Multilevel voltage-source duty-cycle modulation: analysis and implementation

Multilevel converters have become increasingly popular due to high power quality, high-voltage capability, low switching losses, and low electromagnetic compatibility concerns. Considering these advantages, the multilevel converter is a suitable candidate for implementation of future naval ship propulsion systems. This paper focuses on modulation techniques for the multilevel converter. In particular, a novel voltage-source method of multilevel modulation is introduced and compared to existing methods. The proposed method is discrete in nature and can therefore be readily implemented on a digital signal processor. The method is also readily extendable to any number of voltage levels. Results of experimental implementation are demonstrated using a four-level rectifier/inverter system, which incorporates diode-clamped multilevel converters and an 11-level cascaded multilevel H-bridge inverter.     

Dynamic average-value modeling of a four-level drive system

Multilevel power converters have gained much attention in recent years due to their high power quality, low switching losses, and high-voltage capability. These advantages make the multilevel converter a candidate for the next generation of naval ship prolusion systems. Evaluation of these systems is typically assisted with a dynamic average-value models in order to rapidly predict system performance under several operating scenarios. In this paper, an average-value model is developed for the four-level diode-clamped converter which takes into account the active capacitor voltage balancing control. This model performance prediction is compared to a detailed model and laboratory measurements on an 18 kW rectifier/inverter test system.     

Advanced Control and Analysis of Cascaded Multilevel Converters Based on P-Q Compensation

This paper introduces new controls for the cascaded multilevel power converter. This converter is also sometimes referred to as a ldquohybrid converterrdquo since it splits high-voltage/low-frequency and low-voltage/pulsewidth-modulation (PWM)-frequency power production between ldquobulkrdquo and ldquoconditioningrdquo converters respectively. Cascaded multilevel converters achieve higher power quality with a given switch count when compared to traditional multilevel converters. This is a particularly favorable option for high power and high performance applications such as naval ship propulsion. This paper first presents a new control method for the topology using three-level bulk and conditioning inverters connected in series through a three-phase load. This control avoids PWM frequency switching in the bulk inverter. The conditioning inverter uses a capacitor source and its control is based on compensating the real and reactive (P-Q) power difference between the bulk inverter and the load. The new control explicitly commands power into the conditioning inverter so that its capacitor voltage remains constant. A unique space vector analysis of hybrid converter modulation is introduced to quantitatively determine operating limitations. The conclusion is then generalized for all types of controls of the hybrid multilevel converters (involving three-level converter cells). The proposed control methods and analytical conclusions are verified by simulation and laboratory measurements.     

基于MCU控制的高压开关电源

针对压电陶瓷驱动电源的应用设计了一种基于单片机(MCU)控制的高压开关电源,实现了低压(9～18 V)输入下的高压(150 V)输出。电路主回路采用准谐振反激变换拓扑结构,MCU芯片控制脉宽调制(PWM)电源管理芯片完成变换器升压,并驱动H桥逆变电路输出频率可调的方波电压。数字控制的高压开关电源工作波形稳定,尖峰噪声小,输出电压精度高。实验结果验证了高压开关电源的性能。     

Reduced-parts-count multilevel rectifiers

Multilevel power converters have gained much attention in recent years due to their high power quality, low switching losses, and high-voltage capability. These advantages make the multilevel converter a candidate topology for the next generation of naval ship prolusion systems. The primary disadvantage of these systems is the large number of semiconductors involved. This paper presents a reduced-parts-count rectifier which is well suited for naval rectifier applications where bidirectional power flow is not required. The proposed converter is analyzed and experimentally verified on an 18-kW four-level rectifier/inverter system.     

Hybrid Cascaded H-Bridge Multilevel-Inverter Induction-Motor-Drive Direct Torque Control for Automotive Applications

This paper presents a hybrid cascaded H-bridge multilevel motor drive direct torque control (DTC) scheme for electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrid EVs. The control method is based on DTC operating principles. The stator voltage vector reference is computed from the stator flux and torque errors imposed by the flux and torque controllers. This voltage reference is then generated using a hybrid cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverter, where each phase of the inverter can be implemented using a dc source, which would be available from fuel cells, batteries, or ultracapacitors. This inverter provides nearly sinusoidal voltages with very low distortion, even without filtering, using fewer switching devices. In addition, the multilevel inverter can generate a high and fixed switching frequency output voltage with fewer switching losses, since only the small power cells of the inverter operate at a high switching rate. Therefore, a high performance and also efficient torque and flux controllers are obtained, enabling a DTC solution for multilevel-inverter-powered motor drives.      

Modelling and analysis of a multilevel voltage source inverter applied as a static var compensator

A multilevel PWM voltage source inverter, especially a five-level one, is introduced to obtain a static var compensator (SVC) as a large scale power source. The multilevel inverter has many advantages, such as better utilization of the switching devices, lower switching frequency at each semiconductor switch and reduced harmonics. In this paper, the SVC with five-level inverter is modelled using circuit DQ transformation and completely analysed including DC and AC characteristics. It is also pointed out that the modulation indexes depend on the values of the DC side capacitors to meet the DC side voltage balancing, Finally, through the experimental results from a 5kVA SVC, the validity of the analyses and the feasibility of the var compensation system are shown for high power applications.     

A New Multilevel Conversion Structure for Grid-Connected PV Applications

A novel scheme for three-phase grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) generation systems is presented in this paper. The scheme is based on two insulated strings of PV panels, each one feeding the dc bus of a standard two-level three-phase voltage-source inverter (VSI). The inverters are connected to the grid by a three-phase transformer having open-end windings on the inverter side. The resulting conversion structure performs as a multilevel power active filter (equivalent to a three-level inverter), doubling the power capability of a single VSI with given voltage and current ratings. The multilevel voltage waveforms are generated by an improved space-vector-modulation algorithm, suitable for the implementation in industrial digital signal processors. An original control method has been introduced to regulate the dc-link voltages of each VSI, according to the voltage reference given by a single maximum power point tracking controller. The proposed regulation system has been verified by numerical simulations and experimental tests with reference to different operating conditions.     

A Novel Four-Level Voltage Source Inverter—Influence of Switching Strategies on the Distribution of Power Losses

In this paper, a novel four-level inverter will be presented and analyzed. The proposed inverter topology, which is composed of a conventional two-level and a three-level neutral-point clamped (NPC) inverter, is suitable for high-voltage and high-power applications. The proposed inverter, when it is compared with the conventional four-level NPC pulsewidth modulation inverter, exhibits the following advantages: a) ability of changing the power losses distribution profile among the devices by selecting a suitable switching strategy; b) reduction of total inverter power semiconductor device losses; c) ability of bidirectional operation for all power semiconductor switches; and d) easy implementation using existing power semiconductor modules. The effect of conduction and switching losses profiles of the proposed inverter for different switching strategies is examined under different loads, power factors, and modulation indices. The dc-link capacitors voltages are effectively balanced via a proposed self-voltage balancing topology, without the need of isolated dc voltage sources or additional voltage stabilizing circuits. Finally, the theoretical results are confirmed by simulation and experimental results     

Fundamental Frequency Switching Strategies of a Seven-Level Hybrid Cascaded H-Bridge Multilevel Inverter

This paper presents a cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverter that can be implemented using only a single dc power source and capacitors. Standard cascaded multilevel inverters require $n$ dc sources for 2$n + hbox{1}$ levels. Without requiring transformers, the scheme proposed here allows the use of a single dc power source (e.g., a battery or a fuel cell stack) with the remaining $n-1$ dc sources being capacitors, which is referred to as hybrid cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverter (HCMLI) in this paper. It is shown that the inverter can simultaneously maintain the dc voltage level of the capacitors and choose a fundamental frequency switching pattern to produce a nearly sinusoidal output. HCMLI using only a single dc source for each phase is promising for high-power motor drive applications as it significantly decreases the number of required dc power supplies, provides high-quality output power due to its high number of output levels, and results in high conversion efficiency and low thermal stress as it uses a fundamental frequency switching scheme. This paper mainly discusses control of seven-level HCMLI with fundamental frequency switching control and how its modulation index range can be extended using triplen harmonic compensation.      

Simple passive lossless snubber for high-power multilevel inverters

A passive lossless snubber circuit for multilevel inverters is proposed in this paper. The topology is simple and requires no extra control circuit. In order to reduce the high-voltage stress on power switches with this snubber circuit, an improved snubber circuit is presented by adding separate low-power direct current voltage sources into the original one. The operating principles and design considerations are described in detail in this paper. A prototype of a three-phase three-level diode-clamped inverter with the improved passive lossless snubber is built and tested. The simulation and experimental results indicate that not only can it realize the soft switching operation of the three-level inverter with low-voltage stress but also the topology and the control are simple.     

高压变频器在同步电动机上的应用

高压同步电动机以其功率因数高、运行转速稳定、低转速设计简单等优点在高压大功率电气驱动领域有着大量的应用。利德华福技术人员经过大量的理论分析、仿真、实验,解决了同步电机整步等关键问题,已于2006年4月底成功地将单元串联多电平型高压变频器应用于巨化股份公司合成氨厂的1000kW／6kV同步电动机上,本文将简要介绍应用的相关情况。     

Control of cascaded multilevel inverters

A new type of multilevel inverter is introduced which is created by cascading two three-phase three-level inverters using the load connection, but requires only one dc voltage source. This new inverter can operate as a seven-level inverter and naturally splits the power conversion into a higher-voltage lower-frequency inverter and a lower-voltage higher-frequency inverter. This type of system presents particular advantages to Naval ship propulsion systems which rely on high power quality, survivable drives. New control methods are described involving both joint and separate control of the individual three-level inverters. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of both controls. A laboratory set-up at the Naval Surface Warfare Center power electronics laboratory was used to validate the proposed joint-inverter control. Due to the effect of compounding levels in the cascaded inverter, a high number of levels are available resulting in a voltage THD of 9% (without filtering).     

Cascaded Multilevel Inverter Employing Three-Phase Transformers and Single DC Input

This paper proposes an isolated cascaded multilevel inverter employing low-frequency three-phase transformers and a single dc input power source. The proposed circuit configuration can reduce a number of transformers compared with traditional three-phase multilevel inverters using single-phase transformers. It controls switching phase angles to obtain an optimal switching pattern identified with the fundamental frequency of the output voltage. Owing to this control strategy, harmonic components of the output voltage and switching losses can be diminished considerably. To verify the performance of the proposed approach, we implemented computer-aided simulations and experiments using a prototype.      

当涂公司脱硝改造项目引风机高压变频节能技术应用

本文首先介绍了马鞍山当涂发电有限公司脱硝改造项目中的政策解读、引风机电机容量选择、对高压变频器的选择及要求,紧接着重点分析了引风机变频/工频自动切换控制方案优化、引风机变频控制方式下自动控制优化的过程及变频器参数设置相关问题,为火电企业进行脱硝技术改造提供一定的借鉴。     

Parallel resonant DC link circuit-a novel zero switching losstopology with minimum voltage stresses

A parallel resonant DC link (PRDCL) circuit topology is proposed as an approach to realizing zero switching loss DC-AC high switching frequency power conversion. The proposed circuit is used as an interface between the DC voltage supply and a voltage source pulse width modulated (PWM) inverter to provide a short zero voltage period in the DC link of the inverter to allow zero voltage switchings to take place in the PWM inverter. The peak voltage stress on the PWM inverter switches is limited to the DC supply voltage. Another significant advantage of the circuit is that the inverter can be controlled by the conventional PWM strategy. The proposed circuit is systematically analyzed and its operation principle is explained. Design considerations and design formulas are presented. A complete zero voltage switching DC-AC system consisting of the proposed circuit and a PWM inverter was simulated on a computer     

高压变频器直流制动实现方法分析

本文分析了单元串联多电平高压变频器的直流制动原理，提出了实现直流制动时应考虑的两个主要因素及步进式升压方式这一创新技术；通过理论及实验得出步进式升压方式较直接电压方式，能够有效减小制动时的冲击电流，不会对变频器和电机产生影响。     

Parallel processing inverter system

A novel method of instantaneous voltage and power balance control of a parallel processing inverter system is proposed. It consists of a high-speed switching PWM (pulsewidth modulated) inverter with an instantaneous current minor loop controller, a voltage major loop controller, and a power balance controller. This system realizes the following functions with only one inverter: constant AC output voltage control with reactive power control, active filtering to absorb load current harmonics, DC voltage and current control as AC-to-DC converter, and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for stand-alone operation. This system covers a wide application range, including UPS systems, new energy systems, and active filters with voltage control functions     

高压变频器在热电厂引风机的成功应用

本文介绍了变频器的工作原理,分析了高压变频器的节能原理,并通过数据分析,成功实现了高压变频器在线工频、变频互相切换,解决了热电厂运行工况下高压变频器在线从工频切到变频的难题,能够满足热电厂连续运行要求。     

Five-Level Diode Clamped Inverter to EliminateCommon Mode Voltage and Reduce $dv/dt$ inMedium Voltage Rating Induction Motor Drives

The High power induction machines are designed at medium voltage (MV) rating for better performance. The multilevel inverters (MLI) are able to provide medium voltage with high quality output at low switching frequency as compared to conventional two-level inverter. In addition to this, MLI reduces $dv/dt$, switching losses and leakage current. In this paper, approaches to reduce and eliminate the common mode voltage (CMV) using five-level diode clamped multilevel inverter (DCMLI) are presented. The CMV spikes are also eliminated by shifting dead-time across the phase pole. A novel technique for the selection of switching states to synthesize the desire vector is proposed. This paper realizes the implementation of five-level diode clamped MLI for three phase induction motor. Experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed solution.