Parallel Current Control Devices for Inrush Current Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inrush currents caused by capacitive components when connecting an electrical load to a power supply can perturb the operation of the power supply and other connected loads, potentially triggering protective measures and introducing faults that affect overall system operation.
Innovation Solution
A connection device with multiple semiconductor current control devices arranged in parallel, operated in a time-multiplexed and interleaved manner by a controller to manage current and voltage across the load, ensuring safe operation and reducing thermal stress on individual devices during power-up.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single current control device is used to regulate inrush current, then the device structure is simple, but the device experiences excessive thermal stress and may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single current control device into multiple parallel devices (first and second current control devices). Each device shares the inrush current regulation task, reducing the thermal stress on individual devices while maintaining effective inrush current control. The controller manages both devices to achieve the desired current regulation without overloading any single component.
2Reliability
If multiple current control devices are operated simultaneously, then the thermal stress on each device is reduced, but the device complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by sequentially activating current control devices based on time intervals. The controller operates devices in a time-multiplexed manner, switching between them at predetermined intervals. This approach distributes thermal stress over time while maintaining relatively simple control logic, avoiding the need for all devices to operate simultaneously at full complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic operation where the controller adaptively manages the switching between current control devices based on operating conditions. The system transitions between different device states (on/off) dynamically, optimizing the balance between thermal stress distribution and control simplicity. This dynamic approach allows the system to respond to changing conditions while maintaining manageable complexity.
3Ease of operation
If inrush current is not regulated, then the power supply and other loads operate normally, but the newly connected load may cause perturbations and trigger protective measures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-regulating the inrush current before the load fully connects to the power supply. The controller activates current control devices in advance to limit the rate of current rise, preventing perturbations before they occur. This preliminary current regulation ensures smooth load connection without triggering protective measures or causing disturbances to other loads.
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 effectively regulates inrush currents, reduces thermal stress on semiconductor devices, and ensures reliable operation by sharing the power-up stress across multiple devices, thereby preventing damage and maintaining system stability.
Implementation Method 1
reduces thermal stress on semiconductor devices
Data Source
AI summary
A connection device for connecting a load to a power supply, comprising at least first and second current control devices arranged in parallel between the power supply and the load, and a controller arranged to switch the current control devices on in sequence for temporally overlapping on periods.