Reduced Switch Multilevel Converter for Grid Fed SRM Drive to Improve Magnetization and Demagnetization Characteristics of an SRM

The reduced switch multilevel converter for switched reluctance motor (SRM) is discussed in this article. This proposed converter boasts several advantageous features, such as increased voltage across the winding, scalable architecture, adjustable voltage across phases, and the ability to produce multilevel voltage. The performance of SRM drives heavily relies on the type of converter utilized, the control approach employed, and the specific application of the entire system. For these drives, several topologies have been designed. However, multilevel converters need more number of switches. This article introduces a novel reduced switch multilevel (RSML) converter for SRM drives. This proposed topology is distinguished by a reduced number of power semiconductors, resulting in a low-cost, small-size, and lightweight converter. This architecture provides a voltage boost for faster magnetisation and demagnetisation as well as increased system efficiency by decreasing the switching frequency during low-speed operation. The proposed topology uses a single dc source and a boost capacitor. The various modes of converter operation and the design of suitable voltage-boosting capacitor is discussed. The efficacy of the suggested converter is supported by simulation and experimental evidence.