Detection of the conduction state of an RC-IGBT
US8729914B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 10, 2010 |
| Grant date | May 20, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 29, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03K17/18
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A circuit arrangement includes: a reverse conducting IGBT configured to allow for conducting a load current in a forward direction and in a reverse direction, the IGBT having a load current path and a gate electrode; a gate control unit connected to the gate electrode and configured to activate or deactivate the IGBT by charging or, respectively, discharging the gate electrode in accordance with a gate control signal; a gate driver unit configured to detect whether the IGBT conducts current in the forward direction or the reverse direction by sensing a gate current caused by a change of a voltage drop across the load path due to a changing of the reverse conducting IGBT into its reverse conducting state, the gate control unit further configured to deactivate the IGBT or to prevent an activation of the IGBT via its gate electrode when the gate driver unit detects that the IGBT is in its reverse conducting state.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.