Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a DC-to-DC converter package includes: a DC-to-DC converter circuit. The components of the DC-to-DC converter circuit that perform high frequency switching during converter operation are surface mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) so that the heat produced from the high frequency switching is approximately equally distributed at least over the portion of the PCB where the components are mounted.

Abstract: The dead space at the top or bottom of a power converter bay or cabinet is used for the interconnection of the DC buses of adjacent bays by securing to the DC buses a pair of brackets which between them form a channel into which a linking bus having two conductor bars laminated together and separated by an insulating layer can be longitudinally slipped and fastened. The structure of the invention makes use of the dead space in a power converter bay and also permits interconnection of DC buses while the circuit is live.

Abstract: A bus holdup circuit for a module of a distributed power system, a method of bolstering bus voltage and a distributed power system employing the circuit or the method. In one embodiment, wherein the module has a backplane interface adapted to be removably coupled to a DC backplane of the distributed power system, the bus holdup circuit includes: (1) an energy storage circuit, coupled across the backplane interface, adapted to store and dissipate energy to bolster a voltage across the DC backplane and (2) an inrush limiting circuit, series-coupled to the energy storage circuit, adapted to limit an inrush current to the module.

Abstract: A power accessory for apportioning electrical current between an electronic device and a rechargeable battery used in connection with the device includes two current limiting circuits. The first current limiting circuit limits the current supplied to the device to the peak current that device may demand. Any remaining current from the first current limiting circuit is passed through the second current limiter to the recharge the battery based on a charging algorithm. When the battery is fully charged, the second current limiting circuit stops providing current to the battery.

Abstract: In order to bring a moduled power converter into less size and cost in the case of a structure having a lead-insert-case, an insulated metal circuit board and a printed circuit board, a difficulty was encountered in thinning a wiring width and an increase in pad area for each metal wire has interfered with a reduction in its size and cost.In the present invention to cope with it, a power converter is constructed by using a semiconductor module having such a structure that a metal base and lead frames are adhered to each other in a state in which an insulating adhesive sheet is interposed therebetween, a resin-molded outer package is adhered to the metal base with an adhesive or the like, and a resin sealing agent is charged into the resin-molded outer package to thereby integrally seal the resin-molded outer package and circuit parts such as semiconductor elements implemented therein, whereby a reduction in size and cost thereof is realized.

Abstract: A rectifier circuit having voltage clamping circuitry is disclosed. The rectifier circuit includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding and transistor switches each being connected to an end of the secondary winding of the transformer. The rectifier circuit further includes a first diode having an anode terminal connected to a first end of the secondary winding and a second diode having an anode terminal connected to a second end of the secondary winding. The cathode terminals of the first and second diodes are coupled to a capacitor. The energy stemming from voltage spikes and/or high frequency ringing appearing at the transistor switches due to parasitic effects is effectively absorbed by the first and second diodes and collected in the capacitor. The collected energy is recycled to control the operation of the transistor switches.

Abstract: In a bridge circuit, Thyristers for each arm are arranged on the respective surfaces of each DC-side buses, and intervals, at an AC side of a bridge circuit, of connection conductors in the same arm are made equal in order to substantially equalize the mutual inductances between the connection conductors, thereby balancing current shares while currents flowing through the conductors are temporally varying.

Abstract: Capacitors and power electronic components, such as power switches of hybrid configuration, are positioned with low inductance and in close proximity to each other on one said of an intermediate-circuit assembly, below a flat intermediate-circuit bus. The bus and the capacitors and power electronic components are electrically and conductively connected. An electrically insulated and heat-dissipating cooling body is positioned on the other side of the intermediate-circuit assembly. At least a portion of the converter circuitry or the entire converter is arranged in a single housing. The result is a compact and reliable electronic circuit arrangement for a converter.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to mechanisms for programming power supply circuitry for providing an appropriate current or voltage to powering portable devices or recharge batteries. More particularly, a power supply is coupled to a portable device of battery through a connector which is associated with the portable device or battery. The connecter includes resistive circuitry which is detectable at the power supply for programming the power supply to provide the appropriate voltage or current associated with the portable device or battery.

Abstract: A heat sink apparatus including a fluid conduit within a body portion wherein the body portion including at least one body member linked to the fluid conduit and forming at least first and second walls which are in different planes, the walls forming at least a first mounting surface for mounting heat generating devices.

Abstract: A miniaturized VHV transformer/rectifier for surface mounting on a screen-printed ceramic substrate. The primary winding and secondary windings are wound on separate limbs of the magnetic circuit which are sufficiently far apart to obtain a considerable leakage self-inductance. The secondary winding is formed by a stack of pancake coils each including a respective winding and the associated diode bridge along with their respective connections. The primary is cemented to a ceramic interface plate which is metallized on its rim to make a transfer plate coinciding with the surface of the receiving substrate.

Abstract: A power supplying apparatus includes a housing with a plurality of storage compartments and a box-receiving compartment. A rear cover is mounted on the housing to close an open rear side of the latter. A circuit board unit is mounted on an inner surface of the rear cover. Each of a plurality of power-supplying units is disposed removably in a respective one of the storage compartments, and has an internal power supply circuit and an internal isolating circuit. A first set of complementary connectors interconnects the power-supplying units and the circuit board unit. A control box has a casing received removably in the box-receiving compartment, and a control circuit disposed in the casing. The control circuit includes a detecting and alarm generating circuit and a load balancing circuit, and is connected to the circuit board unit via a second set of complementary connectors.

Abstract: A package for power converters in which a multilayers circuits board holds the components. The winding of the magnetic elements are incorporated in the multilayers circuit board. The top and some portion of the bottom layer are also support for electronic components. Some of the components are placed on the top layer, which may not be utilized for magnetic winding, reducing the footprint of the magnetic elements to the footprint of the magnetic core. The power dissipating devices placed on pads which have a multitude of copper coated via connecting the top to bottom layers. Through these via the heat is transferred from the power devices to the other side of the PCB. In some of the embodiment of this invention the heat can be further transferred to a metal plate connected to the multilayers circuit board via a thermally conductive insulator. The baseplate has cutouts or cavities to accommodate the magnetic cores.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self-contained converter plant for use in a modular power supply system. A modular power supply system includes a chassis having power unit bays each configured to receive a power unit module therein, a power distribution bus, a communications bus and a controller. In one embodiment, the self-contained converter plant comprises a housing having a power input connector configured to engage an electrical power interface on the power distribution bus and a converter communications connector configured to engage a communications interface on the communications bus. The converter plant further comprises a converter, and a power distribution device, all contained in the housing. The power distribution panel is electrically coupled to the converter.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus which includes at least one switching power supply disposed in a chassis connected to earth ground and at least one D.C. to D.C. converter whose inputs float with respect to system ground. To reduce transmission of high-frequency electrical switching energy from the switching power supply to the load, the invention contemplates a tuned reactive circuit connected between the system ground and the earth ground. Electrical switching energy is shunted to earth ground by way of bypass capacitors located at various stages of the power supply apparatus. A further aspect of the apparatus contemplates the interposition of low-pass filters between the switching power supply and one or more D.C. to D.C. converters connected to the power supply and/or between the D.C. to D.C. converters and their respective loads to effectively eliminate radiated electromagnetic energy.

Abstract: A larger-diameter fin is provided adjacent to a frame, while a smaller-diameter fin is provided adjacent to a protecting cover. The larger-diameter fin and the smaller-diameter fin are arranged parallel to each other in an axial direction with an intervening clearance so that their rectifying elements are disposed at opposite directions each other. The larger-diameter fin is offset outward in a radial direction. The smaller-diameter fin is offset inward in the radial direction. The protecting cover has an axial opening which introduces external air directly to the positive rectifying element. Furthermore, a radial ventilation passage is formed between the larger-diameter fin and the frame so as to pass the central position of the negative rectifying element. An opening, introducing external air directly, is formed at a radial-outer end of the radial ventilation passage.

Abstract: A system and method for charging rechargeable batteries is disclosed. A charging circuit monitors aspects of a rechargeable battery during charging and applies power to the terminals of the battery received from a power supply. The charging circuitry signals to a power supply to control the current or voltage applied to the charging circuitry based upon the monitored aspects of the battery and the type of charge storing compound within the cells of the battery. The charging circuitry and battery may be part of a rechargeable battery cartridge disposed within a compartment of a portable electronic device having a dynamic operational load. By controlling the power supply, the charging circuitry can simultaneously apply power to the operational load to operate the device while charging the battery.

Abstract: A thin power supply is configured to be mounted vertically within a card cage for pin assembly connection with the forward face of a backplane. Through the utilization of a vertical flat metal platform in combination with a thin sheet metal folded fin array, the components of the power supply may be cooled by fan driven air of passing through the card cage itself. To achieve heat dissipation, those components of the power supply which exhibit higher heat dissipation characteristics are firmly coupled with the power supply platform such that the bulk of the heat generated by them is dissipated by the folded fin array and the card cage fan driven air passing over and through it. Other components not having high beat dissipation characteristics are circuit board mounted and cooled by the movement of fan driven card cage air flow which passes through the housing of the power supply.

Abstract: A multi-deck power converter module assembly for connection with a substrate (e.g., a host board) having connection regions disposed on its surface includes a second circuit board positioned over a first circuit board, the second circuit board having apertures extending from an upper surface to a lower surface of the second circuit board. At least two rail members are positioned over the second circuit board, each rail member having a first and a second plurality of holes. A pair of spacers are disposed between the first and second circuit boards, each spacer extending through one of the apertures of the second circuit board and received within one of the first plurality of holes of one of the rail members. Terminal pins are attached to the first circuit board, at least one terminal pin extending through the second circuit board and a corresponding one of the second plurality of holes for connection to one of the connection regions on the substrate.

Abstract: A heat sink apparatus and method for making the same including a metallic main body portion and a hollow metallic fluid conduit assembly disposed within the main body portion and a binder material disposed between the assembly and the main body portion wherein the binder material prohibits alloying between the materials used to form each of the assembly and the body portion. The invention includes a supporter for maintaining the tube conduit position, both laterally and vertically during formation.

Abstract: An architecture, module set and platform to provide total power protection from utility disturbances. Power supplies employing the invention are built on power buses for utility AC input, battery DC input and conditioned AC output housed in the platform and employ modular line-to-AC-or-DC power-factor-correcting converters and battery/charger sets either housed in the platform or integrated as part of the front end power supply for a critical load such as a computer.

Abstract: A rectifier bridges assembly for use with an automotive alternator includes a base plate conductively mounted to a ground and providing a negative heat sink, and an overlying finned positive heat sink structure having a surface area at least twice that of the base plate, which adjoins the base plate to cooperatively define a chamber therebetween. When utilized in connection with a standard 3-phase type AC electrical generator, three stator connection terminals are provided that each include an upper portion which extends through the positive heat sink structure in a non-conductive relation, and a lower portion disposed within the chamber and supported therein by a thermo-conductive, nonelectrically-conductive epoxy. Three diodes disposed within the chamber extend between the baseplate and respective ones of the stator connection terminals. Three additional diodes are disposed within the chamber between the respective stator connection terminals and the overlying positive heat sink structure.

Abstract: A capacitor-type power supply unit includes a capacitor block. The capacitor block has a plurality of capacitor cells and bus bars connecting the capacitor cells in series. A plurality of electronic circuit boards are connected respectively to the capacitor cells, for controlling corresponding ones of the capacitor cells. The electronic circuit boards and the bus bars are mounted on the capacitor cells.

Abstract: A curved low impedance laminated bus assembly includes a curved first sheet of relatively thin conductive material forming an AC bus conductor and a curved second sheet of relatively thin conductive material forming a -DC bus conductor directly connected to a -DC line side of a DC energy storage device. A curved third sheet of relatively thin conductive material forms a +DC bus conductor directly connected to a +DC line side of the DC energy storage device and is connected to the AC bus conductor through a +DC switch. A plurality of dielectric sheets are laminated between the AC bus conductor, the -DC bus conductor, and the +DC bus conductor.

Abstract: A VSC converter has each current valve of a phase leg formed by a plurality of units of semiconductor elements and rectifying members, located on top of each other forming at least one stack. The phase leg is constructed according to the flat cable principle with the phase leg formed by such stacks arranged side by side in pairs at small distances (d) running back and forth. A cooling plate of electrically conducting material is arranged between each unit in the stacks.

Abstract: A new, small form factor power supply is disclosed that provides a regulated DC power supply in a package that radiates relatively little heat and that occupies 2.85.times.5.0.times.0.436 inches. The secondary coil of the transformer is positioned at the summing node of the flux of the primary coils and the phase of the drive signals provided to the secondary coils is regulated to control the current and voltage provided by the secondary circuit. Preferably, all circuit components are surface mount devices and the transformer cores are E block planar cores mounted on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: In order to reduce the commutation inductance of series-connected controllable semiconductor components (V1-V6), the latter are connected, in an essentially orthogonal manner and at a predeterminable distance (a), via spur double striplines (6, 6') to essentially planar main lines (5, 5'). All of the double striplines (5, 5'; 6, 6') have a layered structure and are mutually insulated by a thin insulating layer (7), with the result that a minimum current area is achieved. The controllable semiconductor components (V1-V6) are accommodated closely adjacent to freewheeling diodes in a module (10), the heat of which can be dissipated by cooling elements (8). Bipolar transistors having an insulated gate (IGBTs) are preferably used as controllable semiconductor components (V1-V6).

Abstract: A modularly designed converter with T-shaped current bus bars arranged in parallel and with the crossbars thereof mounted on a metal plate but electrically insulated therefrom. The longitudinal ribs of the bus bars support semiconductor valves and the free ends of the bus bars support a power board and a condenser board. The condenser board is spaced from the power board.

Abstract: A rectifier device comprises a heat conductive housing including a plurality of cooling fins; a plurality of diodes disposed within the housing and thermally connected thereto such that heat generated by the diodes during operation is transferred to the housing; input connector operably connected to the diodes; and output connector one end of which is operably connected to the diodes and the other end of which is adapted for hard-wire connection to a load.

Abstract: A multi-deck power converter module assembly for connection with a substrate (e.g., a host board) having connection regions disposed on its surface includes a second circuit board positioned over a first circuit board, the second circuit board having apertures extending from an upper surface to a lower surface of the second circuit board. At least two rail members are positioned over the second circuit board, each rail member having a first and a second plurality of holes. A pair of spacers are disposed between the first and second circuit boards, each spacer extending through one of the apertures of the second circuit board and received within one of the first plurality of holes of one of the rail members. Terminal pins are attached to the first circuit board, at least one terminal pin extending through the second circuit board and a corresponding one of the second plurality of holes for connection to one of the connection regions on the substrate.

Abstract: A package for a power magnetic device containing an isolation transformer having a primary and secondary winding, and a method of manufacture therefor.

Abstract: The invention is a rectifier assembly (10) having reduced mass and high rigidity permitting operation at high rotational speeds. The rotating rectifier includes a rotator shaft assembly (12), a first conductive diode carrier (18), a second conductive diode carrier (20), first and second electrical conductors (40 and 44) connected to the first and second diode carriers and to one end of the rectifier assembly to provide a first DC output and a second DC output and first, second and third diode groups (37, 37', 37"). Each conductive diode carrier has an inner annulus (24) including first, second and third diode receiving surfaces (26, 28 and 30) disposed at spaced apart locations on the inner annulus of the diode carrier and an outer periphery which engages an inner annulus of the rotor shaft assembly. Each diode group comprises at least two diodes (38).

Abstract: An architecture, module set and platform to provide total power protection from utility disturbances. Power supplies employing the invention are built on power buses for utility AC input, battery DC input and conditioned AC output housed in the platform and employ modular line-to-AC-or-DC power-factor-correcting converters and battery/charger sets either housed in the platform or integrated as part of the front end power supply for a critical load such as a computer.

Abstract: A linear-motion contactless power supply device for supplying electrical power from a stationary unit to a movable unit without direct contact; the stationary unit being a cylindrical primary conductor to which a high-frequency alternating current is supplied; the movable unit being provided with a secondary conductor which is isolated from the primary conductor and which is arranged coaxially with the primary conductor so as to be slidable in the longitudinal direction of and with respect to the primary conductor and also provided with a high-frequency toroidal core which is arranged so as to cover the secondary conductor from the outside.

Abstract: A rectifier module assembly for a conventional three phase AC generator is formed into two crescent shaped rectifier modules so that the rectifier assembly can be mounted directly to the housing of the exciter rotor. The positive and negative rectifier modules are thermally conductive so that the exciter rotor itself can act as a heat sink for the rectifier module assembly. The rectifier module assembly occupies the space between and around the generator shaft and the exciter rotor windings.

Abstract: A switching power source unit has a constitution that the DC-DC portion 5 in which electronic parts are mounted on a metal core substrate and the AC-DC portion 6 in which electronic parts are mounted on a glass epoxy substrate are mounted in the same metallic outer cabinet 1, for example, the metal core substrate is attached on the heat sink 19 and the heat sink 19 is set in contact with the outer cabinet 1 so as to radiate heat from the metal core substrate.

Abstract: A rectifying unit for an alternator is composed of AC input terminal and cooling fins connected to output ends (including a neutral point) of a multi-phase stator coil, a negative-poled cooling fin which is grounded and fixed to a rear cover of the alternator, diodes whose anodes are soldered to the AC input fins and whose cathodes are welded to a positive output terminal, and diodes whose anodes are soldered to a negative-poled fin and whose cathodes are welded to the AC input fins.

Abstract: An architecture, module set and platform to provide total power protection from utility disturbances. Power supplies employing the invention are built on power buses for utility AC input, battery DC input and conditioned AC output housed in the platform and employ modular line-to-AC-or-DC power-factor-correcting converters and battery/charger sets either housed in the platform or integrated as part of the front end power supply for a critical load such as a computer.

Abstract: An inverter unit of the invention converts a DC current to a high frequency AC current. The inverter unit is formed of a metal conductor base plate connected to a positive terminal of a DC power supply; and switching elements arranged on both surfaces of the base plate. Each switching element situated on each surface of the base plate includes an upper arm and a lower arm of the inverter unit to form an arm pair. The arm pairs formed on both surfaces of the base plate constitute a single phase bridge circuit.

Abstract: An integral transformer/rectifier component includes a lead frame having terminals for connecting to conductors of a circuit substrate. A transformer primary and secondary winding is mounted on the lead frame and a rectifying diode is mounted on the same frame and is directly connected to a winding terminal end of the secondary winding, The transformer windings and diode are encapsulated in a thermoset plastic. A terminal end of the diode is extended beyond the encapsulation and used as an output terminal of the integral transformer/rectifier component.

Abstract: A new, small form factor power supply is disclosed that provides a regulated DC power supply in a package that radiates relatively little heat and that occupies 2.85.times.5.0.times.0.436 inches. The secondary coil of the transformer is positioned at the summing node of the flux of the primary coils and the phase of the drive signals provided to the secondary coils is regulated to control the current and voltage provided by the secondary circuit. Preferably, all circuit components are surface mount devices and the transformer cores are E block planar cores mounted on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetics substrate for implementing a coupled transformer and inductor. In one version, the transformer and inductor are used in a DC to DC converter. The transformer includes primary and secondary windings, each comprising a set of planar windings coupled to one another in series and lying on planar surfaces of layers of the magnetics substrate. These planar windings are coaxially aligned along a transformer core axis which is orthogonal to the layers, and the primary and secondary windings are magnetically coupled to one another through a transformer core positioned along the transformer core axis. The inductor includes a set of planar windings coupled to one another in series and lying on planar surfaces of the layers.

Abstract: An inverter device for changing direct current to alternating current for supplying to an electric motor which may be employed in an electric automobile. This inverter device includes a plurality of switching units, a cooling support member, capacitors, and pairs of first and second conductive plates. Each of the switching units has a box-like casing mounted on the cooling support member, and includes a positive switching element, a negative switching element connected in series, and positive and negative terminals. The positive and negative terminals are exposed on the upper wall of the casing. Each of the capacitors is arranged over an upper wall of the casing of a corresponding one of the switching units, and has positive and negative charge/discharge terminals.

Abstract: A laminated bus assembly including a high power coupler to provide a low impedance, low noise laminated bus assembly for a switched converter that includes a plurality of switch pairs to convert between an AC power line and a DC device. The laminated bus assembly includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, and a third conductive layer. A dielectric layer is laminated between each of the first, second, and third planes. The high power coupler includes a bushing positioned within the laminated assembly, including an engageable section for engaging with one of the conductive layers. A passage hole including an insulator ring is formed in intermediate conductive planes for passage of the bushing. A circuit layout includes a plurality of electrical connections between the switches, the AC, -DC and +DC bar conductors, and the DC device.

Abstract: The present invention locates the primary winding of a transformer in a configuration where it substantially surrounds the secondary winding of the transformer in order to enhance the efficiency of the electromagnetic coupling. High magnetic permeability material surrounds portions of the primary winding of the transformer. The transformer is designed to efficiently operate at frequencies of approximately 50 kilohertz. In one preferred embodiment, the primary winding of the invention is formed of two U-shapes in which the parallel members of the U are substantially longer than the bottom portion of the U. The two U-shapes form a rectangular shape and the substantially parallel rectangular portions are surrounded by high magnetic permeability material to further enhance the electromagnetic coupling between the primary coil winding and the secondary coil winding. In another embodiment, the primary winding of the invention may be rectangular in shape.

Abstract: A low impedance, low noise laminated bus assembly for a high power switched converter that has a plurality of switch pairs including a -DC switch and a +DC switch for high speed switching to convert between an AC power line and a DC power storage device such as capacitors. The laminated bus assembly includes a first conductor plane having a plurality of AC bar conductors for each phase of AC power, a second conductor plane including a -DC bar conductor, and a third conductor plane including a +DC bar conductor. A dielectric layer is laminated between the first, second, and third planes. The circuit layout includes a plurality of electrical connections between the switches, the AC, -DC and +DC bar conductors, and the DC power storage device. Some of the electrical connections require that a coupling conductor pass through another bar conductor, which must therefore be insulated from the coupling conductor.

Abstract: A high voltage generator comprises a transformer unit for boosting an inputted AC voltage and a rectifier unit for rectifying the AC voltage boosted by the transformer unit, the transformer unit and the rectifier unit being assembled as high voltage components, wherein the high voltage components are molded by a solid insulation material with the high voltage components being separated from each other by a predetermined distance to thereby form the high voltage components to a single block member. An electric conductive layer is formed on an outside surface of the block member. The high voltage generator is utilized for an X-ray generator and a DC high voltage output generated from the rectifier unit serves as a power supply for generating X-rays. A filament heating transformer is further disposed as a high voltage component for supplying an AC power for heating filaments of the X-ray tube.

Abstract: A open-framed and lightweight inverter power source rack made from aluminum that offers the versatility of providing varying amounts of power sources from a single branch circuit external power supply. A first rack can act as a stand-alone power supply for up to four power sources. A second or slave rack detachably connects with the first rack as the need for power sources increases on a job site. The slave rack is fed from the same external power supply as the first rack. As the need for power sources on the job site decreases, the slave rack may be disconnected from the first rack and connected to another rack where additional power sources are required. Moreover, inverter power racks are adapted to be shipped and transported in knock-down, disassembled state for final partial assembly by the user to reduce shipping and manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A transformer and associated rectifier for supplying low voltage (e.g. 5 volts), high current (e.g. 1,500 amperes) power to a load such as a supercomputer, with a high electrical conversion efficiency and a high volumetric efficiency. The primary winding comprises a number of disc-shaped coils which are spaced apart from each other by coaxial single turn secondary coil elements which are interleaved between the primary coils. A core having E-shaped parts has an inner portion extending through the primary and secondary coils and an outer portion forming two windows with the inner portion, so that the coils extend through the windows. A rectifier assembly is mounted directly to plates which support and act as terminals to the secondary coils.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new arrangement of at least one valve stack (2) for high voltage direct current in a valve hall (1). Said valve stack (2) has a voltage to ground which, in operation, increases along the stack (2). The invention comprises arranging the stack (2) in a substantially lying position at such a distance from the floor and roof (9), respectively, of the valve hall (1) that the smallest electrical flashover distance between live parts on the stack (2) and said floor and roof (9), respectively, is at least contained. Further, the electrical connection is arranged via bushings through the roof (9) of the valve hall (1).