Improving the Efficiency of IGBT Series-Resonant Inverters Using Pulse Density Modulation

This paper analyzes a high-power (50 kW) high-frequency (150 kHz) voltage-fed inverter with a series-resonant load circuit for industrial induction heating applications, which is characterized by a full bridge inverter made of insulated-gate bipolar transistor and a power control based on pulse density modulation (PDM). This power control strategy allows the inverter to work close to the resonance frequency for all output-power levels. In this situation, zero-voltage switching and zero-current switching conditions are performed, and the switching losses are minimized. An additional improvement of inverter efficiency is achieved by choosing appropriate values of the modulation index. Results are verified experimentally using a prototype for induction hardening applications. A comparative study between the PDM and the classical power control by frequency variation will be made.