Multi-mode energy router
AssigneeToshiba International Corporation
InventorsMark Douglas Rayner, Yu Liu, Richard Robert Gerhold, Da Jiao
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, a multi-mode energy router (MMER) is provided. The MMER includes a functional block of power electronics under processor control. In addition, the MMER includes a plurality of switches that can be controlled to route power from specific sources or loads to the input or output of the functional block. The MMER enables a single functional block of power electronics to selectively provide bi-directional power conversion between AC and DC components and between DC and DC components.
Claims21
A power conversion system comprising:
- a functional block of power electronics;
- a first set of switches for selectively coupling an AC power component to the functional block;
- a second set of switches for selectively coupling a first DC power component to the functional block;
- and
- a controller communicatively coupled to the power electronics of the functional block and to the first and second sets of switches, wherein the controller is configured to control the functional block to selectively convert power between the AC power component and the first DC power component, to convert power between the AC power component and a second DC power component, and to convert power between the first DC power component and the second DC power component.
A method, comprising:
- controlling a first set of switches disposed between an AC power component and a functional block of power electronics to selectively couple the AC power component to the functional block;
- controlling a second set of switches disposed between a first DC power component and the functional block to selectively couple the first DC power component to the functional block;
- controlling a third set of switches disposed between a second DC power component and the functional block to selectively couple the second DC power component to the functional block;
- and
- controlling the power electronics of the functional block to selectively convert power between the AC power component and the first DC power component, to convert power between the AC power component and a second DC power component, and to convert power between the first DC power component and the second DC power component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.