Power Converter Dynamic Dead Band Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power conversion apparatuses that drive AC motors face inefficiencies due to fixed dead bands in reactive power control, leading to decreased conversion efficiency when load currents are high, as they continue to output fixed reactive power despite varying load conditions.

Innovation Solution

A power conversion apparatus with a control unit that dynamically adjusts the dead band near 0 reactive current based on active current feedback, using a multi-level converter and inverter system, to maintain DC voltage balance and supply required reactive power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed dead band is provided around zero reactive current to maintain DC voltage balance, then the direction of reactive current does not switch and voltage balance is maintained, but the power conversion apparatus continues to output fixed reactive power even when load current is large, causing decrease in conversion efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDC voltage balanceVSAvoidconversion efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The dead band width is made dynamically adjustable based on the magnitude of the active current. When the active current is large, the dead band width is reduced or eliminated, allowing the reactive current to naturally approach zero and improving conversion efficiency. When the active current is small, the dead band width is increased to maintain DC voltage balance and prevent reactive current direction switching. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between maintaining voltage balance and improving efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control method changes the parameter of dead band width according to the operating conditions (active current magnitude). By adjusting the dead band parameter dynamically rather than keeping it fixed, the system adapts to different load conditions, maintaining voltage balance when needed while minimizing unnecessary reactive power output when not needed, thus resolving the efficiency problem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If reactive power is dynamically controlled to match load requirements, then the power conversion apparatus can supply required reactive power, but the reactive current direction may switch when reactive power is small, making it difficult to maintain DC voltage balance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereactive power supplyVSAvoidDC voltage balance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dead band width is dynamically adjusted based on the active current magnitude. When reactive power is small and active current is large, the dead band is reduced or eliminated, allowing smooth reactive current control without direction switching issues. When reactive power control is critical and active current is small, the dead band is increased to prevent direction switching and maintain voltage balance. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to different operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control parameter (dead band width) is changed according to the operating state of the system. By monitoring the active current and adjusting the dead band parameter accordingly, the system maintains adaptability in reactive power supply while ensuring DC voltage balance is maintained when reactive current is small, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11728742B2Power conversion apparatus that drives a motor by receiving a three-phase AC voltage from an AC power system
Publication Date: 2023.08.15 TMEIC CORP
  • US11728742B2 patent drawing
  • US11728742B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A power conversion apparatus capable of supplying a required reactive power while dynamically changing a dead band near 0 reactive current and maintaining a balance of DC voltage is provided. The power conversion apparatus including a three-level converter, a PWM controller for the three-level converter, an input current detector of the three-level converter, a coordinate converter that converts the current into a d-axis and q-axis current feedback, the reactive power control unit that controls a reactive power and outputs an reactive current reference, a d-axis current control unit having a dead band part for setting the d-axis current reference with hysteresis characteristics in the q-axis current feedback, and outputs the d-axis voltage reference, a q-axis current control unit that outputs a q-axis voltage reference based on the q-axis current reference, an inverse coordinate converter that outputs a three-phase AC voltage command based on the d-axis and q-axis voltage reference.