Including Single Unidirectional Element With Bidirectional Pass Patents (Class 323/239)
  • Patent number: 11682973
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first timer configured to determine a turn-off time of a first high-side switch of a buck-boost converter, and a second timer configured to determine a turn-off time of a second low-side switch of the buck-boost converter based on a comparison between a first signal and a second signal, the first signal being proportional to an input voltage of the buck-boost converter, and the second signal being generated based on a signal proportional to an output voltage of the buck-boost converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: M3 Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Yang, Xiaoyu Xi, David Meng
  • Patent number: 11594980
    Abstract: Technologies for alternating current regulation controller include a controller configured to determine a voltage duty cycle based on a target voltage, and to determine a delay time based on the voltage duty cycle. The controller is coupled to input phases of an alternating current generator having multiple phases. Each phase is coupled to a silicon controlled rectifier. For each phase, the controller identifies a rising edge asserted on the input phase, waits the delay time after identifying the rising edge, and asserts an output pulse on an output driver coupled to the silicon controlled rectifier coupled to the input phase in response to waiting the delay time. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Wells Vehicle Electronics, L.P.
    Inventor: David R. Hansen
  • Patent number: 11411507
    Abstract: A power conversion apparatus includes: matrix converter circuitry to perform power conversion between a primary side electric power and a secondary side electric power; rectifier circuitry to convert the primary side electric power to charge a capacitor; and control circuitry to: set a changeover reference voltage at a first reference voltage when the primary side voltage magnitude is a first voltage magnitude and set the changeover reference voltage at a second reference voltage when the primary side voltage magnitude is a second voltage magnitude; and select, based on the changeover reference voltage and the terminal voltage, a connection state from: a first connection state in which the rectifier circuitry is connected to the capacitor by a first route including a current limit device; and a second connection state in which the rectifier circuitry is connected to the capacitor by a second route that bypasses the current limit device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Inventors: Hirotaka Karakama, Hidenori Hara, Masashiro Tanaka, Mitsugu Tajima, Yoichi Yano
  • Patent number: 11120955
    Abstract: A low-voltage circuit breaker device includes: at least one external conductor section from an external conductor supply connection of the low-voltage circuit breaker device to an external conductor load connection of the low-voltage circuit breaker device; a mechanical bypass switch arranged in the external conductor section; a first semiconductor circuit arrangement connected in parallel to the mechanical bypass switch; an electronic control unit; a current measuring arrangement arranged in the external conductor section, which current measuring arrangement is connected to the electronic control unit, the electronic control unit controlling the mechanical bypass switch and the first semiconductor circuit arrangement when a given overcurrent, namely a short-circuit current, is detected by the current measuring arrangement; and a second semiconductor circuit arrangement arranged in the external conductor section in series with the mechanical bypass switch and in parallel to the first semiconductor circuit arr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventor: Kenan Askan
  • Patent number: 10797608
    Abstract: A flyback converter communication channel is provided that comprises a pair of capacitors. A transmitter on a first side of a transformer for the flyback converter transmits a transmitter signal over a first one of the capacitors. The transmitter also transmits a complement of the transmitter signal over a second one of the capacitors. A receiver on a second side of the transformer controls a switch transistor responsive to a high-pass-filtered difference of the received signals from the pair of capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: DIALOG SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
    Inventors: Wenduo Liu, Kun Yang, Laiqing Ping
  • Patent number: 10439500
    Abstract: An isolated power converter includes primary side switch devices coupled to secondary side rectifying devices by a transformer and a controller. Responsive to a transient load condition, the controller switches the primary side switch devices at an initial switching period having a positive half cycle and a negative half cycle to transfer energy across the transformer during the positive half cycle and the negative half cycle. The positive half cycle and the negative half cycle of the initial switching period have the same initial duration. The controller is further operable to symmetrically reduce the duration of the positive half cycle and the negative half cycle for at least one subsequent switching period during the transient load condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Amir Babazadeh, Darryl Tschirhart
  • Patent number: 10224718
    Abstract: A superposition principle of waveform based on conceptions of waveform continuity and flexible regulation of voltage proposes three concepts, respectively being flexible AC transformation, flexible power transmission and transformation and flexible voltage regulation; proposes three new technologies, respectively being a transient impedance technology, a flexible stepless voltage regulation technology and a flexible stepped voltage regulation technology; proposes three new products, being an AC voltage regulating electronic switch, a transient impedance transformer and a high-speed voltage regulating transformer; proposes six high-voltage power grid connection methods, being a power grid connection method type of a transient impedance transformer, a power grid connection method of a transient impedance step up auto transformer and the like; and proposes a new reactive compensation connection method for a reactive compensation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Inventor: Chongshan Sun
  • Patent number: 10205396
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method (300) for controlling a galvanically isolated DC converter (100). The DC converter (100) comprises a full bridge (110) for converting an input DC voltage (UinDC) into an input AC voltage (UinAC), a transformer (120) for converting the input AC voltage (UinAC) into an output AC voltage (UoutAC), and a rectifier (130) for converting the output AC voltage (UoutAC) into an output DC voltage (UoutDC). The method comprises the steps: determining (320) the duty cycle (D) of the full bridge (110); comparing (330) the determined duty cycle (D) with a duty cycle threshold value (Dth); calculating (340) an input DC voltage (UinDCcalc) according to an input current (I_in), the output DC voltage (UoutDC), a transformation ratio (U) of the transformer (120) and an adapted value (D_ad) of the duty cycle of the full bridge (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Gholamabas Esteghlal
  • Patent number: 10205733
    Abstract: A cyber signal isolator system and a cyber signal isolator method for protecting a component of an Industrial Control System are described. The cyber signal isolator system includes one or more devices configured to monitor physical-level signal information to determine a cyber security threat or breach event based on activity occurring with physical signals present at one or more components of an Industrial Control System.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: MISSION SECURE, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel D. Park, John Mark Baggett, Edward C. Suhler, Rick A. Jones, Gary W. Huband, Paul D. Robertson, Dean Weber
  • Patent number: 10128834
    Abstract: A bidirectional integrated CMOS switch is provided which is capable of switching voltages beyond the range of the supply and ground potentials. The switch is composed of NMOS and PMOS transistors as the switch conductor path, a diode bridge, and control circuitry to turn the switch on and off by means of low voltage logic, regardless of the voltages on the switch terminals. The device and method of the invention enables the switching of high voltage loads operating at arbitrary or floating voltages relative to the low voltage power supply and ground, and provides on/off control of the switch with ordinary low voltage logic levels. The invention provides bidirectional switching without conducting through the parasitic body diodes of the CMOS devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Telephonics Corporation
    Inventor: Harold Simmonds
  • Patent number: 10088174
    Abstract: A line voltage thermostat having a multiple heatsink switch. A total switch may have a semiconductor switch mounted on each heatsink of the multiple heatsink switch. The semiconductor switches of the respective heatsinks may be connected in parallel to represent the total switch. Each of the two or more heatsinks, having a semiconductor switch for switching, and in total conveying the same power as one equivalent switch with one total heatsink, may have higher maximum operating temperatures and higher thermal resistances than twice the thermal resistance of the one total heatsink. The two or more heatsinks may be situated within a housing of the line voltage thermostat, and be easier to distribute in the housing to achieve an efficient layout of a display and control buttons for the thermostat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Lionel Bravard, Daniel Landry, Daniel Tousignant, Evelyne Tremblay, Joel McNabb-Baltar
  • Patent number: 9919610
    Abstract: Magnetic-coupling-based wireless power transfer systems and schemes are provided that ensure fast wireless power transfer to charge batteries of electric vehicles (EVs) with high power transfer efficiencies and safety to humans and other animals in or near the EVs. A wireless power transfer system can include a direct 3-phase AC/AC converter with a circuit topology that enables bidirectional power flow. The direct 3-phase AC/AC converter can convert a power input at a low frequency, such as 3-phase 50/60 Hz, into a power output at a high frequency, such as a frequency in a range of 10-85 kHz for wireless power transfer applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: The Florida International University Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Arif Sarwat, Masood Moghaddami
  • Patent number: 9887539
    Abstract: A power conversion device includes an AC power source configured to output an AC voltage, a DC power source configured to output a plurality of DC voltages having different levels, an inverter configured to receive the AC voltage and the plurality of DC voltages and output an output voltage by boosting the AC voltage in a booster mode in accordance with first and second control signals, the booster mode being a mode in which a level of the AC voltage is smaller than a predetermined value, a reactor configured to smooth the output voltage of the inverter, and a control circuit configured to generate the first and second control signals using a first and second carrier signals having different frequencies, respectively, in the booster mode, and selectively output the first or second control signal in accordance with the level of the AC voltage from the AC power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qichen Wang, Satoru Fujita
  • Patent number: 9837898
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a control circuit and a control method for a power converter. The power converter comprises a power switch and an inductor being coupled to the power switch. The control circuit controls operation of the power switch to charge and discharge the inductor for generating an inductor current and providing an output current. The control circuit controls the power switch to be turned on when or after an inductor current detection signal is zero, and controls the power switch to be turned off when the inductor current detection signal reaches a peak reference signal or when the power switch has been turned on for a maximum on time. The control circuit also adjusts the maximum on time in accordance with the inductor current detection signal, so that the power converter provides a constant output current to a load. The control circuit operates at a peak-value current mode and maintains the current of the power converter nearly stable without obtaining a compensation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: SILERGY SEMICONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGY (HANGZHOU) LTD.
    Inventors: Jian Deng, Xiaoru Xu
  • Patent number: 9634555
    Abstract: A power factor correction (PFC) boost circuit. The PFC boost circuit can include a first switching device, a second switching device, a first gate driver coupled to the first switching device, a second gate driver coupled to the second switching device, and a PFC controller configured to control the first and second gate drivers. The PFC controller will utilize a new technique, referred to herein as “predictive diode emulation” to control the switching devices in a desired manner and to overcome inefficiencies and other problems that might arise using traditional diode emulation. The PFC controller is configured to operate in synchronous and non-synchronous modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Efficient Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. De Rooij, Johan Strydom
  • Patent number: 9537419
    Abstract: A power supply system includes: a switching power supply configured to rectify and smooth an AC voltage of an AC power supply to generate a predetermined DC voltage; a low-capacity power supply circuit that generates a zero-cross detection signal corresponding to zero-cross points of the AC power supply based on a rectified current flowing in a smoothing capacitor; and a controller configured to receive the zero-cross detection signal from the signal generating circuit and perform a determining process of determining whether it is possible to perform detection process of the zero-cross points based on a voltage value of the zero-cross detection signal. If the control unit determines that it is possible to perform the detection process of the zero-cross points, the control unit performs a zero-cross point detecting process of detecting the zero-cross points based on the zero-cross detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Katsumi Inukai
  • Patent number: 9471071
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for a voltage regulator for improved voltage regulation using a remote feedback and remote feedback low pass filter. The system comprises of a power management unit, a remote load point (HOST), an inductor, a filtering capacitor, a printed circuit board (PCB) track output net, a ground connection, a remote feedback line, and a low pass filter (LPF). In this present disclosure, the electrical connection of the remote feedback low pass filter to the output filter capacitor minimizes transient ringing, reduced noise coupling, and improved system stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Pietro Gallina
  • Patent number: 8988050
    Abstract: A two-wire load control device (such as, a dimmer switch or an electronic switch) for controlling the power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load includes a controllably conductive device for controlling the power to the load, a microprocessor operable to generate a control signal that is representative of whether the load should be controlled on or off, a capacitor operable to produce a supply voltage for powering the microprocessor, a power supply that charges the capacitor when the controllably conductive device is non-conductive, and a control circuit that receives the control signal from the microprocessor. The control circuit is operatively coupled to the controllably conductive device for maintaining the controllably conductive device non-conductive after the beginning of each half-cycle until the magnitude of the supply voltage exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Newman, Jr., Daniel F. Carmen
  • Patent number: 8890357
    Abstract: A line voltage transformer device for a bathing installation includes a housing structure, with a line voltage electrical power connection including a line voltage wiring cable having an electrical connection at a distal end for connection to a line voltage AC supply outlet adjacent the bathing installation. A voltage transformer circuit is disposed within the housing and connected to the line voltage electrical power connection and is configured to transform AC line voltage electrical power from the line voltage electrical power connection to low voltage AC power at first and second low voltage AC terminals, wherein the low voltage AC power is delivered to the first and second low voltage AC terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Balboa Water Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Graham J. Campbell
  • Patent number: 8723488
    Abstract: An energy savings device, system, and method wherein a predetermined amount of voltage below a nominal line voltage and/or below a nominal appliance voltage is saved, thereby conserving energy. Phase input connections are provided for inputting analog signals into the device and system. A volts zero crossing point detector determines the zero volts crossing point of the signal. The positive half cycle and negative half cycle of the signal are identified and routed to a digital signal processor for processing the signal. The signal is reduced by pulse width modulation and the reduced amount of energy is outputted, thereby yielding an energy savings for an end user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: The PowerWise Group, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Lumsden
  • Publication number: 20140117949
    Abstract: A dimming power supply includes a power source, a transformer, a full bridge rectifier and a control switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Laurence P. Sadwick, Mohammad M. Mojarradi
  • Patent number: 8698462
    Abstract: The invention provides a power converter and method for controlling same, comprising a plurality of switch elements, an inductive reactor, and at least two ports for the movement of electrical energy. Any energy-moving port may be made unipolar, bidirectional, bipolar, or bidirectionally bipolar. Ports may be equipped with sensing circuitry to allow the converter output to be controlled responsively to an input signal. The invention may be configured to be used in many ways, for example, as a power-supply, as an amplifier, or as a frequency converter. The invention may comprise energy predictive calculating means to obtain excellent transient response to line and load variations. The invention may also include a switch to create a low impedance path around the inductor to allow current to recirculate through the inductor when it is not needed at any of the ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: CogniPower, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas E. Lawson, William H. Morong
  • Patent number: 8699253
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a control method for a soft switch circuit in a switch power source, which generates an alternating primary power filter current by controlling first and second primary power switching devices to be closed and opened, and generates an intermittent alternating resonant current in the same direction as the primary power filter current in a resonant branch by controlling forward and backward auxiliary switching devices to be closed and opened to thereby achieve closing of the first and second primary power switching devices at a zero voltage, and which generates a balance current with the same magnitude as and in the opposite direction to the resonant current in the resonant branch in at least a period of time during the resting of the resonant current by further controlling the forward and backward auxiliary switching devices to be closed and opened to thereby achieve an average current of zero across the resonant branch in a switching cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Liebert Corporation
    Inventors: Chuntao Zhang, Xiaofei Zhang, Xueli Xiao
  • Patent number: 8674631
    Abstract: A power conversion apparatus includes: a line breaker that is connected in series to a direct-current power supply; a first capacitor that is connected in parallel to the direct-current power supply through the line breaker; a discharge circuit that includes a resistor and a first switching circuit connected in series and is connected in parallel to the first capacitor; a power converter for driving a synchronous machine; a second capacitor that is connected in parallel to a direct-current side of the power converter; a second switching circuit that is connected in series between the first capacitor and the second capacitor; and a control circuit for controlling the discharge circuit. The control circuit controls the discharge circuit on the basis of the voltage of the first capacitor and the voltage of the second capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Kono, Keita Hatanaka
  • Patent number: 8395911
    Abstract: A circuit for operating a household appliance includes a controller that controls processes of a household appliance, a switching power supply that supplies current to the controller, a pushbutton that couples the switching power supply to a supply grid, an electronic controller connected parallel to the pushbutton that is actuable by the switching power supply by a control connection, and a voltage storage connected between the control connection of the electronic controller and a reference potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Helmschmidt, Anton Hertlein
  • Publication number: 20120256603
    Abstract: The present invention provides a synchronous regulation circuit for turn-on and turn-off phase angle of the AC voltage, wherein a solid switch unit is installed between an AC power source and a load, and a phase angle regulation circuit is utilized to synchronously regulate both of the turn-on phase angle and turn-off phase angle of the solid switch unit, so that the sine waveform voltage of the AC power source can be kept to output in symmetrical waveforms within the range in which the turn-on and turn-off phase angles being synchronously regulated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventor: Tai-Her YANG
  • Patent number: 8269450
    Abstract: A winding switching apparatus includes a winding switching device and a drive circuit. The winding switching device is configured to switch a plurality of windings of an AC motor. The drive circuit is configured to control the winding switching device. The winding switching device includes a winding switch, a diode bridge, and a capacitor. The diode bridge includes a positive-side DC output terminal, a negative-side DC output terminal, and AC input terminals. The AC input terminals corresponds to respective phases of the AC motor. The positive-side and negative-side DC output terminals are respectively connected to positive-side and negative-side DC buses provided in an inverter. The AC input terminals are respectively connected to winding-switching terminals corresponding to the respective phases of the AC motor. The AC input terminals are respectively connected to phase terminals provided in the winding switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventors: Koji Higashikawa, Kenji Yamada, Katsutoshi Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 8159850
    Abstract: A converter control device includes a converter device formed by three converter circuits connected together in parallel between a secondary battery as a first power source and a fuel cell as a second power source. A control unit includes: a PID control module for controlling the converter device by PID control and executing a desired voltage conversion; a drive phase quantity changing module for changing the number of drive phases of the converter device in accordance with the passing power of the converter device; and an integration term correction function switching module which switches the PID control integration term correction function when changing the number of drive phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kota Manabe, Takahiko Hasegawa, Takeshi Maenaka
  • Publication number: 20120086415
    Abstract: An IGBT/FET-based energy savings device, system and method (1) wherein a predetermined amount of voltage below a nominal line voltage and/or below a nominal appliance voltage is saved, thereby conserving energy. Phase input connections (2) are provided for inputting analog signals into the device and system (1). A magnetic flux concentrator (3) senses the incoming analog signal (20) and a volts zero crossing point detector (5) determines the zero volts crossing point (21) of the signal (20). The positive half cycle (22) and negative half cycle (23) of the signal (20) are identified and routed to a digital signal processor (10) for processing the signal (20). The signal (20) is reduced by pulse width modulation and the reduced amount of energy is outputted, thereby yielding an energy savings for an end user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: THE POWERWISE GROUP, INC.
    Inventor: John L. Lumsden
  • Patent number: 8085010
    Abstract: A TRIAC/SCR-based energy savings device, system and method (1) wherein a predetermined amount of voltage below a nominal line voltage and/or below a nominal appliance voltage is saved, thereby conserving energy. Phase input connections (2) are provided for inputting analog signals into the device and system (1). A magnetic flux concentrator (3) senses the incoming analog signal (20) and a volts zero crossing point detector (5) determines the zero volts crossing point (21) of the signal (20). The positive half cycle (22) and negative half cycle (23) of the signal (20) are identified and routed to a digital signal processor (10) for processing the signal (20). The signal (20) is reduced by pulse width modulation and the reduced amount of energy is outputted, thereby yielding an energy savings for an end user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: The Powerwise Group, Inc.
    Inventor: John L Lumsden
  • Patent number: 8085009
    Abstract: An IGBT/FET-based energy savings device, system and method (1) wherein a predetermined amount of voltage below a nominal line voltage and/or below a nominal appliance voltage is saved, thereby conserving energy. Phase input connections (2) are provided for inputting analog signals into the device and system (1). A magnetic flux concentrator (3) senses the incoming analog signal (20) and a volts zero crossing point detector (5) determines the zero volts crossing point (21) of the signal (20). The positive half cycle (22) and negative half cycle (23) of the signal (20) are identified and routed to a digital signal processor (10) for processing the signal (20). The signal (20) is reduced by pulse width modulation and the reduced amount of energy is outputted, thereby yielding an energy savings for an end user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: The Powerwise Group, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Lumsden
  • Patent number: 8049363
    Abstract: A motor drive circuit comprises positive and negative input terminals for connection of the motor circuit to a DC supply, a DC link filter connected between the input terminals: an electric motor having at least two phases, a plurality of motor drive sub-circuits, each connected to a respective phase of the electric motor and which each control the flow of current into or out of the respective phase of the motor that has been drawn from the supply through the DC link filter, and a switching means provided in the electrical path between the DC link filter and the electric motor drive sub-circuits, the switching means being movable between a closed position in which it connects the DC link filter to the motor drive sub-circuits, and an open position which isolates the DC link filter from the motor drive sub-circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: TRW Limited
    Inventors: Andrew McLean, John Anthony Bolton
  • Patent number: 7974113
    Abstract: Reverse conducting type semiconductor switches are arranged in a bride from, an energy storage capacitor is connected with its DC terminal to obtain a magnetic energy regeneration switch, and then an induction coil is connected to its AC terminal. An AC pulse current of variable frequency is obtained by applying a gate signal to the semiconductor switch to thereby turn it ON/OFF; since a voltage is generated automatically by regenerating magnetic energy, a DC power supply is connected to the opposite ends of the capacitor through a smoothing coil, thus injecting power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Tokyo Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Ryuichi Shimada, Tadayuki Kitahara, Kazuhiko Fukutani
  • Patent number: 7973519
    Abstract: A device for transforming an AC voltage to a lower AC voltage includes a generator of a PWM control signal and a first bidirectional switch to couple a load to the AC voltage during a conduction-phase. A second bidirectional switch discharges energy from the load during an off-phase of the first bidirectional switch. A first driving circuit of the first bidirectional switch is input with the PWM control signal and generates a first PWM signal, applied between control and conduction terminals of the first bidirectional switch. A second driving circuit for the second bidirectional switch is input with the PWM control signal and generates a second PWM signal, in phase opposition to the first PWM signal, applied between control and conduction terminals of the second bidirectional switch. An electric decoupling circuit is between the generator and second driving circuit. A transformer is between respective conduction terminals of the bidirectional switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Mario Di Guardo, Giovanni Mangraviti
  • Patent number: 7944723
    Abstract: A matrix converter that can be used as part of a two-stage power converter has three ac three ac voltage lines AC1, AC2 and AC3 and two dc voltage lines DC1 and DC2. An array of six semiconductor switches 10a to 10f are arranged such that each of the three ac voltage lines AC1, AC2 an AC3 can be connected to one of the two dc voltage lines DC1 and DC2 when the associated switch is closed. A freewheel path is provided between the two dc voltage lines DC1 and DC2, which provides a fifth state of operation when all the switches 10a to 10f are open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Converteam UK Ltd
    Inventor: Allan David Crane
  • Patent number: 7872428
    Abstract: TRIAC or SCR based dimmer circuits with temperature compensation features to enable them to also function properly with outdoor line or low voltage AC light fixtures. The TRIAC's or the SCR's operate as static switches that are ideal for driving directly resistive loads, such as incandescent lamps, in line or low voltage AC dimmer circuits. The performance of this type of a circuit is very temperature dependent but it can be compensated for temperature related changes in the output or load RMS voltage by means of preventing variations in the trigger angle the circuit is running at. Temperature compensation is achieved by means of zener diodes being incorporated in the trigger circuit section of a TRIAC or an SCR based dimmer circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Inventor: Elias S. Papanicolaou
  • Patent number: 7834597
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a power converter system is provided for AC voltage regulation. The power converter system receives an AC input voltage at an input terminal and provides an AC output voltage to a load at an output terminal. A main bi-directional switch is coupled between the input terminal and the output terminal. The main bi-directional switch is operable to control the provision of the AC output voltage. A reactive current flows through the main bi-directional switch if the load is reactive. An auxiliary bi-directional switch is coupled to the output terminal. The auxiliary bi-directional switch is operable to circulate the reactive current due to the reactive load, thereby reducing any voltage spikes in the power converter system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Sampat Shekhawat
  • Patent number: 7786709
    Abstract: The invention provides a power converter and method for controlling same, comprising a plurality of switch elements, an inductive reactor, and at least two ports for the movement of electrical energy. Any energy-moving port may be made unipolar, bidirectional, bipolar, or bidirectionally bipolar. Ports may be equipped with sensing circuitry to allow the converter output to be controlled responsively to an input signal. The invention may be configured to be used in many ways, for example, as a power-supply, as an amplifier, or as a frequency converter. The invention may comprise energy predictive calculating means to obtain excellent transient response to line and load variations. The invention may also include a switch to create a low impedance path around the inductor to allow current to recirculate through the inductor when it is not needed at any of the ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Lawson Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Lawson, William H. Morong
  • Patent number: 7755918
    Abstract: A converter circuit for switching a large number of switching voltage levels is specified, in which a first switching group is provided for each. Second switching groups are provided, each having a first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth drivable bidirectional power semiconductor switch and capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: ABB Research Ltd
    Inventors: Peter Barbosa, Peter Steimer, Toufann Chaudhuri
  • Patent number: 7728564
    Abstract: A load control device is adapted to be disposed in series with an AC voltage source and an electrical load and is operable to provide substantially all voltage provided by the AC voltage source to the load. The load control device comprises a controllably conductive device, a controller, a zero-crossing detector, and a power supply for generating a substantially DC voltage for powering the controller. The power supply is operable to charge an energy storage device to a predetermined amount of energy each half-cycle. The controller is operable to determine when the power supply has stopped charging from the zero-crossing detector each half-cycle, and to immediately render the controllably conductive device conductive to conduct the full load current. Before the controllably conductive device begins to conduct each half-cycle, only a minimal voltage develops across the power supply to allow the energy storage device to charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: William Bryce Fricke, Aaron Dobbins, James P. Steiner, Chen Ming Wu, Russell Weightman, David J. Perreault, Ryan Lane, Joseph William Sapp, Kyle A. McCarter
  • Patent number: 7688044
    Abstract: A device coupled to a primary AC voltage and a load includes an input, an inductive element coupled thereto, and a generator of a PWM control signal. A capacitor is coupled in parallel to the load. A first bidirectional switch couples the load and primary AC voltage during conduction phases. A second bidirectional switch discharges energy from the load during off phases of the first bidirectional switch. A first driving circuit for the second bidirectional switch, input with the PWM control signal, generates a first PWM signal applied between control and conduction terminals of the second bidirectional switch. A second driving circuit for the first bidirectional switch, input with the PWM control signal, generates a second PWM signal, in phase opposition with the first PWM signal, applied between control and conduction terminals of the first bidirectional switch. An electric decoupling circuit is between the generator and the second driving circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.R.L.
    Inventors: Mario Di Guardo, Giovanni Mangraviti
  • Patent number: 7679354
    Abstract: A phase detecting device includes a power input unit that receives an AC voltage; a phase detector that detects zero-crossing points of the AC voltage, and outputs a phase detecting signal when the zero-crossing points of the AC voltage are detected; and a power switch that selectively cuts off a flow of AC into the power input unit in response to a mode control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bong-su Shin
  • Publication number: 20100052629
    Abstract: A switching regulator includes a low-side switch having a body diode. During the low-side switch is on, a zero-current sense circuit monitors the inductor current of the switching regulator and triggers a signal to turn off the low-side switch when the inductor current falls down to a zero-current threshold, to prevent reverse inductor current from the output terminal of the switching regulator. A body-diode turn-on time controller monitors the turn-on time of the body diode and adjusts the zero-current threshold according thereto, and the turn-on time of the body diode can be reduced to an optimal interval subsequently. The self-adjustable zero-current threshold is adaptive according to the application conditions, such as the inductor size, input voltage and output voltage of the switching regulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: Kwan-Jen Chu, Nien-Hui Kung, Tzu-Huan Chiu, Chien-Ping Lu
  • Patent number: 7633783
    Abstract: A converter device which is configured by connecting three converter circuits in parallel is provided between a secondary battery serving as a first power supply and a fuel cell serving as a second power supply. A control unit includes a PID control module which controls the converter device by PID control, for executing desired voltage conversion; a module for modifying the number of drive phases which changes the number of drive phases of the converter device in response to an electric power passing through the converter device; and a gain switching module which switches feedback gains in the PID control when the number of drive phases is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kota Manabe, Takahiko Hasegawa, Takeshi Maenaka
  • Publication number: 20090237044
    Abstract: A bidirectional interleaved DC to DC converter comprises positively coupled filter inductors that are coupled to a switching network that receives power from a DC power source, such as a battery. The positively coupled inductors are integrated as a single coupled inductor, which allows the DC to DC converter to convert DC voltage to various voltage levels with reduced voltage ripple, without the need for supplemental filter capacitors that are large and costly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Orges Gjini, Michael Joseph Krok, Herman Lucas Norbert Wiegman
  • Patent number: 7580805
    Abstract: A circuit for regulating power is disclosed. The present invention provides circuits and methods for current sensing variations, static droop settings, mismatched phase outputs, and temperature variations in a multiphase power regulator. The circuits may include a calibration controller that senses and regulates both a current sensing circuit and the droop in a power regulator over a range of temperatures thus equalizing phase outputs. The present invention includes the schematic organization and implementation of the circuit, the circuit's calibration, its use, and implementation. This invention advantageously provides circuits and methods to properly power a processor or IC chip according to the unique power specifications of the processor or chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Nupower Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Fereydun Tabaian, Hamed Sadati, Ali Hejazi, Ahmad Ashrafzadeh
  • Patent number: 7564227
    Abstract: A power supply adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between an AC voltage source and an electrical load for generating a DC voltage, the power supply comprising an energy storage capacitor, the DC voltage produced across the capacitor; a charging circuit adapted to be coupled in series electrical connection between the source and the load and to conduct a load current from the source to the load, the charging circuit coupled to the energy storage capacitor for charging the energy storage capacitor; a controllably conductive device coupled in parallel electrical connection with the charging circuit and having a control input for rendering the controllably conductive device conductive, the controllably conductive device adapted to carry the load current from the source to the load when the controllably conductive device is conductive; and a triggering circuit coupled to the control input of the controllably conductive device for causing the controllably conductive device to become conductive wh
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Aaron Dobbins, Russell Weightman, David Perreault, James P. Steiner, Chen Ming Wu
  • Patent number: 7463984
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement for triggering and monitoring a load which is connected in the shunt arm of a bridge circuit, including a control circuit for triggering switch elements S1 to S4 of the bridge circuit and a self-diagnosis system for testing the load connections, wherein the self-diagnosis system consists of a self-diagnosis circuit including a storage element for storing electrical charges, said circuit being linked to a signal connection of the control circuit, which signal connection is switchable as input or output, and to a load connection, and a self-diagnosis program which is stored in a memory of the control circuit and switches the signal connection to output during a first phase of the test in order to charge the storage element and switches the signal connection to input during a second phase of the test in order to capture the charge status of the storage element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Köllner, Rudolf Liberda, Ludwik Waskiewicz
  • Publication number: 20080238377
    Abstract: A device coupled to a primary AC voltage and a load includes an input, an inductive element coupled thereto, and a generator of a PWM control signal. A capacitor is coupled in parallel to the load. A first bidirectional switch couples the load and primary AC voltage during conduction phases. A second bidirectional switch discharges energy from the load during off phases of the first bidirectional switch. A first driving circuit for the second bidirectional switch, input with the PWM control signal, generates a first PWM signal applied between control and conduction terminals of the second bidirectional switch. A second driving circuit for the first bidirectional switch, input with the PWM control signal, generates a second PWN signal, in phase opposition with the first PWM signal, applied between control and conduction terminals of the first bidirectional switch. An electric decoupling circuit is between the generator and the second driving circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: STMicroelcetronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Mario Di Guardo, Giovanni MANGRAVITI
  • Patent number: 7423413
    Abstract: A power supply for a load control device is disposed in series with an AC voltage source and a load and generates a substantially DC voltage for powering a controller of the load control device. The power supply is operable to provide substantially all voltage provided by the AC voltage source to the load and includes a controllably conductive device, a triggering device, and a charging circuit. The charging circuit is operable to charge an energy storage device and to conduct current to the load when the controllably conductive device is non-conductive. The controllably conductive device begins conducting the full load current when the energy storage device has charged to a predetermined amount of energy. Before the controllably conductive device begins to conduct, only a minimal voltage, which is substantially the same as the break-over voltage of the triggering circuit, develops across the power supply to allow the energy storage device to charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Dobbins, Russell Weightman, David J Perreault, James P Steiner, Chen Ming Wu