CONVERTER

• US 20090303758A1
• Filed: 06/15/2006
• Published: 12/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABB Power Grids Switzerland AG (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: ABB Technology Limited (ABB Ltd.)
• Inventors: Karlsson, Patrik, Dahlgren, Stellan, Chataignere, Fabienne, Hedblad, Per-Olov
• Granted Patent: US 8,107,266 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 363/35
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/36 Arrangements for transfer of electric power between ac networks via a high-tension dc link
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/7575 for high voltage direct transmission link
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/60 Arrangements for transfer of electric power between AC networks or generators via a high voltage DC link [HVCD]

Abstract

A converter for converting alternating voltage into direct voltage and vice versa in a converter station of a high voltage transmission system including a series connection of a plurality of converter valves. The converter has connections to transformers on both of two opposite sides of the converter valves.

Claims

1. A converter for converting alternating voltage into direct voltage and conversely in a converter station of a high voltage transmission system, said converter comprising

a series connection of a plurality of converter valves, a DC-side of the converter being formed by opposite ends of said series connection of converter valves for connection to high potential and low potential, respectively, and

a plurality of connecting members connecting to an AC-side of the converter by each connecting to points of said series connection between subsequent said converter valves for leading out from the converter to transformers, wherein the converter comprises said connecting members on both of two opposite sides of said converter valves.

2. The converter according to claim 1, wherein a half of said connecting members is arranged on one side of said converter valves and a half on the other side thereof.

3. The converter according to claim 1, wherein the converter comprises said series connection of at least four said converter valves arranged on top of each other in one column, and wherein said connecting members for the AC-side connects to points of said series connections between every second current valve.

4. The converter according to claim 3, wherein said series connection of converter valves comprises four converter valves and one said connecting members for the AC-side on each of two opposite sides of said column.

5. The converter according to claim 1, wherein the converter comprises a plurality of said series connections of converter valves connected in parallel with each other.

6. The converter according to claim 5, wherein the converter comprises three said series connections of converter valves connected in parallel with each other for providing for three phases on said AC-side.

7. The converter according to claim 4, wherein the converter comprises three said columns of four converter valves connected in series arranged in a row, and wherein each column comprises one said member connecting to said AC-side on each of two opposite sides of said row.

8. The converter according to claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of surge arresters connected in series between said two DC-side ends of the converter valve series connection with one surge arrester connected in parallel with each converter valve, wherein the series connection of surge arresters comprises a first part arranged on one side of said series connection of converter valves and a subsequent second part arranged on the opposite side of said series connection of converter valves, and wherein said two parts are interconnected by a conductor leading from one said side to the other through a free space between two said converter valves.

9. The converter according to claim 8, wherein each converter valve comprises a plurality of superimposed layers comprising power semiconductors, and wherein said free space is formed by making a distance between two subsequent of said converter valves of approximately half such a layer or one such layer.

10. The converter according to claim 1, wherein the two DC-side connections to the opposite ends of said series connection of converter valves are also arranged on one of said opposite sides of the converter valves each.

11. The converter according to claim 1, further comprising:

a converter valve hall enclosing said converter valves and having lead-throughs in opposite walls thereof for connection to transformers outside said hall on opposite sides thereof.

12. The converter according to claim 1, wherein the converter is adapted to convert voltages being on said DC-side of the converter above 50 kV, above 200 kV, above 400 kV or 600 kV-1 000 kV.

17. Use of a converter according to claim 1 in a converter station of an HVDC transmission system.

18. Use of a converter according to claim 1 in a back-to-back converter station of a high voltage AC transmission system.

13. A converter station for connecting an AC-system to an HVDC transmission line, the converter station comprising:

at least one converter comprising a series connection of a plurality of converter valves, a DC-side of the converter being formed by opposite ends of said series connection of converter valves for connection to high potential and low potential, respectively, and a plurality of connecting members connecting to an AC-side of the converter by each connecting to points of said series connection between subsequent said converter valves for leading out from the converter to transformers, wherein the converter comprises said connecting members on both of two opposite sides of said converter valves.

14. A converter station for connecting an AC-system to another AC-system in a back-to-back application, the converter station comprising:

at least one converter comprising a series connection of a plurality of converter valves, a DC-side of the converter being formed by opposite ends of said series connection of converter valves for connection to high potential and low potential, respectively, and a plurality of connecting members connecting to an AC-side of the converter by each connecting to points of said series connection between subsequent said converter valves for leading out from the converter to transformers, wherein the converter comprises said connecting members on both of two opposite sides of said converter valves.

15. A high voltage direct current transmission system comprising:

a plurality of converter stations comprising at least one converter comprising a series connection of a plurality of converter valves, a DC-side of the converter being formed by opposite ends of said series connection of converter valves for connection to high potential and low potential, respectively, and a plurality of connecting members connecting to an AC-side of the converter by each connecting to points of said series connection between subsequent said converter valves for leading out from the converter to transformers, wherein the converter comprises said connecting members on both of two opposite sides of said converter valves.

16. A high voltage AC transmission system comprising:

a converter station comprising at least one converter in a back-to-back application, the at least one converter comprising a series connection of a plurality of converter valves, a DC-side of the converter being formed by opposite ends of said series connection of converter valves for connection to high potential and low potential, respectively, and a plurality of connecting members connecting to an AC-side of the converter by each connecting to points of said series connection between subsequent said converter valves for leading out from the converter to transformers, wherein the converter comprises said connecting members on both of two opposite sides of said converter valves.