RU2533317C2 - Circuit and topology for high reliability power electronics system - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: physics; control.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to power electronics. Disclosed is a power electronics system comprising a set of identical semiconductor switching devices connected in series to provide high reliability switching, wherein each semiconductor switching device is configured to be activated through a corresponding switch driver unit, comprising a built-in logic unit, and a set of identical controller units, wherein each logic unit is configured to provide the corresponding control signal of the semiconductor switching device upon receiving output signals from the controller units, wherein each output signal corresponds to one switch driver unit and the corresponding logic unit and is connected to the corresponding built-in logic unit and the switch driver unit, such that the corresponding semiconductor switching device is controlled as a result of logic processing of signals of said set of controller units independent of faults in any one or more controller units, provided that at least a minimum number of controller units remains operational.

EFFECT: simple backup circuit of a power electronics system while maintaining reliability thereof.

4 cl, 5 dwg

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present invention generally relates to power electronics, and more particularly to a system circuit and topology providing a highly reliable power system.

Patent Document FR 2524674 discloses a device for detecting failures. In this case, the detectors, each of which is located in the control location, sends a signal to the logic element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Power electronics systems in the megawatt range, as a rule, consist of a large number of power and control elements. To improve the reliability of these power electronics systems, redundancy is used, as a rule, rather than an increase in the stability of elements. One of the most common examples of redundant topologies is the series connection of n + 1 or more elements, such as thyristors. This serial connection method is usually limited to the reservation of power semiconductor elements, since the control system itself, and especially the interface between the control elements and the power semiconductor element (s), are not reserved.

The probability of failure (failures) of the non-redundant interface between the control system and power semiconductor elements despite its acceptability for standard industrial applications is unacceptable for underwater power converter systems. This is because the reliability requirements of subsea power conversion systems, such as subsea installations for the gas / or oil industry, are higher. The necessary interventions in the event of a failure of the subsea power conversion systems are more time-consuming and expensive.

For example, redundancy in subsea power converters is a mandatory requirement, since the use of spare parts, usually carried out in other applications, in this case is uneconomical. In such underwater systems, spare parts to be installed after several years of storage require testing under conditions close to those of underwater operation.

One option to improve system reliability may be to install an additional power electronic unit. The costs associated with subsea power electronics typically amount to approximately no more than 20% of the total cost of the subsea power conversion unit. Most of the space of the underwater power transducer block is occupied by passive components. With proper calculation, the failure of these passive components is highly unlikely. Therefore, it may be appropriate to install a backup power electronic unit and a control unit in each underwater conversion unit. Such a redundant unit will not increase operational losses and can be tested from time to time, and it can also take on regulated load power without significantly interrupting the operation of the system.

If it is impossible to implement the above solution, another option would be to create a system without a specific critical point of failure. Both advantageous and expedient from the point of view of the foregoing, may be the implementation of a circuit / system to eliminate any single critical point of failure that is associated with a power converter / power electronic system and which can be used with almost any known power electronics topology. In addition, it is preferable if this circuit / system can be easily integrated into existing topologies of AC to DC converters, DC to AC converters or DC / DC converters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a power electronics system according to claim 1.

Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment, a power electronics system comprises:

a set of substantially identical semiconductor switching devices connected in series to provide highly reliable switching, with each semiconductor switching device being driven by a corresponding key driver unit with a built-in logical voting unit, and

a set of controller blocks, each controller block being capable of providing a complete group of output signals, each output signal being connected to a corresponding built-in logic block and a key driver block of one semiconductor switching device, so that the control of the corresponding semiconductor switching device is the result of logical signal processing by the specified set controller blocks.

According to another embodiment, the power electronics system comprises a set of substantially identical power electronics groups, each group being controlled by a corresponding control unit, each control unit may also be configured to control one or more different power electronics groups in the event of a failure of one or more control units for different groups of power electronics, so that each group of power electronics remains in working condition after its failure The appropriate control unit.

According to yet another embodiment, the power electronics system comprises one or a set of substantially identical groups of power switching devices, wherein each group of power switching devices is controlled by a corresponding group of key driver blocks and logic blocks, and one or a set of controller blocks, each controller block is configured to provide a set of groups of output signals, each of which corresponds to one group of key driver blocks and corresponding logic units, so that each group of power switching devices is controlled by a group of output signals associated with each of the controller units.

In accordance with another embodiment, the power electronics system comprises a set of power electronics subsystems, each subsystem being controlled by a corresponding key driver block and a logic block, and a set of controller blocks, each controller block being configured to create a set of output signals, each of which corresponds to one block the key driver and the corresponding logical unit, so that each subsystem is controlled by the corresponding output signal, Foot controllers with each of the blocks.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, the power electronics system comprises a set of power converter control units configured to selectively control a set of redundant power converters, each control unit comprising a set of outputs configured to provide the required degree of redundancy for controlling the power converters, so that each power the converter remains operational after at least one corresponding control unit fails eniya power converter.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, the power electronics system comprises a set of subsea power electronics control units configured to selectively control a set of redundant subsea power electronics modules, each control unit comprising a set of outputs configured to provide the required degree of redundancy for underwater power electronics modules, so that each subsea power electronics module remains operational after at least one failure The appropriate control unit underwater power electronics module.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, the power electronics system comprises a set of backup subsystems of subsea power electronics configured to selectively transfer energy to the load, so that the subsea load continues to receive energy from at least one subsystem of subsea power electronics after a failure or stop associated with at least one of the subsystems of underwater power electronics.

According to yet another embodiment, the power electronics system comprises a set of backup subsystems of underwater power electronics, each subsystem comprising a set of passive devices and a set of substantially identical active devices, wherein the power electronics system is capable of selectively transferring energy to an underwater load, so that the underwater load continues to receive energy from at least one subsystem of underwater power electronics after the failure of one or more substantially the same What are the active devices with the proviso that at least one subsystem remains operational.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other signs, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals denote the same parts in which

figure 1 is a diagram and topology of a system for a power electronics system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an example implementation of a standard 2-level phase arm without critical failure points; FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram and system topology for a power electronics system in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

4 is one example of an embodiment of a DC / DC converter showing serially connected devices; and

5 is a simplified depiction of an inverter system for converting direct current to alternating current, supplying individual underwater loads in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Although the above drawings represent specific embodiments, it is also contemplated that other embodiments of the invention mentioned in this specification are contemplated. In all cases, this description provides embodiments of the present invention as an example, and not limitation. Specialists in the art may develop numerous other modifications and embodiments that correspond to the scope and essence of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 shows the diagram and topology of the system for a power electronics system without critical failure points, which is used as the main structural unit for various embodiments. The power electronics system 10 performs one switching function and can be used in almost every known power electronics topology. It includes several (n + 1) essentially identical power switching devices 12, including, for example, power semiconductor elements connected in series to provide the required degree of redundancy, so as to ensure the operation of this key after the short-circuit mode of one or more switching devices 12. Power semiconductor elements can include, for example, bipolar transistors with insulated gate (IGBT) or thyristors with integrated control (IGCT).

The power electronics system 10 provides the required level of reliability / availability by increasing the redundancy options mentioned above for the entire system. The standard key driver block contains only one input, which is used to control the output state of the block, and each of the key driver blocks 14 of the power electronics system 10 contains a corresponding logical block 16. Each logical block 16 contains several inputs 18. Each input 18 of the logical block is given in action by the corresponding control unit 20. Each control unit 20 is configured to supply input signals to additional logic units 16 in the unlikely event of a failure of one or more control units. Each logical unit can implement, for example, the logical operation “EXCLUSIVE OR”, which is built into the driver unit 14 of the switching device 12.

Although only n = 3 of the control unit 20 is shown, a simple implementation of other embodiments is also possible, in which any required number of n control units 20 and corresponding logical units 18 are used, made with the required number of inputs depending on the required number of n units 20 management.

Thus, the power electronics system 10 extends the reservation also to other parts of the system 10 located immediately behind the power switching devices 12. The key driver blocks 14 and the logic blocks 16 are made with redundancy using the corresponding power switching elements 12, while the driver control backup units 20 the key is configured to provide backup input signals for each logical block 16.

In accordance with one embodiment, a particular power switching device 12 is turned on if any two or more inputs 18 of the logic block give an enable command for the corresponding logical block 16. Thus, the circuit and topology of the system shown in FIG. 1 eliminates any critical points failure, including switching devices 12 and all relevant control units 20, as well as driver units 14 and logical units 16.

A feature of the short circuit mode of the power device 12 is passive redundancy, since there is no need for any algorithm for determining the short circuit and / or isolation. Any damaged device remains in the circuit for the full life of the system 10. In accordance with one embodiment, the power electronics system 10 is an underwater application.

Figure 2 shows a diagram and system topology for a power electronics system 30 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The power electronics system 30 uses several redundant interface controllers 32. Each interface controller 32 is configured with several groups of 34, 36 outputs. The group of 34 outputs is configured to control one group of switching devices 38, including the corresponding logical blocks and key driver blocks. The group of outputs 36 is configured to control another group of switching devices 40, including corresponding logic blocks and key driver blocks, as described above. The system diagram and topology shown in FIG. 2 thus provides the required degree of device redundancy, so that the power electronics system 30 continues to operate regardless of a failure of a particular controller 32, or a failure in a particular group of switching devices 38, 40, or connection failure 41 .

In accordance with some embodiments, the power electronics system 30 comprises a group of series-connected devices 38, 40 in a DC-DC converter 42 for underwater use, as shown in FIG. 4, or one or a group of inverter DC / AC inverter modules 58, supplying one or multiple loads 60, as shown in FIG.

Figure 3 shows a diagram and a topology of a system for a power electronics system 50 in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. The power electronics system 50 uses several redundant interface controllers 52. Each interface controller 52 is configured with several outputs 54, in which each output 54 of the controller supplies an input signal to the logic unit, as described above. Each interface controller is configured to supply all the necessary signals for controlling one or more two- or three-phase DC / AC converters. The system diagram and topology shown in FIG. 3 thus provides the required degree of device redundancy, so that the power electronics 50 continues to operate regardless of a failure of a particular controller 52 or a failure of a particular bridge circuit 56. In accordance with one embodiment, FIG. 3 The circuit and topology of the system comprises an inverter system supplying one or more underwater loads.

Thus, a highly reliable power electronics system is described that provides the required degree of redundancy for the system and / or device in a simple and more compact way than other known systems. This highly reliable power electronics system is especially useful for providing the required degree of operational reliability under water conditions, in which reliability is a decisive factor, and the cost of power electronics does not actually matter, since it usually is less than 5% of the total cost of the system.

Redundancy at the device level for a highly reliable power electronics system can be achieved in a simple and more compact way than in other known solutions, since the driver signals of all series-connected devices are the same. System-level redundancy in one embodiment relates only to active elements, since the possibility of failure of passive elements is less likely, passive elements are too heavy and take up a lot of space.

When used under water in accordance with the principles set forth in this document, it is possible, for example, to ensure the reservation of only active elements. Such a solution after failure and / or shutdown allows you to control the system remotely with the ability to restart and continue using other active devices, but the same passive devices.

Although the specific embodiments described above provide continuous operation in the event of a failure of a device or control unit, redundant topologies can also be implemented using the principles set forth in this document to ensure the continuous operation of a complete subsystem, such as a power converter, after a failure or disconnection of a subsystem. For example, when using such a topology, it is possible to disable damaged subsystems and provide a backup subsystem that uses other groups of active devices, but continues to use the same group of passive devices, including capacitors, inductors, transformers, and the like. The renewable use of existing passive devices ensures that the constraining conditions are kept to a minimum size and weight.

The above-described embodiments are especially useful for eliminating the need for requirements for testing spare blocks. Since the spare blocks should be checked under conditions as close as possible to the conditions of work under water, the availability of additional spare parts requires considerable effort, regardless of whether such spare parts should be installed on land after an accident or if they are connected to a permanent testing station, since the test data require the presence of a characteristic locomotive load on land connected to a generator with braking resistors.

Although only specific features of the invention are shown and described in this document, numerous modifications and changes are apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it should be understood that the appended claims apply to all such modifications and changes as correspond to the actual nature of the invention.

Item specification Power Electronics System (10) Identical power switching devices (12) Key driver block (fourteen) Logic blocks (16) Input signals (eighteen) Control units (twenty) Power Electronics System (thirty) Redundant Interface Controllers (32) Output group (34) Output group (36) Switching Device Group (38) Switching Device Group (40) Connections (41) DC converter (42) Power Electronics System (fifty) Interface controllers (52) Controller output signals (54) Bridge circuits (56) Inverter Modules DC / AC Converter (58) Load (s) (60)

Claims (4)

1. The power electronics system (10) comprising
a set of identical semiconductor switching devices (12) connected in series to ensure highly reliable switching, and each semiconductor switching device (12) is configured to actuate, by means of a corresponding block (14), a key driver containing a logic block built into it (16), and
a set of identical controller blocks (20), with each logical block (16) configured to provide a corresponding control signal (18) of a semiconductor switching device when receiving output signals from controller blocks (20), each output signal corresponding to one key driver block and the corresponding logical block and is connected with the corresponding built-in logical block (16) and the key driver block (14), so that the control of the corresponding semiconductor switching device performed as a result of the logical processing of the signals of the specified set of controller blocks (20) regardless of a failure in any one or more controller blocks (20), provided that at least the minimum number of controller blocks (20) remains operational. 2. System (10) according to claim 1, in which the same semiconductor switching devices (12) of the indicated set are configured to operate as a highly reliable key, regardless of the occurrence of a short circuit in any one or more switching devices (12), provided that at least the minimum number of switching devices remains operational. 3. The system (10) according to claim 1, in which the same semiconductor switching devices (12) of the specified set, the corresponding blocks (14) of the key driver and the corresponding built-in logic blocks (16), as well as a set of identical blocks (20) of the controllers are made together in the form of a power electronics system for working underwater. 4. System (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the same semiconductor switching devices (12) of the indicated set are integrated in an underwater DC converter (42) or in one or more inverter modules (58) for converting DC to AC .

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