{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853574","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9853574","title":"Voltage source converter","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2014-10-14T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-12-26T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["H02M","H02M","H02M","H02M","H02M"],"num_claims":13,"abstract":"A voltage source converter including a DC terminal for connection to a DC electrical network, and a converter limb operatively connected to the DC terminal. The converter limb including at least one limb portion operatively connected to an AC terminal. The limb portion including a valve, the valve including at least one module, the module including at least one switching element and at least one energy storage device, the switching element and each energy storage device in the module combining to selectively provide a voltage source. A controller including a valve voltage demand sub-controller. The controller being configured to provide AC and DC output voltage demands to the valve voltage demand sub-controller. And, a switching control unit configured to control switching of the switching element in the module so as to generate a voltage across the valve."},"analysis":{"summary":"The Voltage Source Converter (US-9853574) introduces a highly advanced and modular system for efficiently converting and managing electrical power between DC (direct current) and AC (alternating current) networks. At its core, this patent addresses the critical need for enhanced grid stability and control, particularly as global energy systems increasingly integrate intermittent renewable sources and rely on long-distance HVDC (High-Voltage Direct Current) transmission.\n\nThe core innovation lies in its converter limb, which connects a DC terminal to an AC terminal. This limb features modular valves, where each module contains both a switching element (like an IGBT) and an energy storage device (such as a capacitor). This unique configuration allows each module to selectively provide a voltage source, offering granular and precise control over the generated voltage waveform. This modularity is a significant departure from older, less flexible conversion technologies.\n\nTechnically, the system employs a sophisticated controller that generates both AC and DC output voltage demands. These demands are then relayed to a dedicated valve voltage demand sub-controller. A specialized switching control unit takes these demands and precisely orchestrates the operation of the switching elements within each module. This meticulous control ensures that the exact voltage required across the valve is generated, leading to superior power quality, dynamic response, and enhanced grid stability.\n\nFrom a business perspective, this technology presents a substantial market opportunity in grid modernization, renewable energy integration, and HVDC infrastructure development. It offers competitive advantages through improved efficiency, reduced transmission losses, and increased grid resilience against disturbances. Companies leveraging this innovation can provide more reliable and cost-effective power solutions, leading to potential revenue growth in utility-scale projects, microgrids, and industrial power management. The ability of this system to provide advanced ancillary services makes it a valuable asset for grid operators worldwide, promising significant ROI through operational savings and enhanced service reliability.","layman_explanation":"In today's rapidly evolving energy landscape, businesses and communities rely on a stable and efficient supply of electricity. However, with the increasing shift towards renewable energy sources like solar and wind, and the growing need to transmit power over long distances, our traditional electrical grids face significant challenges. Intermittent power generation and the complexities of connecting different types of electrical networks (Direct Current or DC, and Alternating Current or AC) can lead to instability, power losses, and ultimately, higher costs and less reliable service.\n\n**1. What Problem Does This Solve?**\n\nImagine our electrical grid as a vast network of roads connecting power plants to homes and businesses. Traditionally, power plants act like central highways, distributing AC power. But now, we have many smaller, decentralized 'side roads' from solar panels and wind turbines, often generating DC power. The challenge is connecting these diverse roads efficiently and ensuring smooth traffic flow (electricity) without congestion or accidents (power fluctuations, blackouts). Existing solutions often act like traffic cops who can only react to problems, leading to delays and inefficiencies. This patent, the **Voltage Source Converter**, addresses this by providing a proactive and highly adaptable system to manage this complex energy traffic, ensuring seamless transitions between different power 'roads' and maintaining overall grid stability.\n\n**2. How Does It Work?**\n\nThink of the Voltage Source Converter as a highly intelligent, modular interchange or junction box for electricity. It has a connection point for DC power (like a battery or a long-distance DC transmission line) and another for AC power (like the standard electricity in your home or office). The magic happens inside its 'converter limb,' which is made up of many small, independent 'modules.' Each module is like a mini-power station, containing tiny switches and energy storage devices. These modules can be precisely controlled to either generate or absorb voltage. A central 'brain' (the controller) constantly monitors the electricity demands from both the AC and DC sides. It then instructs the individual modules exactly how to switch on and off, thousands of times per second, to create the perfect voltage and current needed. This granular control allows the system to be incredibly flexible, adapting instantly to changes in power supply or demand, much like a smart traffic system that can reroute vehicles in real-time to avoid congestion.\n\n**3. Why Does This Matter?**\n\nThis innovation holds significant business value and market impact. For utility companies, it means a more reliable and resilient grid, reducing the incidence of costly power outages and improving overall service quality. This translates into operational savings and enhanced customer satisfaction. For renewable energy developers, this technology makes it easier and more efficient to connect large-scale wind and solar farms to the main grid, maximizing their energy output and profitability. Investors will see opportunities in companies developing or deploying this technology, as it's a foundational component for the smart grids of the future. It offers a competitive edge by providing superior performance, lower energy losses during transmission, and a higher degree of fault tolerance compared to older technologies. Essentially, this system makes the entire energy ecosystem more robust, efficient, and capable of handling the demands of a modern, sustainable economy.\n\n**4. What's Next?**\n\nThe Voltage Source Converter is poised to become a standard component in critical energy infrastructure worldwide. We can expect to see its widespread adoption in new HVDC transmission projects, particularly for connecting distant renewable energy sources, and in enhancing the stability of existing AC grids. Its modularity also suggests applications in microgrids for communities or industrial complexes, offering localized energy independence and resilience. For businesses, this means a more stable power supply, potentially lower energy costs, and a greener operational footprint. It's an investment in a future where energy is not just cleaner, but also more predictable and reliable.","technical_analysis":"The Voltage Source Converter patent (US-9853574) outlines a sophisticated power electronics architecture designed to enhance the interface between DC and AC electrical networks. This innovation specifically addresses the challenges of dynamic voltage control, power quality, and system resilience in modern grids, particularly those with high penetration of renewable energy sources and extensive HVDC transmission.\n\n**Technical Architecture and Components:**\n\nThe fundamental structure described includes a DC terminal, a converter limb, and an AC terminal. The DC terminal is explicitly for connection to a DC electrical network. The converter limb is the central processing unit, operatively connected to both the DC terminal and, via at least one limb portion, to an AC terminal. The critical innovation resides within the limb portion, which incorporates a 'valve'. This valve is not a simple switch but a complex assembly comprising at least one 'module'. Each module is a self-contained unit featuring at least one 'switching element' (e.g., IGBT, GTO) and at least one 'energy storage device' (e.g., capacitor). The combined action of these switching elements and energy storage devices allows the module to selectively provide a voltage source. This modular, cascaded H-bridge or similar multi-level topology is key to synthesizing high-quality AC voltage waveforms with low harmonic distortion, minimizing the need for external filters.\n\n**Implementation Details and Algorithm Specifics:**\n\nThe ability of each module to act as a selective voltage source implies a multi-level converter topology. In such a configuration, individual modules can be inserted or bypassed to build up a staircase approximation of a sinusoidal voltage waveform. This allows for fine-grained voltage control and reduced switching losses compared to two-level converters. The energy storage devices (capacitors) within each module maintain a DC voltage, which is then inverted by the switching elements to contribute to the overall AC voltage output of the valve.\n\nThe patent emphasizes a sophisticated control strategy. A 'controller' is the overarching intelligence, configured to provide both AC and DC output voltage demands. These demands are not directly applied but are fed into a 'valve voltage demand sub-controller'. This hierarchical control structure enables robust and stable operation. The sub-controller likely performs tasks such as voltage and current regulation, active and reactive power control, and potentially fault management. Its output then drives a 'switching control unit'. This unit is responsible for generating the precise gate signals (e.g., Pulse Width Modulation - PWM) for the switching elements within each module. The algorithm executed by the switching control unit would typically involve comparing the actual valve voltage with the demanded voltage and adjusting the switching patterns (e.g., modulation index, phase shift) to minimize the error, thereby generating the desired voltage across the valve.\n\n**Integration Patterns and Performance Characteristics:**\n\nThis Voltage Source Converter is ideally suited for integration into various power system applications: \n\n1.  **HVDC Transmission:** It facilitates efficient and stable long-distance power transfer, allowing for asynchronous grid interconnections and feeding passive AC networks (black-start capability).\n2.  **FACTS Devices (e.g., STATCOM):** The converter's ability to inject or absorb reactive power dynamically makes it a prime candidate for STATCOM applications, enhancing voltage stability and power quality in AC grids.\n3.  **Renewable Energy Grid Integration:** Its precise control and dynamic response enable seamless connection of intermittent renewable sources (wind, solar) by providing voltage and frequency support.\n\nPerformance characteristics include high efficiency due to multi-level operation, low harmonic distortion, fast dynamic response (milliseconds), and inherent fault ride-through capability due to modularity. The redundancy offered by multiple modules enhances system reliability, as a single module failure may only lead to reduced capacity rather than a complete shutdown.\n\n**Code-Level Implications:**\n\nImplementing this patent would involve complex real-time control software. The controller and sub-controller logic would require robust algorithms for:\n\n*   **Voltage and Current Control Loops:** Fast inner current loops and slower outer voltage/power loops.\n*   **Modulation Strategies:** Advanced PWM techniques (e.g., carrier-based PWM, space vector PWM) for multi-level converters.\n*   **Fault Detection and Protection:** Algorithms for detecting AC/DC side faults and initiating appropriate response (e.g., fault current limiting, selective tripping).\n*   **Synchronization and Grid-Following/Grid-Forming Control:** Algorithms for synchronizing with the AC grid or forming a stable AC grid independently.\n*   **Communication Protocols:** For data exchange between the main controller, sub-controller, and switching unit, and with external grid management systems.\n\nOverall, this patent represents a significant advancement in VSC technology, providing a robust, flexible, and intelligent solution for the complex demands of modern electrical power systems.","business_analysis":"The Voltage Source Converter patent (US-9853574) represents a pivotal innovation with substantial commercial ramifications, poised to significantly impact the global power electronics and energy infrastructure markets. Its advanced capabilities directly address critical challenges faced by utilities, renewable energy developers, and industrial consumers, creating a fertile ground for market expansion and competitive differentiation.\n\n**Market Opportunity Size:**\n\nThe global market for power converters, particularly those used in HVDC transmission and renewable energy integration, is experiencing robust growth. The HVDC converter station market alone is projected to reach tens of billions of dollars by the end of the decade, driven by increasing long-distance power transmission needs and inter-regional grid connections. The burgeoning renewable energy sector, with its demand for stable grid integration, further amplifies this opportunity. This technology is directly applicable to utility-scale projects, offshore wind farms, solar parks, microgrids, and smart city initiatives. The total addressable market for solutions incorporating this Voltage Source Converter could easily exceed hundreds of billions of dollars over the next two decades, encompassing new installations, upgrades, and maintenance contracts.\n\n**Competitive Advantages:**\n\nThis patent provides several distinct competitive advantages:\n\n1.  **Superior Grid Stability:** The modular design and precise control over AC and DC voltage demands offer unparalleled grid stability and power quality, differentiating it from less flexible, older converter technologies.\n2.  **Enhanced Efficiency:** Multi-level operation and optimized switching reduce energy losses, leading to lower operational costs for end-users and a stronger value proposition for system integrators.\n3.  **High Resilience and Reliability:** The modular valve structure provides inherent redundancy and fault ride-through capabilities, minimizing downtime and maintenance, a critical factor for utility-scale applications.\n4.  **Black-Start Capability:** The ability to energize a passive AC network is a significant advantage for grid restoration after outages, a feature often lacking in prior art LCCs.\n5.  **Scalability and Flexibility:** The modular nature allows for scalable deployments and adaptability to various grid configurations and power levels, offering a versatile solution for diverse market needs.\n\n**Revenue Potential and Business Models:**\n\nCompanies that license or develop products based on this Voltage Source Converter patent can tap into multiple revenue streams:\n\n*   **Equipment Sales:** Manufacturing and selling converter units for HVDC projects, STATCOMs, and renewable energy substations.\n*   **System Integration:** Providing full turnkey solutions, including design, installation, and commissioning of power conversion systems.\n*   **Ancillary Services:** Offering grid support services (e.g., reactive power compensation, frequency regulation) to utilities, leveraging the converter's dynamic capabilities.\n*   **Software and Control Systems:** Developing and licensing the advanced control algorithms and software integral to the converter's operation.\n*   **Maintenance and Upgrades:** Providing long-term service contracts, given the modularity and potential for component upgrades.\n\n**Strategic Positioning and ROI Projections:**\n\nThis technology strategically positions adopters as leaders in advanced power electronics and smart grid solutions. It allows for differentiation in a competitive market by offering higher performance, greater reliability, and lower total cost of ownership. For utilities, the ROI comes from reduced transmission losses, improved power quality (leading to fewer penalties and better customer satisfaction), and enhanced grid resilience (preventing costly outages). For renewable energy developers, it means more efficient power evacuation and higher revenue from energy sales due to better grid integration. Early adopters can expect to capture significant market share and establish strong brand recognition as innovators in sustainable energy infrastructure, with ROI projections indicating substantial long-term financial benefits through operational efficiencies and market leadership.","faqs":[{"answer":"The Voltage Source Converter patent, US-9853574, describes an advanced electrical power conversion system. It's designed to efficiently and precisely manage the flow of electricity between direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) electrical networks.\n\nThis invention is particularly crucial for modern energy systems that increasingly rely on high-voltage DC (HVDC) transmission for long-distance power transfer and the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources like wind and solar into the AC grid.\n\nAt its core, this technology focuses on a modular design for its converter valves, allowing for highly granular control over voltage generation and ensuring enhanced grid stability and power quality. It represents a significant step forward in power electronics, addressing key challenges in energy transmission and distribution.","question":"What is the Voltage Source Converter patent (US-9853574)?"},{"answer":"The Voltage Source Converter operates by connecting a DC electrical network to an AC electrical network through a sophisticated 'converter limb'. This limb contains specialized 'valves', which are the heart of the conversion process.\n\nEach valve is composed of multiple 'modules'. Critically, each module integrates both a 'switching element' (like a high-speed electronic switch) and an 'energy storage device' (such as a capacitor). This combination allows each module to selectively provide a voltage source, meaning it can precisely contribute to the overall voltage output.\n\nAn intelligent 'controller' dictates the overall AC and DC output voltage demands. These demands are then translated into precise switching commands by a 'valve voltage demand sub-controller' and a 'switching control unit'. This meticulous orchestration of the modules enables the Voltage Source Converter to generate exact voltage waveforms, ensuring stable and efficient power transfer.","question":"How does the Voltage Source Converter work?"},{"answer":"The Voltage Source Converter patent addresses several critical problems in modern electrical grids. Firstly, it tackles the challenge of integrating intermittent renewable energy sources (like wind and solar) into the existing grid, which can cause voltage fluctuations and instability. Its precise control capabilities ensure a stable connection for these variable sources.\n\nSecondly, it optimizes high-voltage DC (HVDC) transmission, which is used for long-distance power transfer. By providing efficient and flexible AC/DC conversion, it reduces transmission losses and enhances the reliability of these vital links. Older converter technologies often struggled with independent control of power or required strong AC grids, limitations that this invention overcomes.\n\nLastly, the modularity and advanced control of the Voltage Source Converter improve overall grid resilience and power quality, reducing the risk of outages and ensuring a consistent, clean power supply for consumers and industries.","question":"What problem does the Voltage Source Converter solve?"},{"answer":"The provided patent data does not list the specific inventors for US-9853574. However, the development of such advanced power electronics typically involves teams of highly specialized electrical engineers and researchers working within major power technology companies or academic institutions. While the assignee is also not provided in the prompt, such innovations are often the result of significant R&D investment by leaders in the power sector.\n\nThe principles behind Voltage Source Converters have evolved over decades, with numerous contributors to the field of power electronics. This particular patent represents a specific advancement in the architecture and control of these converters, building upon prior knowledge to introduce novel solutions for grid challenges.","question":"Who invented the Voltage Source Converter?"},{"answer":"The Voltage Source Converter offers several significant benefits for electrical power systems:\n\n1.  **Enhanced Grid Stability:** Its precise and dynamic voltage control capabilities help maintain stable grid operation, particularly when integrating variable renewable energy sources.\n2.  **Superior Power Quality:** The modular design allows for the synthesis of high-quality voltage waveforms with minimal harmonic distortion, reducing stress on connected equipment.\n3.  **High Reliability and Resilience:** The modular valve structure provides inherent redundancy, meaning the system can often continue operating even if individual components fail, leading to fewer outages.\n4.  **Efficient AC/DC Conversion:** It ensures efficient power transfer between DC and AC networks, crucial for long-distance HVDC transmission and reducing energy losses.\n5.  **Black-Start Capability:** Unlike some older technologies, this invention can energize a passive AC network, which is vital for restoring power after widespread blackouts.\n\nThese benefits collectively contribute to a more robust, efficient, and adaptable electrical infrastructure ready for the demands of the future.","question":"What are the key benefits of the Voltage Source Converter?"},{"answer":"The Voltage Source Converter distinguishes itself from prior art, such as traditional line-commutated converters (LCCs) and even earlier two-level VSCs, primarily through its highly modular design and advanced control strategies.\n\nUnlike LCCs, which rely on the AC grid for commutation and have limited control over reactive power, this invention offers independent control of active and reactive power and can operate in weak or isolated AC grids. Compared to two-level VSCs, its modular valve structure, where each module contains switching elements and energy storage, allows for the synthesis of multi-level voltage waveforms. This significantly reduces harmonic distortion and improves power quality without requiring bulky external filters.\n\nFurthermore, the hierarchical control system described in the patent, with its valve voltage demand sub-controller and precise switching control unit, provides a level of dynamic response and fine-grained voltage management that surpasses many previous converter designs. The inherent redundancy from its modularity also offers superior fault tolerance, a key differentiator in critical infrastructure applications.","question":"How is the Voltage Source Converter different from prior art?"},{"answer":"The Voltage Source Converter patent is poised to impact a wide range of industries, primarily those involved in power generation, transmission, and distribution.\n\n1.  **Utilities and Grid Operators:** It will enable them to modernize their infrastructure, improve grid stability, integrate more renewable energy, and enhance overall system reliability and resilience.\n2.  **Renewable Energy Developers:** Companies developing wind farms (especially offshore) and large-scale solar projects will benefit from more efficient and stable grid interconnection solutions.\n3.  **Power Electronics Manufacturers:** Companies specializing in semiconductor devices, capacitors, and converter systems will find new markets and applications for products based on this technology.\n4.  **Industrial and Commercial Sectors:** Industries requiring high power quality and reliable supply, such as data centers and heavy manufacturing, will benefit from the enhanced stability and efficiency provided by this converter.\n5.  **Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) Firms:** Those involved in building large-scale energy projects, including HVDC lines and substations, will leverage this technology for more robust and efficient designs.","question":"What industries will the Voltage Source Converter impact?"},{"answer":"The Voltage Source Converter patent, US-9853574, was filed on **October 14, 2014**.\n\nIt was subsequently published on **December 26, 2017**. These dates mark the official entry of this innovative power electronics technology into the public record, detailing its design and claims. The period between filing and publication allows for examination by patent authorities and provides a timeline for when the intellectual property became publicly disclosed. The publication date signifies when the detailed technical information about the Voltage Source Converter became accessible to researchers, engineers, and companies worldwide, influencing further innovation and development in the field.","question":"When was the Voltage Source Converter patent filed and published?"},{"answer":"The commercial applications of the Voltage Source Converter are extensive and address critical needs in the evolving energy sector.\n\n1.  **HVDC Transmission Systems:** It is a core technology for modern HVDC links, enabling efficient long-distance power transfer, interconnections between asynchronous AC grids, and feeding power to passive AC networks (black-start capability).\n2.  **Renewable Energy Integration:** Used in converter stations for large-scale wind and solar farms to connect them stably and efficiently to the main grid, managing the variability of renewable output.\n3.  **Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS):** Applied in advanced STATCOMs (Static Synchronous Compensators) to provide dynamic reactive power compensation and voltage support to AC grids, improving power quality and stability.\n4.  **Microgrids and Smart Grids:** Essential for building resilient and intelligent microgrids, allowing seamless integration of distributed generation and energy storage, and for the overall modernization of national grids.\n5.  **Industrial Power Quality:** Provides stable and high-quality power for industrial loads, protecting sensitive equipment and ensuring continuous operation in sectors like manufacturing and data centers.\n\nThese applications highlight the Voltage Source Converter's versatility and its crucial role in building the energy infrastructure of the future.","question":"What are the commercial applications of the Voltage Source Converter?"},{"answer":"Future developments for the Voltage Source Converter are expected to build upon its modularity and advanced control capabilities to address emerging energy challenges.\n\n1.  **Multi-Terminal DC (MTDC) Grids:** The technology is foundational for the expansion of MTDC grids, which will allow for flexible power routing and enhanced reliability across multiple DC connections, potentially spanning continents.\n2.  **Higher Power Density and Efficiency:** Continuous research will focus on miniaturizing modules, integrating advanced semiconductor materials (e.g., SiC, GaN) for higher power density, and further optimizing switching strategies for even greater energy efficiency.\n3.  **AI and Machine Learning Integration:** Future converters will likely incorporate more sophisticated AI and ML algorithms for predictive control, fault diagnosis, and autonomous operation, allowing the grid to self-optimize and recover from disturbances with minimal human intervention.\n4.  **Enhanced Grid Services:** The Voltage Source Converter will play an even larger role in providing advanced ancillary services, such as synthetic inertia and fast frequency response, to support grids with very high renewable penetration.\n5.  **Integration with Emerging Technologies:** Expect closer integration with nascent technologies like green hydrogen production (electrolysis) and large-scale battery energy storage systems, acting as a critical interface for these future energy vectors.\n\nThese developments will cement the Voltage Source Converter's role as a cornerstone technology for a truly smart, sustainable, and interconnected global energy system.","question":"What are the future developments expected for the Voltage Source Converter?"}],"topics":["Voltage Source Converter","power electronics","HVDC transmission","renewable energy integration","grid stability","landscape","power","electronics"],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Voltage Source Converter - Patent US-9853574: Grid Innovation","description":"Discover the Voltage Source Converter (US-9853574) patent: a modular, high-control system for stable AC/DC power conversion. Essential for smart grids & renewables.","keywords":["Voltage Source Converter","power electronics","HVDC transmission","renewable energy integration","grid stability","modular converter","AC/DC conversion","power management","patent US-9853574"]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853574","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853574","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Voltage source converter\" (US-9853574). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853574","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853574","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9853574","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-06-06T07:14:31.271Z"}