High voltage, high power density bi-directional multi-level converters utilizing silicon and silicon carbide (SiC) switches

Abstract

This paper presents a bi-directional ac-dc isolated converter designed to be utilized within the US Navy's Integrated Fight Through Power (IFTP) concept. To demonstrate the proposed approach the authors have designed, fabricated, and tested a 20 kW power conversion module (PCM) prototype. The fabricated PCM module was used to demonstrate the proposed overall electrical design approach, high-frequency isolation, bi-directional power flow and soft-switching operation of the quasi-resonant topologies. Moreover, the 20-kW prototype allowed the verification of control methodologies as well as magnetic and thermal designs, and provides a test bed for future, higher power work.