Multifunction hybrid intelligent universal transformer

• US 6,954,366 B2
• Filed: 11/25/2003
• Issued: 10/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute
• Original Assignee: Electric Power Research Institute
• Inventors: Lai, Jih-Sheng, Maitra, Arindam, Mansoor, Arshad, Goodman, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): BERHANE, ADOLF D
• Application Number:
  US10/723,620
• Publication Number:
  US 20050111245A1
• Time in Patent Office: 686 Days
• Field of Search: 363/65, 363/67, 363/71, 363/74
• US Class Current: 363/71
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/01 Arrangements for reducing harmonics or ripples
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/32 using batteries with converting means
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 5/293 using semiconductor devices only
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 40/40 Arrangements for reducing harmonics

Abstract

A multifunction hybrid intelligent universal transformer includes a conventional transformer coupled with power electronics on the secondary side to enhance the functionality of power conversion. The universal transformer includes features for overcoming the deficiencies associated with conventional transformers, including voltage sag compensation, instantaneous voltage regulation, outage compensation, capacitor switching protection, harmonic compensation, single-phasing protection, DC output, and variable frequency output.

Claims

1. A power conversion device, comprising:

a transformer having a primary input winding and multiple secondary output windings; and

a switched inverter circuit coupled to the secondary output windings and configurable to couple a first output winding with a parallel path inverter and configurable to couple a second output winding with a series path inverter.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the series path inverter is a full-bridge inverter.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

an energy storage device coupled to the parallel path inverter for mitigating voltage disturbances.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a filter coupled to the output of the transformer for smoothing output waveforms.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

an AC/DC converter block coupled to the parallel path inverter for converting Alternating Current (AC) waveforms into Direct Current (DC) waveforms.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the AC/DC converter block is a full-bridge converter.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the AC/DC converter block is a diode bridge.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the series path inverter and the parallel path inverter comprise a plurality of configurable semiconductor switches.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the semiconductor switches are gate controlled devices.