MMC Submodule Capacitor Rapid Discharge via Series Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reactive power compensators, such as modular multilevel converter (MMC) type STATCOM equipment, require significant time for complete discharging, posing safety risks to workers who often work in high-voltage environments and need to ensure the system is fully discharged for safety.
Innovation Solution
A reactive power compensator system with a discharging connection unit that electrically connects capacitors of submodules when the system is stopped, allowing for rapid discharge through a discharging connection member and switch configuration, enabling quick and safe discharging by connecting capacitors in series and discharging to ground.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If natural discharging is performed after driving is stopped, then the capacitors are discharged safely, but much time is needed for complete discharging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring discharging connection units that can rapidly connect capacitors in series before the discharging process begins. When driving is stopped, the control unit activates these pre-positioned connection units to create a series configuration, enabling immediate rapid discharging rather than waiting for natural discharge processes to begin slowly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the capacitor configuration changeable from parallel during operation to series during discharging. The discharging connection units dynamically reconfigure the capacitor connections based on the operational state, allowing the system to optimize its discharge rate by switching to series configuration when discharging is needed.
2Speed
If capacitors are discharged in parallel configuration, then discharging can occur, but the discharge rate is insufficient for quick safety
Solution Approach 1:
The discharging connection units are pre-configured and positioned to rapidly switch capacitor connections from parallel to series configuration. This preliminary preparation allows the system to immediately achieve high-speed series discharging when needed, without requiring complex real-time calculation or decision-making during the actual discharging event.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces discharging connection units as intermediary components that mediate between the capacitors and the discharge path. These connection units act as switches that can rapidly reconfigure the capacitor arrangement, simplifying the control logic while enabling fast series configuration for rapid discharging.
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
The system enables rapid and complete discharging of reactive power compensators, ensuring worker safety by quickly reducing residual voltages to a safe level, allowing for efficient and secure maintenance operations.
Implementation Method 1
a first discharging connection unit connected to the first capacitor so that, when driving of the reactive power compensator stops, the first capacitors of the first to nth submodules are electrically connected to one another
Data Source
AI summary
A reactive power compensator includes a first converter connected between a first line and a second line, a second converter connected between the second line and a third line, and a third converter connected between the third line and the first line. The first to third lines may be connected to a bus. The first converter may include a first cluster including first to nth submodules which are serially connected to one another and each include a first capacitor and a first discharging connection unit connected to the first capacitor so that, when driving of the reactive power compensator stops, the first capacitors of the first to nth submodules are electrically connected to one another.