Method for controlling a converter having variable frequency control and system for powering a vehicle load using same
First Claim
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1. A method of controlling a converter having a plurality of switches for use in converting a DC input to an AC output, the plurality of switches being selectively operable between an open state and a closed state to provide variable switching frequency, the method comprising:
- determining a first switching frequency for the plurality of switches, the first switching frequency operable to induce zero voltage switching (ZVS) of the plurality of switches when transitioning from the open state to the closed state, such that the AC output has a first power level;
determining a second switching frequency for the plurality of switches, the second frequency less than the first frequency, the second switching frequency operable to induce non-zero voltage switching (NZVS) of the plurality of switches when transitioning from the open state to the closed state, such that the AC output has a second power level less than the first power level;
measuring a voltage across at least one of the plurality of switches to determine one of ZVS and NZVS;
determining ZVS in the event the voltage is approximately zero when the at least one of the plurality of switches transitions from the open state to the closed state; and
determining NZVS in the event the voltage is sufficiently greater than zero when the at least one of the plurality of switches transitions from the open state to the closed state.
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Abstract
A converter operable for powering one or more loads having a variable switching frequency. The switching frequency of the converter being selectable based on a desired output power level and/or whether switching of a plurality of switches of the converter is characterized as zero voltage switching (ZVS) or non-zero voltage switching (NZVS).
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method of controlling a converter having a plurality of switches for use in converting a DC input to an AC output, the plurality of switches being selectively operable between an open state and a closed state to provide variable switching frequency, the method comprising:
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determining a first switching frequency for the plurality of switches, the first switching frequency operable to induce zero voltage switching (ZVS) of the plurality of switches when transitioning from the open state to the closed state, such that the AC output has a first power level; determining a second switching frequency for the plurality of switches, the second frequency less than the first frequency, the second switching frequency operable to induce non-zero voltage switching (NZVS) of the plurality of switches when transitioning from the open state to the closed state, such that the AC output has a second power level less than the first power level; measuring a voltage across at least one of the plurality of switches to determine one of ZVS and NZVS; determining ZVS in the event the voltage is approximately zero when the at least one of the plurality of switches transitions from the open state to the closed state; and determining NZVS in the event the voltage is sufficiently greater than zero when the at least one of the plurality of switches transitions from the open state to the closed state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of controlling a converter having a plurality of switches operable with a transformer to convert a DC input to an AC output, the plurality of switches being selectively operable between an open state and a closed state to provide variable switching frequency, the method comprising:
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determining a power level for the AC output; determining a switching schedule for the plurality of switches sufficient to generate the AC output at the power level; determining the switching schedule to induce the plurality of switches to transition from the open state to the closed state with one of zero voltage switching (ZVS) and non-zero voltage switching (NZVS); determining a first switching frequency for the plurality of switches in the event ZVS is determined, such that the AC output has a first power level; determining a second switching frequency for the plurality of switches in the event NZVS is determined, the second switching frequency less than the first switching frequency, such that the AC output has a second power level less than the first power level; measuring a voltage across at least one of the plurality of switches to determine one of ZVS and NZVS; determining ZVS in the event the voltage is approximately zero when the at least one of the plurality of switches transitions from the open state to the closed state; and determining NZVS in the event the voltage is sufficiently greater than zero when the at least one of the plurality of switches transitions from the open state to the closed state. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for powering one or more loads within a vehicle, the system comprising:
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a converter having a plurality of switches configured to operate with a transformer and a rectifier to convert a DC input to an AC output and then to rectify the AC output to a DC output for use in powering the one or more loads, each of the plurality of switches having an open state and a closed state; a controller for selectively controlling switching of the plurality of switches between the open and closed states to provide variable switching frequency, the controller configured to; i. determine a power level for the DC output based on a one or more of the one or more loads actively requesting the DC output; ii. determine switching required of the plurality of switches to facilitate output of the DC output at the determined power level as one of zero voltage switching (ZVS) and non-zero voltage switching (NZVS); iii. selectively control switching of the plurality of switches at a first switching frequency in the event ZVS is determined, such that the DC output has a first power level; and iv. selectively control switching of the plurality of switches at a second switching frequency in the event NZVS is determined, the second switching frequency less than the first switching frequency, such that the DC output to has a second power level less than the first power level; wherein at least one of the plurality of switches is a transistor, and wherein ZVS is determined when a voltage from a drain to a source of the transistor is approximately zero when the transistor transitions from the open state to the closed state and NZVS is determined when the voltage from the drain to the source of transistor is sufficiently greater than zero when the transistor transitions from the open state to the closed state. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification