Highly efficient driver circuit for a solid state switch

• US 6,404,265 B1
• Filed: 08/13/1999
• Issued: 06/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: York International Corporation (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: York International Corporation (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Guido, Louis A. Jr., Schnetzka, Harold R.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, TOAN V
• Application Number:
  US09/373,502
• Publication Number:
  US 20020044004A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 327/438, 327/439, 327/440, 327/443, 327/445, 327/453, 327/465, 327/468, 327/475, 327/476, 327/427, 327/434, 327/540, 327/109
• US Class Current: 327/443
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/08 Circuits specially adapted for the generation of control voltages for semiconductor devices incorporated in static converters

Abstract

Systems consistent with this invention comprise a trigger circuit for triggering a silicon device having a control terminal, where the silicon device is subject to variations in the intrinsic control requirements. The trigger circuit comprises a source of direct current (DC) supply voltage, and a DC-to-DC current mode Buck converter for converting the supply voltage into an output DC current not subject to undesired variations due to variations in the supply voltage, the Buck converter supplying to the control terminal a minimum current to turn on the silicon device despite the variations in the intrinsic control requirements. The silicon device may comprise a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) with a gate terminal, an anode terminal, and a cathode terminal, and wherein the control terminal is the gate terminal, and wherein the variations in the intrinsic control requirements are variations in the intrinsic gate-to-cathode control current and voltage requirements.

Claims

1. A trigger circuit for triggering a silicon device having a control terminal, a first device terminal, and a second device terminal, said trigger circuit comprising:

a source of a direct current (DC) supply voltage; and

a DC-to-DC converter for converting the supply voltage into an output DC current, the converter supplying to the control terminal the output DC current to turn on the silicon device, the converter comprising

an inductor coupled between the control terminal and a first switch terminal of a main switch, wherein a second switch terminal of the main switch is coupled to the supply voltage, wherein the main switch allows current to flow from the second switch terminal to the first switch terminal when closed and does not allow current to flow from the second switch terminal to the first switch terminal when open;

a sense resistor for sensing the current through the inductor, wherein the sense resistor is coupled between the second device terminal and a ground, and wherein a value indicative of the current through the inductor is a voltage across the sense resistor;

a free wheeling diode coupled between the ground and the first switch terminal of the main switch so that current may flow from ground through the diode to the first switch terminal of the main switch; and

a comparator for comparing the value indicative of the current through the inductor to a control value, the comparator controlling when the main switch opens or closes.

2. The trigger circuit of claim 1, wherein the silicon device is a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) wherein the control terminal is a gate terminal, the first device terminal is an anode terminal, and the second device terminal is a cathode terminal.

3. The trigger circuit of claim 1 wherein the silicon device is a transistor.

4. The trigger circuit of claim 3, wherein the transistor is a bipolar junction transistor wherein the first device terminal is a collector, the second device terminal is an emitter, and the control terminal is a base.

5. The trigger circuit of claim 1, wherein the comparator has hysteresis and wherein the control value includes an upper threshold value and a lower threshold value, and wherein when the value indicative of the current drops below the lower threshold, the main switch closes, and when the value indicative of the current rises above the upper threshold, the main switch opens.

6. The trigger circuit of claim 2, wherein the converter further comprises a trigger switch that prevents the comparator from closing the main switch when the SCR is not to be triggered and allowing the comparator to control the main switch when the SCR is to be triggered.

7. A trigger circuit for triggering a silicon device having a control terminal, a first device terminal, and a second device terminal, said trigger circuit comprising:

a source of a direct current (DC) supply voltage; and

means for converting the supply voltage into an output DC current, wherein the means for converting supplies to the control terminal the output DC current to turn on the silicon device, the converter comprising

an inductor coupled between the control terminal and a first switch terminal of a main switch, wherein a second switch terminal of the main switch is coupled to the supply voltage, wherein the main switch allows current to flow from the second switch terminal to the first switch terminal when closed and does not allow current to flow from the second switch terminal to the first switch terminal when open;

means for sensing the current through the inductor, the means for sensing outputting a value indicative of the current, wherein the means for sensing is a sense resistor coupled between the second device terminal and a ground, and wherein the value indicative of the current through the inductor is a voltage across the sense resistor;

a free wheeling diode coupled between the ground and the first switch terminal of the main switch so that current may flow from ground through the diode to the first switch terminal of the main switch; and

means for comparing the value indicative of the current through the inductor to a control value, wherein the means for comparing controls when the main switch opens or closes.

8. The trigger circuit of claim 7, wherein the silicon device is a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) wherein the control terminal is a gate terminal, the first device terminal is an anode terminal, and the second device terminal is a cathode terminal.

9. The trigger circuit of claim 7, wherein the silicon device is a transistor.

10. The trigger circuit of claim 9, wherein the transistor is a bipolar junction transistor wherein the first device terminal is a collector, the second device terminal is an emitter, and the control terminal is a base.

11. The trigger circuit of claim 7, wherein the means for comparing has hysteresis and wherein the control value includes an upper threshold value and a lower threshold value, and wherein when the value indicative of the current drops below the lower threshold, the main switch closes, and when the value indicative of the current rises above the upper threshold, the main switch opens.

12. The trigger circuit of claim 8, wherein the converter further comprises a trigger switch that prevents the means for comparing from closing the main switch when the SCR is not to be triggered and allowing the means for comparing to control the main switch when the SCR is to be triggered.

13. A refrigeration system comprising a motor controller, the motor controller including a trigger circuit for triggering a silicon device having a control terminal, a first device terminal, and a second device terminal, said trigger circuit comprising:

a source of a direct current (DC) supply voltage; and

a DC-to-DC converter for converting the supply voltage into an output DC current, the converter supplying to the control terminal the output DC current to turn on the silicon device, the converter comprising

an inductor coupled between the control terminal and a first switch terminal of a main switch, wherein a second switch terminal of the main switch is coupled to the supply voltage, wherein the main switch allows current to flow from the second switch terminal to the first switch terminal when closed and does not allow current to flow from the second switch terminal to the first switch terminal when open;

a sense resistor for sensing the current through the inductor, wherein the sense resistor is coupled between the second device terminal and a ground, and wherein a value indicative of the current through the inductor is a voltage across the sense resistor;

a free wheeling diode coupled between the ground and the first switch terminal of the main switch so that current may flow from ground through the diode to the first switch terminal of the main switch; and

a comparator for comparing the value indicative of the current through the inductor to a control value, the comparator controlling when the main switch opens or closes.

14. The refrigeration system of claim 13, wherein the silicon device is a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) wherein the control terminal is a gate terminal, the first device terminal is an anode terminal, and the second device terminal is a cathode terminal.

15. The refrigeration system of claim 13 wherein the silicon device is a transistor.

16. The refrigeration system of claim 15, wherein the transistor is a bipolar junction transistor wherein the first device terminal is a collector, the second device terminal is an emitter, and the control terminal is a base.

17. The refrigeration system of claim 13, wherein the comparator has hysteresis and wherein the control value includes an upper threshold value and a lower threshold value, and wherein when the value indicative of the current drops below the lower threshold, the main switch closes, and when the value indicative of the current rises above the upper threshold, the main switch opens.

18. The refrigeration system of claim 14, wherein the converter further comprises a trigger switch that prevents the comparator from closing the main switch when the SCR is not to be triggered and allowing the comparator to control the main switch when the SCR is to be triggered.

19. A trigger circuit for triggering a silicon device having a control terminal, said trigger circuit comprising:

a single source of direct current (DC) supply voltage to supply power to the control terminal for triggering the silicon device; and

a DC-to-DC current mode Buck converter for converting the supply voltage into an output DC current, the Buck converter supplying to the control terminal the output DC current to turn on the silicon device.

20. The trigger circuit of claim 19, wherein the silicon device is a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) with a gate terminal, an anode terminal, and a cathode terminal, and wherein the control terminal is the gate terminal.

21. The trigger circuit of claim 20, wherein the Buck converter comprises

an inductor coupled between the gate terminal and a first terminal of a main switch, a second terminal of the main switch coupled to the supply voltage, the main switch allowing current to flow from the second terminal to the first terminal when closed and not allowing current to flow from the second terminal to the first terminal when open;

a sensor for sensing the current through the inductor, the sensor outputting a value indicative of the current;

a current flow device coupled between a ground and the first terminal of the main switch so that current may flow from ground through the current flow device to the first terminal of the main switch when the main switch is turned off; and

a comparator for comparing the value indicative of the current through the inductor to a control value, the comparator controlling when the main switch opens or closes.

22. The trigger circuit of claim 21, wherein the sensor is a sense resistor coupled between the cathode of the SCR and the ground, and wherein the value indicative of the current through the inductor is a voltage across the sense resistor.

23. The trigger circuit of claim 21, wherein the comparator has hysteresis and wherein the control value includes an upper threshold value and a lower threshold value, and wherein when the value indicative of the current drops below the lower threshold, the main switch closes, and when the value indicative of the current rises above the upper threshold, the main switch opens.

24. The trigger circuit of claim 21, wherein the Buck converter further comprises a trigger switch that prevents the comparator from closing the main switch when the SCR is not to be triggered and allows the comparator to control the main switch when the SCR is to be triggered.

25. A refrigeration system comprising a motor, the motor including a trigger circuit for triggering a silicon device having a control terminal, said trigger circuit comprising:

a single source of direct current (DC) supply voltage to supply power to the control terminal for triggering the silicon device; and

a DC-to-DC current mode Buck converter for converting the supply voltage into an output DC current, the Buck converter supplying to the control terminal the output DC current to turn on the silicon device.

26. The refrigeration system of claim 25, wherein the silicon device is a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) with a gate terminal, an anode terminal, and a cathode terminal, and wherein the control terminal is the gate terminal.

27. The refrigeration system of claim 26, wherein the Buck converter comprises

an inductor coupled between the gate terminal and a first terminal of a main switch, a second terminal of the main switch coupled to the supply voltage, the main switch allowing current to flow from the second terminal to the first terminal when closed and not allowing current to flow from the second terminal to the first terminal when open;

a sensor for sensing the current through the inductor, the sensor outputting a value indicative of the current;

a current flow device coupled between a ground and the first terminal of the main switch so that current may flow from ground through the current flow device to the first terminal of the main switch when the main switch is turned off; and

a comparator for comparing the value indicative of the current through the inductor to a control value, the comparator controlling when the main switch opens or closes.

28. The refrigeration system of claim 27, wherein the sensor is a sense resistor coupled between the cathode of the SCR and the ground, and wherein the value indicative of the current through the inductor is a voltage across the sense resistor.

29. The refrigeration system of claim 27, wherein the comparator has hysteresis and wherein the control value includes an upper threshold value and a lower threshold value, and wherein when the value indicative of the current drops below the lower threshold, the main switch closes, and when the value indicative of the current rises above the upper threshold, the main switch opens.

30. The refrigeration system of claim 27, wherein the Buck converter further comprises a trigger switch that prevents the comparator from closing the main switch when the SCR is not to be triggered and allows the comparator to control the main switch when the SCR is to be triggered.

31. A trigger circuit for triggering a silicon device having a control terminal, a first device terminal, and a second device terminal, said trigger circuit comprising:

a source of a direct current (DC) supply voltage; and

a switching DC-to-DC converter for converting the supply voltage into an output DC current, the converter supplying to the control terminal the output DC current to turn on the silicon device, the converter comprising

an inductor coupled between the control terminal and a first switch terminal of a main switch, wherein a second switch terminal of the main switch is coupled to the supply voltage, wherein the main switch allows current to flow from the second switch terminal to the first switch terminal when closed and does not allow current to flow from the second switch terminal to the first switch terminal when open, wherein when the silicon device is turned off the main switch is continuously turned off, wherein when the main switch is turned off the main switch prevents current from flowing from the voltage supply to the inductor, and wherein when the silicon device is turned on, the main switch periodically turns on and off.

32. The trigger circuit of claim 31, wherein the converter further comprises

a sense resistor for sensing the current through the inductor, wherein the sense resistor is coupled between the second device terminal and a ground, and wherein a value indicative of the current through the inductor is a voltage across the sense resistor;

a current flow device coupled between the ground and the first switch terminal of the main switch so that current may flow from ground through the current flow device to the first switch terminal of the main switch when the main switch is turned off; and

a comparator for comparing the value indicative of the current through the inductor to a control value, the comparator controlling when the main switch opens or closes.

33. The trigger circuit of claim 32, wherein the silicon device is a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) wherein the control terminal is a gate terminal, the first device terminal is an anode terminal, and the second device terminal is a cathode terminal.

34. The trigger circuit of claim 32, wherein the silicon device is a transistor.

35. The trigger circuit of claim 32, wherein the comparator has hysteresis and wherein the control value includes an upper threshold value and a lower threshold value, and wherein when the value indicative of the current drops below the lower threshold, the main switch closes, and when the value indicative of the current rises above the upper threshold, the main switch opens.

36. The trigger circuit of claim 33, wherein the converter further comprises a trigger switch that prevents the comparator from closing the main switch when the SCR is not to be triggered and allows the comparator to control the main switch when the SCR is to be triggered.

37. A refrigeration system comprising a motor controller, the motor controller including a trigger circuit for triggering a silicon device having a control terminal, said trigger circuit comprising:

a source of a direct current (DC) supply voltage; and

a switching DC-to-DC converter for converting the supply voltage into an output DC current, the converter supplying to the control terminal the output DC current to turn on the silicon device, the converter comprising

an inductor coupled between the control terminal and a first switch terminal of a main switch, wherein a second switch terminal of the main switch is coupled to the supply voltage, wherein the main switch allows current to flow from the second switch terminal to the first switch terminal when closed and does not allow current to flow from the second switch terminal to the first switch terminal when open, and wherein when the silicon device is turned off the main switch is continuously turned off, wherein when the main switch is turned off the main switch prevents current from flowing from the voltage supply to the inductor, and wherein when the silicon device is turned on, the main switch periodically turns on and off.

38. The refrigeration system of claim 37, wherein the trigger circuit further comprises

a sense resistor for sensing the current through the inductor, wherein the sense resistor is coupled between the second device terminal and a ground, and wherein a value indicative of the current through the inductor is a voltage across the sense resistor;

a current flow device coupled between the ground and the first switch terminal of the main switch so that current may flow from ground through the current flow device to the first switch terminal of the main switch when the main switch is turned off; and

a comparator for comparing the value indicative of the current through the inductor to a control value, the comparator controlling when the main switch opens or closes.

39. The refrigeration system of claim 38, wherein the silicon device is a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) wherein the control terminal is a gate terminal, the first device terminal is an anode terminal, and the second device terminal is a cathode terminal.

40. The refrigeration system of claim 38, wherein the silicon device is a transistor.

41. The refrigeration system of claim 38, wherein the comparator has hysteresis and wherein the control value includes an upper threshold value and a lower threshold value, and wherein when the value indicative of the current drops below the lower threshold, the main switch closes, and when the value indicative of the current rises above the upper threshold, the main switch opens.

42. The refrigeration system of claim 39, wherein the converter further comprises a trigger switch that prevents the comparator from closing the main switch when the SCR is not to be triggered and allows the comparator to control the main switch when the SCR is to be triggered.