SMA Solar Technology has filed a patent for a power converter that transfers power between an AC side and a DC side. The converter includes a bridge circuit connected to the AC side via AC switches and to the DC side via circuit breakers. It also features an insulation monitor to measure the insulation resistance of the DC side when the AC precharging circuit is connected to the DC link circuit. The power converter is designed to be charged from the AC supply grid via a galvanically isolating AC precharging circuit. GlobalData’s report on SMA Solar Technology gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on SMA Solar Technology, Smart energy mgmt systems was a key innovation area identified from patents. SMA Solar Technology's grant share as of September 2023 was 49%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Power converter for transferring power between ac and dc grids
A recently filed patent (Publication Number: US20230291303A1) describes a power converter that transfers power between an AC side and a DC side. The AC side is connected to a grounded three-phase AC supply grid, while the DC side is connected to an ungrounded DC grid. The power converter includes a bridge circuit with AC terminals connected to the AC side via AC switches and DC terminals connected to the DC side via circuit breakers.
One key feature of the power converter is a galvanically isolating AC precharging circuit that charges the DC link circuit from the AC supply grid. The power converter also includes an insulation monitor that measures the insulation resistance of the DC side when the AC precharging circuit is connected to the DC link circuit. This allows for monitoring and ensuring the safety of the power converter.
The patent also claims that the power transfer path between the AC side and the DC side of the power converter is transformerless, meaning that there is no need for a transformer in the power conversion process. This can potentially simplify the design and reduce costs.
The insulation monitor is positioned between the AC side of the power converter and the AC terminals of the bridge circuit. It includes a grounding resistor that connects a potential between switching elements of a half-bridge circuit to ground potential via a grounding switch. This helps in measuring the insulation resistance accurately.
The power converter also includes circuit breakers with precharging resistors for each DC terminal, or alternatively, for solely one of the DC terminals. This allows for controlled charging and discharging of the DC link circuit.
Additionally, the power converter includes an insulation monitoring device that performs a fault current measurement on the AC terminals. This further enhances the safety and reliability of the power converter.
The patent also describes a method for supplying power to an ungrounded DC grid from a grounded three-phase AC supply grid using the transformerless power converter. The method involves precharging the DC link circuit, connecting the DC terminals to the DC grid, measuring the insulation resistance of the DC grid, and setting the voltage of the DC grid using the power converter.
Overall, this patent presents a power converter and a method for transferring power between AC and DC grids, with features such as galvanic isolation, transformerless design, insulation monitoring, and controlled precharging. These features can contribute to the safety, efficiency, and reliability of power conversion systems.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
