Electric Power Converting System Inverter Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric power converting systems require the entire system to be stopped for inverter replacement, leading to operational losses and prolonged downtime due to the need to discharge capacitors before replacing a failed inverter.
Innovation Solution
The system employs additional switching circuits and electromagnetic contactors to allow safe and immediate replacement of failed inverters without stopping the entire system, using disconnecting switches and charging current suppressing resistors to manage inrush currents and voltage levels, enabling continuous operation during the replacement process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire system is stopped for inverter replacement, then safety is ensured and capacitors can be discharged, but operational losses increase and downtime is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into independent inverter units, each with its own disconnecting switch and electromagnetic contactor. This segmentation allows individual units to be isolated and replaced without affecting the operation of other units, enabling maintenance without complete system shutdown.
Solution Approach 2:
The disconnecting switch is opened and the electromagnetic contactor is activated before the capacitor discharge process begins. This preliminary action isolates the failed inverter unit from the DC power supply and other operational units, allowing safe replacement procedures to proceed while the system remains partially operational.
2Ease of repair
If the system is stopped to replace a failed inverter, then proper replacement procedures can be followed, but replacement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each inverter unit has dedicated disconnecting switches and electromagnetic contactors that enable independent isolation. This segmentation allows the replacement procedure to be performed on a single unit while others continue operating, significantly reducing the effective replacement time for the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The disconnecting switch and electromagnetic contactor are activated in advance to isolate the failed unit before the actual replacement begins. This preliminary isolation step ensures safety while allowing the replacement process to proceed without waiting for complete system shutdown, thereby reducing overall replacement time.
3Productivity
If additional switching circuits and electromagnetic contactors are added, then inverter replacement can be performed without stopping the system, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system architecture is segmented into independent inverter units, each equipped with its own disconnecting switch and electromagnetic contactor. This segmentation enables selective isolation of failed units without affecting others, maintaining high system availability while organizing complexity into manageable, repeating modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The disconnecting switch and electromagnetic contactor serve multiple functions: they isolate failed units during replacement, protect operational units from faults, and enable safe capacitor discharge procedures. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, managing overall system complexity.
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
Enables safe and immediate replacement of failed inverters without stopping the entire electric power converting system, reducing downtime and operational losses by managing inrush currents and discharging capacitors efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic contactor 26, 36, 46 and 56... which forms, together with a disconnecting switch 25, 35, 45 and 55 and a charging current suppressing resistor 21, 31, 41 and 51, a switching circuit
Implementation Method 2
a converter 14 with diodes in bridge connection, a DC reactor 15 for smoothing the output voltage of the converter 14 and inverter units 20, 30, 40 and 50... charging current suppressing resistors 21, 31, 41 and 51
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
In an electric power converting system 60 shown in FIG.1, inverter units 20a, 30a, 40a and 50a, capable of being operated independently of one another with electric power thereof supplied from a common DC power supply, have first and second switching circuits provided as their respective switching circuits. The first switching circuits are formed with disconnecting switches 25, 35, 35 and 55 and electromagnetic contactors 26, 36, 46 and 56, respectively, to be provided between the common DC power supply and the inverter units as their respective switching circuits. The second switching circuits are formed with electromagnetic contactors 27, 37, 47 and 57 for discharging main circuit capacitors 23, 33, 43 and 53 forming the inverter units, respectively, as their respective switching circuits. Thus, when any one of the inverter units causes a failure, the failed inverter unit can be immediately replaced by an inverter that can be normally operated without stopping the whole electric power converting system.