Low Output Frequency Operation of the Modular Multi-Level Converter

Modular Multilevel Converters (MMLC) based on series connected half-bridges achieve high phase voltages, need little or no filters and feature redundancy and modularity. In contrast to the similar series connected H-bridge converters an expensive and lossy transformer is not necessary. The capacitors buffer power fluctuations at fundamental and second harmonic frequency, therefore the capacitor voltage ripple magnitude increases with decreasing phase current frequencies and will become infinite at zero phase current frequency. This is a problem in variable speed drive applications where phase current frequencies from starting from zero are needed. An operating mode for low phase current frequencies which enables MMLCs to magnetize and start induction machines with quadratic torque loads is presented and the achievable torque-speed characteristic is derived. It is also shown that rotor flux optimization also reduces the capacitor voltage ripple at low torque. The method has successfully been tested in an experimental converter.