A Novel Zero-Voltage-Switching Push-Pull Forward Converter with a Parallel Resonant Network

Abstract

A novel zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) push-pull forward converter with a parallel resonant network is presented in this paper. The novel topology can provide a releasing loop for the energy storage in a leakage inductor for the duration of the power switching by the resonant capacitors paralleled with the primary windings of the transformer. Then the transformer leakage inductor is utilized to be resonant with the parallel capacitor, and the ZVS operation is achieved. This converter exhibits many advantages such as lower duty-cycle losses, limited peak voltage across the rectifier diodes and a higher efficiency. Furthermore, the operating principles and key problems of the converter design are analyzed in detail, and the ZVS conditions are derived. A 500W experimental converter prototype has been built to verify the effectiveness of the proposed converter, and its maximum efficiency reaches 94.8%.