Design of coupled inductors using split winding scheme for bridgeless SEPIC

Abstract

A bridgeless single-ended primary inductance converter (SEPIC) is a highly preferred single-stage front-end AC-DC converter for applications requiring a wide variation of DC voltage because it also gives improved performance in terms of the quality of supply current. This study presents the design of coupled inductors for the bridgeless SEPIC using the split winding scheme. With coupling incorporated the required value of self-inductances of the input and output inductors for the same performance is reduced. Also, they can be wound on the same core, thereby resulting in a reduction in size. The conventional method of tuning the coupling coefficient by adjusting the air-gap is tedious. A split winding scheme for the distribution of windings over three limbs of E-core for obtaining the desired coupling coefficient is presented. The split winding scheme for the design of coupled inductors for bridgeless SEPIC converter rated for 500 W, 20 kHz is illustrated. The effect of coupling on the volume, weight, cost, and efficiency of the converter is compared with the conventional SEPIC converter without coupling for a similar performance. The performance of the proposed converter is evaluated using MATLAB/Simulink simulation and experimental results with a laboratory prototype rated for 500 W. © The Institution of Engineering and Technology 2020.