Abstract:
The invention relates to an assembly of modules for an electrical circuit comprising: a module support for at least two modules and at least two modules, each module comprising two complementary connectable sub-modules. The module support comprises for each sub-module at least an alignment member adapted to individually align the sub-module during its installation on the module support in such way to connect it to complementary sub-module already installed on the module support to form one of the modules. The invention also relates on a module support, a module and a Flexible Alternative Current Transmission Systems.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention relates to the domain of the high voltage circuits such as voltage-source converters, and more precisely to the module support which support the modules that equip such high voltage circuits. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A high voltage circuit, such as a voltage-source converter or a flexible alternative current transmission system, comprises usually many elements that can be arranged in modules. Such an element, or module, can comprise two complementary connectable sub-modules: an electrical device sub-module, such as including a direct current capacitor (also known as a DC capacitor), and a front end sub-module for the connection of the electrical device sub-module to the remaining of the high voltage circuit. 
         [0003]    For example and for a voltage source-converter, such a module can be a full bridge/DC capacitor module in which the device is a DC capacitor and the front end sub-module is a full bridge sub-module with which it is possible to control, in use, the polarity of the connection between the DC capacitor and the remaining of the voltage source-converter. Usually, the complementary sub-modules that form a module are packed together in one package in a casing. 
         [0004]    A high voltage circuit also comprises a module support, such as a stack frame, to support and connect all the modules. In this way, when the circuit is built, all the modules are placed on the module support each one, at a corresponding location on the module support, and are connected to the other modules to form the high voltage circuit. 
         [0005]    With this configuration, a high voltage circuit is easily repairable thanks to the possibility to replace each module or sub-module by a new one. However, this configuration has some drawbacks as the installation is particularly difficult due to the weight of a module (around 150 kg) and to the height of the module support at which a module can be installed. Furthermore, even if it is necessary to change only one sub-module of a module it is required to remove the entire module from the module support. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In an embodiment aimed to resolve these drawbacks. 
         [0007]    In this purpose, an embodiment of the invention relates to an assembly of modules for an electrical circuit, such as a Flexible Alternative Current Transmission Systems, called FACTS, comprising: a module support for at least two modules, at least two modules, each module comprising two complementary connectable sub-modules: an electrical device sub-module, such as including a direct current capacitor; and a front end sub-module intended to connect in use the electrical device sub-module to the remaining of the electrical circuit. 
         [0008]    In an embodiment, the module support comprises for each sub-module: at least an alignment member adapted to individually align the sub-module during its installation on the module support in such way to connect it to a complementary sub-module already installed on the module support to form one of the modules. 
         [0009]    Such an assembly makes easier the building of an electrical circuit such as a voltage-source converter or a FACTS, since for mounting the modules of the assembly on the module support it is possible to mount individually each sub-module and form the module directly on the module support. In this way, the technician just has to manipulate the weight of only one sub-module at the time when it is required to mount a module at height. Furthermore, such assembly facilitates also the maintenance of the electrical circuit by allowing the change of one of the sub-modules that form a module without requiring moving the complementary sub-module. The new sub-module just has to be mounted at the location of the defective one to obtain an operative module. 
         [0010]    The alignment member could also be adapted to support the sub-module to align. 
         [0011]    The alignment means could be adapted to hang the sub-module to align. 
         [0012]    Each alignment member could comprises a rod, each sub-module comprising a complementary hole to the rod of the corresponding alignment member so to hang it on the module support when installed on the module support. 
         [0013]    Such alignment members allow to mount, align and connect the sub-modules in two simple steps of putting each sub-module on the corresponding alignment members. 
         [0014]    The module support could comprise at least two rods, one for each sub-modules of the module, which are extended in opposite directions from each other. 
         [0015]    With such configuration, the two rod opposite to each other allow a good alignment between the two modules. 
         [0016]    Each alignment member could comprise at least a hole, each sub-module comprising a complementary rod to the hole of the corresponding alignment member so to hang it on the module support when installed on the module support. 
         [0017]    Such alignment members allow to mount, align and connect the sub-modules in two simple steps of putting each sub-module on the corresponding alignment members. 
         [0018]    Each sub-module could comprise at least an electrical connector complementary to electrical connector of the complementary sub-module to electrically connect them together during the alignment on the module support. 
         [0019]    Each module could comprises an installation jig for guiding the front end sub-module when it is mounted on the module support. 
         [0020]    Such installation jig allow an easy mounting of a sub-module on the module support. 
         [0021]    An embodiment is also related on a module support for an electrical circuit, such as a Flexible Alternative Current Transmission Systems, called FACTS, which is for at least two modules, and that is characterized in that it is adapted to support modules which comprising two complementary connectable sub-modules: an electrical device sub-module, such as including an direct current capacitor; and a front end sub-module intented to connect in use the electrical device sub-module to the remaining of the electrical circuit; wherein the module support comprises for each module it is intented to support: two alignment members each one adapted to individually align a sub-module during its installation on the module support in such way to connect it to an complementary sub-module already installed on the module support to form the module. 
         [0022]    In an embodiment also related on a module for an electrical circuit, such as a Flexible Alternative Current Transmission Systems, called FACTS, that comprises two individual complementary connectable sub-modules: an electrical device sub-module, such as including a direct current capacitor; and a front end sub-module intented to connect in use the electrical device sub-module to the remaining of the electrical circuit. Each sub-modules is adapted to be individually mounted on a module support that comprises an alignment member adapted to individually align a sub-module during its installation on the module support in such way to connect it to a complementary sub-module already installed on the module support to form one of the modules. 
         [0023]    An embodiment of the invention is also related on Flexible Alternative Current Transmission Systems that comprise an assembly of modules. 
         [0024]    Such FACTS device benefit from the advantages of the assembly of modules that it comprises. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    The present invention will be better understood with the reading of the specification of a furnished embodiment which does not limit the scope of the invention. This specification refers to the annexed drawings in which: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  shows a module support on which a first sub-module is mounted and a second one, complementary to the first one, is in a position intended to be mounted on the module support to form a module, 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a close view of the module support of  FIG. 1  with the first and the second sub-module intended to be mounted on the module support. 
       
    
    
       [0028]    Same or similar parts in the different drawings use the same numerical reference to make easier the passage from one drawing to another. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]      FIG. 1  shows a module support  100  on which a sub-module, which is an electrical device sub-module  210 , is mounted and a complementary sub-module, which is a front end sub-module  220 , is in a position intended to be mounted on the module support  100  to form a module  200  when it will be connected on the electrical device sub-module  210 . 
         [0030]    The module support  100  illustrated on  FIG. 1  has a generally rectangular shape and comprises a frame  101  and eight module locations  110   a ,  110   b  allocated along the length of the module support  100 . 
         [0031]    Each module location  110   a ,  110   b  comprises a support bar  111  that extends along the width of the module support  100 . Each support bar  111  is provided with three extensions  112 ,  113 ,  114  with a first and a second extension each one on an extremity of the support bar  111  and a third one on a central part of the support bar  111 . Each third extension  114  delimits together with corresponding first extension  112  a first portion of the corresponding support bar  111  that is intended to support an electrical device sub-module  210 . Each third extension  114  delimits together with corresponding second extension  113  a second portion of the corresponding support bar  111  that is intended to support a front end sub-module  220 . 
         [0032]    Each extension  112 ,  113 ,  114  protrudes from the support bar  111  perpendicular to the plan of the module support  100  in such way that said extension  112 ,  113 ,  114  extends, when the module support  100  is mounted, in direction of the ground. 
         [0033]    Each extension  112 ,  113 ,  114  comprises at least a rod  1121 ,  1131 ,  1141 ,  1142  that extends parallel to the corresponding support bar  111 . More precisely, the first and second extensions  112 ,  113  comprise each one a rod whereas the third extensions comprise two rods. 
         [0034]    The rod  1121  of each first extension  112  and one of the rods  1141 ,  1142  of the third extension  114  extend from the corresponding extension  112 ,  114  in a direction that goes from the second extension  113  to the first extension  112 . The rod  1131  of the second extension  113  and the other rod  1142  of the third extension  114  extend from the corresponding extension  113 ,  114  in the direction that goes from the first extension  112  to the second extension  113   
         [0035]    The rods  1121 ,  1131 ,  1141 ,  1142  allow the mounting of the sub-modules on the module support  100  to form the modules  200 . The rods  1121 ,  1131 ,  1141 ,  1142  also form alignment members that are adapted to allow the alignment of sub-modules  210 ,  220  during their installation on the module support  100  in such way to connect them to complementary sub-modules  220 ,  210  already installed on the module support  100  to form the modules. Such alignment members are also adapted, as shown on  FIG. 1 , to support sub-modules by hang them. 
         [0036]    To allow this cooperation between the rods of the module locations and the sub-modules, each sub-module comprises, as illustrated on  FIG. 2 , two holes  214 ,  224 ,  225 . 
         [0037]    The two sub-modules illustrate on  FIG. 2 , similarly to the ones of the previous art, are an electrical device sub-module  210  and a front end sub-module  220  to form together a module  200  when they are supported by the module support  100 . Each sub-module  210 ,  220  differs from the one of the previous art by comprising an individual casing  211 ,  221 , electrical connectors that are complementary than the ones of the other type of sub-modules and the holes  214 ,  224 ,  225  which are adapted to cooperate with the rods  1121 ,  1131 ,  1141 ,  1142  of a module location  110   a ,  110   b  of the module support  100 . 
         [0038]    A sub-module  210 ,  220 , as illustrated on  FIG. 2 , presents, thanks to its casing, a generally rectangular cuboid shape with a longitudinal direction. On the top of the casing, each sub-module  210 ,  220  comprises two wings  216 ,  226 . 
         [0039]    The two wings  216 ,  226  of each sub-module extend upward parallel to each other from the top of the casing when the sub-module is mounted on the module support  100 . The wings  216 ,  226  are planar and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the sub-module that comprises them. Each wing  216 ,  226  comprises one of the hole  214 ,  224 ,  225  of the corresponding sub-module  210 , said hole  214 ,  224 ,  225  being a through hole. 
         [0040]    Each sub-module  210 ,  220  also comprises electrical connectors  217 ,  218  to electrically connect the sub-module  210 ,  220 , during its installation on the module support  100 , to a complementary sub-module  220 ,  210  already installed on the module support  100 . To furnish this connection, these electrical connectors  217 ,  218  are complementary to electrical connectors  217 ,  218  of the complementary sub-module  220 ,  210  to allow the connection by the mounting on the module support  100 . 
         [0041]    As shows on  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the electrical device sub-module  210  comprises six female connectors  217  and one male connector  218  of the snap on type. In the same way, the front end sub-module comprises six male connectors and one female connector of the snap on type which are not show on the figure. The six male connectors and the one female connector of the front end sub-module  220  are arranged in such way they are facing a complementary connector  217 ,  218  of the electrical device sub-module  210  when both sub-modules  210 ,  220  are mounted on the module support  100  to form a module  200 . 
         [0042]    The module  200 , shows on  FIG. 1 , also comprises an installation jig  230  for guiding the front end sub-module when it is mounted on the module support  100 . 
         [0043]    The module support  100  together with at least two modules form an assembly of modules  10 . 
         [0044]    Such assembly of modules  10  can be mounted by using a mounting method that comprises the following steps: furnishing the module support  100  and at least two electrical device sub-modules  210 , mounting the electrical device sub-modules  210  on the first portion of the corresponding support bar  111  of the module support  100  by placing the electrical device sub-modules in such way to insert rods of the corresponding support bar  111  into the holes of the electrical device sub-modules  210 , furnishing the same amount of front end sub-modules  220  than the electrical device sub-modules  210 , mounting the front end sub-modules on the second portion of the corresponding support bar  111  on which an electrical device sub-modules  210  has already been mounted in such way to insert rods of the corresponding support bar  111  into the holes of the electrical device sub-modules and to connect the electrical connectors of the front end sub-modules with the ones of the corresponding electrical device sub-module  210 . 
         [0045]    With such configuration of the module assembly  10 , all the sub-modules are perfectly aligned with a complementary sub-module. This alignment allows the connection of the electrical connectors of the sub-modules with the electrical connectors of the complementary sub-module and so the formation of the modules. 
         [0046]    Such assembly of modules  10  can be used to at least partly form an electrical circuit such as an FACTS device as a source-voltage converter. 
         [0047]    In another embodiment of the invention, not illustrated, the support bar  111  comprises holes on each extension  112 ,  113 ,  114  instead of the rods  1121 ,  1131 ,  1141 ,  1142  the sub-modules  210 ,  220  comprising on each wing  216 ,  226  a rod that is complementary than the holes of the corresponding support bar  111 . Such holes could be passing through hole. 
         [0048]    The invention does not limit to the use of alignment members which are rods  1121 ,  1131 ,  1141 ,  1142  or holes  214 ,  224 ,  225  but extend to the use of every type of alignment members which can be used to align a sub-module  210 ,  220  on a module support  100 . For example, such alignment members can be rails or some lateral guides without extending beyond the scope of the invention. 
         [0049]    This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the preferred embodiments, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.