Inverter comprising normally conductive gate-controlled semiconductor switches

US8194429B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• SMA Solar Technology AG · DE

Inventors

• Jens Friebe · Vellmar, DE
• Oliver Prior · Marsberg, DE
• Frank Greizer · Kaufungen, DE
• Matthias Victor · Kassel, DE
• Sven Bremicker · Baumbach, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 21, 2009
• Grant date: Jun 5, 2012
• Expiry date: Oct 7, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/56
• WIPO field: Basic communication processes
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

An inverter has two input lines; an inverter bridge connected between the input lines and including at least one half-bridge having two normally conductive gate-controlled semiconductor switches; a controller which supplies control voltages to the gates of the semiconductor switches in an operative state of the inverter; and a DC voltage source for supplying an auxiliary control voltage to the gates of the semiconductor switches in an inoperative state of the inverter so as to hold the inverter bridge in a non-conductive state between the input lines. The DC voltage source has a charging unit connected between the input lines in series with a further normally conductive gate-controlled semiconductor switch, and charging a storage unit for electric charge, which is connected to the gate of the further semiconductor switch such that this switch becomes non-conductive, when the storage unit has been sufficiently charged for providing the auxiliary control voltage.