Date of Award

6-2012

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Electrical Engineering (MEE)

Department

Electrical Engineering

First Advisor

Dr. Abbas Fardoun

Second Advisor

Chris Bingham

Third Advisor

Dr. Hassan Hejase

Abstract

Power electronic devices with front- end rectifier are widely used in computer, communication and electric vehicle industries. These rectifiers are nonlinear in nature and generate current harmonics which pollute utility power. International harmonic standards (e.g., IEC 61000-3-2 and EN 61000-3-2) have been put in place to confine power pollution. These standards limit the current harmonics generated by loads to a specified threshold depending on load power and application. In other words, a high power factor is required.

Power supplies with active power factor correction (PFC) techniques are becoming necessary for many types of electronic equipment to meet the harmonic regulations and standards. However, classical PFC schemes have lower efficiency due to significant losses in the diode bridge. Several bridgeless topologies have been introduced to decrease diode bridge conduction losses. Most of the step-up PFC rectifiers utilize boost converter at their front end due to its natural PFC capability.

In this thesis, a new bridgeless PFC topology based on Cuk converter is presented. Similar to Cuk converter, the proposed topology offers several advantages in PFC applications, such as easy implementation of transformer isolation, inherent inrush current limitation during start-up and overload conditions, and lower electromagnetic interference (EMI). These advantages make the proposed topology a viable solution for high voltage DC loads such as electric vehicle battery charger.

Chapter III presents steady state analysis for the proposed rectifier. The rectifier is analyzed only during the positive half of the line frequency due to symmetry. Design procedure, simulation and measurements to verify the capability of the rectifier are presented in Chapter IV. Harmonics content and efficiency of the proposed rectifier versus conventional Cuk full bridge PFC rectifier are also presented.

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