M2LC system and method for controlling same

1. A modular multilevel converter system, comprising:

a plurality of series connected two-terminal M2LC cells arranged into at least two output phase modules, a first one of the output phase modules having an inductance and an effective capacitance associated therewith, wherein the first one of the output phase modules is configured so that a natural resonant frequency of the inductance with the effective capacitance of the first one of the output phase modules is greater than at least one of the following:

an operating frequency of the first one of the output phase modules;

a switching frequency of the first one of the output phase modules; and

a switching frequency of any of the M2LC cells of the first one of the output phase modules; and

further comprising a system control module communicably connected to the M2LC cells of the first one of the output phase modules;

wherein the system control module is configured to apply phase-shifted switch functions to the M2LC cells of the first one of the output phase modules, wherein the degree of phase shift is determined by a scalar function having a value between 0 and 1.

2. A modular multilevel converter system, comprising:

a plurality of series connected two-terminal M2LC cells arranged into at least two output phase modules, a first one of the output phase modules having an inductance and an effective capacitance associated therewith, wherein the first one of the output phase modules is configured so that a natural resonant frequency of the inductance with the effective capacitance of the first one of the output phase modules is greater than at least one of the following:

an operating frequency of the first one of the output phase modules;

a switching frequency of the first one of the output phase modules; and

a switching frequency of any of the M2LC cells of the first one of the output phase modules; and

further comprising a system control module communicably connected to the M2LC cells of the first one of the output phase modules;

wherein the system control module is configured to apply:

a first switch function to a first M2LC cell of the first one of the output phase modules; and

a second switch function to a second M2LC cell of the first one of the output phase modules, wherein the second switch function is phase shifted relative to the first switch function, and wherein the degree of phase shift is determined by a scalar function having a value between 0 and 1.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein respective fundamental spectral components of the first and second switch functions are essentially equal in magnitude and phase.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the respective fundamental spectral components of the first and second switch functions are independent of a value of the phase shift.

5. A modular multilevel converter system, comprising:

a plurality of series connected two-terminal M2LC cells arranged into at least two output phase modules, wherein a first one of the output phase modules defines a total value of inductance and comprises;

a positive arm; and

a negative arm; and

a control system module communicably connected to the two-terminal M2LC cells of the first one of the output phase modules, wherein the control system module is configured to minimize a fundamental output frequency voltage ripple of filter capacitors of the M2LC cells of the first one of the output phase modules;

wherein the control system module is configured to apply phase-shifted switch functions to the M2LC cells of the first one of the output phase modules, wherein the degree of phase shift is determined by a scalar function having a value between 0 and 1.

6. A modular multilevel converter system, comprising:

a plurality of series connected two-terminal M2LC cells arranged into at least two, output phase modules, wherein a first one of the output phase modules defines a total value of inductance and comprises;

a positive arm; and

a negative arm; and

a control system module communicably connected to the two-terminal M2LC cells of the first one of the output phase modules, wherein the control system module is configured to minimize a fundamental output frequency voltage ripple of filter capacitors of the M2LC cells of the first one of the output phase modules;

wherein the system control module is configured to apply:

a first switch function to a first M2LC cell of the first one of the output phase modules; and

a second switch function to a second M2LC cell of the first one of the output phase modules, wherein the second switch function is phase shifted relative to the first switch function, and wherein the degree of phase shift is determined by a scalar function having a value between 0 and 1.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein respective fundamental spectral components of the first and second switch functions are essentially equal in magnitude and phase.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the respective fundamental spectral components of the first and second switch functions are independent of a value of the phase shift.

9. A modulation method for an M2LC system, the method comprising:

inducing a common mode voltage at a switching frequency of an M2LC output phase module to minimize fundamental current and resulting voltage ripple of subsystem filter capacitors at low operating frequencies;

applying a first switch function to a first M2LC cell of an arm of a first output phase module of the M2LC system;

applying a second switch function to a second M2LC cell of the arm of the first output phase module of the M2LC system, wherein the second switch function is phase shifted relative to the first switch function, wherein the degree of the phase shift is determined at least in part by a scalar function.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein applying the first and second switch functions comprises applying respective fundamental spectral components of the first and second switch functions which are essentially equal in magnitude and phase.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the respective fundamental spectral components of the first and second switch functions are independent of a value of the phase shift.

12. The method of claim 9 , further comprising controlling an amount of phase shift between the first and second switch functions using the scalar function with a value between 0 and 1.

13. The method of claim 9 , further comprising applying a third switch function to a third M2LC cell of the arm of the first output phase module of the M2LC system, wherein the third switch function is phase shifted relative to the first and second switch functions.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein respective fundamental spectral components of the first, second and third switch functions are essentially equal in magnitude and phase.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the fundamental spectral components of the first, second and third switch functions are independent of values of the respective phase shifts.

16. The method of claim 13 , further comprising controlling an amount of phase shift between the second and third switch functions.