This application relates to a cell (1200) or sub-module for a voltage source converter (1201). The cell includes an energy storage apparatus (101; 101a, 101b) and a plurality of dual-switch semiconductor packages (201), each having first and second semiconductor switches (202, 203) connected in series. The cell is operable in an active state in which an energy storage apparatus (101; 101a, 101b) is electrically connected in series between cell terminals (102a, 102b) and a bypass state in the cell terminals (102a, 102b) are electrically connected via a path that bypasses the first energy storage apparatus. The plurality of dual-switch semiconductor switch packages are configured to provide a first set of semiconductor switches (301; 401) connected between nodes of the cell that are electrically connected in the first active state and electrically disconnected in the first bypass state; and a second set of semiconductor switches (302a, 302b; 402a, 402b) is connected between nodes of the cell that are electrically disconnected in the first active state and electrically connected in the bypass state. The second set of switches comprises a greater number of switches in parallel than the first set of switches.

A power converter arrangement includes a semiconductor switch system with a controllable switch. A capacitor unit includes a capacitor having a capacitance value, the capacitor unit being operatively connected to the semiconductor switch system. A conductor arrangement includes a conductor adapted to conduct an electric current between the capacitor unit and the semiconductor switch system. The conductor has a resistance and an inductance. A resonant circuit is formed by the resistance, the inductance and the capacitance, and the power converter arrangement includes at least one attenuating element for attenuating an electrical ringing in the resonant circuit. The attenuating element is conductively isolated from the resonant circuit. The attenuating element includes ferromagnetic material, and the attenuating element is magnetically coupled to the conductor such that variations in the electric current intensity of the conductor induces eddy currents within the attenuating element.

A connection structure of a snubber circuit within a semiconductor device includes: a first substrate having a first electrode wiring line; a second substrate facing the first substrate, the second substrate having a second electrode wiring line facing the first electrode wiring line; and a stack ceramic capacitor having connection terminals provided on opposite ends, respectively, of the stack ceramic capacitor installed in an upright position in such a manner that entire surfaces of the connection terminals are connected to the first and second electrode wiring lines, respectively, where the stack ceramic capacitor is installed adjacent to a switching element attached on the first substrate, and the connection terminal and one electrode terminal on the switching element are connected with the first electrode wiring line interposed therebetween.

A voltage converter for direct current includes a power converter circuit having a transformer, a switch converter bridge on a primary-side of the transformer, and a full-bridge rectifier on a secondary side of the transformer. The full-bridge rectifier has first and second rectifier branches. A capacitor is asymmetrically connected to the second rectifier branch.

The present disclosure, in an aspect thereof, has an object to effectively reduce transient current in a rectifier circuit. In a rectifier circuit, a current flows from a power supply to a coil when a transistor is turned on. Then, when the transistor is turned off, a second rectifier current flows from the coil to a second rectifier.

The invention describes a system (100) for transferring electrical power to an electrical load (110), comprising: a direct electrical voltage source (105), and at least one wave generator (145) adapted for converting the direct electric voltage into voltage waves to be transmitted to the electrical load (110); wherein said wave generator (145) comprises at least: an active switch (180) provided with two connection terminals (185, 190) and adapted for being controlled by an electric control signal between a saturation condition, in which it allows the passage of electrical current between said connection terminals (185, 190), and a prevention condition, in which it prevents said passage of electrical current, and a resonant circuit (200) sized to reduce the electrical power applied to said active switch (180) in the moments in which said active switch switches from the saturation condition to the prevention condition and vice-versa; and wherein said resonant circuit (200) comprises at least: a central electrical node (215) to which a first connection terminal (185) of the active switch (180) is connected, a first electrical branch (205) extending between said central electrical node (215) and a first terminal (210), a second electrical branch (220) extending between said central electrical node (215) and the first terminal (210) or between said central electrical node (215) and a further terminal (235) connected to a reference voltage, a resonance inductance (225) arranged on the first electrical branch (205), and a resonance capacity (230) arranged on the second electrical branch (220).

A snubber module is provided, which constitutes a snubber apparatus attachable to a terminal of a semiconductor module. The snubber module includes: a positive-side capacitor, a first diode and a negative-side capacitor sequentially connected between a positive-side snubber terminal and a negative-side snubber terminal, the positive-side snubber terminal connectable to a positive-side terminal of the semiconductor module, and the negative-side snubber terminal connectable to a negative-side terminal of the semiconductor module; a first coupling terminal directly or indirectly connected to one node of either a first node between the positive-side capacitor and the first diode or a second node between the negative-side capacitor and the first diode; and a housing accommodating the positive-side capacitor, the negative-side capacitor and the first diode, and having provided therein the positive-side snubber terminal, the negative-side snubber terminal and the first coupling terminal in a manner enabling external connection.

A DC-DC converter includes an input voltage source in series with a parasitic capacitance. The voltage changes and causes resonant ringing, wherein the input voltage source is connected to a rectifier means which is connected to an output circuit. A passive clamp circuit across the rectifier means includes a clamp diode, a clamp capacitor, and an auxiliary circuit. The auxiliary circuit includes first and second rectifiers in series with an electronic component having first and second terminals. The first rectifier has an anode connected with the passive clamp circuit, and a cathode connected to the second terminal of the electronic component. The second rectifier has a cathode connected with the anode of the first rectifier, and an anode connected with the first terminal of the electronic component. Some of the leakage inductance transfers to an auxiliary energy storage and damps the resonant ringing.

A snubber circuit connected to a rectifying circuit including a reference voltage node and a switch node, the snubber circuit comprises a snubber capacitor; and a P-type MOS transistor, wherein a positive electrode of the snubber capacitor is connected to the switch node, and a drain of the P-type MOS transistor is connected to a negative electrode of the snubber capacitor, and a source of the P-type MOS transistor is connected to the reference voltage node.

An on-board charger is provided with a bulk capacitor adapted to couple to a vehicle traction battery and a relay for receiving electrical power from an external power supply and to pre-charge the bulk capacitor. A power factor correction (PFC) circuit is connected between the bulk capacitor and the relay. The PFC circuit includes a switch that is adjustable between an on-position and an off-position. The switch enables current flow from the relay to the bulk capacitor in the off-position. A snubber circuit is coupled to the switch to damp a transient voltage present at the switch during a transition from the on-position to the off-position. A processor is programmed to control the switch.