Method for Determining Current During Zero Voltage Switching

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This invention is a method for determining the current that flows during zero voltage switching (ZVS) in power electronic components such as converters, inverters, and related devices. Instead of using traditional current sensors (like shunt resistors or Hall sensors), the current is calculated from the known charge transferred during the switching event and the time it takes for the charge to transfer (commutation duration). The method uses the inherent properties of the switching elements, enabling accurate, real-time current measurement during ZVS without extra sensor hardware.

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• Current measurement in power converters (DC/DC, AC/DC, inverters, etc.) employing zero voltage switching.
• Control and optimization of switching in power supplies for higher efficiency.
• Integrated current measurement in electric vehicles’ traction inverters or onboard chargers.
• Energy management in renewable energy systems such as solar inverters or battery storage systems.
• Reducing switching losses in high-frequency power electronics for industrial automation or data centers.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Eliminates the need for dedicated, external current sensors, reducing cost and circuit complexity.
• Improves measurement accuracy, especially at high switching frequencies where traditional sensors struggle.
• Reduces energy losses caused by conventional current measurement techniques.
• Enhances reliability and robustness against electromagnetic interference, since the calculation is inherently digital and less susceptible to noise.
• Enables real-time current monitoring and control, supporting highly efficient operation of power electronics.
• Automatically accounts for effects like current ringing due to device capacitances, without complex algorithms.
• Potentially smaller system size due to fewer required components.

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Patent Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for determining the current during zero voltage switching, comprising the following steps: - zero voltage switching of an electrical component by means of a zero voltage switching process, the electrical component having at least a first and a second switching part, and the zero voltage switching process being accomplished by switching of the first and/or the second switching part; - transferring a charge during the zero voltage switching process; - determining the magnitude of the transferred charge; - determining the commutation duration; - determining the current during the zero voltage switching, the current being determined from the magnitude of the transferred charge and the commutation duration.