EP2740205A1 - A dc to dc converter assembly - Google Patents
A dc to dc converter assemblyInfo
- Publication number
- EP2740205A1 EP2740205A1 EP11758423.5A EP11758423A EP2740205A1 EP 2740205 A1 EP2740205 A1 EP 2740205A1 EP 11758423 A EP11758423 A EP 11758423A EP 2740205 A1 EP2740205 A1 EP 2740205A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- inverter
- limb
- voltage
- rectifier
- converter assembly
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02M—APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF
- H02M3/00—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output
- H02M3/22—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output with intermediate conversion into ac
- H02M3/24—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output with intermediate conversion into ac by static converters
- H02M3/28—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output with intermediate conversion into ac by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode to produce the intermediate ac
- H02M3/325—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output with intermediate conversion into ac by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode to produce the intermediate ac using devices of a triode or a transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal
- H02M3/335—Conversion of dc power input into dc power output with intermediate conversion into ac by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode to produce the intermediate ac using devices of a triode or a transistor type requiring continuous application of a control signal using semiconductor devices only
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02M—APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF
- H02M7/00—Conversion of ac power input into dc power output; Conversion of dc power input into ac power output
- H02M7/42—Conversion of dc power input into ac power output without possibility of reversal
- H02M7/44—Conversion of dc power input into ac power output without possibility of reversal by static converters
- H02M7/48—Conversion of dc power input into ac power output without possibility of reversal by static converters using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode
- H02M7/483—Converters with outputs that each can have more than two voltages levels
- H02M7/4835—Converters with outputs that each can have more than two voltages levels comprising two or more cells, each including a switchable capacitor, the capacitors having a nominal charge voltage which corresponds to a given fraction of the input voltage, and the capacitors being selectively connected in series to determine the instantaneous output voltage
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02M—APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF
- H02M1/00—Details of apparatus for conversion
- H02M1/0083—Converters characterised by their input or output configuration
- H02M1/0085—Partially controlled bridges
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02M—APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF
- H02M1/00—Details of apparatus for conversion
- H02M1/0095—Hybrid converter topologies, e.g. NPC mixed with flying capacitor, thyristor converter mixed with MMC or charge pump mixed with buck
Definitions
- the inclusion of a power transformer within the or each link provides for a greater range of voltage magnitude ratios between the first and second DC voltages.
- the inverter may include a controller configured to switch the or each switching element in the rationalised modules of at least one inverter limb at a high frequency to generate a high frequency AC voltage at the corresponding terminal lying between the inverter limb portions of the said at least one inverter limb.
- Figure 2 shows a DC to DC converter assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention
- Figure 5 shows a DC to DC converter assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention
- Each inverter limb portion 50, 52, 56, 58, 62, 64 includes two rationalised modules 68 connected in series with one another.
- Other embodiments of the invention may include fewer than or, more preferably, greater than two rationalised modules in each inverter limb portion 50, 52, 56, 58, 62, 64.
- the energy storage device 76 is a second capacitor 78 although other energy storage devices, such as fuel cells, photovoltaic cells, and batteries are also possible.
- Each set 70, 72 of current flow control elements 74 includes a first active switching element 80 and a passive current check element 82, as shown more clearly in Figures 3(a) to 3(c).
- each passive current check element 82 limit the current flow through the rationalised module 68 to a single direction, such that each rationalised module 68 conducts current in only one direction which, in the embodiment shown, is from the first high voltage DC power transmission network 16 to the respective third, fourth or fifth terminals 54, 60, 66.
- Each passive current check element 82 is a first diode 88.
- Each inverter limb portion 50, 52, 56, 58, 62, 64 additionally includes a second active switching element 90 to selectively switch each inverter limb portion 50, 52, 56, 58, 62, 64 into circuit as needed for desired operation of the inverter 32.
- the rectifier 92 includes first, second and third rectifier limbs 106, 108, 110 which correspond to the first, second and third inverter limbs 40, 42, 44, respectively.
- Each rectifier limb 106, 108, 110 includes first and second rectifier limb portions 112a, 114a, 112b, 114b, 112c, 114c which are separated by an eighth terminal 116a, 116b, 116c, and each eighth terminal 116a, 116b, 116c is connected by a corresponding first, second or third link 98, 100, 102 to the corresponding third, fourth and fifth terminal 54, 60, 66 of the inverter 32.
- each rectifier limb portion 112a, 114a, 112b, 114b, 112c, 114c includes two series-connected rationalised modules 68 as described hereinabove.
- Other embodiments of the invention may include fewer than or greater than two rationalised modules 68 in each rectifier limb portion 112a, 114a, 112b, 114b, 112c, 114c.
- Each rectifier limb portion 112a, 114a, 112b, 114b, 112c, 114c also includes a passive current check element 82 in the form of a second diode 118 to provide a proportion of the off-state duty when the associated rectifier limb 106, 108, 110 is not conducting.
- the rectifier 92 also includes a further voltage storage device 46 in the form of a first capacitor 48 connected between the sixth and seventh terminals 94, 96 to provide a path for alternating current ripple and to stabilise a second DC voltage V 2 of a second high voltage DC network 18.
- the DC to DC converter assembly 30 also includes a controller (not shown) to switch the rationalised modules 68 at a desired high frequency, i.e. greater than 500Hz, or a desired low frequency, e.g. around 50 to 60Hz.
- the inverter 32 synthesises a first phase of an alternating voltage V A c which is conducted by the first link 98, via the high power transformer 104, from the inverter 32 to the rectifier 92.
- the inverter 32 switches the rationalised modules 68 in the second and third inverter limbs 42, 44 to synthesise respective alternating voltage phase components VAC2, AC3 at the fourth and fifth terminals 60, 66 thereof.
- the high power transformer 104 therefore acts to step up or step down the respective alternating voltage phase components VACI VAC2, VAC3 generated at each of the third, fourth and fifth terminals 54, 60, 66, so as to maintain a balance in the power transferred from the first high voltage DC power transmission network 16 to the second high voltage DC power transmission network 18.
- a small phase angle difference is introduced between the alternating voltage components VACI , AC 2, AC3 on the high voltage side of the power transformer 104 and the alternating voltage components VACI , VAC 2, VAC3 on the inverter side, i.e. the low voltage side, of the power transformer 104 to cause power to flow from the inverter 32 to the rectifier 92.
- the rationalised modules 68 of both the inverter 32 and the rectifier 92 can change the magnitude of the alternating voltage VAC on either side of the transformer 104 and so provide a further method of varying the ratio of first and second DC voltages Vi, V 2 between the first and second networks 16, 18.
- the second converter assembly 130 differs from the first converter assembly 30 in that each of the first, second and third links 98, 100, 102 electrically connects the rectifier 92 directly with the inverter 32, i.e. each of the third, fourth and fifth terminals 54, 60, 66 of the inverter 32 is connected directly to a corresponding eighth terminal 116a, 116b, 116c of the rectifier 92 by a respective first, second or third link 98, 100, 102.
- controller (not shown) associated with the inverter 32 in the second converter assembly 130 is configured to switch the respective inverter limb portions 50, 52, 56, 58, 62, 64 of each inverter limb 40, 42, 44 into simultaneous conduction to divert a portion of current Ii NV flowing within the inverter 32 away from the corresponding link 98, 100, 102 which is electrically connected to the given inverter limb 40, 42, 44.
- controller is configured to:
- the second converter assembly 130 differs in that the controller switches the respective inverter limb portions 50, 52, 56, 58, 62, 64 in each inverter limb 40, 42, 44 into simultaneous conduction to divert a respective current portion IDIVI, IDIV2, IDIV3, of a first DC current II V flowing around the inverter 32, away from the corresponding link 98, 100, 102, such that a reduced amount of current ILINKI, ILINK2, ILINK3 flows through each link 98, 100, 102 to the rectifier.
- each inverter limb portion 50, 52, 56, 58, 62, 64 may include an inductance to assist in controlling the diversion current IDIVI, IDIV2, IDIV3 when the inverter limb portions 50, 52, 56, 58, 62, 64 are brought into simultaneous conduction.
- An inductance may also be included in each of the first, second and third links 98, 100, 102 to facilitate control of the power flow from the inverter 32 to the rectifier 92.
- the reduced amount of current ILINKI, ILINK2, ILINK3 entering the rectifier 92 is synthesised by the rectifier 92 into a second DC current IREC which is lower than the first DC current IINV-
- the difference between the first and second DC currents Ii NV , IREC allows the second converter assembly 130 to maintain a balance between the input power, i.e. II V X V l5 and the output power, i.e. IREC X V 2 , and so avoids the need for a high power transformer between the inverter 32 and rectifier 92, thus saving further size, weight and cost in the second converter assembly 130.
- a DC to DC converter assembly 140 according to a third embodiment of the invention is illustrated schematically in Figure 6.
- the third DC to DC converter assembly 140 is similar to the first DC to DC converter assembly 140 and like features share the same reference numerals.
- the inverter 32 in the third DC to DC converter is identical to the inverter 32 of the first converter assembly 30.
- each rectifier limb portion 112a, 114a, 112b, 114b, 112c, 114c omits a rationalised module 68.
- Such an arrangement saves further size, weight and cost in the third converter assembly 140.
- inverter 32 and high power transformer 104 of the third converter assembly 140 function in essentially the same manner as in the first converter assembly 30.
- the second diodes 118 in the second rectifier 142 are configured as a standard three-phase diode rectifier without the alternating voltage wave- shaping functionality provided by the rationalised modules 68 included in the inverter 32. In this manner, the second rectifier 142 converts alternating voltage V A c at the transformer 104 into a second DC voltage V 2 .
- the respective alternating current ILINK and direct current IREC on either side of the transformer 104 will contain some harmonic distortion but this is normal with such simple rectifier arrangements and perfectly acceptable for many power transmission applications, particularly if the alternating voltage V A c is high frequency (e.g. 500Hz).
- a DC to DC converter assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 150, as shown in Figure 7.
- the fourth converter assembly 150 is similar to the third converter assembly 140 and like features are identified with the same reference numerals.
- the fourth converter assembly 150 includes a second inverter 152 which differs from the first inverter 32 in each of the aforementioned converter assemblies 30; 130; 140.
- the second inverter 152 includes first and second inverter limbs 40, 42 which are configured with inverter limb portions 50, 52, 56, 58 and rationalised modules 68 as described hereinabove in relation to the first, second and third converter assemblies 30; 130; 140.
- each of the fifth and sixth inverter limb portions 62, 64 includes a voltage storage device 46 in the form of a passive third capacitor 154.
- the second inverter 152 operates a two-phase switching regime to form a balanced three-phase alternating voltage V AC from two active voltage sources provided by the first and second inverter limbs 40, 42, and a third reference voltage.
- each of the first and second inverter limbs 40, 42 of the second inverter 152 operate in the same manner as described above to synthesise a respective alternating voltage phase component V ACI, AC2 at the third and fourth terminals 54, 60 thereof.
- the fifth terminal 66 lying between respective passive third capacitors 154 is at a reference voltage potential V REF , e-g- zero volts. Indeed, in some other embodiments of the invention the fifth terminal 66 may be connected to earth.
- the second inverter 152 produces first and second voltage vectors V VECI , VEC2 relative to the reference voltage V REF that are 60° apart, as illustrated schematically in Figure 8(a).
- each of the first, second and third links 98, 100, 102 is, however, of equal magnitude and 120 electrical degrees apart, as shown in Figure 8(b). This is because the transformer is, for example, one having a star connected primary winding fed by V VECI , V VEC2 and V REF and a neutral point experiencing a neutral voltage V NEU - Figure 9 shows a DC to DC converter assembly 160 according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.
- the fifth converter assembly 160 is similar to the third converter assembly 140 shown in Figure 6 but differs in that the inverter 32 includes only first and second inverter limbs 40, 42 and the second rectifier 142 includes only first and second rectifier limbs 106, 108. In a similar manner the fifth converter assembly 160 includes only first and second links 98, 100 between the said inverter 32 and rectifier 142.
- the fifth converter assembly 160 functions in exactly the same manner as the third converter assembly 140 except that it handles only first and second alternating voltage phase components VACI , AC2-
- a further DC to DC converter assembly 170 according to a sixth embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 10.
- the sixth converter assembly 170 is similar to the fifth converter assembly 160 in that each of a third inverter 172 and the second rectifier 142 include only first and second limbs 40, 42, 106, 108.
- the third inverter 172 is similar to the second inverter 152 of the fourth converter assembly 150.
- the third inverter 172 includes a first inverter limb 40 which is configured with inverter limb portions 50, 52 and rationalised modules 68 as described hereinabove.
- each of the third and fourth inverter limb portions 56, 58 includes a voltage storage device 46 in the form of a passive third capacitor 154.
- the first inverter limb 40 of the third inverter 172 operates in the same manner as described above to synthesise an alternating voltage phase component VACI, at the third terminal 54 thereof.
- the passive third capacitors 154 in the second inverter limb 42 provide a reference voltage point, e.g. zero voltage, to the transformer 104 via the second link 100.
- the first link 98 experiences a positive voltage when the rationalised modules 68 in the first inverter limb portion 50 are switched into circuit.
- the first link 98 experiences a negative voltage when the rationalised modules 68 in the second inverter limb portion 52 are switched into circuit.
- the transformer 104 therefore experiences an alternating bidirectional voltage waveform V AC between the first and second links 98, 100.
- V AC alternating bidirectional voltage waveform
- a large number of rationalised modules 68 in the first inverter limb 40 means the transformer voltage 104 can follow sinusoidal or, if preferred, more complex waveforms.
- the second diodes 118 in the second rectifier 142 are configured as a standard single -phase diode rectifier without the alternating voltage wave- shaping functionality provided by the rationalised modules 68 included in the second inverter 172. In this manner the second rectifier 142 converts the alternating voltage V AC at the transformer 104 into a second DC voltage V 2 with the current on the AC and DC sides for the second rectifier 142 again containing some harmonic distortion, as is normal with such simple rectifier arrangements.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP11758423.5A EP2740205A1 (en) | 2011-08-01 | 2011-08-24 | A dc to dc converter assembly |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP2011/063207 WO2013017160A1 (en) | 2011-08-01 | 2011-08-01 | A dc to dc converter assembly |
PCT/EP2011/064545 WO2013017177A1 (en) | 2011-08-01 | 2011-08-24 | A dc to dc converter assembly |
EP11758423.5A EP2740205A1 (en) | 2011-08-01 | 2011-08-24 | A dc to dc converter assembly |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2740205A1 true EP2740205A1 (en) | 2014-06-11 |
Family
ID=45630066
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP11758423.5A Withdrawn EP2740205A1 (en) | 2011-08-01 | 2011-08-24 | A dc to dc converter assembly |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2740205A1 (en) |
-
2011
- 2011-08-24 EP EP11758423.5A patent/EP2740205A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO2013017177A1 * |
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