Electric switches for reducing on-state power loss
First Claim
1. A power conversion circuit, comprising:
- an array of microelectromechanical switches having a power input and a power output, each of the switches having an input signal terminal, an output signal terminal, and a control terminal; and
a control circuit coupled to the array of switches, the control circuit providing a control signal to the control terminal of each of the switches in the array, the control circuit controlling operation of the switches, each of the switches electrically connecting the input signal terminal to the output signal terminal in response to the control signal provided by the control circuit, wherein the input signal terminal and the output signal terminal of the microelectromechanical switches are connected and disconnected when a low voltage exists across the input signal terminal and the output signal terminal, whereby the array of the switches converts a power signal provided to the power input and provides a converted power signal at the power output.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A power application circuit utilizes microelectromechanical (MEM) switches to reduce power loss in energy conversion equipment. The MEM switches can be integrated on a single substrate with a diode or semiconductor switch. The MEM switches can be included in a single circuit package with another semiconductor device and may include a control circuit which turns each MEM switch on or off. The MEM switch is controlled so that it is opened and closed only when a relatively low voltage drop occurs across the switch. The MEM switch can be utilized in AC to AC converters, DC to AC converters, AC to DC converters, matrix converters, motor controllers, resonant motor controllers, or other power application devices. The MEM switch can also be included in a single package with an IGBT which is optimized for low-switching losses. It can be included in a single package with a diode to reduce conduction loss in power diode bridges.
-
Citations
42 Claims
-
1. A power conversion circuit, comprising:
-
an array of microelectromechanical switches having a power input and a power output, each of the switches having an input signal terminal, an output signal terminal, and a control terminal; and a control circuit coupled to the array of switches, the control circuit providing a control signal to the control terminal of each of the switches in the array, the control circuit controlling operation of the switches, each of the switches electrically connecting the input signal terminal to the output signal terminal in response to the control signal provided by the control circuit, wherein the input signal terminal and the output signal terminal of the microelectromechanical switches are connected and disconnected when a low voltage exists across the input signal terminal and the output signal terminal, whereby the array of the switches converts a power signal provided to the power input and provides a converted power signal at the power output. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A power conversion circuit, comprising:
-
a semiconductor device; a microelectromechanical switch coupled in parallel with the semiconductor device; and a control circuit coupled to the microelectromechanical switch, the control circuit opening and closing the switch when a magnitude of voltage across the switch meets a predetermined condition, whereby arcing in the microelectromechanical switch is reduced. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A method of reducing conduction losses in a power application circuit including a power semiconductor device and a microelectromechanical system switch in parallel with the power semiconductor device, the method comprising:
-
closing the switch when a magnitude of voltage across the semiconductor device is below a threshold; and opening the switch before the magnitude of the voltage across the switch rises above the threshold. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
- 21. An integrated circuit package including a semiconductor device, a first terminal, a second terminal, and a microelectromechanical switch, the switch being coupled between the first terminal and the second terminal, the semiconductor device being coupled between the first terminal and the second terminal, the switch being controlled by a switch control signal, whereby the switch reduces the conduction losses associated with the semiconductor device.
-
31. A rectifier circuit, comprising:
-
a power input; at least one semiconductor device coupled to the power input, the semiconductor device rectifying a power signal at the power input; a microelectromechanical switch coupled in parallel with the semiconductor device, the microelectromechanical switch including a control input; and a control circuit coupled to the control input and providing a control signal to the control input, the control circuit providing the control signal to the control input so the switch is opened and closed when a magnitude of voltage across the switch is below a threshold. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33)
-
-
34. A motor control circuit, comprising:
-
a power input; a power output; at least one semiconductor device coupled to the power input, the semiconductor device applying a power signal at the power input to the power output; a microelectromechanical switch coupled in parallel with the semiconductor device; and a switch control circuit coupled to the switch, the switch control circuit opening and closing the switch when a magnitude of voltage across the switch is below a threshold. - View Dependent Claims (35)
-
-
36. A motor control circuit, comprising:
-
a power input; a power bus; a resonant circuit coupled to the power input, the resonance circuit providing a power signal to the power bus, the power signal having a signal voltage portion and a low voltage portion; a power output; a plurality of motor control microelectromechanical switches coupled to the power bus; and a control circuit coupled to the motor control microelectromechanical switches, the control circuit opening and closing the switches during the low portion of the power signal. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39)
-
-
40. A power application device, comprising a microelectromechanical switch having an input, an output, a control terminal, and a control circuit coupled to the control terminal, the control circuit providing a control signal to the control terminal to open and to close a circuit path between the input and the output, the control circuit providing the control signal so the switch is opened and closed when a voltage below a threshold level is across the input and the output.
-
41. A power application circuit, comprising:
-
a power source providing an at least 24 volt input signal at a frequency below 500 hertz; an electromechanical switch coupled to the power source, the electromechanical switch being in electrical communication with the power source and providing an at least 24 volt output signal at a frequency of at least 1,000 hertz wherein the electromechanical switch is only opened and closed when a low voltage is across the switch. - View Dependent Claims (42)
-
Specification