Modular Photovoltaic Inverter Layout With Shared Filtering and Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current modular photovoltaic solar inverters are large, heavy, and complex, making them difficult to install and maintain, with high maintenance costs and energy losses due to overheating issues, and require additional components like medium voltage transformers for remote installations.
Innovation Solution
A modular photovoltaic solar inverter design that reduces the size and weight by using an LLC filtering module, independent cooling circuits, and an extraction module for easy maintenance, allowing a single operator to replace power cells, and eliminates the need for frequency transformers by integrating filtering functions within the power modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional LCL filters are used in each power module, then filtering quality is improved, but the dimensions and weight of the inverter increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple LCL filters into a single shared filter structure that serves multiple power modules simultaneously. Instead of having separate filters for each module, the filters are merged into a common filtering system that processes the combined output, thereby reducing the total inductance and physical dimensions while maintaining filtering effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared LCL filter structure serves multiple functions: it filters the combined AC output from multiple power modules, provides a common impedance for harmonic suppression, and reduces the overall component count. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for redundant filtering components in each individual module.
2Measurement precision
If frequency transformers are added to eliminate harmonics, then filtering performance is improved, but the device complexity and dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the frequency transformation function from the main inverter architecture by using a separate, dedicated transformer module. This allows the harmonic elimination function to be performed independently without complicating the main power conversion circuitry, and the transformer can be optimally designed for its specific function without being constrained by the inverter's modular requirements.
3Reliability
If adequate cooling systems are implemented, then operational reliability is improved, but the device dimensions and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is merged with the existing structural components of the inverter. The housing and mounting structures serve dual purposes as both mechanical support and thermal management pathways. Heat sinks are integrated into the power module assemblies, and the cooling channels are incorporated into the structural framework, eliminating the need for separate, bulky cooling components.
4Ease of repair
If modular design with extractable power cells is implemented, then ease of maintenance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inverter is segmented into modular power cell assemblies that can be independently accessed and replaced. Each power cell is designed as a self-contained unit with standardized interfaces, allowing failed cells to be quickly swapped out without affecting the rest of the system. The modular design uses simple mechanical connection systems rather than complex electrical interfaces.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a modular solar photovoltaic inverter where by reducing the size of the filtering module and reducing the number of components, it reduces the size of the solar inverter compared to the state of the art; and with the configuration of the power modules, it generates channels that allow the passage of air from the cooling module, obtaining a modular photovoltaic solar inverter that improves the dimensions, weight, maintenance, cooling and safety with respect to those known up until now.