Hybrid rectifier

Abstract

A hybrid rectifier is provided comprising a top diode for conducting current during a positive current portion of a line current, a top transistor connected in parallel to the top diode, a bottom diode for conducting current during a negative current portion of the line current, and a bottom transistor connected in parallel to the bottom diode. A hybrid- rectifier controller is connected to the top transistor and the bottom transistor for implementing a transistor control strategy such that, during the positive current portion of the line current, the top diode conducts current and the bottomtransistor conducts current only when the line current is below a sinusoidal reference current. Similarly, during the negative current portion of the line current, the bottom diode conducts current and the top transistor conducts current only when the line current is above the sinusoidal reference current.

Description

[0001] Cross references to related applications [0002] This application claims the priority of US Patent Application No. 62 / 410,026 filed on October 19, 2016, the full text of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Technical field [0003] The described embodiment relates to power electronics. Background technique [0004] A rectifier is a device used to convert the power supply provided by a utility company in the form of alternating current (AC) into the form of direct current (DC) required by certain applications. Electronic rectifiers are used in most AC / DC power supplies, motor drives (frequency conversion or servo), battery chargers, etc. Almost all electronic devices powered by the distribution network use rectifiers. There are many types of rectifiers, from simple to complex, each offering a different level of performance. [0005] Generally, the simplest rectifier uses multiple diodes. These diode rectifiers have the characteristic of generating a large amount of cu...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, active rectifiers have higher associated costs than diode rectifiers because the transistors used must be able to conduct relatively high currents, making them more expensive

[0007] Also, active rectifiers typically have low efficiency at partial load due to the constant switching of the transistors, which creates losses even when the load goes to zero

For some applications and industries, the efficiency of known active rectifiers is unacceptably low or at least represents a substantial problem

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