Accurate ZVS Analysis of a Full-Bridge T-Type Resonant Converter for a 20-kW Unfolding-Based AC-DC Topology

Abstract:

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.

See publication:
https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/10530476
This publication pertains to:
Charging Stations
Publication Authors:
  • Shubhangi Gurudiwan
  • Aditya Zade
  • Hongjie Wang
  • Regan Zane
It appeared in:
Peer-reviewed technical journal
Shout-outs/Achievements:
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Keywords:
Zero voltage switching;Bridge circuits;Switches;DC-DC power converters;Topology;Resonant converters;Rectifiers;Electric vehicle (EV) charging; Coss energy estimation;multi-level converter;nonlinear capacitance;resonant converter;T-type converter;unfolding-based;unfolder;zero-voltage switching (ZVS)