A 2-MHz 2-kW voltage-source inverter for low-temperature plasma generators: implementation of fast switching with a third-order resonant circuit

This paper presents a specially designed third-order resonant circuit intended to achieve fast switching operation for a voltage-source series-resonant inverter using four MOSFETs. The third-order resonant current superimposed on a sinusoidal load current helps to quickly charge or discharge the output capacitance of each MOSFET. This results not only in a reduction of the commutation period which is required to turn the MOSFET on and off, but also in an improvement of the displacement factor at the output of the inverter. Moreover, the third-order resonant circuit acts as a low-pass filter to suppress the parasitic oscillation between line inductance and stray capacitance. The viability and effectiveness of the third-order resonant circuit is verified by a 2 MHz 2 kW prototype inverter developed for a low-temperature plasma generator </p

Control and analysis of a unified power flow controller

This paper presents a control scheme and comprehensive analysis for a unified power flow controller (UPFC) on the basis of theory, computer simulation and experiment. This developed theoretical analysis reveals that a conventional power feedback control scheme makes the UPFC induce power fluctuation in transient states. The conventional control scheme cannot attenuate the power fluctuation, and so the time constant of damping is independent of active and reactive power feedback gains integrated in its control circuit. This paper proposes an advanced control scheme which has the function of successfully damping out the power fluctuation. A UPFC rated at 10 kVA is designed and constructed, which is a combination of a series device consisting of three single-phase pulsewidth modulation (PWM) converters and a shunt device consisting of a three-phase diode rectifier. Although the dynamics of the shunt device are not included, it is possible to confirm and demonstrate the performance of the series device. Experimental results agree well with both analytical and simulated results and show viability and effectiveness of the proposed control scheme </p

A practical approach to switching-loss reduction in a large-capacity static VAr compensator based on voltage-source inverters

This paper presents a simple method for reduction of switching and snubbing losses in a large-capacity static VAr compensator (SVC) consisting of multiple three-phase voltage-source square-wave inverters. The proposed method is characterized by a “commutation capacitor” connected in parallel with each switching device. The commutation capacitor allows the SVC to perform zero-voltage switching, and to reduce switching losses. The electric charge stored in the commutation capacitor is not dissipated, but regenerated to the DC-link capacitor. Moreover, a soft-starting method for the SVC is also presented to avoid forming a short circuit across the commutation capacitor during startup. Experimental results obtained from a 10 kVAr laboratory setup are shown to verify the viability of the operating principle of the commutation capacitor </p

The unified power quality conditioner: the integration of series and shunt-active filters

This paper deals with unified power quality conditioners (UPQCs), which aim at the integration of series-active and shunt-active power filters. The main purpose of a UPQC is to compensate for voltage flicker/imbalance, reactive power, negative-sequence current and harmonics. In other words, the UPQC has the capability of improving power quality at the point of installation on power distribution systems or industrial power systems. This paper discusses the control strategy of the UPQC, with a focus on the how of instantaneous active and reactive powers inside the UPQC. Experimental results obtained from a laboratory model of 20 kVA, along with a theoretical analysis, are shown to verify the viability and effectiveness of the UPQC </p

A practical approach to harmonic compensation in power systems-series connection of passive and active filters

The authors present a combined system with a passive filter and a small-rated active filter, both connected in series with each other. The passive filter removes load produced harmonics just as a conventional filter does. The active filter plays a role in improving the filtering characteristics of the passive filter. This results in a great reduction of the required rating of the active filter and in eliminating all the limitations faced by using only the passive filter, leading to a practical and economical system. The active filter has a much smaller rating than a conventional active filter. Experimental results obtained from a prototype model are shown to verify the theory developed </p

A new power line conditioner for harmonic compensation in power systems

This paper proposes a new power line conditioner consisting of two small rating series active filters and a shunt passive filter. The power line conditioner aims at a general filtering system which will be installed at the point of common coupling in a power system feeding harmonic-sensitive loads and unidentified harmonic-producing loads. One of the two active filters is connected in series with the supply, while another is in series with the shunt passive filter. The purpose of the power line conditioner is to reduce voltage distortion at the connection point, and is to eliminate harmonic currents escaping into the system upstream of the connection point. A control scheme of the two series active filters which play an important role is described in this paper. Its filtering characteristics are discussed with the focus on voltage and current distortion. A prototype model of 20 kVA is constructed to verify the functionality and performance of the power line conditioner</p

An approach to harmonic current-free AC/DC power conversion for large industrial loads: the integration of a series active filter with a double-series diode rectifier

This paper proposes a new harmonic current-free AC/DC power conversion system characterized by the integration of a small-rated series active filter, with a large-rated double-series diode rectifier. The DC terminals of the active filter are directly connected in parallel with those of the diode rectifier, thereby forming a common DC bus. The active filter enables the diode rectifier to draw three-phase sinusoidal currents from the utility. In addition, it can provide the supplementary value-added function of regulating the common DC-bus voltage to a limited extent of ±5%, slightly increasing the RMS voltage rating, but not increasing the peak voltage rating. Experimental results obtained from a 5 kW laboratory system verify the practical viability and cost effectiveness of the proposed system </p

Control and performance of a pulse-density-modulated series-resonant inverter for corona discharge processes

&lt;p&gt;This paper presents the control and performance of a pulse-density-modulated (PDM) series-resonant voltage-source inverter developed for corona discharge processes. The PDM inverter produces either a square-wave AC-voltage state or a zero-voltage state at its AC terminals to control the average output voltage under constant DC voltage and operating frequency. This results in a wide range of power control from 0.5% to 100%, even in the corona discharge load with a strong nonlinear characteristic. A 30 kHz 6 kW surface treatment system consisting of a voltage-source PDM inverter, a step-up transformer, and a corona discharge treater shows the establishment of a stable corona discharge in an extremely wide range of power control and, therefore, succeeds in performing both strong and weak surface treatment processes for film &lt;/p&gt;</p

A hybrid active filter for damping of harmonic resonance in industrial power systems

This paper proposes a hybrid active filter for damping of harmonic resonance in industrial power systems. The hybrid filter consists of a small-rated active filter and a 5th tuned passive filter. The active filter is characterized by detecting the 5th harmonic current flowing into the passive filter. It is controlled in such a way as to behave as a negative or positive resistor by adjusting a feedback gain from a negative to positive value, and vice versa. The negative resistor presented by the active filter cancels a positive resistor inherent in the passive filter, so that the hybrid filter acts as an ideal passive filter with infinite quality factor. This significantly improves damping the harmonic resonance, compared with the passive filter used alone. Moreover, the active filter acts as a positive resistor to prevent an excessive harmonic current from flowing into the passive filter. Experimental results obtained from a 20 kW laboratory model verify the viability and effectiveness of the hybrid active filter proposed in this paper </p

A shunt active filter based on voltage detection for harmonic termination of a radial power distribution line

This paper focuses on a shunt active filter based on the detection of harmonic voltages at the point of installation. The objective of the active filter is to attenuate harmonic propagation resulting from series/parallel resonance between capacitors for power factor correction and line inductors in a power distribution line. The active filter acts as a low resistor to the external circuit for harmonic frequencies, and it is installed on the end bus of the power distribution line, just like a 50 &#937; terminator installed on the end terminal of a signal transmission line. Therefore, the function of the active filter is referred to as “harmonic termination” in this paper. Experimental results obtained from a laboratory system rated at 200 V and 20 kW verify that the active filter for the purpose of harmonic termination has the capability of harmonic damping throughout the power distribution line</p