Reconfigurable MMC Sub-Module Topology Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current MMC dynamic simulation experiment platforms are inflexible and inefficient due to their inability to easily switch between different sub-module topologies, requiring separate construction for each topology and resulting in high construction costs and workloads.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable MMC sub-module unit with a mechanism of change-over switches embedded through electric connections or copper busbars, allowing for switching between half-bridge, full-bridge, and quasi-full-bridge topologies by controlling change-over switches and power semiconductor elements, enabling flexible topology transformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If half-bridge and full-bridge MMC sub-modules are used directly without reconfiguration capability, then the converter can achieve DC fault isolation and fast recovery, but the commonality of sub-modules is poor and they cannot be interchanged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by introducing change-over switches that enable the sub-module to dynamically reconfigure its topology between half-bridge and full-bridge modes. This dynamic switching capability allows the same physical sub-module to adapt its configuration based on operational requirements, achieving both fault isolation reliability and sub-module interchangeability through real-time topological transformation
2Manufacturing precision
If separate dynamic simulation experiment platforms are built for different MMC sub-module topologies, then each topology can be simulated accurately, but the construction cost and workload increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the universality principle by designing a single reconfigurable sub-module platform that can simulate multiple topologies (half-bridge, full-bridge, and intermediate topologies) through controlled switching of change-over switches. This multi-functional platform eliminates the need for separate experiment platforms for each topology, significantly reducing construction cost and workload while maintaining accurate simulation capabilities for all topologies
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic reconfiguration capability allows one experiment platform to adaptively transform between different topologies during simulation experiments, enabling accurate simulation of various MMC operating modes without requiring multiple fixed-platform constructions
3Manufacturing precision
If a dynamic simulation experiment platform is built separately for each MMC sub-module topology, then the simulation requirements for each topology can be met, but the efficiency of the test platform decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The reconfigurable platform serves multiple topology simulation functions through a single unified system, allowing researchers to conduct experiments for different MMC topologies on the same platform without rebuilding or reconfiguring hardware infrastructure, thereby significantly improving test platform efficiency
Data Source
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AI summary
A reconfigurable MMC sub-module unit and a control unit thereof are provided, the reconfigurable MMC sub-module unit is mainly formed by an MMC sub-module unit and a reconfigurable mechanism, wherein the reconfigurable mechanism is formed by switches, and the conversion of MMC sub-module unit topology is achieved through switching on and off the switches in the reconfigurable mechanism. According to the reconfigurable MMC sub-module unit and the control unit thereof, the rapid change of a topology structure for a converter can be achieved, which is suitable for the demand of the line connection of the medium-voltage power distribution network and variable topologies, and meets requirements of dynamic simulation experiment for different converter topologies in the dynamic simulation experiment, thereby reducing construction costs and duration, improving experiment efficiency, and having high flexibility and strong versatility.