The present invention provides a power converter that can be used to
interface a generator that provides variable voltage at variable
frequency to a supply network operating at nominally fixed voltage and
nominally fixed frequency and including features that allow the power
converter to remain connected to the supply network and retain control
during supply network fault and transient conditions. The power converter
includes a generator bridge electrically connected to the stator of the
generator and a network bridge. A dc link is connected between the
generator bridge and the network bridge. A filter having network
terminals is connected between the network bridge and the supply network.
A first controller is provided for controlling the operation of the
semiconductor power switching devices of the generator bridge. Similarly,
a second controller is provided for controlling the operation of the
semiconductor power switching devices of the network bridge. The first
controller uses a dc link voltage demand signal VDC_NET* indicative of a
desired dc link voltage to control the semiconductor power switching
devices of the network bridge to achieve the desired level of dc link
voltage that corresponds to the dc link voltage demand signal VDC_NET*.
The second controller uses a power demand signal P* indicative of the
level of power to be transferred from the dc link to the supply network
through the network bridge, and a voltage demand signal VTURB* indicative
of the voltage to be achieved at the network terminals of the filter to
control the semiconductor power switching devices of the network bridge
to achieve the desired levels of power and voltage that correspond to the
power and voltage demand signals P* and VTURB*.