Parallel Power Controller Switch-On Time Determination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining switch-on times of parallel-connected power controllers in AC systems are either too complex or require multiple iterations, making it difficult to specify switch-on times before operation and leading to inefficiencies in power distribution and potential flicker.

Innovation Solution

A method that sorts power controllers based on effective load current and switch-on time criteria, allowing for the determination of switch-on times within a single clock period using modern hardware, enabling pre-operative specification and minimizing total current fluctuations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If iterative methods are used to determine switch-on times (as in EP 0 710 051 B1), then the method is robust and can be carried out without PC, but switch-on times cannot be specified before operation and multiple clock periods are required for optimization

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAbility to specify switch-on times before operationVSAvoidTime required for optimization iterations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by calculating and storing an optimal sequence number for each power controller before operation begins. The sequence number is determined based on the controller's duty cycle and the effective current values of all controllers, allowing switch-on times to be specified in advance without requiring iterative optimization during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If complex calculation methods are used to determine switch-on times (as in EP 1 837 984 A1), then switch-on times can be determined quickly within one clock period, but the device complexity increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSpeed of determining switch-on timesVSAvoidComplexity of control device
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses copying by storing pre-calculated sequence numbers in a lookup table or memory structure. Instead of performing complex real-time calculations, the control device simply retrieves the predetermined sequence number for each power controller based on its duty cycle, significantly reducing computational complexity while maintaining fast determination of switch-on times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The optimal sequence numbers are calculated in advance and stored for quick retrieval during operation. This preliminary calculation eliminates the need for complex real-time computations, allowing fast determination of switch-on times with minimal device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-generated harmful factors

If switch-on times are determined iteratively after operation begins, then the method is simple to implement, but flicker occurs and effective total current is not minimized

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveFlicker and current fluctuationsVSAvoidComplexity of sequence determination
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates flicker and current fluctuations by determining the optimal switching sequence before operation begins. The sequence number for each power controller is calculated in advance based on its duty cycle and the effective current values, ensuring smooth power transmission from the start without requiring iterative optimization that would increase device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2869450B1Process and device for the switch-on times of parallel circuit output adjusters
Publication Date: 2021.08.18 ADVANCED ENERGY IND GMBH
  • EP2869450B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2869450B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP2869450B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for determining the switch-on times of a number N of parallel-connected power controllers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) with a burst-pulse control, which are connected to a phase conductor (L1) of a single-phase or multi-phase AC system, wherein the burst-pulse controls switch on the controllers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) according to the power requirement of the load connected to the controllers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) within a cycle period with cycle period duration (T0) for no network period, one or more network periods, or all network periods, in order to transmit power corresponding to the power requirement of the load during the switch-on time (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5) at a voltage applied by the single-phase or multi-phase AC system and a load current specified by the load connected to the controllers (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), wherein a clock period duration (T0) is an integer multiple of the duration (t0) of a network period,wherein - the actuators (1 , 2, 3, 4, 5) are arranged in a sequence and - in this sequence, the switching-on times of the actuators (1 , 2, 3, 4, 5) are determined.