Design and Implementation of GaN-HEMT-Based Inverter-Coil Integrated Module for Free Zone Induction Heating System

Domestic induction cooktop can heat only in the circular cooking area designated on the cooktop. Therefore, this paper proposes the design and implementation of a free zone induction cooktop (FZIC) system that can heat all areas on the top of an induction cooktop regardless of the size, number, and shape of pots. Because the FZIC system essentially requires several working coils, a strategy for contacting each coil and inverter is presented. In addition, in order to optimally design the working coils that determine the performance of the FZIC system, the shape, number and size of the coils are analyzed and designed. Inverters of the FZIC system apply GaN HEMT devices to increase power density and efficiency. Experimental results based on a 3.2 kW FZIC prototype are presented to evaluate the performance of the proposed inverter-coil integrated modular FZIC system.