Fully Integrated AC-AC ModularMachine Drive Based on GaN Devices 

CEME Collaborator Yehui Han – University of Wisconsin-Madison

 

The research objective was to study and design a fully integrated ac-ac modular machine drive based on the latest GaN devices. A new small-sized version of the Vienna rectifier with outstanding performance and high power density was designed. Small wide bandgap GaN devices that have low on-resistance, fast switching, great thermal conductivity, and high reliability were applied to the proposed drive. Heat sinks were eliminated because GaN devices are already efficient and have fast switching, and inductor and capacitor sizes were significantly reduced. Theoretical analysis, simulation, and hardware design are provided to prove the concept. A 200 W Vienna rectifier prototype with GaN devices (transforming 55 V ac input voltage to 200 V dc output voltage) was designed as an active front end. Finally, a prototype demonstrates the outstanding performance and compact size of the proposed fully integrated modular drive system. This prototype is the first ac-ac drive fully integrated with GaN devices in the U.S.

 

Founding sources: The Grainger Center for Electric Machinery and Electromechanics and Wisconsin Electric Machines and Power Electronics Consortium.

Fig. 1. 3D illustration of a fully integrated ac-ac modular machine drive based on GaN Devices

Fig. 1. 3D illustration of a fully integrated ac-ac modular machine drive based on GaN Devices