Patent attributes
A medium or high voltage multi-inverter system is described, in which multiple inverter cells are included in a phase line to increase the voltage level supported by the system, and support higher voltage loads such as AC three-phase motors. In one configuration, five cells are used: two each in two phase lines, and one in a third phase line. In one of the phase lines having two cells, a second cell is series connected in reverse polarity, generates a phase matching the phase of the third line, while the other cell in the phase line generates an output with a different phase. One or more failure switches may be included to allow for short-circuiting of the output poles of one or more of the cells, so that in case of cell failure, the system can continue operation. For example, switches may be employed for the second cells in the two phase lines having two cells, and those cells may be available as spare cells in case of a cell failure.