This innovation presents a hybrid multilevel inverter design that combines Neutral Point Clamped (NPC) technology with Flying Capacitors (FCs), aiming to overcome challenges in conventional multilevel inverters. By integrating FCs and reducing the number of switches, the design optimizes voltage level transitions, enhances reliability, and reduces size and losses. It's designed to handle high voltages with fewer components, which makes it less prone to failure and reduces energy loss. This approach efficiently achieves multi-level output voltages, promising improved performance in medium to high-power applications with lower conduction losses and more reliable capacitor usage.
Figure (1) 5-level NPC based Flying capacitor inverter; (2) Laboratory prototype of the 5-level NPC based FC inverter
The invention addresses challenges faced by conventional multilevel inverters, such as reliability issues and increased semiconductor device count as voltage levels rise. These issues lead to higher conduction losses and larger, less reliable capacitor requirements. The solution proposed is a hybrid multilevel inverter design that integrates Neutral Point Clamped (NPC) technology with Flying Capacitors (FCs) and a reduced number of switches. This design optimizes the use of FCs for charging and discharging across voltage levels, thereby enhancing reliability and reducing size and losses compared to existing configurations. The innovation aims to achieve N-level output voltages efficiently, ensuring better performance in medium to high-power applications.
- Integrates Neutral Point Clamped (NPC) and Flying Capacitor (FC) technologies for enhanced reliability and reduced component count.
- Optimizes capacitor utilization across voltage levels for efficient energy management.
- Reduces semiconductor device count, minimizing conduction losses and improving overall efficiency.
- Enables scalable N-level output voltages using a simplified switching pattern.
- Suitable for medium to high-power applications with improved performance and compact design.
A functional prototype of the hybrid multilevel inverter was constructed to validate the proposed topology and its N-level output capabilities. This prototype, built in a laboratory setting, integrated the specified bidirectional switches, DC link capacitors, and intermediate capacitors, with specific configurations demonstrated for 5-level, 7-level, and 9-level outputs.
A Hardware prototype has been developed, and all the simulations and hardware studies have been successfully performed.
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This technology can lead to more efficient and reliable power conversion in various applications. By minimizing conduction losses, the inverter can contribute to energy savings. The ability to control voltage levels precisely can improve the stability of power grids. This technology can be used to improve the efficiency and reliability of electric vehicle inverters.
Renewable Energy, Electric Vehicles (EVs), Industrial Automation, Power Grid Infrastructure.
Geography of IP
Type of IP
4840/MUM/2015
407136