Interleaved ZVS resonant converter with a parallel-series connection

Abstract

This paper presents an interleaved resonant converter with a parallel-series transformer connection in order to achieve ripple current reduction at the output capacitor, zero voltage turn-on for the active switches, zero current turn-off for the rectifier diodes, less voltage stress on the rectifier diodes, and less current stress on the transformer primary windings. The primary windings of the two transformers are connected in parallel in order to share the input current and to reduce the root-mean-square (rms) current on the primary windings. The secondary windings of the two transformers are connected in series in order to ensure that the transformer primary currents are balanced. A full-wave diode rectifier is used at the output side to clamp the voltage stress of the rectifier diode at the output voltage. Two circuit modules are operated with the interleaved PWM scheme so that the input and output ripple currents are reduced. Based on the resonant behavior, all of the active switches are turned on under zero voltage switching (ZVS), and the rectifier diodes are turned off under zero current switching (ZCS) if the operating switching frequency is less than the series resonant frequency. Finally, experiments with a 1kW prototype are described to verify the effectiveness of the proposed converter.