A power conversion device includes a power semiconductor switch module, a driving signal-transmitting circuit, a plurality of failure-detecting circuits, a protection signal transmitting circuit and a control circuit. The driving signal transmitting circuit receives a control signal and generates a driving signal according to the control signal to drive the power semiconductor switch module. The failure detecting circuits generate a fault signal when they detect that one of the power semiconductor switches and/or the driving signal transmitting circuit is malfunctioning. The isolated pulse transforming unit of the protection signal transmitting circuit receives a corresponding fault pulse signal generated according to the fault signal, and outputs a protection pulse signal. The control circuit generates the control signal and receives a protection signal generated according to the protection pulse signal. The control circuit generates a turn off signal according to the protection signal to turn off the power semiconductor switch module.

A power conversion device includes a power semiconductor switch module, a driving signal-transmitting circuit, a plurality of failure-detecting circuits, a protection signal transmitting circuit and a control circuit. The driving signal transmitting circuit receives a control signal and generates a driving signal according to the control signal to drive the power semiconductor switch module. The failure detecting circuits generate a fault signal when they detect that one of the power semiconductor switches and/or the driving signal transmitting circuit is malfunctioning. The isolated pulse transforming unit of the protection signal transmitting circuit receives a corresponding fault pulse signal generated according to the fault signal, and outputs a protection pulse signal. The control circuit generates the control signal and receives a protection signal generated according to the protection pulse signal. The control circuit generates a turn off signal according to the protection signal to turn off the power semiconductor switch module.

In one example, a method includes receiving, at a first time by a power switching device via an input connector of the power switching device, a signal that causes the power switching device to output a power signal to a load via an output connector of the power switching device. In this example, a voltage level of the power signal satisfies a voltage threshold at a second time that is later than the first time. In this example, the method also includes communicating, by the power switching device and during a time period between the first time and the second time, with an external device via the input connector.

In one example, a method includes receiving, at a first time by a power switching device via an input connector of the power switching device, a signal that causes the power switching device to output a power signal to a load via an output connector of the power switching device. In this example, a voltage level of the power signal satisfies a voltage threshold at a second time that is later than the first time. In this example, the method also includes communicating, by the power switching device and during a time period between the first time and the second time, with an external device via the input connector.

An apparatus includes a current sense resistor configured to receive a supply current for one or more devices. The apparatus also includes a current sense amplifier configured to amplify a voltage across the current sense resistor. The apparatus further includes a comparator configured to compare the amplified voltage from the current sense amplifier to a reference voltage. In addition, the apparatus includes an octal driver configured to receive the supply current from the current sense resistor and to control one or more device outputs associated with the one or more devices. The apparatus may also include an optocoupler configured to receive an output from the comparator and, based on the output, control an output enable pin of the octal driver. There could be multiple resistors, amplifiers, comparators, drivers, and optocouplers arranged in multiple circuit branches, which could be configured to control multiple device outputs associated with different groups of devices.

When a temperature is less than a first threshold, a protection circuit unit executes a normal operation by a pulse width modulation. When the temperature is greater than or equal to the first threshold and is less than a second threshold, the protection circuit unit executes a first heat dissipation suppressing operation that suppresses a self-heating of a switching element. When the temperature is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the protection circuit unit executes a full off operation that terminates the switching element. When the temperature is decreased to be less than the first threshold and to be greater than or equal to a third threshold after the temperature becomes greater than or equal to the second threshold, the protection circuit unit executes a second heat dissipation suppressing operation that suppresses a heat dissipated due to an energization of the switching element.

Voltage surge is prevented when the output from a driver of a driving circuit performs a hard shutdown. In this manner, the elements in the driving circuit are prevented from being damaged by the voltage surge. A driving circuit includes a level shift circuit configured to convert an input signal from a preceding-stage circuit into an output signal having a higher voltage than the input signal, and a controller configured to determine whether a switch element is to perform a soft shutdown based on a state signal indicating a state of the preceding-stage circuit. Here, the driving circuit is configured to drive the switch element.

Voltage surge is prevented when the output from a driver of a driving circuit performs a hard shutdown. In this manner, the elements in the driving circuit are prevented from being damaged by the voltage surge. A driving circuit includes a level shift circuit configured to convert an input signal from a preceding-stage circuit into an output signal having a higher voltage than the input signal, and a controller configured to determine whether a switch element is to perform a soft shutdown based on a state signal indicating a state of the preceding-stage circuit. Here, the driving circuit is configured to drive the switch element.

Methods, systems, and apparatus to facilitate a fault triggered diode emulation mode of a transistor. An example apparatus includes a driver to output a control signal to a gate terminal of a transistor of a power converter; and a diode emulation control circuit to, in response to determining a fault corresponding to the transistor, enable the transistor when current flows in a direction from a source terminal of the transistor to a drain terminal of the transistor.

Systems and methods of detecting non-uniform aging and degradation of power assembly units are disclosed. The system may include a first power assembly unit and a second power assembly unit adjacent to the first power assembly unit. Each of the first and second power assembly units has a coupling capacitor and a number of electrical components. The system may further include a current sensor in between the coupling capacitors of the first and second power assembly units to detect a current spike in the coupling capacitors and the electrical components.