Zero-voltage-transition (ZVT) 3-phase PWM voltage link converters

• US 5,574,636 A
• Filed: 09/09/1994
• Issued: 11/12/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
• Original Assignee: The Center For Innovative Technology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
• Inventors: Mao, Hengchun, Lee, Fred C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Peter S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BERHANE, ADOLF D
• Application Number:
  US08/304,661
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 363/37, 363/40, 363/79, 363/127, 363/129, 363/131, 363/132, 363/138, 318/762, 318/803
• US Class Current: 363/132
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 5/4585 having a rectifier with controlled elements
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/4826 operating from a resonant DC source, i.e. the DC input voltage varies periodically, e.g. resonant DC-link inverters
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/10 Technologies improving the efficiency by using switched-mode power supplies [SMPS], i.e. efficient power electronics conversion e.g. power factor correction or reduction of losses in power supplies or efficient standby modes

Abstract

An improved zero voltage transition (ZVT) pulse width modulation (PWM) link converter is provided which introduces a space vector modulation scheme and an auxiliary circuit which includes a commutation power supply or special switch arrangement used to discharge resonant inductor currents to zero and to recover commutation energy. In an alternate embodiment, an improved ZVT PWM link converter provides an auxiliary switch for each main switch in the converter to achieve ZVT. The novel ZVT converters provide zero-voltage switching without increasing switching action of the main switches. In this way, the advantages of PWM control is maintained. Conduction loss, turn-off losses, and voltage stress of the main switches are the same as in conventional PWM converters, but the dominant turn-on losses are eliminated, so total power losses are minimized.

Claims

1. A zero-voltage-transition three-phase voltage link converter, comprising:

a direct current power source;

a main switching circuit connected between said direct current power source and a three-phase alternating current output; and

an auxiliary circuit connected between said direct current power source and said main switching circuit, said auxiliary circuit comprising;

at least one resonant inductor connected to at least one phase of said three-phase output;

auxiliary power supply means for discharging said resonant inductor; and

switch means for switchably connecting said auxiliary circuit to said direct current power source.

2. A zero-voltage-transition three-phase voltage link converter as recited in claim 1 wherein said auxiliary power supply means is an independent power supply.

3. A zero-voltage-transition three-phase voltage link converter as recited in claim 1 wherein said auxiliary power supply means is a feedback circuit inductively coupling said resonant inductor to said direct current power supply through an inductive coupling.

4. A zero-voltage-transition three-phase voltage link converter as recited in claim 1 wherein said auxiliary power supply means is implemented with said direct current power supply connected to said resonant inductor through a pair of cross-coupled diodes.

5. A zero-voltage-transition three-phase voltage link converter as recited in claim 1 further comprising a diode bridge electrically connected between said auxiliary power supply means and said switch means.

6. A zero-voltage-transition three-phase voltage link converter as recited in claim 1 wherein said auxiliary circuit further comprises:

one resonant inductor for each phase of said three-phase output;

a plurality of auxiliary power supply means for discharging said resonant inductors; and

a plurality of switch means for switchably connecting said auxiliary circuit to said direct current power source.

7. A zero-voltage-transition three-phase voltage link converter, comprising:

a direct current power source;

a main switching circuit having three pairs of power switches connected in parallel with said direct current power source, each of said pairs of power switches corresponding to one phase of a three-phase alternating current output;

an auxiliary circuit for achieving zero voltage transition in said main switching circuit, said auxiliary circuit comprising;

three pairs of auxiliary switches connected in parallel with said direct current power source, each of said pairs of auxiliary switches corresponding to one phase of said three-phase alternating current output, and each of said pairs of auxiliary switches connected to a corresponding one of said pairs of power switches with a resonant inductor.