Method for early failure recognition in power semiconductor modules
First Claim
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1. A method for early failure recognition in a power semiconductor module comprising the steps of:
- providing a resistor between an emitter terminal and an auxiliary emitter terminal of the power semiconductor module wherein a resistance of the resistor is dependent on a bond point degradation of the emitter terminal and auxiliary emitter terminal;
providing a substantially constant current flow across first and second terminals of the resistor which is independent of the load current through the emitter; and
providing a warning signal when a voltage drop across the resistor exceeds a predetermined value.
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Abstract
A method for early failure recognition in power semiconductor modules which employs a measurement across a resistor between a bonded emitter terminal and a bonded auxiliary emitter terminal that identifies the degradation of the bond point which triggers an early warning signal so that the power semiconductor module can be changed before failure and the overall reliability of an electronic power system can thereby be increased.
29 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method for early failure recognition in a power semiconductor module comprising the steps of:
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providing a resistor between an emitter terminal and an auxiliary emitter terminal of the power semiconductor module wherein a resistance of the resistor is dependent on a bond point degradation of the emitter terminal and auxiliary emitter terminal; providing a substantially constant current flow across first and second terminals of the resistor which is independent of the load current through the emitter; and providing a warning signal when a voltage drop across the resistor exceeds a predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A circuit for recognizing a failure in a power semiconductor module comprising:
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a resistor connected between an emitter and an auxiliary emitter of the power semiconductor module wherein a resistance of the resistor is dependent on a bond point degradation of the emitter terminal and auxiliary emitter terminal; a current source to provide a substantially constant current flow across bond connections of an emitter terminal and an auxiliary emitter terminal; a sensor for sensing a change in the magnitude of a current flowing across the resistor; and an alarm for sounding a warning when a voltage drop across the resistor exceeds a predetermined value.
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Specification