IP Library Granted Patent US 12,301,130
Granted Patent B2
US 12,301,130 · App. 18/005,491 · Granted May 13, 2025

Power conversion device and method of diagnosing failures of switching devices

Inventors: Kouki Morisaki (Tokyo, JP); Haiqing Li (Tokyo, JP)
Assignee: TMEIC Corporation
H02M7/487H02M1/32
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,301,130
App. No.
18/005,491
Granted
May 13, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A power conversion device with a three-level TNPP circuit, includes: a voltage detection unit; a test pulse output unit that outputs a test pulse to an inner switching device connected in a forward direction from the DC neutral point to an AC output terminal when the voltages detected by the voltage detection unit rise and exceed a predetermined threshold; and a determination unit that determines, when the test pulse output unit outputs a test pulse to the inner switching device connected in the forward direction from the DC neutral point to the AC output terminal, upon drop in the voltage between the DC neutral point and the DC negative electrode detected by the voltage detection unit, that an outer switching device connected to the DC negative electrode has a short circuit failure.

Claims (64)

1. A power conversion device with a three-level TNPP circuit, comprising:

voltage detection circuitry that detects a voltage between a DC positive electrode and a DC neutral point, the voltage between the DC neutral point and a DC negative electrode, and the voltage between the DC positive electrode and the DC negative electrode;

test pulse output circuitry that outputs a test pulse to an inner switching device connected in a forward direction from the DC neutral point to an AC output terminal when the voltages detected by the voltage detection circuitry rise and exceed a predetermined threshold set in a low-voltage region; and

determination circuitry that determines, when the test pulse output circuitry outputs a test pulse to the inner switching device connected in the forward direction from the DC neutral point to the AC output terminal, upon drop in the voltage between the DC neutral point and the DC negative electrode detected by the voltage detection circuitry, that an outer switching device connected to the DC negative electrode has a short circuit failure.

2. A power conversion device with a three-level TNPP circuit, comprising:

a voltage detection circuitry that detects a voltage between a DC positive electrode and a DC neutral point, the voltage between the DC neutral point and a DC negative electrode, and the voltage between the DC positive electrode and the DC negative electrode;

test pulse output circuitry that outputs a test pulse to an inner switching device connected in a reverse direction from the DC neutral point to an AC output terminal when the voltages detected by the voltage detection circuitry rise and exceed a predetermined threshold set in a low-voltage region; and

determination circuitry that determines, when the test pulse output circuitry outputs a test pulse to the inner switching device connected in the reverse direction from the DC neutral point to the AC output terminal, upon drop in the voltage between the DC positive electrode and the DC neutral point detected by the voltage detection circuitry, that an outer switching device connected to the DC positive electrode has a short circuit failure.

3. A power conversion device with a three-level TNPP circuit, comprising:

voltage detection circuitry that detects a voltage between a DC positive electrode and a DC neutral point, the voltage between the DC neutral point and a DC negative electrode, and the voltage between the DC positive electrode and the DC negative electrode;

test pulse output circuitry that outputs a test pulse to an outer switching device connected to the DC positive electrode when the voltages detected by the voltage detection circuitry rise and exceed a predetermined threshold set in a low-voltage region; and

a determination circuitry that determines, when the test pulse output circuitry outputs a test pulse to the outer switching device connected to the DC positive electrode, upon drop in the voltage between the DC positive electrode and the DC neutral point detected by the voltage detection circuitry, that an inner switching device connected in a reverse direction from the DC neutral point to an AC output terminal has a short circuit failure.

4. A power conversion device with a three-level TNPP circuit, comprising:

voltage detection circuitry that detects a voltage between a DC positive electrode and a DC neutral point, the voltage between the DC neutral point and a DC negative electrode, and the voltage between the DC positive electrode and the DC negative electrode;

test pulse output circuitry that outputs a test pulse to an outer switching device connected to the DC positive electrode when the voltages detected by the voltage detection circuitry rise and exceed a predetermined threshold set in a low-voltage region; and

determination circuitry that determines, when the test pulse output circuitry outputs a test pulse to the outer switching device connected to the DC positive electrode, upon drop in the voltage between the DC positive electrode and the DC negative electrode detected by the voltage detection circuitry, that an outer switching device connected to the DC negative electrode has a short circuit failure.

5. A power conversion device with a three-level TNPP circuit, comprising:

voltage detection circuitry that detects a voltage between a DC positive electrode and a DC neutral point, the voltage between the DC neutral point and a DC negative electrode, and the voltage between the DC positive electrode and the DC negative electrode;

test pulse output circuitry that outputs a test pulse to an outer switching device connected to the DC negative electrode when the voltages detected by the voltage detection circuitry rise and exceed a predetermined threshold set in a low-voltage region; and

a determination circuitry that determines, when the test pulse output circuitry outputs a test pulse to the outer switching device connected to the DC negative electrode, upon drop in the voltage between the DC positive electrode and the DC negative electrode detected by the voltage detection circuitry, that an outer switching device connected to the DC positive electrode has a short circuit failure.

6. A power conversion device with a three-level TNPP circuit, comprising:

voltage detection circuitry that detects a voltage between a DC positive electrode and a DC neutral point, the voltage between the DC neutral point and a DC negative electrode, and the voltage between the DC positive electrode and the DC negative electrode;

test pulse output circuitry that outputs a test pulse to an outer switching device connected to the DC negative electrode when the voltages detected by the voltage detection circuitry rise and exceed a predetermined threshold set in a low-voltage region; and

determination circuitry that determines, when the test pulse output circuitry outputs a test pulse to the outer switching device connected to the DC negative electrode, upon drop in the voltage between the DC neutral point and the DC negative electrode detected by the voltage detection circuitry, that an inner switching device connected in a forward direction from the DC neutral point to an AC output terminal has a short circuit failure.

7. A method of diagnosing failures of switching devices included in a three-level TNPP circuit, comprising:

detecting a voltage between a DC positive electrode and a DC neutral point, the voltage between the DC neutral point and a DC negative electrode, and the voltage between the DC positive electrode and the DC negative electrode;

outputting a test pulse to an inner switching device connected in a forward direction from the DC neutral point to an AC output terminal when the detected voltages rise and exceed a predetermined threshold set in a low-voltage region; and

determining, when a test pulse is output to the inner switching device connected in the forward direction from the DC neutral point to the AC output terminal, upon drop in the voltage between the DC neutral point and the DC negative electrode, that an outer switching device connected to the DC negative electrode has a short circuit failure.

8. A method of diagnosing failures of switching devices included in a three-level TNPP circuit, comprising:

detecting a voltage between a DC positive electrode and a DC neutral point, the voltage between the DC neutral point and a DC negative electrode, and the voltage between the DC positive electrode and the DC negative electrode;

outputting a test pulse to an inner switching device connected in a reverse direction from the DC neutral point to an AC output terminal when the detected voltages rise and exceed a predetermined threshold set in a low-voltage region; and

determining, when a test pulse is output to the inner switching device connected in the reverse direction from the DC neutral point to the AC output terminal, upon drop in the voltage between the DC positive electrode and the DC neutral point, that an outer switching device connected to the DC positive electrode has a short circuit failure.

9. A method of diagnosing failures of switching devices included in a three-level TNPP circuit, comprising:

detecting a voltage between a DC positive electrode and a DC neutral point, the voltage between the DC neutral point and a DC negative electrode, and the voltage between the DC positive electrode and the DC negative electrode;

outputting a test pulse to an outer switching device connected to the DC positive electrode when the detected voltages rise and exceed a predetermined threshold set in a low-voltage region; and

determining, when a test pulse is output to the outer switching device connected to the DC positive electrode, upon drop in the voltage between the DC positive electrode and the DC neutral point, that an inner switching device connected in a reverse direction from the DC neutral point to an AC output terminal has a short circuit failure.

10. A method of diagnosing failures of switching devices included in a three-level TNPP circuit, comprising:

detecting a voltage between a DC positive electrode and a DC neutral point, the voltage between the DC neutral point and a DC negative electrode, and the voltage between the DC positive electrode and the DC negative electrode;

outputting a test pulse to an outer switching device connected to the DC positive electrode when the detected voltages rise and exceed a predetermined threshold set in a low-voltage region; and

determining, when a test pulse is output to the outer switching device connected to the DC positive electrode, upon drop in the voltage between the DC positive electrode and the DC negative electrode, that an outer switching device connected to the DC negative electrode has a short circuit failure.

11. A method of diagnosing failures of switching devices included in a three-level TNPP circuit, comprising:

detecting a voltage between a DC positive electrode and a DC neutral point, the voltage between the DC neutral point and a DC negative electrode, and the voltage between the DC positive electrode and the DC negative electrode;

outputting a test pulse to an outer switching device connected to the DC negative electrode when the detected voltages rise and exceed a predetermined threshold set in a low-voltage region; and

determining, when a test pulse is output to the outer switching device connected to the DC negative electrode, upon drop in the voltage between the DC positive electrode and the DC negative electrode, that an outer switching device connected to the DC positive electrode has a short circuit failure.

12. A method of diagnosing failures of switching devices included in a three-level TNPP circuit, comprising:

detecting a voltage between a DC positive electrode and a DC neutral point, the voltage between the DC neutral point and a DC negative electrode, and the voltage between the DC positive electrode and the DC negative electrode;

outputting a test pulse to an outer switching device connected to the DC negative electrode when the detected voltages rise and exceed a predetermined threshold set in a low-voltage region; and

determining, when a test pulse is output to the outer switching device connected to the DC negative electrode, upon drop in the voltage between the DC neutral point and the DC negative electrode, that an inner switching device connected in a forward direction from the DC neutral point to an AC output terminal has a short circuit failure.

13. A power conversion device with a two-level switching circuit, comprising:

a voltage detection unit that detects the voltage between a DC positive electrode and a DC neutral point, the voltage between the DC neutral point and a DC negative electrode, and the voltage between the DC positive electrode and the DC negative electrode;

a test pulse output unit that outputs a test pulse to a switching device connected to the DC positive electrode when the voltages detected by the voltage detection unit rise and exceed a predetermined threshold set in a low-voltage region; and

a determination unit that determines, when the test pulse output unit outputs a test pulse to the switching device connected to the DC positive electrode, upon drop in the voltage between the DC positive electrode and the DC neutral point and the voltage between the DC neutral point and the DC negative electrode detected by the voltage detection unit, that a switching device connected to the DC negative electrode has a short circuit failure.

14. A power conversion device with a two-level switching circuit, comprising:

a voltage detection unit that detects the voltage between a DC positive electrode and a DC neutral point, the voltage between the DC neutral point and a DC negative electrode, and the voltage between the DC positive electrode and the DC negative electrode;

a test pulse output unit that outputs a test pulse to a switching device connected to the DC negative electrode when the voltages detected by the voltage detection unit rise and exceed a predetermined threshold set in a low-voltage region; and

a determination unit that determines, when the test pulse output unit outputs a test pulse to the switching device connected to the DC negative electrode, upon drop in the voltage between the DC positive electrode and the DC neutral point and the voltage between the DC neutral point and the DC negative electrode detected by the voltage detection unit, that a switching device connected to the DC positive electrode has a short circuit failure.

15. A method of diagnosing failures of switching devices included in a two-level switching circuit, comprising:

a voltage detection step of detecting the voltage between a DC positive electrode and a DC neutral point, the voltage between the DC neutral point and a DC negative electrode, and the voltage between the DC positive electrode and the DC negative electrode;

a test pulse output step of outputting a test pulse to a switching device connected to the DC positive electrode when the detected voltages rise and exceed a predetermined threshold set in a low-voltage region; and

a determination step of determining, when a test pulse is output to the switching device connected to the DC positive electrode, upon drop in the voltage between the DC positive electrode and the DC neutral point and the voltage between the DC neutral point and the DC negative electrode, that a switching device connected to the DC negative electrode has a short circuit failure.

16. A method of diagnosing failures of switching devices included in a two-level switching circuit, comprising:

a voltage detection step of detecting the voltage between a DC positive electrode and a DC neutral point, the voltage between the DC neutral point and a DC negative electrode, and the voltage between the DC positive electrode and the DC negative electrode;

a test pulse output step of outputting a test pulse to a switching device connected to the DC negative electrode when the detected voltages rise and exceed a predetermined threshold set in a low-voltage region; and

a determination step of determining, when the test pulse output unit outputs a test pulse to the switching device connected to the DC negative electrode, upon drop in the voltage between the DC positive electrode and the DC neutral point and the voltage between the DC neutral point and the DC negative electrode, that a switching device connected to the DC positive electrode has a short circuit failure.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 26, 2024
From: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
To: TMEIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 067244/0359 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 13, 2023
From: MORISAKI, KOUKI; LI, HAIQING
To: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 062373/0343 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230268847A1 · Aug 24, 2023
References Cited (13)
US 20150002125A1 · Kinoshita · 2015 [cited by examiner]
US 20210218345A1 · Yamaguchi · 2021 [cited by examiner]
JP 200333045A · 2003 [cited by applicant]
JP 2012210150A · 2012 [cited by applicant]
JP 2013176240A · 2013 [cited by applicant]
JP 201692977A · 2016 [cited by applicant]
JP 202072503A · 2020 [cited by applicant]
JP 6699253B2 · 2020 [cited by applicant]
International Search Report (with English Translation) and Written Opinion issued Sep. 21, 2021 in PCT/JP2021/025558, filed on Jul. 7, 2021, 12 pages. [cited by applicant]
Indian Office Action issued Feb. 15, 2024 in Indian Patent Application No. 202317005933, 6 pages. [cited by applicant]
International Preliminary Report on Patentability and Written Opinion issued Jan. 24, 2024 in PCT/JP2021/025558, 6 pages. [cited by applicant]
Japanese Office Action issued Nov. 7, 2023 in Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-532935 (with unedited computer-generated English Translation), 6 pages. [cited by applicant]
Japanese Office Action dated Mar. 19, 2024 in corresponding Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-532935 (with English translation), citing documents previously filed on a Form PTO-1449 on Jan. 13, 2023, 5 pages. [cited by applicant]