US 5,909,367 A · Modular AC-AC variable voltage and variable frequency power conveter system and control

Abstract

An AC--AC multi-module matrix PWM converter includes one to a plurality of phase banks within which are provided architecturally identical basic circuit modules of single phase output AC--AC matrix converters. Each basic converter module includes three-phase AC inputs and two output terminals. The modules may then be interconnected in series or parallel with other modules within a phase bank to increase the output voltage or current respectively of the phase bank. The differential power module structure and the differential phase PWM modulation scheme increases the output voltage by 15.5% in comparison with 120.degree. phase modulation. Individually designed and tested phase banks can be further connected to a higher power symmetric three phase system or multiphase system for various AC load and AC motor controls. The modular structure permits standardization of the power electronics design and manufacture at system level. The modular design permits using power components at lower voltage or current rating with low cost while obtaining higher power output through module integration.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A multi-module AC--AC power converter for converting fixed voltage and fixed frequency isolated multi-phase power to an integrated variable-voltage and variable-frequency multi-phase output with multiple power ratings which is to be supplied to a load, the AC--AC power converter comprising:

a plurality of phase banks each of which is a multi-phase input single phase output pulse width modulated AC--AC power converter, each phase bank including,
a plurality of operationally identical single phase converter modules which have three input terminals and two output terminals which input the fixed voltage and fixed frequency isolated multi-phase power and outputs variable voltage and variable frequency power, the outputs of each of the single phase converter modules within a same phase bank interconnected with each other to sum the output of individual matrix converter modules of the plurality.

A method of converting electrically isolated fixed voltage and fixed frequency three phase power from a three phase power supply to a variable voltage and variable frequency output using an AC--AC power converter, the method comprising the steps of:

supplying isolated fixed voltage and fixed frequency three phase power to first, second, and third phase banks;
providing each of the phase banks with a plurality of operationally identical converter modules having three input terminals and two output terminals;
supplying a first phase, second phase, and third phase of the isolated fixed voltage and fixed frequency three phase power to respective first, second, and third inputs of each of the plurality of converter modules in each of the phase banks;
generating from each of the plurality of converter modules single phase variable-voltage and variable-frequency output power;
interconnecting the converter modules in the first phase bank to generate a single phase variable voltage and variable frequency output greater than any single converter module output;
interconnecting the converter modules in the second phase bank to generate a single phase variable voltage and variable frequency output greater than any single converter module output;
interconnecting the converter modules in the third phase bank to generate a single phase variable voltage and variable frequency output greater than any single converter module output;
and,
connecting the outputs from the phase banks to a load.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Modular AC-AC variable voltage and variable frequency power conveter system and control

Life of this patent

Modular AC-AC variable voltage and variable frequency power conveter system and control

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20