Abstract: A bidirectional switch and dimmer for the control of power from an AC source to a load is described. The approach uses power MOSFETs in a bidirectional switch subcircuit configuration that includes a floating AC/DC power supply and a solid state double pole switch that alternates between connection of the AC source to the load and periodic connection of the AC source to the AC/DC power supply. The switch and dimmer circuit configuration allows insertion into an existing single-phase circuit using only two wires. The design allows for manufacturing the entire circuit on a single chip.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes a solid-state switch and a mode control circuit. The solid-state switch is serially connected between a line input terminal and a load output terminal of the circuit interrupter. The mode control circuit is configured to implement a first control mode and a second control mode to control operation of the circuit interrupter. The first control mode is configured to generate a self-bias turn-on threshold voltage for the solid-state switch during power-up of the circuit interrupter, while maintaining the solid-state switch in a switched-off state until the self-bias turn-on threshold voltage is generated. The second control mode is configured to disrupt the self-bias turn-on threshold voltage and place the solid-state switch into a switched-off state.

Abstract: A power interrupter device includes a solid-state bidirectional switch and control circuitry to control the solid-state bidirectional switch. The bidirectional switch is connected between input and output terminals of the power interrupter device. The control circuitry includes driver circuitry and fault detection circuitry. The driver circuitry generates a regulated direct current (DC) voltage using current drawn from an input power source applied to the input terminal and applies the regulated DC voltage to a control input of the bidirectional switch. The fault detection circuitry is configured to sense a level of load current flowing in an electrical path between the input and output terminals, to detect an occurrence of a fault condition based on the sensed load current level, and to short the control input of the bidirectional switch to place the bidirectional switch in a switched-off state, in response to detecting the occurrence of a fault condition.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for controlling alternating current (AC) power which is supplied to an inductive load by an AC switch. For example, the AC power is controlled by a process which comprises detecting zero-voltage crossings of an AC voltage waveform of the AC power, monitoring a load voltage to detect for a presence of inductive flyback voltage when the AC switch is placed into a turned-off state, and determining a delay time to place the AC switch into the turned-off state subsequent to a detected zero-voltage crossing of the AC voltage waveform, when inductive flyback voltage is detected in the load voltage, so that the AC switch is placed into the turned-off state at a time which substantially coincides with a zero-current crossing of load current of the inductive load, to thereby suppress the generation of inductive flyback voltage when the AC switch is placed into the turned-off state.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for intelligent energy source monitoring and selection control to enable power delivery in a multi-modal energy system. A multi-modal energy system includes a control system, power supply systems, and an electrical distribution system. The power supply systems are coupled to the control system. The power supply systems include a mains utility power system and at least one renewable power system. The electrical power distribution system is coupled to the control system. The control system is configured to monitor each power supply system to determine a power availability of each power supply system, determine an amount of power usage by the electrical power distribution system, and selectively connect and disconnect one or more of the power supply systems to the electrical power distribution system based on the determined power availability of the power supply systems and the determined power usage of the electrical power distribution system.

Abstract: Ground-fault circuit interrupter positioned between energy controlled supply circuit and load circuit which includes fault detection circuit that senses ground path current leakage to the load circuit, fault processing circuit that detects presence of fault and generates fault output signal when fault detected, and control circuit switch connected to fault processing signal output, wherein control circuit switch is opened by presence of fault output signal, thus isolating load circuit from supply circuit. Preferably fault processing circuit and control circuit are optically linked, such that when fault is detected, control circuit switch is opened by optical fault output signal, thus isolating load circuit from the supply circuit. Circuit interrupter may couple another circuit interrupter via power distribution control unit, optionally manageable remotely via automated control interface.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes an electromechanical switch, a current sensor, a voltage sensor, and a processor. The electromechanical switch is serially connected between a line input terminal and a load output terminal of the circuit breaker, and configured to be placed in a switched-closed state or a switched-open state. The current sensor is configured to sense a magnitude of current flowing in a path between the line input and load output terminals and generate a current sense signal. The voltage sensor is configured to sense a magnitude of voltage at a point on the path between the line input and load output terminals and generate a voltage sense signal. The processor is configured to receive and process the current sense signal and the voltage sense signal to determine operational status information of the circuit breaker and determine power usage information of a load connected to the load output terminal.

Abstract: A converter circuit includes first and second input terminals, control circuitry, and a storage capacitor. The first and second input terminals are configured for connection to an AC power supply to receive an AC signal. The control circuitry is coupled to the first and second input terminals. A terminal of the storage capacitor is coupled to an output node of the control circuitry. The storage capacitor is charged by the control circuitry and configured for use as a DC power source. The control circuitry is configured to couple the first input terminal to the storage capacitor during a portion of a positive half-cycle of the input AC signal to charge the storage capacitor and to decouple the first input terminal from the storage capacitor during an entirety of each negative half-cycle of the input AC signal, to thereby prevent discharging of the storage capacitor by the input AC signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for intelligent energy source monitoring and selection control to enable power delivery in a multi-modal energy system. A multi-modal energy system includes a control system, power supply systems, and an electrical distribution system. The power supply systems are coupled to the control system. The power supply systems include a mains utility power system and at least one renewable power system. The electrical power distribution system is coupled to the control system. The control system is configured to monitor each power supply system to determine a power availability of each power supply system, determine an amount of power usage by the electrical power distribution system, and selectively connect and disconnect one or more of the power supply systems to the electrical power distribution system based on the determined power availability of the power supply systems and the determined power usage of the electrical power distribution system.

Abstract: A power interrupter device includes a solid-state bidirectional switch and control circuitry to control the solid-state bidirectional switch. The bidirectional switch is connected between input and output terminals of the power interrupter device. The control circuitry includes driver circuitry and fault detection circuitry. The driver circuitry generates a regulated direct current (DC) voltage using current drawn from an input power source applied to the input terminal and applies the regulated DC voltage to a control input of the bidirectional switch. The fault detection circuitry is configured to sense a level of load current flowing in an electrical path between the input and output terminals, to detect an occurrence of a fault condition based on the sensed load current level, and to short the control input of the bidirectional switch to place the bidirectional switch in a switched-off state, in response to detecting the occurrence of a fault condition.

Abstract: A system is provided which comprises a power converter circuit, a plurality of DC-DC converter circuits, and a controller. The power converter circuit is configured to convert an AC voltage to a DC voltage. The DC-DC converter circuits are configured to convert the DC voltage output from the power converter circuit into respective regulated DC voltages. The controller is configured to control and program operations of the DC-DC converter circuits.

Abstract: An AC to DC conversion system is described. The conversion system consists of an electronic switch and control circuitry employed to provide controlled pulsed power to a storage device that provides power to a load at either a preselected or manually or automatic selectable voltages while ensuring the voltage drop across the switch is minimized to reduce power dissipated through the switch itself, thereby significantly increasing the efficiency and reducing thermal losses. The AC to DC converter in one minimal version consists of a pair of N-MOSFET transistors, a voltage divider, a storage element and a pair of diodes. The design enables high efficiency with minimal components that may be fully integrated onto silicon.

Abstract: A power interrupter device includes a solid-state bidirectional switch and control circuitry to control the solid-state bidirectional switch. The bidirectional switch is connected between input and output terminals of the power interrupter device. The control circuitry includes driver circuitry and fault detection circuitry. The driver circuitry generates a regulated direct current (DC) voltage using current drawn from an input power source applied to the input terminal and applies the regulated DC voltage to a control input of the bidirectional switch. The fault detection circuitry is configured to sense a level of load current flowing in an electrical path between the input and output terminals, to detect an occurrence of a fault condition based on the sensed load current level, and to short the control input of the bidirectional switch to place the bidirectional switch in a switched-off state, in response to detecting the occurrence of a fault condition.

Abstract: A circuit breaker comprises a solid-state bidirectional switch, a switch control circuit, current and voltage sensors, and a processor. The solid-state bidirectional switch is connected between a line input terminal and a load output terminal of the circuit breaker, and configured to be placed in a switched-on state and a switched-off state. The switch control circuit control operation of the bidirectional switch. The current sensor is configured to sense a magnitude of current flowing in an electrical path between the line input and load output terminals and generate a current sense signal. The voltage sensor is configured to sense a magnitude of voltage on the electrical path and generate a voltage sense signal. The processor is configured to process the current and voltage sense signals to determine operational status information of the circuit breaker, a fault event, and power usage information of a load connected to the load output terminal.

Abstract: Both AC and DC Power supply systems that may be connected directly to. AC mains and are integrated on silicon are described. The AC systems include both simple on/off capabilities as well as phase control capabilities. The DC power supply may be fixed, adjustable as through a potentiometer and programmable. The power supply systems use newly invented components of AC/DC converters and bidirectional MOSFET switches.

Abstract: Ground-fault circuit interrupter positioned between energy controlled supply circuit and load circuit which includes fault detection circuit that senses ground path current leakage to the load circuit, fault processing circuit that detects presence of fault and generates fault output signal when fault detected, and control circuit switch connected to fault processing signal output, wherein control circuit switch is opened by presence of fault output signal, thus isolating load circuit from supply circuit. Preferably fault processing circuit and control circuit are optically linked, such that when fault is detected, control circuit switch is opened by optical fault output signal, thus isolating load circuit from the supply circuit. Circuit interrupter may couple another circuit interrupter via power distribution control unit, optionally manageable remotely via automated control interface.

Abstract: A bidirectional switch and dimmer for the control of power from an AC source to a load is described. The approach uses power MOSFETs in a bidirectional switch subcircuit configuration that includes a floating AC/DC power supply and a solid state double pole switch that alternates between connection of the AC source to the load and periodic connection of the AC source to the AC/DC power supply. The switch and dimmer circuit configuration allows insertion into an existing single-phase circuit using only two wires. The design allows for manufacturing the entire circuit on a single chip.

Abstract: A building automation system that is comprised of a plurality of network connected electrical modules contained in standard receptacle gang boxes for outlets and switches is described. The system includes an AC to DC power supply, a bidirectional solid state dimmer switch, a microprocessor, and, interconnected sensors that are powered and controlled by microprocessors within the electrical modules. The electrical modules include a user interface for programming and control. The system provides enhanced safety and security, power metering, power control, and home diagnostics. The apparatus replaces existing outlet receptacles and switches with a familiar flush but elegantly updated and seamlessly integrated faceplate.

Abstract: A circuit interrupter includes a solid-state switch and a mode control circuit. The solid-state switch is serially connected between a line input terminal and a load output terminal of the circuit interrupter. The mode control circuit is configured to implement a first control mode and a second control mode to control operation of the circuit interrupter. The first control mode is configured to generate a self-bias turn-on threshold voltage for the solid-state switch during power-up of the circuit interrupter, while maintaining the solid-state switch in a switched-off state until the self-bias turn-on threshold voltage is generated. The second control mode is configured to disrupt the self-bias turn-on threshold voltage and place the solid-state switch into a switched-off state.

Abstract: A circuit breaker includes an electromechanical switch, a current sensor, a voltage sensor, and a processor. The electromechanical switch is serially connected between a line input terminal and a load output terminal of the circuit breaker, and configured to be placed in a switched-closed state or a switched-open state. The current sensor is configured to sense a magnitude of current flowing in a path between the line input and load output terminals and generate a current sense signal. The voltage sensor is configured to sense a magnitude of voltage at a point on the path between the line input and load output terminals and generate a voltage sense signal. The processor is configured to receive and process the current sense signal and the voltage sense signal to determine operational status information of the circuit breaker and determine power usage information of a load connected to the load output terminal.