Abstract: A power converter suitable for use in an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) includes first and second voltage busses, an input port having a first terminal coupled to one of the first and second voltage busses, a neutral bus and an output terminal. A first switching circuit selectively couples a second terminal of the input port to the first and second voltage busses. A second switching circuit selectively couples the first and second voltage busses to the output terminal. A third switching circuit selectively couples the first and second voltage busses to the neutral bus. Preferably, the first, second and third switching circuits are operative to produce an AC output voltage at the output terminal from a DC input voltage at the input port such that alternating ones of the first and second terminals of the first input port are referenced to the neutral bus for successive first and second half cycles of the AC output voltage.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrical power supply circuit for an automobile vehicle.

Abstract: A power converter suitable for use in an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) includes first and second voltage busses, an input port having a first terminal coupled to one of the first and second voltage busses, a neutral bus and an output terminal. A first switching circuit selectively couples a second terminal of the input port to the first and second voltage busses. A second switching circuit selectively couples the first and second voltage busses to the output terminal. A third switching circuit selectively couples the first and second voltage busses to the neutral bus. Preferably, the first, second and third switching circuits are operative to produce an AC output voltage at the output terminal from a DC input voltage at the input port such that alternating ones of the first and second terminals of the first input port are referenced to the neutral bus for successive first and second half cycles of the AC output voltage.

Abstract: The invention relates to an energy converter for supplying electric energy from an energy source to a load. The converter comprises a transformer having a primary side and a secondary side, the secondary side being adapted to be connected to the load. At least a first and a second controllable switch are arranged in series with each other for generating an alternating current in the primary side of the transformer. The energy converter also comprises a control device for generating control signals with which the first and the second switch are opened and closed. The control device comprises a detector for generating a detection signal when the energy converter is operative in a capacitive or near-capacitive mode. To generate the detection signal, the detector detects a voltage jump that occurs at a mode between the first and the second switch when the first or the second switch is closed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a magnetic power component and to a magnetic power component. The component comprises a multi-layer coil (1) which consists of several windings disposed in the layers, first and second electrical conductors (5, 6) which are electrically connected to the selected windings, and a first and a second core part (7, 8) which are arranged to direct magnetism to the windings. The first side (2) of the multi-layer coil (1) is provided with a cavity (9) and the first core part (7) is at least partially mounted in the cavity.

Abstract: An implantable sensor includes electronic circuitry for automatically performing on a periodic basis, e.g., every 1 to 24 hours, specified integrity tests which verify proper operation of the sensor.

Abstract: A method for distributing power in an electronic system comprising of receiving power in a first domain at a connector of a peripheral device and converting the power to a second domain at the connector of the peripheral device is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling voltage-charge controlled power semiconductor devices in converting electric power comprises members (18-25) adapted to detect selected parameters describing the function of the power semiconductor device through the connection to the power semiconductor device. The apparatus has also means (26) adapted to compare the value of the selected function parameters detected with reference levels thereof, a programmable circuit (16) adapted to generate said reference levels for comparison and process data resulting from the comparison so as to on the basis thereof on its output deliver a digital signal corresponding to an order of a predetermined current level to or from the gate of the device, and a current stiff amplifier (30) being digitally controlled and adapted to receive the digital signal from the programmable circuit and on the basis thereof generate a current to or from the gate of the power semiconductor device with said predetermined current level for controlling the device.

Abstract: A switched mode DC-DC power converter of the flyback type includes a primary circuit and a secondary circuit capacitively coupled to one another. In a first aspect the primary includes circuitry for achieving a 2:1 current transfer gain over the input, in a second aspect the secondary includes circuitry for achieving a 2:1 current transfer gain over an input. Combined, a 4:1 current transfer gain may be realized.

Abstract: Switched-mode power supplies having a switching transistor and a transformer, with whose primary winding the switching transistor is connected in series, usually require a starting circuit, which is connected to an input voltage. Since a current continually flows through the starting circuit even during normal operation, it is endeavoured to keep the said current as small as possible. The switched-mode power supply comprises a threshold value circuit, for example a Zener diode connected in series with a resistor, which keeps the driver circuit turned off after the switching-on of the switched-mode power supply, until the operating voltage for the driver circuit has exceeded a specific threshold value which is referred to one end of a winding on the primary side. As a result of this, it is possible to charge a charging capacitor via the starting circuit with a low current, without currents flowing away.

Abstract: A pulse width control IC circuit that greatly reduces price, increases packaging density,and improves reliability for switching power supply units, wherein the IC circuit is on a single chip and includes a main converter control section that controls the ON and OFF actions of a main switch outside the IC, an output MOSFET, and an auxiliary converter control section that controls the ON and OFF actions of the output MOSFET.

Abstract: An antiseismic static electrical converter installation comprises a valve assembly mounted on a platform, the platform being suspended at each of two opposite ends from a series of rods which are attached in a spaced-out relationship to a horizontal beam, the beam being mounted on the ground via rubber springs. During an earthquakes movement of the ground causes mainly lateral distortion of the rubber springs and elastic bending of the rods, and, since the natural resonant frequency of the suspension system is designed to be low and the rubber springs are deigned to have significant damping, a high degree of isolation is provided for the platform and the equipment mounted on it. During severe earthquakes, the rods are arranged to suffer a plastic bending which causes them to act like pendulums and changes the natural frequency of the suspension system to increase the damping and provide greater protection.

Abstract: A programmable amplitude ramp generator for an automotive voltage regulator includes a selection circuit (405) with an output (406) that provides a selection signal (407) with a plurality of states. A voltage reference circuit (401, 403) includes an output (410) that provides a different reference voltage dependent on each of the plurality of states of the selection signal (407). A resistive device (411) has an input (414) coupled to the output (410) of the voltage reference (401, 403), and an output (416). A gateable multi-resistive device (413) has an output (415) coupled to the output 416 of the resistive device 411. A coupleable resistive device (409) has an input (419) coupled to the output (410) of the voltage reference circuit (401, 403) and an output (421) coupleable to the output (416) of the resistive device (411) responsive to receipt of one of the plurality of states of the selection signal (407).

Abstract: The present invention provides smooth conversion of electric power between an AC line operating at a first voltage and a DC line operating at a second voltage bearing a fixed ratio to the first voltage. In one embodiment, polyphase AC is converted to rippled DC. In one embodiment, switched DC is converted to AC of one or more phases. The electric power converter of the invention uses a single electrical winding can be thought of as derived from the formerly well-known, and now largely forgotten, synchronous converter by locking the rotor, discarding the field winding and its power supply, replacing the AC slip ring contacts with hardwired connections, and replacing the DC commutator taps, bars and brushes with rectifying taps. Thus, the new power converter may be referred to as a single-winding static synchronous converter.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply, with passing neutral, comprises a twin step-up chopper whose input is connected to a battery and to a rectifier circuit connected to the mains power system. The twin step-up chopper comprises a positive step-up chopper supplying a first output voltage between a positive DC output and neutral, and a negative step-up chopper supplying a second output voltage between a negative DC output and neutral. The control circuit of the twin step-up chopper comprises means for regulating imbalance between the output voltages of the positive and negative step-up choppers, suitable both for operation on the mains power system and for operation on the battery.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a generator having an inverter, an engine directly coupled to the generator, and a mode selection switch which manually selects either of a low load mode or a high load mode. In the control apparatus for the generator, when an excessive load is determined to be applied to the inverter during the selection of the low load mode, the inverter is temporarily interrupted so that the engine is accelerated up to a rated revolution speed and, thereafter, the inverter is automatically returned in its operating state.

Abstract: A semiconductor device for converting DC input power to AC output power includes a package having a rectangular shape with four side edges and containing a plurality of semiconductor chips therein. Two pairs of positive and negative terminals of DC input terminals are situated on the side edges to face to each other such that the same polar terminals in the positive and negative terminals face to each other. AC output terminals and control terminals are arranged on the side edges where the DC input terminals are not formed.

Abstract: A control system for one or more dc motors in which thyristor power modules selectively gate portions of half cycles of ac voltage to the motor field and armature windings, has digitally implemented parallel inner control loops for the armature which each generate an intermediate control signal to which proportional plus derivative control action has been applied. Logic selects the intermediate control signal which phases back firing pulses for the thyristor power modules the most for application to a common digital integrator which produces a control signal having proportional plus integral control action. The voltage across each of the thyristors is monitored and used to detect continuous and discontinuous current operation for adjusting integrator gain.

Abstract: In a capacitor-based energy storage system, in which the capacitor charging voltage is on the same order of magnitude as the system output voltage, the time between recharges for a given energy release rate is extended by producing an intermediate regulated capacitor output of a voltage having a lower order of magnitude and then stepping that voltage back up to the system output voltage through the use of an inverter.

Abstract: A circuit providing switch-off relief of controllable semiconductor switches, such as a gate turn-off thyristor. A series connected storage capacitor and diode are placed in parallel across the thyristor. A controllable discharge switch is driven by a control circuit so as to close a discharge current circuit connecting the storage capacitor to the primary winding of a transformer. The discharge switch is responsive to the voltage polarity across the diode to enable a current to flow through the primary winding for discharging the storage capacitor and for interrupting the current flow through the primary winding for discharging the energy stored in the transformer through a secondary winding.

Abstract: A solar energy electric generating system for space vehicles is provided which directly generates alternating current from ambient light without the use of inefficient power conversion. Light incident to photocell arrays is mechanically or electrically gated to produce fluctuating DC. A number of transforming devices are provided to convert the fluctuating direct current to alternating current. By varying the frequency and duty cycle of the pulsing output voltage, frequency and phase relative to some reference may be controlled. Additionally, direct current may also be produced efficiently from the same photocell arrays. A closed-loop system is provided for regulation. The rotational torque produced by a rotating shutter version may also be used, under inertial navigation control, to provide a rotational torque for vehicle positioning.

Abstract: A motor (M) supplied by AC full-wave voltage is controlled by a triac (Q2) under the control of a double-time constant triggering circuit which has a speed setting branch (R3-C2) connected at the triac (Q2) side of the motor (M) and the other time constant branch (R1-C1) connected at the supply side of the motor (M) to provide a feedback function as well as a first time constant. A unidirectional diode (D1) is incorporated in the feedback sensing time constant branch for rendering feedback signals only on alternate half cycles to prevent oscillation and overcompensation of motor speed due to the feedback signal. A soft-start circuit, usable also in half-wave applications, is incorporated in the branch containing adjustable speed setting resistor and comprises a transistor (Q3) having its collector-emitter circuit connected in series with the adjustable resistor (R3).

Abstract: A static electrical converter for high voltage DC is provided with at least one valve assembly which has one or more valves electrically connected in series. Each of these valves includes a plurality of valve modules carried by a carrier for dependent mounting. The valve modules are connected to the carrier with the aid of resilient members allowing vertical spring movement between the valve modules and the upper portion formed for suspension of the carrier.

Abstract: If a three-phase current is generated by dc-to-ac conversion, a higher ac output voltage is achieved by connecting each of the three phases alternately to one of the two terminals of the dc voltage source during a sixth-period section, while the two other phases have a sinusoidal waveform, such that the difference voltages between all three phases are sinusoidal.

Abstract: A static electrical converter, preferably for high voltage, has at least one valve assembly each having a single valve or a plurality of electrically series-connected valves. The valve assembly is provided with suspension members at its upper end, so that the valve assembly can be suspended from a supporting structure.

Abstract: A novel transformer is described for use in a static inverter in association with one or two switching semiconductor devices. The transformer produces an output for control of the associated switching device(s) which changes in sense from conduction aiding to conduction inhibiting as a function of the flux level in the transformer core. The invention is applicable to single loop cores, such as are assembled from two "U" cores. Control is effected by a primary and secondary control winding wound through an aperture pair, the aperture pair being oriented for "neutrality" of the second control winding to the main flux. The aperture pair creates a five branch magnetic path which permits optimizing the control voltage applied to the associated semiconductor devices both to enhance the switching efficiency when the switching device is initially turned on and to reduce stresses on the switching device by precluding transformer saturation when the switching device is turned off.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus employing induction heating is normally constructed so as to utilize a metal housing supporting a cook top upon which there is located at least one induction heating coil. The housing normally contains an electronic "package" for use in supplying power to the coil or coils used and a fan for circulating air through the housing so as to maintain the temperature of the electronic components employed sufficiently low that they will not be damaged by heat. In the disclosed apparatus a thermistor is mounted on the housing adjacent to the wires connecting the electronic components to the heating coil or coils used. This thermistor is used to control the flow of current through an SCR or a triac acting as a switch in a circuit containing the fan motor.