DC Link Capacitor Holdup Power for Motor Control Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional holdup energy arrangements in aerospace electronic Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) and motor drive electronics require dedicated capacitors and complex circuits, leading to increased cost, weight, and reliability issues due to the need for separate holdup capacitors and current limit resistors.
Innovation Solution
A holdup energy arrangement that utilizes a motor control module, power supply, and bidirectional converter to provide holdup energy from a DC link capacitor to the power supply when the supply voltage drops below a threshold, eliminating the need for a dedicated holdup capacitor by leveraging existing DC link capacitors and simplifying the circuit architecture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate dedicated holdup capacitor and current limit resistors are used in conventional architectures, then holdup energy can be provided for control and monitoring functions, but device complexity, cost, and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the holdup energy function with the existing DC link capacitor in motor power electronics. Instead of using a separate dedicated holdup capacitor, the system utilizes the DC link capacitor's stored energy through a bidirectional converter that can transfer energy from the DC link to the low-voltage power supply when needed, thereby eliminating additional components and reducing circuit complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The DC link capacitor, originally designed for motor power electronics operation, is made multi-functional by enabling it to also serve as the holdup energy source for the low-voltage power supply. The bidirectional converter allows the same capacitor to fulfill both its original function and the holdup function, eliminating the need for dedicated holdup components
2Reliability
If separate dedicated holdup capacitors and current limit resistors are added to the control section, then holdup energy requirements are met, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holdup energy function is merged with the existing DC link capacitor infrastructure. By using the bidirectional converter to transfer energy from the DC link capacitor to the low-voltage power supply, the system eliminates the need for separate holdup capacitors and current limit resistors, thereby reducing the weight of the control section while maintaining reliable holdup energy provision
3Reliability
If conventional holdup circuits with dedicated capacitors and resistors are used, then holdup energy can be stored, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the holdup energy storage function with the existing DC link capacitor and bidirectional converter. This eliminates the need to manufacture and assemble separate dedicated holdup capacitors and current limit resistors, reducing component count and manufacturing cost while maintaining the required holdup energy storage capability
Solution Approach 2:
The DC link capacitor is made multi-functional to serve both motor power electronics and holdup energy storage. This universal utilization of existing components eliminates the need for additional dedicated holdup components, thereby reducing overall system cost
4Duration of action of moving object
If additional holdup components are added to the control section, then energy can be held up during power down, but the solution reliability degrades due to more components
Solution Approach 1:
The holdup energy function is merged with the existing DC link capacitor and bidirectional converter that are already part of the motor power electronics system. By reusing these existing components for dual purposes, the system achieves the required holdup time without adding more components, thereby avoiding the reliability degradation that would result from increased component count
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 solution reduces complexity, cost, and weight by eliminating the need for additional capacitors and circuits, ensuring reliable holdup power without additional components, and allows for flexible operation in various voltage conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a converter operatively connected to the power supply and configured to be electrically connected to a DC link capacitor of the motor power electronics
Implementation Method 2
DC link capacitor of the motor power electronics...provide holdup energy to the power supply with energy from the DC link capacitor
Data Source
AI summary
A holdup energy arrangement can include a motor control module configured to connect to motor power electronics to operate an inverter to control a motor. The motor control module can operate at a lower voltage than the motor power electronics. The arrangement can include a power supply operatively connected to the motor control module and configured to provide power the motor control module and a converter operatively connected to the power supply and configured to be electrically connected to a DC link capacitor of the motor power electronics. The arrangement can also include a logic control module configured to control the converter to selectively allow energy to flow from the DC link capacitor, through the converter, and to the power supply to provide holdup energy to the power supply with energy from the DC link capacitor.