Mitsubishi electric corporation (20240136950). ELECTRIC-POWER CONVERSION APPARATUS simplified abstract

ELECTRIC-POWER CONVERSION APPARATUS

Organization Name

mitsubishi electric corporation

Inventor(s)

Toshikazu Takagi of Tokyo (JP)

Chiharu Morisaki of Tokyo (JP)

ELECTRIC-POWER CONVERSION APPARATUS - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240136950 titled 'ELECTRIC-POWER CONVERSION APPARATUS

Simplified Explanation

The patent application describes an electric-power conversion apparatus with various control means to ensure the proper functioning of semiconductor switching devices.

• The driving circuit controls the semiconductor switching devices through switching.
• The short-circuit control means manages short-circuit situations in the electric-power conversion circuit.
• The excessive-current detection means identifies abnormal conditions caused by excessive current in the semiconductor switching device.
• The gate-drive-abnormality detection means detects abnormalities in the gate voltage of the semiconductor switching device.

• • Potential Applications:**

- Renewable energy systems - Electric vehicles - Industrial automation

• • Problems Solved:**

- Ensures safe operation of semiconductor switching devices - Prevents damage due to short-circuits or excessive current - Improves overall efficiency of electric-power conversion systems

• • Benefits:**

- Enhanced safety - Increased reliability - Improved performance

• • Potential Commercial Applications:**

- Power electronics industry - Renewable energy sector - Electric vehicle manufacturers

• • Possible Prior Art:**

There are existing patents related to short-circuit control and excessive-current detection in power conversion systems, but this specific combination of control means may be novel.

• • Unanswered Questions:**

• • 1. How does the apparatus handle different types of semiconductor switching devices?**

The abstract does not specify if the apparatus is designed to work with specific types of semiconductor switching devices or if it is adaptable to various models.

• • 2. What is the impact of the short-circuit control means turning on all semiconductor switching devices in one arm?**

It is not clear from the abstract how this specific method of short-circuit control affects the overall performance and efficiency of the electric-power conversion apparatus.

Original Abstract Submitted

an electric-power conversion apparatus includes a driving circuit that performs switching control of semiconductor switching devices, a short-circuit control means that performs short-circuit control of an electric-power conversion circuit, an excessive-current detection means that detects whether or not an abnormality caused by an excessive current exists in the semiconductor switching device, and a gate-drive-abnormality detection means that detects whether or not an abnormality exists in a gate voltage of the semiconductor switching device; based on a result of the abnormality detection by the excessive-current detection means and a result of the abnormality detection by the gate-drive-abnormality detection means, the short-circuit control means turns on all the semiconductor switching devices in any one of the upper arm and the lower arm so as to perform the short-circuit control.