Patent ID: 9525348
Filing Date: 2016-12-20
CPC Classification: H02M

Claim Text:
1. A converter for connecting a voltage source to a load, the converter comprising: a plurality of ICBT (integrated capacitor blocked transistor) cells configured as switches and connected in series to form a series connection path, each ICBT cell comprising a main transistor disposed in the series connection path and a series connected auxiliary transistor and auxiliary capacitor coupled in parallel with the main transistor; a main capacitor connected across the series connection path, the main capacitor having a greater energy-power ratio as expressed in J/kVA than the auxiliary capacitors of the ICBT cells; and a controller operable to develop a voltage across the main capacitor which exceeds a voltage rating of the ICBT cells, by switching the ICBT cells so as to commutate current within the individual ICBT cells without the ICBT cells providing active power to the load so that power flow is from the voltage source, to the main capacitor, to the load and not through the auxiliary transistors and the auxiliary capacitors.