DC-DC active clamp converter

The invention relates to electrical engineering, in particular to single-ended DC voltage converters, and can be used in secondary power supply systems to convert, regulate and stabilize the DC output voltage that is galvanically isolated from the DC input voltage and to reduce dynamic losses.

There are known DC voltage converters with active clamping [1].

The disadvantage of the known DC voltage converter with active clamping is the absence of the possibility of switching the power switch to the zero current value, which leads to an increase in dynamic losses in the power switch when it is turned on, as well as the trapezoidal shape of the current through the power switch, which leads to an additional losses in the power switch in the conductive state and dynamic losses when it is turned off.

The closest technical solution to the proposed device is a DC voltage converter with active clamping is given in [1], containing the primary winding of the transformer, connected through a controlled power switch to the terminals of the input DC voltage source, parallel to which a clamping element is connected, composed of a series-connected capacitor and an additional switch, a transformer performing electrical isolation and obtaining the required level of constant output voltage, secondary windings connected through rectifier diodes to the input of the LC filter, to the output of which the load is connected.

The object of the invention is to overcome these disadvantages.

The objective is accomplished by the fact that in a DC voltage converter with active clamping, the primary winding of the transformer of which is connected through a power switch to the terminals of the input DC voltage source, parallel to which the clamping element is connected, and the two secondary windings of the transformer operate simultaneously on the time interval of the on state of the power switch, wherein the first of them through the rectifier diode is connected to the first filter capacitor, and the second, through the rectifier diode is connected to the input of the LC filter, the output capacitor of which is connected in series with the first filter capacitor, parallel to which the load is connected, and the input of the LC filter through the shunt rectifier diode is connected to the common connection point of the filter capacitors, parallel to which the load is connected.

The proposed DC voltage converter with active clamping, in comparison with the known device, allows you to generate a constant output voltage from a constant input voltage with a decrease in dynamic losses, making it possible to turn on the power switch to zero current and, as a result, reduce dynamic losses in the power switch when it is switching on and due to the squareness of the current in the conductive state when switching off.

1. Rectangular current shape through the control switch to reduce static losses through the control switch 
2. Separation of current and voltage edges to reduce dynamic losses in the control switch 
3. Reduction of current through the rectification diode to ensure direct energy transfer to the load 
4. Active clamping of the control switch providing the possibility of obtaining ZVS

Industries where the invention can be useful?

The power supplies of the proposed types are designed for high-efficiency power supply of the following electronic equipment: - LED lighting equipment - Equipment for managing the fuel and energy complex; - industrial equipment; - Equipment for monitoring the production process; - medical equipment; - transport equipment designed for modern railway infrastructure and electric vehicle infrastructure; - communication and data processing equipment; - Automatic diagnostic and control tools; - Equipment for testing semiconductor devices; - network equipment; - equipment for maintenance of the power grid; - robotics; - aerospace engineering - computer equipment for various purposes, - consumer electronics.

An estimate of the total addressable market?

The global market for DC converters was valued at USD 8.3 billion in 2024 and is estimated to grow at an average annual growth rate of 6.1%, reaching USD 14.7 billion by 2034.

Potential Customers/End Users. Who might benefit?

Potential customers and end users of DC-DC converters are electronics manufacturers, system integrators, and service companies. They use these components in all areas where DC adaptation, stabilization, or galvanic isolation is required. Potential customers and end users of DC-DC converters are electronics manufacturers, system integrators, and service companies. They use these components in all areas where DC adaptation, stabilization, or galvanic isolation is required.