Soft switched ac link buck boost converter

A novel soft switching high frequency link converter for medium and high power ac-ac and ac-dc applications is proposed. The proposed topology overcomes the shortcomings of conventional dc and ac link schemes and uses 12 bidirectional switches for a three phase to three phase configuration. An inductor-capacitor pair with low reactive rating forms the link. Switches turn on at zero voltage and their turn offs are capacitance buffered, resulting in low switching losses. Phase currents are synthesized using precisely controlled current pulses, which also allows for any desired input or output voltage or power factor. The converter can perform buck and boost operations in forward and reverse directions. The proposed topology promises size, weight and cost reduction while offering improved performance compared to existing converters.