Case 14787

Multi-Phase Grid Interface System

Keywords:

Multi-port circuit, bi-direction power transfer, multi-phase system, grid-interface, photo-voltaic inverter

Applications:

Grid connected electronics, photovoltaic inverter systems, electromechanical motor drive, telecommunications rectifier

Problem:

Need for efficient power conversion for multi-phase systems, with robust ac interfaces.

Technology:

Improving the efficiency in electrical power conversion reduces unneeded power consumption. This invention provides a multi-phase power converter architecture with a robust ac interface, enabling an improvement in efficiency over traditional implementations. The design inherently provides the capability for bidirectional and reactive power control capability for each phase independently, or in unison for wye and delta three-phase systems. These features are useful for providing interactive features for smart-grid participations, and improved reliability in uncertain voltage conditions. Each input / output port (phase) is logically connected in series, and can scale to the required number of input/output connections for applications in motor drives and ac-ac converters.

Advantages:

    Provides reduced power losses for a power converter with multiple outputs, while improving functionality and reliability for the ac interfaces

Inventors:
  • Professor David J. Perreault (Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, MIT)
  • Brandon J. Pierquet (Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, MIT)

Intellectual Property:

US Patent Application Number 13/795633, filed on March 12, 2013

PCT Patent Application Number PCT/US2013/030383, filed on March 12, 2013

Publications:

Submitted for review

Last revised: April 30, 2013

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