Power module active current management for efficiency improvement
US8600595B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 29, 2010 |
| Grant date | Dec 3, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 20, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T10/72
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A vehicle includes a motor, an alternating current (AC) power bus, a power inverter module (PIM), and a controller. The PIM includes a semiconductor die assembly with semiconductor power switches arranged in electrical parallel for delivering AC power to the motor via the bus. The controller determines an operating mode of the vehicle, selects and activates a designated one of the switches during a threshold low-current state of the PIM, and selects and activates all of the switches during a high-current state of the PIM. A PIM assembly for the vehicle includes the die assembly and controller. A method for optimizing energy efficiency of the vehicle includes providing the die assembly noted above, automatically determining the operating mode, and selecting and activating one of the switches when the operating mode corresponds to the threshold low-current state, and all of the electrical switches during the threshold high-current state of the PIM.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.