Delay Device for Switching Sequence Compensation in Power Converters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Converter systems, particularly those with half-bridge circuits like 3-level ANPC, experience delays in switching transitions, leading to reduced modulation levels, increased power losses, and harmonic distortion in the output voltage due to delayed switching edges.

Innovation Solution

A control system that includes a delay device to adjust switching times in power electronic systems, ensuring a constant delay between switching sequences and output voltage changes, thereby compensating for varying delays in switching transitions and optimizing output voltage waveform.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If switching transitions are performed in half-bridge circuits, then power conversion function is achieved, but varying delays occur between switching signals and output voltage changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower conversion functionVSAvoidswitching timing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by detecting the subsequence of switching transitions before executing them, determining the appropriate delay value in advance, and then applying this delay to compensate for the varying delays that will occur during actual switching. This allows the system to pre-calculate and pre-adjust for the timing variations that will occur during power conversion operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the timing parameter of switching signals dynamically based on the detected subsequence. By identifying different subsequences of switching transitions and assigning different delay values to each, the system adjusts the timing parameters adaptively to compensate for the varying delays inherent in different switching scenarios, thereby maintaining precise timing control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If switching edges are delayed, then output voltage waveform accuracy is reduced, but simpler control logic can be used

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol logic simplicityVSAvoidoutput voltage waveform accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by detecting the actual subsequence of switching transitions that occur in the half-bridge circuit and using this detection information to determine the appropriate delay value. This closed-loop approach ensures that the delay compensation is based on the actual switching behavior, maintaining high waveform accuracy while using relatively simple control logic that adapts to different operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Power

If constant power flow is maintained with delayed switching, then higher fundamental frequency amplitude is required, but this increases power losses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstant power flowVSAvoidinverter system losses
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

By determining the appropriate delay value in advance based on the detected subsequence, the system compensates for switching delays before they affect the output power. This preliminary compensation maintains the intended power flow characteristics without requiring increased fundamental frequency amplitude, thereby avoiding additional power losses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If switching transitions cause varying delays, then modulation level is reduced, but the system structure remains simple

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodulation levelVSAvoidswitching timing consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the timing parameter of switching signals based on the detected subsequence, assigning different delay values to different switching scenarios. This dynamic parameter adjustment compensates for the varying delays caused by different switching transitions, maintaining high modulation levels while working within the existing simple system structure without requiring complex hardware modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3584922B1Compensation for delays in a high performance electronics system
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP3584922B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3584922B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3584922B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A controller (12) for a power electronic system (10) comprises a control device (14) for generating a switching sequence (38) for a semiconductor circuit (26) of the power electronic system (10), wherein the switching sequence (38) comprises a sequence of switching times for switching between switching states of the semiconductor circuit (26); a delay device (16) for delaying switching times from the switching sequence (38); and a switching device (20) for generating switching signals (34) for the semiconductor circuit (26) from the switching sequence (40) modified by the delay device (16); wherein the delay device (16) is configured to detect a subsequence of the switching sequence (38) ending in a switching time and to determine a delay (52) for the switching time from the subsequence.