Power Converter

Abstract

The power converter (100, 200, 300) includes a converter valve (20) that can be suspended from a ceiling (C) and at least one first suspension insulator (30). The converter valve can be suspended from the ceiling by the at least one first suspension insulator such that the height direction of the converter valve is maintained along the vertical direction when the ceiling is tilted.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to power converters. [Background technology]

[0002] The power converter described in JP2016-537961A (Patent Document 1) has a high-voltage valve unit and a plurality of suspended insulators. The high-voltage valve unit has an upper surface. A plurality of connection parts are provided on the upper surface of the high-voltage valve unit. Each of the plurality of suspended insulators has one end and the other end. The one end of each of the plurality of suspended insulators is connected to each of the plurality of connection parts provided on the upper surface of the high-voltage valve unit. A plurality of connection parts are provided on the ceiling. The other end of each of the plurality of suspended insulators is connected to each of the plurality of connection parts provided on the ceiling. In this way, the power converter described in Patent Document 1 is suspended from the ceiling. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2016-537961 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when the ceiling is tilted, it is difficult for the power converter described in Patent Document 1 to accommodate the tilt. The present disclosure provides a suspended type power converter that can accommodate a tilted ceiling. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The power converter of the present disclosure includes a converter valve that can be suspended from a ceiling and at least one first suspension insulator. The converter valve can be suspended from the ceiling by the at least one first suspension insulator such that the height direction of the converter valve is maintained along the vertical direction when the ceiling is tilted. Effect of the Invention

[0006] The power converter of the present disclosure, when hung from a ceiling, can accommodate the inclination of the ceiling even if the ceiling is tilted. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic circuit diagram of a power converter 100. FIG. [Diagram 2] 2 is a schematic circuit diagram of a submodule 10. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of the converter valve 20. [Figure 4] 1 is a front view of the power converter 100 suspended from a ceiling C. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a converter station 50 in which a power converter 100 is installed. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a front view of the power converter 100A. [Figure 7] 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the effect of the power converter 100. FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a front view of the power converter 200 suspended from a ceiling C. FIG. [Figure 9] 1 is a front view of the power converter 300 suspended from a ceiling C. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] The details of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will not be repeated.

[0009] Embodiment 1 The power converter according to the first embodiment will be described below. The power converter according to the first embodiment is designated as a power converter 100.

[0010] (Configuration of power converter 100) The configuration of the power converter 100 will be described below.

[0011] The power converter 100 is, for example, an HVDC (High Voltage DC) converter. However, the power converter 100 is not limited to this. The power converter 100 is, for example, a power converter that performs conversion between AC and DC and frequency conversion of AC.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a schematic circuit diagram of a power converter 100. As shown in Fig. 1, the power converter 100 has a plurality of sets of upper arms 110 and lower arms 120. The lower arm 120 is connected in series to the upper arm 110. Each of the plurality of sets of the upper arms 110 and the lower arms 120 is connected in parallel to each other. In each of the plurality of sets of the upper arms 110 and the lower arms 120, a transformer 130 is connected between the upper arm 110 and the lower arm 120. Each of the upper arms 110 and the lower arms 120 has a plurality of sub-modules 10 connected in series.

[0013] Fig. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram of the submodule 10. As shown in Fig. 2, the submodule 10 includes, for example, switching elements 11a and 11b, diodes 12a and 12b, a capacitor 13, and connection lines 14a and 14b.

[0014] Each of the switching element 11a and the switching element 11b is, for example, an IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor). However, the switching element 11a and the switching element 11b are not limited to this. The switching element 11b is connected in series to the switching element 11a. More specifically, the collector of the switching element 11b is connected to the emitter of the switching element 11a.

[0015] The diode 12a is connected in parallel to the switching element 11a so as to be reverse-biased. More specifically, the anode and cathode of the diode 12a are connected to the emitter and collector of the switching element 11a, respectively. The diode 12b is connected in parallel to the switching element 11b so as to be reverse-biased. More specifically, the anode and cathode of the diode 12b are connected to the emitter and collector of the switching element 11b, respectively.

[0016] The capacitor 13 is connected in parallel to the switching elements 11a and 11b which are connected in series. More specifically, one terminal and the other terminal of the capacitor 13 are connected to the collector of the switching element 11a and the emitter of the switching element 11b, respectively.

[0017] The connection line 14a is connected to the emitter of the switching element 11a and the collector of the switching element 11b. The connection line 14b is connected to the emitter of the switching element 11b. The connection line 14a of one submodule 10 is connected to the connection line 14b of another submodule 10 adjacent to the one submodule 10. In this manner, the submodules 10 constitute a half-bridge type converter cell. The submodules 10 may also constitute a full-bridge type converter cell.

[0018] The power converter 100 includes a converter valve 20. Fig. 3 is a front view of the converter valve 20. As shown in Fig. 3, the converter valve 20 includes a plurality of sub-modules 10 and a base 21. The base 21 includes, for example, a plurality of insulating plates 22 and a plurality of supports 23.

[0019] The insulating plate 22 is formed of an electrically insulating material. The insulating plates 22 are arranged in a stacked manner along the height direction of the converter valve 20 with a gap between them. The support pillars 23 are formed of an electrically insulating material. The support pillars 23 are, for example, insulators. The support pillars 23 are arranged between two adjacent insulating plates 22. This maintains a gap between the adjacent insulating plates 22. The converter valve 20 has an upper surface 20a in the height direction. The upper surface 20a is formed by the insulating plate 22 located at the top. Each of the multiple sub-modules 10 is arranged on the insulating plate 22. However, no sub-module 10 is arranged on the insulating plate 22 located at the top.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a front view of the power converter 100 suspended from a ceiling C. As shown in FIG. 4, the power converter 100 further includes a suspension insulator 30. The suspension insulator 30 has an end 30a and an end 30b in the extending direction. The end 30b is located on the opposite side to the end 30a. The suspension insulator 30 is formed of an electrically insulating material. The suspension insulator 30 is, for example, a polymer insulator having a columnar member formed of glass fiber reinforced FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastic) and a cap portion made of a resin material formed on the outer circumferential surface of the columnar member. However, the suspension insulator 30 is not limited to this. The suspension insulator 30 may be a plurality of ceramic insulators stacked together.

[0021] The end 30a is connected to the upper surface 20a. More specifically, a connection part 20b is provided on the upper surface 20a. The connection part 20b is, for example, a ring-shaped member. A hook is provided on the end 30a, and the hook is hooked on the connection part 20b. It is to be noted that the end 30a does not have to be rotatable with respect to the upper surface 20a. The end 30b is rotatably connected to the ceiling C. More specifically, a connection part C1 is provided on the ceiling C. The connection part C1 is, for example, a ring-shaped member. A hook is provided on the end 30b, and the hook is hooked on the connection part C1. In this way, the end 30b is rotatably connected to the ceiling C.

[0022] The power converter 100 has a refrigerant pipe 40, a signal wiring 41, and a conductor 42. A refrigerant for cooling the converter valve 20 (submodule 10) flows through the refrigerant pipe 40. The refrigerant is, for example, water. A control signal for the converter valve 20 (submodule 10) is transmitted through the signal wiring 41. The signal wiring 41 is, for example, an optical fiber. An input / output current of the converter valve 20 flows through the conductor 42. The refrigerant pipe 40, the signal wiring 41, and the conductor 42 are arranged between the ceiling C and the converter valve 20 so as to be along the hanging insulator 30. However, all of the refrigerant pipe 40, the signal wiring 41, and the conductor 42 do not have to be along the hanging insulator 30. It is sufficient that at least one of the refrigerant pipe 40, the signal wiring 41, and the conductor 42 is along the hanging insulator 30. In addition, the refrigerant piping 40, the signal wiring 41, and the conductor 42 between the ceiling C and the converter valve 20 may be longer than the hanging insulator 30.

[0023] (Effect of power converter 100) The effects of the power converter 100 will be described below in comparison with a comparative example. The power converter according to the comparative example is referred to as a power converter 100A.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a converter station 50 in which a power converter 100 is installed. In the converter station 50, the converter valves 20 are arranged three-dimensionally. As shown in FIG. 5, the converter station 50 has a plurality of spaces 51 therein. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the converter station 50 has two spaces 51a, two spaces 51b, a space 51c, and a space 51d. The converter valve 20 is suspended from the ceiling of the space 51a by the suspension insulator 30. That is, the ceiling of the space 51a forms the ceiling C. The space 51b is located below the space 51a. The space 51b is connected to the space 51a. That is, the space 51a and the space 51b (that is, the space in which the converter valve 20 is arranged and the space below it) do not need to be divided by a floor mechanically. However, the space 51a and the space 51b may be divided by a floor. This floor does not need to have a load-bearing capacity capable of supporting the weight of the power converter 100. In the space 51b, for example, a reactor, a transformer, a switch, etc. are installed.

[0025] The space 51d is located below the space 51c. The space 51c and the space 51d are partitioned by a floor 51e. For example, a switch and a transformer are installed in the space 51c and the space 51d, respectively. The converter station 50 is installed, for example, on the ocean. That is, the converter station 50 is of a floating type. Therefore, the ceiling of the space 51a may be inclined due to the influence of waves, etc. In this case, the power converter 100 is a power converter used, for example, in an offshore wind power facility.

[0026] Fig. 6 is a front view of the power converter 100A. As shown in Fig. 6, in the power converter 100A, the converter valve 20 is supported on the floor FL by disposing a plurality of support insulators 60 between the lowermost insulating plate 22 and the floor FL. In this respect, the configuration of the power converter 100A is different from the configuration of the power converter 100.

[0027] In the power converter 100A, when the voltage class becomes higher (when the number of sub-modules 10 included in the converter valve 20 becomes larger), in order to secure the insulation distance between the floor FL and the converter valve 20, it is necessary to lengthen the support insulator 60 to secure the distance between the floor FL and the converter valve 20. As a result, the weight of the power converter 100A increases and the center of gravity of the power converter 100A becomes higher, and it becomes necessary to thicken the support insulator 60, increase the number of support insulators 60, or use a vibration control device in order to secure earthquake resistance. Thus, in the power converter 100A, a significant change in the structural design is required for each voltage class. In addition, since the required earthquake resistance may differ depending on the country or region, different earthquake-resistant structures are required depending on the country or region where the power converter 100A is installed even for the same voltage class, which complicates the structural design.

[0028] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the effect of the power converter 100. As shown in FIG. 7, in the power converter 100, since the end portion 30b is rotatably connected to the ceiling C, even if the ceiling C is tilted, the converter valve 20 rotates around the end portion 30b, and the height direction of the converter valve 20 is maintained in the vertical direction. In this way, the power converter 100 can accommodate the inclination of the ceiling C without complicating the structural design. Even if the voltage class of the power converter 100 becomes higher, it is only necessary to lengthen the suspension insulator 30 to ensure the insulation distance with the ceiling C, so that the power converter 100 does not cause the structural design to become more complicated as the voltage class becomes higher.

[0029] Furthermore, since the power converter 100 is suspended from the ceiling C, a floor for supporting the power converter 100 is not required in the space in which the power converter 100 is installed, and the structure of the converter station 50 is simplified. If the converter station 50 is a floating type floating on the ocean, the ceiling C will tilt due to the influence of waves. Therefore, the power converter 100 can be effectively applied when installed in a floating converter station 50. Furthermore, in the power converter 100, the suspension insulator 30 can also be used as a member to align the refrigerant piping 40, the signal wiring 41, and the conductor 42 when arranging them between the ceiling C and the converter valve 20.

[0030] Embodiment 2 A power converter 100 according to the second embodiment will be described. The power converter according to the second embodiment is assumed to be a power converter 200. Here, differences from the power converter 100 will be mainly described, and overlapping descriptions will not be repeated.

[0031] (Configuration of power converter 200) The configuration of the power converter 200 will be described below.

[0032] Fig. 8 is a front view of the power converter 200 suspended from a ceiling C. As shown in Fig. 8, the power converter 200 has a converter valve 20 and a suspension insulator 30. In this regard, the configuration of the power converter 200 is common to the configuration of the power converter 100.

[0033] In the power converter 200, the number of the suspension insulators 30 is multiple. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the number of the suspension insulators 30 is three. In the power converter 200, the end 30a of each of the multiple suspension insulators 30 is rotatably connected to one connection part 20b. When the power converter 200 is installed, multiple connection parts C1 are provided on the ceiling C. The end 30b of each of the multiple suspension insulators 30 is connected to each of the multiple connection parts C1. Note that in the power converter 200, the end 30b may be rotatable with respect to the ceiling C, or the end 30b may not be rotatable with respect to the ceiling C. In these respects, the configuration of the power converter 200 is different from the configuration of the power converter 100.

[0034] (Effect of power converter 200) The effects of the power converter 200 will be described below.

[0035] In the power converter 200, the end 30a is rotatably connected to one connection part 20b, so that even if the ceiling C is tilted, the converter valve 20 rotates about the end 30a, and the height direction of the converter valve 20 is maintained along the vertical direction. In this way, the power converter 200 can also accommodate the inclination of the ceiling C without complicating the structural design. Furthermore, in the power converter 200, the weight of the converter valve 20 can be supported by multiple hanging insulators 30, so that it is possible to accommodate a heavier converter valve 20 (higher voltage class).

[0036] Embodiment 3 A power converter 100 according to the third embodiment will be described. The power converter according to the third embodiment is assumed to be a power converter 300. Here, differences from the power converter 100 will be mainly described, and overlapping descriptions will not be repeated.

[0037] (Configuration of power converter 300) The configuration of the power converter 300 will be described below.

[0038] Fig. 9 is a front view of the power converter 300 suspended from a ceiling C. As shown in Fig. 9, the power converter 300 has a converter valve 20 and a suspension insulator 30. In this regard, the configuration of the power converter 300 is common to the configuration of the power converter 100.

[0039] The power converter 300 further includes a plurality of suspension insulators 70. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the number of suspension insulators 70 is three. The suspension insulator 70 is, for example, a polymer insulator having a columnar member formed of glass fiber reinforced FRP and a cap portion made of a resin material formed on the outer circumferential surface of the columnar member. The suspension insulator 70 may be a plurality of overlapping insulators made of porcelain. The suspension insulator 70 has an end 70a and an end 70b in the extending direction. The end 70b is located on the opposite side to the end 70a. In the power converter 300, the number of suspension insulators 30 is multiple. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the number of suspension insulators 30 is three.

[0040] In the power converter 300, a plurality of connection parts 20b are provided on the upper surface 20a, and the end parts 30a of the plurality of hanging insulators 30 are connected to the plurality of connection parts 20b, respectively. The end parts 30a may be rotatable with respect to the upper surface 20a, or may not be rotatable with respect to the upper surface 20a. The power converter 300 further includes an intermediate connection member 80. The end parts 30b of the plurality of hanging insulators 30 are rotatably connected to the intermediate connection member 80. The intermediate connection member 80 is, for example, a ring-shaped member, and the end parts 30b are rotatable with respect to the intermediate connection member 80 by hooking a hook provided on the end parts 30b.

[0041] An end 70a of each of the multiple hanging insulators 70 is connected to an intermediate connection member 80. The end 70a may be rotatable relative to the intermediate connection member 80, or may not be rotatable relative to the intermediate connection member 80. When installing the power converter 300, a ceiling C is provided with a multiple number of connection parts C1. An end 70b of each of the multiple hanging insulators 70 is connected to each of the multiple connection parts C1. In the power converter 300, the end 70b may be rotatable relative to the ceiling C, or may not be rotatable relative to the ceiling C. In these respects, the configuration of the power converter 300 differs from the configuration of the power converter 100.

[0042] (Effect of power converter 300) The effects of the power converter 300 will be described below.

[0043] In the power converter 300, since the end 30b is rotatably connected to the intermediate connection member 80, even if the ceiling C is tilted, the converter valve 20 rotates about the end 30b (intermediate connection member 80), and the height direction of the converter valve 20 is maintained along the vertical direction. In this way, the power converter 300 can also accommodate the inclination of the ceiling C without complicating the structural design. Furthermore, since the weight of the converter valve 20 can be supported by the multiple suspension insulators 30 and the multiple suspension insulators 70, the power converter 300 can accommodate a heavier (higher voltage class) converter valve 20.

[0044] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of this application is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 100 power converter, 10 submodule, 11a, 11b switching element, 12a, 12b diode, 13 capacitor, 14a, 14b connection line, 20 converter valve, 20a upper surface, 20b connection part, 21 frame, 22 insulating plate, 23 support, 30 suspension insulator, 30a, 30b end, 40 refrigerant piping, 41 signal wiring, 42 conductor, 50 converter station, 51, 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d space, 51e floor, 60 support insulator, 70 suspension insulator, 70a, 70b end, 80 intermediate connection member, 100A, 200, 300 power converter, 110 upper arm, 120 arm, 130 transformer, C ceiling, C1 connection part, FL floor.

Claims

1. A converter valve that can be suspended from the ceiling; At least one first suspension insulator; the converter valve can be suspended from the ceiling by the at least one first suspension insulator such that a height direction of the converter valve is maintained along a vertical direction when the ceiling is tilted; A plurality of second suspension insulators; and an intermediate connection member. the transducer valve having an upper surface; the at least one first suspension insulator is a plurality of first suspension insulators, Each of the plurality of first hanging insulators has a first end connected to the upper surface and a second end located opposite to the first end and rotatably connected to the intermediate connection member, a power converter, wherein each of the plurality of second hanging insulators has a third end connected to the intermediate connection member and a fourth end located opposite the second end and connected to the ceiling.

2. At least one of a refrigerant pipe through which a refrigerant for cooling the converter valve flows, a signal wiring for transmitting a control signal to the converter valve, and a conductor through which an input / output current of the converter valve flows, The power converter according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the refrigerant pipes, the signal wiring, and the conductors is arranged along the at least one first hanging insulator.

3. The power converter of claim 1 , wherein the converter valve comprises a plurality of sub-modules making up an HVDC converter.

4. The power converter of claim 1 , further comprising a converter station having the ceiling.

5. 5. The power converter according to claim 4, wherein the converter station has a first space including the ceiling, and a second space located below the first space and communicating with the first space.

6. The power converter of claim 4 , wherein the converter station is located offshore.

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