Variable Zero Voltage Switching (ZVS) Hybrid Controller for Power Factor Corrector (PFC)

• Main Authors: Andia, Hector Sarnago, Gil, Oscar Lucia, Palleres, Alejandro Naval, Masich, Antonio Leon, Pino, Rafael Jimenez
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 18.06.2020
• Subjects: APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC,OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWERSUPPLY SYSTEMS; BASIC ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTINGELECTRIC POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUTPOWER; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER; ELECTRIC EQUIPMENT OR PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLEDVEHICLES; ELECTRICITY; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES, IN GENERAL; GENERATION; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PULSE TECHNIQUE; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLES IN GENERAL

A power factor corrector (PFC), such as for an on-board charger (OBC) for charging a vehicle traction battery, uses an input voltage and an input current from a power source to output a desired voltage. The PFC has an inductor and first and second power switches. A micro-controller generates, for each half-cycle of the input voltage, first and second reference signals respectively indicative of (i) a sinusoidal envelope of the inductor current for which the PFC will absorb sufficient power from the power source for the PFC to output the desired voltage and (ii) a reverse value of the inductor current for which zero voltage switching (ZVS) of the switches is ensured. A comparator assembly turns the first switch off (on) and the second switch on (off) upon the inductor current equaling the outer sinusoidal amplitude envelope (the reverse value) whereby the PFC outputs the desired voltage with ZVS.