Multilevel power converter including switching circuits
US6005787A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 25, 1998 |
| Grant date | Dec 21, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 25, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02M7/483
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A multi-level power converter such as an inverter for changing one of a plurality of dc voltage inputs into an ac voltage output is provided which includes inverter arms disposed between dc power supplies and an ac voltage output terminal. The inverter arms include switching circuits which are selectively subjected to PWM control to establish and block communication between one of the corresponding dc power supplies and the ac voltage output terminal. The switching circuits that are not connected to either the maximum or minimum dc voltage terminal include a first switching device, a second switching device connected in series with the first switching device, a first diode connected backward in parallel to the first switching device, and a second diode connected backward in parallel to the second switching device. This structure decreases the number of floating power supplies for driving the switching elements.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.