# US 12,763,703 B2 · Controller and method for operating an inverter using multiple switching patterns > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,763,703 B2 - Document ID: US12763703B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/395,957 - Filed: 2023-12-26 - Published: 2025-06-26 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2023-12-26 - Assignees: Renesas Design (UK) Limited - Applicants: Renesas Design (UK) Limited - Inventors: Louis De Marco - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12763703B2 ## CPC - H02M 7/539: with automatic control of output wave form or frequency (H02M7/5375 - H02M7/5387 take precedence) - H02M 1/0003: {Details of control, feedback or regulation circuits} - H02M: APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF (transformers H01F; dynamo-electric converters H02K47/00; controlling transformers, reactors or choke coils, control or regulation of electric motors, generators or dynamo-electric converters H02P) ## Abstract A controller for an inverter, the inverter comprising a plurality of switches, the controller configured to generate a control signal wherein the control signal operates the plurality of switches in a first switching pattern or a second switching pattern. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A controller for an inverter, the inverter comprising a plurality of switches, the controller configured to generate a control signal wherein the control signal operates the plurality of switches in a first switching pattern or a second switching pattern, each switching pattern corresponding to a distinct arrangement of the plurality of switches, with certain switches being in an on state and others being in an off state, to establish different current paths through the inverter wherein the inverter is configured to operate in a first phase and a second phase, wherein when the plurality of switches are operated in the first switching pattern, a current flowing through the inverter switches between a first current path and a second current path, wherein during the first phase the current flowing through the inverter flows from a battery to an output and during the second phase the current flowing through the inverter flows from the output to the battery. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The controller of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to receive a first input and/or a second input. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The controller of claim 2, wherein the control signal operates the plurality of switches in the first switching pattern if the first input is less than the second input. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The controller of claim 3, wherein the control signal operates the plurality of switches in the second switching pattern if the first input is greater than the second input. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The controller of claim 1, wherein the first current path comprises a first switch and a second switch and the second current path comprises a third switch and a fourth switch. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The controller of claim 5, the generated control signal switches the current flow between the first current path and the second current path by alternately switching the second switch and the fourth switch between an on state and an off state. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The controller of claim 1, wherein the first current path comprises a first switch and a second switch and the second current path comprises the second switch and a third switch. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The controller of claim 7, the generated control signal switches the current flow between the first current path and the second current path by alternately switching the first switch and the third switch between an on state and an off state. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The controller of claim 1, wherein when the plurality of switches are arranged in the second switching pattern, a current flowing through the inverter switches between a third current path and a fourth current path. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The controller of claim 9, wherein during the first phase the current flowing through the inverter flows from a battery to an output and during the second phase the current flowing through the inverter flows from the output to the battery. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The controller of claim 10, wherein the third current path comprises a first switch, a second switch and a capacitor and the fourth current path comprises the second switch, a third switch, a fourth switch and the capacitor. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The controller of claim 11, wherein the generated control signal switches the current flow between the third current path and the fourth current path by alternately switching the first switch and the third switch and the fourth switch between an on state and an off state such that the third switch and the fourth switch are always in the same state. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The controller of claim 10, wherein the third current path comprises a first switch, a second switch and a capacitor. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The controller of claim 13, wherein during the second phase the fourth current path comprises the first switch and a third switch and during the first phase the fourth current path comprises the second switch, a fourth switch and the capacitor. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The controller of claim 14, wherein during the second phase the generated control signal switches the current flow between the third current path and the fourth current path by alternately switching the second switch and the third switch between an on state and an off state and wherein during the first phase the generated control signal switches the current flow between the third current path and the fourth current path by alternately switching the first switch and the fourth switch between an on state and an off state. ### Claim 16 An apparatus comprising: an inverter comprising a plurality of switches; and a controller for the inverter, the controller configured to generate a control signal wherein the control signal operates the plurality of switches in a first switching pattern or a second switching pattern, each switching pattern corresponding to a distinct arrangement of the plurality of switches, with certain switches being in an on state and others being in an off state, to establish different current paths through the inverter, wherein the inverter is configured to operate in a first phase and a second phase, wherein when the plurality of switches are operated in the first switching pattern, a current flowing through the inverter switches between a first current path and a second current path, wherein during the first phase the current flowing through the inverter flows from a battery to an output and during the second phase the current flowing through the inverter flows from the output to the battery. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16 being an electric vehicle power system. ### Claim 18 A method of controlling an inverter comprising a plurality of switches, the method comprising: generating, using a controller, a control signal to operate the plurality of switches in a first switching pattern or a second switching pattern, each switching pattern corresponding to a distinct arrangement of the plurality of switches, with certain switches being in an on state and others being in an off state, to establish different current paths through the inverter, wherein the inverter is configured to operate in a first phase and a second phase, wherein when the plurality of switches are operated in the first switching pattern, a current flowing through the inverter switches between a first current path and a second current path, wherein during the first phase the current flowing through the inverter flows from a battery to an output and during the second phase the current flowing through the inverter flows from the output to the battery.