Abstract: Methods of energizing converters, and converter stations thereof, based on a mix of half-bridge (HB) converter cells and full-bridge (FB) converter cells are provided. According to one embodiment, a method for energizing a converter may include establishing a direct electrical connection between DC terminals of a converter, electrically connecting the converter to an AC power source via AC connectors and obtaining, from the AC power source and for a certain period of time, an AC voltage between two electrical phase lines for charging capacitors of the FB cells connected to the two electrical phase lines. Accordingly, the FB cells will be charged to a higher value and they may be controlled for charging capacitors of the HB submodules to at least a minimum voltage required to start switching devices of the HB submodules by drawing power from the AC power source.

Abstract: Methods of energizing converters, and converter stations thereof, based on a mix of half-bridge (HB) converter cells and full-bridge (FB) converter cells are provided. According to one embodiment, a method for energizing a converter may include establishing a direct electrical connection between DC terminals of a converter, electrically connecting the converter to an AC power source via AC connectors and obtaining, from the AC power source and for a certain period of time, an AC voltage between two electrical phase lines for charging capacitors of the FB cells connected to the two electrical phase lines. Accordingly, the FB cells will be charged to a higher value and they may be controlled for charging capacitors of the HB submodules to at least a minimum voltage required to start switching devices of the HB submodules by drawing power from the AC power source.

Abstract: A voltage source converter includes a number of converter modules, one for each of a number of phases, connected in-series between two DC terminals. Each converter module includes an upper director valve in series with a lower director valve, where a junction between the two provides a primary AC terminal, an upper wayshaper section, a common waveshaper block and a lower waveshaper section in parallel with the valves, where the upper and lower waveshaper sections include multilevel cells and the common waveshaper block include at least one common waveshaper connected between the upper and lower waveshaper sections, a first switching element connected between a secondary AC terminal and the upper waveshaper section and a second switching element connected between the secondary AC terminal and the lower waveshaper section.

Abstract: A voltage source converter includes a number of converter modules, one for each of a number of phases, connected in-series between two DC terminals. Each converter module includes an upper director valve in series with a lower director valve, where a junction between the two provides a primary AC terminal, an upper waveshaper section, a common waveshaper block and a lower waveshaper section in parallel with the valves, where the upper and lower waveshaper sections include multilevel cells and the common waveshaper block include at least one common waveshaper connected between the upper and lower waveshaper sections, a first switching element connected between a secondary AC terminal and the upper waveshaper section and a second switching element connected between the secondary AC terminal and the lower waveshaper section.

Abstract: A voltage source converter includes a number of valves, the valves including switching elements with anti-parallel diodes provided in a bridge for switching between two states. The bridge is provided in at least one phase leg that stretches between two direct current poles and has at least one midpoint, which is connected to an alternating current terminal. The switching element of at least one valve is a thyristor. The converter further includes a commutation cell associated with the valve, where the commutation cell is controllable to reverse-bias the valve if it is to stop conducting current.

Abstract: A voltage source converter includes a number of valves, the valves including switching elements with anti-parallel diodes provided in a bridge for switching between two states. The bridge is provided in at least one phase leg that stretches between two direct current poles and has at least one midpoint, which is connected to an alternating current terminal. The switching element of at least one valve is a thyristor. The converter further includes a commutation cell associated with the valve, where the commutation cell is controllable to reverse-bias the valve if it is to stop conducting current.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an AC/DC converter comprising at least two phase legs connected in series between first and second DC connection terminals of the AC/DC converter, wherein each phase leg comprises: an AC connection having first and second terminals arranged to connect the phase leg to a phase of an AC system; a phase branch comprising at least one converter cell and having first and second branch end terminals; and a capacitor. The capacitor is connected the between the first branch end terminal and the first AC connection terminal, so that the capacitor forms a DC blocking capacitor. The second AC terminal is connected to the second branch end terminal. The series connection of the phase legs between first and second DC connection terminal is such that a first series connection point in a phase leg is located between the first branch end terminal and the capacitor, while a second series connection point is located between the second branch end terminal and the second AC connection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an AC/DC converter comprising at least two phase legs connected in series between first and second DC connection terminals of the AC/DC converter, wherein each phase leg comprises: an AC connection having first and second terminals arranged to connect the phase leg to a phase of an AC system; a phase branch comprising at least one converter cell and having first and second branch end terminals; and a capacitor. The capacitor is connected the between the first branch end terminal and the first AC connection terminal, so that the capacitor forms a DC blocking capacitor. The second AC terminal is connected to the second branch end terminal. The series connection of the phase legs between first and second DC connection terminal is such that a first series connection point in a phase leg is located between the first branch end terminal and the capacitor, while a second series connection point is located between the second branch end terminal and the second AC connection.