Pyrotechnic Short-Circuiting for Power Semiconductor Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power semiconductor module short-circuiting devices are complex and costly, prone to arcs leading to explosions, and lack reliable and cost-effective solutions for safe fault management.
Innovation Solution
A pyrotechnic/mechanical short-circuiting device with an explosive charge and initiation means is used to quickly and reliably bridge faulty power semiconductor modules, avoiding damage by using a gas-tight housing and limited movement to prevent external gas release and component damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sacrificial semiconductor component is used for short-circuiting, then the power semiconductor module can be short-circuited, but the design becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pyrotechnic charge as a disposable, cost-effective alternative to expensive sacrificial semiconductor components. The pyrotechnic charge is ignited to create a conductive plasma channel that short-circuits the faulty power semiconductor module, eliminating the need for complex semiconductor-based short-circuiting devices while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical sacrificial semiconductor component with a pyrotechnic-based system. The ignition of the pyrotechnic charge produces a plasma channel that electrically connects the terminals, substituting a chemical-energy-based mechanism for a solid-state electronic mechanism, thereby reducing device complexity and cost.
2Reliability
If a pyrotechnic charge is used for short-circuiting, then the response time is fast and reliability is high, but explosive gases may damage sensitive power semiconductor components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gas-tight housing as an intermediary barrier between the pyrotechnic charge and the power semiconductor modules. This housing contains the explosive gases and hot products of combustion, preventing them from damaging the sensitive semiconductor components while allowing the plasma channel to form for short-circuiting.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas-tight housing is designed in advance to prevent the harmful effects of the pyrotechnic explosion before they can occur. By providing a sealed enclosure, the system preemptively protects the power semiconductor modules from exposure to explosive gases, heat, and pressure waves generated during short-circuiting operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the housing is made thick to prevent bursting during explosion, then component protection is improved, but the device size and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the housing wall thickness parameter to achieve the minimum required strength for containing the pyrotechnic explosion while minimizing material usage and overall volume. By carefully selecting and testing different thickness parameters, the design achieves adequate protection without excessive size or cost.
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
The solution provides a cost-effective and reliable means to manage short-circuits in power semiconductor modules, ensuring safe operation and minimizing damage to components and personnel, enabling the production of cost-effective modular converters with reduced risk of explosion-related hazards.
Implementation Method 1
The invention relates to a pyrotechnic/mechanical element (1) for short-circuiting a power semiconductor module, having an explosive charge and an initiation means which can be moved by the explosive charge
Implementation Method 2
Pyrotechnic initiations have admittedly already become known in the field of power distribution
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus has power semiconductor modules, which are connected to one another via connection devices so as to form a series circuit. A short-circuiting device for short-circuiting the respective power semiconductor module is assigned to each power semiconductor module. The apparatus has a reliable and at the same time cost-effective short-circuiting device. It is proposed that the short-circuiting device is a pyrotechnical/mechanical element, which has a detonation charge and a tripping device, which can be displaced by the detonation charge.