Semiconductor Switch Ring Structure for Energy Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional energy distribution systems using electromechanical switches experience significant power losses due to voltage drops, and existing semiconductor switch configurations do not efficiently minimize these losses, especially in high-voltage applications.
Innovation Solution
The use of semiconductor switches forming a ring structure allows for direct electrical connections between points, minimizing power losses by ensuring current flow occurs through a single switch, with additional ring configurations for larger systems to maintain low loss connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If electromechanical switches are used to distribute electrical energy, then the switching function is achieved, but significant power losses occur due to voltage drops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electromechanical switches with semiconductor switches that form a ring structure. This substitution eliminates the mechanical moving parts and contact resistance issues inherent in electromechanical switches, thereby significantly reducing power losses while maintaining the switching function through electronic control of the semiconductor devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The semiconductor switches are arranged in a ring structure where each switch connects adjacent connection points. This segmentation allows current to flow through only one semiconductor switch between any two connection points, minimizing the number of switches current must pass through and reducing cumulative power losses compared to traditional busbar configurations.
2Loss of energy
If conventional switch configurations are used, then connection points can be connected, but power losses are not minimized due to current flowing through multiple switches
Solution Approach 1:
The ring structure of semiconductor switches creates direct electrical pathways between adjacent connection points, establishing equipotential relationships that minimize voltage drops. Current flowing between adjacent points encounters minimal resistance through a single switch, reducing electrical losses while maintaining ease of operation through controlled switching.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of connecting all connection points to a central busbar (traditional approach), the patent inverts the topology by connecting each connection point to its neighbors in a ring structure. This inversion ensures that current flows through the minimum number of switches (ideally one) between any two points, minimizing power losses while maintaining operational flexibility.
3Loss of energy
If a ring structure of semiconductor switches is used, then power losses are minimized, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ring structure of semiconductor switches serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides direct low-loss current pathways between adjacent connection points, enables flexible switching control between any pair of connection points, and maintains system reliability through redundant pathways. This multi-functionality justifies the configuration complexity by delivering superior performance in power loss reduction and operational flexibility.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates inter alia to an energy distribution system (10) for distributing electrical energy, having a plurality of connection points (20-23) at which electrical direct current can be fed into or withdrawn from the energy distribution system (10), and a plurality of switches, the respective switch position of which determines the flow of current within the energy distribution system (10). According to the invention, the switches are semiconductor switches (30-35), and the semiconductor switches (30-35) or a subset of the semiconductor switches (30-35) form an annular structure (100).