A High-Power-Density Active-Clamp Converter with Integrated Planar Transformer

This paper proposes an active-clamp forward-flyback (ACFF) converter with an integrated planar transformer for wide-input voltage and high-output current applications, such as low-voltage direct-current (LDC) converters in electric vehicles. An integrated planar transformer that consists of a forwar...

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Main Authors: Dae-Woo Lee, Ji-Hoon Lim, Dong-In Lee, Han-Shin Youn
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-08-01
Series:Energies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/15/5609
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author Dae-Woo Lee
Ji-Hoon Lim
Dong-In Lee
Han-Shin Youn
author_facet Dae-Woo Lee
Ji-Hoon Lim
Dong-In Lee
Han-Shin Youn
author_sort Dae-Woo Lee
collection DOAJ
description This paper proposes an active-clamp forward-flyback (ACFF) converter with an integrated planar transformer for wide-input voltage and high-output current applications, such as low-voltage direct-current (LDC) converters in electric vehicles. An integrated planar transformer that consists of a forward-flyback transformer, single primary winding, and efficient structure of secondary windings is adopted for the proposed converter, and since this transformer is implemented with a common four-layer printed circuit board (PCB) winding, a high power density and low cost of the proposed converter can be achieved. In addition, due to the low leakage inductance induced by the planar transformer, a reduced commutation period can be achieved, and it is possible to increase the switching frequency resulting in low volume of transformer. Although the integrated planar transformer has relatively high conduction loss, the active-clamp topology can significantly reduce the conduction loss on switches compared with widely used full-bridge (FB) converters because it only utilizes two switches and shows the low circulating current. As a result, the proposed converter with an integrated planar transformer has strengths in high power density and cost competitiveness without degraded efficiency, and it is a very attractive topology for LDC converters and other applications that require wide-input voltage and high-output current.
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spelling doaj.art-1bd433f9f57a418b863ea11c651c5a922023-12-03T12:36:07ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732022-08-011515560910.3390/en15155609A High-Power-Density Active-Clamp Converter with Integrated Planar TransformerDae-Woo Lee0Ji-Hoon Lim1Dong-In Lee2Han-Shin Youn3Department of Electrical Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, KoreaDepartment of Electrical Engineering, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, KoreaDepartment of Electrical Engineering, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, KoreaDepartment of Electrical Engineering, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, KoreaThis paper proposes an active-clamp forward-flyback (ACFF) converter with an integrated planar transformer for wide-input voltage and high-output current applications, such as low-voltage direct-current (LDC) converters in electric vehicles. An integrated planar transformer that consists of a forward-flyback transformer, single primary winding, and efficient structure of secondary windings is adopted for the proposed converter, and since this transformer is implemented with a common four-layer printed circuit board (PCB) winding, a high power density and low cost of the proposed converter can be achieved. In addition, due to the low leakage inductance induced by the planar transformer, a reduced commutation period can be achieved, and it is possible to increase the switching frequency resulting in low volume of transformer. Although the integrated planar transformer has relatively high conduction loss, the active-clamp topology can significantly reduce the conduction loss on switches compared with widely used full-bridge (FB) converters because it only utilizes two switches and shows the low circulating current. As a result, the proposed converter with an integrated planar transformer has strengths in high power density and cost competitiveness without degraded efficiency, and it is a very attractive topology for LDC converters and other applications that require wide-input voltage and high-output current.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/15/5609active-clamp converterDC/DC converterelectrical vehicleforward-flyback converterintegrated transformerplanar transformer
spellingShingle Dae-Woo Lee
Ji-Hoon Lim
Dong-In Lee
Han-Shin Youn
A High-Power-Density Active-Clamp Converter with Integrated Planar Transformer
Energies
active-clamp converter
DC/DC converter
electrical vehicle
forward-flyback converter
integrated transformer
planar transformer
title A High-Power-Density Active-Clamp Converter with Integrated Planar Transformer
title_full A High-Power-Density Active-Clamp Converter with Integrated Planar Transformer
title_fullStr A High-Power-Density Active-Clamp Converter with Integrated Planar Transformer
title_full_unstemmed A High-Power-Density Active-Clamp Converter with Integrated Planar Transformer
title_short A High-Power-Density Active-Clamp Converter with Integrated Planar Transformer
title_sort high power density active clamp converter with integrated planar transformer
topic active-clamp converter
DC/DC converter
electrical vehicle
forward-flyback converter
integrated transformer
planar transformer
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/15/5609
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