阅读说明：本技术 晶闸管电路及晶闸管保护方法 (Thyristor circuit and thyristor protection method ) 是由 雷托·斯塔德勒 拉尔夫·贝奇勒 于 2020-05-08 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种晶闸管电路(100),包括至少一个支路,该至少一个支路包括至少一个晶闸管(10、20)、晶闸管控制电路(50)、以及电流检测器(60、61)。电流检测器(60、61)被配置为检测代表流过晶闸管的电流的电流值并且将所检测的电流值输入到晶闸管控制电路中。晶闸管控制电路被配置为基于晶闸管的劣化的阻断能力来确定所检测的电流值超过预先确定的电流阈值的故障条件。基于判断结果,晶闸管控制电路触发晶闸管进入导通状态。(A thyristor circuit (100) comprises at least one branch comprising at least one thyristor (10, 20), a thyristor control circuit (50), and a current detector (60, 61). A current detector (60, 61) is configured to detect a current value representing a current flowing through the thyristor and input the detected current value into the thyristor control circuit. The thyristor control circuit is configured to determine a fault condition in which the detected current value exceeds a predetermined current threshold based on a degraded blocking capability of the thyristor. Based on the judgment result, the thyristor control circuit triggers the thyristor to enter a conducting state.)

1. A thyristor circuit (100), comprising:

at least one branch comprising at least one thyristor (10, 20);

a thyristor control circuit (50) for selectively triggering the thyristor;

a current detector (60, 61) configured to detect a current value representing a current flowing through the thyristor and input the detected current value to the thyristor control circuit;

wherein the thyristor control circuit (50) is configured to determine a fault condition in which the detected current value exceeds a predetermined current threshold based on a degraded blocking capability of the thyristor, and to trigger the thyristor into a conducting state in dependence on the result of the determination.

2. The thyristor circuit (100) of claim 1, wherein the degraded blocking capability of the thyristor depends on a junction temperature of the thyristor.

3. The thyristor circuit (100) of claim 1 or 2, wherein triggering the thyristor into the conducting state comprises continuously triggering the thyristor into the conducting state.

4. The thyristor circuit (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the current threshold is set based on a junction temperature characteristic of the thyristor.

5. The thyristor circuit (100) of any preceding claim, further comprising a circuit breaker (70), wherein the thyristor control circuit is further configured to: the circuit breaker is controlled, such as to interrupt the current, when the thyristor control circuit continuously triggers the thyristor.

6. The thyristor circuit (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein triggering the thyristor into the conducting state comprises continuously triggering the thyristor for at least 50ms, preferably for at least 100ms, more preferably for at least 130ms, even more preferably for at least 160 ms.

7. The thyristor circuit (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the thyristor circuit comprises a plurality of legs, each leg comprising at least one thyristor, typically three phase legs, each phase leg comprising at least one thyristor.

8. The thyristor circuit (100) of claim 7, wherein the thyristor control circuit is configured to: determining the fault condition when the detected current value in at least one of the plurality of legs exceeds the predetermined current threshold.

9. The thyristor circuit (100) of claim 7 or 8, wherein the thyristor control circuit is configured to trigger the at least one thyristor of each branch into the conducting state in dependence on the fault condition.

10. The thyristor circuit (100) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one branch comprises a thyristor stack (30, 40).

11. The thyristor circuit (100) of claim 10, wherein the thyristor control circuit is configured to trigger all thyristors of the stack (30, 40) in the respective branch into the conducting state in dependence on the fault condition.

12. The thyristor circuit (100) of claim 10, wherein the branches each comprise a stack of thyristors (30, 40), wherein the thyristor control circuit is configured to trigger all thyristors of each stack (30, 40) in all branches into the conducting state in dependence on the fault condition.

13. The thyristor circuit (100) of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a network interface for connecting at least one of the thyristor control circuit (50) and the current detector (60, 61) to a network, wherein the network interface is configured to transceive digital signals between the thyristor control circuit (50) and/or the current detector (60, 61) and the data network, wherein the digital signals comprise operation commands, typically settings for the current threshold and/or information about the thyristor control circuit (50) and the current detector (60, 61) or the network.

14. A thyristor protection method for protecting a thyristor in at least one branch of a thyristor circuit, the method comprising:

detecting (1001) a current value representing a current flowing through the thyristor;

determining (1002) whether the current value exceeds a predetermined current threshold based on a blocking capability dependent on a junction temperature of the thyristor;

triggering (1003) the thyristor into a conducting state in dependence on the result of the determination.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein triggering the thyristor to enter the conducting state comprises continuously triggering the thyristor to enter the conducting state.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a thyristor circuit having at least one branch comprising at least one thyristor and a thyristor protection method for protecting a thyristor in at least one branch.

Background

In high voltage and high current applications, electronic devices typically employ thyristors as power electronic components. Upon receiving a trigger current at its gate, the thyristor begins to conduct current in a path from its anode terminal to its cathode terminal through its semiconductor junction stack. In the literature, triggering is also referred to as firing or gating. Unless triggered, the thyristor is in a non-conducting state or a blocking state.

Therefore, thyristors are used for current control in various applications, for example, as crowbars, high power rectifiers, etc. When a thyristor or a stack of a plurality of thyristors in series are connected in anti-parallel they can be used to control current in two directions, for example in AC applications such as AC furnaces.

In a typical application, a fault current condition may occur. In this case, the thyristors involved in conducting the fault current are typically blocked. As the junction temperature or junction temperature rises to high values, the blocking capability of the thyristor begins to degrade, resulting in a high resistance circuit through the junction. Therefore, in the case of blocking states and fault current conditions, an increase in junction temperature may also be promoted, which may lead to a failure or thermal destruction of the thyristor.

It is desirable to protect one or more thyristors in a thyristor circuit from thermal damage under fault current conditions.

Document US 3,611,043 a describes a protection circuit for a power system comprising a thyristor switch and a backup circuit breaker arranged in series with the thyristor switch. In the abnormal event that the thyristor switch is disabled, the protection circuit interrupts the backup circuit breaker.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a thyristor circuit with improved fault current behavior. This object is achieved by the subject matter as defined in the independent claims. Further exemplary embodiments are apparent from the dependent claims and the following description.

According to one aspect relating to a thyristor circuit, a thyristor circuit comprises at least one branch comprising at least one thyristor. The thyristor circuit also includes a thyristor control circuit and a current detector. The thyristor control circuit is used to selectively trigger the thyristor. The current detector is configured to detect a current value representing a current flowing through the thyristor. The current detector is also configured to input the detected current value to the thyristor control circuit. The thyristor control circuit is configured to determine a fault condition in which the detected current value exceeds a predetermined current threshold based on a degraded blocking capability of the thyristor. The thyristor control circuit is further configured to trigger the thyristor into a conducting state in dependence on the determination.

As used herein, a fault condition generally refers to an event or time period in which some electrical value of the thyristor or branch in which the thyristor is located exceeds a limit value. The limit values may represent some

In some aspects, the fault condition may be an excess current or an over-current occurring in one or more branches. For example, the fault condition may be a branch fault, e.g., a current in one branch is too high. In other examples, the fault condition may be a multi-branch fault, e.g., the current in the multiple branches is too high.

Current too high as used herein generally refers to the magnitude or amplitude of the current that can cause damage to the thyristor in a short period of time, such as a period of time shorter than 500ms or shorter than 100ms or shorter than 10 ms.

According to one aspect relating to a thyristor protection method, a thyristor protection method for protecting a thyristor in at least one branch of a thyristor circuit, comprising: detecting a current value representative of a current flowing through the thyristor; determining whether the current value exceeds a predetermined current threshold value based on the deteriorated blocking capability of the thyristor; and triggering the thyristor to enter a conducting state according to the determination result.

In the above aspect relating to the thyristor circuit or the thyristor protection method, when the thyristor control circuit determines that a fault condition has occurred, it issues a trigger current to the gate of at least one thyristor so that the thyristor is brought into a conducting state. The fault condition is detected as an over-current condition rather than an over-voltage condition. Fault conditions include high current conditions or overcurrent conditions, typically based on a fault external to the device that includes the thyristor circuit (e.g., a converter external fault).

When the thyristor control circuit determines that a fault condition has not occurred, it may perform normal operation of the thyristor, i.e., perform selective triggering operations on the thyristor according to a normal operation application scheme. This normal operation application scheme may also be performed by other devices than the thyristor control circuit. As non-limiting and illustrative examples, the respective device may trigger the thyristor, for example, according to a crowbar scheme in a crowbar application, for example, according to a rectification scheme in a rectification application, or for example, according to a current and/or power control scheme of an AC electric arc furnace.

The current detector may be any suitable type of current detection device and may be, by way of non-limiting example, an inductively coupled current detector. The current threshold may be predetermined and set in advance (i.e., prior to operation). For example, the current threshold may be set in view of the nominal or extended operating range of the thyristor. The nominal operating range as used herein includes at least the current that the thyristor can permanently withstand, for example by design, without being degraded or destroyed beyond design limits. As used herein, an extended operating range includes at least the current that a thyristor can withstand for a limited period of time. For example, the current threshold may be set just above the maximum nominal operating current of the thyristor, or may be set to, for example, 105%, 110%, or 115% of the nominal operating current. In other examples, the current threshold may be set just above the extended operating range.

As used herein, the conduction state to be achieved by triggering a thyristor is typically a state in which the conduction current valve behavior is expected. In the on-state, the resistance across the junction of the thyristor is typically significantly lower than during the flow of unintended current that flows with reduced blocking conditions (e.g., at high temperature conditions of the junction).

By deliberately triggering the at least one thyristor into a conducting state upon detection of a fault condition, the degradation of the blocking capability may be suppressed and thus a detrimental increase in junction temperature due to fault current through the at least one thyristor may be prevented.

According to one embodiment, triggering the thyristor to enter the conducting state comprises continuously triggering the thyristor to enter the conducting state. Therefore, the configuration can be such that the thyristor is continuously triggered into the on state in accordance with the determination result. As used herein, continuous triggering means that the conducting state of the thyristor is maintained by the triggering operation without allowing the thyristor to revert to the blocking state, at least as long as the fault condition is determined to prevail.

In various embodiments, the continuously triggered thyristor entering the conducting state may comprise continuously triggering the thyristor for at least 50ms, preferably at least 100ms, more preferably at least 130ms, even more preferably at least 160 ms.

In other embodiments, the thyristor circuit further comprises a circuit breaker, e.g. for branching current. Herein, when the thyristor is continuously triggered, the circuit breaker is controlled so as to interrupt a current, such as a branch current. As used herein, the term branch current may refer to all branch currents where multiple branches are provided.

Circuit breaker operation involves a delay or time lag, which is primarily caused by the circuit breaker's actuator, which performs a mechanical action to interrupt the line carrying the branch current. In embodiments involving circuit breakers, control of the thyristor control circuits described herein may effectively bridge the time gap from the occurrence of a fault condition until safe interruption by the circuit breaker.

In various embodiments, the continuously triggered thyristor entering the conducting state may include continuously triggering the thyristor for at least as long as the time required for the circuit breaker to interrupt the line carrying the branch current.

In other embodiments, the thyristor circuit includes multiple legs, such as but not limited to three legs in a three-phase system. Each branch comprises at least one thyristor. According to an embodiment, the thyristors in each branch are controlled in a similar manner, e.g. by a thyristor control circuit. For example, depending on the determination, the thyristor in each of the legs is triggered into a conducting state, as described herein.

In embodiments employing multiple branches, a circuit breaker as described herein may be configured to interrupt current in each of the branches, e.g., a common circuit breaker for all branches. For example, the circuit breaker is controlled to interrupt the branch current in all branches when one or more thyristors are continuously triggered.

According to other embodiments, a fault condition is determined when a current value detected in at least one of the plurality of branches exceeds a predetermined current threshold. For example, and not by way of limitation, when the value of the current detected in each of only one or two of the three legs of the three-phase system exceeds a predetermined current threshold, a fault condition is determined and one or more thyristors (preferably, the thyristors of all legs) are triggered into a conducting state. According to yet other embodiments, the thyristor control circuit is configured to trigger the at least one thyristor of each branch into a conducting state in dependence on a fault condition.

According to other embodiments, at least one branch comprises a thyristor stack. The thyristor stack includes two or more thyristors. In one aspect, the number of thyristors in the stack is selected depending on the voltage level to which the stack is connected or the voltage level to which the stack is exposed. The voltage level is, for example, a nominal voltage level or a maximum desired voltage level.

In one exemplary configuration, the thyristor stack comprises 10 or more thyristors, preferably 20 or more thyristors, even more preferably 24 thyristors. The stack is typically made up of an arrangement of a first series connection of thyristors and a second series connection of thyristors. The first series connection and the second series connection are arranged in an anti-parallel connection, i.e. for carrying current in one branch direction and in a branch direction opposite to the one branch direction, respectively.

In embodiments employing thyristor stacks, the thyristor control circuit is configured to trigger all thyristors stacked in the respective branch into a conducting state in dependence on a fault condition.

In other embodiments employing thyristor stacks, wherein the thyristor stacks are disposed in a plurality of legs, the thyristor control circuit is configured to trigger all thyristors of each stack in all legs into a conducting state depending on a fault condition.

According to an aspect, the thyristor circuit may further comprise a network interface for connecting at least one of the thyristor control circuit and the current detector to a data network, in particular a global data network. The data network may be a TCP/IP network such as the internet. The thyristor control circuit and/or the current detector are operatively connected to the network interface to execute commands received from the data network. The commands may include control commands for controlling the thyristor control circuit, for example, set commands for setting a current threshold, or circuit breaker operation commands. In this case, the thyristor control circuit is adapted to perform a task in response to a control command. The command may include a status request. In response to the status request or in the absence of a previous status request, the thyristor control circuit and/or the current detector may be adapted to send status information to the network interface, which is then adapted to send the status information over the network. The commands may include update commands that include update data. In this case, the thyristor control circuit and/or the current sensor are adapted to initiate an update in response to an update command and to use the update data. According to one embodiment, the network interface is configured to transceive digital signals between the thyristor control circuit and/or the current detector on the one hand and the data network on the other hand. The digital signal includes an operating command, typically a set value of a current threshold, and/or information about the thyristor control circuit and/or the current detector or network.

Drawings

The subject matter of the present disclosure is explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings. In the drawings, there is shown in the drawings,

fig. 1 schematically shows a thyristor circuit according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a thyristor circuit according to another embodiment; and

fig. 3 shows a flow diagram of a thyristor protection method according to embodiments described herein.

In all the drawings, the same or similar parts have the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a thyristor circuit 100 with a branch comprising a series circuit consisting of a snubber reactor 80 and a pair of anti-parallel connected thyristors 10, 20. The shunt reactor 81 is connected to the series circuit in an electrically parallel manner. In fig. 1, upstream of the feed line 75, the numeral "3" indicates a three-phase system in which a thyristor circuit 100 is provided in each of three branches. However, the present disclosure is not limited to three-phase systems, and 1, 2, or 4 or more legs may also be provided. A three-phase circuit breaker 70 is provided to electrically interrupt the feeder 75 upon receiving a circuit breaker interrupt signal.

The thyristor control circuit 50 is configured such that it can selectively trigger the thyristors 10, 20. Selective triggering as used herein may include a thyristor control circuit 50, the thyristor control circuit 50 controlling each thyristor 10, 20 independently of each other. As used herein, selective triggering may also include a thyristor control circuit 50, the thyristor control circuit 50 controlling multiple thyristors 10, 20 simultaneously, e.g., a common set of thyristors 10, 20 or a stack of thyristors 10, 20 (to be described later). The thyristor control circuit 50 may be connected to the gates of the respective thyristors 10, 20 via gate trigger lines 55. In the configuration shown in fig. 1, the thyristor control circuit 50 is also connected to a three-phase circuit breaker 70 via a breaker trip line 56 to control the circuit breaker to interrupt the phase of the feeder line 75.

The current sensor assembly including the inductor current sensor 61 and the current value output circuit 60 coupled thereto is connected to the thyristor control circuit 50 via a current signal line 65. The current sensor 61 detects the current flowing in the branch including the thyristors 10, 20. The current value output circuit 60 calculates a current value from the output of the current sensor 61, and inputs the current value as a current signal into the thyristor control circuit 50.

In the thyristor control circuit 50, the value of the current threshold is set in advance. The thyristor control circuit 50 determines whether the current in the branch, which is input as a current signal via the current signal line 65, exceeds a current threshold. As used herein, exceeding includes exceeding the absolute value of the current, i.e., exceeding is satisfied when the positive-sign current becomes greater than a maximum value or when the negative-sign current becomes less than a minimum value. In an exemplary embodiment, the maximum value is the inverse sign representation of the minimum value, i.e. taking into account the absolute value of the current.

The current threshold is typically chosen to represent a branch fault, such as a low resistance current or a short circuit current; in other words, the current threshold typically represents an overcurrent condition that may cause damage (such as thermal damage) to the thyristor.

The current threshold in the present embodiment is predetermined and set in advance (i.e., before operation). Herein, the setting of the current threshold (i.e. the maximum current in this example) takes into account the nominal operating range of the thyristor. When the junction temperature rises due to the current flowing through the thyristor, the maximum current may be determined in terms of the blocking capability of the offset (i.e., degradation). The maximum current may also be determined as the current that the thyristor can permanently withstand without being destroyed.

When the thyristor control circuit 50 determines that a fault condition exists, it issues a gate trigger signal to the gates of the thyristors 10, 20 via the gate trigger line 55. A gate trigger signal as used herein is a signal that ensures an ignition state or pass-through state of the thyristor from its anode to its cathode (e.g., via sufficient gate current flowing into the gate). The gate trigger signal is typically a pulse signal or pulse train having a pulse width of at least 50ms (preferably at least 100ms or at least 130ms or at least 160 ms).

Along with issuing the gate trigger signal, for example, at the same time the gate trigger signal is issued, the thyristor control circuit 50 issues a breaker trigger signal via a breaker trigger line 56. The circuit breaker trigger signal instructs the circuit breaker to be operated into its interrupting, i.e. open, position.

In conventional applications, when a large current satisfying a fault condition flows through a branch including the thyristors 10, 20, any thyristor 10, 20 state still operated in a blocking state (i.e., a non-fired state) may deteriorate the blocking capability due to a temperature increase caused by the large current. As a result, the temperature of the pn junction in the thyristors 10, 20 further increases. Even if a circuit breaker such as the circuit breaker 70 is operated when a fault condition is detected, the operation of the circuit breaker takes several tens milliseconds to several hundreds milliseconds. If high junction temperatures occur in the thyristor during this time period or time gap, the blocking may be sufficient to permanently degrade or damage the thyristor.

In contrast, according to the present disclosure, the thyristors 10, 20 are operated to be in a conducting state when a fault condition is detected. When a fault current (i.e., an excessively high current) flows through the thyristors 10, 20, the pn junctions are not blocked, thereby suppressing the temperature rise during the above-described period to a low value.

In other words, the current through the thyristor valves 10, 20 is metered. If a fault occurs and the current exceeds a certain level, the triggering of the thyristor switches immediately from controlled and phase-sequential triggering to continuous triggering of all phases. This allows the fault current to flow without any reduction, but the protection thyristors 10, 20 are fired continuously, since it does not have to block, i.e. the thyristors 10, 20 do not have to cope with any overvoltage.

Under fault conditions or overcurrent conditions, no mandatory requirement for an overvoltage condition exists. Due to the increased junction temperature, the thyristors 10, 20 may in this case not be able to block a certain voltage that could otherwise be blocked without increasing the temperature.

In conventional arrangements, the thyristors 10, 20 may be controlled to be in a blocking state, thereby overheating. For a thyristor that is overheated, the blocking voltage capability is greatly reduced due to the increased junction temperature. In conventional arrangements not employing the present technique, the thyristors 10, 20 are controlled to block further, which may lead to failure and/or damage.

Although the fault current flowing through the thyristors 10, 20 heats the junctions and reduces the blocking voltage capability of the semiconductors, the thyristors 10, 20 are protected since the circuit breaker 70 then disconnects the feed line 75 for tens to hundreds of milliseconds, without having to block the voltage any more. No fault (i.e. overload current) is prevented, but blocking of the thyristors 10, 20 in case of a fault condition, which could damage the semiconductor when the fault current has to be carried, is prevented.

It should be noted that according to the present technique, not voltage but a large current is monitored, which is used by the thyristor control circuit 50 to determine the condition under which the trigger command is issued. Large currents or overcurrents originate from a converter external fault.

By employing the present technique, for example, a series reactor for limiting a fault current can be omitted. Any such reactor increases the cost and, due to electrical losses, increases the operating cost. It adds components that may fail. By employing the present technique, this component is no longer required.

Fig. 2 schematically shows a thyristor circuit according to another embodiment. In the embodiment of fig. 2, a stack 30 of series thyristors and an anti-parallel stack 40 of series thyristors are provided instead of the single thyristors 10, 20. Each stack 30, 40 includes two or more thyristors connected in series (i.e., stacked). In typical applications, each stack 30, 40 includes at least 10 or at least 20 thyristors; for example, each stack 30, 40 includes 24 thyristors, but is not limited to these numbers. As with the configuration shown in fig. 1, in the embodiment of fig. 2, three branches are configured as shown, and a three-phase circuit breaker 70 is provided to interrupt the feeder 75 upon receiving a breaker signal. Further, a shunt reactor 81 is provided for each phase. It should be noted that three phases are merely examples, and the present disclosure is not limited to three-phase applications, but is applicable to single-phase or multi-phase applications having a number of phases different from three.

The main manner of operation of the other components, including the thyristor control circuit 50, is largely as described above in the embodiment of fig. 1.

In the embodiment of fig. 2 employing stacks 30, 40, it is preferred that all thyristors of the stacks 30, 40 or all thyristors of each stack 30, 40 in the one or more legs in which a fault condition occurs are brought into a conducting state by triggering, preferably continuously triggering, when a fault condition is determined to be present in the one or more legs.

In the embodiment of fig. 2, the configuration may be such that when a fault condition is determined to exist in one or more legs, triggering, preferably continuous triggering, all thyristors of each stack 30, 40 in all legs enter a conducting state.

Fig. 3 shows a flow diagram of a thyristor protection method according to embodiments described herein. The method may be applied to, for example, the exemplary configuration shown in fig. 1 or the exemplary configuration shown in fig. 2, but it may be applied to each suitable configuration having at least some of the constituent elements described above. The method is a thyristor protection method for protecting thyristors 10, 20 (which may be located in thyristor stacks 30, 40) in at least one branch of a thyristor circuit 100.

In fig. 3, the method starts at 1000. The process proceeds to 1001 where a current value representative of the current flowing through the thyristor 10, 20 is detected. At 1002, it is determined whether the current value exceeds a predetermined current threshold. The current threshold is set in advance, the setting of which (i.e. in this case the maximum current that the thyristor can permanently withstand without being destroyed) taking into account the nominal operating range of the thyristor.

If at 1002 it is determined that the current value does not exceed the predetermined current threshold, then the process returns to 1001. If the current value is determined to exceed the predetermined current threshold at 1002, processing continues to 1003. In 1003 the thyristors 10, 20 are triggered into a conducting state, preferably the thyristors 10, 20 are continuously triggered into a conducting state. Processing proceeds to 1004 where 1004 the method ends.

In fig. 3, in 1003, triggering the thyristor to enter the conducting state typically includes continuously triggering the thyristor for at least 50ms or at least 100ms or at least 130ms or at least 160ms, as an example.

Together with the triggering in 1003, the method generally provides for issuing a triggering operation to open a circuit breaker, such as the three-phase circuit breaker 70 of fig. 1 and 2.

While the present disclosure describes particular embodiments and aspects in detail with reference to the drawings and the foregoing description, any such description and illustrations should be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

Other variations of the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In the claims, the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or controller or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the specification or claims. For example, the current controllers 60, 61 may be a single unit. For example, the current controllers 60, 61 or portions thereof may be integrated with the thyristor control circuit 50. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope.