Thyristor Self-Triggering via Magnetic Induction for Energy Storage Discharge

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for discharging electrical energy stores during faults often result in uncontrolled energy release, leading to destruction of electronic circuits and consequential damage due to the inability of these circuits to absorb and control the sudden energy discharge, which can cause explosions, arcs, and contamination.

Innovation Solution

A method and arrangement where a thyristor is used to divert the discharge current by inducing a current through a time-varying magnetic field generated by the discharge current, allowing the thyristor to switch on without additional evaluation circuits, thereby bypassing the electronic circuit and controlling the discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an electronic evaluation circuit is used to detect faults and control the thyristor, then the discharge current can be diverted through the thyristor, but additional electronic components are required and the evaluation circuit introduces time delays that reduce reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of protective elementVSAvoidadditional electronic components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The thyristor is positioned within the magnetic field generated by the discharge current itself, allowing the discharge current to automatically trigger the thyristor through electromagnetic induction without requiring external evaluation circuits. The system uses its own fault condition (discharge current) to activate the protective mechanism, eliminating the need for separate detection and control electronics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The evaluation circuit and its associated electronic components are completely removed from the system. The fault detection and thyristor control functions that were previously performed by electronic circuits are replaced by a direct electromagnetic coupling mechanism between the discharge current and the thyristor gate, simplifying the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If an electronic evaluation circuit is used to detect faults and control the thyristor, then the discharge current can be diverted through the thyristor, but the evaluation circuit requires time to detect errors and provide gate current, introducing delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse time of protective elementVSAvoiddetection and switching delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The thyristor is positioned within the magnetic field generated by the discharge current itself, allowing the discharge current to automatically trigger the thyristor through electromagnetic induction without requiring external evaluation circuits. The system uses its own fault condition (discharge current) to activate the protective mechanism, eliminating the need for separate detection and control electronics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic detection and control system is replaced by a direct electromagnetic field interaction. Instead of using electronic circuits to detect the fault and generate gate signals, the patent uses the magnetic field generated by the discharge current directly to induce the gate current in the thyristor, eliminating electronic processing delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If additional electronic components are used for fault detection and thyristor control, then the discharge current can be controlled, but electrical losses increase and cost-effectiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotective function effectivenessVSAvoidelectrical losses

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The thyristor is positioned within the magnetic field generated by the discharge current itself, allowing the discharge current to automatically trigger the thyristor through electromagnetic induction without requiring external evaluation circuits. The system uses its own fault condition (discharge current) to activate the protective mechanism, eliminating the need for separate detection and control electronics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent eliminates expensive electronic evaluation circuits and replaces them with a simple electromagnetic coupling arrangement. The only additional component needed is the thyristor itself, which is a robust, relatively inexpensive component designed to handle high currents, thereby reducing both cost and electrical losses compared to electronic control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 approach eliminates the need for additional components, reduces electrical losses, and enhances reliability and cost-effectiveness by allowing the thyristor to self-ignite without delay, effectively protecting the electronic circuit from discharge currents.

Implementation Method 1

due to the (increasing) discharge current around the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor, a time-varying magnetic field is generated, which penetrates the semiconductor material of the thyristor, a current (eddy current) is induced (impressed) by the time-varying magnetic field in the semiconductor material of the thyristor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the thyristor is switched on by this induced current (whereby the discharge current of the energy storage device flows through the switched-on thyristor and is thereby diverted past the electronic circuit)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCurrent diversion through thyristor switching:

Data Source

PatentEP3485565B1Method for discharging an electric energy storage unit

Publication Date: 2020.05.27 SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO KG

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AI summary

The invention relates to a method for discharging an electric energy storage unit (210) which is connected to an electronic circuit (612) by means of a first electric conductor (606) and a second electric conductor (608). A thyristor (616) is provided for discharging the energy storage unit (210). In the method, a discharge current (630) of the energy storage unit (210) begins to flow from the energy storage unit (210) to the electronic circuit (612) via the first electric conductor (606) and back to the energy storage unit (210) via the second electric conductor (608) as a result of a fault occurring in the electronic circuit (612). On the basis of the discharge current (630), a magnetic field (1010) which changes over time is generated about the first electric conductor (606) and the second electric conductor (608), said magnetic field penetrating the semiconductor material (1006) of the thyristor (616). By virtue of the magnetic field (1010) which changes over time, a current (1018) is induced in the semiconductor material (1006) of the thyristor (616), and the thyristor (616) is activated by means of the induced current (1018).