Background
Monolithic wide band gap power semiconductors capable of four quadrant operation (blocking bidirectional voltage and carrying bidirectional current) are emerging and becoming commercially available. Four-quadrant devices have historically been referred to as “Bidirectional Switches” (BDSs), and they have been implemented using two discrete power semiconductor devices. This has created interest in power electronic architectures that require BDS devices. New monolithic BDSs capable of fast switching demands new power conversion architectures that can best utilize their capabilities for miniaturization.
Invention Description
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a new power electronic conversion architecture that enables dramatic miniaturization of single-phase AC/DC power converters. This architecture combines traditional features of multiple converter stages into a single effective power conversion stage, which results in optimal use of the power electronics and the ability to leverage the minimum possible energy storage in the buffer capacitor. This architecture is well-suited to leveraging a strong miniaturization benefit from emerging bidirectional power semiconductor devices.
Potential Applications
- Electric vehicle on-board chargers
- Portable electronics
- Data centers
- Energy storage
- Renewable energy generation
Benefits and Advantages
- Combines functions into a single, effective architecture
- Enables miniaturization (minimizes weight and volume requirements)
- Maximizes energy storage capabilities