Modular HVDC converter

• US 8,044,537 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2006
• Issued: 10/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hitachi Energy Limited
• Original Assignee: ABB Technology Limited (ABB Ltd.)
• Inventors: Hyttinen, Mats, Asplund, Gunnar
• Primary Examiner(s): FIN, MICHAEL RUTLAND
• Application Number:
  US12/306,729
• Publication Number:
  US 20090295225A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,945 Days
• Field of Search: 307/82
• US Class Current: 307/82
• 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 1/0074 Plural converter units whose inputs are connected in series
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/325 with means for allowing continuous operation despite a fault, i.e. fault tolerant converters
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/003 Constructional details, e.g. physical layout, assembly, wiring or busbar connections
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/162 in a bridge configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/19 arranged for operation in series, e.g. for voltage multiplication
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/5387 in a bridge configuration
• 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 modular HVDC converter system including a high voltage direct current network, and at least two DC/AC converters being connected in series to the HVDC network. Each of the DC/AC converters is arranged to provide AC to a separate AC load.

Claims

1. A modular DC/AC converter system, comprising:

a DC input and a DC output for connection in series with at least one additional modular DC/AC converter system in an HVDC network;

AC outputs for connection to an AC load;

a DC/DC converter arranged to convert a part of an HVDC voltage in the HVDC network to a controlled medium voltage direct current voltage, wherein the DC/DC converter comprises a high voltage switch that is connected in series with the DC input, and wherein the DC/DC converter is arranged to provide a controlled DC voltage over a capacitor connected in parallel with the high voltage switch via a diode on an input side; and

a DC/AC converter arranged to convert the controlled medium voltage direct current to a controlled AC voltage for feeding the AC load, wherein the DC/AC converter is connected in parallel with the capacitor.

2. The DC/AC converter system according to claim 1, wherein the high voltage switch is an IGBT switch.

3. The DC/AC converter system according to claim 1, wherein the DC/AC converter is arranged to provide AC voltage with variable amplitude and frequency.

4. The DC/AC converter system according to claim 1, wherein the DC/AC converter comprises a transformer directly connected to an AC side of the DC/AC converter.

5. The DC/AC converter system according to claim 1, wherein the HVDC network voltage is from 50 to 500kV.

6. The DC/AC converter system according to claim 1, wherein the medium voltage direct current voltage is from 5 to 50 kV.

7. The DC/AC converter system according to claim 1, wherein the DC input and DC output comprise HVDC connections for detachable connection to the HVDC network, wherein the AC outputs comprise AC connections for detachable connection to the AC load, the DC/AC converter further comprising:

an HVDC bypass switch being configured to interconnect the HVDC connections to bypass the DC/AC converter.

8. The DC/AC converter system according to claim 7, wherein the HVDC connections and the AC connections comprise a plug-in arrangement, enabling plug-in attachment in a converter unit socket.

9. The DC/AC converter system according to claim 7, further comprising:

a housing, dimensioned to withstand sub sea conditions.

10. The DC/AC converter system according to claim 7, wherein the HVDC connections and the AC connections comprise sub sea connections configured to enable sub sea connection and disconnection.

11. A converter unit socket, comprising:

mating connection terminals configured to receive one or more modular DC/AC converters comprising a DC input and a DC output for connection in series with at least one additional modular DC/AC converter in an HVDC network, AC outputs for connection to an AC load, a DC/DC converter arranged to convert a part of an HVDC voltage in the HVDC network to a controlled medium voltage direct current voltage, wherein the DC/DC converter comprises a high voltage switch that is connected in series with the DC input, and wherein the DC/DC converter is arranged to provide a controlled DC voltage over a capacitor connected in parallel with the high voltage switch via a diode on an input side, a DC/AC converter arranged to convert the controlled medium voltage direct current to a controlled AC voltage for feeding the AC load, wherein the DC/AC converter is connected in parallel with the capacitor, and an HVDC bypass switch being configured to interconnect the HVDC connections to bypass the DC/AC converter, wherein the DC input and DC output comprise HVDC connections for detachable connection to the HVDC network, wherein the AC outputs comprise AC connections for detachable connection to the AC load, the DC/AC converter further comprising;

an HVDC bypass switch being configured to interconnect the HVDC connections to bypass the DC/AC converter.

12. The converter unit socket according to claim 11, wherein the connection terminals are sub-sea connection terminals.

13. The converter unit socket according to claim 11, further comprising:

a bypass switch and connection switches for the HVDC connection.

14. The converter unit socket according to claim 13, wherein the bypass switch is mechanically opened by the DC/AC converter when placed in the socket.

15. A modular HVDC converter system, comprising:

a HVDC network; and

at least two modular DC/AC converters connected in series to the HVDC network, wherein each one of the modular DC/AC converters is arranged to provide AC to a separate AC load, and wherein at least one of the DC/AC converters is a converter comprising a DC input and a DC output for connection in series with at least one additional modular DC/AC converter in the HVDC network, AC outputs for connection to an AC load, a DC/DC converter arranged to convert a part of an HVDC voltage in the HVDC network to a controlled medium voltage direct current voltage, wherein the DC/DC converter comprises a high voltage switch that is connected in series with the DC input, and wherein the DC/DC converter is arranged to provide a controlled DC voltage over a capacitor connected in parallel with the high voltage switch via a diode on an input side, and a DC/AC converter arranged to convert the controlled voltage medium voltage direct current to a controlled AC voltage for feeding the AC load, wherein the DC/AC converter is connected in parallel with the capacitor.

16. The modular HVDC converter system according to claim 15, wherein HVDC is supplied to the HVDC network by a rectifier station arranged to supply a constant current at a variable voltage.