Abstract: The disclosed electric motor includes a rotor, stator winding, cable, and motor controller. The rotor is configured to be coupled to a mechanical load. The stator winding is configured, when energized, to cause the rotor to turn. The stator winding includes an inductive coil configured to be energized with a first phase AC voltage. The stator winding includes an adaptive impedance circuit connected in parallel with the inductive coil. The circuit includes an impedance and a WBG transistor connected in series with the impedance. The WBG transistor is configured to close when an overvoltage is detected. The cable includes at least one conductor connected to the stator winding. The motor controller is configured to supply a multi-phase AC voltage to the stator winding through the cable.

Abstract: A magnetic unit is presented. The magnetic unit includes a magnetic core. The magnetic core includes a first limb and a second limb disposed proximate to the first limb, where a gap is formed between the first limb and the second limb. The magnetic unit further includes a first winding wound on the first limb. Moreover, the magnetic unit includes a conductive element disposed facing an outer periphery of the first winding, where the conductive element is configured to control a fringing flux generated at the gap. Further, the magnetic unit includes a heat sink operatively coupled to the conductive element, where the conductive element is further configured to transfer heat from at least one of the conductive element and the first winding to the heat sink. Moreover, a high frequency power conversion system and a method of operation of the magnetic unit is also presented.

Abstract: Systems and methods of diagnosing open-circuit fault in power converters receives a neutral point current value, a switching state of the power converter, and load current values. At least one fault condition is identified based upon the switching state of the power converter and the load current values. The neutral point current value current value is compared to the at least one fault condition. An open circuit fault is determined to be present at the switching state of the power converter based upon the comparison.

Abstract: Systems and methods of diagnosing open-circuit fault in power converters receives a neutral point current value, a switching state of the power converter, and load current values. At least one fault condition is identified based upon the switching state of the power converter and the load current values. The neutral point current value current value is compared to the at least one fault condition.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a three-level active neutral-point clamped (ANPC) converter system is provided. The system includes first and second Direct Current (DC)-bus structures that include at least one of a number of DC-bus capacitors on printed circuit boards (PCBs). The PCBs are laminated together with an air gap (e.g., one or more millimeters) in between for a thermal dissipation and an insulation creepage. The three DC-bus terminals include PCBs, and are electrically connected to the three-level power converter, which are typically mounted on a heatsink or a cold plate.

Abstract: Systems and methods of fault tolerant power conversion include an inverter with a plurality of inverter phase legs. Each phase leg includes a positive switch, a negative switch, and a bi-directional midpoint switch. Redundant phase leg includes a positive redundant switch connected between the positive switches and the bi-directional midpoint switches. The redundant phase leg includes a negative redundant switch connected between the negative switches and the bi-directional midpoint switches. Upon detection of a fault condition in at least one switch of the plurality of inverted phase legs, one of the positive redundant switch and the negative redundant switch is closed to bypass at least one switch with the fault condition to maintain operation of the power converter.

Abstract: A system includes a voltage converter and a controller for controlling the operation of the voltage converter. The voltage converter includes a plurality of legs, wherein each leg includes a first and a second set of silicon (Si)-based power devices. The first set of Si-based power devices includes a first and second Si-based power devices connected to each other at a first interconnection node and the second set of Si-based power devices includes a third and fourth Si-based power devices connected to each other at a second interconnection node. The first and second set of Si-based power devices are coupled across a first and second DC voltage sources respectively. A first set of Silicon-Carbide (SiC) based power devices is coupled across the first and second interconnection nodes. The system also includes a snubber capacitor connected across the first and the second interconnection nodes.

Abstract: A method for shutting down a phase-leg of a three-level active neutral point clamped converter is provided. The method includes the following steps. A determining step determines if a switch fault has occurred, and if a switch fault has occurred then each switch of the plurality of switches are turned off. If a switch fault has not occurred and a shutdown is requested, then an operating step operates the plurality of switches to turn off a first switch and a fourth switch. A waiting step waits for a first predetermined time period. An operating step operates the plurality of switches to turn on a second switch and a third switch. A waiting step is repeated. An operating step operates the plurality of switches to turn off a fifth switch and a sixth switch. A waiting step is repeated. An operating step turns off the second switch and the third switch.

Abstract: A magnetic unit is presented. The magnetic unit includes a magnetic core. The magnetic core includes a first limb and a second limb disposed proximate to the first limb, where a gap is formed between the first limb and the second limb. The magnetic unit further includes a first winding wound on the first limb. Moreover, the magnetic unit includes a conductive element disposed facing an outer periphery of the first winding, where the conductive element is configured to control a fringing flux generated at the gap. Further, the magnetic unit includes a heat sink operatively coupled to the conductive element, where the conductive element is further configured to transfer heat from at least one of the conductive element and the first winding to the heat sink. Moreover, a high frequency power conversion system and a method of operation of the magnetic unit is also presented.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a three-level active neutral-point clamped (ANPC) converter system is provided. The system includes first and second Direct Current (DC)-bus structures that include at least one of a number of DC-bus capacitors on printed circuit boards (PCBs). The PCBs are laminated together with an air gap (e.g., one or more millimeters) in between for a thermal dissipation and an insulation creepage. The three DC-bus terminals include PCBs, and are electrically connected to the three-level power converter, which are typically mounted on a heatsink or a cold plate.

Abstract: A method for operating a phase-leg of a three-level active neutral point clamped (3L-ANPC) converter is presented. The phase-leg includes an output terminal, a plurality of input terminals, and a plurality of switches disposed therebetween. The method includes operating the phase-leg in a neutral state to generate an output voltage having a neutral level. The method further includes transitioning the phase-leg to a first intermediate neutral state from the neutral state. Moreover, the method includes transitioning the phase-leg from the first intermediate neutral state to a first state to generate the output voltage having a first level. A modulator for operating the phase-leg of the 3L-ANPC converter is also presented. Moreover, a 3L-ANPC converter including the modulator is presented.

Abstract: A method for operating a phase-leg of a three-level active neutral point clamped (3L-ANPC) converter is presented. The phase-leg includes an output terminal, a plurality of input terminals, and a plurality of switches disposed therebetween. The method includes operating the phase-leg in a neutral state to generate an output voltage having a neutral level. The method further includes transitioning the phase-leg to a first intermediate neutral state from the neutral state. Moreover, the method includes transitioning the phase-leg from the first intermediate neutral state to a first state to generate the output voltage having a first level. A modulator for operating the phase-leg of the 3L-ANPC converter is also presented. Moreover, a 3L-ANPC converter including the modulator is presented.

Abstract: A system includes a voltage converter and a controller for controlling the operation of the voltage converter. The voltage converter includes a plurality of legs, wherein each leg includes a first and a second set of silicon (Si)-based power devices. The first set of Si-based power devices includes a first and second Si-based power devices connected to each other at a first interconnection node and the second set of Si-based power devices includes a third and fourth Si-based power devices connected to each other at a second interconnection node. The first and second set of Si-based power devices are coupled across a first and second DC voltage sources respectively. A first set of Silicon-Carbide (SiC) based power devices is coupled across the first and second interconnection nodes. The system also includes a snubber capacitor connected across the first and the second interconnection nodes.

Abstract: Systems and methods of fault tolerant power conversion include an inverter with a plurality of inverter phase legs. Each phase leg includes a positive switch, a negative switch, and a bi-directional midpoint switch. Redundant phase leg includes a positive redundant switch connected between the positive switches and the bi-directional midpoint switches. The redundant phase leg includes a negative redundant switch connected between the negative switches and the bi-directional midpoint switches. Upon detection of a fault condition in at least one switch of the plurality of inverted phase legs, one of the positive redundant switch and the negative redundant switch is closed to bypass at least one switch with the fault condition to maintain operation of the power converter.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided with an MCU, which is configured to generate a PWM control signal that is free of switching pattern information therein. A current-estimating gate driver is provided, which is responsive to the PWM signal. This gate driver is configured to drive first and second gate terminals of first and second parallel switching devices (within a hybrid switch) with gate signals that establish a second switching pattern within the hybrid switch. These gate driving operations are performed in response to measuring a first voltage associated with a terminal of the hybrid switch when being driven by gate signals that establish a first switching pattern within the hybrid switch that is different from the second switching pattern. The duty cycles of the gate signals associated with the second switching pattern are unequal and the duty cycles of the gate signals associated with the first switching pattern are unequal.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for modulating a voltage output of a hybrid converter system having first and second set of Si-based power electronic devices coupled to first and second voltage source, respectively, and a first set of SiC-based power electronic devices coupled to the first and second sets of Si-based power electronic devices. The method includes switching between operational states of the hybrid converter system based on a desired voltage output, wherein each operational state includes one of the Si-based power electronic devices from the first and second sets of Si-based power electronic devices and one of the SiC-based devices from the first set of SiC-based power electronic devices being switched on and the remaining power electronic devices being switched off.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for modulating a voltage output of a hybrid converter system having first and second set of Si-based power electronic devices coupled to first and second voltage source, respectively, and a first set of SiC-based power electronic devices coupled to the first and second sets of Si-based power electronic devices. The method includes switching between operational states of the hybrid converter system based on a desired voltage output, wherein each operational state includes one of the Si-based power electronic devices from the first and second sets of Si-based power electronic devices and one of the SiC-based devices from the first set of SiC-based power electronic devices being switched on and the remaining power electronic devices being switched off.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided with an MCU, which is configured to generate a PWM control signal that is free of switching pattern information therein. A current-estimating gate driver is provided, which is responsive to the PWM signal. This gate driver is configured to drive first and second gate terminals of first and second parallel switching devices (within a hybrid switch) with gate signals that establish a second switching pattern within the hybrid switch. These gate driving operations are performed in response to measuring a first voltage associated with a terminal of the hybrid switch when being driven by gate signals that establish a first switching pattern within the hybrid switch that is different from the second switching pattern. The duty cycles of the gate signals associated with the second switching pattern are unequal and the duty cycles of the gate signals associated with the first switching pattern are unequal.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided with an MCU, which is configured to generate a PWM control signal that is free of switching pattern information therein. A current-estimating gate driver is provided, which is responsive to the PWM signal. This gate driver is configured to drive first and second gate terminals of first and second parallel switching devices (within a hybrid switch) with gate signals that establish a second switching pattern within the hybrid switch. These gate driving operations are performed in response to measuring a first voltage associated with a terminal of the hybrid switch when being driven by gate signals that establish a first switching pattern within the hybrid switch that is different from the second switching pattern. The duty cycles of the gate signals associated with the second switching pattern are unequal and the duty cycles of the gate signals associated with the first switching pattern are unequal.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a hybrid switch having first and second switching devices of different type therein. A control circuit is provided, which is configured to drive the first and second devices with respective first and second control signals having first and second unequal duty cycles, respectively, when the first and second devices are supporting a forward current in a first current range. The control circuit is further configured to drive the first and second devices with respective third and fourth control signals having third and fourth unequal duty cycles, respectively, when the first and second devices are supporting a forward current in a second current range outside the first current range. The first duty cycle may be greater than the second duty cycle and the third duty cycle may be less than the fourth duty cycle.