Distribution transformer interface apparatus and methods
AssigneeGridbridge, Inc.
InventorsChad Eckhardt, Qin Huang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus includes at least one external source terminal configured to be connected to at least one secondary terminal of a distribution transformer and at least one external load terminal configured to be connected to a load. The apparatus further includes a converter circuit coupled to the at least one external source terminal and to the at least one external load terminal and configured to provide shunt current regulation and series voltage regulation.
Claims28
An apparatus comprising:
- at least one external source terminal configured to be connected to at least one secondary terminal of a distribution transformer;
- at least one external load terminal configured to be connected to a load;
- a shunt converter circuit having a first port coupled to the at least one external source terminal to provide parallel connection to a secondary winding of the distribution transformer;
- and
- a series converter circuit having a first port coupled between the at least one external load terminal and the at least one external source terminal and a second port coupled to a second port of the shunt converter circuit.
A distribution transformer interface unit comprising:
- a frame;
- a set of source terminals supported by the frame and configured to be coupled to a set of secondary terminals of a distribution transformer;
- a set of load terminals supported by the frame and configured to be coupled to a load;
- a shunt converter circuit supported by the frame and coupled to the set of source terminals to provide parallel connection to a secondary winding of the distribution transformer;
- and
- a series converter circuit supported by the frame and coupled to the set of load terminals to provide series connection with the load and coupled to the shunt converter circuit via a DC bus.
An apparatus comprising:
- at least one external source terminal configured to be connected to at least one secondary terminal of a distribution transformer;
- at least one external load terminal configured to be connected to a load;
- a converter circuit coupled to the at least one external source terminal and to the at least one external load terminal and configured to provide shunt current regulation at the at least one external source terminal and voltage regulation at the at least one external load terminal.
A method of retrofitting an existing distribution transformer, the method comprising:
- mounting a distribution transformer interface unit on or near the existing distribution transformer, the distribution transformer interface unit comprising a shunt converter circuit and a series converter circuit coupled by a DC bus;
- and
- connecting the distribution transformer interface unit to a secondary winding of the existing distribution transformer and to a load to support parallel coupling of the shunt converter series and the secondary winding and series coupling of the series converter circuit and the load.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.