Multi-pulse transformer for use with an industrial machine

Abstract

A multi-pulse transformer for an industrial machine, the multi-pulse transformer including a primary winding configured to receive a first voltage from a power source via a transformer, and a plurality of secondary windings configured to output a second voltage to a converter, the second voltage less than the first voltage. Wherein the multi-pulse transformer attenuates harmonic distortions by phase shifting each one of the plurality of secondary windings with respect to the primary winding. Wherein the multi-pulse transformer provides bi-directional flow of power.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multi-pulse transformer for an industrial machine, the multi-pulse transformer comprising:
 a primary winding configured to receive a first voltage from a power source via a transformer; and   a plurality of secondary windings configured to output a second voltage to a converter, the second voltage less than the first voltage;   wherein the multi-pulse transformer attenuates harmonic distortions by phase shifting each one of the plurality of secondary windings with respect to the primary winding; and   wherein the multi-pulse transformer provides bi-directional flow of power.   
     
     
         2 . The multi-pulse transformer of  claim 1 , wherein the harmonic distortions are caused by at least one selected from the group consisting of the converter and a component. 
     
     
         3 . The multi-pulse transformer of  claim 2 , wherein the component is a power switching device. 
     
     
         4 . The multi-pulse transformer of  claim 1 , wherein the multi-pulse transformer is at least one selected from a group consisting of a twenty-four pulse transformer, a thirty-six pulse transformer, and a forty-eight pulse transformer. 
     
     
         5 . The multi-pulse transformer of  claim 1 , wherein the multi-pulse transformer provides bi-directional flow of power. 
     
     
         6 . The multi-pulse transformer of  claim 1 , wherein the second voltage is a phase-shifted alternating current (AC) voltage signal to a respective converter of a plurality of AC-to-direct current (DC) converters, wherein each converter includes an actively controlled transistor bridge 
     
     
         7 . A power distribution system of an industrial machine, the power distribution system comprising:
 a converter operable to deliver a second voltage to a component of the industrial machine; and   a multi-pulse transformer providing bi-directional flow of power, the multi-pulse transformer having a primary winding and a plurality of secondary windings, each of the plurality of secondary windings phase shifted with respect to the primary winding, the multi-pulse transformer configured to
 receive a first voltage at the primary winding, the first voltage received from a power source via a transformer, 
 convert the first voltage to the second voltage, the second voltage being less than the first voltage, 
 provide the second voltage to the at least one converter, and 
 attenuate harmonic distortions. 
   
     
     
         8 . The power distribution system of  claim 7 , wherein the harmonic distortions are caused by at least one selected from the group consisting of the converter and the component. 
     
     
         9 . The power distribution system of  claim 7 , wherein the component is a power switching device. 
     
     
         10 . The power distribution system of  claim 7 , wherein the multi-pulse transformer is a twenty-four pulse transformer. 
     
     
         11 . The power distribution system of  claim 7 , wherein the multi-pulse transformer is a thirty-six pulse transformer. 
     
     
         12 . The power distribution system of  claim 7 , wherein the multi-pulse transformer is a forty-eight pulse transformer. 
     
     
         13 . A method for delivering power to a component of an industrial machine, the method comprising:
 receiving, at a primary winding of a multi-pulse transformer, a first voltage received from a power source via a transformer;   converting, at the multi-pulse transformer, the first voltage to a second voltage, the second voltage being less than the first voltage;   outputting, at a plurality of secondary windings of the multi-pulse transformer, the second voltage;   attenuating, at the plurality of secondary windings, harmonic distortions; and   providing, via the multi-pulse transformer, bi-directional flow of power.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein each of the plurality of secondary windings are phase shifted with respect to the primary winding. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the harmonic distortions are caused by at least one selected from the group consisting of the converter and the component. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the component is a power switching device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the multi-pulse transformer is a twenty-four pulse transformer. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the multi-pulse transformer is a thirty-six pulse transformer. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the multi-pulse transformer is a forty-eight pulse transformer.