For Transfer Of Power Via A High Voltage D.c. Link (i.e., Hvdc Transmission System) Patents (Class 363/35)
  • Publication number: 20130258724
    Abstract: A high voltage direct current system is presented. The system includes at least three high voltage direct current terminals. Furthermore, the system include at least two transmission lines configured to operatively couple the at least three high voltage direct current terminals. Moreover, the system includes a power flow control device operatively coupled to at least one end of one or more of the at least two transmission lines and at least one of a local grid and another power flow control device. Methods to perform the method for power flow control are also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Jie Shen, Stefan Schroeder, Zhihui Yuan
  • Patent number: 8541972
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for suppressing a speed ripple occurring during an operation of an AC motor by using a torque compensator based on an activation function. The method includes the steps of calculating a speed error ?err based on a reference speed ?ref and an actual speed ?act; calculating a controller output Trm by using the speed error ?err as an input of a PI control and an operation of a compensated torque Tcom; and determining a torque variation based on the controller output Trm and a reference torque Tref and operating the torque variation in relation to an anti-windup gain Ka to use torque variation as an input of an integral (I) control. The method suppresses the speed ripple by compensating for the torque ripple through a controller which calculates the compensated torque by taking the signs of the speed error and the differential speed error into consideration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Kyungsung University Industry Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Dong Hee Lee, Jin Woo Ahn
  • Patent number: 8513911
    Abstract: A power converter that interfaces a motor requiring variable voltage/frequency to a supply network providing a nominally fixed voltage/frequency includes a first rectifier/inverter connected to a stator and a second rectifier/inverter. Both rectifier/inverters are interconnected by a dc link and include switching devices. A filter is connected between the second rectifier/inverter and the network. A first controller for the first rectifier/inverter uses a dc link voltage demand signal indicative of a desired dc link voltage to control the switching devices of the first rectifier/inverter. A second controller for the second rectifier/inverter uses a power demand signal indicative of the level of power to be transferred to the dc link from the network through the second rectifier/inverter, and a voltage demand signal indicative of the voltage to be achieved at network terminals of the filter to control the switching devices of the second rectifier/inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Converteam Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Rodney Jones, Christopher Newton
  • Publication number: 20130208514
    Abstract: A power electronic converter for use in high voltage direct current power transmission and reactive power compensation comprises a plurality of switching elements interconnecting in use a DC network and one or more AC networks, the plurality of switching elements being controllable in use to facilitate power conversion between the AC and DC networks, wherein in use, the plurality of switching elements are controllable to form one or more short circuits within the power electronic converter so as to define one or more primary current flow paths, the or each primary current flow path including a respective one of the AC networks and the power electronic converter and bypassing the DC network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technlogy Ltd
    Inventors: David Trainer, Colin Charnock Davidson, Nnamdi Okaeme
  • Publication number: 20130197704
    Abstract: Connection schemes for offshore power generation with an internal collection grid include a power generation system which includes a plurality of generator-rectifier subsystems. The scheme further includes a medium voltage DC (MVDC) collection network with positive pole cables and negative pole cables connected to the DC outputs of the generator-rectifier subsystems. At least one offshore substation includes a positive bus bar and a negative bus bar correspondingly connected to the positive pole cables and negative pole cables of the MVDC collection network and a plurality of main DC-DC converters. Each main DC-DC converter includes multiple modules connected to the MVDC bus bars and each module has a positive and a negative output such that the modules' outputs are serially connected to one another. The schemes may also include a high voltage DC (HVDC) transmission system connected to the modules' outputs and at least one DC/AC converter at an onshore substation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Jiuping PAN, Li QI, Jun LI, Muhamad REZA, Kailash SRIVASTAVA
  • Patent number: 8498133
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) link with Voltage Source Converters VSC and interconnecting two power systems. A model-predictive control with a receding horizon policy is employed for controlling the outer loop of a two-loop or two-layer control scheme or setup for the HVDC link. The two-loop control scheme takes advantage of the difference in speed of the dynamics of the various system variables of the HVDC link and the interconnected power systems. Model-based prediction representative of the interconnected power systems' behavior enables comparison of the future effect of different control inputs applied within the control scheme, while taking into account any physical, safety and operating constraints. It is valid for a complete operating range, e.g., it avoids performance degradation when moving away from the nominal operating point of the control scheme for a HVDC link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Georgios Papafotiou, Giovanni Beccuti, Lennart Harnefors
  • Patent number: 8493753
    Abstract: A photovoltaic powered system and an alternating current (AC) module thereof are disclosed. The photovoltaic powered system provides a direct current (DC) power through a photovoltaic module and converts the DC power into an AC power, which is grid-connected to an AC utility power. The AC module of the photovoltaic powered system produces a continuous quasi-sinusoidal current and the quasi-sinusoidal current is converted into a sinusoidal current. The high-frequency harmonic components of the sinusoidal current are filtered to produce a sinusoidal output current in phase with the AC utility power, thus realizing the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) of the photovoltaic module and feeding unity-power-factor power into the AC utility power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Allis Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ching-Ming Lai, Ching-Tsai Pan, Chih-Hsing Fang, Wen-Wei Chan, Ming-Chieh Cheng
  • Patent number: 8493717
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a note PC has a disk drive connected to a system board via a connector. A power receive coil is attached to the disk drive. Power produced by the power receive coil as a result of excitation of a power feed coil is fed to a power supply control circuit via an unused pin of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Ryo Saito
  • Publication number: 20130182467
    Abstract: A voltage source converter comprising three phase elements defining a star connection in which a first end of each phase element is connected to a common junction; at least two converter limbs, each converter limb including first and second DC terminals for connection in use to a DC network and an AC terminal connected in series with a second end of a phase element, each converter limb defining first and second limb portions, including a chain-link converter, each chain-link converter including chain-link modules; and a third DC terminal connected to the common junction of the star connection to define an auxiliary connection, wherein in use a current is injected into the auxiliary connection to modify a voltage of each chain-link module in each limb portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Andrew Cross, David Trainer, William Crookes
  • Publication number: 20130170255
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the electric power transmission in a high voltage direct current, HVDC, power transmission system includes at least one HVDC transmission line for carrying direct current, DC. The apparatus includes a first converter for converting alternating current, AC, to direct current and/or direct current to alternating current, and a second converter for converting direct current to alternating current and/or alternating current to direct current, each of the first and second converters having an AC side for output and/or input of alternating current and a DC side for output and/or input of direct current. The first converter is connectable via its DC side to the HVDC transmission line, the AC side of the second converter is connected to the AC side of the first converter, and the second converter is connectable via its DC side to a DC source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventors: Subhasish Mukherjee, Tomas U Jonsson, Sasitharan Subramanian, Kalpesh Hirjibhai Bhalodi
  • Publication number: 20130141950
    Abstract: A power conversion system and a DC link choke therefore are presented, in which a continuous core structure is provided with first and second legs around which four or more windings are located, with one or more shunt structures providing a magnetic flux path between intermediate portions of the first and second legs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuan Xiao, Navid R. Zargari, Zhongyuan Cheng, Lixiang Wei
  • Patent number: 8451636
    Abstract: A static converter that includes a power converter circuit having a plurality of interconnected module branches. Each module branch may have one or more electrically series-connected two-pole submodules as switchable voltage sources which each include a capacitor as an energy store and power semiconductors as electronic switching elements. A device for precharging the capacitors is included that has at least one power electronics device for providing an adjustable precharge current. The at least one power electronics device, being supplied with power by an auxiliary supply system and being connected to a converter bridge via a precharge transformer, can be used to achieve a sufficiently high voltage level for the capacitors of the submodules when the converter is started up so as to achieve firstly the minimum voltage for supplying power to the power semiconductors and secondly the minimum voltage for synchronization to the systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Gruber, Ulrich Halfmann, Jörg Lehmpfuhl, Erich Rettensteiner
  • Publication number: 20130128631
    Abstract: A control system includes first and second fundamental control units for generating first and second fundamental commands, and a compensation control unit. The compensation control unit includes first and second calculation elements and a comparator for comparing first and second modulation indexes. When the first modulation index is less than the second modulation index, the first calculation element generates a first source-side compensation command. When the first source-side compensation command is not sufficient to balance the neutral point voltage, the first calculation element further generates a first line-side compensating command. When the first modulation index is greater than the second modulation index, the second calculation element generates a second line-side compensation command. When the second line-side compensation command is not sufficient to balance the neutral point voltage, the second calculation element further generates a second source-side compensating command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: General Electric Company
  • Publication number: 20130128629
    Abstract: A voltage source converter is used in high voltage direct current power transmission and reactive power compensation. The voltage source converter comprises first and second DC terminals for connection in use to a DC network, three phase elements and at least one auxiliary converter connected between the first and second DC terminals, each phase element including a plurality of primary switching elements and at least one AC terminal for connection in use to a respective phase of a multi-phase AC network, the plurality of primary switching elements being controllable in use to facilitate power conversion between the AC and DC networks, the or each auxiliary converter being operable in use to act as a waveform synthesizer to modify a first DC voltage presented to the DC network so as to minimise ripple in the DC voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Jonathan Charles Clare, Matteo Tomasini, David Trainer, Robert Whitehouse
  • Publication number: 20130128630
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling the power input to a HVDC transmission link, which HVDC transmission link is connected to an AC power plant via a first voltage source converter and to AC grid via a second voltage source converter, which method includes using the second voltage source converter to perform voltage control of the HVDC transmission link during a no-fault mode of operation of the grid; monitoring a HVDC transmission link parameter to detect an unbalanced fault; and using the first voltage source converter to regulate the output of the AC power plant on the basis of the monitored HVDC transmission link parameter in the event of an unbalanced fault. Also described are a control module for controlling the power input to a HVDC transmission link; a voltage source converter for a power plant; and a power generation and transmission arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: Kim Hoej Jensen, Ranjan Sharma
  • Patent number: 8441817
    Abstract: An HVDC network including a first station including a first converter, a second station including a second converter, each converter including non-extinguishable semiconducting elements. A first transmission conductor and a second transmission conductor. The first station includes a first switching arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: ABB Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Bo Pääjärvi
  • Patent number: 8422257
    Abstract: A Voltage Source Converter of M2LC-type has a series connection of switching cells (7), in which each switching cell has on one hand at least two semiconductor assemblies connected in series and having each a semiconductor device of turn-off type and a free-wheeling diode connected in parallel therewith and on the other at least one energy storing capacitor (20). The series connection of switching cells has one first end (61) connected to a direct voltage pole (5) on high voltage potential and an opposite end (62) connected to a phase output (10) of the converter. An arrangement (70) is configured to connect the phase output (10) to another said pole (6) on neutral voltage potential on a direct voltage side of the converter and to deliver voltage pulses to said phase output being both positive and negative with respect to said neutral potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventor: Gunnar Asplund
  • Patent number: 8411472
    Abstract: In a power conversion device, reactors in an AC input filter absorbing a voltage at a carrier frequency of a PWM converter and reactors in an AC output filter absorbing a voltage at a carrier frequency of a PWM inverter include one six-leg six-phase iron core reactor. Accordingly, the device can be reduced in size when compared with a case where the reactors are composed of two four-leg six-phase iron core reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignees: Toshiba Mitsubishi-Electric Industrial Systems Corporation, Kobe Electric Industry Inc.
    Inventors: Eduardo Kazuhide Sato, Masahiro Kinoshita, Yushin Yamamoto, Tatsuaki Amboh, Yasuhiro Yabunishi
  • Patent number: 8405327
    Abstract: Disclosed is a passive converter for a drive device of a switched reluctance motor (SRM), in which high demagnetization voltage for the SRM is provided. The converter includes a rectifier which smoothes input voltage to supply DC voltage, a boost circuit connected with the rectifier, and an asymmetric converter connected with the boost circuit, and the boost circuit includes first to third diodes and first and second capacitors. The high demagnetization voltage is generated at current duration of a single phase or poly-phase SRM by using the passive converter for the drive device of the SRM, so that the driving efficiency and the output power of the SRM can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Easy Life Center Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jianing Liang, Dong Hee Lee, Jin Woo Ahn
  • Patent number: 8391031
    Abstract: We describe a photovoltaic power conditioning unit comprising: both dc and ac power inputs; a dc link; at least one dc-to-dc converter coupled between dc input and dc link; and a dc-to-ac converter coupled between dc link and ac output. The dc-to-dc converter comprises: a transformer having input and output windings; an input dc-to-ac converter coupled between dc input and input winding; and an ac-to-dc converter coupled between output winding the dc link. The output winding has a winding tap between the first and second portions. The ac-to-dc converter comprises: first and second rectifiers, each connected to a respective first and second portion of the output winding, to the dc link and winding tap; and a series inductor connected to the winding tap. Rectifiers are connected to the winding tap of the output winding via the series inductor wherein the series inductor is shared between the first and second rectifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Enecsys Limited
    Inventor: Paul Garrity
  • Patent number: 8391032
    Abstract: We describe a modular adjustable power factor renewable energy inverter system. The system comprises a plurality of inverter modules having a switched capacitor across its ac power output, a power measurement system coupled to a communication interface, and a power factor controller to control switching of the capacitor. A system controller receives power data from each inverter module, sums the net level of ac power from each inverter, determines a number of said capacitors to switch based on the sum, and sends control data to an appropriate number of the inverter modules to switch the determined number of capacitors into/out of said parallel connection across their respective ac power outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Enecsys Limited
    Inventors: Paul Garrity, Aaron Michael Jungreis
  • Publication number: 20130051091
    Abstract: A power conversion system includes a power transformer for receiving AC power at a first voltage from an input side and for delivering AC power at a second voltage to an output side. A power converter is also included in the power conversion system wherein the power converter includes an input side converter on the input side and an output side converter on the output side coupled through a plurality of DC links. A converter controller in the power converter provides control signals to the input side converter and the output side converter for regulating an active power and a reactive power flow through the power converter. Each of the input side converters and the output side converters includes at least two power converter transformers coupled between respective power converter bridges coupled to the plurality of DC links and the input side or to the plurality of DC links and the output side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Rajib Datta, Ravisekhar Nadimpalli Raju
  • Publication number: 20130044522
    Abstract: A power conversion system eliminates output transformers and replaces them with a zig-zag transformer and a filter that provides a 3-phase 5-wire system with significantly reduced weight and size as compared with conventional systems. The zig-zag transformer may have a low zero sequence impedance. The power conversion system also ensures operational safety by detecting various types of ground faults.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventor: Cristian Anghel
  • Patent number: 8379416
    Abstract: A power conversion system includes a power transformer for receiving AC power at a first voltage from an input side and for delivering AC power at a second voltage to an output side. A power converter is also included in the power conversion system wherein the power converter includes an input side converter on the input side and an output side converter on the output side coupled through a plurality of DC links. A converter controller in the power converter provides control signals to the input side converter and the output side converter for regulating an active power and a reactive power flow through the power converter. Each of the input side converters and the output side converters includes at least two power converter transformers coupled between respective power converter bridges coupled to the plurality of DC links and the input side or to the plurality of DC links and the output side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rajib Datta, Ravisekhar Nadimpalli Raju
  • Patent number: 8378617
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of controlling the current of a high-speed Switched Reluctance Motor (SRM) using an inverter circuit including a first switching element, a second switching element, a first diode, a second diode and a reactor, wherein the first switching element and the first diode, the second diode and the second switching element are connected to a bridge circuit, and one end of the reactor is connected to the junction of the first switching element and the first diode, and the remaining end of the reactor is connected to the junction of the second diode and the second switching element; and excitation mode, free-wheeling mode-1, the excitation mode, and free-wheeling mode-2 are sequentially performed in a unit period T, and, when the control is terminated, demagnetization is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Kyungsung University Office of Industry-Academy Cooperation
    Inventors: Jin-Woo Ahn, Dong-Hee Lee
  • Publication number: 20130010504
    Abstract: A power conversion system and a DC link choke therefore are presented, in which a continuous core structure is provided with first and second legs around which four or more windings are located, with one or more shunt structures providing a magnetic flux path between intermediate portions of the first and second legs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: YUAN XIAO, NAVID R. ZARGARI, ZHONGYUAN CHENG, LIXIANG WEI
  • Publication number: 20120327693
    Abstract: A wind turbine including a synchronous generator that converts rotary motion of a hub or rotor of the wind turbine to a variable frequency alternating current (AC) power. The wind turbine further includes a primary power system located within the wind turbine that transforms the variable frequency AC power to high voltage direct current (HVDC) power and provides the HVDC power to a load over an HVDC transmission line. A method corresponding to the flow of power through the wind turbine and a wind park comprised of a plurality of the wind turbines are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Kevin L. Cousineau, William L. Erdman, Peter Damon Stricker
  • Patent number: 8339093
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling an AC motor drive includes a control system programmed with an energy algorithm configured to optimize operation of the motor drive. Specifically, the control system receives input of an initial voltage-frequency command to the AC motor drive, receives a real-time output of the AC motor drive generated according to the initial voltage-frequency command, and determines a real-time value of a motor parameter based on the real-time output of the AC motor drive. The control system also inputs a plurality of modified voltage-frequency commands to the AC motor drive, determines the real-time value of the motor parameter corresponding to each of the plurality of modified voltage-frequency commands, and identifies an optimal value of the motor parameter based on the real-time values of the motor parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Bin Lu, Charles John Luebke, Joseph Charles Zuercher, John Charles Merrison, Thomas M. Ruchti
  • Publication number: 20120300510
    Abstract: A method for controlling a DC-transmission link for transmitting electric power from a power production unit connected to an AC-DC converter at a first side of the DC-transmission link to a utility grid connected to a DC-AC converter at a second side of the DC-transmission link is provided. The method includes: obtaining a DC voltage signal indicative of a DC voltage at the DC transmission link; controlling the AC-DC converter such that an AC voltage at an AC side of the AC-DC converter is adjusted based on the DC voltage signal. Further, an apparatus for controlling a DC-transmission link is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Kim Hoej JENSEN, Ranjan SHARMA
  • Publication number: 20120281441
    Abstract: A circuit for converting a direct current voltage into an alternating current voltage includes a buck converter, a resonant DC voltage/DC voltage converter, a DC voltage/AC voltage inverter, and a DC link capacitor. The buck converter generates a DC current according to an input voltage generated by a voltage source operating at an optimal operation point. The resonant DC voltage/DC voltage converter converts the input voltage to a DC voltage according to a switch clock and a resonant frequency determined by a resonant capacitor and a resonant inductance of the resonant DC voltage/DC voltage converter. The DC voltage/AC voltage inverter converts the DC voltage and outputs an AC voltage to an AC power supply network. The DC link capacitor adjusts power outputted by the DC voltage/AC voltage converter to regulate the DC voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Yung-Hsiang Liu, Kuo-Hsin Chu, Yu-Kai Wang, Yuan-Chao Niu
  • Patent number: 8305777
    Abstract: A control device for rectifier stations in a high-voltage DC transmission system has a rectifier drive unit and an inverter drive unit for driving power rectifier stations that are working either as a rectifier or as an inverter. The trigger angles for the rectifier or for the inverter can be adjusted and regulated by way of the rectifier drive unit and the inverter drive unit respectively. A delay element is placed between the rectifier drive unit and the inverter drive unit with which the start time for regulating the trigger angle for the inverter relative to the start time for regulating the trigger angle for the rectifier can be delayed by a predetermined delay time. Because of less mutual interaction of the trigger angle control processes, a relatively faster transition from an initial operating state into a new stationary state results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jürgen Rittiger
  • Patent number: 8305778
    Abstract: A method and a system to influence the power generation of at least one adjustable speed generator. The system includes a first voltage source converter connected to a local AC bus. The local AC bus is provided with power by the at least one adjustable speed generator. A second voltage source converter connected to an AC grid. A DC link is connected between the first and the second voltage source converter. At least one control unit controls the first and the second voltage source converters. The at least one control unit performs the method to control the AC voltage in the local AC bus via the first voltage source converter and to modify a reference value for the AC voltage magnitude of the local AC bus in dependence on the AC voltage magnitude of the AC grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventor: Ying Jiang-Häfner
  • Patent number: 8300435
    Abstract: An HVDC transmission system including a rectifier station and an inverter station each having a series connection of at least two converters. A by-pass DC breaker is connected in parallel with each converter. A control device is adapted to deblock a blocked converter by starting to control the converter at high delay angle and gradually decreasing the delay angle until substantially all DC current flows through the converter and to then control the by-pass breaker to open at substantially zero current, and to stop the operation of a converter by controlling the converter at gradually increasing delay angle until the voltage across the converter is substantially zero and to then control the converter to be blocked by firing a by-pass pair thereof and to then control the by-pass breaker to close for taking over all the DC current when the voltage between a neutral bus and a pole of a transmission line between the stations is to be increased and reduced, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: ABB Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Hans Björklund, Rolf Lungqvist
  • Patent number: 8295957
    Abstract: There is provided a method of customizing an audio presentation for tailoring to a predetermined event sequence, one embodiment comprising identifying the predetermined event sequence from a predetermined event sequence database, associating a first audio asset with one or more selected events of the predetermined event sequence, synchronizing the timing of the first audio assets with the timing of the selected events, and linking the first audio assets to produce a customized audio presentation tailored to the predetermined event sequence. In one embodiment, the method includes downloading an interactive audio presentation content including an interactive audio presentation program, an audio assets database, and the predetermined event sequence database to a client computer. In one embodiment, a system for customizing an audio presentation tailored to a predetermined event sequence comprises a client computer, a client memory located on the client computer, and interactive audio presentation content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Holzberg, Edward Kummer, Jeffrey Voris, Joshua Rhoades, Seth Mendelsohn, Jarett Smith
  • Patent number: 8289736
    Abstract: An electric power transmission system includes at each end of a high voltage direct current transmission line including three conductors, a converter station for conversion of an alternating voltage into a direct voltage for transmitting direct current between the stations in all three conductors. Each station has a voltage source converter and an extra phase leg connected between the two pole conductors of the direct voltage side of the converter. A third of the conductors is connected to a midpoint between current valves of the extra phase leg. An arrangement is adapted to control the current valves of the extra phase leg to switch for connecting the third conductor either to the first pole conductor or the second pole conductor for utilizing the third conductor for conducting current between the stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: ABB Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Gunnar Asplund
  • Publication number: 20120250371
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method of controlling an inverter device, a control device as well as an inverter device and a direct current power transmission system. The direct current power transmission system is provided for connection to an AC voltage bus of an AC power system and comprises the control device and the inverter device that converts between DC power and AC power. The control device receives measurements of the voltage (VAC) at the AC voltage bus and controls the inverter device to provide a constant AC voltage on the bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY AG
    Inventor: Paulo Fischer De Toledo
  • Patent number: 8264859
    Abstract: A transistor is brought into conduction when, for example, a voltage between both ends of a second clamp capacitor exceeds a predetermined reference voltage. A resistance value of a discharge resistor is smaller than a value obtained by dividing the reference voltage by the maximum value of a current flowing through the discharge resistor. When the transistor is brought into conduction as a result of a voltage between both ends of the second clamp capacitor exceeding the predetermined reference voltage, a voltage applied to the discharge resistor, which results from a regenerative current, is larger one of the voltage between both ends of the second clamp capacitor and a voltage drop of the discharge resistor due to the regenerative current. The voltage drop and the voltage between both ends are smaller than a voltage between DC power supply lines, whereby it is possible to reduce an electrostatic capacitance of the discharge resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Sakakibara
  • Publication number: 20120220089
    Abstract: A gate electrode is formed so as to embed an electrode material in a recess for an electrode, which has been formed in a structure of stacked compound semiconductors, through a gate insulation film, and also a field plate electrode that comes in Schottky contact with the structure of the stacked compound semiconductors is formed by embedding an electrode material in a recess for an electrode, which has been formed in the structure of the stacked compound semiconductors so that the field plate electrode directly comes in contact with the structure of the stacked compound semiconductors at least on the bottom face of the recess for the electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Tadahiro IMADA, Toshihide Kikkawa
  • Patent number: 8254150
    Abstract: An inverter provides alternating current (iout) to a load (130) containing a welding circuit. The inverter includes at least one commutation circuit (110) and a bridge circuit (120) connected to a bus forwarding power from a DC power source (100). The bus is also galvanically connected to the load (130) via the bridge circuit (120). The at least one commutation circuit (110) receives power from the DC power source (100); receives energy from inductive elements in the load (130) during a storage phase of a cyclic procedure, and controls energy feedback to the load (130) during a feedback phase of the cyclic procedure. The at least one commutation circuit (110) is a two-pole having a first pole (p1) connected to a first node (A) and a second pole (p2) connected to a second node (B). The at least one commutation circuit (110) is arranged to receive energy from the load (130) and feedback energy to the load (130) via the first and second nodes (A; B), either directly or via the bridge circuit (120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: ESAB AB
    Inventors: Rolf Karlsson, Per Andersson, Dan Wessman
  • Patent number: 8228693
    Abstract: The resistors of a filter block in a voltage source converter station are connected with a floating neutral point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: ABB Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Anders Petersson, Lin Jiang
  • Patent number: 8228697
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention can provide systems, methods, and apparatus for operating a power converter. According to one embodiment, a system for operating a power converter can be provided. The system can include a direct current (DC) power source with an output electrically coupled to an input of the power converter. The system can also include a controller operable to modify the performance of the DC power source through the power converter. As part of this modification, the controller can determine whether a low voltage ride (LVRT) event exists in a load and can adjust the DC power source when a LVRT event occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert Gregory Wagoner
  • Patent number: 8223511
    Abstract: Current source converter drives and common mode voltage reduction techniques are presented in which a space vector modulation zero vector for current source inverter (or rectifier) control is selected according to the switching state of the current source rectifier (or inverter) and according to the AC input power and the AC output power to control the output common mode voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhongyuan Cheng, Navid Zargari, Yuan Xiao
  • Patent number: 8217533
    Abstract: A method of controlling a plurality of power converters 1a, 1b and 1c can be used to interface to a supply network, ac busbar etc. Each power converter includes a network bridge 14 operating in accordance with a pulse width modulation (PWM) strategy having the same switching period and which causes at least one unwanted harmonic in the supply network voltage. The method includes the step of providing the switching period of the PWM strategy of each network bridge with a different time offset relative to a time datum such that the at least one unwanted harmonic in the supply network voltage is at least partially cancelled. Two alternative ways of providing the time offset are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Converteam Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Rodney Jones, Robert Vernon Fulcher, Henrik Stiesdal
  • Patent number: 8203856
    Abstract: A direct current power transmission system includes a first and a second converter station that are coupled to each other via a direct current link. Each converter station includes a first or second line commutated converter, respectively. Before power reversal the first converter is operated as a rectifier and the direct current is controlled in the first station, while the second converter is operated as an inverter and in the second station the extinction angle of the second converter or the direct voltage is controlled. After power reversal, the first converter is operated as an inverter and the second converter as a rectifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventor: Ulf Radbrandt
  • Patent number: 8189352
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a single stage inverter device for power converters, comprising switching means (M1-M4) capable to periodically connect an energy source, in particular a photovoltaic one, to an electric network or grid, the switching means (M1-M4) being controlled by controlling electronic means operating according to a single switching cycle control of the switching means (M1-M4), the operative and circuit device parameters being such to fulfill a series of constraints simultaneously optimizing both the maximum power point tracking or MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) and the output power factor or PF-out (Power Factor-output) for one or more operation conditions. The present invention further concerns the related method of controlling and the related method of scaling such device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Universita' Degli Studi di Salerno
    Inventors: Luigi Egiziano, Nicola Femia, Domenico Granozio, Giovanni Petrone, Giovanni Spagnuolo, Massimo Vitelli
  • Patent number: 8179067
    Abstract: An electric energy exchange system between at least one motor-generator system and at least one storage member determining a continuous storage voltage between two branches of a bus circuit on which are connected in parallel a DC/DC converter, a filtering capacity, and a DC/AC converter connected on at least one motor-generator system. The system includes at least one thyristor connected as a bypass on the positive bus between the storage member and the output of the converter-voltage raiser to short-cut the converter, and a thyristor priming device to, based on the required voltage at the filtering capacity, determine at least in discharge the shorting of the converter-voltage raiser with direct passage of the current through the thyristor as long as the voltage of the filtering capacity, which is substantially equal to the storage member voltage, is sufficient for the electric machines to provide requested torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Renault S.A.S.
    Inventors: Serge Loudot, Gareth Pugsley
  • Publication number: 20120092904
    Abstract: Multi-terminal HVDC systems and control methods therefore are disclosed. Methods for controlling multi-terminal HVDC systems having a plurality of converter stations may include receiving a plurality of measurements from a plurality of measurement units disposed on the HVDC system, identifying from the measurements a disruption within the HVDC system, monitoring the measurements to identify a steady-state disrupted condition for the HVDC system, calculating a new set point for at least one of the plurality of converter stations, which new set point may be based on the steady-state disrupted condition and the measurements, and transmitting the new set point to the at least one of the plurality of converter stations. In some examples, the HVDC systems may include an HVDC grid interconnecting the plurality of converter stations and a controller communicatively linked to the plurality of measurement units and the plurality of converter stations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: ABB RESEARCH LTD.
    Inventors: Reynaldo NUQUI, Jiuping PAN, Kailash SRIVASTAVA, Tomas JONSSON
  • Publication number: 20120081932
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control method and system intended to reduce the common-mode current in a power converter which comprises a rectifier stage (1, 1?) connected to a number of input phases (R, S, T) and an inverter stage (2, 2?) connected to a number of output phases (U, V, W). On each switching period, the rectifier stage (1, 1?) and the inverter stage (2, 2?) are controlled in a synchronized manner so that a variation of potential applied to an input phase (R, S, T) always corresponds to a variation of potential of the same sign applied to an output phase (U, V, W).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: Schneider Toshiba Inverter Europe SAS
    Inventors: Arnaud VIDET, Philippe LOIZELET, Mohamet THIAM
  • Patent number: 8144488
    Abstract: The resistors of a filter block \in a voltage source converter station are connected with a floating neutral point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: ABB Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Anders Petersson, Lin Jiang
  • Publication number: 20120069610
    Abstract: A multilevel voltage source converter for high voltage DC power transmission and reactive power compensation. The voltage source converter includes at least one phase element including a plurality of semiconductor switches to interconnect a DC voltage and an AC voltage. The voltage source converter also includes at least one auxiliary converter to act as a waveform synthesizer to modify the DC voltage presented to the DC side of the phase element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Alstom Grid UK Limited
    Inventors: David Trainer, Ruchira Withanage, Robert Whitehouse, Andrew Cross