Assembly for powering a rotating electrical machine

Abstract

Assembly for powering a rotating electrical machine for propelling a vehicle comprising: - at least one chain of modules comprising a first terminal and a second terminal, each module comprising: - a primary terminal and a secondary terminal, the primary terminal being connected to the secondary terminal of another module and / or the secondary terminal is connected to the primary terminal of another module, - an electrical energy storage unit, - an H-shaped switching bridge, each midpoint of the bridge being connected to one of the terminals of the module, the electrical energy storage unit being arranged in a branch in parallel with the switching arms, and - at least one module comprising a DC / DC converter, connected on the one hand to the terminals of the electrical energy storage unit and on the other hand to a tertiary terminal and to a quaternary terminal of the module, - a first and a second power supply bus,each chain comprising at least one module having its tertiary and quaternary terminals connected to the first power supply bus and at least one module having its tertiary and quaternary terminals connected to the second power supply bus, the modules of each chain being in particular distributed between modules having their tertiary and quaternary terminals connected to the first power supply bus and modules having their tertiary and quaternary terminals connected to the second power supply bus, Characterized in that at least one DC / DC converter of a module of each chain is an isolated and reversible converter.,

Description

Title of the invention: Assembly for supplying a rotating electrical machine

[0001] The present application refers to a chain of modules for a power supply circuit of a rotating electrical machine for propelling a vehicle.

[0002] In a known example, in particular from application US11799392B2, such a chain of modules comprises a first terminal and a second terminal, each module comprising:

[0003] - a primary terminal and a secondary terminal, the primary terminal being connected to the secondary terminal of another module and / or the secondary terminal is connected to the primary terminal of another module

[0004] - an electrical energy storage unit, and

[0005] - an H-shaped switching bridge, the bridge comprising two switching arms comprising two controllable switches arranged on either side of a midpoint, each midpoint being connected to one of the terminals of the module, the electrical energy storage unit being arranged in a branch in parallel with the switching arms,

[0006] - at least one module comprising a DC / DC converter, comprising controllable switches, connected on the one hand to the terminals of the electrical energy storage unit and on the other hand to a tertiary terminal and a quaternary terminal of the module.

[0007] It may be desirable to intelligently control the switches within the modules to ensure that the discharge of the energy storage units is equitable between the different modules. There is a need to simplify the load balancing of the energy storage units within the modules.

[0008] Such a system for supplying a rotating electrical machine of a vehicle is capable of supplying low-voltage electrical consumers within the vehicle thanks to the presence of the DC / DC converter in at least one of the modules. These consumers may be part of driving assistance systems or allow autonomous driving of the vehicle, these consumers may need to be supplied by two voltage sources isolated from each other for safety reasons of the user of the vehicle.

[0009] The invention aims to meet all or part of these needs and it achieves this through one of its aspects, thanks to an assembly for supplying a rotating electrical machine for propelling a vehicle comprising:

[0010] - at least one chain of modules comprising a first terminal and a second terminal each module including:

[0011] - a primary terminal and a secondary terminal, the primary terminal being connected to the secondary terminal of another module and / or the secondary terminal is connected to the primary terminal of another module,

[0012] - an electrical energy storage unit,

[0013] - an H-shaped switching bridge, the bridge comprising two switching arms comprising two controllable switches arranged on either side of a midpoint, each midpoint being connected to one of the terminals of the module, the electrical energy storage unit being arranged in a branch in parallel with the switching arms,

[0014] - at least one module comprising a DC / DC converter, comprising controllable switches, connected on the one hand to the terminals of the electrical energy storage unit and on the other hand to a tertiary terminal and a quaternary terminal of the module,

[0015] - a first and a second power supply bus, intended to be connected to a electrical consumer and / or a respective electrical energy storage unit,

[0016] each chain comprising at least one module having its tertiary and quaternary terminals connected to the first power supply bus and at least one module having its tertiary and quaternary terminals connected to the second power supply bus, the modules of each chain being in particular distributed between modules having their tertiary and quaternary terminals connected to the first power supply bus and modules having their tertiary and quaternary terminals connected to the second power supply bus,

[0017] characterized in that at least one DC / DC converter of a module of each chain is an isolated and reversible converter.

[0018] This isolated and reversible DC / DC converter within the modules of at least one chain allows, when several modules are connected to each other by the same power supply bus, to be able to carry out an energy transfer between these modules. More precisely, at least one module is capable of transferring energy to at least one other module, the DC / DC converters of these modules discharging and charging their electrical energy storage unit respectively. This energy transfer can be carried out in particular between modules of the same chain and / or modules of two different chains.

[0019] The presence of these two power supply buses within the circuit can make it possible to provide two isolated voltage sources for the same group of electrical consumers, for example electrical consumers of driving assistance or autonomous driving systems, or even to supply two groups of consumers which may require two different nominal voltages.

[0020] According to the invention, the modules are arranged within the at least one chain in such a way that their primary terminal is connected to the secondary terminal of another module and their secondary terminal is connected to the primary terminal of another module, with the exception of a module whose primary terminal is connected to the first terminal of the chain and a module whose secondary terminal is connected to the second terminal of the chain.

[0021] All the modules of the at least one chain may comprise a DC / DC converter, this converter being an isolated and reversible converter.

[0022] The first and second terminals of the chain may define the only output voltage of the at least one chain other than voltages defined between tertiary and quaternary terminals of one of the modules

[0023] This means that there is no intermediate output terminal within the chain, i.e. an output terminal connected both to the primary terminal of a first module and to the secondary terminal of another module in the chain, this primary terminal and this secondary terminal being connected together.

[0024] The electrical energy storage unit within the modules of the at least one string may have a nominal voltage of between 3 and 60V. For example, the nominal voltage of the electrical energy storage unit may be 5, 12, 24 or 48V.

[0025] Other nominal voltage values ​​are possible, notably greater than 60V.

[0026] The electrical energy storage unit may be a cell of a lithium-ion type cell battery.

[0027] All or part of the modules of the at least one chain may comprise a bidirectional switching cell arranged between their primary terminal and their secondary terminal, this switching cell comprising at least one controllable semiconductor switch.

[0028] The presence of this switching cell between the terminals of the modules makes it possible to achieve redundancy when it is desired to disconnect the energy storage unit of one of the modules from the rest of the chain. Thus, if the switching cell of said module is defective, it is possible to disconnect the energy storage unit from this module by controlling the switches of the switching bridge, and if one or more of the switches of the switching bridge are defective, it is possible to functionally disconnect the energy storage unit from the rest of the chain by controlling the switching cell between the terminals of the module. This redundancy can make a circuit using a chain of modules such as described more resistant to malfunctions, extend its service life, and meet a safety requirement for the user of the vehicle.

[0029] The switching cell between the primary terminal and the secondary terminal of the modules may comprise a bidirectional transistor, in particular a four-quadrant GaN-based power transistor.

[0030] Alternatively, the switching cell between the primary terminal and the secondary terminal of the modules may comprise two unidirectional transistors mounted in antiparallel, in particular MOS field effect transistors or bipolar transistors.

[0031] Alternatively, the switching cell between the primary terminal and the secondary terminal of the modules may comprise a microelectromechanical system switch.

[0032] The switching cell between the primary terminal and the secondary terminal is different from a mechanical relay.

[0033] The switches of the switching bridge within the module and the switching cell may be of the same type.

[0034] The energy storage unit within the modules of the at least one chain can be arranged in a branch being devoid of switches. In other words, the electrical energy storage unit is mounted between two nodes of the electrical circuit of the module and is not in series between these two nodes with any switch.

[0035] The invention also relates, according to one of its aspects, to an electrical circuit for supplying a rotating electrical machine for propelling a vehicle comprising:

[0036] - a polyphase electric machine,

[0037] - an input interface capable of being connected to a charging station,

[0038] - an assembly for supplying a rotating electrical machine as described previously

[0039] - a system of switches allowing for each chain of the whole connect to the terminals of one phase of the electrical machine or to the input interface, and

[0040] - a control unit, capable of controlling the switches within the electrical circuit.

[0041] The first and second power supply buses may be intended to be connected to electrical consumers and / or electrical energy storage units having the same nominal voltage.

[0042] The control unit can control the switches of the DC / DC converters of the modules connected to the same power supply bus so that at least one module transfers energy to at least one other module via said same power supply bus, the DC / DC converters of these modules discharging and charging their energy storage unit respectively.

[0043] This energy transfer is advantageous in particular because it can be carried out between modules arranged on different chains thanks to their connection to the same power supply bus.

[0044] The circuit may comprise a third power supply bus intended to be connected to an electrical consumer with a nominal voltage higher than the nominal voltage of the consumers and / or electrical energy storage units intended to be connected to the first and second power supply buses, and comprising an additional chain such as the at least one chain of the assembly described above, all the modules of the additional chain comprising a reversible and isolated DC / DC converter, the additional chain being connected by its terminals to the third power supply bus, the additional chain comprising at least one module having its tertiary and quaternary terminals connected to the first power supply bus and at least one module having its tertiary and quaternary terminals connected to the second power supply bus,the modules of the additional chain being in particular distributed between modules having their tertiary and quaternary terminals connected to the first power supply bus and modules having their tertiary and quaternary terminals connected to the second power supply bus.

[0045] The control unit can control the switches of the DC / DC converters of the modules connected to the same power bus so that the modules of the at least one string of the set transfer energy to the modules of the additional string by said same power bus, the DC / DC converters of the modules of the at least one string and the DC / DC converters of the modules of the additional string discharging and charging their energy storage unit respectively, when a charging station applies a voltage to the input interface.

[0046] This transfer of energy from the modules of the assembly to the additional string makes it possible to charge the electrical energy storage units of the modules of the additional string when a charging station applies a voltage to the input interface of the circuit, even if the additional string is not directly connected to the terminals of the input interface.

[0047] The control unit can control the switches of the DC / DC converters of the modules connected to the same power supply bus so that the modules of the at least one chain transfer energy to the modules of the additional chain by said same power supply bus, the DC / DC converters of the modules of the at least one chain and the DC / DC converters of the modules of the additional chain discharging and charging their energy storage unit respectively, when the electrical machine operates as a generator.

[0048] This transfer of energy from the modules of the assembly to the additional chain makes it possible to charge the electrical energy storage units of the modules of the additional chain when the electrical machine operates as a generator, even if the additional string is not directly connected to the phases of the electric machine.

[0049] The control unit can control the switches of the DC / DC converters of the modules connected to the same power supply bus so that the modules of the additional chain transfer energy to the modules of the at least one chain by said same power supply bus, the DC / DC converters of the modules of the at least one chain and the DC / DC converters of the modules of the additional chain charging and discharging their energy storage unit respectively, when the load connected to the third power supply bus is less than a predefined threshold value or zero.

[0050] The threshold value may correspond to a ratio between the energy consumed by the consumers intended to be connected to the third power supply bus and the maximum energy that the additional chain can provide, in particular the threshold value may be equal to 10%.

[0051] This transfer of energy from the modules of the additional chain to the at least one chain of the set makes it possible to charge the electrical energy storage units of the at least one chain when the consumers connected to the second power supply bus consume little energy or are not activated, and consequently can extend the autonomy of the storage units of the at least one chain.

[0052] The power supply of the third power supply bus from the input interface or from the stator phases of the rotating electrical machine may be carried out exclusively by transfer of electrical energy via the first power supply bus and / or by transfer of electrical energy via the second power supply bus.

[0053] The electrical energy storage units contained in the modules of the additional string may have a different chemical composition, size and / or nominal voltage compared to the electrical energy storage units contained in the modules of the at least one string of the set.

[0054] The number of chains implemented in the at least one chain may be greater than or equal to the number of phases of the rotating electrical machine.

[0055] The switch system can allow for each string of the at least one string of the set to be connected to the terminals of a phase of the electrical machine to which this string is dedicated. In other words, a given string can only be connected to a single phase of the stator of the electrical machine.

[0056] The rotating electrical machine is for example a synchronous machine, for example a three-phase synchronous machine or a synchronous machine whose stator electrical winding defines a double three-phase system. The stator electrical winding is for example formed by wires or by conductive bars connected to each other.

[0057] In all of the above, the rotor may be a claw rotor. This rotor then comprises a first and a second nested pole wheels, the first pole wheel defining a series of claws of generally trapezoidal shape, each claw extending axially towards the second pole wheel, the second pole wheel defining a series of claws of generally trapezoidal shape, each claw extending axially towards the first pole wheel. A permanent magnet may be received between two consecutive claws circumferentially speaking for the rotor.

[0058] Alternatively, the rotor may be other than a claw rotor, for example comprising a stack of laminations or being a cage rotor.

[0059] When the rotating machine is a synchronous machine, it may have a wound rotor or a permanent magnet rotor.

[0060] The rotating electrical machine may have a rated electrical power of 25kW, 100kW, 200kW, or more.

[0061] The circuit control unit may be single or comprise a main control unit and several subsidiary control units, for example one subsidiary control unit per chain in the circuit and / or one subsidiary control unit per module.

[0062] The electrical circuit may be reversible, i.e. the switches within the circuit may be controlled so that the strings of modules supply an alternating voltage across the input interface.

[0063] The invention may be better understood by reading the following description of non-limiting examples of its implementation:

[0064] [Fig.l] represents a module intended to be implemented within a chain of electrical modules of a circuit for the power supply of a rotating electrical machine.

[0065] [Fig.2a] represents an assembly for the power supply of an electrical machine, comprising a chain of modules according to [Fig.l],

[0066] [Fig.2b] represents an example of output voltage of a chain of modules according to [Fig.2a] for the power supply of an electrical machine.

[0067] [Fig.2c] represents an example of input voltage of a string of modules according to [Fig.2a] allowing the electrical energy storage units within the modules to be charged.

[0068] [Fig.3] represents a circuit for supplying a rotating electrical machine for propelling a vehicle, using the assembly according to [Fig.2a].

[0069] [Fig.l] shows a module 10 intended to be implemented within a chain of electrical modules of a circuit for powering a rotating electrical machine.

[0070] The module 10 as shown in [Fig. 1] comprises a primary terminal 11a and a secondary terminal 11b, the voltage between terminals 11a and 11b being denoted Vm.

[0071] The module 10 also comprises an electrical energy storage unit 12, of nominal voltage Vc. This electrical energy storage unit may be a cell of a battery employing a plurality of cells, and may have a nominal voltage of between 3 and 60V for example. This energy storage unit 12 is arranged in a branch in parallel with a switching bridge 13, this branch not comprising switches. This switching bridge 13 is mounted in an H shape and comprises controllable switches 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, arranged on either side of the midpoints 13a and 13b, these midpoints being connected respectively to the primary terminal 11a and the secondary terminal 11b of the module 10. In the example shown in Figure 1a, the switches 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d are MOS field effect transistors.

[0072] When a control unit controls the switches of the switching bridge 13 such that the switches 14a, 14d are in the closed position and the switches 14b, 14c are in the open position, the voltage Vm between the terminals 11a and 11b of the module 10 is equal to Vc. When the switches 14b, 14c are in the closed position and the switches 14a, 14d are in the open position, the voltage Vm between the terminals 11a and 11b of the module 10 is equal to -Vc.

[0073] When a control unit drives the switches 14a, 14b to be in the open position and the switches 14c, 14d to the closed position, or drives the switches 14a, 14b to be in the closed position and the switches 14c, 14d to the open position, the voltage Vm between the terminals 11a and 11b of the module 10 is zero, the energy storage unit being functionally disconnected from the terminals 11a and 11b of the module 10.

[0074] The module 10 also comprises a DC / DC converter 15, on the one hand connected to the terminals of the energy storage unit 12, and on the other hand connected to a tertiary terminal 16a and a quaternary terminal 16b of the module 10.

[0075] The DC / DC converter 15 can raise or lower the voltage Vc coming from the electrical energy storage unit 12.

[0076] The DC / DC converter 15 contains at least one controllable switch not shown in [Fig.l] so that it can be activated or deactivated by a command internal or external to the module 10. The DC / DC converter is also an isolated converter, which can use a transformer, in particular a transformer using windings.

[0077] The DC / DC converter 15 is also reversible, in that it is capable of performing the voltage conversion from the energy storage unit 12 to the tertiary 16a and quaternary 16b terminals and vice versa. Thus, when a voltage source applies a direct voltage at the tertiary 16a and quaternary 16b terminals, the DC / DC converter can recharge the energy storage unit 12 of the module 10.

[0078] In [Fig.2a] there is shown an assembly 103 for the power supply of an electrical machine, comprising a chain 30 of four modules 31, 32, 33, 34, a first power supply bus 110 and a second power supply bus 112. In this example each module is identical and according to the module 10 of [Fig.l]. The modules 31, 32, 33, 34 are chained together by their primary and secondary terminals between the two terminals 37a 37b of the chain. More precisely, the module 31 is connected to the first terminal 37a of the chain 30 by its primary terminal and to the primary terminal of the module 32 by its secondary terminal, the module 32 is connected to the primary terminal of the module 33 by its secondary terminal, the module 33 is connected to the primary terminal of the module 34 by its secondary terminal and the module 34 is connected to the second terminal 37b of the chain 30 by its secondary terminal.

[0079] In the example shown in [Fig.2a], the tertiary 16a and quaternary 16b terminals of the modules 31, 32, 33 of the chain 30 are connected in parallel to the first power supply bus 110, connected to an interface 111. The tertiary 16a and quaternary 16b terminals of the module 34 are connected to the second power supply bus 112, connected to an interface 113.

[0080] The chain 30 has a single output voltage which is defined between its two terminals 37a and 37b. Regardless of the value that can be taken by this output voltage, it will be designated Vs hereinafter. In the example shown in Figure 2, the electrical energy storage units within the four modules 31, 32, 33, 34 being identical and of nominal voltage Vc, the voltage Vs can take as a value all the positive or negative integer multiples of Vcentre -4*Vc and 4*Vc when these electrical energy storage units are capable of supplying a voltage.

[0081] [Fig.2b] shows a graph 35 representing an example of alternating voltage Vs generated by the module chain 30 shown in [Fig.2a]. This generated alternating voltage Vs is capable of powering a rotating electrical machine, it is periodic with a period Ti and its shape is comparable to a sine wave.

[0082] At times 0, tb t2, and t3, the modules 31, 32, 33, 34 of the chain 30 are controlled successively so that the voltage between their terminals is equal to Vc, the maximum voltage of the generated alternating voltage Vs between two successive times becoming equal to Vc, 2* Vc, 3* Vc and 4*VC respectively. By controlling a module, we mean controlling the switches within said module in order to obtain the desired voltage between its terminals.

[0083] At times t4, t5, t6 the modules 31, 32, 33, 34 of the chain 30 are controlled successively so that the voltage between their terminals is equal to 0, the voltage maximum of the generated alternating voltage 35 between two successive instants becoming equal to 3*VC, 2* Vc and Vc respectively.

[0084] The time interval between instants 0 and t7 corresponds to the positive part of the period Ti of the alternating voltage 35.

[0085] The order of control of the modules 31, 32, 33, 34 between times 0 and t7 may correspond, for example, to the state of charge of the electrical energy storage unit within the modules 31, 32, 33, 34. In order to balance the state of charge of the energy storage units contained in the modules 31, 32, 33, 34, the modules may, for example, be controlled at times 0, tb t2, and t3 according to the decreasing order of state of charge of their electrical energy storage unit and the increasing order at times t4, t5, t6 and t7. Thus, the storage unit being the most charged among the modules will be discharged for a longer time and the least charged storage unit will be discharged for a shorter time, extending the autonomy of the chain.

[0086] At times t7, t8, t9, and t10, the modules 31, 32, 33, 34 of the chain 30 are controlled successively so that the voltage between their terminals is equal to -Vc, the maximum voltage of the generated alternating voltage 35 between two successive times becoming equal to -Vc, -2* Vc, -3* Vc and -4*VC respectively. At times tu, t[2, and tn, modules 31, 32, 33, 34 of the chain 30 are controlled successively so that the voltage between their terminals is equal to 0, the maximum voltage of the generated alternating voltage 35 between two successive times becoming equal to -3*VC, -2* Vc and -Vc respectively.

[0087] The time interval between times t7 and tM corresponds to the negative part of the period Ti of the alternating voltage Vs.

[0088] The order of control of the modules 31, 32, 33, 34 between the times t7 and tn may correspond for example to the state of charge of the electrical energy storage unit within the modules 31, 32, 33, 34, 35. In order to balance the state of charge of the energy storage units contained in the modules 31, 32, 33, 34, the modules may for example be controlled according to the decreasing order of state of charge of their electrical energy storage unit between the times t7, t8, t9, and ti0 and the increasing order at the times tu, ti2» and tu.

[0089] Between two successive instants, a module can be controlled so that the voltage between its terminals passes successively from Vc to 0 and vice versa during the positive part of the period Ti or -Vc to 0 and vice versa during the negative part of the period Tb, for example by pulse width modulation. This makes it possible to reduce the harmonic distortions of the generated alternating voltage 35.

[0090] The time intervals between two successive instants 0, tl, t2, t3, etc. may be all or partially identical.

[0091] [Fig.2c] shows a graph 37 representing an example of charging of the energy storage units within the modules of the chain 30 shown in [Fig.2a] when an alternating voltage Vs is applied to the terminals of said chain.

[0092] The voltage Vs shown in [Fig.2c] is a sinusoidal alternating voltage suitable for being applied to the terminals 37a 37b of the chain 30 of Figure 2. In the example shown, the voltage Vs has a maximum voltage and a minimum voltage of 4*Vcet and -4*Vcrespectively, and is periodic with a period T2. This alternating voltage can come from a charging station, connected to the terminals of the chain 30.

[0093] In the example shown in [Fig.2c], during the time interval 41 between the instant O and the instant t26, the instants when the voltage Vs is zero, a module of the chain 30, for example the module 31, is controlled so that the voltage between its terminals is equal to Vc. As a result, during the time interval 41 the electrical energy storage unit of the module 31 is charged. During the time interval 42 between the instant t20 and the instant t25, the instants when the voltage 37 is equal to Vc, another module of the chain 30, for example the module 32, is controlled so that the voltage between its terminals is equal to Vc. As a result, during the time interval 42 the electrical energy storage unit of the module 32 is charged.During the time interval 43 between the instant t2i and the instant t24, the instants when the voltage 37 is equal to 2*VC, another module of the chain 30, for example the module 33, is controlled so that the voltage between its terminals is equal to Vc. As a result, during the time interval 43 the electrical energy storage unit of the module 33 is charged. During the time interval 44 between the instant t22 and the instant t23, the instants when the voltage 37 is equal to 3*VC, another module of the chain 30, for example the module 34, is controlled so that the voltage between its terminals is equal to Vc. As a result, during the time interval 44 the electrical energy storage unit of the module 34 is charged.

[0094] Similarly, during the time intervals 45, 46, 47 and 48, during the negative half-period of the period T2 of the alternating voltage Vs, the modules 31, 32, 33, 34 of the chain 30 are successively controlled so that the voltage between their primary and secondary terminals is equal to -Vcentre the instants when the alternating voltage Vs is equal to 0, -Vc, -2*VC and -3*Vc respectively so that their respective electrical energy storage unit is charged during these respective time intervals.

[0095] The order of control of the modules 31, 32, 33, 34 may correspond for example to the state of charge of the electrical energy storage unit within the modules 31, 32, 33, 34. In order to balance the state of charge of the electrical energy storage units contained in the modules 31, 32, 33, 34, the modules may for example be charged during the intervals 41, 42, 43, 44 respectively in ascending order. state of charge of their electrical energy storage unit. Thus, the most discharged electrical energy storage unit will be charged for a longer time and vice versa. This ascending order can be applied similarly for intervals 45, 46, 47, 48. Balancing the recharge between the electrical energy storage units reduces the overall recharge time of the chain 30.

[0096] Between two successive instants, a module can be controlled so that the voltage between its terminals changes successively from Vc to 0 and vice versa during the positive part of the period T2 or -Vc to 0 and vice versa during the negative part of the period 36, for example by pulse width modulation. This makes it possible to reduce harmonic distortions when charging the electrical energy storage unit.

[0097] [Fig.3] represents a circuit 100, intended to be integrated within an electrically powered vehicle, using chains 30 according to [Fig.2a].

[0098] The circuit 100 comprises an input interface 101. This input interface is intended to be connected for example to a charging station for an electrically powered vehicle, capable of supplying a single- or polyphase alternating electric voltage or a direct voltage.

[0099] In the example shown in [Fig.3], the input interface 101 comprises three terminals lOlx, lOly, lOlz, capable of being connected to a respective phase of a three-phase alternating voltage. The interface 101 comprises an additional terminal lOln capable of being connected to the neutral of an alternating voltage. When a vehicle charging station connected to the input interface supplies a direct voltage or a single-phase alternating voltage, an interconnection circuit (not shown) arranged between this charging station and the input interface 101 of the circuit 100 makes it possible to distribute the voltage supplied to the three terminals lOlx, lOly and lOlz.

[0100] The circuit 100 comprises a rotating electrical machine 102. In the example shown in [Fig.3], the electrical machine 102 is a polyphase machine, comprising three phases, denoted 102x, 102y and 102z.

[0101] A control unit 109 is present in the circuit 100. The control unit 109 may be a processor or an integrated circuit, for example an FPGA or an ASIC, comprising the means for implementing the control functions of the circuit 100 and for controlling the set of switches within the circuit 100.

[0102] The circuit 100 as shown comprises an assembly 103 composed of three chains 30, a first power supply bus 110 and a second power supply bus 112. These three chains are according to the chain 30 shown in [Fig.2a] and are composed of a plurality of electrical modules 10 according to [Fig.l]. In this example, the chains 30 each comprise four identical modules 10 and according to the module 10 shown in [Fig.l].

[0103] In the example shown in [Fig.3], all of the tertiary terminals 16a and quaternary terminals 16b of all the modules 10 of the set 103 are connected in parallel either to the first power supply bus 110 or to the second power supply bus 112. In this example, the modules 10 of the chains 30 whose secondary terminal 11b is connected to the terminal 37b of its respective chain are connected to the second power supply bus.

[0104] The first power supply bus and the second power supply bus are connected to a first interface 111 and a second interface 113 respectively. These interfaces 111, 113 are intended to be connected to a respective electrical consumer, having a nominal voltage being for example between 8 and 48V, for example 12V. These consumers may be so-called low-voltage equipment of the vehicle using the circuit 100 of [Fig. 3], for example a braking assistance system of a vehicle, and / or an electrical energy storage unit. The DC / DC converters within the modules 10 then perform a raising or lowering of the voltage of the energy storage unit within their respective module so that the voltage between the terminals 16a and 16b is equal to the nominal voltage of the electrical consumer / and or of the energy storage unit intended to be connected to the power supply bus to which these DC / DC converters are connected.

[0105] The strings 30 of [Fig.3] can be connected to a respective phase 102x, 102y, 102z of the electrical machine 102 by closing the switches of the plurality of switches 107.

[0106] When the strings 30 are connected to a respective phase 102x, 102y, 102z of the electrical machine 102, the control unit 109 can control the switches of the assembly 103 so that they each supply an alternating voltage to the phases 102x, 102y, 102z of the electrical machine 102. As an example, this supplied voltage can be such as the voltage 35 shown in [Fig.2b], the voltages generated by the strings 30 being able to be phase-shifted by 120 degrees between them.

[0107] When the chains 30 are connected to a respective phase 102x, 102y, 102z of the electrical machine 102, and the electrical machine 102 is generating an alternating voltage, for example during regenerative braking, the control unit 109 can control the switches of the assembly 103 so that the electrical energy storage units of the modules 10 can be recharged from this alternating voltage.

[0108] In the example shown in [Fig.3], the strings 30 can be connected to a respective terminal lOlx, lOly, lOlz of the input interface by closing the switches of the plurality of switches 106. When connected to the interface input, the chains are capable of receiving an alternating or direct voltage supplied by a charging station connected to the input interface.

[0109] In the example shown in [Fig.3], the circuit 100 is reversible, that is to say that the control unit can control the switches within the circuit in such a way that the chains provide an alternating voltage to the terminals of the input interface 101. As an example, the chains can generate a voltage such as the voltage 35 shown in Figure 2, the voltages generated by the chains 30 being able to be phase-shifted by 120° between them.

[0110] The circuit 100 of [Fig.3] also comprises an additional chain of modules 114, the modules 10 of this chain 114 being identical to each other and according to the module 10 of [Fig.l],

[0111] In this example, the additional string 114 comprises four modules 10 arranged between its terminals. The energy storage units within the modules 10 of the additional string 114 may have a different chemical composition, size and / or nominal voltage compared to the electrical energy storage units contained in the modules 10 of the assembly 103.

[0112] The terminals 37a 37b of the additional chain 114 are connected in parallel to a third power supply bus 115. This third power supply bus 115 is connected to an additional interface 116 intended to be connected to an electrical consumer, having a nominal voltage of several hundred volts, for example 400V, 800V or even more than 1000V. This consumer may be so-called high-voltage equipment of the vehicle using the circuit 100 of [Fig. 3], for example a powertrain cooling system or an air conditioning system.

[0113] Thus, the modules 10 of the additional chain 114 can be controlled in such a way that they provide a direct voltage, capable of being supplied to the additional consumer intended to be connected to the additional interface 116.

[0114] The tertiary 16a and quaternary 16b terminals of the modules 10 of the additional chain are connected in parallel either to the first power supply bus 110 or to the second power supply bus 112.

[0115] This connection of the modules of the assembly 103 and of the additional chain 114 to the same power supply buses 110 and 112, coupled with the fact that the DC / DC converter within the modules 10 is reversible, makes it possible to carry out an energy transfer between several modules 10 within the assembly 103 and / or the additional chain 114, connected to the same power supply bus 110 or 112.

[0116] In the circuit 100 shown in [Fig.3], the power supply of the third power supply bus 115 from the input interface 101 or from the phases 102x, 102y, 102z of the stator of the rotating electrical machine 102 is not carried out exclusively than by transfer of electrical energy via the first power bus 110 and / or by transfer of electrical energy via the second power bus 112.

[0117] The transfer of energy between several modules 10 connected to the same power supply bus 110 or 112 can make it possible, in a first example, to balance the state of charge of the electrical energy storage unit between at least two modules 10 connected to the same power supply bus 110 or 112, at least one first module 10 discharging its electrical energy storage unit, and at least one second module 10 charging its electrical energy storage unit. This balancing of the state of charge of the electrical energy storage units by the same power supply bus 110 or 112 is advantageous because it can be carried out between two modules of two different chains connected to the same power supply bus 110 or 112, and therefore extend the general autonomy of the circuit 100.

[0118] In a second example, this energy transfer can make it possible to charge the electrical energy storage units of the modules 10 of the additional chain 114 when a charging station connected to the input interface 101 provides an alternating or direct voltage. In this case, the modules 10 of the set 103 transfer energy to the modules of the additional chain 114 via the power supply buses 110 and 112. Since the additional module chain 114 is not connected to the terminals of the input interface 101, this energy transfer makes it possible to charge both the energy storage units of the chains 30 of the set 103 and the energy storage units of the additional chain 114.

[0119] In a third example, this energy transfer can make it possible to charge the electrical energy storage units of the modules 10 of the additional chain 114 when the electrical machine 102 is generating, for example during regenerative braking. In this case, the modules 10 of the chains 30 of the set 103 transfer energy to the modules of the additional chain 114 via the power supply buses 110 and 112. Since the additional module chain 110 is not connected to the terminals of the electrical machine 102, this energy transfer makes it possible to charge both the energy storage units of the chains 30 of the set 103 and the energy storage units of the additional chain 114.

[0120] In a fourth example, this energy transfer can make it possible to charge the energy storage units of the modules 10 of the strings 30 of the set 103 when the load connected to the third power supply bus 115 is less than a predetermined threshold or zero. In this case, the modules 10 of the additional string 114 transfer energy to the modules of the strings 30 of the set 103 via the power supply buses 110 and 112. This makes it possible to use the energy stored in the modules 10 of the additional string 114 in order to recharge the energy storage units of the modules 10 of the strings 30 of the set 103 when the additional string 114 is little used by consumers connected to the power bus 115. The threshold value may correspond to a ratio between the energy consumed by consumers intended to be connected to the power bus 115 and the maximum energy that the additional chain 110 can provide, in particular the threshold value may be equal to 10%. This results in an improvement in the overall autonomy of the circuit 100.

[0121] The invention is not limited to what has been described with reference to the figures.

[0122] Only a portion of the modules 10 of the chains 30 of the assembly 103 of the circuit 100 can comprise a DC / DC converter, and only a portion of the modules 10 can comprise a reversible DC / DC converter.

[0123] All the modules 10 of the chains 30 of the set 103 may not be connected to the first power bus 110 or to the second power bus 112, at least one module 10 of each chain 30 of the set 103 having to be connected to the first power bus 110 and at least one module of each chain 30 of the set 103 having to be connected to the second power bus 112.

[0124] The chains 30 of the assembly 103 may not have the same number of modules 10 connected to the first power bus 110 and / or to the second power bus 112.

[0125] The control unit 109 may comprise a main control unit and several subsidiary control units, for example a subsidiary control unit per chain 30 and 114, and a subsidiary control unit per module 10, the functions of controlling the circuit and piloting the switches within the circuit being distributed within the main and subsidiary control units.

[0126] All or part of the modules 10 in the circuit 100 may comprise a bidirectional switching cell arranged between their primary terminal 11a and their secondary terminal 11b, this switching cell comprising at least one controllable semiconductor switch. This switching cell makes it possible to functionally disconnect the energy storage unit 12 from the terminals 11a and 11b of a module 10 by being controlled in the closed position. It is also possible to provide redundancy for the disconnection of the energy storage unit 12 from a module 10 by controlling both the switching cell and the switches of the switching bridge 13 in the closed position. This redundancy makes it possible to make a module more resistant to malfunctions, for example to a short circuit of a switch.

[0127] This switching cell may comprise a bidirectional transistor, for example a four-quadrant Gallium Nitride (GaN) power transistor, or two unidirectional transistors connected in antiparallel, for example MOS field effect transistors or bipolar transistors, or an electromechanical system switch.

[0128] The switches of the switching bridge 13 within the module 10 and the switching cell may be of the same type

Claims

1. Claims Assembly (103) for supplying a rotating electrical propulsion machine (102) of a vehicle comprising: - at least one chain (30) of modules (10) comprising a first terminal (37a) and a second terminal (37b) each module (10) comprising: - a primary terminal (11a) and a secondary terminal (11b), the primary terminal (11a) being connected to the secondary terminal (11b) of another module (10) and / or the secondary terminal (11b) is connected to the primary terminal (11a) of another module (10), - an electrical energy storage unit (12), - an H-shaped switching bridge (13), the bridge (13) comprising two switching arms comprising two controllable switches (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d), arranged on either side of a midpoint (13a, 13b), each midpoint of the bridge being connected to one of the terminals (11a, 11b) of the module (10), the electrical energy storage unit (12) being arranged in a branch in parallel with the switching arms, and - at least one module (10) comprising a DC / DC converter (15), comprising controllable switches, connected on the one hand to the terminals of the electrical energy storage unit (12) and on the other hand to a tertiary terminal (16a) and to a quaternary terminal (16b) of the module (10), - a first and a second power supply bus (110, 112), intended to be connected to a respective electrical consumer and / or electrical energy storage unit, each chain comprising at least one module (10) having its tertiary (16a) and quaternary (16b) terminals connected to the first power supply bus (110) and at least one module (10) having its tertiary (16a) and quaternary (16b) terminals connected to the second power supply bus (112), the modules (10) of each chain (30) being in particular distributed between modules (10) having their tertiary (16a) and quaternary (16b) terminals connected to the first power supply bus (110) and modules (10) having their tertiary (16a) and quaternary (16b) terminals connected to the second power supply bus (112), Characterized in that at least one DC / DC converter (15) of a module (10) of each chain (30) is an isolated and reversible converter.

2. Assembly (103) according to the preceding claim, all the modules (10) of the at least one chain (30) comprising a DC / DC converter (30), this converter being an isolated and reversible converter.

3. An assembly (103) according to any preceding claim, the first (37a) and second terminal (37b) defining the only output voltage of the at least one string (30) other than voltages defined between tertiary (16a) and quaternary (16b) terminals of one of the modules (10).

4. An assembly (103) according to any preceding claim, the energy storage unit (12) within the modules (10) being arranged in a branch in parallel with the switching arms, this branch being devoid of switches.

5. Assembly (103) according to any preceding claim, all or part of the modules (10) of the at least one chain (30) comprising a bidirectional switching cell arranged between their primary terminal (11a) and their secondary terminal (11b), this switching cell comprising at least one controllable semiconductor switch.

6. An assembly (103) according to any preceding claim, the electrical energy storage unit (10) within the modules (10) of the at least one string (30) having a nominal voltage of between 3 and 60V.

7. Assembly (103) according to the preceding claim, the first and second power supply buses (110, 112) being intended to be connected to electrical consumers and / or electrical energy storage units having the same nominal voltage.

8. Electrical circuit (100) for powering a rotating electrical propulsion machine (102) of a vehicle comprising: - a polyphase electrical machine (102), - an input interface (101) capable of being connected to a charging station, - an assembly (103) for powering a rotating electrical machine (102) according to any preceding claim, - a system of switches (106, 107) allowing for each chain (30) of the assembly (103) to connect it to the terminals of a phase (102x, 102y, 102z) of the electrical machine (102) or to the input interface (101), and - a control unit (109), capable of controlling the switches within the electrical circuit (100).

9. Circuit (100) according to the preceding claim, the control unit (109) controlling the switches of the DC / DC converters (15) of the modules (10) connected to the same power supply bus (110, 112) so that at least one module (10) transfers energy to at least one other module (10) by said same power supply bus (110, 112), the DC / DC converters (15) of these modules (10) discharging and charging their energy storage unit (12) respectively.

10. Circuit (100) according to any one of claims 8 to 9, the circuit (100) comprising a third power supply bus (115) intended to be connected to an electrical consumer of nominal voltage higher than the nominal voltage of the consumers and / or of the electrical energy storage units intended to be connected to the first and second power supply buses (110, 112), and comprising an additional string (114) such as the at least one string (30) of the assembly (103) according to any one of claims 2 to 7.

11. Circuit (100) according to the preceding claim, the control unit (109) controlling the switches of the DC / DC converters (15) of the modules (10) connected to the same power bus (110, 112) so that the modules (10) of the at least one string (30) of the set (103) transfer energy to the modules of the additional string (114) by said same power bus (110, 112), the DC / DC converters (15) of the modules (10) of the at least one string (30) of the set (103) and the DC / DC converters (15) of the modules (30) of the additional string (114) discharging and charging their energy storage unit (12) respectively, when a charging station applies a voltage to the input interface (101).

12. Circuit (100) according to any one of claims 10 or 11, the control unit (109) controlling the switches of the DC / DC converters (15) of the modules (10) connected to the same power supply bus (110, 112) so that the modules (10) of the at least one chain (30) of the assembly (103) transfer energy to the modules (10) of the additional chain (114) by said same power supply bus. (110, 112), the DC / DC converters (15) of the modules (10) of the at least one string (30) of the assembly (103) and the DC / DC converters (15) of the modules (10) of the additional string (114) discharging and charging their energy storage unit (12) respectively, when the electric machine (102) operates as a generator.

13. Circuit (100) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, the control unit (109) controlling the switches of the DC / DC converters (15) of the modules (10) connected to the same power bus (110, 112) so that the modules of the additional chain (114) transfer energy to the modules (10) of the at least one chain (30) of the set (103) by said same power bus (110, 112), the DC / DC converters (15) of the modules (10) of the at least one chain (30) and the DC / DC converters (15) of the modules (10) of the additional chain (114) charging and discharging their energy storage unit (12) respectively, when the load connected to the third power bus (115) is less than a predefined threshold value or zero.

14. Circuit according to any one of claims 10 to 13, the supply of the third supply bus (115) from the input interface (101) or from the phases (102x, 102y, 102z) of the rotating electrical machine (102) being carried out exclusively by transfer of electrical energy via the first supply bus (110) and / or by transfer of electrical energy via the second supply bus (112).

15. Circuit (100) according to any one of claims 10 to 14, the electrical energy storage units (10) contained in the modules (10) of the additional chain (114) having a different chemical composition, size and / or nominal voltage compared to the electrical energy storage units (12) contained in the modules (10) of the at least one chain (30).

16. Circuit (100) according to any one of claims 10 to 15, the number of chains (30) of the at least one chain of the assembly (103) being greater than or equal to the number of phases (102x, 102y, 102z) of the rotating electrical machine (102).

17. Circuit according to any one of claims 10 to 16, the system of switches (107) allowing for each chain (30) of the at least one chain (30) of the set (103) to connect it to the

18. terminals of a phase (102x, 102y, 102z) of the electrical machine (102) to which this chain (30) is dedicated. A circuit (100) according to any one of claims 10 to 17, all strings (30) having the same number of modules (10) connected to the second power bus (112).

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