Efficient IGBT switching
Embodiments of the invention provide IGBT circuit modules with increased efficiencies. These efficiencies can be realized in a number of ways. In some embodiments, the gate resistance and/or voltage can be minimized. In some embodiments, the IGBT circuit module can be switched using an isolated receiver such as a fiber optic receiver. In some embodiments, a single driver can drive a single IGBT. And in some embodiments, a current bypass circuit can be included. Various other embodiments of the invention are disclosed.
1. A solid-state switch circuit comprising:
a first receiver;
a first power supply;
a first pre-driver electrically coupled with the first receiver and the first power supply;
a second power supply that produces a voltage greater than a voltage produced by the first power supply;
a first driver electrically coupled with the first pre-driver and the second power supply;
a first solid-state switch having a first gate, a first collector, and a first emitter, the gate electrically coupled with the first driver;
a second receiver;
a second pre-driver electrically coupled with the second receiver and the first power supply;
a second driver electrically coupled with the second pre-driver and the second power supply; and
a second solid-state switch having a second gate, a second collector, and a second emitter, the second gate electrically coupled with the second driver, the second collector electrically coupled with the first emitter, and a load electrically coupled between the second emitter and the first collector.
2. The solid-state switch circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the first driver is coupled with the first gate without an additional component.
3. The solid-state switch circuit according to claim 1 , wherein a turn-off delay time of the first solid-state switch is less than 100 ns.
4. The solid-state switch circuit according to claim 1 , wherein a turn-on delay time of the first solid-state switch is less than 100 ns.
5. The solid-state switch circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the first solid-state switch comprises an IGBT switch or a MOSFET switch, and the second solid-state switch comprises an IGBT switch or a MOSFET switch.
6. The solid-state switch circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the first receiver is a fiber optic receiver, and the second receiver is a fiber optic receiver.
7. The solid-state switch circuit according to claim 1 , wherein a ground for the first solid-state switch and a ground for the second solid-state switch are isolated relative to each other.
8. The solid-state switch circuit according to claim 1 , further comprising a third power supply electrically coupled with the first driver and the first emitter.
9. The solid-state switch circuit according to claim 8 , wherein the third power supply is electrically coupled with the second driver and the second emitter.
10. The solid-state switch circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the first driver is coupled directly with the first gate via a circuit trace.
11. The solid-state switch circuit according to claim 1 , wherein the first driver is coupled directly with the first gate via a circuit trace with an additional component.
12. A solid-state switch circuit comprising:
a first receiver;
a power supply;
a first driver electrically coupled with the first receiver and the power supply;
a first solid-state switch having a first gate, a first collector, and a first emitter, the gate electrically coupled with the first driver;
a second receiver;
a second driver electrically coupled with the second receiver and the power supply; and
a second solid-state switch having a second gate, a second collector, and a second emitter, the second gate electrically coupled with the second driver, the second collector electrically coupled with the first emitter, and a load electrically coupled between the second emitter and the first collector.
13. The solid-state switch circuit according to claim 12 , further comprising:
a second power supply producing a voltage less than the voltage produced by the power supply;
a first pre-driver electrically coupled between the first receiver and the first driver, and the first pre-driver electrically coupled with the second power supply; and
a second pre-driver electrically coupled between the second receiver and the second driver, and the second pre-driver electrically coupled with the second power supply.
14. The solid-state switch circuit according to claim 12 , wherein the first driver is coupled with the first gate without an additional component.
15. The solid-state switch circuit according to claim 12 , wherein a turn-off delay time of the first solid-state switch is less than 100 ns.
16. The solid-state switch circuit according to claim 12 , wherein a turn-on delay time of the first solid-state switch is less than 100 ns.
17. The solid-state switch circuit according to claim 12 , wherein the first solid-state switch comprises an IGBT switch or a MOSFET switch, and the second solid-state switch comprises an IGBT switch or a MOSFET switch.
18. The solid-state switch circuit according to claim 12 , wherein the first receiver is a fiber optic receiver, and the second receiver is a fiber optic receiver.
19. The solid-state switch circuit according to claim 12 , wherein a ground for the first solid-state switch and a ground for the second solid-state switch are isolated relative to each other.
20. The solid-state switch circuit according to claim 12 , wherein a ground for the first driver and a ground for the second driver are isolated relative to each other.
21. The solid-state switch circuit according to claim 12 , wherein the first driver is coupled directly with the first gate via a circuit trace.
22. The solid-state switch circuit according to claim 12 , wherein the first driver is coupled directly with the first gate via a circuit trace with an additional component.
23. A solid-state switch circuit comprising:
a first receiver;
a power supply;
a first driver electrically coupled with the first receiver and the power supply;
a first solid-state switch having a first gate, a first collector, and a first emitter, the gate electrically coupled with the first driver;
a second receiver;
a second driver electrically coupled with the second receiver and the power supply; and
a second solid-state switch having a second gate, a second collector, and a second emitter, the second gate electrically coupled with the second driver, the second collector electrically coupled with the first emitter, and a load electrically coupled between the second emitter and the first collector;
wherein a ground for the first driver and a ground for the second driver are isolated relative to each other;
wherein a ground for the first solid-state switch and a ground for the second solid-state switch are isolated relative to each other.
24. The solid-state switch circuit according to claim 23 , wherein the first solid-state switch comprises an IGBT switch or a MOSFET switch, and the second solid-state switch comprises an IGBT switch or a MOSFET switch.
25. The solid-state switch circuit according to claim 23 , wherein the first receiver is a fiber optic receiver, and the second receiver is a fiber optic receiver.
26. A solid-state switch circuit comprising:
a first receiver;
a first power supply;
a first pre-driver electrically coupled with the first receiver and the first power supply;
a second power supply that produces a voltage greater than a voltage produced by the first power supply;
a first driver electrically coupled with the first pre-driver and the second power supply;
a first solid-state switch having a first gate, a first collector, and a first emitter, the gate electrically coupled with the first driver;
a second receiver;
a third power supply that produces a voltage the same as a voltage produced by the first power supply;
a second pre-driver electrically coupled with the second receiver and the third power supply;
a fourth power supply that produces a voltage greater than a voltage produced by the third power supply, and produces a voltage the same as a voltage produced by the second power supply;
a second driver electrically coupled with the second pre-driver and the fourth power supply; and
a second solid-state switch having a second gate, a second collector, and a second emitter, the second gate electrically coupled with the second driver, the second collector electrically coupled with the first emitter, and a load electrically coupled between the second emitter and the first collector.
27. The solid-state switch circuit according to claim 26 , further comprising a fifth power supply electrically coupled with the first driver and the first emitter; and a sixth power supply electrically coupled with the second driver and the second emitter.