Chain of electrical modules with interconnection means for supplying a rotating electrical machine

Abstract

Chain (30) of modules (10) for an electrical circuit (100) comprising a first interface (37) and a second interface (38), 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), and - an H-shaped switching bridge (13) comprising controllable switches (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d), each midpoint (13a, 13b) of the bridge (13) 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, characterized in that the first interface (37) comprises two terminals (37a, 37b), connected to a respective bidirectional semiconductor controllable switch (39a, 39b), the two switches (39a,39b) being connected in parallel to the primary terminal (11a) of the same module (10) of the chain (30), this primary terminal (11a) not being connected to any secondary terminal (11b) of another module (10), the two switches (37a, 37b) being carried by an electronic card (40), this card (40) carrying a control unit of the chain (41) and / or the switches of the module (10) whose primary terminal (11a) is not connected to any secondary terminal (11b). Abstract figure: [Fig. 2a],

Description

Title of the invention: Chain of electrical modules with interconnection means 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 US8395280B2, 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] Such a chain is connected on the one hand to an interface of a power supply circuit of a rotating electrical machine intended to be connected to a vehicle charging station and on the other hand to a phase of the rotating electrical machine. These connections are mutually exclusive, the chains not being connected to the interface when they supply an electrical machine and not being connected to the electrical machine when they recharge their energy storage unit from a voltage supplied by a charging station.

[0007] These connections are usually made by electrical relays, which have the disadvantage of increasing the size of a circuit using them and of being particularly sensitive to malfunctions due to aging. Their lack of compactness can also lead to their placement as close as possible to the interface intended to be connected to a charging station, and as close as possible to the rotating electrical machine. This placement lengthens the connection means between the chains, the interface and the electrical machine, which can create additional electromagnetic interference.

[0008] There is a need to address this problem.

[0009] The invention aims to meet this need and achieves this through one of its aspects, thanks to a chain of modules for an electrical circuit comprising a first interface and a second interface, each module comprising

[0010] - 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,

[0011] - an electrical energy storage unit, and

[0012] - 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,

[0013] characterized in that the first interface comprises two terminals, each terminal being connected to a respective bidirectional semiconductor controllable switch, the two switches being connected in parallel to the primary terminal of the same module of the chain, this primary terminal not being connected to any secondary terminal of another module, the two switches being carried by an electronic card, this card carrying a control unit of the chain and / or switches of the module whose primary terminal is not connected to any secondary terminal.

[0014] The two terminals of the first interface of the chain may be intended to be connected to an input interface of a power supply circuit of an electric machine, capable of receiving a voltage from a charging station, and to a phase of an electric rotating machine respectively. The second interface of the chain may be intended to be connected to a reference potential.

[0015] The use of semiconductor switches rather than electrical relays, these switches being less sensitive to malfunctions due to aging, can improve the service life of the chain. These switches, being also less bulky, can allow their placement as close as possible to the elements of the chain, in particular on the same circuit board as that carrying switches of one of the modules of the chain, and can reduce the length of the connection means necessary between the chain, the input interface of the circuit and the rotating electrical machine.

[0016] Arranging the switches connected to the first interface and the chain control unit on the same printed circuit board can also allow them to be controlled by the chain control unit rather than a main control unit of a circuit using the chain of modules, which can simplify the control of the chain.

[0017] According to the invention, the modules are arranged within the 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 of a module whose secondary terminal is connected to the second terminal of the chain.

[0018] The controllable switches connected to the first interface of the chain may be composed for example of a bidirectional transistor, in particular a four-quadrant gallium nitride (GaN) power transistor.

[0019] Alternatively, the controllable switches connected to the first interface may be composed of two unidirectional transistors mounted in antiparallel, in particular MOS field effect transistors or bipolar transistors.

[0020] Alternatively, the controllable switches connected to the first interface may be composed of a microelectromechanical system switch.

[0021] The switches connected to the first interface of the chain and the switches of the switching bridges within the modules can all be of the same type.

[0022] The second interface may comprise only one terminal, the voltages between the terminals of the first interface and the terminal of the second interface defining the unique output voltages of the chain.

[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 energy storage unit within the modules 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.

[0025] The modules 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.

[0026] 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 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.

[0027] The switching cell between the primary terminal and the secondary terminal of the modules may comprise a bidirectional transistor, in particular a power transistor with four-quadrant GaN base.

[0028] 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.

[0029] Alternatively, the switching cell between the primary terminal and the secondary terminal of the modules may comprise a microelectromechanical system switch.

[0030] The switching cell between the primary terminal and the secondary terminal is different from a mechanical relay.

[0031] The switches of the switching bridge within the module and the switching cell may be of the same type.

[0032] The electrical energy storage unit within the modules 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.

[0033] Other nominal voltage values ​​are possible, notably greater than 60V.

[0034] The electrical energy storage unit may be a cell of a lithium-ion type cell battery.

[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, and

[0038] - a plurality of electrical module strings, each string being as described previously,

[0039] - a system of switches allowing each chain to be connected to the terminals of a phase of the electric machine or at the input interface of the circuit, and

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

[0041] the control unit being configured to connect each chain to the terminals of a phase of the electrical machine to which this chain is dedicated or to the input interface of the circuit, by controlling the switches connected to the first interface of each chain.

[0042] 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.

[0043] The number of chains implemented in the plurality of chains may be greater than or equal to the number of phases of the rotating electrical machine.

[0044] The rotating electrical machine is for example a synchronous machine, for example a three-phase synchronous machine or a synchronous machine whose The stator electrical winding defines a double three-phase system. The stator electrical winding is formed, for example, by wires or by conductive bars connected to each other.

[0045] 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.

[0046] Alternatively, the rotor may be other than a claw rotor, for example comprising a stack of laminations or being a cage rotor.

[0047] When the rotating machine is a synchronous machine, it may have a wound rotor or a permanent magnet rotor.

[0048] The rotating electrical machine may have a rated electrical power of 25kW, 100kW, 200kW, or more.

[0049] The invention may be better understood by reading the following description of non-limiting examples of its implementation:

[0050] [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.

[0051] [Fig.2a] represents a chain of modules according to [Fig.l], the first interface of the chain comprising two terminals connected to a respective switch, these switches being carried by an electronic card also carrying the switches of the module connected to the first interface

[0052] [Fig.2b] represents a chain of modules according to [Fig.l], the first interface of the chain comprising two terminals connected to a respective switch, these switches being carried by an electronic card also carrying a control unit of the chain.

[0053] [Fig.2c] represents an example of output voltage of a chain of modules according to [Fig.2a] or 2b for the power supply of an electrical machine.

[0054] [Fig.2d] represents an example of input voltage of a string of modules according to [Fig.2a] or 2b allowing the electrical energy storage units within the modules to be charged.

[0055] [Fig.3a] represents a circuit for supplying a rotating electrical machine for propelling a vehicle, using a plurality of module chains according to [Fig.2a].

[0056] [Fig.3b] represents a variant of the circuit shown in [Fig.3a], employing a plurality of module chains according to [Fig.2b].

[0057] [Fig.l] shows a module 10 intended to be implemented within a chain of electrical modules of a circuit for supplying a rotating electrical machine.

[0058] The module 10 as shown in [Fig.l] comprises a primary terminal 11a and a secondary terminal 11b, the voltage between terminals 11a and 11b being denoted Vm.

[0059] 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 22 is arranged in a branch in parallel with a switching bridge 13, this branch not comprising switches. This switching bridge 13 is mounted in H 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 10a. In the example shown in [Fig.l], the switches 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d are MOS field effect transistors.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] In [Fig.2a] a first example of a chain 30 of four modules 31, 32, 33, 34 is shown, the chain 30 comprising switches 39a 39b connected to a respective terminal of the first interface 37 of the chain 30. In the example shown in [Fig.2a], the switches 39a 39b are identical and are bidirectional power transistors based on Gallium Nitride (GaN) with four quadrants.

[0063] In this example each module is identical and according to the module 10 shown in [Fig.l]. The modules 31, 32, 33, 34 are chained together by their primary and secondary terminals between the first interface 37 and the second interface 38 of the chain. More precisely, the module 31 is connected to the first interface 37 of the chain 30 by its primary terminal and to the primary terminal of module 32 by its secondary terminal, module 32 is connected to the primary terminal of module 33 by its secondary terminal, module 33 is connected to the primary terminal of module 34 by its secondary terminal and module 34 is connected to the single terminal of the second interface 38 of chain 30 by its secondary terminal.

[0064] The chain 30 has only two output voltages, between the terminal of the first interface 37 connected to the switch 39a and the single terminal of the second interface 38, and between the terminal of the first interface 37 connected to the switch 39b and the single terminal of the second interface 38. The switches 39a 39b being connected in parallel, and the chain comprising four modules 31, 32, 33, 34 being identical and of nominal voltage of electrical energy storage unit Vc, these output voltages can take as value all the positive or negative integer multiples of Vcentre -4*Vcet 4*VC.

[0065] In the example shown in [Fig.2a], the two switches 39a 39b are carried by a printed circuit board 40. This printed circuit board 40 also carries the switches 14a, 14b, 14c and 14d of the switching bridge 13 module 31 of the chain 30, the module 31 being connected by its primary terminal to the switches 39a 39b.

[0066] In a variant shown in [Fig.2b], a chain control unit 41 is implemented within the chain. This control unit 41 may comprise a processor or an integrated circuit, for example an FPGA or an ASIC, comprising the means for implementing the control and piloting functions of the switches of the chain 30. This chain control unit may receive and transmit instructions and tracking information to another control unit of a circuit using the chain 30.

[0067] In [Fig.2b], the printed circuit board 40 carries the switches 39a 39b and the chain control unit 4L

[0068] [Fig.2c] shows a graph 42 representing an example of alternating voltage generated by the module chain 30 shown in [Fig.2a] or in [Fig.2b]. This alternating voltage Vs generated by the module chain 30 shown in [Fig.2a]. This generated alternating voltage Vs is suitable for powering a rotating electrical machine, it is periodic with period Ti and its shape is comparable to a sine wave.

[0069] 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 35 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.

[0070] 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 maximum voltage of the generated alternating voltage 42 between two successive times becoming equal to 3*VC, 2* Vc and Vc respectively.

[0071] The time interval between instants 0 and t7 corresponds to the positive part of period 43 of alternating voltage 42.

[0072] 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, 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 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.

[0073] At times t7, t8, L, and ti0, 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 42 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.

[0074] The time interval between times t7 and tM corresponds to the negative part of period 36 of alternating voltage 42.

[0075] 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 t10 and the increasing order at the times t1, t12, and t13.

[0076] 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 43 or -Vc to 0 and vice versa during the negative part of the period 43, for example by pulse width modulation. This makes it possible to reduce the harmonic distortions of the generated alternating voltage 35.

[0077] The time between two successive instants may be the same for the entire period 43 of the generated voltage 42, or may be partially or totally different.

[0078] [Fig.2d] shows a graph 44 representing an example of charging of the energy storage units within the modules of the chain 30 shown in [Fig.2a] or [Fig.2b] when an alternating voltage Vs is applied between one of the terminals of the first interface and the output interface of said chain.

[0079] The voltage 44 shown in [Fig.2d] is a sinusoidal alternating voltage suitable for being applied to the interfaces 37 38 of the chain 30 of [Fig.2a] or 2b. In the example shown, the voltage 44 has a maximum voltage and a minimum voltage of 4*Vcet of -4*Vcrespectively, and is periodic with a period of 45. This alternating voltage can come from a charging station, connected to the terminals of the chain 30.

[0080] In the example shown in [Fig.2d], during the time interval 46 between the instant O and the instant t26, the instants when the voltage 44 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 the electrical energy storage unit of the module 31 is charged. During the time interval 47 between the instant t20 and the instant t25, the instants when the voltage 44 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 the electrical energy storage unit of the module 32 is charged.During the time interval 48 between the instant t2i and the instant t24, the instants when the voltage 44 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 the electrical energy storage unit of the module 33 is charged. During the time interval 49 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 the electrical energy storage unit of the module 34 is charged.

[0081] Similarly, during the time intervals 50, 51, 52 and 53, during the negative half-period of the period T2 of the alternating voltage 37, 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 at the times when the alternating voltage 37 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.

[0082] The control order 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 according to the increasing order of state of charge of their electrical energy storage unit. Thus, the unit of The most discharged 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] [Fig.3a] represents a circuit 100, intended to be integrated within an electrically powered vehicle, employing a plurality of chains 103 as represented in [Fig.2a].

[0085] The circuit 100 comprises an input interface of the 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-phase or polyphase alternating electric voltage or a direct voltage.

[0086] In the example shown in [Fig.3a], the input interface 101 of the circuit 100 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 over the three terminals lOlx, lOly and lOlz.

[0087] The circuit 100 comprises a rotating electrical machine 102. In the example shown in [Fig.3a], the electrical machine 102 is a polyphase machine, comprising three phases, denoted 102x, 102y and 102z.

[0088] 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.

[0089] The circuit 100 as shown comprises a plurality of chains 103 composed of three chains 30. 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].

[0090] In the example shown in [Fig.3a], for each chain 30, the switches 39a, 39b and the switches of the module 31 of the chain 30 whose primary terminal is connected to these switches 39a, 39b are carried by a printed circuit board 40 specific to this module 31. The printed circuit boards 40 of the circuit 100 may be different, or may be all or partially part of the same printed circuit board.

[0091] The chains 30 of the plurality of chains 103 of [Fig.3a] can be connected to a respective phase 102x, 102y, 102z of the electrical machine 102 by controlling the switches 39b in the closed position.

[0092] 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 plurality of strings 103 so that they each deliver an alternating voltage to the phases 102x, 102y, 102z of the electrical machine 102. As an example, this delivered voltage can be such as the voltage 42 shown in Figure 2, the voltages generated by the strings 30 being able to be phase-shifted by 120 degrees between them.

[0093] When the strings 30 are connected to a respective phase 102x, 102y, 102z of the electrical machine 102, the control unit 59 can control the switches of the plurality of strings 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.2c], the voltages generated by the strings 30 being able to be phase-shifted by 120 degrees between them.

[0094] In the example shown in [Fig.3a], the chains 30 of the plurality of chains 103 can be connected to a respective terminal 10lx, 10ly, 10lz of the input interface by controlling the switches 39a in the closed position.

[0095] In the example shown in [Fig.3a], the chains 30 of the plurality of chains 103 can be connected to a respective terminal 10lx, 10ly, 10lz of the input interface by controlling the switches 39a in the closed position.

[0096] In the example shown in [Fig.3a], 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 42 shown in Figure 2, the voltages generated by the chains 30 being able to be phase shifted by 120 degrees between them.

[0097] A variant of the circuit 100 of [Fig.3a] is shown in [Fig.3b]. In this variant, the chains 30 are according to [Fig.2b], and comprise a respective chain control unit 4L

[0098] The chain control units 41 can communicate with the main control unit 109 of the circuit 100. For example, they can, on instruction from the main control unit 109, control the switches within their respective chains, and transmit information

[0099] In the example shown in [Fig.3b], for each chain 30, the switches 39a, 39b and the control units of this chain 41 are carried by a printed circuit board 40 specific to this control unit 41. The printed circuit boards 40 of the circuit 100 may be different, or may be all or partially part of the same printed circuit board.

[0100] The invention is not limited to what has been described with reference to the figures.

[0101] The switches 39a 39b in Figures 2a and 2b may not be transistors four-quadrant gallium nitride (GaN) based bidirectional power switches, but two unidirectional transistors connected in antiparallel. For example, MOS field effect transistors, or bipolar transistors. The switches can alternatively be microelectromechanical system switches.

[0102] The printed circuit board 40 of [Fig.2a], carrying the switches of the module 31 and the switches 39a 39b connected to the terminals 37a 37b can also carry the other switches of one or more other modules 32, 33, 34. This printed circuit board 40 can also carry the electrical energy storage unit of one or more modules 31, 32, 33, 34.

[0103] The printed circuit board 40 of [Fig.2b], carrying the chain control unit and the switches 39a 39b connected to the terminals 37a 37b can also carry the switches of one or more of the modules 31, 32, 33, 34 of the chain 30. This printed circuit board 40 can also carry the electrical energy storage unit of one or more of the modules 31, 32, 33, 34.

[0104] 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.

[0105] 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

Claims

Claims

1. Chain (30) of modules (10) for an electrical circuit (100) comprising a first interface (37) and a second interface (38), 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), and - an H-shaped switching bridge (13) comprising controllable switches (14a, 14b, 14c, 14d), each midpoint (13a, 13b) of the bridge (13) 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 arms of switching, characterized in that the first interface (37) comprises two terminals (37a, 37b), connected to a respective bidirectional semiconductor controllable switch (39a, 39b),the two switches (39a, 39b) being connected in parallel to the primary terminal (11a) of the same module (10) of the chain (30), this primary terminal (11a) not being connected to any secondary terminal (11b) of another module (10), the two switches (39a, 39b) being carried by an electronic card (40), this card (40) carrying a control unit of the chain (41) and / or the switches of the module (10) whose primary terminal (11a) is not connected to any secondary terminal (11b).,

2. Chain (30) according to the preceding claim, the controllable switches (39a, 39b) connected to the first interface (37) being composed of a bidirectional transistor, in particular a four-quadrant GaN-based power transistor.

3. Chain (30) according to any preceding claim, the controllable switches (39a, 39b) connected to the first interface (37) being composed of two unidirectional transistors mounted in antiparallel, in particular MOS field effect transistors or bipolar transistors.

4. Chain (30) according to any preceding claim, the controllable switches connected to the first interface (37) being composed of a microelectromechanical system switch.

5. A chain (30) according to any preceding claim, the second interface (38) comprising only one terminal, the voltages between the terminals (37a, 37b) of the first interface (37) and the terminal of the second interface (38) defining the unique output voltages of the chain (30).

6. Chain (30) according to the preceding claim, the electrical energy storage unit (12) being arranged in a branch without switches.

7. Chain (30) according to any preceding claim, the modules (10) 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.

8. A chain (30) according to any preceding claim, the electrical energy storage unit (12) having a nominal voltage of between 3 and 60V.

9. 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, - a plurality of strings (103) of electrical modules (10), each string (30) being according to any one of the preceding claims, and - a control unit (109), capable of controlling the switches within the electrical circuit (100), The control unit (109) being configured to connect each string (30) to the terminals of a phase (102x, 102y, 102z) of the electrical machine (102) to which this string (30) is dedicated or to the input interface (101) of the circuit (100), by controlling the switches (39a, 39b) connected to the first interface (37) of each chain (30).

10. Circuit (100) according to the preceding claim, the number of chains (30) being greater than or equal to the number of phases (102x, 102y, 102z) of the rotating electrical machine (102).

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