High-Efficiency Operation of an Open-Ended Winding Induction Motor Using Constant Power Factor Control

A controller is presented for an open-ended winding motor dual-inverter drive (DID), where main and floating inverters are supplied from a dc power source and a floating dc capacitor, respectively. The controller utilizes the efficiency characteristic of induction machines, where high power conversion efficiencies are obtained when operating the machine with a constant fundamental power factor, typically around 0.70–0.75, over a wide load range and under variable frequency. The controller uses the drive's topology to maintain the motor's desired power factor. In essence, the main inverter's output voltage is used to control the floating inverter's dc capacitor voltage to keep the injected fundamental voltages of both inverters at a desired ratio. The floating inverter's voltage is operated with a 90° lead relative to the main inverter and uses a constant maximum amplitude modulation depth to minimize the capacitor's operating voltage. This approach updates the motor's voltage automatically to ensure constant power factor operation and improves the floating capacitor's voltage stability during transient conditions. The inherent voltage-boosting capability of this topology is especially beneficial in extending the constant torque region of the motor and improving performance in the speed range extension region. Simulation and experimental results verify the predicted motor efficiency gains and stability under speed and load transients.