Power conversion system arrangement for wind turbine

Abstract

A power conversion system arrangement for a wind turbine. A power conversion system arrangement of a wind turbine is provided. The arrangement (250) may include a support structure (203) supporting a power conversion system of a wind turbine (100) and configured to be mechanically coupled with a tower (101) of the wind turbine. The arrangement (250) may include two or more converters (205a-d) of the power conversion system, where the two or more converters are configured to convert electrical power generated by the wind turbine, and where the two or more converters are positioned and supported on a first side (420) of the support structure (203), the first side being an upper side or an underside of the support structure (203). The arrangement (250) may include one or more transformers (206a-b) of the power conversion system, where the one or more transformers are configured to convert electrical power received from the converter, and where the one or more transformers are positioned and supported on a second side (430) of the support structure, the second side (430) being opposite the first side (420) in a vertical direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a power conversion system arrangement for a wind turbine. The present invention also relates to a wind turbine comprising such a power conversion system arrangement, and a method of providing such a power conversion system arrangement. Background Art

[0002] As wind turbines become larger and generate more power, today's wind turbines require power conversion systems that have correspondingly high power ratings and that fully convert and transform the electrical power generated by the wind turbine before providing it to the grid.

[0003] However, the size of the power conversion system must fall within certain size limits, for example due to space limitations when the power conversion system is to be arranged inside a wind turbine, for example in a nacelle of the wind turbine, or due to the need to perform regular maintenance on the power conversion system, which requires spatial accessibility to internal components of the power conversion system.

[0004] Therefore, to stay within size constraints, power conversion systems are typically composed of multiple converter components with lower power ratings, where the multiple converter components are typically electrically connected in parallel so that each of them processes a portion of the generated electrical power.

[0005] These components of the power conversion system are arranged side by side in the nacelle of the wind turbine, for example. However, this arrangement can result in mechanically unfavorable loads, i.e., unnecessary mechanical stresses, acting on the supporting structure of the power conversion system. In this arrangement, the electrical connections between the components can also result in long wiring paths that follow complex paths and can require the conductors to bend or buckle. Due to the increased electrical, thermal, and mechanical stresses acting on the wiring, this can lead to a higher risk of failure of the power conversion system. Due to the reduced robustness, a high maintenance workload may be required and the lifespan of the power conversion system may be shortened, both of which lead to high operating costs for the wind turbine. In addition, the electrical and thermal stresses that appear as power losses during operation of the wind turbine reduce the efficiency of the power conversion system.

[0006] Document EP 3276169 A1 describes a wind turbine support structure. The different components are arranged in modules, which means that no canopy is required to house the different elements. A converter and a transformer are mounted on the beams of the support structure.

[0007] Document CN 215633512 U describes a wind turbine house divided into an upper area and a lower area by a platform plate. Three converters arranged in the upper area of ​​the platform are electrically connected to a transformer arranged in the lower area of ​​the platform.

[0008] Document US 2022 / 0220941 A1 describes a nacelle structure that allows for convenient transport of the nacelle by using a cavity in the frame and folding the generator into it during transport. In operation, the transformer is suspended below the platform. The converter is placed in a module mounted on the upper side of the platform. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Therefore, there is a need to alleviate at least some of the above-mentioned disadvantages and provide a compact arrangement of a power conversion system that is more robust and can operate more efficiently.

[0010] This need is met by the features of the independent claim.The dependent claims describe embodiments of the invention.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, a power conversion system arrangement for a wind turbine is provided. The arrangement includes a support structure that supports the power conversion system of the wind turbine and is configured to be mechanically coupled to a tower of the wind turbine. The arrangement also includes two or more converters of the power conversion system, wherein the two or more converters are configured to convert electrical power generated by the wind turbine, and wherein the two or more converters are positioned and supported on a first side of the support structure, the first side being an upper side or a lower side of the support structure. The arrangement also includes one or more transformers of the power conversion system, wherein the one or more transformers are configured to transform electrical power received from the converters, and wherein the one or more transformers are positioned and supported on a second side of the support structure, the second side being vertically opposite to the first side.

[0012] This arrangement of the power conversion system is beneficial. The stacked arrangement of two or more converters and one or more transformers, using both the first and second sides of the support structure, is compact and can improve the distribution of mechanical loads acting on the support structure, thereby reducing mechanical stresses, such as bending stresses / tensions acting within the support structure or on coupling means for mechanically coupling the support structure to the tower and resulting from load bending moments. Consequently, the mechanical robustness of the power conversion system arrangement can be improved.

[0013] Furthermore, the arrangement of two or more converters on a first side and one or more transformers on a second side simplifies the wiring of each converter and its associated transformer, as the wiring can be achieved via short and / or straight direct connections. Consequently, mechanical stress on the wiring can be reduced. Furthermore, due to the reduced resistance of the shortened and / or straight wiring, and therefore due to the reduced heat dissipation, electrical and thermal stresses on the wiring during operation can be reduced. Consequently, the electrical and thermal robustness of the power conversion system arrangement can be improved.

[0014] Furthermore, the arrangement can include at least a second transformer that transforms the electrical power received from the multiple converters. Thus, the flow of generated electrical power through a single transformer is reduced, thereby reducing power losses in the single transformer and, therefore, the power conversion system. Furthermore, shortened and / or straight wiring can further reduce power losses during operation. Thus, the efficiency of the power conversion system arrangement can be improved.

[0015] Furthermore, due to the arrangement of two or more converters and one or more transformers, and optionally due to the use of multiple converters and multiple transformers, the limit of the maximum power generation of the wind turbine can be increased.

[0016] Each of the two or more power converters may be configured to convert at least a portion of the electrical power generated by the wind turbine. Each of the two or more power converters may be configured to convert alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC) and vice versa, or to convert AC into AC. The conversion may comprise changing the amplitude, frequency and / or phase angle of the electrical power, in particular the voltage and / or current of the electrical power. Examples of such converters or power converters are AC / DC or DC / AC converters or AC / DC-DC / AC converters, which preferably include a DC link.

[0017] Each of the two or more power converters may be configured to be electrically coupled with a generator of the wind turbine on the machine side (where the generator is configured to generate electrical power from a wind-driven rotor of the wind turbine) and / or with at least one of the one or more transformers on the grid side.

[0018] Each of the one or more transformers may be configured to transform at least a portion of the electrical power received from at least one of the converters, for example, from a low voltage on the machine side to a high voltage on the grid side. Optionally, each of the one or more transformers may be configured to transform the electrical power received from at least two or exactly two of the two or more converters. The transformation may include changing the magnitude of the electrical power, in particular the voltage and / or current of the electrical power.

[0019] Each of the one or more transformers may be a three-phase transformer configured to transform three phases of electrical power. Each of the one or more transformers may include a primary winding and a secondary winding, and a corresponding connection interface may provide access to electrical connections to the primary winding and the secondary winding.

[0020] Each of the one or more transformers may be configured to be electrically coupled with at least one of the two or more converters on the machine side and / or with the grid on the grid side.

[0021] In an example, the support structure may be a rear support structure arranged at a side opposite to a side facing a wind-driven / aerodynamic rotor of the wind turbine.

[0022] The two or more converters may comprise / be at least four converters, in particular exactly four converters. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more transformers may comprise / be at least two transformers, in particular exactly two transformers.

[0023] The two or more converters may include one or more pairs of converters, wherein each of the one or more pairs may be electrically coupled to one of the one or more transformers.

[0024] An arrangement of at least four converters and at least two transformers may be beneficial because the increased number of converters and / or transformers may increase the power generation of the wind turbine and may reduce the burden on each of the converters and transformers, and thus reduce power losses therein. This may improve the efficiency of the wind turbine.

[0025] The first side or the second side may face towards a base of the tower.Additionally or alternatively, the support structure may extend substantially horizontally from the tower.

[0026] The base may be, for example, a foundation of a tower. The foundation may be fixed or floating, for example, in the latter case for a floating wind turbine.

[0027] The support structure may include two or more first beams configured to be mechanically coupled to the tower and two or more second beams, each of the two or more second beams mechanically coupling at least two of the two or more first beams.

[0028] At least a portion of the first beam and at least a portion of the second beam may form a pattern or structure made of lines / edges, in particular horizontal and vertical lines, crossing each other. Preferably, the pattern comprises one or more polygonal, in particular rectangular shapes.

[0029] According to the present invention, the two or more converters and the one or more transformers are supported by a support structure according to an arrangement pattern comprising a single or repeating shape, so as to distribute mechanical loads acting on the support structure. The two or more converters include converters positioned at respective vertices of the shape. The one or more transformers include at least one transformer extending along a line connecting two of the vertices on which the converters are positioned. The converters positioned at the two vertices are electrically coupled to the transformers extending along the line.

[0030] Preferably, the shape is a quadrilateral, in particular a rectangle.

[0031] When the two or more converters include one or more pairs of converters, each pair of the one or more pairs of converters may be electrically coupled to one of the one or more transformers, and each pair of converters and corresponding transformer may be arranged according to the arrangement pattern.

[0032] It will be appreciated that the pattern may comprise single or repeating shapes other than quadrilaterals. For example, the shape may be any regular polygon.

[0033] The arrangement of the beams forming the support structure according to a pattern and the arrangement of the converters and / or transformers on the support structure according to a pattern can both improve the mechanical load distribution. In addition, this arrangement can improve the mechanical stability of the support structure, for example when the converter or transformer is mounted between at least two beams.

[0034] Each of the two or more converters may be supported on a support structure at a location where at least two beams of the support structure meet each other from different directions, and / or each of the one or more transformers may be mounted under and / or between two beams of the support structure.

[0035] Each of the one or more transformers may be supported on the support structure at a location where at least two beams of the support structure meet each other from different directions, and / or each of the two or more converters may be mounted above and / or between two beams of the support structure.

[0036] A transformer or converter at least partially positioned and mounted between the beams of the support structure may transfer and / or absorb mechanical loads acting on the support structure, thereby making it more mechanically stable.

[0037] The two or more converters may include a first connection interface including one or more first terminals. The one or more transformers may include a second connection interface including one or more second terminals, the one or more second terminals being electrically coupled, in particular connected, and more particularly directly connected to the one or more first terminals. The first connection interface may face the second connection interface.

[0038] It should be clear that the electrical connection between the transformer and the converter, in particular between the machine side of the transformer and the grid side of the converter (both the converter and the transformer may be operated at low voltage at these respective sides), may herein be realized as a direct connection, for example by using one or more conductors (e.g. busbars) extending from the one or more first terminals to the one or more second terminals, respectively.

[0039] The terminal of the first terminal and / or the second terminal may be, for example, a bushing or a flag terminal, in particular a low-voltage bushing or a low-voltage flag terminal.

[0040] The terminals of a component (transformer or converter) can provide the electrical connectivity of the component. In other words, the terminals can receive a conductor so as to electrically connect the component to other components via the conductor.

[0041] In an example, the first connection interface may face a first side of the support structure, and / or the second connection interface may face a second side of the support structure.

[0042] Since the first and second connection interfaces face each other, the connection between these interfaces can be short and / or follow a path without, or at least with a reduced number of, bends and / or deflections. Consequently, the robustness and efficiency of the power conversion system arrangement can be improved. Furthermore, the implementation of such a connection can be simple and feasible, which reduces the manufacturing and maintenance effort of the power generation system arrangement, and thus reduces the monetary investment associated therewith.

[0043] The conductor may (directly) connect the converter terminals of the one or more first terminals and the associated transformer terminals of the one or more second terminals. The connection provided by the conductor may be substantially straight or straight. For example, the conductor may be straight.

[0044] To establish this connection, the converter terminal can be configured to receive a conductor from a first direction, and the associated transformer terminal can be configured to receive a conductor from a second direction. The first direction can be aligned with the second direction. Preferably, the aligned directions are parallel or antiparallel, and / or on the same line.

[0045] In an example, each converter terminal of the one or more first terminals may be (directly) connected with an associated transformer terminal of the one or more second terminals by a respective conductor. Each of the connections provided by the respective conductors may be substantially straight.

[0046] Additionally or alternatively, each converter terminal can be configured to receive a conductor from a first direction, and each associated transformer terminal can be configured to receive a conductor from a second direction. The first direction of each converter terminal can be aligned with the second direction of the associated transformer terminal. Preferably, each pair of aligned directions are parallel or antiparallel, and / or co-linear.

[0047] In other words, the transformer and the associated converter to which it is to be (directly) connected are arranged on the support structure such that each of the one or more conductors required for said connection can follow a substantially straight route or path.

[0048] A substantially straight route or path allows the use of a conductor that follows a straight line and can be solid and composed of a single component (e.g., a busbar comprising only one strip portion) in order to (directly) connect a pair of terminals. Busbars are generally robust conductors, i.e., they may be able to operate under higher electrical and / or mechanical loads than, for example, cables. However, when the conductors must follow a complex route or path, the busbar may need to be composed of multiple conductor strips attached to each other, where each attachment point may weaken this robustness. Therefore, a single-component or single-strip busbar may be more robust and, therefore, may improve the electrical and mechanical robustness of the power conversion system arrangement.

[0049] The one or more first terminals can be electrically coupled, in particular connected, and more particularly directly connected, to the one or more second terminals by means of a bus bar, in particular a braided or solid bus bar. Preferably, each of the one or more first terminals is coupled to a (different) one of the one or more second terminals.

[0050] The use of bus bars may generally be beneficial due to their higher robustness compared to cables, for example. Braided bus bars may also maintain a certain flexibility, which makes implementation in power conversion system arrangements more feasible.

[0051] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wind turbine comprising any power conversion system arrangement described herein.

[0052] The wind turbine may be, for example, an onshore or offshore wind turbine. In the latter case, the wind turbine may comprise a floating or fixed base.

[0053] The wind turbine may include a mounting structure, such as a bed frame, on which a support structure of the arrangement (e.g., a rear support structure) is mounted to mechanically couple the arrangement to a tower of the wind turbine. At least a portion of the arrangement may be positioned at a rear side opposite to a side facing a rotor of the wind turbine and / or at a side lateral to the side facing the rotor.

[0054] The arrangement may be arranged at an upper end of the wind turbine, in particular at least partially in a nacelle of the wind turbine.

[0055] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for providing a power conversion system arrangement for a wind turbine is provided. The arrangement includes: a support structure that supports the power conversion system of the wind turbine and is configured to be mechanically coupled to a tower of the wind turbine; two or more converters of the power conversion system, wherein the two or more converters are configured to convert electrical power generated by the wind turbine; and one or more transformers of the power conversion system, wherein the one or more transformers are configured to transform electrical power received from the converters. The method includes providing a support structure. The method also includes mounting the two or more converters on the support structure such that the two or more converters are positioned and supported on a first side of the support structure, the first side being either an upper side or a lower side of the support structure. The method also includes mounting the one or more transformers on the support structure such that the one or more transformers are positioned and supported on a second side of the support structure, the second side being vertically opposite the first side.

[0056] It will be appreciated that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below may be used not only in the respective combinations indicated, but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In particular, unless otherwise indicated, the features of the different aspects and embodiments of the present invention may be combined with one another.

[0057] It should also be understood that the order of the method steps of the method described herein is not limited to the order described. Furthermore, the method is not limited to the number of steps described. Individual steps of the method may be replaced, expanded, or not implemented. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0058] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements.

[0059] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a wind turbine according to an example.

[0060] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a power conversion system arrangement of a wind turbine shown in top view according to an example.

[0061] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of an arrangement of a power conversion system of a wind turbine according to an example.

[0062] Figure 4 The diagram is based on the example Figure 3 Schematic diagram of an enlarged view of the power conversion system arrangement shown in .

[0063] Figure 5is a schematic flow chart illustrating a method of providing a power conversion system arrangement for a wind turbine according to an example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0064] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the following description of the embodiments is provided for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered to have a limiting meaning. It should be noted that the accompanying drawings should be considered as schematic representations only, and the elements in the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale with each other. On the contrary, the representation of the various elements is selected so that its function and general use are obvious to those skilled in the art. As used herein, the singular forms "one", "an" and "the" are also intended to include plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprise", "have", "include" and "comprising" will be interpreted as open terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to"), unless otherwise stated.

[0065] Unless the context indicates otherwise or dictates otherwise, a power converter may be referred to herein simply as a 'converter', and a power conversion system arrangement may be referred to herein simply as an 'arrangement'.

[0066] Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a wind turbine 100 according to an example. Wind turbine 100 may include a tower 101 erected on a base 104, a nacelle 102, and a rotor 103 with rotor blades 105. Wind turbine 100 may be an offshore or onshore wind turbine, and / or may be included in a wind farm including a plurality of wind turbines 100. Wind turbine 100 may generate electrical power, and at least a portion of the generated electrical power may be generated by an arrangement 250 of wind turbines 100 (shown in FIG. 1 ). Figure 2 The power conversion system in the middle is used for conversion.

[0067] In an example, wind turbine 100 may be electrically coupled to grid 110 to exchange electrical power with grid 110. The electrical power exchanged with grid 110 may include electrical power generated by wind turbine 100 and converted by the power conversion system of arrangement 250.

[0068] At least a part of the power conversion system of arrangement 250 may be configured to control the operation of wind turbine 100 and for this purpose may be electrically embedded according to any known topology, for example according to a doubly fed induction generator topology or a full converter topology.

[0069] The conversion performed by the power conversion system of arrangement 250 may include directly or indirectly controlling at least one of the amplitude, frequency, and phase angle of the voltage and / or current of the generated electrical power. The conversion may be performed using at least one power converter (e.g., Figure 2) and at least one transformer (e.g., Figure 2 The at least one power converter may be implemented as shown in FIG. 1 , using transformers 206 a-b (shown in FIG. 1 ). The at least one power converter may be, for example, a frequency converter, particularly an AC / DC-DC / AC converter. The at least one transformer may, for example, convert between a low voltage on the machine / generator side of the transformer and a high voltage on the grid side of the transformer.

[0070] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a power conversion system arrangement 250 of wind turbine 100 shown in a top view according to an example.

[0071] The arrangement 250 may include a support structure 203 , four power converters 205 a - d of a power conversion system, and two transformers 206 a , 206 b of a power conversion system.

[0072] Power converters 205a-d may be configured to convert the electrical power generated by wind turbine 100. Transformers 206a, 206b may be configured to transform the converted electrical power received from the converters. To this end, converters 205a, 205b may be electrically coupled to generator 202 (e.g., a synchronous or asynchronous generator) and to the machine side of transformer 206a, with generator 202 driven by the wind by aerodynamic rotor 103. Similarly, converters 205c, 205d may be electrically coupled to generator 202 and the machine side of transformer 206b. On the grid side, transformers 206a-b may be electrically coupled to grid 110.

[0073] Support structure 203 may extend generally horizontally from tower 101. Support structure 203 may include a plurality of beams 204a-d. The plurality of beams may include first or main beams 204a-b configured to be mechanically coupled to tower 101, and second or cross beams 204c-d each mechanically coupled to main beams 204a-d. First beams 204a-b may include a larger cross-sectional area than second beams 204c-d.

[0074] The beams 204a-d can be arranged such that the highest points 209 formed by the beams 204a-d form a pattern 207, which can include a polygonal, and in particular, rectangular, shape. It should be understood that the pattern 207 can include shapes other than polygonal shapes and / or can include the shape repeatedly depending on the number of converters and transformers to be arranged on the support structure 203 and based on other construction requirements (e.g., mechanical stability and / or space limitations).

[0075] The pattern 207 may serve as a placement pattern. Thus, the converters 205a-d may be positioned at a peak 209 of the pattern 207, respectively, and the transformers 206a-b may extend along a line 208 of the pattern 207, respectively.

[0076] In other words, the converters 205a-d may be supported on the support structure 203 at a location where two beams of the support structure 203 meet each other, for example, at right angles (i.e., from different directions), and each of the transformers may be mounted below (i.e., in a normal direction away from the side of the converters 205a-d facing the support structure 203) and / or between the two beams of the support structure.

[0077] like Figure 2 As shown in the exemplary embodiment of , converters 205a-d may be supported on an upper side of a support structure 203, and transformers 204a-b on a lower side of the support structure 203. The lower side may face the base 104 of the wind turbine 100.

[0078] However, it should be clear that the entire assembly of converters 205a-d, transformers 206a-b and support structure 203 may be constructed with Figure 2 1. The assembly can be mechanically coupled to the tower 101 in an orientation other than that shown in FIG. For example, the assembly can be rotated 90 degrees or 180 degrees. In the latter case, the transformers 204a-b are supported on the upper side of the support structure 203, and the converters 205a-d are supported on the lower side of the support structure.

[0079] Mounting structure 201, in particular a bed frame, can be mounted atop tower 101 of wind turbine 100. Support structure 203 can be mounted to mounting structure 201 at rear side 220. Rear side 220 can be the side opposite to the side facing aerodynamic rotor 103. In this example, support structure 203 can constitute a rear support structure. Generator 202 can be mounted on the side of mounting structure 201 facing rotor 103. To mount support structure 203 to mounting structure 201, for example, main beams 204a, 204b can be attached to mechanical interfaces of mounting structure 201.

[0080] It should be clear that at least a portion of the arrangement 250 may be positioned at a side 215 lateral to the side facing the rotor 103. For this purpose, the mounting structure 201 may comprise a mechanical interface.

[0081] The arrangement 250 of the power conversion system may be arranged inside the nacelle 102 . However, the power conversion system arrangement 250 may also be (partially) arranged outside the nacelle 102 .

[0082] Figure 3is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross-sectional view of a power conversion system arrangement 250 of a wind turbine 100 according to an example. Figure 3 As shown in the figure Figure 2 For better illustration, Figure 4 Schematically shown as Figure 3 An enlarged view 400 of the power conversion system arrangement 250 is shown in FIG.

[0083] like Figure 4 As can be seen in FIG. 2 , conductors 410 can electrically connect transformer 206a to each of converters 205a, 205b, for example, to establish respective low-voltage connections. Transformer 206a and converters 205a, 205b are positioned and oriented such that each of conductors 410 (e.g., solid or braided bus bars) can follow a short, straight line from transformer 206a to converters 205a, 205b.

[0084] Transformer 206a may include a connection interface 401 having transformer terminals 403 and a connection interface 402 having transformer terminals 404. Transformer terminals 403 and 404 may, for example, be located atop transformer 206a and may receive conductor 410 straight from above. Converter 205a may include a connection interface 405 having converter terminals 407, and converter 205b may include a connection interface 406 having converter terminals 408. Converter terminals 407 and 408 may, for example, be located at the base of converters 205a and 205b and may receive conductor 410 straight from below. Connection interfaces 407 and 408 may face connection interfaces 402 and 403. Converter 205a may output one phase of three-phase AC power via each of the three conductors 410 of converter terminals 407, thereby providing three-phase AC power to transformer 206a. The converter 205 b may output one phase of the three-phase AC electric power via one of the three conductors 410 of the converter terminal 408 , respectively, to provide the three-phase AC electric power to the transformer 206 a .

[0085] It should be noted that, depending on the type and / or shape of the terminal, the terminal may be capable of receiving a conductor only from a specific direction. To avoid bending or curving of the conductor in such a situation, a pair of terminals to be connected to each other may be positioned and / or oriented so that the directions of the pair of terminals are aligned parallel and on the same line.

[0086] It should be clear that Figure 3 and Figure 4 The summary applies accordingly to the transformer 206b and its associated converters 205c, 205d.

[0087] Figure 5is a schematic flow chart illustrating a method 500 of providing a power conversion system arrangement for a wind turbine, such as the power conversion system arrangement 250 , according to an example.

[0088] The arrangement may include: a support structure that supports a power conversion system of the wind turbine and can be configured to be mechanically coupled to a tower of the wind turbine; two or more converters of the power conversion system, wherein the two or more converters are configured to convert electrical power generated by the wind turbine; and one or more transformers of the power conversion system, wherein the one or more transformers are configured to transform electrical power received from the converters.

[0089] In step S1, method 500 may include providing a support structure. In step S2, method 500 may include mounting the two or more converters on the support structure such that the two or more converters are positioned and supported on a first side of the support structure, the first side being an upper side or a lower side of the support structure. In step S3, method 500 may include mounting the one or more transformers on the support structure such that the one or more transformers are positioned and supported on a second side of the support structure, the second side being vertically opposite the first side.

[0090] Although specific embodiments are disclosed herein, various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The present embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and non-restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A power conversion system arrangement for a wind turbine, wherein the arrangement (250) comprises a support structure (203) supporting a power conversion system of the wind turbine (100) and configured to be mechanically coupled to a tower (101) of the wind turbine, two or more converters (205a-d) of the power conversion system, wherein the two or more converters are configured to convert electrical power generated by the wind turbine, and wherein the two or more converters are positioned and supported on a first side (420) of the support structure (203), the first side being an upper side or a lower side of the support structure (203), and One or more transformers (206a-b) of the power conversion system, wherein the one or more transformers are configured to transform electrical power received from the converter, and wherein the one or more transformers are positioned and supported on a second side (430) of the support structure, the second side (430) being vertically opposite to the first side (420), wherein the two or more converters (205a-d) and the one or more transformers (206a-b) are supported by the support structure (203) according to an arrangement pattern (207) comprising a single or repeating shape so as to distribute mechanical loads acting on the support structure, wherein the two or more transducers (205a-d) include transducers respectively positioned at a highest point (209) of the shape, wherein the one or more transformers (206a-b) include at least one transformer (206a) extending along a line (208) connecting two of the highest points (209) on which the converters (205a, 205b) are located,

5. wherein the converters (205a, 205b) located at the two highest points (209) are electrically coupled to the transformer (206a) extending along the line (208).

2. The arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the two or more converters (205a-d) comprise at least four converters, and / or Wherein the one or more transformers (206a-b) include at least two transformers.

3. The arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first side (420) or the second side (430) faces the base (104) of the tower (101), and / or The support structure (203) extends substantially horizontally from the tower (101).

4. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support structure (203) comprises two or more first beams (204a-b) and two or more second beams (204c-d), the two or more first beams (204a-b) being configured to be mechanically coupled to the tower, each of the two or more second beams (204c-d) being mechanically coupled to at least two of the two or more first beams (204a-b).

5. Arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the shape is a quadrilateral, in particular a rectangle.

6. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the two or more converters (205a-d) is supported on the support structure (203) at a location where at least two beams (204a-d) of the support structure meet each other from different directions, and / or wherein each of the one or more transformers (206a-b) is mounted below and / or between two beams (204a-d) of the support structure.

7. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the one or more transformers (206a-b) is supported on the support structure (203) at a location where at least two beams (204a-d) of the support structure meet each other from different directions, and / or wherein each of the two or more converters (205a-d) is mounted above and / or between two beams (204a-d) of the support structure.

8. An arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the two or more converters (205a-d) comprise a first connection interface (405), the first connection interface (405) comprising one or more first terminals (407), The one or more transformers (206a-b) comprise a second connection interface (401), the second connection interface (401) comprising one or more second terminals (403), the one or more second terminals (403) being electrically coupled, in particular connected, to the one or more first terminals (407), The first connection interface (405) faces the second connection interface (401).

9. The arrangement of claim 8, wherein a conductor (410) connects a converter terminal of the one or more first terminals (407) and an associated transformer terminal of the one or more second terminals (403), and wherein the connection provided by the conductor is substantially straight.

10. An arrangement according to claim 8 or 9, wherein a conductor (410) connects a converter terminal of the one or more first terminals (407) and an associated transformer terminal of the one or more second terminals (403), in, To establish the connection, the converter terminal is configured to receive the conductor (410) from a first direction, and the associated transformer terminal is configured to receive the conductor (410) from a second direction, and wherein the first direction is aligned with the second direction, Preferably, the alignment directions are parallel or anti-parallel, and / or on the same line.

11. Arrangement according to any of claims 8-10, wherein the one or more first terminals (407) are electrically coupled with the one or more second terminals (403) by means of a bus bar, in particular a braided or solid bus bar.

12. A wind turbine, wherein the wind turbine (100) comprises a power conversion system arrangement (250) according to any one of the preceding claims.

13. The wind turbine of claim 12, wherein the wind turbine (100) comprises a mounting structure (201), the support structure (203) of the arrangement (250) being mounted on the mounting structure (201) so as to mechanically couple the arrangement with a tower (101) of the wind turbine, wherein at least a portion of the arrangement (250) is positioned at a rear side (220) opposite to a side facing a rotor (105) of the wind turbine (100) and / or at a side (215) lateral to a side facing the rotor.

14. Wind turbine according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the arrangement (250) is arranged at an upper end of the wind turbine, in particular at least partially in a nacelle (102) of the wind turbine (100).

15. A method of providing a power conversion system arrangement for a wind turbine, wherein the arrangement (250) comprises: a support structure (203) supporting a power conversion system of the wind turbine (100) and configured to be mechanically coupled to a tower (101) of the wind turbine (100); two or more converters (205a-d) of the power conversion system, wherein the two or more converters (205a-d) are configured to convert electrical power generated by the wind turbine (100); and one or more transformers (206a-b) of the power conversion system, wherein the one or more transformers (206a-b) are configured to transform electrical power received from the converters (205a-d), wherein the method (500) comprises providing (s1) the support structure, mounting (s2) the two or more converters (205a-d) on the support structure (203) such that the two or more converters are positioned and supported on a first side (420) of the support structure, the first side being an upper side or a lower side of the support structure, and mounting (s3) the one or more transformers (206a-b) on the support structure (203) such that the one or more transformers are positioned and supported on a second side (430) of the support structure, the second side (430) being vertically opposite to the first side (420), wherein the two or more converters (205a-d) and the one or more transformers (206a-b) are supported by the support structure (203) according to an arrangement pattern (207) comprising a single or repeating shape so as to distribute mechanical loads acting on the support structure, wherein the two or more transducers (205a-d) include transducers respectively positioned at a highest point (209) of the shape, wherein the one or more transformers (206a-b) include at least one transformer (206a) extending along a line (208) connecting two of the highest points (209) on which the converters (205a, 205b) are located, wherein the converters (205a, 205b) located on the two highest points (209) are electrically coupled to the transformer (206a) extending along the line (208).

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