DOI: https://doi.org/10.15368/theses.2011.78
Available at: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/theses/520
Date of Award
6-2011
Degree Name
MS in Electrical Engineering
Department/Program
Electrical Engineering
Advisor
David B. Braun
Abstract
This thesis presents an active clamp forward converter for use in the Energy Harvesting From Exercise Machines project. Ideally, this converter will find use as the centerpiece in a process that links elliptical trainers to the California grid. This active clamp forward converter boasts a 14V-60V input voltage range and 150W power rating, which closely match the output voltage and power levels from the elliptical trainer. The isolated topology outputs 51V, higher than previous, non-isolated attempts, which allows the elliptical trainers to interact with a central grid-tied inverter instead of many small ones. The final converter operated at greater than 86% efficiency over most of the elliptical trainer’s input range, and produced very little noise, making it a solid choice for this implementation.