Regenerative Rectifier Circuit for Safe Electrical Energy Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical energy converters, such as uncontrolled rectifiers and braking resistors, are costly and inefficient for converting excess electrical energy into thermal energy, and may cause damage due to high voltage and current flow, while regenerative rectifiers face challenges in safely feeding energy back into the AC voltage grid when the grid is unable to receive it.
Innovation Solution
An energy converter with a regenerative rectifier, coils, and capacitors, utilizing power semiconductor modules and a control facility for efficient conversion of electrical energy into thermal energy, allowing safe discharge and induction of energy into a metal apparatus to generate heat, and enabling simultaneous energy recovery into the AC voltage grid when safe to do so.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a braking resistor is used to convert electrical energy into thermal energy, then the electrical energy can be dissipated safely, but the cost increases and the device becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the energy dissipation function from the traditional braking resistor configuration and integrates it into the regenerative rectifier's bridge arms. The resistors are now part of the rectifier structure itself, eliminating the need for separate braking resistor circuits and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the energy dissipation function with the rectification function by integrating resistors directly into the bridge arms of the regenerative rectifier. This combination allows the same circuit structure to perform both rectification and controlled energy dissipation, reducing device complexity and cost.
2Loss of energy
If a regenerative rectifier is used to feed electrical energy back into the AC voltage grid, then energy recovery efficiency improves, but the system becomes vulnerable when the grid cannot receive energy
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements dynamic switching between energy recovery mode and energy dissipation mode based on grid conditions. The control facility continuously monitors grid availability and automatically transitions the rectifier operation, ensuring continuous reliable operation regardless of grid status while maintaining high energy recovery efficiency when the grid is available.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the rectifier based on grid conditions. When the grid can receive energy, the rectifier operates in regenerative mode with high efficiency. When the grid cannot receive energy, the control facility changes the operating state to dissipate energy through the integrated resistors, maintaining system reliability through parameter adaptation.
3Ease of manufacture
If an uncontrolled rectifier is used for cost reasons, then the cost decreases, but the ability to recover electrical energy is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the rectifier universal by enabling it to perform multiple functions: standard rectification, energy recovery to grid, and controlled energy dissipation. This multi-functionality is achieved through the integrated resistor configuration and control facility that can operate in different modes, providing both cost-effectiveness and energy recovery capability in a single device.
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 efficient and safe conversion of electrical energy into thermal energy, reducing costs and preventing damage, while allowing controlled energy recovery into the AC grid when conditions permit, thus optimizing energy usage and safety.
Implementation Method 1
the coil (11) is electrically connected between the first center-point pick-up and the second center-point pick-up... electrical energy can be converted, for example by means of an ohmic resistor, also known as braking resistor, into thermal energy
Implementation Method 2
The regenerative rectifier has a first bridge arm with a first and a second power semiconductor module (8, 9)... a power semiconductor switch (also known as a power semiconductor chopper) permits a defined current flow
Implementation Method 3
the first and the second capacitors (12, 13) are connected in series and form a second center-point pick-up (14)... a first and a second capacitor
Data Source
AI summary
An energy converter includes a regenerative rectifier electrically connected to a DC voltage circuit and electrically connectable to a first AC voltage grid. The regenerative rectifier includes a first bridge arm with first and second power semiconductor modules connected in series and forming a first center-point pick-up connectable to a first AC voltage phase of the first AC voltage grid. The first power semiconductor module is electrically connected to a first DC voltage phase and the second power semiconductor module is electrically connected to a second DC voltage phase of the DC voltage circuit. First and second capacitors are connected in series and form a second center-point pick-up, with the first capacitor electrically connected to the first DC voltage phase and the second capacitor to the second DC voltage phase of the DC voltage circuit. A coil is electrically connected between the first center-point pick-up and the second center-point pick-up.