Vienna Rectifier Zero-Sequence Control for Balanced Input Currents

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Solution Overview

Problem

The regulation of DC/DC conversion in three-phase Vienna rectifiers is complex and unreliable due to fluctuating voltages across output capacitors, making it challenging to achieve stable and efficient power factor correction.

Innovation Solution

A method for controlling a three-phase Vienna rectifier by transforming setpoint compound voltages into simple voltages, calculating a zero sequence component, and generating switching signals based on phase currents and modulating values to balance input currents and simplify DC/DC regulation, using equations and comparisons with high-frequency carriers to determine switching signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional duty cycle control methods are used for Vienna rectifier switching arms, then the rectifier can operate with simple control logic, but the output capacitor voltages fluctuate making DC/DC regulation complex and unreliable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol logic simplicityVSAvoidDC/DC regulation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the control parameter from simple duty cycles to a combination of common-mode voltage and differential-mode voltage. This parameter transformation allows independent control of output capacitor voltages (through common-mode voltage) and power transfer (through differential-mode voltage), stabilizing the DC/DC regulation and improving reliability while maintaining control simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If conventional control methods are used, then the control structure remains simple, but the input currents exhibit ripple and harmonics reducing power factor correction quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol structure complexityVSAvoidinput current harmonics
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control of input currents into two independent components: common-mode control for balancing output capacitor voltages and differential-mode control for power factor correction. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing harmonics and improving power factor while keeping the overall control structure manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces common-mode voltage as an intermediary control variable that mediates between the switching arms and the output capacitors. This intermediary allows indirect control of output capacitor voltage balance, which in turn stabilizes the input current waveform and reduces harmonics without requiring complex direct control of each switching arm.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If standard PWM control is applied to Vienna rectifier, then the switching implementation is straightforward, but the output capacitor voltage balance is poor requiring complex regulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching implementation easeVSAvoidoutput voltage balance precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds a common-mode voltage dimension to the traditional differential-mode PWM control. This dimensional extension allows independent adjustment of output capacitor voltages without affecting the power transfer function, achieving precise voltage balance while maintaining straightforward PWM switching implementation.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3639355B1Method for controlling a three-phase vienna rectifier
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 RENAULT SA
  • EP3639355B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3639355B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3639355B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a Method (6) for controlling a three-phase Vienna rectifier, comprising a plurality of controlled power switches, each associated with an electrical phase; the method (6) comprising: - a step of transforming (60) three provided reference line voltages into three phase voltages; - a step of calculating (61) a homopolar component to be injected according to the sign of the phase voltage values and to the average value of the phase currents of the three-phase Vienna rectifier; - a step of calculating "modulating" values for each phase of the three-phase Vienna rectifier according to the calculated homopolar component to be injected and the three phase voltages; and - a step of generating (62) six signals for switching the controlled power switches, according to the sign of the phase currents of the three-phase Vienna rectifier and the "modulating" values that were calculated.