Title: Semiconductor topologies and devices for soft starting and active fault protection of power converters

Abstract

Various examples are provided related to semiconductor topologies and devices that can be used for soft starting and active fault protection of power converters. In one example, an active switch device includes an active switch having a gating control input; and a thyristor having a gating control input. The thyristor is coupled in parallel with the active switch. The active switch can be an IGBT, MOSFET, or other appropriate device. In another example, a power converter can include the active switch devices and switching control circuitry coupled to gating control inputs of the active switch devices.

Inventors:

Beddingfield, Richard B.; Bhattacharya, Subhashish

Issue Date:

2021-12-07

Research Org.:

National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, Morgantown, WV, and Albany, OR (United States); North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1860152

Patent Number(s):

11196338

Application Number:

16/958,959

Assignee:

North Carolina State University (Raleigh, NC)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01L - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES

H - ELECTRICITY H02 - GENERATION H02M - APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS

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H - ELECTRICITY H01 - BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS H01L - SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES

H01L29/7393 - {Insulated gate bipolar mode transistors, i.e. IGBT
H01L29/74 - Thyristor-type devices, e.g. having four-zone regenerative action {
H01L29/7802 - {Vertical DMOS transistors, i.e. VDMOS transistors}
H01L29/7803 - {structurally associated with at least one other device

H - ELECTRICITY H02 - GENERATION H02M - APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS

H02M1/32 - Means for protecting converters other than automatic disconnection
H02M1/36 - Means for starting or stopping converters
H02M7/1557 - {with automatic control of the output voltage or current}

H - ELECTRICITY H03 - BASIC ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY H03K - PULSE TECHNIQUE

H03K17/0812 - by measures taken in the control circuit
H03K17/08124 - {in thyristor switches}
H03K17/164 - {using parallel switching arrangements}

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DOE Contract Number:  

EE0007508

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 12/29/2018

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English