Power converter having integrated capacitor-blocked transistor cells
US9525348B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 31, 2015 |
| Grant date | Dec 20, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 31, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02M7/4835
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A converter for connecting a voltage source to a load includes a plurality of ICBT (integrated capacitor blocked transistor) cells configured as switches and connected in series to form a series connection path, a main capacitor connected across the series connection path, and a controller. Each ICBT cell includes a main transistor disposed in the series connection path and a series connected auxiliary transistor and auxiliary capacitor coupled in parallel with the main transistor. The controller is operable to develop a voltage across the main capacitor which exceeds a voltage rating of the ICBT cells, by switching the ICBT cells so as to commutate current within the individual ICBT cells without the ICBT cells providing active power to the load so that power flow is from the voltage source, to the main capacitor, to the load and not through the auxiliary transistors and the auxiliary capacitors.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.