Parameterized analysis of Zero Voltage Switching in resonant converters for optimal electrode layout of Piezoelectric Transformers

Ring shaped PTs (piezoelectric transformers) are an attractive alternative to magnetics in power converters. The achievable energy efficiency is 98% and the power density is up to 30 W/cm³. Additionally power supplies based on PTs display low levels of conducted and radiated EMI due to power conversion based on the piezoelectric effect. Rooted in the physics of this effect, both the in- and output terminal of a PT has a noticeable parasitic capacitance. In a common half-bridge power stage without any supporting magnetic components, the input parasitic capacitance can lead to hard switching losses that are in the range of the actual power rating of a specific PT. In this paper it is demonstrated how the electrode layout of a PT can be designed to enable ZVS (zero voltage switching). This optimization is made simple with a novel set of accurate and simple symbolic equations which relates ZVS constraints to the physical electrode layout of a PT. These properties takes basis in the formulation of an equivalent electrical PT circuit that is valid around the frequency of operation.