Unipolar series resonant converter
First Claim
1. A unipolar series resonant converter for exchanging energy between first and second circuits, comprising:
- first and second switch assemblies for coupling to the respective first and second circuits;
a resonant tank coupled between the first and second switch assemblies, the resonant tank having a resonant capacitor and a resonant inductor in series; and
a link current synthesizer coupled to the resonant capacitor, the synthesizer responsive to a synthesizer control signal for generating a link current as a train of unipolar link current pulses, each pulse having a zero current segment and a nonzero segment of adjustable durations which are controlled by said synthesizer, with the synthesizer having a blocking switch coupled in series with the resonant capacitor for deactivating oscillation of the resonant tank in initiating each unipolar link current pulse.
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Abstract
A high efficiency static series resonant converter and method for converting power between two electric AC and/or DC circuits includes a resonant tank coupled to a link current synthesizer for generating a train of unipolar link current pulses with controllable duration zero and nonzero current segments. A blocking switch deactivates oscillation of the resonant tank in initiating each link current pulse, which is subsequently clamped by a buffer inductor. Each pulse is terminated by natural commutation through resonant oscillation. The pulses are substantially squarewave and have a high duty cycle leading to minimal peak current values. Minimal switching losses are incurred by switching at substantially zero voltage and zero current. Other features include blackout ride-through capability, bi-directional four quadrant operation, unbalanced load operation, voltage step-up without transformers, and input and output switch assemblies constructed from unidirectional switches, such as low-cost and robust single thyristors.
138 Citations
71 Claims
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1. A unipolar series resonant converter for exchanging energy between first and second circuits, comprising:
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first and second switch assemblies for coupling to the respective first and second circuits;
a resonant tank coupled between the first and second switch assemblies, the resonant tank having a resonant capacitor and a resonant inductor in series; anda link current synthesizer coupled to the resonant capacitor, the synthesizer responsive to a synthesizer control signal for generating a link current as a train of unipolar link current pulses, each pulse having a zero current segment and a nonzero segment of adjustable durations which are controlled by said synthesizer, with the synthesizer having a blocking switch coupled in series with the resonant capacitor for deactivating oscillation of the resonant tank in initiating each unipolar link current pulse. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A unipolar series resonant converter for exchanging energy between first and second circuits, comprising:
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first and second switch assemblies for coupling to the respective first and second circuits; a resonant tank coupled between the first and second switch assemblies, the resonant tank having a resonant capacitor and a resonant inductor in series; a link current synthesizer coupled to the resonant capacitor, the synthesizer responsive to a synthesizer control signal for generating a link current comprising a train of unipolar link current pulses, with each pulse comprising a nonzero current segment and adjacent pulses separated by a zero current segment, the zero and nonzero current segments being controllable in duration by the synthesizer; and a blocking switch in series with the resonant capacitor. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A unipolar series resonant converter for exchanging energy between first and second circuits, comprising:
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first and second switch assemblies for coupling to the respective first and second circuits; a resonant tank for coupling together the first and second circuits; a link current synthesizer coupled to the resonant tank, the synthesizer responsive to a synthesizer control signal for generating a link current as a train of unipolar current pulses, each pulse having a zero current segment and a nonzero current segment of adjustable durations which are independently controlled by said synthesizer; and a link current buffer device coupled to the synthesizer for clamping the link current to a selected value during energy exchange. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57)
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58. A method of converting power between first and second circuits, comprising the steps of:
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synthesizing a link current comprising a train of substantially squarewave unipolar link current pulses which are initiated and terminated through resonant oscillations, with each pulse having a zero amplitude segment and a nonzero amplitude segment; and controlling the durations of the zero amplitude segment and the nonzero amplitude segment of each link current pulse by independently adjusting said segment durations. - View Dependent Claims (59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68)
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69. A link current synthesizer for coupling a series combination of a resonant capacitor, a resonant inductor, and a blocking switch with a link current buffer device for a unipolar series resonant converter, the resonant capacitor and resonant inductor coupled together at a first junction, the resonant capacitor and blocking switch coupled together at a second junction, the link current synthesizer comprising:
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first, second and third nodes; an initiating switch for coupling the first junction to the buffer device at the first node; a buffer switch coupled to the first node; and an initiation inductor coupled to the buffer switch for initiating the generation of a train of link current pulses through resonant oscillation, each pulse having a zero current segment and a non-zero current segment of independently controllable duration. - View Dependent Claims (70, 71)
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Specification