Power converter and method of assembling the same
A power converter includes a plurality of power conversion modules. At least one power conversion module includes a plurality of power conversion devices defining a three-level bridge. A first power conversion module includes four terminals including one of a positive terminal and a negative terminal, an output terminal, a first neutral terminal, and a second neutral terminal. The first neutral terminal is coupled to a direct current (DC) link and the second neutral terminal is coupled to a second power conversion module.
1. A power converter comprising a plurality of power conversion modules, wherein at least one of said power conversion modules comprises a plurality of power conversion devices defining a three-level bridge, wherein a first power conversion module comprises four terminals comprising one of a positive terminal and a negative terminal, an output terminal, a first neutral terminal, and a second neutral terminal, wherein said first neutral terminal is coupled to a direct current (DC) link and said second neutral terminal is coupled to a second power conversion module, wherein said first neutral terminal and said second neutral terminal at least partially define a neutral bus extending between said first power conversion module and said second power conversion module.
2. The power converter in accordance with claim 1 , wherein one of said positive terminal and said negative terminal is positioned proximate said first neutral terminal.
3. The power converter in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said three-level bridge defines a first commutating loop and a second commutating loop.
4. The power converter in accordance with claim 3 , wherein said first commutating loop comprises a series circuit comprising at least one diode, at least one semiconductor switching device, at least one capacitive device, at least one of said positive terminal, said negative terminal, and said first neutral terminal.
5. The power converter in accordance with claim 3 , wherein said second commutating loop comprises a series circuit comprising at least one capacitive device, one of said positive terminal and said negative terminal, one of said first neutral terminal and said second neutral terminal, and said output terminal.
6. The power converter in accordance with claim 3 , wherein said first commutating loop and said second commutating loop are each configured to have predetermined inductance values that that facilitate flux cancellation in said commutation loops when current flows therethrough, thereby facilitating a reduction of energy stored within loop currents induced therein.
7. The power converter in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one heat sink device; and,
said neutral bus thermally coupled to and extending around at least a portion of said heat sink device.
8. The power converter in accordance with claim 7 , further comprising:
said first power conversion module positioned on a first side of said heat sink device; and,
said second power conversion module positioned on an opposing second side of said heat sink device, wherein said neutral bus extends through said first power conversion module and said second power conversion module.
9. A method of assembling a power converter, said method comprising:
providing a first power conversion module and a second power conversion module, wherein each power conversion module defines a three-level bridge; and,
forming a four terminal circuit within the first power conversion module comprising:
coupling one of a positive terminal and a negative terminal to one of a positive conduit and a negative conduit, respectively;
coupling a first neutral terminal to a direct current (DC) link; and,
coupling a second neutral terminal to the second power conversion module; and,
extending a neutral bus at least partially defined by the first neutral terminal and the second neutral terminal between the first power conversion module and the second power conversion module.
10. The method in accordance with claim 9 , further comprising positioning one of the positive terminal and the negative terminal proximate the first neutral terminal.
11. The method in accordance with claim 9 , further comprising forming a first commutating loop and a second commutating loop, wherein the first commutating loop and the second commutating loop are each configured to have predetermined inductance values that facilitate flux cancellation in the commutation loops when current flows therethrough, thereby facilitating a reduction of energy stored within loop currents induced therein.
12. The method in accordance with claim 9 , further comprising:
providing at least one heat sink device;
thermally coupling the neutral bus to the heat sink device; and,
extending the neutral bus around at least a portion of the heat sink device.
13. The method in accordance with claim 9 , further comprising:
coupling the first power conversion module to a first side of the heat sink device;
coupling the second power conversion module to an opposing second side of the heat sink device; and,
extending the neutral bus through the first power conversion module and the second power conversion module.
14. An energy generation facility comprising:
at least one energy generator; and,
a power converter coupled to said energy generator and coupled to an electric power grid, wherein said power converter comprises a plurality of power conversion modules, wherein at least one of said power conversion modules comprises a plurality of power conversion devices defining a three-level bridge, wherein a first power conversion module comprises four terminals comprising one of a positive terminal and a negative terminal, an output terminal, a first neutral terminal, and a second neutral terminal, wherein said first neutral terminal is coupled to a direct current (DC) link and said second neutral terminal is coupled to a second power conversion module, and wherein said first neutral terminal and said second neutral terminal at least partially define a neutral bus extending between said first power conversion module and said second power conversion module.
15. The facility in accordance with claim 14 , wherein one of said positive terminal and said negative terminal is positioned proximate said first neutral terminal.
16. The facility in accordance with claim 14 , wherein said three-level bridge defines a first commutating loop comprising a series circuit comprising at least one diode, at least one semiconductor switching device, at least one capacitive device, at least one of said positive terminal, said negative terminal, and said first neutral terminal.
17. The facility in accordance with claim 14 , wherein said three-level bridge defines a second commutating loop comprising a series circuit comprising at least one capacitive device, one of said positive terminal and said negative terminal, one of said first neutral terminal and said second neutral terminal, and said output terminal.
18. The facility in accordance with claim 14 , wherein said three-level bridge defines a first commutating loop and a second commutating loop that are each configured to have predetermined inductance values that facilitate flux cancellation in said commutation loops when current flows therethrough, thereby facilitating a reduction of energy stored within loop currents induced therein.
19. The facility in accordance with claim 14 , further comprising:
at least one heat sink device; and,
said neutral bus thermally coupled to and extending around at least a portion of said heat sink device.
20. The facility in accordance with claim 19 , further comprising:
said first power conversion module positioned on a first side of said heat sink device; and,
said second power conversion module positioned on an opposing second side of said heat sink device, wherein said neutral bus extends through said first power conversion module and said second power conversion module.