A three-phase half-bridge LLC resonant converter is a type of power electronic circuit used for high-frequency power conversion. It's designed to efficiently convert energy between three-phase AC input and a DC output, often used in applications such as power supplies, renewable energy systems, and electric vehicle charging.
Here's how a three-phase half-bridge LLC resonant converter works:
Input Stage (Rectification): The converter begins by rectifying the three-phase AC input into DC using a rectifier. This can be a diode bridge or other rectification circuit. The resulting DC voltage is then fed into the resonant circuit.
Resonant Circuit: The resonant circuit consists of a transformer (T), resonant inductor (Lr), resonant capacitor (Cr), and a resonant switch network, typically composed of two power switches (S1 and S2) in a half-bridge configuration. The resonant circuit forms an LC resonant tank with the resonant inductor and capacitor. The transformer couples the primary side (connected to the switches) to the secondary side (output).
Operation Phases:
Phase 1 - Turn-On Phase: During this phase, the first power switch (S1) is turned on, connecting one end of the resonant inductor (Lr) to the DC input voltage. The second power switch (S2) remains off. The resonant capacitor (Cr) starts to charge through the resonant inductor, storing energy in the process.
Phase 2 - Resonant Charging Phase: In this phase, the first switch (S1) turns off, and the second switch (S2) turns on. The energy stored in the resonant inductor and capacitor is transferred to the resonant transformer's primary winding. As the energy oscillates between the inductor and capacitor, a sinusoidal current flows through the resonant circuit, creating a sinusoidal magnetic field in the transformer core.
Phase 3 - Turn-Off Phase: Once the resonant charging phase is complete, the second switch (S2) turns off. At this point, the energy in the transformer core is transferred to the secondary winding, inducing a voltage in the secondary side of the transformer. This induced voltage is then rectified to produce the desired DC output.
Control and Regulation: The operation of the converter is controlled using advanced control techniques to maintain a stable output voltage and control the switching of the power switches. Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) control is often employed to adjust the duty cycle of the switches based on the feedback from the output voltage and current sensors.
The key advantage of an LLC resonant converter is its high efficiency due to its soft-switching characteristics, reduced switching losses, and the ability to operate at high frequencies. It also provides inherent galvanic isolation between the input and output sides due to the transformer. However, designing and controlling an LLC resonant converter can be complex and requires careful consideration of resonant tank parameters, switching frequencies, and control strategies.