Control board, and related distributed control system, power converter, and method

Abstract

To provide a control board for a distributed control system for a power converter.SOLUTION: A control board (40) is for a distributed control system for a power converter. The control board (40) is configured to be connected to a power module (41) and configured to be connected to a controller board. The control board includes a processing unit (42) configured to issue commands to the power module (41) on the basis of a reference received from the controller board, a set of voltage measurements delivered by the power module (41), and data received from the power module (41), and to deliver data to the controller board.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to power converters, and more particularly to control systems for such power converters for controlling the switches of the power converters.

[0002] The present invention relates to a distributed control system for power converters, to sub-modules and control boards for such a control system.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a method for controlling a power converter. [Background technology]

[0004] A power controller, such as a modular multilevel power converter MMC, comprises a number of sub-modules connected in series into phase legs which may comprise arms.

[0005] Each submodule comprises a capacitor for storing energy and a power semiconductor switch, which may be a transistor, in the form of a half-bridge (also known as monopolar) or full-bridge (also known as H-bridge or bipolar) circuit.

[0006] Each sub-module is connected to a power board interface.

[0007] The power board interface of the sub-module located on the arm is connected to the arm controller.

[0008] The arm controllers of the power converters are connected to a central controller.

[0009] The arrangement of the sub-modules, the power board interface, the arm controller, and the central controller forms a centralized control system of the power controller.

[0010] The central controller provides individual control commands to each sub-module within each control cycle.

[0011] To control all the sub-modules, the central controller receives signals, such as voltage measurements, sent by each sub-module, and sends control signals to each sub-module via the arm controller and power interface board; as a result, the greater the number of sub-modules, the greater the complexity of the centralized control system.

[0012] Furthermore, as the number of signals received and delivered by the central controller increases with the number of sub-modules, the centralized control system, and more particularly the central controller, must be quick enough to process the signals received from the sub-modules and deliver control commands.

[0013] It is therefore proposed to overcome these drawbacks in whole or in part. Summary of the Invention

[0014] In view of the above, the present invention proposes a control board for a distributed control system for power converters.

[0015] The control board is configured to be connected to the power module and is configured to be connected to the controller board.

[0016] The control board comprises a processing unit configured to instruct the power module from the reference received from the controller board, the set of voltage measurements delivered by the power module, and the data received from the power module and deliver data to the controller board.

[0017] Preferably, the control board further comprises a communication interface configured to be connected to a communication interface of another control board as defined above.

[0018] Advantageously, the control board comprises an identification circuit adapted to identify the power module.

[0019] Preferably, the control board comprises an authentication module configured to allow reception of instructions from the controller board after receipt by the authentication module of a valid authentication code, the authentication code being delivered by the controller board.

[0020] Preferably, the control board further comprises an encryption circuit configured to encrypt the data, and the processing unit is configured to deliver the encrypted data to the controller board.

[0021] Another object of the invention relates to a sub-module comprising a control board as defined above and a power module.

[0022] Advantageously, the power module comprises a full bridge including a first terminal, a second terminal, a first arm, and a second arm, each arm comprising two switching cells in series, first ends of the first and second arms connected to each other and to a first end of a capacitor, second ends of the first and second arms connected to each other and to a second end of the capacitor, the first terminal is between the switching cells of the first arm and the second terminal is between the switching cells of the second arm, the set of voltage measurements comprises a first voltage measurement between the first and second ends of the capacitor, a second voltage measurement between the first terminal and the second end of the capacitor, and a third voltage measurement between the second terminal and the second end of the capacitor, and the data comprises a switching state of each switching cell.

[0023] Preferably, the power module comprises a half bridge including a first terminal, a second terminal, and a first arm comprising two switching cells in series, a first end of the first arm connected to a first end of a capacitor, a second end of the first arm connected to a second end of the capacitor, the first terminal being between the switching cells of the first arm and the second terminal being connected to the first end of the capacitor, the set of voltage measurements comprising a first voltage measurement between the first and second ends of the capacitor and a second voltage measurement between the first and second terminals, and the data comprising a switching state of each switching cell.

[0024] Advantageously, the power module further comprises a bypass switch connecting the first and second terminals, the communication interface being configured to command the bypass switch.

[0025] Another object of the present invention is to provide a first central controller configured to deliver instructions; a first power interface board coupled to the first central controller and configured to determine a first criterion from instructions delivered by the first central controller and deliver the first criterion; a first controller board coupled to the first power interface board and configured to determine a second reference from the first reference and deliver the second reference; a first communications board coupled to the first controller board and configured to deliver a second reference; a plurality of sub-modules as defined above, each sub-module connected to a first communication board and receiving a second reference; The present invention relates to a distributed control system for a power converter, comprising:

[0026] Preferably, the distributed control system comprises: a second central controller configured to deliver instructions and connected to the first central controller; a second power interface board configured to be connected to the second central controller, to determine a third criterion from instructions delivered by the second central controller, and to deliver the third criterion; a second controller board coupled to the second power interface board and configured to determine a fourth criterion from the third criterion and deliver the fourth criterion; a second communications board coupled to the second controller board and configured to deliver a fourth reference; each sub-module of the plurality of sub-modules further connected to a second communication board and receiving a fourth reference; Further provided are:

[0027] Another object of the present invention is to provide a first central controller; a first power interface board connected to the central controller; a first controller board connected to the first power interface board; a first communication board connected to the first controller board; a plurality of sub-modules, each sub-module being connected to a first communication board, each sub-module being as defined above; The present invention relates to a method for controlling a power converter comprising a distributed control system including:

[0028] The method is: receiving an instruction by a first power interface board, the instruction being delivered by a first central controller; delivering a first criterion by the first power interface board to the first controller board, the first criterion being determined by the first power interface board from the instruction; delivering a second reference by the first controller board to the first communications board, the second reference being determined by the first controller board from the first reference; delivering a second reference to each sub-module connected to the first communication board; For each sub-module, controlling, by the processing unit of said sub-module, the associated power module from the second reference, the set of voltage measurements delivered by the power module of said sub-module, and the data received from the power module of said sub-module; delivering data to the central controller via the first power interface, the first controller board, and the first communication board; Includes.

[0029] Preferably, the control board of a first sub-module of the plurality of sub-modules comprises a communication interface connected to the communication interface of the control board of the primary sub-module as defined above, the bypass switch being open and the control board of the primary sub-module being connected to the first communication board, and the method further comprising: generating a close signal by the processing unit of the first sub-module when a fault in the primary sub-module is detected; sending a close signal to the communication interface of the first sub-module; closing the switch of the primary sub-module when the communication interface of the primary sub-module receives a close signal; Includes.

[0030] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description of embodiments of the invention, given by way of non-limiting example only, and which refers to the following drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic diagram of an example of a system for converting power according to the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic diagram of an example of a power converter according to the present invention; [Figure 3]1 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a distributed control system according to the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic diagram of an example of a sub-module according to the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a first example of a power module according to the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a second example of a power module according to the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an example of a method for implementing a distributed control system according to the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a distributed control system according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an example of a system 1 for converting electrical power.

[0033] System 1 includes a source 2, a power converter 3, and a source / load 4. The term source, as used herein, can refer to a renewable power source, a non-renewable power source, a generator, a grid, a fuel cell, an energy storage device (when discharging), etc. The term load, as used herein, can refer to a motor, an electrical appliance, an energy storage device (when recharging), etc.

[0034] Additionally, power converter 3 may be a modular multilevel power converter MMC. In one embodiment, source 2 may be operably coupled to a first terminal (not shown) of power converter 3. A second terminal (not shown) of power converter 3 may be operably coupled to source / load 4. The first and second terminals may be used as input or output terminals of power converter 3.

[0035] The system 1 further comprises a distributed control system 5. The distributed control system 5 is intended to control the operation of the power converter 3.

[0036] The distributed control system 5 may be configured to control the operation of the power converter 3 by controlling the switching of multiple semiconductor switches and sub-modules (SMs) within the power converter 3.

[0037] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an example power converter 3 with an MMC 6 that uses multiple series-connected SMs, referred to as SMn, where n is an integer.

[0038] The submodules SM are identical.

[0039] The MMC 6 may have an ABC three-phase configuration including positive and negative DC voltage rails 7 and 8, respectively. The positive and negative rails 7 and 8 constitute DC terminals 9.

[0040] Each of the three phases (A, B, and C) corresponds to one of phase legs 10, 11, and 12. Phase legs 10, 11, and 12 are connected to AC terminals 13A, 13B, and 13C, respectively.

[0041] Each phase leg 10, 11, 12 may include an upper arm 14A, 15A, and 16A and an identical lower arm 14B, 15B, and 16B.

[0042] Each of the upper and lower arms 14A, 14B, 15B, and 16B includes an arm inductor 17A, 17B, 18A, 18B, 19A, and 19B for current suppression, and a plurality of sub-modules SM.

[0043] Each of the submodules SM1 to SMn includes a first terminal 20, a second terminal 21, and a control terminal 22.

[0044] The sub-modules SM of each upper and lower arm are connected in series such that a first terminal 20 of a sub-module SM is connected to a second terminal 21 of another sub-module SM.

[0045] The first terminals 20 of the plurality of sub-modules SM of each upper arm 14A, 15A, 16A that are not connected to the second terminals 21 of the sub-module SM are connected to the positive DC voltage rail 7.

[0046] The second terminals 21 of the multiple sub-modules SM of each upper arm 14A, 15A, 16A that are not connected to the first terminal 20 of the sub-module SM are connected to first ends of the arm inductors 17A, 18A, 19A of the upper arm.

[0047] A second end of the arm inductor 17A of the upper arm 14A of the first phase leg 10 is connected to the first AC terminal 13A, a second end of the arm inductor 18A of the upper arm 15A of the second phase leg 11 is connected to the second AC terminal 13B, and a second end of the arm inductor 19A of the upper arm 16A of the third phase leg 12 is connected to the third AC terminal 13C.

[0048] The second terminals 21 of the plurality of sub-modules SM of each lower arm 14B, 15B, 16B that are not connected to the first terminals 20 of the sub-module SM are connected to the negative DC voltage rail 8.

[0049] The first terminals 21 of the multiple sub-modules SM of each lower arm 14B, 15B, 16B that are not connected to the second terminals 21 of the sub-module SM are connected to first ends of the arm inductors 17B, 18B, 19B of the lower arm.

[0050] A second end of the arm inductor 17B of the lower arm 14B of the first phase leg 10 is connected to the first AC terminal 13A, a second end of the arm inductor 18B of the lower arm 15B of the second phase leg 11 is connected to the second AC terminal 13B, and a second end of the arm inductor 19B of the lower arm 16B of the third phase leg 12 is connected to the third AC terminal 13C.

[0051] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a first example of a distributed control system 5 .

[0052] The distributed control system 5 comprises a central controller 30, a power interface board 31 (or grid power interface board) connected to the central controller 30, and serial control arms 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 (or valve power interface boards).

[0053] The number of control arms may be equal to the number of upper and lower arms of the transducer 6 .

[0054] Each control arm 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 is connected to the control terminal 22 of a respective sub-module SM of the upper or lower arm of a phase leg 10, 11, 12.

[0055] Each control arm 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 includes a first controller board 32A, 33A, 34A, 35A, 36A, 37A and a first communication board 32B, 33B, 34B, 35B, 36B, 37B connected to the controller board 32A, 33A, 34A, 35A, 36A, 37A of the control arm.

[0056] The first controller board 32A of the first control arm 32 is connected to the power interface board 31A and the first controller board 33A of the second control arm 33.

[0057] The first controller board 34A of the third control arm 34 is connected to the first controller board 33A of the second control arm 33 and the first controller board 35A of the fourth control arm 35.

[0058] The first controller board 36A of the fifth control arm 36 is connected to the first controller board 35A of the fourth control arm 35 and the first controller board 37A of the sixth control arm 37.

[0059] The first communication board 32B of the first control arm 32 is connected to the control terminals 22 of the submodules SM1 to SMn of the upper arm 14A of the first phase leg 10, where n is an integer.

[0060] The first communication board 33B of the second control arm 33 is connected to the control terminals 22 of the submodules SM1 to SMn of the lower arm 14B of the first phase leg 10.

[0061] The first communication board 34B of the third control arm 34 is connected to the control terminals 22 of the submodules SM1 to SMn of the upper arm 15A of the second phase leg 11.

[0062] The first communication board 35B of the fourth control arm 35 is connected to the control terminals 22 of the submodules SM1 to SMn of the lower arm 15B of the second phase leg 11.

[0063] The first communication board 36B of the fifth control arm 36 is connected to the control terminals 22 of the sub-modules SM1 to SMn of the upper arm 16A of the third phase leg 12.

[0064] The first communication board 37B of the sixth control arm 37 is connected to the control terminals 22 of the submodules SM1 to SMn of the lower arm 16B of the third phase leg 12.

[0065] FIG. 4 shows an example of a submodule SM.

[0066] The submodule SM includes a control board 40 and a power module 41.

[0067] The control board 40 has a first terminal 40A connected to the control terminal 22 of the submodule SMn and a second terminal 40B connected to the command terminal 41A of the power module 41.

[0068] The control board 40 further includes a processing unit 42, a memory 43, a first interface 44 connected to the first terminal 40A, and a second interface 45 connected to the second terminal 40B.

[0069] The control board 40 may further include a communication interface 46 connected to a third terminal 40C of the control board 40 for connecting the control board 40 to a communication board of a control board of another sub-module among multiple sub-modules connected to the same first communication board.

[0070] The control board 40 may further comprise an identification circuit 47 intended to identify the power module 41 .

[0071] The control board 40 may further comprise an authentication module 48 intended to allow the reception of commands from a first controller board connected to the control terminal 22 of the submodule SMn after receiving a valid authentication code delivered by said controller board.

[0072] The control board 40 may further comprise an encryption circuit 49 intended to encrypt data.

[0073] The encryption circuit 49 may implement an algorithm that adds an authentication tag, for example, Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA-256), using the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) symmetric cipher with a 256-bit key length.

[0074] The power module 41 further includes a first terminal 41B connected to the first terminal 20 of the submodule SMn, and a second terminal 41C connected to the second terminal 21 of the submodule SMn.

[0075] FIG. 5 shows a first example of a power module 41. In FIG.

[0076] The power module 41 includes a full bridge including a first arm 50 , a second arm 51 , and a capacitor 52 .

[0077] The power module 41 further includes a voltage sensor 53 .

[0078] The first arm 50 has a first end 50 A connected to a first end of the capacitor 52 and a first end 51 A of the second arm 51 .

[0079] The first arm 50 has a second end 50B connected to the second end of the capacitor 52 and to the second end 51B of the second arm 51 .

[0080] The first arm 50 comprises two switching cells 54, 55 in series, and the second arm 51 comprises two switching cells 56, 57 in series.

[0081] Each switching cell 54, 55, 56, 57 has a first end 54A, 55A, 56A, 57A, a second end 54B, 55B, 56B, 57B, and a command terminal 54C, 55C, 56C, 57C.

[0082] Each of the switching cells 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 further comprises a transistor 58 and a diode 59 .

[0083] The transistor 58 is, for example, an insulated gate bipolar transistor IGBT.

[0084] The collector of the transistor 58 and the cathode of the diode 59 are connected to first ends 54A, 55A, 56A, 57A of the switching cells 54, 55, 56, 57, respectively.

[0085] The emitter of the transistor 58 and the anode of the diode 59 are connected to the second ends 54B, 55B, 56B, and 57B of the switching cells 54, 55, 56, and 57, respectively, and the gate of the transistor 58 is connected to the command terminal 41A of the power module 41.

[0086] The first end 54A of the first switching cell 54 is connected to the first end 50A of the first arm 50, and the second end 55B of the second switching cell 55 is connected to the second end 50B of the first arm 50.

[0087] A second end 54 B of the first switching cell 54 and a first end 55 A of the second switching cell 55 are connected to a first terminal 41 B of the power module 41 .

[0088] The first end 56A of the third switching cell 56 is connected to the first end 51A of the second arm 51, and the second end 57B of the fourth switching cell 57 is connected to the second end 51B of the second arm 51.

[0089] A second end 56B of the third switching cell 56 and a first end 57A of the fourth switching cell 57 are connected to a second terminal 41C of the power module 41.

[0090] A voltage sensor 53 connected to the command terminal 41A of the power module 41 is intended to deliver a set of voltage measurements.

[0091] The set of voltage measurements includes a first voltage measurement between the first and second ends of capacitor 52, a second voltage measurement between the first terminal 41B of power module 41 and the second end of capacitor 52, and a third voltage measurement between the second terminal 41C of power module 41 and the second end of capacitor 52.

[0092] A logic circuit 60 connected to the command terminal 41A of the power module 41 delivers data containing the switching state of each switching cell 54, 55, 56, 57.

[0093] The power module 41 may further include a bypass switch 61 that connects the first and second terminals 41B, 41C of the power module 41 together.

[0094] The bypass switch 61 has a command input 61A connected to the command terminal 41A of the power module 41.

[0095] FIG. 6 shows a second example of the power module 41. In FIG.

[0096] The power module 41 comprises a half bridge having a first arm 50, a capacitor 52, a voltage sensor 53 connected to a command terminal 41A of the power module 41, and a logic circuit 60 connected to the command terminal 41A of the power module 41.

[0097] The first end 50A of the first arm 50 is connected to the first end of the capacitor 52, the second end 50B of the first arm 50 is connected to the second end of the capacitor 52 and the second terminal 41C of the power module 41, and the second end 54B of the first switching cell 54 and the first end 55A of the second switching cell 55 are connected to the first terminal 41B of the power module 41.

[0098] The voltage sensor 53 is intended to deliver a set of voltage measurements including a first voltage measurement between the first and second ends of the capacitor 52 and a second voltage measurement between the first and second terminals 41B, 41C of the power module 41.

[0099] The power module 41 may further include a bypass switch 61 that connects the first and second terminals 41B, 41C of the power module 41 together.

[0100] The connections between the central controller 30 and the power interface board 31, between the power interface board 31 and the control board, between the control boards, between the control board and the communication board, and between the communication board and the power module are wired connections.

[0101] The wired connection may be optical fiber.

[0102] FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of one example of how a distributed control system 5 may be implemented to control an MMC 3 .

[0103] During an initialization step 70 , the identification circuit 47 of the control board 40 of each submodule SM identifies the power module 41 connected to said control board 40 .

[0104] The identification circuit 47 can compare the identifier of the power module 41 with reference identifiers stored, for example, in the memory 43 .

[0105] The authentication module 48 of the control board 40 of each sub-module SM can compare the authentication code received from the first controller board connected to said sub-module SM with a reference code stored, for example, in memory 43 .

[0106] If the authentication code is identical to the reference code, the authentication is valid and the authentication module 48 allows the control board 40 to receive instructions from the first controller board, and if the identifier is identical to the reference identifier, the power module 41 is activated by the control board 40 so that the power module 41 controls the power module 41 (step 71) and the method proceeds to step 72.

[0107] Each power module 41 has a different identifier.

[0108] If the authentication code is not identical to the reference code or the identifier is not identical to the reference identifier (step 71), the method stops and the power converter 3 is off.

[0109] The comparison of the identifier with the reference identifier makes it possible to detect whether the power module 41 is connected to the corresponding control board 40 in order to avoid assembly errors of the submodules SM.

[0110] The comparison of the authentication code with the reference authentication code makes it possible to detect whether the sub-module is connected to the corresponding first control board, in order to avoid assembly errors in the distributed control system 5.

[0111] Of course, if the control board 40 does not include an authentication module 48 and an identification circuit 47 , the method begins at step 72 .

[0112] If the control board 40 comprises only an authentication module 48 or an identification circuit 47, step 70 is applied.

[0113] During step 72 , the distributed control system 5 is operable to control the MMC 3 .

[0114] The central controller 30 sends commands to the MMCs 3 .

[0115] The instructions include, for example, voltage reference values ​​for phase legs 10, 11, and 12.

[0116] During step 73, the power interface board 31 determines a first criterion, including, for example, a phase leg voltage reference from the command and a control algorithm stored in the memory of the power interface board 31.

[0117] The power interface board 31 further comprises an interface that delivers the phase leg voltage references to the first controller boards 32A, 33A, 34A, 35A, 36A, 37A.

[0118] During step 74, each first controller board 32A, 33A, 34A, 35A, 36A, 37A determines a second criterion from the first criterion and a control algorithm stored in the memory of said first controller board.

[0119] The second criteria include, for example, direct current DC voltage reference values ​​for the submodules SM1...SMn.

[0120] A voltage reference is delivered to a first communication board connected to the first controller board, which delivers the voltage reference to a sub-module SM connected to the first communication board.

[0121] During a step 75, the first interface 44 of each sub-module receives the second reference transmitted by the communication board connected to said sub-module.

[0122] During step 76, the processing unit 42 of each sub-module determines control instructions from the received second criterion, a set of voltage measurements received from the sensors 53 of the power modules connected to said sub-module, and data from the logic circuit 60 of said power modules.

[0123] The memory 43 of each sub-module contains the algorithms that command the power module, the algorithms being implemented by the processing unit 42 .

[0124] The processing unit 42 of each sub-module further delivers data to the central controller 30 via the first power interface, the first controller board, and the first communication board.

[0125] Data delivered by processing unit 42 to central controller 30 may be encrypted by encryption circuit 49 and may include diagnostic data, for example to identify defective power modules.

[0126] The processing unit 42 of each sub-module manages the power modules connected to it such that the power modules are not managed by the central controller 30 .

[0127] Each power module is controlled locally by a control board 40 connected to the power module, reducing the complexity of the MMC3 control system.

[0128] Each control board 40 receives data including a set of measurements, switching states and determines control commands to instruct the switching cells of the power modules connected to it, so that the control system of the MMC3 is even faster than centralized control systems known from the prior art.

[0129] Furthermore, the control boards 40 of the first and primary submodules connected to the same first communication board are connected to each other via the third terminal 40C, and when the control board 40 of the first or primary submodule has a fault, the power module of the default setting submodule with the bypass switch 61 and the processing unit 42 of the control board 40 of the other submodule or functional submodule may generate a closing signal by the processing unit of the functional submodule, and the communication interface of the functional submodule delivers the closing signal to the communication interface of the default setting submodule to close the bypass switch 61.

[0130] When a close signal is generated by a sub-module connected to the default setting sub-module, a close signal is quickly generated and sent to the default setting sub-module to bypass the default setting sub-module and allow the MMC3 to continue operating.

[0131] The default settings sub-module can be bypassed more quickly, as in centralized control systems known from the prior art.

[0132] FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of a second example of a distributed control system 5 .

[0133] In this example, the distributed control system 5 includes a second central controller 80 and a second power interface board 81 connected to the second central controller 80, and each control arm 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 includes a second controller board and a second communication board connected to the second controller board of the control arm.

[0134] The sub-modules of each control arm are further connected to a second communication board of said control arm.

[0135] The second controller board and the second power interface board 81 are connected in series.

[0136] For clarity, FIG. 8 shows the central controller or first central controller 30, the power interface board 31 or first power interface board 31, the first control arm 32 and upper arm 14A, the second central controller 80, and the second power interface board 81.

[0137] The first control arm 32 includes a first controller board 32A, a first communication board 32B, a second controller board 82, and a second communication board 83.

[0138] The first central controller 30 is connected to the first power interface board 31 and the second central controller 80 .

[0139] The first central controller 30 and the second central controller 80 are connected to each other to ensure that the commands delivered by the first and second central controllers 30, 80 are identical and synchronized.

[0140] The second central controller 80 is further connected to a second power interface board 81 .

[0141] The first controller board 32A is connected to the first power interface board 31 and the first communication board 32B.

[0142] The first communication board 32B is connected to the control terminal 22 of the sub-module of the upper arm 14A.

[0143] The second controller board 82 is connected to the second power interface board 81 and the second communication board 83 .

[0144] The second communication board 83 is connected to the control terminal 22 of the sub-module of the upper arm 14A.

[0145] The distributed control system is redundant in a simple way to ensure hot control redundancy.

[0146] In the event of a failure in the central controller, power control interface, controller board, communication board, or connection, the default configuration components can be replaced without stopping the MMC3, thereby increasing the availability of the MMC3. [Explanation of symbols]

[0147] 1 System 2. Sauce 3 Power converter, MMC 4 Source / Load 5. Distributed Control System 6 MMC 7 Positive DC voltage rail 8 Negative DC Voltage Rail 9 DC terminal 10 First Phase Leg 11 Second Phase Leg 12 Third Phase Leg 13A 1st AC terminal 13B Second AC terminal 13C Third AC terminal 14A Upper arm 14B Lower arm 15A Upper Arm 15B Lower arm 16A Upper arm 16B Lower arm 17A arm inductor 17B Arm Inductor 18A arm inductor 18B arm inductor 19A arm inductor 19B Arm Inductor 20 First terminal 21 Second terminal 22 Control terminal 30 Central Controller, First Central Controller 31 power interface board, first power interface board 31A Power Interface Board 32 First Control Arm 32A First Controller Board 32B First communication board 33 Second Control Arm 33A First Controller Board 33B First communication board 34 Third Control Arm 34A First Controller Board 34B First communication board 35 Fourth Control Arm 35A First Controller Board 35B First communication board 36 Fifth Control Arm 36A First Controller Board 36B First communication board 37 Sixth Control Arm 37A First Controller Board 37B First communication board 40 Control board 40A 1st terminal 40B Second terminal 40C Third terminal 41 Power Module 41A command terminal 41B First terminal 41C Second terminal 42 Processing Unit 43 Memory 44 First Interface 45 Second Interface 46 Communication Interface 47 Identification circuit 48 Authentication Module 49 Encryption circuit 50 First Arm 50A First End 50B Second end 51 Second Arm 51A First End 51B Second end 52 Capacitor 53 Voltage Sensor 54 First switching cell 54A First End 54B Second end 54C Command terminal 55 Second switching cell 55A First End 55B Second end 55C Command terminal 56 Third Switching Cell 56A First End 56B Second end 56C Command terminal 57 Fourth Switching Cell 57A First End 57B Second end 57C Command terminal 58 transistors 59 Diode 60 Logic Circuits 61 Bypass switch 61A Command Input 80 Second Central Controller 81 Second power interface board 82 Second Controller Board 83 Second communication board

Claims

1. 1. A control board (40) for a distributed control system (5) for a power converter (3), the control board (40) being configured to be connected to a power module (41) and to be connected to a controller board (32A, 33A, 34A, 35A, 36A, 37A), the control board (40) comprising: a processing unit (42) configured to instruct the power module (41) and deliver data to the controller board (32A, 33A, 34A, 35A, 36A, 37A) from references received from the controller boards (32A, 33A, 34A, 35A, 36A, 37A), sets of voltage measurements delivered by the power modules (41), and data received from the power modules (41).

2. The control board (40) of claim 1, further comprising a communication interface (46) configured to connect to a communication interface of another control board (40) of claim 1.

3. 3. The control board (40) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising an identification circuit (47) configured to identify the power module (41).

4. 4. The control board (40) of claim 1, further comprising an authentication module (48) configured to allow reception of commands from the controller board (32A, 33A, 34A, 35A, 36A, 37A) after receipt by the authentication module (48) of a valid authentication code, the authentication code being transmitted by the controller board (32A, 33A, 34A, 35A, 36A, 37A).

5. 5. The control board (40) of claim 1, further comprising an encryption circuit (49) configured to encrypt the data, and wherein the processing unit (42) is configured to deliver the encrypted data to the controller board (32A, 33A, 34A, 35A, 36A, 37A).

6. A submodule (SM) comprising the control board (40) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and a power module (41).

7. The power module (41) comprises a full bridge including a first terminal (41B), a second terminal (41C), a first arm (50), and a second arm (51), each arm (50, 51) comprising two switching cells (54, 55, 56, 57) in series, first ends (50A, 51A) of the first and second arms (50, 51) being connected to each other and to a first end of a capacitor (52), second ends (50B, 51B) of the first and second arms (50, 51) being connected to each other and to a second end of the capacitor (52), and the first terminal (41B) of the first arm (50) 7. The sub-module (SM) of claim 6, wherein the first terminal (41C) is between the switching cells (54, 55) of the second arm (51), the second terminal (41C) is between the switching cells (56, 57) of the second arm (51), the set of voltage measurements includes a first voltage measurement between the first and second ends of the capacitor (52), a second voltage measurement between the first terminal (41B) and the second end of the capacitor (52), and a third voltage measurement between the second terminal (41C) and the second end of the capacitor (52), and the data includes a switching state of each switching cell (54, 55, 56, 57).

8. The power module (41) comprises a half bridge including a first terminal (41B), a second terminal (41C), and a first arm (50) having two switching cells (54, 55) in series, a first end (50A) of the first arm (50) connected to a first end of a capacitor (52), a second end (50B) of the first arm (50) connected to a second end of the capacitor (52), and the first terminal (41B) of the first arm (50) 7. The submodule (SM) of claim 6, wherein the data is between the switching cells (54, 55), the second terminal (41C) is connected to the first end of the capacitor (52), the set of voltage measurements includes a first voltage measurement between the first and second ends of the capacitor (52) and a second voltage measurement between the first and second terminals (41B, 41C), and the data includes a switching state of each switching cell (54, 55, 56, 57).

9. The sub-module (SM) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the power module (41) further comprises a bypass switch (61) connecting the first and second terminals (41B, 41C), and the communication interface (46) is configured to command the bypass switch (61).

10. a first central controller (30) configured to deliver instructions; a first power interface board (31) connected to the first central controller (30) and configured to determine a first criterion from the command delivered by the first central controller (30) and deliver the first criterion; a first controller board (32A, 33A, 34A, 35A, 36A, 37A) connected to the first power interface board (31) and configured to determine a second reference from the first reference and deliver the second reference; a first communication board (32B, 33B, 34B, 35B, 36B, 37B) connected to the first controller board (32A, 33A, 34A, 35A, 36A, 37A) and configured to deliver the second reference; A plurality of sub-modules (SM1, SMn) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, each sub-module (SM1, SMn) being connected to the first communication board (32B, 33B, 34B, 35B, 36B, 37B) and receiving the second reference; A distributed control system (5) for a power converter (3).

11. a second central controller (80) configured to deliver instructions and connected to said first central controller (30); a second power interface board (81) configured to be connected to the second central controller (80), to determine a third criterion from the command delivered by the second central controller (80), and to deliver the third criterion; a second controller board (82) connected to the second power interface board (81) and configured to determine a fourth criterion from the third criterion and deliver the fourth criterion; a second communication board (83) connected to the second controller board (82) and configured to deliver the fourth criterion; each sub-module (SM1, SMn) of the plurality of sub-modules (SM1, SMn) further connected to the second communication board (83) and receiving the fourth reference; The distributed control system (5) of claim 10, further comprising:

12. a first central controller (30); a first power interface board (31) connected to the central controller (30); a first controller board (32A, 33A, 34A, 35A, 36A, 37A) connected to the first power interface board (31); a first communication board (32B, 33B, 34B, 35B, 36B, 37B) connected to the first controller board (32A, 33A, 34A, 35A, 36A, 37A); a plurality of sub-modules (SM1, SMn), each of which is connected to the first communication board (32B, 33B, 34B, 35B, 36B, 37B), each of which is a sub-module (SM1, SMn) according to any one of claims 6 to 9; A method for controlling a power converter (3) comprising a distributed control system (5) including: receiving an instruction by the first power interface board (31), the instruction being delivered by the first central controller (30); delivering a first criterion by the first power interface board (31) to the first controller board (32A, 33A, 34A, 35A, 36A, 37A), the first criterion being determined by the first power interface board (31) from the instruction; transmitting a second criterion by the first controller board (32A, 33A, 34A, 35A, 36A, 37A) to the first communication board (32B, 33B, 34B, 35B, 36B, 37B), the second criterion being determined by the first controller board (32A, 33A, 34A, 35A, 36A, 37A) from the first criterion; delivering said second reference to each sub-module (SM1, SMn) connected to said first communication board (32B, 33B, 34B, 35B, 36B, 37B); for each sub-module (SM1, SMn), controlling, by the processing unit (42) of said sub-module (SM1, SMn), the associated power module (41) from said second reference, a set of voltage measurements delivered by said power module (41) of said sub-module (SM1, SMn) and data received from said power module (41) of said sub-module (SM1, SMn); transmitting data to the central controller (30) via the first power interface (31), the first controller boards (32A, 33A, 34A, 35A, 36A, 37A), and the first communication boards (32B, 33B, 34B, 35B, 36B, 37B); A method comprising:

13. the control board (40) of a first sub-module (SM1, SMn) of the plurality of sub-modules (SM1, SMn) comprises a communication interface (46) connected to the communication interface (46) of the control board (40) of a primary sub-module according to claim 9 dependent on claim 2, the bypass switch (61) is open, and the control board (40) of the primary sub-module is connected to the first communication board (32B, 33B, 34B, 35B, 36B, 37B), the method comprising: generating a close signal by the processing unit (42) of the first sub-module when a fault in the primary sub-module is detected; delivering the closure signal to the communication interface (46) of the first sub-module; closing a switch of the primary sub-module when the communication interface (46) of the primary sub-module receives the close signal; 13. The method of claim 12, comprising:

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