System and method for exchangeable capacitor modules for high power inverters and converters
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- providing a capacitor having a cutout switch to selectively remove the capacitor from electrical connection to a circuitry of a power inverter;
measuring a ripple voltage on the capacitor;
measuring a ripple current through the capacitor;
determining a representative signal from the ripple voltage and current measurements;
determining whether the signal exceeds a predetermined threshold; and
sending an output to a controller if the signal exceeds the predetermined threshold.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of and system for monitoring condition of a large capacitor connected across an output of a rectifier circuit in an operating electrical power transmission circuit in order to anticipate capacitor failure and facilitate appropriate corrective action is disclosed. The method includes measuring a ripple voltage on the capacitor and ripple current through the capacitor, determining from a representative signal whether the signal exceeds a predetermined threshold; and sending an output to a controller on a system operator if the signal exceeds the predetermined threshold. The ripple current and ripple voltage measurements may be provided as inputs to a digital to analog converter which produces and sends the representative signal to a microprocessor to generate the output to the controller.
62 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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providing a capacitor having a cutout switch to selectively remove the capacitor from electrical connection to a circuitry of a power inverter; measuring a ripple voltage on the capacitor; measuring a ripple current through the capacitor; determining a representative signal from the ripple voltage and current measurements; determining whether the signal exceeds a predetermined threshold; and sending an output to a controller if the signal exceeds the predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A power inverter comprising:
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a box housing an electrical circuit therein including a dc to ac converter; at least one electrolytic capacitor mounted to an exterior of the box, the capacitor being connected with the electrical circuit within the box, the capacitor including a cutout switch for selectively removing the capacitor from electrical connection to the circuitry within the box; and a capacitor health monitoring circuit operably connected to the capacitor to measure a ripple voltage on the capacitor, and measure a ripple current through the capacitor. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A health monitoring system, the system comprising:
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a capacitor having a cutout switch to selectively remove the capacitor from electrical connection to a circuitry of a power inverter; a ripple voltage detector connected across the capacitor; a ripple current detector connected in series with the capacitor; a measuring module connected to the voltage and current detectors operable to produce a signal representative of the ripple voltage and current and send an output to a controller if the signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification