WO2025213461A1

WO2025213461A1 - Fast negative voltage generator configured for implementation with a gate drive of a power device and process of implementing the same

Info

Publication number: WO2025213461A1
Application number: PCT/CN2024/087552
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chen Wei; Jun Zhang; Jianlong Chen; Sumana GHOSH
Original assignee: Wolfspeed Inc
Current assignee: Wolfspeed Inc
Priority date: 2024-04-12
Filing date: 2024-04-12
Publication date: 2025-10-16
Anticipated expiration: 2026-10-12

Abstract

At least one negative voltage generator that is configured for implementation with at least one gate driver and at least one power device. The at least one negative voltage generator including at least one energy storage device; at least one current flow control circuit; and at least one current limiting circuit. The at least one negative voltage generator is configured as a circuit to ensure a resulting gate drive signal is negative.

Description

FAST NEGATIVE VOLTAGE GENERATOR CONFIGURED FOR IMPLEMENTATION WITH A GATE DRIVE OF A POWER DEVICE AND PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTING THE SAME

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Power devices, such as SiC MOSFETs (silicon carbide metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors) , offer numerous useful characteristics for implementation as a power switch for power packages in comparison to other types of power devices, such as silicon MOSFETs. For example, power packages implemented in systems such as electrical power conversion systems.

However, a power device, such as a SiC MOSFET has a lower turn off threshold voltage in comparison to a silicon MOSFET. In this regard, a traditional drive circuit may only be required to pull the gate of the silicon MOSFET to 0 volt to reliably turn off the silicon MOSFET.

Accordingly, a device and process to reliably turn off power devices, such as silicon MOSFETs, is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect, at least one negative voltage generator includes at least one energy storage device. The at least one negative voltage generator in addition includes at least one current flow control circuit. The at least one generator moreover includes at least one current limiting circuit. The at least one generator also includes where the at least one negative voltage generator is configured as a circuit to ensure a resulting gate drive signal is negative.

In one aspect, at least one negative voltage generator includes at least one energy storage device. The at least one negative voltage generator in addition includes at least one current flow control circuit. The at least one generator moreover includes at least one current limiting circuit. The at least one generator also includes where the at least one gate driver generates a gate drive signal for controlling a gate of the at least one power device; and the at least one negative voltage generator generates a negative voltage that is combined with the gate drive signal to reduce a resulting gate drive signal provided to the at least one power device to be less than -1 V.

In one aspect, at least one negative voltage generator includes at least one energy storage device. The at least one negative voltage generator in addition includes at least one current flow control circuit. The at least one generator moreover includes at least one current limiting circuit. The at least one generator also includes where the at least one negative voltage generator is configured as a circuit to ensure a resulting gate drive signal is negative. The at least one generator further includes where the at least one negative voltage generator is configured as a circuit to ensure the resulting gate drive signal is negative after a first switching action of the at least one power device.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain aspects of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional aspects of the disclosure that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one aspect of the disclosure in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of aspects in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the disclosure. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 illustrates an implementation of at least one negative voltage generator that may be configured for implementation with at least one gate driver and at least one power device according to aspects of the disclosure.

Figure 2 illustrates another implementation of at least one negative voltage generator that may be configured for implementation with at least one gate driver and at least one power device according to aspects of the disclosure.

Figure 3 illustrates another implementation of at least one negative voltage generator that may be configured for implementation with at least one gate driver and at least one power device according to aspects of the disclosure.

Figure 4 illustrates an aspect of the at least one negative voltage generator according to aspects of the disclosure.

Figure 5 illustrates a further exemplary implementation of the at least one negative voltage generator according to Figure 4.

Figure 6 illustrates a further aspect of the at least one negative voltage generator according to aspects of the disclosure.

Figure 7 illustrates a graph of gate source voltage with respect to time in an implementation of the at least one negative voltage generator and the at least one power device without implementation of the at least one diode, the at least one current limiting circuit, and/or the at least one current flow control circuit.

Figure 8 illustrates a graph of gate source voltage with respect to time in an implementation of the at least one negative voltage generator according to the disclosure with the at least one power device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout.

Power devices, such as SiC MOSFETs (silicon carbide metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors) , offer numerous useful characteristics for implementation as a power switch for power packages in comparison to other types of power devices, such as silicon MOSFETs. For example, power packages implemented in systems, such as electrical power conversion systems.

In this regard, an on-resistance of SiC MOSFETs is lower than silicon MOSFET. This will typically reduce a power loss of the electrical power conversion system and increase efficiency of the electrical power conversion system. Further, a SiC MOSFET can switch on -switch off at much higher speed, which allows the electrical power conversion system to be reduced in size and increase in power density. Further, the SiC MOSFET has a higher breakdown voltage, which makes it a better candidate for the high voltage conversion. Moreover, the SiC material of SiC MOSFETs can withstand higher temperature. This results in a high thermal breakdown that may increase the reliability of the power converter and reduce the cooling requirements.

However, despite the useful characteristics of a SiC MOSFET, the SiC MOSFET has lower turn off threshold voltage in comparison to a silicon MOSFET. In this regard, a traditional drive circuit may only be required to pull the gate of the silicon MOSFET to 0 volt to reliably turn off the silicon MOSFET. Since the silicon MOSFET threshold is higher, 0 volt is typically sufficient to provide margin to ensure the silicon MOSFET is reliably turned off as needed.

On the other hand, since the turn off threshold voltage is lower for a SiC MOSFET, an additional negative voltage rail is typically required for a SiC MOSFET to maintain enough margin to ensure reliable operation. More specifically, to ensure the SiC MOSFET is turned off, a gate voltage needs to be a negative voltage instead 0 volts. The disclosed device and method help ensure that gate voltage has enough margin to control a SiC MOSFET to reliably be in an off state in response to drive signals.

Current driver circuits may utilize a combination of a Zener diode and a capacitor to generate a negative voltage at a gate when a MOSFET is in off state. The Zener diode will typically generate desired voltage across the capacitor, for example 3 V. When the voltage is at 0 V when the driver provides a low signal. The MOSFET gate will be at –3 V.

However, current driver circuits operate such that the voltage of the capacitor takes a long time to build up. This means that the current driver circuits may not correctly operate at a very beginning of operation. This can be hazardous for power converters because not operating correctly at any given time may cause damage to the converter. Accordingly, a fast charge circuit is needed.

In this regard, the disclosed device and process may be configured as a circuit to ensure the gate voltage is negative after a first switching action. The fast negative voltage generation circuit may produce the negative gate voltage after a first switching action. In this regard, it typically takes several cycles to build up the negative voltage without implementation the disclosed device and process. In aspects, it can take more than ten cycles to build up the negative voltage without implementation the disclosed device and process. On the other hand, the disclosed device and process can generate the desired negative voltage within one cycle.

Since the threshold voltage is lower for SiC MOSFET, an additional negative voltage rail is required for implementation of a SiC MOSFET. Accordingly, when the MOSFET is off, the gate voltage will be negative instead 0 volt. The disclosed device and process may ensure that gate voltage has enough margin to keep a SiC MOSFET reliably in an off state.

Additionally, the disclosed device and process may eliminate a need for an isolation transformer to provide a negative voltage source. Accordingly, implementation of the disclosed device and process may reduce a cost and/or a physical size of a converter. Further, the disclosed device and process may maintain high reliability consistent with using isolation transformer. Further, the disclosed device and process may solve the reliability problem caused by the Zener diode and capacitor negative dive circuit by ensuring a negative voltage for the off state gate voltage after first switching cycle.

In aspects, the disclosed device and process may implement at least one Zener diode, at least one resistor and at least one diode that may form a network that provides a low impedance path to charge the capacitor. Thereafter, the capacitor may generate a negative voltage at the gate of the SiC MOSFET when the SiC MOSFET is in an off state. In particular, the disclosed device and process may generate the negative voltage before a voltage of a capacitor and Zener diode implemented in the gate driver can reach a voltage level of the driver supply voltage. The disclosed circuit may act as a short circuit. Accordingly, the capacitor may charge up very quickly. By the time that the MOSFET needs to be turned off, the capacitor of the disclosed circuit may be charged to a significant voltage level to ensure the MOSFET turns off. The diode of the disclosed circuit may be configured to block the current to discharge the capacitor. It accordingly configures the capacitor to operate similar to a battery to save the energy. The resistor may be configured to act as a current limit. The disclosed circuit and process may be configured such that a current in the disclosed circuit should be large enough to fast charge the capacitor, but not too large to damage the gate driver.

In aspects, the disclosed device and process may implement a voltage detection circuit and switch instead of the Zener diode. In this aspect, the switch may be configured turn on when a voltage is detected. In aspects, the disclosed device and process may implement a current limit switch that may limit current instead of a resistor. In aspects, the disclosed device and process may implement a unidirectional switch instead of the Zener diode.

In particular, Figure 1 illustrates at least one negative voltage generator 100 that may be configured for implementation with at least one gate driver 200 and at least one power device 300. In aspects, the at least one negative voltage generator 100, the at least one gate driver 200, the at least one power device 300, and/or the like may be implemented in a system 500.

In particular, the at least one gate driver 200 may generate a gate drive signal 202 for controlling a gate of the at least one power device 300; and the at least one negative voltage generator 100 may generate a negative voltage that may be combined with the gate drive signal 202 to reduce the resulting gate drive signal 302 provided to the at least one power device 300 to be less than 0 V. In aspects, the at least one negative voltage generator 100 may generate a negative voltage to reduce the resulting gate drive signal 302 provided to the at least one power device 300 to be less than 0 V, -1 V, -2 V, -3 V, -4 V, or -5 V. In aspects, the at least one negative voltage generator 100 may generate a negative voltage to reduce the resulting gate drive signal 302 provided to the at least one power device 300 to be 0 V to -5 V, -1 V to -4 V, -2 V to -4 V, -3 V to -4 V, -1 V to -3 V, -2 V to -4 V, or -3 V to -5 V.

In aspects, the at least one power device 300 may be implemented as a SiC MOSFET. In other aspects, the at least one power device 300 may be implemented as a SiC MOSFET, MOSFET, a silicon MOSFET, and/or the like.

In particular, the at least one negative voltage generator 100 may include at least one energy storage device 102, at least one current flow control circuit 104, and at least one current limiting circuit 106. In aspects, the at least one negative voltage generator 100 may be configured as a circuit to ensure the resulting gate drive signal 302 is negative after a first switching action of the at least one power device 300. In this regard, it typically takes several cycles to build up the negative voltage without implementation the at least one negative voltage generator 100. In aspects, it can typically take more than ten cycles to build up the negative voltage without implementation the at least one negative voltage generator 100. On the other hand, the at least one negative voltage generator 100 can be configured to generate the desired negative voltage level of the resulting gate drive signal 302 within one cycle of the at least one power device 300. In particular, the at least one negative voltage generator 100 may ensure that the at least one power device 300 to has enough margin to keep the at least one power device 300 reliably in an off state.

Additionally, the at least one negative voltage generator 100 may eliminate the need for an isolation transformer to provide a negative voltage source. Accordingly, implementation of the disclosed device and process may reduce a cost and/or a physical size of the converter. Further, the at least one negative voltage generator 100 may maintain a high reliability consistent with using the isolation transformer. Further, the at least one negative voltage generator 100 may solve the reliability problem caused by a Zener diode and a capacitor negative drive circuit implemented by the at least one gate driver 200 by ensuring a negative voltage for the off state gate voltage of the at least one power device 300 after first switching cycle of the at least one power device 300.

In aspects, the at least one negative voltage generator 100 may implement the at least one current flow control circuit 104 as at least one Zener diode. In other aspects, the at least one negative voltage generator 100 may implement the at least one current flow control circuit 104 as at least one Zener diode, a voltage detection circuit and switch, and/or the like.

In aspects, the at least one negative voltage generator 100 may implement the at least one current limiting circuit 106 as at least one resistor. In other aspects, the at least one negative voltage generator 100 may implement the at least one current limiting circuit 106 as at least one resistor, a current limit switch that may limit current, and/or the like.

In aspects, the at least one negative voltage generator 100 may implement the at least one energy storage device 102 as a capacitor. In other aspects, the at least one negative voltage generator 100 may implement the at least one energy storage device 102 as a capacitor, an energy storage device, and/or the like.

In aspects, the at least one negative voltage generator 100 may implement the at least one current limiting circuit 106 and the at least one current flow control circuit 104 as a network that provides a low impedance path to charge the at least one energy storage device 102. In aspects, the at least one negative voltage generator 100 may implement the at least one current limiting circuit 106 as a resistor and the at least one current flow control circuit 104 as a Zener diode in a network that provides a low impedance path to charge the at least one energy storage device 102 configured as a capacitor.

Thereafter, the at least one energy storage device 102 may generate the resulting gate drive signal 302 as a negative voltage at the gate of the at least one power device 300 when the at least one power device 300 is in an off state. In particular, the at least one negative voltage generator 100 may generate the resulting gate drive signal 302 as negative voltage before a voltage of a capacitor and a Zener diode of the at least one gate driver 200 reach a voltage level of the driver supply voltage.

In this regard, the at least one negative voltage generator 100 may implement the at least one energy storage device 102, the at least one current flow control circuit 104, the at least one current limiting circuit 106, and/or the like as a circuit acting as a short circuit. The at least one energy storage device 102, such as capacitor charges up very quickly. By the time that the at least one power device 300 needs to be turned off, the at least one energy storage device 102 may be charged to a significant level to ensure the at least one power device 300 reliably turns off. The at least one current flow control circuit 104 of the at least one negative voltage generator 100 may be configured to block the current to discharge the at least one energy storage device 102. Accordingly, the at least one negative voltage generator 100 is configured to operate the at least one energy storage device 102 like a battery to save or store energy. The at least one current limiting circuit 106 may act to limit current. In aspects, the at least one negative voltage generator 100 may be configured such that a current is large enough to fast charge the at least one energy storage device 102, but not too large to damage the at least one gate driver 200.

In aspects, the at least one negative voltage generator 100 may implement the at least one current flow control circuit 104 as a voltage detection circuit and switch instead of Zener diode implementation. In this aspect the switch may be configured turn on when a voltage is detected. In aspects, the at least one negative voltage generator 100 may implement the at least one current limiting circuit 106 as a current limit switch that may limit current instead of a resistor implementation of the at least one current limiting circuit 106. In aspects, the at least one negative voltage generator 100 may implement the at least one current flow control circuit 104 as a unidirectional switch instead of the Zener diode implementation of the at least one current flow control circuit 104.

In aspects, the at least one negative voltage generator 100 may be implemented in the at least one gate driver 200 as illustrated in Figure 1, the at least one negative voltage generator 100 may be implemented in the at least one power device 300 as illustrated in Figure 3, the at least one negative voltage generator 100 may be implemented separate from the at least one gate driver 200 as illustrated in Figure 2, the at least one negative voltage generator 100 may be implemented separate from the at least one power device 300 as illustrated in Figure 2, the at least one negative voltage generator 100 may be implemented separate from the at least one gate driver 200 and the at least one power device 300 as illustrated in Figure 2, and/or the like.

In particular, Figure 4 illustrates an aspect of the at least one negative voltage generator 100 where the at least one energy storage device 102 is implemented as at least one capacitor, the at least one current flow control circuit 104 is implemented as at least one Zener diode, and the at least one current limiting circuit 106 is implemented as at least one resistor.

Further, the at least one negative voltage generator 100 may include at least one diode 112 and at least one diode 108. In aspects, the at least one diode 112 may be at least one Zener diode. In aspects, the at least one diode 108 may be configured to stop a current flow in an opposite direction. In aspects, the at least one diode 108 may be at least one Schottky diode.

In aspects, the at least one energy storage device 102 may be connected between a gate of the at least one power device 300 and the at least one gate driver 200. Further, one end of the at least one energy storage device 102 may connect to the at least one diode 108; and another end of the at least one energy storage device 102 may connect to the at least one gate driver 200. In aspects, the one end of the at least one energy storage device 102 may connect directly to the at least one diode 108; and the another end of the at least one energy storage device 102 may connect directly to the at least one gate driver 200.

Additionally, the at least one diode 108 may connect to the at least one current limiting circuit 106; the at least one current limiting circuit 106 may connect to the at least one current flow control circuit 104; and the at least one current flow control circuit 104 may connect to a source of the at least one power device 300. In aspects, the at least one diode 108 may connect directly to the at least one current limiting circuit 106; the at least one current limiting circuit 106 may connect directly to the at least one current flow control circuit 104; and the at least one current flow control circuit 104 may connect directly to a source of the at least one power device 300.

Additionally, the at least one gate driver 200 may connect to and provide the gate drive signal 202 to the at least one diode 112 and the at least one energy storage device 102. In aspects, the at least one diode 112 and the at least one energy storage device 102 may be configured in a parallel circuit arrangement. Further, when the at least one gate driver 200 provides a high-level of the gate drive signal 202 to the at least one energy storage device 102, a current from the gate drive signal 202 may be blocked by the at least one diode 112. Additionally, when the at least one gate driver 200 provides a high-level of the gate drive signal 202 to the at least one energy storage device 102, a current may flow through the at least one energy storage device 102, the at least one diode 108, the at least one current limiting circuit 106, the at least one current flow control circuit 104, and to a reference voltage 110. In aspects, the reference voltage 110 may be substantially equivalent to a low state of the gate drive signal 202 generated by the at least one gate driver 200. Accordingly, the at least one energy storage device 102 may be charged.

In aspects, the at least one negative voltage generator 100 may generate the resulting gate drive signal 302 as a negative voltage through implementation of the at least one diode 108, the at least one current limiting circuit 106, the at least one current flow control circuit 104, and the at least one energy storage device 102.

In particular, the at least one energy storage device 102 in response to a lower voltage level of the gate drive signal 202 may provide a negative voltage for the resulting gate drive signal 302. In aspects, the at least one negative voltage generator 100 may generate the resulting gate drive signal 302 as a negative voltage through implementation of the at least one diode 108, the at least one current limiting circuit 106, the at least one current flow control circuit 104, and the at least one energy storage device 102 before or more quickly than a voltage of a combination of only the at least one diode 112 and the at least one energy storage device 102. Accordingly, the combination of only the at least one diode 112 and the at least one energy storage device 102 operates to generate a negative voltage very slowly and only after a number of duty cycles of the at least one power device 300.

In particular, Figure 6 illustrates the system 500 having at least two implementations of the at least one negative voltage generator 100, at least two implementations of the at least one gate driver 200, and at least two implementations of the at least one power device 300. Further, each implementation of the at least one power device 300 may implement an anti-parallel diode arranged in parallel with the implementations of the at least one power device 300. Further, the at least one negative voltage generator 100 and/or the at least one gate driver 200 may include additional circuitry (not shown) .

Figure 7 illustrates a graph of gate source voltage with respect to time in an implementation of the at least one negative voltage generator and the at least one power device without implementation of the at least one diode, the at least one current limiting circuit, and/or the at least one current flow control circuit .

In particular, Figure 7 illustrates a graph 401 of gate source voltage with respect to time in an implementation of the at least one negative voltage generator 100 and the at least one power device 300 without implementation of the at least one diode 108, the at least one current limiting circuit 106, and/or the at least one current flow control circuit 104. More specifically, values of the gate source voltage are illustrated along the y-axis and values of time are illustrated along the x-axis.

As shown in Figure 7, the gate source voltage is initially at approximately 0 V and as the cycles of the at least one power device 300 continue, the gate source voltage eventually reaches approximately -2.4 V. Accordingly, operation of the at least one power device 300 may be compromised as a gate voltage may not be sufficiently low.

Figure 8 illustrates a graph of gate source voltage with respect to time in an implementation of the at least one negative voltage generator according to the disclosure with the at least one power device .

In particular, Figure 8 illustrates a graph 402 of gate source voltage with respect to time in an implementation of the at least one gate driver 200 and the at least one power device 300 implemented with the at least one negative voltage generator 100. More specifically, values of the gate source voltage are illustrated along the y-axis and values of time are illustrated along the x-axis.

As shown in Figure 8, the gate source voltage is initially at approximately –2.935 V and as the cycles of the at least one power device 300 continue, the gate source voltage generally maintains this value of the gate source voltage. Accordingly, operation of the at least one power device 300 may not be compromised as a gate voltage may be sufficiently low.

In aspects, the at least one power device 300 may be implemented in a device package. In aspects, the at least one power device 300 and/or the device package may be implemented in various products such as an overmolded platform, case modules, discrete devices, and/or the like. In aspects, the disclosed temperature sensor may be implemented in any type of device including a discrete semiconductor device, a discrete semiconductor device package, a module, a semiconductor module, a power module, a power package, a device package, a case module, an overmolded module, a semiconductor package, and/or the like.

In aspects, the at least one power device 300 and/or the device package may be implemented in numerous circuit topologies including a single switch configuration, half bridge configuration, full bridge configuration, three phase bridge configuration (also called a six pack) , buck configuration, boost configuration, buck-boost configuration, configuration, a common source configuration, a common drain configuration, a neutral point clamp configuration, and/or the like.

In aspects, the at least one negative voltage generator 100, the at least one gate driver 200, the at least one power device 300, and/or the device package may be implemented in a power supply, a battery charger, a motor drive, a power system, a motor system, an automotive motor system, a charging system, an automotive charging system, a vehicle system, an industrial motor drive, an embedded motor drive, an uninterruptible power supply, an AC-DC power supply, a welder power supply, military systems, an inverter, an inverter for wind turbines, solar power panels, tidal power plants, and electric vehicles (EVs) , a converter, motor drives, solar inverters, circuit breakers, protection circuits, DC –DC converters, and/or the like.

The following are a number of nonlimiting EXAMPLES of aspects of the disclosure.

One EXAMPLE: at least one negative voltage generator includes at least one energy storage device. The at least one negative voltage generator in addition includes at least one current flow control circuit. The at least one generator moreover includes at least one current limiting circuit. The at least one generator also includes where the at least one negative voltage generator is configured as a circuit to ensure a resulting gate drive signal is negative.

The above-noted EXAMPLE may further include any one or a combination of more than one of the following EXAMPLES: The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator is configured as a circuit to ensure the resulting gate drive signal is negative after a first switching action of the at least one power device. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one gate driver generates a gate drive signal for controlling a gate of the at least one power device; and the at least one negative voltage generator generates a negative voltage that is combined with the gate drive signal to reduce the resulting gate drive signal provided to the at least one power device to be less than -1 V. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator generates a negative voltage to reduce the resulting gate drive signal provided to the at least one power device to be less than -1 V. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator generates a negative voltage to reduce the resulting gate drive signal provided to the at least one power device to be 1 -V to -2 V. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one power device comprises a SiC MOSFET. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator eliminates a need for an isolation transformer to provide a negative voltage source. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator addresses a reliability problem caused implemented only by a Zener diode and a capacitor ensuring a negative voltage for an off state gate voltage of the at least one power device. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current flow control circuit as at least one Zener diode. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current flow control circuit as at least one Zener diode and/or a voltage detection circuit and switch. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current limiting circuit as at least one resistor. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current limiting circuit as at least one resistor and/or a current limit switch that limits current. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one energy storage device as a capacitor. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one energy storage device as a capacitor and/or an energy storage device. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current limiting circuit and the at least one current flow control circuit as a network configured to provide a low impedance path to charge the at least one energy storage device. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current limiting circuit as a resistor and the at least one current flow control circuit as a Zener diode in a network configured to provide a low impedance path to charge the at least one energy storage device configured as a capacitor. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one energy storage device generates the resulting gate drive signal as a negative voltage at the gate of the at least one power device when the at least one power device is in an off state. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one energy storage device, the at least one current flow control circuit, and the at least one current limiting circuit, as a circuit acting as a short circuit to charge the at least one energy storage device. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one current limiting circuit is configured to limit current. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator is implemented in the at least one gate driver. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator is implemented in the at least one power device. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator is implemented separate from the at least one gate driver. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator is implemented separate from the at least one power device. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator is implemented separate from the at least one gate driver and the at least one power device. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one energy storage device is implemented as a capacitor, the at least one current flow control circuit is implemented as a Zener diode, and the at least one current limiting circuit is implemented as a resistor. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one energy storage device is connected between a gate of the at least one power device and the gate driver. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where one end of the at least one energy storage device is connected to a diode; where the diode is connected to the at least one current limiting circuit; and where the at least one current limiting circuit is connected to the at least one current flow control circuit. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one gate driver is connected to and configured to provide a gate drive signal to the at least one energy storage device. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one power device is implemented in a device package. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator, the at least one gate driver, the at least one power device, and/or the device package are implemented in a power supply, a battery charger, a motor drive, a power system, a motor system, an automotive motor system, a charging system, an automotive charging system, a vehicle system, an industrial motor drive, an embedded motor drive, an uninterruptible power supply, an AC-DC power supply, a welder power supply, an inverter, an inverter for wind turbines, an inverter for solar power panels, an inverter for tidal power plants, and an inverter for electric vehicles (EVs) , a converter, a motor drive, a solar inverter, a circuit breaker, a protection circuit, and/or a DC DC converters. The system of the above-noted EXAMPLE and the system includes the at least one gate driver and the at least one power device. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the system comprises at least two implementations of the at least one negative voltage generator, at least two implementations of the at least one gate driver, and at least two implementations of the at least one power device. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE includes a Zener diode.

One EXAMPLE: at least one negative voltage generator includes at least one energy storage device. The at least one negative voltage generator in addition includes at least one current flow control circuit. The at least one generator moreover includes at least one current limiting circuit. The at least one generator also includes where the at least one gate driver generates a gate drive signal for controlling a gate of the at least one power device; and the at least one negative voltage generator generates a negative voltage that is combined with the gate drive signal to reduce a resulting gate drive signal provided to the at least one power device to be less than -1 V.

The above-noted EXAMPLE may further include any one or a combination of more than one of the following EXAMPLES: The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator is configured as a circuit to ensure the resulting gate drive signal is negative after a first switching action of the at least one power device. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator generates a negative voltage to reduce the resulting gate drive signal provided to the at least one power device to be less than -1 V. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator generates a negative voltage to reduce the resulting gate drive signal provided to the at least one power device to be 1 -V to -2 V. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one power device comprises a SiC MOSFET. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator eliminates a need for an isolation transformer to provide a negative voltage source. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator addresses a reliability problem caused by a Zener diode and a capacitor negative drive circuit implemented by the at least one gate driver by ensuring a negative voltage for an off state gate voltage of the at least one power device. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current flow control circuit as at least one Zener diode. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current flow control circuit as at least one Zener diode and/or a voltage detection circuit and switch. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current limiting circuit as at least one resistor. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current limiting circuit as at least one resistor and/or a current limit switch that limits current. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one energy storage device as a capacitor. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one energy storage device as a capacitor and/or an energy storage device. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current limiting circuit and the at least one current flow control circuit as a network configured to provide a low impedance path to charge the at least one energy storage device. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current limiting circuit as a resistor and the at least one current flow control circuit as a Zener diode in a network configured to provide a low impedance path to charge the at least one energy storage device configured as a capacitor. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one energy storage device generates the resulting gate drive signal as a negative voltage at the gate of the at least one power device when the at least one power device is in an off state. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one energy storage device, the at least one current flow control circuit, and the at least one current limiting circuit, as a circuit acting as a short circuit to charge the at least one energy storage device. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one current limiting circuit is configured to limit current. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator is implemented in the at least one gate driver. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator is implemented in the at least one power device. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator is implemented separate from the at least one gate driver. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator is implemented separate from the at least one power device. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator is implemented separate from the at least one gate driver and the at least one power device. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one energy storage device is implemented as a capacitor, the at least one current flow control circuit is implemented as a Zener diode, and the at least one current limiting circuit is implemented as a resistor. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one energy storage device is connected between a gate of the at least one power device and a source of the at least one power device. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where one end of the at least one energy storage device is connected to a diode; where the diode is connected to the at least one current limiting circuit; and where the at least one current limiting circuit is connected to the at least one current flow control circuit. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one gate driver is connected to and configured to provide a gate drive signal to the at least one energy storage device. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one power device is implemented in a device package. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator, the at least one gate driver, the at least one power device, and/or the device package are implemented in a power supply, a battery charger, a motor drive, a power system, a motor system, an automotive motor system, a charging system, an automotive charging system, a vehicle system, an industrial motor drive, an embedded motor drive, an uninterruptible power supply, an AC-DC power supply, a welder power supply, an inverter, an inverter for wind turbines, an inverter for solar power panels, an inverter for tidal power plants, and an inverter for electric vehicles (EVs) , a converter, a motor drive, a solar inverter, a circuit breaker, a protection circuit, and/or a DC DC converters. The system of the above-noted EXAMPLE and the system includes the at least one gate driver and the at least one power device. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the system comprises at least two implementations of the at least one negative voltage generator, at least two implementations of the at least one gate driver, and at least two implementations of the at least one power device. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE includes a Zener diode.

One EXAMPLE: at least one negative voltage generator includes at least one energy storage device. The at least one negative voltage generator in addition includes at least one current flow control circuit. The at least one generator moreover includes at least one current limiting circuit. The at least one generator also includes where the at least one negative voltage generator is configured as a circuit to ensure a resulting gate drive signal is negative. The at least one generator further includes where the at least one negative voltage generator is configured as a circuit to ensure the resulting gate drive signal is negative after a first switching action of the at least one power device.

The above-noted EXAMPLE may further include any one or a combination of more than one of the following EXAMPLES: The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one gate driver generates a gate drive signal for controlling a gate of the at least one power device; and the at least one negative voltage generator generates a negative voltage that is combined with the gate drive signal to reduce the resulting gate drive signal provided to the at least one power device to be less than -1 V. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator generates a negative voltage to reduce the resulting gate drive signal provided to the at least one power device to be less than -1 V. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator generates a negative voltage to reduce the resulting gate drive signal provided to the at least one power device to be 1 -V to -2 V. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one power device comprises a SiC MOSFET. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator eliminates a need for an isolation transformer to provide a negative voltage source. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator addresses a reliability problem caused implemented only by a Zener diode and a capacitor ensuring a negative voltage for an off state gate voltage of the at least one power device. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current flow control circuit as at least one Zener diode. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current flow control circuit as at least one Zener diode and/or a voltage detection circuit and switch. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current limiting circuit as at least one resistor. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current limiting circuit as at least one resistor and/or a current limit switch that limits current. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one energy storage device as a capacitor. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one energy storage device as a capacitor and/or an energy storage device. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current limiting circuit and the at least one current flow control circuit as a network configured to provide a low impedance path to charge the at least one energy storage device. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current limiting circuit as a resistor and the at least one current flow control circuit as a Zener diode in a network configured to provide a low impedance path to charge the at least one energy storage device configured as a capacitor. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one energy storage device generates the resulting gate drive signal as a negative voltage at the gate of the at least one power device when the at least one power device is in an off state. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one energy storage device, the at least one current flow control circuit, and the at least one current limiting circuit, as a circuit acting as a short circuit to charge the at least one energy storage device. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one current limiting circuit is configured to limit current. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator is implemented in the at least one gate driver. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator is implemented in the at least one power device. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator is implemented separate from the at least one gate driver. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator is implemented separate from the at least one power device. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator is implemented separate from the at least one gate driver and the at least one power device. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one energy storage device is implemented as a capacitor, the at least one current flow control circuit is implemented as a Zener diode, and the at least one current limiting circuit is implemented as a resistor. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one energy storage device is connected between a gate of the at least one power device and the gate driver. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where one end of the at least one energy storage device is connected to a diode; where the diode is connected to the at least one current limiting circuit; and where the at least one current limiting circuit is connected to the at least one current flow control circuit. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one gate driver is connected to and configured to provide a gate drive signal to the at least one energy storage device. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one power device is implemented in a device package. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the at least one negative voltage generator, the at least one gate driver, the at least one power device, and/or the device package are implemented in a power supply, a battery charger, a motor drive, a power system, a motor system, an automotive motor system, a charging system, an automotive charging system, a vehicle system, an industrial motor drive, an embedded motor drive, an uninterruptible power supply, an AC-DC power supply, a welder power supply, an inverter, an inverter for wind turbines, an inverter for solar power panels, an inverter for tidal power plants, and an inverter for electric vehicles (EVs) , a converter, a motor drive, a solar inverter, a circuit breaker, a protection circuit, and/or a DC DC converters. The system of the above-noted EXAMPLE and the system includes the at least one gate driver and the at least one power device. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE where the system comprises at least two implementations of the at least one negative voltage generator, at least two implementations of the at least one gate driver, and at least two implementations of the at least one power device. The at least one negative voltage generator of the above-noted EXAMPLE includes a Zener diode.

Accordingly, the disclosure has set forth a device and process to reliably turn off power devices, such as silicon MOSFETs.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, region, or substrate is referred to as being "on" or extending "onto" another element, it can be directly on or extend directly onto another element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" or extending "directly onto" another element, there are no intervening elements present. Likewise, it will be understood that when an element such as a layer, region, or substrate is referred to as being "over" or extending "over" another element, it can be directly over or extend directly over another element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly over" or extending "directly over" another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to another element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, there are no intervening elements present.

Relative terms such as "below" or "above" or "upper" or "lower" or "horizontal" or "vertical" may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element, layer, or region to another element, layer, or region as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that these terms and those discussed above are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a, " "an, " and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises, " "comprising, " "includes, " and/or "including" when used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

The many features and advantages of the disclosure are apparent from the detailed specification, and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the disclosure which fall within the true spirit and scope of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and, accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to that fall within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

At least one negative voltage generator that is configured for implementation with at least one gate driver and at least one power device, the at least one negative voltage generator comprising:

at least one energy storage device;

at least one current flow control circuit; and

at least one current limiting circuit,

wherein the at least one negative voltage generator is configured as a circuit to ensure a resulting gate drive signal is negative.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 1 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator is configured as a circuit to ensure the resulting gate drive signal is negative after a first switching action of the at least one power device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 1 wherein the at least one gate driver generates a gate drive signal for controlling a gate of the at least one power device; and the at least one negative voltage generator generates a negative voltage that is combined with the gate drive signal to reduce the resulting gate drive signal provided to the at least one power device to be less than -1 V.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 1 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator generates a negative voltage to reduce the resulting gate drive signal provided to the at least one power device to be less than -1 V.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 1 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator generates a negative voltage to reduce the resulting gate drive signal provided to the at least one power device to be 1 -V to -2 V.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 1 wherein the at least one power device comprises a SiC MOSFET.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 1 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator eliminates a need for an isolation transformer to provide a negative voltage source.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 1 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator addresses a reliability problem caused implemented only by a Zener diode and a capacitor ensuring a negative voltage for an off state gate voltage of the at least one power device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 1 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current flow control circuit as at least one Zener diode.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 1 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current flow control circuit as at least one Zener diode and/or a voltage detection circuit and switch.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 1 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current limiting circuit as at least one resistor.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 1 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current limiting circuit as at least one resistor and/or a current limit switch that limits current.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 1 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one energy storage device as a capacitor.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 1 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one energy storage device as a capacitor and/or an energy storage device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 1 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current limiting circuit and the at least one current flow control circuit as a network configured to provide a low impedance path to charge the at least one energy storage device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 1 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current limiting circuit as a resistor and the at least one current flow control circuit as a Zener diode in a network configured to provide a low impedance path to charge the at least one energy storage device configured as a capacitor.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 1 wherein the at least one energy storage device generates the resulting gate drive signal as a negative voltage at the gate of the at least one power device when the at least one power device is in an off state.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 1 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one energy storage device, the at least one current flow control circuit, and the at least one current limiting circuit, as a circuit acting as a short circuit to charge the at least one energy storage device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 1 wherein the at least one current limiting circuit is configured to limit current.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 1 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator is implemented in the at least one gate driver.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 1 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator is implemented in the at least one power device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 1 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator is implemented separate from the at least one gate driver.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 1 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator is implemented separate from the at least one power device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 1 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator is implemented separate from the at least one gate driver and the at least one power device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 1 wherein the at least one energy storage device is implemented as a capacitor, the at least one current flow control circuit is implemented as a Zener diode, and the at least one current limiting circuit is implemented as a resistor.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 1 wherein the at least one energy storage device is connected between a gate of the at least one power device and the gate driver.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 1 wherein one end of the at least one energy storage device is connected to a diode;

wherein the diode is connected to the at least one current limiting circuit; and

wherein the at least one current limiting circuit is connected to the at least one current flow control circuit.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 1 wherein the at least one gate driver is connected to and configured to provide a gate drive signal to the at least one energy storage device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 1 wherein the at least one power device is implemented in a device package.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 29 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator, the at least one gate driver, the at least one power device, and/or the device package are implemented in a power supply, a battery charger, a motor drive, a power system, a motor system, an automotive motor system, a charging system, an automotive charging system, a vehicle system, an industrial motor drive, an embedded motor drive, an uninterruptible power supply, an AC-DC power supply, a welder power supply, an inverter, an inverter for wind turbines, an inverter for solar power panels, an inverter for tidal power plants, and an inverter for electric vehicles (EVs) , a converter, a motor drive, a solar inverter, a circuit breaker, a protection circuit, and/or a DC -DC converters.
A system comprising the at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 1 and the system further comprising the at least one gate driver and the at least one power device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 31 wherein the system comprises at least two implementations of the at least one negative voltage generator, at least two implementations of the at least one gate driver, and at least two implementations of the at least one power device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 1 further comprising a Zener diode.
At least one negative voltage generator that is configured for implementation with at least one gate driver and at least one power device, the at least one negative voltage generator comprising:

at least one energy storage device;

at least one current flow control circuit; and

at least one current limiting circuit,

wherein the at least one gate driver generates a gate drive signal for controlling a gate of the at least one power device; and the at least one negative voltage generator generates a negative voltage that is combined with the gate drive signal to reduce a resulting gate drive signal provided to the at least one power device to be less than -1 V.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 34 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator is configured as a circuit to ensure the resulting gate drive signal is negative after a first switching action of the at least one power device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 34 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator generates a negative voltage to reduce the resulting gate drive signal provided to the at least one power device to be less than -1 V.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 34 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator generates a negative voltage to reduce the resulting gate drive signal provided to the at least one power device to be 1 -V to -2 V.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 34 wherein the at least one power device comprises a SiC MOSFET.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 34 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator eliminates a need for an isolation transformer to provide a negative voltage source.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 34 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator addresses a reliability problem caused by a Zener diode and a capacitor negative drive circuit implemented by the at least one gate driver by ensuring a negative voltage for an off state gate voltage of the at least one power device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 34 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current flow control circuit as at least one Zener diode.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 34 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current flow control circuit as at least one Zener diode and/or a voltage detection circuit and switch.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 34 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current limiting circuit as at least one resistor.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 34 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current limiting circuit as at least one resistor and/or a current limit switch that limits current.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 34 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one energy storage device as a capacitor.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 34 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one energy storage device as a capacitor and/or an energy storage device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 34 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current limiting circuit and the at least one current flow control circuit as a network configured to provide a low impedance path to charge the at least one energy storage device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 34 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current limiting circuit as a resistor and the at least one current flow control circuit as a Zener diode in a network configured to provide a low impedance path to charge the at least one energy storage device configured as a capacitor.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 34 wherein the at least one energy storage device generates the resulting gate drive signal as a negative voltage at the gate of the at least one power device when the at least one power device is in an off state.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 34 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one energy storage device, the at least one current flow control circuit, and the at least one current limiting circuit, as a circuit acting as a short circuit to charge the at least one energy storage device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 34 wherein the at least one current limiting circuit is configured to limit current.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 34 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator is implemented in the at least one gate driver.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 34 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator is implemented in the at least one power device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 34 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator is implemented separate from the at least one gate driver.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 34 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator is implemented separate from the at least one power device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 34 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator is implemented separate from the at least one gate driver and the at least one power device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 34 wherein the at least one energy storage device is implemented as a capacitor, the at least one current flow control circuit is implemented as a Zener diode, and the at least one current limiting circuit is implemented as a resistor.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 34 wherein the at least one energy storage device is connected between a gate of the at least one power device and a source of the at least one power device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 34 wherein one end of the at least one energy storage device is connected to a diode;

wherein the diode is connected to the at least one current limiting circuit; and

wherein the at least one current limiting circuit is connected to the at least one current flow control circuit.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 34 wherein the at least one gate driver is connected to and configured to provide a gate drive signal to the at least one energy storage device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 34 wherein the at least one power device is implemented in a device package.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 61 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator, the at least one gate driver, the at least one power device, and/or the device package are implemented in a power supply, a battery charger, a motor drive, a power system, a motor system, an automotive motor system, a charging system, an automotive charging system, a vehicle system, an industrial motor drive, an embedded motor drive, an uninterruptible power supply, an AC-DC power supply, a welder power supply, an inverter, an inverter for wind turbines, an inverter for solar power panels, an inverter for tidal power plants, and an inverter for electric vehicles (EVs) , a converter, a motor drive, a solar inverter, a circuit breaker, a protection circuit, and/or a DC -DC converters.
A system comprising the at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 34 and the system further comprising the at least one gate driver and the at least one power device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 63 wherein the system comprises at least two implementations of the at least one negative voltage generator, at least two implementations of the at least one gate driver, and at least two implementations of the at least one power device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 34 further comprising a Zener diode.
At least one negative voltage generator that is configured for implementation with at least one gate driver and at least one power device, the at least one negative voltage generator comprising:

at least one energy storage device;

at least one current flow control circuit; and

at least one current limiting circuit,

wherein the at least one negative voltage generator is configured as a circuit to ensure a resulting gate drive signal is negative; and

wherein the at least one negative voltage generator is configured as a circuit to ensure the resulting gate drive signal is negative after a first switching action of the at least one power device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 66 wherein the at least one gate driver generates a gate drive signal for controlling a gate of the at least one power device; and the at least one negative voltage generator generates a negative voltage that is combined with the gate drive signal to reduce the resulting gate drive signal provided to the at least one power device to be less than -1 V.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 66 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator generates a negative voltage to reduce the resulting gate drive signal provided to the at least one power device to be less than -1 V.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 66 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator generates a negative voltage to reduce the resulting gate drive signal provided to the at least one power device to be 1 -V to -2 V.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 66 wherein the at least one power device comprises a SiC MOSFET.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 66 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator eliminates a need for an isolation transformer to provide a negative voltage source.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 66 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator addresses a reliability problem caused implemented only by a Zener diode and a capacitor ensuring a negative voltage for an off state gate voltage of the at least one power device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 66 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current flow control circuit as at least one Zener diode.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 66 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current flow control circuit as at least one Zener diode and/or a voltage detection circuit and switch.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 66 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current limiting circuit as at least one resistor.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 66 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current limiting circuit as at least one resistor and/or a current limit switch that limits current.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 66 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one energy storage device as a capacitor.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 66 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one energy storage device as a capacitor and/or an energy storage device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 66 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current limiting circuit and the at least one current flow control circuit as a network configured to provide a low impedance path to charge the at least one energy storage device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 66 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one current limiting circuit as a resistor and the at least one current flow control circuit as a Zener diode in a network configured to provide a low impedance path to charge the at least one energy storage device configured as a capacitor.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 66 wherein the at least one energy storage device generates the resulting gate drive signal as a negative voltage at the gate of the at least one power device when the at least one power device is in an off state.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 66 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator implements the at least one energy storage device, the at least one current flow control circuit, and the at least one current limiting circuit, as a circuit acting as a short circuit to charge the at least one energy storage device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 66 wherein the at least one current limiting circuit is configured to limit current.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 66 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator is implemented in the at least one gate driver.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 66 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator is implemented in the at least one power device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 66 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator is implemented separate from the at least one gate driver.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 66 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator is implemented separate from the at least one power device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 66 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator is implemented separate from the at least one gate driver and the at least one power device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 66 wherein the at least one energy storage device is implemented as a capacitor, the at least one current flow control circuit is implemented as a Zener diode, and the at least one current limiting circuit is implemented as a resistor.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 66 wherein the at least one energy storage device is connected between a gate of the at least one power device and the gate driver.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 66 wherein one end of the at least one energy storage device is connected to a diode;

wherein the diode is connected to the at least one current limiting circuit; and

wherein the at least one current limiting circuit is connected to the at least one current flow control circuit.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 66 wherein the at least one gate driver is connected to and configured to provide a gate drive signal to the at least one energy storage device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 66 wherein the at least one power device is implemented in a device package.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 93 wherein the at least one negative voltage generator, the at least one gate driver, the at least one power device, and/or the device package are implemented in a power supply, a battery charger, a motor drive, a power system, a motor system, an automotive motor system, a charging system, an automotive charging system, a vehicle system, an industrial motor drive, an embedded motor drive, an uninterruptible power supply, an AC-DC power supply, a welder power supply, an inverter, an inverter for wind turbines, an inverter for solar power panels, an inverter for tidal power plants, and an inverter for electric vehicles (EVs) , a converter, a motor drive, a solar inverter, a circuit breaker, a protection circuit, and/or a DC -DC converters.
A system comprising the at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 66 and the system further comprising the at least one gate driver and the at least one power device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 95 wherein the system comprises at least two implementations of the at least one negative voltage generator, at least two implementations of the at least one gate driver, and at least two implementations of the at least one power device.
The at least one negative voltage generator according to claim 66 further comprising a Zener diode.