Active control for medium-frequency transformers flux-balancing in a novel three-phase topology for cascaded conversion structures

Abstract

Efficiency and power density are important parameters in the design of power electronics converters. In many applications, low-frequency transformers are being substituted for medium-frequency and high-frequency transformers in order to reduce the volume and therefore the cost of the transformer. However, preventing their saturation is a complex task. This paper studies the medium-frequency transformers' flux balancing in a novel three-phase topology for cascaded conversion structures.Based on the modulation technique of the converter, a method to directly measure the magnetizing current of the medium-frequency transformers is proposed in this paper. A control loop to regulate the dc value of the magnetizing current is also designed and developed. Simulation results validate the correct operation of the control loop, which prevents the transformer saturation.This work was supported by the Spanish State Research Agency (AEI) under grants PID2019-110956RB-I00 /AEI/ 10.13039/501100011033 and DPI-2016-80641-R, and by the Public University of Navarre through a doctoral scolarship