Cascadable modular 4-switch extended commutation cell
First Claim
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1. An extended commutation cell (ECC) subcircuit comprising:
- a first port (a), a second port (b), a third port (c) and a fourth port (d);
a first capacitor connected between the first port (a) and the second port (b);
a second capacitor connected between the third port (c) and the fourth port (d);
a first internal node (N1) and a second internal node (N2);
an inductor connected between the first internal node (N1) and the second internal node (N2);
a first switch configured to open or close an electrical connection between the first port (a) and the first internal node (N1);
a second switch configured to open or close an electrical connection between the third port (c) and the first internal node (N1);
a third switch configured to open or close an electrical connection between the second port (b) and the second internal node (N2);
a fourth switch configured to open or close an electrical connection between the fourth port (d) and the second internal node (N2).
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Abstract
The extended commutation cell (ECC) is a four-port, four-switch cell that allows for bidirectional energy transport in two orthogonal directions throughout the cell. By cascading multiple cells, a multilevel converter can be constructed with a high number of levels. The voltage across each cell capacitor can be adjusted independently of the load, resulting in high flexibility in output levels. Improved fault tolerance is also provided.
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20 Claims
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1. An extended commutation cell (ECC) subcircuit comprising:
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a first port (a), a second port (b), a third port (c) and a fourth port (d); a first capacitor connected between the first port (a) and the second port (b); a second capacitor connected between the third port (c) and the fourth port (d); a first internal node (N1) and a second internal node (N2); an inductor connected between the first internal node (N1) and the second internal node (N2); a first switch configured to open or close an electrical connection between the first port (a) and the first internal node (N1); a second switch configured to open or close an electrical connection between the third port (c) and the first internal node (N1); a third switch configured to open or close an electrical connection between the second port (b) and the second internal node (N2); a fourth switch configured to open or close an electrical connection between the fourth port (d) and the second internal node (N2). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An extended commutation cell (ECC) subcircuit comprising:
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a first port (a), a second port (b), a third port (c) and a fourth port (d); a first capacitor connected between the first port (a) and the second port (b); a second capacitor connected between the third port (c) and the fourth port (d); a first internal node (N1), a second internal node (N2), and a third internal node (N3); an inductor connected between the second internal node (N2) and the third internal node (N3); a first switch configured to open or close an electrical connection between the first port (a) and the first internal node (N1); a second switch configured to open or close an electrical connection between the third port (c) and the first internal node (N1); a third switch configured to open or close an electrical connection between the second port (b) and the second internal node (N2); a fourth switch configured to open or close an electrical connection between the fourth port (d) and the second internal node (N2); a fifth switch configured to open an electrical connection between the first internal node (N1) and the third internal node (N3); whereby improved fault tolerance is provided. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification