Modular multipoint power converter and method of operating it
US11223297B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 22, 2016 |
| Grant date | Jan 11, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 12, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02M1/0085
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A modular multipoint power converter for converting an AC voltage to a DC voltage or vice versa, and a method of operating it are provided. The multipoint power converter has a converter branches, whereby two converter branches are connected to each other respectively to form a phase branch of the converter. Each converter branch has a plurality of similar submodules, each of which is formed from a half-bridge circuit with power semiconductor switches. The branch currents through the converter branches are controlled in operation by increasing the DC component of the DC current or the DC intermediate circular current such that a unipolar current flows through the converter branches. As a result, with the same plurality of submodules per converter branch, the transmissible power can be increased, the power semi-conductor elements can be better utilized, or the plurality of submodules can be reduced while the transmissible power remains the same.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.