journal article·2024-11-15Open access

Design and Verification of Multiphase Multilevel Traction Inverter

Patrik Resutík, Michal Praženica, Slavomír Kaščák

Applied Sciences· Volume 14· Issue 22

Abstract

The paper presents the practical design and implementation of a three-level neutral point clamped (TNPC) six-phase inverter rated at 100 kVA. The study initiates with prior work review, whereby most research work done earlier was mainly simulation-based. Based on the simulation results, this paper focuses on the practical aspects of inverter design, such as the development of a power board on an Insulated Metal Substrate, a gate driver board, an interconnect board, and the main control board. An inverter physical prototype has been built and tested at 500 V and 20 kW of output power. The SiC semiconductor technology is the base of the inverter, which represents the main merit of the work. Finally, high power density, compact design, and high efficiency are shown, which are major contributions of the paper. Tests performed proved that the designed converter was operating reliably and efficiently. While a simple Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation (SPWM) control algorithm has been implemented, the overall performance of the inverter showed great promise for higher-power applications. Compact and high-efficiency TNPC converters are developed for meeting increasing demands of advanced energy, automotive, and industrial applications.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Multilevel Inverters and Converters · Advanced DC-DC Converters · Silicon Carbide Semiconductor Technologies

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Department of Mechatronic and Electronic, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, University of Zilina, 010 26 Žilina, Slovakia

Funding

Research of a system for active and optimal management of electrical energy using battery storage system · Research of a system for active management of electrical energy using the battery storage system · University of Žilina, UNIZA Grant Project: “Research of methods for investigation of operating and fault conditions of drives with multiphase asynchronous motor”

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