A NEW APPROACH FOR EFFICIENT SOFT-SWITCHING TECHNIQUE TO INCREASE POWER CONVERSION

Durgam Kumara Swamy, B.V. Sanker Ram

Abstract: Increasing power conversion efficiency is the optimization problem considered in this paper which focuses on soft-switching techniques in order to solve it. Fuel cell (FC) systems with full-bridge topology are considered for the empirical study. Minimizing conduction losses is the aim of the work. In order to focus on it right-aligned modulation sequence is built. At the same time softswitching techniques are used in the well known MOSFETs. As conventional series conductors are not practically feasible, this paper focuses on combination of techniques to have various benefits such as reduction of stress in switches, minimizing transformer ringing, and minimizing reverse-recovery losses. Different loading conditions are explored and the results observed. Simulation study of the proposed soft-switching techniques is made using Simulink to demonstrate the proof of the concept. The reference topology employed is phase-shift zero-voltage switching to show the mechanisms. Empirical results revealed that the proposed simulation model was able to show soft-switching transitions, modulation benefits, besides validating efficiency gains.

Keywords: Power Electronics, Fuel Cell (FC), Soft-Switching Techniques, Modulation, Power Conversion

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15623/ijret.2016.0512004