Neutral-Line Capacitor Precharge in Y-Connected Battery Strings

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Solution Overview

Problem

In three-phase four-wire alternating-current power sources using battery strings, short-circuit and inrush currents occur due to the connection of battery strings to a neutral line, degrading power factor and requiring measures to mitigate these issues.

Innovation Solution

A power source system configuration that includes Y-connected battery strings connected to a neutral line with a neutral line capacitor, a neutral line switch in series, and an electric resistance element in parallel, where the neutral line switch is initially interrupted to pre-charge the capacitor, reducing inrush and short-circuit currents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If battery strings are connected to a neutral line in a three-phase four-wire configuration, then power factor is improved and phase control is enabled, but short-circuit current and inrush current occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower factorVSAvoidshort-circuit current and inrush current
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The neutral line capacitor is pre-charged through the electric resistance element before the neutral line switch is closed. This preliminary charging action reduces the inrush current that would otherwise occur when the capacitor is suddenly connected to the battery strings. The resistance element serves as a current limiter during the pre-charging phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The electric resistance element acts as an intermediary component between the neutral line capacitor and the battery strings. It temporarily limits the current flow during the pre-charging phase, mediating the connection to prevent harmful inrush current while still enabling the capacitor to be charged to the appropriate voltage level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a capacitor is provided on the neutral line to block direct current, then short-circuit current is reduced, but inrush current occurs during starting power supply

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshort-circuit currentVSAvoidinrush current
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The neutral line capacitor is pre-charged through the electric resistance element before the neutral line switch is closed. This preliminary charging action reduces the inrush current that would otherwise occur when the capacitor is suddenly connected to the battery strings. The resistance element serves as a current limiter during the pre-charging phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The electric resistance element acts as an intermediary component between the neutral line capacitor and the battery strings. It temporarily limits the current flow during the pre-charging phase, mediating the connection to prevent harmful inrush current while still enabling the capacitor to be charged to the appropriate voltage level.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This configuration effectively reduces short-circuit and inrush currents, improving the power factor and operational stability of the three-phase four-wire alternating-current power source by pre-charging the neutral line capacitor and utilizing the resistance element to manage current flow.

Implementation Method 1

a neutral line capacitor for blocking a direct current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

an electric resistance element disposed in parallel to the neutral line switch

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Resistance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP4422024A1Power source system
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP4422024A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4422024A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4422024A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A power source system includes a first battery string, a second battery string, and a third battery string. Each of the battery strings includes a plurality of batteries capable of outputting direct-current power. The battery strings are Y-connected so as to output three-phase alternating-current power to three-phase output terminals (alternating-current output terminals) as well as connected to a neutral line. On the neutral line, a neutral line capacitor for blocking a direct current, a neutral line switch disposed in series to the neutral line capacitor, and an electric resistance element disposed in parallel to the neutral line switch are provided.