Abstract
A transformer-less Buck-Boost direct current–direct current (DC–DC) converter in use for the fast charge of electric vehicles, based on powerful high-voltage isolated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) modules is analyzed, designed and experimentally verified. The main advantages of this topology are: simple structure on the converter’s power stage; a wide range of the output voltage, capable of supporting contemporary vehicles’ on-board battery packs; efficiency; and power density accepted to be high enough for such a class of hard-switched converters. A precise estimation of the loss, dissipated in the converter’s basic modes of operation Buck, Boost, and Buck-Boost is presented. The analysis shows an approach of loss minimization, based on switching frequency reduction during the Buck-Boost operation mode. Such a technique guarantees stable thermal characteristics during the entire operation, i.e., battery charge cycle. As the Buck-Boost mode takes place when Buck and Boost modes cannot support the output voltage, operating as a combination of them, it can be considered as critically dependent on the characteristics of the semiconductors. With this, the necessary duty cycle and voltage range, determined with respect to the input-output voltages and power losses, require an additional study to be conducted. Additionally, the tolerance of the applied switching frequencies for the most versatile silicon-based powerful IGBT modules is analyzed and experimentally verified. Finally, several important characteristics, such as transients during switch-on and switch-off, IGBTs’ voltage tails, critical duty cycles, etc., are depicted experimentally with oscillograms, obtained by an experimental model.
Highlights
The technology of fast charge is an inevitable part of a future transport system based on electric vehicles, and has been proven by numerous studies [1,2,3,4]
The proposed application requires study to be undertaken in several directions: a possible range of the switching frequencies at the Buck-Boost mode of operation for a converter based on high-voltage and high-current isolated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) modules; thermal mode of operation and possibilities for the dissipated losses and temperature, to be reduced; the possible voltage ranges between the three modes of operation Buck, Boost and Buck-Boost to be analyzed and experimentally verified
The results explicitly showed that a Buck-Boost converter based on IGBT modules is a possible
Summary
Borislav Dimitrov 1, * , Khaled Hayatleh 1 , Steve Barker 1 , Gordana Collier 1 , Suleiman Sharkh 2 and Andrew Cruden 2. Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton, University Road, Southampton. Received: 9 January 2020; Accepted: 25 February 2020; Published: 28 February 2020
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
