A power conversion apparatus employs multi-level techniques and wide band-gap semiconductor switching devices to achieve high efficiency in a converter system having high power density. The apparatus may be configured as a bi-directional conversion system capable of operating as both an inverter, configured to receive DC power and produce AC power, and as a rectifier configured to receive AC power and produce DC power. The apparatus is especially suitable for electric vehicle (EV) applications.

A system for controlling a plurality of power converters in a power system so as to turn each of the plurality of power converters into an ON state or an OFF state as a function of a sensed input power and a sensed output power such that one or more of the plurality of power converters in the ON state are operating in an optimal power efficiency range.

A system for protecting a vehicle inverter from overvoltage includes a first inverter having switching elements and converting energy from an energy storage device into AC power. A first motor is driven by receiving the converted AC power. A second inverter is connected in parallel with the first inverter, includes a switching elements, and converts energy from the energy storage device into AC power. A second motor is driven by receiving the converted AC power. A first capacitor is connected in parallel between the first inverter and the energy storage device and stores electric energy of the first motor during regenerative braking. A controller turns off a relay connecting the energy storage device and the motor when a voltage of the first capacitor is equal to or greater than a predetermined voltage and operates the switching elements in the inverters in response to first and second current commands.

A system for protecting a vehicle inverter from overvoltage includes a first inverter having switching elements and converting energy from an energy storage device into AC power. A first motor is driven by receiving the converted AC power. A second inverter is connected in parallel with the first inverter, includes a switching elements, and converts energy from the energy storage device into AC power. A second motor is driven by receiving the converted AC power. A first capacitor is connected in parallel between the first inverter and the energy storage device and stores electric energy of the first motor during regenerative braking. A controller turns off a relay connecting the energy storage device and the motor when a voltage of the first capacitor is equal to or greater than a predetermined voltage and operates the switching elements in the inverters in response to first and second current commands.

Provided is a system for seamless power conversion in DC power distribution, the system including power conversion devices connected in parallel, and performing conversion from a AC voltage to a DC voltage between an AC power distribution network and a DC power distribution network, wherein a master power conversion device among the power conversion devices converts the AC voltage supplied from the AC power distribution network into the DC voltage including an AC voltage at a preset level, and supplies the DC voltage to a DC power distribution line of the DC power distribution network, and the remaining power conversion devices that are slave power conversion devices detect the DC voltage at the DC power distribution line in real time, and when the AC voltage is not sensed from the detected DC voltage, one of the slave power conversion devices is converted into a master power conversion device.

A power conversion device includes power conversion circuitry including a plurality of submodules connected in series to each other. The power conversion device further includes: a signal reception unit configured to receive a signal representing a voltage of a capacitor in each of the submodules; a time calculation unit configured to calculate at least one of a charging time of the capacitor and a discharging time of the capacitor based on the signal; and a determination unit configured to determine whether the capacitor has degraded or not based on at least one of a first result of comparison of the charging time with a reference charging time serving as a reference for determining degradation of the capacitor, and a second result of comparison of the discharging time with a reference discharging time serving as a reference for determining degradation of the capacitor.

A power conversion device includes power conversion circuitry including a plurality of submodules connected in series to each other. The power conversion device further includes: a signal reception unit configured to receive a signal representing a voltage of a capacitor in each of the submodules; a time calculation unit configured to calculate at least one of a charging time of the capacitor and a discharging time of the capacitor based on the signal; and a determination unit configured to determine whether the capacitor has degraded or not based on at least one of a first result of comparison of the charging time with a reference charging time serving as a reference for determining degradation of the capacitor, and a second result of comparison of the discharging time with a reference discharging time serving as a reference for determining degradation of the capacitor.

A power apparatus applied in an SST structure includes a first AC-to-DC conversion unit, a first DC bus, an isolated transformer, a DC-to-AC conversion unit, a second AC-to-DC conversion unit, and a second DC bus. The first AC-to-DC conversion unit has a first bridge arm and a second bridge arm. The first DC bus provides a first DC voltage. The isolated transformer has a primary side and a secondary side. The DC-to-AC conversion unit has a third bridge arm and a fourth bridge arm. The second AC-to-DC conversion unit has a fifth bridge arm and a sixth bridge arm. The second DC bus provides a second DC voltage.

A power apparatus applied in an SST structure includes a first AC-to-DC conversion unit, a first DC bus, an isolated transformer, a DC-to-AC conversion unit, a second AC-to-DC conversion unit, and a second DC bus. The first AC-to-DC conversion unit has a first bridge arm and a second bridge arm. The first DC bus provides a first DC voltage. The isolated transformer has a primary side and a secondary side. The DC-to-AC conversion unit has a third bridge arm and a fourth bridge arm. The second AC-to-DC conversion unit has a fifth bridge arm and a sixth bridge arm. The second DC bus provides a second DC voltage.

A power conversion device includes power conversion circuitry including a plurality of submodules connected in series to each other. The power conversion device further includes: a signal reception unit configured to receive a signal representing a voltage of a capacitor in each of the submodules; a time calculation unit configured to calculate at least one of a charging time of the capacitor and a discharging time of the capacitor based on the signal; and a determination unit configured to determine whether the capacitor has degraded or not based on at least one of a first result of comparison of the charging time with a reference charging time serving as a reference for determining degradation of the capacitor, and a second result of comparison of the discharging time with a reference discharging time serving as a reference for determining degradation of the capacitor.