Embedded Multi-Port Converters for Synthesis and Enhancement of Hybrid-Clamped Multilevel Converters

Leveraging a number of inner capacitors/inductors, hybrid-clamped multilevel converters (MLCs) normally face great challenges among good performance (proper charge/discharge of these devices), high efficiency (maintaining low losses) and high power density (compact profile). On the other hand, these multiple-device energy-processing requirements have been addressed well in some promising multi-port converters (MPCs), and, therefore, inspire us to implement well-developed compact MPCs to facilitate the voltage/current level generation process in hybrid-clamped MLCs. Though recently, some researchers started to integrate active cells into hybrid-clamped MLCs and improve capacitor voltage control and generate extra output levels, the systematic synthesis method is still unclear and rarely discussed in the literature. To address this gap, we propose a systematic synthesis method for those hybrid clamped MLCs that can benefit from embedding well-developed MPCs. The approach can be applied for both voltage-source and current-source hybrid-clamped MLCs, covering emerging MLCs. In particular, we also derived and verified a new mixed hybrid MLC family through an emerging current-fed dual-input isolated multi-port converter. This topology features both current-source and voltage-source benefits and is ideal for future renewable generation integration.