APPARATUS FOR DISCHARGING A HIGH-VOLTAGE BUS
First Claim
1. A power inverter electrically connected to a high-voltage DC power source via a high-voltage bus, the power inverter comprising:
- a multi-phase inverter circuit electrically connected to positive and negative conductors of the high-voltage bus;
a bi-stable switch electrically connected in series with a discharge resistor between the positive and negative conductors of the high-voltage bus;
a capacitor electrically connected between the positive and negative conductors of the high-voltage bus;
first and second trigger circuits in communication with a gate of the bi-stable switch;
first and second contactors being controllable to electrically connect a respective one of the positive and negative conductors of the high-voltage bus to the high-voltage DC power source, wherein the first and second contactors are in communication with a respective one of the first and second trigger circuits;
wherein the bi-stable switch is controllable to provide a low-impedance electric current flow path through the discharge resistor between the positive and negative conductors of the high-voltage bus in response to an activation signal that is communicated from one of the first and second contactors to the bi-stable switch via one of the first and second trigger circuits.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power inverter includes a multi-phase inverter circuit electrically connected to positive and negative conductors of the high-voltage bus. A bi-stable switch is electrically connected in series with a discharge resistor between the positive and negative conductors of the high-voltage bus, and a capacitor is electrically connected between the positive and negative conductors of the high-voltage bus. First and second trigger circuits are in communication with a gate of the bi-stable switch, and first and second contactors are controllable to electrically connect a respective one of the positive and negative conductors of the high-voltage bus to the high-voltage DC power source. The bi-stable switch is controllable to provide a low-impedance electric current flow path through the discharge resistor between the positive and negative conductors of the high-voltage bus in response to an activation signal from one of the first and second high-voltage DC contactor circuits.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A power inverter electrically connected to a high-voltage DC power source via a high-voltage bus, the power inverter comprising:
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a multi-phase inverter circuit electrically connected to positive and negative conductors of the high-voltage bus; a bi-stable switch electrically connected in series with a discharge resistor between the positive and negative conductors of the high-voltage bus; a capacitor electrically connected between the positive and negative conductors of the high-voltage bus; first and second trigger circuits in communication with a gate of the bi-stable switch; first and second contactors being controllable to electrically connect a respective one of the positive and negative conductors of the high-voltage bus to the high-voltage DC power source, wherein the first and second contactors are in communication with a respective one of the first and second trigger circuits; wherein the bi-stable switch is controllable to provide a low-impedance electric current flow path through the discharge resistor between the positive and negative conductors of the high-voltage bus in response to an activation signal that is communicated from one of the first and second contactors to the bi-stable switch via one of the first and second trigger circuits. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A power inverter disposed to control an electric machine, the power inverter being electrically connected to a high-voltage DC power source via a high-voltage bus, the power inverter comprising:
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a multi-phase inverter circuit electrically connected to positive and negative conductors of the high-voltage bus; a capacitor electrically connected between the positive and negative conductors of the high-voltage bus; a passive discharge circuit disposed between the positive and negative conductors of the high-voltage bus; first and second contactors controllable to electrically connect a respective one of the positive and negative conductors of the high-voltage bus to the high-voltage DC power source, and the first and second contactors in communication with a respective one of the first and second trigger circuits; and first and second trigger circuits in communication with the passive discharge circuit; wherein the passive discharge circuit is controllable to provide an electric current flow path between the positive and negative conductors of the high-voltage bus in response to an activation signal that is communicated from one of the first and second contactor circuits via one of the first and second trigger circuits. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification