ZVT interleaved boost converters for high-efficiency, high step-up DC-DC conversion

Abstract

The narrow turn-off period of the conventional boost converters limits their applications in high step-up DC-DC conversion. The voltage gain is extended without an extreme duty-cycle by the winding-coupled inductor structure. However, the leakage inductance induces large voltage spikes when the switch turns off. An active-clamp circuit is introduced here to clamp the switch turn-off voltage spikes effectively and to recycle the leakage energy. Both the main switches and the auxiliary switches are ZVT during the whole switching transition. Meanwhile, the output diode reverse-recovery problem is alleviated because the leakage inductance of the coupled inductors is in series with the output diode. Furthermore, a family of ZVT interleaved boost converters for high efficiency and high step-up DC-DC conversion is deduced. The experimental results based on 40-380 V front-end applications verify the significant improvements in efficiency. © The Institution of Engineering and Technology 2007.