Semiconductor Power Controller Linear Inrush Current Limitation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor power controllers face issues with inrush current peaks, especially in high voltage direct current circuits, leading to component degradation and electromagnetic compatibility problems, and lack bidirectional control and precise current/voltage/temperature management.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor power controller with a linear control function that uses servo-control to manage current, voltage, or temperature, integrating measurement and correction modules to limit inrush currents and provide short-circuit protection without additional components, allowing bidirectional operation and precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If switching control with additional resistors and transistors is used to limit inrush current, then inrush current limitation is achieved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the inrush current limitation function with the existing power transistor by using linear control of the transistor's conduction angle, eliminating the need for separate limiting resistors and additional switching transistors. The single power transistor performs both switching and current limitation functions through controlled conduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the current limitation function from separate external components (resistors and additional transistors) and integrates it into the control logic of the existing power transistor through conduction angle control, reducing component count while maintaining the limitation function.
2Reliability
If switching control with additional components is used, then inrush current can be limited, but electromagnetic compatibility problems arise due to switching disturbances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action by controlling the conduction angle of the power transistor during the startup phase, where the transistor conducts for a controlled portion of the AC cycle to limit inrush current. This periodic control approach avoids the harsh switching transitions that generate electromagnetic disturbances while still achieving current limitation.
3Device complexity
If fixed inrush current limitation system is used, then simple structure is maintained, but maximum inrush current cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the conduction angle of the power transistor adjustable and controllable, allowing the maximum inrush current to be adapted to different load requirements. The system transitions from a fixed resistance-based limitation to a dynamically controllable transistor conduction approach.
4Device complexity
If unidirectional switching control is used, then circuit simplicity is maintained, but bidirectional control capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by configuring the power transistor and control circuitry to handle both sourcing and sinking of reactive currents. The same transistor and control mechanism can limit inrush current when energizing capacitive loads and can also manage highly inductive generators, providing bidirectional control without additional contactors.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a semiconductor power controller (SSPC) (1), including a power portion made up of one or more electronic power components, and a control portion (8) including at least one signal-processing device and controlling the operation of the power portion, characterised in that the signal-processing device performs a function of linear control of the power portion such as to limit the inrush current when applying a voltage to a load (3) on a DC network via the semiconductor power controller (1), the controller including means that provide the measurement of the current circulating in the one or more electronic power components and/or of the voltage across the terminals of the one or more electronic power components.