Using a Cuk converter to interface a pulsed load to a fuel cell

The use of an isolated Cuk converter to interface a pulsed load to a fuel cell is presented in this paper. The cuk converter provides constant current drain on the fuel cell with little current ripple while supplying the pulsed load. Because of the high operating frequency of the pulsed load, the DC-DC converter output capacitor supplies the pulsed current requirement of the load. As a result, the Cuk converter is operated in the capacitor charging mode. A simple control circuit is used to maintain load voltage. Experimental results demonstrate that the pulsed load can be operated from a fuel cell by using a Cuk converter.