A new concept of high-voltage dc-dc conversion using asymmetric voltage distribution on the switch pairs and hybrid ZVS-ZCS scheme

A new concept of high-voltage dc-dc power conversion is presented in this paper. Its distinctive feature lies in distributing the high input voltage asymmetrically between two primary-side series-connected switch pairs. This allows using switches of optimal ratings in their respective class: the low-voltage switch pair implemented with MOSFETs only, and the high-voltage switch pair implemented with insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) only. As the switches in a switch pair are of the same type and voltage rating, they are maximally utilized. With an active snubber on the secondary side of the isolation transformer, a hybrid zero-voltage-switching-zero-current-switching (ZCS) scheme, which is different from the zero-voltage and zero-current- switching technique, is realized and makes all IGBTs be zero-current-switched and all MOSFETs be zero-voltage-switched from very light load to full load condition with minimal circulating energy. The ZCS snubber energy is completely released to the load, leading also to a duty-cycle gain. The operating principles, dc analysis, and design guidelines will be given. A 2-kW, 1500/48-V experimental prototype has been built and evaluated. The measured efficiency of the converter is found to be 92.4% at the rated condition.