High Voltage Stress Research Articles

A 31 L multilevel inverter topology with less switching devices for hybrid electric vehicle applications

In this article, a 12 switch 31 L multi-level inverter (MLI) is proposed with the benefits of least switching devices for electric vehicle applications. In most electric vehicles (EV), conventional inverters are utilized so the lifetime of electric vehicle induction motors is reduced due to the high THD level and high voltage stress. To rectify this, a new inverter topology is proposed with minimum switching devices by increasing the level to 31, and also the THD should be maintained within IEEE standards. This inverter topology is constructed with variable DC sources (PV system) along with required capacitors and a polarity changer. The specific feature of this topology is that it can generate any level of voltage with minimum switching devices, less voltage stress, minimum THD, and less cost are tabulated in the comparison. This type of inverter can also applicable for high voltage (HV) applications and grid-connected systems. Furthermore, the proposed topology is simulated with MATLAB software and the downscale prototype model is developed using the DSPIC30f2010 controller.

Analysis, Design, and Optimization of Segment‐Compensated PCB Coil for Multirelay Wireless Power Transfer System

ABSTRACTThis paper proposed a segment‐compensated printed circuit board (PCB) coil for multirelay wireless power transfer (WPT) system. The PCB coil is designed with variable width to improve the system transfer efficiency, and the segmented compensation method is applied to avoid the high voltage stress on resonant capacitors in case of the multirelay WPT system with a low load resistance operating at a constant voltage frequency. The segmented compensation capacitors are integrated into the PCB coil, so as to constitute the compact coupler used in multirelay WPT system. The optimization procedure of the segment‐compensated PCB coil is also provided. The quality factor of the PCB coil can be improved by optimizing the proportional coefficients of width variation. The voltage of capacitors can be reduced by optimizing the number of segments. A physical variable‐width PCB coil with 3 segments is constructed. The experimental prototypes of the three‐coil, four‐coil, and five‐coil WPT systems are built. The experimental results show that the voltage of the segmented compensation capacitors on each coil is almost uniformly distributed and does not exceed 250 V when the input voltage is 50 V and the load resistance is 10 Ω. Compared with the multirelay WPT system using the equal‐width PCB coil, the multirelay WPT system using the PCB coil designed in this paper has higher output power and higher efficiency.

Design of a stagger‐tuned high‐power low‐stress capacitive wireless power transfer system

AbstractCapacitive power transfer (CPT) has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional inductive methods. CPT offers advantages like cost‐effectiveness, reduced weight and volume, and greater tolerance to alignment errors. However, the high‐Q resonant circuits used as matching networks can be susceptible to high voltage stress, especially when transmitting substantial power. Consequently, designing matching networks for CPT systems necessitates consideration of multiple parameters, including practical constraints such as component losses and breakdown thresholds. In this work an innovative algorithm is presented for designing practical matching networks in CPT systems. The algorithm conducts a methodical search of potential solutions, and converges on component values that maximize power transfer efficiency whilst also minimizing component voltage stress. The proposed algorithm is demonstrated theoretically and experimentally.

Simple Voltage Balancing Control of Four-Level Inverter

Multilevel inverters with improved voltage quality are widely used in applications such as motor control and electric vehicles. The four-level active neutral point clamped (4L-ANPC) inverter effectively meets the demands for high power density and low device voltage stress. However, balancing the capacitor voltage and reducing its low-frequency voltage fluctuation are critical challenges that need to be addressed. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a “variable reference + zero-sequence injection” method that requires only three reference voltage signals to determine the injected zero-sequence components. Particularly, the expression of the midpoint current, regarding the modulation index and phase current amplitude, is theoretically derived. This reveals the fundamental connection between the zero-sequence voltage signal and the midpoint current, providing a theoretical foundation for the zero-sequence injection method in four-level inverters. Subsequently, a simulation model and an experimental platform of the 4L-ANPC inverter were developed to compare and analyze the waveforms of the upper and lower capacitor voltages, phase currents, and line voltages under different modulation methods. Additionally, the upper and lower capacitor voltage waveforms were examined for various modulation indices. The results indicate that as the modulation index increases, the low-frequency voltage fluctuation in the upper and lower capacitor voltages also rises. At a modulation index of 0.95, the “variable reference + zero-sequence injection” method effectively suppresses the fluctuation in the upper and lower capacitor voltages to be no more than 1 V. These experimental findings validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Switch Capacitor–Based High Step‐Up Three‐Port DC–DC Converter for Fuel Cell/Battery Integration

ABSTRACTAddressing issues of low input voltage in new energy generation systems such as fuel cells, a high step‐up three‐port DC–DC converter for fuel cell/battery hybrid power supply system is proposed. The proposed converter is evolved from Boost three‐port converter, and switch capacitor structure and diode capacitor voltage doubling unit are employed to achieve high voltage gain and low voltage stress. The three ports are connected to fuel cell, battery and load respectively, among which the flow of energy is realized. The steady state performance of this converter in various operating states and design of parameter are presented. Primary competitive advantages compared to similar converters include high voltage gain, continuous input current and its feature of common ground. Moreover, control strategy and compensators under three operating modes are designed to achieve stable output voltage and battery protection. Finally, a 100 W experimental prototype with 15 V input voltage and 24 V battery voltage is established to verify the stable and dynamic performance of the proposed converter.

Balancing the Mechanical and Electrochemical Properties of Multifunctional Composite Electrolyte for Structural Batteries

The pursuit of energy-efficient for electric vehicles and aircraft has driven the exploration of structural batteries. In the material-level design of structural batteries, electrode and electrolyte materials act as both load-bearing structures and energy storage elements. During these developments, carbon fibers with excellent mechanical and electrical conductive properties were used as electroactive materials and current collectors. However, most of these systems are combined with electrolytes without mechanical integrity (such as liquid or gel-type electrolytes), thus limiting the load-carrying performance of the battery. Currently the development of electrolytes for structural batteries remains challenging because the parameters enhancing electrochemical properties are often in contradiction with that for mechanical properties. In response to this challenge, the present study proposes a multifunctional composite electrolyte with balanced mechanical and electrochemical properties, which uses polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) as the matrix and metal-organic frameworks (MOF) modified glass fabric (MOF@GF) as the reinforcement. This study systematically investigates the following factors on mechanical and electrochemical properties of the composite electrolytes. Firstly, MOF with high specific surface areas and metal open sites onto the surface of glass fibers establishes a robust ion transporting network. With 20% MOF modified glass fiber and resin content 89%, the electrolyte exhibits high ion conductivity (1.74 × 10-3 S cm−1). In addition, by carefully controlling the resin content, a key parameter for fiber-reinforced composites, a delicate balance between mechanical strength and ionic conductivity can be achieved. Furthermore, interfaces were investigated, including glass fiber-MOF and MOF-PVDF interfaces, revealing the importance of effectively transfers stress and maintains structural integrity. Finally, these findings were combined to create a structural lithium metal battery that utilizes carbon fiber (CF) as the positive electrode and lithium metal as the anode. The resulting battery exhibits ultra-high tensile strength while maintaining a moderate capacity, ensuring normal operation under high voltage stress. This breakthrough discovery not only enhances the understanding of multifunctional composite electrolytes, but is also expected to promote further research and applications in the field of structural batteries. The promise of enhanced system electrolytes opens new avenues for lightweight design, space efficiency and expanded energy storage capabilities in electric vehicles and aircraft. Figure 1 . SEM images of (a) bare glass fiber. (b) MOF grown in-situ on glass fiber. (c) Single fiberglass within polymer matrix. (d) Cross section of the composite polymer electrolyte membrane. Figure 1

Novel clamping modulation for three‐phase buck‐boost ac choppers

AbstractThree‐phase ac choppers feature output voltage amplitude controllability and enable more compact system realizations compared to autotransformers. For the practical realization advantageously standard power transistor with unipolar voltage blocking capability such as MOSFETs can be employed as a naturally resulting offset voltage between the grid and the input‐stage starpoint ensures purely positive power transistor voltages. This offset voltage is, however, not strictly defined and may drift to higher voltage values, resulting in high power transistor voltage stresses and finally a potential overvoltage breakdown. Traditionally, the offset voltage drift is prevented by introducing discharge resistors across the input‐stage capacitors which, however, results in substantial ohmic losses. This paper analyzes the offset voltage formation in ac choppers and proposes a novel clamping modulation scheme which ensures a strictly defined and minimum time‐varying offset voltage without need for discharge resistors. Theoretical analyses and circuit simulations are finally experimentally verified with a 400 V (rms, line‐to‐line) 50 Hz grid connected three‐phase buck‐boost ac chopper with 3 kW rated power.

Electrical insulation and dielectric properties of aramid fiber reinforced epoxy composites under mechanical stress

In this work, an in-situ testing platform that could simultaneously apply high voltage (HV) and mechanical stress has been established. The dielectric properties evolution of aramid fiber reinforced composite (AFRC) under different tensile stresses is investigated systematically. The results show that there is a significant influence on the electrical insulation performance of AFRC, when the applied tensile stress reaches 45 % of the ultimate tensile stress (UTS). Elevated tensile stress will induce interface strain concentration inside composites under this condition, which is prone to cause local damage and defects, consequently enhancing charge accumulation under HV. As the tensile stress continues to increase, it is observed that the absorbed charge around defects increases by 49.4 % under 60 % UTS, accompanied by a discernible decline in the partial discharge inception voltage (PDIV) by 46.9 %. With the increase of absorbed charge, the localized intense electric field is formed, thereby fostering partial discharge and breakdown failure. Therefore, it is important to pay more attention to the evolution of dielectric properties of AFRC under mechanical stress in the design and assessment of aramid-based insulation rods. © 2014 xxxxxxxx. Hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Design and validation of a DC–DC converter-based inductive power transfer system with increased efficiency and reduced voltage stress across switches

Research in wireless power transfer(WPT) focuses on improving efficiency, reducing energy consumption, improving safety, and increasing sustainability. It prioritises developing more efficient transmission technologies, such as high-frequency switching and resonant coupling, to enhance the system’s overall performance. However, high voltage stress across the semiconductor devices during switching operations at high frequencies can result in increased switching loss, leading to decreased overall efficiency of the WPT system. The switching loss can be minimised by reducing voltage stress, resulting in higher efficiency and improved energy transfer performance. This leads to more cost-effective WPT solutions without compromising performance or reliability by using lower-rated components and reducing the need for elaborate voltage clamping and protection circuits. Lowering voltage stress across switches can also help WPT systems comply with industry standards and regulations related to electrical safety, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), and energy efficiency. Meeting these standards is essential for ensuring the widespread adoption and commercial success of WPT technology. In this article, a class ø2 inverter and a modified class-E rectifier is integrated and applied in a WPT system. The benefits of a Resonant class ø2 inverter are zero voltage switching(ZVS) and lower switch voltage stress as compared to its predecessors. Also, a resonant class E/F3 rectifier inductively coupled in the receiving stage reduces the peak voltage stress across the diode. The system shown here is tuned to achieve maximum overall transfer efficiency. The proposed class ø2-E/F3 combined WPT system operating at 50 kHz simulated in PSIM software yielded a dc-dc efficiency of 94.56 percent, and the peak voltage stress across switches is found to reduced (2.4–2.7 times the input voltage as compared to the existing topologies where it surges upto 3.6–4 times the input voltage). These are also validated in Typhoon HIL’s Real-Time Emulator HIL402. In addition to that, a machine learning algorithm based on an Artificial Neural Network is used to generate a model to predict the switching frequency for a specified output voltage and efficiency.

Research on the Coupling Effect of NBTI and TID for FDSOI pMOSFETs.

The coupling effect of negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) and total ionizing dose (TID) was investigated by simulation based on the fully depleted silicon on insulator (FDSOI) PMOS. After simulating the situation of irradiation after NBT stress, it was found that the NBTI effect weakens the threshold degradation of FDSOI PMOS under irradiation. Afterward, NBT stress was decomposed into high gate voltage stress and high-temperature stress, which was applied to the device simultaneously with irradiation. The devices under high gate voltage exhibited more severe threshold voltage degradation after irradiation compared to those under low gate voltage. Devices at high temperatures also exhibit more severe threshold degradation after irradiation compared to devices under low temperatures. Finally, the simultaneous effect of high gate voltage, high temperature, and irradiation on the device was investigated, which fully demonstrated the impact of the NBT stress on the TID effect, resulting in far more severe threshold voltage degradation.

High voltage gain minimum‐phase isolated DC‐DC converter with improved transformer utilization

AbstractThe standard structure of an isolated SEPIC (iSEPIC) does not have a minimum‐phase nature, which signifies no additional support for the output capacitor during ON‐time conditions. Consequently, it has high voltage stress, right half plane (RHP) zeros presence, DC component in the transformer core, and less transformer utilization. This paper presents a modification in a iSEPIC converter having higher voltage gain over a conventional iSEPIC converter. This work analyzes a modified iSEPIC structure by providing additional support to the output capacitor during ON‐time conditions. As a result, the nonminimum‐phase nature will be transformed into the minimum‐phase nature. Consequently, all the mentioned demerits of the standard iSEPIC structure are eliminated The derived discrete‐time modeling analyzes the RHP zeros dependence on the load variation. This modification also leads to improvement in dynamic performance to accommodate the load variation. Finally, a 60 W modified iSEPIC prototype is developed to validate the proposed analysis.

A Common Grounded Voltage Quadrupler ASL/PSC Hybrid Converter With Reduced Voltage Stress

Active switched inductor (ASL) dc-dc converters have very high step-up voltage gain but practically they suffer from high voltage stress across switches because of the resonance caused by the mismatch among the inductor values and switch parameters. This paper presents a new hybrid dc-dc converter topology derived from ASL and passive switched capacitors (PSC). The proposed topology has high step up voltage gain over wide range of duty cycle. The resonance due to mismatch of parameters is eliminated. The proposed converter has low voltage stress, low current stress on circuit elements and common ground between input and output ports. The circuit configuration, operating principle and steady state analysis of the proposed converter are presented. The key performance parameters are compared with that of other high-gain dc-dc converters. A 300W laboratory prototype is developed and experimental verification is carried out for the voltage step-up from 30V to 400V. The closed-loop operation is also verified experimentally and results are presented.

A novel on high voltage gain boost converter with cuckoo search optimization based MPPTController for solar PV system

Traditionally, isolated and non-isolated boost converters are used for solar photovoltaic systems (SPV). These converters have limitations such as low voltage gain, less voltage ripples, temperature dependence, high voltage stress across the switches, and being bulky in size. Besides, the solar PV system also has non-linear characteristics between I–V and P–V, and the energy yield potential is affected by partial shading phenomena. Therefore, maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is being added to the SPV system to get the maximum output power under steady and dynamic climate conditions. Although the conventional MPPT has drawbacks such as less accuracy in predicting the MPP under partial shading conditions, low tracking speed, and more ripples, Hence, the research proposes a stackable single switch boost converter (SSBC) with a Cuckoo search MPPT controller for the SPV system. The efficiency of the proposed circuit topology has been compared with conventional boost converters with various MPPTs. Subsequently, the accuracy of tracking true MPPT by CSO is compared with that of PSO and FPNA. The results show, that the CMPPT with CBC has produced more ripples, whereas the BMPPT with SSBC produces ripple-free power under steady conditions. It is also observed that SSBC with BMPPT produces more power than SSBC with TMPPT. The efficiency of SSBC with BMPPT is better than other combinations. Finally, a prototype model has been developed and verified.

A Stacked Symmetrical Non-Isolated High Step-Up Voltage Gain Converter with High Efficiency and Low Voltage Stress on Components

This paper introduces a cascaded symmetrical non-isolated high step-up voltage gain converter with high efficiency and low voltage stress on components combining a non-isolated buck-boost converter and voltage doubler structure. In the proposed converter, the input source is connected in series to the output load; hence, a part of the source energy is directly delivered from source to load, not through the switching branch, improving efficiency. Furthermore, the appropriately stacked voltage doubler stage not only amplifies the high step-up voltage gain ratio but also considerably diminishes the voltage stress on all semiconductor devices and capacitors. As a result, the costless low internal resistance and low voltage components can be employed for higher efficiency, higher power density, and lower cost. To demonstrate the practicality of the proposed topology, the operating principle is outlined, and the steady-state characteristics are thoroughly analyzed. Furthermore, a 360 W prototype converter has been fabricated to confirm the efficiency of the proposed converter.

Quasi-Resonant Converter for Electric Vehicle Charging Applications: Analysis, Design, and Markov Model Use for Reliability Estimation

This article presents a quasi-resonant converter (QRC) with multiple sources. A QRC has many benefits, such as high gain, constant current, and nominal voltage stress on MOSFET, with an up to 49% duty cycle with fewer switches. These features of the converter make it suitable for electrical vehicle (EV) off-board charging, which requires significant voltage gain. As the switch operates under soft switching condition, the converter has reduced power loss, improved efficiency, and increased reliability. To reduce grid dependency, the suggested QRC is housed with a grid and PV at the input ports. The proposed converter is modeled using mathematical equations and examined using the MATLAB platform under different operating conditions. In this work, analysis of the steady state, along with components design, estimation of the voltage and current stresses, are addressed. Further, the reliability of the QRC based on the probability of components failure is carried out using the Markov model. The hardware results are observed to validate the design, operation, efficiency, and suitability of the proposed QRC for EV off-board charging applications. A 400-watt test rig is designed to assess the performance of QRC.

High Frequency Modeling of Electric Machines Using Finite Element Analysis Derived Data

The use of wide band gap semiconductor switching devices in electric machine drives leads to a significant increase in power density and efficiency compared to conventional silicon-based solutions. However, this technology also presents challenges for the insulation design of electric machines since partial discharges (PDs) may occur due to high peak voltage stress as a result of fast and high frequency switching. To evaluate the risk of PD, it is necessary to understand the voltage distribution within the windings and associated insulation of an electric machine during converter operation. To this end a suitable high frequency model of the machine windings capable of predicting the internal voltage distribution is required. This paper proposes a method of constructing such a model based on finite element analysis (FEA) derived data. The FEA data used to parameterise the model in this work incorporates frequency dependant properties and homogenisation techniques to produce data which captures the high frequency behaviour of the machine. The developed model is compared with measurements in both frequency and time domains, demonstrating the utility and accuracy of the model.

A comprehensive circuit and modulation design of mixed frequency conversion cascaded power electronic transformer

The power electronic transformer (PET) is one of the promising equipment of the energy Internet. In a distributed network, cascaded (cascaded full-bridge, CFB)-type PETs can withstand high-voltage stress and contain a low-voltage DC (LVDC) port, which provides access for distributed generation (DG). However, the hardware cost of the traditional CFB-type topologies remains high, and structure compactness can still be improved. The recently presented mixed-frequency conversion cascade PET (MFCC-PET) is one of the promising solutions. In this study, a comprehensive circuit design of MFCC-PET, a low-voltage distortion nearest-level pulse width modulation (NL-PWM), and a sub-module (SM) voltage balancing strategy for the proposed modulation method under mixed-frequency conversion are presented. A 100 V/2,000 W MFCC-PET prototype is built based on the above analysis and successfully placed into operation.

Parametric and Catastrophic Failures of Metallized Film Capacitors Under High Voltage Stress

Parametric and Catastrophic Failures of Metallized Film Capacitors Under High Voltage Stress

Integration of multiple sources for fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles using single inductor multi-input converter

Fuel Cell Hybrid Electric Vehicles (FCHEV) use batteries and Photo Voltaic (PV) arrays to overcome Fuel Cell (FC) limitations like slow reaction times and low power densities. In a traditional power conversion system, three converters link FC, PV array, and battery to the output load. Despite using the FC, PV array, and battery, it has three inductors and several switches. Each switch also endures high voltage stress, possibly lowering power density and efficiency. This paper proposes a single-inductor multi-input converter (SI-MIC) that achieves 550 V as output where the input is variable. The fuzzy logic controller enables the integration of multiple power sources by selectively turning the ON and OFF switches in various operating modes. Fewer active switches during the powering process make it possible to employ semiconductors with a lower voltage. Thus, the converter generates high power with low conduction and switching losses. The state space model verifies the validity and stability of the converter under various operating modes.

Hybrid quadratic DC-DC boost converter for fuel cell-powered electric vehicle with wide voltage gain and low voltage stress

The need to cut carbon emissions and the worry about global warming will be two of the major issues of the twenty-first century. Globally, academics are researching renewable energy sources, with the majority of their efforts focused on the converter side, which is critical to contemporary society. For energy conversion, fuel cells provide an alternative to internal combustion engines. Despite the fact that typical DC-to-DC converters experience high stress and minimal voltage rise, the bulk of research focuses on voltage lift. Researchers from all around the globe use DC-DC converters to control the voltage of fuel cells. If the targets are fulfilled, more switches will be placed, resulting in higher losses. The boost-cuk converter in this research has a high voltage gain and low switching strain. Initially, this contributed to the development of self-control. Switching losses are reduced when just one switch is used. A DC-DC converter is employed in this research to transform the electricity provided by fuel cells. The alternating supply is then sent to the brushless direct current (BLDC) motor by the PWM inverter. The work starts by building MATLAB simulation blocks. Finally, Simulink is used to display the simulated output waveforms of the intended converter.