Current Ripple Reduction by combination of Si IGBT and SiC MOSFETs in Heavy-Duty Fuel Cell Trucks

Inhalt:
The transformation to emission-free heavy-duty transportation on road requires the use of a fuel cell. The heavy-duty fuel cell vehicle is characterized by advantages such as a long range, fast refueling and thus a short charging time as well as environmental friendliness. However, the operation with power electronic components within the high voltage power net of a fuel cell vehicle leads to current ripples in the DC-link that generate high-frequency harmonics. These ripples have a profound impact on power quality, system efficiency, availability and can potentially destabilize critical components. Consequently, this study proposes methodologies for evaluating and mitigating current ripples within the propulsion system of a Heavy-Duty Fuel Cell Truck. In pursuit of this objective, an equivalent model of the fuel cell truck's propulsion system, characterized by real parameters, was created in Simulink and is presented in this paper. Utilizing real measurement data such as voltages, currents, and torques collected from various driving cycles of a fuel cell truck, we assessed the distribution of current ripples. Furthermore, this work encompasses techniques for reducing current ripples and optimization methods, along with the corresponding test bench results, validating our theoretical concepts. Furthermore, we investigate the optimization of switching losses in the inverter through the incorporation of various power semiconductor components.