Large-Signal Characterization of Power Inductors in EV Bidirectional DC–DC Converters Focused on Core Size Optimization

Abstract

This paper is focused on core size optimization of power inductors in Bidirectional DC-DC converters. It presents an experimental large-signal characterization procedure for power inductors in EV applications and a method to obtain an inductance reference value for the power inductor in DC-DC converters simulation studies. It discusses the importance of the inductor design project by describing important constraints, such as core size and saturation. The main contribution of this paper is related to the proposed DC flux cancellation technique in the bidirectional converter. A variable inductor (VI) prototype is used to replace the power inductor in order to decrease core size, by improving the ripple content of the inductor current. The saturation level of the core is controlled by means of an auxiliary winding whether the converter operates in buck or boost mode. Experimental results validate the proposed methodology showing a more than 50% reduction in magnetic material for similar current levels.

Battery energy storage for variable speed photovoltaic water pumping system

“…The converter used in this study is a half-bridge IGBT topology, or two-quadrant class D chopper, operating in continuous conduction mode (CCM) as shown in Figure-3. The half-bridge converter has the advantage that the number of components that are subjected to high currents and/or voltages is reduced in comparison to the other configurations [12]. The number of power components increases losses in the converter as well as producing costs.…”

“…These variations can be neglected for the inductor design due to their occasional nature. The largest obtained inductance value will serve as reference for the power inductor prototype [12].…”

Extended Operational Range of Dual-Active-Bridge Converters by using Variable Magnetic Devices

“…Moreover, it is postulated that regarding the closed loop control of the converter under disturbance rejection, the adaptive inductor adds an extra control parameter and thus can be employed to assist the main control scheme in riding through the transient event. It is worth to notice that replacing the fixed power transfer inductance by a variable one can allow for core size optimization and achieving higher power density at the cost of additional power electronic devices needed for controlling the device saturation [5]. In all cases, it is necessary to investigate the overall PEC incorporating the variable magnetic device.…”

Evaluation of High-Current Toroid Power Inductor With NdFeB Magnet for DC–DC Power Converters

“…In order to increase the inductance density, increase the saturation current and reduce the core loss of a power inductor, magnetic materials with larger permeability, higher saturation magnetization, larger resistivity and smaller coercivity (such as ferrite materials) are desired [12][13][14][15].…”

“…This supports the size reduction of power converters through power inductor miniaturization. For this purpose, different methods, such as the utilization of new magnetic materials as power inductor cores and designing new power inductor structures, have been proposed in the literature [12][13][14][15][16][17]. One of the methods used to increase the saturation current (or effectively reduce the size and weight) of the power inductor utilizes one or more permanent magnet(s) (PM) to partially cancel the magnetic fluxes generated by the power inductor winding [18][19][20][21][22][23].…”