Compact and efficient power electronics with applications to solar PV, automotive, and aerospace systems
Chou, Derek
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/97514
Description
Title
Compact and efficient power electronics with applications to solar PV, automotive, and aerospace systems
Author(s)
Chou, Derek
Issue Date
2017-04-28
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Pilawa-Podgurski, Robert C. N.
Department of Study
Electrical & Computer Eng
Discipline
Electrical & Computer Engr
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Level
Thesis
Keyword(s)
Power electronics
DC-DC converters
Solar
Automotive
Aerospace
Flying capacitor multilevel
Photovoltaic
Maximum power point tracker/tracking (MPPT)
Zero-voltage switching (ZVS)
Quasi-square-wave (QSW)
Power density
Ceramic capacitors
Solar vehicles
Abstract
Improving the power density of a power converter has many benefits for systems integration. Aspects such as thermal management, weight, conformation to mounting locations, and the footprint of the converter all become critical factors as systems continue to scale down in size. The flying-capacitor multilevel (FCML) converter topology is of interest because it has characteristics which contribute to high power density. This work presents some different applications of the FCML converter which exhibit characteristics of high power density. One such application is a converter built on a flexible polyimide substrate circuit board controlled to achieve quasi-square-wave (QSW) zero-voltage switching (ZVS). ZVS minimizes switching losses and enables high-frequency operation of the converter. The flexible nature of the board enables the converter to be integrated to non-flat surfaces such as motors, pipes, or airfoils. Another such application is the minimization of size and weight of the power stage of a maximum power point tracking system for usage in the solar photovoltaic space. The frequency multiplication effect of the FCML topology enables a 4x reduction in size of this power stage. Both such applications are made possible with the usage of high device switching frequency, fast GaN transistors, and careful thermal management.
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