Abstract: A switching power supply system has a control circuit that controls an output voltage by causing a switching device to turn ON and OFF. The control circuit includes a control pulse supplying unit that supplies a pulsed signal that keeps the switching device turned-ON and -OFF. A protection circuit shuts down the switching power supply system upon occurrence of an abnormality. A delay circuit produces a delay signal that delays by a specified time duration the termination of a state of the pulsed signal in which the pulsed signal keeps the switching device turned-ON. The protection circuit is responsive to the pulsed signal or the delay signal to switch between an operation state and a stand-by state.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus having reinforced power saving and safety functions, the electronic apparatus may include: a power supply which converts alternating current (AC) power input from an AC power source to direct current (DC) power to be outputted; an AC power switch provided on a first AC power input line connecting the AC power source and the power source and is turned on and off to selectively transmit the AC power to the power supply; a relay provided on a second AC power input line connecting the AC power source and the power supply in parallel with the AC power switch, and receives the DC power from the power supply to selectively transmit the AC power to the power supply; a switching unit which selectively transmits the DC power output from the power supply to the relay; and a controller which controls the switching unit to supply the DC power to the relay if the AC power switch is turned on.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an overvoltage protection (OVP) circuit for use in a charger circuit system, comprising: a power transistor electrically connected between a voltage supply and a battery; an OVP circuit which turns off the transistor when a voltage supply exceeds a threshold value; and a multiplexing circuit electrically connected between an output of the OVP circuit and the gate of the transistor. The present invention also discloses a charger circuit with an OVP function, comprising: a single power transistor electrically connected between a voltage supply and a battery; an OVP control circuit which turns off the power transistor when a voltage supply exceeds a threshold value; and a charger control circuit which controls the gate of the power transistor to determine a charge current to the battery when the voltage supply does not reach the threshold value.

Abstract: A protection circuit that interrupts a supply of power to a driving circuit for a power conversion apparatus upon detection of an abnormality includes switches connected in series between the power supply and the driving circuit. An interruption signal enabling/disabling circuit controls the transmission of an interruption signal from the power conversion apparatus to one of the switches and turns the switch off. A monitoring circuit monitors a voltage output from the switches, and determines that the switch which is to be turned off is in a short-circuit state if the voltage is a normal value. A switch may also be determined to be in a short-circuit fault state if the interruption signal turns the switches off, and if a monitored voltage output from the switches decreases at a decay rate faster than a decay rate in a condition where the switch is not in a short-circuit state.

Abstract: Voltage source converter based on a chain-link cell topology including one or more phases, each of the phases having one or more series-connected chain-link cell modules connected to each other. The output voltage of the voltage source converter is controlled by control signals applied to the series-connected chain-link cell modules. In case of failure of a chain-link cell module, that module is controlled, by the control signals, such that zero output voltage is provided at its output voltage AC terminal.

Abstract: According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent an overcurrent from passing through a switching element 1 during overcurrent protection and reduce power consumption during standby while detecting an output voltage immediately after power-on and achieving soft start control without being restricted by time.

Abstract: In a power conversion device of a vehicle, when a collision of a vehicle is detected, the voltage of a gate signal that drive a semiconductor switching element included in the power conversion device is decreased, and residual charge stored in a smoothing capacitor is discharged. Such a configuration increases switching loss when the semiconductor switching element is turned on or off during discharge of the residual charge in the power conversion device, so that discharge of the residual charge can be accomplished in a shorter time.

Abstract: A switching power supply apparatus including: a switching DC-DC converter for receiving an input voltage; a current detecting unit for detecting a current from the DC-DC converter; an input voltage detecting unit for detecting the decrease or cutoff of the input voltage; an overcurrent limiting circuit for stopping the operation of the DC-DC converter when the current detected by the current detecting unit exceeds a threshold; and a threshold control unit for changing the threshold of the overcurrent limiting circuit such that, if the decrease or cutoff of the input voltage is detected by the input voltage detecting unit, the period between the time when the decrease or cutoff of the input voltage is detected and the time when the operation of the DC-DC converter is stopped is prolonged.

Abstract: A method and controller for power dependant mains under-voltage (“brown-out”) protection is disclosed. Brown-out protection is meant for protection against overheating due to low mains voltage and associated high mains current. Usually this is coupled to the absolute value of the mains voltage, but for devices operating at low power this is not necessary, as overheating will not occur. The disclosed method and controller allow for lower mains voltages at low load by comparing the mains voltage with a signal indicating the actual power level of the power supply. In converters such as flyback converters, this brown-out protection can be implemented by comparing the actual peak voltage of the mains voltage with a control signal that indicates the power level, such as the current through the optocoupler in the feedback loop.

Abstract: System and method for protecting a power converter. A system includes a threshold generator configured to generate a threshold signal, and a first comparator configured to receive the threshold signal and a first signal and to generate a comparison signal. The first signal is associated with an input current for a power converter. Additionally, the system includes a pulse-width-modulation generator configured to receive the comparison signal and generate a modulation signal in response to the comparison signal, and a switch configured to receive the modulation signal and adjust the input current for the power converter. The threshold signal is associated with a threshold magnitude as a function of time. The threshold magnitude increases with time at a first slope during a first period, and the threshold magnitude increases with time at a second slope during a second period. The first slope and the second slope are different.

Abstract: An aging status diagnostic apparatus for a power conversion system and diagnosing method thereof are provided. The apparatus includes an output current sensing means detecting output current of an inverter switching module; and a measurement and diagnosis means receiving the output current, calculating one or more average values of the output current over one period, and magnitude or effective value of each harmonic of the output current, and determining whether aging of the inverter switching module has occurred. Furthermore, the measurement and diagnosis means determines that the aging of the inverter switching module has occurred if the average value of the output current over one period increases by a value equal to or greater than a predetermined range and/or an even order harmonic or a specific order harmonic based on FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) of the output current increases by a value equal to or greater than a predetermined range.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a DC power supply unit includes a DC power supply source; a load circuit connected to an output end of the DC power supply source; a load state detection device to detect a load voltage or an electric quantity corresponding to the load voltage; and a control device to receive the detected output of the load state detection device. The control device controls a maximum output voltage of the DC power supply source so that the voltage difference between the maximum output voltage of the DC power supply source and the load voltage at the time of normal operation falls within a predetermined range in which arc discharge is suppressed.

Abstract: A switching DC-DC converter includes: an output voltage detecting unit configured to detect a DC output voltage; an error amplifying unit configured to compare the detected output voltage and a reference voltage and configured to supply an amplified error signal between the detected output voltage and the reference voltage to the pulse width modulating unit; and a single oscillating unit connected to an output of the output voltage detecting unit and an output of the error amplifying unit and operable on a first oscillating mode and a second oscillation mode. The oscillating unit on the first oscillating mode controls a switching frequency of the power switch based on the detected output voltage. The oscillating unit on the second oscillating mode controls the switching frequency of the power switch based on the amplified error signal.

Abstract: A grid-connected inverter includes first and second power conversion circuits, a contactor and a control circuit. The first conversion circuit converts a first DC voltage to a second DC voltage. The second conversion circuit converts the second DC voltage to an AC voltage. The contactor connects an output side of the second conversion circuit to a power system. The control circuit includes a decision circuit and controls start and stop operations of the conversion circuits, and opening and closing of the contactor. The decision circuit decides whether a condition of the contactor is abnormal by detecting, after the control circuit controls the contactor to be open, whether or not a value of the second DC voltage is less than a threshold value, and if the value of the second DC voltage is detected to be not less than the threshold value, decides that the condition of the contactor is abnormal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a switching power supply device capable of automatically restarting an electrical apparatus without a user operation when a voltage of the electrical apparatus or an operation of the electrical apparatus is abnormal. The switching power supply device is provided with a short-circuiting switch for a shunt regulator included in the feedback circuit. When an abnormal condition occurs in a secondary side circuit, the short-circuiting switch is turned on by means of a control signal to reduce a voltage of a primary side auxiliary winding and temporarily stop an operation of a primary side control circuit and of a switching element. A primary side capacitor continues to be charged by a power supply through a starting resistor. The primary side control circuit and the switching element automatically restart to operate.

Abstract: A circuit includes a detector configured to detect a state of a power supply including an energy storage component and to generate a control signal responsive to the state of the power supply, a dissipating component, and a switch configured to controllably couple the dissipating component to the energy storage component in response to the control signal output by the detector. Methods of operating a power supply including an energy storage component and a dissipating component are disclosed. The methods include monitoring the power supply to determine if the power supply may be active, and, in response to determining that the power supply may be inactive, coupling the dissipating component to the energy storage component to dissipate energy from the energy storage component.

Abstract: An electric power protection circuit connected in series to a secondary side circuit of a transformer in a switch mode power supply includes a voltage/current limiting device to get an electric power signal output from the secondary side circuit of the transformer that goes through current and voltage limitation before being output and a constant current/voltage controller to get the electric power signal which has the current and voltage limited by the voltage/current limiting device. The electric power signal further is undergone constant voltage/current control to achieve voltage overshoot protection.

Abstract: A DC output power converter or DC switch device that includes methods and apparatus to reverse the current in the connected load, thereby draining the load's energy until the voltage in the load is brought to a (near) zero potential and held there.

Abstract: An output protection circuit used for a power converter having an operational amplifier, a diode, a number of voltage-dividing resistors, and a switch tube. In this circuit, the voltage-dividing resistors are connected in series to form a voltage-dividing network, of which one node is connected to a reference level end Vref of a PWM control module of the converter, while the other node is grounded. A voltage dividing point M is coupled to an inverting input end of the operational amplifier AR1.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing the die area of a PWM controller include a protection circuit triggered by a fault index signal for counting, and the counting time is provided for a delay time required by fault verification. Therefore, fault detection circuits can be eliminated and the purpose of reducing the die area can be achieved.

Abstract: A dual mode transient recovery control method and system is proposed, which is designed for use with a direct-current (DC) power output unit, such as a DC-DC converter, for fast transient recovery of DC output power by switching the DC-DC converter to operate between a hysteretic mode and a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) mode. The proposed control method and system is characterized by the use of a dual-threshold scheme to compare the output voltage. This feature may discharge the transient output voltage, raised by the over-shoot, to the steady state by switching to the discharging mode, and similarly charge the transient output voltage, dropped by the under-shoot, to the steady state by switching to the charging mode. This mechanism may allow DC-DC converters with higher slew rate to make transient ripples of output voltage to return to steady state more quickly, and additionally allow a better level of noise immunity.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention relates to a switch-mode power converter including an inductor and an external rectifying diode. A series arrangement of a resistor and a switch are coupled in parallel with the external rectifying diode. The resistor and the switch enable continuous conduction mode, even at substantially no output current. A comparator senses a current level in the resistor. When the current level crosses a threshold level, the power converter is shut down. The current level is sensed with a second resistor coupled to a current source to produce a current sensing arrangement dependent on a ratio of resistances. Advantageously, the current level is sensed with clamp circuits coupled to the comparator, each clamp circuit including a series circuit arrangement of a field-effect transistor with a gate coupled to a voltage source.

Abstract: A power supply controller is disclosed. An example power supply controller includes an input voltage sense input coupled to sense an input voltage sense signal representative of an input voltage of a power supply. An output voltage sense input is coupled to sense an output voltage sense signal representative of an output voltage of the power supply. A current limit circuit is coupled to generate a current limit signal. The current limit signal is varied relative to a first ratio representative of a ratio of a product of the input voltage and a scaled output voltage of the power supply, to a sum of the input voltage and the scaled output voltage of the power supply. A drive signal generator is coupled to generate a drive signal in response to the current limit signal to drive the power switch of the power supply to limit an output power of the power supply in response to the input voltage.

Abstract: Self-powered supplies with on-board diagnostics are presented for powering a power converter switch driver with power obtained from an associated snubber circuit, including a first converter stage with a full bridge rectifier with a crowbar circuit creating a first DC bus and a second stage with an isolated DC to DC converter, and on-board diagnostics to indicate snubber failures and abnormal conditions of the self-powered supply.

Abstract: A system includes a switching power supply, an electric load connected to the switching power supply, a voltage regulation circuit, and a detect device. The voltage regulation circuit is connected to the electric load and configured to output a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signal to regulate a voltage supplied to the electric load. The detect device is connected to the switching power supply for detecting whether the switching power supply is powered off when a current flowing to the electric load exceeds a preset tolerance value.

Abstract: A headroom compensation circuit for a voltage converter for ensuring that there is adequate headroom voltage to enable accurate operation of the current sense amplifier sensing the output current of the converter, the headroom compensation circuit comprising an error amplifier for comparing an output voltage of the converter to a reference voltage to set the converter output voltage; and a circuit for providing a bias current to an input of the error amplifier when a supply voltage to the current sense amplifier within a predefined threshold of the converter output voltage to cause the error amplifier to reduce the converter output voltage thereby to increase the headroom voltage for the current sense amplifier, said headroom voltage being defined as a voltage between the supply voltage to the current sense amplifier and said converter output voltage.

Abstract: A converter system comprises a DC to AC converter, a maximum power point tracking device, and an array-side control. The DC link converts DC from a photovoltaic array to AC for a grid. The maximum power point tracking device is coupled to the array. The array-side control, which is coupled to the DC to AC converter and the device, prevents overvoltage in the DC bus of the DC to AC converter using array voltage and current data from the device and DC bus voltage data from the DC to AC converter during a grid transient by adjusting a maximum power point of the array to increase array voltage.

Abstract: A power supply with arc flash protection mechanism for providing power to a load is disclosed. The power supply comprises a first power connector including a plurality of power terminals and a first detecting terminal, a power conversion circuit, a control unit and a connection status detection circuit. The power terminals of the first power connector are configured to couple with a plurality of power terminals of a second power connector, and the first detecting terminal is configured to couple with a second detecting terminal of the second power connector and provide a detecting signal indicative of whether the second power connector is being disconnected with the first power connector. When the first detecting terminal is disconnected with the second detecting terminal, a power connection status signal of the connection status detection circuit is under disable status and the control unit controls the power conversion circuit not to generate or output the output voltage to the load.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes first and second parallel-connected uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs), each including an AC/DC converter circuit and a DC/AC converter circuit having an input coupled to an output of the AC/DC converter circuit by a DC link, inputs of the AC/DC converter circuits of the first and second UPSs connected in common to an AC source and outputs of the DC/AC converter circuits of the first and second UPSs connected in common to a load. The first and second UPSs are configured to support a test mode wherein the first UPS is test loaded by transferring power from the output of the DC/AC converter circuit of the first UPS to the output of the DC/AC converter circuit of the second UPS. The first UPS may be configured to provide power to the load concurrent with test loading by the second UPS.

Abstract: A converter valve unit including a plurality of parallel connected semiconducting elements, a free-wheeling diode and a control unit.

Abstract: A power supply controller circuit is disclosed. An example power supply controller circuit includes a control circuit coupled to generate a switching waveform to be used to regulate an output of a power supply. A current input circuit is coupled to receive a current representative of an input of the power supply. The current input circuit is to generate a sense signal in response to the current representative of the input of the power supply. A first comparator is coupled to the current input circuit to receive the sense signal. The first comparator coupled to generate a first signal in response to the sense signal being above a first threshold. An enable/disable logic circuit is coupled to the first comparator. The enable/disable logic circuit is coupled to deactivate the control circuit in response to the first signal.

Abstract: A stabilized regulator circuit is provided A first Pch transistor (PTr) (P1) whose source is connected to a power supply line and whose drain is connected to an output terminal that outputs a load current, a PTr (P2) whose source and gate are respectively connected to the source and gate of the PTr (P1), resistor elements connected in series between the output terminal and ground, a resistor element (R3) connected between a drain of P2 and ground, and an amplifier which controls P1 and P2 based on a difference between potential of a connection point of the resistor elements and a reference. A comparator, with a differential amplifier input stage configured by an Nch transistor, compares potential difference between two ends of R3 and potential difference between the connection point of the resistor elements and ground, and when the former is larger, controls P1 so as to limit load current.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a fault protection circuit, a method of operating a fault protection circuit and a voltage regulator. In one embodiment, the fault protection circuit is for use with the voltage regulator and includes an output power section having first and second MOS transistors configured to provide a regulated voltage on an output node of the voltage regulator. The fault protection circuit also includes a gate pull-down section connected to the first and second MOS transistors and configured to provide a gate pull-down MOS transistor to limit a current through the first and second MOS transistors during a current overload fault condition on the output node.

Abstract: A high voltage start-up circuit with constant current control applied to a switching mode power converter is provided. The high voltage start-up circuit includes a high voltage junction transistor, a control transistor, a current detecting resistor and a bias resistor. The drain of the junction transistor is connected to a high power supply, the gate of the junction transistor is connected to the drain of the control transistor, and the source of the junction transistor is connected to the current detecting resistor. The voltage drop crossing the current detecting resistor is kept constant to have the junction transistor output a constant current. The bias resistor which is connected between the gate of the junction transistor and the output end of the high voltage start-up circuit has the gate to source bias voltage of the junction transistor kept constant to output constant current.

Abstract: A system is provided for the feeding of an inductive load, with electric power of continuous current, generated from an energy source and, more in particular, to a feeding system for a vibratory pump from solar or aeolic energy, which processes the electric power of continuous current supplied by a bank of solar cells or aeolic generator, in a compatible form, using a circuit of electronic command by digital micro controller, for the control and actuation of vibratory pump, independent of the electric power variations supplied by the sources as solar cells, due to the alterations in the level of solar radiation; or in aeolic generator, due to wind speed variations.

Abstract: An apparatus, such as a Buck converter system, for generating an output voltage while at the same time monitoring whether an overload or over current condition occurs at the output, and protecting the system if the overload or over current condition occurs. The apparatus includes a first circuit adapted to monotonically change a control voltage from a first voltage (e.g., approximately ground potential) towards a second voltage (e.g., a reference voltage VREF); a second circuit adapted to generate the output voltage based on the control voltage; a third circuit adapted to detect whether a magnitude of an output current exceeds a current threshold; and a fourth circuit adapted to change the control voltage from the second voltage towards the first voltage in response to the third circuit detecting that the magnitude of the output current exceeds the current threshold.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for detecting an electrical sensor, the system includes a sensor signal processing circuit further comprising an input port to receive a connector including the output signal lines of the sensor, a resistor connected to the output signal line of said input port, wherein the resistor is connected to a predetermined voltage; a sensor circuit having a connector adapted to connect to the connector, wherein the sensor circuit has a resistance substantially less than the pull-resistor, and the sensor signal processing circuit detects an unconnected sensor based on the voltage applied by the resistor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing DC arc faults. At least a portion of the method is performed by a controller comprising at least one processor. In one embodiment, the method comprises analyzing a signature of a signal of a power converter and determining, based on analysis of the signature, whether an arc fault exists.

Abstract: In a DC-DC converter of this invention, a voltage detection circuit is connected in parallel with an output switching device, and the voltage detection circuit is put into operation a predetermined time after the output switching device is turned on. In addition, a detection switching device, which constitutes the voltage detection circuit, is designed to have a higher ON resistance than an ON resistance of the output switching device.

Abstract: Provided herein are circuits, systems and methods that monitor for a fault within a multi-phase DC-DC converter. This can include monitoring the channels of the DC-DC converter for way out of balance (WOB) conditions, and monitoring for a component fault in dependence on detected WOB conditions. A fault can be detected if, during a predetermined period of time, one of the WOB conditions occurs at least a specified amount of times more than another one of the WOB conditions. The DC-DC converter and/or another circuit can be shut-down in response to a fault being detected. Additionally, or alternatively, a component fault detection signal can be output in response to a fault being detected.

Abstract: A switching power supply includes an energy-storing device, a power switch, a driving circuit and a thermal sensing device. The energy-storing device is coupled to an input power source and controlled by the power switch to increase or decrease the power therein. The power switch has a control terminal connected to the driving circuit for switching. The thermal sensing device is connected to the control terminal of the power switch and powered by the driving circuit. When sensing an operation temperature exceeding a predetermined range, the thermal sensing device disables the driving circuit.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a dimmable power supply are disclosed herein. For example, some embodiments provide a dimmable power supply including an output driver, a variable pulse generator and a load current detector. The output driver has a power input, a control input and a load path. The variable pulse generator includes a control input and a pulse output, with the pulse output connected to the output driver control input. The variable pulse generator is adapted to vary a pulse width at the pulse output based on a signal at the control input. The load current detector has an input connected to the output driver load path and an output connected to the variable pulse generator control input. The load current detector has a time constant adapted to substantially filter out a change in a load current at a frequency of pulses at the variable pulse generator pulse output.

Abstract: A modular power adapter and method for using the same which increases the ease of a user's travel with portable electronic devices. The modular power adapter includes an output module which may be interchangeably and detachably coupled to DC input module or an AC input module. The output module and the input module are provided in separate housing structures thereby effectively spreading the heat dissipated from the modular power adapter.

Abstract: A protection scheme to protect pulse width modulated drives is described. The scheme is implantable in both hardware and software and combinations thereof. The semiconductor devices of the drive are protected from transient signals such as power line spikes and loss of line. The present scheme uses an adaptive technique to determine the normal or steady state distortion (transients and harmonics) value in an unfiltered power signal. The present distortion value is compared to the normal distortion. If the present distortion exceeds the steady state value by a given amount, then the drive is placed in freewheel mode to protect the semiconductor devices in the drive.

Abstract: The present invention relates a motor controller and a motor control method of controlling a motor having a stator coil and a rotator.

Abstract: There is provided a matrix converter apparatus including both functions of outputting a step up voltage and outputting a step down voltage.

Abstract: A constant voltage circuit is disclosed that includes an output voltage control transistor outputting a current to an output terminal; a first error amplifier circuit part controlling the operation of the output voltage control transistor; a second error amplifier circuit part causing the output voltage control transistor to increase the output current when there is a rapid decrease in an output voltage from the output terminal; and a current limiting circuit part controlling the operation of the output voltage control transistor so as to prevent the output current therefrom from exceeding a first predetermined value by gradually decreasing the output current and the output voltage alternately when the output current is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value. The current limiting circuit part stops the operation of the second error amplifier circuit part when the output voltage is less than or equal to a second predetermined value.

Abstract: A cooling system is provided with a motor drive device, a fan motor, and a Hall element. The motor drive device includes a lock protection circuit and a lock controller. When a control signal instructing rotation of the fan motor that is to be driven instructs stoppage of the motor for a predetermined time-period or longer, the lock controller has the lock protection circuit inactive. At an occasion when the control signal has continued to instruct stoppage of the fan motor for a first time-period or longer, a standby controller starts time measurement, and after a further predetermined second time-period has elapsed, makes at least a part of the motor drive device transition to a standby mode.

Abstract: A DC to DC boost converter circuit receives a DC input voltage and converts it to a DC output voltage at a different voltage level than the DC input voltage. The DC to DC boost converter includes a switching power converter for receiving the input voltage on an input and converting the input voltage to an output as the DC output voltage in response to pulse control signals. A switching controller generates the pulse control signals during a switching cycle. Current sensing circuitry limits a current passing through the switching power converter. The current sensing circuitry generates an overload signal when the current exceeds a reference value. The current sensing circuitry sensing the current with a current sensing resistor having a size of at least approximately 500 ohms.

Abstract: According to the invention, a bicycle with power generation and supply circuit which converts motion of the bicycle into conditioned power is provided. The bicycle may include a body, a wheel, a generator, and a power supply circuit. The wheel may define an axis of rotation, be coupled with the body, and be configured to be in contact with a surface and rotate about the axis of rotation when the body is moved relative to the surface. The generator may be coupled with the wheel and configured to convert the rotation of the wheel into electrical power. The power supply circuit may be configured to receive the electrical power from the generator and condition the electrical power. The power supply circuit may include a Universal Serial Bus conditioning circuit configured to provide two data signal voltages and may be further configured to provide the conditioned electrical power.