Ideal Power Converters

Technology

Topology

UPCP

Intellectual Property

Looking Forward

Looking Forward

IPC's topology requires an AC switch that can both conduct and block current flow in either direction. IPC's initial product uses standard silicon IGBTs. Since these devices cannot support this capability, IPC constructed bi-directional switches from four discrete devices - two silicon IGBT and two silicon diodes.

IPC received a $2.5M Department of Energy ARPA-E (Advanced Research Project Agency - Energy) award to develop and commercialize new bi-directional silicon IGBTs (BD-IGBT). IPC is cooperating with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Virginia Tech to develop and commercialize these new BD-IGBT switch components.

A comparison of a phase-leg implementation, consisting of two bi-directional AC switches is shown below. The first shows the current implement with standard IGBT and diodes, and the second is IPC's dual BD-IGBT module implementation.

Successful development of the bi-directional silicon IGBT modules will further improve the competitive advantage that IPC's topology offers in weight, cost, and efficiency over competing topologies.