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Low-cost rectifier circuit - Rectifier circuit with only two semiconductor switches

Summary

Profile Type
  • Technology offer
POD Reference
TODE20250214017
Term of Validity
14 February 2025 - 14 February 2026
Company's Country
  • Germany
Type of partnership
  • Investment agreement
  • Research and development cooperation agreement
Targeted Countries
  • All countries
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General information

Short Summary
An invention from a German university has realized a pulse rectifier with only two semiconductor switches that can be switched off and an electrically isolated DC output voltage. The level of the DC output voltage is freely selectable and the circuit concept is cost-effective and robust. The university offers a license agreement and a technology cooperation agreement.
Full Description
In electrical engineering and electronics, rectifiers are used to convert alternating current to direct current. They are used in many commercial applications such as battery charging, electrolysis, LED switching, and energy transmission.

The power grid usually provides alternating or three-phase current. But the energy transition requires conversion to adjustable, electrically isolated direct current for such applications as electrolysis and charging batteries and LED lights. This requires a number of rectifier circuits: Each circuit uses up to 14 or more disengageable semiconductor switches, making the process very expensive.

The invention from a German university is different. It requires just two disengageable semiconductor switches, but can still provide electrically isolated output direct current of selectable magnitude in a pulse-width modulation rectifier. The rectifier circuit consists of three transformers with separated primary-side coils, one secondary part per phase, two primary-side circuits, and three secondary-side circuits. The primary-side circuits are switched alternately at a frequency greater than the supply frequency. The secondary-side circuits are switched at a frequency greater than the primary-side switching frequency. The secondary-side semiconductor switches are interconnected with an inductance, a diode, and a common capacitance to form a boost converter (see figure). Other circuit advantages are the affordable, lightweight transformers and the high level of efficiency.

Current Status: Initial laboratory samples have been created and measured at the university, demonstrating functionality.

The university offers a license agreement and a technology cooperation agreement. In electrical engineering and electronics, rectifiers are used to convert alternating current to direct current. They are used in many commercial applications such as battery charging, electrolysis, LED switching, and energy transmission. Therefore, companies from sectors electrical engineering and power electronics are particularly targeted.
Advantages and Innovations
The main advantages of this invention are:
- affordable
- high level of efficiency
- reduced weight
- robust, stable circuitry
- simple circuit configuration
Stage of Development
  • Lab tested
Sustainable Development Goals
  • Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
  • Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
IPR status
  • IPR applied but not yet granted
IPR notes
An application has been filed with the DPMA.

Partner Sought

Expected Role of a Partner
The university offers a license agreement and a technology cooperation agreement. In electrical engineering and electronics, rectifiers are used to convert alternating current to direct current. They are used in many commercial applications such as battery charging, electrolysis, LED switching, and energy transmission. Therefore, companies from sectors electrical engineering and power electronics are particularly targeted.
Type and Size of Partner
  • SME <=10
  • Other
  • Big company
  • SME 50 - 249
  • SME 11-49
Type of partnership
  • Investment agreement
  • Research and development cooperation agreement

Dissemination

Technology keywords
  • 04002005 - Generators, electric engines and power converters
  • 04001004 - Transmission of electricity
Market keywords
  • 03003 - Power Supplies
Targeted countries
  • Afghanistan
  • Aland Islands
  • Albania
  • Algeria
  • American Samoa
  • Andorra
  • Angola
  • Anguilla
  • Antarctica
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina
  • Armenia
  • Aruba
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahamas
  • Bahrain
  • Bangladesh
  • Barbados
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Belize
  • Benin
  • Bermuda
  • Bhutan
  • Bolivia
  • Bonaire, Saint Eustatius and Saba
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Botswana
  • Bouvet Island
  • Brazil
  • British Indian Ocean Territory
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Brunei
  • Bulgaria
  • Burkina Faso
  • Burundi
  • Cabo Verde
  • Cambodia
  • Cameroon
  • Canada
  • Cayman Islands
  • Central African Republic
  • Chad
  • Chile
  • China
  • Christmas Island
  • Cocos Islands
  • Colombia
  • Comoros
  • Cook Islands
  • Costa Rica
  • Croatia
  • Cuba
  • Curacao
  • Cyprus
  • Czechia
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Denmark
  • Djibouti
  • Dominica
  • Dominican Republic
  • Ecuador
  • Egypt
  • El Salvador
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Estonia
  • Eswatini
  • Ethiopia
  • Falkland Islands
  • Faroe Islands
  • Fiji
  • Finland
  • France
  • French Guiana
  • French Polynesia
  • French Southern Territories
  • Gabon
  • Gambia
  • Georgia
  • Germany
  • Ghana
  • Gibraltar
  • Greece
  • Greenland
  • Grenada
  • Guadeloupe
  • Guam
  • Guatemala
  • Guernsey
  • Guinea
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Guyana
  • Haiti
  • Heard Island and McDonald Islands
  • Honduras
  • Hong Kong
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Ireland
  • Isle of Man
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Ivory Coast
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Jersey
  • Jordan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kenya
  • Kiribati
  • Kosovo
  • Kuwait
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Laos
  • Latvia
  • Lebanon
  • Lesotho
  • Liberia
  • Libya
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Macao
  • Madagascar
  • Malawi
  • Malaysia
  • Maldives
  • Mali
  • Malta
  • Marshall Islands
  • Martinique
  • Mauritania
  • Mauritius
  • Mayotte
  • Mexico
  • Micronesia
  • Moldova
  • Monaco
  • Mongolia
  • Montenegro
  • Montserrat
  • Morocco
  • Mozambique
  • Myanmar
  • Namibia
  • Nauru
  • Nepal
  • Netherlands
  • Netherlands Antilles
  • New Caledonia
  • New Zealand
  • Nicaragua
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • Niue
  • Norfolk Island
  • North Korea
  • North Macedonia
  • Northern Mariana Islands
  • Norway
  • Oman
  • Pakistan
  • Palau
  • Palestinian Territory
  • Panama
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Pitcairn
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Puerto Rico
  • Qatar
  • Republic of the Congo
  • Reunion
  • Romania
  • Russia
  • Rwanda
  • Saint Barthelemy
  • Saint Helena
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Martin
  • Saint Pierre and Miquelon
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Samoa
  • San Marino
  • Sao Tome and Principe
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Senegal
  • Serbia
  • Seychelles
  • Sierra Leone
  • Singapore
  • Sint Maarten
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Solomon Islands
  • Somalia
  • South Africa
  • South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
  • South Korea
  • South Sudan
  • Spain
  • Sri Lanka
  • Sudan
  • Suriname
  • Svalbard and Jan Mayen
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Syria
  • Taiwan
  • Tajikistan
  • Tanzania
  • Thailand
  • Timor Leste
  • Togo
  • Tokelau
  • Tonga
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Tunisia
  • Turkey
  • Turkmenistan
  • Turks and Caicos Islands
  • Tuvalu
  • U.S. Virgin Islands
  • Uganda
  • Ukraine
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • United States Minor Outlying Islands
  • Uruguay
  • Uzbekistan
  • Vanuatu
  • Vatican
  • Venezuela
  • Vietnam
  • Wallis and Futuna
  • Western Sahara
  • Yemen
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

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