Patent · US Active

Power module with protection circuit

US12191790B2 · kind B2 · utility

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0References
20Claims
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Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 18, 2023
Grant dateJan 7, 2025
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 8, 2043

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH02H7/085
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A power module for driving a motor includes: a positive bus input voltage terminal; a phase terminal for each motor phase; an inverter including a half bridge for each motor phase, each half bridge including a high-side power switch electrically coupled between the positive bus input voltage terminal and respective phase terminal, and a low-side power switch electrically coupled between the respective phase terminal and ground; a first driver circuit for driving a gate terminal of each power switch; a protection switch electrically coupled in series between the positive bus input voltage terminal and each high-side power switch, and having a greater short-circuit withstand time and a lower short-circuit current level compared to each inverter power switch; and a second driver circuit for turning on the protection switch during normal operation and turning off the protection switch in response to a detected short circuit condition.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.