Abstract: The integrated circuit (IC) described herein lowers the start-up voltage to, for example, 50 mV, compatible for starting a DC-DC converter from a thermoelectric generator (TEG), even with a small temperature gradient. The IC further improves end-to-end efficiency of the energy harvester by improving power efficiency of the DC-DC converter while ensuring maximum power transfer from the TEG at low voltages. The IC uses a low voltage integrated charge pump that can boost sub-100 mV input voltage. A startup clock is generated by a ring-oscillator that begins operation with low supply (e.g., 50 mV or less), and which allows for one inductor to be used for DC-DC converter and for startup of the converter. The IC can be configured between the TEG and any downstream sensor or communication circuits to provide an acceptable (e.g., greater than 1 V) voltage for powering the downstream circuits from a low-voltage (e.g., less than 200 mV) TEG energy source.

Abstract: A Method and apparatus for control of switch mode power supplies utilizing magnetic and capacitive conversion means are disclosed. The switch mode power supply is efficient and generates very small inductor current ripple and output voltage ripple. The switch mode power supply has a wider bandwidth and the filter components including magnetic storage element and the output capacitor can be made much smaller. The capacitor voltages in the switched capacitor array are regulated by changing the amount of time the inductor current passes through them.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an energy transfer device that operates one or more input switches of an input side of an electrical isolation device to transfer energy through the isolation device to an output side of the electrical isolation device for activating a switch. The apparatus comprises a voltage conversion device that converts the energy from an input voltage of the input side to an output voltage to control the switch when the energy transfer is active. The apparatus comprises a passive turn off device that passively deactivates the switch when the energy transfer is inactive. The passive turn off device is disabled from deactivating the switch when the energy transfer is active.

Abstract: Multiphase voltage regulator systems are disclosed which include parallel signal pathways that functionally cooperate to provide an analog output signal at a constant, or substantially constant, voltage. The parallel signal pathways generate energy storage element charging signals to charge and/or discharge energy storage elements. Energy provided by discharging energy storage elements is thereafter combined to provide the analog output signal. Moreover, the parallel signal pathways compare one of the energy storage element charging signals with a reference input signal to provide a global error correction signal representing a difference, or error, between the reference input signal and the analog output signal. The parallel signal pathways thereafter adjust the energy storage element charging signals in accordance with the global error correction signal to lessen this difference or error.

Abstract: A vehicle electric drive includes a controller programmed to operate a power converter to boost voltage from a battery for a DC bus and to limit voltage output from the power converter to a predefined maximum voltage value that varies with temperature of coolant used to cool the power converter.

Abstract: There is provided a switching power supply device which has a high voltage control resolution. A switching power supply device according to the present invention includes: a power conversion circuit which includes a switching element; and a control circuit unit which outputs a driving pulse to the switching element based on an output voltage command value and an output voltage value of the power conversion circuit, and the control circuit unit changes a switching cycle and outputs a driving pulse based on a difference between a calculation value of an operation amount based on the output voltage command value and the output voltage value, and a setting value of the operation amount.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting an arc fault in a circuit breaker use a single-coil current rate of change (di/dt) sensor for monitoring both low frequency alternating current (AC) and broadband high frequency noise on a power line. The di/dt sensor is optimized to amplify any broadband high frequency noise, typically from about 1 MHz to 40 MHz, that may be present on the power line. Low frequency signals representing the current being monitored, typically from about 1 Hz to 10 KHz, is provided to an active integrator circuit with a high gain to enable the single-coil sensitivity. To shorten capacitor charge up time of the active integrator circuit, a charging current is provided to the active integrator circuit upon startup of the circuit breaker.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide for a circuit. In at least some examples, the circuit includes a first switch coupled between a first node and a second node and a second switch coupled between a third node and the second node. The circuit further includes a resistor coupled between the second node and a fourth node and a capacitor comprising a first terminal coupled to the fourth node and a second terminal. The circuit further includes a transistor comprising a drain terminal coupled to the third node, a source terminal coupled to a fifth node, and a gate terminal and an amplifier comprising a first input terminal coupled to the fifth node, a second input terminal coupled to the fourth node, and an output terminal coupled to a sixth node.

Abstract: A single input dual output buck-boost power conversion system includes a voltage source input for connecting a voltage source for power conversion. A plurality of switches electrically connect to the voltage source input, wherein each switch is connected to a controller configured for pulse width modulation (PWM) control of the switches. A first voltage output is configured to connect to a first load to power the first load with converted power from the voltage source input. A second voltage output is configured to connect to a second load to power the second load with converted power from the voltage source input, wherein the controller is configured to provide positive voltage or negative voltage to each of the first and second voltage outputs, as needed for any of four combinations of polarity among the first and second voltage outputs including positive-positive, positive-negative, negative-positive, and negative-negative.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement includes a power semiconductor switch, a freewheeling diode, and a storage choke having a core and a winding coupled between a first choke terminal and a second choke terminal. The storage choke is configured to conduct a current flowing across the power semiconductor switch. The arrangement also includes a driver circuit configured to drive the power semiconductor switch via the control terminal thereof.

Abstract: The various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to devices, systems and methods for mitigating fault propagation between two or more safety components. A system, for avoiding propagation of a fault between two or more safety components may include a control unit outputting an input signal, a first safety component electrically coupled to receive the input signal from the control unit; a second safety component electrically coupled to receive the input signal from the control unit; and a first isolating component electrically disposed between and further coupling the control unit with the first safety component. Each of the first safety component and the second safety component are electrically coupled to the control unit by at least a common lead. The first isolating component prevents a first IC fault arising with respect to the first safety component from propagating, via the input signal, to the second safety component.

Abstract: A multi-function switch has a Junction-Field Effect Transistor (JFET) that outputs a voltage for both charging and timing/sense the synchronous rectifier controller. Current is provided to a synchronous rectifier controller from a JET having its drain conductively coupled to the drain electrode of the secondary side rectifying MOSFET, wherein the current from the source of the JET is used for both timing/sense and powering the synchronous rectifier controller. The JFET is biased for a fixed output with its source to gate voltage at a turn on threshold voltage of the JFET for charging. The JFET is fully conducting from the secondary side of transformer with a small voltage drop across the drain to source electrode of the secondary side rectifying MOSFET for timing/sense.

Abstract: An overvoltage protection circuit configured to prevent an overvoltage of an output voltage of a switching converter, can include: an output voltage simulation circuit configured to generate an output voltage simulation signal according to circuit parameters of the switching converter, where the output voltage simulation signal changes along with the output voltage; and an overvoltage signal generator configured to activate an overvoltage signal when a feedback voltage is less than a first threshold value and the output voltage simulation signal is greater than a second threshold value.

Abstract: A charge pump circuit by which fundamental issues involved in the voltage feedback type charge pump circuit have been solved is realized. A power supply circuit includes a charge pump circuit, a feedback circuit feeding an output of the charge pump circuit back to an input of the charge pump circuit, a first current source causing a constant current to flow through the feedback circuit, a MOS transistor element interposed in a middle of the feedback circuit, a resistor element interposed at a position closer to the output of the charge pump circuit than the MOS transistor element in the feedback circuit, a bias circuit applying a constant voltage to a control terminal of the MOS transistor element, and a control section controlling a value of the constant current which the first current source flows through the feedback circuit.

Abstract: A device for suppressing harmonic distortions at the output of variable frequency drive (VFD) comprising at least one passive harmonic filter (PHF) which has a set of storage elements and a set of inductive elements. The set of inductive elements are mounted on a magnetic core. The PHF comprising at least two lines connected in parallel (parallel lines) with similar sets of elements. The described technical solution expands the possibility of operating the VFD/VSD with different supply voltage frequencies, and maintains the THD/TDD values within 5% regardless of active power fluctuations.

Abstract: A multi-phase converter has a plurality of voltage converter circuits connected in parallel; current sensors provided in the voltage converter circuits respectively; and a controller configured to calculate an estimated value of a total input current inputted to the multi-phase converter. The controller may be configured to output a notification signal that indicates an abnormality in one of the current sensors when a difference between a total sum of measured values of all the current sensors and the estimated value is outside a predetermined allowable range.

Abstract: A control method for regulating the switching frequency of a resonant converter having an input terminal to receive an input voltage and an output terminal to output an output voltage. The control method is sensing the input voltage and adjusting the switching frequency based on the comparison of the input voltage with a reference threshold voltage. When the input voltage is less than the reference threshold voltage, the switching frequency is adjusted to decrease, and when the input voltage is higher than the reference threshold voltage, the switching frequency is adjusted to increase.

Abstract: A power converter is configured to convert, into an AC voltage, a DC voltage supplied from a DC power supply connected between a first power supply wiring and a first ground wiring. A control device is connected between a second power supply wiring and a second ground wiring. The second power supply wiring is configured to supply a second power supply voltage lower than the first power supply voltage. The control device is configured to control the power converter. A separation device is configured to separate the first ground wiring and the second ground wiring from each other. The first ground wiring and the second ground wiring are electrically connected to each other at a single node.

Abstract: A method for locating an electrical arc fault upstream or downstream of an electrical protection device connected in series in an electrical circuit between an electrical energy source and an electrical load, the source supplying a supply current to the electrical load. The method includes the measurement of several electrical quantities linked to the supply current, the detection of a simultaneous variation of at least two electrical quantities linked to the supply current, the confirmation of the presence of the arc fault, and the determination of the position of the arc fault upstream or downstream of the protection device. Also, a protection device can implement such a method.

Abstract: An inverting switching regulator is provided. The inverting switching regulator is used to generate a negative output voltage based on a positive input voltage. The inverting switching regulator includes an inductor configured to pass an inductor current from a first terminal to a second terminal; a flying capacitor coupled to the second terminal of the inductor; and a plurality of switches configured to apply a negative voltage to the second terminal of the inductor by charging the flying capacitor by the positive input voltage during a first phase, and by connecting the flying capacitor in series to a ground node and the inductor during a second phase.