Voltage balancing in series-connected power switches
US10230354B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 29, 2015 |
| Grant date | Mar 12, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 21, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K17/168
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method for voltage balancing series-connected power switching devices (IGBTs) each connected in parallel with a respective diverter having controllable impedance to controllably conduct current diverted from the associated power switching device, the method comprising the step of controlling each diverter to follow a series of at least two successively higher impedance states during an OFF period of the power switching devices. The series of impedance states for each diverter comprises a first impedance and then a second, higher impedance, the first impedance occurring in response to an indication of a start of the OFF period. The first impedance state preferably occurs during a tail current of the power switching device in parallel with the respective diverter and the second or later impedance state during a leakage current of that power switching device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.