Snubber circuit for power conversion semiconductor elements and assembly thereof
First Claim
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1. A power conversion section for use in a DC to AC power conversion assembly having a snubber network for use with self turn off semiconductor elements, comprising:
- a semiconductor element arranged to alternatively turn on and self turn off in response to control signals;
a snubber circuit, coupled in parallel with said semiconductor elements, comprising Zener diode means, providing a predetermined voltage drop during forward conduction and a larger voltage drop during backward conduction, for asymmetrically dissipating energy applied therethrough, coupled in series with a means for storing an electrical charge;
whereby, interaction of the Zener diode means and the charge storage means resulting from said Zener diode means'"'"' asymmetrical voltage drop characteristic permits effective surface reduction with limited energy loss as a result of asymmetrical energy dissipation.
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Abstract
A snubber network of high energy efficiency for use with power conversion semiconductors is described. Asymmetrical semiconductor elements are used to reduce and dissipate voltage spikes induced by stray inductance during turn-off of power semiconductors. A space efficient assembly using the described snubber network containing asymmetrical semiconductor elements and an external snubber capacitor is also described.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A power conversion section for use in a DC to AC power conversion assembly having a snubber network for use with self turn off semiconductor elements, comprising:
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a semiconductor element arranged to alternatively turn on and self turn off in response to control signals; a snubber circuit, coupled in parallel with said semiconductor elements, comprising Zener diode means, providing a predetermined voltage drop during forward conduction and a larger voltage drop during backward conduction, for asymmetrically dissipating energy applied therethrough, coupled in series with a means for storing an electrical charge; whereby, interaction of the Zener diode means and the charge storage means resulting from said Zener diode means'"'"' asymmetrical voltage drop characteristic permits effective surface reduction with limited energy loss as a result of asymmetrical energy dissipation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A DC to three phase AC power conversion assembly comprising:
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means for providing DC power, three single phase conversion assemblies, each said assembly comprising two series connected self turn off semiconductor elements paralleled by free wheeling diodes, further comprising a snubber circuit, coupled in parallel across said means for providing DC power, said snubber circuit having Zener diode means, providing a predetermined voltage drop during forward conduction and a larger voltage drop during backward conduction, for asymmetrically dissipating energy applied therethrough, coupled in series with a means for storing electrical charge. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A power conversion section for use in a DC to AC power conversion assembly having a snubber network for use with self turn off semiconductor elements, comprising:
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a semiconductor element arranged to alternatively turn on and self turn off in respond to control signals; a snubber circuit, coupled in parallel with said semiconductor element, comprising a constant voltage drop semiconductor means, providing a predetermined voltage drop during forward conduction and a larger voltage drop during backward conduction, for asymmetrically dissipating energy applied therethrough, coupled in series with a means for storing an electrical charge; whereby, interaction of the constant voltage drop semiconductor means and the charge storage means resulting from said constant voltage drop characteristic permits effective surge reduction with limited energy loss as a result of asymmetrical energy dissipation. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A DC to three phase AC power conversion assembly comprising:
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means for providing DC power, three single phase conversion assemblies, each said assembly comprising two series connected self turn off semiconductor elements paralleled by free wheeling diodes, further comprising a snubber circuit, coupled in parallel across said means for producing DC power, said snubber circuit having a constant voltage drop semiconductor means, providing a predetermined voltage drop during forward conduction and a larger voltage drop during backward conduction, for asymmetrically dissipating energy applied therethrough, coupled in series with a means for storing electrical charge.
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Specification