Active emi filter with feed forward cancellation

Abstract

An active EMI filter for reducing common mode current in a circuit comprising a rectifier coupled to an AC network, the rectifier supplying DC power to a DC bus, the DC bus feeding an inverter stage for providing AC power to a load, the load having a ground return line to a ground connection of the AC network, the active filter comprising: a transistor switching stage coupled across the DC bus, a current sensor coupled to the DC bus for sensing the common mode current flowing in the DC bus and proportional to the common mode current flowing in the ground return line from or to the load, the current sensor having inputs coupled to respective legs of the DC bus and an output driving the transistor switching stage, the transistor switching stage comprising two transistors driven by said output of the current sensor whereby one of said transistors is turned on by said current sensor output depending on the direction of common mode current in said DC bus, a capacitor coupling said transistor switching stage and said ground return line and wherein said current sensor and said switching stage are coupled in a feed forward arrangement whereby the switching stage is coupled across said DC bus between said rectifier and said current sensor, said capacitor providing a cancellation current to said ground return line from said transistor switching stage to substantially cancel the common mode current in said ground return line, said transistor switching stage and said current sensor having an amplitude gain of approximately unity, said current sensor comprising a current transformer having a primary connected in series with a respective leg of said DC bus, said two transistors of said transistor switching stage comprising two complementary type transistors coupled such that a corresponding main electrode of each transistor are coupled together in a common connection, another corresponding main electrode of each transistor being coupled to a respective secondary of each of said current transformer and wherein the control electrodes of said transistors are coupled to respective legs of said DC bus.