Decentralized Power Converter Control for Data Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power converters with centralized control systems require extensive data lines and significant manufacturing and operational effort due to the large amount of data exchanged, leading to increased costs and potential reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
A decentralized control system is implemented, where switching modules are assigned to subunits, reducing the need for direct connections between the central unit and individual modules, and only transmitting summarized data to the central unit, allowing for efficient voltage balancing and load distribution across modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a centralized control system is used to control all switching modules, then comprehensive control capability is achieved, but the number of data lines and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is divided into a central control unit and multiple decentralized subcontrol units. Each subcontrol unit is assigned to control a specific group of switching modules, reducing the need for direct data lines between the central unit and every individual module. This segmentation maintains comprehensive control capability while significantly reducing system complexity.
2Loss of information
If all switching module status data are transmitted to the central unit, then complete system monitoring is achieved, but the amount of data exchanged and operational effort increase enormously
Solution Approach 1:
The subcontrol units extract and process status data from their assigned switching modules locally. Instead of transmitting all raw data to the central unit, only essential summarized information is exchanged, significantly reducing the quantity of data transmitted while maintaining complete system monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Each subcontrol unit independently manages and processes the status data of its assigned switching modules. This self-service approach allows local data processing and reduces the burden on the central unit, minimizing the amount of data that needs to be exchanged across the system.
3Ease of operation
If the central unit is connected directly to every switching module, then direct control is achieved, but manufacturing cost and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Subcontrol units are introduced as intermediary components between the central control unit and the switching modules. These intermediaries enable indirect control that maintains the ease of operation benefits of direct control while significantly reducing manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for direct connections between the central unit and every individual switching module.
4Speed
If subunits are located close to their assigned switching modules, then control responsiveness is improved, but the distance from the central unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into distributed subcontrol units that can be physically located close to their assigned switching modules. This spatial segmentation improves control responsiveness by reducing signal transmission distances between subcontrol units and modules, while the overall system architecture manages the increased distance from the central unit through hierarchical control.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a power converter (2) with a power converter arm (3) comprising a series connection of Nsm switching modules (4-12), each comprising controllable semiconductor switches and an energy storage device, and a control device (1) for controlling the power converter. The invention is characterized in that the control device comprises a central unit (13) and a plurality of Nu subunits (14-16) connected to the central unit, each subunit being assigned switching units, and each subunit being configured to transmit to the central unit a sum voltage of the assigned switching units and/or a switching module status as well as a switching module energy of some of the assigned switching units. The invention further relates to a control method for the power converter according to the invention.