Abstract: A battery system for allowing discharge of batteries in parallel and charging in series, while eliminating or reducing the risks and damage associated with short circuits, includes first and second batteries, parallel contactors electrically connecting the batteries in parallel to a high voltage bus when they are closed, a mid-contactor electrically connecting the batteries in series when the mid-contactor is closed, and a logic circuit for preventing closure of the mid-contactor when any of the parallel contactors is closed.

Abstract: A battery system for an electric vehicle includes a high voltage battery, contactors connecting terminals of the high voltage battery to high voltage buses, a vehicle ON/OFF switch, a low voltage battery, a battery management system (BMS) controlling the contactors, wherein the BMS is powered by the low voltage battery when the vehicle is switched OFF, a backup power supply (BPS) for powering the BMS when the vehicle is switched ON, a controller regulating power from the BPS to the BMS, a second switch for disconnecting the BPS from the BMS, and a service tool interface configured to interact with a service tool to operate the second switch.

Abstract: A power module includes first and second electrode terminals adapted to electrically connect to a power source, a first switch element, a second switch element, a first Kelvin source pin, and a second Kelvin source pin. The first switch element is electrically connected to the first electrode terminal. The second switch element is electrically connected between the first switch element and the second electrode terminal and includes a drain and a source electrically connected to the first switch element and the second electrode terminal respectively. The first Kelvin source pin is electrically connected to the source of the second switch element and is adapted to receive a gate drive signal for driving the second switch element. The second Kelvin source pin is electrically connected to the source of the second switch element and is configured to be electrically connected to a snubber circuit.

Abstract: A power supply system including a controller, a high-voltage battery, a low-voltage electric storage device operatively coupled to the high-voltage battery through a positive and a negative contactor, and a self-recovery module that bypasses the positive and negative contactors and is directly and electrically connected to the high-voltage battery. The self-recovery module includes a step-down converter and a charging circuit. The controller is configured to sense a voltage of the low-voltage electric storage device and charge the low-voltage electric storage device via the charging circuit responsive to sensing the voltage to be below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method for balancing thermal stresses in semiconductor switching devices may include (a) monitoring temperatures of the semiconductor switching devices to provide a temperature difference between two of the switching devices; and (b) based on the temperature difference, providing a zero-sequence component to be used for adjusting conduction times of each of the semiconductor devices.

Abstract: A power module includes first and second electrode terminals adapted to electrically connect to a power source, a first switch element, a second switch element, a first Kelvin source pin, and a second Kelvin source pin. The first switch element is electrically connected to the first electrode terminal The second switch element is electrically connected between the first switch element and the second electrode terminal and includes a drain and a source electrically connected to the first switch element and the second electrode terminal respectively. The first Kelvin source pin is electrically connected to the source of the second switch element and is adapted to receive a gate drive signal for driving the second switch element. The second Kelvin source pin is electrically connected to the source of the second switch element and is configured to be electrically connected to a snubber circuit.

Abstract: A method for balancing thermal stresses in semiconductor switching devices may include (a) monitoring temperatures of the semiconductor switching devices to provide a temperature difference between two of the switching devices; and (b) based on the temperature difference, providing a zero-sequence component to be used for adjusting conduction times of each of the semiconductor devices.

Abstract: A gate driver circuit receiving an input control signal and providing a voltage at a gate terminal of a semiconductor switching device (e.g., an IGBT) may include: (i) a first voltage source providing a first voltage; (ii) a second voltage source providing a second voltage, wherein the first voltage is higher than the second voltage; and (iii) a selector circuit selecting, based on the input control signal's logic state, either the first voltage or the second voltage to be placed on the gate terminal of the semiconductor switching device.

Abstract: A gate driver circuit receiving an input control signal and providing a voltage at a gate terminal of a semiconductor switching device (e.g., an IGBT) may include: (i) a first voltage source providing a first voltage; (ii) a second voltage source providing a second voltage, wherein the first voltage is higher than the second voltage; and (iii) a selector circuit selecting, based on the input control signal's logic state, either the first voltage or the second voltage to be placed on the gate terminal of the semiconductor switching device.

Abstract: An inverter system is provided. The inverter system has a first voltage zone and a second voltage zone isolated with each other. The inverter system includes a power unit, a controller, a power regulator, an isolated power supply, a driver and an inverter. The power unit in the first voltage zone provides an initial power. The controller in the first voltage zone generates a power control signal. The power regulator in the first voltage zone receives the power control signal and the initial power and outputs a first adjustable power accordingly. The isolated power supply has a primary part and a secondary part in the first and second voltage zones respectively. The primary part receives the first adjustable power, and the secondary part outputs a second adjustable power. The driver in the second voltage zone receives the second adjustable power and outputs an adjustable driving signal to control the inverter.