A steady-state analysis of a Constant-Frequency Parallel-Resonant Converter operating in the Clamped-Mode is performed for the continuous-conduction mode of operation (CCM). Unified closed-form expressions are derived for such circuit characteristics as the control to output, boundary conditions for natural commutation and forced commutation, and stresses on power devices. These characteristics are experimentally verified and simulated by using IO-SPICE. Considerations for practical design are discussed based on hardware operating at 300KHz, with a 300V input, 5V and 300W output. / M.S.

A steady-state analysis of a quasi-resonant zero current boost converter is performed in its application to a single-phase power factor correction circuit. The known closed-form expressions are used to design the boost converter and the multiloop control circuit. The operating characteristics are simulated by using PSPICE and are experimentally verified. Considerations for a practical design are based upon hardware operating at a maximum of 1 megahertz, with a 115 VRMS input, 200 VDC and 100 watt output. / Master of Science

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Three novel power factor correction (PFC) techniques are developed for both single-phase and three-phase applications. These techniques have advantages over the conventional approaches with regard to the converter efficiency, power density, cost, and reliability for many applications. The single-phase parallel PFC (PPFC) technique was established. Different from the conventional two-cascade-stage scheme, the PPFC technique allows 68% of input power to go to the output through only one time high frequency power conversion, but still achieves both unity power factor and tight output regulation. A family of PPFC converters were proposed for different power levels, which are simpler and more efficient than the conventional two-cascade-stage systems. Since isolated boost converters are adopted as the main power stage in some of the PPFC converters, a device based soft-switching technique was proposed for using IGBTs as the main power switches, which ensures the lower cost and higher efficiency benefits of the PPFC technique. The single-ended boost converter is the most frequently used converter in the single-phase PFC applications. For high power and/or high voltage applications, the major concerns of the conventional boost converter are the inductor volume and weight, and Iosses on the power devices, which will affect converter efficiency, power density, and cost. In this dissertation, a novel three-level boost converter was developed, which can use a much smaller inductor and lower voltage devices than the conventional one, yielding higher power density, higher efficiency, and lower cost. In three-phase applications, the three-phase boost rectifier is the most popular topology for the PFC purpose. A novel high performance boost PFC rectifier was developed, which provides several superior features than the conventional one with nearly no cost increase. lt inherently provides six-step PWM operation, which is the optimal PWM scheme with no circulating energy, minimum input ripple current, and minimum . switching events. It also greatly reduces the bridge diode reverse recovery loss, which is one of the major switching Iosses in the conventional three-phase boost rectifier. Furthermore, it can adopt very simple soft-switching techniques even with three independent analog controllers to further improve the performance. Several simple soft switched three-phase boost rectifiers have been developed. Besides, the bridge shoot-through problem is virtually eliminated. As a result, these new three-phase boost rectifiers have higher efficiency, higher power density, lower cost, and higher reliability compared with the conventional one. / Ph. D.

Three recently-proposed power conversion technologies, the zero-current-switching (ZCS) and zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) quasi-resonant techniques, and the zero-voltage-switching multi-resonant technique, are evaluated for high-frequency, off-line applications. The study is performed with emphasis on the conversion-frequency range, efficiency, load range, input-voltage range, output power, dynamic response, and power density. A comprehensive dc analysis of the half-wave and full-wave, half-bridge zero-current-switched quasi-resonant converters (QRCs) is presented. Design procedures for closed-loop design of the converters are also derived. The procedures are used to design and fabricate half-wave and full-wave converters operating in the low-megahertz range and experimentally assess their suitability for high-frequency, off-line power conversion. The zero-voltage-switching technique is employed to further increase the conversion frequency. First, the half-bridge zero-voltage-switched quasi-resonant converter is analyzed and the trade-offs between its frequency range, load range, and efficiency are examined in detail. The multi-resonant-switch concept is applied to this converter to improve its characteristics, primarily its load range. A complete dc analysis of the zero-voltage-switched multi-resonant converter (MRC) is given and the dc voltage-conversion-ratio characteristics are derived. A graphic design procedure for the converter is established and is used to build an experimental 100 W, off-line converter operating in the frequency range of 2 MHz to 8 MHz. Finally, a comprehensive comparison of the QRCs and MRCs is performed and conditions where their applications appears most desirable are defined. / Ph. D.

Thesis (MScIng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / A bi-directional, direct conversion switch-mode converter is proposed for use in distributed household renewable energy systems. The converter is intended as the central interface between the household energy system’s low voltage Direct Current bus and the high voltage Alternating Current bus. The low voltage DC bus is connected to renewable generation and storage devices, while the high voltage AC bus is connected to the user’s equipment and the mains grid. The converter overcomes the inherent reverse-duty cycle problem associated with bi-directional converters by using a combination step-up / step-down half-bridge converter on the high voltage side of a high frequency transformer. The low voltage side of the transformer is driven by a full bridge inverter that acts as a rectifier during reverse mode. In order to control the flow of power in both directions the converter implements Average Current Mode Control. A method is developed to determine the transfer functions of common switch-mode converters by inspection alone. This method is applied to the proposed converter, and both current and voltage mode control loops are designed with the frequency response method. The control system is implemented using a Digital Signal Processor. A method of simultaneously simulating both the converter hardware and software is developed using VHDL. This method greatly reduced the development effort of the converter. The operation of the proposed converter is verified through this method of simulation. A prototype converter is constructed and successfully tested, thereby proving the viability of the proposed converter topology and control methodology.

Thesis (PhD (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The multicell inverter, being a widely used multilevel converter, has received much attention in recent years due to problems associated with cell capacitor voltage. In this dissertation we study the balancing problem with a focus on steady-state unbalance. This is achieved by systematic and mathematically rigorous study of the natural balancing mechanisms of the three-phase 2-cell and 3-cell multicell converter, undertaken by using dynamic modelling of the multicell converter, Bennet’s geometric model, steady-state and time constant analysis. Space vector analysis is also performed for the three-phase 2-cell multicell converter. The theory is verified by comparing theoretical results with simulation results / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die multisel omkeerder as algemeen-gebruikte meervlakkige omsetter het die afgelope jare groot belangstelling gewek op grond van die probleme wat met selkapasitor stroomspanning geassosieer word. In hierdie proefskrif word die balanseringsprobleem met die klem op die ewewigswanbalans bestudeer. Dit is verrig deur ’n sistematiese en streng wiskundige studie van die natuurlike balanseringsmeganismes van die drie-fase 2-sel en 3- sel multisel omsetter te maak. Dit is gedoen deur die gebruik van dinamiese modellering van die multisel omsetter, Bennet se geometriese model, ewewigtoestand tydkonstante analises, en ruimtevektoranalise is vir die drie-fase 2-sel multisel omsetter gedoen. Die teorie word bevestig deur die teoretiese resultate met die simuleringsresultate te vergelyk

Thesis (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The dissertation presents an alternative approach to the control of power electronic converters. The conventional approach is to use a centralized controller with one or more measurement systems providing feedback. As converters become larger, in both power rating and complexity, a number of drawbacks to this approach emerge. The number of physical data paths increases and voltage isolation becomes a problem. This has an adverse effect on the manufacturability as well as the reliable operation of the system as a whole. An alternative is to use a distributed control approach, where a number of smaller integrated control and measurement units are used. These units communicate with the central controller via a serial daisy-chain communications link. The dissertation investigates the design of such a controller as well as the application of distributed control in a number of emerging converter topologies. It was shown that centralized control has its limitations in modem power electronics in terms of reliability, maintainability and manufacturability. A feasible distributed control strategy was proposed and implemented and the operation was verified in an experimental converter system. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die proefskrif ondersoek 'n alternatiewe manier om drywings omsetters te beheer. Huidiglik word die meerderheid van omsetters beheer vanaf 'n sentrale beheereenheid, wat dan stelsel data versamel vanaf een of meer meetstelsels. Soos die drywingsvermoë van die omsetters toeneem, raak spannings isolasie en die aantal beheerseine 'n probleem, wat nadelig is vir die betroubaarheid en vervaardigbaarheid van die stelsel. As 'n alternatief, kan 'n aantal kleiner beheereenhede en meetstelsels gebruik word. Die beheerders kommunikeer met mekaar, sowel as die hoof stelselbeheerder deur middel van 'n optiese vesel netwerk, verbind in 'n ring struktuur. Die proefskrif ondersoek die ontwerp van die beheerder en die toepassing van gedesentraliseerde beheer in 'n aantal nuwe omsetter topologië. Die studie toon dat sentrale beheer problematies kan raak soos die omsetters meer kompleks raak. Die studie bewys dat 'n stelsel suksesvol bedryf kan word deur gebruik te maak van gedesentraliseerde beheer deur dit in 'n praktiese opstelling toe te pas.

Thesis (MScIng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis discusses a 23 kW three-phase AC bus system that is utilized together with the “Stirling Energy System (SES) Integrated Solar Dish-Stirling Module” to function as a mini-grid for off-grid locations. The system is designed to supply power to 27 rural households. This three-phase AC bus system includes a bidirectional 4-wire PWM converter and a battery bank for energy storage. The simulations and results presented show that the system can function as a rectifier and as an inverter. The system operates as an inverter when the SES starts up and when different AC loads are connected to the AC bus. The unit functions as a rectifier when the battery bank is charged. The design was implemented successfully in a practical system and measurements revealed that the system functioned as a standalone unit. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis bespreek ‘n 23 kW drie-fase vier-draad WS bus stelsel wat saam met die “Stirling Energy System (SES) Integrated Solar Dish-Stirling Module” gebruik word om as ‘n alleenstaande stelsel in ’n plattelandse omgewing te laat funksioneer. Die sisteem is ontwerp om vir 27 plattelandse huise drywing te lewer. Hierdie stelsel behels ‘n drie-fase GS na WS omsetter, saam met loodsuur batterye as energiestoor. Die simulasies en resultate wat gegee word, dui aan dat die omsetter as ‘n wisselrigter en ook as ‘n gelykrigter kan werk. Die stelsel funksioneer as ‘n wisselrigter as die SES aanskakel, en as ekstra laste op die WS bus gekoppel word. Die sisteem funksioneer as ‘n gelykrigter as die batterye gelaai word. Die ontwerp is suksesvol in ‘n praktiese stelsel geimplimenteer wat as ‘n alleenstaande stelsel funksioneer.