Zero current switching switched-capacitor dc-dc converters for thermoelectric generation applications.

摘要

Thermoelectric generation (TEG) module as a renewable energy source for automotive industry is becoming more and more popular recently. Because of the inherent characteristics of TEG modules, a low input voltage, high input current and high voltage gain dc-dc converters are needed for the automotive load. Traditional high voltage gain dc-dc converters are not suitable for automotive application in terms of size and high temperature operation. Switched-capacitor dc-dc converters have to be used for this application.;However, high voltage spike and EMI problems exist in traditional switched-capacitor dc-dc converters. Huge capacitor banks have to be utilized to reduce the voltage ripple and achieve high efficiency.;A series of zero current switching (ZCS) switched-capacitor dc-dc converters have been proposed to overcome the aforementioned problems of the traditional switched-capacitor dc-dc converters. By using the proposed ZCS strategy, high voltage spike is reduced, high EMI noise is restricted, and the huge capacitor bank is eliminated. High efficiency, high power density and high temperature ZCS switched-capacitor dc-dc converters could be made for the TEG interface in automotive applications. Several prototypes have been made to validate the proposed circuit and confirm the circuit operation.