Abstract
T-type multilevel (T2ML) inverters feature low total harmonic distortion and high efficiency. Reliability improvement is particularly important for T2ML inverters because they have high power device count. Methods that provide T2ML inverters with the ability to tolerate simultaneous failures of multiple switches in several legs have not been addressed in the existing literature. This paper proposes a redundant unit that can be shared across phases in a T-type three-level inverter topology to manage open-circuit faults in multiple legs. The redundant unit includes two switches and six diodes, with the extra active switches connected by diodes to each middle switch of the base inverter. Under fault conditions, a standby parallel leg consisting of middle switches and the added redundant devices can be formed in each phase of the inverter to provide an extra current path connecting the dc bus and loads. The middle switches can share the redundant unit simultaneously to replace faulted half-bridge switches. By these means, open-circuit faults in multiple legs can be tolerated simultaneously and the rated output capacity can be maintained during faulted operation. Experimental tests are given to verify the effectiveness and feasibility of this proposed fault-tolerant method.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Article number | 8693980 |
| Pages (from-to) | 924-939 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics |
| Volume | 35 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 2020 |
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Keywords
- Fault tolerance
- multiple legs
- multiple switches
- open-circuit (OC) fault
- redundant unit sharing
- T-type inverter
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Cite this
A Redundant Unit to Form T-Type Three-Level Inverters Tolerant of IGBT Open-Circuit Faults in Multiple Legs. / Wang, Borong; Li, Zhan; Bai, Zhihong; Krein, Philip T.; Ma, Hao.
In: IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, Vol. 35, No. 1, 8693980, 01.2020, p. 924-939.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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TY - JOUR
T1 - A Redundant Unit to Form T-Type Three-Level Inverters Tolerant of IGBT Open-Circuit Faults in Multiple Legs
AU - Wang, Borong
AU - Li, Zhan
AU - Bai, Zhihong
AU - Krein, Philip T.
AU - Ma, Hao
PY - 2020/1
Y1 - 2020/1
N2 - T-type multilevel (T2ML) inverters feature low total harmonic distortion and high efficiency. Reliability improvement is particularly important for T2ML inverters because they have high power device count. Methods that provide T2ML inverters with the ability to tolerate simultaneous failures of multiple switches in several legs have not been addressed in the existing literature. This paper proposes a redundant unit that can be shared across phases in a T-type three-level inverter topology to manage open-circuit faults in multiple legs. The redundant unit includes two switches and six diodes, with the extra active switches connected by diodes to each middle switch of the base inverter. Under fault conditions, a standby parallel leg consisting of middle switches and the added redundant devices can be formed in each phase of the inverter to provide an extra current path connecting the dc bus and loads. The middle switches can share the redundant unit simultaneously to replace faulted half-bridge switches. By these means, open-circuit faults in multiple legs can be tolerated simultaneously and the rated output capacity can be maintained during faulted operation. Experimental tests are given to verify the effectiveness and feasibility of this proposed fault-tolerant method.
AB - T-type multilevel (T2ML) inverters feature low total harmonic distortion and high efficiency. Reliability improvement is particularly important for T2ML inverters because they have high power device count. Methods that provide T2ML inverters with the ability to tolerate simultaneous failures of multiple switches in several legs have not been addressed in the existing literature. This paper proposes a redundant unit that can be shared across phases in a T-type three-level inverter topology to manage open-circuit faults in multiple legs. The redundant unit includes two switches and six diodes, with the extra active switches connected by diodes to each middle switch of the base inverter. Under fault conditions, a standby parallel leg consisting of middle switches and the added redundant devices can be formed in each phase of the inverter to provide an extra current path connecting the dc bus and loads. The middle switches can share the redundant unit simultaneously to replace faulted half-bridge switches. By these means, open-circuit faults in multiple legs can be tolerated simultaneously and the rated output capacity can be maintained during faulted operation. Experimental tests are given to verify the effectiveness and feasibility of this proposed fault-tolerant method.
KW - Fault tolerance
KW - multiple legs
KW - multiple switches
KW - open-circuit (OC) fault
KW - redundant unit sharing
KW - T-type inverter
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85074204694&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85074204694&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1109/TPEL.2019.2912177
DO - 10.1109/TPEL.2019.2912177
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85074204694
VL - 35
SP - 924
EP - 939
JO - IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics
JF - IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics
SN - 0885-8993
IS - 1
M1 - 8693980
ER -