Abstract: A device and method are provided for monitoring quality and performance parameters of an electricity distribution component in an electricity distribution network and detecting any deviation of operating parameters from the specified regulatory set and enforced limits. The critical and increasing problem is mitigated for the myriad of private domestic and commercial DEG devices being installed and connected to the distribution networks which were not initially designed for, or even not anticipated with, the recent DEG evolution, and the increasing complex electrical components with changing loads and power factors across the distribution network.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for monitoring quality and performance parameters of an electricity distribution component in an electricity distribution network and detecting any deviation of operating parameters from the specified regulatory set and enforced limits. The critical and increasing problem is mitigated for the myriad of private domestic and commercial DEG devices being installed and connected to the distribution networks which were not initially designed for, or even not anticipated with, the recent DEG evolution, and the increasing complex electrical components with changing loads and power factors across the distribution network.

Abstract: A method of determining one or more direct voltage reduction (DVR) factors at a point of load (POL) in a power grid voltage environment. An energy processing unit (EPU) is installed at each individual POL; each EPU includes at least one AC-AC series voltage regulator. An EPU-regulated output voltage is increased under specific controlled conditions. One or more independent DVR factors for each individual POL are determined during the increased and decreased EPU-regulated output voltage.

Abstract: A method of determining one or more direct voltage reduction (DVR) factors at a point of load (POL) in a power grid voltage environment. An energy processing unit (EPU) is installed at each individual POL; each EPU includes at least one AC-AC series voltage regulator. An EPU-regulated output voltage is increased under specific controlled conditions. One or more independent DVR factors for each individual POL are determined during the increased and decreased EPU-regulated output voltage.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for bypassing a load current going through an AC-AC series voltage regulator under over-current condition, comprising: an AC-AC invertor; an AC semiconductor bypass switch; and a bypass control. The AC-AC invertor and the AC semiconductor bypass switch are connected in parallel. The bypass control is configured to detect a load current signal, an input voltage of the AC-AC series voltage regulator and an output voltage of the AC-AC series voltage regulator and to control the AC semiconductor bypass switch's switching such that the load current under overcurrent condition is shared between the AC-AC invertor and the AC semiconductor bypass switch.

Abstract: In the present legacy electrical power generation and distribution system, the power quality delivered to end consumers is being degraded by a number of disruptive technologies and legislative impacts; especially with the rapidly increasing myriad of privately owned and operated domestic and commercial distributed energy generation (DEG) devices connected at any point across a low voltage (LV) distribution network. The present invention bypasses this increasing critical DEG problem by offering a solution comprising an energy processing unit (EPU) that is installed at the customer's electrical power point of use (POU). And because of the controlled tightly voltage regulated output of the EPU, significant energy savings can be achieved through dynamic voltage control, utilizing the CVR effect, reduced reactive power demand, and reduced or eliminated peak demand billings.

Abstract: A high-efficiency system for conducting power factor (PF) and harmonics correction in an electrical network, comprising a controller; a digital PFC capacitor array comprising two or more passive PFC capacitors, providing fine steps increments in the PF correction; and linear PFC capacitor arrays, providing coarse steps increments in the PF correction. The PF correction in coarse steps increments and fine steps increments allow a total or near total PF correction without overcompensation. Optionally, the system further comprises a lower power active power filter (APF) configured to only target and eliminate or minimize harmonics in the electrical network.

Abstract: In the present legacy electrical power generation and distribution system, the power quality delivered to end consumers is being degraded by a number of disruptive technologies and legislative impacts; especially with the rapidly increasing myriad of privately owned and operated domestic and commercial distributed energy generation (DEG) devices connected at any point across a low voltage (LV) distribution network. The present invention bypasses this increasing critical DEG problem by offering a solution comprising an energy processing unit (EPU) that is installed at the customer's electrical power point of use (POU). And because of the controlled tightly voltage regulated output of the EPU, significant energy savings can be achieved through dynamic voltage control, utilizing the CVR effect, reduced reactive power demand, and reduced or eliminated peak demand billings.

Abstract: Various methods related to air moving devices in electronic systems are disclosed. Various electronic systems including controlled air moving devices are also disclosed. Thus, one example electronic system includes an air moving device and a controller for controlling the air moving device. The controller is configured to selectively control a rotational speed of the air moving device. The controller is configured to vary the rotational speed within a range bounded by and including a first rotational speed and a second rotational speed during a time that a target rotational speed is within the range.

Abstract: Various methods related to air moving devices in electronic systems are disclosed. Various electronic systems including controlled air moving devices are also disclosed. Thus, one example electronic system includes an air moving device, a sensor for monitoring an operating parameter of the electronic system and generating a signal representative of the operating parameter, and a controller for controlling the air moving device. The controller is configured to selectively control a rotational speed of the air moving device, to receive the signal representative of the operating parameter, and to delay changing the rotational speed of the air moving device in response to the signal representative of the operating parameter.

Abstract: Various methods related to air moving devices in electronic systems are disclosed. Various electronic systems including controlled air moving devices are also disclosed. Thus, in one method of controlling an air moving device in an electronic system, the air moving device is operable to accelerate between rotational speeds at a maximum angular acceleration. The method includes limiting an angular acceleration of the air moving device to a first acceleration limit less than the maximum angular acceleration when changing the air moving device from a first rotational speed to a second rotational speed.

Abstract: A method of operating a switching power converter having at least one power switch controlled by a drive signal having a switching frequency is disclosed. The method includes monitoring an output power of the switching power converter, determining whether the output power has decreased below a threshold level and, in response to the output power decreasing below the threshold level, changing the switching frequency of the drive signal from a first switching frequency to a second switching frequency when an operating condition of the switching power converter is satisfied. Also disclosed are controllers and switching power converters (including PFC converters).

Abstract: Various methods related to air moving devices in electronic systems are disclosed. Various electronic systems including controlled air moving devices are also disclosed. Thus, one example electronic system includes an air moving device and a controller for controlling the air moving device. The controller is configured to selectively control a rotational speed of the air moving device. The controller is configured to vary the rotational speed within a range bounded by and including a first rotational speed and a second rotational speed during a time that a target rotational speed is within the range.

Abstract: Various methods related to air moving devices in electronic systems are disclosed. Various electronic systems including controlled air moving devices are also disclosed. Thus, in one method of controlling an air moving device in an electronic system, the air moving device is operable to accelerate between rotational speeds at a maximum angular acceleration. The method includes limiting an angular acceleration of the air moving device to a first acceleration limit less than the maximum angular acceleration when changing the air moving device from a first rotational speed to a second rotational speed.

Abstract: Various methods related to air moving devices in electronic systems are disclosed. Various electronic systems including controlled air moving devices are also disclosed. Thus, one example electronic system includes an air moving device, a sensor for monitoring an operating parameter of the electronic system and generating a signal representative of the operating parameter, and a controller for controlling the air moving device. The controller is configured to selectively control a rotational speed of the air moving device, to receive the signal representative of the operating parameter, and to delay changing the rotational speed of the air moving device in response to the signal representative of the operating parameter.

Abstract: A method of operating a switching power converter having at least one power switch controlled by a drive signal having a switching frequency is disclosed. The method includes monitoring an output power of the switching power converter, determining whether the output power has decreased below a threshold level and, in response to the output power decreasing below the threshold level, changing the switching frequency of the drive signal from a first switching frequency to a second switching frequency when an operating condition of the switching power converter is satisfied. Also disclosed are controllers and switching power converters (including PFC converters).

Abstract: A switching power converter has at least one electronic power switch. To minimize switching losses and optimize efficiency, the gate drive voltage level used to drive the electronic power switch is optimized. In an aspect, a digital controller generates optimizes the gate drive voltage using efficiency optimization algorithms, which in an aspect are programmed in the digital controller. In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, the switching power supply has at least two electronic power switches coupled in parallel. Optimization algorithms are used to determine the optimum number of switched electronic power switches that are actively being switched at a given time in order to achieve optimized efficiency for condition changes, such as input voltage variation, load and environmental temperature changes. In an aspect, the algorithms are programmed in a digital controller chip.

Abstract: A power converter includes a controller having at least one input for monitoring a rate of change of an operating parameter of the power converter. The controller is configured for comparing the monitored rate of change of the operating parameter with an allowable rate of change for the operating parameter, and for generating a fault signal when the monitored rate of change of the operating parameter deviates from the allowable rate of change for the operating parameter. The operating parameter for which the rate of change is monitored may be, for example, a temperature, a current and/or a voltage in the power converter.

Abstract: A power converter includes a controller and at least one output terminal for providing an output voltage and an output current to a load. The controller is configured for monitoring the output voltage and the output current and calculating an efficiency of the power converter based on the monitored output voltage and output current. The controller is also configured to generate a fault signal after detecting a degradation in the power converter efficiency.

Abstract: A switching power converter has at least one electronic power switch. To minimize switching losses and optimize efficiency, the gate drive voltage level used to drive the electronic power switch is optimized. In an aspect, a digital controller generates optimizes the gate drive voltage using efficiency optimization algorithms, which in an aspect are programmed in the digital controller. In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, the switching power supply has at least two electronic power switches coupled in parallel. Optimization algorithms are used to determine the optimum number of switched electronic power switches that are actively being switched at a given time in order to achieve optimized efficiency for condition changes, such as input voltage variation, load and environmental temperature changes. In an aspect, the algorithms are programmed in a digital controller chip.