A generalized multilevel inverter topology with self voltage balancing

Multilevel power converters that provide more than two levels of voltage to achieve smoother and less distorted AC-to-DC, DC-to-AC, and DC-to-DC power conversion, have attracted many contributors. This paper presents a generalized multilevel inverter (converter) topology with self voltage balancing. The existing multilevel inverters such as diode-clamped and capacitor-damped multilevel inverters can be derived from the generalized inverter topology. Moreover, the generalized multilevel inverter topology provides a true multilevel structure that can balance each DC voltage level automatically without any assistance from other circuits, thus in principle providing a complete and true multilevel topology that embraces the existing multilevel inverters. From this generalized multilevel inverter topology, several new multilevel inverter structures can be derived. Some application examples of the generalized multilevel converter are given.

[1]  J. S. Brugler,et al.  Theoretical performance of voltage multiplier circuits , 1971 .

[2]  John G. Kassakian.  Automotive electrical systems-the power electronics market of the future , 2000, APEC 2000. Fifteenth Annual IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition (Cat. No.00CH37058).

[3]  Peter K. Steimer,et al.  Five level GTO inverters for large induction motor drives , 1993, Conference Record of the 1993 IEEE Industry Applications Conference Twenty-Eighth IAS Annual Meeting.

[4]  L. Malesani,et al.  Theoretical performance of the capacitor-diode voltage multiplier fed by a current source , 1990, 21st Annual IEEE Conference on Power Electronics Specialists.

[5]  T.A. Meynard,et al.  Multi-level conversion: high voltage choppers and voltage-source inverters , 1992, PESC '92 Record. 23rd Annual IEEE Power Electronics Specialists Conference.

[6]  Dong-Seok Hyun,et al.  A new n-level high voltage inversion system , 1997, IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron..

[7]  I. Barbi,et al.  A new diode clamping multilevel inverter , 1999, APEC '99. Fourteenth Annual Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition. 1999 Conference Proceedings (Cat. No.99CH36285).

[8]  Gyu-Hyeong Cho,et al.  Modeling and analysis of a static VAR compensator using multilevel voltage source inverter , 1993, Conference Record of the 1993 IEEE Industry Applications Conference Twenty-Eighth IAS Annual Meeting.

[9]  Leon O. Chua,et al.  Topological generation and analysis of voltage multiplier circuits , 1977 .

[10]  Fang Zheng Peng,et al.  A multilevel voltage-source converter system with balanced DC voltages , 1995, Proceedings of PESC '95 - Power Electronics Specialist Conference.

[11]  P. Maranesi,et al.  Small-signal model of the Cockcroft-Walton voltage multiplier , 1994 .

[12]  Khai D. T. Ngo,et al.  Steady-state analysis and design of a switched-capacitor DC-DC converter , 1992, PESC '92 Record. 23rd Annual IEEE Power Electronics Specialists Conference.

[13]  Fang Zheng Peng,et al.  Multilevel converters-a new breed of power converters , 1995, IAS '95. Conference Record of the 1995 IEEE Industry Applications Conference Thirtieth IAS Annual Meeting.

[14]  I. Barbi,et al.  Investigation on the clamping voltage self-balancing of the three-level capacitor clamping inverter , 1999, 30th Annual IEEE Power Electronics Specialists Conference. Record. (Cat. No.99CH36321).

[15]  Fang Zheng Peng,et al.  A multilevel voltage-source inverter with separate DC sources for static VAr generation , 1995, IAS '95. Conference Record of the 1995 IEEE Industry Applications Conference Thirtieth IAS Annual Meeting.

[16]  Thomas A. Lipo,et al.  Comparison of multilevel inverters for static VAr compensation , 1994, Proceedings of 1994 IEEE Industry Applications Society Annual Meeting.