A stand-alone, split-phase current-sourced inverter with novel energy storage

A topology and switching algorithm are presented for producing split-phase output voltages using a current-sourced inverter (CSI). Split-phase generation has previously been accomplished using voltage-sourced inverters (VSIs). There are some advantages to instead using CSIs, such as improved output voltage waveform quality and built-in overcurrent protection; however, two issues have prevented their adoption to date. First, while a CSI does not require the input boost converter used by a VSI when fed from a low-voltage source, it may require a preconditioning circuit to provide the required dc current. Second, no algorithm for producing split-phase outputs with a CSI presently exists. This paper's two major contributions aim to solve these problems. A simple preconditioning circuit is presented to provide the necessary dc current and store energy in a capacitor bank for use during load transients. A switching algorithm is written to produce balanced split-phase output voltages under a variety of unbalanced loading conditions. It is demonstrated using simulation and experimental results on a 400-W prototype that the proposed system is able to successfully generate balanced output voltages under unbalanced, inductive, nonlinear, and transient loading conditions, while equalizing switch utilization and minimizing output voltage ripple. Index Terms--Current supplies, inverters, pulsewidth modulated inverters, pulsewidth modulation.