System and method for connecting the midpoint of a dual-DC bus to ground

A system includes a power source that provides alternating current (AC) power and is connected to system ground; a dual-DC bus that provides direct current (DC) power to a load, and comprises a positive line, a negative line, and a midpoint line; an active rectifier that converts AC power from the power source to DC power for the dual-DC bus; and an impedance circuit connected between the midpoint of the dual-DC bus and the system ground that provides impedance for third harmonic common-mode current.

BACKGROUND

The present invention is related to power systems, and in particular to a system and method for connecting a midpoint of a dual-DC bus of an active rectifier system to ground.

Aircraft systems, such as motor drive systems, often require direct current (DC) power for operation. The main sources of power onboard aircraft are generally gas turbine engine driven alternating current (AC) generators. These generators provide polyphase AC power that must be converted into DC power for use in the motor drive and other DC systems. In order to convert the polyphase AC power from the AC power sources into DC power, active rectifiers are often used.

SUMMARY

A system includes a power source, a dual-DC bus, an active rectifier, and an impedance circuit. The power source provides alternating current (AC) power and is connected to system ground. The dual-DC bus provides direct current (DC) power to a load, and comprises a positive line, a negative line, and a midpoint line. The active rectifier converts AC power from the power source to DC power for the dual-DC bus. The impedance circuit is connected between the midpoint of the dual-DC bus and the system ground and provides impedance for third harmonic common-mode current.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention describes a system and method for connecting a midpoint of a dual-DC bus of an active rectifier system to system ground. Active rectifiers, such as Vienna rectifiers for three-phase power systems, may provide DC output power on a dual-DC bus. These dual-DC buses have midpoints which are different than the power system ground. It is desirable to connect the midpoint of a dual-DC bus to the power system ground. However, directly tying the midpoint to the power system ground can create issues. For instance, when the active rectifier controller is turned off, there could be a third harmonic current flowing in the short-circuit path to ground. This third harmonic current can be quite high, despite the active rectifier being inactive. Even if the active rectifier is activated prior to applying AC power, there is a transient period before the active rectifier reaches a steady-state in which a third harmonic current may be very high.

The system includes an AC power source, an EMI filter, an active rectifier, and a dual-DC bus that provides DC power to a load from the active rectifier. The dual-DC bus includes a positive voltage line, a negative voltage line, and a midpoint line. The AC power source is connected to the system ground. One embodiment of the present invention involves connecting the midpoint of the dual-DC bus to the system ground through a high frequency impedance circuit. This high frequency impedance circuit comprises a capacitor in parallel with a resistor-capacitor (RC) circuit. In another embodiment, the midpoint of the dual-DC bus is connected to the system ground through a power resistor which is used to reduce the amplitude of a third-harmonic common-mode current to an acceptable level.

FIG. 1is a circuit diagram illustrating system10for connecting the midpoint of a dual-DC bus to power system ground according to an embodiment of the present invention. System10includes power source12, EMI filter14, active rectifier16, load18, dual-DC bus lines20a-20c,impedance circuit22, and system grounds24aand24b.In the present embodiment, power source12is a three-phase AC power source connected to EMI filter14. In other embodiments, power source12may include any number of phases. Power source12is connected to system ground24a.Although illustrated as a Vienna rectifier, active rectifier16may be implemented as any known active rectifier circuit. EMI filter14is utilized to filter EMI generated within system10. EMI filter14may include, among other things, common-mode filters and differential-mode filters. Load18is any load that requires DC power such as, for example, an electric motor drive.

Active rectifier16is used to convert the three-phase AC power provided by power source12into DC power provided on dual-DC bus lines20a-20c.Active rectifier16includes an LCL filter consisting of inductors LF1and LF2, corresponding resistances RLF1and RLF2, capacitors CF, and corresponding resistances RCF. This LCL filter is implemented to further filter EMI within system10. Active rectifier16also includes switches S1-S6, diodes D1-D12, body diodes DB1-DB6, and output capacitors COUT1and COUT2. Switches S1-S6are controlled by switching controller26. Switching controller26is implemented using any suitable controller such as, for example, a microcontroller. Switching controller26utilizes, for example, pulse-width modulation (PWM) to control switches S1-S6in order to control the output voltage on the dual-DC bus. Active rectifier16allows bidirectional flow between the input and output of the rectifier. Although illustrated as a single rectifier, active rectifier16may comprise multiple active rectifiers in parallel to provide better performance.

Load18is provided DC power on a dual-DC bus comprising lines20a-20cfrom active rectifier16. Output20aprovides positive DC voltage from active rectifier16; output20cprovides negative DC voltage from active rectifier16; and output20bis a neutral output from active rectifier16. This type of dual-DC bus configuration provides better efficiency for loads such as, for example, motor drives. Impedance circuit22is used to connect midpoint20bto system ground24b.System ground24bis the same as system ground24a.Because of this, a third harmonic common-mode current may flow in the short-circuit path created by connecting midpoint20bto system ground24b.Impedance circuit22is utilized to handle this third harmonic common-mode current and allow midpoint20bto be connected to system ground24b.

FIG. 2Ais a circuit diagram illustrating impedance circuit22according to an embodiment of the present invention. Midpoint line20bis connected through a high-frequency impedance circuit to system ground24b,which is the same ground as system ground24a(FIG. 1). This is done to provide an impedance for any high-frequency third harmonic current flowing in the short circuit path created by connecting midpoint line20bto system ground24b.Impedance circuit22includes capacitors C1and C2, and resistor R1. Capacitor C1and resistor R1form an RC circuit that is connected in parallel with capacitor C2. Impedance circuit20provides a high-frequency impedance path for common-mode EMI on the load side of active rectifier16. Any values for C1, C2and R1sufficient to create a high-frequency impedance may be used. Although illustrated using a capacitor and RC circuit in parallel, impedance circuit22may be implemented using any circuit that creates a high frequency impedance between midpoint20band system ground24b.

FIG. 2Bis a circuit diagram illustrating impedance circuit22according to another embodiment of the present invention. Power resistor30is implemented between midpoint line20band system ground24b.This provides damping for the third harmonic common-mode current flowing in the short-circuit path created by connecting midpoint20bto system ground24b.The value of resistance for power resistor30is any value sufficient to damp the third harmonic current, such as, for example, between 200Ω and 1 KΩ. This resistor should have a power rating sufficient to handle this third harmonic current such as, for example, between 10 watts and 20 watts.

A system according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, among other possible things includes: a power source that provides alternating current (AC) power and is connected to system ground, a dual-DC bus that provides direct current (DC) power to a load, and comprises a positive line, a negative line, and a midpoint line, an active rectifier that converts AC power from the power source to DC power for the dual-DC bus, and an impedance circuit connected between the midpoint of the dual-DC bus and the system ground that provides impedance for third harmonic common-mode current.

The impedance circuit can comprise a first capacitor, and a resistor-capacitor (RC) circuit comprising a resistor connected in series with a second capacitor, wherein the RC circuit is connected in parallel with the first capacitor.

The impedance circuit can comprise a power resistor.

The power resistor has a resistance of between 200Ω and 1 KΩ.

The power resistor has a power rating of between 10 watts and 20 watts.

The power source is three-phase power source.

The active rectifier is controlled by a controller.

An electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter that filters EMI generated by the active rectifier.

A method according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, among other possible things includes: providing alternating current (AC) power to an active rectifier from an AC power source that is grounded to system ground, converting the AC power into direct current (DC) power using an active rectifier, providing the DC power from the active rectifier to a dual-DC bus that includes a positive line, a negative line, and a midpoint line, connecting the midpoint line to the system ground through an impedance circuit, and providing impedance for third-harmonic common-mode current using the impedance circuit.

The impedance circuit can comprise a first capacitor, and a resistor-capacitor (RC) circuit comprising a resistor connected in series with a second capacitor, wherein the RC circuit is connected in parallel with the first capacitor.

The impedance circuit can comprise a power resistor.

The power resistor has a resistance of between 200Ω and 1 KΩ.

The power resistor has a power rating of between 10 watts and 20 watts.

The power source is three-phase power source.

The active rectifier is controlled by a controller.

The method further includes filtering EMI generated by the active rectifier using an EMI filter.