Hybrid modular multilevel converter (HMMC) based on a neutral point pilot (NPP) topology
AssigneeGE Energy Power Conversion Technology Limited
InventorZhi Zhou
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Provided is a hybrid modular multilevel converter (HMMC) based on a neutral point pilot (NPP) topology and having an ABC N-phase structure. The HMMC includes N pairs of identical upper and lower arms, each upper and lower arm being composed of X submodules and Y sets of switches. The switches within each set are cascaded and connected in series, each of the submodules is formed of full-bridge silicon (Si) insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) converters, and at least one of the set of switches is formed of IGBTs of opposite polarities.
Claims19
A hybrid modular multilevel converter (HMMC) based on a neutral point pilot topology (NPP) and having an ABC N-phase structure, comprising N pairs of identical upper and lower arms, each upper and lower arm being composed of X submodules, each submodule being a full-bridge or half-bridge converter with a smoothing capacitor, and Y sets of switches external to the submodules, wherein the switches within each set are cascaded and connected in series.
A hybrid modular multilevel converter (HMMC) based on a neutral point pilot (NPP) topology and having positive and negative direct current (DC) voltage rails, a neutral point node, and a plurality of phase legs each (i) corresponding to an alternating current (AC) phase and (ii) including an upper arm and a lower arm, each upper arm being connected between the positive rail and the neutral point node, each lower arm being connected between the negative rail and the neutral point node, at least one of the upper and lower arms comprising:
- two or more series connected submodules having a first lead connected, at least indirectly, to the positive rail and a second lead connected to an output terminal of the corresponding AC phase, each of the submodules being a full-bridge or half-bridge converter with a smoothing capacitor;
- and
- a first set of cascaded switches connected in series and having (i) one end connected to the output terminal and (ii) another end connected to the neutral point node, the first set of cascaded switches being external to the submodules.
A hybrid modular multilevel converter (HMMC) based on a neutral point pilot (NPP) topology and having an ABC N-phase structure, comprising N pairs of identical upper and lower arms, each upper and lower arm being composed of X submodules and Y sets of switches;
- wherein the switches within each set are cascaded and connected in series and (ii) external to the submodules;
- wherein each of the submodules is formed of full-bridge silicon (Si) insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) converters and a smoothing capacitor;
- and
- wherein at least one of the set of switches is formed of IGBTs of opposite polarities.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.