AC Voltage Regulator Circuit High-Frequency Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing AC voltage regulation methods face challenges in achieving both small volume and high conversion efficiency simultaneously, as they either result in large volumes with increasing output power or have low conversion efficiency due to chopping of the input sine wave voltage.
Innovation Solution
An AC voltage regulating circuit that includes an AC/DC converter and a switch converter with controllable switches, controlled by a switch controller to compare and regulate voltage values between the AC power supply and DC output, ensuring stable average voltage without chopping, using fewer components and achieving high conversion rates like 90% or above.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If power frequency transformer voltage regulation, high frequency inverter voltage regulation or autotransformer voltage reduction is used, then voltage regulation function is achieved, but the volume of voltage regulator increases rapidly with the increase of output power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using high-frequency switching (e.g., 50kHz or higher) instead of power frequency (50Hz). This frequency parameter change enables the use of smaller magnetic components and capacitors, thereby reducing the overall volume of the voltage regulator while maintaining high output power capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or electromagnetic transformer-based voltage regulation with an electronic switching system using MOSFETs or IGBTs. This substitution of mechanical/electromagnetic systems with electronic switching achieves voltage regulation through PWM control, dramatically reducing the volume of the regulator while handling high output power.
2Power
If thyristor phase control voltage regulation is used, then voltage regulation is achieved by chopping input sine wave, but conversion efficiency becomes low
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of chopping the input sine wave as in thyristor phase control, the patent inverts the approach by first converting AC to DC, regulating the DC voltage, and then converting back to AC. This inversion of the conversion sequence avoids the energy losses associated with phase chopping while achieving effective voltage regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous useful action by maintaining continuous power flow through the switching converter. The high-frequency switching operates continuously to transfer energy from input to output, avoiding the discontinuous chopping action of thyristors that causes energy loss, thereby achieving high conversion efficiency above 90%.
3Volume of stationary object
If traditional voltage regulation methods are used, then voltage regulation function is achieved, but small volume and high conversion rate cannot be achieved at the same time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the voltage regulation process into distinct functional modules: AC/DC conversion stage, DC voltage regulation stage with controllable switches, and DC/AC conversion stage. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently for both compact size and high efficiency, achieving small overall volume while maintaining high conversion rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The switching converter circuit performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides AC/DC conversion, DC voltage regulation, and DC/AC conversion. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate regulators for each function, reducing overall volume while maintaining high conversion efficiency through unified control.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables a compact design with high conversion efficiency, maintaining stable average voltage without sudden changes, and reducing the complexity and cost of control logic, while achieving high conversion rates.
Implementation Method 1
an AC/DC converter, including an AC power supply input end and a DC (direct current) conversion output end
Implementation Method 2
AC/DC converter
Implementation Method 3
the switch controller compares the voltage values of the AC power supply and the voltage regulated DC during the positive half cycle of the AC power supply, to send an opening signal to the AC control end or the DC positive voltage control end
Data Source
AI summary
An AC voltage regulating circuit, method and transformer are disclosed in the present application. The AC voltage regulating circuit includes an AC/DC converter, a switch converter, and a switch controller. The AC/DC converter includes an AC power supply input end and a DC conversion output end. The switch converter includes a switch AC input end, a switch DC input end, a regulated voltage output end, an AC controllable switch assembly, a positive voltage DC controllable switch assembly and a negative voltage DC controllable switch assembly. The switch controller includes a power sampling end, a reference sampling end, an AC control end, a DC positive voltage control end and a DC negative voltage control end.