Patent ID: 7598792
Filing Date: 2009-10-06
Classification: H02M,Y02B

Abstract:
1. A method of controlling operation of at least one power switching device having a gate capacitance, comprising: (i) charging the gate capacitance of a said power switching device using a current source connected directly to the gate capacitance of the power switching device, so that the power switching device is switched on, and then clamping the gate capacitance of the power switching device to a voltage source via a first low impedance path while the power switching device is on; and (ii) discharging the gate capacitance of the said power switching device using a current source connected directly to the gate capacitance of the power switching device, so that the power switching device is switched off, and then clamping the gate capacitance of the power switching device to a low voltage via a second low impedance path while the power switching device is off; wherein the current source is an inductor or an inductor connected in series with a capacitor; wherein energy stored in the gate capacitance of the at least one power switching device is recovered; wherein the gate capacitance is directly between a gate and a source, an emitter, or a cathode of the at least one power switching device and is part of the at least one power switching device; and wherein the at least one power switching device is selected from MOSFET, IGBT, and MCT.