Temperature-adaptive short circuit protection for semiconductor switches
US11128290B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 24, 2019 |
| Grant date | Sep 21, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 18, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K2217/0027
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of short circuit protection are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a method for protecting a semiconductor switch comprising receiving a measurement corresponding to an electrical characteristic of the semiconductor switch; determining a semiconductor switch resistance value using the received measurement; estimating a junction temperature of the semiconductor switch using the semiconductor switch resistance value; determining a short circuit voltage threshold using the estimated junction temperature; comparing the short circuit voltage threshold to a test voltage corresponding to a drain-source voltage of the semiconductor switch; determining a short circuit condition is occurring in response to comparing the short circuit voltage threshold and the test voltage; and opening the semiconductor switch in response to determining the short circuit condition is occurring.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.