Fault recovery for multi-phase power converters
AssigneeColorado Power Electronics, Inc.
InventorsGeoffrey N. Drummond, Vladislav V. Shilo
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fault recovery method for multi-phase power converters enables delivery of reduced output power of as much as 66% of normal power in the event of a shorted power switch component. The need for redundant power converters in conventional multi-phase space power systems is reduced, if not eliminated. Fault recovery includes 1) detecting a shorted power switch fault; 2) providing short circuit current protection; 3) providing isolation of the shorted power switch; and 4) reconfiguring the remaining undamaged power switches.
Claims9
A method for providing partial power delivery from a damaged multi-phase power converter powering a DC load, the method comprising:
- detecting that one of a plurality of transistor switches provided within the multi-phase power converter has become shorted while the multi-phase power converter is energized;
- opening other ones of the plurality of transistor switches that remain undamaged, to prevent short-circuit current damage to the multi-phase power converter;
- electrically identifying the transistor switch previously detected as having become shorted;
- electrically isolating the shorted transistor switch;
- and
- electrically selectively reconfiguring the opened undamaged transistor switches to permit reapplication of power to the DC load.
A method for providing partial power delivery from a damaged three-phase power converter powering a DC load, the method comprising:
- detecting that one of a plurality of transistor switches provided within the three-phase power converter has become shorted while the three-phase power converter is energized;
- opening other ones of the plurality of transistor switches that remain undamaged, to prevent short-circuit current damage to the three-phase power converter;
- electrically identifying the transistor switch previously detected as having become shorted;
- electrically isolating the shorted transistor switch;
- and
- electrically selectively reconfiguring the opened undamaged transistor switches to form a single-phase full-bridge converter to permit reapplication of power to the DC load.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.