Polyphase Energy Converter for Outputting Electrical Energy

A motor vehicle comprising:

• an electric drive motor configured to drive the motor vehicle;
• and
• an energy converter, which is connected to the electric drive motor and is configured to output electrical energy,
• wherein the energy converter includes a plurality of converter sections, each converter section including at least one first converter cell module and one second converter cell module,
• wherein the first and second converter cell modules each comprise at least one converter cell and one coupling unit,
• wherein the at least one converter cell is connected between a first input and a second input of the coupling unit and the coupling unit is configured to connect the at least one converter cell between a first terminal of the converter cell module and a second terminal of the converter cell module in response to a first control signal, and to connect the first terminal to the second terminal in response to a second control signal, and
• wherein the at least one converter cell of the first converter cell modules is connected in a first polarity between the first input and the second input of the coupling unit of the respective first converter cell module and the at least one converter cell of the second converter cell modules is connected in a second polarity, which is opposite to the first polarity, between the first input and the second input of the coupling unit of the respective second converter cell module.

A method for supplying power to an electric drive system comprising:

• connecting an energy converter to an electric drive system;
• and
• setting an output voltage for the energy converter to have a first arithmetic sign during a first period and to have a second arithmetic sign, which is opposite to the first arithmetic sign, during a second period,
• wherein the energy converter is configured to output electrical energy,
• wherein the energy converter includes a plurality of converter sections, each converter section including at least one first converter cell module and one second converter cell module,
• wherein the first and second converter cell modules each comprise at least one converter cell and one coupling unit,
• wherein the at least one converter cell is connected between a first input and a second input of the coupling unit and the coupling unit is configured to connect the at least one converter cell between a first terminal of the converter cell module and a second terminal of the converter cell module in response to a first control signal, and to connect the first terminal to the second terminal in response to a second control signal, and
• wherein the at least one converter cell of the first converter cell modules is connected in a first polarity between the first input and the second input of the coupling unit of the respective first converter cell module and the at least one converter cell of the second converter cell modules is connected in a second polarity, which is opposite to the first polarity, between the first input and the second input of the coupling unit of the respective second converter cell module.