DC-Link Ramp-Up Control for Thyristor Current Spike Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing variable speed drives (VSDs) face challenges in meeting harmonic regulation standards while maintaining a compact, lightweight design, as traditional solutions with sizable capacitors and inductors increase size, weight, and cost, and C-Less Links with thyristors cause high current spikes and oscillations.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a non-linear variation of firing angles for thyristors in the rectifier bridge to smooth the current ramp-up, reducing current peaks and oscillations without additional components, allowing for a mix bridge and C-Less Link topology.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional sizable capacitors and inductors are used to meet harmonic regulation standards, then harmonic compliance is improved, but device size, weight, and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveharmonic complianceVSAvoiddevice weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the control parameters of the thyristors by implementing a non-linear variation of firing angles over time, specifically using a polynomial function (e.g., second-order polynomial) to control the thyristor conduction angle. This parameter change allows the system to meet harmonic regulation standards without requiring sizable passive components, thereby reducing device weight while maintaining compliance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Weight of stationary object

If C-Less Link topology with thyristors is used to reduce size and weight, then device compactness is improved, but current spikes and oscillations increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice weightVSAvoidcurrent spikes
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamic control by varying the thyristor firing angles non-linearly over time during the voltage ramp-up phase. Instead of a static or linear control approach, the system dynamically adjusts the conduction angle using a polynomial function, which smoothly controls the current ramp-up and eliminates current spikes and oscillations while maintaining the compact C-Less Link topology.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining a non-linear polynomial function for the thyristor firing angle control before the voltage ramp-up occurs. This pre-planned control strategy ensures that the current ramp-up is smoothly managed from the beginning, preventing current spikes and oscillations before they can occur, rather than reacting to them after they appear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If linear variation of thyristor firing angles is used, then control simplicity is maintained, but current oscillations and peaks occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol complexityVSAvoidcurrent oscillations
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the control parameter from a linear variation to a non-linear polynomial variation of the thyristor firing angle. This parameter change, while slightly increasing control complexity, effectively eliminates current oscillations and peaks by smoothly controlling the current ramp-up, demonstrating that the added complexity is justified by the significant improvement in current quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4586486A1DC-link voltage ramp-up
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 SCHNEIDER TOSHIBA INVERTER EUROPE SAS
  • EP4586486A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4586486A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4586486A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Examples include a computer-implemented method for controlling a ramp-up of a voltage in a DC-link, a computer-readable storage medium, a variable speed drive, and a system comprising a variable speed drive configured to carry out the method.