The virtual infinite capacitor

Guy Yona, George Weiss

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

We define the virtual infinite capacitor (VIC) as a nonlinear capacitor that has the property that for an interval of the charge Q (the operating range), the voltage V remains constant. We propose a lossless approximate realization for the VIC using a switched power converter and capacitors. This circuit is simple but it requires a complex control algorithm that we describe. There are two controllers needed to operate a VIC: the voltage controller acts fast to maintain the desired terminal voltage, while the charge controller acts more slowly and maintains the charge Q in the desired operating range by influencing the incoming current. The VIC is useful as a filter capacitor for various applications, for example power factor compensators (PFC), as we describe. In spite of using small capacitors, the VIC can replace a very large capacitor in applications that do not require substantial energy storage. We give simulation results for a PFC working in critical conduction mode with a VIC for output voltage filtering.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2014 IEEE 28th Convention of Electrical and Electronics Engineers in Israel, IEEEI 2014
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Electronic)9781479959877
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014
Event2014 28th IEEE Convention of Electrical and Electronics Engineers in Israel, IEEEI 2014 - Eilat, Israel
Duration: 3 Dec 20145 Dec 2014

Publication series

Name2014 IEEE 28th Convention of Electrical and Electronics Engineers in Israel, IEEEI 2014

Conference

Conference2014 28th IEEE Convention of Electrical and Electronics Engineers in Israel, IEEEI 2014
Country/TerritoryIsrael
CityEilat
Period3/12/145/12/14

Keywords

  • Nonlinear capacitor
  • Power factor compensator
  • Power filtering
  • Sliding mode control
  • Stability of time-varying linear systems
  • Switched power converter

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