Fault-Tolerant Multilevel Converter for Multiphase Switched Reluctance Motor Drives Based on q+2 Converter

This paper proposes a new multilevel switched reluctance motor (SRM) converter based on q+2 converter. The proposed converter can offer the three operating modes of SRM (magnetization, regenerative demagnetization, and freewheeling modes). In addition, it can offer simultaneous operation of SRM phases at any of these modes. Thus, it can be used for multiphase SRM. Furthermore, it offers redundant switching states for the SRM operating modes. Thus, it has good fault-tolerance capability. Comparative study between the proposed converter and other SRM converters is introduced. Compared to other multilevel converters (T-type and NPC), the proposed converter uses the lowest number of semiconductors. Real-time simulation results using OPAL-RT are presented to verify the proper operation of the proposed converter. The operation of the proposed converter is investigated also under open-circuit fault condition to verify its fault-tolerance capability.