WO2007031935A2 - Inrush current limiter device and power factor correction circuit comprising the same - Google Patents

Inrush current limiter device and power factor correction circuit comprising the same Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2007031935A2
WO2007031935A2 PCT/IB2006/053213 IB2006053213W WO2007031935A2 WO 2007031935 A2 WO2007031935 A2 WO 2007031935A2 IB 2006053213 W IB2006053213 W IB 2006053213W WO 2007031935 A2 WO2007031935 A2 WO 2007031935A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
igbt
inrush current
current limiter
disinfection
limiter device
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2006/053213
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2007031935A3 (en
Inventor
Wolfgang Schiene
Georg Greuel
Marc Maria Alex Bleukx
Original Assignee
Philips Intellectual Property & Standards Gmbh
Koninklijke Philips Electronics N. V.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Philips Intellectual Property & Standards Gmbh, Koninklijke Philips Electronics N. V. filed Critical Philips Intellectual Property & Standards Gmbh
Priority to EP06795988A priority Critical patent/EP1927041A2/en
Priority to JP2008530698A priority patent/JP2009509485A/en
Priority to CN2006800339226A priority patent/CN101263439B/en
Priority to US12/067,053 priority patent/US7974057B2/en
Publication of WO2007031935A2 publication Critical patent/WO2007031935A2/en
Publication of WO2007031935A3 publication Critical patent/WO2007031935A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H02GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02MAPPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF
    • H02M1/00Details of apparatus for conversion
    • H02M1/42Circuits or arrangements for compensating for or adjusting power factor in converters or inverters
    • GPHYSICS
    • G05CONTROLLING; REGULATING
    • G05FSYSTEMS FOR REGULATING ELECTRIC OR MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G05F1/00Automatic systems in which deviations of an electric quantity from one or more predetermined values are detected at the output of the system and fed back to a device within the system to restore the detected quantity to its predetermined value or values, i.e. retroactive systems
    • G05F1/70Regulating power factor; Regulating reactive current or power
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H02GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02HEMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS
    • H02H9/00Emergency protective circuit arrangements for limiting excess current or voltage without disconnection
    • H02H9/001Emergency protective circuit arrangements for limiting excess current or voltage without disconnection limiting speed of change of electric quantities, e.g. soft switching on or off
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02BCLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B70/00Technologies for an efficient end-user side electric power management and consumption
    • Y02B70/10Technologies improving the efficiency by using switched-mode power supplies [SMPS], i.e. efficient power electronics conversion e.g. power factor correction or reduction of losses in power supplies or efficient standby modes

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an inrush current limiter device for limiting inrushing current to a connectable load comprising: at least one switchable IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor)-based limiter unit for selectively limiting the inrushing current, having at least one current limiting conductor element for limited leading of current, and at least an IGBT-based switch, whereby the IGBT(Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor)-based switch (Q2) is used as well as a controlled current limiter and as a by-pass element, and at least one control device for controlling the IGBT-based switch, whereby the control device comprises at least one IGBT-based switch supply and means for realizing a smooth flank of an output signal at the selected conductor element.
  • IGBT Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor
  • the present invention further relates to a power factor control circuit connectable to and/or between a main fed and a load comprising: an AC/DC converter with a capacitive buffer unit, and an inrush current limiter device.
  • Such well known power factor control circuits and inrush current limiters are used in a wide application area, where a load operating at high level of power and/or voltage has to be protected from damages by inrushing current.
  • Modern loads are optimized for maximum electrical efficiency by minimizing consumption of electrical power.
  • the changes made to improve the efficiency of the ballast reduce certain external electrical resistances. This gives rise to a new problem: the occurrence of a large inrush off-current upon the first application of electrical power.
  • This inrush current flows as a main filter capacitor and the ballast charges to its steady state value.
  • the combined magnitude of the inrush is potentially large enough to cause contact failure of the switching device due to arching and contact welding.
  • special power factor control circuits having inrush current limiters, are used.
  • Well known power factor control circuits for loads usually comprise an AC/DC converter followed by an inrush current limiter comprising an IGBT based switch supplied by an IGBT gate supply.
  • IGBT-switch For controlling the IGBT-switch, especially for switching, complex integrated circuits are used.
  • the inrush current at switch-on is limited by either a NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) resistor, or a power resistor, with its short circuited by a relay or an IGBT after switch-on. While a NTC is only usable for lower power levels around a few one hundred Watt due to its power losses, a relay has a low loss but a lifetime that is limited.
  • NTC Negative Temperature Coefficient
  • IGBT-based switches are a good solution with low losses for use at several thousand Watt and long lifetime, but the moment and speed of switching it from off-state to a on-state is very critical. If this happens too soon or too abruptly, the IGBT- switch will break down due to excess current and power dissipation at the moment of switch-on.
  • the power factor control circuit known by the prior art works abruptly and produces drop-outs during the start period of the load due to a lack of synchronization between the load and an upstream arranged buffer.
  • an inrush current limiter device for limiting inrushing current to a connectable load comprising: at least one switchable IGBT-based limiter unit for selectively limiting the inrushing current, having at least one current limiting conductor element for a limited leading of current and at least an IGBT-based switch whereby the IGBT-based switch is used as well as a controlled current limiter and as a by-pass element, and at least one control device for controlling the IGBT- based switch, whereby the control device comprises at least one IGBT-based switch supply and means for realizing smooth flanks of an output signal at the selected conductor element.
  • the means for realizing solely comprise elements selected from the group comprising resistors, capacitors, diodes, and/or passive components etc. This realizes a simple design, which is easy to produce. Thus no active IC-components must be used.
  • the term "solely” does not exclude cabling or other connecting means.
  • the means for realizing can also comprise elements selected from the group of integrated passive circuits or networks alone or in combination with the aforementioned non IC elements.
  • the elements and/or units could be arranged at least partly in an integrated way into a housing.
  • the housing can accommodate further units like heat sinks and the like.
  • the means for realizing are arranged as a filter unit, selected from the group comprising low-pass filter units, coupled to the IGBT- based switch. By this filter the interfering signals are stopped from reaching the IGBT- based switch. Thereby sharp and abrupt flanks are prevented at the output of the conductor elements.
  • the low pass filters are preferably non-IC-low pass filters without active IC-elements.
  • the elements of a filter unit are coupled like a star. From the center there is one line leading to the input of IGBT-based switch. Another line is directed via a diode, preferably a zener diode to the output of the IGBT-based switch. A third line is coupled to the input of an IGBT gate supply via a dV/dt limit resistor. A fourth line couples a dV/dt limit capacitor to the star like arrangement. The whole arrangement represents a low pass filter.
  • the inrush current limiter device further comprises a chargeable capacitive buffer, arranged downstream in regard to the IGBT-based limiter unit for forming a buffered output.
  • This capacitive buffer charges until it is completely charged. After fully charging, the current flows to the load and the IGBT-based switch is switched, such that the current passes the non-limited bypass conductor element part of the IGBT-based switch.
  • control device further comprises means for synchronizing the switching in regard to connectable load and/or the capacitive buffer.
  • means for synchronizing the switching In regard to connectable load and/or the capacitive buffer.
  • the switching must be controlled in regard to the filling and the load. If the switch is activated such that the current to the load flows via the limited conductor element and the capacitive buffer is not completely filled, the load will completely use the energy stored in the buffer due to the fact, that the conductor elements do not supply the load with sufficient energy. So when the buffer is empty and the limited current conductor element does not provide enough power to the load, the load will have drop outs.
  • means for synchronizing are provided. That means the IGBT-based switch unit switches from one position to the other depending from the filling status of the buffer and the operation mode of the load.
  • the means for synchronizing comprise at least one switch and load activation circuit detecting the filling, status or charging of the chargeable capacitive buffer and/or sending a corresponding signal for switching the IGBT-based switch so that the by-pass conductor element part of the IGBT-based switch is the current leading conductor.
  • a power factor control circuit connectable to and/or between a main fed and a load comprising: An AC/DC converter with a capacitive DC buffer unit and an inrush current limiter device comprising a PFC voltage regulation unit arranged upstream to and having a regulation conductor meeting the inrush current limiter.
  • the capacitive DC buffer serves as a high frequency decoupling unit and is formed by a corresponding capacitor.
  • the output of the AC/DC converter is coupled to the inrush current limiter device by conductors, whereby one conductor meets the regulation conductor for decoupling and storing current in the DC buffer unit.
  • the IGBT-based switch supply, the means for realizing smooth flanks and/or the means for synchronizing can be at least partly integrated arranged. Even a combination with the IGBT-based limiter unit is possible. By this integrated arrangement the resulting integrated circuit would be suitable for smaller power ratings as well as for mass production in form of an integrated circuit. All elements could be arranged discrete or at least partly in an integrated circuit manner.
  • Figure 1 shows systematically an arrangement of mains fed, power factor circuit control with inrushing limiter device and a load
  • Figure 2 shows systematically a more detailed view of the inrush current limiter device
  • Figure 3 shows a detailed view of an electronic layout.
  • Fig. 1 shows schematically the design of the invention, whereby a mains fed 1 or a common ac source is connected to a PFC circuit 2 via leads.
  • the PFC circuit 2 is connected to a load 3, whereby the load can be any load for example a lamp.
  • the PFC-circuit further comprises an inrush current limiter device 4 which is at one end connected to ground and gets information from the load 3, represented by the arrow leaving the inrush current limiter device 4 in direction to the load 3.
  • the inrush current limiter 4 is described in greater detail in fig. 2.
  • Fig 2 schematically shows the inventive inrush current limiter device 4.
  • the inrush current limiter device 4 comprises an IGBT-based limiter unit 5 having a non limited and a limited conduction path (not shown in detail) which are alternatively coupled by a corresponding switch.
  • the IGBT-based limited unit is supplied by an IGBT gate supply 6.
  • the IGBT-based switch 5 is coupled to a control device 7 for controlling said IGBT-based switch 5 comprising means for realizing 8 a smooth flank of an output signal at the selected conductor element or conducting path and means for synchronizing 9 the switching in regard to a connectable load and/or capacitive buffer as well as the IGBT gate supply 6.
  • the control device 7 is coupled to a load and/or a capacitive buffer (both not shown).
  • a more detailed design of the invention is shown in fig. 3.
  • a PFC circuit 2 is coupled to a common AC source or main fed 1.
  • the PFC circuit 2 comprises a classic part with a AC/DC transformer including (starting from left to right beginning at the main fed 1) a rectifier bridge Bl, a PFC input capacitor Cl, a PFC inductor Ll, a PFC sense resistor Rl, a PFC MOSFET Ql, and a PFC diode Dl.
  • a high frequency decoupling capacitor C2 is coupled leading to a summation point in which the signals of the decoupling capacitor C2 and the signal of a PFC voltage regulation unit VR are summarized.
  • the current inrush limiter device 4 comprises the IGBT-based limiter unit 5 comprising one resistance limited conducting path or current limiting conductor element having an inrush current limit resistor R2, and one non limited conducting path or current non-limiting by-pass conductor element part.
  • the conducting path branches from the limited conducting path via the pure IGBT-switch back to the limited conducting path.
  • the current inrush limiter device 4 comprises a control device 7 including one IGBT-based switch supply 6 and means 8, 9 for either realizing a smooth flank of an output signal at the selected conductor element or for synchronizing the switching in regard to a connectable load and/or a capacitive buffer C4.
  • the IGBT- based switch supply 6 is formed as a common IGBT gate supply.
  • the means for realizing 8 are formed as a low pass filter having a dV/dt limit resistor R3, a zener diode D2, preferably a 18 V zener diode, and/or a dV/dt limit capacitor C3.
  • the low pass filter is connected to the IGBT-based switch limiter unit 5, more precisely to the input of the IGBT-based switch Q2, to the IGBT gate supply 6, and to the means for synchronizing 9.
  • the means 9 are formed as a switch and load activations circuit comprising means for communication with the load.
  • the means 9 is connected to the low pass filter and the lead connecting the AC/DC transformer and the load.
  • the left part of the diagram gives the classical PFC circuit, in which the main fed 1 has been added serving as a high frequency decoupling a storage capacitor.
  • the PFC DC output voltage regulation VR has been connected to capacitor C2 instead of to the output bulk capacitor C4 as is done normally.
  • R2 is a power resistor limiting the inrush current when the mains fed 1 is connected to a discharged capacitor C4.
  • IGBT IGBT
  • capacitor C3 is connected between the IGBT-gate and ground (via an electronic switch).
  • R3 limits the charging current of capacitor C3, so that a limited dV/dt exists on capacitor C3 and by consequence also on capacitor C4 which is connected to the IGBT-emitter.
  • Diode D2 serves as a gate protection diode.
  • capacitor C3 At the bottom of capacitor C3 a switch and dV/dt detection circuit is connected which switches the load on exactly at the time capacitor C4 is fully charged so that the PFC circuit will not switch on and off repeatedly because it sees not load for long time. The same time capacitor C3 is disconnected from the ground so that the load voltage ripple on capacitor C4 does not influence the gate voltage of IGBT Q2.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Rectifiers (AREA)
  • Power Conversion In General (AREA)
  • Emergency Protection Circuit Devices (AREA)
  • Dc-Dc Converters (AREA)
  • Direct Current Feeding And Distribution (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to an inrush current limiter device (4) for limiting inrushing current to a connectable load (3) comprising: at least one switchable IGBT-based limiter unit (5) for selectively limiting the inrushing current, having at least one current limiting conductor element for a limited leading of current and at least an IGBT-based switch (Q2), whereby the IGBT-based switch (Q2) is used as well as a controlled current limiter and as a by-pass element, and at least one control device (7) for controlling the IGBT-based switch (Q2), whereby the control device (7) comprises at least one IGBT-based switch supply (6) and means for realizing (8) a smooth flank of an output signal at the selected conductor element.

Description

Improved inrush current limiter device and Power Factor Control (PFC) circuit having an improved inrush current limiter device
The present invention relates to an inrush current limiter device for limiting inrushing current to a connectable load comprising: at least one switchable IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor)-based limiter unit for selectively limiting the inrushing current, having at least one current limiting conductor element for limited leading of current, and at least an IGBT-based switch, whereby the IGBT(Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor)-based switch (Q2) is used as well as a controlled current limiter and as a by-pass element, and at least one control device for controlling the IGBT-based switch, whereby the control device comprises at least one IGBT-based switch supply and means for realizing a smooth flank of an output signal at the selected conductor element.
The present invention further relates to a power factor control circuit connectable to and/or between a main fed and a load comprising: an AC/DC converter with a capacitive buffer unit, and an inrush current limiter device.
Such well known power factor control circuits and inrush current limiters are used in a wide application area, where a load operating at high level of power and/or voltage has to be protected from damages by inrushing current. Modern loads are optimized for maximum electrical efficiency by minimizing consumption of electrical power. Unfortunately, the changes made to improve the efficiency of the ballast reduce certain external electrical resistances. This gives rise to a new problem: the occurrence of a large inrush off-current upon the first application of electrical power. This inrush current flows as a main filter capacitor and the ballast charges to its steady state value. For lighting circuit that contains a multiplicity of ballast, the combined magnitude of the inrush is potentially large enough to cause contact failure of the switching device due to arching and contact welding. To protect the load form damages by inrushing current, special power factor control circuits having inrush current limiters, are used.
Well known power factor control circuits for loads usually comprise an AC/DC converter followed by an inrush current limiter comprising an IGBT based switch supplied by an IGBT gate supply. For controlling the IGBT-switch, especially for switching, complex integrated circuits are used. Classically, the inrush current at switch-on is limited by either a NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) resistor, or a power resistor, with its short circuited by a relay or an IGBT after switch-on. While a NTC is only usable for lower power levels around a few one hundred Watt due to its power losses, a relay has a low loss but a lifetime that is limited. The use of IGBT- based switches is a good solution with low losses for use at several thousand Watt and long lifetime, but the moment and speed of switching it from off-state to a on-state is very critical. If this happens too soon or too abruptly, the IGBT- switch will break down due to excess current and power dissipation at the moment of switch-on.
Some very complex circuits and driver have been worked out to handle this switching, with still possible failure at repeated switch-on and -off. Another drawback is, that the circuits for controlling the IGBT are very complex and susceptible to damages.
Furthermore, the power factor control circuit known by the prior art works abruptly and produces drop-outs during the start period of the load due to a lack of synchronization between the load and an upstream arranged buffer.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a power factor control circuit having an IGBT-based switch suitable for realizing smooth flanks of current signals at the IGBT-based switch. Moreover, it is a further object to provide a power factor control circuit that synchronizes the start period between load and buffer, whereby the device for controlling the IGBT-based switch has a less complicated and complex design.
This issue is addressed by an inrush current limiter device for limiting inrushing current to a connectable load comprising: at least one switchable IGBT-based limiter unit for selectively limiting the inrushing current, having at least one current limiting conductor element for a limited leading of current and at least an IGBT-based switch whereby the IGBT-based switch is used as well as a controlled current limiter and as a by-pass element, and at least one control device for controlling the IGBT- based switch, whereby the control device comprises at least one IGBT-based switch supply and means for realizing smooth flanks of an output signal at the selected conductor element.
Preferably, the means for realizing solely comprise elements selected from the group comprising resistors, capacitors, diodes, and/or passive components etc. This realizes a simple design, which is easy to produce. Thus no active IC-components must be used. The term "solely" does not exclude cabling or other connecting means. The means for realizing can also comprise elements selected from the group of integrated passive circuits or networks alone or in combination with the aforementioned non IC elements.
The elements and/or units could be arranged at least partly in an integrated way into a housing. The housing can accommodate further units like heat sinks and the like.
More preferably is, that the means for realizing are arranged as a filter unit, selected from the group comprising low-pass filter units, coupled to the IGBT- based switch. By this filter the interfering signals are stopped from reaching the IGBT- based switch. Thereby sharp and abrupt flanks are prevented at the output of the conductor elements. The low pass filters are preferably non-IC-low pass filters without active IC-elements.
Also preferred is, that the elements of a filter unit are coupled like a star. From the center there is one line leading to the input of IGBT-based switch. Another line is directed via a diode, preferably a zener diode to the output of the IGBT-based switch. A third line is coupled to the input of an IGBT gate supply via a dV/dt limit resistor. A fourth line couples a dV/dt limit capacitor to the star like arrangement. The whole arrangement represents a low pass filter.
It is preferably, that the inrush current limiter device further comprises a chargeable capacitive buffer, arranged downstream in regard to the IGBT-based limiter unit for forming a buffered output. This capacitive buffer charges until it is completely charged. After fully charging, the current flows to the load and the IGBT-based switch is switched, such that the current passes the non-limited bypass conductor element part of the IGBT-based switch.
Preferred is also that the control device further comprises means for synchronizing the switching in regard to connectable load and/or the capacitive buffer. By providing a low pass filter smooth flanks are realized. For preventing drop out effects, the switching must be controlled in regard to the filling and the load. If the switch is activated such that the current to the load flows via the limited conductor element and the capacitive buffer is not completely filled, the load will completely use the energy stored in the buffer due to the fact, that the conductor elements do not supply the load with sufficient energy. So when the buffer is empty and the limited current conductor element does not provide enough power to the load, the load will have drop outs. To prevent the dropout effects means for synchronizing are provided. That means the IGBT-based switch unit switches from one position to the other depending from the filling status of the buffer and the operation mode of the load.
Preferred is, that the means for synchronizing comprise at least one switch and load activation circuit detecting the filling, status or charging of the chargeable capacitive buffer and/or sending a corresponding signal for switching the IGBT-based switch so that the by-pass conductor element part of the IGBT-based switch is the current leading conductor.
By this switch and load activation circuit it could be guaranteed that no drop out effects are likely to happen. Only after a fully charged buffer the load can be operated and the switch will be switched in the position, such that a sufficient supply of the load is realized.
Further, the issue is addressed by a power factor control circuit connectable to and/or between a main fed and a load comprising: An AC/DC converter with a capacitive DC buffer unit and an inrush current limiter device comprising a PFC voltage regulation unit arranged upstream to and having a regulation conductor meeting the inrush current limiter. The capacitive DC buffer serves as a high frequency decoupling unit and is formed by a corresponding capacitor.
Preferably, the output of the AC/DC converter is coupled to the inrush current limiter device by conductors, whereby one conductor meets the regulation conductor for decoupling and storing current in the DC buffer unit.
The IGBT-based switch supply, the means for realizing smooth flanks and/or the means for synchronizing can be at least partly integrated arranged. Even a combination with the IGBT-based limiter unit is possible. By this integrated arrangement the resulting integrated circuit would be suitable for smaller power ratings as well as for mass production in form of an integrated circuit. All elements could be arranged discrete or at least partly in an integrated circuit manner.
These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.
Figure 1 shows systematically an arrangement of mains fed, power factor circuit control with inrushing limiter device and a load, Figure 2 shows systematically a more detailed view of the inrush current limiter device and, Figure 3 shows a detailed view of an electronic layout.
Fig. 1 shows schematically the design of the invention, whereby a mains fed 1 or a common ac source is connected to a PFC circuit 2 via leads. The PFC circuit 2 is connected to a load 3, whereby the load can be any load for example a lamp. The PFC-circuit further comprises an inrush current limiter device 4 which is at one end connected to ground and gets information from the load 3, represented by the arrow leaving the inrush current limiter device 4 in direction to the load 3. The inrush current limiter 4 is described in greater detail in fig. 2. Fig 2 schematically shows the inventive inrush current limiter device 4.
The inrush current limiter device 4 comprises an IGBT-based limiter unit 5 having a non limited and a limited conduction path (not shown in detail) which are alternatively coupled by a corresponding switch. The IGBT-based limited unit is supplied by an IGBT gate supply 6. The IGBT-based switch 5 is coupled to a control device 7 for controlling said IGBT-based switch 5 comprising means for realizing 8 a smooth flank of an output signal at the selected conductor element or conducting path and means for synchronizing 9 the switching in regard to a connectable load and/or capacitive buffer as well as the IGBT gate supply 6. The control device 7 is coupled to a load and/or a capacitive buffer (both not shown). A more detailed design of the invention is shown in fig. 3.
In figure 3 the diagram of a circuit is shown in detail. A PFC circuit 2 is coupled to a common AC source or main fed 1. The PFC circuit 2 comprises a classic part with a AC/DC transformer including (starting from left to right beginning at the main fed 1) a rectifier bridge Bl, a PFC input capacitor Cl, a PFC inductor Ll, a PFC sense resistor Rl, a PFC MOSFET Ql, and a PFC diode Dl. parallel to that classic part a high frequency decoupling capacitor C2 is coupled leading to a summation point in which the signals of the decoupling capacitor C2 and the signal of a PFC voltage regulation unit VR are summarized. From that summation point the new part of the PFC circuit, the current inrush limiter device framed in at 4 starts. The current inrush limiter device 4 comprises the IGBT-based limiter unit 5 comprising one resistance limited conducting path or current limiting conductor element having an inrush current limit resistor R2, and one non limited conducting path or current non-limiting by-pass conductor element part. The conducting path branches from the limited conducting path via the pure IGBT-switch back to the limited conducting path.
Further the current inrush limiter device 4 comprises a control device 7 including one IGBT-based switch supply 6 and means 8, 9 for either realizing a smooth flank of an output signal at the selected conductor element or for synchronizing the switching in regard to a connectable load and/or a capacitive buffer C4. The IGBT- based switch supply 6 is formed as a common IGBT gate supply. The means for realizing 8 are formed as a low pass filter having a dV/dt limit resistor R3, a zener diode D2, preferably a 18 V zener diode, and/or a dV/dt limit capacitor C3. The low pass filter is connected to the IGBT-based switch limiter unit 5, more precisely to the input of the IGBT-based switch Q2, to the IGBT gate supply 6, and to the means for synchronizing 9. The means 9 are formed as a switch and load activations circuit comprising means for communication with the load. The means 9 is connected to the low pass filter and the lead connecting the AC/DC transformer and the load. Here below the principle function of the driver is described.
The left part of the diagram (until main fed 1) gives the classical PFC circuit, in which the main fed 1 has been added serving as a high frequency decoupling a storage capacitor. The PFC DC output voltage regulation VR has been connected to capacitor C2 instead of to the output bulk capacitor C4 as is done normally.
R2 is a power resistor limiting the inrush current when the mains fed 1 is connected to a discharged capacitor C4. Ones the PFC starts running the IGBT (Q2) gate supply becomes active. Classically this gate supply is directly coupled to the
IGBT, so that dangerous and possible destructive peak currents anticipation exist in the IGBT.
Here the gate supply is connected via resistor R3 and capacitor C3 is connected between the IGBT-gate and ground (via an electronic switch). R3 limits the charging current of capacitor C3, so that a limited dV/dt exists on capacitor C3 and by consequence also on capacitor C4 which is connected to the IGBT-emitter. Hence, the charging current of capacitor C4 (running through resistor R2 and IGBT Q2) is also limited so that no components can break down. Diode D2 serves as a gate protection diode. The current into capacitor C4 is determined by I = dV/dt x C4, where dV/dt is for example (10 volt/R3/C3). At the bottom of capacitor C3 a switch and dV/dt detection circuit is connected which switches the load on exactly at the time capacitor C4 is fully charged so that the PFC circuit will not switch on and off repeatedly because it sees not load for long time. The same time capacitor C3 is disconnected from the ground so that the load voltage ripple on capacitor C4 does not influence the gate voltage of IGBT Q2.
It is possible, to form an integrated circuit by the IGBT-based switch supply 6, the means for realizing 8, the means for synchronizing 9 and/or the IGBT based limiter unit, which would be suitable for mass production and could be used even with lower power ratings. It should be considered, that the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements. As well "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality and single units may fulfill the functions of several means recited in the claims. The reference signs given in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. List of reference numbers
1 mains fed
2 Power factor control (PFC) circuit
3 Load
4 Inrush current limiter device
5 IGBT based limiter unit
6 IGBT-based switch supply
7 Control device
8 Means for realizing (smooth flank)
9 Means for synchronizing (drop out free)
Bl Rectifier bridge
Cl Input capacitor
C2 Decoupling capacitor
C3 Limit capacitor
C4 Output capacitor
Dl PFC diode
D2 Zener diode
Ll inductor
Rl Sense resistor
R2 Limit resistor
R3 DV/dt limit resistor
Ql MOSFET
Q2 IGBT-based switch
VR PFC voltage regulation unit

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. Inrush current limiter device (4) for limiting inrushing current to a connectable load (3) comprising: at least one switchable IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor)-based limiter unit (5) for selectively limiting the inrushing current, having at least one current limiting conductor element for a limited leading of current and at least an Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT)-based switch (Q2), whereby the IGBT-based switch (Q2) is used as well as a controlled current limiter and as a by-pass element, and at least one control device (7) for controlling the IGBT-based switch (Q2), whereby the control device (7) comprises at least one IGBT-based switch supply (6) and means for realizing (8) a smooth flank of an output signal at the selected conductor element.
2. Inrush current limiter device (4) according to claim 1, whereby the means for realizing (8) solely comprises elements selected from the group comprising resistors, capacitors, diodes and/or passive components etc.
3. Inrush current limiter device (4) according to claim 1 or 2, whereby the means for realizing (8) are arranged as a filter unit, selected from the group comprising filters comprising low-pass filter units, coupled to the IGBT-based switch (Q2).
4. Inrush current limiter device (4) according to one of the prior claims 1 to
3, whereby the elements of the filter unit are coupled star like.
5. Inrush current limiter device (4) according to one of the prior claims 1 to 4, whereby further a chargeable capacitive buffer (C4) is comprised, arranged downstream in regard to the IGBT-based limiter unit (5) for forming a buffered output.
6. Inrush current limiter device (4) according to one of the prior claims 1 to
5, whereby the control device (7) further comprises means for synchronising (9) the switching in regard to a connectable load and/or the capacitive buffer (C4).
7. Inrush current limiter device (4) according to one of the prior claims 1 to
6, whereby the means for synchronising (9) comprises at least one switch and load activation circuit detecting the filling status/charging of the chargeable capacitive buffer (C4) and/or sending a corresponding signal for switching the IGBT-based switch (Q2) so that the bypass conductor element is the current leading conductor.
8. Power factor control (PFC) circuit (2) connectable to and/or between a mains fed (1) and a load (3) comprising: an AC/DC-converter with a capacitive DC buffer unit (C2), and an inrush current limiter device (4) according to one of the prior claims 1 to 7, comprising a PFC voltage regulation unit (VR) arranged upstream to and having a regulation conductor meeting the inrush current limiter device (4).
9. Power factor control (PFC) circuit (2) according to claim 8, whereby the output of the AC/DC-converter is coupled to the inrush current limiter device (4) by conductors, whereby one conductor meets the regulation conductor for decoupling and storing current in the DC buffer unit (C2).
10. A system incorporating an inrush current limiter device (4) and/or a power factor control (PFC) circuit (2) according to any of the claims 1 to 9 and being used in one or more of the following applications: fluid and/or surface treatment of hard and/or soft surfaces, preferably cleaning, disinfection and/or purification; liquid disinfection and/or purification, food and/or beverage treatment and/or disinfection, water treatment and/or disinfection, wastewater treatment and/or disinfection, drinking water treatment and/or disinfection, tap water treatment and/or disinfection, production of ultra pure water, reduction of the total organic carbon content of a liquid or a gas, gas treatment and/or disinfection, air treatment and/or disinfection, exhaust gases treatment and/or cleaning, cracking and/or removing of components, preferably anorganic and/or organic compounds, cleaning of semiconductor surfaces, cracking and/or removing of components from semiconductor surfaces, cleaning and/or disinfection of food supplements, cleaning and/or disinfection of pharmaceuticals.
PCT/IB2006/053213 2005-09-15 2006-09-11 Inrush current limiter device and power factor correction circuit comprising the same WO2007031935A2 (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP06795988A EP1927041A2 (en) 2005-09-15 2006-09-11 Inrush current limiter device and power factor correction circuit comprising the same
JP2008530698A JP2009509485A (en) 2005-09-15 2006-09-11 Improved inrush current limiting device and power factor control (PFC) circuit having improved inrush current limiting device
CN2006800339226A CN101263439B (en) 2005-09-15 2006-09-11 Improved inrush current limiter device and power factor control circuit having the same
US12/067,053 US7974057B2 (en) 2005-09-15 2006-09-11 Inrush current limiter device and power factor control (PFC) circuit having an improved inrush current limiter device

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP05108481 2005-09-15
EP05108481.2 2005-09-15

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2007031935A2 true WO2007031935A2 (en) 2007-03-22
WO2007031935A3 WO2007031935A3 (en) 2007-09-13

Family

ID=37865341

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2006/053213 WO2007031935A2 (en) 2005-09-15 2006-09-11 Inrush current limiter device and power factor correction circuit comprising the same

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US7974057B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1927041A2 (en)
JP (1) JP2009509485A (en)
CN (1) CN101263439B (en)
WO (1) WO2007031935A2 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2466993A3 (en) * 2010-12-20 2016-11-02 Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. Led lighting device and illumination apparatus including the same

Families Citing this family (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8464078B2 (en) * 2008-01-22 2013-06-11 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Delay circuit with reset feature
US8305783B2 (en) * 2009-09-10 2012-11-06 B/E Aerospace, Inc. Systems and methods for polyphase alternating current transformer inrush current limiting
US9219365B2 (en) * 2010-08-26 2015-12-22 Oscar E. Ontiveros Controller for reducing electricity demand spikes
US8928235B2 (en) 2011-07-29 2015-01-06 Power Integrations, Inc. Damper circuit for switched dimming
CN103023128B (en) * 2011-09-27 2016-06-15 台达电子企业管理(上海)有限公司 A kind of power-supply system for UPS server
CN202535261U (en) * 2012-04-18 2012-11-14 南京博兰得电子科技有限公司 Anti-surge current universal input communication power supply
CN102983732A (en) * 2012-11-26 2013-03-20 福州欣联达电子科技有限公司 Average current Power Factor Correction (PFC) circuit capable of preventing starting current from damaging sample resistor
CN104102316B (en) * 2013-04-07 2017-02-15 鸿富锦精密电子(天津)有限公司 surge current regulating circuit
EP2908415A1 (en) 2014-02-13 2015-08-19 Nxp B.V. Diode circuit and power factor correction boost converter using the same
WO2015140825A1 (en) * 2014-03-17 2015-09-24 Meta System S.P.A. Power supply stage of an electric appliance, in particular a battery charger for charging batteries of electric vehicles
CN104467388B (en) * 2014-12-05 2017-03-08 中国船舶重工集团公司第七0九研究所 Power supply based on the conduction type harmonics restraint of PFC
US10250058B2 (en) * 2016-09-15 2019-04-02 Raytheon Company Charge management system
IT201600123267A1 (en) * 2016-12-05 2018-06-05 St Microelectronics Srl CURRENT LIMITER, EQUIPMENT AND CORRESPONDENT PROCEDURE
US10833502B2 (en) * 2018-01-19 2020-11-10 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation System for controlling inrush current between a power source and a load
FR3092451B1 (en) * 2019-02-01 2021-01-29 Commissariat Energie Atomique Power converter comprising at least one normally closed transistor

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0591915A2 (en) * 1992-10-06 1994-04-13 Gossen- Metrawatt GmbH Device for limiting inrush current in switching power supplies
US5930130A (en) * 1997-09-29 1999-07-27 Jrs Technology, Inc. Inrush protection circuit
US6275395B1 (en) * 2000-12-21 2001-08-14 Micrel, Incorporated Accelerated turn-off of MOS transistors by bootstrapping
US6862201B2 (en) * 2000-12-27 2005-03-01 Delta Energy Systems (Switzerland) Ag Method and circuitry for active inrush current limiter and power factor control

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5420780A (en) 1993-12-30 1995-05-30 Omega Power Systems Apparatus for limiting inrush current
CA2140065C (en) * 1994-01-18 2004-03-02 Leviton Manufacturing Co., Inc. Solid state motor speed control
US5561596A (en) * 1994-02-22 1996-10-01 International Business Machines Corporation AC line stabilization circuitry for high power factor loads
FR2735296B1 (en) 1995-06-08 1997-08-22 Sgs Thomson Microelectronics CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A CURRENT CALL LIMITER IN A POWER CONVERTER
JP2856111B2 (en) * 1995-06-21 1999-02-10 日本電気株式会社 Power input circuit
WO1997012308A1 (en) 1995-09-29 1997-04-03 Motorola Inc. In-rush current reduction circuit for boost converters and electronic ballasts
JPH10108358A (en) * 1996-09-26 1998-04-24 Nec Eng Ltd Power unit
US6744644B2 (en) * 2001-10-02 2004-06-01 Honeywell International Inc. Soft-start of DC link capacitors for power electronics and drive systems
US20060274468A1 (en) * 2005-06-03 2006-12-07 Phadke Vijay G Active inrush current control using a relay for AC to DC converters

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0591915A2 (en) * 1992-10-06 1994-04-13 Gossen- Metrawatt GmbH Device for limiting inrush current in switching power supplies
US5930130A (en) * 1997-09-29 1999-07-27 Jrs Technology, Inc. Inrush protection circuit
US6275395B1 (en) * 2000-12-21 2001-08-14 Micrel, Incorporated Accelerated turn-off of MOS transistors by bootstrapping
US6862201B2 (en) * 2000-12-27 2005-03-01 Delta Energy Systems (Switzerland) Ag Method and circuitry for active inrush current limiter and power factor control

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2466993A3 (en) * 2010-12-20 2016-11-02 Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd. Led lighting device and illumination apparatus including the same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1927041A2 (en) 2008-06-04
CN101263439A (en) 2008-09-10
US7974057B2 (en) 2011-07-05
CN101263439B (en) 2010-08-04
WO2007031935A3 (en) 2007-09-13
JP2009509485A (en) 2009-03-05
US20080253154A1 (en) 2008-10-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20080253154A1 (en) Inrush Current Limiter Device and Power Factor Control (Pfc) Circuit Having an Improved Inrush Current Limiter Device
US10374505B2 (en) Power coupler
US5930130A (en) Inrush protection circuit
US8472216B2 (en) Circuit arrangement and control circuit for a power-supply unit, computer power-supply unit and method for switching a power-supply unit
US8373547B2 (en) Method and apparatus for using power-line phase-cut signaling to change energy usage
AU770941B2 (en) Method and apparatus for converting a DC voltage to an AC voltage
US6714429B2 (en) Active inrush current control for AC to DC converters
US6473284B1 (en) Low-power dc-to-dc converter having high overvoltage protection
US10236879B2 (en) Thyristor driving apparatus
WO2012014020A1 (en) Load control device
JP2007014193A (en) Efficient rush current limiting circuit having dual-gate two-way hemt
US8885367B2 (en) Input circuit for an electrical device, use of an input circuit and electrical device
CN100544154C (en) Burst current control circuit
EP2104201A2 (en) Simple passive solution for providing power interruption capability with controlled inrush current in critical power supply
US20020057078A1 (en) Protective circuit for an electronic device
US8730689B2 (en) Capacitive power supply
JPH10126961A (en) Current limiting apparatus
CN105322514B (en) DC electric power system for offshore applications
JP4751306B2 (en) Electric vehicle power supply
KR20100000588A (en) Protection circuit of led lighting module
CN113809905B (en) Matrix converter
WO2014092585A2 (en) Electronic control of ac supply
JP2002354812A (en) Parallel operation system
JP2004266970A (en) Rectification switching circuit
CN115933502A (en) Static feeding controller and control system for metal strip

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2006795988

Country of ref document: EP

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2008530698

Country of ref document: JP

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 200680033922.6

Country of ref document: CN

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 12067053

Country of ref document: US

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 2006795988

Country of ref document: EP