Asymmetric zero-voltage switching full-bridge power converters

A method of operation of a bridge circuit in a DC power converter, comprising:

• switching to a first conducting state at an onset of a first time interval;
• switching to a first non-conducting state at an onset of a second time interval;
• switching to a second conducting state at an onset of a third time interval;
• switching to a second non-conducting state at an onset of a fourth time interval;
• and
• switching to a third conducting state at an onset of a fifth time interval, wherein the switching to the second conducting state comprises enabling a free-wheeling current path during the third time interval.

A method of operation of a bridge circuit including a plurality of electronic switches in a DC power converter, comprising:

• closing a first switch in the bridge circuit at an onset of a first time interval;
• opening a second switch in the bridge circuit at an onset of a second time interval;
• closing a third switch in the bridge circuit at an onset of a third time interval;
• opening the third switch in the bridge circuit at an onset of a fourth time interval;
• and
• closing the second switch in the bridge circuit at an onset of a fifth time interval, wherein the time intervals are consecutive time intervals, and the closing the first switch and the closing the second switch further comprises coupling approximately zero volts across a primary winding of a transformer in the DC power converter.

A method of operation of a DC power converter including an input port, an output port, a bridge circuit including a first transistor switch and a second transistor switch coupled in series at a first node, a third transistor switch and a fourth transistor switch coupled in series at a second node, the first transistor switch and the second transistor switch coupled in parallel with the input port, the third switch and the fourth switch coupled in parallel with the input port, and a transformer coupled to the first node, the second node, and the output port, the method comprising:

• switching the first transistor switch to a conducting state;
• switching the third transistor switch to a non-conducting state;
• switching the fourth transistor switch to a conducting state;
• switching the fourth transistor switch to a non-conducting state;
• switching the third transistor switch to a conducting state;
• switching the first transistor switch to a non-conducting state;
• switching the second transistor switch to a conducting state;
• and
• switching the second transistor switch to a non-conducting state, wherein the switching is performed during consecutive time intervals.

A method of operation of a DC power converter including an input port, an output port, a bridge circuit including a first transistor switch and a second transistor switch coupled in series at a first node, a third transistor switch and a fourth transistor switch coupled in series at a second node, the first transistor switch and the second transistor switch coupled in parallel with the input port, the third switch and the fourth switch coupled in parallel with the input port, and a transformer coupled to the first node, the second node, and the output port, the method comprising:

• switching the second transistor switch to a conducting state;
• switching the fourth transistor switch to a non-conducting state;
• switching the third transistor switch to a conducting state;
• switching the third transistor switch to a non-conducting state;
• switching the fourth transistor switch to a conducting state;
• switching the second transistor switch to a non-conducting state;
• switching the first transistor switch to a conducting state;
• and
• switching the first transistor switch to a non-conducting state, wherein the switching is performed during consecutive time intervals.