Active filter for reduction of common mode current

• US 6,636,107 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2001
• Issued: 10/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Infineon Technologies Americas Corp. (Infineon Technologies AG)
• Original Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation (Infineon Technologies AG)
• Inventors: Pelly, Brian R.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, DINH THANH
• Application Number:
  US09/816,590
• Publication Number:
  US 20010045863A1
• Time in Patent Office: 942 Days
• Field of Search: 327/551, 327/552, 327/311, 363/48, 363/37, 363/40, 363/46, 363/47
• US Class Current: 327/552
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/12 Arrangements for reducing harmonics from ac input or output
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/123 Suppression of common mode voltage or current
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 5/458 using semiconductor devices only
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 2201/07 DC-DC step-up or step-down converter inserted between the power supply and the inverter supplying the motor, e.g. to control voltage source fluctuations, to vary the motor speed general aspects of plural converters in cascade H02M
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 29/50 Reduction of harmonics

Abstract

An active filter reduces the common mode current in the ground wire of a PWM controlled motor drive circuit. The active filter is, in part, integrated into an integrated circuit chip and contains a buffer amplifier which drives two junction type or MOSFET transistors linearly to divert common mode current from a ground wire and through the transistors. The transistors are connected between positive and negative d-c busses which supply d-c power to a PWM inventor which drives an a-c motor, producing the common mode ground current in its grounded frame. A current transformer monitors the common mode current and its output is coupled to the input of the buffer amplifier to control the transistors. An internal power supply for the amplifiers is formed at the nodes between two current sources and two zener diodes which are connected between the d-c bus conductors. Headroom control circuits are disclosed to insure sufficient headroom voltage for each of the transistors under all input a-c voltage conditions.

Claims

1. An active filter for reducing a common mode current in a pulse width modulated motor drive circuit;

said motor drive circuit comprising an a-c source, a rectifier connected to said a-c source and producing a rectified output voltage connected to a positive d-c bus and a negative d-c bus, a PWM inverter having input terminals coupled to said positive d-c bus and negative d-c bus and having a controlled a-c output, a motor driven by said a-c output of said PWM inverter, a ground wire extending from said motor, and a current sensor for measuring the common mode current in said drive circuit in said ground wire, said current sensor producing an output current related to said common mode current;

said active filter comprising a first and second transistor, each having first and second main electrodes and a control electrode, and at least one first buffer amplifier;

said first electrode of said first and second transistor coupled to a common node, said second electrodes of said first and second transistors being coupled to said positive d-c bus and said negative d-c respectively;

said at least one first buffer amplifier having an input coupled to said output of said current sensor and an output connected to at least one of said control electrodes; and

a d-c isolating capacitor connecting said common node of said first electrode of said first and second transistors to said ground wire, said current sensor being coupled such that the current sensor is in a current loop comprising said active filter, said d-c bus, said PWM inverter, said motor, said ground wire and said capacitor.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said current sensor is a differential current transformer having first and second windings connected in series with said positive and negative d-c busses respectively and an output winding for producing said output current related to said common mode current.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said current sensor is a current transformer having a primary winding connected in series with said ground wire and a secondary winding for producing said output current related to said common mode current.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein said current transformer has a toroidal core.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein said current transformer has a toroidal core and wherein said primary winding is a single turn on said toroidal core.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said first and second transistors are complementary NPN and PNP bipolar transistors and their said first electrodes are emitter electrodes.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said first and second transistors are complementary N and P channel power MOSFETs and wherein said first electrodes are source electrodes.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said current sensor is a differential current transformer having first and second windings connected in respective ones of lines of said a-c source connected to said rectifier and an output winding for producing said output current related to said common mode current.

9. The device of claim 1 which further includes a headroom voltage control circuit coupled to said first and second transistors for maintaining sufficient voltage between the first and second electrodes of each transistor to permit linear amplification operation of each transistor over substantially the full rectified cycle of said a-c source.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein said headroom voltage control circuit includes first and second resistors which are respectively connected in parallel with said first and second transistors.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein said headroom voltage control circuit comprises respective active clamp circuits connected to said first and second transistors respectively for preventing the reduction of headroom voltage for each of said transistors below a given value.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein said headroom control circuit comprises a first circuit for generating a midpoint potential which is the midpoint of the d-c potential between said positive and negative d-c busses and a second amplifier having an input connected to a potential comprising a difference between said midpoint d-c voltage and the voltage at the common node of said first and second transistors and an output connected to an input of said first buffer amplifier for actively regulating an average voltage at said common node to said midpoint voltage.

13. The device of claim 1, which further includes a reduced voltage positive filter bus coupled to said d-c bus;

said second electrodes of said first and second transistors connected to said reduced voltage positive filter d-c bus and said negative d-c bus respectively.

14. The device of claim 13 which further includes a series connected resistor and zener diode connected between said positive and negative d-c busses;

said positive d-c filter bus connected to the node between said resistor and said zener diode.

15. The device of claim 13 which further includes a first and second series connected capacitor connected across said positive and negative d-c busses;

and said d-c filter bus connected to the node between said first and second capacitors.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein said rectifier comprises a voltage doubler circuit which includes two series connected diodes connected across said positive and negative d-c Busses and in parallel with said first and second capacitors;

and said a-c source connected to the nodes between said diodes and said capacitors.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein said buffer amplifier has at least first and second power supply inputs, and a power supply circuit for applying bias voltages to said buffer amplifier inputs;

said power supply circuit comprising first and second current sources and first and second zener diodes;

the anode of said first zener diode connected to the cathode of said second zener diode at a first node;

said cathode of said first zener diode connected to one terminal of said first current source;

said anode of said second zener diode connected to one terminal of said second current source;

the second terminal of said first and second current sources being coupled to said positive and negative d-c busses respectively;

the node between said first current source and said first zener diode connected to said first power supply input; and

the node between said second current source and said second zener diode connected to said second power supply input.

18. The device of claim 3, wherein said dc isolating capacitor is connected to said ground wire at a point disposed between said primary winding of said current transformer and said motor.

19. The device of claim 3, wherein said primary winding of said current transformer is disposed between said motor and a common node connecting said dc isolating filter capacitor and said ground wire.

20. The device of claim 1, wherein said first and second transistor and said buffer amplifier are formed in a common integrated circuit chip.

21. The device of claim 9, wherein said first and second transistors and said buffer amplifier and said headroom control circuits are formed in a common integrated circuit.

22. The device of claim 14, wherein said first and second transistors and said buffer amplifier and said series connected resistor and a zener diode are formed in a common integrated circuit.

23. The device of claim 17, wherein said first and second transistors and said buffer amplifier and said power supply circuit are formed in a common integrated circuit.

24. The device of claim 1, wherein said current sensor is connected in said ground wire.

25. The device of claim 1, wherein said current sensor comprises a current transformer having at least one primary winding and a secondary winding;

said secondary winding being connected to said input of said buffer amplifier;

said at least one primary winding connected between said positive d-c bus and said second electrode of said first transistor, thereby to define a feedback architecture.

26. The device of claim 1, wherein said current sensor comprises a current transformer having at least one primary winding and a secondary winding;

said secondary winding being connected to said input of said buffer amplifier;

said at least one primary winding connected between one of said input terminals of said inverter and said second electrode of said first transistor, thereby to define a feed forward architecture.

27. The device of claim 2, wherein said current transformer has a toroidal core and wherein said first and second windings are each a single turn.

28. The device of claim 3, wherein said common node between said d c isolating capacitor and said ground wire is disposed between said primary winding of said current transformer and said motor.

29. The device of claim 3, wherein said primary winding of said current transformer is disposed between said common node between said d-c isolating filter capacitor and said ground wire and said motor.

30. The device of claim 1, which further includes a reduced voltage filter bus coupled to one of said positive or negative voltage bus;

said second electrodes of said first and second transistors connected to said reduced voltage filter bus.

31. The device of claim 30, wherein said reduced voltage filter bus is connected to said negative voltage bus.

32. The device of claim 26, wherein said first and second transistors are MOSFETs;

and which further includes a quiescent bias current circuit coupled to one of said control electrode of one of said first and second transistors, and a regulation circuit connected to said bias current circuit for regulating the quiescent bias current to maintain the quiescent gate voltage of said MOSFET transistors at their threshold voltage, thereby to eliminate cross-over distortion of the output current of said MOSFETs.

33. An active filter for reducing a common mode current in a pulse width modulated motor drive circuit;

said motor drive circuit comprising an a-c source, a rectifier connected to said a-c source and producing a rectified output voltage connected to a positive d-c bus and a negative d-c bus, a PWM inverter having input terminals coupled to said positive d-c bus and negative d-c bus and having a controlled a-c output, a motor driven by said a-c output of said PWM inverter, a ground wire extending from said motor, and a current sensor for measuring the common mode current in said drive circuit, said current sensor producing an output current related to said common mode current;

said active filter comprising a first and second transistor, each having first and second main electrodes and a control electrode, said first electrode of said first and second transistor coupled to a common node, said second electrodes of said first and second transistors being connected to said positive d-c bus and said negative d-c bus respectively; and

a d-c isolating capacitor connecting said common node of said first electrode of said first and second transistors to said ground wire;

said current sensor comprising a differential current transformer having first and second windings connected in series with said positive and negative d-c busses respectively and an output winding for producing said output current related to said common mode current;

said

output winding being coupled to said control electrodes;

said active filter comprising a circuit having an architecture comprising a feed forward system with unity amplification by said current transformer and said transistors, said current sensor being coupled such that the current sensor is in a current loop comprising said active filter, said d-c bus, said PWM inverter, said motor, said ground wire and said capacitor.

34. The device of claim 33, wherein said current transformer has a toroidal core.

35. The device of claim 33 which further includes a headroom voltage control circuit coupled to said first and second transistors for maintaining sufficient voltage between the first and second electrodes of each transistor to permit linear amplification operation of each transistor over substantially the full rectified cycle of said a-c source.

36. The device of claim 33 further including a reduced voltage positive filter bus coupled to said dc bus;

said second electrodes of said first and second transistors connected to said reduced voltage positive filter dc bus and said negative dc bus respectively.

37. The device of claim 33, wherein said first and second transistors are formed in a common integrated circuit chip.

38. The device of claim 33, wherein said first and second transistors and said headroom control circuits are formed in a common integrated circuit.

39. The device of claim 33, wherein said isolating capacitor is indirectly connected to said common node of said first electrode of said first and second transistors.

40. The device of claim 33, wherein said sensed common mode current is converted to a voltage and provided to said active filter as a voltage signal.

41. The device of claim 33, wherein said sensed common mode current is sensed and provided to said active filter as a current signal.

42. An active filter for reducing a common mode current in a pulse width modulated motor drive circuit;

said motor drive circuit comprising an a-c source, a rectifier connected to said a-c source and producing a rectified output voltage connected to a positive d-c bus and a negative d-c bus, a PWM inverter having input terminals coupled to said positive d-c bus and negative d-c bus and having a controlled a-c output, a motor driven by said a-c output of said PWM inverter, a ground wire extending from said motor, and a current sensor for measuring the common mode current in said drive circuit, said current sensor producing an output current related to said common mode current;

said active filter comprising a first and second transistor each having first and second main electrodes and a control electrode, said first electrode of said first and second transistor coupled to a common node, said second electrodes of said first and second transistors being connected to said positive d-c bus and said negative d-c respectively;

said current sensor output coupled to at least one of said control electrodes; and

a d-c isolating capacitor connecting said common node of said first electrode of said first and second transistors to said ground wire; and

a headroom voltage control circuit coupled to said first and second transistors for maintaining sufficient voltage between the first and second electrodes of said transistors to permit linear amplification operation of said transistors over substantially the full rectified cycle of said a-c source, said current sensor being coupled such that the current sensor is in a current loop comprising said active filter, said d-c bus, said PWM inverter, said motor, said ground wire and said capacitor.

43. The device of claim 42, wherein said headroom voltage control circuit includes first and second resistors which are respectively connected in parallel with said first and second transistors.

44. The device of claim 42, wherein said headroom voltage control circuit comprises respective active clamp circuits connected to said first and second transistors respectively for preventing the reduction of headroom voltage for each of said transistors below a given value.

45. The device of claim 42, which further includes a reduced voltage positive filter bus coupled to said d-c bus;

said second electrodes of said first and second transistors connected to said reduced voltage positive filter d-c bus and said negative d-c bus respectively.

46. The device of claim 45 to which further includes a series connected resistor and zener diode connected between said positive and negative d-c busses;

and positive d-c filter bus connected to the node between said resistor and said zener diode.

47. The device of claim 45 which further includes a first and second series connected capacitor connected across said positive and negative d-c bussesl abd said d-c filter bus connected to the node between said first and second capacitors.

48. An active filter for reducing a common mode current in a pulse width modulated motor drive circuit said motor drive circuit comprising an a-c source, a rectifier connected to said a-c source and producing a rectified output voltage connected to a positive d-c bus and a negative d-c bus, a PWM inverter having input terminals coupled to said positive d-c bus and negative d-c bus and having a controlled a-c output, a motor driven by said a-c output of said PWM inverter, a ground wire extending from said motor, and a current sensor for measuring the common mode current in said drive circuit, said current sensor producing an output current related to said common mode current;

said active filter comprising a first and second transistor, each having first and second main electrodes and a control electrode, said first electrode of said first and second transistor coupled to a common node, said second electrodes of said first and second transistors being coupled to said positive d-c bus and said negative d-c bus respectively;

said current sensor output being coupled to at least one of said control electrodes;

a d-c isolating capacitor connecting said common node of said first electrode of said first and second transistors to said ground wire; and

a reduced voltage filter bus coupled to said d-c bus;

said second electrode of said first transistor being connected to said reduced voltage filter bus, and wherein said reduced voltage filter bus has a reduced positive voltage bus and a reduced negative voltage bus, one of said reduced positive voltage bus and said reduced negative voltage bus being connected in common with a corresponding one of said positive d-c bus and negative d-c bus, said current sensor being coupled such that the current sensor is in a current loop comprising said active filter, said d-c bus, said PWM inverter, said motor, said ground wire and said capacitor.

49. The device of claim 48 which further includes a series connected resistor and zener diode connected between said positive and negative d-c busses;

said positive d-c filter bus connected to the node between said resistor and said zener diode.

50. The device of claim 48 which further includes a first and second series connected capacitor connected across said positive and negative d-c busses;

and said d-c filter bus connected to the node between said first and second capacitors.

51. The device of claim 50, wherein said rectifier comprises a voltage doubler circuit which includes two series connected diodes connected in parallel with said first and second capacitors;

and said a-c source connected to the nodes between said diodes and said capacitors.

52. An active filter for reducing a common mode current in a pulse width modulated motor drive circuit;

said motor drive circuit comprising an a-c source, a rectifier connected to said a-c source and producing a rectified output voltage connected to a positive d-c bus and a negative d-c bus, a PWM inverter having input terminals coupled to said positive d-c bus and negative d-c bus and having a controlled a-c output, a motor driven by said a-c output of said PWM inverter, a ground wire extending from said motor, and a current sensor for measuring the common mode current in said drive circuit, said current sensor producing an output current related to said common mode current;

said active filter comprising a first and second transistor, each having first and second main electrodes and a control electrode, said first electrode of said first and second transistor coupled to a common node, said second electrodes of said first and second transistors being connected to said positive d-c bus and said negative d-c bus respectively; and

a d-c isolating capacitor connecting said common node of said first electrode of said first and second transistors to said ground wire;

said current sensor comprising a differential current transformer sensing current in said ground wire and producing an output current related to said common mode current;

said output current being supplied to said control electrodes;

said active filter comprising a circuit having an architecture comprising a feed forward system with unity amplification by said current transformer and said transistors, said current sensor being coupled such that the current sensor is in a current loop comprising said active filter, said d-c bus, said PWM inverter, said motor, said ground wire and said capacitor.

53. An active filter for reducing a common mode current in a pulse width modulated drive circuit for driving a load;

said drive circuit comprising an a-c source, a rectifier connected to said a-c source and producing a rectified output voltage connected to a positive d-c bus and a negative d-c bus, a PWM inverter having input terminals coupled to said positive d-c bus and negative d-c bus and having a controlled a-c output for driving the load, a ground wire extending from said load, and a current sensor for measuring the common mode current in said drive circuit in said ground wire, said current sensor producing an output current related to said common mode current;

said active filter comprising a first and second transistor, each having first and second main electrodes and a control electrode, and at least one first buffer amplifier;

said first electrode of said first and second transistor coupled to a common node, said second electrodes of said first and second transistors being coupled to said positive d-c bus and said negative d-c respectively;

said at least one buffer amplifier having an input coupled to said output of said current sensor and an output connected to at least one of said control electrodes; and

a d-c isolating capacitor connecting said common node of said first electrode of said first and second transistors to said ground wire, said current sensor being coupled such that the current sensor is in a current loop comprising said active filter, said d-c bus, said PWM inverter, said load, said ground wire and said capacitor.

54. The device of claim 53, wherein said current sensor is a differential current transformer having first and second windings connected in series with said positive and negative d-c busses respectively and an output winding for producing said output current related to said common mode current.

55. The device of claim 53, wherein said current sensor is a current transformer having a primary winding connected in series with said ground wire and a secondary winding for producing said output current related to said common mode current.

56. The device of claim 54, wherein said current transformer has a toroidal core.

57. The device of claim 55, wherein said current transformer has a toroidal core and wherein said primary winding is a single turn on said toroidal core.

58. The device of claim 53, wherein said first and second transistors are complementary NPN and PNP bipolar transistors and their said first electrodes are emitter electrodes.

59. The device of claim 53, wherein said first and second transistors are complementary N and P channel power MOSFETs and wherein said first electrodes are source electrodes.

60. The device of claim 53, wherein said current sensor is a differential current transformer having first and second windings connected in respective ones of lines of said a-c source connected to said rectifier and an output winding for producing said output current related to said common mode current.

61. The device of claim 53 which further includes a headroom voltage control circuit coupled to said first and second transistors for maintaining sufficient voltage between the first and second electrodes of each transistor to permit linear amplification operation of each transistor over substantially the full rectified cycle of said a-c source.

62. The device of claim 61, wherein said headroom voltage control circuit includes first and second resistors which are respectively connected in parallel with said first and second transistors.

63. The device of claim 61, wherein said headroom voltage control circuit comprises respective active clamp circuits connected to said first and second transistors respectively for preventing the reduction of headroom voltage for each of said transistors below a given value.

64. The device of claim 61, wherein said headroom control circuit comprises a first circuit for generating a midpoint potential which is the midpoint of the d-c potential between said positive and negative d-c busses and a second amplifier having an input connected to a potential comprising a difference between said midpoint d-c voltage and the voltage at the common node of said first and second transistors and an output connected to an input of said first buffer amplifier for actively regulating an average voltage at said common node to said midpoint voltage.

65. The device of claim 53, which further includes a reduced voltage positive filter bus coupled to said d-c bus;

said second electrodes of said first and second transistors connected to said reduced voltage positive filter d-c bus and said negative d-c bus respectively.

66. The device of claim 65 which further includes a series connected resistor and zener diode connected between said positive and negative d-c busses;

said positive d-c filter bus connected to the node between said resistor and said zener diode.

67. The device of claim 65 which further includes a first and second series connected capacitor connected across said positive and negative d-c busses;

and said d-c filter bus connected to the node between said first and second capacitors.

68. The device of claim 67, wherein said rectifier comprises a voltage doubler circuit which includes two series connected diodes connected across said positive and negative d-c busses and in parallel with said first and second capacitors;

and said a-c source connected to the nodes between said diodes and said capacitors.

69. The device of claim 53, wherein said buffer amplifier has at least first and second power supply inputs, and a power supply circuit for applying bias voltages to said buffer amplifier inputs;

said power supply circuit comprising first and second current sources and first and second zener diodes;

the anode of said first zener diode connected to the cathode of said second zener diode at a first node;

said cathode of said first zener diode connected to one terminal of said first current source;

said anode of said second zener diode connected to one terminal of said second current source;

the second terminal of said first and second current sources being coupled to said positive and negative d-c busses respectively;

the node between said first current source and said first zener diode connected to said first power supply input; and

the node between said second current source and said second zener diode connected to said second power supply input.

70. The device of claim 55, wherein said d c isolating capacitor is connected to said ground wire at a point disposed between said primary winding of said current transformer and said load.

71. The device of claim 55, wherein said primary winding of said current transformer is disposed between said load and a common node connecting said d-c isolating filter capacitor and said ground wire.

72. The device of claim 53, wherein said first and second transistor and said buffer amplifier are formed in a common integrated circuit chip.

73. The device of claim 61, wherein said first and second transistors and said buffer amplifier and said headroom control circuits are formed in a common integrated circuit.

74. The device of claim 66, wherein said first and second transistors and said buffer amplifier and said series connected resistor and a zener diode are formed in a common integrated circuit.

75. The device of claim 69, wherein said first and second transistors and said buffer amplifier and said power supply circuit are formed in a common integrated circuit.

76. The device of claim 53, wherein said current sensor is connected in said ground wire.

77. The device of claim 53, wherein said current sensor comprises a current transformer having at least one primary winding and a secondary winding;

said secondary winding being connected to said input of said buffer amplifier;

said at least one primary winding connected between one of said input terminals of said inverter and said second electrode of said first transistor, thereby to define a feed forward architecture.

78. The device of claim 53, wherein said current sensor comprises a current transformer having at least one primary winding and a secondary winding;

said secondary winding being connected to said input of said buffer amplifier;

said at least one primary winding connected between said positive d-c bus and said second electrode of said first transistor, thereby to define a feedback architecture.

79. The device of claim 55, wherein said current transformer has a toroidal core and wherein said first and second windings are each a single turn.

80. The device of claim 56, wherein said d c isolating capacitor is connected to said ground wire at a point disposed between said primary winding of said current transformer and said load.

81. The device of claim 56, wherein said primary winding of said current transformer is disposed between said load and a common node connecting said d-c isolating filter capacitor and said ground wire.

82. The device of claim 53, which further includes a reduced voltage filter bus coupled to one of said positive or negative voltage bus;

said second electrodes of said first and second transistors connected to said reduced voltage filter bus.

83. The device of claim 82, wherein said reduced voltage filter bus is connected to said negative voltage bus.

84. The device of claim 77, wherein said first and second transistors are MOSFETs;

and which further includes a quiescent bias current circuit coupled to one of said control electrode of one of said first and second transistors, and a regulation circuit connected to said bias current circuit for regulating the quiescent bias current to maintain the quiescent gate voltage of said MOSFET transistors at their threshold voltage, thereby to eliminate cross-over distortion of the output current of said MOSFETs.

85. An active filter for reducing a common mode current in a pulse width modulated drive circuit for driving a load;

said drive circuit comprising an a-c source, a rectifier connected to said a-c source and producing a rectified output voltage connected to a positive d-c bus and a negative d-c bus, a PWM inverter having input terminals coupled to said positive d-c bus and negative d-c bus and having a controlled a-c output for driving the load, a ground wire extending from said load, and a current sensor for measuring the common mode current in said drive circuit, said current sensor producing an output current related to said common mode current;

said active filter comprising a first and second transistor, each having first and second main electrodes and a control electrode, said first electrode of said first and second transistor coupled to a common node, said second electrodes of said first and second transistors being connected to said positive d-c bus and said negative d-c bus respectively; and

a d-c isolating capacitor connecting said common node of said first electrode of said first and second transistors to said ground wire;

said current sensor comprising a differential current transformer having first and second windings connected in series with said positive and negative d-c busses respectively and an output winding for producing said output current related to said common mode current;

said output winding being coupled to said control electrodes;

said active filter comprising a circuit having an architecture comprising a feed forward system with unity amplification by said current transformer and said transistors, said current sensor being coupled such that the current sensor is in a current loop comprising said active filter, said d-c bus, said PWM inverter, said load, said ground wire and said capacitor.

86. The device of claim 85 wherein said current transformer has a toroidal core.

87. The device of claim 85 which further includes a headroom voltage control circuit coupled to said first and second transistors for maintaining sufficient voltage between the first and second electrodes of each transistor to permit linear amplification operation of each transistor over substantially the full rectified cycle of said a-c source.

88. The device of claim 85, further including a reduced voltage positive filter bus coupled to said d-c bus;

said second electrodes of said first and second transistors connected to said reduced voltage positive filter d-c bus and said negative d-c bus respectively.

89. The device of claim 85, wherein said first and second transistors are formed in a common integrated circuit chip.

90. The device of claim 85, wherein said first and second transistors and said headroom control circuits are formed in a common integrated circuit.

91. An active filter for reducing a common mode current in a pulse width modulated drive circuit for driving a load;

said drive circuit comprising an a-c source, a rectifier connected to said a-c source and producing a rectified output voltage connected to a positive d-c bus and a negative d-c bus, a PWM inverter having input terminals coupled to said positive d-c bus and negative d-c bus and having a controlled a-c output for driving the load, a ground wire extending from said load, and a current sensor for measuring the common mode current in said drive circuit, said current sensor producing an output current related to said common mode current;

said active filter comprising a first and second transistor each having first and second main electrodes and a control electrode, said first electrode of said first and second transistor coupled to a common node, said second electrodes of said first and second transistors being coupled to said positive d-c bus and said negative d-c respectively;

said current sensor output coupled to at least one of said control electrodes; and

a d-c isolating capacitor connecting said common node of said first electrode of said first and second transistors to said ground wire; and

a headroom voltage control circuit coupled to said first and second transistors for maintaining sufficient voltage between the first and second electrodes of said transistors to permit linear amplification operation of said transistors over substantially the full rectified cycle of said a-c source, said current sensor being coupled such that the current sensor is in a current loop comprising said active filter, said d-c bus, said PWM inverter, said load, said ground wire and said capacitor.

92. The device of claim 91, wherein said headroom voltage control circuit includes first and second resistors which are respectively connected in parallel with said first and second transistors.

93. The device of claim 91, wherein said headroom voltage control circuit comprises respective active clamp circuits connected to said first and second transistors respectively for preventing the reduction of headroom voltage for each of said transistors below a given value.

94. The device of claim 91, which further includes a reduced voltage positive filter bus coupled to said d-c bus;

said second electrodes of said first and second transistors connected to said reduced voltage positive filter d-c bus and said negative d-c bus respectively.

95. The device of claim 94 which further includes a series connected resistor and zener diode connected between said positive and negative d-c busses;

said positive d-c filter bus connected to the node between said resistor and said zener diode.

96. The device of claim 94 which further includes a first and second series connected capacitor connected across said positive and negative d-c busses;

and said d-c filter bus connected to the node between said first and second capacitors.

97. An active filter for reducing a common mode current in a pulse width modulated drive circuit for driving a load, said drive circuit comprising an a-c source, a rectifier connected to said a-c source and producing a rectified output voltage connected to a positive d-c bus and a negative d-c bus, a PWM inverter having input terminals coupled to said positive d-c bus and negative d-c bus and having a controlled a-c output for driving the load, a ground wire extending from said load, and a current sensor for measuring the common mode current in said drive circuit, said current sensor producing an output current related to said common mode current;

said active filter comprising a first and second transistor, each having first and second main electrodes and a control electrode, said first electrode of said first and second transistor coupled to a common node, said second electrodes of said first and second transistors being coupled to said positive d-c bus and said negative d-c bus respectively;

said current sensor output being coupled to at least one of said control electrodes;

a d-c isolating capacitor connecting said common node of said first electrode of said first and second transistors to said ground wire; and

a reduced voltage filter bus coupled to said d-c bus;

said second electrode of said first transistor being connected to said reduced voltage filter bus, and wherein said reduced voltage filter bus has a reduced positive voltage bus and a reduced negative voltage bus, one of said reduced positive voltage bus and reduced negative voltage bus being connected in common with a corresponding one of said positive d-c bus and negative d-c bus, said current sensor being coupled such that the current sensor is in a current loop comprising said active filter, said d-c bus, said PWM inverter, said load, said ground wire and said capacitor.

98. The device of claim 97 which further includes a series connected resistor and zener diode connected between said positive and negative d-c busses;

said positive d-c filter bus connected to the node between said resistor and said zener diode.

99. The device of claim 97 which further includes a first and second series connected capacitor connected across said positive and negative d-c busses;

and said d-c filter bus connected to the node between said first and second capacitors.

100. The device of claim 99 wherein said rectifier comprises a voltage doubler circuit which includes two series connected diodes connected in parallel with said first and second capacitors;

and said a-c source connected to the nodes between said diodes and said capacitors.

101. An active filter for reducing a common mode current in a pulse width modulated drive circuit driving a load;

said drive circuit comprising an a-c source, a rectifier connected to said a-c source and producing a rectified output voltage connected to a positive d-c bus and a negative d-c bus, a PWM inverter having input terminals coupled to said positive d-c bus and negative d-c bus and having a controlled a-c output for driving the load, a ground wire extending from said load, and a current sensor for measuring the common mode current in said drive circuit, said current sensor producing an output current related to said common mode current;

said active filter comprising a first and second transistor, each having first and second main electrodes and a control electrode, said first electrode of said first and second transistor coupled to a common node, said second electrodes of said first and second transistors being connected to said positive d-c bus and said negative d-c bus respectively; and

a d-c isolating capacitor connecting said common node of said first electrode of said first and second transistors to said ground wire;

said current sensor comprising a current transformer sensing current in said ground wire and producing an output current related to said common mode current;

said output current being supplied to said control electrodes;

said active filter comprising a circuit having an architecture comprising a feed forward system with unity amplification by said current transformer and said transistors, said current sensor being coupled such that the current sensor is in a current loop comprising said active filter, said d-c bus, said PWM inverter, said load, said ground wire and said capacitor.

102. The device of claim 101, wherein said isolating capacitor is indirectly connected to said common node of said first electrode of said first and second transistor.

103. The device of claim 101, wherein said sensed common mode current is converted to a voltage and provided to said active filter as a voltage signal.

104. The device of claim 101, wherein said sensed common mode current is sensed and provided to said active filter as a current signal.

105. An active filter for reducing a common mode current in a pulse width modulated drive circuit for driving a load;

said drive circuit comprising an a-c source, a rectifier connected to said a-c source and producing a rectified output voltage connected to a positive d-c bus and a negative d-c bus, a PWM inverter having input terminals coupled to said positive d-c bus and negative d-c bus and having a controlled a-c output for driving the load, a ground wire extending from said load, and a current sensor for measuring the common mode current in said drive circuit, said current sensor producing an output current related to said common mode current;

said active filter comprising a first and second transistor, each having first and second main electrodes and a control electrode, said first electrode of said first and second transistor coupled to a common node, said second electrodes of said first and second transistors being connected to said positive d-c bus and said negative d-c bus respectively; and

a d-c isolating capacitor connecting said common node of said first electrode of said first and second transistors to said ground wire;

said current sensor comprising a differential current transformer having first and second windings connected in series with said positive and negative d-c busses respectively and an output winding for producing said output current related to said common mode current;

said output winding being coupled to said control electrodes;

said active filter comprising a circuit having an architecture comprising a feed forward system;

said current sensor being coupled such that the current sensor is in a current loop comprising said active filter, said d-c bus, said PWM inverter, said load, said ground wire and said capacitor;

said feed forward system comprising said current transformer having said first and second windings connected in series with said positive and negative d-c buses, respectively, whereby said first and second windings are disposed between said active filter and said PWM inverter.

106. An active filter for reducing a common mode current in a pulse width modulated drive circuit driving a load;

said drive circuit comprising an a-c source, a rectifier connected to said a-c source and producing a rectified output voltage connected to a positive d-c bus and a negative d-c bus, a PWM inverter having input terminals coupled to said positive d-c bus and negative d-c bus and having a controlled a-c output for driving the load, a ground wire extending from said load, and a current sensor for measuring the common mode current in said drive circuit, said current sensor producing an output current related to said common mode current;

said active filter comprising a first and second transistor, each having first and second main electrodes and a control electrode, said first electrode of said first and second transistor coupled to a common node, said second electrodes of said first and second transistors being directly connected to said positive d-c bus and said negative d-c bus respectively; and

a d-c isolating capacitor connecting said common node of said first electrode of said first and second transistors to said ground wire;

said current sensor comprising a current transformer sensing current in said ground wire and producing an output current related to said common mode current;

said output current being supplied to said control electrodes;

said active filter comprising a circuit having an architecture comprising a feed forward system;

said current sensor being coupled such that the current sensor is in a current loop comprising said active filter, said d-c bus, said PWM inverter, said load, said ground wire and said capacitor;

said feed forward system comprising said current transformer having a primary disposed in said ground wire between said load and a connection of said isolating capacitor to said ground wire.