Patent
US 10,366,935ARCHITECTURE OF DRIVE UNIT EMPLOYING GALLIUM NITRIDE SWITCHES
KRISHNAMURTHY, Shashank, WU, Xin, VERONESI, William A., ROGERS, Kyle W.
OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY·16 October 2014·US
Copyright © 2026 Matter42. All rights reserved.
Patent
Atlas literature
Patent
US 10,366,935Patent drawings and their descriptions. Click a drawing to enlarge it.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an elevator drive unit in an exemplary embodiment; [0011]
FIG. 2 depicts a switching assembly in an exemplary embodiment; [0012]
FIG. 3 depicts a switching assembly in another exemplary embodiment; [0013]
FIG. 4 depicts a drive unit printed circuit board in an exemplary embodiment; [0014]
FIG. 5 is a side view of a drive unit printed circuit board in an exemplary embodiment; [0015]
FIG. 6 is a side view of a drive unit printed circuit board in an exemplary embodiment; [0016]
FIG. 7 depicts a drive unit printed circuit board in an exemplary embodiment; and [0017]
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a drive unit printed circuit board in an exemplary embodiment.
Claims define the patent's legal scope. Independent claims stand alone; dependent claims (nested) narrow them. Click a claim to expand its dependents.
A drive unit for driving a motor, the drive unit comprising: a printed circuit board; a first gallium nitride switch having a gate terminal, drain terminal and source term inal, the first gallium nitride switch mounted to the printed circuit board; a second gallium nitride switch having a gate terminal, drain terminal and source terminal, the second gallium nitride switch mounted to the printed circuit board; a gate driver generating a turn-off drive signal to turn off the first gallium nitride switch and turn off the second gallium nitride switch; a first turn-off trace on the printed circuit board, the first turn-off trace directing the turn-off drive signal to the gate terminal of the first gallium nitride switch; and a second turn-off trace on the printed circuit board, the second turn-off trace directing the turn-off drive signal to the gate terminal of the second gallium nitride switch; wherein an impedance of the first turn-off trace is substantially equal to an impedance of the second turn-off trace; a first turn-on trace on the printed circuit board, the first turn-on trace directing the turn-on drive signal to the gate terminal of the first gallium nitride switch; a second turn-on trace on the printed circuit board, the second turn-on trace directing the turn-on drive signal to the gate terminal of the second gallium nitride switch; wherein an impedance of the first turn-on trace is substantially equal to an impedance of the second turn-on trace; wherein the gate driver generates a turn-on drive signal to turn on the first g allium nitride switch and turn on the second gallium nitride switch; a via positioned in one of the first turn-off trace and the second turn-off trace, the via extending through the printed circuit board to render the impedance of the first turn-off trace substantially equal to the impedance of the second turn-off trace. Currently amended
The drive unit of claim 1 wherein: the first gallium nitride switch and the second gallium nitride switch are in electrical parallel. Original
Canceled
Canceled
Canceled
The drive unit of claim 4 -1 _ further comprising: a via positioned in one of the first turn-on trace and the second turn-on trace, the via positioned to render the impedance of the first turn-on trace substantially equal to the impedance of the second turn-on trace. Currently amended
A drive unit for driving a motor, the drive unit comprising: a printed circuit board; a first gallium nitride switch having a gate terminal, drain terminal and source term inal, the first gallium nitride switch mounted to the printed circuit board; a second gallium nitride switch having a gate terminal, drain terminal and source terminal, the second gallium nitride switch mounted to the printed circuit board; a gate driver generating a turn-off drive signal to turn off the first gallium nitride switch and turn off the second gallium nitride switch; a first turn-off trace on the printed circuit board, the first turn-off trace directing the turn-off drive signal to the gate terminal of the first gallium nitride switch; and a second turn-off trace on the printed circuit board, the second turn-off trace directing the turn-off drive signal to the gate terminal of the second gallium nitride switch; wherein an impedance of the first turn-off trace is substantially equal to an impedance of the second turn-off trace; a first turn-on trace on the printed circuit board, the first turn-on trace directing the turn-on drive signal to the gate terminal of the first gallium nitride switch; a second turn-on trace on the printed circuit board, the second turn-on trace directing the turn-on drive signal to the gate terminal of the second gallium nitride switch; wherein an impedance of the first turn-on trace is substantially equal to an impedance of the second turn-on trace; wherein the gate driver generates a turn-on drive signal to turn on the first g allium nitride switch and turn on the second gallium nitride switch; a via positioned in one of the first turn-off trace and the second turn-off trace, the via extending through the printed circuit board to render the impedance of the first turn-off trace substantially equal to the impedance of the second turn-off trace; a heat sink mounted to a surface of the first gallium nitride switch and the second gallium nitride switch. Currently amended
The drive unit of claim 7 wherein: the first gallium nitride switch and second gallium nitride switch are part of a common phase leg of the drive unit. Original
The drive unit of claim 7 wherein: the first gallium nitride switch and second gallium nitride switch are part of different phases legs of the drive unit. Original
The drive unit of claim 7 wherein: no components taller than the first gallium nitride switch and the second gallium nitride switch are mounted on the first side of the printed circuit board. Original
The drive unit of claim 7 further comprising: a power connection electrically connecting the heat sink to a trace on the printed circuit board. Original
The drive unit of claim 7 further comprising: at least one the rm al via positioned adjacent the first gallium nitride switch, the thermal via extending into the printed circuit board away from the first side of the printed circuit board. Original
Canceled
Layer stacks claimed or described, ordered top of device to substrate.
drive unit with GaN switches and impedance-matched turn-off traces
drive unit with GaN switches, impedance-matched traces, and heat sink
Materials described outside the worked examples.
gallium nitride
GaN
Patent
Atlas literature
Patent
US 10,366,935Patent drawings and their descriptions. Click a drawing to enlarge it.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an elevator drive unit in an exemplary embodiment; [0011]
FIG. 2 depicts a switching assembly in an exemplary embodiment; [0012]
FIG. 3 depicts a switching assembly in another exemplary embodiment; [0013]
FIG. 4 depicts a drive unit printed circuit board in an exemplary embodiment; [0014]
FIG. 5 is a side view of a drive unit printed circuit board in an exemplary embodiment; [0015]
FIG. 6 is a side view of a drive unit printed circuit board in an exemplary embodiment; [0016]
FIG. 7 depicts a drive unit printed circuit board in an exemplary embodiment; and [0017]
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a drive unit printed circuit board in an exemplary embodiment.
Claims define the patent's legal scope. Independent claims stand alone; dependent claims (nested) narrow them. Click a claim to expand its dependents.
A drive unit for driving a motor, the drive unit comprising: a printed circuit board; a first gallium nitride switch having a gate terminal, drain terminal and source term inal, the first gallium nitride switch mounted to the printed circuit board; a second gallium nitride switch having a gate terminal, drain terminal and source terminal, the second gallium nitride switch mounted to the printed circuit board; a gate driver generating a turn-off drive signal to turn off the first gallium nitride switch and turn off the second gallium nitride switch; a first turn-off trace on the printed circuit board, the first turn-off trace directing the turn-off drive signal to the gate terminal of the first gallium nitride switch; and a second turn-off trace on the printed circuit board, the second turn-off trace directing the turn-off drive signal to the gate terminal of the second gallium nitride switch; wherein an impedance of the first turn-off trace is substantially equal to an impedance of the second turn-off trace; a first turn-on trace on the printed circuit board, the first turn-on trace directing the turn-on drive signal to the gate terminal of the first gallium nitride switch; a second turn-on trace on the printed circuit board, the second turn-on trace directing the turn-on drive signal to the gate terminal of the second gallium nitride switch; wherein an impedance of the first turn-on trace is substantially equal to an impedance of the second turn-on trace; wherein the gate driver generates a turn-on drive signal to turn on the first g allium nitride switch and turn on the second gallium nitride switch; a via positioned in one of the first turn-off trace and the second turn-off trace, the via extending through the printed circuit board to render the impedance of the first turn-off trace substantially equal to the impedance of the second turn-off trace. Currently amended
The drive unit of claim 1 wherein: the first gallium nitride switch and the second gallium nitride switch are in electrical parallel. Original
Canceled
Canceled
Canceled
The drive unit of claim 4 -1 _ further comprising: a via positioned in one of the first turn-on trace and the second turn-on trace, the via positioned to render the impedance of the first turn-on trace substantially equal to the impedance of the second turn-on trace. Currently amended
A drive unit for driving a motor, the drive unit comprising: a printed circuit board; a first gallium nitride switch having a gate terminal, drain terminal and source term inal, the first gallium nitride switch mounted to the printed circuit board; a second gallium nitride switch having a gate terminal, drain terminal and source terminal, the second gallium nitride switch mounted to the printed circuit board; a gate driver generating a turn-off drive signal to turn off the first gallium nitride switch and turn off the second gallium nitride switch; a first turn-off trace on the printed circuit board, the first turn-off trace directing the turn-off drive signal to the gate terminal of the first gallium nitride switch; and a second turn-off trace on the printed circuit board, the second turn-off trace directing the turn-off drive signal to the gate terminal of the second gallium nitride switch; wherein an impedance of the first turn-off trace is substantially equal to an impedance of the second turn-off trace; a first turn-on trace on the printed circuit board, the first turn-on trace directing the turn-on drive signal to the gate terminal of the first gallium nitride switch; a second turn-on trace on the printed circuit board, the second turn-on trace directing the turn-on drive signal to the gate terminal of the second gallium nitride switch; wherein an impedance of the first turn-on trace is substantially equal to an impedance of the second turn-on trace; wherein the gate driver generates a turn-on drive signal to turn on the first g allium nitride switch and turn on the second gallium nitride switch; a via positioned in one of the first turn-off trace and the second turn-off trace, the via extending through the printed circuit board to render the impedance of the first turn-off trace substantially equal to the impedance of the second turn-off trace; a heat sink mounted to a surface of the first gallium nitride switch and the second gallium nitride switch. Currently amended
The drive unit of claim 7 wherein: the first gallium nitride switch and second gallium nitride switch are part of a common phase leg of the drive unit. Original
The drive unit of claim 7 wherein: the first gallium nitride switch and second gallium nitride switch are part of different phases legs of the drive unit. Original
The drive unit of claim 7 wherein: no components taller than the first gallium nitride switch and the second gallium nitride switch are mounted on the first side of the printed circuit board. Original
The drive unit of claim 7 further comprising: a power connection electrically connecting the heat sink to a trace on the printed circuit board. Original
The drive unit of claim 7 further comprising: at least one the rm al via positioned adjacent the first gallium nitride switch, the thermal via extending into the printed circuit board away from the first side of the printed circuit board. Original
Canceled
Layer stacks claimed or described, ordered top of device to substrate.
drive unit with GaN switches and impedance-matched turn-off traces
drive unit with GaN switches, impedance-matched traces, and heat sink
Materials described outside the worked examples.
gallium nitride
GaN
Patent
Atlas literature
Patent
US 10,366,935Patent drawings and their descriptions. Click a drawing to enlarge it.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an elevator drive unit in an exemplary embodiment; [0011]
FIG. 2 depicts a switching assembly in an exemplary embodiment; [0012]
FIG. 3 depicts a switching assembly in another exemplary embodiment; [0013]
FIG. 4 depicts a drive unit printed circuit board in an exemplary embodiment; [0014]
FIG. 5 is a side view of a drive unit printed circuit board in an exemplary embodiment; [0015]
FIG. 6 is a side view of a drive unit printed circuit board in an exemplary embodiment; [0016]
FIG. 7 depicts a drive unit printed circuit board in an exemplary embodiment; and [0017]
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a drive unit printed circuit board in an exemplary embodiment.
Claims define the patent's legal scope. Independent claims stand alone; dependent claims (nested) narrow them. Click a claim to expand its dependents.
A drive unit for driving a motor, the drive unit comprising: a printed circuit board; a first gallium nitride switch having a gate terminal, drain terminal and source term inal, the first gallium nitride switch mounted to the printed circuit board; a second gallium nitride switch having a gate terminal, drain terminal and source terminal, the second gallium nitride switch mounted to the printed circuit board; a gate driver generating a turn-off drive signal to turn off the first gallium nitride switch and turn off the second gallium nitride switch; a first turn-off trace on the printed circuit board, the first turn-off trace directing the turn-off drive signal to the gate terminal of the first gallium nitride switch; and a second turn-off trace on the printed circuit board, the second turn-off trace directing the turn-off drive signal to the gate terminal of the second gallium nitride switch; wherein an impedance of the first turn-off trace is substantially equal to an impedance of the second turn-off trace; a first turn-on trace on the printed circuit board, the first turn-on trace directing the turn-on drive signal to the gate terminal of the first gallium nitride switch; a second turn-on trace on the printed circuit board, the second turn-on trace directing the turn-on drive signal to the gate terminal of the second gallium nitride switch; wherein an impedance of the first turn-on trace is substantially equal to an impedance of the second turn-on trace; wherein the gate driver generates a turn-on drive signal to turn on the first g allium nitride switch and turn on the second gallium nitride switch; a via positioned in one of the first turn-off trace and the second turn-off trace, the via extending through the printed circuit board to render the impedance of the first turn-off trace substantially equal to the impedance of the second turn-off trace. Currently amended
The drive unit of claim 1 wherein: the first gallium nitride switch and the second gallium nitride switch are in electrical parallel. Original
Canceled
Canceled
Canceled
The drive unit of claim 4 -1 _ further comprising: a via positioned in one of the first turn-on trace and the second turn-on trace, the via positioned to render the impedance of the first turn-on trace substantially equal to the impedance of the second turn-on trace. Currently amended
A drive unit for driving a motor, the drive unit comprising: a printed circuit board; a first gallium nitride switch having a gate terminal, drain terminal and source term inal, the first gallium nitride switch mounted to the printed circuit board; a second gallium nitride switch having a gate terminal, drain terminal and source terminal, the second gallium nitride switch mounted to the printed circuit board; a gate driver generating a turn-off drive signal to turn off the first gallium nitride switch and turn off the second gallium nitride switch; a first turn-off trace on the printed circuit board, the first turn-off trace directing the turn-off drive signal to the gate terminal of the first gallium nitride switch; and a second turn-off trace on the printed circuit board, the second turn-off trace directing the turn-off drive signal to the gate terminal of the second gallium nitride switch; wherein an impedance of the first turn-off trace is substantially equal to an impedance of the second turn-off trace; a first turn-on trace on the printed circuit board, the first turn-on trace directing the turn-on drive signal to the gate terminal of the first gallium nitride switch; a second turn-on trace on the printed circuit board, the second turn-on trace directing the turn-on drive signal to the gate terminal of the second gallium nitride switch; wherein an impedance of the first turn-on trace is substantially equal to an impedance of the second turn-on trace; wherein the gate driver generates a turn-on drive signal to turn on the first g allium nitride switch and turn on the second gallium nitride switch; a via positioned in one of the first turn-off trace and the second turn-off trace, the via extending through the printed circuit board to render the impedance of the first turn-off trace substantially equal to the impedance of the second turn-off trace; a heat sink mounted to a surface of the first gallium nitride switch and the second gallium nitride switch. Currently amended
The drive unit of claim 7 wherein: the first gallium nitride switch and second gallium nitride switch are part of a common phase leg of the drive unit. Original
The drive unit of claim 7 wherein: the first gallium nitride switch and second gallium nitride switch are part of different phases legs of the drive unit. Original
The drive unit of claim 7 wherein: no components taller than the first gallium nitride switch and the second gallium nitride switch are mounted on the first side of the printed circuit board. Original
The drive unit of claim 7 further comprising: a power connection electrically connecting the heat sink to a trace on the printed circuit board. Original
The drive unit of claim 7 further comprising: at least one the rm al via positioned adjacent the first gallium nitride switch, the thermal via extending into the printed circuit board away from the first side of the printed circuit board. Original
Canceled
Layer stacks claimed or described, ordered top of device to substrate.
drive unit with GaN switches and impedance-matched turn-off traces
drive unit with GaN switches, impedance-matched traces, and heat sink
Materials described outside the worked examples.
gallium nitride
GaN
Patent
Atlas literature
Patent
US 10,366,935Patent drawings and their descriptions. Click a drawing to enlarge it.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an elevator drive unit in an exemplary embodiment; [0011]
FIG. 2 depicts a switching assembly in an exemplary embodiment; [0012]
FIG. 3 depicts a switching assembly in another exemplary embodiment; [0013]
FIG. 4 depicts a drive unit printed circuit board in an exemplary embodiment; [0014]
FIG. 5 is a side view of a drive unit printed circuit board in an exemplary embodiment; [0015]
FIG. 6 is a side view of a drive unit printed circuit board in an exemplary embodiment; [0016]
FIG. 7 depicts a drive unit printed circuit board in an exemplary embodiment; and [0017]
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a drive unit printed circuit board in an exemplary embodiment.
Claims define the patent's legal scope. Independent claims stand alone; dependent claims (nested) narrow them. Click a claim to expand its dependents.
A drive unit for driving a motor, the drive unit comprising: a printed circuit board; a first gallium nitride switch having a gate terminal, drain terminal and source term inal, the first gallium nitride switch mounted to the printed circuit board; a second gallium nitride switch having a gate terminal, drain terminal and source terminal, the second gallium nitride switch mounted to the printed circuit board; a gate driver generating a turn-off drive signal to turn off the first gallium nitride switch and turn off the second gallium nitride switch; a first turn-off trace on the printed circuit board, the first turn-off trace directing the turn-off drive signal to the gate terminal of the first gallium nitride switch; and a second turn-off trace on the printed circuit board, the second turn-off trace directing the turn-off drive signal to the gate terminal of the second gallium nitride switch; wherein an impedance of the first turn-off trace is substantially equal to an impedance of the second turn-off trace; a first turn-on trace on the printed circuit board, the first turn-on trace directing the turn-on drive signal to the gate terminal of the first gallium nitride switch; a second turn-on trace on the printed circuit board, the second turn-on trace directing the turn-on drive signal to the gate terminal of the second gallium nitride switch; wherein an impedance of the first turn-on trace is substantially equal to an impedance of the second turn-on trace; wherein the gate driver generates a turn-on drive signal to turn on the first g allium nitride switch and turn on the second gallium nitride switch; a via positioned in one of the first turn-off trace and the second turn-off trace, the via extending through the printed circuit board to render the impedance of the first turn-off trace substantially equal to the impedance of the second turn-off trace. Currently amended
The drive unit of claim 1 wherein: the first gallium nitride switch and the second gallium nitride switch are in electrical parallel. Original
Canceled
Canceled
Canceled
The drive unit of claim 4 -1 _ further comprising: a via positioned in one of the first turn-on trace and the second turn-on trace, the via positioned to render the impedance of the first turn-on trace substantially equal to the impedance of the second turn-on trace. Currently amended
A drive unit for driving a motor, the drive unit comprising: a printed circuit board; a first gallium nitride switch having a gate terminal, drain terminal and source term inal, the first gallium nitride switch mounted to the printed circuit board; a second gallium nitride switch having a gate terminal, drain terminal and source terminal, the second gallium nitride switch mounted to the printed circuit board; a gate driver generating a turn-off drive signal to turn off the first gallium nitride switch and turn off the second gallium nitride switch; a first turn-off trace on the printed circuit board, the first turn-off trace directing the turn-off drive signal to the gate terminal of the first gallium nitride switch; and a second turn-off trace on the printed circuit board, the second turn-off trace directing the turn-off drive signal to the gate terminal of the second gallium nitride switch; wherein an impedance of the first turn-off trace is substantially equal to an impedance of the second turn-off trace; a first turn-on trace on the printed circuit board, the first turn-on trace directing the turn-on drive signal to the gate terminal of the first gallium nitride switch; a second turn-on trace on the printed circuit board, the second turn-on trace directing the turn-on drive signal to the gate terminal of the second gallium nitride switch; wherein an impedance of the first turn-on trace is substantially equal to an impedance of the second turn-on trace; wherein the gate driver generates a turn-on drive signal to turn on the first g allium nitride switch and turn on the second gallium nitride switch; a via positioned in one of the first turn-off trace and the second turn-off trace, the via extending through the printed circuit board to render the impedance of the first turn-off trace substantially equal to the impedance of the second turn-off trace; a heat sink mounted to a surface of the first gallium nitride switch and the second gallium nitride switch. Currently amended
The drive unit of claim 7 wherein: the first gallium nitride switch and second gallium nitride switch are part of a common phase leg of the drive unit. Original
The drive unit of claim 7 wherein: the first gallium nitride switch and second gallium nitride switch are part of different phases legs of the drive unit. Original
The drive unit of claim 7 wherein: no components taller than the first gallium nitride switch and the second gallium nitride switch are mounted on the first side of the printed circuit board. Original
The drive unit of claim 7 further comprising: a power connection electrically connecting the heat sink to a trace on the printed circuit board. Original
The drive unit of claim 7 further comprising: at least one the rm al via positioned adjacent the first gallium nitride switch, the thermal via extending into the printed circuit board away from the first side of the printed circuit board. Original
Canceled
Layer stacks claimed or described, ordered top of device to substrate.
drive unit with GaN switches and impedance-matched turn-off traces
drive unit with GaN switches, impedance-matched traces, and heat sink
Materials described outside the worked examples.
gallium nitride
GaN