SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISCHARGING BUS VOLTAGE USING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
First Claim
1. A discharge system for a first voltage rail and a second voltage rail, wherein an energy potential exists between the first voltage rail and the second voltage rail, the discharge system comprising:
- a first semiconductor device coupled to the first voltage rail;
a second semiconductor device coupled between the first semiconductor device and the second voltage rail; and
a control circuit coupled to the first semiconductor device and the second semiconductor device, the control circuit being configured to;
activate the first semiconductor device in response to a discharge condition; and
gradually activate the second semiconductor device in response to the discharge condition, such that the energy potential is gradually dissipated through the first semiconductor device and the second semiconductor device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for discharging a high-voltage bus using semiconductor devices. A discharge system for a first voltage rail and a second voltage rail comprises a first semiconductor device coupled to a first voltage rail and a second semiconductor device coupled between the first semiconductor device and a second voltage rail. A control circuit is coupled to the first semiconductor device and the second semiconductor device. In response to a discharge condition, the control circuit is configured to activate the first semiconductor device and gradually activate the second semiconductor device, such that the energy potential between the first voltage rail and the second voltage rail is gradually dissipated through the semiconductor devices.
12 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A discharge system for a first voltage rail and a second voltage rail, wherein an energy potential exists between the first voltage rail and the second voltage rail, the discharge system comprising:
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a first semiconductor device coupled to the first voltage rail; a second semiconductor device coupled between the first semiconductor device and the second voltage rail; and a control circuit coupled to the first semiconductor device and the second semiconductor device, the control circuit being configured to; activate the first semiconductor device in response to a discharge condition; and gradually activate the second semiconductor device in response to the discharge condition, such that the energy potential is gradually dissipated through the first semiconductor device and the second semiconductor device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An electrical system for use in a vehicle, the electrical system comprising:
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a capacitance between a first voltage rail and a second voltage rail, the capacitance having a stored energy; an inverter module, the inverter module having a phase leg, wherein the phase leg includes; a first transistor coupled to the first voltage rail, the first transistor having a first gate terminal and a first threshold voltage; and a second transistor coupled between the first transistor and the second voltage rail, the second transistor having a second gate terminal and a second threshold voltage; and a control circuit coupled to the inverter module, the control circuit being configured to; apply a constant voltage to the first gate terminal, the constant voltage being greater than the first threshold voltage; apply a control voltage to the second gate terminal, the control voltage being initially less than the second threshold voltage; and gradually increase the control voltage to a voltage greater than the second threshold voltage, such that the second transistor is gradually activated and the stored energy is gradually dissipated through the first transistor and the second transistor. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for discharging an energy potential between a first voltage rail and a second voltage rail using an inverter phase leg coupled between the first voltage rail and the second voltage rail, the inverter phase leg being controlled by a gate driver circuit, the method comprising:
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detecting a discharge condition; and setting the gate driver circuit to a discharge mode in response to detection of the discharge condition, wherein the energy potential is gradually dissipated through the inverter phase leg. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification