A ZVS PWM inverter with active voltage clamping using the reverse recovery energy of the diodes

This paper presents a zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) pulsewidth modulated inverter with active voltage clamping using only a single auxiliary switch. The structure is particularly simple and robust. It is very attractive for single-phase high-power applications. Switching losses are reduced due to implementation of the simple active snubber circuit that provides ZVS conditions for all switches, including the auxiliary one. Its main features are: simple modulation strategy, robustness, low weight and volume, low harmonic distortion of the output current and high efficiency. The principle of operation for steady-state conditions, mathematical analysis and experimental results from a laboratory prototype are presented.