The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 12, 2019
Filed:
Jul. 29, 2015
Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen Gmbh, Regensburg, DE;
Robert John Leedham, Regensburg, DE;
Mark Snook, Regensburg, DE;
MASCHINENFABRIK REINHAUSEN GMBH, Regensburg, DE;
Abstract
A method for voltage balancing series-connected power switching devices (IGBTs) each connected in parallel with a respective diverter having controllable impedance to controllably conduct current diverted from the associated power switching device, the method comprising the step of controlling each diverter to follow a series of at least two successively higher impedance states during an OFF period of the power switching devices. The series of impedance states for each diverter comprises a first impedance and then a second, higher impedance, the first impedance occurring in response to an indication of a start of the OFF period. The first impedance state preferably occurs during a tail current of the power switching device in parallel with the respective diverter and the second or later impedance state during a leakage current of that power switching device.