Abstract: If an input voltage of a DC/DC converter is lower than a first voltage value that is set in advance, a converter controller maintains an output voltage of the DC/DC converter within a first voltage range that is set in advance by changing an operation frequency of switching of the DC/DC converter in compliance with the input voltage as a first voltage maintaining control. If the input voltage is higher than a second voltage value that is higher than the first voltage value, the converter controller maintains the output voltage within a second voltage range that is higher than the first voltage range by changing the operation frequency in compliance with the input voltage as a second voltage maintaining control.

Abstract: Reduction in size and weight of transformer for grid tie applications is demanded and can be achieved by applying SST to the transformer. However, SST application to PCS for sunlight requires the following: handle a wide variation range of the voltage of solar power generation; reduce switching losses of power devices, DC/DC converter and inverter, in the power circuit to implement high frequency for SST application; increase voltage to the grid voltage; and reduce the dimensions of the high current path prior to step-up. Thus, LLC resonant converter configuration is applied with an inverter placed in the output, and series connected configuration is applied to the inverter. The LLC resonant converter is subject to constant frequency regulation with large output, step-up control with low output, and step-down control with the upper limit voltage according to MPPT voltage from sunlight, in order to achieve drive loss reduction and voltage range handling.

Abstract: Size and weight reduction of a transformer for system interconnection is needed. Applying an SST to the transformer can reduce the size and weight. However, it is also necessary to flexibly handle a wide range of voltages to match a high-voltage system or motor, reduce switching loss of a power device used in a power circuit such as a DC/DC converter and an inverter in association with frequency increase caused by application of the SST, and achieve size reduction of a cooling structure. Further, it is necessary to boost a voltage to a system voltage and reduce the size and weight of a large current path before the voltage boosting. Thus, an LLC resonant converter structure is applied, and a multiple-connection structure is employed in each of which a converter is arranged for an input or an inverter is arranged for an output. This enables handling of various voltage ranges by various combinations of the numbers of multiple connections of the inputs and the outputs.

Abstract: Size and weight reduction of a transformer for system interconnection is needed. Applying an SST to the transformer can reduce the size and weight. However, it is also necessary to flexibly handle a wide range of voltages to match a high-voltage system or motor, reduce switching loss of a power device used in a power circuit such as a DC/DC converter and an inverter in association with frequency increase caused by application of the SST, and achieve size reduction of a cooling structure. Further, it is necessary to boost a voltage to a system voltage and reduce the size and weight of a large current path before the voltage boosting. Thus, an LLC resonant converter structure is applied, and a multiple-connection structure is employed in each of which a converter is arranged for an input or an inverter is arranged for an output. This enables handling of various voltage ranges by various combinations of the numbers of multiple connections of the inputs and the outputs.

Abstract: Reduction in size and weight of transformer for grid tie applications is demanded and can be achieved by applying SST to the transformer. However, SST application to PCS for sunlight requires the following: handle a wide variation range of the voltage of solar power generation; reduce switching losses of power devices, DC/DC converter and inverter, in the power circuit to implement high frequency for SST application; increase voltage to the grid voltage; and reduce the dimensions of the high current path prior to step-up. Thus, LLC resonant converter configuration is applied with an inverter placed in the output, and series connected configuration is applied to the inverter. The LLC resonant converter is subject to constant frequency regulation with large output, step-up control with low output, and step-down control with the upper limit voltage according to MPPT voltage from sunlight, in order to achieve drive loss reduction and voltage range handling.

Abstract: If an input voltage of a DC/DC converter is lower than a first voltage value that is set in advance, a converter controller maintains an output voltage of the DC/DC converter within a first voltage range that is set in advance by changing an operation frequency of switching of the DC/DC converter in compliance with the input voltage as a first voltage maintaining control. If the input voltage is higher than a second voltage value that is higher than the first voltage value, the converter controller maintains the output voltage within a second voltage range that is higher than the first voltage range by changing the operation frequency in compliance with the input voltage as a second voltage maintaining control.

Abstract: A power supply device of the invention includes a first switching leg including first and second switching elements between DC terminals; a second switching leg including third and fourth switching elements between the DC terminals; a first capacitor leg including first and second capacitors between the DC terminals; a second capacitor leg including third and fourth capacitors between AC terminals; a first inductor between a connection of the first and second switching elements and one of the AC terminals; a second inductor between a connection of the third and fourth switching elements and another of the AC terminals; a controller; an AC power supply connected to the AC terminals and the connection of the third and fourth capacitors; and a DC power supply between the DC terminals, wherein the controller charges the first and second capacitors to a voltage higher than a voltage crest of the AC power supply.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a plurality of battery units mutually connected in parallel, each including a cell group in which one or two or more secondary cells are connected in series, and a first current control element that is connected in series with this cell group, a first control means that controls the charging/discharging current for each battery unit by controlling the operation of the first current control element included in each of the battery unit; a voltage measurement means that measures the voltage of the cell group or cells included in each of the battery unit, and a diagnosis means that diagnoses a deterioration level or a fault of each battery unit on the basis of the voltage of the cell group or cells measured by the voltage measurement means.

Abstract: Disclosed is a charging system for both plug-in charging systems and contactless charging systems, having a simple electrical configuration, and capable of achieving miniaturization and weight saving. The charging system includes a secondary cell charged via first/second coils of a transformer to which electrical power is supplied from a first power supply via a plug-in connector, and a third coil supplied with electrical power from a second power supply, a relative position of which to the second coil of the transformer is variable, and which can be magnetically coupled to the second coil when the second coil approaches the third coil, wherein the secondary cell is charged via magnetic coupling between first/second coils when charging the secondary cell by the first power supply, and the secondary cell is charged via magnetic coupling between the third coil and second coils when charging the secondary cell by the second power supply.

Abstract: A highly efficient power supply unit compatible with a single-phase three-wire system and an operating method of such a power supply unit are provided. The power supply unit includes first and second switching legs connected in parallel to a first capacitor leg with a DC power supply connected thereto. One end of the second capacitor leg is connected to the middle point of the first switching leg through a first inductor, and the other end is connected to the middle point of the second switching leg through a second inductor. The two ends of the second capacitor leg and the middle point of the second capacitor leg are defined as AC terminals. A switch is provided between middle points of first and second capacitor legs. A control part sets the switch to OFF when power is input/output only between one end of the second capacitor leg and the other end.

Abstract: A power supply device of the invention includes a first switching leg including first and second switching elements between DC terminals; a second switching leg including third and fourth switching elements between the DC terminals; a first capacitor leg including first and second capacitors between the DC terminals; a second capacitor leg including third and fourth capacitors between AC terminals; a first inductor between a connection of the first and second switching elements and one of the AC terminals; a second inductor between a connection of the third and fourth switching elements and another of the AC terminals; a controller; an AC power supply connected to the AC terminals and the connection of the third and fourth capacitors; and a DC power supply between the DC terminals, wherein the controller charges the first and second capacitors to a voltage higher than a voltage crest of the AC power supply.

Abstract: A power-supply unit including a transformer, a full bridge circuit having four arm switches on a primary side of the transformer, a rectifier and smoothing circuit including two synchronous rectifier switches on a secondary side of the transformer, a choke coil, and a capacitor, an output terminal in the rectifier and smoothing circuit, a control circuit controlling ON/OFF of the four arm switches of the full bridge circuit and the two synchronous rectifier switches of the rectifier and smoothing circuit, a resonant inductor including a leakage inductor component and a parasitic inductor component on the primary side of the transformer, and a resonant capacitor, and in which the control circuit includes a timing variable unit which varies switching timings of the two synchronous rectifier switches of the rectifier and smoothing circuit based on an output current flowing in the output terminal provided in the rectifier and smoothing circuit.

Abstract: A highly efficient power supply unit compatible with a single-phase three-wire system and an operating method of such a power supply unit are provided. The power supply unit includes first and second switching legs connected in parallel to a first capacitor leg with a DC power supply connected thereto. One end of the second capacitor leg is connected to the middle point of the first switching leg through a first inductor, and the other end is connected to the middle point of the second switching leg through a second inductor. The two ends of the second capacitor leg and the middle point of the second capacitor leg are defined as AC terminals. A switch is provided between middle points of first and second capacitor legs. A control part sets the switch to OFF when power is input/output only between one end of the second capacitor leg and the other end.

Abstract: Disclosed is a charging system for both plug-in charging systems and contactless charging systems, having a simple electrical configuration, and capable of achieving miniaturization and weight saving. The charging system includes a secondary cell charged via first/second coils of a transformer to which electrical power is supplied from a first power supply via a plug-in connector, and a third coil supplied with electrical power from a second power supply, a relative position of which to the second coil of the transformer is variable, and which can be magnetically coupled to the second coil when the second coil approaches the third coil, wherein the secondary cell is charged via magnetic coupling between first/second coils when charging the secondary cell by the first power supply, and the secondary cell is charged via magnetic coupling between the third coil and second coils when charging the secondary cell by the second power supply.

Abstract: A power supply device includes two buck converters, having a coupling inductor Lo composed of two mutually-coupled inductors L1, L2, and a output capacitor Co, wherein of the two buck converters, a first buck converter is operated during a positive half-cycle period of an AC input voltage, and a second buck converter is operated during a negative half-cycle period of the AC input voltage, to obtain a DC output voltage at both ends of the output capacitor Co from the AC input voltage, is provided. Herewith, is provided the power-supply device using the buck converter, which can be reduced in the number of components and produced in a low cost without a diode bridge.

Abstract: A switching power supply has a function of improving a power factor, and outputs insulated DC. The switching power supply performs two kinds of controls for switching devices exclusive to each other: controlling of a switching device provided in a direction in which the discharging of a primary-side smoothing capacitor is prohibited at the time of suspension of commercially available AC power and near the zero cross of an input voltage; and causing a switching device provided between the output side of a third winding and the primary-side smoothing capacitor to control a charging current, thereby charging a capacitor in a boosted manner.

Abstract: A power converter includes a first inductor, a rectifier arm, a first switch arm including a first and second switch circuits, a second switch arm including a third switch circuit and a first capacitor, a LC serial circuit, a Transformer, a rectification and smoothing circuit connected to secondary winding of the transformer, and a control circuit to perform on-off control of the three switch circuits. The rectifier arm, the first and second switch arms and the LC serial circuit are connected in parallel with each other. The LC serial circuit and primary winding of the transformer are connected. AC power supply is connected to the rectifier arm via the first inductor. The control circuit includes an output voltage control circuit to control output voltage at specific setting value, an intermediate voltage control circuit to control intermediate voltage at specific setting value, and a power factor correction control circuit.

Abstract: A power converter includes a first inductor, a rectifier arm, a first switch arm including a first and second switch circuits, a second switch arm including a third switch circuit and a first capacitor, a LC serial circuit, a Transformer, a rectification and smoothing circuit connected to secondary winding of the transformer, and a control circuit to perform on-off control of the three switch circuits. The rectifier arm, the first and second switch arms and the LC serial circuit are connected in parallel with each other. The LC serial circuit and primary winding of the transformer are connected. AC power supply is connected to the rectifier arm via the first inductor. The control circuit includes an output voltage control circuit to control output voltage at specific setting value, an intermediate voltage control circuit to control intermediate voltage at specific setting value, and a power factor correction control circuit.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a plurality of battery units mutually connected in parallel, each including a cell group in which one or two or more secondary cells are connected in series, and a first current control element that is connected in series with this cell group, a first control means that controls the charging/discharging current for each battery unit by controlling the operation of the first current control element included in each of the battery unit; a voltage measurement means that measures the voltage of the cell group or cells included in each of the battery unit, and a diagnosis means that diagnoses a deterioration level or a fault of each battery unit on the basis of the voltage of the cell group or cells measured by the voltage measurement means.

Abstract: A first-order feedback control power supply apparatus being arranged in such a manner that when the apparatus is driven under light load condition, a current flowing through an inductor is detected by employing a second CR smoothing filter; when the present load condition is judged as a light load condition based upon the detected inductor current, both upper-sided/lower-sided power MOSFETs and a PWM oscillator are turned OFF so as to be brought into sleep states; when an output voltage of the power supply apparatus is lowered and the lowered output voltage reaches a lower limit threshold of a transient variation detecting circuit, the upper-sided power MOSFET is turned ON to recover the output voltage; and when the output voltage of the power supply voltage reaches a predetermined voltage, the upper-sided power MOSFET is turned OFF so as to be again brought into the sleep state.