Dual-Switch Boost DC–DC Converter for Use in Fuel-Cell-Powered Vehicles

Abstract

To facilitate voltage matching between the cell stack and power batteries in fuel-cell-powered vehicles, an implementation of a simple dual-switch boost DC-DC converter topology has been proposed in this paper. Compared with existing boost topologies, the one proposed herein reduces the number of components required and stress induced whilst maintaining a high-gain ratio. The results of experiments performed in this paper reveal that the corresponding to a duty ratio of 0.8, the proposed converter topology demonstrates the realization of a boost ratio of 6, thereby exceeding that the realized by conventional boost converters by nearly 73%. In addition, at an output voltage of 50 V, a maximum operating efficiency of 91% was achieved. These results demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the proposed DC-DC converter topology for use in fuel-cell-powered vehicles.INDEX TERMS Fuel cell, DC/DC converter, topology, high gain ratio.

A Study on an Improved Three-Winding Coupled Inductor Based DC/DC Boost Converter with Continuous Input Current

“…By substituting Equations (10) and (12) into (2), and simplifying with (3), the voltage of the capacitor C3 can be expressed.…”

“…Using Equations (7), (8), (10), (12), and (13), and simplifying the equations, the output voltage can be calculated.…”

“…Therefore, boost DC/DC converters with high output voltage gain are a good solution to the aforementioned issue since they have a large voltage conversion gain characteristic, high conversion efficiency, and small size [4,5]. Various high step-up converters have been presented to process power from low-voltage DC side to high-voltage DC side [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. The continuous low-ripple input current is another important aspect of the converters that is crucial for renewable energy applications especially fuel cells due to their low dynamic response.…”

“…Some transformer-based converters such as Push-Pull, Flyback and Forward can have a high voltage gain ratio by increasing the turn ratios of the transformers. However, the leakage inductance of the transformers will lead to severe problems such as voltage spikes and surges on power switches and extreme power loss [8][9][10].…”

Multiport DC-DC Boost Converter for Utilization in PV System with Improved Gain

“…The converter is made to function at high frequency to get lower output voltage ripple, less magnetics and filters [8]. A simple dual-switch boost DC-DC converter topology has been implemented to facilitate voltage matching among the cell stack and power batteries in fuel-cell-poared [9]. Scrutiny of steady state of bipolar switching resonant DC-DC converter is proposed for hybrid electric vehicles [10].…”