Abstract: A power module included a plurality of normally-on semiconductor switches based on a wide bandgap substrate, the normally-on semiconductor switches connected in parallel; and a balancing unit including a capacitor and a balancing semiconductor switch connected in series, which are connected in parallel to the normally-on semiconductor switches.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bidirectional DC-DC converter with intermediate conversion into AC power, including: a DC-AC conversion circuit using a plurality of MOSFETs; an AC-DC conversion circuit using a plurality of power diodes; a transformer; a pair of switches, one of which being inserted in series between a DC terminal of the DC-AC conversion circuit and the AC-DC conversion circuit and the other of which being inserted in series between another DC terminal of the DC-AC conversion circuit and the AC-DC conversion circuit; and a controller being adapted for turning on the pair of switches such that the plurality of power diodes of the AC-DC conversion circuit are reverse-biased where the AC power is transferred in the forward direction and turning off the pair of switches where the AC power is transferred in the backward direction.

Abstract: A converter system for interconnecting renewable energy sources with a DC distribution bus comprises a converter unit which comprises an isolated DC-to-DC converter connectable to the renewable energy source, and a non-isolated DC-to-DC converter connectable to the DC distribution bus, which is cascade connected with the isolated DC-to-DC converter.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a four-level voltage source converter topology including two intermediate converter branches connecting two intermediate voltage levels to a load terminal, and including a interconnect switch coupling the two intermediate branches. The interconnect switch replaces two controlled switches present in corresponding four-level prior art topologies. The four-level converter thus requires, for a full bidirectional implementation, only five active switches. The reduced number of active switches/gate drivers and the four available output voltage levels make this solution interesting for lower cost power electronics with improved reliability, good power quality and minimized filtering requirement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bidirectional DC-DC converter with intermediate conversion into AC power, including: a DC-AC conversion circuit using a plurality of MOSFETs; and an AC-DC conversion circuit using a plurality of power diodes; a transformer magnetically coupling a first winding and a second winding, wherein the first winding being electrically connected between the DC-AC conversion circuit AC terminals and being electrically connected between the AC-DC conversion circuit AC terminals in an arrangement such that the AC power generated from the intermediate conversion by an operation of the DC-AC conversion is transferred by the transformer in a forward direction from the first winding to the second winding, and the AC-DC conversion circuit converts the AC power transferred in a backward direction from the second winding to the first winding into DC power; a pair of switches, one of which being inserted in series between respective DC terminals of the DC-AC conversion circuit and the AC-DC conversion c

Abstract: A converter cell for a modular converter includes at least one power semiconductor switch for switching a cell current through the converter cell; a cell capacitor interconnected with the at least one power semiconductor switch, such that the cell capacitor is loadable by the cell current; a controller for switching the at least one power semiconductor switch, wherein the controller is supplyable with auxiliary power from the cell capacitor; and a photovoltaic cell for providing initial and/or further auxiliary power to the controller.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a four-level voltage source converter topology including two intermediate converter branches connecting two intermediate voltage levels to a load terminal, and including a interconnect switch coupling the two intermediate branches. The interconnect switch replaces two controlled switches present in corresponding four-level prior art topologies. The four-level converter thus requires, for a full bidirectional implementation, only five active switches. The reduced number of active switches/gate drivers and the four available output voltage levels make this solution interesting for lower cost power electronics with improved reliability, good power quality and minimized filtering requirement.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply system includes an AC input interface and a DC output interface, and a plurality of power supply paths coupled between the AC and DC interfaces. A first one of the power supply paths has a lower component count, whereas a second one of the power supply paths has a higher component count. At least one of the power supply paths is structured to supply DC electrical power to a power bus in the DC output interface at a varying voltage.

Abstract: An exemplary inductive power transfer system having a transmitter coil and a receiver coil. A transmitter-side power converter having a mains rectifier stage powering a transmitter-side dc-bus and controlling a transmitter-side dc-bus voltage U1,dc. A transmitter-side inverter stage with a switching frequency fsw supplies the transmitter coil with an alternating current. A receiver-side power converter having a receiver-side rectifier stage that rectifies a voltage induced in the receiver coil and powering a receiver-side dc-bus and a receiver-side charging converter controlling a receiver-side dc-bus voltage U2,dc. Power controllers that determine from a power transfer efficiency of the power transfer, reference values U1,dc*, U2,dc* for the transmitter and receiver side dc-bus voltages. An inverter stage switching controller controls the switching frequency fsw to reduce losses in the transmitter-side inverter stage.

Abstract: A converter system for interconnecting renewable energy sources with a DC distribution bus comprises a converter unit which comprises an isolated DC-to-DC converter connectable to the renewable energy source, and a non-isolated DC-to-DC converter connectable to the DC distribution bus, which is cascade connected with the isolated DC-to-DC converter.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a modulation method for controlling at least two parallel-connected, multi-phase power converters. The method comprises generating synchronized switching sequences for the power converters on the basis of a common modulation reference, wherein each synchronized switching sequence comprises a first half sequence followed by a second half sequence, and wherein, for at least one of the power converters, the first half sequence is a rising-edge half sequence rising-edge half sequence and the second half sequence is a falling-edge half sequence, and, for at least one other of the power converters, the first half sequence is a falling-edge half sequence and the second half sequence is a rising-edge half sequence.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply system includes an AC input interface and a DC output interface, and a plurality of power supply paths coupled between the AC and DC interfaces. A first one of the power supply paths has a lower component count, whereas a second one of the power supply paths has a higher component count. At least one of the power supply paths is structured to supply DC electrical power to a power bus in the DC output interface at a varying voltage.

Abstract: A power supply system includes an AC input interface, a DC output interface, and each of a single-conversion power supply path and a multi-conversion power supply path extending between the AC input interface and the DC output interface. Operating the system in a first or standard mode includes conveying electrical power between an AC power supply and an electrical load by way of the single-conversion power supply path. Operation in a second or non-standard operation mode includes conveying the electrical power by way of the multi-conversion power supply path.

Abstract: A converter for connecting a voltage source to a load includes a plurality of ICBT (integrated capacitor blocked transistor) cells configured as switches and connected in series to form a series connection path, a main capacitor connected across the series connection path, and a controller. Each ICBT cell includes a main transistor disposed in the series connection path and a series connected auxiliary transistor and auxiliary capacitor coupled in parallel with the main transistor. The controller is operable to develop a voltage across the main capacitor which exceeds a voltage rating of the ICBT cells, by switching the ICBT cells so as to commutate current within the individual ICBT cells without the ICBT cells providing active power to the load so that power flow is from the voltage source, to the main capacitor, to the load and not through the auxiliary transistors and the auxiliary capacitors.

Abstract: A modular converter is disclosed for a battery charging station, having at least two charging modules connected in parallel. Each of the charging modules can be configured for generating an output current I1, I2, I3 for charging a battery. Each charging module can have a local controller for controlling the charging module. Each local controller of a charging module can be configured for determining a global charging current I and for determining the output current I1, I2, I3 of the charging module.

Abstract: A converter circuit with short-circuit protection can include a plurality of phase legs having a series connection of normally-on switches, between voltage rails of a DC voltage link, a DC link capacitor, and AC voltage connection points between the normally-on switches. A phase-to-phase short-circuit protection circuit includes a parallel connection of a resistive component and a controllable switch. The phase-to-phase short-circuit protection circuit including a first terminal connected to an AC voltage connection point and a second terminal forms an input or an output of the converter circuit; and a controllable switch is connected in series with the DC link capacitor. Upon lack of control of the normally-on switches the controllable switch of the at least one phase-to-phase short-circuit protection circuit and the controllable switch of the phase leg short-circuit protection circuit are adapted to be controlled to a non-conductive state.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to methods and systems for producing a three-phase current to a three-phase output. Switching converters are used to generate a positive current, a negative current, and an intermediate current. The system is configured such that the produced positive current follows a path of a highest phase of a sinusoidal three-phase signal at a given time, the produced negative current follows a path of a lowest phase of the three-phase signal at the given time, and the produced intermediate current follows a path of a phase of the three-phase signal between the highest and the lowest phase at the given time. The produced currents are switched to each phase conductor of the three-phase output in sequence so that phase currents of the three-phase current are formed in the output conductors.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling single-phase DC/AC converters, along with a converter arrangement having at least two single-phase DC/AC converters. A controller is provided which can control the at least two single-phase DC/AC converters, and an isolation transformer, wherein outputs of the at least two single-phase DC/AC converters are cascade-connected with each other and an input of the isolation transformer. The controller is configured to control the at least two single-phase DC/AC converters to deliver power from their inputs to their outputs by turns.

Abstract: An exemplary inductive power transfer system having a transmitter coil and a receiver coil. A transmitter-side power converter having a mains rectifier stage powering a transmitter-side dc-bus and controlling a transmitter-side dc-bus voltage U1,dc. A transmitter-side inverter stage with a switching frequency fsw supplies the transmitter coil with an alternating current. A receiver-side power converter having a receiver-side rectifier stage that rectifies a voltage induced in the receiver coil and powering a receiver-side dc-bus and a receiver-side charging converter controlling a receiver-side dc-bus voltage U2,dc. Power controllers that determine from a power transfer efficiency of the power transfer, reference values U1,dc*, U2,dc* for the transmitter and receiver side dc-bus voltages. An inverter stage switching controller controls the switching frequency fsw to reduce losses in the transmitter-side inverter stage.

Abstract: A converter circuit with short-circuit protection can include a plurality of phase legs having a series connection of normally-on switches, between voltage rails of a DC voltage link, a DC link capacitor, and AC voltage connection points between the normally-on switches. A phase-to-phase short-circuit protection circuit includes a parallel connection of a resistive component and a controllable switch. The phase-to-phase short-circuit protection circuit including a first terminal connected to an AC voltage connection point and a second terminal forms an input or an output of the converter circuit; and a controllable switch is connected in series with the DC link capacitor. Upon lack of control of the normally-on switches the controllable switch of the at least one phase-to-phase short-circuit protection circuit and the controllable switch of the phase leg short-circuit protection circuit are adapted to be controlled to a non-conductive state.