IGBT剩余寿命预测(2013)

A Simple State-Based Prognostic Model for Predicting Remaining Useful

Life of IGBT Power Module

Alireza Alghassi1, Suresh Perinpanayagam2, Ian K Jennions3

IVHM CENTER, CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY

IVHM center, Cranfield University

Conway House, Medway Court, University Way, Cranfield Technology Park,MK43 0FQ e

Milton Keynes, UK

Tel.: +44 (0)1234 75111 EXT 2870

Fax: +44 (0)1234 758331

E-Mail: a.alghassi@

URL: /ivhm/

Keywords

«IGBT», «Reliability», «Prognosis», «SSBP»

Abstract

Health management and reliability are fundamental aspects of the design and development cycle of power electronic products. This paper presents the prognostic evaluation of a power electronic IGBT module. To achieve this aim, a simple state-based prognostic (SSBP) method has been introduced and applied on the data which was extracted from an aged power electronic IGBT and its remaining useful life was determined.

Introduction

The trend toward More Electric Aircraft (MEA) and Electric Vehicle Systems are fostering increasing requirements for higher performance power electronic systems. More Electric Vehicles propose to use more electrical power to drive vehicle subsystems such as Traction Motors/Inverters, Auxiliary Motors/Inverters, Energy Storage, etc. Power electronic converters have recently generated great interest among researchers and industrialists working in this area[1].

On the other hand, the inherent advantages of Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) provide lower on-state resistance, higher breakdown voltage and thermal conductivity, and closer thermal expansion coefficients with better mechanical characteristics resulting in it as the main power electronic switch that is employed in power converters [2].

Since IGBT power semiconductors is one of the most costly components in power electronic converters, it is beneficial to investigate the long-term reliability and the sizing of the semiconductors used in power converters. On the other hand, it is important to use a reliability assessment method that can take into account the actual operational and environmental conditions. So by employing a prognostic and health management system which assesses and predicts the reliability of a product in its actual application environment and in real time, it is possible to determine the reliability and the end-of-life period of power converters [3].

Therefore, it can be stated that the aim of this work is to estimate the life consumption of a power converter which is employed in electric aircraft applications. Firstly, reliability prediction methods are investigated. Secondly, the simple state-based prognostic method is presented and then, the results of predicting remaining useful life of the power electronic IGBT is indicated.