Performance Evaluation of an Open-End Winding Electric Motor with Dual-Inverter Configuration and Simulated Star-Connection

This thesis evaluates the performance of an open-end winding permanent magnet synchronous motor with a dual-inverter configuration, aimed at improving efficiency and power output in electric vehicle applications. A particular approach is employed by using two inverters with distinct semiconductor technologies: a standard IGBT inverter and a fast-switching SiC inverter, configured with a shared DC-link. The system is designed to operate in two modes, with only the SiC inverter active at low speeds and both inverters engaged at high speeds to boost performance. A detailed analysis includes the rewinding of the motor to adapt for higher voltages and the resulting effects on current ripple, efficiency, and losses under varying loads and speeds. The thesis also explores the motor’s control when the two different inverters are deployed, considering the impact of zero-sequence voltage on dual-inverter operation. The results provide insights into achieving high efficiency with reduced current harmonics and discuss potential improvements in OEW-PMSM dual-inverter systems for scalable EV applications.