Inverter with a line-side and load-side freewheeling pulse converter using SiC switching elements

• US 6,850,424 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2002
• Issued: 02/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Foecking, Bernhard, Schweigert, Ralf, Donat, Albrecht, Baudelot, Eric, Schierling, Hubert, Schwesig, Günter
• Primary Examiner(s): STERRETT, JEFFREY L
• Application Number:
  US10/251,628
• Publication Number:
  US 20030058662A1
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 363/34, 363/37, 363/39, 363/40, 363/47, 363/48
• US Class Current: 363/37
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 5/4585 having a rectifier with controlled elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/10 Technologies improving the efficiency by using switched-mode power supplies [SMPS], i.e. efficient power electronics conversion e.g. power factor correction or reduction of losses in power supplies or efficient standby modes

Abstract

An inverter includes a mains system side freewheeling pulse converter and a load-side freewheeling pulse converter, which are electrically connected on the DC side via a DC intermediate circuit. The mains system side and load-side freewheeling pulse converters each include switchable current valves in form of semiconductor switches that are made of silicon carbide with a high blocking voltage. The inverter can operate at higher voltages and frequencies, without affecting the load rating.

Claims

1. An inverter, comprising

a mains system side freewheeling pulse converter having a DC side;

a load-side freewheeling pulse converter having a DC side;

a DC intermediate circuit for electrically connecting the DC side of the mains system side freewheeling pulse converters and the DC side of the load-side freewheeling pulse converter; and

a line filter connected to an AC input side of the mains system side freewheeling pulse converter,

wherein each of the mains system side and load-side freewheeling pulse converters includes switchable current valves in the form of semiconductor switches made of silicon carbide and have a high blocking voltage.

2. The inverter of claim 1, and further comprising an output filter connected with an AC output side of the load-side freewheeling pulse converter.

3. The inverter of claim 2, forming with the output filter a structural unit.

4. The inverter of claim 1, forming with the line filter a structural unit.

5. The inverter of claim 1, wherein the switchable semiconductor switches are implemented as insulated gate bipolar transistors.