In this paper, a new topology for grid-connected solar PV inverter is proposed. The proposed topology employs an LLC resonant converter with high frequency isolation transformer in the DC-DC stage. The DC-DC converter stage is controlled to generate a rectified sine wave voltage and current at the line frequency. An unfolder inverter interfaces between this DC stage and the grid. Both phase-shift and frequency control methods are used to control the LLC resonant converter. The switching frequency is determined depending on the phase-shift angle to extend the zero-voltage switching (ZVS) region. The transformer leakage and magnetization inductances are also properly designed to provide ZVS for wide operation area. The LLC converter operates in the ZVS region except the narrow band around the zero-crossings of the inverter output current. Since the LLC resonant converter has a high frequency transformer, the line frequency transformer requirement is eliminated, and thus more compact and efficient design is obtained. The proposed topology is validated by the simulation and experimental results.
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This content will become publicly available on January 1, 2025
Accurate ZVS Analysis of a Full-Bridge T-Type Resonant Converter for a 20-kW Unfolding-Based AC-DC Topology
Unfolding-based single-stage ac-dc converters offer benefits in terms of efficiency and power density due to the low-frequency operation of the Unfolder, resulting in negligible switching losses. However, the operation of the Unfolder results in time-varying dc voltages at the input of the subsequent dc-dc converter, complicating its soft-switching analysis. The complication is further enhanced due to the nonlinear nature of the output capacitance ( Coss ) of MOSFETs employed in the dc-dc converter. Furthermore, unlike two-stage topologies with a constant dc-link voltage, as seen in high-frequency grid-tied converters, grid voltage fluctuations also impact the dc input voltages of the dc-dc converter in unfolding-based systems. This work comprehensively analyzes the soft-switching phenomenon in the T-type primary bridge-based dc-dc converter used in unfolding-based topologies, considering all the aforementioned challenges. An energy-based methodology is proposed to determine the minimum zero-voltage switching (ZVS) current and ZVS time during various switching transitions of the T-type bridge. It is shown that the existing literature on the ZVS analysis of the T-type bridge-based resonant dc-dc converter, relying solely on capacitive energy considerations, substantially underestimates the required ZVS current values, with errors reaching up to 50%. The proposed analysis is verified through both simulation and hardware testing. The hardware testing is conducted on a 20-kW 3- ϕ unfolding-based ac-dc converter designed for high-power electric vehicle battery charging applications. The ZVS analysis is verified at various grid angles with the proposed analysis ensuring a complete ZVS operation of the ac-dc system throughout the grid cycle.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2239169
- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10527013
- Publisher / Repository:
- IEEE Open Journal of Power Electronics
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- IEEE Open Journal of Power Electronics
- Volume:
- 5
- ISSN:
- 2644-1314
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 692 to 708
- Subject(s) / Keyword(s):
- Zero voltage switching Bridge circuits Switches DC-DC power converters Topology Resonant converters Rectifiers
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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