Demonstration of a Class E push-pull resonant inverter for MHz induction heating

Industrial heating processes operating at frequencies of multiple MHz often have low efficiencies due to the use of vacuum-tube technology. This can be improved using inverters based on wide band gap materials, but requires special attention in topology selection to achieve high efficiency in a range of operating conditions. This paper investigates the merits of the Class E push-pull resonant inverter topology for MHz induction heating. A prototype SiC MOSFET power module is manufactured and experimentally validated in a Class E push-pull inverter system with a commercial induction heating load. The inverter is demonstrated up to a power of 5 kW with high efficiency, verifying the performance of the approach for industrial RF heating systems.