Parallel Controlled Current Sources Power Converter Harmonic Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power converters with controlled current sources are limited in power and cannot effectively control the shape of the rectifier current, especially when the rectifier current is high, leading to inadequate harmonic distortion management.

Innovation Solution

A power converter design featuring multiple controlled current sources connected in parallel, with each source comprising a variable voltage source and inductor, and a control unit that distributes the rectifier current and regulates voltages across these sources to shape the rectifier current and manage harmonics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If a single controlled current source is used in a power converter, then the circuit structure remains simple, but the power handling capability is limited and cannot effectively control high rectifier currents

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower handling capabilityVSAvoidcircuit structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single controlled current source into multiple parallel-controlled current sources. Each current source handles a portion of the total rectifier current, thereby increasing the overall power handling capability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design. The control unit distributes current references to each parallel source, enabling coordinated operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Power

If multiple controlled current sources are connected in parallel, then the power handling capability increases, but the control complexity and difficulty of current distribution increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower handling capabilityVSAvoidcontrol difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit implements feedback control by measuring the actual currents in each parallel controlled current source and comparing them with reference currents. Based on the deviations, the control unit adjusts the duty cycles of each source to achieve balanced current distribution. This closed-loop feedback mechanism simplifies the control of multiple parallel sources by automatically coordinating their operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Object-generated harmful factors

If a single controlled current source is used, then the control structure remains simple, but the ability to shape rectifier current and reduce harmonics is insufficient under high current conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveharmonic distortionVSAvoidcontrol structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the current shaping function across multiple parallel controlled current sources. Each source contributes to the overall rectifier current waveform shaping, enabling more effective harmonic reduction at high current levels. The distributed control structure allows each source to be optimized for specific frequency ranges or current portions, enhancing overall performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2595291B1Power converter equipped with a plurality of controlled current sources connected in parallel
Publication Date: 2020.04.08 SCHNEIDER TOSHIBA INVERTER EUROPE SAS
  • EP2595291B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2595291B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2595291B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The converter has a rectifying stage (REC) connected to a set of phases (R, S, T) of a network delivering input current (I-E). A continuous feed bus is connected to the rectifying stage. A control unit (3) is arranged to divide stator current (I-i) into current flowing through a controlled current source and into another current flowing through another controlled current source. The control unit is arranged to regulate voltage (Vplus) across a variable voltage source and to regulate another voltage at terminals of another variable voltage source.