Utility AC Frequency to High Frequency AC Power Converter with Boost-Half Bridge Single Stage Circuit Topology

This paper presents a novel soft-switching PWM utility frequency AC to high frequency (HF) AC power conversion circuit incorporating boost-active clamp single stage inverter topology. This power converter is more suitable and acceptable for cost effective HF consumer induction heating (IH) applications. Its operating principle and the operation modes are presented using the switching mode equivalent circuits in addition to the operating voltage and current waveforms. The operating performances of this high frequency inverter using the latest IGBTs are illustrated, which includes HFAC power regulation ranges and actual efficiency characteristics based on zero voltage soft switching (ZVS) operation ranges and the power dissipation analysis as compared with those of the previously developed high frequency inverter. In addition, a dual mode selected control scheme of this high frequency inverter based on a constant frequency asymmetrical pulse width modulation (PWM) and pulse density modulation (PDM) control scheme is discussed in this paper in order to extend the soft switching operation ranges and to improve the power conversion efficiency at the low power settings. This power frequency converter practical effectiveness is substantially proved on the basis of experimental results from practical design example.