Converters for wind turbine generators

Abstract

A wind turbine generatorsupplies three-phase a.c. current of variable voltage and variable frequency to two pairs of rectifiersandwhich generate respective d.c. outputs connected to positive, negative and neutral d.c. conductors. The outputs from each pair of rectifiers are connected together, and the outputs from the two pairs are connected in series to create a high-voltage d.c. output. Invertersthen convert the d.c. power to a.c. at a fixed frequency and voltage suitable for connection to the mains grid. To reduce the effect of common-mode noise, a capacitor is connected between the 1 neutral conductorand earth, and a respective filter circuitis connected between each of the a.c. outputs of the invertersand earth. To reduce the effect of voltage surges during lightning, a surge protection device is also connected between the neutral d.c. conductorand earth. Any imbalance in the current in the positive and negative conductorsis compensated by detecting the presence of current flowing in the neutral conductor. Power supplied to auxiliary circuits from the output of one of the inverters, e.g., of the wind turbine is measured, and any resulting imbalance between the current in the positive and negative conductors is compensated. In the event of an earth-leakage fault in the conductors connecting the a.c. outputs of the inverters to the grid, when isolated, isolation detection relaysare provided.