Substitute Or Emergency Source Patents (Class 307/64)
  • Patent number: 9236769
    Abstract: A control unit of an uninterruptible power supply device includes a PWM circuit generating a plurality of PWM signals controlling a plurality of IGBT elements of a power conversion unit; a plurality of output terminals for supplying the plurality of PWM signals to the plurality of IGBTs; and a switching circuit arranging the plurality of PWM signals in order in accordance with the type of the uninterruptible power supply device and supplying the PWM signals to the plurality of output terminals. Accordingly, the control unit can be shared among a plurality of types of uninterruptible power supply devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eduardo Kazuhide Sato, Masahiro Kinoshita, Yushin Yamamoto, Tatsuaki Amboh, Katsumi Ikeda
  • Patent number: 9235248
    Abstract: A power distribution device includes a number (N, N?2) of power input terminals, a number (M, M?2) of power output terminals, and a number (M) of power distribution circuits, each electrically coupled to a corresponding one of the power output terminals and electrically coupled to a number (P, P?2) of the power input terminals. Each of the power distribution circuits includes a number (P) of diodes each electrically coupled between a respective one of the power input terminals and the corresponding one of the power output terminals, a switch element connected in parallel to one of the diodes, and a controller controlling the switch element to operate in a conducting state when the controller determines that power received at the power input terminal connected to the switch is normal, and controlling the switch element to operate in a non-conducting state when the power is abnormal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: AOPEN, INC.
    Inventors: Sheng-Hsiung Cheng, Ting-Yu Chang
  • Patent number: 9231438
    Abstract: An system and method to automatically disconnect a retrofit electrical unit from an electrical system in the event of an emergency situation and maintain power to the retrofit electrical unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Aspen Avionics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Bethel, Peter Lyons
  • Patent number: 9231487
    Abstract: FETs disposed in a DC/DC converter are each driven by a drive transformer. A voltage from a single drive power supply disposed in common for the FETs is divided into positive and negative biases to be applied to the FETs, and an operational state of the FETs is detected based on voltage signals. A sequence circuit turns on an input from a three-phase AC power supply by driving a relay circuit at a time point when it is confirmed that the FETs have normally started stable ON/OFF operation, and drives a power factor improvement circuit, which converts AC voltage from the three-phase AC power supply into a DC voltage by simultaneously performing full-wave rectification and power factor improvement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasuji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9228750
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration system includes one or more variable frequency drives (VFD) controlled by one or more VFD controllers, which are configured to provide three-phase power to one or more three-phase AC motors and single-phase power to one or more single-phase AC motors. The system also includes a power source controller configured to select from a plurality of power sources based on availability of one or more power sources and time so as to maximize the economic efficiency of operating the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: ROCKY RESEARCH
    Inventors: Uwe Rockenfeller, Paul Sarkisian, Kaveh Khalili, Warren Harhay
  • Patent number: 9225558
    Abstract: A method for receiving a signal, which is transmitted over a pair of wires is measuring a differential mode (DM) signal and is measuring a common mode (DM) signal and using both DM and CM to restore the original signal. A corresponding receiver (1) comprises a CM receiving path (3), a DM receiving path (2) and a digital signal processor (22) to combine CM and DM signals. With this method and receiver (1) the coverage of networks, which are slightly unbalanced, can be enhanced, especially in cases where the CM signal is less attenuated than the DM signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: SONY Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Schwager, Stephen Tiedemann, Dietmar Schill
  • Patent number: 9206684
    Abstract: A system can include a transformer and a rectifier to derive DC power from AC power at a wye point of an electric motor; a sensor that includes a sensor signal output to output a sensor signal; a telemetry driver that includes a DC power input to receive the derived DC power and that includes an input to receive the sensor signal and an output to output a data signal representing the sensor signal; and circuitry to deliver the data signal representing the sensor signal to the wye point of the electric motor. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Luis Parra, Fraz Ahmad Kharal, Jostein Fonneland, John A. Booker
  • Patent number: 9203238
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a power supply method, including: rectifying a second alternating current, and converting the second alternating current into a second high voltage direct current; when the second high voltage direct current is abnormal, inputting a third high voltage direct current to a DC/DC module; when the second high voltage direct current is normal, inputting the second high voltage direct current to the DC/DC module; and converting, by the DC/DC module, the second high voltage direct current or the third high voltage direct current into a low voltage direct current for outputting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Qingyin Fang
  • Patent number: 9195288
    Abstract: A battery backup system includes a base and a plurality of battery backup modules. The base has a plurality of receiving portions. Each of the battery backup modules includes a first modular casing, a microcontroller, an energy storage unit and a DC-DC converting circuit. The microcontroller is disposed in the first modular casing. The energy storage unit is disposed in the first modular casing and connected with the microcontroller for charging or discharging electrical energy. The DC-DC converting circuit is disposed in the first modular casing and connected with the microcontroller for converting a DC voltage. The first modular casing is swappable to be accommodated within one of the receiving portions of the base. When the first modular casing is accommodated within the receiving portion, the energy storage unit is controlled to charge or discharge electrical energy by the microcontroller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Chih-Chiang Chan, Miao-Jen Cheng, Yu-Chi Jen
  • Patent number: 9197098
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a standby power system. The standby power system includes a sensor that is adapted to monitor a primary power source which provides power to a load. In some embodiments, the sensor may monitor characteristics of the power supplied by the primary power source 12 that may be used to sense abnormalities. The standby power system further includes a generator that is also adapted to supply power to the load. As an example, the generator may include an internal combustion engine that drives an alternator. The standby power system further includes a generator controller that operates the generator and exchanges data with the sensor. The generator controller predicts a need to supply power to the load based on data received from the sensor. The generator controller then acts to minimize a time to availability of the generator based on the prediction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Douglas W. Dorn, Richard A. Mauk
  • Patent number: 9188101
    Abstract: A power circuit includes a boost circuit having a boost switching element, a coil provided between a battery and the boost switching element and a rectifier element provided between the coil and a load, a first switch connected to the boost circuit in parallel, a current detection circuit detecting current flowing through the first switch and a control circuit turning on the first switch during a normal state other than a restart of an engine after an idling stop and turning off the first switch and controlling an operation of the boost switching element at a restart of the engine after an idling stop so that voltage of the battery is boosted and supplied to the load. The control circuit determines based on the current detected by the current detection circuit during the normal state whether or not the first switch has an open fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventor: Norihisa Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 9190827
    Abstract: Systems and methods for softly restarting a power network using an inverter-controlled energy storage system are provided. In response to an event such as a fault or other condition, a power network bus that provides power to one or more industrial loads (e.g. motors) can be disconnected from the utility grid. Instead of automatically recoupling the power network bus to the grid after a specified time period, a soft restart is accomplished by pre-energizing the power network bus with an energy storage system (ESS) according to a ramp up process and synchronizing the power network bus with the utility grid while the power network bus operates in an islanded mode. The power network bus can then be reconnected to the utility grid, for instance, by reclosing the one or more circuit breakers coupled between the power network bus and the utility grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Inventors: Roger A. Dougal, Asif Anwar, Yucheng Zhang
  • Patent number: 9172267
    Abstract: A consumer device presentation unit is disclosed. The consumer device presentation unit includes at least a first electric consumer device including at least a first rechargeable energy storage; at least a first autonomous energy provision unit; and a charge module coupled at least to the first autonomous energy provision unit and the first electric consumer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: BRAUN GMBH
    Inventors: Leo Faranda, Alexander Hilscher, Thomas Hoenig, Felix Koenig, Christian Mandl
  • Patent number: 9172273
    Abstract: A smooth switching device and method for double power supplies. The devices includes a main/backup power supply switching unit (1), a relay control unit (3), a charge management unit (2), a main power supply switching auxiliary unit (4) and a backup power supply switching auxiliary unit (5). The device and the method enable the main power supply (200) and the backup power supply (300) which supply power for electric equipment (100) to be switched smoothly, so that it is not easy for the electric equipment (100) to be disconnected with the power supplies and the fluctuation of a load voltage is small. Moreover, the device doesn't need a bulk capacitor used for auxiliary switching and doesn't need to be used together with a radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Hytera Communications Corp., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chunrong Yan
  • Patent number: 9166404
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a power supply method, including: rectifying a second alternating current, and converting the second alternating current into a second high voltage direct current; when the second high voltage direct current is abnormal, inputting a third high voltage direct current to a DC/DC module; when the second high voltage direct current is normal, inputting the second high voltage direct current to the DC/DC module; and converting, by the DC/DC module, the second high voltage direct current or the third high voltage direct current into a low voltage direct current for outputting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Qingyin Fang
  • Patent number: 9161401
    Abstract: An LED lighting device includes an auxiliary power supply that supplies power to a control circuit of the LED lighting device that receives an input from a terminal of a light-emitting diode (LED) string of the lighting device that has a substantially lower voltage than the line voltage to which the lighting device is connected. The terminal may be within the LED string, or may be an end of the string. A linear regulator may be operated from the voltage drop across a number of the LEDs in the string so that the energy wasted by the auxiliary power supply is minimized. In other designs, the auxiliary power supply may be intermittently connected in series with the LED string only when needed. The intermittent connection can be used to forward bias a portion of the LED string when the voltage supplied to the LED string is low, increasing overall brightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Inventors: John L. Melanson, Eric King, Rahul Singh
  • Patent number: 9160202
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs) are provided. In one example, a system may include an inverter feed path to supply a first amount of power to a load and a bypass feed path to supply a second amount of power to the load. A controller may generate command the inverter feed path and the bypass feed path to vary the first amount of power and the second amount of power based at least in part on an occurrence of a power supply disturbance and a type or severity, or both, of the power supply disturbance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Silvio Colombi, Andrea Lauro Delmuè, Lorenzo Giuntini
  • Patent number: 9154000
    Abstract: In this uninterruptible power supply apparatus, even after electric power supply to a load stops due to prolonged power failure time, the operation of an inverter is continued, a DC power supply voltage is generated based on an output of the inverter, and a control circuit is driven by the DC power supply voltage. Therefore, when electric power supply from a commercial AC power supply is resumed during the stop of electric power supply to the load, electric power supply to the load is automatically resumed by the control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eduardo Kazuhide Sato, Masahiro Kinoshita, Yushin Yamamoto, Tatsuaki Amboh
  • Patent number: 9148021
    Abstract: A method for controlling an alternating current (AC) output of a photovoltaic (PV) device, and an AC PV device are introduced herein. The method includes: receiving solar radiant energy by using a PV cell array and then converting the solar radiant energy into a direct current (DC) energy output; and selecting an arrangement and combination sequence of the PV cells by using a control module, to vary a voltage according to a timing (frequency), so that a sine-like wave output is obtained at an output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Jung-Tsung Hsu, Wen-Yung Yeh, Ming-Hsien Wu, Wen-Yih Liao, Mu-Tao Chu
  • Patent number: 9142899
    Abstract: A power backfeed apparatus includes a housing configured be removably positioned in a compartment of a motor control center (MCC), a contact assembly supported by the housing and comprising at least one contact configured to face a corresponding at least one power conductor of the MCC when the housing is disposed in the compartment and a power cable connector supported by the housing and configured to support connection of an external power cable thereto when the housing is disposed in the compartment, the power cable connector configured to be electrically coupled to the at least one contact of the contact assembly. A contact engagement mechanism forces the at least one contact into contact with the at least one power conductor to electrically couple the at least one contact and the at least one power conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel Jason Leeman, Robert Allan Morris
  • Patent number: 9142974
    Abstract: A configurable power supply system is disclosed. The configurable power supply system comprises a power source for providing input power, a switch, coupled to the power source, for enabling a bypass path for outputting the input power to an output node as an output power when turned on; a rechargeable battery module for storing the input power for outputting a battery power; a charging unit, coupled between the power source and the rechargeable battery module, for charging the rechargeable battery module with the input power; a converting unit, coupled to the rechargeable battery module, for converting the battery power to generate the output power; and a control unit, coupled to the switch, the charging unit, and the converting unit, for controlling functions of the switch, the charging unit, and the converting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Energy Pass Incorporation
    Inventors: Hsueh-Wen Tseng, Chia-Hsieh Wu, Chao-Hsuan Liu, Ying-Che Lo
  • Patent number: 9134774
    Abstract: Power is shared between network devices through a power cable having a first connector at a first end thereof and a second connector at a second end thereof. The first connector comprises a first connection portion for connection with a power sharing connector of a network device and a second connection portion for connection with a connector of another power cable. The second connector comprises a first connection portion for connection with a power sharing connector of a network device and a second connection portion for connection with a connector of another power cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Keng Kok Khoo, Kum Cheong Adam Chan, Tze Yen Loh
  • Patent number: 9120364
    Abstract: A method for generating electricity from solar power to a liftgate, relying on a photovoltaic panels (1) circuit interruption device (3,9); charge controller (4); batteries (5); liftgate (7); electrical wires, and fuses. The photovoltaic panel(s) will generate electrical power that will provide sufficient power to run the liftgate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: GREEN SOLAR TRANSPORTATION LLC
    Inventors: Chris John Reichart, Gerald G. Glass
  • Patent number: 9120576
    Abstract: This assembly (24) includes an emergency electricity generator (60). The electricity generator assembly (24) is controllable between an inactive rest configuration and an active configuration for producing energy in which the emergency electricity generator (60) delivers emergency electric energy to the electric network (20), without being electrically powered by the electric network (20). The emergency electric power generation assembly (24) is able to be placed in an intermediate standby configuration, in which the emergency electric power generation assembly (24) is electrically powered by the electric network (20) so that the emergency electricity generator (60) produces standby electric energy of lower power than the power delivered by the emergency electricity generator (60) in the active configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: DASSAULT AVIATION
    Inventors: Renaud Loison, Olivier Savin
  • Patent number: 9122466
    Abstract: Reconfiguring a power system for an electrical load includes establishing a secondary feed to an electrical load that is receiving power from a primary power source. A set of secondary feed lines is coupled between a donor power source and a power input to the electrical load such that the set of secondary feed lines is configured to supply power from the donor power source to the electrical load. An automatic transfer switch is coupled in parallel with the set of secondary feed lines. The electrical load is transferred by the automatic transfer switch from the donor power source to the primary power source for the reconfiguration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Noel Kellett, Patrick Hughes, Jonathan David Hay
  • Patent number: 9118201
    Abstract: A control system includes a first switching module and a second switching module. The second switching module is operably connected to the first switching module. The control system is configured to be selectably connected to at least two of an energy dissipation system, an external energy storage system, or an internal energy storage system. When the control system is selected for electrical communication with one of the at least two of an energy dissipation system, external energy charging system, or internal energy storage system, the first and second switching modules control the path of a current distributed through the one of the at least two of an energy dissipation system, external energy charging system, or internal energy storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar
  • Patent number: 9112376
    Abstract: An AC backup power system controls a power supply to selectively connect to a primary AC power source or a backup AC power source through a switching module. The switching module is controlled by a monitoring module. The monitoring module has a power monitoring unit, a first circuit switch, a second circuit switch, and a first processor. When the power monitoring unit detects an interruption of primary AC current, the first circuit switch that is normally closed is immediately turned off. The first processor then drives the switching module to connect to the backup AC power source. Once the backup AC power source reaches the zero-crossing point, the second circuit switch is turned on so that the backup AC power source provides power to the power supply. The power supply receives power at the zero-crossing point to avoid problems of sparks and coke deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: ACBEL POLYTECH INC.
    Inventors: Shih-Yuan Wang, Wen-Nan Lin
  • Patent number: 9106087
    Abstract: The invention is a device and method for eliminating core excitation losses in a distribution transformer when the transformer is not supplying power to loads. The invention consists of sensors, a control circuit, a user interface and a power contactor. The power contactor is connected on the line side of a transformer and is opened or closed automatically based on preprogrammed time or load criteria determined by the control circuit. In one operational mode and when the transformer is disconnected from the line, the control board generates low power pulses at the transformer load connection points in order to “search” for loads. If a load is detected, the transformer is reconnected by way of contactor closure. If the transformer load drops to zero, for a predetermined amount of time, the transformer is again disconnected and the pulsed load search is reestablished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC SOLAR INVERTERS USA, INC.
    Inventor: Rick West
  • Patent number: 9098276
    Abstract: A redundant power supply method is provided. The method includes communicatively coupling a load to a first source via a plurality of first power supplies and to a second source via a plurality of second power supplies. The method further includes bi-directionally communicatively coupling a controller to the plurality of first power supplies and to the plurality of second power supplies. The method includes activating a first portion of the plurality of first power supplies to supply power to the load, wherein the controller determines the number (“N”) of first power supplies activated, and activating at least one of the plurality of second power supplies to supply power to the load. The method also includes monitoring for at least one fault condition in each of the active first power supplies and in each of the active second power supplies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Daniel Humphrey, Reynaldo P. Domingo, Mohamed Amin Bernat, Xiqun Zhu
  • Patent number: 9093859
    Abstract: A DC power system and a system controller for the DC power system are disclosed herein. The architecture of the DC power allows optimizing efficiency thereof. In one embodiment, the DC power system includes: (1) a battery configured to provide transitional DC power to a load bus of the DC power system, the battery indirectly coupled to the load bus, (2) a source connection circuit configured to conditionally connect the battery to the load bus and (3) a DC power system controller configured to direct the source connection circuit to connect the battery to the load bus in response to an outage of an AC input of the DC power system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Richard Hock
  • Patent number: 9089011
    Abstract: Various arrangements of a rechargeable lighting appliance are presented. The rechargeable lighting appliance may include a light. A rechargeable battery may be connected with the light. The rechargeable lighting appliance may include a communication interface configured to receive an enablement period. The rechargeable lighting appliance may include a non-transitory machine-readable storage device configured to store an indication of the enablement period. The rechargeable lighting appliance may include one or more processors. The one or more processors may be configured to control a mode of the rechargeable lighting appliance. The mode may be configured to be set to a first mode or a second mode. The first mode may permit illumination of the light at least partially based on activation of the enablement period stored by the non-transitory machine-readable storage device. The second mode may allow for unlimited illumination of the light without activation of the enablement period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: SONOPRO POWER & LIGHT, INC.
    Inventors: John Steininger, Douglas Vilsack, David Gelvin, Timothy Tillson
  • Patent number: 9088170
    Abstract: A power storage system includes an electric power conversion apparatus, an electric power generation source, and a power storage unit. The power storage unit is configured to have a stored power voltage equal to or higher than a first control voltage to be given to a control unit, the first control voltage being necessary for electric power conversion operation by a DC-DC converter in the electric power conversion apparatus. The control unit in the electric power conversion apparatus is configured to start operating and control an operation of a first switch, when a generated power voltage of the electric power generation source reaches a second control voltage lower than the first control voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kohtaroh Kataoka, Masaru Nomura, Masatomi Harada, Hiroshi Iwata
  • Patent number: 9088175
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus including: N+m power source conversion modules, where N power source conversion modules are main power source conversion modules; a power source conversion module includes a detection and switching unit and a conversion unit, where the detection and switching unit is separately connected to an output end of a first alternating current power source and an output end of a second alternating current power source, and the detection and switching unit is configured to monitor in real time a working state of the first alternating current power source and a working state of the second alternating current power source, close a channel between the conversion unit and one power source, which is in a normal working state, of the first alternating current power source and the second alternating current power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Qingyin Fang
  • Patent number: 9083200
    Abstract: Disclosed is an uninterruptible power supply, including a rectifier for generating a DC voltage; an energy storage unit; an inverter for converting the DC voltage into a three-phase modulating voltage; a filter; a bypass switch circuit for selectively outputting a three-phase AC voltage or the three-phase modulating voltage as a three-phase load voltage; and a control circuit for controlling the operation of the uninterruptible power supply. The control circuit may use a flux compensation block with different operating modes to adjust the three-phase load voltage at the startup phase of a second inductive load and at the stable phase of the second inductive load, thereby compensating or correcting the flux of the second inductive load to prevent the flux distribution of the second inductive load from being saturated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignees: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC., NATIONAL TSING HUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Wen-Yin Tsai, Jen-Chung Liao, Po-Tai Cheng, Yu-Hsing Chen
  • Patent number: 9079503
    Abstract: Various systems and method for generating electrical power in a rail vehicle are provided. In one embodiment, a vehicle system includes an electrical power generation unit operatively coupled with a drive shaft of an engine. The electrical power generation unit includes a fraction alternator and a head-end-power (HEP) alternator. The traction alternator is excited by power electronics positioned external to the traction alternator. The HEP alternator is self-excited by an exciter winding positioned in the HEP alternator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Daigle, Bret Dwayne Worden, Maksim Borisenko
  • Patent number: 9075092
    Abstract: A method for obtaining electric power information is applied with a power supply and includes following steps of coupling the power supply to an AC power source; detecting a voltage of the AC power source to obtain a first voltage; detecting a frequency of the AC power source to obtain a first frequency; and estimating an electric power information of the power supply in accordance with the first voltage and the first frequency. The electric power information includes an input current, an input voltage or an input power outputted from the AC power source to the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Sheng-Hsien Lin, Chung-Ping Ku
  • Patent number: 9069537
    Abstract: A power supply switching apparatus includes a controller and a switch. The controller includes a first comparator, an integrator circuit and a second comparator. The first comparator is configured to output a binary signal having a level corresponding to a magnitude of a signal input from the power supply being connected thereto. The integrator circuit is configured to integrate an output from the first comparator. The second comparator is configured to output a binary signal having a level corresponding to a magnitude of a single input from the integrator circuit. The switch has an input side connected to the first and the second power supply and is configured to switch an outputting current between a current supplied from the first power supply and a current supplied from the second power supply in accordance with a value of the signal output from the second comparator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nakao
  • Patent number: 9072169
    Abstract: A pulse generator generates high voltage discharge pulses in a manner that may be controlled and monitored. Pulse generator operation may be monitored to measure characteristics associated with pulse generator operation and to produce pulse generator data representative of those characteristics. Pulse generator operation may be monitored by monitoring the discharge pulses produced by the pulse generator and/or the charging of energy storage elements within the pulse generator in preparation for a subsequent discharge pulse. The pulse generator data may be used, for example, to identify pulse generator wear or degradation, to identify problems with pulse generator operation, and/or to control pulse generator operation for improved performance. The pulse generator may also be configured and controlled to generate a high-voltage initiation pulse to initiate a subsequent discharge pulse while being contained within a relatively small form factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Cascodium Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Cobler, Scott A. Rhodes, Paul D. Butler, Neal R. Butler, Michael R. Dynok
  • Patent number: 9065441
    Abstract: A circuit for scaling down first and second input voltages includes first and second voltage scale-down circuits that scale down the first and second input voltages, respectively. The first voltage scale-down circuit includes a transistor that receives the first input voltage at its gate and, operating in a source-follower configuration, scales down the first input voltage to generate a first output voltage at its source. The second voltage scale-down circuit is identical to the first voltage scale-down circuit and generates a second output voltage based on the second input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCOTR, INC.
    Inventors: Nidhi Chaudhry, Ravi Dixit, Parul K. Sharma
  • Patent number: 9054619
    Abstract: Systems and methods for black starting a power grid are described. A battery-powered configuration including, but not limited to, a motor, drive, and batteries can be coupled to a condenser which is coupled to a power grid. The drive can draw power from the batteries and use the power to accelerate the motor. As the motor accelerates, the condenser can accelerate by virtue of a shaft coupling the motor to the condenser. Upon the condenser reaching a certain speed or operational capacity, an inverter can de-block from a power distribution line and allow power to enter the power grid. In certain embodiments, a control device such as a circuit or computing device can be used to facilitate the black start of the power grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Paul E. Marken
  • Patent number: 9048037
    Abstract: A transfer switch including: a bus bar; a track parallel to the bus bar; a first power source connection proximate to the track; a second power source connection proximate to the track offset along the track from the first power source connection; a conductive core slidably coupled to the track, wherein the core includes a deformable array of conductive sections and the array includes contacting surfaces on opposite sides of the array; wherein the conductive core has a first position providing a conductive coupling between the bus bar and the first power source and a second position providing a conductive coupling between the bus bar and the second power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Arthur Evans, Henry Yu-Heng Lee, Kok-Hann Lew
  • Patent number: 9043065
    Abstract: A vehicle is supplied by a first electrical energy storage unit on board the vehicle, and a ground electrical network providing an energy supply by application of a supply voltage through electrical distribution. The first energy storage unit is controllable under a generator regime or a receiver regime. The supply voltage is adjusted, in the generator regime, by applying an algebraically additive supply voltage originating from the first electrical storage unit to the distribution, to maintain a supply voltage above a minimum threshold. In the receiver regime, if a surplus of supply voltage originating at least partially from a second storage unit in the generator regime is detected above the minimum threshold, this surplus is channeled energetically to the first energy storage unit of the vehicle if it is required for operating the vehicle and enables maintaining the supply voltage below a maximum threshold and above the minimum threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens S.A.S.
    Inventors: Xavier Bavard, Eric Chattot, Jean-Noël Verhille
  • Patent number: 9041253
    Abstract: A direct feeding apparatus for impedance matching of a wireless power transmission device includes a helical type resonator, and a feeding unit configured to directly feed power to a region having a relatively small current value as compared to a center of a conductive line of the resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Je-Hoon Yun, In-Kui Cho, Jung-Ick Moon, Seong-Min Kim, Dong-Hee Park
  • Patent number: 9041250
    Abstract: A back-up feed system includes a feed input, a feed output, and a feed switching device. The feed input is coupled with an electrical power source. The feed output can couple with power lines in a power distribution unit at a location downstream from circuit protection devices the power distribution unit. The feed switching device can supply back-up electrical power from the power source to electrical systems in the event of a fault condition in the power distribution unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael P. Czamara
  • Patent number: 9035492
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for managing the operations of a microgrid module. The microgrid module includes transformers and/or power converters necessary for modifying the input AC or DC power sources to meet the required characteristics of the output power. The microgrid module further comprises a power management software module and a control software module installed on a microgrid computer. The power management software module uses received business parameters to create rules for applying to the operation of the microgrid module. The rules are stored locally at the microgrid computer so that they can be quickly accessed by a control software module. The control software module uses the rules in combination with data collected from sensors installed in the physical circuitry layer of the microgrid module to control the operations of the microgrid module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Science Applications International Corporation
    Inventor: Landon Cabell Garland Miller
  • Patent number: 9035493
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a power-fluctuation reducing apparatus in a power generation system to control a converter connected to the power generation system and connected to secondary batteries. The power-fluctuation reducing apparatus includes adjusting direct current voltages output from the secondary batteries, respectively, detecting the directing current voltages output from the secondary batteries, respectively, controlling to adjust the direct current voltages output from the secondary batteries to make the direct current voltages uniform, based on the detected direct current voltages, and controlling the converter to reduce power fluctuations in the power generation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Masanori Arata, Yoshihiro Taniyama, Kazuya Yasui
  • Patent number: 9035782
    Abstract: A transfer switch configured to detect a ground current is configured to selectively connect a first power source or a second power source to a load. Each of the power sources includes at least one “hot” lead and one neutral lead, and the transfer switch is configured to switch both the “hot” and the neutral leads. If the neutral switching portion of the transfer switch fails, current may be supplied to the load via the “hot” lead of one of the power sources and return from the load via a ground conductor and the neutral lead of the other power source. The transfer switch includes a current sensor, detecting current on the ground conductor, in order to detect such a condition. The signal from the current sensor is provided to a control circuit, which, in turn, activates an indicator if the current on the ground conductor exceeds a predefined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Reliance Controls Corporation
    Inventor: Michael O. Flegel
  • Patent number: 9035494
    Abstract: An elevator interior illumination assembly comprising a primary LED driver that provides conditioned DC power to primary and backup LEDs when AC power is available from a primary electric power source. The backup LEDs receive DC power from a backup electric power source when AC power is not available to the primary LED driver from the primary electric power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: MAN-D-TEC, INC.
    Inventors: Dalton J. Mandy, Terry R. Mandy, Brandon R. Mandy
  • Publication number: 20150130622
    Abstract: A method for controlling the application of a voltage supply to an electrical load is disclosed. A characteristic of the voltage supply is determined. In response, the method causes disconnection of a control signal from a contactor. Disconnecting the control signal causes the contactor to disconnect the voltage supply from the electrical load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Intermatic Incorporated
    Inventors: Rodney W. Scuka, Brian Daniel Lamberty
  • Publication number: 20150130279
    Abstract: A dual asymmetric input power supply architecture for use in power systems employing input power source redundancy. The dual asymmetric input power supply operates from a main input of the power supply when acceptable voltage is present on the main input. If the main input fails or is out of tolerance, power can be supplied from an auxiliary input through a transformer isolated switching converter. The dual asymmetric input power supply architecture maintains the high efficiency of a single-input power supply while providing an auxiliary connection for input power source redundancy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: J. Rothe Kinnard