Multi-phase Common Mode Choke for Inductance Balance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing three-phase common mode chokes face challenges in high power applications due to unbalanced differential mode inductance between phases, leading to overheating and inefficiency in medium voltage large power rating drives, as traditional ferrite ring cores and winding arrangements are inadequate for high transmission power levels.

Innovation Solution

A three-phase common mode choke design featuring two groups of concentrically wound multi-phase coils with a specific winding turn relationship (2*Tm = Tin + Tout) to balance differential mode inductance, where each group consists of phase A, B, and C coils arranged differently on separate portions of a magnetic core, ensuring balanced inductance between phases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional ferrite ring cores and standard winding arrangements are used, then the common mode choke can be manufactured with simple structure, but unbalanced differential mode inductance between phases causes extreme overheating and inefficiency in high power applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal performanceVSAvoidwinding arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic core is divided into multiple portions (first portion and second portion), and the coils are segmented into different groups wound on different portions. This segmentation allows each phase to have its own dedicated winding path, ensuring balanced differential mode inductance and preventing overheating in high power applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the magnetic core are assigned different winding groups with specific local characteristics. The first group of multi-phase coils is wound on the first portion while the second group is wound on the second portion, creating local quality variations that balance the overall inductance distribution across phases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If standard winding arrangements are used, then manufacturing process is simple, but differential mode inductance imbalance causes system asymmetry in high transmission power levels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinductance balance precisionVSAvoidwinding arrangement ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The coils are divided into at least two separate groups, with each group concentrically wound on a different portion of the magnetic core. This segmentation enables precise control of inductance for each phase while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular winding processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The winding arrangement employs asymmetric distribution of coil groups on different magnetic core portions, where the spatial arrangement and winding directions are deliberately designed to achieve symmetric inductance balance across all phases, counteracting the inherent asymmetry in physical layout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Power

If ferrite ring cores are used, then the core structure is simple and cost-effective, but they are no longer suitable for high power transmission levels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission power handlingVSAvoidcore and winding structure
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic core structure is segmented into multiple portions that can be independently optimized for high power handling. Each portion carries specific phase windings, allowing the overall structure to handle high transmission power while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design transitions from a single-dimension ring core to a multi-dimensional core structure with multiple portions arranged in space. This dimensional expansion allows for better power distribution and thermal management in high power applications while keeping each individual core portion relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 proposed design significantly reduces unbalanced differential mode inductance, preventing overheating and enhancing efficiency in high power applications by optimizing the winding arrangement and core structure for balanced inductance across phases.

Implementation Method 1

A three-phase common mode choke design featuring two groups of concentrically wound multi-phase coils with a specific winding turn relationship (2*Tm = Tin + Tout) to balance differential mode inductance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2993676B1Multi-phase common mode choke
Publication Date: 2019.06.19 GENERAL ELECTRIC CO
  • EP2993676B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2993676B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2993676B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A common mode choke (30) includes at least two groups of multi-phase coils (32, 34) wound on a magnetic core (44) for balancing differential mode inductance between the phases. The multi-phase coils in each group are series connected and concentrically wound on a respective portion of the magnetic core. Each group of multi-phase coils is non-overlapping with each other group of multi-phase coils.