Three-Phase T-Filter With Auxiliary Coil for Common-Mode Noise Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current solutions for reducing common mode noise currents in motor drives are bulky and inefficient, leading to increased size, weight, and cost, as well as reduced system efficiency and motor isolation wear.

Innovation Solution

A three-phase differential mode filter with an auxiliary coil wound around the core elements of existing differential mode inductor coils, which significantly reduces common mode currents without increasing the size or weight of the reactor, filter, or motor control, by inducing a counter common mode flux to dampen noise currents above 1 kHz.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If bulky RC and RL damping techniques are used to reduce resonant ringing, then common mode noise currents are reduced, but additional space is required, costs increase and overall system efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommon mode noise currentsVSAvoidadditional space
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines common mode filtering and differential mode filtering functions into a single integrated reactor structure. The auxiliary winding is wound around the same core elements as the main differential mode windings, merging two filtering functions into one compact device rather than using separate RC/RL damping circuits that would require additional space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The reactor structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: the main windings provide differential mode filtering while the auxiliary winding provides common mode filtering. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate damping components, reducing space requirements while maintaining both filtering capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If an RC damper with high voltage capacitors is used between earth and the DC link, then common mode noise currents are reduced, but the capacitors are complex, expansive and bulky

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommon mode noise currentsVSAvoidcomplexity of capacitors
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the common mode filtering function into the existing differential mode reactor structure by adding an auxiliary winding around the same core elements. This eliminates the need for separate RC dampers with high voltage capacitors, significantly reducing device complexity while achieving common mode noise reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary winding acts as an intermediary element that couples the common mode flux to the main windings, enabling common mode noise reduction through magnetic coupling rather than requiring direct electrical connection through complex high voltage capacitors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a two-phase differential mode reactor with a third leg and auxiliary winding is used, then common mode noise currents are damped, but the third leg significantly increases the size of the reactor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommon mode noise currentsVSAvoidsize of the reactor
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the common mode filtering function into the existing three-leg differential mode reactor structure by adding an auxiliary winding around the three core elements. This approach utilizes the existing core geometry without requiring an additional fourth leg, thereby achieving common mode damping while maintaining compact reactor dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of adding a fourth spatial dimension (another leg) to the reactor core, the patent achieves common mode filtering by utilizing the existing three-dimensional core structure with an auxiliary winding that encompasses all three legs, effectively using the existing spatial arrangement to achieve the desired filtering effect.

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

4Object-affected harmful factors

If current compensated common mode chokes are used, then common mode currents are filtered, but large, heavy and expansive additional chokes are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommon mode currentsVSAvoidweight of additional chokes
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines common mode filtering and differential mode filtering into a single integrated reactor. The auxiliary winding is wound around the same core elements as the main windings, creating a unified structure that provides both filtering functions without requiring separate heavy common mode chokes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The reactor structure serves dual purposes: the main windings handle differential mode currents while the auxiliary winding handles common mode currents. This universal design eliminates the need for additional heavy common mode chokes, reducing overall weight while maintaining both filtering capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This solution effectively reduces common mode ringing noise currents, enhancing noise damping without the need for additional core elements or space, thus improving system efficiency and extending the lifespan of reactors and motor isolation.

Implementation Method 1

an auxiliary coil wound around the core elements of existing differential mode inductor coils, which significantly reduces common mode currents without increasing the size or weight of the reactor, filter, or motor control, by inducing a counter common mode flux to dampen noise currents above 1 kHz

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3799281B1Three-phase differential-mode filter for motor drive
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 SCHAFFNER EMV AG
  • EP3799281B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3799281B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6
  • EP3799281B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

Three-phase differential-mode filter for a motor drive with a T-type filter with at least two three-phase differential mode reactors and three capacitors, wherein at least one of the three-phase differential mode reactor comprises an auxiliary coil (6) wound around three wound core elements (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) such that the common mode current is induced in the auxiliary coil (6).