A high efficient 33 level inverter for electric vehicle application using PMSM

Abstract

The permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) avoids commutation-related torque ripples and produces smooth torque. Its great handling capacity and better efficiency make it an excellent choice for high-demand applications. A typical PM motor drive fed with pulse width-modulated voltages may cause the motor insulation to break down if rapid voltages (dv/dt) occur across the motor terminals. Applying variable voltage with low dv/dt and implementing multiple inverter topology can solve this issue. Multilevel converters have minimal switching losses, better power quality and the ability to operate at both fundamental and higher switching frequencies. In this study, a three phase stacked multilevel inverter-based FOC driven PMSM drive design is proposed. Here, the neutral point is a capacitor intermediate point on DC side, where current is naturally balanced throughout a switching cycle. This makes it possible to use downstream batteries and even lower voltage equipment, greatly increasing efficiency, improved performance and smother control at low speed. Therefore, direct-battery-driven electric vehicles will be able to use this. A 33 level inverter-based PMSM drive was used to implement the FOC, and the simulation results were used to validate it. The Matlab/Simulink tool is used to simulate the entire system.