NL2017409B1 - An electrical converter, a method and a computer program product - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical converter, comprising a DC-AC converter provided with a DC input port, an AC output port and a controller controlling a frequency of an electric signal provided at the AC output port. Further, the electrical converter comprises a source coil connected to the AC output port, and a reversely oriented load coil positioned in proximity to the source coil such that the source coil and the load coil are coupled via a resonance capacitor.

Description

Patent center

The Netherlands

Θ 2017409

BI PATENT (51) Int. CL:

H02M 1/00 (2017.01) H02M 7/48 (2017.01) H02M 7/497 (2017.01) (21) Application number: 2017409 © Application submitted: 02/09/2016

Application registered: (73) Patent holder (s): 09/03/2018 Dutch Infinity Energy (D.I.E.) B.V. in Noordwijk. (43) Application published: (72) Inventor (s): (47) Patent granted: Valeriy Anatol’evic Guzyeyev in Noordwijk. 09/03/2018 (45) Patent issued: θ Authorized representative: 19/03/2018 ir. C.M. Jansen et al. In The Hague.

54) An electrical converter, a method and a computer program product

The invention relates to an electrical converter, including a DC-AC converter provided with a DC input port, an AC output port and a controller controlling a frequency or an electric signal provided at the AC output port. Further, the electrical converter comprises a source coil connected to the AC output port, and a reversely oriented load coil positioned in proximity to the source coil such that the source coil and the load coil are coupled via a resonance capacitor.

NL BI 2017409

This patent has been granted regardless of the attached result of the research into the state of the art and written opinion. The patent corresponds to the documents originally submitted.

P112812NL00

Title: An electrical converter, a method and a computer program product

The invention relates to an electrical converter.

Electrical converters are generally known for a wide area of applicants, e.g. for converting electrical DC energy towards electrical AC energy or vice versa. Further, AC to AC converters are known, also known as transformers, for increasing or reducing AC levels.

It is an object of the invention to provide an electrical converter that may generate a specific electrical output signal, e.g. an electrical AC signal having a desired frequency. Thereto, an electrical converter is provided, including a DC-AC converter provided with a DC input port, an AC output port and a controller controlling a frequency or an electric signal provided at the AC output port, further including a source coil connected to the AC output port, and a reversely oriented load coil positioned in proximity to the source coil such that the source coil and the load coil are coupled via a resonance capacitor.

By including a DC-AC converter generating an AC signal that is transferred from a source coil to a reversely oriented load coil positioned in proximity to the source coil such that the source coil and the load coil are coupled via a resonance capacitor, a desired electrical output signal can be provided.

The invention also relates to a method.

Further, the invention relates to a computer program product. A computer program product may include a set of computer executable instructions stored on a data carrier, such as but not limited to a flash memory, a CD or a DVD. The set of computer executable instructions, which allow a programmable computer to carry out the method as defined above, may also be available for downloading from a remote server, for example via the Internet, e.g. as an app.

Other advantageous according to the invention are described in the following claims.

By way of example only, exponent of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which

FIG. 1 shows a system view or a first embodiment or an electrical converter according to the invention;

FIG. 2a shows a system view or a second embodiment or an electrical converter according to the invention;

FIG. 2b shows a system view or a third version or an electrical converter according to the invention, and

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a source coil and a load coil or an electrical converter according to the invention.

The figures merely illustrate a preferred embodiment according to the invention. In the figures, the same reference numbers refer to equal or corresponding parts.

Figure 1 shows a system view of a first embodiment or an electrical converter 1 according to the invention. The converter 1 includes a DC-AC converter 2, a source coil 3 and a load coil 4.

The DC-AC converter 2 has a DC input port 5, an AC output port 20 6 and a controller 7 controlling a frequency or an electrical signal that is generated at the AC output port 6. In the shown version, the DC input port 5 has a first input terminal 5a and a second input terminal 5b. Similarly, the AC output port 6 has a first output terminal 6a and a second output terminal 6b.

The source coil 3 is connected to the AC output port 6. In the shown embodiment, the source coil 3 has a first terminal 3a and a second terminal 3b. The first source coil terminal 3a is connected to the first output terminal 6a or the DC-AC converter 2 and the second source coil terminal 3b is connected to the second output terminal 6b or the DC-AC converter 2.

The load coil 4 is reversely oriented relative to the orientation of the source coil 3. Further, the load coil 4 is positioned in proximity to the source coil such that the source coil 3 and the load coil 4 are coupled via a resonance capacitor 8. The load coil 4 has a first terminal 4a and a second terminal 4b.

The source coil 3, the load coil 4 and the resonance capacitor 8 form a resonance circuit. During operation, voltage and current signals in the resonance spectrum or said resonance circuit are dominant over signals in a spectrum outside said resonance spectrum. Then, the electrical signal that is generated by the DC-AC converter 2 is controlled such that its frequency is within the resonance spectrum of the resonance circuit, and preferably matches a resonance frequency of the resonance circuit. In practice, the frequency of the electric signal can be automatically controlled by generating a signal having a broad spectrum including said resonance spectrum determined by the resonance circuit. Then, the resonance circuit acts as a bandpass filter so that electric signals within the resonance spectrum dominate signals having a frequency outside said resonance spectrum. The combination of the DC-AC converter 2 and the resonance circuit then control the frequency of the generated signal.

In the shown embodiment, the load coil 4 is implemented as a first load coil Lxl that is connected with a load 9 having a low impedance such as a heater, e.g. an immersion heater or cooker. The impedance can be mainly resistive. In the shown embodiment, the first terminal 4a or the load coil 4 is connected to a first terminal 9a or the load 9, while the second terminal 4b or the load coil 4 is connected to a second terminal 9b or the load

9.

In FIG. 1 it is also shown that the load coil 4 can be implemented as a second load coil Lx2, also connected to a load, similar to the load connected to the first load coil Lxi. Here, the load is implemented as a light source 10.

It is noted that, in principle, multiple loads can be applied, e.g. by connected multiple loads to the load coil 4, in series and / or in parallel. Further, multiple load coils could be used, each load coil being connected to a single or multiple number of loads.

The resonance capacitor has a capacitance value in a range from around 1000 pF to around 10,000 pF, preferably in a range from around 1000 pF to around 4700 pF.

During operation of the electrical converter 1 an electrical DC signal is provided to the DC-AC converter 2, e.g. using a 12 V or 24 V, 10 A signal. Generally, the electrical DC signal is variable. In particular, the voltage of the electrical DC signal can then be set to a desired voltage level. The DC-AC converter 2 converts the DC signal into an electrical AC signal having a controlled frequency, and feeds said AC signal towards the source coil 3 that interacts with the load coil 4. Then, an electrical signal is provided to a load 9, 10.

Generally, the capacitance value of the resonance capacitor 8 may depend on the mutual position and orientation of the source coil 3 and the load coil 4, the frequency of the electrical AC signal that is generated by the DC-AC converter 2, a frequency of the electrical AC signal at the load 8 and / or a type of load 8.

Generally, the resonance capacitor 8 may have a capacitance value in a range from around 1000 pF to around 10,000 pF. Further, the controller or 7 the DC-AC converter 2 may be arranged for setting the frequency of the electric signal provided at the AC output port 6 in a range from around 10 kHz to around 200 kHz.

Figure 2a shows a system view or a second embodiment or an electrical converter 1 according to the invention. Here, the converter 1 includes an AC-DC converter 11 for converting electrical AC mains energy into electrical DC energy for feeding the DC-AC converter 2. The AC-DC converter 11 includes an input port 12 and an output port 13. In the shown embodiment, the input port 12 includes a first input terminal 12a and a second input terminal 12b. Similarly, the output port 13 includes a first output terminal 13a and a second input terminal 13b. The first output terminal 13a is connected to the first input terminal 5a or the DC-AC converter 2, and the second output terminal 13b is connected to the second input terminal 5b or the DC-AC converter 2. The input terminal 12a, b can be connected to mains terminals or an AC electrical energy source eg 230 VAC.

It is noted that the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 can also be provided with an AC-DC converter 11 as shown in FIG. 2a.

Further, the embodiment shown in FIG. 2a has another load configuration. Here, the converter 1 comprises a load transformer 14 and a mains transformer 15. Both the load transformer 14 and the mains transformer 15 have an input port 16; 18 and an output port 17; 19. The input port 16 or the load transformer 14 has a first and second input terminal 16a, b, while the output port 17 or the load transformer 14 also has a first and a second terminal 17a, b.

In the shown embodiment, the first input terminal 16a or the load transformer 14 is connected to the first terminal 4a or the load coil 4, and the second input terminal 16b or the load transformer 14 is connected to the second terminal 4b or the load coil 4. Then, the input port 16 or the load coil 4 is connected to the load coil 4. Further, in the shown embodiment, the first output terminal 17a or the load transformer 14 is connected to the first output terminal 19a or the main transformer 15. Then, the output port 17 or the load transformer 14 is connected to the output port 19 or the mains transformer 15 for setting a frequency or an electrical signal at the output port 17 or the load transformer 14.

The input terminals 18a, b or the mains transformer 15 can be connected to mains terminals or an AC electrical energy source e.g. 230

VAC. Further, the mains transformer 15 can be arranged for transforming the input voltage and current to a same level, i.e. also to 230 VAC.

In the shown embodiment, the second output terminal 17b or the load transformer 17 forms a first AC output terminal 22b or the electrical converter 1, while the second output terminal 19b or the mains transformer 15 forms a second AC output terminal 22a or the electrical converter 1.

Further, in the shown embodiment, the converter 1 further includes a load capacitor 20 arranged parallel to the first and second AC output terminals 17b, 19b. As an example, the load capacitor 20 has a capacitance value or approximately 22 microF arranged for being subjected to a voltage or approximately 400 VAC. It is noted that the load capacitor may have other characteristics, e.g. depending on a desired load type.

Figure 2b shows a system view of a third version or an electrical converter 1 according to the invention. Again, the DC-AC converter 2 is fed by a DC source, at the first and second input terminals 5a, b. Further, the system 1 includes a DC-AC converter 21 having a first input terminal 5th and a second input terminal 5f, and a first output terminal 19a and a second output terminal 19b. The DC-AC converter 21 is fed by the DC source, at its first and second input terminals 5th, f, and generates an AC signal, at its first and second output terminals 19a, b that replace the output terminals 19a, b of the mains transformer 15 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2a.

Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a source coil 3 and a load coil 4 or an electrical converter 1 according to the invention. As shown, the orientation of the source coil 3 and the load coil 4 is opposite. Further, the resonance capacitor 8 between the coils 3, 4 may have a parasitic character. Then, there is no discrete or integrated capacitor element included in the structure of the converter 1. However, in principle, a discrete resonance capacitor may be added to contribute to the capacitance between the coils 3,

4. Generally, the source coil 3 and the load coil 4 are located such that they are coupled via said resonance capacitor 8. The capacitance value of the capacitor 8 can be influenced by setting a specific location of the coils 3, 4 relative to each other. In the shown embodiment, the source coil 3 and the load coil 4 have substantial coinciding rotational symmetry axes.

However, the load coil 4 might have another position and / or orientation, e.g., shifted along the symmetry axis or the source coil 3 or shifted in a direction transverse to said source coil symmetry axis. The source coil 3 and the load coil 4 may have a specific inductance, preferably less than approximately 200 micro Henry.

According to an aspect of the invention, a method is provided for controlling operation of an electrical converter including a DC-AC converter provided with a DC input port, an AC output port, a source coil connected to the AC output port, and a reversely oriented load coil positioned in proximity to the source coil such that the source coil and the load coil are coupled via a resonance capacitor. The method comprises a step of controlling a frequency or an electric signal provided at the AC output port.

The method for controlling operation of an electrical converter can be performed using dedicated hardware structures, such as FPGA and / or

ASIC components. Otherwise, the method can also be at least partially performed using a computer program product including instructions for causing a controller, a processor or a computer system or a control unit to perform the above described step of the method according to the invention, or at least a sub-step of receiving feedback data from a measured resonance capacitor voltage.

All steps can be performed in principle on a single processor. However, it is noted that at least one sub-step can be performed on a separate processor. A processor can be loaded with a specific software module. Dedicated software modules can be provided.

The invention is not restricted to the described described. It will be understood that many variants are possible.

These and other expands will be apparent to the person skilled in the art and are considered to fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. For the purpose of clarity and concise description features are described as part of the same or separate exp. However, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include not including combinations of all or some of the features described.

Claims (4)

Conclusions An electric converter, comprising a direct-to-alternating-current converter provided with a direct-current input terminal, an alternating-current output terminal and a controller which controls a frequency of an electrical signal applied to the alternating-current output terminal 5, further comprising a source coil connected to the alternating current output terminal, and a reverse-oriented load coil disposed in proximity to the source coil such that the source coil and the load coil are coupled via a resonance capacitor. 2. An electrical converter according to claim 1, wherein the load coil is connected to a low impedance load. The electrical converter of claim 1, further comprising a load transformer and a power transformer, wherein each transformer is provided with an input terminal and a Output terminal, wherein the input terminal of the load transformer is connected to the load coil and the output terminal of the load transformer is connected to the output terminal of the power transformer for setting a frequency of an electrical signal at the output terminal of the load transformer. 20 load transformer. The electrical converter according to claim 3, wherein the output terminal of the load transformer and the output terminal of the power transformer each have a first output terminal and a second output terminal, the first output terminal of the The load transformer is connected to a first terminal of the output terminal of the load transformer and the second output terminal of the load transformer to a first AC output terminal of the electrical converter, and wherein the second output terminal of the power transformer forms a second AC output terminal of the electrical converter. 5. An electrical converter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the resonance capacitor has a capacitance value in a range of about 1000 pF to about 10,000 pF. An electric converter according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a direct-to-alternating-current converter for converting 10 from electric alternating current supply energy to electric direct current energy for supplying direct current to alternating current converter. 7. An electrical converter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the source coil, the load coil and the resonance capacitor form a resonance circuit. 8. An electrical converter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the controller of the direct current to alternating current converter is adapted to adjust the frequency of the electrical signal provided at the alternating current output terminal in a range of approximately 10 kHz to approximately 200 kHz . 9. Method for controlling the operation of an electric converter comprising a direct-to-alternating-current converter provided with a direct-current input terminal, an alternating-current output terminal, a source coil connected to the alternating-current output terminal, and a reverse-oriented load coil which The proximity of the source coil is arranged such that the source coil and the load coil are coupled via a resonance capacitor, the method comprising the step of controlling a frequency of an electrical signal provided at the alternating current output terminal. The method of claim 9, wherein the frequency is controlled by applying a voltage on the resonance capacitor as input 5 use. A computer program product for controlling the operation of an electrical converter comprising a direct current to alternating current converter provided with a direct current input terminal, an alternating current output terminal, a source coil connected to the 10, alternating current output terminal, and a reverse-oriented load coil arranged in the vicinity of the source coil such that the source coil and the load coil are coupled via a resonance capacitor, the computer program product comprising a computer readable code comprising a processor in capable of taking a step 15 for controlling a frequency of an electrical signal provided at the alternating current output terminal. 1/4, + I 2/4 FIG. 2A 3/4 FIG. 2B 4/4