A Bidirectional Boost Converter With Application to a Regenerative Suspension System

This paper proposes an algorithm to control the suspension dynamics with an energy regeneration capability and high conversion efficiency. Central to the concept is the development of a switched-mode rectifier (SMR) that is capable of providing either an equivalent positive or negative damping and alternating between regenerative and motoring modes. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate power flow in regeneration and motoring modes and verify the equivalent damping characteristic and vibration energy harvesting. The studies are conducted on a small-scale proof-of-concept electromagnetic suspension system excited by emulated International Standard Organization (ISO) 8608 road profiles. An autonomous start/stop algorithm is proposed such that autonomously turns on or off the converter. This mechanism mitigates quiescent power consumption of auxiliary integrated circuits (ICs) such as gate drivers and current transducers, therefore increasing the conversion efficiency of the power electronics throughout an ISO standardized variable-speed driving cycle. The autonomous start/stop algorithm is implemented experimentally to demonstrate its feasibility under typical standardized driving cycles.