Analysis, designing, and experimentation of a transformer-assisted PWM zero-voltage switching pole inverter

Abstract

This paper proposes a transformer-assisted pulsewidth modulation (PWM) zero-voltage switching pole inverter. As the auxiliary-resonant-commutated pole inverter (ARCPI), the proposal guarantees zero-voltage switching of the main switch and zero-current switching of the auxiliary switch, with a small power auxiliary circuit and full PWM capability. In particular, problems outstanding with the ARCPI such as control complexity, auxiliary switch protection, and center-tap potential variation, etc., are solved in the proposal. The commutation process is discussed step by step in the paper. A detailed analysis for the auxiliary circuit with regard to commutation duration/duty-cycle limitation, auxiliary switch peak current/RMS current, resonant capacitor RMS current, as well as pole output voltage loss are presented afterwards. A design methodology for the auxiliary circuit is recommended based on the analysis. The proposal is experimentally verified with a 4.25 kW half-bridge inverter prototype.