Larry J Robbins

US Patent:

20080007318, Jan 10, 2008

Filed:

Sep 24, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/860349

Inventors:

Gary PACE - Cypress TX, US
Larry ROBBINS - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

LETOURNEAU TECHNOLOGIES DRILLING SYSTEMS, INC. - Houston TX

International Classification:

H03K 17/296

US Classification:

327396000

Abstract:

An adaptive gate drive for an inverter includes control circuitry having a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and includes power circuitry having a plurality of FETs for operating a switching device, such as a Trench Gate Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT device). The control circuitry provides switching signals for operating the switching device. In addition, the control circuitry receives signals of output current of the IGBT device, temperature of the IGBT device, and DC link voltage. The FPGA has a plurality of operating points stored therein. Each operating point has corresponding parameters for a control signal that is used to control the turn-on or turn-off behavior of the IGBT device. During operation, the control circuitry compares the measured current, voltage and temperature operating points stored in the FPGA and sends the corresponding parameters to the gate drive circuit. The gate drive modifies the signal on the gate of the IGBT accordingly and thereby optimizes the turn-on and/or turn-off behavior of the device based on actual operating conditions.

US Patent:

20050253165, Nov 17, 2005

Filed:

Apr 26, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/115841

Inventors:

Gary Pace - Cypress TX, US
Larry Robbins - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

H01L029/43

US Classification:

257139000

Abstract:

An adaptive gate drive for an inverter includes control circuitry having a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and includes power circuitry having a plurality of FETs for operating a switching device, such as a Trench Gate Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT device). The control circuitry provides switching signals for operating the switching device. In addition, the control circuitry receives signals of output current of the IGBT device, temperature of the IGBT device, and DC link voltage. The FPGA has a plurality of operating points stored therein. Each operating point has corresponding parameters for a control signal that is used to control the turn-on or turn-off behavior of the IGBT device. During operation, the control circuitry compares the measured current, voltage and temperature operating points stored in the FPGA and sends the corresponding parameters to the gate drive circuit. The gate drive modifies the signal on the gate of the IGBT accordingly and thereby optimizes the turn-on and/or turn-off behavior of the device based on actual operating conditions.