Variable Speed Drive Precharging Resistor Deceleration Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Variable speed drives with diode bridge rectifier stages struggle to efficiently manage electrical energy feedback during motor deceleration, leading to prolonged deceleration times without dedicated braking devices.

Innovation Solution

A control method that utilizes a precharging device with a resistor and switch connected in series with a bus capacitor, controlling current through the resistor to dissipate energy and optimize deceleration, while maintaining a constant average voltage and limiting voltage oscillations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If a braking resistor is used to dissipate electrical energy during motor deceleration, then the deceleration time is reduced, but the device complexity and cost increase due to additional braking transistors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeceleration timeVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The precharging resistor, originally designed solely for inrush current limitation during startup, is made to serve dual purposes: it continues to limit inrush current during startup while also functioning as an energy dissipation element during motor deceleration. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate braking components, resolving the contradiction between reduced deceleration time and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own existing precharging resistor to handle the energy dissipation during deceleration, rather than requiring external braking components. The precharging resistor serves the system's braking needs without requiring additional dedicated braking devices, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining effective deceleration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If the deceleration trajectory is modified to limit electrical energy feedback, then device complexity is reduced, but the deceleration time increases due to reliance on natural losses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoiddeceleration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system utilizes its own precharging resistor to actively dissipate regenerative energy during deceleration, rather than relying solely on natural mechanical and electrical losses. This self-service approach allows the system to maintain simplicity while achieving faster deceleration by actively controlling energy dissipation through the existing resistor

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of time

If current through the precharging resistor is increased to maximize energy dissipation, then deceleration time is reduced, but voltage oscillations on the DC bus increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeceleration timeVSAvoidvoltage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit continuously monitors the voltage on the DC bus and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the switching of the precharging resistor. When voltage oscillations are detected, the control unit modulates the resistor's engagement to dampen oscillations while maintaining effective energy dissipation, thus resolving the contradiction between fast deceleration and voltage stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically controls the switching of the precharging resistor based on real-time operating conditions and voltage levels. Rather than using a fixed switching strategy, the dynamic adjustment of the resistor's engagement allows the system to optimize both deceleration speed and voltage stability across different operating scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 approach reduces deceleration time by maximizing losses within the drive system, avoiding damage to components and improving motor control performance without the need for dedicated braking devices.

Implementation Method 1

A control method implemented in a variable speed drive... controlling the current flowing in the precharging resistor during a deceleration of the motor... to dissipate the electrical energy returned by the electric motor during its deceleration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2846454B1Control method implemented in a variable speed drive for decelerating an electric motor
Publication Date: 2021.10.06 SCHNEIDER TOSHIBA INVERTER EUROPE SAS
  • EP2846454B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2846454B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2846454B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

The invention relates to a control method implemented in a speed variator connected to an electric motor, said speed variator comprising: - a rectifier stage (REC), - a DC power supply bus connected to the rectifier stage (REC), - a bus capacitor (C), - an inverter stage (INV) connected downstream of the DC power supply bus and comprising several switching arms, - a pre-charge device connected in series with the bus capacitor (C) and comprising a pre-charge resistor (R) and a switch (Sw) connected in parallel with said pre-charge resistor (R), characterized in that the method consists of controlling the inverter stage (INV) so as to control the current (I) flowing through the pre-charge resistor (R) during a deceleration of the motor, said current (I) being controlled taking into account the voltage (Vbus) of the DC power supply bus and an optimal reference value (Vbus_ref).