Single phase matrix converter for radio frequency induction heating

Conventional converters for radio frequency induction heating usually follow an AC-DC-AC structure, which can exhibit non-unity power factor and introduce large harmonic currents into the utility supply. The need for a direct converter for radio frequency induction heating, featuring unity power factor, and sinusoidal input current, has motivated the development of a single phase matrix converter as an induction heater. A novel commutation strategy is therefore required to ensure smooth operation of the converter whilst creating a high frequency output under soft switching conditions. The operating principle and features of the proposed converter are described here, and experimentally verifie

Comparison of single-phase matrix converter and H-bridge converter for radio frequency induction heating

This paper compares the newly developed single-phase matrix converter and the more conventional H- bridge converter for radio frequency induction heating. Both the converters exhibit unity power factor, very low total harmonic distortion at the utility supply interface, good controllability under soft switching condition for a wide range of power, and high efficiencies, whilst still having simple structures. A novel switching control pattern has been proposed for the matrix converter in order to maintain the comparable performance to the H-bridge converter. Simulation and experimental results for both converters are presented. Comparisons between two converters have confirmed the excellent performance of the proposed matrix converter

Hardware Realization of a Residential Static Var Compensator

Conservation by Voltage Reduction (CVR) is the implementation of a distribution voltage strategy whereby all distribution voltages are lowered to the minimum allowed by the equipment manufacturer. This strategy is rooted in the fact that many loads consume less power when they are fed with a voltage lower than nominal. Electric utility companies consider CVR as a potential solution for managing power in distribution networks. However, a difficult challenge is to keep end-of-line (EOL) voltages within an acceptable range of the ANSI Standard C84.1. Therefore, to achieve maximum benefit from CVR, electric utilities should be able to regulate residential voltages depending on load requirements. Hence, there is a need for a local solution which can regulate residential voltage levels from the first customer on the distribution feeder until the EOL of the distribution network. Such a solution will not only provide flexibility to electric utilities for better control over residential voltages but it can also maximize the benefits from CVR. The goal of this research is to develop a Residential Static Var Compensator (RSVC) that will allow electric utility companies to develop strategies for CVR and other applications. The proposed RSVC is in fact a reactive power compensator that can regulate a residential load voltage with a fixed capacitor in shunt with a reactor controlled by two bidirectional switches. The two switches are turned on and off in a complementary manner using a pulse-width modulation (PWM) technique that allows the reactor to function as a continuously-variable inductor. The proposed RSVC has several advantages compared to a conventional thyristor-based static var compensator (SVC), such as a quasi-sinusoidal inductor current, sub-cycle reactive power controllability, lower footprint for reactive components, and its realization as a single-phase device

A matrix converter drive system for an aircraft rudder electro-mechanical actuator

The matrix converter is an attractive topology of power converter for the Aerospace Industry where factors such as the absence of electrolytic capacitors, the potentiality of increasing power density, reducing size and weight and good input power quality are fundamental. The matrix converter potential advantages offers the possibility to achieve the aim of the More Electric Aircraft research which intends to gradually re- place, from the aircraft architecture, the hydraulic power source and its infrastructure with electric power generation and a more flexible power distribution system. The purpose of this work is to investigate the design and implementation of a 40kVA matrix converter for an Electro Mechanical Actuator (EMA) drive system. A SABER simulation analysis of the candidate matrix converter drive systems, for this application, is provided. The design and implementation of the matrix converter is described, with particular attention to the strict requirements of the given aerospace application. Finally, the matrix converter PMSM drive system and the EMA drive system are respectively assembled, tested and commissioned

Real-Time Machine Learning Based Open Switch Fault Detection and Isolation for Multilevel Multiphase Drives

Due to the rapid proliferation interest of the multiphase machines and their combination with multilevel inverters technology, the demand for high reliability and resilient in the multiphase multilevel drives is increased. High reliability can be achieved by deploying systematic preventive real-time monitoring, robust control, and efficient fault diagnosis strategies. Fault diagnosis, as an indispensable methodology to preserve the seamless post-fault operation, is carried out in consecutive steps; monitoring the observable signals to generate the residuals, evaluating the observations to make a binary decision if any abnormality has occurred, and identifying the characteristics of the abnormalities to locate and isolate the failed components. It is followed by applying an appropriate reconfiguration strategy to ensure that the system can tolerate the failure. The primary focus of presented dissertation was to address employing computational and machine learning techniques to construct a proficient fault diagnosis scheme in multilevel multiphase drives. First, the data-driven nonlinear model identification/prediction methods are used to form a hybrid fault detection framework, which combines module-level and system-level methods in power converters, to enhance the performance and obtain a rapid real-time detection. Applying suggested nonlinear model predictors along with different systems (conventional two-level inverter and three-level neutral point clamped inverter) result in reducing the detection time to 1% of stator current fundamental period without deploying component-level monitoring equipment. Further, two methods using semi-supervised learning and analytical data mining concepts are presented to isolate the failed component. The semi-supervised fuzzy algorithm is engaged in building the clustering model because the deficient labeled datasets (prior knowledge of the system) leads to degraded performance in supervised clustering. Also, an analytical data mining procedure is presented based on data interpretability that yields two criteria to isolate the failure. A key part of this work also dealt with the discrimination between the post-fault characteristics, which are supposed to carry the data reflecting the fault influence, and the output responses, which are compensated by controllers under closed-loop control strategy. The performance of all designed schemes is evaluated through experiments

A matrix converter drive system for an aircraft rudder electro-mechanical actuator

The matrix converter is an attractive topology of power converter for the Aerospace Industry where factors such as the absence of electrolytic capacitors, the potentiality of increasing power density, reducing size and weight and good input power quality are fundamental. The matrix converter potential advantages offers the possibility to achieve the aim of the More Electric Aircraft research which intends to gradually re- place, from the aircraft architecture, the hydraulic power source and its infrastructure with electric power generation and a more flexible power distribution system. The purpose of this work is to investigate the design and implementation of a 40kVA matrix converter for an Electro Mechanical Actuator (EMA) drive system. A SABER simulation analysis of the candidate matrix converter drive systems, for this application, is provided. The design and implementation of the matrix converter is described, with particular attention to the strict requirements of the given aerospace application. Finally, the matrix converter PMSM drive system and the EMA drive system are respectively assembled, tested and commissioned

Design and implementation of a GaN based dual active bridge converter for electric vehicle charger

In questa tesi si affronta lo studio del convertitore doppio ponte attivo, operante alla frequenza di 500 [kHz]; viene inoltre presentata la progettazione del trasformatore ad alta frequenza ed infine viene descritta una possibile alternativa al classico controllo con singolo sfasamento tra i due ponti attivi, al fine di estendere il funzionamento in soft switching anche con piccoli livelli di potenza trasmessa, in particolare durante l'ultimo stadio di carica della batteria