Motor performance investigation of an indirect matrix converter with a reactor-free boost converter

This paper describes a three‐phase power converter which utilizes the neutral point of an induction motor and demonstrates the performance of the motor using the proposed method under various operating conditions. Several motor test results, such as the speed–torque characteristic, the torque impact, and the acceleration–deceleration characteristic, are included to confirm the performance of the induction motor. The structure of the proposed circuit consists primarily of an AC/AC converter [indirect matrix converter (IMC)] and a boost converter connected to the neutral point of the induction motor. In addition, this paper also proposes a method to reduce the ripple found in the battery current. Several experimental results show that the motor works well, and even the leakage inductance is utilized in the boost converter. © 2012 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.