Zero-current transition PWM converters

Abstract

A zero-current transition pulse-width modulated (ZCT-PWM) d.c.-d.c. converter allows minority-carrier semiconductor devices such as, for example, bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), MOSFET controlled thyristors (MCTs), and gate turn-off thyristors (GTOs), to be used as switches for high-power, high frequency applications. The ZCT-PWM converter comprises a shunt resonant branch inserted into a conventional PWM converter circuit. The resonant branch comprises a resonant inductor (Lr), a resonant capacitor (Cr), an auxiliary switch (S1), and an auxiliary diode (D1). The resonant branch is only active during a relatively short switching time in order to create a zero-current switch condition for the main pulse-modulating switch (S) without substantially increasing voltage or current stresses.