# US 11,909,328 B2 · Submodule for conversion of direct current power and method for updating program for submodule

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- Number: US 11,909,328 B2
- Document ID: US11909328B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/427,388
- Filed: 2019-12-30
- Published: 2022-04-28
- Granted: 2024-02-20
- Earliest claimed: 2019-02-08
- Assignees: Hyosung Heavy Industries Corporation
- Applicants: Hyosung Heavy Industries Corporation
- Inventors: Dong Min Choi
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11909328B2

## CPC

- H02M 7/4835: {comprising two or more cells, each including a switchable capacitor, the capacitors having a nominal charge voltage which corresponds to a given fraction of the input voltage, and the capacitors being selectively connected in series to determine the instantaneous output voltage}
- G06F 1/263: {Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC (G06F1/30 takes precedence)}
- G06F 1/266: {Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips}
- G06F 8/63: {Image based installation; Cloning; Build to order}
- H02J 3/36: Arrangements for transfer of electric power between AC networks via high-voltage DC [HVDC] links; Arrangements for transfer of electric power between generators and networks via HVDC links
- H02M 1/32: Means for protecting converters other than automatic disconnection
- H02M 3/04: by static converters
- H02M 7/483: Converters with outputs that each can have more than two voltages levels
- H02M 1/322: {Means for rapidly discharging a capacitor of the converter for protecting electrical components or for preventing electrical shock}
- H02M 1/36: Means for starting or stopping converters
- Y02E 60/60: Arrangements for transfer of electric power between AC networks or generators via a high voltage DC link [HVCD]
- H02M: APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF (transformers H01F; dynamo-electric converters H02K47/00; controlling transformers, reactors or choke coils, control or regulation of electric motors, generators or dynamo-electric converters H02P)
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

## Abstract

A submodule for conversion of DC power capable of a plurality thereof being connected in series and used for DC-DC conversion in accordance with the present invention comprises: a power switching element for switching DC power supply to convert a source of DC including voltage transformation; a DC capacitor for storing DC power opened or closed by the power switching element; a power supply unit for supplying power required to drive the submodule from the DC capacitor; a submodule controller for controlling whole operation of the submodule; memory for storing data required for operating the submodule controller; and a communicating unit for performing data communication with an external device; wherein the submodule controller may perform a program update during a start sequence of the submodule or during a stop sequence thereof, while DC-DC conversion is operated.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A submodule for conversion of DC power capable of a being connected in series with other submodules and used for DC-DC conversion, comprising:
a power switching element for switching DC power supply to convert a source of DC, including voltage transformation;
a DC capacitor for storing DC power opened or closed by the power switching element;
a power supply unit for supplying power required to drive the submodule from the DC capacitor;
a submodule controller for controlling whole operation of the submodule;
memory for storing data required for operating the submodule controller; and
a communicating unit for performing data communication with an external device;
wherein the submodule controller performs a program update during a start sequence of the submodule or during a stop sequence thereof, while the DC-DC conversion is operated,
wherein the start sequence is performed in a passive charging zone of the submodule,
wherein the power is supplied to the submodule controller when voltage of the DC capacitor in the submodule is charged to a level exceeding a certain voltage at an area of the passive charging zone and the submodule controller for the passive charging zone does not control other components in the submodule to secure enough power supply, and
wherein the power is supplied to the submodule controller for the stop sequence for a few minutes when the submodule controller for the stop sequence does not control the other components in the submodule to secure the enough power supply.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The submodule of claim 1, wherein the submodule controller receives an image file of a program to be updated from the external device through the communication unit, stores it in the memory, and if the image file is successfully stored, replaces the program with the image file.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The submodule of claim 2, wherein the memory includes a boot loader area where a running program is stored, and a submodule including a temporary area where the received image file is stored.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The submodule of claim 1, wherein the communication unit forms an optical communication channel through which the data communication with the external device is performed in an optical communication method.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The submodule of claim 1, wherein the submodule controller performs the steps of:
confirming whether it is necessary to update a program of the submodule;
receiving an image file of an updated program version of the submodule from the external device;
temporarily storing the image file of the program of the submodule; and
updating the program of the submodule by using the image file if being successfully stored temporarily.