Abstract：Multilevel converter has been widely used in the medium/high-voltage high-power conversion fields. This paper proposes a new family of topologies named V-clamp multilevel converters (VMCs), which can achieve medium-voltage high-power conversion by a small number of devices. Besides, without flying capacitors employed in the phase legs, the control of the VMC is much easier and simpler. This paper reveals the composition of the VMC topology family, including the expansion method, general form, and evolution type. On this basis, this paper investigates the working principle and control method of VMCs, and analyzes the direct clamping mechanism and blocking voltage distribution. Compared with the existing multilevel converters, the VMC is more suitable for medium-voltage applications. The simulation and experimental results verify the feasibility of the VMC topology family and control method, and further prove the correctness of the theoretical analysis in this paper.
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