SINGLE CONVERSION STAGE BIDIRECTIONAL SOFT-SWITCHED AC-TO-AC POWER CONVERTER

摘要

A single conversion stage bidirectional soft-switched AC/AC power converter system is capable of converting power in both directions between high- and low-voltage sources. The system has substantially loss-less switching and regulated output in both directions of power transfer. The semiconductor and electro-magnetic components of the system provide both output regulation and soft switching in both the step-up and the step-down directions of power conversion. The commonality of components between the two directions of power transfer reduces total component count, cost and volume, and enhances power conversion efficiency. An associated method of power transfer employs structural symmetry in a resonant circuit of the system to ensure high efficiency line power transfer in both directions.

主权项

1. A method for transferring electrical line power along opposing first and second paths through a closed loop series reactance network comprised of first, second, and third phase-retarding elements and a phase-advancing element, the method comprising:
a. providing to a first switcher circuit a first input bipolar AC electrical line voltage signal having a first input signal shape; b. first modulating the first input bipolar voltage signal at a first chopping frequency in the first switcher circuit; c. providing across the first phase-retarding element a first modulated input voltage signal from the first switcher circuit; d. extracting across the second phase-retarding element a first modulated resonator output voltage signal; and e. first restoring in a second switcher circuit the first input signal shape to the first modulated resonator output voltage signal to create a first restored output signal.