Efficient thyristor-type power switches
OwnerOtward Mueller, Eduard K. Mueller +1inventors
InventorsOtward Mueller, Eduard K. Mueller, Michael J. Hennessy
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Abstract
The highest-power switches now available are based on thyristor-type devices: GTOs (Gate turn-off thyristors), MTOs (MOS controlled turn-off thyristors), IGCTs (Integrated gate commutated thyristors), and the new ETOs (Emitter turn-off thyristors). These devices handle kilovolts and kiloamperes for megawatt inverters/converters. Measurements by the inventors show that conduction losses of MOSFETs and switching losses of IGCTs are drastically decreased by cryo-cooling. IGCTs, ETOs, and MTOs, together with many small, low voltage MOSFETs for gate and emitter turn-off circuitry, are cryo-cooled to attain much higher switching speeds and a reduction in size, weight and cost of high-power (megawatt range) equipment.
Claims7
A thyristor-type power switch having enhanced performance characteristics at temperatures below room ambient, comprising:
- a first thyristor power switch having an anode, cathode, and control gate;
- a first driver circuit connected between said gate and cathode for operation in control of turn-on and turn-off of said first power switch, said first driver circuit having enhanced performance characteristics at temperatures below room ambient;
- a second thyristor power switch connected electrically in parallel with said first thyristor power switch and having an anode, cathode, and control gate;
- a second driver circuit connected between said gate and cathode for operation in control of turn-on and turn-off of said second power switch;
- a cooling unit for maintaining said first power switch and said first driver circuit below room ambient temperature, said second power switch being maintained at a higher temperature than said first power switch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.