Hexagram Converters for High Power Applications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current power converters for high power applications, such as medium-voltage grids, face challenges including high manufacturing costs, unbalanced voltage issues, and energy storage requirements, particularly in low speed, constant torque applications, making them unsuitable for efficient high power connections.
Innovation Solution
The development of hexagram converters, comprising six three-phase converter modules with inductive interconnections to suppress circulating currents, offering a modular structure with lower component counts, automatic balance, and built-in fault redundancy, suitable for high power applications like power factor correction and reactive power compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cascaded H-bridge multilevel converters are used for high power applications, then power scalability and fault tolerance are improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to large number of single-phase modules and transformers
Solution Approach 1:
The converter is divided into three-phase modular units rather than single-phase modules, reducing the total number of modules required while maintaining fault tolerance through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple single-phase modules are merged into integrated three-phase modules, eliminating the need for separate transformers for each module and reducing overall component count
2Power
If cascaded H-bridge multilevel converters are used for high power applications, then power scalability is improved, but device complexity increases due to large number of modules and transformers
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into standardized three-phase modules that can be scaled by adding or removing modules, maintaining simplicity while achieving power scalability
Solution Approach 2:
Each three-phase module is designed as a universal building block that can operate in different configurations and power levels, reducing overall system complexity through standardization
3Device complexity
If single-phase converter modules are used in cascaded H-bridge, then modular structure is achieved, but energy storage requirement increases due to pulsating power processing
Solution Approach 1:
The converter processes power at the three-phase level rather than single-phase level, smoothing power fluctuations locally and reducing the need for large energy storage components
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
Hexagram converters provide a cost-effective solution for high power applications by reducing component counts, improving control ease, and enhancing fault tolerance, enabling efficient operation in various high power scenarios like grid-connected inverters and adjustable speed drives.
Implementation Method 1
One or more inductors can be used in the interconnections between the six modules to suppress potential circulating currents
Data Source
AI summary
Multilevel high power converters, referred to as hexagram converters, which preferably include a combination of six three-phase converter modules, are provided herein. The three-phase converter modules are interconnected and can be configured as any three-phase converter for any given application. One or more inductors can be used in the interconnections between the six modules to suppress potential circulating currents. Numerous applications exist in which the described converters can be implemented.