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Purpose – This paper deals with the analysis, the modeling, the control and the fault-tolerance capability of a three-switch inverter (TSI, also known delta-inverter) fed fractional-slot six-phase brushless DC motor (BDCM) drive. Design/methodology/approach – Following the presentation of the advantages of multi-phase fractional-slot brushless machines and the possibility of their association to TSI, the analysis of the operating sequences as well as the modeling of a TSI fed six-phase BDCM drive are developed. Then, a dedicated control strategy of such a drive is synthesized. Finally, a case study is simulated considering both transient behaviour during the start-up of the BDCM as well as a steady-state one under healthy and faulty operations. Findings – It has been found that the 60-electrical degree shift between the six phases of the BDCM makes it simple to achieve its operating sequences with its armature fed by a TSI, considering a suitable anti-parallel connection of the six phases. Practical implications – Crucial cost benefits associated with improved compactness, reliability, and fault-tolerance capability could be gained thanks to the integration of TSI fed six-phase BDCM drives in large-scale production industries, such as the automotive one. Originality/value – The paper proposes an analysis of the operating sequences as well as the fault-tolerance capability of TSI fed six-phase BDCM drives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This study seeks to examine the analysis and control of a three-switch three-phase inverter (TSTPI)-fed brushless DC motor (BDCM) as well as the comparison of its performance with those yielded by six-switch three-phase inverter (SSTPI)-fed BDCM drives. Design/methodology/approach – The analysis of the six operating sequences of the TSTPI-fed BDCM drive followed by the implementation of a dedicated self-control strategy in such a drive and the comparison of its performance with those given by an SSTPI-fed BDCM drive. Findings – The dedicated self-control strategy required the integration of a torque loop in the implementation scheme in order to reduce torque ripple amplitude during sequence-to-sequence commutations. It has been shown that the TSTPI-fed BDCM offers high performances which are almost the same as those of the SSTPI-fed BDCM. Research limitations/implications – This work should be extended by building a test bench made up of a TSTPI-fed BDCM and the comparison between simulation results and experimental ones. Practical implications – A 50 per cent reduction in cost and compactness, and a 50 per cent increase in reliability make the TSTPI an interesting candidate especially in large-scale production applications such as the automotive industries. Originality/value – The paper proposes an approach to improve the cost-effectiveness and the volume-compactness of BDCM drives which represents a crucial challenge in electric and hybrid propulsion systems. It is the best solution compared with the conventional SSTPI and the four-switch three-phase inverter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]