Electric power conversion apparatus having single-phase and multi-phase operation modes

An apparatus for converting a first AC signal to a DC signal, comprising:

• an electronic controller including a processor and a memory;
• and
• first, second, and third single-phase AC/DC conversion module each connected to and controlled by said controller, and wherein respective output signals from said conversion modules are electrically joined at an output node, each conversion module comprising:
• (i) an indirect matrix converter having an input interface configured to receive said first AC signal and an output interface configured to produce a second AC signal;
• (ii) a transformer having a primary winding and an electrically isolated and magnetically coupled secondary winding;
• (iii) a coupling inductor in series between said output interface of said indirect matrix converter and said primary winding;
• and (iv) an H-bridge switching arrangement connected to said secondary winding and configured to produce on said output node a respective output signal having a DC component and at least one AC component;
• wherein in a first mode of operation where said first AC signal comprises a multi-phase AC signal, said controller is configured to enable operation of said first, second, and third AC/DC conversion modules wherein respective AC components of said respective output signals tend to cancel each other out;
• and
• wherein in a second mode of operation where said first AC signal comprises a single-phase AC signal, said controller enables operation of said first and second AC/DC conversion modules and disables operation of said indirect matrix converter of said third AC/DC conversion module, said controller being configured to operate said third AC/DC conversion module having an active filter coupled thereto according to a filtering strategy to reduce said AC component of said output signals of said first and second AC/DC conversion modules.