Multiphase Traction Inverters: State-of-the-Art Review and Future Trends

Wesam Taha,Ali Emadi,Peter Azer,Alan Dorneles Callegaro

doi:10.1109/access.2022.3141542

Abstract

Multiphase inverters (MPIs) continue to increase in popularity owing to their compelling features that include enhanced fault-tolerance capability, improved per-phase power handling, and reduced dc-bus capacitor sizing. This article presents a comprehensive review on MPIs and their application in transportation electrification. More specifically, voltage source inverter (VSI) and nine-switch inverter (NSI) are the two MPI topologies reviewed herein, due to their popularity and potential for employment as traction inverters. The state-of-the-art review covers modeling and control techniques, dc-capacitor sizing, modulation strategies, inverter losses, and cost. Promising future trends of MPIs in terms of topologies, switching devices and integrated design are also investigated.

Highlights

In 2020, we witnessed many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) releasing electric vehicles extending beyond the standard passenger vehicle to include sports cars [4]
INVERTER LOSSES Based on the foregoing relative VA ratings of voltage source inverter (VSI) and nine-switch inverter (NSI), the efficiency of both multi-phase inverter topologies can be evaluated by comparing the power losses incurred by the switches
This paper reviewed the state-of-the-art of multiphase inverters and their application in transportation electrification

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Recent years have seen an uptake of electrification in all sectors of transportation: road, sea, and air [1]–[3]. This poses a serious threat for more electric aircrafts (MEA), for example, where reliability is of utmost importance In such applications, meeting high power demand can be achieved by increasing the current supply at a relatively low voltage, around 400 V [20]. Heavy-duty vehicles resemble another example of high-power electrified powertrain In such cases, MPDs are more suitable, thanks to their reduced per-phase current requirements. As far as hardware implementation is concerned, these machines can be driven by multiple threephase inverters While such reasoning is valid, the resulting MPI is usually oversized with switches rated at twice the rated current and two dc-bus capacitors, in the case of six-phase drives. Along with addressing the aforementioned device paralleling issues, input parasitic can be made smaller, thanks to improved current handling in MPIs. a higher power density can be achieved.

MODELING OF MULTIPHASE INVERTERS

VECTOR-ORIENTED CONTROL

FUTURE TRENDS

Findings

CONCLUSION