Circuit for driving a voltage-controlled semiconductor switch

• US 5,404,059 A
• Filed: 03/19/1993
• Issued: 04/04/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH (ABB Limited)
• Inventors: Loffler, Dieter
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellinen, A. D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Krishnan, Aditya
• Application Number:
  US08/034,690
• Time in Patent Office: 746 Days
• Field of Search: 307/570, 307/584, 307/570-573, 307/125, 307/246
• US Class Current: 327/478
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/0406 in composite switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/04123 in field-effect transistor switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/567 Circuits characterised by the use of more than one type of semiconductor device, e.g. BIMOS, composite devices such as IGBT
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/691 using transformer coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2017/066 Maximizing the OFF-resistance instead of minimizing the ON-resistance
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/0036 Means reducing energy consumption

Abstract

A dynamic and low-loss circuit for driving a voltage-controlled semiconductor switch includes a transformer having primary and secondary windings. The primary winding is connected to a voltage for driving a voltage-controlled semiconductor switch and the secondary winding has a center tap connected to the emitter or source of the semiconductor switch and secondary winding halves with outer terminals. A bridge rectifier is connected to the secondary winding and has positive and negative direct-voltage terminals. A gate resistor is connected between the gate of the voltage-controlled semiconductor switch and the positive direct-voltage terminal. A series circuit of a first resistor and an auxiliary switch is connected between the direct-voltage terminals. A capacitor is connected between the center tap and the negative direct-voltage terminal. Two diodes have cathodes connected to the outer terminals. A second resistor has one end connected to the center tap and another end connected to the anodes of the two diodes and to the gate of the auxiliary switch.

Claims

1. A circuit for driving a voltage-controlled semiconductor switch, comprising:

a transformer having primary and secondary windings, the primary winding being connected to a voltage for driving a voltage-controlled semiconductor switch having a gate and an emitter or source, and the secondary winding having a center tap connected to the emitter or source of the semiconductor switch and secondary winding halves with outer terminals;

a full-wave bridge rectifier connected to the outer terminals of the secondary winding of said transformer, said bridge rectifier having positive and negative direct-voltage terminals;

a gate resistor connected between the gate of the voltage-controlled semiconductor switch and the positive direct-voltage terminal of said bridge rectifier;

a first resistor and a capacitor connected to the negative direct-voltage terminal of said bridge rectifier;

an auxiliary switch having a gate, said first resistor and said auxiliary switch forming a series circuit connected between the direct-voltage terminals of said bridge rectifier;

said capacitor being connected between the center tap of the secondary winding of said transformer and the negative direct-voltage terminal of said bridge rectifier;

two diodes having anodes and cathodes, the cathodes being connected to the outer terminals of the secondary winding halves of said transformer; and

a second resistor having one end connected to the center tap of the secondary winding of said transformer and to said capacitor and having another end connected to the anodes of said two diodes and to the gate of said auxiliary switch.

2. The circuit according to claim 1, including another diode having an anode connected to the center tap and a cathode connected to said capacitor.

3. The circuit according to claim 1, including another capacitor connected parallel to said second resistor.

4. The circuit according to claim 2, including another capacitor connected parallel to said second resistor.

5. The circuit according to claims 1, including a third resistor connected between the direct-voltage terminals of said bridge rectifier.

6. The circuit according to claims 2, including a third resistor connected between the direct-voltage terminals of said bridge rectifier.

7. The circuit according to claims 3, including a third resistor connected between the direct-voltage terminals of said bridge rectifier.

8. The circuit according to claims 4, including a third resistor connected between the direct-voltage terminals of said bridge rectifier.

9. A circuit for driving a voltage-controlled semiconductor switch, comprising:

a transformer having primary and secondary windings, the primary winding being connected to a voltage for driving a voltage-controlled semiconductor switch having a gate and an emitter or source, and the secondary winding having a center tap connected to the emitter or source of the semiconductor switch and secondary winding halves with outer terminals;

a full-wave bridge rectifier connected to the outer terminals of the secondary winding of said transformer, said bridge rectifier having positive and negative direct-voltage terminals;

a gate resistor connected between the gate of the voltage-controlled semiconductor switch and the positive direct-voltage terminal of said bridge rectifier;

a first resistor and a capacitor connected to the negative direct-voltage terminal of said bridge rectifier;

an auxiliary switch having a gate, said first resistor and said auxiliary switch forming a series circuit connected between the direct-voltage terminals of said bridge rectifier;

said capacitor being connected between the center tap of the secondary winding of said transformer and the negative direct-voltage terminal of said bridge rectifier;

two diodes having anodes and cathodes, the cathodes being connected to the outer terminals of the secondary winding halves of said transformer; and

a second resistor connected to said capacitor; and

another diode having a cathode and an anode, said anode of said further diode being connected to said center tap of said transformer and said capacitor being connected to said cathode of said other diode and to the emitter or the source of the voltage-controlled semiconductor switch.