Interleaved Inverter Phase Shift Control for Thermal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Power converters, particularly switching power supplies, face challenges in minimizing current and voltage ripple, which can lead to inefficiencies and overheating issues due to uneven current distribution among parallel switches, resulting in reduced efficiency and potential overheating.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an interleaved inverter topology with parallel switching modules and a central controller that adjusts switching frequencies and phase shifts to equalize temperature and current distribution, using inductive elements and fuses for protection, and a DC link capacitor to stabilize the output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If switching power supply operates at high switching frequency, then power conversion efficiency is improved, but current ripple and voltage ripple increase causing overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single switching operation into multiple parallel switching modules (first switching module, second switching module, etc.), each operating at a different phase. This segmentation allows the total switching frequency to be maintained while distributing the ripple effects across multiple phases, reducing the peak current and voltage ripple that cause overheating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic switching actions with different phase shifts among parallel modules. Each switching module operates periodically but with staggered timing (e.g., 180 degrees apart), creating a combined waveform that maintains high effective frequency while reducing instantaneous ripple and thermal stress on individual switches.
2Productivity
If multiple switching modules operate in parallel, then power conversion efficiency is improved, but current distribution becomes uneven causing overheating
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit applies periodic switching signals with specific phase shifts to each parallel module, ensuring that when one module is conducting high current, another module is in a different state. This temporal distribution equalizes the thermal load across all modules, preventing any single switch from overheating while maintaining high overall efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit monitors the operating state of each switching module and adjusts switching signals to balance current distribution. This feedback mechanism ensures that current is evenly distributed among parallel modules, preventing thermal runaway and maintaining uniform temperature distribution across all switches.
3Power
If switching voltage is selectively applied between references, then power conversion function is achieved, but voltage ripple and current ripple are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power conversion function into multiple parallel switching modules, each handling a portion of the total power. By distributing the voltage switching action across multiple phases with different timing, the individual ripple contributions from each module cancel each other out, significantly reducing the overall voltage and current ripple while maintaining full power conversion capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the outputs of multiple parallel switching modules with phase-shifted waveforms. The merging of these staggered waveforms creates a composite output that maintains the desired power conversion function while the phase differences cause ripple components to cancel, reducing harmful voltage and current ripple.
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 switching losses, improves efficiency, and maintains thermal stability among switches, allowing for a more reliable and efficient power conversion with reduced ripple and overheating risks.
Implementation Method 1
inductive elements
Implementation Method 2
DC link capacitor to stabilize the output
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for an interleaved inverter including a set of module circuits and an inverter controller. The module circuits include multiple switches. The inverter controller is configured to assign a first phase shift value to each of the module circuits during a normal mode of operation and assign a second phase shift value to at least one of the module circuits during a failure mode of operation. The second phase shift value is greater than the first phase shift value.