Simulation and performance of a high frequency cycloconverter

Abstract

With modern naval vessels headed in the direction of integrated power systems, new attention must be paid to efficiency of both power and space. However, modern designs for ship power systems often incorporate DC link converters, or synchroconverters, into their design. Not only does this add extra steps into the power conversion process, it also adds the DC link, which requires large capacitors and can aggravate problems experienced in a short circuit. Modern research for cycloconverters is showing that they have many advantages over the synchroconverter when used in a ship power system. However, cycloconverters also have downsides. One of these problems is the incorporation of harmonics into the supply current, distorting the generator output, as well as voltage harmonics at the output of the converter, which can cause problems at the various loads. Most disastrous of all, additions of subharmonics, or interharmonics which occur below the fundamental can appear. Subharmonics are nearly unfilterable and they can cause serious problems for any power system. This study specifically considers higher frequency inputs to see if these subharmonics can be mitigated in a cycloconverter system.