A Novel Control Method for Piezoelectric-Transformer Based Power Supplies Assuring Zero-Voltage-Switching Operation

In this paper, a new control strategy that allows zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) operation of power converters using piezoelectric transformers (PTs) is proposed. The control circuit operates in a closed loop by measuring the phase between the PTs resonant current and the switching pattern and adjusting the switching frequency to the optimum value so that ZVS operation is assured. An innovative nonlinear regulator based on an analog multiplexer is presented. The regulator automatically swaps the signs of the sensed signal and the reference signal to allow generation of the adequate control action. A laboratory prototype for a 6 W resonant inverter was tested; obtained experimental results are also shown.