Current source inverter with bi-directional switches

A current source inverter comprising:

• an inductor;
• a filter;
• a switching circuit connected between the inductor and the filter, the switching circuit comprising
• a diode comprising an anode and a cathode;
• a semiconductor switch comprising a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal, wherein the semiconductor switch is configured to conduct a first current from the second terminal to the third terminal of the semiconductor switch when a first on-state signal is sent to the first terminal of the semiconductor switch, wherein the anode of the diode is connected to the second terminal of the semiconductor switch and the cathode of the diode is connected to the third terminal of the semiconductor switch, wherein the semiconductor switch is not a bidirectional switch;
• a first bidirectional switch comprising a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal, wherein the anode of the diode is connected to the second terminal of the first bidirectional switch, wherein the third terminal is connected to a first line;
• a first half-bridge comprising a second bidirectional switch comprising a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal and a third bidirectional switch comprising a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal, wherein the second bidirectional switch and the third bidirectional switch are connected in series between a second line and the first line;
• and
• a second half-bridge comprising a fourth bidirectional switch comprising a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal and a fifth bidirectional switch comprising a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal, wherein the fourth bidirectional switch and the fifth bidirectional switch are connected in series between the second line and the first line,
• wherein a respective bidirectional switch is configured to conduct a second current from the second terminal of the respective bidirectional switch to the third terminal of the respective bidirectional switch or from the third terminal of the respective bidirectional switch to the second terminal of the respective bidirectional switch when a second on-state signal is sent to the first terminal of the respective bidirectional switch,
• wherein the second line is connected to the cathode of the diode,
• wherein the respective bidirectional switch is configured to block a voltage and a current when an off-state signal is sent to the first terminal of the respective bidirectional switch;
• and
• a controller configured to
• determine a first timing of the second on-state signal to the second bidirectional switch, the third bidirectional switch, the fourth bidirectional switch, and the fifth bidirectional switch based on a switching frequency, on a predefined output current peak value, and on a direct current (DC)-link current value received from a DC source when the current source inverter is connected to the DC source;
• send the second on-state signal to the second bidirectional switch, the third bidirectional switch, the fourth bidirectional switch, and the fifth bidirectional switch based on the determined first timing;
• determine a second timing of the second on-state signal to the first bidirectional switch;
• send the second on-state signal to the first bidirectional switch based on the determined second timing, wherein the second on-state signal is sent to the first bidirectional switch prior to, during, and after a change in state of any of the second bidirectional switch, the third bidirectional switch, the fourth bidirectional switch, and the fifth bidirectional switch;
• determine a third timing of the first on-state signal;
• and
• send the first on-state signal to the semiconductor switch based on the determined third timing, wherein the first on-state signal is sent to the semiconductor switch when any of the second bidirectional switch, the third bidirectional switch, the fourth bidirectional switch, and the fifth bidirectional switch are in the on-state based on the determined first timing and when the first bidirectional switch is in the off-state for a dead band time period based on the determined second timing.