Power Conversion Device Using Wave Propagation Medium
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power conversion solutions, particularly in high-frequency applications, face challenges with response times, cost, complexity, and inefficiency due to the need for a high number of semiconductors, which are not optimized for high-frequency operations and are not compatible across different circuitry configurations.
Innovation Solution
A power conversion device utilizing a wave propagation medium with a first and second electrical gate that switches to provide voltage pulses of duration less than two times the wave propagation time, allowing for accumulation and discharge in synchronization with reflected waves, enabling time multiplexing and reducing semiconductor requirements while maintaining high efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional DC/DC voltage converters are used, then voltage conversion can be achieved, but response time is slow and cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional semiconductor-based mechanical/electronic switching systems with a wave propagation-based system using transmission lines and switches. This substitution enables faster response times by utilizing electromagnetic wave propagation rather than traditional semiconductor switching, directly addressing the response time limitation while maintaining voltage conversion functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs periodic switching actions to generate voltage pulses that propagate through the transmission line. By using periodic activation of switches to create sequential voltage pulses, the system achieves fast response times through wave-based energy transfer, eliminating the need for complex conventional converter topologies.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional power conversion solutions are used, then voltage conversion is achieved, but the number of semiconductors is high making the device large and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for multiple semiconductor components by replacing them with a wave propagation medium (transmission line). The system uses switches and transmission lines instead of multiple semiconductors, directly reducing the component count and device complexity while maintaining the voltage conversion function.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission line serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as an energy storage element, a voltage transformation medium, and a timing reference for the switching operation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing the overall number of semiconductors and device complexity.
3Loss of energy
If high frequency applications are used, then power conversion efficiency can be improved, but conventional components need to be highly optimized increasing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using wave propagation time as the fundamental timing reference instead of conventional switching frequencies. This parameter change allows the system to operate at high frequencies with standard components, achieving high power conversion efficiency without requiring highly optimized expensive components.
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 approach reduces the physical size, complexity, and cost of power conversion devices while optimizing efficiency by using mixed sub- and over sampling modes for time multiplexing and voltage polarity alternation, achieving high power conversion efficiency with fewer semiconductor components.
Implementation Method 1
at least one electrical wave propagation medium... The first gate is operated to switch to an active state so as to provide at least one voltage pulse travelling from the electrical input interface to the electrical wave propagation medium through the first gate
Implementation Method 2
The at least one voltage pulse is reflected at one end of the electrical wave propagation medium
Data Source
AI summary
The present solution relates operation of a power conversion device (200, 500). A first gate (205, 505) is operated (901) to provide a voltage pulse (309,609) travelling from an input (201,501) to a wave propagation medium (105) through the first gate (205,505). The voltage pulse has duration (307,607) less than the propagation time through the medium (105) to one end of the medium (105) and back to the input (201,501). The pulse generates a reflected wave. The first gate (205,505) is operated (902) periodically providing a voltage pulse in synchronization with the reflected wave to accumulate the reflected wave travelling in the medium (105), performing the accumulation through an accumulation interval (303,603). A second gate (207,507) is operated (903) periodically to provide a discharge pulse (312,612) in synchronization with the reflected wave to discharge the wave travelling in the medium (105), performing the discharge through a discharge interval (310,610).