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EP0496718A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method for minimizing the switching loss in a power switch

Assignee: European Space Agency
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Filing: 1992-01-17
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2012-01-17
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Abstract

Abstract A switching current converter (10) is connected in parallel with each controlled power switch (S1) in an electric circuit so that it is allowed to operate from the input voltage and transfer energy from input to output during the turn-on periods of the controlled power switch, whereby each power switch is allowed to be turned ON when a near-to-zero voltage is present across it. The switching converter (10) serves as an active power switch stress relieving means, resulting in minimizing the switching loss in the power switch (S1) while providing the energy for operation of the power switch in a very efficient way.

Inventors

  • 👤 Alan Weinberg

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 00:35
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M1/00; H02M1/32; H02M1/34; H02M3/00; H02M3/02; H02M3/04; H02M3/10; H02M3/145; H02M3/155; H02M3/156; H02M3/158; H02M3/22; H02M3/24; H02M3/28; H02M3/325; H02M3/335; H02M3/33569; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/04; H03K17/041; H03K17/0416; H03K17/04163; H03K17/08; H03K17/081; H03K17/0814; H03K17/08142; H02M1/342; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B70/00; Y02B70/10

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim 97 words
A method for minimizing the switching loss in one or each controlled power switch (S1) connected in an electric circuit having an input connected across an input voltage source and having an output, the method comprising the step of connecting switching converter means (10) in parallel with each controlled power switch (S1) so that it is allowed to operate from the input voltage and transfer energy from input to output during the turn-on periods of the controlled power switch, whereby each power switch is allowed to be turned ON when a near-to-zero voltage is present across it.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 110 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of arranging switching converter means comprises: arranging transformer means (13) having a primary winding (13P) and a secondary winding (13S), with said primary winding being connected in series with first controlled switching means (11) across the input voltage, arranging said secondary winding in series with second unidirectional switch (12) means across the output, arranging capacitor means (14) in parallel with a respective controlled power switch (S1), allowing said controlled power switch (S1) to turn ON only after said first switching means (11) is turned ON, whereby said power switch is allowed to turn ON with a near-to-zero voltage across it.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 107 words
The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of arranging switching converter means comprises: arranging transformer means (13) having a primary winding (13P) and a secondary winding (13S), with said primary winding being connected in series with first controlled switching means (11) across said controlled power switch (S1), arranging said secondary winding in series with second unidirectional switch means across the output, arranging capacitor means in parallel with a respective controlled power switch, allowing said controlled power switch to turn ON only after said first switching means is turned ON, whereby said power switch is allowed to turn ON with a near-to-zero voltage across it.

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