Abstract: A mobile environment-controlled unit, such as an over-the-road compartment trailer, having an environmental-control system, such as a refrigeration unit, powered by an alternator and having a high-voltage alternating current (AC) bus. The unit incorporates a high resistance ground scheme and can incorporate a solid-state input module to detect phase-chassis faults. This combination provides an improvement in protection for mobile applications that cannot have a voltage reference (or neutral point) solidly connected to earth ground.

Abstract: A mobile environment-controlled unit, such as an over-the-road compartment trailer, having an environmental-control system, such as a refrigeration unit, powered by an alternator and having a high-voltage alternating current (AC) bus. The unit incorporates a high resistance ground scheme and can incorporate a solid-state input module to detect phase-chassis faults. This combination provides an improvement in protection for mobile applications that cannot have a voltage reference (or neutral point) solidly connected to earth ground.

Abstract: A mobile environment-controlled unit, such as an over-the-road compartment trailer, having an environmental-control system, such as a refrigeration unit, powered by an alternator and having a high-voltage alternating current (AC) bus. The unit incorporates a high resistance ground scheme and can incorporate a solid-state input module to detect phase-chassis faults. This combination provides an improvement in protection for mobile applications that cannot have a voltage reference (or neutral point) solidly connected to earth ground.

Abstract: A mobile environment-controlled unit, such as an over-the-road compartment trailer, having an environmental-control system, such as a refrigeration unit, powered by an alternator and having a high-voltage alternating current (AC) bus. The unit incorporates a high resistance ground scheme and can incorporate a solid-state input module to detect phase-chassis faults. This combination provides an improvement in protection for mobile applications that cannot have a voltage reference (or neutral point) solidly connected to earth ground.

Abstract: A mobile environment-controlled unit, such as an over-the-road compartment trailer, having an environmental-control system, such as a refrigeration unit, powered by an alternator and having a high-voltage alternating current (AC) bus. The unit incorporates a high resistance ground scheme and can incorporate a solid-state input module to detect phase-chassis faults. This combination provides an improvement in protection for mobile applications that cannot have a voltage reference (or neutral point) solidly connected to earth ground.

Abstract: A mobile environment-controlled unit, such as an over-the-road compartment trailer, having an environmental-control system, such as a refrigeration unit, powered by an alternator and having a high-voltage alternating current (AC) bus. The unit incorporates a high resistance ground scheme and can incorporate a solid-state input module to detect phase-chassis faults. This combination provides an improvement in protection for mobile applications that cannot have a voltage reference (or neutral point) solidly connected to earth ground.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for balancing current for each of a plurality of similar phases of a DC/DC boost converter. The method includes the step of measuring a voltage drop of each of the plurality of similar phases at predetermined times by measuring the voltage drop across each phase switching device when current is flowing through the switch. The method also includes the steps of calculating current information for each of the plurality of similar phases in response to the voltage drop measured for each of the plurality of similar phases and balancing current for each of the plurality of similar phases in response to the current information of each of the plurality of similar phases.

Abstract: Systems and/or apparatus are provided for automotive electrical systems having power converters that are coupled by using a transformer. An electrical system comprises a boost converter, wherein a first winding of a transformer is coupled between the input node of the boost converter and a first reference node. The boost converter further includes a switch coupled between the first reference node and a second reference node and a diode coupled between the first reference node and the output node of the boost converter. An energy source is coupled between the input node and the second reference node and a first electrical load is coupled between the output node and the second reference node. The electrical system further comprises a voltage converter having an input coupled to a second winding of the transformer, and a second electrical load coupled to the output of the voltage converter.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for discharging a high-voltage bus using semiconductor devices. A discharge system for a first voltage rail and a second voltage rail comprises a first semiconductor device coupled to a first voltage rail and a second semiconductor device coupled between the first semiconductor device and a second voltage rail. A control circuit is coupled to the first semiconductor device and the second semiconductor device. In response to a discharge condition, the control circuit is configured to activate the first semiconductor device and gradually activate the second semiconductor device, such that the energy potential between the first voltage rail and the second voltage rail is gradually dissipated through the semiconductor devices.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for balancing current for each of a plurality of similar phases of a DC/DC boost converter. The method includes the step of measuring a voltage drop of each of the plurality of similar phases at predetermined times by measuring the voltage drop across each phase switching device when current is flowing through the switch. The method also includes the steps of calculating current information for each of the plurality of similar phases in response to the voltage drop measured for each of the plurality of similar phases and balancing current for each of the plurality of similar phases in response to the current information of each of the plurality of similar phases.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for discharging a high-voltage bus using semiconductor devices. A discharge system for a first voltage rail and a second voltage rail comprises a first semiconductor device coupled to a first voltage rail and a second semiconductor device coupled between the first semiconductor device and a second voltage rail. A control circuit is coupled to the first semiconductor device and the second semiconductor device. In response to a discharge condition, the control circuit is configured to activate the first semiconductor device and gradually activate the second semiconductor device, such that the energy potential between the first voltage rail and the second voltage rail is gradually dissipated through the semiconductor devices.

Abstract: Systems and/or apparatus are provided for automotive electrical systems having power converters that are coupled by using a transformer. An electrical system comprises a boost converter, wherein a first winding of a transformer is coupled between the input node of the boost converter and a first reference node. The boost converter further includes a switch coupled between the first reference node and a second reference node and a diode coupled between the first reference node and the output node of the boost converter. An energy source is coupled between the input node and the second reference node and a first electrical load is coupled between the output node and the second reference node. The electrical system further comprises a voltage converter having an input coupled to a second winding of the transformer, and a second electrical load coupled to the output of the voltage converter.

Abstract: A power converter assembly is provided.

Abstract: An electronic ballast is provided, which includes first and second output nodes, first and second lamp outputs, and a lamp interface network. The lamp interface network includes an LC circuit coupled between at least one of the first and second output nodes and a respective one of the first and second lamp outputs.

Abstract: An electronic ballast is provided, which includes an energy hold-up circuit that maintains operation of an AC discharge load, such as a gas discharge lamp, during at least a portion of a utility source outage.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for charging a high-voltage battery of a hybrid electric vehicle. The high-voltage battery charging apparatus comprises a battery charger configured to provide electrical energy, a battery module configured to store the electrical energy provided by the battery charger, and a high-voltage bus coupled to the battery charger and the battery module, which is configured to transmit the electrical energy from the battery charger and battery module to the electrical system of the hybrid electric vehicle. In addition, the high-voltage battery charging apparatus comprises a bus contactor interposed between the high-voltage bus and the battery charger, which is bus contactor configured to provide a first substantial electrical isolation between the battery charger and the high-voltage bus during a charging period of the battery module.

Abstract: A detection circuit detects a difference between a source current and a return current. The detection circuit includes a constantly biased magnetic core through which conductors of the source and return currents extend, and a sense winding around the core. The sense winding carries an AC signal. A sensing circuit connected with the sense winding senses a change in small signal impedance of the sense winding relative to the core. This detection circuit can be used to protect people and equipment against accidental contact with high-voltage DC systems.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention pertains to a multiple discharge load electronic ballast system, including a distribution bus and a plurality of electronic ballasts. The distribution bus has a nominal distribution power rating. The plurality of electronic ballasts are operatively coupled to the distribution bus. A respective electronic ballast comprises adaptations for DC voltage control and an alternating current (AC) output, and has a maximum ballast power rating. A sum of the maximum ballast power ratings of the plurality of electronic ballasts is greater than the nominal distribution power rating of the distribution bus.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for charging a high-voltage battery of a hybrid electric vehicle. The high-voltage battery charging apparatus comprises a battery charger configured to provide electrical energy, a battery module configured to store the electrical energy provided by the battery charger, and a high-voltage bus coupled to the battery charger and the battery module, which is configured to transmit the electrical energy from the battery charger and battery module to the electrical system of the hybrid electric vehicle. In addition, the high-voltage battery charging apparatus comprises a bus contactor interposed between the high-voltage bus and the battery charger, which is bus contactor configured to provide a first substantial electrical isolation between the battery charger and the high-voltage bus during a charging period of the battery module.

Abstract: A lamp power measurement circuit measures average power delivered to a gas discharge lamp. The circuit includes a voltage sensor having a first measurement output representative of AC voltage across the lamp and a current sensor having a second measurement output representative of AC current through the lamp. A first absolute value circuit is coupled in series with the first measurement output and has a first absolute value output. A second absolute value circuit is coupled in series with the second measurement output and has a second absolute value output. A pulse width modulator modulates one of the first and second absolute value outputs with the other of the first and second absolute value outputs and has a pulse width modulated output. A low-pass filter is coupled in series with the pulse width modulated output and has a DC voltage output representative of average power dissipated through the lamp.