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:
Dec. 21, 1999
Filed:
Nov. 25, 1998
Masahito Mizukoshi, Nagoya, JP;
Denso Corporation, Kariya, JP;
Abstract
A multi-level power converter such as an inverter for changing one of a plurality of dc voltage inputs into an ac voltage output is provided which includes inverter arms disposed between dc power supplies and an ac voltage output terminal. The inverter arms include switching circuits which are selectively subjected to PWM control to establish and block communication between one of the corresponding dc power supplies and the ac voltage output terminal. The switching circuits that are not connected to either the maximum or minimum dc voltage terminal include a first switching device, a second switching device connected in series with the first switching device, a first diode connected backward in parallel to the first switching device, and a second diode connected backward in parallel to the second switching device. This structure decreases the number of floating power supplies for driving the switching elements.