Patent ID: 7781925

Claim:
A matrix converter for the conversion of a polyphase alternating current into a desired alternating output current, wherein the polyphase alternating current has m phases, the alternating output current having n phases, with n<m, the converter comprising: at least one stage comprising a plurality of controllable bidirectional switches, in which at least one stage each phase of the polyphase alternating current is controlled by a controllable bidirectional switch, the at least one stage defining a matrix converter plane; wherein said at least one stage comprises a two-dimensional array of stage stacks of switching elements, which stage stacks are arranged substantially parallel to each other along a stack direction parallel to the matrix converter plane; bus bars located on one side of the stage stacks and substantially in a plane parallel to the matrix converter plane, the bus bars providing input to the stage stacks; and grid bus bars located on the other side of the stage stacks and substantially in a plane parallel to the plane of the matrix converter, the grid bus bars collecting the output of the stage stacks.