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Abstract
Semiconductor power devices made from silicon carbide (SiC) reached a level of technology enabling their widespread use in power converters. Two different approaches to implementation of modern traction converters in electric multiple units (EMU) have been presented in recent years: (i) 3.3-kV SiC MOSFET-based three-level PWM inverter with regenerative braking and (ii) 6.5-kV IGBT-based fourquadrant power electronic traction transformer (PETT). The former has successfully reached optimized dimensions and efficiency but still requires a bulky line frequency transformer for multisystem applications. The latter characterizes inherent galvanic isolation from AC traction, which is realized by cascaded system of power electronic cells containing medium frequency transformers (MFT). The downsizing of the 6.5-kV IGBT-based cells is, however, problematic. The present paper proposes a different approach, that involves the use of a fast switching 1.2-kV SiC MOSFETS. The SiC-based PETT proposed in the paper is dedicated first for the DC traction. For multi-system application the input voltage of the proposed PETT can be adjusted using weight-optimized adjusting autotransformer. Thanks to utilization of fast-switching SiCbased power modules the weight and size of the power electronic cells can be optimized in a convenient way.
Highlights
Modern semiconductor devices allow realization of traction power converters with minimized weight and size, and high efficiency [1]
The proposed power electronic traction transformer (PETT) topology consists of: (i) filter inductor, (ii) cascaded connection of isolated DC-DC converters including input filter capacitors and high-frequency transformers (HFT) operated with high frequency, above 20kHz, (iii) the three phase propulsion inverter realized as cascaded full-bridge multilevel converter and (iv) integrated auxiliary converter
According to the proposed concept, the four quadrant isolated AC-DC-DC-AC cells, connected in cascade, form the three-stages of the PETT: (i) the single phase multilevel cascaded full-bridge rectifier connected to the voltageadjusting autotransformer, (ii) isolated DC-DC stage and (iii) three phase multilevel cascaded full-bridge propulsion inverter integrated with auxiliary power converter
Summary
Modern semiconductor devices allow realization of traction power converters with minimized weight and size, and high efficiency [1]. The essence of the proposed approach is to apply 1.2kV SiC power modules to construct small-size and fast-switching PETT operating at full DC traction voltage and partial AC traction (25kV or 15kV) voltage. Typical offshore installations of megawatt scale electric submersible pumps (ESP) have step down transformer that supplies low voltage variable speed drive (VSD) and step up transformer providing MV for the high horsepower (above 1000 HP) ESP motor. Application of PET topology to industrial drives leads to several advantages such as: (i) power scalability, (ii) ability to shape output voltage with significantly reduced harmonic content and, operation with small size passive filter and (iv) ease of maintenance and inspections. Application of 1.7-kV IGBTs allows the isolated modular multilevel power converter to get high efficiency and high power density of magnetic components and line filters compared to 6.5kV or 3.3-kV IGBT-based counterparts. The PET converter having NEMA-4 enclosure to protect against windblown dust and water, occupies twice smaller deck space than existing LV drives supplied from line frequency transformers and is capable
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