Abstract: An electrified vehicle and associated inverter configured for powering two different types of external loads include first and second phase/line legs combined with a first neutral leg coupled to a vehicle chassis, and a second floating neutral leg that is not coupled to the vehicle chassis. The first/second phase legs and first neutral leg are coupled to a first receptacle configured to receive a corresponding plug to power a first load, such as a power tool or accessory. The first/second phase legs and the second neutral leg are coupled to a second receptacle configured to receive a corresponding plug to power a second load, such as a home or building having an earth grounding electrode. The inverter may include an isolation transformer between the loads and the traction battery, and/or may be configured to provide single phase, split-phase, or three-phase power for either or both of the neutral connections.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery and a converter. The converter includes a switch and first and second busbars electrically connected in parallel between the traction battery and the switch. The second busbar has an inductance less than the first busbar and includes a resistor having a resistance at least an order of magnitude greater than a resistance of the first busbar.

Abstract: An electrified vehicle and associated inverter configured for powering two different types of external loads include first and second phase/line legs combined with a first neutral leg coupled to a vehicle chassis, and a second floating neutral leg that is not coupled to the vehicle chassis. The first/second phase legs and first neutral leg are coupled to a first receptacle configured to receive a corresponding plug to power a first load, such as a power tool or accessory. The first/second phase legs and the second neutral leg are coupled to a second receptacle configured to receive a corresponding plug to power a second load, such as a home or building having an earth grounding electrode. The inverter may include an isolation transformer between the loads and the traction battery, and/or may be configured to provide single phase, split-phase, or three-phase power for either or both of the neutral connections.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery and a converter. The converter includes a switch and first and second busbars electrically connected in parallel between the traction battery and the switch. The second busbar has an inductance less than the first busbar and includes a resistor having a resistance at least an order of magnitude greater than a resistance of the first busbar.

Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a converter configured to, responsive to a first signal from a first adaptor indicating a first plug type having a first electrical parameter configuration, output power to the adaptor according to the first electrical parameter configuration, and responsive to a second signal from a second adaptor indicating a second plug type having a second electrical parameter configuration, output power to the adaptor according to the second configuration.

Abstract: Surge protection circuitry includes a pair of series connected diodes sharing a first common terminal that is directly electrically connected to only one of a pair of transmission lines, a pair of series connected Zener diodes, in parallel with the series connected diodes, sharing a second common terminal that is directly electrically connected to only the other of the transmission lines, and a pair of series connected power supplies each configured to reverse bias one of the series connected diodes such that the diodes prevent electrical coupling of the Zener diodes to the transmission lines responsive to a voltage of the signal source being less than a threshold value, and the diodes permit electrical coupling of at least one of the Zener diodes to the transmission lines responsive to the voltage being greater than the threshold value.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a converter, outlets, and a switching arrangement electrically between the outlets and the converter. A controller is programmed to, responsive to a first request, operate the switching arrangement to electrically connect a line and a neutral to a first outlet and operate the converter to output single-phase power to the first outlet. Responsive to a second request, the controller is configured to operate the switching arrangement to electrically connect a plurality of lines and not the neutral to a second outlet, and operate the converter to output three-phase power to the second outlet.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a pair of power converters. The vehicle includes a socket having an array of power terminals arranged to accept outlets of different power terminal configurations to interconnect the pair therewith. The vehicle includes a panel having an outlet engaged with the socket. The panel includes a controller configured to communicate an electrical rating of the outlet via the socket to define a switching scheme for the pair. The communication is responsive to detecting panel and socket engagement.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a power-electronics converter and an electrical outlet in electric communication with the power-electronics converter and configured to power external loads. The vehicle includes at least one electrical outlet including at least a first socket configured to power a first category of external loads and a second socket configured to power a second category of external loads. The vehicle is configured to only power one of the first and second loads at a time. This may be accomplished using physical features or electronically.

Abstract: Embodiments include a power conversion circuit comprising first and second semiconductor switches, and a drive circuit configured to create a period of operational overlap for the first and second switches by setting a gate voltage of the first switch to an intermediate value above a threshold voltage of the first switch, during turn-on and turn-off operations of the second switch. Embodiments also include a method of operating first and second semiconductor devices, comprising: reducing a gate voltage of the first device to an intermediate value above a threshold voltage while the second device is off; turning off the first device after the second device is on; increasing the gate voltage of the first device to the intermediate value while the second device is on; and fully turning on the first device after the second device is off.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a power-electronics converter and an electrical outlet in electric communication with the power-electronics converter and configured to power external loads. The vehicle includes at least one electrical outlet including at least a first socket configured to power a first category of external loads and a second socket configured to power a second category of external loads. The vehicle is configured to only power one of the first and second loads at a time. This may be accomplished using physical features or electronically.

Abstract: A system and method for powering an electrical load. The system and method including a first inverter for converting a first DC power provided from a battery within a vehicle to a first AC power. The system and method also including a rectifier that includes an input connected to a secondary winding of a transformer. The rectifier also having an output connected to at least two capacitors. The rectifier and capacitors converting the first AC power to a second DC power. The system and method also including an inverter for converting the second DC power to an output AC power that is supplied to a split-phase output. The system and method also connecting one leg of the split-phase output between the at least two capacitors and to a center tap of the transformer to modify a voltage amplitude of the second DC power.

Abstract: A vehicle power system includes a power converter including one or more phase leg lines and a negative rail line. The system also includes a controller that operates the power converter to flow current through some of the phase leg lines and the negative rail line to output DC power, and operates the power converter to flow current through the some of the phase leg lines and not the negative rail line to output AC power.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an inverter configured to power an external device. The vehicle further includes a controller programmed to cause the inverter to output a voltage at a steady-state amplitude and a steady-state frequency and, responsive to detecting an inrush current event in progress that is caused by the external device, operate the inverter to reduce the voltage to prevent an overcurrent. The controller is programmed to identify the type of load connected and return the voltage to the steady-state amplitude and steady-state frequency based on the type of load.

Abstract: An exemplary charging system includes, among other things, a first portable charger that electrically couples to an electrified vehicle to charge a traction battery of the electrified vehicle while a second portable charger is providing electrical energy to charge the traction battery. An exemplary charging method includes, among other things, electrically coupling both a first and a second portable charger to an electrified vehicle to charge a traction battery of the electrified vehicle using electrical energy from both the first and the second portable chargers.

Abstract: Embodiments include a power conversion circuit comprising first and second semiconductor switches, and a drive circuit configured to create a period of operational overlap for the first and second switches by setting a gate voltage of the first switch to an intermediate value above a threshold voltage of the first switch, during turn-on and turn-off operations of the second switch. Embodiments also include a method of operating first and second semiconductor devices, comprising: reducing a gate voltage of the first device to an intermediate value above a threshold voltage while the second device is off; turning off the first device after the second device is on; increasing the gate voltage of the first device to the intermediate value while the second device is on; and fully turning on the first device after the second device is off.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an inverter configured to power an external device. The vehicle further includes a controller programmed to cause the inverter to output a voltage at a steady-state amplitude and a steady-state frequency and, responsive to detecting an inrush current event in progress that is caused by the external device, operate the inverter to reduce the voltage to prevent an overcurrent. The controller is programmed to identify the type of load connected and return the voltage to the steady-state amplitude and steady-state frequency based on the type of load.

Abstract: A system for testing a phase leg of an inverter includes a load coupled to an output terminal of the phase leg. A test circuit includes a capacitor coupled between an inverter power input and a switch module operative to couple the capacitor to the load. The circuit further includes a switch operative to select a polarity of a voltage across the capacitor. The circuit also includes a pair of switching elements operative to selectively couple the first terminal to the inverter power input and the inverter power return. The components can be operated by a controller configured to selectively couple the load to the inverter power and return terminals, selectively charge and couple the capacitor to the load, and interface with the inverter to control a path of current flow through active and passive elements of the phase leg.

Abstract: A system includes a surge protection circuit electrically connected via a signal transmission line between a source and an oscilloscope, and including a diode configured to be reverse biased, responsive to a voltage of the source being less than a threshold, to decouple an impedance of the circuit from the transmission line and forward biased, responsive to the voltage being greater than the threshold, to couple the impedance to absorb excess energy of the voltage.

Abstract: A testing apparatus includes a holster including a jack defining a conductive periphery configured to connect with a reference lead of the voltage probe to form a common ground. The apparatus includes a shunt defining first and second regions of different potential having predetermined difference. The second region is configured to connect with a reference lead of the shunt probe. The apparatus includes a bridge configured to connect the shunt probe lead with the common ground.