Single-phase voltage-doubler rectifier using a capacitive energy storage/transfer mechanism

A switch-mode voltage-doubler rectifier using a capacitive energy storage/transfer mechanism is studied in the paper. The voltage doubling can be provided by means of a high frequency pumping action of the capacitor. Moreover, the rectifier is operated in the switching state for forcing the input current to follow its sinusoidal reference independently of the working conditions by discharging the capacitor to the circuit consisting of the supply and the boost inductor. The arrangement tested, using three insulated-gate bipolar transistors and a microcortiputer as a PI controller, is used to investigate experimentally the steady-state and transient characteristics. The experimental and Simulated results confirm that the rectifier can be operated with a good quality input current under steady-state and transient conditions.