Dual-Source Converter Soft Switching Auxiliary Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional DC/DC converters for renewable energy systems suffer from high switching losses and low conversion efficiency due to hard switching and reverse recovery currents in output diodes, making them bulky, complex, and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A dual-source converter with a closed-loop controller, auxiliary circuit, and power source circuits that allow soft switching by controlling duty cycles to minimize losses and increase efficiency, using an auxiliary switch and diodes to manage current flow and reduce reverse recovery currents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If hard switching is used in conventional DC/DC converters, then the switching operation is simple, but switching losses increase and conversion efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an auxiliary circuit containing an auxiliary switch, auxiliary diode, auxiliary capacitor, and auxiliary inductor as intermediary components. These components facilitate soft switching by creating resonant circuits that enable zero-voltage or zero-current switching transitions, thereby reducing switching losses without fundamentally redesigning the entire converter structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the switching parameters by implementing soft switching modes where the switching occurs at zero voltage or zero current conditions. This is achieved by adjusting the duty cycle and timing of the main and auxiliary switches to create favorable switching conditions, thereby reducing switching losses while maintaining converter functionality
2Loss of energy
If reverse recovery current is present in output diode, then the converter structure is simple, but conversion efficiency decreases and loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary circuit acts as an intermediary that prevents reverse recovery current in the main output diode by providing alternative current paths through auxiliary diodes during switching transitions. This eliminates the harmful reverse recovery effect while maintaining the basic converter structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful reverse recovery current into beneficial resonant current flow through the auxiliary circuit. The energy that would normally be lost in reverse recovery is instead channeled through the auxiliary inductor and capacitor to support soft switching operations
3Device complexity
If conventional boost-type converters are used, then the converter design is straightforward, but the system becomes bulky and expensive when multiple converters are connected in parallel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple power source functionalities into a single dual-source converter by using one main switch and one auxiliary switch to control both power sources. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate converters for each power source, reducing system bulk and cost while improving overall conversion efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-source converter achieves multi-functionality by being able to operate with either one power source or both power sources simultaneously. The converter can switch between single-source mode and dual-source mode, providing universal applicability for different operating conditions without requiring separate converter designs
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 dual-source converter achieves low loss switching and high conversion efficiency by enabling soft switching and flexible energy management, reducing the cost and complexity of hybrid generation systems.
Implementation Method 1
The auxiliary inductor is used to release the energy of the first and second current sources from the auxiliary capacitor
Implementation Method 2
The auxiliary capacitor is used to store energy of the first and second current sources
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a dual-source converter for a hybrid power supply. The converter includes a first power circuit, a second power circuit, an auxiliary circuit, an output circuit and a closed loop circuit. The first power circuit is electrically connected to the second power circuit in series for receiving two varied voltage sources. The auxiliary circuit is configured to achieve soft switching of all switches. The closed loop circuit is configured to control the duty cycles of the first power circuit, the second power circuit and the auxiliary circuit so as to improve the efficiency of the dual-source converter.