A technique of parallel connections of pulsewidth-modulated NPC inverters by using current-sharing reactors

The neutral-point-clamped (NPC) PWM inverters have many advantages such as the ability to operate the motor with nearly sinusoidal current waveforms. For this reason, in larger-capacity inverter systems, NPC PWM inverters using the GTOs, etc., have also been put into practical use because of great advantages to large-capacity ac motor drives such as lower ripple currents and higher output voltages. With the spread of applications, still larger-capacity inverters also are expected. However, since the capacities of such switching devices are insufficient, a certain technique and controlling method are proposed for the parallel connections of NPC inverters. The output voltage waveforms of the proposed inverter have certain voltage levels, and thus it is anticipated that it will be difficult to analyze the output harmonics. For such waveforms of output voltage and current-sharing reactor, a frequency analysis approach is described whose results are verified by experiments.     

Optimal power control strategies for neutral point clamped (NPC)inverter topology

A programmed pulsewidth modulation (PWM) technique for selectively eliminating several lower-order harmonics at the output of a neutral point clamped (NPC) inverter topology is investigated. The switching function approach is utilized to derive relevant analytical expressions for input/output variables. A thorough evaluation of the NPC inverter topology based on the switching function approach is described. Optimal power control strategies for an NPC inverter employing programmed PWM patterns are proposed. For a constant-frequency variable-voltage NPC inverter power supply, the proposed strategy is to maintain a minimum specified total harmonic distortion employing a low-output impedance filter. In the case of an NPC inverter powering an AC motor drive, the proposed strategy is to maintain a minimum specified harmonic current factor. The proposed power control strategies are achieved without substantial increase in inverter switching frequency and are therefore suitable for high-power applications employing gate-turn-off-thyristor (GTO) type devices     

一种混合9电平电压源逆变器及其变频脉宽调制

介绍了一种应用于中高压变频调速装置的9电平输出电压源逆变器，逆变器的主电路由2种不同拓扑结构的逆变电路组成，分别使用不同参数的开关器件实现，可以综合利用阻断电压高的器件和开关速度快的器件的优点。分析了逆变器主电路的拓扑结构及特点，研究了主电路的开关模式后提出了一种基于载波调制的适合于任意电平数目混合逆变器的PWM(脉宽调制)算法，最后仿真研究了混合9电平逆变器在变速驱动场合中的应用，并验证了算法的有效性。对线电压的频谱分析表明，混合9电平逆变器有很好的输出波形，输出谐波含量少，在高频段输出线电压的总谐波畸变率小于5％，输出电压的dv／dt小，可用于驱动大容量的中高压异步电动机。     

Novel current‐source multilevel inverter driven by single gate drive power supply

This paper proposes a novel current‐source multilevel inverter, which is based on a current‐source half‐bridge topology. Multilevel inverters are effective for reducing harmonic distortion in the output voltage and the output current. However, the multilevel inverters require many gate drive power supplies to drive switching devices. The gate drive circuits using a bootstrap circuit and a pulse transformer can reduce the number of the gate drive power supplies, but the pulse width of the output PWM waveform is limited. Furthermore, high‐speed power switching devices are indispensable to create a high‐frequency power converter, but various problems, such as high‐frequency noise, arise due to the high dv/dt rate, especially in high‐side switching devices. The proposed current‐source multilevel inverter is composed of a common emitter topology for all switching devices. Therefore, it is possible to operate it with a single power supply for the gate drive circuit, which allows stabilizing the potential level of all the drive circuits. In this paper, the effectiveness of the proposed circuit is verified through experimental results. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 166(2): 88–95, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20475     

A 7.5 kW ultrasonic inverter motor drive employing MOS-controlledthyristors

The design and performance of an inverter induction motor drive that employs an ultrasonic switching frequency to minimize audible noise is described. The MOS-controlled thyristor (MCT) is a high-speed power semiconductor with the potential for high voltage and current ratings. Distinctive features of the device are discussed relative to inverter topology, gate drive requirements, and fault protection. Since MCT devices of sufficient rating were not available, insulated-gate-bipolar-transistor (GBT) devices were used in the experimental model. MCT and IGBT devices have comparable switching times. The design of a 7.5 kW and 20 kHz inverter is discussed, including a modified pulsewidth modulation (PWM) switching algorithm conducive to microprocessor implementation. The algorithm requires reduced computational and storage requirements over previous PWM methods. Implementation of the algorithm is accomplished by a digital signal processor using the efficient C language. Experimental waveforms are presented     

A novel multilevel carrier-based PWM-control method for GTO inverter in low index modulation region

Gate turn offs (GTOs) have an inherent minimum ON-OFF time, which is needed for their safe operation. For GTO-based three-level or neutral-point-clamped (NPC) inverters, this minimum ON-OFF pulsewidth limitation results in a distortion of the output voltage and current waveforms, especially in the low index modulation region. Some approaches have been previously proposed to compensate for the minimum ON pulse. However, these methods increase the inverter switching losses. Two new methods of pulsewidth-modulation (PWM) control based on: 1) adding a bias to the reference voltage of the inverter and 2) switching patterns are presented. The former method improves the output waveforms, but increases the switching losses; while the latter improves the output waveforms without increasing the switching losses. The fluctuations of the neutral-point voltage are also reduced using this method. The theoretical and practical aspects as well as the experimental results are presented in this paper.     

A Comparative Investigation of a Three-Phase Induction Machine Drive with a Component Minimized Voltage-Fed Inverter under Different Control Options

Possibilities for minimizing component cost in variable- speed drives with frequency control by solid-state converter are investigated. It is shown that in a three-phase system voltage and frequency control of a three-phase squirrel-cage machine may be attained by PWM of the output of a simplified bridge inverter with only four switches. As the phase voltages are in principle asymmetrical, this technique is called phase asymmetric PWM (PAPWM). The operational region of PAPWM control is investigated theoretically in the frequency plane, compared to PWM control of a six-element bridge, and shown to have application possibilities. The system was experimentally tested on a 1O-kVA four-transistor inverter and experimentally compared to the operation of a six-transistor inverter of the same rating. The entire signal electronics subsystem was also minimized regarding components by using a specially dedicated IC circuit developed for PWM applications in three-phase systems. These results prove that a PAPWM system with a B4 bridge can be operated to give the same operational drive characteristics as a B6 bridge with PWM. The price to be paid for using a bridge with only four switches lies in the higher pulse frequencies required to give the PAPWM the same characteristics as a conventional system. Since transistor switches may be operated at high switching frequencies with low switching losses, the system is well suited to transistor inverter control of induction machine drives.     

一种新型双频控制大功率逆变器的仿真研究

该文介绍了一种新型双频控制高压大功率逆变器,其拓扑由一个可以采用GTO等低频开关器件的大功率逆变器单元(主逆变器)和一个可以采用IGBT等高频开关器件的小功率逆变器单元(辅逆变器)级联组合而成.主逆变器单元采用定脉宽控制方式,主要用于输出功率以提高整个逆变器的功率等级;而辅逆变器单元采用多电平PWM控制技术,主要用于提...     

基于IMC多机传动系统的控制策略研究

针对传统交直交变换器多机传动系统中间直流环节存在大电感或大电容而使其体积大,笨重等的问题,采用了一种新颖的基于间接矩阵变换器IMC的多机传动系统电路拓扑。其结构紧凑,体积小,重量轻;整流级采用两段式PWM调制策略,可获得单位功率因数的正弦输入电流,多个逆变级均采用空间矢量调制,实现各个逆变级的独立控制,获得不同频率和幅值的正弦电压。在这种调制策略的基础上,分析了零矢量重叠PWM分布方式对输入输出性能的影响,它可以实现整流级电路的零电流换流,减少了逆变级的开关次数,极大地降低了开关损耗,提高了变换器的效率。仿真结果表明:采用零矢量重叠的调制策略可以减少输出电压电流的谐波含量,能够有效改善传动系统的动态和稳态性能。     

Comparative investigation of PWM techniques for a new drive for electric vehicles

Results of a comparative investigation of deterministic and random pulsewidth modulation (PWM) techniques to be employed in a new ac drive for electric vehicles are presented. The study, employing the advanced simulation package SABER from Avant! Corporation, was focused on the reduction of electromagnetic interference (EMI) when a deterministic PWM strategy is replaced with an RPWM method. To assess the impact of the PWM technique on the drive performance, the drive efficiency, torque ripple, and dynamic response of the current control system were also investigated. Two RPWM techniques characterized by random variations of switching frequency of the inverter were considered: one with the sampling frequency of the modulator varying in step with the switching frequency, and one with a fixed sampling frequency equal to the average switching frequency. The study has demonstrated good EMI-mitigating potentials of RPWM techniques, whose use results in EMI reduction by 10 dB and more, while the drive performance is barely affected.     

A Comparison of PWM Switching Strategies on the Basis of Drive System Efficiency

A method of evaluating the performance of PWM switching strategies on the basis of overall drive (system) efficiency is presented. System efficiency is the product of inverter and motor efficiency. Methods for calculating the motor and inverter efficiencies, and therefore the system efficiency, are outlined. The calculation procedure is then used to compare four of the most common PWM switching strategies.     

基于多电平随机脉宽调制技术的共模电压和谐波抑制方法

在PWM电机驱动系统中,多电平逆变技术可以降低系统中的共模电压和谐波含量,但是由于开关频率是固定的,在开关频率处的谐波仍很大。随机开关频率空间矢量调制技术可以通过对零矢量的控制,实现对共模电压的抑制,并且开关频率的随机化,使得开关频率处的幅值较大的谐波分散为一定带宽的幅值较小的谐波,降低了谐波的幅值。给出了混合型七电平逆变器的拓扑结构及控制方法,将高压单元的低频输出和低压单元的高频输出进行叠加,实现七电平的电压输出。分析了不同的开关状态对共模电压的影响,提出了用于共模电压抑制的矢量选择方法和用于降低谐波的开关频率随机化方法,仿真和实验结果显示,多电平逆变技术和随机脉宽调制技术的结合使用,大大降低了系统的共模电压和开关频率处的谐波分量。     

基于NPC三电平九相磁通切换永磁电机的控制

多电平逆变技术是大容量变频调速的首选方案,结合多相电机技术可以进一步提升调速系统的容量。本文对中点钳位(neutral point clamped,NPC)型三电平逆变器供电的10 k W、九相磁通切换永磁(flux-switching permanent magnet,FSPM)电机调速系统进行了仿真和实验研究,探索结合多电平逆变技术和多相电机技术的调速方案。在三相FSPM电机矢量控制的基础上扩展建立了九相FSPM电机的定子磁场定向矢量控制方法,分析了调速系统采用两种载波PWM方式下产生的电压和电流波形。另外,3、5、7次谐波电流的解耦闭环控制成功消除了直流侧中点电位偏移。最后仿真和实验结果证明了理论分析的正确性和有效性。     

电机驱动用新型谐振直流环节电压源逆变器

为了实现电机控制系统的高功率密度和高性能运行,必须提高逆变器的工作频率以提高功率变换器的效率和增强性能。然而,较高的工作频率会引起严重的电磁干扰和开关损耗从而导致系统整体效率降低。软开关技术被认为是解决上述问题的有效方法,结合软开关技术的优点和脉宽调制(pulse width modulation, PWM)控制的特点,提出了一种新的用于电机驱动系统的谐振直流环节软开关电压源逆变器,通过在传统硬开关逆变器的直流环节添加辅助谐振单元,实现了逆变桥开关器件的PWM软开关动作,同时,辅助谐振单元的开关也为软开关操作。文中阐述了该软开关逆变器拓扑的动作时序和动作模式,并对软开关动作时序的瞬态过渡过程进行了数学分析。对提出的新型软开关逆变器驱动无刷直流电机进行了仿真和实验研究,结果验证了电路结构和理论分析的正确性与可行性。     

A vector control system using a neutral-point-clamped voltage-source pwm inverter

This paper describes a vector control system of an induction machine using a neutral-point-clamped voltage-source inverter (NPC-VSI) that is one of the double series-connected inverters. The NPC-VSI is able to output five-level step-shaped line-to-line voltage without output transformers or reactors, and it may reduce harmonic currents corresponding to torque ripples. However, the NPC-VSI has a problem in that excessive high voltage is applied to switching devices when a neutral point of two dc capacitors of the NPC-VSI varies from the center of the dc link voltage, because the neutral point is floating. This paper proposes also a current controller to which the space vector theory is applied. This can reduce harmonic currents to one-fourth those of a conventional voltage-source inverter using six switching devices, and regulate the neutral point potential within a preset range. To simplify the current controller, information about voltage space vectors is given from the vector controller to the current controller. The validity of the current controller is confirmed by a prototype using an induction machine of 2.2 kW.     

Balancing Switching Losses in Three-phase,Five-level Pulse-width Modulation Switched Voltage Source Inverter Using Hybrid Modulation Techniques

This article proposes a new switching strategy for a three-phase, five-level switched voltage source inverter. The single-carrier, multi-level pulse-width modulation (PWM) scheme is employed to generate gating signals for the power switches. The proposed modulation scheme is hybridized to enable the output voltage of the inverter configuration, inheriting the features of switching-loss reduction from fundamental PWM and good harmonic performance from multiple sinusoidal PWM. A sequential switching scheme is embedded with the already-employed hybrid modulation to overcome unequal switching losses and, therefore, differential heating among the power devices. Operational principles with switching functions are given. For an R-L load, Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analyses of the output voltage waveforms were carried out, and the corresponding total harmonic distortion value of 26.09% was obtained. To verify the performance of the proposed modulation scheme, simulations and experiments are conducted on a 1.2-kW rated prototype of the inverter; adequate results are presented.     

Performance of a High-Speed Motor Drive System Using a Novel Multilevel Inverter Topology

The performance of a novel multilevel six-switch (SS) three-phase inverter drive is examined for low-voltage high-speed motor applications. The switching losses of hard-switched voltage-source-inverter topologies place limits on the maximum feasible switching frequency. When operating at higher fundamental frequencies, this results in low-frequency modulation ratios and either high load harmonic currents that cause excessive rotor heating or larger than desired output reactors with a large fundamental voltage drop. The multilevel inverter structure examined offers an increased number of output pulsewidth-modulated (PWM) voltage levels, higher frequency PWM output waveforms, reduced dead-time effects, and a significant reduction in harmonic content. These features reduce the total losses in the motor load when compared to the standard SS three-phase inverter. The harmonic reduction provided by the multilevel topology relative to the standard inverter is experimentally demonstrated with a 15-hp 18 000-r/min induction machine.     

SIMPLE STRUCTURE MULTILEVEL INVERTER USEFUL FOR AC MOTOR DRIVES

ABSTRACT

In this paper, a new simplified configuration for a multilevel PWM inverter and its control strategy is proposed. The proposed configuration consists of an auxiliary circuit with four switching devices, and a single full-bridge inverter. For medium power applications, the new circuit design, in which the number of switching devices is reduced, offers characteristics similar to conventional NPC inverters. The control method is based on closed loop regulation of the instantaneous line-to-line output voltages. The proposed scheme is simple, has fast response, and is effective for reducing the size of the DC-link capacitors. The performance of the system is verified by computer simulation and by practical experience     

零序分量注入型三电平感应电动机矢量控制系统

提出一种基于三电平中点箝位(NPC)逆变器的零序分量注入型感应电动机矢量控制方案。系统中使用快速电流控制的直接转子磁链定向矢量控制模式,由于定子电流是由快速电流环控制,因此系统中不用使用定子电压方程,并且不需要解耦电路。转子磁链位置角由磁通模型计算得到。感应电动机由三电平NPC逆变器供电,三电平NPC逆变器由于开关器件的电压应力是传统两电平逆变器开关器件上电压应力的一半,所以适合用于中压调速系统。逆变器控制采用开关优化PWM算法,通过注入零序分量,不但优化功率器件的开关频率,而且可以稳定中点电位。仿真结果表明,该方法在三电平逆变器供电的感应电动机上有效地实现了矢量控制,并且具有很好的性能。     

一种新型无刷直流电机谐振极软开关逆变器

永磁无刷直流电机具有高功率密度、高转矩/电流比和控制简单等优势,得到了广泛应用。然而,无刷直流电机通常采用硬开关逆变器驱动,硬开关逆变器的系统效率较低,散热器的体积和重量较大,限制了大功率无刷直流电机驱动系统功率密度和性能的进一步提升。针对硬开关逆变器问题,提出了一种无刷直流电机专用的谐振极软开关电压源逆变器。通过在传统硬开关逆变器的三相输出端添加辅助谐振网络,实现了逆变桥主开关器件的零电压(ZVS)开关动作,辅助双向开关在零电流开关(ZCS)条件开通和关断。针对新型软开关逆变器,提出了一种新的脉宽调制(PWM)控制策略——TPWM TON,逆变桥上下侧开关器件轮流进行PWM调制,保持了直流母线中点电位的平衡,且使主开关和辅助开关的开关频率降到PWM调制频率的一半。对提出的软开关逆变器进行了实验研究,实验结果验证了电路结构、理论分析和控制策略的正确性与可行性。