US Patent 9356516 Driving apparatus and electric power converter

A driving apparatus includes a first potential line that applies a first potential, a second potential line that applies a second potential, a coil including a first terminal and a second second terminal that is connected to a control terminal of a switching element, a charging switch connected between the first potential line and the first terminal of the coil, a clamp switch provided between the first potential line and the second terminal of the coil, a reverse-flow blocking diode connected in series with the clamp switch between the first potential line and the second terminal of the coil, and a control circuit that controls the charging switch and the clamp switch.