1. Introduction
An induction motor comprises numerous advantages, mainly with a clear structure, substantiated operation, and the limited capacity of definite power. In conventional electric traction, sensor-based parallel connected induction motors require an inverter set up for every motor. The standard traction drives include a boost converter, one voltage source inverter for one induction motor, and combined rectifiers that have faded eventually. To achieve the energy-efficient traction drive, the complexity and cost of the conventional method are reduced by the proposed setup of single inverter fed polyphase induction motors in parallel. The polyphase has several advantages compared to three-phase machines. Initially, scalar control methods were used to control the induction motors, but the technique was complicated because of computations. Speed of the motor was sensed using tacho-generators, and the Lyapunov formula verified the speed deviation of the feedback system. The system requires better control performance, precision, and quicker torque response [
1].
For designing the controllers for the machine and detecting faults in the machine, the accurate modeling of the induction motor is necessary. Any parameter of the system such as speed, torque, or flux depends on the design of a controller, which is based on the transfer function. The different types of mathematical modeling are the first method, system identification methods, finite element method, equivalent magnetic circuit approach, ordinary differential equation, linear/nonlinear differential equation, a model with lumped parameter and distorted parameter, and static and dynamic modeling. The mathematical model described by ordinary differential equations is used in the theory of electrical machines. They describe the relationship between electromagnetic torque and main electrical and mechanical quantities. To describe the magnetic field, temperature distribution, and another quantity of electrical machines, partial differential equations can be used as they describe these more completely. However, the drawback while using partial differential equations is that they are considerably complicated for investigation purposes [
2].
For both industries and academics, induction motors’ simulation and dynamic modeling carry significant importance. Their value increases more because of the widespread presence of induction motor drives in dissimilar construction settings and for sensor-less control induction motors. Therefore, this paper presents a detailed discussion about the dynamic modeling of an asynchronous motor [
3].
Generally, an AC motor is driven by a DC to AC converter equipped with a speed sensor, but this speed sensor may tend to lower the system’s reliability and increase the investment cost. Moreover, its implementation is difficult. To conquer this difficulty, many researchers focus on sensorless induction motor drives. Under feedback conditions, various speeds and production were contrasted under internal parameter variation and external disturbances. It was reached to the conclusion that the staging of model reference Adaptive System (MRAS) has the upper hand over variant speed estimators [
4].
The MRAS model for the speed approximation of AC motor drive. Many of these choices provide high accuracy and also the alteration of parameters is consequently vigorous. Two-layer artificial neural networks (ANN) could be with the controller in the previous MRAS techniques, yet the input design has always been required to determine the motor flux manipulated as a speed adjustment signal [
5].
The ability to detect the faults in the motor is termed induction motor monitoring. During its period of operation, an induction motor faces problems such as over-voltage, above-rated current, high temperature, high rated speed, and high circulating bearing current. Keeping the perspective of enhanced system design, sanctuary, and fault unbiased control, it becomes extremely important to develop the awareness of an induction motor drive system under high circulating current conditions. Electrical researchers’ intrinsic and challenging topic was the behavioral study of induction motor during parameter variation conditions [
6].
The circulating bearing current is a major problem in the inverter fed parallel-connected traction motors. The high CMV in a two-level DC to AC converter led to high changes in voltage (
) and generated high-frequency CBC. The ratio of bearing and CMC is analyzed for the various ratings of machines [
7,
8]. The conclusion of voltage in common mode makes the machine ready to remove the bearing current. This work introduces a creative answer to reduce the bearing currents by supporting a fourth limb circuitry in the inverter, and procedures are simulated using MATLAB [
9].
A numerical prototype is produced for a summed-up drive framework, including common mode components; it is utilized to investigate the problems of soft switched resonant systems. The control techniques effectively make up for sinking the common-mode voltage instabilities [
10].
In this work, a scientific prototype for parallel frameworks in the drive is created to incorporate Discrepancy and common mode characteristics. The prototype has been checked by PC re-enactment as a real apparatus for creating answers for the current regulator in common mode and relief in parallel drive frameworks. This method is reasonable for foreseeing the odd things irregular to converters. A parallel drive framework was planned and worked out to achieve the challenging input and output voltage THD. The output voltage THD prerequisite was uniquely achieved using a regulator system to increase the highest yield voltage usage to reduce the common-mode voltage [
11,
12].
Due to their high powerful exhibitions, variable speed drives are developing significance in modern applications. PWM inverters are essentially in charge of VSDs dynamic activity; however, they increase bearing flows [
13]. The parasitic capacitance existing in the mechanism is not an issue at lesser frequencies, yet at developed carrier frequencies, it gives indicting pathways and fabricates shaft voltages [
14]. This paper displays a functioning answer for the typical 3 phase CMV shaped by a characteristic 3 phase inverter. It is demonstrated that the expansion of a fourth limb to the orientation of a three-stage inverter reduces the CMV to the ground made by a variation of the DC to AC converter [
15].
A high-performance induction motor drive with PWM techniques for lessening CMV in the direct torque control method is discussed. Because the projected technique did not use sector identification and angle data, it reduced the quality which is a concern in typical strategies. Active voltage vectors are adapted to the output voltage to cut back CMV within the projected technique. Simulation studies are administrated with the hardware setup [
16].
The numerous revisions for minimizing the CMV of induction motor drive are considered. These interpretations focused on the look of choke in common mode and numerous kinds of dynamic filters. Since these strategies need further prototype and have disadvantages of growth in electrical converter mass and capacity that are ineluctable. Direct force management is arising technique for dominant the PWM induction motor drives compared to the vector-controlled induction motor [
17].
Almost all the researchers adopted uniquely one organization to estimate the transient behavior of the machine. The d-q axis-based modeling is projected to analyze the temporary representation of induction motor in different reference frames: stationary organization, rotor organization, and synchronously rotating organization. The common-mode current reduction of induction motor drive using PWM techniques is associated with tentative results [
18,
19].
The system needs improved control performance and precision. These were tough demands because of the complex calculations involved. Taco-generators or encoders are used as sensors to calculate the motor’s speed. This led to an increase in overall expenses. Nowadays, motor drives do not have sensors for calculating speed due to improvements and modifications. The proposed method deals with the problems that took place in the ripple force LHSM drive [
20].
The modification took place in the electric traction for rail and road vehicles. The discussion focuses on the increase in the modularity of new traction inverters in all sizes and the introduction of new hybrid vehicles which use advanced power electronics. In vector control, connecting orientation in the steady and transient states can be obtained by controlling the instantaneous positions of voltage, current, and flux space control variables, and torque can be obtained by coordinating transformations to new field coordinates [
21]. The staging of MRAS has the upper hand over the variant speed estimator, but the fact that MRAS demands a precise model of the drive system and speed difference between two motors added to its disadvantage. If the speed differences between two motors tend to be large, the system cannot achieve complete stability. Therefore, a new sensorless device was proposed based on an adaptive observer and a modified decoupling-controlled technology. However, this technology was not much feasible as the speed estimation was found to be unstable in the regenerative region. This paper focuses on analyzing parameters such as speed and flux evaluations of an asynchronous motor without a sensor using reduced-order observers [
22]. All gain selections which provide stability are found. In addition to the above, this paper also describes some freshly identified properties of reduced-order observers. For a dual induction motor in parallel, the authors work on a method called vector control. This method requires high-speed digital processors and is based on averages and differences of system parameters.
It concluded that the system remained stable for only unequal load conditions and was unable to gain stability for heavily loaded conditions. The SVPWM based constant voltage by frequency closed-loop method without sensor is used to analyze the performance of the high-power asynchronous motor. A dc to ac converter with a DC link used for driving induction motor has been proposed. The SVPWM technique helps to reduce the losses and current values of secondary switches. It is important to decrease the losses and current value of secondary switch for commutation circuit as it is active for a considerate period [
23].
The proposed work uses four dissimilar Multilevel Inverter (MLI) topologies for ANN-based sensorless induction motor drive x to reduce the CBC. The modified, reduced switch topology is simulated and compared with the NPC topology, T-bridge, and H-bridge topology. The modified H-bridge DC to AC converter requires a lesser number of mechanisms at apiece level, and hence, the expense switching loss of the inverters are less also reduced common-mode voltage with fewer harmonics than the conventional inverters. Multilevel inverter overcomes the high switching loss and harmonics to a required level which is apt for medium to large voltage and power applications.
Section 2 points out the five-phase inverter’s modeling and analysis in this paper. The multilevel inverter topologies are discussed in
Section 4.
Section 5 describes the simulation results of the modified method.
Section 6 describes the hardware implementations of inverter fed two induction motors in parallel for traction applications.
Section 7 concludes the results and analysis of induction motor drive.
4. Modelling and Its Analysis of Multilevel Inverter Topologies for Induction Motor Traction Drive
The proposed work is carried out using four dissimilar inverter models. The models are diode-clamped, flying capacitor, H-bridge, and reduced switch topology. The cascaded H-bridge inverter requires fewer mechanisms in all the levels. Hence, the inverters’ expense, switching loss, and heaviness are less than the conventional inverters. Multilevel inverter overcomes the high switching loss and brings harmonics to a required level which is apt for medium to large voltage and power applications. The methodology of reduced switch cascaded H-bridge inverter fed induction motor drive for traction application is depicted in
Figure 6a. The circulating current of the induction motor is reduced by reducing the common-mode voltage of the inverter to increase the lifetime and efficiency of the proposed system.
The pulse width modulation scheme decides the sequence of switching. The state-of-the-art technology of PWM techniques includes a multicarrier pulse width modulation scheme (MCPWM). The MCPWM techniques are represented in
Figure 6b.
4.1. T-Type Multilevel Inverter
In this research, a new topology created on a T-type five-level inverter is projected, primarily based on multicarrier-based pulse width modulation technique. This topology shows five levels of voltage and reduced common-mode voltage. To verify whether it is efficient and feasible, a design and its output waveform are compared with the conventional methods. The proposed T-type multilevel inverter is depicted in
Figure 7.
The supply voltage is given to the MOSFETS through the filters, and the transformer is connected between switches and R load for isolation. The CMV was measured among the system load and neutral points.
The demand is for high-performance converters that have reduced size in low voltage applications. For using the passive elements that have their weight and size reduced, the switching frequency is usually within 10–25 kHz for better system efficiency. Multilevel inverters have a very efficient solution that presents the required higher efficiency, high output voltage, and reduction in the size per inverter leg. However, 2-level topologies are still in use as the standard industrial solution for applications related to low voltage.
A 5 level T-type topology using eight bidirectional controlled switches S1–S8. One autotransformer with windings N1 and N2. In this proposed inverter, the voltage levels are in sequence of +Vin/4, +Vin/2, 0, −Vin/4, −Vin/2. The proposed topology consists of 8 MOSFET switches, 2 RC filters, a linear transformer, and an R Load.
4.2. Neutral Point Clamped (NPC) Multilevel Inverter
The voltage source DC to AC converter used in the existing locomotive traction drive consists of distorted output. The proposed model has replaced a conventional two-level VSI with NPC multilevel DC to an AC converter. It can reduce small disturbance using the improved modulation procedure. Production voltages of five-level five-phase inverters are obtained using different capacitors at different switching frequencies. For controlling the switches in the inverter, a modified PWM technique is implemented. For instance, Switches 1 to 4 should run simultaneously to have
in the output. The Four switches are carried out for each voltage level, as shown in
Table 3. Half the DC source is the highest output voltage in the proposed method.
It is necessary to calculate the switching positions so that the output voltage THD becomes as small as possible. Calculating the switching angle used in this dissertation is the harmonic elimination technique. This technique can eliminate the dominant harmonics by selecting calculated switching angles. The diode clamped multilevel inverter is shown in
Figure 8.
4.3. Cascaded H-Bridge Topology Inverter
The cascaded H bridge is created with four switches and is depicted in
Figure 9. H-bridge topology is more favorable than diode clamped topology because a greater number of diodes are used, which also affects the cost of the inverter. The switching states of the cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverter are depicted in
Table 4.
4.4. Proposed Reduced Switch Topology
Two input DC voltages are provided to obtain the desired output, and 6 numbers of switches are used instead of 8 switches in the proposed method. Four repeating sequences are provided at the input side with different time values and output values; this will provide 4 voltages for the switching sequence, as shown in
Figure 10. The switching sequence acts as a driver circuit. The circuit makes up the maximum critical portion of the circuitry unit. It is the most important part of the inverter and provides a triggering pulse to the IGBT switches in the desired sequence. The proposed work deals with the reduction of switches with modified MCPWM. As the number of stages is improved in the inverter, there is a drop in harmonics distortion, resulting in reduced common-mode voltage and circulating bearing current. They are used for increasing the levels in the circuit. The switching states of the proposed topology are given in
Table 5. Modified Pulse Width Modulator is used for giving the input to the circuit.
Proposed cascaded H-bridge can be defined as when witches are connected in H formation back-to-back, and level output can be obtained from this formation.
The conventional H-bridge consists of 8 IGBT switches. In the proposed topology, the number of switches is reduced from 8 to 6. This means switching losses are also decreased, making this topology more efficient and useful. Switches inthe five-phase 5 Level inverter have been presented in this proposed work. The benefits of this require a lowernumber of IGBT than conventional topologies.
5. Simulation Results and Discussion
The simulation is carried out using four dissimilar Multilevel Inverter (MLI) Topologies. The modified, reduced switch topology is simulated and compared with the NPC topology, T-bridge topology, and H-bridge topology. The modified H-bridge DC to AC converter requires a lesser number of mechanisms at an apiece level. Hence, the expense switching loss of the inverters is less than that of the conventional inverters. Multilevel inverter overcomes the high switching loss and harmonics to a required level which is apt for medium to large voltage and power applications.
The output voltage of the T-bridge multilevel inverter is 400 V in amplitude for the 400 V input voltage and common-mode voltage is 100 V in amplitude using sinusoidal pulse width modulation techniques and 40 V amplitude using multi-carrier sinusoidal pulse width modulation techniques as depicted in
Figure 11,
Figure 12 and
Figure 13. The common-mode voltage of the T-bridge inverter has less amplitude compared to the conventional two-level inverter.
The output voltage of NPC multilevel inverter is 400 V in amplitude for the 400 V input voltage, and the common-mode voltage is 40 V in amplitude using sinusoidal pulse width modulation techniques and 20 V amplitude using multi-carrier sinusoidal pulse width modulation techniques as depicted in
Figure 14,
Figure 15 and
Figure 16. The common-mode voltage of NPC multilevel inverter has less amplitude compared to the conventional two-level inverter and T-bridge multilevel inverter.
The output voltage of 8 switches five-level cascaded H-bridge inverter is 400 V in amplitude for the 400 V input voltage, and the common-mode voltage is 36 V in amplitude using sinusoidal pulse width modulation techniques and 10 V amplitude using multi-carrier sinusoidal pulse width modulation techniques as depicted in
Figure 17,
Figure 18 and
Figure 19. The common-mode voltage of 8 switches five-level cascaded H-bridge has less amplitude compared to the conventional two-level inverter and T-bridge multilevel inverter and NPC multilevel inverter.
The output voltage of 6 switches five-level cascaded H-bridge inverter is 400 V in amplitude for the 400 V input voltage, and the common-mode voltage is 20 V in amplitude using sinusoidal pulse width modulation techniques and 6 V amplitude using multi-carrier sinusoidal pulse width modulation techniques as depicted in
Figure 20,
Figure 21 and
Figure 22. The common-mode voltage of 6 switches five-level cascaded H-bridge inverter has less in amplitude compared to the conventional two-level inverter and T-bridge multilevel inverter, NPC multilevel inverter, and 8 switches five-level cascaded H-bridge inverter.
The use of five phases in this technique enhances the machine’s productivity and reduces the losses in the machine compared to the three-phase machine. The proposed five-phase induction motor drives are simulated with four different multilevel inverter topologies. The simulated results are compared with the theoretical calculation, and the optimized method has been identified based on reduced CMV and CBC.
6. Hardware Results and Discussion
The power electronics converter built the adjustable speed drives for various applications. As per the facts, the DC to AC converter induced common-mode voltage is the principal cause of current in a common mode which originates the bearing current. The high Circulating Bearing Current (CBC) could lead to damage at the output terminal resulting in damage of motor bearings and leading to malfunctioning of electric components of the machine. The different methods to limit the circulating currents are the design of the filter, repetition of switching, multilevel inverter with modified PWM techniques, common-mode hardware, and insulated ground system.
The improved performance attained in the simulation is analyzed experimentally. In the proposed ANN-BASED MRAS, the conventional adjustable model was replaced by the artificial neural network, and ANN in the adaptation mechanism replaced the PI controller. The outputs of the two models are compared until there is no error between the two models. With a proper estimation of rotor speed, the fluxes solved by the two models must be equivalent.
CBC and the common mode current path are attached with common-mode flux
The simulated values are compared with the theoretical values using the following equations, and the comparisons are also illustrated in
Table 6.
An adjustable system with the ANN controller could monitor the speed until the two-flux values are matched. The FOC-based voltage source inverter fed sensorless induction drive performance has been improved compared to the conventional method, but energy efficiency is also adequate due to the sensorless drive hardware setup, which is shown in
Figure 23.
The circulating bearing current of the proposed induction motor drive has been reduced to 0.036 ampere compared to T-bridge, NPC, and cascaded H-bridge multilevel inverters, depicted in
Figure 24,
Figure 25,
Figure 26 and
Figure 27.
Proposed methods have improved performance, such as reduced common-mode voltage, reduced switches, and circulating bearing current, compared to the conventional methods.
The problem of the conventional method is compensated by the proposed method. The error in the speed, nearly zero, in the proposed method is depicted in
Figure 28. The circulating bearing current of the modified H-bridge multilevel inverters induction motor drive has been reduced to 0.036 Ampere compared to T-bridge, NPC, and H-bridge multilevel inverters. The simulated values are associated with the mathematical equations using the theoretic standards. The comparison is made between theoretical and hardware depicted in
Table 6. The input voltage and output voltage of multilevel inverter topologies are 400 V in amplitude.