An Isolated Bidirectional Forward Converter with Integrated Output Inductor-Transformer Structure

An isolated bidirectional forward DC/DC converter is presented. The proposed converter is formed by combining two identical two-switch forward converters through a shared transformer. The transformer also integrates the function of the output inductors on both sides into a single magnetic structure. The proposed topology offers low voltage stress on the power switches due to the voltage clamp and recycling of leakage energy to the source. The main goal of this paper is to show the operation principle and capability of the proposed topology as a bidirectional converter with less switching stress and reduce component count. Finally, a hardware prototype is built and tested to validate the theoretical analysis in the continuous conduction mode (CCM).