Power Converter Switch Isolation and Reconfiguration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power conversion systems face operational disruptions and safety risks due to switch failures, leading to power production losses and potential damage from explosions, as the failure of a single switch can suspend the entire system until replacement.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a power converter system with switches electrically coupled and isolated by blast shields or compartments to protect adjacent switches, along with a controller that reconfigures operations to maintain partial functionality upon switch failure, allowing for continued operation and reduced damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional power converters use switches that are electrically coupled without sufficient isolation, then the system can operate with simpler structure and lower cost, but the failure of one switch causes explosion and damage to adjacent switches, leading to complete system suspension

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem availabilityVSAvoidswitch isolation structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power converter is divided into multiple isolated compartments, each containing individual switches. This segmentation prevents explosion from one switch from affecting adjacent switches, allowing the system to continue operating with remaining functional switches, thus improving reliability while managing complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Blast shields are introduced as intermediary protective structures between switches. These shields act as mediators that contain explosion energy within each compartment while allowing electrical isolation, protecting adjacent switches from damage without requiring complete system shutdown

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the power converter uses a controller that shuts down the entire system upon detecting switch failure, then safety is improved, but operational time and productivity are reduced due to complete system suspension

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidpower production

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented to independently manage each switch compartment. When a switch fails, only the affected compartment is isolated while other compartments continue operating, maintaining safety through controlled isolation while preserving productivity through continued partial operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of completely shutting down the power converter upon switch failure, the system applies partial action by maintaining operation of remaining functional switches. This allows continued power production at reduced capacity, balancing safety requirements with productivity needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Device complexity

If switches are closely coupled to reduce device size, then manufacturing cost and complexity are reduced, but failure of one switch creates projectiles that can damage adjacent switches

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswitch arrangementVSAvoidexplosion damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The compact switch arrangement is maintained through segmented compartmental design. Each switch is housed in its own isolated compartment with blast shielding, allowing close coupling for compactness while preventing explosion damage from propagating to adjacent switches through the isolating partitions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9178410B2Adaptive power conversion system

Publication Date: 2015.11.03 GE GRID SOLUTIONS LLC

AI summary

A power converter includes a plurality of switches electrically coupled to each other for converting input power to output power. Each of the switches is sufficiently isolated to protect adjacent switches upon failure of one or more switches. The power converter also includes a controller for reconfiguring operation of the switches to provide at least a partial operating mode upon a switch failure.