Multiphysics Optimization of Air-Cooled PFC Rectifiers with Wide Bandgap Devices

This work presents a multiphysics optimization method to identify an optimized design for single-phase, air-cooled PFC rectifiers applying wide bandgap devices. The method includes analytical models for thermal behavior, semiconductor losses, filter, and passive components. Combining all models, a minimized volume is found by choosing an optimized switching frequency and current ripple. Unlike the state of art research, semiconductor losses and the size of cooling system is considered in the optimization. An experimental evaluation confirms the validity of the presented method, stating maximum power densities of approximately 11.5 kW/dm
³
.