Quasi two-level PWM operation of a nine-arm modular multilevel converter for six-phase medium-voltage motor drives

Mohamed S. Diab, Grain P. Adam, B. W. Williams, Ahmed M. Massoud, Shehab Ahmed

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper proposes a hybrid converter for medium-voltage six-phase machine drive systems that mixes the operation of a traditional two-level voltage-source inverter and the modular multilevel converter (MMC) to enable operation over a wide frequency range. Topologically, the proposed converter consists of nine arms resembling two sets of three-phase MMCs with three common arms, yielding a nine-arm MMC with a 25% reduction in the number of employed arms compared to a traditional dual three-phase MMC. The multilevel property of a standard MMC is emulated in the proposed converter, however on a two-level basis, resulting in a stepped two-level output voltage waveform. The proposed converter has a reduced footprint with advantages of small voltage steps, modular structure, and ease of scalability. Further, it is able to drive high-power six-phase machines within low operating frequencies at the rated torque. The operating principle of the converter is elaborated, and its modulation scheme is discussed. The features of the proposed converter are verified through simulations and experimentally.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAPEC 2018 - 33rd Annual IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages1641-1648
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9781538611807
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 18 2018
Externally publishedYes
Event33rd Annual IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition, APEC 2018 - San Antonio, United States
Duration: Mar 4 2018Mar 8 2018

Publication series

NameConference Proceedings - IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition - APEC
Volume2018-March

Conference

Conference33rd Annual IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition, APEC 2018
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Antonio
Period03/4/1803/8/18

Keywords

  • Medium-voltage drives
  • Modular multilevel converter (MMC)
  • Nine-arm MMC
  • Quasi two-level PWM
  • Six-phase machines
  • Sub-module (SM) capacitor voltage ripple

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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