Abstract: A detection system for a capacitor of a power inverter of an electric vehicle includes a protection circuit including a current sensor and a power switch having a first terminal in communication with a battery system of the electric vehicle. The protection circuit is configured to selectively generate a pulse and to sense a measured current flowing through the power switch. A voltage sensor configured to sense a measured voltage across the capacitor. A controller in communication with the voltage sensor and the protection circuit is configured to estimate a capacitance value of the capacitor based on the measured current and the measured voltage.

Abstract: A power control system includes a power inverter comprising a first side, a second side, and a plurality of power switches. The second side is configured to connect to an electric machine. A solid state fuse includes a power switch including a first terminal in communication with the first terminal of a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) of the electric vehicle and a second terminal in communication with the first side of the power inverter. A DC-DC converter is configured to convert a first voltage output by the RESS of the electric vehicle to a second voltage. One or more sensors configured to sense one or more operating parameters of the RESS. A fuse controller is configured to receive power from the DC-DC converter, to communicate with the one or more sensors and to cause the power switch to selectively change state in response to changes in the one or more operating parameters.

Abstract: A power control system includes a power inverter comprising a first side, a second side, and a plurality of power switches. The second side is configured to connect to an electric machine. A solid state fuse includes a power switch including a first terminal in communication with the first terminal of a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) of the electric vehicle and a second terminal in communication with the first side of the power inverter. A DC-DC converter is configured to convert a first voltage output by the RESS of the electric vehicle to a second voltage. One or more sensors configured to sense one or more operating parameters of the RESS. A fuse controller is configured to receive power from the DC-DC converter, to communicate with the one or more sensors and to cause the power switch to selectively change state in response to changes in the one or more operating parameters.

Abstract: A detection system for a capacitor of a power inverter of an electric vehicle includes a protection circuit including a current sensor and a power switch having a first terminal in communication with a battery system of the electric vehicle. The protection circuit is configured to selectively generate a pulse and to sense a measured current flowing through the power switch. A voltage sensor configured to sense a measured voltage across the capacitor. A controller in communication with the voltage sensor and the protection circuit is configured to estimate a capacitance value of the capacitor based on the measured current and the measured voltage.

Abstract: A switching circuit for a current source inverter includes a first inverter leg, a second inverter leg, and a controller. The first inverter leg includes a first reverse-voltage-blocking (RB) switch, a second RB switch, and a third RB switch that are connected in series between a first bus line and a second bus line. The second inverter leg includes a fourth RB switch, a fifth RB switch, and a sixth RB switch are connected in series between the first bus line and the second bus line. The controller is configured to control a switch between an on-state and an off-state for each RB switch. When in the on-state, a reverse voltage is blocked by a respective RB switch, and a current with a positive polarity is conducted through the respective RB switch. When in the off-state, a voltage and the current are blocked by the respective RB switch.

Abstract: A switching circuit for a current source inverter includes a first inverter leg, a second inverter leg, and a controller. The first inverter leg includes a first reverse-voltage-blocking (RB) switch, a second RB switch, and a third RB switch that are connected in series between a first bus line and a second bus line. The second inverter leg includes a fourth RB switch, a fifth RB switch, and a sixth RB switch are connected in series between the first bus line and the second bus line. The controller is configured to control a switch between an on-state and an off-state for each RB switch. When in the on-state, a reverse voltage is blocked by a respective RB switch, and a current with a positive polarity is conducted through the respective RB switch. When in the off-state, a voltage and the current are blocked by the respective RB switch.

Abstract: A switching circuit includes a reverse-voltage-blocking (RB) commutation switch, a first inverter leg, and a second inverter leg. The first inverter leg includes a first dual-gate bidirectional (DGBD) and a second DGBD switch connected in series. The second inverter leg includes a third and a fourth DGBD switch connected in series. A pair of the first DGBD switch, the second DGBD switch, the third DGBD switch, and the fourth DGBD switch that are in different inverter legs of the first inverter leg and the second inverter leg are configured to switch between a first DGBD on-state and a second DGBD on-state when in an inverting operating mode. A current with a positive or a negative polarity is conducted when in the first DGBD on-state. When in the second DGBD on-state, a reverse voltage is blocked by and a current with a positive polarity is conducted through the respective DGBD switch.

Abstract: A switching circuit includes a diode, a semiconductor switch, and a first bidirectional switch. The semiconductor switch is configured to conduct a first current from a second terminal to a third terminal of the semiconductor switch when a first on-state signal is sent to a first terminal of the semiconductor switch. An anode of the diode is connected to the second terminal of the semiconductor switch, and a cathode of the diode is connected to the third terminal of the semiconductor switch. The first bidirectional switch includes a first terminal, a second terminal connected to the anode of the diode, and a third terminal and is configured to conduct a second current from the second terminal to the third terminal or from the third terminal to the second terminal when a second on-state signal is sent to the first terminal of the first bidirectional switch.

Abstract: A switching circuit includes a diode, a semiconductor switch, and a first bidirectional switch. The semiconductor switch is configured to conduct a first current from a second terminal to a third terminal of the semiconductor switch when a first on-state signal is sent to a first terminal of the semiconductor switch. An anode of the diode is connected to the second terminal of the semiconductor switch, and a cathode of the diode is connected to the third terminal of the semiconductor switch. The first bidirectional switch includes a first terminal, a second terminal connected to the anode of the diode, and a third terminal and is configured to conduct a second current from the second terminal to the third terminal or from the third terminal to the second terminal when a second on-state signal is sent to the first terminal of the first bidirectional switch.