Reconfigurable Power Converter Module for Wind Turbine Resonance Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power converters for wind turbines face high costs and increased electric losses when attempting to handle overload situations and suppress resonances, often requiring additional semiconductor components that increase complexity and risk of failure.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable power converter module with controllable switching elements that adjust their switching frequency based on the electrical load, allowing for reduced switching losses and improved resonance suppression by matching the switching frequency with load-dependent filter characteristics and impedance changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If additional semiconductor switch components are added to provide required overload capacity, then the overload handling capability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a reconfigurable power converter module where semiconductor switch components can be dynamically reconfigured between different circuit topologies (e.g., between a first circuit configuration for normal operation and a second circuit configuration for overload conditions). This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same physical components to provide different functional capabilities, enabling overload handling without adding permanent additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the power converter by switching between different circuit configurations. By altering the connectivity and configuration of existing semiconductor components through reconfiguration, the system can operate in different modes (normal vs. overload) using the same hardware, thereby avoiding the need to permanently add more components for overload capacity.
2Power
If additional semiconductor switch components are added to establish overload capacity, then the power handling capability is improved, but the manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reconfigurable power converter module is designed so that the same semiconductor switch components serve multiple functions: they operate in a first circuit configuration during normal power conditions and can be reconfigured to a second circuit configuration during overload conditions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated overload handling components, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.
3Power
If the switching frequency is reduced to handle overload, then the power delivery capability is improved, but the resonance suppression capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts by reconfiguring its circuit topology based on operating conditions. During overload, it switches to a second circuit configuration that maintains appropriate switching frequency for resonance suppression while still enabling overload power delivery, rather than simply reducing frequency which would cause resonance issues.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
AI summary
The present invention relates to a reconfigurable power converter module for a wind turbine facility adapted to supply electric power to an associated power supply grid. The reconfigurable power converter module comprises a frequency converter operatively connected to filter means, wherein said frequency converter and said filter means are mutually reconfigurable so as to suppress internal and/or internal resonances/harmonics.