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Power converter with clamping circuit

  • US 6,169,672 B1
  • Filed: 12/23/1998
  • Issued: 01/02/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/03/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A power converting apparatus comprising:

  • a circuit including at least one semiconductor switch;

    a pair of DC terminals electrically connected to said semiconductor switch; and

    a flywheel diode connected in a reverse direction and in parallel with said semiconductor switch;

    wherein a clamping circuit is connected in parallel with said semiconductor switch, said clamping circuit including at least a diode connected in a reverse direction and in parallel with said semiconductor switch, said diode having a semiconductor substrate with a wider band gap than silicon, and the voltage impressed on said semiconductor switch is clamped at a voltage value higher than the voltage between said DC terminals and lower than the withstand voltage of said semiconductor switch, whereby the voltage impressed on said semiconductor switch is clamped at the breakdown voltage of said diode when said semiconductor switch turns off.

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