Enhanced performance hybrid three-level inverter/rectifier
US10778114B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 18, 2019 |
| Grant date | Sep 15, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 18, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10D62/8503
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A 3-level T-type neutral point clamped (NPC) inverter/rectifier is disclosed in which neutral point clamping is dynamically enabled/disabled responsive to load, e.g. enabled at low load for operation in a first mode as a 3-level inverter/rectifier and disabled at high/peak load for operation in a second mode as a 2-level inverter/rectifier. When the neutral clamping leg is enabled only under low load and low current, middle switches S2 and S3 can be smaller, lower cost devices with a lower current rating. Si, SiC, GaN and hybrid implementations provide options to optimize efficiency for specific load ratios and applications. For reduced switching losses and enhanced performance of inverters based on Si-IGBT power switches, a hybrid implementation of the dual-mode T-type NPC inverter is proposed, wherein switches S1 and S4 comprise Si-IGBTs and switches S2 and S3 of the neutral clamping leg comprise GaN HEMTs. Applications include electric vehicle traction inverters.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.