Single-phase half-bridge converters are being widely used in different secondary power sources, for example, in some inverter welding transformers [1]. Such converters contain a half-bridge in its power part; a diagonal of the bridge´s direct current is connected with power source Up via a choke [2]. The choke is a typical unit in the structure of the common converters and reduces the steepness of current build-up in transistors during through-faults, i.e. when transistors are being triggered simultaneously. But, while reducing the steepness of current build-up, the choke cuts at the same time, the frequency pass-band of the converter. That is why its inductance should be relatively small, which in its turn lowers the protection level during through-faults. All these deficiencies were eradicated in the developed appliance [3], scheme see on pic.1.
The device works as follows.
As in the common half-bridge single-phase converters, the output of control system 13 is a common pulse-width modulator that sends antipodal signals to transistors 1 and 2. Pulse duration of these impulses depends on the signals (current, voltage); frequency in modern converters that supply, for example, welding transformers, reaches 100 kHz.
Let assume, that power source Up is on, and capacitors 8, 9 are charged each till about 0,5 Up voltage. Then the first signal from the output of control system 13 reaches, for example, transistor 1, causing transistor 1 to trigger, and capacitor 8 discharges to load 10. Through winding 11 and winding 6 of transformer 5 flows equal current. As the windings have the same number of loops and opposite ones, they form a bifilar and do not bring reactance to load circuit. Capacitor 9 is being charged at the time. If the load is enough for capacitor 8 to discharge fully, then by the end of the converter´s operation half-cycle, the capacitor 9 will receive the voltage Up. during the triggering of transistor 2, bifilar is formed by windings 11 and 7 of transformer 5.
So, when the converter is in the operating mode, transformer 5 does not cause reactance in the load circuit, and the maximal converter frequency is limited only by parameters of transistors 1 and 2. As the magnetic flow of transformer 5 is zero during converter operating, the voltage of winding 12 also equals zero.
If transistors 1 and 2 trigger simultaneously because of a defect in the control system or, for example, longer recovery of the cut-off during the transistor warm-up, or due to some other reasons, through-fault occurs, and the current flows through all three primary windings 6, 7, 11 of transformer 5 by-passing the load (completely or partially). Uncompensated magnetic flow arises, inducing voltage on winding 12 of transformer 5. Until transformer 5 is not full, the let-through current equals the magnetization current, i.e. it is negligibly small and is not dangerous for transistors.
So, protection against through-faults does not let the current grow till a dangerous level during the saturation of transformer 5. This time period could be set longer for a transformer, than the time of protection response to the switch-off signal from winding 12. Moreover, there is no need to exaggerate the recovery time for the transistors cut-off, as during the short-term «blockage» the let-through current is negligibly small, and the short output impulses on winding 12 could be blocked with the help of a duration selector, without switching off the converter. The size of the additional transformer 5 is negligibly small, its weight does not exceed 0,07 kg. The excluded from the device choke weights considerably more.
To sum up, the new appliance (fig.1) let reduce the through-fault current, widen the frequency pass-band of the converter, use it voltage properly, as well as make the converter more reliable in general and reduce its weight and size.
Fig. 1.References
The work was submitted to international scientific conference «Priorities for Science, Technology and Innovation», Egypt (Sharm el-Sheikh), November 20-27, 2008. Came to the editorial office оn 04.05.2009.