DC Link Voltage Spectrum Analysis for Three-Phase Imbalance Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for assessing three-phase AC power supply imbalance in power conversion devices only detect input phase loss and fail to correctly identify voltage unbalanced states that do not lead to phase loss, potentially causing device damage.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that use a forward converter, smoothing capacitor, detection unit, and control unit to assess voltage imbalance by comparing the magnitudes of frequency components at four times and six times the power supply frequency in the power conversion device, allowing for the identification of unbalanced states beyond phase loss conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If only input phase loss detection is implemented, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of voltage imbalance is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection system complexityVSAvoidvoltage imbalance detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the detection parameter from simple phase presence/absence to frequency component analysis. By performing FFT on the DC voltage and comparing the magnitudes of 4f and 6f components, the system achieves precise measurement of voltage imbalance while using existing hardware components, thus resolving the contradiction between device complexity and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If frequency component analysis is performed to detect voltage imbalance, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time for processing increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage imbalance detection accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the specific frequency components (4f and 6f) that are most indicative of voltage imbalance from the full频谱 analysis. By focusing on these two critical frequency components rather than analyzing the entire frequency spectrum, the system achieves accurate imbalance detection while minimizing processing time and computational resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If comprehensive voltage imbalance assessment is implemented, then reliability of device protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice protection reliabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the existing DC voltage from the rectifier circuit and smoothing capacitor as the detection source, rather than adding separate voltage sensors for each phase. The control unit performs FFT analysis on this readily available DC voltage signal, allowing the system to achieve comprehensive voltage imbalance assessment while avoiding the complexity of additional sensing hardware and signal conditioning circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables the accurate assessment of three-phase AC power supply voltage imbalance, preventing device damage by detecting unbalanced states that may not result in phase loss, thereby enhancing electrical safety and monitoring of power quality.

Implementation Method 1

a forward converter 4 (converter, also referred to as a rectifier circuit) that converts AC power of the three-phase AC power supply 2 into DC power

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRectification:

Implementation Method 2

a smoothing capacitor 5 that smooths a DC voltage after rectification of the forward converter 4

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance filtering: Capacitance

Implementation Method 3

A voltage detection circuit 7 that detects a DC voltage between both ends of the smoothing capacitor 5 is connected to the control circuit 8

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVoltage detection:

Implementation Method 4

The arithmetic operation device 10 performs a fast Fourier transform (FFT) on the N pieces of time-series data

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFourier transform:

Implementation Method 5

the arithmetic operation device 10 compares the magnitudes of a component being four times the power supply frequency and a component being six times the power supply frequency in the amplitude spectrum

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFrequency component comparison:

Data Source

PatentEP3739347B1Voltage imbalance assessment method and power conversion device
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 HITACHI IND EQUIP SYST CO LTD
  • EP3739347B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3739347B1 patent drawingFigure 2A(a)~2A(b)
  • EP3739347B1 patent drawingFigure 2B(a)~2B(b)

AI summary

This voltage imbalance assessment method is for a power conversion device comprising a forward converter for rectifying the voltage of a three-phase AC power supply, a smoothing capacitor for smoothing the rectified voltage, a detection unit for detecting the smoothed voltage, and a control unit. The control unit: uses the detected voltage to generate data indicating frequency components; compares, in the data indicating frequency components, the magnitude of the component that is four times the power supply frequency with the magnitude of the component that is six times the power supply frequency; and assesses the voltage imbalance of the three-phase AC power supply on the basis of the comparison.