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Induction heating (IH) applications aided power electronic control and becomes most attractive in recent years. Power control plays a vital role in any IH applications in which the stability of the converter is still a research hot spot due to variable frequency operation. In the proposed work, the stability of the converter is carried out based on the Floquet theory for dual-frequency half-bridge series inverter-fed multiload IH system. The dynamic behaviour of the converter is analyzed by developing a small-signal model of the converter. The system with a dynamic closed-loop controller results in poles and zeros lying outside the unit circle, which has poor closed-loop stability and up-down glitches in the frequency response plot. Hence, a proportional-integral (PI) compensator is used to mitigate the said issue, which results in a better response when compared with the open system and works satisfactorily. However, the system becomes unstable when the frequency is varied and the system also possesses a poor time domain response. Hence, the values of the controller gain are optimized with the Floquet theory, which is based on the Eigenvalues of the time domain model. For the optimized gains, the system possesses better stability for the variations in the switching frequency (20 kHz to 24 kHz), and also, the frequency response of the system is better with minimum time domain specifications. The performance of the system is simulated in MATLAB, and the response is noted for various switching frequencies in open loop, with a PI compensator, and with an optimized PI compensator. The output power is varied from 500 W to 18 W at load 1 and 250 W to 9 W at load 2. It is noted from the output response that the rise time is 0.0085 s, the peak time is 0.0001 s, and the peak overshoot is 0.1% with minimum steady-state error. Furthermore, the IH system is validated using a PIC16F877A microcontroller with the optimized PI controller, and the thermal image is recorded using a FLIR thermal imager. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Induction heating (IH) applications, assisted with converter topology and their control, have become very attractive in recent years. Independent power control for any induction cooking application with simple converter topology, multi-load handling capacity, and a control technique is still a research hot spot. This paper focuses on developing the dual-frequency converter for delivering power to two loads independently. The switching frequencies of the converter for loads 1 and 2 are selected as 20 and 80 kHz, respectively, and the inverter is operated by multiplexing two switching frequencies. The independent power control is performed using a phase shift control scheme and validated in real-time using a PIC16F877A microcontroller. The prototype of 1 kW is developed and load 1 is operated with 550 W and load 2 is operated with 270 W output power. The independent power control is verified for various values of the control angle (ϕ) and it is noticed that the efficiency is 91% at 0 ° and it is above 80% for other values of ϕ. The thermal model of the proposed system is studied using COMSOL multiphysics software and the experimental image is recorded using a FLIR thermal imager. It is noted that the temperature rise in the load is 78 ° C and 38.5 ° C for loads 1 and 2, respectively, at time t = 180 s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, induction heating applications assisted by electronic power control have been very appealing. For melting applications, induction heating is widely used as it seems to be appropriate and provides higher efficiency, zero pollutants, non-contamination of material, etc. in comparison with conventional heating. The conventional variable frequency control scheme is not sufficient for melting applications because of its high switching loss, low efficiency, and lower heat rate. A superlative control technique is required to control the output power smoothly, for a high heating rate with minimum power loss, and to lower the number of components. In this paper, a capacitorless self-resonating bifilar coil is proposed for induction surface melting applications. The performance of the system in terms of modular losses, heat rate, and efficiency is analyzed for various power methods such as pulse duty cycle control, phase shift control, pulse density modulation control, and asymmetric duty cycle control. An experimental validation is performed for the 1 kW prototype, and the heating rate, efficiency, and modular losses are calculated. The control technique is digitally validated using a PIC16F877A microcontroller with 30 kHz switching frequency. The temperature distribution is analyzed using a FLIR thermal imager. Among the tested methods, pulse density modulation-based control provides smooth and varied power control from 0% to 100% with minimum modular losses. The efficiency of the system is 89% at a rated output power and is greater than 85% for pulse density modulation control with a fast heating rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Induction heating applications aided by power electronic control have become very attractive in the recent past. For cooking applications, power electronics circuits need to feed power to multi loads with a suitable control technique. The induction heating system requires a superlative converter topology and independent control to deliver power to multi loads. The main idea of this research work is to develop a dual‐frequency half‐bridge series resonant high‐frequency inverter feeding power for multi loads independently. A pulse density modulation (PDM) control technique is used to control the output power independently. The inverter simultaneously powers both loads with constant switching frequency. The proposed system is simulated in MATLAB/Simulink and thermal analysis is carried out in COMSOL multi‐physics software. A 1 kW prototype experimental set up is developed to feed power to dual load with the switching frequencies of 20 and 80 kHz for load 1 and load 2, respectively. The experimental results are provided to validate the system performance for various duty cycles of the PDM signal. The simulation and experimental results are in good agreement. The efficient power control is accomplished by varying the density of the switching pulses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The concept of induction heating is slowly entrenching as it has the traits of homogeneous heating, zero pollution and higher power density. To achieve these traits convincingly in reality, there is a need to develop energy efficient converter topologies, which aid in achieving power regulation of soft switching and very high frequency operation. This paper presents the salient features of converter topologies used for domestic and industrial heating applications with a focus on its stage‐wise power conversion, power density, load handling capacity, soft switching, reliability and size. The performance of these topologies is analysed in terms of converter switching frequency, power rating, modulation techniques, flicker, user performance and efficiency. Moreover, this review paper predicts the future trends associated with the adaptation of wide band‐gap power semiconductor materials, multi‐output topologies, variable frequency control scheme with minimum losses and filter design to improve source‐side power factor. The detailed technology review will be extremely useful for researchers, designers and engineers in choosing the appropriate topology for the chosen application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In this work, a capacitor‐less self‐resonating coil‐based induction heating (IH) system with magnetic resonant coupling has been proposed. In the conventional heating system, the inclusion of additional capacitor for creating the resonance results in poor efficiency of overall system. To overcome this issue, a bifilar coil system is implemented, which leads to series resonance at a particular frequency. The key mechanism is self‐resonance wireless power transfer concept to IH system; hence, no capacitor is needed in the system. The coil has a series association of the coil inductance and capacitance at the resonant operating condition. A mathematical modeling and steady state analysis is performed for the conventional (solenoidal) coil and bifilar coil to estimate the actual value of the capacitance and inductance of the coil. The performance of the bifilar coil system is tested through COMSOL multiphysics simulation tool and parameters like eddy current, magnetic flux, and temperature distribution in the work piece are analyzed. The experimental setup of the bifilar coil‐aided IH system is implemented with PIC16F877A microcontroller, and FLIR thermal imager is used to analyze the temperature distribution on the work piece. The experimental results are compared with the simulation results, and the bifilar coil system provides a promising solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single switch inverter is a prevalently used topology for domestic induction heating (IH) applications because of its crisp structure, high efficiency and low cost. The inherent issue with this single switch topology is that it has to withstand the whole power of the load and the huge resonating voltage due to the load current during the energy transfer by the capacitor. This process in due course will reduce the performance and also the life of the system. The cumulative stress on the switch due to dynamic variations in AC mains will cause thermal runaway on the switch. Also, this nonlinear operation at the load results in input current distortions. In this work, a simple voltage-limiting control is proposed to reduce the voltage stress of the switch and to maintain a high power factor. The control circuitry and its logic are verified for 500- W IH prototype. The test results reveal that the suggested scheme is simple and efficient in mitigating voltage stress as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aims at suggesting a frequency tracking system for a dual half-bridge series resonant inverter applied to induction heating (IH) system. The modulation technique incorporated is asymmetric voltage cancellation method. In this new tuning method, the control range is enhanced to the whole range of inverter operation. Also, the inverter discussed here is capable of driving two (dual) loads simultaneously compared to the conventional inverter feeding single load. Small-signal modeling of the dual-load IH system is discussed in this article to facilitate stability and controllability of the IH load. Also, the power control margin is determined with the necessary pole-zero plots. The simulation study of the proposed system is incorporated in the MATLAB/Simulink and also experimentally validated for the dual-coil induction cooking system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Induction heating (IH) applications aided by power electronic control system have become very attractive in the recent past. The power electronics circuits succumb to severe switching loss, lower power density if proper switching methodology is not adhered. A state of uncertainty is indispensable in IH application as the power required by the load varies depending upon the nature of work piece. This uncertain issue makes the selection of the control algorithm and controller very vital. The mundane controllers may not be compatible to combat the uncertainties and leads to exhibit dynamic problems say transients, peak overshoot and poor response. Henceforth, the IH system requires a superlative converter topology and control scheme in order to have reduced switching loss and to improve the system performance there by negating the uncertainties. Here, in this work, a direct AC–AC boost resonant converter fed by pulse density modulation (PDM) is realized in a single stage mode. A fuzzy logic-based PDM control technique improves the efficiency and provides the versatile power control with reduced time domain specifications for dynamic changes in load. The proposed system has been studied using MATLAB/SIMULINK and validated using a hardware prototype employing dsPIC30F4011 microcontroller. The results reveal that efficient control over power can be accomplished by varying the density of the switching pulses, and thereby the efficiency is enhanced even with reduced component count. Also, the single-stage conversion is effective than its two-stage counterpart. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In high frequency induction heating systems, the effective load parameters change during the different operating conditions. It is necessary to maintain constant input voltage to the induction heating load to improve the quality of the heating. The resonant based high frequency converter is generally used for these applications for the reduction of switching losses. The resonant condition is also affected during the variation in load parameters. The controller should provide a good voltage regulation with less response time and less overshoot during the loading conditions. In this paper, a load adaptive fuzzy logic control scheme is proposed to perform the voltage control of the high frequency inverter under variable load conditions. A frequency tracking control system is also employed for the inverter system using the phase lock loop. The phase lock loop ensures the resonant frequency operation of the inverter during the change in load parameters. The state space model of the system is discussed to study the inverter during different operating conditions. The fuzzy logic controller based closed loop control scheme is developed using the MATLAB simulation tool. The responses of the conventional and fuzzy logic controllers are studied for load voltage regulation and the effectiveness of the control schemes is verified. The dynamic behavior of the system is studied under no load and loaded conditions with the two controllers. The fuzzy based closed loop control scheme improves the dynamic response of the system compared to the conventional controller. The response of the induction heating system is validated with a hardware prototype. The results are presented in order to confirm the proposed control strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current scenario, power electronic device-based induction heating (IH) technologies are widely employed in domestic cooking, industrial melting and medical applications. These IH applications are designed using different converter topologies, modulation and control techniques. This review article mainly focuses on the modelling of half-bridge series resonant inverter, electrical and thermal model of IH load. This review also analyses the performance of the converter topologies based on the power conversion stages, switching frequency, power rating, power density, control range, modulation techniques, load handling capacity and efficiency. Moreover, this paper provides insight into the future of IH application, with respect to the adaptation of wide band-gap power semiconductor materials, multi-output topologies, variable-frequency control schemes with minimum losses and filters designed to improve source-side power factor. With the identified research gap in the literature, an attempt has also been made to develop a new hybrid modulation technique, to achieve a wide range of power control with high efficiency. A 100 W full-bridge inverter prototype is realised both in simulation and hardware, with various modulation schemes using a PIC16F877A microcontroller. The results are compared with existing techniques and the comparisons reveal that the proposed scheme is highly viable and effective for the rendered applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, induction heating (IH) applications aided by electronic power control have gained significance. Particularly, for cooking applications, an appropriate control technique is required to feed power from a single source to multiple loads with minimum switching losses. Additionally, when multiple loads are used, it requires independent control and operation for each of the loads. The main idea of this work is to develop a single-stage AC-AC converter topology to feed power to multiple loads independently with a single source, with a reduced number of switching devices and with minimum switching losses. The proposed topology uses a frequency bifurcation concept to feed power to multiple loads by placing the transmitting coil and work coil at a distance of 3 cm. The source is resonated at a 25 kHz switching frequency, with the designed bifurcated frequencies of 20 kHz and 33 kHz. The resonant capacitors are appropriately chosen to operate at those frequencies. For real-time applications, simultaneous and independent power control are inevitable in multi load-fed IH applications. This is achieved through a pulse density modulation scheme with minimum switching losses. The simulation of the proposed system is performed in MATLAB/Simulink, and also the 1 kW system is validated using a PIC16F877A microcontroller. The real-time thermal variation in the load is also recorded using a FLIR thermal imager. The experimental and simulation results are observed, and the obtained efficiency of the system is plotted for various duty cycles of pulse density modulation control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]