Schneider Electric Power Drives Gmbh

Michael Hartmann

Rudolf Fehringer

A method for assessing the state of damage of a semiconductor module that is subject to operational loading, in particular a semiconductor module of a drive system converter, that includes at least one semiconductor component arranged on or in a support structure. It is possible not only to estimate a spent service life for the entire semiconductor module, but also to detect unexpected or undesirable loading states and thus a premature reduction of the remaining service life of the semiconductor module. Continuous load assessments are thus possible already during the operation of the semiconductor module and allow interventions to be made in good time.

Method for assessing the thermal loading of a converter

The present invention relates to a rectifier circuit with a three-phase rectifier arrangement () of semiconductor valves (), preferably a bridge rectifier circuit of diodes, wherein the rectifier arrangement () comprises a three-phase mains input () and a DC output (), and at least one of the three phases (U, V, W) at the mains input () is connected to a first pole connection (A) of a three-pole circuit () for diverting an injection current (i) into the three-pole circuit (). It is provided in accordance with the invention that each phase (U, V, W) can respectively be connected with a switching element (S, S, S) to the first pole connection (A) of the three-pole circuit (), and a second and third pole connection (B, C) of the three-pole circuit () is respectively connected to an output line (P,N) of the DC output () for control currents (i,i), wherein the three-pole circuit () comprises controllable semiconductor valves (S,S,S,S), preferably IGBTs, for the active control of the control currents (i,i) and/or the injection current (i), and at least one choke () is arranged on one of the output lines (P,N) at the DC output (), and a time-variable load () is provided at the DC output ().

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Vienna, Austria

Michael Hartmann