Self-Oscillating Switching Technique for Current Source Parallel Resonant Induction Heating Systems

This paper presents resonant inverter tuning for current source parallel resonant induction heating systems based on a new self oscillating switching technique. The phase error is suppressed in a wide range of operating frequencies in comparison with Phase Locked Loop (PLL) techniques. The proposed switching method has the capability of tuning under fast changes in the resonant frequency. According to this switching method, a multi-frequency induction heating (IH) system is proposed by using a single inverter. In comparison with multi-level inverter based IH systems, the advantages of this technique are its simple structure, better transients and wide range of operating frequencies. A laboratory prototype was built with an operating frequency of 35 kHz to 55 kHz and 300 W of output power. The performance of the IH system shows the validity of the new switching technique.