Analysis and implementation of a three-phase matrix-based isolated AC-DC converter with transformer leakage energy management

Abstract

In this paper, a three-phase matrix-based AC to DC power converter is presented considering all the practical implementation aspects for battery charging applications. Unlike some of the matrix-based proposal in the literature, the proposed converter uses only six gate drivers for converting three-phase AC to medium-frequency AC, which is then stepped down and rectified to an appropriate voltage for battery interface. Managing energy stored in transformer’s leakage inductor is often a problem while utilizing single driver per matrix switch. An additional short-circuit leg is proposed to circulate the stored energy during zero vector periods of the proposed converter, thereby ensuring continuous path for the leakage energy. The analysis and design of the proposed converter is validated on a 2 kW experimental prototype and test results are presented for validation.