A Quasi-Z-Source Converter to Feed a Switched Reluctance Drive with Multilevel Voltages

This paper presents a quasi-Z-source (qZS) converter that allows to supply multilevel voltages for the switched reluctance machine (SRM) drive. The use of qZS converter in SRM drives allows obtaining better high speed operation characteristics since higher voltages can be achieved. The proposed drive uses a qZS converter but designed in order to be possible to apply, to the SRM, different voltage levels on the magnetizing and demagnetizing stages. The presented converter also allows to regulate the output voltages and the difference between the voltage levels. Thus, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the drive, by reducing the switching frequency, as well as having better characteristics for high-speed operation. Different configurations of the converter are presented and the modulator associated to the SRM drive is described. In order to verify the features of the proposed system several results are also presented and discussed.