Method and system for detecting incipient failures in a power inverter
US6291987A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 6, 2000 |
| Grant date | Sep 18, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 6, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R31/42
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and system for predicting malfunctions in a power inverter having one or more legs connected between first and second voltage buses is provided. Each leg has respective first and second controllable switches coupled in series to one another. The method allows for applying predetermined respective voltages at the first and second buses. The method further allows for selectively actuating the first and second switches between respective conductive or non-conductive states. A monitoring step allows for monitoring predetermined electrical parameters generated in the inverter in response to the applied voltages as the first and second switches are respectively actuated, and an adjusting step allows for adjusting the respective values of the monitored electrical parameters for deviations from respective estimated nominal values due to predetermined external variables to generate adjusted electrical parameters that in turn may be used to determine the performance of the power inverter, including detection of incipient failures.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.