An Isolated Active-Clamped Circuit Current-Fed Half-Bridge Converter

Glauco E. R da Silva; Carlos M. de O. Stein; Jean P. da Costa; Emerson G. Carati; Rafael Cardoso; Gustavo W. Denardin; Jhon B. B. Quispe

doi:10.18618/REP.e202522

Authors

Glauco E. R da Silva Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0244-1004
Carlos M. de O. Stein Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5339-7441
Jean P. da Costa Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4742-7450
Emerson G. Carati Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6766-7190
Rafael Cardoso Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2193-2056
Gustavo W. Denardin Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3184-6095
Jhon B. B. Quispe Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0737-2221

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18618/REP.e202522

Keywords:

Current-fed half-bridge, isolated regenerative active-clamped circuit, zero current switching, zero voltage switching

Abstract

This paper presents an isolated regenerative active-clamped circuit designed for the current-fed half-bridge (IRACCFHB) converter. Its primary function is to reduce high voltage spikes across the main switches caused by energy stored in the leakage inductance of the power transformer using a clamping capacitor. This recovered energy is delivered efficiently to the load, maintaining the converter's high efficiency and voltage ratio. The proposed auxiliary circuit employs a single active switch with the same ground reference as the main switches, eliminating the need for an isolated gate driver. The converter achieves zero voltage switching (ZVS) during the turn-off of the main switches and zero current switching (ZCS) during the turn-on of the auxiliary switch. Energy recovery to the load is accomplished without compromising galvanic isolation due to employing a coupled inductor in the auxiliary circuit. To validate the proposed analysis and design, a $350~\mathrm{W}$ prototype was implemented.

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Author Biographies

Glauco E. R da Silva, Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná

received the B.S. degree in electrical engineering from the Western State University of Paraná (UNIOESTE), Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, in 2019, and the M.Sc. degree in electric engineering from the Federal University of Technology – Paraná (UTFPR), Pato Branco, Brazil, in 2024. Currently, he is pursuing the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering at Santa Catarina State University (UDESC), Joinville, Brazil. His research interest relates to power converter topologies, soft-switching techniques, modulation techniques for static converters, and electric vehicles.

Carlos M. de O. Stein , Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná

received the B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from the Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil, in 1996, 1997, and 2003, respectively. Since 2003, he has been with the Federal University of Technology – Paraná (UTFPR), Pato Branco, Brazil, where he is currently a Full Professor. His research interests include high-frequency power converter topologies, distributed generation, power supplies, and soft-switching techniques.

Jean P. da Costa , Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná

received the B.S. degree in electrical engineering and the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil, in 2004, 2006, and 2010, respectively. He is currently a Professor with the Department of Electrical Engineering, Federal University of Technology – Paraná, Pato Branco, Brazil. His research interests include control of static converters, smart grids, ancillary services, and distributed generators.

Emerson G. Carati, Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná

received the B.S. degree (1996), the M.S. degree (1999), and the Ph.D. degree (2003) in electrical engineering from the Federal University of Santa Maria, Brazil. Since 2003, he has been with the Federal University of Technology – Paraná (UTFPR), Pato Branco, Brazil, where he is a Full Professor. His research interests are related to control of electrical machine drives, distributed power generation, and static converters.

Rafael Cardoso, Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná

received the B.S. degree in electrical engineering from the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, Brazil, in 2001, the M.Sc. degree in electronic and computer science from the Technological Institute of Aeronautics (ITA), São Paulo, Brazil, in 2003, and the Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from UFSM in 2008. Since 2006, he has been with the Federal University of Technology – Paraná (UTFPR), Pato Branco, Brazil, where he is currently a Full Professor. His research interests include automatic control systems, power electronics, power converter control, energy storage systems, smart grids, and power quality.

Gustavo W. Denardin, Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná

received the B.S., M.Sc., and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from the Federal University of Santa Maria, RS, Brazil, in 2002, 2004, and 2012, respectively. Since 2005, he has been with the Federal University of Technology – Paraná, Pato Branco, Brazil, where he is currently a Full Professor. His research interests include embedded systems, real-time operating systems, instrumentation, communication systems, wireless sensor/actuator networks, and smart grids.

Jhon B. B. Quispe , Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina

received the B.S. degree in electronic engineering from the National University of Engineering (UNI), Lima, Peru, the M.Sc. and Ph.D. degree in electrical engineering from São Paulo State University Júlio de Mesquita Filho (UNESP).
Currently, he is pursuing a postdoctoral degree at Santa Catarina State University. His research interests include electric mobility, microgrids, and renewable energy.

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