Patent ID: 6940735

Claim:
A power converter system for interconnecting a direct current output device with a three phase power grid, comprising: first and second converters each comprising a plurality of active, commonly gated switches and associated passive unidirectional current devices, wherein the first converter comprises a three phase input, the second converter comprises a three phase output and each converter is capable of selective, three phase passive and active rectification/inversion; a direct current bus electrically interconnecting the first and second converters; an interface to electrically connect the direct current output device to the first converter; control means, operatively connected to the converter switches, for operating the first converter as a passive unidirectional current blocking element and for operating the second converter as an active inverter; a three phase isolation transformer comprising primary and secondary sides, wherein the primary side is electrically connected to the second converter; and, a three phase controllable switch, operatively connected to the control means, for selectively connecting and disconnecting the power converter system from the power grid, wherein the controllable switch has a three phase input side electrically connected to the secondary side of the isolation transformer and a three phase output side electrically connectable to the power grid, whereby current from the direct current output device excites the isolation transformer when the controllable switch is open so that the isolation transformer does not draw current from the power grid, and whereupon closing the controllable switch potential power surges from the power grid to the converter system are minimized.