Inverter Cooling Fan Voltage Control for Current Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling systems for inverters interrupt operations when issues arise with the cooling fan, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage, as they do not effectively manage abnormal currents or temperatures, resulting in downtime and economic losses.
Innovation Solution
A managing device with a fan controller and temperature sensor that adjusts the cooling fan's voltage and outputs trip signals to control the inverter's operation, ensuring continuous operation by maintaining normal current and temperature ranges, utilizing a switched-mode power supply, gate controller, and gate driver to manage switching elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the cooling fan operates at full power to ensure adequate cooling, then the cooling performance is improved, but the current consumption increases and may exceed preset ranges causing trips
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the cooling fan's operating voltage variable rather than fixed. The controller dynamically adjusts the fan voltage based on real-time current monitoring, allowing the system to adapt between full-power cooling and reduced-power operation to maintain current within preset ranges while ensuring adequate cooling performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the cooling fan current and using this information to adjust the fan voltage. When current exceeds the upper preset range, the controller reduces voltage; when current is below the lower range, the controller increases voltage. This closed-loop feedback system optimizes both cooling performance and current consumption.
2Reliability
If the inverter is interrupted when cooling fan current is abnormal to prevent damage, then the reliability is improved, but the productivity decreases due to downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing a staged response to abnormal current conditions. Instead of immediately interrupting the inverter when current is abnormal, the system first attempts to correct the condition by adjusting fan voltage. Only when the current remains outside preset ranges after voltage adjustment does the system proceed to interrupt operation, thus avoiding unnecessary downtime while still preventing damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by establishing preset current ranges that define safe operating boundaries. These predetermined thresholds allow the system to anticipate potential damage conditions and take preventive action (voltage adjustment or interruption) before actual damage occurs, balancing reliability and productivity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the cooling fan voltage is reduced to lower current consumption, then the current usage is optimized, but the cooling performance may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback control to monitor cooling fan current and adjust voltage accordingly. By maintaining current within preset ranges through dynamic voltage adjustment, the system optimizes current usage while ensuring the voltage remains sufficient to provide adequate cooling performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating voltage parameter of the cooling fan based on monitored current conditions. By adjusting this key parameter, the system optimizes the balance between current consumption and cooling effectiveness, ensuring current remains within preset ranges while maintaining sufficient cooling performance.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a managing device for cooling an inverter. The managing device for cooling an inverter includes a fan controller configured to provide an electric current flowing in a cooling fan; and a controller configured to determine whether the current flowing in the cooling fan is out of a preset range, and, when the current is out of the preset range, configured to control the cooling fan with a control voltage different from an operating voltage of the cooling fan.