Application of a Heat Flux Sensor in Wind Power Electronics

Abstract

This paper proposes and investigates the application of the gradient heat flux sensor (GHFS) for measuring the local heat flux in power electronics. Thanks to its thinness, the sensor can be placed between the semiconductor module and the heat sink. The GHFS has high sensitivity and yields direct measurements without an interruption to the normal power device operation, which makes it attractive for power electronics applications. The development of systems for monitoring thermal loading and methods for online detection of degradation and failure of power electronic devices is a topical and crucial task. However, online condition monitoring (CM) methods, which include heat flux sensors, have received little research attention so far. In the current research, an insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) module-based test setup with the GHFS implemented on the base plate of one of the IGBTs is introduced. The heat flux experiments and the IGBT power losses obtained by simulations show similar results. The findings give clear evidence that the GHFS can provide an attractive condition monitoring method for the thermal loading of power devices.

Distributed Thermal Monitoring of Wind Turbine Power Electronic Modules Using FBG Sensing Technology

“…The FBG sensing concept is based on light reflection capability and the modulated refractive index's sensitivity to variation of external thermal and/or mechanical conditions acting on the FBG structure [18]. In principle, the fibre carrying an FBG head is illuminated with broadband light; a narrow bandwidth of wavelength (i.e.…”

“…Conventional temperature measurement sensors such as thermocouples (TCs), resistance temperature detectors (RTDs), platinum resistance thermometers (PRTs) and thermistors have a number of inherent limits for effective PEM temperature monitoring use [18]. This principally concerns the exposure to the high EMI environment inherent to PEM operation, which can affect TC readings by inducing voltage in its wiring and/or leading to inductive heating of the TC itself.…”

“…As an alternative to conventional thermal sensing approaches, noncontact optical temperature sensors, such as infrared (IR) sensors, IR cameras and IR microscopes were also applied to capture PEM temperature [18]. However, these optical systems are not suitable for real time monitoring applications and are thus largely used for laboratory testing.…”

“…FBG sensing applications for PEM monitoring has only recently started to be explored, with a handful of studies suggesting encouraging potential for this application [17], [27]- [29]. Reference [18] proposes a general architecture of an FBG temperature sensing system that can be mounted at different PEM locations thermal monitoring. Reference [27] designed an FBG-bimetal temperature sensor to monitor IGBT case temperature in a solar panel inverter.…”

A Miniaturized 3D Heat Flux Sensor to Characterize Heat Transfer in Regolith of Planets and Small Bodies

“…In some cases, other more complex phenomena such as phase changes [ 3 , 4 ], chemical reactions [ 5 ], or even magnetic effects [ 6 ] may also be involved. Measurement of heat flux is therefore one of the key physical parameters to monitor in many applications [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”