Pre-magnetizing a transformer connected to a modular multilevel power converter
US10305274B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 17, 2017 |
| Grant date | May 28, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 12, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E40/20
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention is concerned with pre-magnetizing a Modular Multilevel power Converters connected transformer in order to moderate inrush currents upon connecting the transformer to an electric grid. The invention takes advantage of the high amount of stored energy in MMC converters as compared to other converter types. This stored energy is used to pre-magnetize the converter-connected transformer, therefore no additional or dedicated pre-magnetizing hardware is required in addition to the charging hardware provided to charge the converter capacitors. As the transformer pre-magnetizing takes place subsequent to the converter charging, the converter charging circuit is not used to, and therefore does not need to be designed to, directly magnetize the transformer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.