Zero voltage and zero current switching full bridge PWM converter using secondary active clamp

A new zero voltage and zero current switching (ZVZCS) full bridge (FB) PWM converter is proposed to improve the performance of the previously presented ZVZCS-FB-PWM converters. By adding a secondary active clamp and controlling the clamp switch moderately, ZVS (for leading leg switches) and ZCS (for lagging leg switches) are achieved without any lossy components, the reverse avalanche break down of leading-leg IGBTs or the saturable reactor in the primary. Many advantages including simple circuit topology, high efficiency, and low cost make the new converter attractive for high voltage and high power (>10 kW) applications. The principle of operation is explained and analyzed. The features and design considerations of the new converter are also illustrated and verified on a 1.8 kW, 100 kHz IGBT based experimental circuit.

[1]  F.C. Lee,et al.  Design considerations for high-voltage high-power full-bridge zero-voltage-switched PWM converter , 1990, Fifth Annual Proceedings on Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition.

[2]  F. Lee,et al.  High-voltage, high-power, ZVS, full-bridge PWM converter employing an active snubber , 1991, [Proceedings] APEC '91: Sixth Annual Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exhibition.

[3]  Qing Chen,et al.  A nonlinear optimization tool for the full-bridge zero-voltage-switched DC-DC converter , 1992, PESC '92 Record. 23rd Annual IEEE Power Electronics Specialists Conference.

[4]  F. Lee,et al.  Novel zero-current-transition PWM converters , 1993, Proceedings of IEEE Power Electronics Specialist Conference - PESC '93.

[5]  J. A. Sabate,et al.  Zero-voltage and zero-current-switching full bridge PWM converter for high power applications , 1994, Proceedings of 1994 Power Electronics Specialist Conference - PESC'94.