Modular multi-level DC/DC converter with current-shaping
AssigneesPhilippe Gray, Peter Waldemar Lehn
InventorsPhilippe Gray, Peter Waldemar Lehn
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Abstract
Embodiments are directed to a modular multi-level DC/DC power electronic converter for transferring power from or between a higher-voltage DC network and a lower-voltage DC network. The power electronic converter features a series connection of low-voltage voltage source modules (VSM) and a current source module (CSM). The series connection of the sub-module elements forms a string. The higher-voltage DC network is interfaced to the converter by connecting across the outer terminals of the string. The lower-voltage DC network is interfaced to the converter through the CSM.
Claims32
A converter circuit for transferring power between a higher-voltage DC network and a lower-voltage DC network;
- the converter circuit comprising:
- two or more voltage source modules (VSMs);
- a current source module (CSM) having one or more inductors, two or more switches, the two or more voltage source modules (VSMs), and the CSM connected as a series connected string, wherein the series connected string is coupled to the higher-voltage DC network;
- wherein at least two AC side terminals of the CSM are connected in series with the two or more VSMs, and two or three DC side terminals of the CSM are coupled to a lower-voltage network;
- and
- a controller that is configured to control one or more states of operation of one or more switches within the CSM or the two or more VSMs of the series connected string to change a direction of a current in the two or more VSMs such that a direction of power flow to the two or more VSMs is reversed during a switching period.
The converter circuit of 1, wherein:
- power is delivered to the at least two AC-side terminals of the CSM for a first portion of the switching period when a direction of a current of the series connected string current is positive and for a second portion of the switching period when the direction of the current of the series connected string is negative;
- or
- power is delivered from the at least two AC-side terminals of the CSM for a first portion of the switching period when a direction of a current of the series connected string current is positive and for a second portion of the switching period when the direction of the current of the series connected string is negative.
A method for transferring power between a higher-voltage DC network and a lower-voltage DC network;
- the method comprising:
- providing a converter circuit comprising:
- two or more voltage source modules (VSMs);
- a current source module (CSM) having one or more inductors, and having two or more switches, the two or more voltage source modules (VSMs) and the current source module (CSM) connected as a series connected string, the series connected string coupled to the higher-voltage DC network;
- two AC side terminals of the CSM connected in series with two or more VSMs;
- two or three DC side terminals of the CSM coupled to a lower-voltage network;
- and
- generating a control command to control one or more states of one or more switches within the CSM and the two or more VSMs such that a current into the series connected string is equal to a current in an inductor of the one or more inductors of the CSM for a first portion of each period and equal to a negative of the current in the inductor of the one or more inductors of the CSM for a second portion of each period.
A non-transitory machine readable media, storing machine interpretable instructions, which when executed, cause a processor to perform a method comprising:
- generating a control command to control one or more states of one or more switches within:
- two or more voltage source modules (VSMs);
- a current source module (CSM) having one or more inductors, and having two or more switches, the two or more voltage source modules (VSMs) and the current source module (CSM) connected as a series connected string, the series connected string coupled to a higher-voltage DC network;
- wherein two AC side terminals of the CSM are connected in series with two or more VSMs;
- and
- two or three DC side terminals of the CSM are coupled to a lower-voltage network;
- and
- wherein a current into the series connected string is equal to a current in one of the one or more inductors of the CSM for a first portion of each period and equal to a negative of the current in an inductor of the one or more inductors of the CSM for a second portion of each period.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.