Many applications call for high step-up DC-DC converters that do not require isolation. Some DC-DC converters can provide high step-up voltage gain, but with the penalty of either an extreme duty ratio or a large amount of circulating energy. DC-DC converters with coupled inductors can provide high voltage gain, but their efficiency is degraded by the losses associated with leakage inductors. Converters with active clamps recycle the leakage energy at the price of increasing topology complexity. A family of high-efficiency, high step-up DC-DC converters with simple topologies is proposed in this paper. The proposed converters, which use diodes and coupled windings instead of active switches to realize functions similar to those of active clamps, perform better than their active-clamp counterparts. High efficiency is achieved because the leakage energy is recycled and the output rectifier reverse-recovery problem is alleviated.

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High-efficiency, high step-up DC-DC converters

In this paper, a novel high step-up dc-dc converter is proposed for a sustainable energy system. The proposed converter uses coupled-inductor and switched-capacitor techniques. The capacitors are charged in parallel and discharged in series by the coupled inductor to achieve high step-up voltage gain with an appropriate duty ratio. Besides, the voltage stress on the main switch is reduced with a passive clamp circuit; low on-state resistance Rds(on) of the main switch can be adopted to reduce the conduction loss. In addition, the reverse-recovery problem of the diode is alleviated by a coupled inductor. Thus, the efficiency can be further improved. The operating principle and steady-state analyses of voltage gain are discussed in detail. Finally, a prototype circuit with 24-V input voltage, 400-V output voltage, and 200-W output power is implemented in the laboratory to verify the performance of the proposed converter.

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Novel High Step-Up DC–DC Converter With Coupled-Inductor and Switched-Capacitor Techniques for a Sustainable Energy System

In this paper, a new single-switch nonisolated dc-dc converter with high voltage transfer gain and reduced semiconductor voltage stress is proposed. The proposed topology utilizes a hybrid switched-capacitor technique for providing a high voltage gain without an extreme switch duty cycle and yet enabling the use of a lower voltage and RDS-ON MOSFET switch so as to reduce cost, switch conduction, and turn-on losses. In addition, the low voltage stress across the diodes allows the use of Schottky rectifiers for alleviating the reverse-recovery current problem, leading to a further reduction in the switching, and conduction losses. The principle of operation and a comparison with other high step-up topologies are presented. Two extensions of the proposed converter are also introduced and discussed. Simulation and experimental results are also presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.

Ultra Step-Up DC–DC Converter With Reduced Switch Stress

This paper proposes a flyback converter with a new noncomplementary active clamp control method. With the proposed control method, the energy in the leakage inductance can be fully recycled. The soft switching can be achieved for the main switch and the absorbed leakage energy is transferred to the output and input side. Compared to the conventional active clamp technique, the proposed methods can achieve high efficiency both for heavy-load and light-load condition, and the efficiency is almost not affected by the leakage inductance. The detailed operation principle and design considerations are presented. Performance of the proposed circuit is validated by the experimental results from a 16 V/4 A prototype.

A High Efficiency Flyback Converter With New Active Clamp Technique

Modular photovoltaic (PV) power conditioning systems (PCSs) require a high-efficiency dc-dc converter stage capable of regulation over a wide input voltage range for maximum power point tracking. In order to mitigate ground leakage currents and to be able to use a high-efficiency, nonisolated grid-tied inverter, it is also desirable for this microconverter to provide galvanic isolation between the PV module and the inverter. This paper presents a novel, isolated topology that is able to meet the high efficiency over a wide input voltage range requirement. This topology yields high efficiency through low circulating currents, zero-voltage switching (ZVS) and low-current switching of the primary side devices, ZCS of the output diodes, and direct power transfer to the load for the majority of switching cycle. This topology is also able to provide voltage regulation through basic fixed-frequency pulsewidth modulated (PWM) control. These features are able to be achieved with the simple addition of a secondary-side bidirectional ac switch to the isolated series resonant converter. Detailed analysis of the operation of this converter is discussed along with a detailed design procedure. Experimental results of a 300-W prototype are given. The prototype reached a peak power stage efficiency of 98.3% and a California Energy Commission (CEC) weighted power stage efficiency of 98.0% at the nominal input voltage.

A Bidirectional-Switch-Based Wide-Input Range High-Efficiency Isolated Resonant Converter for Photovoltaic Applications

Flyback derived power convertor topologies are attractive because of their relative simplicity when compared with other topologies used in low power applications. Incorporation of active-clamp circuitry into the flyback topology serves to recycle transformer leakage energy while minimizing switch voltage stress. The addition of the active-clamp circuit also provides a mechanism for achieving zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) of both the primary and auxiliary switches. ZVS also limits the turn-off di/dt of the output rectifier, reducing rectifier switching losses, and switching noise due to diode reverse recovery. This paper analyzes the behavior of the ZVS active-clamp flyback operating with unidirectional magnetizing current and presents design equations based on this analysis. Experimental results are then given for a 500 W prototype circuit illustrating the soft-switching characteristics and improved efficiency of the power converter. Results from the application of the active-clamp circuit as a low-loss turn-off snubber for IGBT switches is also presented.

R. Watson

Papers

Utilization of an active-clamp circuit to achieve soft switching in flyback converters