A multiphase dual-inverter supplied drive structure for electric and hybrid electric vehicles

Open-end winding variable speed drives with dual-inverter supply have been extensively investigated for various applications, including series hybrid powertrains and propulsion motors. The existing body of work is restricted to the three-phase electric machinery. This paper looks at the possibility of using machines with higher phase numbers in an open-end winding configuration with dual multiphase inverter supply for these applications. Switching states for various phase numbers are considered first. Next, a study of the existing space vectors in a five-phase dual-inverter drive configuration is undertaken. This is followed by the discussion of the possible approaches to PWM control of such a drive system. Some simulation results for one particular PWM technique are finally reported.