Abstract: An electrical power distribution system includes a first high side sub-module including a high side converter and a high side energy storage device. The first high side sub-module is electrically coupled to a high side load that requires a high voltage or medium voltage DC, the high voltage DC being higher than the medium voltage DC. The system also includes a first low side sub-module including a low side converter and a low side energy storage device. The first high side sub-module and the first low side sub-module are configured to be inductively coupled. The first high side sub-module and the first low side sub-module form a first module.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated boost modular multilevel converter, which has particular, but not sole, relevance to a converter for an inductive or capacitive (wireless) power transfer system. More particularly, the present invention according to an embodiment discloses a modular multilevel power converter (MMPC) comprising: at least one submodule stack having an output for connection to a load and an input for connection to an input power source, at least one inductive element provided between the input and the output, the at least one submodule stack including at least two submodules, each submodule comprising at least one capacitor and a plurality of controllable switches, and the submodules being operable to selectively transfer energy from the at least one inductive element to boost a voltage at the output relative to a voltage at the input.

Abstract: An apparatus for modular AC to AC frequency conversion is disclosed. An input AC source is configured to generate an input AC voltage at a first frequency. At least one primary low frequency (LF) conversion stage is configured to generate a DC voltage, and comprises a first pair of metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs). At least one primary high frequency (HF) conversion stage is configured to generate the DC voltage, and comprises a first pair of high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs). At least one secondary LF conversion stage is configured to receive the DC voltage and generate an output AC voltage at a second frequency, and comprises a second pair of MOSFETs. At least one secondary HF conversion stage is configured to receive the DC voltage and generate the output AC voltage at the second frequency, and comprises a second pair of HEMTs.

Abstract: An electrical power distribution system includes a first high side sub-module including a high side converter and a high side energy storage device. The first high side sub-module is electrically coupled to a high side load that requires a high voltage or medium voltage DC, the high voltage DC being higher than the medium voltage DC. The system also includes a first low side sub-module including a low side converter and a low side energy storage device. The first high side sub-module and the first low side sub-module are configured to be inductively coupled. The first high side sub-module and the first low side sub-module form a first module.

Abstract: A converter including a bridge circuit having a first leg and a second leg, each leg including a high switch and a low switch, the high switches being connected to a first energy source and the low switches being connected to ground, a coupling network(s) having a first connection between the switches of the first leg and a second connection between the switches of the second leg, and a second (or multiple secondary) energy source(s) connected between the coupling network(s) and ground, wherein the coupling network comprises a first inductive element connected between the second energy source and the switches of the first leg, and a second inductive element connected between the second energy source and the switches of the second leg.

Abstract: An IPT primary or secondary circuit includes a converter connected to a primary energy source and a compensation network. A supplementary energy source is connected to the compensation network and the converter transfers energy between the primary energy source or another IPT primary or secondary circuit and the supplementary energy source.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an integrated boost modular multilevel converter, which has particular, but not sole, relevance to a converter for an inductive or capacitive (wireless) power transfer system. More particularly, the present invention according to an embodiment discloses a modular multilevel power converter (MMPC) comprising: at least one submodule stack having an output for connection to a load and an input for connection to an input power source, at least one inductive element provided between the input and the output, the at least one submodule stack including at least two submodules, each submodule comprising at least one capacitor and a plurality of controllable switches, and the submodules being operable to selectively transfer energy from the at least one inductive element to boost a voltage at the output relative to a voltage at the input.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a AC-AC converter, which has particular relevance to a converter for an inductive or capacitive (wireless) power transfer system. More specifically, the current invention discloses an AC-AC converter comprising a bridge circuit having a first leg and a second leg, each leg including a high switch and a low switch, the high switches being connected to a first energy source and the low switches being connected to ground, a coupling network(s) having a first connection between the switches of the first leg and a second connection between the switches of the second leg, a second (or multiple secondary) energy source(s) connected between the coupling network(s) and ground.

Abstract: An IPT primary or secondary circuit includes a converter connected to a primary energy source and a compensation network. A supplementary energy source is connected to the compensation network and the converter transfers energy between the primary energy source or another IPT primary or secondary circuit and the supplementary energy source.

Abstract: A method for controlling a modular converter with a plurality of converter modules includes: selecting possible future switching sequences of the converter based on an actual converter switching state; predicting a future current trajectory for each switching sequence based on actual internal currents and on actual internal voltages; and determining candidate sequences from the switching sequences, wherein a candidate sequence is a switching sequence with a current trajectory that respects predefined bounds with respect to a reference current or, when a predefined bound is violated, moves the current closer to such a predefined bound. The method includes predicting future module voltages for each candidate sequence; evaluating a cost function for each candidate sequence; and selecting the next converter switching state as a first converter switching state of a candidate sequence with minimal costs.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to Modular Multi-level Converters and has particular relevance to a circuit topology for a Modular Multi-level Converter which simplifies the control, reduces power losses and improves the performance in many aspects. There is provided a Modular Multi-level Converter (M2LC) comprising a top circuit arm connected to a bottom circuit arm across a DC supply rail, each arm comprising a number of switch modules having associated capacitances and switches arranged to switch respective voltages into the arm; and voltage correcting means (VCM) arranged to switch a correcting voltage into an arm dependent on a voltage difference between the top and bottom arms or a circulating current in the arms.

Abstract: A method for controlling a modular converter with a plurality of converter modules includes: selecting possible future switching sequences of the converter based on an actual converter switching state; predicting a future current trajectory for each switching sequence based on actual internal currents and on actual internal voltages; and determining candidate sequences from the switching sequences, wherein a candidate sequence is a switching sequence with a current trajectory that respects predefined bounds with respect to a reference current or, when a predefined bound is violated, moves the current closer to such a predefined bound. The method includes predicting future module voltages for each candidate sequence; evaluating a cost function for each candidate sequence; and selecting the next converter switching state as a first converter switching state of a candidate sequence with minimal costs.