With Condition Responsive Means To Control The Output Voltage Or Current Patents (Class 363/74)
  • Patent number: 11616454
    Abstract: In this power conversion device, a phase deviation of an output voltage due to a phase shift control is eliminated. The power conversion device according to the present invention converts DC voltage to AC voltage by phase-shift controlling the switching elements of a full bridge inverter. In place of a conventional method in which only one of the first and second legs of the full bridge inverter is phase-shifted, both legs are phase-shifted in opposite directions to each other to control an overlap angle at which the switching elements of the first and second legs of the full bridge are simultaneously brought into an on-state. The variation of the center phase of the overlap angle is suppressed by phase-shifting the first and second legs in the opposite directions to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: KYOSAN ELECTRIC MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kunihiro Muto
  • Patent number: 11532932
    Abstract: A microgrid overcurrent protection device and a method for overcurrent protection of a microgrid. The protection device including a voltage controlled overcurrent detector for detecting an overcurrent above an overcurrent threshold and a phase directional detector arranged for current direction in a downstream or an upstream direction. The overcurrent threshold of the voltage controlled overcurrent detector is set at an upper overcurrent threshold when a measured voltage Vm is above a threshold voltage Vs and set at a lower overcurrent threshold when the measured voltage Vm is below the threshold voltage Vs. The device further includes a timer arranged for generating a trigger signal with a first delay time period when a downstream current direction and an overcurrent are detected and with a second delay time period when an upstream current direction and an overcurrent are detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventor: Philippe Alibert
  • Patent number: 11502618
    Abstract: DC supply circuitry is disclosed to supply DC power from an AC source to a DC PV panel input associated with a PV energy storage system (ESS) inverter system. The DC power may be supplied in accordance with a DC current and DC voltage. The DC PV panel input may function by adjusting the drawn current that is supplied by the DC supply circuitry based upon changes in the load, e.g. battery charging. The DC supply circuitry may function to adjust the supplied DC voltage in accordance with changes in the drawn current using a corresponding point on a predetermined DC voltage current-voltage characteristic (I-V) curve. The predetermined I-V curve may represent an ideal I-V curve associated with a DC PV panel system that is compatible with the PV ESS inverter system, thereby allowing for the use of DC PV panel inputs that may typically go unused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: NEOVOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Brent Willson, Michael Horan
  • Patent number: 11407322
    Abstract: A smart power hub has an AC port, a first DC port to a car battery, a second DC port to DC devices such as car instruments, and a third DC port to solar panels or another smart power hub. An AC bi-directional converter has six transistors in a B6 configuration to convert three-phase AC, acting as an interleaved totem-pole Power-Factor-Corrector for one-phase AC. A switch connects the DC bi-directional converter with either the AC bi-directional converter or the solar panels on the third DC port. A link capacitor has a DC link voltage that rises during battery charging. A DC bi-directional converter has a transformer, a primary bridge connected to the DC link voltage, and a secondary bridge of transistors connected to the first DC port. Auxiliary windings in the transformer drive a rectifier to the second DC port to power on-board DC devices. Solar DC charges the battery without AC conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company, Limited
    Inventors: Xuechao Liu, Kin Lap Wong, Qingchun Li, Bin Xie, Danting Xu
  • Patent number: 11404973
    Abstract: A method to simulate a circuit includes receiving at least one circuit requirement and at least one Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) parameter; determining an operating mode and switching states of an arm circuit; determining each capacitor current based on the switching states and an arm current; determining capacitor voltage and arm voltage; and generating an equivalent circuit model to simulate MMC-based HVDC systems and DC grids in a hybrid AC and DC power system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Inventors: Di Shi, Xiaoying Zhao, Feng Xue, Wei Li, Huimin Peng, Jiangchao Qin, Chaoyang Jing, Zhiwei Wang
  • Patent number: 11108238
    Abstract: Provided is a method for operating a wind power installation or a wind farm with a number of wind power installations for exchanging electrical power between the wind farm and an electrical supply grid. Each wind power installation has one or more feeding-in devices. The wind power installation or the wind farm is connected to the electrical supply grid by a grid connection point. The power is exchanged by way of the grid connection point. One or more of the feeding-in devices operate as voltage-influencing units and one or more of the feeding-in devices operate as current-influencing units. The voltage-influencing units and the current-influencing units also operate in a voltage-influencing and current-influencing manner during undisturbed operation of the electrical supply grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Brombach, Ingo Mackensen, Kai Busker
  • Patent number: 11011934
    Abstract: Provided is a wireless power transmitting unit capable of auto-tuning according to impedance change. The wireless power transmitting unit according to an embodiment can stabilize the operation of the amplifier by changing the resonance frequency of the resonator without measuring the phase information about the resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: MAPS, INC.
    Inventors: Jong Tae Hwang, Ik Soo Jeon, Dong Su Lee, Hyun Ick Shin, Joon Rhee
  • Patent number: 10784683
    Abstract: The present application provides a method of controlling an electrical power system and an apparatus using the same. The electrical power system includes a DC bus and a DC bus capacitor connected to the DC bus. The method includes: receiving a virtual DC bus capacitance value of the DC bus capacitor; detecting a DC bus voltage; calculating an expected value of a DC bus current based on the virtual DC bus capacitance value and the DC bus voltage; and adjusting the DC bus current, so that the DC bus current reaches the expected value and thus the DC bus capacitor is equivalent to the virtual DC bus capacitance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Delta Electronics (Shanghai) CO., LTD
    Inventors: Mingxuan Dong, Changyong Wang, Aibin Qiu
  • Patent number: 10770974
    Abstract: Multi-level DC-to-DC converter circuits and methods that permit a full range of output voltages, including near and at zone boundaries. Embodiments alternate among adjacent or near-by zones, operating in a first zone for a selected time and then in a second zone for a selected time. Embodiments may include a parallel capacitor voltage balancing circuit that connects a capacitor to a source voltage to charge that capacitor, or couples two or more capacitors together to transfer charge, all under the control of real-time capacitor voltage measurements. Embodiments may include a lossless voltage balancing solution where out-of-order state transitions are allowed, thus increasing or decreasing the voltage across specific capacitors to prevent voltage overstress on the converter main switches. Restrictions may be placed on the overall sequence of state transitions to reduce or avoid transition state toggling, allowing each capacitor an opportunity to have its voltage steered as necessary for balancing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: pSemi Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Chunshien Wu, David M. Giuliano, Gregory Szczeszynski
  • Patent number: 10574142
    Abstract: A DC-DC buck converter includes a buck conversion circuit, a PWM control circuit and a light-load control circuit. A switching circuit in the buck conversion circuit includes multiple upper switching elements and lower switching elements. The PWM control circuit is coupled to the buck conversion circuit and output a control signal to control the upper and lower switching elements. The light-load control circuit, coupled to the PWM control circuit and the buck conversion circuit for receiving an output voltage, the control signal and a light-load threshold value. The light-load control circuit is provided to determine whether the DC-DC buck converter is in a light load state and turn off at least one of the upper switching elements and at least one of the lower switching elements in the light load state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: NATIONAL SUN YAT-SEN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chua-Chin Wang, Chung-Jye Hsu
  • Patent number: 10354570
    Abstract: A high-power power supply for use with display devices and an associated display device are provided. The high-power power supply includes an AC conversion module configured to rectify an external AC source into a DC output, a power factor correction circuit configured to perform power factor correction to the DC output and output a correction completion signal when the correction is completed, a power-on control circuit configured to control the power factor correction circuit to be turned on to perform the power factor correction to the DC current when receiving a power-on signal and to control multiple resonance control circuits to be turned on when receiving the correction completion signal, a plurality of resonance control circuits configured to, when turned on, control multiple transformers to operate normally, and multiple transformers configured to supply different operating voltages to the display device. The present disclosure has the advantage of low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Inventors: Shengping Cai, Qifeng Dai, Zongwang Wei
  • Patent number: 10305374
    Abstract: A power supplying circuit includes a rectifier, a flyback converter, a power factor correction circuit, an LLC resonant converter, a power factor correction (PFC) controller, and a LLC resonant controller. The PFC controller is configured to supply a first operating voltage to the PFC circuit. The LLC resonant controller is configured to supply a second operating voltage to the LLC resonant converter upon a condition that a voltage applied on the output terminal of the PFC circuit reaches a predetermined voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong Yang, Fangyun Liu
  • Patent number: 10243386
    Abstract: A power supply circuit in an electronic device is provided. The power supply circuit includes a connector configured to receive external power and IDentifier (ID) data, a first switch disposed between the connector and a system of the electronic device, a second switch connected to the system, and a controller configured to control ON and OFF states of each of the first and second switches based on the ID data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electornics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Seung-Su Hong, Seung-Beom Kang, Chul-Kwi Kim, Jung-Hun Han
  • Patent number: 10171003
    Abstract: A method and a controller for controlling a converter are provided. In the method and controller, a capacitance is charged simultaneously using a first current and a second current that is different than the first current or discharged simultaneously using the first current and the second current. Sourcing and sinking transistors source or sink the first current for charging or discharging the capacitance. An operational transconductance amplifier determines a level of the second current based on a level of current flowing through the resonant tank. The operational transconductance amplifier sources or sinks the second current for charging or discharging the capacitance. Further, logic is provided to output a switching signal for operating the converter based on a voltage across the capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventor: Claudio Adragna
  • Patent number: 9997996
    Abstract: Techniques for operating a power converter system that includes an LLC resonant converter and a non-inverting buckboost converter that is located in front of the LLC resonant converter are disclosed. In an embodiment, the output voltage of a non-inverting buckboost converter is regulated in response to the input voltage and the output voltage of an LLC resonant converter in order to maintain a desired ratio between the input voltage and the output voltage of the LLC resonant converter. For example, the ratio between the input voltage and the output voltage of the LLC resonant converter is controlled to a desired ratio that matches the turns ratio of the LLC resonant converter's transformer and that may also match (as a second order effect) the ratio of Lr to Lm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Hans Halberstadt
  • Patent number: 9735690
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing the line frequency ripple in a resonant converter are described. In some embodiments, a power supply includes a switching network; an LLC resonant tank coupled to the switching network; a rectifier coupled to the LLC resonant tank; and a control circuit coupled to the switching network and to the rectifier, where the control circuit is configured to modify an operating frequency of the switching network to reduce a line frequency ripple at an output of the rectifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Tsai-Fu Hung, Yu-Hung Lai, Shih-Chieh Wang, Feng-Yu Wu
  • Patent number: 9553501
    Abstract: System and method for protecting a power converter. An example system controller for protecting a power converter includes a signal generator, a comparator, and a modulation and drive component. The signal generator is configured to generate a threshold signal. The comparator is configured to receive the threshold signal and a current sensing signal and generate a comparison signal based on at least information associated with the threshold signal and the current sensing signal, the current sensing signal indicating a magnitude of a primary current flowing through a primary winding of a power converter. The modulation and drive component is coupled to the signal generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: On-Bright Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chao Yao, Yunchao Zhang, Yuan Lin, Zhiqiang Sun, Lieyi Fang
  • Patent number: 9541587
    Abstract: An inverting apparatus and a control method thereof are provided. The inverting apparatus includes an inverting circuit, a detection circuit, and a control circuit. The inverting circuit converts a DC input power into an AC output power. The detection circuit detects an input voltage and an input current. The control circuit provides a control signal for disturbing the input voltage, such that a voltage value of the input voltage is adjusted to a command voltage represented by the control signal. The control circuit calculates an input power corresponding to each of time points, calculates a power variation between the disturbed power and the undisturbed power, then determines whether the power variation is larger than a predetermined variation, and sets a disturbance voltage according to the determination result, based on an MPPT operation or based on a disturbance direction of the command voltage of the previous time point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: FSP TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Han-Wei Chen, Chun-Hao Yu, Chia-Hua Liu
  • Patent number: 9267973
    Abstract: Power generating component connectivity resistance monitoring techniques are disclosed. In an array of power generating components that are connected in parallel to a power bus, a power generating component measures an output current that it supplies to the power bus. Respective first and second power generating components measure a first voltage at an output of the first power generating component and a second voltage at an output of the second power generating component. A resistance in the array between first and second connection points in the array through which the output current flows is determined based on the measurements of the output current, the first voltage, and the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Solantro Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Raymond Kenneth Orr, Edward Keyes
  • Patent number: 8975847
    Abstract: A power conversion device includes a first capacitor connected in parallel to a direct-current power supply, plural power converters that drive plural synchronous machines, a second capacitor connected in parallel to a direct-current side of power converters, a switching circuit inserted between the first and second capacitors, a switch-start instruction unit that controls starting of an operation of the power converters, and a control unit that controls the power converters based on a motor velocity and a voltage of the first capacitor. The switch-start instruction unit turns off the switching circuit while the power converters stop, turns off the switching circuit until a terminal voltage of each of the synchronous machines becomes equal to a predetermined value when each of the power converters starts operating, and turns on the switching circuit when the terminal voltage of each synchronous machine becomes equal to or smaller than the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Masaki Kono
  • Patent number: 8958220
    Abstract: Whether a connector element electrically connected to a direct-current output of a converter that converts alternating current into direct current is connected to an external device may be detected. The converter may be disabled in response to the electrical connector component not being connected to the external device. In response to the electrical connector component being connected to the external device, the converter may be enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edward Kobeda, Randhir S Malik
  • Patent number: 8937447
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling a boost converter. In one embodiment, the method includes processing an input current command through a plurality of prioritized limiting circuits to determine whether to limit the input current command and limiting the input current command to limit the boost converter when it is determined to limit the input current command. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an energy source coupled to a boost converter that provides an output voltage responsive to a current command signal. An inverter is coupled to the boost converter to provide multiple phased currents to a multi-phase motor for a vehicle. A controller coupled to the boost converter for providing the current command signal by processing an input current command through a plurality of prioritized limiting circuits and determining whether to limit the input current command to provide the current command signal to the boost converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Lihua Li, Seok-Joo Jang, Ray M. Ransom
  • Publication number: 20150016162
    Abstract: The invention is a high efficiency single-phase or poly-phase DC-to-AC power converter apparatus and power conversion method which includes a line filter inductor or line filter inductors to integrate or filter pulse modulated waveforms into substantially sinusoidal waveforms wherein (i) the line filter inductor or inductors have inductance values that swing substantially from zero current to peak rated current and (ii) a pulse width modulation technique is used that varies both pulse width modulation duty cycles and periods as a function of the predicted instantaneous line filter inductance and the predicted di/dt across the line filter inductor or inductors in order to minimize power converter switching losses while maintaining AC power quality. With the invention, substantial CEC power conversion efficiency enhancements should be achievable and with an overall reduction in power converter parts cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: RENEWABLE POWER CONVERSION, INC.
    Inventor: Richard Travis West
  • Patent number: 8908403
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a light emitting diode (LED) luminaire. In one embodiment, the LED luminaire includes a base, a heat sink coupled to the base, a power supply coupled to an interior volume of the heat sink, one or more LEDs coupled to the power supply, wherein the one or more LEDs are coupled to a circuit configured to provide a constant input impedance and a lens coupled to the heat sink and enclosing the one or more LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Dialight Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin A. Hebborn, Samual David Boege
  • Patent number: 8902618
    Abstract: A method of operating an inverter for converting a DC power into AC power by use of a pulse width modulation switching scheme is provided is disclosed. The inverter is controlled by use of the pulse width modulation switching scheme to provide an alternating current based on a current demand signal defining an alternating current provided by the inverter. An upper current threshold and a lower current threshold are provided. An instantaneous value of the alternating current is measured. When the instantaneous value of the alternating current overshoots the upper current threshold or undershoots the lower current threshold, the pulse width modulation switching scheme is replaced by an amended switching scheme which controls the instantaneous value of the alternating current to be between the upper current threshold and the lower current threshold. The upper current threshold and the lower current threshold oscillate with at least one alternating phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Paul Godridge, Rodney Jones
  • Patent number: 8884538
    Abstract: A light-emitting diode (LED) driving circuit includes a power factor correction (PFC) circuit and a driving controller. The PFC circuit controls a power factor of the LED driving circuit. The LED driving circuit includes an inductor, a switch, a current detection circuit, and a time detection circuit. The inductor senses an inductor current and provide energy to at least one LED. The switch connected to the inductor is conducted according to a driving signal. The current detection circuit connected to the switch detects inductor current information. The time detection circuit connected to the switch detects an energy discharging time during which the inductor current decrease from a peak value to zero. The driving controller connected to the switch, the current detection circuit, and the time detection circuit outputs the driving signal to the switch according to the voltage level and the energy discharging time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Macroblock, Inc.
    Inventors: Yan-Cun Li, Chin-Chung Cheng
  • Patent number: 8866650
    Abstract: A circuit for testing digital-to-analog (DAC) and analog-to-digital converters (ADC) is provided. The circuit applies a code pattern having a plurality of sequential values to the digital to analog converter. A plurality of built-in test switches (BTS) couple at least one tap voltage from the DAC to a test bus and to the ADC as a variable reference input voltage. In one form, the circuit uses incremental digital codes to test for defects in a resistor string, a switch array, and a decode logic that form part of the DAC. In another form, the circuit uses the tap voltages from the DAC to test the comparators that form part of the ADC. Instead of performing time-consuming analog to digital conversions, the functionality of the above mentioned circuitry is tested by varying the code pattern around a reference point and by selecting the appropriate combination of BTS switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen J. Spinks, Andrew Talbot, Colin Mair
  • Patent number: 8854849
    Abstract: A voltage converter system having a converter and a connector system may include a control circuit that enables or disables the converter in response to the connection status of the connector system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Edward Kobeda, Randhir S Malik
  • Publication number: 20140268949
    Abstract: A power converter for use with an area controller system to provide electrical power to electrical devices at the shelves of retail stores. The power converter converts power from the voltage, frequency, and amperage of the area controller system to the voltage, frequency, and amperage of various electrical devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Tagnetics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Kayser
  • Patent number: 8788866
    Abstract: A method and system for reducing thermal load by monitoring and controlling current flow in a portable computing device (“PCD”) are disclosed. The method includes monitoring a temperature of the PCD and determining if the temperature has reached a temperature threshold condition. This temperature threshold condition may be comprised within any one or more of a plurality of thermal policy states, in which each thermal policy state may dictate various thermal mitigation techniques. The thermal policy states may be associated with values that may indicate thermal loading of a PCD. If the temperature has reached the first threshold condition, then electrical current exiting a power supply device may be monitored. If it is determined that the electrical current has exceeded a current threshold condition, such as a maximum current, a hardware device corresponding to the electrical current may be selected for application of a thermal mitigation technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Jon James Anderson, Gary D. Good
  • Publication number: 20140181549
    Abstract: An AC-to-DC power adapter provides DC power to an information handling system at a first higher DC voltage or a second lower DC voltage based upon a power state of the information handling system. For example, approximately 19 Volts DC power is provided if the information handling system is in an on state or if the information handling system is charging a battery. Approximately 13 Volts DC power is provided if the information handling system is in a reduced power state, such as an ACPI S3 state, with a battery having a substantially full charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Yung Fa Chueh, Wen-Hung Huang, Ching Ti, So-Yu Weng
  • Publication number: 20140133202
    Abstract: A buck-boost AC/DC converter includes a first switching element group that performs full-wave rectification of an AC signal thereby generating a full-wave rectified signal and performs a buck operation, a second switching element group for performing a boost operation, a reactor, and a control unit that causes the first switching element group or the second switching element group to selectively perform the buck operation or the boost operation based on PWM operation, to maintain a DC voltage at a constant value. The switching elements included in the first and second switching element groups possess FET characteristics, inverse FET characteristics and inverse conductive characteristics. The control unit is further configured to switch a gate-source voltage to be supplied to the switching elements included in the first switching element group according to a polarity of the AC signal, thereby causing the first switching element group to perform full-wave rectification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shuji TAMAOKA
  • Publication number: 20140126257
    Abstract: A control circuit for controlling one or more power switches of a power converter includes a voltage control loop and a current control loop. The control circuit is configured to generate a current reference for the current control loop using the voltage control loop and an AC reference signal. The control circuit is configured to operate in at least a first mode in which a parameter of the voltage control loop is sampled only at every other zero crossing of the AC reference signal and the sampled parameter is used to generate the current reference for the current control loop. The power converter may be an AC-DC converter or a DC-AC converter (i.e., inverter). Alternatively, the voltage control loop may be sampled at every zero crossing of the AC reference signal, and/or more frequently during transient load conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Astec International Limited
    Inventors: James Sigamani, Yancy Fontanilla Boncato
  • Patent number: 8707066
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for a zero voltage processor sleep state. A voltage regulator may be coupled to a processor to provide an operating voltage to the processor. During a transition to a zero voltage power management state for the processor, the operational voltage applied to the processor by the voltage regulator may be reduced to approximately zero while an external voltage is continuously applied to a portion of the processor to save state variables of the processor during the zero voltage management power state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Jose Allarey, Sanjeev Jahagirdar
  • Publication number: 20140098929
    Abstract: A power delivery system includes a rotary transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding and configured to transfer power between stationary coupling elements on a stationary side and rotational coupling elements on a rotational side. The rotational coupling elements share a central axis with the stationary coupling elements, and are adapted to rotate with respect to the stationary coupling elements. The power delivery system includes an isolation transformer that drives the primary winding of the rotary transformer, and a plurality of power inverter stages whose outputs are adapted to be summed and coupled to the rotary transformer. A plurality of output power converters receive transmitted power from the rotary transformer. A plurality of control elements, disposed on the rotating side, are configured to close a feedback loop on desired and actual performance of the output power converters, and to control the power inverter stages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Analogic Corporation
    Inventor: Adrian Delforge
  • Patent number: 8680884
    Abstract: A circuit for detecting fault conditions in a supply circuit includes a monitoring circuit and a comparator circuit. The monitoring circuit is operable to output a detection signal related to a control signal for the switched mode power supply. The control signal may be configured to operate at least one switch of the supply circuit between alternating activated and deactivated states to supply power to a load. The comparator circuit is operable to compare the detection signal to a range defined by first and second thresholds and output a fault signal according to a relationship of the detection signal to the range over a time period. Related methods of operation are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Paul Chobot
  • Patent number: 8674647
    Abstract: Provided is a drive device for an alternating current motor which performs vector control on sensorless driving of the alternating current motor in an extremely low speed region without applying a harmonic voltage intentionally while maintaining an ideal PWM waveform. A current and a current change rate of the alternating current motor are detected, and a magnetic flux position inside of the alternating current motor is estimated and calculated in consideration of an output voltage of an inverter which causes this current change. The current change rate is generated on the basis of a pulse waveform of the inverter, and hence the magnetic flux position inside of the alternating current motor can be estimated and calculated without applying a harmonic wave intentionally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Iwaji, Daigo Kaneko, Kouki Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20140063878
    Abstract: A parallel power supply includes a built-in test switch and a control and determination unit. The built-in test switch is arranged to generate a first detection signal. The control and determination unit is coupled to the built-in test switch. When receiving the first detection signal, the control and determination unit is operative for enabling a detection mechanism according to the first detection signal in order to detect an operation of the parallel power supply, and accordingly generating a detection result. A power detection method for a parallel power supply includes: disposing a built-in test switch inside the parallel power supply; and when receiving a first detection signal generated from the built-in test switch, enabling a detection mechanism according to the first detection signal in order to detect an operation of the parallel power supply, and accordingly generating a detection result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: 3Y POWER TECHNOLOGY (TAIWAN), INC.
    Inventor: Chih-Chang Tsai
  • Publication number: 20140036558
    Abstract: Disclosure includes an exemplified power controller for controlling a power switch in a power supply. The power supply converts an input power source into an output power source. The exemplified power controller comprises a maximum frequency maker, a voltage detector, and a logic circuit. Based on dependence of a maximum switching frequency upon a compensation signal, the maximum frequency maker provides a control signal with a minimum switching cycle. The compensation signal correlates to an output power from the output power source, and the minimum switching cycle is the reciprocal of the maximum switching frequency. The voltage detector detects a line voltage of the input power source. The logic circuit controls the power switch in response to the control signal, and makes a switching cycle of the power switch not less than the minimum switching cycle. The line voltage determines the dependence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Ming Chang Tsou, Meng Jen Tsai, Chao Chih Lin, Ren Yi Chen
  • Patent number: 8636476
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Industria de Motores Anauger S.A.
    Inventors: Hermes Gaddini, Marco Aurelio Gimenez, Aurélio Antonio Pastori
  • Patent number: 8629630
    Abstract: A control circuit adapted to control a power converting circuit for stabilizing an output of the power converting circuit is provided. The control circuit includes a capacitor, a charging unit, a discharging unit, a feedback control unit, and a duty-cycle adjusting unit. The charging unit has a first current source coupled to the capacitor for charging the capacitor. The discharging unit is coupled to the capacitor for discharging the capacitor. The feedback control unit controls the charging unit to charge the capacitor according to a feedback signal which represents the output of the power converting circuit. The duty-cycle adjusting unit generates a control signal and adjusts a duty cycle of the control signal according to a voltage of the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Green Solution Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shian-Sung Shiu, Chung-Che Yu, Li-Min Lee
  • Patent number: 8626010
    Abstract: An electric power relaying unit of an image forming apparatus which includes an electric power blocking unit which selectively blocks the alternating current electric power output from the electric power input unit to be input to the electric power output unit, the electric power blocking unit including: a switching unit which switches an input of the alternating current electric power with respect to the electric power output unit; an electric power detecting unit which detects an electric power property; a memory unit in which a predetermined electric power property information is stored; and a control unit which controls a switching operation of the switching unit if determining that the detected electric power property corresponds to a predetermined electric power property in a failure of the image forming apparatus main body from a comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin-ha Kim
  • Publication number: 20130322138
    Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to setting a voltage of an adapter (100, 200). In an embodiment, the adapter is to measure a current output by the adapter, compare the measured current at the adapter to a first current and to output a DC voltage. The adapter is to set a level of the DC voltage output by the adapter based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Lee Warren Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20130307339
    Abstract: A power converter and a method of operating the same is described, for use in a power conversion system that is capable of receiving power from various sources, including renewable sources, for delivering power to a load. Power type detection circuitry is provided for identifying the type of power source at the input of each power detector, based on attributes of the time-varying power received. The power converter is constructed of a boost stage followed by a galvanically isolated DC-DC converter stage. If a renewable input power source is detected, the boost stage is controlled to operate at a maximum power point, and the DC-DC converter stage is operated in an open loop manner when load exceeds available power at input. The load falls below available input power, the boost stage is controlled to regulate its output voltage and DC-DC converter stage is also placed under closed loop control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Palanivel Subramanium, Raghothama Reddy, Darwin Smith
  • Publication number: 20130264876
    Abstract: An inverter assembly having a DC circuit, inverter, and controller (CTRL) configured to control the inverter, the inverter being, for example, a multilevel inverter having a first half bridge (HB1) and a second half bridge (HB2). The controller (CTRL) can be adapted to provide a first operating state in which the controller (CTRL) operates the inverter as a full-bridge inverter. The controller (CTRL) is further adapted to provide at least one further operating state in which the controller (CTRL) operates the inverter as a half-bridge inverter, the controller (CTRL) being adapted to select an operating state based on predetermined conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: ABB Oy
    Inventor: Mikko Paakkinen
  • Publication number: 20130250634
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a first power to a second power. In one embodiment the apparatus comprises a power conversion circuit for receiving the first power; and a controller, coupled to the power conversion circuit, for dynamically selecting between a non-interleaved mode and an interleaved mode for operating the power conversion circuit to convert the first power to the second power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: Enphase Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Fornage
  • Patent number: 8542505
    Abstract: A voltage source converter station including a multilevel voltage source converter, for conversion of electrical power between AC and DC, and a control system. The voltage source converter includes a plurality of switching cells including switchable semiconductors, and the control system includes at least one main control unit for providing a voltage reference signal and a plurality of cell control units. Each cell control unit uses carrier based pulse width modulation for controlling the switching of a respective cell, where the main control unit is communicatively connected to the cell control units and provides the reference voltage signal to each cell control unit and each cell control unit creates a switching signal to each respective switching cell using the reference voltage signal and a carrier signal to effectuate the conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventor: Ying Jiang-Hafner
  • Patent number: 8539265
    Abstract: A power protection system for a power supply includes a power unit, a microcontroller, a connector, a current sensing resistor, a hot-swap controller, and an electronic switch having first to third terminals. The first terminal is connected to the connector through the current sensing resistor. The second terminal is connected to the power unit. The third terminal is connected to a control pin of the hot-swap controller. First and second sensing pins of the hot-swap controller are respectively connected to two ends of the current sensing resistor. A monitoring pin of the hot-swap controller is connected to the second terminal. A clock pin and a data pin of the hot-swap controller are connected to two terminals of the microcontroller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Po Chen
  • Publication number: 20130235630
    Abstract: A power supply includes a power source having at least one power source output, and a plurality of drivers connected to the at least one power source output. At least one of the plurality of drivers includes a bridge network having a first switch, a second switch and a bridge network output. The first switch is connected between the at least one power source output and the bridge network output. The second switch is connected between the bridge network output and a ground. The bridge network further includes at least one control input connected to the second switch. The bridge network is adapted to change a state of the first switch based on a state of the second switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: Laurence P. Sadwick, Ruey-Jen Hwu, Mohammad M. Mojarradi
  • Patent number: 8531142
    Abstract: A bi-power motor controlling apparatus, which is electrically connected with a motor, includes a driver IC having a first pin and a second pin. The first and second pins are used to receive a first power and a second power, respectively, from outside. The second power is supplied to the driver IC, and the first power is supplied to the motor for controlling the rotational speed of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming-Lung Liu, Chun-Chia Lu, Chia-Feng Wu, Chun-Lung Chiu