Advanced matrix converter and method for operation
AssigneeHoneywell International Inc.
InventorHassan Ali Kojori
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A matrix converter may be provided with AC switches that comprise bi-directional sets of semiconductor switches that are gated with a common gating link. A low loss diode-bridge based snubber may facilitate introduction of time delay between sequential operations of the bi-directional set of semiconductor switches. The matrix converter may be operated in a three-phase mode with only one gating signals for each AC switch, in contrast to prior-art matrix converters which may require use multiple gating signals for each AC switch.
Claims11
A matrix converter comprising:
- a plurality of at least N by M (N×M) bidirectional alternating current (AC) switches, wherein
- N corresponds to the number of AC system phases at an input of the matrix converter and M corresponds to the number of required phases at an output of the matrix converter,
- each of the AC switches includes a bi-directional set of semiconductor switches coordinated to operate sequentially with a time-delay between sequential operations, each of the semiconductor switches having a common gating pattern;
- and
- a snubber absorbing energy during the time delay where all the N switches of one of the M blocks are in the off-position.
A method for providing electrical power at a desired controlled frequency and voltage from a variable voltage variable frequency source, comprising the steps of:
- supplying AC power to a matrix converter;
- operating multiple semiconductor switches simultaneously with common gating;
- introducing time-delay between successive operations of the semiconductor switches to preclude short-circuit of supply voltages or open circuit conditions at an output of the matrix converter;
- absorbing energy in at least one diode-bridge based snubber during the time-delay, wherein each of said snubbers can work individually independent from each other, or integrated together to form a common Aux DC Bus, with common bus voltage and energy recovery circuit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.