Abstract: A method of controlling a supercapacitor energy storage unit (12), included in a motor vehicle micro-hybrid system, is disclosed. The storage unit is suitable for performing the functions of an alternator, starter and automatic stop-restart of the vehicle heat engine, regenerative braking and torque assistance. The energy storage unit (12) is a plurality of supercapacitor elementary cells connected in series (C1 to C10) and capable of delivering information (Vmax, Temp and DeltaV) on its internal status. The method includes various stages of: comparing a maximum elementary voltage (Vmax) with a first voltage threshold (Vmax1); comparing a temperature (Temp) with at least one temperature threshold (ST1=55° C., ST2=65° C. and ST3=70° C.); and, deciding on limitations of the availability of functions of the unit when the (Vmax) information reaches threshold (Vmax1) for a predetermined duration (T) and/or when the (Temp) information reaches the temperature threshold (ST1=55° C., ST2=65° C. and ST3=70° C.).

Abstract: A method for closed-loop control of a DC-DC voltage converter operating in zero-voltage switching mode (ZVS) with a switching threshold (Z) is disclosed. The converter includes a plurality of interlaced cells, each cell having at least two controlled switches, which are alternately closed and open, and an inductor (L) in which an output current flows from the cell, and a clock with a given switching period configured for triggering the switching of the switches between upper (+M) and lower (?M) control thresholds, the control threshold (+M, ?M) with the value nearest to the switching threshold (Z) being denoted as an associated control threshold.

Abstract: The device (10) comprises an energy-storage transformer (14) having magnetically coupled primary and secondary windings (P and L1, L2, L3); a primary circuit (20) connecting the power supply source to a ground (M), and comprising the primary winding (P) and a static main switch (22) connected in series; a secondary winding (S1, S2, S3) designed to be connected to a load, and including the secondary winding (L1, L2, L3); and voltage control means (34) for controlling the static main switch (22) and comprising a first static control switch (36) connecting a control terminal (22A) of the static main switch (22) to ground (M).

Abstract: A micro-hybrid system (1) including an electric energy storage unit (12) and an electronic control unit (14). The storage unit includes a plurality of elementary cells mounted in series. A method includes the steps of: reading the elementary electric voltages of the elementary cells; deriving information on the state of the storage unit from the read voltages; and taking into account in the control unit the state information for defining an optimal driving of the micro-hybrid system. An electric energy storage unit and a micro-hybrid system with braking recovery is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for controlling a switching assembly comprising a plurality of transistors connected in parallel, having a linear operating mode, a closed-switch operating mode and an off operating mode including a first operating phase during which a current flows from a source terminal to a drain terminal and a second operating phase during which no current flows. The method includes the following successive steps; (a) controlling the switching assembly in closed-switch mode during part of the first phase; (b) controlling the switching assembly in linear mode; (c) controlling the assembly in off mode during part of the second phase.

Abstract: The invention relates to an energy storage device, particularly for an automobile, that comprises: an assembly (2) of serially-connected energy storage cells; a balancing circuit adapted for balancing the cells during the discharge thereof by enabling the flow of one or more balancing currents in one or more cells of the assembly (2); optionally a diagnosis system (61) for providing at least one piece of information associated with at least one cell in the assembly; wherein the balancing circuit (10; 41) is adapted for controlling the balancing current(s) based at least on external information independent from the energy-storage cell assembly and/or information associated with at least one of the cells and provided by the optional diagnosis system.

Abstract: The device (10) comprises an energy-storage transformer (14) having magnetically coupled primary and secondary windings (P and L1, L2, L3); a primary circuit (20) connecting the power supply source to a ground (M), and comprising the primary winding (P) and a static main switch (22) connected in series; a secondary winding (S1, S2, S3) designed to be connected to a load, and including the secondary winding (L1, L2, L3); and voltage control means (34) for controlling the static main switch (22) and comprising a first static control switch (36) connecting a control terminal (22A) of the static main switch (22) to ground (M).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for controlling a switching assembly comprising a plurality of transistors connected in parallel, having a linear operating mode, a closed-switch operating mode and an off operating mode including a first operating phase during which a current flows from a source terminal to a drain terminal and a second operating phase during which no current flows. The method includes the following successive steps; (a) controlling the switching assembly in closed-switch mode during part of the first phase; (b) controlling the switching assembly in linear mode; (c) controlling the assembly in off mode during part of the second phase.

Abstract: A rotating electrical machine comprising an electromechanical group with n phases which is adapted in such a way as to convert electrical power into mechanical power, and a static converter circuit which is used to supply the electrical power and comprises n pairs of switching circuits mounted in series. Each pair is coupled to a respective phase of the electromechanical group. A first capacitive decoupling element is connected in parallel to each respective pair of switching circuits, and a damping circuit comprising a resistive element and a second capacitive element is connected in parallel to the first decoupling capacitive element of each respective pair of switching circuits.

Abstract: This device for measuring a chopped current (ie) includes a pulse transformer (10). The transformer includes a primary circuit (12) in which the chopped current flows and a secondary circuit (14) in which there flows an output current (is) that is proportional to the chopped current, the secondary circuit of the transformer having two output terminals (16, 18) between which there is connected an output current measuring circuit (22). The measuring circuit further includes transformer demagnetizing means (20). The measuring circuit includes a switch (32) and means (33) for synchronizing said switch with the chopped current (ie) to enable the output current (is) to flow through the measuring circuit (22) whenever the chopped current is strictly positive and whenever it is strictly negative, and to prevent any flow of current through the measuring circuit when the chopped current is zero.

Abstract: This device for measuring a chopped current (ie) includes a pulse transformer (10). The transformer comprises a primary circuit (12) in which the chopped current flows and a secondary circuit (14) in which there flows an output current (is) that is proportional to the chopped current, the secondary circuit of the transformer having two output terminals (16, 18) between which there is connected an output current measuring circuit (22). The measuring circuit further comprises transformer demagnetizing means (20). The measuring circuit comprises a switch (32) and means (33) for synchronizing said switch with the chopped current (ie) to enable the output current (is) to flow through the measuring circuit (22) whenever the chopped current is strictly positive and whenever it is strictly negative, and to prevent any flow of current through the measuring circuit when the chopped current is zero.

Abstract: The stabilized power supply circuit includes an inlet connected to a hyperresonant chopper circuit associated with a primary winding of a power transformer having at least one secondary winding associated with a rectifier circuit including electronic switches organized as a bridge and connected to a rectifier control circuit so as to be closed in alternation during current inversion in the primary winding of the power transformer and opened during voltage inversion at an inlet of the chopper circuit, it being possible also to provide regulation on one of the outlet circuits by means of a regulation loop connected to a control member of the chopper circuit.