Huai Wang

Bio: Huai Wang is an academic researcher from Aalborg University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Capacitor & Power electronics. The author has an hindex of 38, co-authored 328 publications receiving 7480 citations. Previous affiliations of Huai Wang include Yangtze University & City University of Hong Kong.

Investigation into the Control Methods to Reduce the DC-Link Capacitor Ripple Current in a Back-to-Back Converter

Abstract: Three-phase back-to-back converters have a wide range of applications (e.g. wind turbines) in which the reliability and cost-effectiveness are of great concern. Among other com- ponents and interconnections, DC-link capacitors are one of the weak links influenced by environmental stresses (e.g. ambient temperature, humidity, etc.) and operating stresses (e.g. voltage, ripple current). This paper serves to investigate the ways of reducing ripple current stresses of DC-link capacitors in back-to- back converters. The outcome could benefit to achieve either an extended lifetime for a designed DC-link or a reduced DC-link size for fulfilling a specified lifetime target. The proposed control strategies have been demonstrated on a study case of a 1.5 kW converter prototype. The experimental verifications are in well agreement with the theoretical analyses.

A Class of High-Input Low-Output Voltage Single-Step Converters with Low Voltage Stress on the Primary-Side Switches and High Output Current Capacity

Abstract: Power conversion from an input voltage of several kilovolts to a low load voltage is of great significance in various applications, but poses serious challenges. In this paper, a new converter, which is able to realize such a large step-down conversion in a single step, is proposed by introducing a novel concept of dc-dc multiphase conversion and n-phase interleaving rectification. The proposed structure is formed by n switch pairs in the primary side, an n-phase isolation transformer with the primary windings connected to dc blocking capacitors, and an n-phase current multiplier in the output side. The switching patterns applied to the switch pairs have a phase difference of 360° \mathord/ \vphantom 360°n n, and the output inductor currents are interleaved correspondingly, making necessary a smaller output filter. For a Vi input voltage and Io load current, the converter features Vi/n voltage stress on the primary-side switches, and Io/n current stress on the secondary-side inductors and diodes. Thus, the magnetic size of the inductors is considerable reduced. The primary-side switches are commutated with zero-voltage-switching (ZVS). Therefore, rather than using insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) or MOSFETs with higher voltage ratings, the most available, notable performing 500/600 V MOSFETs can be used in the proposed converter with several kilovolts supply voltage, allowing for a higher operation frequency and lower conduction losses. Compared with an input-series-output-parallel (ISOP) connection of full-bridge (FB) isolated converters, for the same voltage stress on the switches, the proposed converter requires half of the number of transistors and inherently balances the input voltage among the switch pairs. The switching mechanism of a typical switch pair in the kth interval Ts/n of a switching cycle is analyzed. A dc analysis was carried out to determine the dc conversion ratio and the ZVS conditions in an analytical form. It allows for a tradeoff design of the converter, such that to minimize the duty-cycle loss and maximize the ZVS load range. A 1500/48-V, 2-kW prototype with four switch pairs was designed, implemented, and evaluated. The experimental results prove the soft switching of the switches, the low voltage stress across the primary-side switches, and the low current flowing through the rectifier's diodes and inductors. The efficiency measured at nominal power rating was 90.75%.

Comprehensive evaluation on efficiency and thermal loading of associated Si and SiC based PV inverter applications

Abstract: This paper deals with the design, control, efficiency and thermal cycling estimation of associated Si and SiC based three-phase PV-inverters. A novel Electro-Thermal Model able to consider the thermal coupling within the Transistor and Diode integrated on the same package is proposed. For each topology, three different cases study are simulated, according to the heatsink repartition: one-leg heatsink, shared heatsink and individual heatsink. Based on the model, it has been determined the minimum required heatsink thermal impedance in order not to overpass the device physically thermal limitations. Finally, simulation results are analyzed in order to decide which topology has a higher efficiency and a better thermal loading distribution within the devices.

Condition Monitoring for Submodule Capacitors in Modular Multilevel Converters

Abstract: This letter proposes a method for the condition monitoring of submodule (SM) capacitors in modular multilevel converters (MMCs) without additional circuitry or computationally heavy algorithm. The proposed method leverages the discharging curve of SM capacitors in connection with the parallel bleeding resistors. It is independent of the MMC control and modulation schemes. Moreover, it potentially does not require thermal and load-related calibration for capacitor degradation monitoring. The principle, case study, and proof of concept of the proposed method are presented.

A Novel Type-2 Fuzzy Logic for Improved Risk Analysis of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells in Marine Power Systems Application

Abstract: A marine energy system, which is fundamentally not paired with electric grids, should work for an extended period with high reliability. To put it in another way, by employing electrical utilities on a ship, the electrical power demand has been increasing in recent years. Besides, fuel cells in marine power generation may reduce the loss of energy and weight in long cables and provide a platform such that each piece of marine equipment is supplied with its own isolated wire connection. Hence, fuel cells can be promising power generation equipment in the marine industry. Besides, failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) is widely accepted throughout the industry as a valuable tool for identifying, ranking, and mitigating risks. The FMEA process can help to design safe hydrogen fueling stations. In this paper, a robust FMEA has been developed to identify the potentially hazardous conditions of the marine propulsion system by considering a general type-2 fuzzy logic set. The general type-2 fuzzy system is decomposed of several interval type-2 fuzzy logic systems to reduce the inherent highly computational burden of the general type-2 fuzzy systems. Linguistic rules are directly incorporated into the fuzzy system. Finally, the results demonstrate the success and effectiveness of the proposed approach in computing the risk priority number as compared to state-of-the-art methods.

I and i

Abstract: There is, I think, something ethereal about i —the square root of minus one. I remember first hearing about it at school. It seemed an odd beast at that time—an intruder hovering on the edge of reality. Usually familiarity dulls this sense of the bizarre, but in the case of i it was the reverse: over the years the sense of its surreal nature intensified. It seemed that it was impossible to write mathematics that described the real world in …

Ultracapacitors: Why, How, and Where is the Technology

Abstract: The science and technology of ultracapacitors are reviewed for a number of electrode materials, including carbon, mixed metal oxides, and conducting polymers. More work has been done using microporous carbons than with the other materials and most of the commercially available devices use carbon electrodes and an organic electrolytes. The energy density of these devices is 3¯5 Wh/kg with a power density of 300¯500 W/kg for high efficiency (90¯95%) charge/discharges. Projections of future developments using carbon indicate that energy densities of 10 Wh/kg or higher are likely with power densities of 1¯2 kW/kg. A key problem in the fabrication of these advanced devices is the bonding of the thin electrodes to a current collector such the contact resistance is less than 0.1 cm2. Special attention is given in the paper to comparing the power density characteristics of ultracapacitors and batteries. The comparisons should be made at the same charge/discharge efficiency.

Light-emitting diodes

Abstract: Light-Emitting Diodes. (Monographs in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.) By A. A. Bergh and P. J. Dean. Pp. viii+591. (Clarendon: Oxford; Oxford University: London, 1976.) £22.