Converter Configuration Passive Balancing Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing converter configurations face challenges in maintaining voltage balance among energy storage modules, leading to imbalance and reduced usability, especially at high voltages above 1 kV, where active balancing devices are costly and limited to low-voltage ranges.
Innovation Solution
A converter configuration with multiple converter arms and storage branches, each containing series circuits of energy storage modules, utilizes a passive balancing apparatus with balancing lines to connect energy storage modules and achieve charge compensation, eliminating or reducing imbalance without active regulation or data transmission, allowing for cost-effective and efficient voltage balancing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If active balancing devices are used to balance energy storage module voltages, then voltage balance is improved, but cost increases and the solution is limited to low-voltage ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The balancing apparatus enables energy storage modules to self-balance their voltages through passive charge compensation. The balancing lines allow modules with higher voltage to automatically discharge to modules with lower voltage without external control or active regulation, eliminating the need for costly active balancing devices while maintaining voltage balance reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the active regulation and control systems from the balancing apparatus, retaining only the essential charge compensation function. By removing active components like regulators and data transmission systems, the solution becomes passive, cost-effective, and applicable to high-voltage ranges while still achieving voltage balance
2Use of energy by moving object
If energy storage modules are connected in series to increase voltage, then voltage capability is improved, but voltage imbalance between modules worsens
Solution Approach 1:
Balancing lines are introduced as intermediary connections between energy storage modules in series circuits. These lines provide a passive charge compensation path that allows voltage imbalance to be automatically corrected without disrupting the high-voltage series configuration, thus maintaining both voltage capability and voltage balance reliability
3Use of energy by moving object
If multiple energy storage modules are connected in series to reach high voltages, then voltage is improved, but the ability to draw or deliver power decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage system is segmented into multiple parallel series circuits, where each circuit contains multiple modules in series to achieve high voltage. By creating multiple such circuits in parallel, the system maintains high voltage capability while the parallel configuration collectively provides sufficient power capability, as each branch contributes to the overall power delivery or drawing capacity
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
The proposed configuration effectively balances energy storage module voltages, enhancing the usability and cost-effectiveness of the storage configuration while maintaining stability in the AC voltage grid by automatically compensating for capacitance differences through low compensation currents, suitable for high-voltage applications.
Implementation Method 1
Charge compensation between the energy storage modules of different storage branches or series circuits can therefore be achieved by the balancing apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
A converter configuration has a converter. The AC voltage side of which can be connected to an AC voltage grid and the DC voltage side of which can be connected to a storage configuration. The converter has a plurality of converter arms, which each have a series circuit of semiconductor switching modules, and the storage configuration is arranged in parallel with at least one of the converter arms. The storage configuration contains a multiplicity of series circuits of individual energy storage modules. Each series circuit extends between a first and a second DC voltage busbar such that the series circuits are connected in parallel with one another. The converter configuration further has a balancing apparatus for balancing energy storage module voltages of the energy storage modules. The balancing apparatus contains balancing lines, which connect individual energy storage modules of different series circuits to one another.