Hybrid control topology for regenerative cascaded H-bridge circuitry

A variable frequency drive system, comprising:

• a transformer comprising a primary coil and multiple secondary coils;
• one or more current sensors coupled to the primary coil;
• a regenerative power cell coupled to each of the multiple secondary coils, the regenerative power cell comprising:
• a converter circuit comprising a three-phase regenerative bridge, wherein an input of the converter circuit is coupled to the respective secondary coil,
• an inverter circuit comprising H-bridge circuitry, wherein an input of the inverter circuit is coupled to an output of the converter circuit through a direct current (DC) link capacitor bank,
• an output terminal coupled to an output of the inverter circuit, and
• a controller, comprising cell fault detection logic and converter gating control logic, wherein:
• the cell fault detection logic is configured to detect voltage values at the input of the converter circuit,
• the cell fault detection logic identifies faults based at least in part on the voltage values detected at the input of the converter circuit,
• the converter gating control logic controls behavior of the converter circuit based on one or more of signals from the cell fault detection logic and signals from a central fault detection logic;
• and
• a central controller communicatively coupled to the regenerative power cell and the one or more current sensors, the central controller comprising the central fault detection logic and inverter gating control logic, wherein:
• the central fault detection logic identifies faults based at least in part on current readings from the one or more current sensors, and
• the inverter gating control logic controls behavior of the inverter circuit.