Including A Transformer Or An Inductor Patents (Class 323/355)
  • Patent number: 8564976
    Abstract: A system is provided having a first LLC power converter and a second LLC power converter. The first LLC power converter comprises a first LLC voltage source. The second LLC power converter also comprises a second LLC voltage source. The first LLC power converter also comprises a first resonant inductor, a first magnetic inductor, and a first resonant capacitor coupled to the first voltage source of the first LLC power converter. The second LLC power converter comprises a second resonant inductor, a second magnetic inductor, and a second resonant capacitor coupled to the second voltage source of the second LLC power converter. The first LLC power converter and the second LLC power converter are both magnetically couplable to a common load. A resonance of the first LLC power converter substantially matches a resonance of the second LLC power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Raghothama Reddy, Robert Catalano, Roger Grandchampt
  • Patent number: 8552708
    Abstract: A monolithic DC to DC converter, provides a semiconductor substrate, a surface FET formed on the semiconductor substrate that modulates currents across a surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a toroidal inductor with a magnetic core formed on the substrate around the FET and having a first winding connected to the FET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventor: L. Pierre de Rochemont
  • Publication number: 20130257410
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a low frequency converter is described that includes a first electrochemical capacitor to charge to an input voltage and a second electrochemical capacitor that is coupled to the first electrochemical capacitor. The second electrochemical capacitor is associated with an output voltage of the low frequency converter. Each electrochemical capacitor may have a capacitance of at least one millifarad (mF) and a switching frequency that is less than one kilohertz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: Donald S. Gardner, Pavan Kumar
  • Patent number: 8533508
    Abstract: A display includes a power supply system using a power controller to switch a power switch to control power delivery, and an image scalar receiving a supply voltage and a supply current from the power supply system. An apparatus and method are proposed to determine a control signal in a standby mode by monitoring the supply voltage or the supply current, to wake up or turn off the power controller to reduce the switching times of the power switch in the standby mode, thereby reducing the switching loss of the power switch and the standby power consumption of the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Richpower Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Kuang-Fu Chang, Yu-Ming Chen, Pei-Lun Huang
  • Publication number: 20130229167
    Abstract: In a multichannel DC-DC converter that reduces radiation noise to a minimum, a wiring line between the coil conductor of a channel having the smallest load current and the switching IC, among the coil conductors defining a plurality of channels, is the longest connection wiring line, such that a channel having the smallest load current is connected to a wiring line that is most likely to radiate noise and radiation noise is reduced to a minimum. A connection wiring line connected to a coil conductor having the largest load current among the plurality of coil conductors is the shortest connection wiring line. A channel having the largest load current is connected to a wiring line that is least likely to radiate noise and, as a result, radiation noise is further reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoyoshi HIEI
  • Patent number: 8487604
    Abstract: An asymmetrical coupled inductor includes a first and a second winding and a core. The core is formed of a magnetic material and magnetically couples together the windings. The core is configured such that a leakage inductance value of the first winding is greater than a leakage inductance value of the second winding. The coupled inductor is included, for example, in a multi-phase DC-to-DC converter. A DC-to-DC converter including a symmetrical coupled inductor includes at least one additional inductor electrically coupled in series with one or more of the coupled inductor's windings. A controller for a DC-to-DC converter including a first phase having an effective inductance value greater than an effective inductance value of a second phase is configured to shut down the second phase while the first phase remains operational during a light load operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Volterra Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Alexandr Ikriannikov, Ognjen Djekic
  • Publication number: 20130162225
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multiphase converter comprising multiple phases (11 to 16), each of which can be triggered using switching means (21 to 26), at least one phase (11) being magnetically coupled to at least three other phases (12, 14, 16) by corresponding coupling means (31, 36, 37).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Nils Draese, Mirko Schinzel
  • Publication number: 20130162239
    Abstract: A multi-phase electronic power transformer includes a set of primary windings, wherein each primary winding is configured to couple with an input voltage. The transformer includes a pair of primary switching devices that includes a first primary switching device coupled to a first end of each primary winding and a second primary switching device coupled to a second end of each primary winding distinct from the first end of each primary winding. The transformer includes a set of secondary windings, wherein each secondary winding is configured to inductively couple with a respective primary winding and to output a voltage. The transformer includes a pair of secondary switching devices that includes a first secondary switching device coupled to a first end of each secondary winding and a second secondary switching device coupled to a second end of each secondary winding distinct from the first end of the each secondary winding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ravisekhar Nadimpalli Raju
  • Publication number: 20130154582
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multiphase converter comprising multiple electric phases (11 to 16), each of which can be triggered using switching means (21 to 26). Coupling means (31, 36, 37) are provided which magnetically couple at least one first phase (11) to at least two other phases (12, 14, 16). At least two coupling means (31, 36, 37) are provided for magnetically coupling one of the phases (11) to at least two other phases (12, 14, 16), at least one of the two coupling means (37) having less inductance than the other coupling means (31, 36).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Nils Draese, Mirko Schinzel
  • Publication number: 20130154607
    Abstract: A Reactive regulator capable of introducing reactive powers in an AC electrical system in order to satisfy the reactive power demanded by the loads of such electrical system in a gradual way, when demanded, and in as many stages as necessary to improve the efficiency and viability of such electrical system by having ways to vary the voltage on one or more reactive elements through a coupling element, transformer, autotransformer or any other type of variable voltage drive, whose primary is connected to an electrical system through terminals and the secondary is connected to a reactive element through at least one switch, of solid state or not, which allows the connection of a mobile terminal to any of the derivations of the secondary of the coupling device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: ITB EQUIPAMENTOS ELETRICOS LTDA
    Inventor: Paulo Rogerio Granja
  • Publication number: 20130141074
    Abstract: A distribution transformer comprises a sensor system and a communications module. The distribution transformer is configured to convert a first high voltage electricity from a high voltage distribution line to a first low voltage electricity and convey the first low voltage electricity along a low voltage line to an electrical device. The sensor system is configured to determine a temperature of the distribution transformer, and the communications module is configured to transmit a load reduction request along the low voltage line to the electrical device based on the temperature of the distribution transformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
  • Publication number: 20130119969
    Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for generating quadrature signals utilizing an on-chip transformer are provided. In this regard, a pair of phase-quadrature signals may be generated from a single-phase signal via a transformer, one or more variable capacitors, and one or more variable resistors integrated on-chip. The transformer may comprise a plurality of loops fabricated in a plurality of metal layers in the chip. Each of the one or more variable capacitors may comprise a configurable capacitor bank and each of the one or more variable resistors may comprise a configurable resistor bank. The one or more capacitor banks may be programmatically configured on-chip, based on a frequency of the single-phase signal. The one or more resistor banks may be programmatically configured on-chip, based on a frequency of said single-phase signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Broadcom Corporation
  • Patent number: 8428917
    Abstract: A signal processing device includes a transformer simulator for simulating transfer characteristic of a transformer which changes in frequency characteristic depending on a load connected to the transformer and processing an input signal with the transfer characteristic to output the processed signal, and a load impedance simulator for simulating impedance characteristic of a predetermined load to output the impedance characteristic. The transformer simulator simulates the transfer characteristic of the transformer to which the load having the load impedance which is simulated by the load impedance simulator is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuya Iwata
  • Publication number: 20130093408
    Abstract: An asymmetrical coupled inductor includes a first and a second winding and a core. The core is formed of a magnetic material and magnetically couples together the windings. The core is configured such that a leakage inductance value of the first winding is greater than a leakage inductance value of the second winding. The coupled inductor is included, for example, in a multi-phase DC-to-DC converter. A DC-to-DC converter including a symmetrical coupled inductor includes at least one additional inductor electrically coupled in series with one or more of the coupled inductor's windings. A controller for a DC-to-DC converter including a first phase having an effective inductance value greater than an effective inductance value of a second phase is configured to shut down the second phase while the first phase remains operational during a light load operating condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: VOLTERRA SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: VOLTERRA SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8406823
    Abstract: A power transmission control device is provided in a contactless power transmission system that supplies electric power to a load of a power reception device such that a primary coil and a secondary coil are electromagnetically coupled to each other so as to transmit the electric power to the power reception device from the power transmission device. The power transmission control device includes a controller that controls the power transmission control device, and a storage section that stores information about a power transmitting side coil. The controller performs a collation process for collating the information about the power transmitting side coil with information about a power receiving side coil received from the power reception device, and determines whether or not the information about the power transmitting side coil is compatible with the information about the power receiving side coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Yoichiro Kondo, Takahiro Kamijo, Kota Onishi, Masayuki Kamiyama, Nobutaka Shiozaki
  • Publication number: 20130069619
    Abstract: When a first driving signal is applied from a waveform output unit, detection current with a high frequency than a natural frequency of a vibrator is applied to a coil of a vibration generation unit. When the current fluctuates, induction power due to a counter-electromotive force is inducted to a external casing of the vibration generation unit. The induction power is changed in an input unit, and when a level of an output due to the change thereof greatly fluctuates, a second driving signal is output from the waveform output unit, and logical sum of the first driving signal and the second driving signal is applied to a driving circuit. At this time, a vibration current flows to the coil, and the vibrator vibrates by the natural frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Tomokuni Wauke, Koichi Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20130049730
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter includes an insulating substrate with an inductor provided on the top surface thereof, a switching control IC provided therein, and a ground electrode pattern provided on the bottom surface thereof. The ground electrode pattern includes a first pattern and a second pattern separated from each other and a bridge pattern that connects the first and second patterns to each other. A capacitor and the switching control IC is connected to each of the first and second patterns. The bridge pattern faces the inductor and has a smaller width than that of the first and second patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Noboru KATO
  • Patent number: 8369905
    Abstract: A power transmission control device provided in a power transmission device included in a contactless power transmission system in which power is transmitted from the power transmission device to a power receiving device by electromagnetically coupling a primary coil and a secondary coil and the power is supplied to a load of the power receiving device includes a controller controlling the power transmission control device. The controller includes a communication condition setting section setting, by exchanging information with the power receiving device, a communication condition that is at least one of a communication method between the power transmission device and the power receiving device and a communication parameter, and a communication processing section performing a communication processing between the power transmission device and the power receiving device by using the set communication condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Haruhiko Sogabe, Yoichiro Kondo, Kota Onishi, Masayuki Kamiyama, Nobutaka Shiozaki, Takahiro Kamijo
  • Patent number: 8364079
    Abstract: A magnetic flux coupling transducer system comprising a primary coil (51) and primary coupling core (52) and a secondary coil (54) and secondary coupling core (55) for passing communications signals and/or electrical power from one side of an electrically conductive barrier to receiving equipment on the other side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: WFS Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark Rhodes, Brendan Hyland
  • Patent number: 8359073
    Abstract: There is provided a power transmission control device included in a power transmission device in a contactless power transmission system that transmits power from the power transmission device to a power receiving device by electromagnetically coupling a primary coil to a secondary coil to supply the power to a load of the power receiving device. The power transmission control device includes a controller controlling the power transmission control device, a host interface communicating with a power transmission-side host, and a register section accessible from the power transmission-side host via the host interface. The controller shifts into a communication mode that executes communication between the power transmission-side host and a power receiving-side host, when the power transmission-side host writes, via the host interface, a communication request command that requests the communication between the hosts in the register section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Kamiyama, Kota Onishi, Nobutaka Shiozaki, Kentaro Yoda, Takahiro Kamijo
  • Publication number: 20130009625
    Abstract: The object is to provide a transformer capable of outputting more efficiently than conventional transformers the electric power outputted in a secondary output in response to a primary input. A transformer including two or more cores, and a primary coil and a secondary coil which are wound around the cores, wherein two or more magnetic circuits formed by the cores and the primary coil or the secondary coil have a combination generating lines of magnetic force which repulsively act each other, and the cores in which said magnetic circuit forms the combination generating lines of magnetic force which repulsively act each other are provided with at least one or more gaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventor: Osamu Ide
  • Patent number: 8350357
    Abstract: A first inductor is connected to a transmission circuit. A second inductor is connected to a reception circuit, and is inductively coupled to the first inductor. At least part of the first inductor is formed with a first bonding wire. The first bonding wire has two ends connected to a first connecting terminal and a third connecting terminal. At least part of the second inductor is formed with a second bonding wire. The second bonding wire has two ends connected to a second connecting terminal and a fourth connecting terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Furumiya, Yasutaka Nakashiba
  • Patent number: 8340833
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus including a distribution transformer having a communications module. The distribution transformer is configured to convert a first high voltage electricity from a high voltage distribution line to a first low voltage electricity and convey the first low voltage electricity along a low voltage line to an electrical device. The communications module is configured to transmit a load reduction request along the low voltage line to the electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Erik Hershey, Michael James Hartman, Robert Dean King, Richard Louis Zinser, John Anderson Fergus Ross, Michael Joseph Dell'Anno
  • Publication number: 20120306472
    Abstract: Disclosed is a transformer driver circuit, which in one aspect comprises a transformer comprising a primary winding and a secondary winding and a transformer tap, the latter electrically connected to a first voltage source. The primary winding is electrically connected at both ends to respective unipolar controllable current sinks that form part of an integrated circuit. The circuit operates by each current sink selectively sinking current from the end of the primary winding to which it is connected so as to cause current to flow in the secondary winding in a push-pull fashion. The circuit further comprises a load electrically connected to the secondary winding; and protection circuitry operative to protect the integrated circuit from input levels greater than it can handle. In another aspect there is a similar transformer drive circuitry which may or may not be partly on an integrated circuit and have protection circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: BROADCOM EUROPE LIMITED
    Inventors: Jonathan Ephraim David Hurwitz, Seyed Danesh, Steven Maughan
  • Publication number: 20120306471
    Abstract: An electrical device comprising: a first current path having a primary switch therein, and means for coupling to an electrical supply; and a diversionary current path having semiconductor switching means therein, the semiconductor switching means being operable to bypass the primary switch; the device being arranged such that, in use, a first current flowing from the supply along the first current path can be diverted, on the operation of the semiconductor switching means, along the diversionary current path, bypassing the primary switch; wherein the diversionary current path comprises a controllable electrical supply operable to supply a second current whilst the semiconductor switching means are in a state of conduction, the second current being such as to cause substantially zero current to flow through the primary switch, such that the primary switch can then be opened under a condition of substantially zero load current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: Timothy Charles Green, Daniel James Rogers
  • Patent number: 8327162
    Abstract: Even if a network setting changes due to power interruption or the like, communication for controlling the operating status of load devices of an uninterruptible power supply is enabled to continue. A network communication system (1) for the uninterruptible power supply comprises UPS member controllers (12 and 13) and a UPS group controller (11) which are connected in a network (2) to control the operating status of the load devices (3) of the uninterruptible power supply (1). The UPS group controller (11) and the UPS member controllers (12 and 13) execute data communication according to a predetermined communication protocol (Internet Protocol or the like) through the network (2), and these controllers transmit/receive data in which specific identification information issued for each of the UPS member controllers (12 and 13) is added to control data as communication data in the data communication according to the predetermined communication protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: TDK-Lambda Corporation
    Inventors: Fujitaka Togashi, Masato Suzuki, Masataka Ookawa
  • Patent number: 8319489
    Abstract: A power transfer device includes: a transformer that couples a primary circuit and a secondary circuit and has a coupling constant of less than 1; and capacitances that are respectively provided in the primary circuit and the secondary circuit, and connected in series with coils that form the transformer. Circuit constants of the primary circuit and the secondary circuit are set so that the primary circuit and the secondary circuit resonate at the same frequency and a product of the square of the coupling constant, a Q value of the primary circuit and a Q value of the secondary circuit is 1. The primary circuit transfers power to the secondary circuit by means of the transformer, using a carrier wave having the resonance frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Ide
  • Patent number: 8300422
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes, for example, a circuit board with an electronic component and a piezoelectric element, a reference potential pattern that gives a reference potential to at least one of the electronic component and the piezoelectric element, and a solder land connected to the reference potential pattern. On the circuit board, the electronic component is located on a downstream side in a transport direction of the circuit board during mounting of the piezoelectric element and the electronic component on the solder land, and the piezoelectric element is located on an upstream side in the transport direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Osamu Nagasaki
  • Publication number: 20120268097
    Abstract: A direct current (DC)-to-DC conversion apparatus is provided. The provided DC-to-DC conversion apparatus is composed of two boost circuits, in which inputs of both boost circuits are connected in parallel, and outputs of both boost circuits are connected in series. Accordingly, when the provided DC-to-DC conversion apparatus is operated, the DC input power would be firstly sampled and determined, and then the operations of the first and the second switch devices disposed therein would be controlled in response to the sampled-determined result, such that both boost circuits would be respectively operated in different input conditions, for example, the input is normally-connected or the input is reverse-connected. Accordingly, regardless of the input of normal connection or the input of reverse connection, the provided DC-to-DC conversion apparatus can perform the function of DC-to-DC conversion, thereby enabling the applied product to be normally operated even the input is reverse-connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicants: FSP-POWERLAND TECHNOLOGY INC., FSP TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Ju-Lu Sun, Bo Ma, Ming Xu
  • Publication number: 20120256614
    Abstract: A technique for limiting fault current transmission is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized with a fault current limiter comprising a core having at least first easy axis and a hard axis; and a first coil wound around the core, the first coil configured to carry current. In some embodiment, the easy axis of the core may be aligned with H fields generated by the current transmitted through the first coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.
    Inventors: Frank Sinclair, Rajesh Dorai
  • Publication number: 20120242168
    Abstract: A PoE relay system includes a networking cable, a PoE power injector and a PoE access bridge device. The PoE power injector is coupled to a PoE powering apparatus to receive network data and network power, and to a power supply to receive DC power, and gathers the network data, the network power and the DC power in a gathered signal group. The PoE access bridge device is coupled to the electronic product, receives the gathered signal group, receives the DC power from the gathered signal group for operation, and separates the network data and the network power from each other, and outputs the network power to the electronic product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: Wistron NeWeb Corp.
    Inventors: Yi-Chang Tsai, Kuo-Hung Tseng
  • Patent number: 8274278
    Abstract: An automated, non-destructive anhysteretic magnetization characterization method for studying and modeling soft magnetic materials. This measurement method employs a “reading-waveform” that allows multiple points of reference to be established in tracing out the B waveform. In using the reference values from this waveform, the components of B that cannot be measured directly may be calculated with precision. In turn, the initial magnitude of the B waveform is identified as the unknown component of the anhysteretic state. The processes can be repeated for different values of static fields as well as a function of temperature to produce a family of anhysteretic magnetization curves. The core characterization was performed without physically altering the core, so that the true anhysteretic magnetization curve, and the true B-H loop under applied bias H, is measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Jeremy Walker, Stephen E Saddow
  • Patent number: 8276007
    Abstract: A processor includes analog signal input ports, an A/D conversion unit, and an ALU in a stage subsequent to the A/D conversion unit, separately from a CPU. The ALU not only stores a comparison result in a RAM independently of the CPU, but also compares an output value of the A/D conversion unit with a reference value set in the RAM, and interrupts the CPU or issues a command to a PWM generator in accordance with a flag based on the comparison result. This realizes high-speed processing in accordance with a change in an analog signal, although the processor has a low cost and a low clock frequency overall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Hara, Koichi Ueki
  • Patent number: 8227763
    Abstract: A sequence of series-connected transformers for transmitting power to high voltages incorporates an applied voltage distribution to maintain each transformer in the sequence below its withstanding voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Twin Creeks Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Richards, Geoffrey Ryding, Theodore Smick
  • Patent number: 8185755
    Abstract: A wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention includes a user terminal information acquiring unit that acquires user terminal information related to user terminals, which are connected through a wireless communication network to enable communication, from the user terminals; a wireless power transmitting circuit that wirelessly supplies power to the user terminals; a control unit that determines whether or not to supply the power to the user terminals based on the user terminal information; a user terminal location acquiring unit that acquires location information of the user terminals where the power is supplied; and a transmission power direction instructing unit that controls directivity of power supply based on the location information of the user terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Yamasuge
  • Patent number: 8175526
    Abstract: A magnetic flux coupling transducer system comprising a primary coil (51) and primary coupling core (52) and a secondary coil (54) and secondary coupling core (55) for passing communications signals and/or electrical power from one side of an electrically conductive barrier to receiving equipment on the other side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: WFS Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark Rhodes, Brendan Hyland
  • Publication number: 20120062031
    Abstract: A multi-output DC to DC converter can have complex control requirements in CCM mode because of the differing load requirements of the outputs. A multi-output DC to DC converter having a single coil or inductor and a freewheel switch is described. A controller measures the duration of the freewheel phase. The controller increases the current supplied to the DC to DC converter in the following duty-cycle if the duration is less than a first value, and decreases the current supplied to the inductor in the following duty-cycle if the duration is greater than a second value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Henricus Cornelis Johannes Buthker
  • Patent number: 8116916
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for selecting a transformer size for an industrial or commercial facility. A plurality of end-use connected load data for the facility is entered via a user interface into a memory of a computing system for determining facility load diversities. A base homogeneity is determined for the end-use connected load data. An initial facility diversity is determined based on the end-use connected loads and initial end-use diversities. A total facility diversity is determined based on the initial facility diversity, the base homogeneity, and a total connected load. An expected energy demand is determined based on the total facility diversity and a total connected load. The end-use diversity is adjusted for at least one end-use and a change in expected energy demand for the facility is allocated to each end-use. The transformer size is determined for a total expected energy demand and a total hours use for each connected load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Southern Company Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jefferson G. Zeanah, Richard G. Huff
  • Patent number: 8108695
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for reducing power drain of a component when the component is in a powered down state. The system comprises a power input configured to receive power, a power output to the component, monitor logic configured to monitor a level of power moving between the input and output, and control logic configured to control power transfer between the input and output. The control logic may be in communication with the monitor logic and configured to selectively restrict power flow between the input and output when the monitor logic senses that power flow between the input and output falls below a threshold level. A method comprises checking a power level between the input and output, and if the power level exceeds a threshold, then permitting substantially unrestricted power flow. If the power level is less than the threshold, then restricting the power level between the input and output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Gateway, Inc.
    Inventor: John Love
  • Patent number: 8086875
    Abstract: A starting device includes a first transform device that restores a first transfer signal, which is converted from an input signal supplied from an input device, to the input signal, and outputs the input signal to a computer, and a power connecting device that starts the computer when the input signal restored by the first transform device includes a starting signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Component Limited
    Inventors: Heiichi Sugino, Fujio Seki, Masato Ozawa, Keiji Miyatsu
  • Publication number: 20110285364
    Abstract: A method and arrangement for phase-fired control is provided, in which all controllable electric switching elements are linked by a common controller that has a first input for a first control signal. A set point value is pre-defined as a first input variable and assigned to a device for controlling the controllable electric switching elements. Current flowing through each switching element is measured and transmitted to the device for controlling the switching elements as a respective second input variable. The current value of the voltage in the load is measured and transmitted to the device for controlling the switching elements as a third input variable. The device for controlling the switching elements controls all switching elements in a targeted manner by use of the first, second and third input variables. A maximum of two switching elements are active at any one time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: CENTROTHERM SITEC GMBH
    Inventor: Wilfried Vollmar
  • Patent number: 8049484
    Abstract: A powered device includes a first switch, a second switch, and a controller. The first switch is disposed between a center tap of the first transformer and a center tap of the third transformer. The second switch is disposed between a center tap of the second transformer and a center tap of the fourth transformer. The controller is coupled to the first switch and the second switch. The controller is constructed and arranged to output a control signal to the first and second switches to electrically connect the center taps of the first and third transformers together and concurrently electrically connect the center taps of the second and fourth transformers together. The powered device is constructed and arranged to operate in 4-pair mode when the center taps of the first and third transformers are connected together and the center taps of the second and fourth transformers are connected together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Anoop Vetteth
  • Publication number: 20110241647
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus including a distribution transformer having a communications module. The distribution transformer is configured to convert a first high voltage electricity from a high voltage distribution line to a first low voltage electricity and convey the first low voltage electricity along a low voltage line to an electrical device. The communications module is configured to transmit a load reduction request along the low voltage line to the electrical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: John Erik Hershey, Michael James Hartman, Robert Dean King, Richard Louis Zinser, John Anderson Fergus Ross, Michael Joseph Dell'Anno
  • Patent number: 8022776
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to coupled circuits and methods of coupling circuits having a power supply wherein a plurality of transistors are inductively coupled directly to the power supply for providing a single DC supply voltage directly to each of the plurality of transistors, and wherein a plurality of transformers have primary and secondary windings, the primary and secondary windings providing, at least in part, inductive loads for inductively coupling the plurality of transistors to the power supply, the plurality of transformers also providing an AC signal path for coupling neighboring ones of the plurality of transistors together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Mau-Chung Frank Chang, Daquan Huang, Tim Richard LaRocca
  • Publication number: 20110221420
    Abstract: A method of controlling the grid-side current of a single-phase grid-connected converter having an LCL filter connected between the output of the converter and the grid. The method includes measuring a grid voltage (vS) and at least one signal in a group of signals consisting of a grid-side current (i0), a converter-side current (i1) and a capacitor voltage (vC0).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Antonio COCCIA, Gerardo Escobar, Leonardo-Augusto Serpa, Mikko Paakkinen, Sami Pettersson
  • Patent number: 8018696
    Abstract: A system for moving an aircraft thrust reverser component includes a power drive unit, a thrust reverser actuator assembly, and a tertiary lock system. The power drive unit is operable to rotate and supply a rotational drive force. The thrust reverser actuator assembly receives the rotational drive force from the power drive unit and moves the thrust reverser component between a stowed position and a deployed position. The tertiary lock system selectively engages and disengages the thrust reverser component and includes a tertiary lock power unit, an electromechanical tertiary lock assembly, and a voltage limiting circuit. The voltage limiting circuit limits the voltage magnitude of a control signal supplied to the tertiary lock assembly to a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Terry L. Ahrendt
  • Publication number: 20110204870
    Abstract: A target closing phase determining circuit determines energization flux errors in respective phases and respective closing phases of a first phase, and determines a target closing phase of the first phase so as to minimize an evaluated value related to determined energization flux errors in the respective phases. Each of the energization flux errors is the maximum value of absolute values of center values of transformer fluxes generated in a static state after energization. The target closing phase determining circuit determines the energization flux errors based on residual flux values for the first to third phases of a three-phase power supply, respectively, a pre-arc characteristic and a closing time variation characteristic of a three-phase circuit breaker, a connection condition of windings of a three-phase transformer, to which the three-phase circuit breaker is connected, and voltage phase differences among the phases of the three-phase power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Tsutada, Takashi Hirai
  • Publication number: 20110188276
    Abstract: An inverter circuit contains a first and second DC sources for providing a DC voltage, a common boost converter for boosting the DC voltage, an intermediate circuit capacitor connected between the outputs of the common boost converter, and an inverter for converting the DC voltage provided by the capacitor into an AC voltage. The common boost converter contains a series circuit having a first inductance and a first rectifier element and is connected between an output of the first DC source and one side of the intermediate circuit capacitor as well as a series circuit which includes a second inductance and a second rectifier element and is connected between an output of the second DC source and another side of the intermediate circuit capacitor. The common boost converter further contains a common switching element formed by at least two circuit-breakers which are connected between the first and second DC sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: DIEHL AKO STIFTUNG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Christoph Schill
  • Publication number: 20110181218
    Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus includes: a first transistor; a second transistor having a higher withstand voltage than the first transistor, a source of the second transistor coupled to a drain of the first transistor, a gate of the second transistor coupled to a source of the first transistor; a third transistor having a higher withstand voltage than the first transistor and a drain of the third transistor coupled to a drain of the second transistor; and a comparator that compares a source voltage of the first transistor with a source voltage of the third transistor, and controls a gate voltage of the first transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: FUJITSU SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITED
    Inventor: Chikara TSUCHIYA
  • Publication number: 20110169476
    Abstract: An asymmetrical coupled inductor includes a first and a second winding and a core. The core is formed of a magnetic material and magnetically couples together the windings. The core is configured such that a leakage inductance value of the first winding is greater than a leakage inductance value of the second winding. The coupled inductor is included, for example, in a multi-phase DC-to-DC converter. A DC-to-DC converter including a symmetrical coupled inductor includes at least one additional inductor electrically coupled in series with one or more of the coupled inductor's windings. A controller for a DC-to-DC converter including a first phase having an effective inductance value greater than an effective inductance value of a second phase is configured to shut down the second phase while the first phase remains operational during a light load operating condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Alexandr Ikriannikov, Ognjen Djekic