High efficiency multilevel power converters

Unmet Need: Balanced multilevel converters for voltage handling requirements

With an increasing demand for high-power electronics, multilevel converters need to meet novel voltage handling requirements. Current converters are not designed to balance high voltage levels efficiently, resulting in increased costs, and bulky, complex designs. As such, the development of a novel power converter configuration for high voltage levels is essential.

The Technology: Efficient multilevel converter for high-power electronics.

This technology is a multilevel power converter that can handle high voltage requirements through a specific topology involving set of series stacked capacitors with dynamic level voltages. As a software-defined multilevel inverter, it can offer efficient power usage scalable to multiple levels. It can also adapt power conversion and implement capacitive power transfer schemes for the stacked capacitor. Overall, this multilevel power converter offers efficient power usage with a balanced and integrated design.

This technology has been validated with high-fidelity simulations of a 9-level converter.

Applications:

Grid-connected inverters
High-voltage motor drives
Energy transport for cars, airplanes, ships, and trains
Energy conversion and adaptation in micro robotics
Energy storage in petrochemical manufacturing

Advantages:

Efficient power usage (minimal power outputs)
Balanced voltage at high steady-state levels
Scalable to different levels
Provides dynamic voltage sharing
Simplified design
Linear component quantity and stress scaling

Lead Inventor:

Matthias Preindl, Ph.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Pending

Related Publications:

Wang W, Fahmy YA, Preindl M. “A low cost battery-balancing auxiliary power module with dual active half bridge links and coreless transformers” IEEE Transactions on Transportation Electrification.

Tech Ventures Reference:

IR CU22322, CU22337, CU22338, CU21174
Licensing Contact: Greg Maskel