US 12,015,276 B2
System and method for pre-charging a DC link of a power converter
Fernando Arturo Ramirez Sanchez, Salem, VA (US); Robert Gregory Wagoner, Roanoke, VA (US); Zane Taylor Miller, Christiansburg, VA (US); and Steven Wade Sutherland, Roanoke, VA (US)
Assigned to GE Infrastructure Technology LLC, Greenville, SC (US)
Filed by General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY (US)
Filed on Feb. 16, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/673,139.
Prior Publication US 2023/0261473 A1, Aug. 17, 2023
Int. Cl. H02J 3/36 (2006.01); H02J 3/12 (2006.01); H02J 3/38 (2006.01); H02M 1/36 (2007.01); H02P 9/08 (2006.01)
CPC H02J 3/381 (2013.01) [H02J 3/12 (2013.01); H02J 3/36 (2013.01); H02M 1/36 (2013.01); H02P 9/08 (2013.01); H02J 2300/28 (2020.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
10. A multi-phase power system configured for electrically coupling to a power grid, comprising:
a power conversion assembly comprising a first converter coupled to a second converter via a DC link, wherein a single phase of the power conversion assembly is electrically coupled to the power grid, at least one of the first and second converters of the power conversion assembly comprising one or more electrical bridge components; and
a controller communicatively coupled to the power conversion assembly, the controller configured to perform operations comprising:
pre-charging the DC link to decrease charging current during startup by performing the following:
electrically and temporarily coupling a portion of the DC link to ground;
electrically and temporarily coupling a single phase of the power conversion assembly of the multi-phase power system to the power grid, the single phase of the power conversion assembly comprising one or more electrical bridge components;
providing current from the power grid to the one or more electrical bridge components; and
wherein the temporary coupling of a portion of the DC link to ground establishes a temporary electrical return path for the single phase of the power conversion assembly.