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Dual-active-bridge (DAB) converters have been widely recognized as one promising topology for high-frequency-link power conversion applications. However, one critical issue concerning DAB converters is the transient dc-bias current due to the voltage-second imbalance, which may occur frequently in typical dynamic operations of DAB converters such as the start-up, sudden load or output voltage change, and power flow direction change. Due to the high-frequency operation, the dc-bias current of DAB converters will impose more harm to magnetic components because of the limited range of operating flux density and possible magnetic saturation compared with the counterpart low-frequency dc-bias current. Over the past several years, extensive researches have been conducted to address the high-frequency transient dc-bias current of DAB converters under different phase-shift modulation strategies such as single phase shift, extended phase shift, and triple phase shift. In this article, a comparative review of typical dc-bias current mitigation strategies under typical phase-shift strategies for DAB converters is presented. An experimental evaluation of selected strategies under various scenarios is conducted in terms of the settling time, inductor current stress, efficiency, switching number, and implementation complexity. This article ends up with an overview of high-frequency dc-bias mitigation strategies and a discussion for the further optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dc power transmission system has been obviously attracting more research interests in recent years. In order to satisfy the high-reliability requirement of the dc power transmission system, the power converter should be able to keep uninterrupted operation after multiple unexpected faults. However, high fault-tolerant capability usually leads to the bulky redundant circuit, which increases the cost, volume, and complexity of the power converter. Thus, a fault-tolerant dual active bridge (DAB) converter is proposed to maintain the power transferring ability under multiple unexpected open-circuit faults (OCFs) conditions, which can significantly enhance the reliability of the dc power transmission system. By reconfiguring the central-tapped transformer and two symmetrical auxiliary inductors, the half-bridge conduction branch is built to maintain uninterrupted operation when a single or dual OCF has occurred. The proposed fault-tolerant strategy only requires four extra voltage sensors to detect and locate OCFs for the reconfiguration process. Thus, it significantly improves the system reliability with a low additional cost. Besides, the inductor current, transmission power, and the small-signal models of the proposed fault-tolerant converter have been presented. It proves the proposed fault-tolerant topology can smoothly switch between normal and postfault operation due to the constituency of the inductor current. Finally, the 250-W prototype is designed to verify the advantage of the proposed fault-tolerant DAB converter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differential power processing (DPP) is regarded as a promising architecture in solving mismatching issues among photovoltaic (PV) submodules. Although conventional total-minimum-power-point (TMPP)-based real-time optimization algorithm by using the distributed submodule-level maximum power point tracking and simultaneously the centralized total-minimum-power tracking shows effectiveness in maximizing the power yield. However, uneven power stress among DPP converters, large oscillations, high additional cost for communication among DPP converters, and complicated implementation hinder the practical application. This article proposed a low-complexity power balancing point-based optimization algorithm to reduce the system cost and size, improve the system efficiency, and realize the standardized modular design for DPP converters. Furthermore, simple submodule-level voltage equalization control is implemented to eliminate expensive communication and relieve the control complexity while guaranteeing high maximum-power-point efficiency. The proposed algorithm can reduce the power rating of DPP converters compared with conventional TMPP-based control, which is beneficial to the improvement of system cost, reliability, and lifetime. Both simulation and experimental results under various scenarios are provided to validate the advantages of the proposed algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the “brain” of the modern photovoltaic power systems, dc solid-state transformers (SSTs) are playing an increasing important role in integrating different photovoltaic modules, batteries, and supercapacitors. This paper aims at improving the conversion efficiency of dc SST for a wide operating range by minimizing the backflow power of the dc SST system. First, the mathematical model of the backflow power from both input and output sides of dc SST is obtained. Then, the penalty function is derived and an enhanced triple phase shift control (ETPS) strategy is proposed to minimize the backflow power for various transmission power and voltage conversion conditions. A comprehensive comparison of the proposed ETPS with other advanced control strategies was carried out through theoretical analysis and experimental tests. Main experimental results are illustrated to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article proposes a fixed switching frequency (FSF)-based improved model predictive control (MPC) for a five-level active neutral-point clamped (5L-ANPC) converter. Compared to the conventional MPC for 5L-ANPC converter, the proposed MPC significantly reduces the computational burden while ensuring the balance of dc-link and flying capacitor voltages. The proposed MPC optimally selects the control voltage vectors to reduce common mode voltage (CMV), leading to a small CMV of the converter. Using three voltage vectors action per control cycle in MPC, FSF is achieved. Steady-state and dynamic performances of the proposed MPC have been evaluated by experiments. The results verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed MPC method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared with the conventional multilevel converters, the hybrid-clamped converter (HCC) reduces the number of power devices, which brings down the converter cost while enhancing its reliability for medium-voltage high-power applications. As one of typical medium-voltage HCCs, the single-phase, six-level HCC (6L-HCC) faces the main technical challenge of the voltage balance among five inner capacitors. Most of the existing pulsewidth modulation techniques cannot solve this problem. Advanced control methods that directly apply a selected voltage vector, such as the classical model predictive control (MPC), may fail to balance the inner capacitor voltages during low output frequencies. In view of this situation, this article proposes an improved MPC approach with autotuning weighting factors. It contributes to ensure excellent performance of 6L-HCC under all operating conditions with well-balanced inner capacitor voltages. Simulation and experimental results are proposed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article proposes a new finite control set model predictive control (FCS-MPC) strategy that simultaneously evaluates two targeting control objectives including speed and currents in a single cost function, achieving high-performance single-closed-loop control structure. Besides, aiming at the calculation delay problem of the model predictive control controllers, a novel calculation delay compensation method by predicting the current variation within the delay time is proposed. In this article, an improved machine model that is especially designed for the multiobjective FCS-MPC operation is illustrated at first. Then, a new cost function that can evaluate the tracking performance of speed and d-axis current and the steady-state performance of the q-axis current is developed. Compared with the conventional FCS-MPC approaches, extra speed controllers are not needed so that the proposed control topology becomes simpler. Then, in order to tune the weighting factors for the speed and currents in the cost function, an efficient handling strategy containing two implementation procedures, state variable normalization and balance of state sensitivity to voltage alteration, is developed. Finally, a brand-new computation delay estimation and compensation technique based on the dual sampling within a control period is proposed to reduce the current and torque ripples during the control process. Comparative simulation and experiments conducted on a three-phase 1.5-kW permanent magnet synchronous machine drive system are employed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plug-in hybrid electrical trucks (PHETs) are a kind of emerging transport solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Switched reluctance motors (SRMs) are one of the popular choices for PHETs applications due to characteristics of rear-earth free, high starting torque, wide-speed range, and good fault tolerance. Usually, more than two converters are needed to achieve flexible energy conversion among multiple electrical energy components on board, i.e., generator, battery bank, and motor. High-power converters should be used to drive the trucks that occupy the limited on-board space. Furthermore, an extra converter is also needed to achieve ac grid connecting charging. All these converters make the on-board power electronics converter complicated. In this paper, a modular tri-port high-power converter for SRM based PHETs is proposed to combine the multiple electrical energy components into one converter. The modular tri-port high-power converter can not only support flexible energy flow, but also support parallel and series winding connections according to different conditions. Furthermore, ac grid connecting nodes are also developed in the drive, which allows the proposed converter to work as a grid connecting charger without extra facilities. The simulation and experiments are employed to verify the feasibility of the proposed converter and corresponding control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]