On the concept of a novel Reconfigurable Multi-Source Inverter

Nowadays, the two competing powertrains used in Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles are embodied by the Chevrolet Volt and the Toyota Prius. These powertrain architectures are costly which is primarily due to the fact that they either use a large and expensive battery pack or a smaller battery pack coupled to a power converter. The concept of a novel Reconfigurable Multi-Source Inverter (ReMS) is introduced in this paper where two or more DC sources with variable voltages are interconnected to a three phase output load. It is capable of connecting the two DC sources in a parallel or series configuration allowing the powertrain to reduce switching losses as well as sustain peak torque for higher motor speeds, which, in turn, allows for a reduction in battery size. A modified Space Vector Pulsewidth Modulation (SVPWM) scheme is used to control the ReMS where three phase AC waveforms are synthesized from 24 non-zero voltage vectors. Simulation results of the ReMS applied in a hybrid electric powertrain are conducted where a rectifier and Li-ion battery act as the two DC sources. Modes of operation, line-to-line voltages, the sinusoidal three phase currents and the state of charge of the battery are plotted.