Abstract: A converter system comprises two phase modules, each phase module comprising a first converter leg and a second converter leg interconnected with a DC link, and a charging transformer for charging the DC link. The DC link comprises two capacitors connected in series between a positive point, a middle point and a negative point, each converter leg adapted for interconnecting an output with the positive point, the middle point or the negative point of the DC link. The phase modules are connected in series via outputs of the converter legs, such that a second converter leg of a lower phase module is connected with a first converter leg of a higher phase module. The charging transformer is connected to the middle point of the DC link of a highest phase module, which provides a phase output of the converter system with an output of a second converter leg. The converter system includes two converter phases, each converter phase comprising at least two series connected phase modules.

Abstract: A method is disclosed in one embodiment for discharging DC link capacitors. In one form the method includes switching a first half bridge of a first converter unit to a positive state, in which its AC output is connected with its positive DC output, and simultaneously switching a second half bridge of a second converter unit to a negative state, in which its AC output is connected with its negative DC output, such that a DC link capacitor of the first converter unit and a DC link capacitor of the second converter unit are interconnected oppositely to each other and discharged via the electrical filter.

Abstract: A converter system comprises two phase modules, each phase module comprising a first converter leg and a second converter leg interconnected with a DC link, and a charging transformer for charging the DC link. The DC link comprises two capacitors connected in series between a positive point, a middle point and a negative point, each converter leg adapted for interconnecting an output with the positive point, the middle point or the negative point of the DC link. The phase modules are connected in series via outputs of the converter legs, such that a second converter leg of a lower phase module is connected with a first converter leg of a higher phase module. The charging transformer is connected to the middle point of the DC link of a highest phase module, which provides a phase output of the converter system with an output of a second converter leg. The converter system includes two converter phases, each converter phase comprising at least two series connected phase modules.

Abstract: A method is disclosed in one embodiment for discharging DC link capacitors. In one form the method includes switching a first half bridge of a first converter unit to a positive state, in which its AC output is connected with its positive DC output, and simultaneously switching a second half bridge of a second converter unit to a negative state, in which its AC output is connected with its negative DC output, such that a DC ink capacitor of the first converter unit and a DC link capacitor of the second converter unit are interconnected oppositely to each other arid discharged via the electrical filter.

Abstract: A method, a controller unit for a bridge rectifier, and a bridge rectifier system are disclosed for detecting a shorted diode in a bridge rectifier. The method can include determining a phase-to-phase voltage between two phase inputs of the bridge rectifier, wherein a phase input is provided between the two series connected diodes of the respective phase, and indicating a shorted diode fault by determining whether the phase-to-phase voltage is zero for more than a commutation time of the bridge rectifier.

Abstract: A method, a controller unit for a bridge rectifier, and a bridge rectifier system are disclosed for detecting a shorted diode in a bridge rectifier. The method can include determining a phase-to-phase voltage between two phase inputs of the bridge rectifier, wherein a phase input is provided between the two series connected diodes of the respective phase, and indicating a shorted diode fault by determining whether the phase-to-phase voltage is zero for more than a commutation time of the bridge rectifier.