Pre-charging a capacitor bank
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for pre-charging a capacitor bank, the system comprising:
- a power switch coupled in series to a direct current input source;
a current limiting device coupled in series between the power switch and a capacitor bank comprising one or more capacitor devices;
a first control device configured to control the operation of the power switch by;
receiving one or more signals indicative of a charge current associated with the capacitor bank; and
controlling operation of the power switch based at least in part on the charge current; and
a second control device configured to determine a capacitor bank voltage at the capacitor bank and to control operation of the first control device based at least in part on the determined capacitor bank voltage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods of pre-charging a capacitor bank are provided. In particular, a power switch and a current limiting device can be coupled in series between a power source and a capacitor bank. Operation of the power switch can be controlled to limit a peak charging current applied to the capacitor bank during a pre-charging process. In this manner, a duty cycle of a pulse signal can be modified based at least in part on a measured current flowing into the current limiting device. In addition, a voltage at the capacitor bank can be monitored, and the pre-charging process can be ceased when the monitored voltage reaches a threshold.
26 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A system for pre-charging a capacitor bank, the system comprising:
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a power switch coupled in series to a direct current input source; a current limiting device coupled in series between the power switch and a capacitor bank comprising one or more capacitor devices; a first control device configured to control the operation of the power switch by; receiving one or more signals indicative of a charge current associated with the capacitor bank; and controlling operation of the power switch based at least in part on the charge current; and a second control device configured to determine a capacitor bank voltage at the capacitor bank and to control operation of the first control device based at least in part on the determined capacitor bank voltage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A control method of pre-charging a capacitor bank comprising one or more capacitor devices, the capacitor bank coupled in series with a power switch and a current limiting device between a power source and the capacitor bank, the method comprising:
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applying, by the power source, a direct current input for use in pre-charging the capacitor bank; monitoring, by a first control device, a magnitude of the direct current flowing into the current limiting device; selectively controlling, by the first control device, operation of the power switch such that, when the magnitude of direct current reaches a threshold current value, the power switch is turned off; monitoring, by a second control device, a voltage at the capacitor bank; controlling, by the second control device, operation of the first control device based, at least in part, on the voltage of the capacitor bank, and when the voltage at the capacitor bank reaches a threshold voltage value, ceasing pre-charging the capacitor bank such that the current limiting device is bypassed. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification