For Inverter Patents (Class 363/95)
  • Patent number: 11936187
    Abstract: A power system for connecting a power source, an energy storage unit and a grid includes a power inverter, an energy storage power converter and a controller. The power inverter is electrically coupled to the power source through a DC bus and converts DC power from the DC bus to AC power output to the grid. The power converter is electrically coupled between the DC bus and the energy storage unit and stores power in the energy storage unit and discharges power from the energy storage unit. The controller controls the power converter to store excess power from the power source that cannot be output to the grid in the energy storage unit, and control the energy storage power converter to discharge power stored in the energy storage unit to the power inverter to output to the grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: DYNAPOWER COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Apurva Somani, Xiaorong Xia, Gysler Castelino, Anup Thapa
  • Patent number: 11919417
    Abstract: A load management system for managing loads in a power distribution grid. The load management system includes a control unit and at least two current transformers, which are each connected to the control unit by a signal cable. A first current transformer of the at least two current transformers is arranged in the power distribution grid such that the first current transformer is suitable for measuring a current level that is dominant in a grid connecting line of the power distribution grid, which grid connecting line is connected to a power supply company. A second current transformer of the at least two current transformers is arranged in the power distribution grid such that the second current transformer is suitable for measuring the current level that is dominant in a power line of the power distribution grid, which power line feeds at least one charging station of the power distribution grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Raoul Heyne, Alexander Schneider-Schaper, Martin Rezac, Barry Sole, Hartmut Chodura, Ulf Schlieben, Sunny Rohilla
  • Patent number: 11888322
    Abstract: This application provides a photovoltaic system and a maximum power point tracking control method for a photovoltaic system. The photovoltaic system includes an MPPT controller and a power converter, and the MPPT controller is connected to the power converter. The MPPT controller is configured to: be connected to a photovoltaic array, and track a global maximum power point MPP of the photovoltaic array. The MPPT controller may be further configured to obtain, when there is a periodic shade for the photovoltaic array, a multi-peak search start moment of global MPPT of the photovoltaic array based on a status of tracking the global MPP of the photovoltaic array in a target time period, so that when the multi-peak search start moment in each MPPT period arrives, the global MPPT of the photovoltaic array is started, to output a working point of the global MPP of the photovoltaic array to the power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Huawei Digital Power Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Binjie Cheng
  • Patent number: 11866184
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for overcoming the disadvantages of current air transportation systems that might be used for regional travel by providing a more cost effective and convenient regional air transport system. In some embodiments, the inventive air transport system, operational methods, and associated aircraft include a highly efficient plug-in series hybrid-electric powertrain (specifically optimized for aircraft operating in regional ranges), a forward compatible, range-optimized aircraft design, enabling an earlier impact of electric-based air travel services as the overall transportation system and associated technologies are developed, and platforms for the semi-automated optimization and control of the powertrain, and for the semi-automated optimization of determining the flight path for a regional distance hybrid-electric aircraft flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Zunum Aero, Inc.
    Inventors: Burton Matthew Knapp, Ashish Andrew Kumar
  • Patent number: 11843312
    Abstract: An apparatus including direct-current (DC)-alternating-current (AC) inverter circuitry, first and second circuits, and output circuitry. The DC-AC inverter circuitry inverts a DC input signal corresponding to an input voltage to an AC signal. The first circuit and second circuits respectively include inductive isolation circuits driven in response to power from the at least one AC signal, and rectifier circuits that responds to the inductive isolation circuits by outputting first and second rectified signals, where at least one of the first and second rectifier circuits characterized as being limited by a voltage breakdown rating. The output circuitry provides a DC output voltage signal and to cascade a plurality of signals, including the first and second rectified signals, to provide a voltage source that is dependent on the first and second rectified signals and greater than voltage breakdown rating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Juan M. Rivas-Davila, Lei Gu, Luke C. Raymond, Sanghyeon Park
  • Patent number: 11831161
    Abstract: An integrated renewable energy source (RES) and energy storage system (ESS) facility configured to supply power to an AC electrical grid includes energy storage system capacity and inverter capacity that are larger than a point of grid interconnect (POGI) limit for the facility, enabling high capacity factors and production profiles that match a desired load. At least one first DC-AC power inverter is associated with RES, and at least one second AC-DC power inverter is associated with the ESS. AC-DC conversion is used when charging the ESS with RES AC electric power, and DC-AC conversion utility is used when discharging ESS AC electric power to the electric grid. Aggregate DC-AC inverter utility exceeds the facility POGI limit, and excess RES AC electric power may be diverted to the second inverter(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: 8ME NOVA, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Buttgenbach, Lukas Hansen, Philippe Garneau-Halliday, Emily Arnold
  • Patent number: 11791633
    Abstract: Various enhancements to grid-interactive inverters in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment includes input terminals configured to receive a direct current, output terminals configured to provide an alternating output current to the utility grid, a controller, an output current sensor, and a DC-AC inverter stage comprising a plurality of switches controlled by control signals generated by the controller. In addition, the controller is configured to: generate control signals that cause the switches in the DC-AC inverter stage to switch a direct current in a bidirectional manner; measure the alternating output current; perform frequency decomposition of the output current; and generate control signals that cause the switches in the DC-AC inverter stage to switch current in a way that the magnitude of a plurality of unwanted current components is subtracted from the resulting output current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Generac Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Richard Jones, Alexandre Rudolf Kral
  • Patent number: 11757371
    Abstract: Methods, circuits, and devices for power conversion are disclosed. In some embodiments, the device comprises a circuit comprising a first, second, and third leg. Each leg may comprise two switches. The first leg is switched at a first frequency to generate a first signal, and the second leg is switched at a second frequency lower than the first frequency to generate a second signal. The third leg is switched by a neutral leg control signal to generate a third signal. The circuit generates an output power signal (e.g., a split-phase power signal) based on the first signal, second signal, and the third signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad Nanda Marwali, Muhammad Mobeen Mahmood
  • Patent number: 11705779
    Abstract: A standby generator includes a standby housing defining a cavity and an internal combustion engine. The engine includes an engine block including a cylinder comprising a piston, an engine housing at least partially covering the engine block, and a crankshaft configured to rotate about a vertical crankshaft axis in response to movement by the piston. The standby generator also includes an alternator configured to generate alternating current electrical power, a controller comprising a rectifier configured to convert the alternating current to a direct current and an inverter configured to convert the direct current to a clean alternating current electrical power, and a transfer switch configured to receive the clean alternating current electrical power from the controller and at least one of grid, solar, or battery power, and configured to supply power to an electrical load. The internal combustion engine, the alternator, and the controller are positioned within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Svetlana Byaliy, Joshua Thurnbauer Cirillo, Philip Helwig, Sie Teong Lim, Mark Thomas Molinski, Kenny Jalmas Stair, Robert Townsend, Jeffrey H. Whitmore
  • Patent number: 11687112
    Abstract: A method for maintaining reliability of a distributed power system including a power converter having input terminals and output terminals. Input power is received at the input terminals. The input power is converted to an output power at the output terminals. A temperature is measured in or in the environment of the power converter. The power conversion of the input power to the output power may be controlled to maximize the input power by setting at the input terminals the input voltage or the input current according to predetermined criteria. One of the predetermined criteria is configured to reduce the input power based on the temperature signal responsive to the temperature. The adjustment of input power reduces the input voltage and/or input current thereby lowering the temperature of the power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Meir Adest, Lior Handelsman, Yoav Galin, Amir Fishelov, Guy Sella, Yaron Binder
  • Patent number: 11689107
    Abstract: A high voltage power system is disclosed. In some embodiments, the high voltage power system includes a high voltage pulsing power supply; a transformer electrically coupled with the high voltage pulsing power supply; an output electrically coupled with the transformer and configured to output high voltage pulses with an amplitude greater than 1 kV and a frequency greater than 1 kHz; and a bias compensation circuit arranged in parallel with the output. In some embodiments, the bias compensation circuit can include a blocking diode; and a DC power supply arranged in series with the blocking diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Eagle Harbor Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Ziemba, Ilia Slobodov, Alex Henson, Morgan Quinley, John Carscadden, James Prager, Kenneth Miller
  • Patent number: 11682906
    Abstract: A distributed energy management system includes a photovoltaic (PV) source, and a plurality of controllable loads in communication with the PV source. The plurality of controllable loads include a first controllable load including a first interactive plug associated with a first connected state timer and a first disconnected state timer, and a second controllable load including a second interactive plug associated with a second connected state timer and a second disconnected state timer. The PV source is configured to determine a maximum PV power, determine a difference between the maximum PV power and a current PV power, responsive to determining that the difference is less than or equal to a threshold power, set the reference AC voltage as a first voltage, and responsive to determining that the difference is greater than the threshold power, set the reference AC voltage as a second voltage greater than the first voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: QATAR FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
    Inventor: Ali Yaseen M E Elrayyah
  • Patent number: 11641156
    Abstract: A method for controlling a fault of a three phase four wire interlinking converter system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises obtaining a first d-q-o coordinate plane based on an internal phase angle of output voltage produced from each phase of an inverter; converting the first d-q-o coordinate plane to a second d-q-o coordinate plane based on the o-axis configured differently from the first d-q-o coordinate plane; obtaining an output voltage vector for determining a fault location by performing d-q transform on the second d-q-o coordinate plane; determining occurrence of a fault and an area related to the fault based on the output voltage vector; and in the occurrence of the fault, allocating a zero voltage vector to the area related to the fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Research & Business Foundation Sungkyunkwan University
    Inventors: Chung Yuen Won, Kwang Su Na, Mi Na Kim, Bong Yeon Choi, Kyoung Min Kang, Hoon Lee, Chang Gyun An, Tae Gyu Kim, Jun Sin Yi
  • Patent number: 11590859
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for controlling a relay using a flip-flop, in which a flip-flop controlling a relay by receiving a signal of a control unit in a battery management system of a vehicle and supply flip-flop operation power to the flip-flop through a monitoring circuit connected to a battery of the vehicle when operation power of the battery management system of the vehicle is interrupted to maintain a closing state of a relay controlling driving power of the vehicle and to conserve power of the vehicle for a predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: LG ENERGY SOLUTION, LTD.
    Inventors: Junpil Cheon, Sang Rae Lee
  • Patent number: 11539236
    Abstract: Systems and methods for supplying power at a medium voltage from an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to a load without using a transformer are disclosed. The UPS includes an energy storage device, a single stage DC-DC converter or a two-stage DC-DC converter, and a multi-level inverter, each of which are electrically coupled to a common negative bus. The DC-DC converter may include two stages in a unidirectional or bidirectional configuration. One stage of the DC-DC converter uses a flying capacitor topology. The voltages across the capacitors of the flying capacitor topology are balanced and switching losses are minimized by fixed duty cycle operation. The DC-DC converter generates a high DC voltage from a low or high voltage energy storage device such as batteries and/or ultra-capacitors. The multi-level, neutral point, diode-clamped inverter converts the high DC voltage into a medium AC voltage using a space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: INERTECH IP LLC
    Inventor: Subrata K. Mondal
  • Patent number: 11509166
    Abstract: Provided in the present invention are a microgrid control system and a microgrid, the microgrid control system comprising: a grid-connected switch, an energy router, a first controller and a second controller; the first controller controls the grid-connected switch and sends a first control instruction; the second controller receives the first control instruction and responds to the first control instruction for controlling the energy router.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: BEIJING ETECHWIN ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shuaiyang Zhao, Yunhai Lan, Chengzhi Qin
  • Patent number: 11462908
    Abstract: Distributed grid network intelligence enables intelligent local energy storage backup control. A consumer node includes a local energy storage system. A distributed control node for the consumer node monitors local power demand and local energy generation. The control node calculates an interface operation for accessing energy from the local energy storage or charging the local energy storage, based on the local power demand and the local energy generation. The control node triggers a local power converter to execute the interface operation with the local energy storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Apparent Labs, LLC
    Inventors: Stefan Matan, Fred C. Horton, Frank P. Marrone
  • Patent number: 11463034
    Abstract: A motor drive comprises a rectifier circuit portion arranged to receive an externally supplied AC voltage and to generate a DC bus voltage. An inverter circuit portion is arranged to receive the DC bus voltage (VDC_Bus) and to generate an AC output voltage (Vout) for supply to an external load. A DC bus portion is connected between the rectifier and the inverter. An inductor (L1) is connected in series along a bus conductor between the rectifier and inverter, and a DC link capacitor (C1) is connected in parallel between the bus conductors. A voltage across the DC link capacitor (C1) is input to a tuneable notch filter arranged to supply a filtered signal. A controller varies the resonant frequency of the notch filter to a plurality of values across an operational range and modulates a supply current provided by the inverter with a probe current signal at the resonant frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Andrei Dinu
  • Patent number: 11404955
    Abstract: A method for controlling a fault of a three phase four wire interlinking converter system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises obtaining a first d-q-o coordinate plane based on an internal phase angle of output voltage produced from each phase of an inverter; converting the first d-q-o coordinate plane to a second d-q-o coordinate plane based on the o-axis configured differently from the first d-q-o coordinate plane; obtaining an output voltage vector for determining a fault location by performing d-q transform on the second d-q-o coordinate plane; determining occurrence of a fault and an area related to the fault based on the output voltage vector; and in the occurrence of the fault, allocating a zero voltage vector to the area related to the fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: RESEARCH & BUSINESS FOUNDATION SUNGKYUNKWAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chung Yuen Won, Kwang Su Na, Mi Na Kim, Bong Yeon Choi, Kyoung Min Kang, Hoon Lee, Chang Gyun An, Tae Gyu Kim, Jun Sin Yi
  • Patent number: 11398779
    Abstract: A multi-path converter and a control method thereof are disclosed. The multi-path converter includes a current transfer path using a capacitor and a current transfer path using an inductor such that a current is output to an output end (load) through a plurality of parallel paths, thereby reducing a total RMS current flowing through the inductor, and a control method therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Gyu Hyeong Cho, Yeun Hee Huh, Se Un Shin, Sung Won Choi, Yong Min Ju, Sang Jin Lim
  • Patent number: 11398817
    Abstract: An online monitoring system for measuring the on-state voltage drop of power semiconductor devices comprises a voltage withstanding circuit and a voltage clamping circuit, one terminal of the voltage withstanding circuit is connected to one terminal of the voltage clamping circuit, and the other terminals of the voltage withstanding circuit and the voltage clamping circuit are randomly connected to two terminals of the power semiconductor device under test (DUT) respectively. The two terminals of the voltage clamping circuit are output terminals of the online monitoring system. A clamping voltage of the voltage clamping circuit is higher than the on-state voltage drop of the DUT. When the DUT is off, the output voltage of the system is fixed to the clamping voltage, and when it is on, the output voltage is not clamped. The system has simplified structure and enables convenient, accurate and low-cost measurement of on-state voltage drop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: SHANGHAI JIAO TONG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ke Ma, Ye Zhu, Jiayang Lin
  • Patent number: 11398730
    Abstract: A method for optimizing the energy supply from a variable electrical energy source in an electrical facility, operating in a self-consumption mode, connected to an electrical energy distribution network. A control device is configured to control an electrical energy inverter in an electrical facility and to an electrical facility including a control device for controlling an electrical energy inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES SAS
    Inventors: Vanya Ignatova, Alexandre Laporte
  • Patent number: 11368105
    Abstract: A power conversion device of an embodiment includes a power conversion unit, a first capacitor, a gate circuit, a bypass circuit, and a discharging circuit. The power conversion unit includes a plurality of switching elements each having a gate and generates alternating current (AC) power from direct current (DC) power supplied to a provided DC input terminal. The first capacitor is provided on a DC input side of the power conversion unit. The gate circuit includes a drive circuit configured to output a gate drive signal to be supplied to gates of one or more switching elements among the plurality of switching elements and a second capacitor configured to smooth a power supply voltage of power to be supplied to the drive circuit. The bypass circuit causes the second capacitor to be charged with a part of power stored in the first capacitor at the time of power supply loss of a control system circuit and enables the gate drive signal to be maintained in a negative bias by power stored in the second capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 11364810
    Abstract: A monitoring device for monitoring leakage currents at active conductors has a differential current measurement device, a signal generation device and a control device, which differential current measurement device is designed to record a first signal (I_DIFF) characterizing the differential current of the active conductors and to feed the first signal to the control device. The signal generation device is designed to generate at least one second signal (V_GRID) and to feed the second signal to the control device, which at least one second signal (V_GRID) includes information about the phase angle of a signal occurring at one of the active conductors. The control device is designed to generate a third signal (I_LC_RES) on the basis of the first signal (I_DIFF) and of the at least one second signal (V_GRID), which third signal characterizes the resistive leakage current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Inventors: Daniel Spesser, Tim Pfizenmaier
  • Patent number: 11349427
    Abstract: A method for controlling a variable speed drive comprising Ni low-voltage power cells connected in series for each phase among multiple phases, i being a phase index. The method comprises repeating P iterations comprising: activating at least one cell of one or more phases and deactivating the other power cells of the variable speed drive, wherein the at least one activated cell is selected on the basis of predefined activation controls depending on an iteration index; and receiving at least one output voltage of the variable speed drive across the terminals of the electrical device for at least one phase. The method further comprises, at the end of the P iterations, determining, from the measured output voltages, values of rectified voltage at the output of respective rectification stages of the power cells, and storing the rectified voltages obtained, which are respectively associated with the power cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Schneider Toshiba Inverter Europe SAS
    Inventors: Thomas Devos, François Malrait
  • Patent number: 11296595
    Abstract: A multiphase interleaved forward power converter includes an inductor and first and second subconverter comprising respective transformers. The converter also includes first and second drives configured to respectively operate the first and second subconverters with cycling periods comprising a conduction period, a reset period, and an idle period. The first and second drives are also configured to phase shift the cycling periods in each subconverter such that the conduction period of the subconverter is at least partially complementary to the idle period of the other subconverter. The second drive also clamps a voltage across a winding of the transformer of the first subconverter to substantially prevent a first resonance voltage from propagating in the first subconverter during the idle period of the first subconverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Astec International Limited
    Inventors: John Faustino Boqueo Begino, III, Nathaniel Franco Neri
  • Patent number: 11290016
    Abstract: A converter assembly including a source connection system comprising a primary source connection, and at least one secondary source connection; a load connection system; a primary source converter including a primary rectifier connected electrically to the primary source connection, and having a boost topology, and a DC link connected electrically between the primary rectifier and the load connection system, the DC link including DC link capacitance; a secondary source converter, which is a direct-current converter having a boost topology, connected electrically between the at least one secondary source connection and the DC link; and a pre-charge converter adapted for pre-charging the DC link capacitance. The pre-charge converter includes a pre-charge direct-current converter having a step down topology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Esa-Kai Paatero, Nicola Notari
  • Patent number: 11271406
    Abstract: A method of operating a power generator having a first electrical output electrically connected to a utility grid and a second electrical output electrically connected to a load includes detecting if the first electrical output of the power generator is electrically disconnected from the utility grid, and electrically connecting at least a neutral line of the first electrical output to ground in response to detecting that the first output is electrically disconnected from the utility grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Prasad Pmsvvsv, Carl Cottuli, Beau Baker
  • Patent number: 11183848
    Abstract: Disclosed herewith is a voltage coordinated control method for an AC/DC distribution system, including steps of: acquiring an actual voltage and an actual current at a DC-side of a converter of the system to obtain a first DC voltage and a first DC current; generating a present reference current signal for the converter according to a voltage-current droop control model, and generating a first control signal to control an output state of the converter; and acquiring an actual voltage at a DC-side of an energy storage adapter in the system to obtain a second DC voltage, generating a present reference power signal for the adapter according to a voltage-power droop control model, and generating a second control signal to control an output state of the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: SHANDONG UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Ke Peng, Xinhui Zhang, Xueshen Zhao, Jiajia Chen, Bingyin Xu
  • Patent number: 11166356
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a functional device (10) powered by a constant current driver (12). The device (10) comprises constant current driver (12), electrical energy storage unit (14), functional unit (16), and control unit (18). The device (10) is controlled by the control unit (18) such that the constant current driver (12) provides a constant current to the functional unit (16) and the storage unit (14) in dependence of a pulse width modulated voltage signal. Current is provided to the storage unit (14) for charging the storage unit (14) during at least part of off periods of the pulse width modulated voltage signal. During on periods of the pulse width modulated voltage signal, current is provided to the functional unit (16) and no current is provided to the storage unit (14). This allows providing the device with a constant current driver with less idle periods and lower current supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Priya Ranjan Mishra, Matthias Wendt
  • Patent number: 11159011
    Abstract: The invention relates to a power system with an electric circuit connected between a power grid and a power source. The electric circuit includes a main power converter having main input terminals connected to the power source 16 by a DC link and output terminals. The main power converter is controlled by a controller. The electric circuit includes a main transformer having a primary winding 8a and a secondary winding, the primary winding being connected to the output terminals of the main power converter. Main switchgear is connected between the secondary winding of the main transformer and the power grid. An auxiliary transformer has a primary winding connected to the power grid in parallel with the main switchgear and a secondary winding connected to the controller. A pre-charge circuit is connected between the auxiliary transformer and the DC link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: GE ENERGY POWER CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventors: Owen Jannis Schelenz, Markus Berndt, Dominik Hofmeyer
  • Patent number: 11104376
    Abstract: A power supply current control device including: a current limit value calculation unit configured to calculate a current limit value on a basis of a difference between a power supply voltage and a predetermined set voltage, a power supply current, and a resistance model representing a resistance component of the power supply circuit; a power supply current limit unit configured to limit a magnitude of the power supply current on a basis of the current limit value; a change rate limit value calculation unit configured to calculate a change rate limit value on a basis of the difference and a change speed of the power supply voltage; and a power supply current change rate limit unit configured to limit a change rate of the power supply current on a basis of the change rate limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventor: Yasutoshi Miki
  • Patent number: 11075582
    Abstract: A phase-shifted full bridge (PSFB) switching converter includes a transistor full-bridge having first and second half-bridges. Each half-bridge includes a high-side transistor and a low-side transistor. A controller circuit is configured to generate a drive signal for each transistor. The (first/third and second/fourth) drive signals for the transistors of each half-bridge are periodic with a cycle period, pulse-width modulated and have a temporal offset to each other that equals half of the cycle period. The drive signals for the half-bridges are phase shifted-with respect to one another. The controller circuit also is configured to generate the first drive signal so that the first high-side transistor is switched off when the third drive signal indicates to switch on the second high-side transistor, and to generate the second drive signal so that the first low-side transistor is switched off when the fourth drive signal indicates to switch on the second low-side transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Manuel Escudero Rodriguez, Matteo-Alessandro Kutschak
  • Patent number: 11073543
    Abstract: A power converter circuit includes a monitoring module that monitors a DC power source, the monitoring module comprising a microcontroller. The power converter circuit also includes a temperature sensor providing temperature data to the microcontroller. In response to an indication from the temperature data of a failure or a problem, the microcontroller changes a parameter of the power converter circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Meir Adest, Lior Handelsman, Yoav Galin, Amir Fishelov, Guy Sella
  • Patent number: 11018508
    Abstract: An electrical power generating system for providing auxiliary or backup power to a load bus. The system may be used indoors, and generally includes a fuel cell unit comprising a first DC output, an electrical storage unit comprising a DC input coupled to the first DC output of the fuel cell, the electrical storage unit further comprising a second DC output. An inverter coupled to the second DC output receives power, the inverter comprising a first AC output. The system includes a contactor connected between the first AC output and an AC load bus. The AC load bus comprises an AC voltage, and a controller comprising inputs is adapted to sense a phase, a frequency, and a magnitude of the first AC output and the AC voltage and close the contactor when they substantially match.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: BWR Innovations LLC
    Inventors: Joel A. Jorgenson, Thomas S. Wohl, Brian C. Messerschmidt, Adam C. Jorgenson
  • Patent number: 10971994
    Abstract: The application discloses an arrangement of switches for a voltage source converter cell, the voltage source converter cell having two AC terminals, wherein the arrangement of switches forms a number of parallel series circuits (branches, current paths), wherein the switches in each of the series circuits paths are being controlled by external signals to alter a conductivity status of the switches between an “ON”-state and an “OFF”-state. The external signals are generated by one or more control units, and the two AC terminals are each connected to subsets of the series circuits of the switches. The control units comprises failure detection means, the failure detection means being adapted to determine a defective switch in the series circuits by predetermined conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Juergen Steinke, Philippe Maibach
  • Patent number: 10924035
    Abstract: A power conversion device includes a power converter connected to an electrical storage device that stores DC power, and having a function to convert the DC power stored in the electrical storage device into AC power, and also having a function to output the AC power to one or both of a customer load and a power system; a detection unit that detects voltage and current at a first point on a power line that connects the power converter with the power system; and a control unit that generates a drive command for controlling the power converter based on the voltage and the current detected by the detection unit. The customer load is connected to a second point, on the power line, between the power converter and the first point. The power converter operates on the basis of the drive command generated by the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kikuo Izumi, Takahiro Kato, Yutaka Kuboyama
  • Patent number: 10877536
    Abstract: An information handling system includes active and standby power supplies and a power assist unit. The power supplies provide power to a power rail. The standby power supply supplies current to the power rail when a current demanded by a load is greater than a proportion of a maximum current demand, and is off when the current demand is less than the proportion. The power assist unit is coupled to the power rail and includes a power storage element, a converter coupled to the power storage element and to the power rail, and a controller. The controller receives a current level indication that indicates the current demanded by the load, and in response to the current level indication indicating that the current demand peaks to greater than the proportion of the maximum current demand, directs the converter to provide power from the power storage element to the power rail to prevent the second power supply unit from turning on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Mark A. Muccini, Guangyong Zhu
  • Patent number: 10879697
    Abstract: In a power conversion device, an inverter (10) of each of three arms (A1 to A3) is controlled such that circulating current (Iz) of three arms (A1 to A3) follows a reference (Izrt) in a test period (times t3 to t4) in which a power system (1) is cut off from the three arms (A1 to A3), and whether the power conversion device is normal is determined based on circulating current (Iz) in the test period. Whether the power conversion device is normal therefore can be determined without affecting the power system (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naoki Yonemura, Taichiro Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 10848073
    Abstract: A motor drive apparatus includes a converter configured to convert AC power from an AC power supply into DC power and then output the DC power to a DC link, a capacitor provided in the DC link, an inverter configured to convert DC power in the DC link into AC power for motor drive, a discharge circuit which is provided in parallel with the capacitor in the DC link, and is selectively switched between a discharge operation of discharging DC power in the DC link by electrically connecting the discharge circuit and the capacitor to each other, and a non-discharge operation of cutting electric connection between the discharge circuit and the capacitor, and a discharge circuit drive unit configured to perform switch drive of the discharge operation and the non-discharge operation of the discharge circuit by using DC power of the DC link as drive power for the switch drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Shikagawa, Hitoshi Ishida
  • Patent number: 10819118
    Abstract: A method for operating an inverter and an inverter arrangement including an inverter, and a controller configured to control the inverter to convert DC power into AC power with a DC input voltage control by applying a maximum power point tracking, MPPT, during the converting, in response to the DC power supplied to the inverter exceeding a predetermined power threshold value, control a DC input voltage of the inverter to a lowered value lower than a voltage value corresponding to the maximum power point, and after controlling the DC input voltage of the inverter to the lowered value, control the inverter to convert DC power into AC power with the DC input voltage control by applying the lowered DC input voltage value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: MARICI Holdings The Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Jesse Kokkonen
  • Patent number: 10819217
    Abstract: A power conversion device includes: power conversion circuitry including a plurality of submodules connected in series to each other; a protection device generating a protection command for protecting each submodule; and one or more relay devices outputting the protection command to each submodule. The relay device includes: a first communication circuit for communicating with the protection device; and a second communication circuit for communicating with the power conversion circuitry. The first communication circuit transmits the stop command to the second communication circuit through a first communication channel, and transmits different information different from the stop command to the second communication circuit through a second communication channel. The communication speed of communication through the first communication channel is higher than that of communication through the second communication channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasunori Ido, Muneharu Tokunaga, Hideaki Ohashi
  • Patent number: 10778034
    Abstract: A primary side wireless power transmitter inductively couplable to a secondary side wireless power receiver for supplying power to the wireless power receiver for receiving communications from the secondary side wireless power receiver through the inductive coupling comprises a primary side tank circuit receiving a signal on from the secondary side wireless power receiver. A phase delay or time delay circuit generates a fixed delay clock signal. A sample and hold circuit samples a tank circuit voltage utilizing the fixed phase or time delayed clock signal. A comparator is coupled to an output of the sample and hold circuit for extracting data or commands from the signal stream. A method of operating a primary side wireless transmitter inductively coupled to a secondary side wireless power receiver for supplying power to the wireless power receiver to power a load coupled to the receiver is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ashish Khandelwal, Joseph M. Khayat, Yipeng Su, Robert A. Neidorff, Bharath B. Kannan
  • Patent number: 10700540
    Abstract: A DC power supply system that limits the number of times of charging/discharging of the storage battery when a DC load is connected to a DC bus line. The system includes a DC bus line connectable to a DC load; a power generation device for supplying electric power to the DC bus line; a secondary battery for supplying electric power to the DC bus line; a DC-AC converter connected between the DC bus line and an AC power system; and a controller that controls power supply from the power generation device, the secondary battery, and the DC-AC converter to the DC bus line, and when the power supply of the power generation device cannot satisfy a power supply request of the DC load, the controller controls the DC-AC converter to supply electric power in preference to the secondary battery from the power system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki Ishikura, Shuichi Tagawa
  • Patent number: 10673352
    Abstract: A power conversion apparatus includes: a plurality of cell blocks connected in cascade; and a plurality of bypass circuits each electrically connected in parallel with a corresponding one of the plurality of cell blocks. Each cell block includes: a first connection node on a high-potential side and a second connection node on a low-potential side for connection to another cell block; and a plurality of cell converters connected in cascade between the first connection node and the second connection node, each of the cell converters including an energy storage device. When a DC fault current flows in the direction from the low-potential side to the high-potential side, the current path via the plurality of cell blocks is larger in impedance than the current path via the plurality of bypass circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kimiyuki Koyanagi, Ryosuke Uda
  • Patent number: 10658845
    Abstract: There is provided a system that includes a processor. The system also includes a memory that stores instructions; when executed by the processor, the instructions configure the processor to perform certain operations. The operations include receiving sensor measurements from an electric power source or device and generating, based on the sensor measurements, a droop control procedure that includes a droop control curve having a non-constant slope. The operations further include regulating a power delivery from the electric power source or device to a bus according to the droop control procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: GE ENERGY POWER CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventor: Zhi Zhou
  • Patent number: 10637343
    Abstract: A power conversion device includes a plurality of leg circuits and a control device. The plurality of leg circuits correspond to respective phases of an AC circuit and connected in parallel between common first and second DC terminals. Each leg circuit includes a plurality of chopper cells each including an energy storage and cascaded to one another and at least one inductance connected in series to the plurality of chopper cells. The control device controls an operation of only at least one chopper cell included in each leg circuit based on a circulating current which circulates through the leg circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Fujii, Takushi Jimichi, Ryosuke Uda
  • Patent number: 10560025
    Abstract: A switching power converter is configured to control switching noise by implementing a plurality of pulse width modulation modes of operation. The peak current in each pulse width modulation mode of operation is controlled so that an output power for the switching power converter is continuous with regard to transitions between the pulse width modulation modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: DIALOG SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
    Inventors: John Shi, John Kesterson, Cong Zheng, Kai-Wen Chin
  • Patent number: 10560036
    Abstract: Each of a plurality of specified chopper cells which are some of a plurality of chopper cells included in each leg circuit in a power conversion device is configured as a full bridge. A control device controls operations of first and second switching elements of each specified chopper cell based on a circulating current which circulates through each leg circuit. The control device controls operations of third and fourth switching elements of each specified chopper cell based on a voltage of a capacitor of the specified chopper cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Fujii, Takushi Jimichi, Ryosuke Uda
  • Patent number: 10530284
    Abstract: This motor control device has an inexpensive configuration and enhances motor current target value tracking. This motor control device has an H bridge circuit that has a switching element and is connected to a motor coil provided in a motor, and a control means that drives the switching element at each prescribed PWM period and specifies an operation mode for the H bridge circuit from among a charge mode for increasing the motor current (Icoil) flowing through the motor coil, a fast decay mode for decreasing the motor current, and a slow decay mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: MINEBEA MITSUMI INC.
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Hijikata