Power & thermal electronics for energy conversion

This teaching unit lays the foundations for the study of power electronic converter systems applied to the supply of electronic systems or the control of electromechanical actuators (motors). These devices are based on the principle of switching to achieve a theoretical efficiency of 100%. Switching requires non-dissipative power filtering (inductors and capacitors), the dimensioning of which is an important step.

This teaching unit also provides basic skills in thermal calculations and dimensioning for cooling power semiconductor electrical devices.

It is a prerequisite for further study in the EEA Master's program.

The main aim of this teaching unit is to enable students to independently analyze a power electronics circuit operating in open loop and steady state. This analysis is based on successive partial equivalent diagrams, equations and chronograms of internal time variables (currents, voltages). It leads to the determination of conversion functions and the sizing of circuit components to meet simple specifications.

A second objective is to acquire the thermal skills needed to analyze and calculate heating in an electrical energy conversion system, and in particular the temperatures of power semiconductors.

- Perfect command of the study of electrical circuits, application of Kirchhoff's laws.
- Solid foundations in elementary mathematics and physics. Simple differential and integral calculus. Fourier series.

Recommended prerequisites: UE de la licence EEA L2 : HAE403E : Circuit et mesures en génie électrique.

Continuous assessment for lectures (70% of final grade) and practical work (30% of final grade).

The course part is assessed by two continuous assessment exams.

Practical work is assessed by an individual practical exam at the end of the series, including an oral examination. Modulation of this mark is possible according to all the practical work: reports, session work and preparations.

1. Introduction to power electronics: comparison of linear power supplies and switching devices.
2. Converter generalities: loss suppression, switching electronics, non-dissipative filtering.
3. Solid-state power switch components and reactive components (inductors and capacitors).
4. Study of non-isolated unidirectional DC-DC converters: series chopper (buck), parallel chopper (boost) and inverter chopper (inductive storage).
5. Study of non-isolated bidirectional DC-DC converters: 2-quadrant chopper and 4-quadrant chopper.
6. DC-AC converters: full-wave inverters and pulse-width modulation (PWM) inverters.
7. Isolated DC-DC converters: FORWARD direct transfer power supplies and FLYBACK inductive storage power supplies.
8. Thermal engineering applied to power electronics and electrical machines. Heat transfer modes (conduction, convection, radiation).
9. Application: calculation of internal temperatures of semiconductor components in a power converter under real operating conditions.