Multi-Active Bridge Converter Control for Hybrid Supply Surge Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multi-active bridge converters with hybrid supply face challenges in surge control, particularly when dealing with photovoltaic panels, due to the difficulty in managing current and voltage differences across ports.

Innovation Solution

A regulation system for multi-active bridge converters with hybrid supply, featuring H-shaped switch bridges, transformers with isolation interfaces, and control units that adjust duty cycles and phase shifts to maintain setpoint values for current and voltage, utilizing measurement units, calculation, correction, and adjustment subunits to ensure stable operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a multi-active bridge converter with hybrid supply is used to integrate renewable energy sources and energy storage systems, then the capability to handle current and voltage differences across ports is improved, but the difficulty of surge control increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapability to handle current and voltage differencesVSAvoiddifficulty of surge control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into multiple independent control units, each responsible for a specific port (current port or voltage port). Each control unit independently manages its port's characteristics, allowing the system to handle diverse current and voltage differences without requiring complex centralized surge control logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control system dynamically adapts to different operating conditions by adjusting control parameters for each port based on real-time measurements. The control units can switch between different control strategies depending on the operational state, enabling effective surge control across varying energy sources and loads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If photovoltaic panels are connected to the converter, then the integration of renewable energy sources is improved, but the surge control difficulty increases due to current supply characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration of renewable energy sourcesVSAvoidsurge control stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The converter acts as an intermediary between photovoltaic panels and the grid/energy storage systems. The isolation transformer and controlled switching bridges mediate the connection, providing galvanic isolation and controlled power transfer that stabilizes surges while enabling renewable energy integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The control system changes operating parameters (duty cycles, switching frequencies, phase shifts) to adapt to the variable output characteristics of photovoltaic panels. By dynamically adjusting these parameters, the system maintains stable operation and surge control despite the renewable source's variability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If galvanic isolation is implemented through transformer windings, then the compatibility with different energy sources and loads is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with different energy sources and loadsVSAvoidtransformer isolation structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transformer with multiple windings serves multiple functions simultaneously: galvanic isolation, voltage transformation, and power transfer between different ports. This multi-functional design provides universal compatibility with various energy sources and loads while consolidating isolation requirements into a single component structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 regulation system effectively sets and maintains setpoint values for current and voltage, preventing surges and ensuring stable operation of the converter, even with significant differences in energy sources and loads.

Implementation Method 1

MAB converters have intrinsic galvanic isolation because the transformer connects the ports via respective windings

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20240388208A1Regulation system for a multi-active bridge converter with hybrid supply, associated method and device

Publication Date: 2024.11.21 COMMISSARIAT A LENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES

AI summary

The present invention [relates to] a regulation system (28) for a multi-active bridge converter (10) with hybrid supply, comprising:an input current port (20) comprising an H-shape switch bridge (30) having a switch (T1) controlled by a first law having a first duty cycle,at least one output voltage port (22, 24) comprising an H-shape switch bridge (38, 40), one switch (T 21, T 31) of which is controlled by a second law which is phase-shifted with respect to the first law,the regulation system (28) regulates the converter (10) to a setpoint comprising a setpoint current value for the current of the current port (20) and a setpoint voltage value for a voltage port (22, 24).