Multiple inputs multi-phase interleaved boost converter for fuel cell systems applications

Abstract

In this paper, a three inputs six-phase Interleaved Boost Converter (IBC) is proposed and designed for Fuel Cell (FC) systems, where the different Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC) systems are employed to validate. Considering that the selected converter is composed of three two-phase IBCs connecting in parallel, it shows many superiorities in topology, such as simple structure, high scalability/flexibility, easy maintenance and good fault-tolerant ability. The whole design process containing the selection of phase numbers, parameters design of the converter's components and steady-state operations analysis is focused in this paper. To further validate the correctness of the designed converter, a test bench is established based on dSPACE1104, where the issue of the implementation of six-PWM signals from dSPACE1104 is analyzed and a feasible solution is proposed. Last, experimental results are shown by performing the load disturbance rejection, the variable reference voltage and the PEMFC system's failure based on the designed Double-Loop Super-Twisting Sliding Mode (DL-STSM) controller.