Soft-switching three-phase inverter with phase synchronization
This technology is a smarter control system for three-phase power inverters — the devices that convert DC electricity (from solar panels, batteries, or other sources) into usable AC power. The key innovation is a switching technique called zero voltage switching, which allows the inverter's transistors to turn on and off precisely when voltage across them is near zero, dramatically reducing heat and energy wasted as switching losses. Critically, it does this across all three phases simultaneously while keeping them synchronized, which is the hard engineering problem that prior art hadn't cleanly solved. The result is an inverter that runs cooler, more efficiently, and can operate at higher frequencies — meaning smaller, lighter hardware.
What you could build
A high-efficiency inverter module for solar inverters, EV charging stations, or industrial motor drives where reduced switching losses translate directly into lower operating costs and smaller form factors; target buyers are power electronics OEMs and grid-tied energy system integrators.
Who in Virginia should care
Virginia-based defense contractors, data center operators, and clean energy companies (e.g., Dominion Energy's technology procurement arm) investing in high-efficiency power conversion hardware would be natural licensees or development partners.
Readiness: Lab validated
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Burgos, Rolando, Haryani, Nidhi, Boroyevich, Dushan, Ohn, Sungjae, Burgos, Rolando, Haryani, Nidhi, Boroyevich, Dushan, Ohn, Sungjae
- Granted
- January 5, 2021
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 108870
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.