Modular power converters usable alone or in a multiphase power converter
View Patent ↗A power converter module for use alone or with other modules in a multiphase power converter. The power converter module has an enclosure that surrounds internal components to prevent radiation of electromagnetic energy, which internal components also limit conduction of electromagnetic energy. The internal components include an EMI filter, a ripple filter, a power converter, and a control interface that communicates with a control system of a power conversion system. The control interface includes a memory that stores information related to the power converter modules so as to improve interchangability of similar power modules with the multiphase power converter.
1. A power converter module usable with a control system, the power converter module comprising:
a power converter for converting an input into an output having a single phase;
a control interface connected to said power converter and configured for connection to the control system;
a first filter for filtering out first components from said output;
a second filter for filtering out second components from said output, wherein said second filter is an EMI filter for filtering components of said output that may create electromagnetic interference;
a negative input, a positive input and a neutral input, and a neutral output and a phase output, wherein said EMI filter includes a first EMI filter connected to said neutral input and said neutral output and a second EMI filter connected to said positive input and said neutral output; and
an enclosure surrounding said power converter, said control interface, said first filter and said second filter.
2. A power converter module according to claim 1 , wherein the output is one phase of a three-phase alternating current.
3. A power converter module according to claim 1 , further including input nodes for receiving said input and output nodes for providing said output, wherein conducted electromagnetic radiation as measured at said input nodes and said output nodes is below 1 dB volts above 150 kHz and below 1 dB millivolts above 20 MHz.
4. A power converter module according to claim 1 , wherein said power converter module includes a DC bus, a switching network and a series impedance network.
5. A power converter module according to claim 1 , wherein said first filter is a ripple filter for filtering frequencies in the range of 1 kHz to 100 kHz.
6. A power converter module according to claim 1 , wherein said control interface communicates with the control system in a manner permitting the power converter module to operate with other power converter modules so as to produce an output having a plurality of phases, including said single phase.
7. A power converter module according to claim 1 , further including a switching network that has one or more heat sinks in communication with a ground via a resistance.
8. A power converter module according to claim 7 , wherein said resistance has a resistance value of:
R
=
L
C
+
/
-
50
%
,
wherein R is resistance value, L is the inductance associated with said heat sinks and C is the total capacitance of said heat sink.
9. A power converter module usable with a control system, the power converter module comprising:
a power converter for converting an input into an output having a single phase;
a control interface connected to said power converter and configured for connection to the control system;
a first filter for filtering out first components from said output;
a second filter for filtering out second components from said output; and
an enclosure surrounding said power converter, said control interface, said first filter and said second filter, wherein said enclosure does not enclose the control system when connected with the control interface.
10. A power converter module according to claim 9 , wherein the output is one phase of a three-phase alternating current.
11. A power converter module according to claim 9 , further including input nodes for receiving said input and output nodes for providing said output, wherein conducted electromagnetic radiation as measured at said input nodes and said output nodes is below 1 dB volts above 150 kHz and below 1 dB millivolts above 20 MHz.
12. A power converter module according to claim 9 , wherein said power converter module includes a DC bus, a switching network and a series impedance network.
13. A power converter module according to claim 9 , wherein said first filter is a ripple filter for filtering frequencies in the range of 1 kHz to 100 kHz.
14. A power converter module according to claim 9 , wherein said control interface communicates with the control system in a manner permitting the power converter module to operate with other power converter modules so as to produce an output having a plurality of phases, including said single phase.
15. A power converter module according to claim 9 , wherein said second filter is an EMI filter for filtering components of said output that may create electromagnetic interference.
16. A power converter module according to claim 15 , further including a switching network that has one or more heat sinks in communication with a ground via a resistance, wherein said resistance has a resistance value of:
R
=
L
C
+
/
-
50
%
,
wherein R is resistance value, L is the inductance associated with said heat sinks and C is the total capacitance of said heat sink.
17. A power converter module usable with a control system, the power converter module comprising:
a power converter for converting an input into an output having a single phase;
a control interface connected to said power converter and configured for connection to the control system;
a first filter for filtering out first components from said output;
a second filter for filtering out second components from said output, wherein said second filter is an EMI filter for filtering components of said output that may create electromagnetic interference input and said neutral output;
a switching network that has one or more heat sinks in communication with a ground via a resistance; and
an enclosure surrounding said power converter, said control interface, said first filter and said second filter, wherein the enclosure does not enclose the control system when connected to the control interface.
18. A power converter module according to claim 17 , further including a negative input, a positive input and a neutral input, and a neutral output and a phase output, wherein said EMI filter includes a first EMI filter connected to said neutral input and said neutral output and a second EMI filter connected to said positive input and said neutral output.