Newly proposed hybrid resonant commutation bridge‐leg link snubber‐assisted three‐phase ZVZCS‐PWM soft‐switching inverter

This paper presents the newly proposed hybrid resonant commutation bridge‐leg link (HRCB) snubber circuit which can achieve zero voltage and zero current soft‐switching commutation for single‐phase and three‐phase voltage source‐type inverter, along with its unique features and operation principle. The circuit parameter design approach for the HRCB snubber circuit and the determination estimating scheme of the gate pulse timing processing which is more suitable and acceptable for single‐phase and space voltage vector modulated three‐phase voltage source inverter using the HRCB snubber circuit are described in this paper. In particular, the three‐phase voltage source soft‐switching inverter associated with the proposed HRCB circuits are evaluated and discussed from simulation and experimental viewpoints. The practical effectiveness of the HRCB snubber‐assisted three‐phase voltage source soft‐switching inverter using IGBT power modules which is based on the instantaneous space voltage vector modulation is clarified on the output voltage waveform, actual efficiency of electromagnetic noise in comparison with three‐phase voltage source‐type conventional hard‐switching inverter. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 157(4): 75–84, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20111     

A novel prototype of auxiliary edge resonant bridge leg link snubber‐assisted soft‐switching sine‐wave PWM inverter

This paper proposes a new circuit topology of the three‐phase soft‐switching PWM inverter and PFC converter using IGBT power modules, which has the improved active auxiliary switch and edge resonant bridge leg‐commutation‐link soft‐switching snubber circuit with pulse current regenerative feedback loop as compared with the typical auxiliary resonant pole snubber discussed previously. This three‐phase soft‐switching PWM double converter is more suitable and acceptable for a large‐capacity uninterruptible power supply, PFC converter, utility‐interactive bidirectional converter, and so forth. In this paper, the soft‐switching operation and optimum circuit design of the novel type active auxiliary edge resonant bridge leg commutation link snubber treated here are described for high‐power applications. Both the main active power switches and the auxiliary active power switches achieve soft switching under the principles of ZVS or ZCS in this three‐phase inverter switching. This three‐phase soft‐switching commutation scheme can effectively minimize the switching surge‐related electromagnetic noise and the switching power losses of the power semiconductor devices; IGBTs and modules used here. This three‐phase inverter and rectifier coupled double converter system does not need any sensing circuit and its peripheral logic control circuits to detect the voltage or the current and does not require any unwanted chemical electrolytic capacitor to make the neutral point of the DC power supply voltage source. The performances of this power conditioner are proved on the basis of the experimental and simulation results. Because the power semiconductor switches (IGBT module packages) have a trade‐off relation in the switching fall time and tail current interval characteristics as well as the conductive saturation voltage characteristics, this three‐phase soft‐switching PWM double converter can improve actual efficiency in the output power ranges with a trench gate controlled MOS power semiconductor device which is much improved regarding low saturation voltage. The effectiveness of this is verified from a practical point of view. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 155(4): 64–76, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20207     

Improvement of power conversion efficiency of soft‐switching inverter in range of low output power by adjustable dead time control

The power conversion efficiency of soft‐switching inverters can be improved by using loss‐less snubber commutation; however, the main switches of the inverter fail in zero‐voltage turn‐on when the output current is small. As a solution to this problem, adjustable dead time control in a loss‐less snubber commutation according to the magnitude of output current has been proposed. Adjustable dead time control achieves zero‐voltage turn‐on of the inverter main switches in a loss‐less snubber commutation in the range of low output current; however, waveforms of the output current of the inverter become distorted. In this paper, we propose a scheme for adjustable dead time control with dead time compensation for soft‐switching inverters. The effectiveness of the proposed control scheme is verified by experiments. Experimental results demonstrate that when the proposed control scheme is adopted, the power conversion efficiency in the range of low output power improves up to about 3% and the THD is improved within 3%. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 180(1): 57–64, 2012; Published online in Wiley Online Library ( wileyonlinelibrary.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.21282     

Series resonant ZCS‐PFM DC‐DC power converter with high‐frequency high‐voltage transformer link for high‐power magnetron drive

This paper presents a single lossless inductive snubber‐assisted ZCS‐PFM series resonant DC‐DC power converter with a high‐frequency high‐voltage transformer link for industrial‐use high‐power magnetron drive. The current flowing through the active power switches rises gradually at a turned‐on transient state with the aid of a single lossless snubber inductor, and ZCS turn‐on commutation based on overlapping current can be achieved via the wide range pulse frequency modulation control scheme. The high‐frequency high‐voltage transformer primary side resonant current always becomes continuous operation mode, by electromagnetic loose coupling design of the high‐frequency high‐voltage transformer and the magnetizing inductance of the high‐frequency high‐voltage transformer. As a result, this high‐voltage power converter circuit for the magnetron can achieve a complete zero current soft switching under the condition of broad width gate voltage signals. Furthermore, this high‐voltage DC‐DC power converter circuit can regulate the output power from zero to full over audible frequency range via the two resonant frequency circuit design. Its operating performances are evaluated and discussed on the basis of the power loss analysis simulation and the experimental results from a practical point of view. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 153(3): 79–87, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20126     

Dead‐time elimination SVPWM of six‐leg inverter

We present a six‐leg voltage source inverter (VSI) with a single DC link to feed a three‐phase inductive load. The space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) of the six‐leg inverter is studied in detail. The novel switching strategy in one sampling period for H bridge is proposed to avoid the 180° phase shift of the PWM signals for upper and lower side switches. Based on the novel switching strategy, a dead‐time elimination SVPWM is proposed, which can be easily implemented on a digital signal processor. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate the validity and features of the proposed novel SVPWM. © 2015 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Analysis,design and implementation of a high‐voltage gain DC‐DC converter

An interleaved DC‐DC converter with soft switching technique is presented. There are two converter modules in the adopted circuit to share the load power. Since the interleaved pulse‐width modulation (PWM) is adopted to control two circuit modules, the ripple currents at input and output sides are naturally reduced. Therefore the input and output capacitances can be reduced. In each circuit module, a conventional boost converter and a voltage doubler configuration with a coupled inductor are connected in series at the output side to achieve high step‐up voltage conversion ratio. Active snubber connected in parallel with boost inductor is adopted to limit voltage stress on active switch and to release the energy stored in the leakage and magnetizing inductances. Since asymmetrical PWM is used to control active switches, the leakage inductance and output capacitance of active switches are resonant in the transition interval. Thus, both active switches can be turned on at zero voltage switching. The resonant inductance and output capacitances at the secondary side of transformer are resonant to achieve zero current switching turn‐off for rectifier diodes. Therefore, the reverse recovery losses of fast recovery diodes are reduced. Finally, experiments based on a laboratory prototype rated at 400 W are presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed converter. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hybrid DC–DC converter with high efficiency,wide ZVS range,and less output inductance

In this paper, a new soft switching direct current (DC)–DC converter with low circulating current, wide zero voltage switching range, and reduced output inductor is presented for electric vehicle or plug‐in hybrid electric vehicle battery charger application. The proposed high‐frequency link DC–DC converter includes two resonant circuits and one full‐bridge phase‐shift pulse‐width modulation circuit with shared power switches in leading and lagging legs. Series resonant converters are operated at fixed switching frequency to extend the zero voltage switching range of power switches. Passive snubber circuit using one clamp capacitor and two rectifier diodes at the secondary side is adopted to reduce the primary current of full‐bridge converter to zero during the freewheeling interval. Hence, the circulating current on the primary side is eliminated in the proposed converter. In the same time, the voltage across the output inductor is also decreased so that the output inductance can be reduced compared with the output inductance in conventional full‐bridge converter. Finally, experiments are presented for a 1.33‐kW prototype circuit converting 380 V input to an output voltage of 300–420 V/3.5 A for battery charger applications. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis and implementation of a high‐efficiency zero‐voltage‐zero‐current‐switching DC–DC converter

A high‐efficiency zero‐voltage‐zero‐current‐switching DC–DC converter with ripple‐free input current is presented. In the presented converter, the ripple‐free boost cell provides ripple‐free input current and zero‐voltage switching of power switches. The resonant flyback cell provides zero‐voltage switching of power switches and zero‐current switching of the output diode. Also, it has a simple output stage. The proposed converter achieves high efficiency because of the reduction of the switching losses of the power switches and the output diode. Detailed analysis and design of the proposed converter are carried out. A prototype of the proposed converter is developed and its experimental results are presented for validation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis and design of an active‐clamping zero‐voltage‐switching isolated inverse‐SEPIC converter

This paper presents an active‐clamping zero‐voltage‐switching (ZVS) isolated inverse‐SEPIC converter. The high voltage spikes when turning off the switches are eliminated. The energies stored in the parasitic elements can be recycled to achieve the ZVS of switches. Therefore, the conversion efficiency increases substantially, yet with a reduced circuit cost. Detailed analysis and design of the proposed topology are described. Experimental results are recorded for a prototype converter with a DC input voltage ranging from 130 to 180 V, an output voltage of 12 V and a rated output power of 120 W, operating at a switching frequency of 65 kHz. The average active‐mode efficiency is above 88%. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Series resonant high‐voltage DC–DC converter with reduced component count

This paper proposes a novel zero‐current‐switching series resonant high‐voltage DC–DC converter with reduced component count. The series resonant inverter in the proposed topology has two power switches (insulated‐gate bipolar transistors, IGBTs), two resonant capacitors, and only one high‐voltage transformer (HVT) with center‐tapped primary windings. The power switches are connected in the form of a half‐bridge network. The leakage inductances of the transformer's primary windings together with the resonant capacitors form two series resonant circuits. The series resonant circuits are fed alternately by operating the power switches with interleaved half switching cycle. The secondary winding of the HVT is connected to a bridge rectifier circuit to rectify the secondary voltage. The converter operates in the discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) and its output voltage is regulated by pulse frequency modulation. Therefore, all the power switches turn on and off at the zero‐current switching condition. The main features of the proposed converter are its lower core loss, lower cost, and smaller size compared to previously proposed double series resonant high voltage DC–DC converters. The experimental results of a 130‐W prototype of the proposed converter are presented. The results confirm the excellent operation and performance of the converter. © 2016 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

A half‐bridge resonant DC/DC converter with satisfactory soft‐switching characteristics

In this paper, a half‐bridge resonant DC/DC converter with constant output voltage is proposed, which possesses good soft‐switching characteristics. At rated operating point, the switches can operate almost without switching‐on and off losses. Further, at whole working range, both zero‐voltage‐switching mode of switches and zero‐current‐switching mode of diodes are maintained. Thus, the converter can achieve a high efficiency. Experimental results verify the low switching losses and high efficiency characteristics based on a 200 W prototype. System efficiency is as high as 96% and always above 90% when output power changes from 100% to 20%. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

LLC resonant DC–DC converter with series‐connected primary windings of transformer

This paper proposes a zero‐voltage switching (ZVS) LLC resonant step up DC–DC converter with series‐connected primary windings of the transformer. The series resonant inverter in the proposed topology has two power switches (MOSFETs), two resonant capacitors, two resonant inductors, and only one transformer with center‐tapped primary windings. The power switches are connected in the form of a half‐bridge network. Resonant capacitors and inductors along with the primary windings of the transformer form two series resonant circuits. The series resonant circuits are fed alternately by operating the power switches with an interleaved half switching cycle. The secondary winding of transformer is connected to a bridge rectifier circuit to rectify the output voltage. The converter operates within a narrow frequency range below the resonance frequency to achieve ZVS, and its output power is regulated by pulse frequency modulation. The converter has lower conduction and switching losses and therefore higher efficiency. The experimental results of a 500‐W prototype of proposed converter are presented. The results confirm the good operation and performance of the converter. © 2014 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Pulse current regenerative resonant snubber‐assisted two‐switch flyback‐type ZVS PWM DC‐DC converter

In this paper, a two‐switch high‐frequency flyback transformer‐type zero voltage soft‐switching PWM DC‐DC converter using IGBTs is proposed. Effective applications for this power converter can be found in auxiliary power supplies of rolling stock transportation and electric vehicles. This power converter is basically composed of two active power switches and a flyback high‐frequency transformer. In addition to these, two passive lossless snubbers with power regeneration loops for energy recovery, consisting of a three‐winding auxiliary high‐frequency transformer, auxiliary capacitors and diodes are introduced to achieve zero voltage soft switching from light to full load conditions. Furthermore, this power converter has some advantages such as low cost circuit configuration, simple control scheme, and high efficiency. Its operating principle is described and to determine circuit parameters, some practical design considerations are discussed. The effectiveness of the proposed power converter is evaluated and compared with the hard switching PWM DC‐DC converter from an experimental point of view, and the comparative electromagnetic conduction and radiation noise characteristics of both DC‐DC power converter circuits are also depicted. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 152(3): 74–81, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20081     

A unidirectional boost chopper with snubber energy regeneration using a coupled inductor

This paper proposes a novel soft‐switching boost chopper with a lossless LC snubber, suitable for improving the efficiency of the electric propulsion system of vehicles. The snubber circuit is beneficial owing to the following features: zero‐current switching turn‐on and zero‐voltage switching turn‐off are achieved regardless of the operating conditions; it requires only one additional switch with smaller current rating compared to the main switch; the additional switch can be controlled by basic arithmetic; and the main switch is free from additional voltage or current stress caused by the soft‐switching operation. Along with theoretical discussions, experimental results are also presented on the circuit behavior and the resulting improvement of the energy conversion efficiency. These results show the usefulness of the chopper for improving the efficiency of electric vehicles. © 2014 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

PDM Control Method for a Matrix Converter Converting Several‐Hundred‐kHz Single‐Phase Input to Commercial Frequency Three‐Phase Output

This paper discusses pulse density modulation (PDM) control methods for a single‐phase to three‐phase matrix converter (MC) in high‐frequency applications. The proposed circuit is used as an interface converter for a wireless power transfer system. This converter can input a frequency of several hundred kilohertz and output a low frequency, that is, 50 Hz or 60 Hz, for a commercial power grid. The proposed circuit implements zero voltage switching (ZVS) operation by using PDM control methods and obtains high efficiency. In this paper, two PDM control strategies are compared: delta–sigma conversion and the PDM pattern generation method based on space vector modulation (SVM), which is proposed here. Also, the experimental results obtained with the proposed system will be presented and discussed. The total harmonic distortions (THDs) of the output voltage with delta–sigma conversion and the PDM pattern generation method based on SVM are found to be 5.96% and 2.15%, respectively. In addition, the maximum efficiencies with delta–sigma conversion and the PDM control based on SVM are 93.4% and 97.3%, respectively. From the results, the validity of the PDM control based on SVM has been confirmed for improvement of the output waveforms and reduction of the switching loss.     

Design of a ZVS PWM DC–DC converter for high gain applications

In this paper, a pulse width modulation DC‐DC converter with high step‐up voltage gain is proposed. The proposed converter achieves high step‐up voltage gain with appropriate duty ratio, coupled inductor, and voltage multiplier technique. The energy stored in the leakage inductor of the coupled inductor can be recycled in the proposed converter. Moreover, because both main and auxiliary switches can be turned on with zero‐voltage switching, switching loss can be reduced by soft‐switching technique. So the overall conversion efficiency is improved significantly. The theoretical steady‐state analyses and the operating principles of the proposed converter are discussed in detail for both continuous conduction mode and discontinuous conduction mode. Finally, a laboratory prototype circuit of the proposed converter is implemented to verify the performance of the proposed converter. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Power factor improvement of single‐phase diode rectifier circuit by field‐weakening of inverter‐driven IPM motor

This paper proposes a novel inverter drive system to improve the input power factor of single‐phase diode rectifier. Conventional rectifiers need a high‐frequency switching device and a reactor to improve the input power factor. However, the proposed power converter does not need the switching device, electrolytic capacitor, or reactor. By making many ripples across the DC‐bus voltage, the input power factor can be improved. The proposed system consists of only a single‐phase diode rectifier, small film capacitor, three‐phase inverter, and motor. The proposed system adopts an interior permanent magnet (IPM) synchronous motor. The IPM motor is well known as a high‐efficiency motor and can realize field weakening. The basic ideas of the inverter control method are based on the following operations: the inverter's controlled synchronous with the DC‐bus ripple voltage by field‐weakening method, and direct active power feeding from the source side to the motor without smoothing the DC‐bus voltage. This paper describes that the proposed method can obtain an input power factor of 97.3% by experimental tests, and realizes the goals of small size and long life of the system. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 152(2): 66–73, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20047     

Space vector pulse‐width modulation for single‐phase full‐bridge Z‐source inverter

The space vector pulse‐width‐modulation technique is extensively applied in the three‐phase power electronics circuits because of its easy digital implementation and wide linear modulation range features. However, the attempt of this technique for the single‐phase Z‐source inverter has seldom been reported because of its unique topology and operational characteristics. In this paper, based on an in‐depth mathematical derivation and theoretical explanation, the space vector pulse‐width‐modulation principles have been discussed in detail. Various implementation schemes are demonstrated, and a comparison study for selected switching patterns is conducted. In addition, the theoretical analysis is validated by both the simulation and experimental results. This work will be helpful for understanding the space vector pulse‐width‐modulation concept and modulation techniques of the single‐phase full‐bridge Z‐source inverters. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Design and implementation of a high‐efficiency bidirectional DC‐DC Converter for DC micro‐grid system applications

This paper studies the design and implementation of a non‐isolated dual‐half‐bridge bidirectional DC‐DC converter for DC micro‐grid system applications. High efficiency can be achieved under wide‐range load variations by the zero‐voltage‐switching features and an adaptive phase‐shift control method. A three‐stage charging scheme is designed to meet the fast‐charging demand and prolong the lifetime of LiFePO₄ batteries. A digital‐signal‐processing control IC is used to realize the power flow control, DC‐bus voltage regulation, and battery charging/ discharging of the studied bidirectional DC‐DC converter. Finally, a 10 kW prototype converter with Enhanced Controller Area Network communication function is built and tested for micro‐grid system applications. A light‐load efficiency over 96% and a rated‐load efficiency over 98% can be achieved. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

电机驱动用新型谐振直流环节电压源逆变器

为了实现电机控制系统的高功率密度和高性能运行,必须提高逆变器的工作频率以提高功率变换器的效率和增强性能。然而,较高的工作频率会引起严重的电磁干扰和开关损耗从而导致系统整体效率降低。软开关技术被认为是解决上述问题的有效方法,结合软开关技术的优点和脉宽调制(pulse width modulation, PWM)控制的特点,提出了一种新的用于电机驱动系统的谐振直流环节软开关电压源逆变器,通过在传统硬开关逆变器的直流环节添加辅助谐振单元,实现了逆变桥开关器件的PWM软开关动作,同时,辅助谐振单元的开关也为软开关操作。文中阐述了该软开关逆变器拓扑的动作时序和动作模式,并对软开关动作时序的瞬态过渡过程进行了数学分析。对提出的新型软开关逆变器驱动无刷直流电机进行了仿真和实验研究,结果验证了电路结构和理论分析的正确性与可行性。