Auxiliary quasi-resonant dc link converter

Abstract

An auxiliary quasi-resonant dc link (AQRDCL) converter is employed to achieve soft-switching in an inverter coupled to a dc supply via a resonant dc link circuit. The resonant dc link circuit generates a quasi-resonant voltage to the inverter via a resonant bus. The dc link circuit includes upper and lower capacitors coupled to series between the positive and negative rails of the dc supply, respectively, with the voltage across the lower capacitor being controlled to be greater than the voltage across the upper capacitor. In this way, the need for a switch shorting the resonant bus to ground during a resonant cycle is avoided. An auxiliary switching device assists resonant operation of the resonant bus to zero voltage in order to provide a zero-voltage switching opportunity for the inverter switching devices as the inverter changes state. The AQRDCL then quickly resonates back up to the positive rail voltage as a clamping circuit clamps the resonant bus voltage thereto either with or without the assistance of a second auxiliary switching device, as desired. The auxiliary switching device(es) operates under zero-current switching conditions and at a rate that is below the resonant frequency of the resonant dc link circuit. In addition to high efficiency, the AQRDCL converter has low current and voltage stresses and uses a minimal number of circuit components. The AQRDCL may be used to achieve soft-switching in a variety of inverter topologies, including a switched reluctance machine inverter.