A class of modular multilevel motor drives with design flexibility and reduced components number

This paper extends the work of multilevel converter motor drives with modular design and split windings machine. A class of multilevel motor drive topologies is introduced. The proposed topologies can reduce the component quantity by using the machine itself to synthesize converter outputs. Mature multilevel topologies can be also incorporated to achieve more voltage levels with great design flexibility. In this paper, two examples including neutral point clamped and flying capacitor topologies are discussed. Furthermore, the winding patterns and winding models of the proposed split windings machine are presented. Both simulation and experimental results are provided to validate the proposed concept.