System and method for controlling switching elements within a single-phase bridge circuit

The method of claim 4, further comprising transmitting a third gating command signal to adjust the second switching element from the deactivated state to the activated state when:

• a third gate drive command is received that is associated with switching the second switching element to the activated state;
• a fourth gate drive command is received that is associated with switching the first switching element to the deactivated state;
• and
• the gate voltage of the first switching element is less than a predetermined voltage threshold.

A method for controlling the operation of switching elements contained within a single-phase bridge circuit of a power convertor, the method comprising:

• controlling, with a computing device, operation of a first switching element and a second switching element of the single-phase bridge circuit so that each switching element is alternated between an activated state and a deactivated state;
• determining whether current is flowing into the first switching element or a first diode associated with the first switching element;
• and
• maintaining the first switching element in the deactivated state when it is determined that current is flowing into the first diode.

A wind turbine system for supplying power for application to a load, the wind turbine system comprising:

• a wind turbine rotor, the wind turbine rotor including a hub and a plurality of rotor blades coupled to the hub;
• a generator coupled to the wind turbine rotor;
• a power converter coupled to the generator, the power converter including a single-phase bridge circuit having a first switching element and a second switching element;
• and
• a controller communicatively coupled to the power convertor, the controller being configured to:
• monitor gate voltages of the first and second switching elements;
• control the first and second switching elements so that each switching element is alternated between an activated state and a deactivated state;
• and
• transmit a gating command signal to adjust the first switching element from the deactivated state to the activated state when:
• a first gate drive command is received that is associated with switching the first switching element to the activated state;
• a second gate drive command is received that is associated with switching the second switching element to the deactivated state;
• and
• the gate voltage of the second switching element is less than a predetermined voltage threshold.