• Journal of Power Electronics
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.763-774
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• 2015

This study investigates the inherent influence of a DC-link voltage controller on both DC-link voltage control and the compensation performance of a three-phase, four-wire shunt active power filter (APF). A nonlinear variable-parameter DC-link voltage controller is proposed to satisfy both the dynamic characteristic of DC-link voltage control and steady-state compensation performance. Unlike in the conventional fixed-parameter controller, the parameters in the proposed controller vary according to the difference between the actual and the reference DC-link voltages. The design procedures for the nonlinear voltage controller with variable parameters are determined and analyzed so that the proposed voltage controller can be designed accordingly. Representative simulation and experimental results for the three-phase, four-wire, center-spilt shunt APF verify the analysis findings, as well as the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed DC-link voltage controller.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.634-643
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• 2015

This paper presents a high frequency design approach for improving efficiency over a wide load range in the self-driven phase-shifted full-bridge converters for server power systems. In the proposed approach, a detailed ZVS analysis of the lagging leg switches in both the continuous conduction mode (CCM) and the discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) is presented. The optimum dead time and the determination of the appropriate operation mode are given for high efficiency according to the load conditions. Finally, the optimum operation conditions are defined to achieve a high-efficiency. A laboratory prototype operating at 80 kHz, rated 1 kW (12 V-83.3 A), is built to verify proposed theoretical analysis and evaluations. The experimental results show that the maximum efficiency is achieved as 95% and 83.5% at full load and 5% load conditions, respectively.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.786-795
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• 2015

In this paper, an active damping control scheme for LLCL filters based on the PR (proportional-resonant) regulator is proposed for grid-connected three-level T-type PWM converter systems. The PR controller gives an infinite gain at the resonance frequency. As a result, the oscillation can be suppressed at that frequency. In order to improve the stability of the system in the case of grid impedance variations, online grid impedance estimation is applied. Simulation and experimental results have verified the effectiveness of the proposed scheme for three-phase T-type AC/DC PWM converters.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.796-805
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• 2015

New direct and indirect current control methods for a fault-tolerant active power filter topology are presented in this paper. Since a three-phase four-switch topology has a phase bridge current which cannot be directly controlled, a hysteresis control method in the α-β plane which controls the three-phase current in the two-phase stationary coordinate system is proposed. The improved SVPWM algorithm is able to eliminate the operation of the trigonometric functions in the traditional algorithm by rotating the α-β coordinates and alternating the sequence of the output vectors, which in turn simplifies the algorithm and reduces the switching frequency. The selection of the DC-side reference voltage and DC-side capacitor equalization strategy are also discussed. Simulation and experiments demonstrate that the proposed control method is correct and feasible.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.33-39
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• 2012

This paper describes operating and capacitor voltage balancing of the modular multilevel converter. The paper focuses on sizing of the cell capacitor and establishes approximate expressions for the capacitor voltage. Simulations and experiments results obtained from three-level modular converter are used to demonstrate its viability in medium voltage applications. It is shown that the modular converter can operate over the full modulation index linear range independent of load power factor.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.24-32
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• 2012

Direct duty-ratio PWM schemes for continuous fault tolerant operation of matrix converter-fed motor drives are presented. The proposed method features simple modular modulation structure based on per output phase concept, which requires no additional modification on the normal modulation schemes for fault-tolerant applications. Realizations of fault-tolerant strategy applied to different system configurations are also treated to enhance the system flexibility. The proposed method can be effectively applied to treat the motor open phase fault and converter switching device failure. Simulation and experimental results show the feasibility and validation of the proposed strategies.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.10-18
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• 2012

This paper proposes a finite element method (FEM)-based model of an interior permanent magnet (IPM)-type BLDC motor having stator inter-turn faults. We also propose impedance modeling of the magnetic characteristics. By integrating the developed model with a current-controlled voltage source inverter (CCVSI) model, the distributed characteristics of an inter-turn fault operated by a six-switch inverter are investigated considering speed control. Moreover, this paper presents the flux density distribution and torque characteristics for analyzing the inter-turn fault of an IPM-type BLDC motor. Additionally, fault impedance is required to calculate the circulating current that causes magnetic distortion. Thus, this paper proposes a method for estimating the circulating current taking into account the voltage at the shorted turn and the rotating speed. The analysis data were verified experimentally.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.19-23
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• 2012

This paper presents a practical methodology for realistic simulation on reverse characteristics of Wide Bandgap (WBG) SiC and GaN p-n junctions. The adjustment on certain physic-based model parameters, such as the trap density and photo-generation for SiC junction, and impact ionization coefficients and critical field for GaN junction are described. The adjusted parameters were used in Synopsys Medici simulation to obtain a realistic p-n junction avalanche breakdown voltage. The simulation results were verified through benchmarking against independent data reported by others.

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.67-74
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• 2012

According to electrical output up rating of a permanent magnet motor and request to operate for a large variable speed range, resonance between structural natural vibration and electromagnetic force inside the motor can take place and make noise. This paper describes the mechanism of a resonance between them and noise lowering procedure by frequency shift when they are applied to the reluctance torque largely employed new motor named Permanent magnet Reluctance Motor (PRM).

• Journal of Power Electronics
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.215-222
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• 2012

Lighting represents a significant component of commercial buildings, particularly office buildings. Fluorescent lighting is invariably used in all commercial, industrial and residential areas. A significant amount of lighting energy is wasted every day by leaving the lights on and not utilizing daylight energy. However, if daylight illuminance can be harnessed, this will reduce the electricity consumption of fluorescent lamps and save energy. This paper explains possible significant savings in lighting energy consumption and hence in costs, without reducing the performance and visual satisfaction in office or industrial buildings. It is proposed to obtain energy saving by reducing the supply voltage without degradation in lighting performance. Experimental results confirm that as much as 20% of electrical energy can be saved by reducing about 9% of the supply voltage, without noticeably affecting light output while complying with lighting standard limits.