# US 12,003,169 B2 · Chain-link modules for voltage source converters > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,003,169 B2 - Document ID: US12003169B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/061,932 - Filed: 2022-12-05 - Published: 2023-06-15 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2021-12-15 - Assignees: GE Infrastructure Technology LLC - Applicants: General Electric Technology GmbH - Inventors: Patrick Horton; Colin Chamock Davidson; Adrian Keitley; Mikel Olalquiaga San Emeterio - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12003169B2 ## CPC - H02M 1/007: {Plural converter units in cascade (push-pull DC/DC converters with pre-regulator H02M3/3374; DC-AC converters following a DC-DC stage including a high frequency transformer H02M7/4807; DC-AC converters following a DC-DC conversion stage generating periodically varying voltages H02M7/4826)} - H02M 1/0006: {Arrangements for supplying an adequate voltage to the control circuit of converters} - H02M 1/096: the power supply of the control circuit being connected in parallel to the main switching element (H02M1/092 takes precedence) - H02M 3/156: with automatic control of output voltage or current, e.g. switching regulators - H02M 3/285: {Single converters with a plurality of output stages connected in parallel (parallel operation of a plurality of converters in DC distribution networks H02J1/10)} - H02M 7/25: arranged for operation in series, e.g. for multiplication of voltage - 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} - 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) ## Abstract In the field of chain-link modules for voltage source converters, there is a need for an improved chain-link module. A chain-link module, for connection in series with other chain-link modules to form a chain-link converter selectively operable to provide a stepped variable voltage source within a voltage source converter, includes at least one pair of series-connected switching elements that are connected in parallel with a number of series-connected energy storage devices. Each energy storage device has an auxiliary power supply unit connected in parallel therewith to source energy therefrom for supply to an auxiliary chain-link module control circuit. The chain-link module also includes a modulation controller which is interconnected between each auxiliary power supply unit and the auxiliary chain-link module control circuit. The modulation controller is configured to modulate the proportion of energy supplied to the auxiliary chain-link module control circuit by each auxiliary power supply unit. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A chain-link module, for connection in series with other chain-link modules to form a chain-link converter selectively operable to provide a stepped variable voltage source within a voltage source converter, the chain-link module comprising: at least one pair of series-connected switching elements connected in parallel with a plurality of series-connected energy storage devices, each energy storage device having an auxiliary power supply unit connected in parallel therewith to source energy therefrom for supply to an auxiliary chain-link module control circuit; and a modulation controller interconnected between each auxiliary power supply unit and the auxiliary chain-link module control circuit, the modulation controller being configured to modulate a proportion of energy supplied to the auxiliary chain-link module control circuit by each auxiliary power supply unit; wherein the modulation controller comprises a respective energy conduit extending between each auxiliary power supply unit and the auxiliary chain-link module control circuit, and a selector module to determine which energy conduit supplies energy from the corresponding auxiliary power supply unit in preference to each other energy conduit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The chain-link module according to claim 1, wherein each energy conduit is selectively operable in an energy conducting configuration in which energy is able to flow therethrough and an energy blocking configuration in which energy is prevented from flowing therethrough. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The chain-link module according to claim 2, wherein each energy conduit is or includes an electrical conductor incorporating a series-connected electrical switch to switch the respective electrical conductor between energy conducting and energy blocking configurations. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The chain-link module according to claim 1, wherein the selector module is configured to vary the proportion of energy supplied by each energy conduit. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The chain-link module according to claim 1, wherein the selector module is configured to determine whether a respective energy conduit is to supply energy or not by comparing a measured energy storage value of the corresponding energy storage device with a reference energy storage value and arranging the respective energy conduit to be supply energy if the measured energy storage value is greater than or equal to the reference energy storage value or to not supply energy if the measured energy storage value is less than the reference energy storage value. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The chain-link module according to claim 5, wherein the selector module is configured to one or more of arrange the respective energy conduit to supply energy if the measured energy storage value exceeds the reference energy storage value by more than a predetermined amount and arrange the respective energy conduit to not supply energy if the measured energy storage value falls short of the reference energy storage value by more than a predetermined amount. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The chain-link module according to claim 5, wherein the reference energy storage value is a measured energy storage value of another energy storage device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The chain-link module according to claim 1, having first and second series-connected energy storage devices wherein the selector module is configured to determine whether a respective energy conduit is to supply energy or not if the difference between measured energy storage values of the first and second energy storage devices exceeds a predetermined threshold. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The chain-link module according to claim 1, wherein the total energy stored by the plurality of energy storage devices combined is controlled independently of operation of the modulation controller. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The voltage source converter comprising at least one chain-link converter having a plurality of series-connected chain-link modules, at least one of said chain-link modules being a chain-link module according to claim 1.