Saturable reactor

About: Saturable reactor is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1089 publications have been published within this topic receiving 7652 citations.

Inductive power coupling with constant voltage output

Abstract: A constant voltage inductive power coupling for magnetically transferring electrical power from a power source through an air gap to a load comprising a first electromagnetic inductor connected to a power source to generate a shaped alternating magnetic field, a said inductor with a saturable core separated by an air gap from the first inductor and magnetically coupled thereto to receive the shaped magnetic field, the core being responsive to the field to enter a state of magnetic saturation. A coil is electromagnetically coupled to the saturable core and has output leads connected to the load. A capacitor is in electrical communication with the coil to form a tuned circuit that is below resonance at the coupling operating frequency. The magnetic field induced by the first inductor to the second inductor causes voltage in the coil, whose magnitude is determined by the amount of magnetic flux in the core. The saturable core is responsive to any change in input voltage to magnetically counteract such change so as to maintain the core in its state of saturation thereby tending to keep the output voltage constant. Also any increase in load current is associated with a closer approach of the tuned circuit to a resonant condition tending to maintain the output voltage at a constant level. The invention is particularly useful in battery charging circuits or for other applications where the voltage required must be kept at a constant level.

Zero voltage and zero current switching full bridge PWM converter using secondary active clamp

Abstract: A new zero voltage and zero current switching (ZVZCS) full bridge (FB) PWM converter is proposed to improve the performance of the previously presented ZVZCS-FB-PWM converters. By adding a secondary active clamp and controlling the clamp switch moderately, ZVS (for leading leg switches) and ZCS (for lagging leg switches) are achieved without any lossy components, the reverse avalanche break down of leading-leg IGBTs or the saturable reactor in the primary. Many advantages including simple circuit topology, high efficiency, and low cost make the new converter attractive for high voltage and high power (>10 kW) applications. The principle of operation is explained and analyzed. The features and design considerations of the new converter are also illustrated and verified on a 1.8 kW, 100 kHz IGBT based experimental circuit.

An improved soft switching PWM FB DC/DC converter for reducing conduction losses

Abstract: An improved soft-switching topology of a full-bridge (FB) pulsewidth-modulated (PWM) DC/DC converter is described. The new topology employs an energy-recovery snubber to minimize a circulating current flowing through the transformer and switching devices. By using an energy-recovery snubber instead of adding a tapped inductor and a saturable reactor to reduce RMS current stress, the converter achieves zero-current switching (ZCS) for the right leg due to the minimized circulating current and achieves zero-voltage switching (ZVS) for the left leg due to the reflected output current during the interval of left leg transition. Both analysis and experiments are performed to verify the proposed topology by implementing a 7 kW (120 VDC, 58 A) 30 kHz insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) based experimental circuit.

Control of inductive power transfer pickups

Abstract: Secondary resonant pickup coils (102) used in loosely coupled inductive power tranfser systems, with resonating capacitors (902) have high Q and could support large circulating currents which may destroy components. A current limit or 'safety valve' uses an inductor designed to enter saturation at predetermined resonating currents somewhat above normal working levels. Saturation is immediate and passive. The constant-current characteristic of a loosely coupled, controlled pickup means that if the saturable section is shared by coupling flux and by leakage flux, then on saturation the current source is terminated in the saturated inductor, and little detuning from resonance occurs. Alternatively an external saturable inductor (1101, 1102) may be introduced within the resonant circuit (102 and 902), to detune the circuit away from the system frequency. Alternatively DC current may be passed through a winding to increase saturation of a saturable part of a core. As a result, a fail-safe pickup offering a voltage-limited constant-current output is provided.

Investigations of an advanced form of series compensation

Abstract: This paper provides a comprehensive investigation of an advanced form of series compensation (ASC). The basic model consists of a series capacitor connected in parallel with a thyristor-controlled reactor (TCR). Proper selection of the thyristor firing angle increases the equivalent series compensation by developing a "loop flow" current through the series capacitor. The mathematical equations describing the voltages and currents through the capacitor, inductor, and thyristors are developed, analyzed, and later verified using the EMTP analysis program. Additionally, a model circuit was constructed to verify the analytical and computer results. The analysis revealed that the ASC circuit approaches its steady state compensation level gradually, approximately 8-10 cycles at higher levels. The analysis also revealed the significant effect of the reactor size on the ASC operating characteristics and on component sizing. >