IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,454,276
Granted Patent B2
US 10,454,276 · App. 15/707,162 · Granted Oct 22, 2019

Power converter

Inventors: Matthias Schult (Mülligen, CH); Christian Schlegel (Uitikon, CH); Dominik Flum (Weilheim, DE); John Eckerle (Basel, CH)
Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
H02J3/386H02M1/126H02M5/4585H02M7/125Y02E10/763
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,454,276
App. No.
15/707,162
Granted
Oct 22, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method is provided for connecting a main converter, e.g. for use in a power plant for regenerative energy having a generator, to a power grid. The method includes providing energy from the pre-charge unit to at least one of at least two converter paths. The at least one converter path is pre-charged using the energy provided from the pre-charge unit. At least one further converter path of the at least two converter paths is pre-charged using the energy provided from the pre-charge unit via the at least one converter path through the grid side converter of the at least one converter path and the grid side converter of the at least one further converter path. The main converter is connected to the power grid by closing the grid breaker.

Claims (17)

1. A method for connecting a main converter to a power grid, the main converter comprising a grid breaker provided at a power grid side of the main converter, and at least two converter paths comprising each a central DC link, a grid side converter and a generator side converter, both connected to the central DC link, and only one pre-charge unit connected to the power grid and to at least one of the at least two converter paths, comprising the steps of:

providing energy from the pre-charge unit to at least one of the at least two converter paths,

pre-charging the at least one converter path using the energy provided from the pre-charge unit,

pre-charging at least one further converter path of the at least two converter paths using the energy provided from the pre-charge unit via the at least one converter path through the grid side converter of the at least one converter path and the grid side converter of the at least one further converter path, and

connecting the main converter to the power grid by closing the grid breaker.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein a power plant for regenerative energy having a generator is connected to the generator side converter.

3. A main converter connected to a power grid, the main converter comprising a grid breaker provided at a power grid side of the main converter, and at least two converter paths comprising each a central DC link, a grid side converter and a generator side converter, both connected to the central DC link, and only one pre-charge unit configured for connecting to the power grid and to at least one of the at least two converter paths, wherein the main converter is configured to:

provide energy from the pre-charge unit to at least one of the at least two converter paths,

pre-charge the at least one converter path using the energy provided from the pre-charge unit,

pre-charge at least one further converter path of the at least two converter paths using the energy provided from the pre-charge unit via the at least one converter path through the grid side converter of the at least one converter path and the grid side converter of the at least one further converter path, and

connect the main converter to the power grid by closing the grid breaker.

4. The main converter according to claim 3 , in combination with a power plant for regenerative energy having a generator connected to the generator side converter.

5. A computer program product for connecting a main converter to a power grid, the main converter comprising a grid breaker provided at a power grid side of the main converter, and at least two converter paths comprising each a central DC link, a grid side converter and a generator side converter, both connected to the central DC link, and only one pre-charge unit configured for connecting to the power grid and to at least one of the at least two converter paths, wherein the computer program product contains instructions for controlling the main converter to:

provide energy from the pre-charge unit to at least one of the at least two converter paths,

pre-charge the at least one converter path using the energy provided from the pre-charge unit,

pre-charge at least one further converter path of the at least two converter paths using the energy provided from the pre-charge unit via the at least one converter path through the grid side converter of the at least one converter path and the grid side converter of the at least one further converter path, and connect the main converter to the power grid by closing the grid breaker.

6. The computer program product according to claim 5 , wherein a power plant for regenerative energy having a generator is connected to the generator side converter.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 2, 2018
From: SCHULT, MATTHIAS; SCHLEGEL, CHRISTIAN; FLUM, DOMINIK; ECKERLE, JOHN
To: ABB TECHNOLOGY OY
Reel/Frame 047391/0619 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 28, 2018
From: ABB TECHNOLOGY OY
To: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
Reel/Frame 046720/0170 →
Priority Claims (1)
EP 15159211 · Mar 16, 2015 · regional
Continuity (2)
Continuation PCTEP2016054583 · Mar 3, 2016
Related Publication 20180069404A1 · Mar 8, 2018