Modeling and Coordinate Control of Circulating Currents in Parallel Three-Phase Boost Rectifiers

In this paper, definition of the circulating currents of multiphase paralleled converters is first presented, and the circulating-current-generating mechanism is clearly explained. Thus, based on this definition, an averaged model of the circulating current is proposed. It is seen from this model that the circulating current consists of not only the zero-sequence but also the nonzero-sequence components. The governing differential equation also shows explicitly the relation between the circulating currents and the affecting factors such as different pulse width-modulation strategies. With this understanding, a simple coordinate control is then presented to reduce the circulating current. The phenomenon of the intrinsic circulating current is also explained. Furthermore, a prototype system is constructed, and the proposed control is implemented using TMS320F2812 DSP. Both simulation and experimental results verify the validity of the proposed theory and control     

Interleaved PWM with discontinuous space-vector modulation

This paper describes the effect of interleaved discontinuous space-vector modulation (SVM) in paralleled three-phase systems using three-phase pulsewidth modulation (PWM) rectifiers as an example. At the discontinuous point of the SVM, the phase shift between the switching signals of the paralleled modules generates a zero-sequence excitation to the system. Because the conventional control in a balanced three-phase system with only dq channels cannot reject this disturbance, a beat-frequency circulating current will develop on the zero axis. Based on this observation, a SVM without using zero vectors is used to eliminate the cause of pure zero-sequence current for parallel operation. Using this SVM, the circulating current is observable in dq channels. It can be suppressed dynamically by strong current loops of power-factor-correction (PFC) circuits. The concept is verified experimentally on a breadboard system     

Dual-Modulator Compensation Technique for Parallel Inverters Using Space-Vector Modulation

In common dc-link parallel-inverter systems, the amplitudes and the phase angles of three-phase inverters can be separately adjusted to control power sharing. However, when the space-vector modulation technique is used in a parallel-inverter system without the output transformers, the zero-sequence circulating current will occur. This paper provides detailed analysis of the zero-sequence circulating current and proposes a novel dual-modulator compensation technique for eliminating the zero-sequence circulating current caused by power-sharing control systems. Results obtained from both simulation and experiments confirmed the performance and the effectiveness of the proposed compensation method.      

Active input-voltage and load-current sharing in input-series and output-parallel connected modular DC-DC converters using dynamic input-voltage reference scheme

This paper explores a new configuration for modular DC/DC converters, namely, series connection at the input, and parallel connection at the output, such that the converters share the input voltage and load current equally. This is an important step toward realizing a truly modular power system architecture, where low-power, low-voltage, building block modules can be connected in any series/parallel combination at input or at output, to realize any given system specifications. A three-loop control scheme, consisting of a common output voltage loop, individual inner current loops, and individual input voltage loops, is proposed to achieve input voltage and load current sharing. The output voltage loop provides the basic reference for inner current loops, which is modified by the respective input voltage loops. The average of converter input voltages, which is dynamically varying, is chosen as the reference for input voltage loops. This choice of reference eliminates interaction among different control loops. The input-series and output-parallel (ISOP) configuration is analyzed using the incremental negative resistance model of DC/DC converters. Based on the analysis, design methods for input voltage controller are developed. Analysis and proposed design methods are verified through simulation, and experimentally, on an ISOP system consisting of two forward converters.     

Self-sustained oscillating resonant converters operating above theresonant frequency

This paper presents a new control technique for resonant converters. Unlike conventional variable frequency control which externally imposes the switching frequency, the proposed scheme is based on controlling the displacement angle between one of the resonant circuit variables, typically the current through the resonant inductor, and the voltage at the output of the inverter. As a result, zero-voltage switching (ZVS) can be ensured over a wide operating range. The proposed control technique cam be applied for series, parallel, and series-parallel resonant converters. As an example, the static characteristics and dynamic model of a series-parallel resonant converter with the proposed controller are derived and the system behaviour is investigated in detail. Experimental results are given to demonstrate the operation of resonant converters with the proposed controller and to validate the analysis     

Control and performance of a self-commutated GTO converter operating in parallel with line-commutated thyristor converters

Recently, static var generators (SVGs) or static synchronous compensators based on self-commutated converters have been put into practical use for the purpose of compensation for reactive power, power swings damping, and/or voltage control in power systems. The SVGs have also been applied to reduce voltage fluctuations appearing at high-speed train substations. When parallel resonance occurs between passive filters installed at a point of common coupling (PCC) and the power-system impedance existing upstream of the PCC, voltage/current harmonics are significantly amplified in the power system. This paper describes the control and performance for a self-commutated gate-turn-off (GTO) converter operating in parallel with conventional line-commutated thyristor converters. This hybrid power conversion system rated at more than dozens of MVA has an inductive load at the dc side. A bank of passive filters is connected not only for harmonic compensation of the line-commutated converters, but also as a constant leading reactive-power source. The GTO converter can control either leading or lagging reactive power so as to achieve unity power factor operation. In addition, it has the capability of damping out parallel resonance between the passive filters and the power-system impedance. This paper confirms the viability and effectiveness of the hybrid system by means of theory and computer simulation.     

Online control of current-source-type active rectifier usingtransfer function approach

Current-source topology AC/DC converters (buck converters) operated using pulsewidth modulation have significant drawbacks in lack of line current control and AC-side filter damping. Also, an AC-side filter is usually overrated in order to keep harmonic distortion under imposed limits. Discontinuous current at converter line inputs disables the use of current control techniques known from control of voltage-source converters. In order to overcome these problems, an online control method for the buck converter is presented in this paper. This method is based on the AC filter transfer function approach. Such an approach enables a novel solution for line-side filter optimization in the case of hysteresis line current control. This method leads to a filter with minimal apparent power (cost) and the fast and accurate converter's control response. Furthermore, a line current estimation method was developed. It uses only one current sensor at the converter DC side in order to estimate power supply currents. Suggested methods were numerically and experimentally verified     

Common-Mode Ripple Current Estimator for Parallel Three-Phase Inverters

For the three-phase parallel voltage source inverter systems with common dc link, several control methods were developed to suppress the common-mode circulating current. The common-mode ripple current is the main disturbance source of the common-mode circulating current control system that forms part of the parallel discontinuous pulsewidth modulation (PWM) inverter system. In this paper, a real-time analysis method for the common-mode ripple voltage of the three-phase discontinuous PWM inverter is proposed, whereby the amplitude of the common-mode ripple current can be estimated correctly, the hysteresis width of the circulating current controller can be adjusted to be as small as possible, and consequently, the rms circulating current is minimized as well. The simulation and experimental results are presented to confirm the theoretical analysis method of the common-mode ripple current and the performance of the proposed common-mode ripple current estimator.      

A Fault Tolerant Doubly Fed Induction Generator Wind Turbine Using a Parallel Grid Side Rectifier and Series Grid Side Converter

With steadily increasing wind turbine penetration, regulatory standards for grid interconnection have evolved to require that wind generation systems ride-through disturbances such as faults and support the grid during such events. Conventional modifications to the doubly fed induction generation (DFIG) architecture for providing ride-through result in compromised control of the turbine shaft and grid current during fault events. A DFIG architecture in which the grid side converter is connected in series as opposed to parallel with the grid connection has shown improved low voltage ride through but poor power processing capabilities. In this paper, a unified DFIG wind turbine architecture which employs a parallel grid side rectifier and series grid side converter is presented. The combination of these two converters enables unencumbered power processing and robust voltage disturbance ride through. A dynamic model and control structure for this architecture is developed. The operation of the system is illustrated using computer simulations.     

Interleaved converters operation based on CMC

A new family of low-ripple DC-to-DC switching converters based on a parallel connection of N-identical boost converters with current-mode control (CMC) is presented. The CMC strategy ensures that all the converters operate at the same duty cycle, sharing an equal amount of input current and forcing the output voltage to be an integer multiple (N) of the input voltage. As a result, the total input current and output voltage ripples are extremely low. The generation of control signals from inductor currents feedback without using external triangular or sawtooth signals is another characteristic of the new converter family     

Unified constant-frequency integration control of active powerfilters-steady-state and dynamics

An active power filter (APF) is a device that is connected in parallel to and cancels the reactive and harmonic currents from a group of nonlinear loads so that the resulting total current drawn from the AC mains is sinusoidal. This paper presents a unified constant-frequency integration (UCI) APF control method based on one-cycle control. This method employs an integrator with reset as its core component to control the pulse width of an AC-DC converter so that its current draw is precisely opposite to the reactive and harmonic current draw of the nonlinear loads. In contrast to previously proposed methods, there is no need to generate a current reference for the control of the converter current, thus no need for a multiplier and no need to sense the AC line voltage, the APF current, or the nonlinear load current. Only one AC current sensor is used to sense the AC main current and one DC voltage sensor is used to sense the DC capacitor voltage. The control method features constant switching frequency operation, minimum reactive and harmonic current generation, and simple analog circuitry. It provides a low cost and high performance solution for power quality control. Steady-state and dynamic study is presented in this paper. Design example is given using a two-level AC-DC boost topology. A prototype was developed to demonstrate the performance of the proposed APF. This control method is generalized to control a family of converters that are suitable for APF applications. All findings are supported by experiments and simulation     

Comparisons Between the p--q and p--q--r Theories in Three-Phase Four-Wire Systems

This paper presents a comparative analysis between results from applications of the p-q and the p-q-r theories in shunt active power filters for three-phase four-wire systems, discussing aspects related to the influence of the system voltage in the control methods that calculate the compensating currents. It is shown that in some cases, a preprocessing of the system voltage is required if the goal is to achieve sinusoidal compensated currents. On the other hand, when the goal is to compensate zero-sequence current, the need of energy storage elements in the active filter is discussed. In this case, if zero-sequence components are present simultaneously in the system voltage and load current, they produce zero-sequence power flow, and the control methods based on both theories must contain additional calculations to allow the elimination of energy storage elements in the active filter. A control strategy based on the p-q theory is proposed to eliminate the neutral current without the need of energy storage elements, with the advantage of avoiding the extra transformation from alphabeta0 to pqr coordinates that is needed in the p-q-r theory. Simulation results are presented for the purpose of comparing the performance of both control methods.     

Four-wire current-regulated PWM voltage converter

Shunt active power filters are connected in parallel with the electricity supply network. If the AC mains has a neutral conductor, it is desirable to compensate the mains harmonic currents zero-sequence components. This can be achieved with a four-wire pulsewidth modulation voltage converter connected to the AC mains. In this case, the three-phase and the neutral AC currents must be controlled. A generalization of the space-vector-based current controller in the αβo coordinate system is presented in this paper. With this current controller, all the current harmonic systems of positive, negative, and zero sequence can be injected by the converter and, thus, compensated on the AC mains. The system is also useful to compensate unbalanced currents of fundamental frequency. A useful benefit of this system is that it is possible to control the converter four-wire currents with equal hysteresis errors. Simulation and experimental results are presented     

Output plane analysis of load-sharing in multiple-module convertersystems

This paper explores the origin of the DC current-sharing problem of parallel-converter systems and the dual problem of voltage sharing in series-converter systems. Both problems may be studied by examining the output plane (output current versus output voltage) of a particular converter. It is shown that strict current source behavior is unnecessary for good current sharing in parallel-converter systems. Furthermore, a broad class of converters whose output voltage is load-dependent, i.e., those that have a moderate value of output resistance, all exhibit good voltage- and current-sharing characteristics. Such converters are often suitable for a×b arrays of converters that can meet a large range of power-conversion requirements. The output planes of discontinuous mode PWM converters as well as conventional and clamped series resonant converters are examined in detail. A simple small-signal model of the modular converter system is developed. Experimental confirmation of load sharing and the small-signal model is given for the clamped series resonant converter and the series resonant converter for various configurations of four converters     

Analysis and control of a cellular converter system with stochasticripple cancellation and minimal magnetics

A parallel converter architecture based on the resonant pole inverter (RPI) topology is presented. It is shown that this architecture minimizes the output magnetics required for current sharing. A new current control scheme is introduced which reduces peak currents, losses, and output voltage ripple for many operating conditions. This new control method is applicable to both the single RPI and the parallel architecture. Additionally, the paper analytically quantifies the degree of passive ripple cancellation between cells of a parallel architecture. It is shown that the RMS ripple current of an N cell paralleled converter system is a factor of 1√(N) lower than for an equivalent single converter. These results are verified using a piecewise-linear model. We conclude that the parallel architecture overcomes some of the major disadvantages of the conventional RPI     

Self-sustained phase-shift modulated resonant converters: modeling, design, and performance

This paper presents an improved control technique for the full bridge series, parallel, and series-parallel resonant converters. This control technique combines a self-sustained oscillation mode with a phase shift modulation technique that can significantly reduce the range of frequency variation necessary for obtaining zero voltage switching in the resonant converters. This frequency reduction provides optimized component ratings and operating frequency. A simple and accurate low order mathematical model based on the sampled data technique that fully describes the steady-state, and dynamic performance of the resonant converters, has been developed. A refinement algorithm is developed to enhance the accuracy of the modeling technique and the converter design. The improved converter performance and the feasibility of the developed dynamic model have been investigated using the series-parallel resonant converter topology with a capacitive output filter. Finally, MATLAB numerical solutions, PSIM simulation results, and experimental results are given to highlight the merits of the proposed work.     

A contactless power transfer system using a series–series–parallel resonant converter

In this article, a contactless power transfer system using a series–series–parallel resonant converter (SSPRC) is proposed. The proposed converter can improve on or eliminate the disadvantages of the contactless system based on conventional resonant converters, since it independently compensates for a primary side leakage inductance, a secondary side leakage inductance and a magnetising inductance. The proposed converter also reduces the circulating currents and the reactive power by controlling the phase angle difference between the inverter output voltage and the current. In addition, the system design can be simplified, since the voltage gain is determined only by the transformer turns ratio for the overall load range without being affected by the other transformer parameters. The proposed converter is analysed with respect to the gain and current margin. The system design procedure is then described for the proposed circuit based on the circuit analysis. Finally, the experimental results are presented in order to verify the proposed contactless power supply.     

Methodology and experimental system for measuring and displaying I–V characteristic curves of PV facilities

This paper describes a methodology and the developed system for measuring, capturing, and displaying I–V and P–V characteristic curves of photovoltaic (PV) modules or arrays based on single‐ended primary inductance converters (SEPIC) in parallel connection, operating in interleaved mode. The proposed methodology and the developed system allow the real time capture and displaying of the I–V and P–V curves of a PV panel or array, and show several advantages with regard to classical methods: simple structure, scalability, fast response, versatility, direct display, and low cost. The measuring of the characteristic curves of PV modules includes high speed of response and high fidelity, with low ripple. An experimental prototype based on four SEPIC converters in parallel connection has been implemented to validate the proposed methodology. This new methodology and experimental system has been registered in the Spanish Patent and Trademark Office with the number P200930198. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A PFC voltage regulator with low input current distortion derived from a rectifierless topology

This paper presents an ac-dc converter topology for realization of power factor correction (PFC) voltage regulators for applications where the mains frequency is high and a low input current harmonic is required, e.g., in aircraft power systems. The proposed converter represents a minimal configuration consisting of two basic converters, which can be systematically derived from a previously proposed general synthesis procedure for rectifierless ac-dc converters. The proposed PFC converter has incorporated a control method which drastically reduces the circulating power and hence raises the efficiency to a level comparable to existing PFC converters. The proposed PFC converter can completely eliminate any crossover distortion, which can be significant for supply systems having a high mains frequency. In addition, the proposed converter allows bidirectional energy flow ensuring all inductors work in continuous conduction mode hence eliminating the distortion due to the abrupt change of dynamic response when the operating mode changes. Analysis and design of the power and control circuits will be given and discussed. An experimental system will be presented for verification purposes.