Supply Network Emulation With Feedback for Stability Validation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for validating electrical components in complex supply networks fail to accurately simulate the interactions and feedbacks within these networks, leading to instability issues due to their assumption of a rigid network structure, which is not representative of real-world scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A device that emulates a supply network by providing a frequency-dependent impedance model and amplifying current/voltage signals to simulate realistic conditions, allowing for the validation of components under various network scenarios, including frequency-dependent impedances and admittances, using a combination of real-time simulation and power amplification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If classical network emulators are used to represent an ideal voltage source with arbitrary waveforms, then the emulation of voltage fluctuations, harmonics, and short circuits is achieved, but the assumption of a rigid power grid prevents replication of instabilities resulting from feedback between the emulator and the component under test

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemulation capabilityVSAvoidstability validation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the output current and voltage of the power amplifier are measured and fed back into the real-time simulation. This creates a closed-loop system that allows the emulator to replicate the interactive feedback between power grid components and the device under test, enabling accurate stability validation while maintaining versatility in emulating various grid conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If power hardware-in-the-loop setups with real-time simulation and power amplifiers are used, then realistic power grid conditions with feedback can be simulated, but the complexity and cost of developing suitable network models increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability validation accuracyVSAvoidmodel development complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic small-signal network model that can be automatically generated from a nominal operating point. The model uses dynamic equations that adapt to different operating conditions, allowing the system to maintain accuracy across various grid scenarios without requiring manual reconfiguration. This dynamic approach reduces model development complexity while preserving validation reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If frequency-dependent impedance models are implemented in real-time simulation, then accurate representation of supply network behavior is achieved, but the computational load and simulation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpedance representation accuracyVSAvoidsimulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent represents frequency-dependent impedance using a rational function with adjustable poles and zeros. By optimizing the placement of these poles and zeros, the model achieves high accuracy in representing supply network impedance across a wide frequency range while maintaining a compact mathematical form that is computationally efficient for real-time simulation. This parameter optimization approach balances precision with simulation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4055400B1Apparatus for emulating a supply network for validating components of a power supply system
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 RWTH AACHEN UNIV
  • EP4055400B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4055400B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b
  • EP4055400B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for emulating a supply network for validating components (DUT) of a power supply system, having • means (RT) for providing a current/voltage signal according to a frequency-dependent impedance of a predefinable supply network, • means (PA) for amplifying the current/voltage signal provided, • means (SI) for measuring the current which flows from the apparatus into the connected component (DUT), and • means (SU) for measuring the voltage which is effectively applied to the connected component (DUT).