Optimized power management for a transport climate control energy source
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport climate control systems face challenges in efficiently managing power between rechargeable energy storage and DC link voltage levels, requiring separate circuits for charging and discharging, which limits flexibility and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An optimized DC/DC converter system that operates in both charge and discharge modes using a single circuit, with pulse width modulation (PWM) control to boost or buck voltage as needed, allowing the rechargeable energy storage to match DC link voltage levels regardless of the voltage source, enabling universal operation at multiple voltage levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rechargeable energy storage device with lower voltage than DC link voltage is used, then the energy storage can be more flexible and universally applicable, but voltage matching and power management become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The rechargeable energy storage device is designed with universal applicability to operate at multiple voltage levels. The single DC/DC converter circuit can function in both charging and discharging modes, making the energy storage system versatile and adaptable to different operating conditions and voltage requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
An optimized single DC/DC converter circuit is introduced as an intermediary between the rechargeable energy storage device and the DC link. This converter acts as a mediator that performs voltage boosting during discharge and voltage bucking during charging, simplifying the power management by consolidating multiple functions into a single circuit.
2Device complexity
If a single DC/DC converter circuit is used for both charging and discharging, then the system complexity is reduced, but the converter must handle bidirectional power flow and voltage conversion
Solution Approach 1:
The single DC/DC converter circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: it operates in charging mode to buck voltage from the DC link to the energy storage device, and in discharging mode to boost voltage from the energy storage device to the DC link. This multi-functionality reduces system complexity while maintaining operational flexibility through PWM control of switches.
Solution Approach 2:
The DC/DC converter circuit employs dynamic switching control using pulse width modulation (PWM) to adjust the duty cycle of switches, enabling the converter to adapt its operation between charging and discharging modes. This dynamic control allows the single circuit to handle bidirectional power flow and voltage conversion flexibly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If voltage boosting is used during discharge, then the energy storage can operate at lower voltage, but the converter complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The same single DC/DC converter circuit that performs voltage bucking during charging also performs voltage boosting during discharging. This universal design allows the energy storage device to operate at lower voltage while maintaining compatibility with the DC link, without requiring separate boosting and bucking circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the voltage boosting function and voltage bucking function into a single DC/DC converter circuit. By combining these functions, the system achieves voltage level flexibility for the energy storage device while minimizing converter circuit complexity compared to having separate dedicated circuits for each function.
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 solution enhances power management flexibility and efficiency by allowing the rechargeable energy storage to operate across various voltage levels, ensuring reliable and efficient power delivery to transport climate control systems, even when the vehicle is not operational.
Implementation Method 1
The embodiments described herein can provide an optimized DC/DC converter between the rechargeable energy storage and the DC link that is configured to boost voltage and limit current in a discharge mode of the rechargeable energy storage
Implementation Method 2
buck voltage in a charging mode
Implementation Method 3
a controller can provide pulse width modulation (PWM) control of switches of the single DC/DC converter circuit
Data Source
AI summary
An optimized power converter for use in a transport electrical system that provides power to a transport climate control system is provided. The optimized power converter includes an optimized DC/DC converter and an inverter/active rectifier. The optimized DC/DC converter is only boosts a voltage level when current is directed from a rechargeable energy storage to the inverter/active rectifier and only bucks a voltage level when current is directed from the inverter/active rectifier to the rechargeable energy storage. In a charging mode, the inverter/active rectifier converts three phase AC power into DC power, and the optimized power converter bucks the DC power to a voltage level that is acceptable for charging the rechargeable energy storage. In a discharge mode, the optimized DC/DC converter boosts voltage from the rechargeable energy storage, and the inverter/active rectifier converts boosted DC power into three phase AC power for powering a transport climate control system load.