The I8_th International Conference on Electrical Machines, Drives and Power Systems ELMA 2023

June 29 - July I 2023, Varna, Bulgaria

Bidirectional Flying Inductor Converter Based on

Karschny Topology
Yovko Plamenov Rakanov Andrey Dimitrov Mirev
dept. oflnustrial Automation dept. ofMetallurgical Technologies,
University of Chemical Electrical Engineering and Electronics
Technology and Metallurgy University of Chemical Technology and
Sofia, Bulgaria Metallurgy
rakanov@uctm.edu Sofia, Bulgaria
mirev@uctm.edu

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\D Abstract-This paper presents a Karschny-based bigger amount of voltage stress on the transistors. For
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transformerless inverter topology with a flying inductor to elimination of the total harmonic distortion (THD) passive
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operate in DC-AC and AC-DC mode. Karschny has many filters are required for the both groups [10]. Topologies
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rvi advantages such as lack of transformer, no leakage current, supporting 3 levels of the output signal are used for higher
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o simple design, high efficiency, high reliability and low price and power application and they suffer less transistor stress. Other
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small size. It is a common implementation choice for DC-AC advantages are the smaller required filter and higher power
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00 inverters, but in the recent years, the interest of bidirectional factor correction [11]. A disadvantage is that the topology is
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« topologies increase rapidly and the goal of this study is to more complex to control. Topology simple for controlling is
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-' propose design improvement which will allow the bidirectional
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....... so-called double-quadrant inverter which acts in buck mode
en operation of Karschny topology.
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..... when charges the de-source from the grid. In DC-AC mode
..... the topology operates as a boost converter. As a disadvantage
ci Keywords-Karschny, bidirectional inverter" DC-AC mode
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AC-DC mode, transformerless inverter,flying inductor topology is mentioned higher level of the THD [12]. Modification of
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o that converter is the interleaved topology, which is actually
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I. INTRODUCTION double parallel operating buck-boost stages operating with a
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In recent years the demand for renewable energy sources phase difference of 180 degrees. It has lower THD and higher
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o RESs and EVs has increased because of the problems with power ratings [13].
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© global warming, carbon dioxide pollution, high prices of the Reference [14] describes some galvanic isolated
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,....; fossil fuels and because ofthe cut of import offossil fuels from converters, which cover the safety standards requirements as
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....... Russia [1-3]. The biggest problem of REV-s is that they double-stage active bridge inverter. Transformer ensures the
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cannot provide energy during the night when the weather is link between the two stages. The advantage is the higher
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cloudy (for PV plants) or when there is no wind (for wind power density and disadvantages are higher cost because of
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..... turbine generators). In many countries, the governments have higher number oftransistors and the complicated control.
m subsidized the RESs owners [4] but when they have to sell the
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harvested energy on the free market, their economic efficiency The above mentioned topologies are some of the most
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eO decreases because, in the time they provide energy, the observed. The transformerless topologies have the priority,
eft due to their advantages [15]. One of the most recognizable
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en demand of energy is lower and that ruins the price. There are
days with zero price for the electric energy. And in the cold transformerless inverter topologies is Karschny. It is suitable
and dark days, when the demand of energy is high and the for implementation in real devices because of the advantages
price is high either, the RESs owners have nothing to sell. The it has. Karschny is able to operate only in DC-AC mode but it
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partial solution for that problem is investing in DC-storage is a good aria of research to be modified for bidirectional
s elements and selling the stored energy when its price is high operation. In this study a small modification is proposed,
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~ [5]. Even better strategy is to charge the DC-storage elements which allows the topology to act as a bidirectional inverter.
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o from the grid , when the price is zero, and sell it back when III. PROPOSED TOPOLOGY
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"0 the price is raised again [6]. The owners ofEVs could also sell
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to electrical energy by the modem smart grid, V2G and G2V One additional switch and one diode are implemented and

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> systems [7]. The EV is actually a DC storage element on thus the topology can operate not only in DC-AC mode and in
E wheels and could help with electric energy management [8]. AC-DC mode either (figurel).
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But for that strategy there is a need for bidirectional inverters.
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This is the reason for increased interest in research and
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development ofbidirectional inverter topologies [9]. There are
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to many bidirectional topologies with bidirectional operating
ability. Most of them are transformerless topologies and they
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u II. BIDIRECTIO NAL TOPOLOGIES
c Fig. I . The prop osed bidirecti onal topology.
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Half and full-bridge bidirectional topologies are the most
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o widespread not only in single-phase, but also in three-phase
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;5 systems. One of the advantages of the first group is that they
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..... have simple design and lower number of power switches, but
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979-8-35 03-1127-3/23/$3 1.00 ©2023 IEEE

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A. Operation in DC-AC Mode IDc=IDcmax/2-J2" (9)
In this mode of operation, the topo logy acts the same way From (7) : and (8)
as in the classical Karschny way of operation, which is
described in many studies. The DC -source charges the IDc=((Ug*J2)I2L)*-J2")*(11f)*D=
inductor in the time of active switching period and positive
gri d vo ltage thro ug h SW2 and SW3 (figure 1). In the time =(Ug/2L*f)*Dmax=UDd(UD C+Ug*2-J2") (10)
when the non -active switching period has occurred, the
In the table 1 are given the switc hing sequences for the
magnetic fie ld aro und the inductor initiates charging current
active switching period and positive ha lf-cycle
through the Diode D4, SW6 and SW7 . When the negative
gri d half wave occurs, the inductor charging energy is TABLE I. STATES OF THE SWITCHES FOR THE A CTIVE PWM D URING
provided during the active switching period which includes THE PO SITIVE G RID V OLTAGE
PWM operation of the switches SWI and SW3 . The non-
SWITCHING STATES TABLE
active period provides current to the grid through SW3 , SW5
MODE PERIOD SWITCH STATE
and D3 .
ACTIV POSITI VE HALF-WAVE
DC-AC SW2 OFF
The stored in the inductor energy E is:
ACTIV POS ITIVE HALF-WAVE
DC-AC SW3 PWM
E=L*U Dd2 (1) ACTIV POSITI VE HALF-WAVE
DC-AC SW4 OFF
The power balance equation is: ACTIV POSITIVE HALF-WAVE
DC-AC SW5 PWM
U g=(1-D)*UD C*D (2) ACTIV POSITI VE HALF -WAVE
DC-AC SW6 OFF
where D is the duty cycle and L is the va lue of the DC-AC
ACTIV POSITI VE HALF-WAVE
SW7 OFF
ind uctor L.
B. Operation in AC-DC Mode
When the switches SW3 and SW5 go to non-conducting
• By the time of the positive grid vo ltage , the switches mode, the state of the SW4 and SW7 is ON .

IV ' ~
SW3 and SW5 are in conductive mode and current flows
from the ungrounded grid terminal thro ugh SW5 and D3
and charges the ind uctor Ll with energy. The current path SW5

is shown on figure 3 and tab le 1 gives the switching

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sequence for the period. SW7 N

IV '"
0< swe
SW5

th
SW7 N sw< =

0< swe Fig. 3. Non active switching period of AC-DC mode

The inductor current will be closed in the loop of the

sw< = ind uctor Ll , the switc h SW4, the battery, and the switch SW7
(figure 3). In table 2 are given the switching states for the non-
Fig. 2. Active switching period at the time of positive grid voltage.. active switching period of positive grid voltage.

The stored in the inductor energy for this case is: TABLE II. STAT ES OF THE SWITCHES FOR THE N ON- ACTIVE PWM

E =L*Ug/2 (3) SWITCHING STATES TABLE

MO DE PERIOD SWITCH STATE
In this configuration the topo logy operates as a buck-boost
NON ACTIV POS ITIVE HALF-
converter whose inp ut is connected to the grid with val ue Ug DC-AC
WAVE
SW2 OFF
and whose output is the DC- source with value UDC. NON ACTIV POSITIVE HALF-
DC-AC SW3 PWM
WAVE
From the power ba lance equation: DC-AC
NON ACTIV POS ITIVE HALF -
SW4 OFF
WAVE
UDc*(1 -D)=UgD, (4) DC-AC
NON ACTIV POSITIVE HALF-
SW5 PWM
WAVE
Where D is the duty cycle DC-AC
NON ACTIV POSITI VE HALF-
SW6 OFF
WAVE
From (1): DC-AC
NON ACTIV POS ITIVE HALF -
SW7 OFF
WAVE
D=UDd(UDC+Ug) (5)

Dmin = UDc/(UDC+ Ugmax) = UDdUD C+Ug* -J2" (6) When the negative voltage cycle starts, switches SW7 and
SW6 start their active mode. The current path is through SW 7,
IDcmax=« Ug* -J2")/2L)T*Dm in (7)
where T is the period of the carrying frequency "f" and :
T = l/f (8)

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D3, Ll, D4 and the grid (figure 4).

rr
SW5

"r
}h
SW7 tV

().4 S\W

sW' -

Fig. 4. The active switching period during the negative grid half-cycle.

T ABLE III. STATES OF THE SWITCHES FOR THE A CTIVE PWM D URING
THE N EGATIVE HALF-WAVE

SWITCHING STATES TABLE

MODE PERIOD SWITCH STATE Fig. 5. The model created in Simplis/Simetrix..
ACTlVNEGATlVE HALF-WAVE
DC-AC SW2 OFF
>S

DC-AC
ACTlVNEGATlVE HALF-WAVE
SW3 PWM
I I II I I I I I I I I II I I I I I
I I I I I I I I II I I I
10
ACTIV NEGATI VE HALF-WAVE
DC-AC SW4 OFF

In IA t' ~ ~ k II II V II........, II II ' I

5
ACTIV NEGATIVE HALF-WAVE
DC-AC SWS PWM
ACTIV NEGATI VE HALF-WAVE > 0

I
DC-AC SW6 OFF ~

ACTIV NEGATIVE HALF-WAVE I I II I I I I I I I I -! N -/.

I I I I I ,II I I I II I I I
-5
DC-AC SW7 OFF

II II II II 1/ II II
- 10

II 1/ II II il
During the non-active switching period of the negative - 15

grid half-wave, the stored in the inductor energy is transferred 2 0.35

Tlrns/ rnSBca
2 0 ,4 0 2 0. "15 2 0 .5 0 2 0 .5 5 2 0 .6 0 2 0 .155

S O u S e <::s / d tv

through the same path as the non-active positive half wave

case (figure 3). Fig. 6. Forming of the PWM signal for the switches.
IV. SIMULATION MODEL AND RESULTS
The result of conducted simulation is illustrated in figure
For proof of the theoretical concept , a simulation model 7.
is derived . It is created in the Simplis/Simetrix software . This
software is very useful for proving theoretical concepts
because it allows simultaneous use of ideal, real and logic
components in the simulation models. 120

The DC-source voltage is 150V and the AC grid-source 100

voltage is 220V . The inductor Ll has a value of 0.075 ml-l,
The controller has a simple design which is just for ease. In 80
the real device , the controller could be realized with a
microprocessor. In the simulation mode the controller is 60
realized with an operational amplifier which has proportional
~

0:-
and integral function . The output of the contro ller (the blue ~ 40
line in figure 6) is connected with two comparators [16, 17].
On the comparators inputs are applied two triangular voltage s 20
(red one in figure 6 for the positive PWM signal and green one
for the negative PWM signal) . The carrier frequency of these
triangular voltages is 10kHz. The output signal of the
controller has almost sinusoida l shape and the comparators -20 1--- -l:I--- - +- - -H--- - + -- - -lI-- -+___-
forming control impulses for the switches at the crossing point o 10 20 30 40 50 60

of triangular voltage and the controller outp ut voltage, which Time/mSecs 10m5ecs/di v

is shown on figure 6 [18].

The output ofthe system is the charging current of the DC
source . The reference input value is taken from the resistor
divider and has sinusoidal form. The goal is to achieve
sinusoi dal form ofthe controlled current, which will make the
power factor high.
Fig. 7. The shape of the current through the DC-source at the time of
charging mode.
The quality of the current is good but can be further
improve d by optimizing the values of the regulator as well as
the reactive elements , which is a subject of future research.

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 V. CONCLUSION
This study prese nts a topo logy for bidirectional
transformerless inverters which has a design based on the
well-known flying inductor topology called Karschny. A
simulation mode l was created in the Simplis/Simtrix software
environment which proves the operation ability of the
proposed topology. Furthermore simulations are conducted to
observe the quality of the DC-source charging current for the
AC-DC mode.
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