Patents Examined by Nguyen Tran
  • Patent number: 11923789
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a power converter includes an inverter and a controller. The inverter operates in an interconnected operation mode in which a grid is connected to an electric load and an isolated operation mode in which the inverter is connected to the electric load, for generating power from a local power supply. The controller detects a frequency difference and a phase difference between an inverter output from the inverter and grid power. The controller calculates, based on the frequency difference and the phase difference, an output frequency pattern to be used for synchronizing the inverter output with the grid power. The controller controls, when switching from the isolated operation mode to the interconnected operation mode, a frequency of the inverter output based on the output frequency pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Infrastructure Systems & Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Yuusuke Kouno, Yoichi Morishima
  • Patent number: 11921535
    Abstract: A bandgap reference circuit includes an amplifier, a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, a first resistor, and a second resistor. The amplifier is configured to generate a bandgap voltage. The first transistor is coupled to the amplifier, and passes a first PTAT current. The second transistor is coupled to the amplifier, and passes a second PTAT current. The first resistor is coupled to the amplifier and the second transistor, and passes the second PTAT current to the second transistor. The third transistor is coupled to the amplifier, and passes a third PTAT current that bypasses the first resistor and the second transistor. The second resistor is coupled to the first transistor, the second transistor, and the third transistor, and passes the first PTAT current, the second PTAT current, and the third PTAT current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Sandeep Shylaja Krishnan
  • Patent number: 11909198
    Abstract: The disclosure features systems and methods for protecting transistors of a wireless power receiver. Systems can include a gate driver configured provide a control signal to control switching of the transistor gate such that power is transmitted to a load coupled to the receiver; and a controller coupled to the gate driver and configured to generate a protection signal. The protection signal can include (i) a fault signal indicating a fault in one or more components of the receiver; (ii) a signal indicating that the transistor gate should be latched; and/or (ii) at least one undervoltage signal indicating that an undervoltage condition exists in a power supply of the gate driver. Based on the generated protection signal, the gate driver can be configured to adjust the provided control signal to latch the transistor gate such that power is not transmitted to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: WiTricity Corporation
    Inventors: Milisav Danilovic, Bryan Esteban
  • Patent number: 11909330
    Abstract: A current control device and a power conversion system employing the current control device are provided. The current control device controls N power conversion unit(s), where N is a positive integer. The N power conversion units are connected in parallel when N is greater than 1. Each power conversion unit includes a signal input terminal and a current-controlled output terminal electrically connected to an external circuit. The current control device includes a first current sensor and an error compensator. The first current sensor samples a current flowing through the external circuit and acquires a sampling value. The error compensator receives the sampling value and a reference value and generates a compensation value accordingly, and outputs N current command(s) to the N power conversion unit(s) respectively according to the reference value and the compensation value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Guoqiao Shen, Guojin Xu, Ning He, Daidong Pan
  • Patent number: 11909308
    Abstract: Embodiments of this application provide a power conversion circuit. The power conversion circuit includes at least one first power conversion unit connected in series to a first phase line, at least one second power conversion unit connected in series to a second phase line, at least one third power conversion unit connected in series to a third phase line, a plurality of first start circuits connected in series to the first phase line, and a plurality of second start circuits connected in series to the second phase line. Each first start circuit includes a first relay and a first resistor that are connected in parallel, and first relays in all the first start circuits are sequentially closed after the power conversion circuit is powered on, to start the power conversion circuit. Each second start circuit includes a second relay and a second resistor that are connected in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: HUAWEI DIGITAL POWER TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhuyong Huang, Xiaofei Zhang, Peng Shuai, Peiguo Liu
  • Patent number: 11901817
    Abstract: Transient or fault conditions for a switched capacitor power converter are detected by measuring one or more of internal voltages and/or currents associated with switching elements (e.g., transistors) or phase nodes, or voltages or currents at terminals of the converter, and based on these measurements detect that a condition has occurred when the measurements deviate from a predetermined range. Upon detection of the condition fault control circuitry alters operation of the converter, for example, by using a high voltage switch to electrically disconnect at least some of the switching elements from one or more terminals of the converter, or by altering timing characteristics of the phase signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: pSemi Corporation
    Inventors: Aichen Low, David M. Giuliano, Gregory Szczeszynski, Jeff Summit, Oscar Blyde
  • Patent number: 11899481
    Abstract: A feedback control circuit is described herein, comprising: an operational amplifier (op-amp) integrated circuit, wherein a first output of the op-amp provides a feedback error control signal; at least two transistors provided in a feedback path between the first output of the op-amp and an inverting input to the op-amp; and a plurality of discrete electrical components in the feedback path, such that in the response to either an increase or decrease of an inverting input voltage at the inverting input that exceeds a predetermined level, will speed up substantially. The feedback control circuit provides the feedback error control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Crestron Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Buono
  • Patent number: 11894672
    Abstract: A system for a wind turbine that includes a protection system interfaced to a circuit breaker system and a sensing system. The protection system is configured to determine an operational mode of the wind turbine by monitoring at least two parameters determine a parameter set comprising a plurality of operational parameters based on a determined operational mode, and an associated set of expected values corresponding to the parameter set, determine actual values corresponding to the determined parameter set, identify a fault condition in the event that the determined set of actual values of the operational parameters do not correspond to the determined set of expected values of the operational parameters, and implement a protection action based on the identified fault condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventors: Luis Miguel Calhau Gonçalves, Kenneth G. Hansen, Hans Christian Bisgaard-Clausen, Duy Duc Doan, Hamid Soltani, Poul Møhl Dyrlund, Kent Tange
  • Patent number: 11894771
    Abstract: There is provided a current control circuit (20) for connection between a first electrical network (42) and a converter, the current control circuit (20) comprising: first and second input terminals (24,26) for connection to the first electrical network (42); first and second output terminals (28,30) for respective connection to converter terminals (46,48) of the converter; first and second switching limbs, the first switching limb interconnecting the first input and output terminals (24,28), the second switching limb interconnecting the second input and output terminals (26,30), each switching limb including a respective switching element (32,34,36,38); a director limb (76) extending between the first and second output terminals (28,30), the director limb (76) including at least one current director element (84) and at least one first resistive element (86), the director limb (76) including an intermediate terminal (82); a second resistive element (88), a first end of the second resistive element (88) ope
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Hassan Taghizadeh, Carl David Barker, Robert Stephen Whitehouse
  • Patent number: 11881773
    Abstract: A power circuit including an input configured to receive input power from an input source, a first output configured to provide LPS output power to a load, a Logic Power Supply (LPS) configured to convert the input power into the LPS output power, the LPS configured to provide, in a first mode, the LPS output power with a first voltage level in response to receiving an indication that the load is being powered by the LPS output power and configured to provide, in a second mode, the LPS output power with a second voltage level in response to receiving an indication that the load is not being powered by the LPS output power, and a first switch configured to couple the LPS to the first output in the first mode and to decouple the LPS from the first output in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mihir Sunil Thatte, Pavan Kumar Gudipalli, Vishnu Sreekumar S, Sivanageswararao Uddanti, Pradeep Tolakanahalli Nagabhushanrao
  • Patent number: 11881764
    Abstract: A multilevel converter system is provided. The multilevel converter system includes a multilevel converter and a short-circuit protection circuit. The multilevel converter includes a first segment and a second segment electrically connected to the first segment, wherein the first and second segments are each configured to convert a first current to a second current. The first segment includes a plurality of first switches. The second segment includes a plurality of second switches. The short-circuit protection circuit is electrically connected to the multilevel converter, wherein the short-circuit protection circuit includes at least one electrical component that is electrically connected in parallel with at least one of the plurality of first switches and the plurality of second switches. The short-circuit protection circuit is configured to protect the plurality of first switches and the plurality of second switches from a short-circuit current during a short-circuit condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Zheyu Zhang, Kenneth McClellan Rush, Luca Tonini, Hao Tu
  • Patent number: 11876447
    Abstract: A device for controlling a converter has a first output variable and a second output variable adjusted by a duty of a switching element. The device includes a first controller that generates a first duty based on a first error between a predetermined limitation reference value corresponding to a reference value limiting a size of the first output variable and a measurement value of the first output variable measured at a load of a converter. A second controller generates a second duty based on a second error between a predetermined reference value of the second output variable and a measurement value of the second output variable measured at the load of the converter. A duty determination unit derives a final duty of the switching element based on the first duty and the second duty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Shin Hye Chun, Dong Gyun Woo
  • Patent number: 11874680
    Abstract: Disclosed is a power supply that automatically switches between a voltage regulation mode and an over current protection mode, as needed. The power supply includes a voltage regulator that generates a first control voltage for applying to the control terminal of a pass transistor during a voltage regulation mode to maintain an output voltage at a desired voltage level. The power supply includes a current limiter that generates a second control voltage for applying to the control terminal of the pass transistor during an over current protection mode to prevent an output current from rising above a maximum output current limit. The power supply includes additional circuitry that detects when over current protection is required and automatically switches the control voltage applied to the control terminal from the first control voltage to the second control voltage or vice versa, as necessary. Also disclosed is an associated power supply method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: GlobalFoundries U.S. Inc.
    Inventor: Shatabda Saha
  • Patent number: 11867761
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a safety fault interrupter circuit. The safety fault interrupter circuit includes a safety fault monitor coupled to a first bias node and configured to selectively assert a fault interrupter signal based at least in part on a first bias voltage and a first power consumption. The safety fault interrupter circuit also includes a power fault monitor for the safety fault monitor, wherein the power fault monitor is coupled to a second bias node and is configured to selectively assert the fault interrupter signal based at least in part on a second bias voltage and a second power consumption that is less than the first power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Robert Mason Hanrahan
  • Patent number: 11863018
    Abstract: Prioritizing one-way rotation and one-way torque in particular, a change is induced in the partial shape of a magnetic poles on the rotor of a reluctance motor in the direction of forward movement, or magnetic resistance is increased, the torque generation range of each phase is expanded, and the increase/decrease time of an electric current is ensured to reduce the noise. With the relative increase in copper losses due to this drive method, and harmful effects from the problem of an overvoltage generated in the full-pitch windings are reduced by a drive method in which the overvoltage is cancelled out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventor: Masayuki Nashiki
  • Patent number: 11863071
    Abstract: A power converter having a smooth transition control mechanism is provided. An oscillator circuit outputs a clock signal. A control circuit receives the clock signal from the oscillator circuit and outputs a control signal based on the clock signal. A driver circuit outputs a high-side conduction signal and a low-side conduction signal according to the control signal. A high-side switch is turned on or off according to the high-side conduction signal from the driver circuit. A low-side switch is turned on or off according to the low-side conduction signal from the driver circuit. The oscillator circuit receives the high-side conduction signal from the driver circuit. The oscillator circuit, according to the high-side conduction signal, determines whether or not the clock signal outputted to the control circuit needs to be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: ANPEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chien-Nan Chen, Fu-Chuan Chen
  • Patent number: 11860659
    Abstract: A low drop-out (LDO) linear regulator includes: a pass transistor coupled between an input terminal and an output terminal; an error amplifier suitable for amplifying and outputting a difference between a feedback voltage corresponding to an output voltage of the output terminal and a predetermined reference voltage; a buffer including an input terminal which is coupled to an output node of the error amplifier and an output terminal which is coupled to a gate of the pass transistor; a first compensation circuit suitable for driving an equivalent resistance of the output node of the error amplifier to be in inverse proportion to a load current; and a second compensation circuit suitable for driving an equivalent resistance of an output node of the buffer to be in inverse proportion to the load current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Joongho Choi, Minsu Park, Jiteck Jung, Seungwoo Shin, Chankyu Bae, Kibaek Kwon, Myunsik Kim, Jiwon Son, Heain Kim
  • Patent number: 11863069
    Abstract: A switching converter controller includes: a stopband controller having a stopband controller input and a stopband controller output, the stopband controller is configured to provide stopband information at the stopband controller output responsive to a reference signal; a pulse-frequency modulation (PFM) controller having a first PFM controller input, a second PFM controller input and a PFM controller output, the first PFM controller input configured to receive a feedback error signal, the second PFM controller input coupled to the stopband controller output, and the PFM controller configured to selectively adjust a clock signal at the PFM controller output based on the feedback error signal and the stopband information; and a driver circuit having a driver circuit input coupled to the PFM controller output and configured to receive the clock signal, and having a driver circuit output adapted to be coupled to a power stage switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Puneet Sareen, Michael Känner, Christian Harder, Narayanan Seetharaman
  • Patent number: 11855459
    Abstract: A method for three-phase infeed of electrical power from a DC source into a three-phase AC grid by means of an inverter includes measuring phase-specific grid voltages of the three-phase AC grid, and determining a grid frequency from the measured phase-specific grid voltages. The method also includes generating phase-specific voltage reference values from the phase-specifically measured grid voltages and the determined grid frequency, and generating phase-specific target current values using phase-specific predetermined target current amplitude values, the phase-specific voltage reference values and respective grid voltage amplitudes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Alexander Unru, Moritz Welker, Neidhardt Bechtel, Sybille Pape
  • Patent number: 11852660
    Abstract: A method for analyzing effects of electrical perturbations on equipment in an electrical system includes processing energy-related signals from at least one intelligent electronic device in the electrical system to identify an electrical perturbation in the electrical system. An end time of the electrical perturbation may be determined, and electrical measurement data from prior to, during and/or after the end time of the electrical perturbation may be analyzed to identify and quantify the effects of the electrical perturbation on equipment in the electrical system. The effects may include, for example, equipment restarts/re-energizations due to the electrical perturbation. One or more actions may be taken or performed to reduce the effects of the electrical perturbation and extend the life of the equipment. The actions may include, for example, at least one of communicating the equipment restarts/re-energizations and controlling at least one component in the electrical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon A. Bickel, Daniel D. Sabin