Multiphase multilevel modular DC-DC converter for high current high gain TEG application

This paper presents a high efficiency zero current switching (ZCS) switched-capacitor (SC) dc-dc converter for high current high voltage gain TEG application. Compared with the traditional hard switching switched-capacitor circuits, the proposed circuit achieves ZCS for all the switches, thus minimizing the switching loss and EMI noise. The electrolytic capacitor present in the hard switching circuit to reduce the voltage ripple and achieve high efficiency is replaced with the low capacitance ceramic capacitors. Different from other ZCS SC circuits by inserting a magnetic core, the proposed circuit utilizes stray inductance present in the circuit, thus leading to small size, low cost and high reliability features. The proposed circuit also features continuous input current and low output voltage ripple. So the power loss related to the input capacitor can be minimized. High efficiency and high power density SC dc-dc converters could be made for high current and high voltage gain application by using the proposed topology. Simulation and experimental results are given to demonstrate the validity and features of the proposed topology.