Segmented Reactor Coil Insulation for High-Frequency Power Density

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Solution Overview

Problem

Reactor designs in power electronic circuits face reliability and performance issues due to high frequency and high voltage, which can damage insulation materials and increase parasitic capacitance, leading to reduced service life and noise problems.

Innovation Solution

A reactor design featuring a support with insulating separators to separate coil segments by potential, a magnetic core with cooling air ducts for improved heat dissipation, and positioning bodies to maintain the magnetic core's position, reducing electric field strength and parasitic capacitance while enhancing insulation and thermal management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If switching frequency is increased to achieve higher power density and efficiency, then power density and efficiency are improved, but electric field strength increases causing insulation material damage and reduced reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower densityVSAvoidinsulation material service life
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coil is divided into multiple coil segments that are spatially separated and electrically connected in sequence. This segmentation reduces the electric field strength between adjacent coil segments, preventing insulation material damage while maintaining high switching frequency operation for improved power density

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Insulating separators are introduced as intermediary components between adjacent coil segments. These separators act as mediators that reduce electric field coupling and prevent insulation breakdown, enabling the system to operate at higher frequencies with improved power density without compromising reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If switching frequency is increased to achieve higher efficiency, then efficiency is improved, but parasitic capacitance increases leading to noise problems and reduced performance

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveefficiencyVSAvoidparasitic capacitance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coil is segmented into multiple sections with insulating separators between them. This segmentation reduces the overlapping area between adjacent turns, thereby reducing parasitic capacitance and noise while maintaining high switching frequency operation for improved efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coil segments are arranged in a spatial distribution pattern that separates them in multiple dimensions. This dimensional arrangement reduces electromagnetic coupling and parasitic capacitance effects, allowing high-frequency operation for improved efficiency without the noise problems associated with traditional wound coil structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If high frequency operation is implemented to achieve higher power density, then power density is improved, but thermal management becomes more difficult leading to increased operational temperature

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower densityVSAvoidoperational temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The coil is divided into multiple segments with insulating separators between them, creating channels for improved air circulation and heat dissipation. This segmented structure enhances thermal management, allowing high-frequency operation for improved power density while maintaining lower operational temperatures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Air cooling channels are introduced into the reactor structure to facilitate convective heat transfer. The segmented coil structure with insulating separators creates pathways for air flow, improving thermal management and enabling high power density operation without excessive temperature rise

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 design effectively reduces electric field stress on insulation materials, prolongs their service life, minimizes parasitic capacitance, and improves thermal management, leading to enhanced reliability and performance by up to 90% reduction in electric field strength and operational temperature reduction from 140°C to 80°C.

Implementation Method 1

cooling air ducts arranged between the cavity wall of the hollow inner cavity of the support and the magnetic core

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

at least one first insulating separator disposed on the outer surface of the support and separating the outer surface of the support into a plurality of regions in which the plurality of coil segments is respectively arranged

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Dielectric

Implementation Method 3

a magnetic core that is at least partially disposed in a hollow inner cavity of the support

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4227965A1reactor
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 ABB E-MOBILITY BV
  • EP4227965A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4227965A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4227965A1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A reactor, comprising: a support; a coil wound on an outer surface of the support and including a plurality of coil segments electrically connected in sequence; and at least one first insulating separator disposed on the outer surface of the support and separating the outer surface of the support into a plurality of regions, in which the plurality of coil segments is respectively arranged.