Electric traction system

An electric traction system, comprising:

• a traction converter module comprising a positive input terminal and a negative input terminal for operatively coupling to a DC power supply, and a plurality of power inverters, each of which comprises positive and negative input nodes configured to receive DC power, and output nodes configured to supply AC power, wherein the positive and negative input nodes of the plurality of power inverters are electrically connected in series between the positive input terminal and the negative input terminal;
• at least one electric motor configured to be driven by the traction converter module, the at least one electric motor comprising a multi-phase electric motor;
• and
• a controller;
• wherein the plurality of power inverters comprise a first power inverter and a second power inverter, and the output nodes of the first and second power inverters are configured to supply AC power to the multi-phase electric motor so as to drive the multi-phase electric motor;
• wherein the plurality of power inverters further comprise a redundant power inverter, and the redundant power inverter comprises a bypass switch connected between its positive and negative input nodes;
• wherein the multi-phase electric motor comprises a redundant set of stator windings, and the output nodes of the redundant power inverter are electrically coupled to the redundant set of stator windings;
• and
• wherein the controller is configured to control on and off statuses of the bypass switch such that:
• when the bypass switch is on, the redundant power inverter is deactivated from supplying AC power to the redundant set of stator windings and when the bypass switch is off, the redundant power inverter is activated to supply AC power to the redundant set of stator windings.