JPH11299219A - Power converter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To minimize damages by detecting a water leakage early. SOLUTION: Surge tanks 24 and level switches 25 for detecting water level drop are provided at respective semiconductor converters 1. The surge tanks 24 and outlet pipes 5b in the semiconductor converters 1 are piped to each other. If water leakage occurs in the semiconductor converters 1, water level drop is detected by the level switch 25 for stopping the circulating pump 11 for a semiconductor cooling device 9. It is thus possible to detect water leakage in the semiconductor converters 1 early, thereby minimizing damages at the water leakage.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a power converter having a semiconductor converter and a semiconductor cooling device for cooling the semiconductor converter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a power converter having a semiconductor conversion device in which a large number of semiconductor elements are connected in series and parallel, a semiconductor cooling device using pure water for cooling heat generated by the semiconductor element is provided. ing.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the power converter. Reference numeral 1 denotes a semiconductor converter, which is arranged in a row.
As shown in FIG. 7, the converter 1 contains a plurality of semiconductor elements 2 and a plurality of semiconductor stacks 4 formed by stacking a number of heat sinks 3 for cooling the heat generated by the semiconductor elements 2. ing. Between each heat sink 3,
The heatsink 3 and the inlet / outlet pipes 5a and 5b are insulated and connected by insulating hoses 6a, 6b and 6c, respectively. The outlet pipe 5b has a flow meter 7, a thermometer 8
Is installed.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a semiconductor cooling device, which is a water-cooled heat exchanger 10, a circulating pump 11, a flow meter 12, a thermometer 13, and a pure water conductor provided on the pure water pipe side of the heat exchanger 10. Ion exchanger 14 for maintaining the degree, conductivity meter 15,
It is constituted by entrance and exit pipes 16a and 16b.

[0005] The surge tank 17 is connected to an outlet pipe 16b by a pipe 18. Reference numeral 19 denotes a level switch for detecting a decrease in the water level, and reference numeral 20 denotes a flow control valve of the ion exchanger 14.

On the other hand, the outside water piping is connected to the entrance / exit piping 21a, 21a.
b. Also, 22a, 22b, 23
Reference numerals a and 23b denote entrance / exit pipes, which are entrance / exit pipes 5a and 5b of the semiconductor converter 1 and entrance / exit pipes 16 of the semiconductor cooling device, respectively.
a and 16b are connected. 24 is a circulation pump 1 at the time of water leakage
1 is a control device that controls the operation.

In the semiconductor cooling device 9 configured as described above, heat generated by the semiconductor element 2 is supplied to the circulation pump 11.
The pure water is circulated by the operation of and heat exchange is performed by the heat exchanger 10 to be cooled.

In addition, pure water is always flowed through the ion exchanger 14,
By maintaining the conductivity of the pure water at a specified value, insulation between the semiconductor elements 2 and between the semiconductor element 2 and the inlet / outlet pipes 5a and 5b are ensured. The conductivity meter 15 monitors the conductivity of the pure water and outputs a signal when the conductivity exceeds a specified value.
Detects deterioration of the ion exchange resin inside.

The surge tank 17 absorbs a change in volume of pure water due to a change in temperature and also absorbs surging during operation of the circulation pump 11. If a water leak occurs, the level switch 19 detects a decrease in the level of pure water, and the circulation pump 11 is stopped. Further, the flow meters 7 and 12 can also detect water leakage due to a decrease in the flow rate.
FIG. 6 shows a case where a water-cooled heat exchanger is used. However, in the case of an air-cooled heat exchanger (not shown) using a number of vans, the pure water side has the same configuration. I have.

[0010]

In the above-mentioned prior art, as the power converter and the semiconductor cooling device increase in size, the capacity of pure water used also increases, so that the surge tank also has a large capacity. If a water leak occurs in the semiconductor converter, it will take a lot of time to detect a drop in the water level of the surge tank with the level switch attached to the surge tank, and the amount of water leaking will also increase. Further, there is a problem that the leaking semiconductor converter cannot be identified instantaneously. The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a power conversion device that detects water leakage quickly and minimizes damage.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor conversion device for converting electric power using a semiconductor element, and a semiconductor conversion device for circulating water cooled by a heat exchanger by a circulation pump or the like. In a power conversion device including a semiconductor cooling device that circulates through a device and cools a semiconductor conversion device, a tank having a water level drop detection unit is installed in the semiconductor conversion device, and this tank is connected to an outlet pipe of the semiconductor conversion device. When the water level drop detecting means detects a drop in the water level in the tank, the operation of the circulation means is stopped.

With such a configuration,
When water leakage occurs in the semiconductor converter, the water level drop detecting means in the semiconductor converter can detect this in a short time. In addition, entry of water from another semiconductor device can be prevented, and water leakage can be minimized.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the power converter of the first aspect, a check valve is provided on at least one of the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe of the semiconductor converter. I do.

With this configuration, it is possible to prevent water from entering from other semiconductor devices, and to minimize water leakage. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor converter for converting electric power using a semiconductor element, and a semiconductor cooling device for circulating water cooled by a heat exchanger to the semiconductor converter by a circulating means to cool the semiconductor converter. In a power conversion device comprising a device, a water leakage detector for detecting water leakage from a bottom plate of a housing of a semiconductor conversion device is installed, and when the water leakage detector detects water leakage, the operation of the circulation means is stopped. I do.

With this configuration, when a water leak occurs and scatters in the semiconductor device, it can be detected in a short time and reliably by the water leak detector, and the water leak can be minimized.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor converter for converting electric power using a semiconductor element, and cooling the semiconductor converter by circulating water cooled by a heat exchanger to the semiconductor converter by a circulating means. In a power converter comprising a semiconductor cooling device, a water level drop detecting means is provided at the top of an outlet pipe of the semiconductor converter, and when the water level drop detecting means detects a drop in the water level, the operation of the circulation means is stopped. It is characterized by.

With such a configuration, water leakage can be detected in a short time by the water level drop detecting means provided at the top of the outlet pipe. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor converter for converting electric power using a semiconductor element, and a semiconductor cooling device for cooling the semiconductor converter by circulating water cooled by a heat exchanger to the semiconductor converter by a circulating means. When a solenoid valve is provided in at least the inlet pipe of the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe of the semiconductor converter in the power converter including the apparatus, and when a drop in the water level in the tank connected to the outlet pipe of the semiconductor converter is detected. Or closing the electromagnetic valve when detecting water leakage from the bottom plate of the housing of the semiconductor conversion device, or when the water level lowering detection means provided at the top of the outlet pipe of the semiconductor conversion device detects a lowering of the water level. It is characterized by.

With this configuration, it is possible to prevent water from flowing from another semiconductor conversion device and a semiconductor cooling device, and to surely stop the supply of water to a device in which water leakage has occurred. The repair can be performed without stopping the operation of another semiconductor device.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor converter for converting electric power using a semiconductor element, and cooling the semiconductor converter by circulating water cooled by a heat exchanger to the semiconductor converter by a circulating means. In a power converter comprising a semiconductor cooling device, a tank connected to the semiconductor cooling device via a predetermined pipe is provided with a water level rise detecting means for detecting a rise in water level, and an electromagnetic valve is provided in a pipe to the tank. The electromagnetic valve is closed when the water level rise detecting means detects a rise in the water level in the tank.

With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent water from flowing into the tank connected to the semiconductor cooling device from inside the semiconductor conversion device, and to prevent overflow from the tank.

[0021]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 7, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts having the same function.

(First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a power conversion device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a semiconductor conversion device such as an inverter or a converter, and the configuration thereof is the same as that shown in FIGS. Reference numeral 24 denotes a surge tank, which is provided with a level switch 25 for detecting a drop in the water level. The surge tank 24 is connected to the outlet pipe 5b in the semiconductor converter 1 by a pipe 26. Further, a check valve 27 is attached to the inlet / outlet pipes 22a and 22b of the semiconductor conversion device 1. Reference numeral 9 denotes a semiconductor cooling device which is the same as that shown in FIG.

In the semiconductor converter 1 configured as described above, if a leak occurs in the semiconductor converter 1, the water level in the surge tank 24 drops. Water leak can be detected in a short time by the use level switch 25, and the circulation pump 11 can be stopped. Further, the entry of pure water from another semiconductor conversion device 1 can be prevented by the check valve 27, and water leakage can be minimized. The check valve 27 is
Although provided in both the inlet pipe 22a and the outlet pipe 22b, it may be provided in only one of them.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a power conversion device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the semiconductor device 1, a surge tank 24 having a level switch 25 for detecting a drop in water level is installed and a semiconductor conversion device is provided. The water leak detector 28 is mounted on the lower pit of the first pit. The water leak detector 28 is connected from the bottom plate of the housing of the semiconductor conversion device 1 by pipes 29a, 29b, and 29c, and is connected to a drain pipe 30.

Reference numeral 31 denotes a pipe for guiding the overflow of the water leakage to the drain pipe 30, and reference numeral 32 denotes a valve for releasing the drain accumulated in the water leak detector 28 to the drain pipe 30. When water leaks and scatters in the semiconductor converter 1 configured as described above, the level switch 2 for detecting the water level is used.
5 can be detected in a short time by the water leak detector 28 in the lower pit of the semiconductor conversion device 1 and the circulation pump 11 can be stopped, so that water leakage can be minimized. Further, since water leaking from the bottom plate of the semiconductor conversion device 1 is drained to the drain pipe 30 through the pipe 31, components in the semiconductor conversion apparatus 1 can be protected.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a power converter according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
Are mounted, and are closed in conjunction with the operation of the level switch 25 for detecting a decrease in the water level in each semiconductor converter 1 and the operation of the water leak detector 28.

With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the flow of pure water from the other semiconductor conversion device 1 and the semiconductor cooling device 9, and to ensure that pure water flows into the semiconductor conversion device 1 in which water leakage has occurred. Since the supply of water can be stopped, repair can be performed without stopping the operation of another semiconductor conversion device 1. The solenoid valve 33 is connected to the inlet pipe 22.
a and the outlet pipe 22b, but may be provided at least on the inlet pipe 22a.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a power conversion device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and a level switch for detecting a rise in water level in a surge tank 17 connected to a semiconductor cooling device 9 via a pipe 18. 34
The solenoid valve 35 is mounted on the pipe 18 connected to the surge tank 17, and closed in conjunction with the operation of the level switch 34, and the circulation pump 11 is stopped.

With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the flow of pure water from the semiconductor conversion device 1 into the surge tank 17 when water leaks from the semiconductor conversion device 1 and to prevent overflow from the surge tank 17. can do.

(Fifth Embodiment) Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a power conversion device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, in which the uppermost part of the outlet pipe 5b of the semiconductor converter 1 is higher than the outlet pipe 6c of the uppermost semiconductor stack 4. And a level switch 36 for detecting a drop in the water level is attached, and the solenoid valve 33 is closed in conjunction with the operation of the level switch 36 and the water leak detector 28.

With this configuration, it is possible to detect a water leak in the semiconductor converter 1 in a short time and to stop supplying pure water to the semiconductor converter 1 in which the water leak has occurred. The repair can be performed without stopping the operation of the other semiconductor conversion device 1. In addition,
When the water level drop is detected by the level switch 36,
The circulation pump 11 may be stopped.

[0033]

As described above, according to the power converter of the present invention, even if a leak occurs, a water leak can be detected early and the damage at the time of the leak can be minimized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a power conversion device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a power conversion device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a power conversion device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a power conversion device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a power conversion device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional water-cooled power converter.

7 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a part of the power conversion device shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Semiconductor conversion device 2 ... Semiconductor element 3 ... Heat sink 4 ... Semiconductor stack 5a ... Outlet piping 5b ... Inlet piping 6a, 6b, 6c ... Insulation hose 7 ... Flowmeter 8 ... Thermometer 9 ... Semiconductor cooling device 10 Heat exchanger 11 ... Circulation pump 12 ... Flow meter 13 ... Temperature meter 14 ... Ion exchanger 15 ... Conductivity meter 16a ... Inlet piping 16b ... Outlet piping 17 ... Surge tank 18 ... Piping 19 ... Level switch 20 ... Flow regulating valve 21a ... Outlet piping 21b ... Inlet piping 22a ... Inlet piping 22b ... Outlet piping 23a ... Inlet piping 23b ... Outlet piping 24 ... Surge tank 25 ... Level switch 26 ... Piping 27 ... Check valve 28 ... Water leak detector 29a, 29b, 29c ... Piping 30 ... Drain Piping 31 ... Piping 32 ... Valve 33 ... Solenoid valve 34 ... Level switch 35 ... Solenoid valve 36 ... Levels Itch

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A semiconductor converter for converting electric power using a semiconductor element, a semiconductor cooling device for circulating water cooled by a heat exchanger to the semiconductor converter by a circulating means and cooling the semiconductor converter. In the power conversion device, a tank having a water level drop detection means is installed in the semiconductor conversion device, and this tank is connected to an outlet pipe of the semiconductor conversion device, and the water level drop detection means is connected to a drop in the water level in the tank. The power converter according to claim 1, wherein the operation of the circulating means is stopped when the power conversion device detects the power supply. 2. The power converter according to claim 1, wherein a check valve is provided in at least one of an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe of the semiconductor converter. 3. A semiconductor converter for converting electric power by using a semiconductor element, and a semiconductor cooling device for cooling the semiconductor converter by circulating water cooled by a heat exchanger to the semiconductor converter by circulating means. In the power conversion device, a water leakage detector for detecting water leakage from the bottom plate of the housing of the semiconductor conversion device is installed, and when the water leakage detector detects water leakage, the operation of the circulation means is stopped. Power converter. 4. A semiconductor converter for converting electric power using a semiconductor element, a semiconductor cooling device for circulating water cooled by a heat exchanger to the semiconductor converter by a circulating means and cooling the semiconductor converter. In the power conversion device comprising: a water level drop detection means is provided at the top of the outlet pipe of the semiconductor conversion device, and when the water level drop detection means detects a drop in water level, the operation of the circulation means is stopped. Power converter. 5. A semiconductor converter for converting electric power using a semiconductor element, and a semiconductor cooling device for circulating water cooled by a heat exchanger to the semiconductor converter by a circulating means to cool the semiconductor converter. In the power conversion device consisting of, a solenoid valve is provided in at least the inlet pipe of the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe of the semiconductor converter, when detecting a drop in the water level in the tank connected to the outlet pipe of the semiconductor converter, Or closing the electromagnetic valve when detecting water leakage from the bottom plate of the housing of the semiconductor converter, or when water level lowering detection means provided at the top of the outlet pipe of the semiconductor converter detects lowering of the water level. A power converter characterized by the above-mentioned. 6. A semiconductor converter for converting power using a semiconductor element, and a semiconductor cooling device for circulating water cooled by a heat exchanger to the semiconductor converter by a circulating means to cool the semiconductor converter. In a power conversion device comprising: a tank connected to the semiconductor cooling device via a predetermined pipe is provided with water level rise detection means for detecting a rise in water level, and an electromagnetic valve is provided in the pipe, and the water level rise detection means is provided. A power converter, wherein the solenoid valve is closed when a rise in the water level in the tank is detected.