New self-switching converters

This paper presents an original concept in which integrated over-voltage and/or over-current protections of power devices are used to produce a self-switching operation. Such a commutation is shown as a possible combination with conventional forced-switching and spontaneous-switching to simplify direct regenerative ac-dc conversion, insulating dc-ac-dc conversion and finally direct ac-ac conversion. Experimental results prove the feasibility of the concept through which the self turn-off operation is likely to offer the best practical gains. Index Terms--Direct ac-ac pulsewidth modulation (PWM) conversion, isolated dc-dc conversion, regenerative ac-dc conversion, self-switching, self turn-off, self turn-on.