US 12,316,097 B2
Polarity protection for a converter
Dustin E. Oelmann, Fargo, ND (US); Richard E. Wainwright, Fargo, ND (US); and Stephen P. Lind, Fargo, ND (US)
Assigned to DEERE & COMPANY, Moline, IL (US)
Filed by Deere & Company, Moline, IL (US)
Filed on Feb. 23, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/173,663.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/369,071, filed on Jul. 22, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0030700 A1, Jan. 25, 2024
Int. Cl. H02H 7/12 (2006.01); H02H 11/00 (2006.01); H02M 3/335 (2006.01); H02H 3/04 (2006.01); H02H 9/00 (2006.01)
CPC H02H 7/1213 (2013.01) [H02H 11/003 (2013.01); H02H 3/04 (2013.01); H02H 9/005 (2013.01); H02M 3/33584 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A direct-current-to-direct-current converter with reverse polarity protection, the converter comprising:
a primary direct current voltage bus at a primary voltage level;
a secondary direct current voltage bus at a secondary voltage level different than the primary voltage level;
a primary inverter bridge configured to convert the primary direct current of the primary direct current bus to corresponding primary alternating current, the primary inverter bridge coupled to the primary direct current voltage bus;
a transformer coupled between the primary alternating current at the primary voltage level and a secondary alternating current at the secondary voltage level;
a secondary rectifier bridge configured to rectify the secondary alternating current to secondary direct current of the secondary direct current bus, the secondary rectifier bridge coupled to the secondary direct current voltage bus;
a removable load or a removable direct current energy source capable of being electrically connected the secondary direct current bus via a switchable electrical connection;
a circuit breaker for interrupting or disconnecting temporarily the switchable electrical connection to one terminal of the secondary direct current bus between the secondary direct current bus and the removable load or removable direct current source;
a reverse polarity detector configured to detect whether a polarity of one of the secondary direct current terminals is reversed in polarity consistent with an improper connection of the removable load or the removable direct current energy source to the secondary direct current terminals;
a protection module or transient clamp comprising a protection semiconductor switch with protection switched terminals and a protection control terminal; and
a controller configured to control a plurality of switches of the circuit breaker and the protection module via a gate driver, the controller activating the circuit breaker responsive to a signal or data message of the reverse polarity detector detecting the improper connection.