Medium-Voltage Current-Source Converter Drives for Marine Propulsion System Using a Dual-Winding Synchronous Machine

Medium-voltage (MV) drives are increasingly used in high-power marine applications for running thrusters and main propulsion motors. In this paper, an MV drive solution employing active front-end current-source converters is proposed for a synchronous-motor-based propulsion system. The proposed solution includes two independent drives, each to control one of the two sets of three-phase windings of the synchronous motor. A dedicated communication link between the drives allows continuous load sharing and robust system operation in a master–follower drive configuration. Field-oriented control with the use of an absolute encoder is implemented for providing high starting torque and smooth speed control over a wide speed range including a 30% overspeed region. The major advantages of the proposed solution include simple structure, increased system power rating, redundant operation, low-harmonic input/output waveforms, improved reliability, elimination of a bulky input isolation transformer, and parallel drive control without the need of a complex coordinated inverter gating system. In addition, the system offers input power factor compensation and dynamic braking to allow operation on a generator-based supply system. Field test results obtained on a 14-MW ship propulsion system are provided to demonstrate the system performance.