• Journal of Power Electronics
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• 제16권6호
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• pp.2109-2118
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• 2016

Based on the space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) theory, this paper realizes an easier SVPWM strategy, which is equivalently implemented by CBSPWM with zero-sequence voltage injection. The traditional SVPWM strategy has no effect on controlling the neutral-point voltage balance. In order to solve the neutral-point voltage unbalance problem for neutral-point-clamped (NPC) three-level inverters, this paper proposes a neutral-point voltage balance controller. The proposed controller realizes controlling the neutral-point voltage balance by dynamically calculating the offset superimposed to the three-phase modulation waves of an equivalent SVPWM strategy. Compared with the traditional SVPWM strategy, the proposed neutral-point voltage balance controller has a strong ability to balance the neutral-point voltage, has good steady-state performance, improves the output waveforms quality and is easy for digital implementation. An experiment has been carried out on a NPC three-level inverter prototype based on a digital signal processor-complex programmable logic device (DSP-CPLD). The obtained experimental results verify the effectiveness of the proposed neutral-point voltage balance controller.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• 제16권3호
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• pp.946-959
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• 2016

A novel Virtual Space Vector (VSV) modulation strategy for complete control of potential neutral point (NP) issues is proposed in this paper. The neutral point potential balancing problems of multi-level converters, which include elimination of low frequency oscillations and self-balancing for NP dc unbalance, are investigated first. Then a set of improved virtual space vectors with dynamic adjustment factors are introduced and a multi-objective optimization algorithm which aims to optimize these adjustment factors is presented in this paper. The improved virtual space vectors and the multi-objective optimization algorithm constitute the novel Virtual Space Vector modulation. The proposed novel Virtual Space Vector modulation can simultaneously recover NP dc unbalance and eliminate low frequency oscillations of the neutral point. Experiment results show that the proposed strategy has excellent performance, and that both of the neutral point potential issues can be solved.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.221-230
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• 2005

This paper reviews the pivotal phases of the evolution of the current technology-dependent nuclear power safety regulation in the United States. Understanding of this evolution is essential to the development of any future regulatory paradigm, including the technology-neutral regulatory approach that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has recently embarked on to develop. The paper proposes and examines the implications of a predominately rationalist and best-estimate probabilistic regulatory framework called safety goals-driven performance-based regulation. This framework relies on continuous assessment of performance of a set of time-dependent safety-critical systems, structures and components that assure attainment of a broad set of technology-neutral protective, mitigative, and preventive goals. Finally, the paper discusses the steps needed to develop a corresponding technology-neutral regulatory system from the proposed framework.

• 반도체디스플레이기술학회지
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.72-77
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• 2015

Three-level diode clamped multilevel inverter, generally known as neutral point clamped (NPC) inverter, has an inherent problem causing neutral point (NP) potential variation. Until now, the NP potential problem of variation has been investigated and lots of solutions have also been proposed. This paper presents a neutral point voltage control technology using the anti-windup PI controller and offset technology of PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) to control the variation of NPC 3-phase three-level inverter neutral point voltage. And the proposed algorithm is tested and verified using a PLL (Phase Locked Loop) in order to synchronize the phase voltage from the line voltage of grid. It significantly improves the voltage balancing under a solar fluctuation conditions of the inverter. Experimental results show the good performance and effectiveness of the proposed method.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• 제15권5호
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• pp.1207-1216
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• 2015

In order to suppress the low frequency oscillation of the neutral-point voltage for three-level inverters, this paper proposes a new discontinuous pulse width modulation (DPWM) control method. The conventional sinusoidal pulse width modulation (SPWM) control has no effect on balancing the neutral-point voltage. Based on the basic control principle of DPWM, the relationship between the reference space voltage vector and the neutral-point current is analyzed. The proposed method suppresses the low frequency oscillation of the neutral-point voltage by keeping the switches of a certain phase no switching in one carrier cycle. So the operating time of the positive and negative small vectors is equal. Comparing with the conventional SPWM control method, the proposed DPWM control method suppresses the low frequency oscillation of the neutral-point voltage, decreases the output waveform harmonics, and increases both the output waveform quality and the system efficiency. An experiment has been realized by a neutral-point clamped (NPC) three-level inverter prototype based on STM32F407-CPLD. The experimental results verify the correctness of the theoretical analysis and the effectiveness of the proposed DPWM method.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.445-455
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• 2018

A novel algorithm is proposed to regulate the neutral point potential in neutral point clamped three-level inverters. Oscillations of the neutral point potential and an unbalanced dc-link voltage cause distortions of the output voltage. Large capacitors, which make the application costly and bulky, are needed to eliminate oscillations. Thus, the algorithm proposed in this paper utilizes the finite-control-set model predictive control and the multistage medium vector to solve these issues. The proposed strategy consists of a two-step prediction and a cost function to evaluate the selected multistage medium vector. Unlike the virtual vector method, the multistage medium vector is a mixture of the virtual vector and the original vector. In addition, its amplitude is variable. The neutral point current generated by it can be used to adjust the neutral point potential. When compared with the virtual vector method, the multistage medium vector contributes to decreasing the regulation time when the modulation index is high. The vectors are rearranged to cope with the variable switching frequency of the model predictive control. Simulation and experimental results verify the validity of the proposed strategy.

• 전력전자학회:학술대회논문집
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• 전력전자학회 2014년도 전력전자학술대회 논문집
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• pp.514-515
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• 2014

3상 4선식 인버터에서 불평형 부하는 중성선 전류를 증가시키고, 이는 직류링크 전압 불 평형을 야기한다. 이러한 이유로, neutral leg을 추가하여 불평형 부하에서 중성선전류와 직류링크전압 불평형을 제어방법이 제안되었다. 본 논문은 상태궤환제어를 이용하여 중성선전류와 직류링크전압 불평형을 제어하는 neutral leg 제어기설계 방법을 제안한다. 제안한설계 방법은 neutral leg의 파라미터 변동에도 우수한 특성을 가진다. 시뮬레이션을 통하여 본 논문이 제안한 제어방법의 타당성과 실효성을 증명한다.

• 전력전자학회:학술대회논문집
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• 전력전자학회 2017년도 추계학술대회
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• pp.95-96
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• 2017

A three-level inverter is widely used thanks to its excellent performances, but the voltage may fluctuate at the neutral point of the split DC-Link. Neutral point voltage fluctuations cause inverter performance degradation and switching element damage, so the neutral point voltage control is essential. However, the neutral point control can be also limited by modulation index and power factor. This paper analyzes the limitation of the neutral point voltage control due to the limitation of zero-sequence voltage, and suggests a method to determine the region where the PWM has to be changed for a better neutral point control.

• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.75-82
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• 2015

This paper presents a new technique for enhancing power quality by reducing harmonics in the neutral conductor. Three-Phase Four-Wire (3P4W) system is commonly used where single and three phase loads are connected to Point of Common Coupling (PCC). Due to unbalance loads, the 3P4W distribution system becomes unbalance and current flows in the neutral conductor. If loads are non-linear, then the harmonic content of current will flow in neutral conductor. The neutral current that may flow towards transformer neutral point is compensated by using a series active filter. In order to reduce the harmonic content, the series active filter is connected in series with the neutral conductor by which neutral and phase current harmonics are reduced significantly. In this paper, solar PV based inverter circuit is proposed for compensating neutral current harmonics. The simulation is carried out in MATLAB/SIMULINK and also an experimental setup is developed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.

• 한국진공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국진공학회 2011년도 제40회 동계학술대회 초록집
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• pp.234-234
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• 2011

Electron-neutral collision frequency is one of the important parameters in the plasma physics and in industrial plasma engineering. We can understand the momentum, energy, and charge transport properties of the plasma using electron-neutral collision frequency.[1] The wave-cutoff method is a diagnostic method for the electron density measurement, but the cutoff peak value depends on gas pressure. The wave-cutoff signal becomes unclear as increasing gas pressure. The reason of pressure dependence is that the electron-neutral collision disturbs electron motion so that microwave can propagate through plasma at plasma frequency.[2] Using the pressure dependence of wave-cutoff method we can find the electron-neutral collision frequency. At first we tried to confirm this method using well known gas such as Ar. The cutoff signal decrease as increasing gas pressure (the simulation result). The wave-cutoff signal is unclear at a gas pressure of 500 mTorr. (electron density $1.0{\times}10^{10}/cm^3$, electron temperature 1.7 eV, electron -neutral collision frequency~1 GHz). In this condition, the electron-neutral collision frequency is closed to the wave-cutoff frequency.