A Modified Neutral Point Balancing Space Vector Modulation for Three-Level Neutral Point Clamped Converters in High-Speed Drives

Li, Chen; Yang, Tao; Kulsangcharoen, Ponggorn; Lo Calzo, Giovanni; Bozhko, Serhiy; Gerada, Christopher; Wheeler, Patrick

Abstract

© 2018 IEEE. This paper describes a high-performance neutral point voltage balancing technique for a neutral point clamped (NPC) converter. Conventional neutral point voltage balancing methods do not function well under low power factor, low pulse ratio, and near-unity modulation index operation conditions. These conditions are essentially dominant operation conditions for aircraft starter/generator systems. This paper introduces an alternative space vector modulation technique for three-level NPC converters in an aircraft starter generator system. The selection of voltage space vectors is optimized for high modulation index and low power factor operation. Disturbances caused by a low pulse ratio are also compensated. The proposed method maintains neutral point voltage balance and ripple minimization over the full range of operating conditions. This paper also provides a detailed analysis of the sources of neutral point voltage imbalances and ripples in high-speed drives with deep flux weakening. Simulation results obtained from a Simulink/PLECS model and experimental results obtained from a 45 kVA, 32 krpm aircraft starter generator test rig prove that the proposed method eliminates the neutral point voltage imbalance and significantly reduces the neutral point voltage ripple.

Citation

Li, C., Yang, T., Kulsangcharoen, P., Lo Calzo, G., Bozhko, S., Gerada, C., & Wheeler, P. (2019). A Modified Neutral Point Balancing Space Vector Modulation for Three-Level Neutral Point Clamped Converters in High-Speed Drives. IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, 66(2), 910-921. https://doi.org/10.1109/TIE.2018.2835372

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 26, 2018
• Online Publication Date: May 10, 2018
• Publication Date: 2019-02
• Deposit Date: Jun 14, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 14, 2018
• Journal: IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics
• Print ISSN: 0278-0046
• Electronic ISSN: 1557-9948
• Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 66
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 910-921
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/TIE.2018.2835372
• Keywords: Electric Starter Generator, More Electric Aircraft, Three Level, Neutral Point Balancing, High Speed Drives
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/931537
• Publisher URL: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8357469/
• Contract Date: Jun 14, 2018