A microcontroller unit for controlling a three-level inverter including delayed fault protection is provided. The microcontroller unit includes an input port configured to receive a trip signal from a fault detection module, and a plurality of EPWM modules, each configured to control a power switch within the three-level inverter. The microcontroller unit includes an auxiliary EPWM module configured to receive the trip signal and produce a delayed trip signal, and processing circuitry coupled with the input port, the plurality of EPWM modules, and the auxiliary EPWM module. The processing circuitry is configured to, in response to activation of the trip signal, direct one of the plurality of EPWM modules to shut off its corresponding power switch upon activation of the trip signal, and to direct a different one of the plurality of EPWM modules to shut off its corresponding power switch upon activation of the delayed trip signal.

A power converter includes two arms for each phase between DC terminals, and each arm is formed by connecting a plurality of converter cells in series. A control device includes an arm voltage command generation unit which generates, for each arm, an arm voltage command for the plurality of converter cells. The arm voltage command is generated by superimposing a zero-phase-sequence voltage command having a frequency component that is three times an AC fundamental frequency. Phase adjustment of the zero-phase-sequence voltage command is performed on the basis of voltage of a DC capacitor in the converter cell and the arm voltage command.

A power converter includes two arms for each phase between DC terminals, and each arm is formed by connecting a plurality of converter cells in series. A control device includes an arm voltage command generation unit which generates, for each arm, an arm voltage command for the plurality of converter cells. The arm voltage command is generated by superimposing a zero-phase-sequence voltage command having a frequency component that is three times an AC fundamental frequency. Phase adjustment of the zero-phase-sequence voltage command is performed on the basis of voltage of a DC capacitor in the converter cell and the arm voltage command.

A power control system includes a power inverter comprising a first side, a second side, and a plurality of power switches. The second side is configured to connect to an electric machine. A solid state fuse includes a power switch including a first terminal in communication with the first terminal of a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) of the electric vehicle and a second terminal in communication with the first side of the power inverter. A DC-DC converter is configured to convert a first voltage output by the RESS of the electric vehicle to a second voltage. One or more sensors configured to sense one or more operating parameters of the RESS. A fuse controller is configured to receive power from the DC-DC converter, to communicate with the one or more sensors and to cause the power switch to selectively change state in response to changes in the one or more operating parameters.

A power control system includes a power inverter comprising a first side, a second side, and a plurality of power switches. The second side is configured to connect to an electric machine. A solid state fuse includes a power switch including a first terminal in communication with the first terminal of a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) of the electric vehicle and a second terminal in communication with the first side of the power inverter. A DC-DC converter is configured to convert a first voltage output by the RESS of the electric vehicle to a second voltage. One or more sensors configured to sense one or more operating parameters of the RESS. A fuse controller is configured to receive power from the DC-DC converter, to communicate with the one or more sensors and to cause the power switch to selectively change state in response to changes in the one or more operating parameters.

A power conversion device and a motor system according to the present disclosure comprises an inverter circuit which is connected to a motor, a switch circuit, and a control circuit. The power conversion device and the motor system are characterized in that the inverter circuit and the switch circuit are capable of two-level operation and three-level operation, and the control circuit switches between the two-level operation and the three-level operation on the basis of the motor torque command and the rotational speed command. As a result, it is possible to reduce the total loss in the power conversion device and the motor.

A power conversion device and a motor system according to the present disclosure comprises an inverter circuit which is connected to a motor, a switch circuit, and a control circuit. The power conversion device and the motor system are characterized in that the inverter circuit and the switch circuit are capable of two-level operation and three-level operation, and the control circuit switches between the two-level operation and the three-level operation on the basis of the motor torque command and the rotational speed command. As a result, it is possible to reduce the total loss in the power conversion device and the motor.

An apparatus may include a first switch leg connected between a first input terminal and a first output terminal, the first switch leg comprising serially connected switches. The apparatus may also include a second switch leg connected between a second input terminal and the first output terminal, the second switch leg comprising serially connected switches. The apparatus may further include a third switch leg connected between an input voltage midpoint and the first output terminal. A control circuit may control the first switch leg, the second switch leg and the third switch leg.

An apparatus may include a first switch leg connected between a first input terminal and a first output terminal, the first switch leg comprising serially connected switches. The apparatus may also include a second switch leg connected between a second input terminal and the first output terminal, the second switch leg comprising serially connected switches. The apparatus may further include a third switch leg connected between an input voltage midpoint and the first output terminal. A control circuit may control the first switch leg, the second switch leg and the third switch leg.

A bus bar for a plurality of capacitor elements having an equal impedance includes a positive electrode bus bar and a negative electrode bus bar. The positive electrode bus bar and the negative electrode bus bar each includes a main bus bar and branch bus bars. The main bus bar is electrically connected to an electric circuit having a switching element. First ends of the branch bus bars are connected to the main bus bar at different positions, and second ends of the branch bus bars are connected to the capacitor elements. The branch bus bars are configured so that an impedance between the first end and the second end reduces as an impedance between a connecting portion of the main bus bar to the electric circuit and a connecting portion of the first end of the branch bus bar to the main bus bar increases.