Bi-directional multi-port applications

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9520764-B1
Application number	US-201414182277-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Feb 17, 2014
Priority date	Feb 15, 2013
Publication date	Dec 13, 2016
Grant date	Dec 13, 2016

Abstract

Methods and systems for bi-directional multi-port power conversion systems and applications are disclosed. In some sample embodiments, current-modulating power converters can be used to provide conversion between synchronous and asynchronous power. In some sample embodiments, current-modulating power converters can perform power conversion can be performed to and from three-phase AC with an active neutral line. In some sample embodiments, current-modulating power converters can convert between synchronous and asynchronous power and also support three-phase AC with active neutral.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A bi-directional power converter, comprising:
at least two phase legs each connected to a respective phase line of a first port; each said phase leg comprising two fully bidirectional switching devices, so that the line connected to that phase leg can either source or sink current to either terminal of a link inductor which is paralleled by a capacitor;
at least two other phase legs each connected to a respective line of a second port; each said phase leg comprising two fully bidirectional switching devices, so that the line connected to that phase leg can either source or sink current to either terminal of said link inductor; wherein said lines of said second port provide three phase lines and a neutral line;
at least two other phase legs each connected to a respective phase line of a third port; each said phase leg comprising two fully bidirectional switching devices, so that the line connected to that phase leg can either source or sink current to either terminal of said link inductor; and,
control circuitry which is connected to drive said switches so that said link inductor is coupled to each said phase line of said first and second ports at least twice, with opposite polarities, during each full cycle of AC oscillation of said link inverter; and
wherein said control circuitry is also connected to detect drift of the neutral line of said second port, and configured to apply drive to said neutral line.

2. The bi-directional power converter of claim 1 , where the respective lines of the first port are connected to a super capacitor.

3. The bi-directional power converter of claim 1 , where the respective lines of the first port are connected to a rechargeable battery.

4. The bi-directional power converter of claim 1 , where the respective lines of the second port are connected to an engine motor.

5. The bi-directional power converter of claim 1 , where the respective lines of the second port are connected to a drive motor.

6. The bi-directional power converter of claim 1 , where the respective lines of the third port are connected to a super capacitor.

7. The bi-directional power converter of claim 1 , where the respective lines of the third port are connected to a rechargeable battery.

Assignees

• Ideal Power Inc

Inventors

• Bundschuh Paul
• Alexander William C
• Barron Guy Michael
• Cobb Christopher
• Roush Paul

Classifications

• H02M1/08 Primary

  Circuits specially adapted for the generation of control voltages for semiconductor devices incorporated in static converters · CPC title

• H02M5/458

  using semiconductor devices only · CPC title

• H02M3/33507

  with automatic control of the output voltage or current, e.g. flyback converters (H02M3/33561, H02M3/33569 take precedence) · CPC title

• H02M7/4815

  Resonant converters (H02M7/4811 and H02M7/4826 take precedence) · CPC title

• H02M5/293

  using semiconductor devices only · CPC title