Three-level phase-shift ZVS-PWM DC-DC converter with high frequency transformer for high performance arc welding machines

This paper is concerned with some experimental results and practical evaluations of a three-level phase shifted ZVS-PWM DC-DC converter with neutral point clamping diodes and flying capacitor for a variety of gas metal arc welding machines. This new DC-DC converter suitable for high power applications is implemented by modifying the high-frequency-linked half bridge soft switching PWM DC-DC converter with two active edge resonant cells (AERCs) in high side and low side DC rails, which is previously-developed put into practice by the authors. The operating principle of the three-level phase-shift ZVS-PWM DC-DC converter and its experimental and simulation results including power regulation characteristics vs. phase-shifted angle and power conversion efficiency characteristics in addition to power loss analysis are illustrated and evaluated comparatively from a practical point of view, along with the remarkable advantageous features as compared with previously-developed one.