Converter Chain Dissipation Routing for Wind Turbine Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power conversion systems for wind turbine generators lack redundancy and efficient power dissipation mechanisms, leading to potential component failure and reduced system reliability.
Innovation Solution
A power conversion system comprising multiple converter chains with associated dissipating units, where a controller routes power to be dissipated through controllable switches to either the associated dissipating unit or other units, enabling controlled power dissipation and redundancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power dissipation is handled by a single dissipating unit in each converter chain, then the system structure is simple, but the dissipating unit may be overloaded and fail during high power dissipation events
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple dissipating units from different converter chains are electrically connected in parallel through switches to form a shared dissipation resource pool. This allows any dissipating unit to handle power dissipation for any converter chain, preventing overload of individual units while maintaining system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Each dissipating unit is designed to serve multiple functions: it can dissipate power from its own associated converter chain and also dissipate power from other converter chains through the inter-chain switch connections. This universal capability ensures adequate dissipation capacity during high power events.
2Power
If multiple converter chains share common dissipating units, then power dissipation capacity is increased, but control complexity increases due to switch routing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the status of each converter chain and dissipating unit, and dynamically routes power dissipation paths based on real-time conditions. This feedback mechanism ensures optimal utilization of dissipation capacity while maintaining simple control logic through rule-based switching decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The switch connections between dissipating units are dynamically configured based on operational requirements. The system can adapt the dissipation topology in real-time, enabling flexible power routing without requiring complex permanent wiring arrangements.
3Reliability
If dissipating units are coupled via switches to enable power routing, then redundancy is improved, but the risk of switch failure and additional points of failure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures multiple redundant power dissipation paths through the switch network. When a switch or dissipating unit fails, alternative paths are already available to route power dissipation, cushioning against the impact of component failures and maintaining system operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Each converter chain maintains its own associated dissipating unit as a primary component, ensuring that local dissipation capability is preserved even if inter-chain switching fails. This local quality ensures that individual converter chains can still dissipate power independently if needed.
Data Source
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AI summary
A power conversion system for converting electrical power from at least one power source includes a plurality of converter chains which couple the at least one power source to at least one load. At least two of the converter chains comprise an associated dissipating unit. The dissipating units are coupled via at least one switch. A controller is arranged to control the at least one switch to route power to be dissipated from one of the converter chains to the converter chain's associated dissipating unit, or to at least one of the other dissipating units, or to the converter chain's associated dissipating unit and to at least one of the other dissipating units, to cause corresponding dissipation of the power to be dissipated.