Inverter Control via Delay-Compensated State Vectors

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing converter control methods face challenges in achieving rapid and stable control due to time delays and the need for simultaneous current and energy control, leading to potential instabilities and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A method that combines state current and intermediate circuit energy values into vectors, using an observation unit to account for delay effects and an estimator unit to model energy dynamics, enabling a holistic control approach with minimal control differences and fast response.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a cascaded control structure is used for current and energy control, then both current control and energy balancing can be performed, but control stability deteriorates due to time delays and interaction between control loops

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol capabilityVSAvoidcontrol stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into independent current control and energy control loops. Each loop processes its respective control variables separately, avoiding the instability caused by cascaded control interactions while maintaining the ability to perform both current and energy control functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A delay compensation mechanism acts as an intermediary between the measured current values and the control calculations. This intermediary component compensates for time delays in the control electronics and measurement systems, providing corrected current values that maintain control stability without sacrificing control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If control electronics and measurement systems are used, then current and energy values can be controlled, but time delays occur in control electronics and measurement systems leading to control inaccuracies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoidcontrol delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The delay compensation mechanism performs preliminary correction of measured current values before they are used in control calculations. By compensating for time delays in advance, the system eliminates control inaccuracies without adding latency, maintaining both control functionality and timing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If measured current values are used directly for control, then control structure is simple, but control accuracy deteriorates due to delay effects in control electronics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol structureVSAvoidcurrent measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A delay compensation mechanism serves as an intermediary between the measured current values and the control calculations. This intermediary corrects the measured values by compensating for time delays in the control electronics and measurement systems, providing accurate current values without significantly increasing control structure complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If simultaneous current control and energy control are implemented, then comprehensive control is achieved, but control instabilities occur due to interaction between control loops

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol comprehensivenessVSAvoidcontrol stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is divided into independent current control and energy control segments that operate separately. This segmentation eliminates the harmful interactions between control loops that cause instability, while still allowing both current and energy control functions to be performed comprehensively through coordinated operation of the independent segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2481146B1Method for controlling an inverter and arrangement for controlling an inverter
Publication Date: 2018.06.27 SIEMENS AG
  • EP2481146B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2481146B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2481146B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method wherein state current values (formula I) and state intermediate circuit energy values are summarized in a state vector describing the state of the inverter (1), and target current values and target intermediate circuit energy values are summarized in a target vector, in order to create a clear control structure for efficient and stable control. The state vector and the target vector are compared, obtaining control differential values that are fed into a control unit (14, 16), generating such set voltage values u(k) at the output thereof that the control differential values are as low as possible. Control electronics (19) provide control signals as a function of the set voltage values u(k) and transfer the same to the power semiconductor (S1, S2) of the inverter (1), wherein the state current values (Formula I) are calculated by an observation unit (21) starting from the set voltage values u(k) from measured current values, and wherein the observation unit (21) models the inverter (1) and considers delay effects, so that the state current values (Formula I) correspond to the undelayed, measured current values stripped of the delay effects. The state intermediate circuit energy values (w(k)) are determined by means of an estimating unit (21A) from measured intermediate circuit energy values utilizing a signal model of the intermediate circuit energy values, wherein the estimating unit (21A) calculates the parameters of the signal model of the intermediate circuit energy values (w(k)), each determining an identical magnitude representing a state intermediate circuit energy value (w(k)) of the positive side and negative side AC voltage source of the inverter (1). The state intermediate circuit energy values (w(k)) are fed into the control unit (14, 16) in addition to the state current values (Formula II). The invention further relates to an arrangement for controlling an inverter.