Design and Control of Power Converters 2020

In this book, nine papers focusing on different fields of power electronics are gathered, all of which are in line with the present trends in research and industry. Given the generality of the Special Issue, the covered topics range from electrothermal models and losses models in semiconductors and magnetics to converters used in high-power applications. In this last case, the papers address specific problems such as the distortion due to zero-current detection or fault investigation using the fast Fourier transform, all being focused on analyzing the topologies of high-power high-density applications, such as the dual active bridge or the H-bridge multilevel inverter. All the papers provide enough insight in the analyzed issues to be used as the starting point of any research. Experimental or simulation results are presented to validate and help with the understanding of the proposed ideas. To summarize, this book will help the reader to solve specific problems in industrial equipment or to increase their knowledge in specific fields

Advanced Mobile Robotics: Volume 3

Mobile robotics is a challenging field with great potential. It covers disciplines including electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, cognitive science, and social science. It is essential to the design of automated robots, in combination with artificial intelligence, vision, and sensor technologies. Mobile robots are widely used for surveillance, guidance, transportation and entertainment tasks, as well as medical applications. This Special Issue intends to concentrate on recent developments concerning mobile robots and the research surrounding them to enhance studies on the fundamental problems observed in the robots. Various multidisciplinary approaches and integrative contributions including navigation, learning and adaptation, networked system, biologically inspired robots and cognitive methods are welcome contributions to this Special Issue, both from a research and an application perspective

High-efficiency voltage source converters with silicon super-junction MOSFETs

High-efficiency power converters have the benefits of minimising energy consumption, reducing costs, and realising high power densities. The silicon super-junction (SJ) MOSFET is an attractive device for high-efficiency applications. However, its highly non-linear output capacitance and the reverse recovery properties of its intrinsic diode must be addressed when used in voltage source converters (VSCs). The research in this thesis aims at addressing these two problems and realising high efficiency. Initially, state-of-art techniques in the literature are reviewed. In order to develop a solution with simple hardware, no major auxiliary magnetic components, and no onerous timing requirements, a dual-mode switching technique is proposed. The technique is demonstrated using a SJ MOSFET based bridge-leg circuit. The hardware performance is then experimentally investigated with different power semiconductor device permutations. The transition conditions between the two switching modes do not have to be tightly set in order to maintain a high efficiency. The dual-mode switching technique is then further investigated with a current transformer (CT) arrangement embedded in the MOSFET’s gate driver circuit in order to control the profile of the MOSFET’s incoming drain current at turn on. The dual-mode switching technique, with or without a CT scheme, is shown to achieve high efficiency with minimal additional hardware.High-efficiency power converters have the benefits of minimising energy consumption, reducing costs, and realising high power densities. The silicon super-junction (SJ) MOSFET is an attractive device for high-efficiency applications. However, its highly non-linear output capacitance and the reverse recovery properties of its intrinsic diode must be addressed when used in voltage source converters (VSCs). The research in this thesis aims at addressing these two problems and realising high efficiency. Initially, state-of-art techniques in the literature are reviewed. In order to develop a solution with simple hardware, no major auxiliary magnetic components, and no onerous timing requirements, a dual-mode switching technique is proposed. The technique is demonstrated using a SJ MOSFET based bridge-leg circuit. The hardware performance is then experimentally investigated with different power semiconductor device permutations. The transition conditions between the two switching modes do not have to be tightly set in order to maintain a high efficiency. The dual-mode switching technique is then further investigated with a current transformer (CT) arrangement embedded in the MOSFET’s gate driver circuit in order to control the profile of the MOSFET’s incoming drain current at turn on. The dual-mode switching technique, with or without a CT scheme, is shown to achieve high efficiency with minimal additional hardware

Power electronics technologies for renewable energy sources

Over the last decades, power grids are facing significant improvements mainly due to the integration of more and more technologies. In particular, renewable energy sources (RES) are contributing to moving from centralized energy production to a new paradigm of distributed energy production. Analyzing in more detail the requirements of the diverse technologies of RES, it is possible to identify a common and key point: power electronics. In fact, power electronics is the key technology to embrace the RES technologies towards controllability and the success of sustainability of power grids. In this context, this book chapter is focused on the analysis of diverse RES technologies from the point of view of power electronics, including the introduction and explanation of the operating principle of the most relevant RES, both in onshore and offshore scenarios. Additionally, are also presented the main topologies of power electronics converters used in the interface of RES.(undefined

Footfall energy harvesting : footfall energy harvesting conversion mechanisms

Ubiquitous computing and pervasive networks are prevailing to impact almost every part of our daily lives. Convergence of technologies has allowed electronic devices to become untethered. Cutting of the power-cord and communications link has provided many benefits, mobility and convenience being the most advantageous, however, an important but lagging technology in this vision is the power source. The trend in power density of batteries has not tracked the advancements in electronic systems development. This has provided opportunity for a bridging technology which uses a more integrated approach with the power source to emerge, where a device has an onboard self sustaining energy supply. This approach promises to close the gap between the increased miniaturisation of electronics systems and the physically constrained battery technology by tapping into the ambient energy available in the surrounding location of an application. Energy harvesting allows some of the costly maintenance and environmentally damaging issues of battery powered systems to be reduced.This work considers the characteristics and energy requirements of wireless sensor and actuator networks. It outlines a range of sources from which the energy can be extracted and then considers the conversion methods which could be employed in such schemes. This research looks at the methods and techniques for harvesting/scavenging energy from ambient sources, in particular from the motion of human traffic on raised flooring and stairwells for the purpose of powering wireless sensor and actuator networks. Mechanisms for the conversion of mechanical energy to electrical energy are evaluated for their benefits in footfall harvesting, from which, two conversion mechanisms are chosen for prototyping.The thesis presents two stair-mounted generator designs. Conversion that extends the intermittent pulses of energy in footfall is shown to be the beneficial. A flyback generator is designed which converts the linear motion of footfall to rotational torque is presented. Secondly, a cantilever design which converts the linear motion to vibration is shown. Both designs are mathematically modelled and the behaviour validated with experimental results & analysis. Power, energy and efficiency characteristics for both mechanisms are compared. Cost of manufacture and reliability are also discussed

Driver de potencia dimerizable para un arreglo de LEDs

1 recurso en línea (131 páginas) : Iluistraciones, tablas, figuras.En este trabajo se presenta el diseño, implementación y evaluación de un convertidor conmutado para alimentar una cadena de LEDs a partir de la red eléctrica monofásica. Este convertidor tiene un controlador digital, implementado en un microcontrolador PIC16F873A, que permite variar la tensión de salida en un rango de 31 a 37 V y, por consiguiente, la intensidad luminosa de la lámpara, dándole a ésta la característica de ser dimerizable. Dicho trabajo fue desarrollado dentro del semillero de investigación en electrónica de potencia S-PERD de la Escuela de Ingeniería Electrónica extensión Tunja. Inicialmente se realizó una revisión de algunas topologías utilizadas en convertidores AC/DC para iluminación LED, describiendo sus principales ventajas y desventajas. Las topologías analizadas son: Boost, Buck, Buck-Boost, SEPIC y Flyback. A partir de la comparación de la información recopilada, se selecciona la topología Flyback como la más apropiada para el desarrollo del prototipo objeto de este proyecto. Posteriormente se le realiza el análisis de estado estacionario y de pequeña señal de esta topología en modo de conducción discontinua. Para esto, se empleó el modelo de resistor libre de pérdidas presentado en Erickson que permite entender de manera clara y sencilla la dinámica del sistema. Finalmente se lleva a cabo el diseño e implementación del convertidor, el cual cuenta con una estrategia de control denominada programación de ganancias difusa y la evaluación de desempeño del mismo. El resultado obtenido es un driver de potencia dimerizable con una variación del voltaje de salida satisfactoria y una eficiencia del 69% con la máxima tensión de salida y del 19% para la mínima. Además de esto se muestra el contenido armónico y la distorsión armónica del convertidor.Bibliografía y webgrafía: páginas 82-95PregradoIngeniero Electrónic

Development and Experimental Analysis of Wireless High Accuracy Ultra-Wideband Localization Systems for Indoor Medical Applications

This dissertation addresses several interesting and relevant problems in the field of wireless technologies applied to medical applications and specifically problems related to ultra-wideband high accuracy localization for use in the operating room. This research is cross disciplinary in nature and fundamentally builds upon microwave engineering, software engineering, systems engineering, and biomedical engineering. A good portion of this work has been published in peer reviewed microwave engineering and biomedical engineering conferences and journals. Wireless technologies in medicine are discussed with focus on ultra-wideband positioning in orthopedic surgical navigation. Characterization of the operating room as a medium for ultra-wideband signal transmission helps define system design requirements. A discussion of the first generation positioning system provides a context for understanding the overall system architecture of the second generation ultra-wideband positioning system outlined in this dissertation. A system-level simulation framework provides a method for rapid prototyping of ultra-wideband positioning systems which takes into account all facets of the system (analog, digital, channel, experimental setup). This provides a robust framework for optimizing overall system design in realistic propagation environments. A practical approach is taken to outline the development of the second generation ultra-wideband positioning system which includes an integrated tag design and real-time dynamic tracking of multiple tags. The tag and receiver designs are outlined as well as receiver-side digital signal processing, system-level design support for multi-tag tracking, and potential error sources observed in dynamic experiments including phase center error, clock jitter and drift, and geometric position dilution of precision. An experimental analysis of the multi-tag positioning system provides insight into overall system performance including the main sources of error. A five base station experiment shows the potential of redundant base stations in improving overall dynamic accuracy. Finally, the system performance in low signal-to-noise ratio and non-line-of-sight environments is analyzed by focusing on receiver-side digitally-implemented ranging algorithms including leading-edge detection and peak detection. These technologies are aimed at use in next-generation medical systems with many applications including surgical navigation, wireless telemetry, medical asset tracking, and in vivo wireless sensors

Multi-Level Data-Driven Battery Management: From Internal Sensing to Big Data Utilization

Battery management system (BMS) is essential for the safety and longevity of lithium-ion battery (LIB) utilization. With the rapid development of new sensing techniques, artificial intelligence and the availability of huge amounts of battery operational data, data-driven battery management has attracted ever-widening attention as a promising solution. This review article overviews the recent progress and future trend of data-driven battery management from a multi-level perspective. The widely-explored data-driven methods relying on routine measurements of current, voltage, and surface temperature are reviewed first. Within a deeper understanding and at the microscopic level, emerging management strategies with multi-dimensional battery data assisted by new sensing techniques have been reviewed. Enabled by the fast growth of big data technologies and platforms, the efficient use of battery big data for enhanced battery management is further overviewed. This belongs to the upper and the macroscopic level of the data-driven BMS framework. With this endeavor, we aim to motivate new insights into the future development of next-generation data-driven battery management

Doctor of Philosophy

dissertationFocused ultrasound (FUS) is a promising noninvasive and radiation-free cancer therapy that selectively delivers high-intensity acoustic energy to a small target volume. This dissertation presents original research that improves the speed, safety, and efficacy of FUS therapies under magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guidance. First, a new adaptive model-predictive controller is presented that leverages the ability of MRI to measure temperature inside the patient at near real-time speeds. The controller uses MR temperature feedback to dynamically derive and update a patient-specific thermal model, and optimizes the treatment based on the model's predictions. Treatment safety is a key element of the controller's design, and it can actively protect healthy tissue from unwanted damage. In vivo and simulation studies indicate the controller can safeguard healthy tissue and accelerate treatments by as much as 50%. Significant tradeoffs exist between treatment speed, and safety, which makes a real-time controller absolutely necessary for carrying out efficient, effective, and safe treatments while also highlighting the importance of continued research into optimal treatment planning. Next, two new methods for performing 3D MR acoustic radiation force imaging (MR-ARFI) are presented. Both techniques measure the tissue displacement induced by short bursts of focused ultrasound, and provide a safe way to visualize the ultrasound beam's location. In some scenarios, ARFI is a necessity for proper targeting since traditional MR thermometry cannot measure temperature in fat. The first technique for performing 3D ARFI introduces a novel unbalanced bipolar motion encoding gradient. The results demonstrate that this technique is safe, and that 3D displacement maps can be attained time-efficiently even in organs that contain fat, such as breast. The second technique measures 3D ARFI simultaneously with temperature monitoring. This method uses a multi-contrast gradient recalled echo sequence which makes multiple readings of the data without increasing scan time. This improves the signal to noise ratio and makes it possible to separate the effects of tissue heating vs displacement. Both of the 3D MR-ARFI techniques complement the presented controllersince proper positioning of the focal spot is critical to achieving fast and safe treatments