The objective of this proposal is to develop a modified class E switching-mode radio frequency power amplifier to be utilized as the power invertor cell of distributed power conversion systems. Equations describing class E invertor operating parameters will be developed and solved using a computer symbolic manipulation program to achieve class E invertor circuit configurations that provide extremely high efficiency and output voltage independent of load without inherently requiring feedback control. The determined circuit configurations will be used to construct and evaluate prototype class E power invertor cells. Measurements of input power, output power and voltage, efficiency and output harmonic content will be made to determine the feasibility of utilizing this radio frequency circuit design technique in practical power conversion systems with reactive and/or utility interaction loads. Such invertor cells may be used to realize distributed power conversion systems that are smaller, lighter, and operate with increased overall efficiency and greater reliability at reduced cost.
