Title: Design and implementation of novel variants of multi-level inverters for traction and heavy vehicle applications

Authors: S. Sri Krishna Kumar; P.K. Dhal

Addresses: Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr. Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, India ' Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr. Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, India

Abstract: In the advent of increased transportation systems, the importance and growth of heavy vehicle movements and their applications play a significant role. The transportation sector involving heavy vehicles needs appropriate components for systematic movements. With the prominence of components utilised in heavy vehicle systems and power train mechanism, this paper develops novel variants of multi-level inverters for effective functioning of the vehicular system. Along with the classic multi-level inverter (MLI), new variants – modified multi-level inverter and reduced switch multi-level inverter are designed with complete operation based on their switching states and are implemented for a nine level output voltage module. The proposed inverter models for the heavy vehicle system is tested and validated based on the total harmonic distortion (THD). For each level and their switching states, THD is evaluated and the inverter performance is proved for its superiority for heavy vehicle system and their applicability in power train applications.

Keywords: heavy vehicle system; component design; multi-level inverter; MLI; reduced switch multi-level inverter; total harmonic distortion; THD; switching states; power trains; duty cycle; switching losses; power quality.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPT.2023.129671

International Journal of Powertrains, 2023 Vol.12 No.1, pp.54 - 80

Received: 24 Nov 2021
Accepted: 31 May 2022
Published online: 20 Mar 2023 *