Twelve-step current source inverter

Abstract

At least one smoothing reactor is connected to the positive terminal of a DC source. A first interphase reactor has its one end connected to the other end of the smoothing reactor. A second interphase reactor is connected to the negative terminal of the DC source. Each of the first and second interphase reactors has first and second terminals at the other end thereof. Connected between the first terminals of the first and second interphase reactors is a first inverter comprising three main valves on each side of the positive and negative terminals, i.e., a total of six main valves each having a control gate and forming a first three-phase bridge. Also connected between the second terminals of the first and second interphase reactors is a second inverter comprising three main valves arranged on each side of the positive and negative terminals, i.e., a total of six main valves each having a control gate and forming a second three-phase bridge. The three-phase output terminals of the first and second inverters are respectively connected in common to a load to supply first-phase, second-phase and third-phase output currents to the load. A control unit applies control gate pulses to the control gates of the positive-terminal-side and negative-terminal-side main valves of the first and second inverters in the order of the first, second and third phases to shape the waveform of each output current to the load into a rectangular waveform. The control unit controls the first and second inverters in such a manner that the current valves of two currents which flow to the main valves of the first and second inverters having the same phase and polarity includes ranges in which the currents periodically assume the same current value.