NOVEL topology of traction converter with single phase Matrix converter

This paper presents research motivated by industrial demand for special traction drive topology devoted to minimization of traction transformer weight of traction vehicles. The main attention has been given to the special traction drive topology for AC power systems: input high voltage trolley converter (single phase) - middle frequency transformer (single phase) - output converter (single phase voltage-source active rectifier + three phase voltage-source inverter) - traction motor. This configuration can minimize traction transformer weight against topology with classical 50 Hz traction transformer. Several variants of innovative topologies of the traction vehicles fulfill the weight reduce requirements have been presented.