Multi-port active bridge (MAB) converter with equalized leakage inductance

Abstract

The present invention provides a converter system comprising a transformer having a first primary bridge, a first secondary bridge, a second secondary bridge, a first winding pair comprising a first primary winding and a first secondary winding, and a second winding pair comprising a second primary winding and a second secondary winding. The first primary winding and the second primary winding are connected in parallel to the first primary bridge. The first secondary winding is connected to the first secondary bridge. The second secondary winding is connected to the second secondary bridge.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a converter system, a solid-state transformer (SST), and a method of manufacturing a converter system.

Background Art

[0002] A converter system including a transformer having a plurality of primary windings and a plurality of secondary windings may have various disadvantages. The converter system may be expensive. Also, when more insulation is required, the converter may become larger and heavier, which is also disadvantageous and a cost factor. Further, the converter system may be inefficient, for example, by having poor inductance or having different phase shifts in different windings. Also, a system having a plurality of converters is more complex, requires more wiring, more insulation, and is more expensive in addition to other disadvantages.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0003] The above disadvantages are at least partially overcome by the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims define preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[0004] In particular, the present disclosure relates to a converter system, the converter system comprising a first primary bridge, a first secondary bridge, a second secondary bridge, a first winding pair comprising a first primary winding and a first secondary winding, and a transformer having a second winding pair comprising a second primary winding and a second secondary winding. The first primary winding and the second primary winding are connected in parallel to the first primary bridge. The first secondary winding is connected to the first secondary bridge. The second secondary winding is connected to the second secondary bridge.

[0005] Preferably, all windings (first and second primary windings, as well as first and second secondary windings) are wound around the same core of the transformer. This reduces costs by requiring only one transformer in total, rather than one (different) transformer for each winding pair. These corresponding different transformers may also have different designs, which would make assembly more complex and expensive. Thus, ease of assembly is another advantage of the converter system described above.

[0006] By using a single first primary bridge for all primary windings, material is saved compared to a system with a bridge for each primary winding.

[0007] It is possible to have three or more winding pairs and three or more secondary bridges. Additional winding pairs (such as a third winding pair) may be wound around the same core, and additional primary windings may be connected in parallel to the first primary bridge. Additional secondary windings may be connected to the corresponding secondary bridges among the additional secondary bridges.

[0008] Various embodiments may preferably achieve the following features: Preferably, the distance between the center of the first primary winding and the center of the first secondary winding is smaller than the distance between the center of the second primary winding and the center of the first secondary winding.

[0009] More preferably, the distance between the center of the first primary winding and the center of the first secondary winding is smaller than the distance between the center of the first primary winding and the center of the second secondary winding.

[0010] The term "center" as used in the previous paragraph may also refer to the center of current density of the corresponding winding, or the centroid, or the geometric center, etc.

[0011] The arrangement of the windings in each winding pair reduces leakage inductance by equalizing the leakage inductance between winding pairs (minimizing the difference in leakage inductance) through a short (or no) distance between the centers of corresponding windings in the winding pair. This also allows for virtually no phase shift between the outputs of the secondary windings (particularly in the exemplary case of a multiport active bridge (MAB) converter). This allows for the same power and current to be drawn from each secondary winding. Furthermore, the parallel connection of the primary windings and the first primary bridge also minimizes the phase shift between winding pairs. This also improves efficiency.

[0012] The centers can coincide even if the radii of the corresponding windings are (very) different. The radii of the corresponding windings can be as close to each other as the materials (windings, insulation, etc.) allow. The radius of the inner winding of the corresponding windings can be as small as the materials allow. The smaller the radii and the closer the radii are to each other, the lower the leakage inductance. Also, the corresponding windings can be as close to each other as the materials allow. This may include minimizing (or setting equal to) their axial position along the legs of the transformer core, in addition to their radii.

[0013] The converter system may also be an MAB converter. Preferably, the first winding pair is positioned axially relative to the second winding pair, with the axial direction extending along the legs of the transformer core.

[0014] Preferably, the insulation distance between the first winding pair and the second winding pair in the axial direction is smaller than the insulation distance between the first secondary winding and the core of the transformer, and / or smaller than the insulation distance between the first primary winding and the first secondary winding.

[0015] Here, electrical insulation is used. When one input or output is high voltage (HV) and the other input or output is low voltage (LV), the HV side winding (which may also be the secondary side) may be outside the LV side winding (which may be the primary side, or in a concentric arrangement as further described below), and the insulation distance between the winding pairs may be less than the insulation distance between the HV side winding and the core legs. HV may instead be medium voltage (MV).

[0016] In addition to the general definition, MV can include voltages from 1.5kV to 50kV (35kV rms AC voltage, or equivalently, 50kV DC voltage). LV can include up to 1.5kV, and HV can include voltages above 1.5kV.

[0017] Because the insulation distance between the first winding pair and the second winding pair is smaller, the core window can be made smaller, which in turn allows for a smaller transformer, and ultimately a smaller converter system.

[0018] Preferably, the axial insulation between the first winding pair and the second winding pair is less than the insulation between the first secondary winding and the core of the transformer, and / or less than the insulation between the first primary winding and the first secondary winding.

[0019] In this case, (electrical) insulation can arise from the insulation distance or from insulating materials with different resistivity. Thus, the insulating material between the first and second winding pairs in the axial direction can have a higher resistivity than the insulating material between the first secondary winding and the transformer core, and / or the insulating material between the first primary winding and the first secondary winding. The difference in insulation can also be achieved by both criteria, namely the insulation distance and the insulating material (resistivity).

[0020] This reduction in insulation is made possible by a single core in a single transformer with several windings.

[0021] Preferably, the first primary winding and the first secondary winding are concentrically arranged around the same first position along the axis of the transformer core, and the second primary winding and the second secondary winding are concentrically arranged around the same second position along the axis of the transformer core, and the axis extends along the legs of the transformer core.

[0022] Preferably, the converter system further comprises an inductor and / or a capacitor connected in series with the first primary winding or the first secondary winding. Also, additional inductors and / or capacitors may not be connected between the winding and its corresponding bridge. This includes inductors and / or capacitors in the form of individual physical components.

[0023] Preferably, the first winding pair corresponds substantially to the second winding pair in terms of winding direction, number of turns, relative position between each primary winding and its corresponding secondary winding, and the current flowing through the first primary winding and the second primary winding.

[0024] Different voltage pairs can be configured to have similar voltages. Thereby, the insulation requirements can be reduced.

[0025] Preferably, some of the above criteria substantially correspond to the second winding pair, and some of the above criteria are different from the second winding pair.

[0026] In the present disclosure, the term "substantially" as used above may mean that there are deviations such as 10%, or 5%, or 1%.

[0027] Preferably, the converter system further comprises a second primary bridge, another first primary winding constituted by the first winding pair, and another second primary winding constituted by the second winding pair. The other first primary winding and the other second primary winding may be connected in parallel to the second primary bridge.

[0028] Preferably, in a converter system having the other first primary winding and the other second primary winding, the first and second winding pairs may also be referred to as the first and second winding sets or the first and second winding groups. Although the term "pair" may no longer be entirely appropriate (since it includes three windings), for the sake of consistency, this term will continue to be used without limiting the present disclosure to its literal meaning.

[0029] Preferably, the conductors of the first primary winding and the other first primary winding are arranged alternately.

[0030] The term "conductor" above can also be replaced with the term "turn". The way the conductors / turns are arranged alternately may be physical, geometrical, or different. One possibility is shown in FIG. 5 (described further below).

[0031] Preferably, the DC-side connections of the first secondary bridge and the second secondary bridge are medium-voltage DC (MVDC), and the DC-side connections of the (first and / or second) primary bridges are low-voltage DC (LVDC).

[0032] The above settings provide a DC-DC converter (system). Preferably, the first secondary bridge is connected to the first DC / AC converter, the second secondary bridge is connected to the second DC / AC converter, and the first DC / AC converter and the second DC / AC converter are connected in series.

[0033] This setup provides a DC-AC (alternating current = AC) converter (system) (DC / AC converter has the same meaning as DC-AC converter). In a sense, it is an input parallel-output series (IPOS) converter system (when considering the primary side as the input side and the secondary side as the output side). This is because the primary windings are connected in parallel and the DC / AC converters are connected in series.

[0034] The transformer may also be a medium-frequency transformer (MFT). By using MFTs to operate at medium frequencies (e.g., a few kHz), the size, cost, and weight of the transformer can be reduced compared to other transformers (e.g., those operating at around 50 or 60 Hz).

[0035] Preferably, the transformer is a three-phase transformer. Preferably, the first secondary bridge and the second secondary bridge are connected in series on the DC side of the first secondary bridge and the second secondary bridge.

[0036] This disclosure also relates to a solid-state transformer (SST) in an input series-output parallel (ISOP) configuration or an input parallel-output series (IPOS) configuration, comprising the converter system described above.

[0037] The disclosure also relates to a method for manufacturing a converter system, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first primary bridge; providing a first secondary bridge; providing a second secondary bridge; and providing a transformer having a first winding pair comprising a first primary winding and a first secondary winding, and a second winding pair comprising a second primary winding and a second secondary winding. The first primary winding and the second primary winding are connected in parallel to the first primary bridge. The first secondary winding is connected to the first secondary bridge. The second secondary winding is connected to the second secondary bridge.

[0038] This method can be used to manufacture the converter system and / or SST described above. The advantages of the positions described are not limiting to or specific to each particular position. Some positions may have many more advantages that are not explicitly stated.

[0039] The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are intended to provide features that will be readily apparent by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Exemplary systems, methods, devices, and computer program products are disclosed herein according to various embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these embodiments are presented as examples rather than as limitations, and that various modifications to the disclosed embodiments can be made while remaining within the scope of this disclosure.

[0040] Therefore, this disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiments and applications described and illustrated herein. In addition, the specific order and / or hierarchical structure of the steps in the methods disclosed herein is merely an exemplary approach. Based on design preferences, the specific order or hierarchical structure of the steps in the disclosed methods or processes can be rearranged while remaining within the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will understand that the methods and techniques disclosed herein present various steps or actions in a sample order, and this disclosure is not limited to the specific order or hierarchical structure presented unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0041] The above and other aspects, as well as examples of their implementation, are described in more detail in the drawings, description, and claims. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0042] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a converter system. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram relating to one aspect of a converter system. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing one aspect of the winding arrangement of a converter system. [Figure 4A] This is a schematic diagram relating to another aspect of the converter system. [Figure 4B]This is a schematic diagram relating to another aspect of the converter system. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram relating to one aspect of how the windings can be arranged alternately. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram relating to one aspect of a converter system. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram relating to one aspect of a converter system. [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram relating to one aspect of a converter system. [Figure 9] This is a flowchart illustrating a method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0043] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a converter system 10. The converter system 10 comprises a (first) primary bridge 12, a first secondary bridge 14, a second secondary bridge 16, and an nth secondary bridge 18. The converter system 10 further comprises a transformer 20. The transformer 20 comprises a first winding pair 22, a second winding pair 24, an nth winding pair 26, and a core 28. Each winding pair comprises a primary winding and a secondary winding (the first winding pair 22 comprises a first primary winding 30 and a first secondary winding 32, the second winding pair 24 comprises a second primary winding 34 and a second secondary winding 36, and the nth winding pair 26 comprises an nth primary winding 38 and an nth secondary winding 40). The first winding pair 22 and the second winding pair 24 are shown by dashed lines surrounding the corresponding primary and secondary windings formed by the winding pairs.

[0044] The converter system 10 may also include further winding pairs and further secondary bridges arranged similarly, which are shown by the dashed line between the second winding pair 24 and the nth winding pair 26.

[0045] It can be seen that the first primary winding 30 to the nth primary winding 38 (including the second primary winding 34 and any further primary windings) are connected in parallel to the first primary bridge 12. It can also be seen that the first secondary winding 32 is connected to the first secondary bridge 14, the second secondary winding 36 is connected to the second secondary bridge 16, and the nth secondary winding 40 is connected to the nth secondary bridge 18. Any further secondary windings and secondary bridges (as described above) may be connected in a similar manner.

[0046] It can be seen that there is one core 28 for every winding pair (22, 24, 26). There is a dot at the top of each winding indicating the winding direction. The winding direction can also be reversed from the indicated winding direction.

[0047] The primary bridge 12 and secondary bridges (14, 16, 18) may be full bridges. Each bridge, in the embodiment of Figure 1, comprises a capacitor and four switches (which may be transistors or other). Each bridge may function as an AC-DC converter or a DC-AC converter. Other AC-DC converters and / or other DC-AC converters may also be used. The DC-AC converter may output an AC signal of sinusoidal, square-wave pulse, sawtooth, triangular, or other shapes. Two connections are visible to the left of the primary bridge 12. These connections may be connected to a DC source or consumer. Similarly, the connections to the right of the secondary bridge may be connected to one or more DC consumers or one or more DC sources. An example is also shown in Figure 2.

[0048] The switches within the bridge (12, 14, 16, 18) can be controlled by signals to perform DC-AC or AC-DC conversion, respectively.

[0049] The converter system 10 shown in Figure 1 is a DC-DC converter. It can be bidirectional. In one embodiment, the converter system 10 may be an LV-HV converter. In this case, the primary side (having "primary" in its name) may be the LV side, and the secondary side (having "secondary" in its name) may be the HV side. Alternatively, the HV side may be the MV side.

[0050] In Figure 1, the converter system 10 further comprises inductors. Each inductor (42, 44, or 46) is coupled in series to the corresponding secondary winding (42 is coupled to 32, 44 to 36, and 46 to 40). These inductors 42, 44, and 46 are optional. Alternatively, inductors 42, 44, and 46 can represent the parasitic inductance of the transformer. Capacitors may be present instead of or in addition to the inductors (for example, in series with the inductors). Such capacitors and / or inductors may be on the primary side of the windings (or connected in series with each primary winding). Other types of resonant converters are also possible (series resonant converter (SRC), inductor-inductor-capacitor (LLC) resonant converter).

[0051] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of one aspect of the converter system 10. This is almost identical to the converter system 10 in Figure 1. Therefore, similarities will not be repeated. The secondary bridges (14, 16-18) are connected in series. In this way, (when the secondary side is the output side) it is possible to achieve an overall power output higher than the power output of each secondary bridge alone. As a bidirectional converter system (or when used in inverted mode, when the secondary side is the input side), this arrangement can help to evenly distribute power across all winding pairs.

[0052] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram relating to one aspect of the winding arrangement of the converter system 10 (for example, Figure 1 or Figure 2). The core 28 of the transformer 20 is visible. Furthermore, the first and second winding pairs (22 and 24; shown by dashed lines) are visible (also shown by dots) alongside further winding pairs (below them). The dashed line with arrow 48 represents the axial direction extending along the legs of the core 28. This is sometimes called the axis of the core 28.

[0053] It can be seen that the corresponding primary and secondary windings of one winding pair are arranged concentrically around the same position along axis 48. Different winding pairs are arranged axially relative to each other (offset from each other in the axial direction). In Figure 3, the primary winding of each winding pair is on the inside (closer to the core in the radial direction), and the secondary winding of each winding pair is on the outside. This is particularly advantageous when the secondary side has a higher voltage than the primary side (for example, the primary side is LV and the secondary side is MV or HV), because higher voltages require more insulation. However, it is also possible to arrange the windings in the opposite direction (primary side on the outside and secondary side on the inside, and / or the inside side has a higher voltage).

[0054] The concentric arrangement of windings in the same winding pair, and the axial arrangement of different winding pairs, as shown, can reduce the amount of insulation between winding pairs used by the system (in the axial direction 48).

[0055] Figure 3 shows a core-type transformer configuration. A shell-type configuration can also be used. In Figure 3, the windings are arranged around one leg (or limb, which represents the vertical part of the transformer) of the core. The windings can also be arranged around two legs (or even three legs in the case of a shell-type transformer).

[0056] Figures 4A and 4B show schematic diagrams relating to another aspect of the converter system 10. The converter system 10 in Figures 4A and 4B shows a converter system 10 having two primary ports 50 and 50'. Three or more primary ports are also possible. Figure 4A shows the two primary ports superimposed. For better understanding, Figure 4B shows the two primary ports separately, and the large arrow indicates that the winding of the second primary port 50' is also wound around one core 28 of the transformer 20. As seen in Figure 4B, the primary port 50 comprises a primary bridge 12 and primary windings (30, 34, 38) connected in parallel, as described above. The second primary port 50' may be identical to the first primary port 50. It may have the same number of windings as the first primary port 50. The second primary port 50' comprises a second primary bridge 12', another first primary winding 30', another second primary winding 34', another nth primary winding 38', and possibly other primary windings (represented by dotted lines).

[0057] Such configurations, having two, three, or more primary ports, can be used for charging electric vehicles (or multiple other electrical components). This allows for multiple charging connections for multiple electric vehicles. By using a bidirectional converter system, it is possible to charge vehicles and / or use those vehicles as electrical energy storage units that can also draw energy for the power grid or other consumers.

[0058] In converter systems with two, three, or more primary ports, the first and second winding pairs may also be referred to as the first and second winding sets or the first and second winding groups (and subsequent sets as "third," etc.). The term "pair" may no longer be entirely appropriate (as it involves three windings), but we will continue to use it for consistency.

[0059] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram relating to one aspect of how windings can be arranged alternately. Figure 5 shows a cross-section of two alternately arranged windings. These two windings may be a primary winding and its corresponding other primary winding (e.g., a first primary winding 30 and the other primary winding 30', but may also be a second winding or an nth winding). Each box (enclosing the reference numeral) represents a portion of a conductor or one turn of a winding. Boxes with dashed reference numerals (':51'~58') represent conductors of the other winding (e.g., the other first primary winding 30'), and boxes with undashed reference numerals (51~58) represent conductors of a winding (e.g., the first primary winding 30).

[0060] An example where both windings are wound in the same direction (clockwise or counterclockwise) means that one winding (represented by a reference number without a dash) is first wound on the left side of the first row (reference number 51), then on the right side of the second row (reference number 52), then on the left side of the third row (reference number 53), and so on until finally on the right side of the bottom row (reference number 58). At the same time, the other winding (represented by a reference number with a dash) is first wound on the right side of the first row (reference number 51'), then on the left side of the second row (reference number 52'), then on the right side of the third row (reference number 53'), and so on until finally on the left side of the bottom row (reference number 58').

[0061] In another example, one winding may be wound in the order 51→53→55→57→58→56→54→52 (the order represented sequentially by the reference numerals). Simultaneously, the other winding is wound in the order 52′→54′→56′→58′→57′→55′→53′→51′. Other alternating arrangement patterns are also possible. In the example described with reference to Figure 5, only 8 rows are provided. More or fewer rows are possible (and consequently more or fewer than 8 turns). If there are three or more primary ports, there are also turns from three or more alternatingly arranged conductors ( / windings). It is possible to have three or more columns.

[0062] Another example may be obtained by arranging two conductors (with and without dashes) adjacent to each other axially such that they have the same radial length. In this entire conductor, the helical winding is wound one layer at a time, starting from the innermost layer (two layers are shown in this other example) and continuing for any number of layers.

[0063] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram relating to one aspect of the converter system 10. This is almost identical to the converter system 10 in Figure 4A. Therefore, similarities will not be repeated. The secondary bridges (14, 16-18) are connected in series. In this way, (when the secondary side is the output side) it is possible to achieve an overall power output higher than the power output of each secondary bridge alone. As a bidirectional converter system (or when used in inverted, when the secondary side is the input side), this arrangement can help to evenly distribute power across all winding pairs.

[0064] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram relating to one aspect of the converter system. This is substantially the same as the converter system 10 in Figure 4A. Therefore, similarities will not be repeated. Each of the secondary bridges (14, 16-18) is connected to a corresponding DC-AC converter (60, 62-64). The DC-AC converters are connected in series. The first secondary bridge 14 is connected to the first DC-AC converter 60, the second secondary bridge 16 is connected to the second DC-AC converter 62, and the third secondary bridge 18 is connected to the third DC-AC converter 64. The output AC frequencies of DC-AC converters 60 and 62-64 may differ from the AC frequencies of the transformer (and the first primary bridge 12). DC-AC converters 60 and 62-64 may be constructed in the same manner as the first primary bridge 12, or in a different manner. Each secondary bridge and its corresponding AC-DC converter may share a capacitor. Figure 7 shows a converter system 10 having two primary ports. The aspect shown in Figure 7 is also possible even if there is only one primary port, for example, in the converter system 10 of Figure 1 with added DC-AC converters 60 and 62-64. The parentheses in Figure 7 for reference numerals 14, 16, 18 and 60, 62, 64 indicate the parts below the parentheses, respectively, for annotation. For reference numerals 60, 62, 64, the corresponding parts are annotated twice. Reference numerals 14, 16, 18 have already been annotated in other figures.

[0065] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram relating to one aspect of the converter system 10. In this aspect, the transformer is a three-phase transformer. The (first) primary bridge 12 converts DC voltage and current into three-phase shifted AC voltage and current. Three separate connections from the primary bridge to each of the three sets of wiring (30, 34, 38; the three sets of wiring should not be confused with winding pairs) are represented by three slanted lines for simplicity (see reference numeral 52). Each of the three sets of wiring has three wires for three phases (the wires are sometimes called windings). These three wires in the three sets of wiring are represented in a simplified manner. Different wires for different phases may be wound around different legs (three) of the core 28 (not specifically shown in Figure 8). Similarly, the secondary side has three sets of wiring (32, 36, 40), each having three wires for three phases. Each wire in the three sets of wiring is connected to the corresponding part of the corresponding secondary bridge (14, 16, 18). The secondary bridge has three distinct parts that convert three different AC phases into a single DC output (bidirectional and / or inverted use is also possible when the secondary is the output side). In Figure 8, the secondary bridges are connected in series (as in Figure 2). The secondary bridges can also be unconnected (as in Figure 1).

[0066] Figure 9 is a flowchart of Method 900 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Method 900 can manufacture any of the converter systems 10 described above. In a first step 910, a first primary bridge 12 is provided. In a second step 920, a first secondary bridge 14 is provided. In a third step 930, a second secondary bridge 16 is provided. In a fourth step 940, a transformer 20 is provided having a first winding pair 22 comprising a first primary winding 30 and a first secondary winding 32, and a second winding pair 24 comprising a second primary winding 34 and a second secondary winding 36. The first primary winding 30 and the second primary winding 34 are connected in parallel to the first primary bridge 12.

[0067] While various embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that they are presented only as examples and not as limitations. Similarly, various drawings may depict exemplary architectures or configurations, provided to enable those skilled in the art to understand the exemplary features and functions of this disclosure. However, such those skilled in the art will understand that this disclosure is not limited to the illustrated exemplary architectures or configurations and can be realized using various alternative architectures and configurations. In addition, as those skilled in the art will understand, one or more features of one embodiment can be combined with one or more features of another embodiment described herein. Therefore, the breadth and scope of this disclosure should not be limited by any of the exemplary embodiments described above.

[0068] Furthermore, it should be understood that any references to elements in this specification using designations such as "first," "second," etc., do not generally limit the number or order of those elements. Rather, these designations can be used in this specification as a convenient means of distinguishing two or more elements or two or more instances of one element. Thus, references to first and second elements do not mean that only two elements can be used, or that the first element must precede the second element in any way.

[0069] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that information and signals can be represented using a wide variety of technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, and symbols, which may be referenced in the above description, can be represented by voltage, electric current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, light fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof.

[0070] Various modifications to the implementation examples described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein are applicable to other implementation examples without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the implementation examples shown herein, but rather should be given the broadest scope that coincides with novel features and principles disclosed herein, such as those described in the following claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0071] Reference sign: 10 Converter system, 12 (1st) primary bridge, 12′ second primary bridge, 14 first secondary bridge, 16 second secondary bridge, 18 nth secondary bridge, 20 Transformer, 22 first winding pair, 24 second winding pair, 26 nth winding pair, 28 Core, 30 first primary winding, 30′ other primary winding, 32 first secondary winding, 34 second primary winding, 36 second secondary winding, 38 nth primary winding, 40 nth secondary winding, 42, 44, 46 Inductors, 48 ​​Shaft, 50 first primary port, 50′ second primary port.

Claims

1. A converter system (10), The first primary bridge (12) and The first secondary bridge (14), The second secondary bridge (16), The transformer (20) comprises a first winding pair (22) having a first primary winding (30) and a first secondary winding (32), and a second winding pair (24) having a second primary winding (34) and a second secondary winding (36), The first primary winding (30) and the second primary winding (34) are connected in parallel to the first primary bridge (12). The first secondary winding (32) is connected to the first secondary bridge (14), The second secondary winding (36) is connected to the second secondary bridge (16), A converter system in which the first winding pair (22) is positioned axially (48) relative to the second winding pair (24), and the axial direction (48) extends along the legs of the core (28) of the transformer (20).

2. The converter system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the center of the first primary winding (30) and the center of the first secondary winding (32) is smaller than the distance between the center of the second primary winding (34) and the center of the first secondary winding (32).

3. The converter system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the insulation distance between the first winding pair (22) and the second winding pair (24) in the axial direction (48) is smaller than the insulation distance between the first secondary winding (32) and the core (28) of the transformer (20), and / or smaller than the insulation distance between the first primary winding (30) and the first secondary winding (32).

4. The converter system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first primary winding (30) and the first secondary winding (32) are arranged concentrically around the same first position along the axis (48) of the core (28) of the transformer (20), and the second primary winding (34) and the second secondary winding (36) are arranged concentrically around the same second position along the axis (48) of the core (28) of the transformer (20), the axis (48) extends along the legs of the core (28) of the transformer (20).

5. The converter system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising inductors (42, 44, 46) and / or capacitors connected in series with the first primary winding (30) or the first secondary winding (32).

6. The converter system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first winding pair (22) substantially corresponds to the second winding pair (24) in terms of winding direction, number of turns, relative position between each primary winding and its corresponding secondary winding, and current flowing through the first primary winding (30) and the second primary winding (34).

7. The converter system (10) is The second primary bridge (12') and Another first primary winding (30') is formed by the first winding pair (22), Further comprising another second primary winding (34') formed by the second winding pair (24), The other first primary winding (30') and the other second primary winding (34') are connected in parallel to the second primary bridge (12'). Preferably, the conductors of the first primary winding (30) and the other first primary winding (30') are arranged alternately, the converter system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The converter system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the DC connections of the first secondary bridge (14) and the second secondary bridge (16) are medium voltage direct current (MVDC), and the DC connection of the primary bridge (12) is low voltage direct current (LVDC).

9. The converter system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first secondary bridge (14) is connected to a first DC / AC converter, the second secondary bridge (16) is connected to a second DC / AC converter, and the first DC / AC converter and the second DC / AC converter are connected in series.

10. The converter system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the transformer (20) is a medium-frequency transformer (MFT).

11. The converter system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the transformer (20) is a three-phase transformer.

12. The converter system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and claim 10 or 11, wherein the first secondary bridge (14) and the second secondary bridge (16) are connected in series on the DC side of the first secondary bridge (14) and the second secondary bridge (16).

13. A solid-state transformer having an input series / output parallel (ISOP) configuration or an input parallel / output series (IPOS) configuration, comprising a converter system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A method for manufacturing a converter system (10), The steps include providing a first primary bridge (12), The steps include providing a first secondary bridge (14), The steps include providing a second secondary bridge (16), The present invention provides a transformer (20) having a first winding pair (22) comprising a first primary winding (30) and a first secondary winding (32), and a second winding pair (24) comprising a second primary winding (34) and a second secondary winding (36), The first primary winding (30) and the second primary winding (34) are connected in parallel to the first primary bridge (12). The first secondary winding (32) is connected to the first secondary bridge (14), The second secondary winding (36) is connected to the second secondary bridge (16), The first winding pair (22) is positioned axially (48) relative to the second winding pair (24), and the axial direction (48) extends along the legs of the core (28) of the transformer (20), in this method.

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