ACTIVE SNUBBER
First Claim
1. A switching cell for a phase leg of a power converter, the switching cell comprising:
- a power switch for conducting a current for driving a load;
a series connection comprising an auxiliary switch and a cell capacitor coupled in series, the series connection coupled in parallel with the power switch;
a cell inductor coupled to a coupling of the power switch and the series connection; and
a commutation loop to conduct a commutation current arising from turn-off of the power switch, the loop comprising;
a first bypass circuit for blocking current flow in a direction and coupled in parallel with the power switch to conduct the commutation current in another, opposite direction;
a second bypass circuit for blocking current flow in a direction and coupled in parallel with the auxiliary switch to conduct the commutation current in another, opposite direction; and
the cell capacitor; and
at least one control input line for receiving a control signal and configured to drive a control terminal of the power switch and a control terminal of the auxiliary switch.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention generally relates to a switching cell for a phase leg of a power converter and a method of controlling a power converter to drive a load, and more particularly to a plurality of such switching cells, a phase arm for a power converter, a power converter phase leg, to a power converter for driving a load, and methods of making a power converter. A switching cell for a phase leg of a power converter may comprise: a power switch for conducting a current for driving a load; a commutation path coupled in parallel with the power switch, the commutation path comprising a cell capacitor and an auxiliary switch coupled in series, the auxiliary switch configured to allow control of a conduction state of the commutation path; and a cell inductor coupled to a coupling of the power switch and the commutation path, wherein the switching cell comprises at least one control input line for receiving a control signal, the at least one control input line configured to drive a control terminal of the power switch and a control terminal of the auxiliary switch.
22 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A switching cell for a phase leg of a power converter, the switching cell comprising:
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a power switch for conducting a current for driving a load; a series connection comprising an auxiliary switch and a cell capacitor coupled in series, the series connection coupled in parallel with the power switch; a cell inductor coupled to a coupling of the power switch and the series connection; and a commutation loop to conduct a commutation current arising from turn-off of the power switch, the loop comprising; a first bypass circuit for blocking current flow in a direction and coupled in parallel with the power switch to conduct the commutation current in another, opposite direction; a second bypass circuit for blocking current flow in a direction and coupled in parallel with the auxiliary switch to conduct the commutation current in another, opposite direction; and the cell capacitor; and at least one control input line for receiving a control signal and configured to drive a control terminal of the power switch and a control terminal of the auxiliary switch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of controlling a power converter to drive a load, the power converter having a phase leg coupled between two power rails and comprising two arms each having a plurality of switching cells and coupled at an output of the converter, wherein each of the switching cells comprises:
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a respective power switch for conducting a current for driving a load; a respective series connection comprising an auxiliary switch and a cell capacitor coupled in series, the series connection coupled in parallel with the power switch; a respective cell inductor coupled to a coupling of the power switch and the series connection; and a commutation loop to conduct a commutation current arising from turn-off of the power switch, the loop comprising; a first bypass circuit for blocking current flow in a direction and coupled in parallel with the power switch to conduct a commutation current in another, opposite direction; a second bypass circuit for blocking current flow in a direction and coupled in parallel with the auxiliary switch to conduct a commutation current in another, opposite direction; and the cell capacitor, the method comprising at least one step of switching a first number of switching cells of one the arms ON and a second number of the switching cells of the other arm OFF to advance a voltage profile at the output of the converter and maintain a voltage across the phase leg, switching of a switching cell ON comprising turning the power switch of the switching cell ON and the auxiliary switch of the switching cell OFF, the first and second numbers being one or more. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. (canceled)
Specification