Multi-level converter

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A multi-level converter (MLC) or (multi-level inverter) is a method of generating high-voltage wave-forms from lower-voltage components. MLC origins go back over a hundred years, when in the 1880s, the advantages of DC long-distance transmission became evident.[1]

Modular multi-level converters (MMC) were investigated by Tricoli et al in 2017. Although their viability for electric vehicles (EV) was established, suitable low-cost semiconductors to make this topology competitive are not currently available (as of 2019).[2]

In 1999, Tolbert described the use of MLC for battery operated electric motors.[3]

Habib's 2018 review paper[4] reviews multi-level inverters (a synonym for MLC) stating the advantages of bi-directional energy flows to power the motor or charge the battery system.

High-voltage DC converters

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HVDC converters typically use series connected switched capacitors blocks. The blocks are switched in or out of the circuit to form the desired waveform, typically three-phase AC.

Low-voltage DC converters

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Hydrogen generation via electrolysis requires DC currents over several thousand amperes, but DC voltages in the range of only 100...400 VDC. A high voltage modular multi-level converter (MMC) can be adapted by connecting a galvanically isolated LLC resonant converter to each module capacitor.[5] Several half-bridge and full-bridge based MMC topologies are evaluated in.[6] Such a converter can also be used to provide a centralized 400V DC power supply for data centers.

M2LeC

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M2LeC (pronounced Emlek), is a form of multi-level converter that combines the functions of generating electric motor wave-forms, with battery charging and management in a single set of power electronics hardware, where the various functions are performed through software alone.

References

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  1. ^ Arrillaga, Jos (1998). "Chapter 1". High Voltage Direct Current Transmission (Second ed.). Institution of Electrical Engineers. p. 1–9. ISBN 0852969414.
  2. ^ Tricoli, Pietro (Mar 2017). "Efficiency assessment of modular multilevel converters for battery electric vehicles" (PDF). IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics. 32 (3): 2041–2051. Bibcode:2017ITPE...32.2041Q. doi:10.1109/TPEL.2016.2557579. S2CID 8412590.
  3. ^ Tolbert, Leon M. (Jan–Feb 1999). "Multilevel Converters for Large Electric Drives". IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications. 35 (1): 36–44. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.468.9074. doi:10.1109/28.740843.
  4. ^ Habib, Salman (Jan 2018). "Assessment of electric vehicles concerning impacts, charging infrastructure with unidirectional and bidirectional chargers, and power flow comparisons". Int J Energy Res. 42 (11): 3416–3441. doi:10.1002/er.4033. S2CID 104109087.
  5. ^ Unruh, Roland; Schafmeister, Frank; Böcker, Joachim (November 30, 2020). "11kW, 70kHz LLC Converter Design with Adaptive Input Voltage for 98% Efficiency in an MMC". 2020 IEEE 21st Workshop on Control and Modeling for Power Electronics (COMPEL). pp. 1–8. doi:10.1109/COMPEL49091.2020.9265771. ISBN 978-1-7281-7160-9. S2CID 227278364 – via IEEE Xplore.
  6. ^ Unruh, Roland (October 2020). "Evaluation of MMCs for High-Power Low-Voltage DC-Applications in Combination with the Module LLC-Design". 22nd European Conference on Power Electronics and Applications (EPE'20 ECCE Europe). doi:10.23919/EPE20ECCEEurope43536.2020.9215687. ISBN 978-9-0758-1536-8. S2CID 222223518.