Zero-Torque Charging Using Five-phase Dual-Inverter Drive for Electric Vehicle

Abstract

Dual-inverter drives produce multilevel voltage across the phase windings of the drive motor of electric vehicles (EVs) with an improved harmonic profile, lower phase current ripple leading to higher efficiency, a wider speed range, and lower electromagnetic interference when compared to a single inverter drive (EMI). In this research, a method for charging an electric vehicle (EVs) battery using a five-phase open end winding induction motor (FPOEW-IM) drive from a three-phase grid supply is proposed. The grid supply is converted to DC using the controlled three-phase active rectifier, which serves the purpose of PLL restraining the use of any other source side converter to achieve UPF (Unity Power Factor) operation. To charge the battery, the second inverter (Inverter-II) and the EV motor windings are then reconfigured as an interleaved DC-DC converter with no switching losses. When in charging mode, motor windings itself function as filter inductance avoiding the use of additional filters. Using the two voltage source inverters (Inverter-I and Inverter-II), the EV motor windings are excited from both ends when the vehicle is in drive mode. Through the use of a Single Pole Double Throw switch (SPDT) and Single Pole Single Throw (SPST) switches, the dual-inverter can be reconfigured from drive mode to the suggested charging mode. Through simulation in the MATLAB/Simulink to charge a lithium-ion battery bank, the suggested charging topology approach is verified.