System and method for series resonant converter protection

A method of operating, a series resonant converter, the method comprising:

• receiving a DC voltage feedback signal representing an output DC voltage of the series resonant converter, or a resonant current feedback signal representing a resonant current flowing through the series resonant converter;
• receiving signals indicating a current through a resonant inductor and a voltage across a resonant capacitor of the series resonant converter;
• and
• generating control signals to be applied to the series resonant converter to limit the output DC voltage of the series resonant converter according to the DC voltage feedback signal and a predetermined voltage threshold signal and the signals indicating the current through the resonant inductor and the voltage across the resonant capacitor, or to limit the resonant current of the series resonant converter according to the resonant current feedback signal and a predetermined current threshold signal and the signals indicating the current through the resonant inductor and the voltage across the resonant capacitor.

A magnetic resonance system, comprising:

• a main magnet for generating a main magnetic field;
• a gradient coil for applying gradient magnetic field to the main magnetic field along selected gradient axes;
• a gradient amplifier coupled to the gradient coil fir driving the gradient coil;
• a series resonant converter coupled to the gradient amplifier for supplying power to the gradient amplifier, wherein the series resonant converter is configured to convert an input direct current (DC) voltage to generate an output DC voltage;
• and
• a converter controller coupled to the series resonant converter, wherein the converter controller is configured to:
• receive a DC voltage feedback signal measured at the output of the series resonant converter, or a resonant current feedback signal representing a resonant current flowing through the series resonant converter;
• receive signals indicating a current through the resonant inductor and a voltage across the resonant capacitor;
• and
• generate control signals to be applied to the series resonant converter to limit the output DC voltage of the series resonant converter according to the DC voltage feedback signal and a predetermined voltage threshold signal and the signals indicating the current through the resonant inductor and the voltage across the resonant capacitor, or to limit the resonant current of the series resonant converter according to the resonant current feedback signal and a predetermined current threshold signal and the signals indicating the current through the resonant inductor and the voltage across the resonant capacitor.