公开(公告)号：US09007796B2

公开(公告)日：2015-04-14

申请号：US13958135

申请日：2013-08-02

Applicant: Ideal Power Inc.

Inventor： William C. Alexander

IPC: H02M7/5387 ,  H02M5/44 ,  H02M5/22 ,  H02M7/48 ,  H02M1/00

CPC classification number: H02M5/44 ,  H02M5/225 ,  H02M7/4807 ,  H02M7/4826 ,  H02M2001/0009 ,  H02M2007/4815 ,  Y02B70/1441

Abstract: An architecture for current-modulating power-handling circuits, such as power converters, where a small saturating inductance is used to obtain a pulse edge when the main current value crosses zero.

Abstract translation: 用于电流调制功率处理电路（例如功率转换器）的架构，其中当主电流值跨越零时，使用小的饱和电感来获得脉冲边缘。

公开(公告)号：US11804835B2

公开(公告)日：2023-10-31

申请号：US17530981

申请日：2021-11-19

Applicant: IDEAL POWER INC.

Inventor： Alireza Mojab

IPC: H03K17/66 ,  H01L29/747

CPC classification number: H03K17/668 ,  H01L29/747

Abstract: Operating a bi-directional double-base bipolar junction transistor (B-TRAN). One example is a method comprising: injecting charge carriers at a first rate into an upper base of the transistor, the injecting at the first rate results in current flow through the transistor from an upper collector-emitter to a lower collector-emitter, and the current flow results in first voltage drop measured across the upper collector-emitter and the lower collector-emitter; and then, within a predetermined period of time before the end of a first conduction period of the transistor, injecting charge carriers into the upper base at a second rate lower than the first rate, the injecting at the second rate results in second voltage drop measured across the upper collector-emitter and the lower collector-emitter, the second voltage drop higher than the first voltage drop; and then making the transistor non-conductive at the end of the conduction period.

公开(公告)号：US11522051B2

公开(公告)日：2022-12-06

申请号：US17537726

申请日：2021-11-30

Applicant: IDEAL POWER INC.

Inventor： Alireza Mojab ,  Daniel Brdar ,  Ruiyang Yu

IPC: H01L29/10 ,  H03K17/082 ,  H01L29/747 ,  H01L29/732

Abstract: Operating a bi-directional double-base bipolar junction transistor (B-TRAN). One example is a method comprising: conducting a first load current from an upper terminal of the power module to an upper collector-emitter of the transistor, through the transistor, and from a lower collector-emitter to a lower terminal of the power module; and then responsive assertion of a first interrupt signal, interrupting the first load current from the lower collector-emitter to the lower terminal by opening a lower-main FET and thereby commutating a first shutoff current through a lower base of the transistor to the lower terminal; and blocking current from the upper terminal to the lower terminal by the transistor.

公开(公告)号：US20210313461A1

公开(公告)日：2021-10-07

申请号：US17350254

申请日：2021-06-17

Applicant: IDEAL POWER INC.

Inventor： Richard A. BLANCHARD ,  William C. ALEXANDER

IPC: H01L29/747 ,  H01L29/74 ,  H01L29/06 ,  H01L29/40 ,  H01L29/66 ,  H01L29/73

Abstract: The present application teaches, among other innovations, power semiconductor devices in which breakdown initiation regions, on BOTH sides of a die, are located inside the emitter/collector regions, but laterally spaced away from insulated trenches which surround the emitter/collector regions. Preferably this is part of a symmetrically-bidirectional power device of the “B-TRAN” type. In one advantageous group of embodiments (but not all), the breakdown initiation regions are defined by dopant introduction through the bottom of trench portions which lie within the emitter/collector region. In one group of embodiments (but not all), these can advantageously be separated trench portions which are not continuous with the trench(es) surrounding the emitter/collector region(s).

公开(公告)号：US11069797B2

公开(公告)日：2021-07-20

申请号：US15604822

申请日：2017-05-25

Applicant: Ideal Power, Inc.

Inventor： Richard A. Blanchard ,  William C. Alexander

IPC: H01L29/747 ,  H01L29/74 ,  H01L29/06 ,  H01L29/40 ,  H01L29/66 ,  H01L29/73 ,  H01L29/16

Abstract: The present application teaches, among other innovations, power semiconductor devices in which breakdown initiation regions, on BOTH sides of a die, are located inside the emitter/collector regions, but laterally spaced away from insulated trenches which surround the emitter/collector regions. Preferably this is part of a symmetrically-bidirectional power device of the “B-TRAN” type. In one advantageous group of embodiments (but not all), the breakdown initiation regions are defined by dopant introduction through the bottom of trench portions which lie within the emitter/collector region. In one group of embodiments (but not all), these can advantageously be separated trench portions which are not continuous with the trench(es) surrounding the emitter/collector region(s).

公开(公告)号：US20190140548A1

公开(公告)日：2019-05-09

申请号：US16043945

申请日：2018-07-24

Applicant: Ideal Power Inc.

Inventor： William C. Alexander

IPC: H02M3/335 ,  H02M1/08

Abstract: Power-packet-switching circuits (and methods and systems) in which at least one port uses series-connected combinations of bidirectional switches to connect a link inductor (or transformer), with selectable polarity, to an outside line. Optionally, series-connected combinations of bidirectional switches are used for phase legs in some ports, while single bidirectional switches are used for the phase legs in other ports. This can be particularly advantageous where the converter interfaces between lines at significantly different operating voltages. By using B-TRANs as the series-combined elements of the combinations of switches, voltage-dividing circuitry is not needed to equalize the voltages seen by the individual devices in each combination.

公开(公告)号：US20170317575A1

公开(公告)日：2017-11-02

申请号：US15396362

申请日：2016-12-30

Applicant: Ideal Power Inc.

Inventor： William C. Alexander

IPC: H02M1/08

CPC classification number: H02M3/33584 ,  H02M1/083 ,  H02M3/33576 ,  H02M5/225 ,  H02M7/4807

Abstract: Power-packet-switching circuits (and methods and systems) in which at least one port uses series-connected combinations of bidirectional switches to connect a link inductor (or transformer), with selectable polarity, to an outside line. Optionally, series-connected combinations of bidirectional switches are used for phase legs in some ports, while single bidirectional switches are used for the phase legs in other ports. This can be particularly advantageous where the converter interfaces between lines at significantly different operating voltages. By using B-TRANs as the series-combined elements of the combinations of switches, voltage-dividing circuitry is not needed to equalize the voltages seen by the individual devices in each combination.

公开(公告)号：US09799731B2

公开(公告)日：2017-10-24

申请号：US15004872

申请日：2016-01-22

Applicant: Ideal Power Inc.

Inventor： William C. Alexander

IPC: H01L29/747 ,  H01L29/10 ,  H01L29/417 ,  H01L29/423 ,  H01L29/73 ,  H01L29/732 ,  H01L29/737 ,  H01L29/739 ,  H01L29/06 ,  H01L29/08 ,  H01L29/16 ,  H02M3/158 ,  H03K17/60 ,  H03K17/66 ,  H02M7/487

CPC classification number: H01L29/1004 ,  H01L29/0619 ,  H01L29/0804 ,  H01L29/0817 ,  H01L29/0821 ,  H01L29/16 ,  H01L29/1604 ,  H01L29/41708 ,  H01L29/42304 ,  H01L29/73 ,  H01L29/732 ,  H01L29/7375 ,  H01L29/7393 ,  H01L29/7395 ,  H01L29/747 ,  H02M3/1582 ,  H02M7/487 ,  H03K17/60 ,  H03K17/66

Abstract: Power is inverted using double-base-contact bidirectional bipolar transistors in a three-level-inverter topology. The transistors not only switch to synthesize a PWM approximation of the desired AC waveform, but also have transient phases of diode conduction before each full turn-on or turn-off.

公开(公告)号：US09796258B1

公开(公告)日：2017-10-24

申请号：US14207039

申请日：2014-03-12

Applicant: Ideal Power, Inc.

Inventor： Paul Bundschuh ,  William C. Alexander

IPC: B60L1/00 ,  B60K6/42

CPC classification number: B60K6/42 ,  H02M3/1582 ,  H02M3/33584 ,  H02M5/225 ,  H02M7/4807 ,  H02M7/797 ,  H02M2007/4815 ,  Y10S903/904

Abstract: Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles where a multiport power-packet-switching converter provides fully bidirectional power transfer among any of an engine motor, a drive motor, a vehicle battery and/or supercapacitor, and a connection to grid.

公开(公告)号：US20170271328A1

公开(公告)日：2017-09-21

申请号：US15396233

申请日：2016-12-30

Applicant: Ideal Power Inc.

Inventor： William C. Alexander

IPC: H01L27/06 ,  H01L29/732 ,  H03K17/567 ,  H01L29/417 ,  H03K17/66 ,  H01L29/40 ,  H01L29/10

CPC classification number: H01L27/0694 ,  H01L29/1004 ,  H01L29/407 ,  H01L29/41708 ,  H01L29/73 ,  H01L29/732 ,  H01L29/7322 ,  H01L29/747 ,  H03K17/567 ,  H03K17/668

Abstract: The present application discloses new approaches to providing “passive-off” protection for a B-TRAN-like device. Even if the control circuitry is inactive, AC coupling uses transient voltage on the external terminals to prevent forward biasing an emitter junction. Preferably the same switches which implement diode-mode and pre-turnoff operation are used as part of the passive-off circuit operation.