Three-switch integrated single-phase rectifier-inverter converter in light PHEV powertrain

This manuscript proposes a novel and simple integrated rectifier-inverter converter topology to handle electric power exchange between generator or alternator, utility (for plug-in charging) and electric motor in light plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (LPHEV). The power system of PHEVs can be three-phase or single-phase based on overall system power capability, requirements or design criteria; however, this paper only deals with the presentation of a new idea related to single phase power architecture for light PHEVs. There are different topologies to exchange single-phase electric power in literature such as three full-bridges with 12 switches, three half-bridge with 4 switches and other conversion topologies in which three separate stages for motor, generator and utility are utilized. The performance evaluation of this novel rectifier-inverter structure includes output voltage regulation, output voltage total harmonic distortion (THD) and transient response for inverter section and power factor correction (PFC), common DC bus voltage regulation and DC bus neutral point imbalance rejection for rectifier. The proposed idea is supported by simulation and CHIL (controller hardware in the loop) results for a generator-utility input and a VSI(Voltage Source Inverter)-based single-phase induction motor.