition of semiconductor components. Instead of directly measuring complex electrical or thermal parameters of individual components, the system measures overall energy efficiency of the power electronic device, which serves as a mediator to detect aging and defects in semiconductor components through their impact on overall device performance
Solution Approach 2:
The energy efficiency measurement serves multiple functions simultaneously: it monitors the condition of semiconductor components, detects aging processes, identifies potential defects, and provides a unified metric for condition assessment. This universal parameter replaces multiple specialized measurement systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining monitoring precision
2Reliability
If multiple measurement parameters are recorded for condition monitoring, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential condition information from multiple complex measurement parameters and condenses it into a single energy efficiency metric. By taking out only the most relevant information (energy efficiency) that encompasses the effects of various component degradations, the system maintains reliability while significantly improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms multiple static measurement parameters into a dynamic energy efficiency parameter that automatically integrates information about component conditions. This parameter change from multiple independent measurements to a single composite metric simplifies the monitoring process while preserving the reliability needed to detect aging and defects
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for monitoring the state of a power electronic device (1), in particular a converter, with two or more components (2-6), at least one of which is provided by a semiconductor component (2, 3), characterized in that - for at least one observation time, in particular for at least two different observation times, an energy efficiency of the power electronic device (1) is determined, wherein the determination of the energy efficiency for the respective observation time or times is carried out on the basis of one or more measured values measured for the power electronic device (1), in particular in and/or on the power electronic device (1) and/or at the respective observation time or times, - from the energy efficiency determined for the observation time,In particular, the condition, in particular an aging process, of the power electronic device (1) is deduced from the energy efficiencies determined for the two or more observation points in time. Furthermore, the invention relates to a computer program and a computer-readable medium.