Mutsuo Nakaoka

Bio: Mutsuo Nakaoka is an academic researcher from Kyungnam University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Pulse-width modulation & Inverter. The author has an hindex of 36, co-authored 766 publications receiving 6670 citations. Previous affiliations of Mutsuo Nakaoka include Yamaguchi University & Kobe University.

Terminal voltage regulation characteristics by static var compensator for a three-phase self-excited induction generator

Abstract: In this paper, the practical impedance approach steady-state analysis in the frequency domain for the three-phase self-excited induction generator (SEIG) with squirrel-cage rotor is presented along with its operating performance evaluations. The three-phase SEIG is driven by a variable-speed prime mover(VSPM) in addition to a constant-speed prime mover (CSPM) such as a wind turbine and a micro gas turbine for clean alternative renewable energy in rural areas. The basic steady-state characteristics of the VSPM are considered in the three-phase SEIG approximate equivalent circuit and the operating performance of the three-phase SEIG coupled with a VSPM and/or a CSPM are evaluated and discussed online under the conditions related to the speed changes of the prime mover and the electrical inductive load power variations with simple computation processing procedures. A three-phase SEIG prototype setup with a VSPM is implemented for small-scale clean renewable and alternative energy utilizations. The experimental performance results give good agreement with those obtained from the simulation results. Furthermore, a proportional-integral (PI) closed-loop feedback voltage regulation of the three-phase SEIG driven by the VSPM on the basis of the static var compensator (SVC) composed of the thyristor phase-controlled reactor in parallel with the thyristor switched capacitor and the fixed-excitation capacitor bank is designed and considered for the wind generation as a renewable power conditioner. The simulation analysis and experimental results obtained from the three-phase SEIG with SVC for its voltage regulation prove the practical effectiveness of the additional SVC with the PI-controller-based feedback loop in steady-state operation in terms of high performance with low cost.

A High Frequency-Link Secondary-Side Phase-Shifted Full-Range Soft-Switching PWM DC–DC Converter With ZCS Active Rectifier for EV Battery Chargers

Abstract: A new prototype of a secondary-side phase shift soft-switching PWM dc-dc converter suitable for electric vehicle battery charging systems is presented in this paper. Wide range soft-switching operations are achievable from full load to no load by effectively utilizing the parasitic inductances of the high frequency transformer in the proposed dc-dc converter. In addition, no circulating current occurs in both of the primary and secondary side full-bridge circuits; thereby, the related idling power can be minimized. As a result, high efficiency power conversion can be maintained owing to the full range soft-switching operation and wide range output power and voltage regulations. Its operating principle is presented on the basis of theoretical analysis and simulation results, and the design procedure of the circuit parameters of the proposed dc-dc converter is described. The essential performance and its effectiveness of the proposed dc-dc converter are originally demonstrated from a practical point of view in an experiment using a 1 kW-50 kHz laboratory prototype.

Load-adaptive frequency tracking control implementation of two-phase resonant inverter for ultrasonic motor

Abstract: The basic driving and control principles and the operating characteristics of a newly-developed ultrasonic motor (USM) are described. The two-phase resonant inverter for driving the USM, which includes a variable-frequency PWM (pulse width modulation) control scheme and a phasor control function between inverters, is discussed. A novel automatic resonant frequency tracking strategy using the PLL (phase-locked loop) technique is presented. It uses both sensor and sensorless interfaces to operate at a certain optimum point. The two-phase high-frequency inverter using parasitic resonant impedances incorporated in the ultrasonic motor, which is represented in terms of an electrical resonant tank circuit model, is proposed as a high-power density switching mode ultrasonic power amplifier. Experimental results obtained with this inverter-drive USM system with frequency timing control are illustrated. >

Advanced control of PWM converter with variable-speed induction generator

Abstract: This paper describes simple control structures for the vector-controlled stand-alone induction generator (IG) used to operate under variable speeds. Different control principles, indirect vector control and deadbeat current control, are developed for a voltage source pulsewidth-modulation (PWM) converter and the three-phase variable-speed squirrel-cage IG to regulate dc link and generator voltages with the newly designed phase-locked loop circuit. The required reactive power for the variable-speed IG is supplied by means of the PWM converter and a capacitor bank to buildup the voltage of the IG without the need for a battery, to reduce the rating of the PWM converter with the need for only three sensors, and to eliminate the harmonics generated by the PWM converter. These proposed schemes can be used efficiently for variable-speed wind energy conversion systems. The measurements of the IG systems at various speeds and loads are given and show that these systems are capable of good ac and dc voltage regulations

Series resonant ZCS-PFM DC-DC converter with multistage rectified voltage multiplier and dual-mode PFM control scheme for medical-use high-voltage X-ray power generator

Abstract: In general, high-voltage DC power supplies employing a variety of high-frequency inverters are implemented for constant value control schemes. In particular, their good transient and steady state performances cannot be achieved under wide load variations for a medical-use high-voltage X-ray generator, ranging from 20 kV to 150 kV in the output voltage and from 0.5 mA to 1250 mA, respectively. A high-voltage DC power supply designed for X-ray power generator applications is considered, which uses a series resonant inverter-linked multistage DC voltage multiplier instead of a conventional high-voltage diode module rectifier connected to the secondary side of a high-voltage transformer. A constant on-time/variable frequency control scheme of this converter operating at zero-current soft switching mode is described. Introducing the capacitor-diode cascaded multistage voltage multiplier, the secondary turn numbers and secondary-side stray capacitance of the high-voltage, high-frequency transformer, as well as the rectifier diode voltage ratings, can be greatly reduced. It is shown that the proposed converter control scheme of the two-step selective changed frequency selection switching is more effective for improving the output voltage responses. The series resonant high frequency transformer-linked voltage-multiplying rectifier is evaluated for an X-ray high-voltage generator on the basis of simulation analysis and observed data in experiment.

A review of single-phase improved power quality AC-DC converters

Abstract: Solid-state switch-mode rectification converters have reached a matured level for improving power quality in terms of power-factor correction (PFC), reduced total harmonic distortion at input AC mains and precisely regulated DC output in buck, boost, buck-boost and multilevel modes with unidirectional and bidirectional power flow. This paper deals with a comprehensive review of improved power quality converters (IPQCs) configurations, control approaches, design features, selection of components, other related considerations, and their suitability and selection for specific applications. It is targeted to provide a wide spectrum on the status of IPQC technology to researchers, designers and application engineers working on switched-mode AC-DC converters. A classified list of more than 450 research publications on the state of art of IPQC is also given for a quick reference.

Design considerations for a contactless electric vehicle battery charger

Abstract: This paper overviews theoretical and practical design issues related to inductive power transfer systems and verifies the developed theory using a practical electric vehicle battery charger. The design focuses on the necessary approaches to ensure power transfer over the complete operating range of the system. As such, a new approach to the design of the primary resonant circuit is proposed, whereby deviations from design expectations due to phase or frequency shift are minimized. Of particular interest are systems that are neither loosely nor tightly coupled. The developed solution depends on the selected primary and secondary resonant topologies, the magnetic coupling coefficient, and the secondary quality factor.

Step-Up DC–DC Converters: A Comprehensive Review of Voltage-Boosting Techniques, Topologies, and Applications

Abstract: DC–DC converters with voltage boost capability are widely used in a large number of power conversion applications, from fraction-of-volt to tens of thousands of volts at power levels from milliwatts to megawatts. The literature has reported on various voltage-boosting techniques, in which fundamental energy storing elements (inductors and capacitors) and/or transformers in conjunction with switch(es) and diode(s) are utilized in the circuit. These techniques include switched capacitor (charge pump), voltage multiplier, switched inductor/voltage lift, magnetic coupling, and multistage/-level, and each has its own merits and demerits depending on application, in terms of cost, complexity, power density, reliability, and efficiency. To meet the growing demand for such applications, new power converter topologies that use the above voltage-boosting techniques, as well as some active and passive components, are continuously being proposed. The permutations and combinations of the various voltage-boosting techniques with additional components in a circuit allow for numerous new topologies and configurations, which are often confusing and difficult to follow. Therefore, to present a clear picture on the general law and framework of the development of next-generation step-up dc–dc converters, this paper aims to comprehensively review and classify various step-up dc–dc converters based on their characteristics and voltage-boosting techniques. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of these voltage-boosting techniques and associated converters are discussed in detail. Finally, broad applications of dc–dc converters are presented and summarized with comparative study of different voltage-boosting techniques.

Review of Nonisolated High-Step-Up DC/DC Converters in Photovoltaic Grid-Connected Applications

Abstract: The photovoltaic (PV) grid-connected power system in the residential applications is becoming a fast growing segment in the PV market due to the shortage of the fossil fuel energy and the great environmental pollution. A new research trend in the residential generation system is to employ the PV parallel-connected configuration rather than the series-connected configuration to satisfy the safety requirements and to make full use of the PV generated power. How to achieve high-step-up, low-cost, and high-efficiency dc/dc conversion is the major consideration due to the low PV output voltage with the parallel-connected structure. The limitations of the conventional boost converters in these applications are analyzed. Then, most of the topologies with high-step-up, low-cost, and high-efficiency performance are covered and classified into several categories. The advantages and disadvantages of these converters are discussed. Furthermore, a general conceptual circuit for high-step-up, low-cost, and high-efficiency dc/dc conversion is proposed to derive the next-generation topologies for the PV grid-connected power system. Finally, the major challenges of high-step-up, low-cost, and high-efficiency dc/dc converters are summarized. This paper would like to make a clear picture on the general law and framework for the next-generation nonisolated high-step-up dc/dc converters.

Inductive power transfer

Abstract: A detection method for use in a primary unit of an inductive power transfer system, the primary unit being operable to transmit power wirelessly by electromagnetic induction to at least one secondary unit of the system located in proximity to the primary unit and/or to a foreign object located in said proximity, the method comprising: driving the primary unit so that in a driven state the magnitude of an electrical drive signal supplied to one or more primary coils of the primary unit changes from a first value to a second value; assessing the effect of such driving on an electrical characteristic of the primary unit; and detecting in dependence upon the assessed effect the presence of a said secondary unit and/or a foreign object located in proximity to said primary unit.