A reliable and efficient single-phase modular multilevel inverter topology

Bilevel inverters are replaced by multilevel inverters due to their capability of producing quality output voltage with low total harmonic distortion (THD). On the contrary, increase in number of semiconductor switches has questioned the reliability of the multilevel inverter topologies. To enhance the reliability, this paper proposes a single-phase five-level inverter topology with inherent fault-tolerant feature. The proposed inverter can sustain faults in sources and semiconductor switches by amending the switching combinations. No healthy switch is needed to be bypassed during the fault to ensure the optimum utilization of the switches. An analysis on the basis of reliability, cost, and efficiency is carried out of the proposed inverter and compared with the existing topologies. To prove the claim, the experimental results of the developed hardware model is analyzed and compared with the simulation results of MATLAB/SIMULINK.     

模块化多电平逆变器的仿真分析

介绍模块化多电平逆变器的拓扑结构和工作原理,根据模块化多电平逆变器的特性及在高压大功率场合中的应用,采用基于排序法的电容均压控制算法与最近电平逼近调制策略相结合以实现电容电压的平衡和系统的稳定。采用上述的控制策略在 MATLAB‐Simulink仿真平台下搭建7电平的逆变器仿真模型,通过对子模块电容电压波动分析及逆变器输出电压电流谐波畸变率分析,结果表明最近电平逼近调制策略下换流器输出的波形质量高,谐波含量少,子模块电容电压波动小,验证了所采用的均压控制策略和最近电平逼近调制策略的合理性和有效性。     

基于数学推导的级联型多电平容错逆变器输出性能研究

载波相移SPWM技术应用于级联型多电平逆变器,其载波相移角度差π／N和2π／N两种相移方式,对不同级联数目的逆变器输出有不同影响。当三相逆变器中功率单元发生故障被切除后,输出电压不再平衡．而利用中性点偏移技术,可使逆变器输出线电压重新达到平衡,从而具备较好的容错能力：通过对载波相移PWM技术和中性点偏移原理的数学推导,得出采用载波相移角π/N方式与中性点偏移技术,逆变器输出性能有较大提高的结论。最后对级联型九电平逆变器A相中某一功率单元故障后状况进行仿真实验．验证了数学推导的正确性。     

基于多电平变换逆变电路的拓扑分析

多电平变换逆变电路是一种新的、用于“清洁电力电子装置”的变换电路。本文指出实现多电平变换逆变电路的关键问题之一是电平钳位,并以此为依据将现有的多电平电路拓扑结构进行了分类。文中分析了基于“二极管或电容钳位”和“使用独立直流电源钳位”的两类典型多电平路拓扑结构的优缺点,并在现有的“混合单元多电平逆变电路”单元结构基础上提出了一种新的、使用不同电压比的控制方式。     

An overheating‐tolerant space vector modulation algorithm for multilevel inverters

As promising and suitable candidates for high‐power applications, multilevel inverters have become one of the most promising solutions in various applications. However, power switching devices are highly subjected to thermal overheating, which leads to shortened lifetime and reduced reliability. Thermal overheating may result from the degradation of power switching devices due to continuous overloading and power cycling. In addition, degradation and faults in the cooling system of power switching devices may cause thermal stresses as well. A new overheating‐tolerant space vector modulation algorithm is proposed in this paper to alleviate thermal stresses from overheated power switching device. The proposed algorithm relies on using the redundancy property between switching states in multilevel inverters to continuously evaluate a cost function of the junction temperature of the overheated device for all possible switching sequence sets and then selects the optimal switching sequence. In addition, the proposed algorithm preserves the DC‐link capacitor voltage without reduction in the output current of the inverter. The proposed algorithm is general, which can be applied to n‐level inverters. Both simulation and experimental results reveal the efficient performance of the proposed algorithm using a three‐level T‐type inverter as a case study. Accordingly, the lifetime and reliability of the inverter are enhanced considerably using the proposed algorithm. © 2016 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

一种基于模块化多电平变换器拓扑的柔性母联控制器

针对传统母联开关的各种缺陷,提出了一种基于模块化多电平变换器拓扑的柔性母联控制器。它可以连接不同电压等级的网络,实现潮流的优化调节、无功支撑及故障时交流系统之间的快速紧急支援和隔离故障。同时具备直流电压输出端口,可以用于交直流混合的配电网架中。对柔性母联控制器的工作模式进行了分析,设计了直流电压及潮流控制器。通过仿真及实验,验证了该控制器的性能。     

高容错性模块化定子开关磁阻电机

为了进一步提高开关磁阻电机的容错能力,在总结现有结构的模块化定子开关磁阻电机的基础上,提出了"C"形模块化定子开关磁阻电机,"E"形模块化定子开关磁阻电机和混合气隙模块化定子开关磁阻电机,结合结构示意图和磁路图介绍了以上3种模块化定子开关磁阻电机的基本机构和工作原理,研究对比了各种结构的特点,分析结果表明以上3种新型结构的模块化定子开关磁阻电机的制造成本低,维修方便,且由于定子磁极间在电路、磁路和结构上独立,所以电气隔离、磁隔离以及热隔离的能力强,可靠性及容错性能非常好,适合用于多电/全电飞机的电力作动系统.     

Actuator fault‐tolerant control based on set separation

In this paper, an actuator fault‐tolerant control (FTC) strategy based on set separation is presented. The proposed scheme employs a standard configuration consisting of a bank of observers which match the different fault situations that can occur in the plant. Each of these observers has an associated estimation error with a distinctive behaviour when a estimator matches the current fault situation of the plant. With this information from each observer, a fault diagnosis and isolation (FDI) module is able to reconfigure the control loop by selecting the appropriate stabilising controller from a bank of precomputed control laws, each of them related to one of the considered fault models. The control law consists of a reference feedforward term and a feedback gain multiplying the state estimate provided by the matching observer. A novel feature of the proposed scheme resides in the decision criteria of the FDI, which is based on the computation of sets towards which the output estimation errors related to each fault scenario and for each control configuration converge. Conditions for the design of the FDI module and for fault tolerant closed‐loop stability are given, and the effectiveness of the approach is illustrated by means of a numerical example. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A new structure of single-phase two-stage hybrid transformerless multilevel PV inverter

Transformerless inverters are becoming popular for grid-connected photovoltaic applications due to their simplicity, reduced size, weight, cost, and higher efficiency. In this paper, a two-stage hybrid transformerless multilevel inverter (MLI) for single-phase grid-connected photovoltaic power generation system (PVPGS) is presented. The proposed topology comprises a multilevel boost converter (MLBC) and a symmetrical hybrid MLI. MLBC combines the boosting and switched capacitor voltage functions to produce self-balanced multiple voltage levels. The proposed MLI is derived from a combination of bidirectional switches, a half bridge, and a diode-clamped branch, which can produce only two variations in the total common mode voltage and is capable of suppressing leakage current as per DIN VDE 0126-1-1 grid standards. It offers the advantages of scalability, reactive power capability, reduced total harmonic distortion, and filter size. The proposed hybrid transformerless seven-level inverter is simulated in MATLAB, and experimental setup is built to validate the effectiveness of the proposed configuration. Finally, a comprehensive comparison is made with other seven-level inverter topologies.     

Supervisory fault‐tolerant control with mutual performance optimization

The problem of active fault‐tolerant control with reconfiguration mechanism for uncertain linear systems with external disturbances is addressed applying the supervisory control approach. A key feature of the proposed approach is establishment of a set of conditions providing mutual performance in the sense of taking into account the interaction of the fault detection, isolation, and accommodation subsystems in order to achieve global fault‐tolerance performance with guaranteed global stability. The efficiency of the approach is demonstrated in an example of computer simulation for a flight system benchmark. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A bidirectional diode containing multilevel inverter topology with reduced switch count and driver

In this paper, a bidirectional diode containing multilevel inverter is introduced to reduce the number of switching elements especially in the case of a high number of output voltage levels. In comparison with classic and recently introduced symmetrical topologies, which are trying to reduce the switch count, this topology has a lower number of semiconductor switches in the same number of output voltage levels. This makes the proposed inverter to be a suitable choice for medium voltage applications like renewable energy applications as well as medium voltage electric drives. Moreover, it can be used in a cascaded configuration for high voltage levels. To depict the performance of the proposed structure, a comprehensive comparison is made between this topology and classic and recently proposed symmetric topologies in terms of switch and gate driver count, power losses, and cost. The performance of the proposed symmetrical 11-level converter is analyzed and simulated in MATLAB/Simulink for both PWM and selective harmonic elimination switching methods. Not only the results are desirable but also the experimental results of laboratory prototype validate the simulation results.     

Active fault‐tolerant control for switched systems with time delay

This paper focuses on the problem of active fault‐tolerant control for switched systems with time delay. By utilizing the fault diagnosis observer, an adaptive fault estimate algorithm is proposed, which can estimate the fault signal fast and exactly. Meanwhile, a delay‐dependent criterion is obtained with the purpose of reducing the conservatism of the adaptive observer design. Based on the fault estimation information, an observer‐based fault‐tolerant controller is designed to guarantee the stability of the closed‐loop system. In terms of linear matrix inequality, sufficient conditions are derived for the existence of the adaptive observer and fault‐tolerant controller. Finally, a numerical example is included to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed approach. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A new generalized switched diode multilevel inverter topology with reduced switch count and voltage on switches

This article presents a new multilevel inverter topology with reduced power switches. The proposed topology composes of several series connection of basic unit for obtaining a required output voltage level. The proposed topology can operate in symmetric condition. The proposed topology is connected in a cascaded structure to produce a higher number of output voltage levels. The proposed cascaded structure is optimized with the minimum number of components for the maximum number of levels. To prove the superiority of the proposed multilevel inverter topology, different technical parameter comparisons are carried out with recently developed multilevel inverter topologies from the literature. The calculation of total standing voltage is examined for the proposed topology. The operation of the proposed topology is tested and verified for nine-level output voltage. The simulated results are carried out, and it is strengthened by the real-time prototype results.     

Experimental investigation of a speed‐sensor‐less IM drive system under Inverter fault‐tolerant control

This paper proposes an algorithm for fault tolerance of three‐phase, inverter‐fed, speed‐sensor‐less control of a three‐phase induction motor drive system. The fault tolerance of the inverter when one switch is open or one leg of six‐switch inverter is lost is considered. The control of the drive system is based on indirect rotor field‐oriented control theory. Also, the speed estimator is based on model reference adaptive system (using stator current and rotor flux as state variables for estimating the speed). The fault‐tolerant algorithm is able to adaptively change over from a six‐switch inverter to a four‐switch inverter topology when a fault occurs; also, it makes a smooth transition of the motor speed, torque, and current when changing over from a faulty condition to a new healthy status, which is four‐switch three‐phase inverter (FSTPI) topology; thus, the six‐switch three‐phase inverter (SSTPI) topology (pre‐fault status) is almost retained for the medium‐power range of induction motor applications. The proposed algorithm is simulated by using the MATLAB/SIMULINK package. Also, the proposed control system is tested experimentally using a digital signal processor (DSP1104). The obtained results from the simulation model and experimental system demonstrate the performance enhancement and good validity of the fault‐tolerance control for the speed‐sensor‐less induction motor drive system. © 2016 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

模块化多电平光伏并网逆变器的不对称容错控制策略

建立了容错控制时采取热备用形式下模块化多电平换流器(MMC)的平均开关模型。针对MMC子模块发生故障时剩余子模块不足以支撑直流母线电压导致逆变器不能继续运行的问题,提出一种只旁路故障子模块的新型容错策略,通过改变子模块电容电压值和载波移向角的方法,保证环流中的主要成分不改变,同时降低故障后逆变器并网电流的谐波畸变率,使MMC能够继续运行。改进了容错时的最大功率点跟踪控制环节,解决了容错时直流母线电压的恢复时间长的问题。利用MATLAB/Simulink搭建了MMC的仿真模型,验证了所提控制策略的有效性。     

Transient management of a supervisory fault‐tolerant control scheme based on dwell‐time conditions

The paper deals with the design of an active fault‐tolerant control strategy based on the supervisory control approach technique for linear time invariant MIMO systems affected by disturbances, measurement noise, and faults. From a bank of Luenberger observers that plays the role of a fault detection and isolation scheme, the supervisory algorithm aims at selecting the suitable fault‐tolerant controller by means of a hysteresis‐based switching mechanism. Based on dwell‐time conditions, Lyapunov global exponential stability is addressed, and it is shown how transient behaviors due to the inherent interactions between fault detection and isolation, fault‐tolerant control, and the reconfiguration mechanism can be improved. The main advantage with respect to existing solutions of open literature is relative to a simple parameterization of all controllers (possibly having different state dimensions, integral action, and/or unstable poles) in order to cope with bumps and undesirable transients when (possible multiple) switches occur. Moreover, it is shown that it is possible to improve (reduce) the dwell‐time value in some cases. The efficiency of the approach is demonstrated on the academic highly maneuverable technology benchmark. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

New generalized topologies of asymmetric modular multilevel inverter based on six-switch H-bridge

In this paper, for high and low numbers of voltage levels, two new generalized multilevel converters are introduced, which comprise a six-switch H-bridge and several switched-source units. Switched-source units consist of bidirectional and unidirectional switches along with a dc voltage source. The two proposed topologies are compared with topologies based on the six-switch H-bridge, conventional H-bridge, and some new topologies regarding the number of switches, dc voltage sources, gate drivers, and per-unit voltage block on switches. The comparison results reveal the superiority of the proposed topology with low number of voltage level (LNL) and proposed topology with high number of voltage level (HNL) regarding the per-unit voltage block and number of elements, respectively. Thus, the proposed topologies lead to reduction cost and weight of system. Furthermore, for high number of levels, HNL topology is more appropriate than LNL topology and vice versa. The performances of the proposed 15-level LNL and 61-level topologies are simulated by MATLAB, and proposed 15-level LNL topology in producing all voltage levels is validated by experimental results.     

混合级联型多电平逆变器的研究

提出了一种混合级联型多电平逆变器拓扑结构,给出了逆变器的控制方案。仿真结果表明,逆变器能够以较低的开关频率输出接近于正弦波的电压且只有很低的共模电压。     

基于龙伯格观测器的MMC子模块故障检测方法

模块化多电平换流器(modular multilevel converter, MMC)由大量子模块(submodule, SM)串联构成,是高压大功率领域最有发展潜力的变换器之一。SM功率开关开路故障和短路故障严重影响了MMC的可靠性,给MMC稳定运行带了巨大挑战。因此,为了快速地检测出故障SM,文中提出一种基于龙伯格观测器的SM功率开关故障检测方法。首先,分析SM故障特性,根据SM电容电压变化的数学关系,建立龙伯格观测器模型;然后,通过龙伯格观测器计算SM电容电压估计值,比较电容电压估计值与测量值,实现SM功率开关故障检测;最后,在PSCAD/EMTDC中搭建MMC系统仿真平台,并在实验室搭建MMC实验平台进行验证。仿真和实验结果表明,龙伯格观测器能够准确有效地检测出SM开路故障和短路故障,验证了该故障检测方法的可行性与有效性,但要对每个SM进行监测。     

Sensor fault diagnosis and fault‐tolerant control for stochastic distribution time‐delayed control systems

In this paper, a new fault diagnosis and fault‐tolerant control method based on the model equivalent transformation is proposed for the stochastic distribution time‐delayed control system, in which the random delay between the controller and the actuator and the external disturbance is considered. The system is modeled by using a linear B‐spline to approximate the probability density function (PDF) of system output. The original system is transformed into an equivalent system without random delay based on the Laplace transformation method. Then, the equivalent system that is converted to the augmentation system with a new state variable is introduced. The observer is designed to estimate the fault information based on the augmentation system. Observer gain matrices and controller parameters are obtained by solving the linear matrix inequality. The PI control algorithm is used to make the PDF of the system output track the desired distribution. Finally, the validity of the proposed method is verified by computer simulation results.