Abstract: A system includes a three phase AC or brushless DC motor, an inverter and a controller. The inverter is electrically coupled to the motor. The controller is -electrically coupled to the inverter. The controller is configured to control the inverter to deliver a three phase pulse width modulated voltage to the AC motor, wherein the three phase pulse width modulation comprises a repeating two-cycle pattern.

Abstract: A system comprises a power device, a gate driver integrated circuit and an isolated voltage supply. The power device has a gate and is configured to turn on in response to a control voltage applied at the gate. The gate driver integrated circuit is electrically coupled to the gate and is configured to supply the control voltage without the use of a bootstrap circuit. The isolated voltage supply comprises a negative voltage supply that is electrically coupled to the gate of the power device.

Abstract: A system includes a three phase AC or brushless DC motor, an inverter and a controller. The inverter is electrically coupled to the motor. The controller is -electrically coupled to the inverter. The controller is configured to control the inverter to deliver a three phase pulse width modulated voltage to the AC motor, wherein the three phase pulse width modulation comprises a repeating two-cycle pattern.

Abstract: A level shifter includes a first branch and a second branch. A trigger of the first branch is coupled to a low voltage input, an inverted high voltage output and a ground. A latch of the first branch is coupled to the inverted high voltage output and a high voltage output. A power gate of the first branch is coupled to an inverted low voltage input, the latch of the first branch and a high voltage supply. A trigger of the second branch is coupled to the inverted low voltage input, the high voltage output and the ground. A latch of the second branch is coupled to the high voltage output and the inverted high voltage output. A power gate of the second branch is coupled to the low voltage input, the latch of the second branch and the high voltage supply.

Abstract: A level shifter includes a first branch and a second branch. A trigger of the first branch is coupled to a low voltage input, an inverted high voltage output and a ground. A latch of the first branch is coupled to the inverted high voltage output and a high voltage output. A power gate of the first branch is coupled to an inverted low voltage input, the latch of the first branch and a high voltage supply. A trigger of the second branch is coupled to the inverted low voltage input, the high voltage output and the ground. A latch of the second branch is coupled to the high voltage output and the inverted high voltage output. A power gate of the second branch is coupled to the low voltage input, the latch of the second branch and the high voltage supply.

Abstract: A Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) cell having high stability and low leakage is provided. The SRAM cell includes a pair of cross-coupled inverters providing differential storage of a data bit. Power to the SRAM cell is provided by a read word line (RWL) signal, which is also referred to herein as a read control signal. During read operations, the RWL signal is pulled to a voltage level that forces the SRAM cell to a full-voltage state. During standby, the RWL signal is pulled to a voltage level that forces the SRAM cell to a voltage collapsed state in order to reduce leakage current, or leakage power, of the SRAM cell. A read-transistor providing access to the bit stored by the SRAM cell is coupled to the SRAM cell via a gate of the read transistor, thereby decoupling the stability of the SRAM cell from the read operation.

Abstract: A tri-level inverter power module has an architecture employing a high degree of modularity that allows a base power module to be quickly, easily, and cost effectively configured to address a large variety of applications.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling power converters are disclosed. Briefly described, one embodiment is a method comprising communicating at least one first control signal to an alternating current/direct current (AC/DC) power converter from a multi-converter system controller, the AC/DC power converter and the multi-converter system controller residing in a power system electronics housing, and communicating at least one second control signal to a direct current/direct current (DC/DC) power converter from the multi-converter system controller, the DC/DC power converter residing in a power system electronics housing.

Abstract: A power converter utilizes a high frequency capacitor and a bulk capacitor coupled across the DC terminals to reduce high frequency effect and voltage overshoot, leading to space and cost savings in power converter design. Each capacitor may be physically coupled adjacent the gate driver board via clips, clamps, and/or fasteners.

Abstract: Power converters such as power modules configured as inverters employ modularized approaches. In some aspects, semiconductor devices are thermally coupled directly to thermally conductive substrates without intervening dielectric or insulative structures. Additionally, or alternatively, semiconductor devices are thermally coupled to thermally conductive substrates with relatively large surface areas before heat transferred from the semiconductor devices encounters a dielectric or electrically insulating structure with correspondingly high thermal impedance.

Abstract: Power converters such as power modules configured as inverters employ modularized approaches. In some aspects, semiconductor devices are thermally coupled directly to thermally conductive substrates without intervening dielectric or insulative structures. Additionally, or alternatively, semiconductor devices are thermally coupled to thermally conductive substrates with relatively large surface areas before heat transferred from the semiconductor devices encounters a dielectric or electrically insulating structure with correspondingly high thermal impedance.

Abstract: Power converters such as power modules configured as inverters employ modularized approaches. In some aspects, semiconductor devices are thermally coupled directly to thermally conductive substrates without intervening dielectric or insulative structures. Additionally, or alternatively, semiconductor devices are thermally coupled to thermally conductive substrates with relatively large surface areas before heat transferred from the semiconductor devices encounters a dielectric or electrically insulating structure with correspondingly high thermal impedance.

Abstract: A power converter integrates at least one planar transformer comprising a multi-layer transformer substrate and/or at least one planar inductor comprising a multi-layer inductor substrate with a number of power semiconductor switches physically and thermally coupled to a heat sink via one or more multi-layer switch substrates.

Abstract: A DC bus for use in a power module has a positive DC conductor bus plate parallel with a negative DC conductor bus plate. One or more positive leads are connected to the positive bus and are connectable to a positive terminal of a power source. One or more negative leads are connected to the negative bus and are connectable to a negative terminal of a power source. The DC bus has one or more positive connections fastenable from the positive bus to the high side of a power module. The DC bus also has one or more negative connections fastenable from the negative bus to the low side of the power module. The positive bus and negative bus permit counter-flow of currents, thereby canceling magnetic fields and their associated inductances, and the positive and negative bus are connectable to the center portion of a power module.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling power converters are disclosed. Briefly described, one embodiment is a method comprising communicating at least one first control signal to an alternating current/direct current (AC/DC) power converter from a multi-converter system controller, the AC/DC power converter and the multi-converter system controller residing in a power system electronics housing, and communicating at least one second control signal to a direct current/direct current (DC/DC) power converter from the multi-converter system controller, the DC/DC power converter residing in a power system electronics housing.

Abstract: A DC bus for use in a power module has a positive DC conductor bus plate parallel with a negative DC conductor bus plate. One or more positive leads are connected to the positive bus and are connectable to a positive terminal of a power source. One or more negative leads are connected to the negative bus and are connectable to a negative terminal of a power source. The DC bus has one or more positive connections fastenable from the positive bus to the high side of a power module. The DC bus also has one or more negative connections fastenable from the negative bus to the low side of the power module. The positive bus and negative bus permit counter-flow of currents, thereby canceling magnetic fields and their associated inductances, and the positive and negative bus are connectable to the center portion of a power module.

Abstract: A DC bus for use in a power module has a positive DC conductor bus plate parallel with a negative DC conductor bus plate. One or more positive leads are connected to the positive bus and are connectable to a positive terminal of a power source. One or more negative leads are connected to the negative bus and are connectable to a negative terminal of a power source. The DC bus has one or more positive connections fastenable from the positive bus to the high side of a power module. The DC bus also has one or more negative connections fastenable from the negative bus to the low side of the power module. The positive bus and negative bus permit counter-flow of currents, thereby canceling magnetic fields and their associated inductances, and the positive and negative bus are connectable to the center portion of a power module.

Abstract: A power converter comprising a DC/AC bridge circuit electrically coupled between positive and negative DC bus terminals and a set of phase terminals, a DC/DC bridge circuit electrically coupled to the positive and negative DC bus terminals and a set of DC bridge terminals. The power converter may be configured to control the transfer of power to and/or from the DC bridge terminals and to control the transfer of power to and/or from the AC phase terminals.

Abstract: A tri-level inverter power module has an architecture employing a high degree of modularity that allows a base power module to be quickly, easily, and cost effectively configured to address a large variety of applications.

Abstract: Power converter system topologies comprise a first DC/DC converter to pull a positive rail of a high voltage bus up, while a second DC/DC converter pushes a negative rail of the high voltage bus down. One or both the DC/DC converters may be bi-directional. Such topologies are suitable for use with separate primary power sources, and/or auxiliary power sources. Such topologies may include a DC/AC converter, which may be bi-directional. Such topologies may include one or more auxiliary DC/DC converters, which may be bi-directional. Multiple substrates, including at least one stacked above another may enhance packaging.