High Power Thyristor-Based DC-DC Switched-Capacitor Voltage Multipliers. Basic Concept And Novel Derived Topology with A Reduced Number of Switches.

Abstract

This paper presents concepts and results of an investigation of power electronic thyristor-based switched-capacitor voltage multipliers (SCVMs). A concept of the SCVM power converters assumes the utilization of resonant circuits for the zero-current switching operation. The topology makes it possible to apply thyristors as active switches that create the possibility of composing the resonant switch-mode converters for high-voltage gain, high power, and low cost, and opens a huge area of applications. This paper presents an in-depth analysis of the SCVM configured as the resonant high-power thyristor-based converter. The operation with regard to the specific switching conditions of thyristors, as well as efficiency of the converter is analyzed providing the unique relationship important for the converter design, optimization, and efficiency improvement. An experimental validation confirms the feasibility and the operation concept of the SCVM and demonstrates the efficiency range. The SCVM converter can be optimized to the topology with a decreased number of switches. This paper also presents a novel topology of the resonant converter with a reduced number of switches, resonant switched capacitor voltage multiplier (RSCVM), dedicated for thyristor implementation. The RSCVM requires the specific component selection and control. The analysis of the configuration, operation, efficiency, and component selection of the RSCVM converter, as well as simulation and experimental results are presented.