Abstract: A current shaping phase leg bus bar for power electronics systems includes a first terminal connector, a second terminal connector, insulated from the first terminal connector, and a third terminal connector, insulated from the first and second terminal connectors. At least one of the terminal connectors is a current shaping terminal connector that includes one or more layers having a plurality of pre-defined locations for electrical connections, said plurality of pre-defined locations including one or more first locations and a plurality of second locations, and includes one or more gaps within or among its one or more layers, to provide substantially balanced conductive pathways among its one or more first locations and its plurality of second locations.

Abstract: A gate network of a silicon-carbide (SiC) power conversion device includes a plurality of gate electrodes of SiC metal-oxide-semiconductor-based (MOS-based) transistor device cells disposed in an active area of the SiC power conversion device, and a gate pad disposed in a gate pad and bus area of the SiC power conversion device. The gate network also includes a gate bus disposed in the gate pad and bus area of the SiC power conversion device, wherein the gate bus extends between and electrically connects the gate pad to at least a portion of the plurality of gate electrodes in the active area of the SiC power conversion device. At least a portion of the gate pad, the gate bus, the plurality of gate electrodes, or a combination thereof, of the gate network have a positive temperature coefficient of resistance greater than approximately 2000 parts-per-million per degree Celsius (ppm/° C.).

Abstract: A power switch apparatus for a power converter includes a semiconductor power switch and a gate drive unit connected to the semiconductor power switch for supplying gate drive signals to the semiconductor power switch to switch it on and off to cause the power converter to generate an alternating current voltage having a nominal operational frequency based on command signals received from a controller. The gate drive unit receives command signals based on the AC voltage to be generated and to alter the switching events of the semiconductor power switch by addition of a pre-defined jitter-like deviation to the gate drive signals such as to cause the power converter to generate an AC voltage having a modified operational frequency which partly and temporarily deviates from the nominal operational frequency by a pre-defined minimum percentage. A power converter comprising such a power switch apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A current shaping phase leg bus bar for power electronics systems includes a first terminal connector, a second terminal connector, insulated from the first terminal connector, and a third terminal connector, insulated from the first and second terminal connectors. At least one of the terminal connectors is a current shaping terminal connector that includes one or more layers having a plurality of pre-defined locations for electrical connections, said plurality of pre-defined locations including one or more first locations and a plurality of second locations, and includes one or more gaps within or among its one or more layers, to provide substantially balanced conductive pathways among its one or more first locations and its plurality of second locations.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to measure a voltage across a two-state dipole. The systems and methods measure voltages across two measurement paths of operational circuitry at first and second sensor terminals. The operational circuitry is configured to decouple the first and second sensor terminal based on a dipole voltage. The systems and methods further estimate the dipole voltage based on the voltages of the two measurement paths.

Abstract: A system includes a power converter including a primary bridge unit to receive a primary voltage from a voltage source, the primary bridge unit includes a first plurality of electronic switches, and each of the first plurality of electronics switches has a turn ON time and a turn OFF time. Further, the power converter includes a transformer including a primary winding and a secondary winding, the primary winding is coupled to the first plurality of electronic switches. Also, the power converter includes a secondary bridge unit including a second plurality of electronic switches coupled to the secondary winding. Additionally, the system includes a controller to determine an inductance of the power converter based on the primary voltage, the turn ON time of the first plurality of electronic switches, a switching cycle time of the power converter, and one of an average current and a peak current in the power converter.

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein relate to an adapter driver board for parallel operation of power modules. The systems and methods receive an electrical signal at an input interface of a high voltage adapter board. The systems and methods further deliver the electrical signals to first and second switches along corresponding first and second conductive traces. The first conductive trace extends along the high voltage adapter board and is conductively coupled to the input interface and the first switch. The second conductive trace extending along the high voltage adapter board and is conductively coupled to the input interface and the second switch. The first and second conductive traces are each configured to have an inductance substantially the same. The systems and methods synchronously activate the first and second switches based on the electrical signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to measure a voltage across a two-state dipole. The systems and methods measure voltages across two measurement paths of operational circuitry at first and second sensor terminals. The operational circuitry is configured to decouple the first and second sensor terminal based on a dipole voltage. The systems and methods further estimate the dipole voltage based on the voltages of the two measurement paths.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a switch module, a sense circuit coupled to the switch module and configured to indicate an operating conduction mode of the switch module, and a drive circuit operatively coupled to the switch module to enable and disable forward conducting mode of the switch module. Once the switch module is in forward conducting mode, the drive circuit is configured to maintain enablement of the forward conducting mode even if the sense circuit indicates reverse conduction mode.

Abstract: A system includes a power converter including a primary bridge unit to receive a primary voltage from a voltage source, the primary bridge unit includes a first plurality of electronic switches, and each of the first plurality of electronics switches has a turn ON time and a turn OFF time. Further, the power converter includes a transformer including a primary winding and a secondary winding, the primary winding is coupled to the first plurality of electronic switches. Also, the power converter includes a secondary bridge unit including a second plurality of electronic switches coupled to the secondary winding. Additionally, the system includes a controller to determine an inductance of the power converter based on the primary voltage, the turn ON time of the first plurality of electronic switches, a switching cycle time of the power converter, and one of an average current and a peak current in the power converter.

Abstract: A converter assembly and method are provided. The converter assembly includes a galvanic isolation device, first switching devices, and second switching devices. The switching devices are conductively coupled with each other and with opposite sides of the isolation device. The first switching devices control conduction of an input voltage, and the second switching devices control conduction of electric power. The first switching devices are configured to switch between an open state and a closed state at frequencies that are faster than frequencies at which the second switching devices switch between the open state and the closed state to control a shape of a waveform of the electric power.

Abstract: A current shaping phase leg bus bar for power electronics systems includes a first terminal connector, a second terminal connector, insulated from the first terminal connector, and a third terminal connector, insulated from the first and second terminal connectors. At least one of the terminal connectors is a current shaping terminal connector that includes one or more layers having a plurality of pre-defined locations for electrical connections, said plurality of pre-defined locations including one or more first locations and a plurality of second locations, and includes one or more gaps within or among its one or more layers, to provide substantially balanced conductive pathways among its one or more first locations and its plurality of second locations.

Abstract: A power converter is presented. The power converter includes a primary bridge unit coupled to a voltage source. Further, the power converter includes a secondary bridge unit coupled to a load. Also, the power converter includes a transformer disposed between the primary bridge unit and the secondary bridge unit and configured to magnetically couple the primary bridge unit to the secondary bridge unit. Additionally, the power converter includes a current sensor configured to measure instantaneous current flowing at an input terminal of the transformer. Furthermore, the power converter includes a cyclic state controller configured to receive the measured instantaneous current flowing at the input terminal of the transformer, and change a switching state of the power converter from a present switching state to a subsequent switching state based on the measured instantaneous current.

Abstract: A heat sink has a base plate that has a first central portion, a second central portion, and a periphery, a first plurality of heat pipes embedded in the base plate that are arranged to convey heat away from the first central portion, and a second plurality of the heat pipes embedded in the base plate that are arranged to convey heat away from the second central portion, each of the heat pipes of the first and second pluralities having a hot end for receiving heat flow and a cool end for releasing heat flow. A switch package comprises an inner casing half mounted to a module facing surface of the heat sink base plate, a semiconductor module mounted to the module facing surface of the heat sink within the inner casing half, and an outer casing half that encloses the heat sink.

Abstract: A trolley interfacing device for interfacing a traction load to a voltage source is presented. The trolley interfacing device includes a first charging unit coupled in parallel to the voltage source. Further, the trolley interfacing device includes a second charging unit coupled in parallel to the traction load, where the second charging unit includes at least one inductor. Also, the trolley interfacing device includes a pre-charging unit coupled in parallel to the second charging unit and configured to pre-charge the first charging unit with a voltage across the at least one inductor prior to electrically coupling the first charging unit to the voltage source. In addition, the trolley interfacing device includes a voltage converting unit disposed between the first charging unit and the second charging unit and configured to step down a voltage provided by the voltage source to the traction load.

Abstract: A power converter is presented. The power converter includes a primary bridge unit coupled to a voltage source. Further, the power converter includes a secondary bridge unit coupled to a load. Also, the power converter includes a transformer disposed between the primary bridge unit and the secondary bridge unit and configured to magnetically couple the primary bridge unit to the secondary bridge unit. Additionally, the power converter includes a current sensor configured to measure instantaneous current flowing at an input terminal of the transformer. Furthermore, the power converter includes a cyclic state controller configured to receive the measured instantaneous current flowing at the input terminal of the transformer, and change a switching state of the power converter from a present switching state to a subsequent switching state based on the measured instantaneous current.

Abstract: A method includes detecting current from a first terminal of the switch to a second terminal of the switch, wherein the current exceeds a current limit for a linear region of the switch. The method includes controlling a gate voltage of the switch from a first voltage to a second voltage. The second voltage is configured to enable the switch to operate in an active region of the switch. The method further includes opening the switch when the switch is operating in the active region.

Abstract: A probe device includes a measurement stage and an output connection. The measurement stage has a circuit configured to be connected with a power device under measurement, to measure one or more of a voltage or a current of the power device under measurement. The measurement stage is configured for at least one of a power supply rail or a reference of the measurement stage to be coupled to an electrode of the power device when the one or more of the voltage or the current is measured. The output connection is configured to communicate one or more of the voltage or the current of the power device under measurement that is measured or a derived parameter to a digital processing device or an external computer acquisition system.

Abstract: A converter assembly and method are provided. The converter assembly includes a galvanic isolation device, first switching devices, and second switching devices. The switching devices are conductively coupled with each other and with opposite sides of the isolation device. The first switching devices control conduction of an input voltage, and the second switching devices control conduction of electric power. The first switching devices are configured to switch between an open state and a closed state at frequencies that are faster than frequencies at which the second switching devices switch between the open state and the closed state to control a shape of a waveform of the electric power.

Abstract: A power conversion system includes a bus bar, a switch coupled to the bus bar and configured to receive a DC input voltage from a voltage source through the bus bar, and a parallel fuse system. The parallel fuse system may be disposed on the bus bar in series with the voltage source and the switch. The parallel fuse system includes two or more parallel fuses, and may be configured for an inductance imbalance between the fuses, such that there is an asymmetric flow of currents through the fuses when the power conversion system is in operation. For the inductance imbalance, for example, the fuses may be positioned asymmetrically with regard to a shortest conductive path from the voltage source to the switch.