A dual-input forward converter for downhole drilling applications

This paper studies the application of multiport converters in downhole via a novel dual-input dual-switch forward converter. Due to the harsh environment and increasing power consumption downhole, few existing power generation technologies could independently meet the power generation needs and reliability requirements. With multiport converters, multiple power sources can be efficiently integrated and may also achieve higher reliability, higher efficiency, and component saving. In the proposed topology, an auxiliary input is integrated and independently controlled by merely adding a diode and a MOSFET to a dual-switch forward converter. Additionally, the auxiliary input leg virtually works as a conventional forward converter and shares the resetting diodes with the original leg. The operation and characteristics of the proposed topology are verified through SPICE simulations.