MODULAR EMBEDDED MULTI-LEVEL CONVERTER AND METHOD OF USE

摘要

A modular embedded multi-level converter (MEMC) (104) includes a first phase portion and a second phase portion. The first phase portion includes a first switch stack (206) operable to couple a first phase branch (234) between a positive DC bus (202) and a midpoint node (212). The second phase portion includes a second switch stack (208) operable to couple a second phase branch (236) between the midpoint node (212) and a negative DC bus (214). A DC voltage between the positive DC bus (202) and the negative DC bus (204) is distributable among switching units (S 1 ...S 8 ) disposed in the first phase branch (234) and the second phase branch (236). A distribution of the DC voltage is controlled by regulating a DC voltage at the midpoint node (212) to balance energy among the switching units (S 1 ... S 8 ).