Transformer Pulse Packets for Saturation-Free Binary Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for transmitting binary signals to power semiconductor drivers through transformers often lead to transformer saturation due to repetitive pulses, requiring minimum dead times between identical pulses, which limits switching speed and reliability.

Innovation Solution

The method involves transmitting binary signals using pulse packets with alternating positive and negative pulses, ensuring that the transformer does not saturate by balancing the energy of pulses, allowing for continuous pulse bursts without dead times, and evaluating the signal from the entire sequence rather than individual pulses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If repetitive positive or negative voltage pulses are fed to the transformer to transmit binary signals, then the switching reliability is improved, but the transformer reaches saturation and requires minimum dead time between pulses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching reliabilityVSAvoidminimum dead time between pulses
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by using alternating positive and negative voltage pulses in a repetitive sequence. The transformer is subjected to periodic magnetization and demagnetization cycles, where each positive pulse is followed by a negative pulse, creating a balanced periodic pattern that prevents cumulative saturation while maintaining reliable signal transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of the voltage pulses by alternating their polarity (positive to negative and vice versa). This parameter change ensures that the magnetic flux in the transformer alternates direction, preventing the buildup of saturation in one direction and eliminating the need for dead time between identical pulses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If minimum dead time is observed between identical repetitive pulses to avoid transformer saturation, then transformer saturation is prevented, but the switching speed is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransformer saturation preventionVSAvoidswitching speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

By implementing periodic action with alternating polarities, the transformer is continuously magnetized and demagnetized without requiring dead time intervals. The regular alternation between positive and negative pulses maintains the transformer within its linear operating range, enabling faster switching speeds while preventing saturation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent achieves continuity of useful action by eliminating dead time between pulses. The alternating pulse sequence ensures that the transformer is continuously utilized for signal transmission without interruption, as each pulse type (positive or negative) prepares the transformer for the next opposite polarity pulse, maintaining continuous operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Speed

If alternating positive and negative pulses are used to prevent transformer saturation, then switching speed is improved, but the signal evaluation becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching speedVSAvoidsignal evaluation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the receiver detects the alternating pulse patterns and uses this information to reconstruct the original binary signal. The feedback loop monitors the pulse arrivals and uses the known alternating pattern to decode the transmitted information, managing the evaluation complexity through intelligent signal processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses dynamics by adapting the signal evaluation process to the alternating pulse pattern. The receiver dynamically adjusts its detection criteria based on the expected alternating sequence, making the evaluation process more flexible and efficient despite the increased complexity of handling bipolar pulses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 prevents transformer saturation, enabling faster and more reliable switching by eliminating the need for minimum dead times and allowing for the transmission of additional information through varying time intervals and pulse durations.

Implementation Method 1

The transformer causes the potential separation in the signal to be transmitted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

Both while the switch-on signal and the switch-off signal are present, the transformer or its magnetization reaches positive or negative saturation as a result of the repetitive application of the same positive or negative voltage pulses

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic saturation: Magnetic Saturation

Data Source

PatentEP2387155B1Method for transmitting a binary signal over a transmission path
Publication Date: 2018.10.10 SEMIKRON DANFOSS ELEKTRONIK GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2387155B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2387155B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2387155B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a method for the repetitive transmission of a signal (8a) representing a binary value (10a,b) via a transformer section of a driver (2) of a power semiconductor (4): - a first pulse packet (18a) as a consequence of a positive (20b) and negative pulse (20a) is supplied to the input (12) of the transformer (14) for the first value (10a) or a second pulse packet (18b) as a consequence of a negative (20a) and positive pulse (20b) for the second value (10b), - the respective pulse packets (18a,b) are supplied to the transformer (14) repetitively, - the first (10a) or second value (10b) is detected at the output (16) of the transformer (14) from the sequence (22a,b) of the polarity of an output quantity (UA,IA) within a transmitted pulse packet (18a,b).