Hybrid power devices

A method comprising:

• in a turn-on process of a hybrid power device, applying gate drive signals sequentially to a first conductive channel comprising a first switch and a second switch connected in series, and a second conductive channel comprising a third switch, wherein as a result of applying gate drive signals sequentially, the third switch achieves zero voltage switching, wherein:
• the first switch and a first diode are connected in parallel between a midpoint of the first conductive channel and a first terminal of the first conductive channel;
• the second switch and a second diode are connected in parallel between the midpoint and a second terminal of the first conductive channel, wherein a gate of the first switch and a gate of the second switch are independent from each other;
• the third switch is connected between the midpoint and the second terminal of the first conductive channel, wherein the third switch, the second switch and the second diode form an upper portion of the hybrid power device, and the first switch and the first diode form a lower portion of the hybrid power device, and wherein a current flowing through the upper portion is always equal to a current flowing through the lower portion;
• and
• a third diode is connected between the first terminal and the second terminal of the first conductive channel, wherein the third diode is parallel-connected with the series-connected first and second switches;
• and
• in a turn-off process of the hybrid power device, turning off the third switch prior to turning off the first switch and the second switch.

A hybrid power device comprising:

• a low voltage MOSFET and a low voltage diode connected in parallel between a midpoint and a first terminal of the hybrid power device;
• a high voltage MOSFET and a high voltage diode connected in parallel between the midpoint and a second terminal of the hybrid power device, wherein a gate of the low voltage MOSFET and a gate of the high voltage MOSFET are independent from each other;
• an IGBT connected between the midpoint and the second terminal, wherein the IGBT, the high voltage MOSFET and the high voltage diode form an upper portion of the hybrid power device, and the low voltage MOSFET and the low voltage diode form a lower portion of the hybrid power device, and wherein a current flowing through the upper portion is always equal to a current flowing through the lower portion;
• and
• a freewheeling diode connected between the first terminal and the second terminal, wherein the freewheeling diode is parallel-connected with the series-connected low voltage and high voltage MOSFETs.