Abstract: A bidirectional switch 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 having an optically coupled, electrically floating control circuit that self-biases the switches into the “on” state and uses an optically coupled control element to force the switches into the “off state. The time constant of the control circuit is fast enough to allow phase control as well as on-off control. A boost circuit is included to ensure that the control voltage exceeds a threshold voltage of the MOSFETs to force an off state.

Abstract: An improved AC to DC conversion system consists of an electronic switch employed to disconnect the input of a prior art series voltage regulator circuit from a rectified AC mains power supply over a fraction of the period of the AC mains to reduce the power dissipated within the series regulator.

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: Circuit interrupter positioned between supply circuit and load circuit includes fault detection circuit that senses wave forms 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 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 having an optically coupled, electrically floating control circuit that self-biases the switches into the “on” state and uses an optically coupled control element to force the switches into the “off” state. The time constant of the control circuit is fast enough to allow phase control as well as on-off control. A boost circuit is included to ensure that the control voltage exceeds a threshold voltage of the MOSFETs to force an off state. A plurality of subcircuits can be easily cascaded to provide improved performance.

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 stale 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: Power interruption device and/or method switches, controls, or otherwise interrupts one or more electrical signal, such as AC power or other electrical signal, applied to one or more load preferably via semiconductor or other solid state device, such as bipolar junction transistors (BJT), isolated gate bipolar transistor (IBJT), MOSFET, or other integrated circuit device. Advantageously such power interruption solution avoids conventional forced-based relay approaches, such as electromechanical relays, solid state relays, semiconductor control rectifiers (SCR), semiconductor triode for alternative current (TRIAC), etc., which are handicapped by limitations, including power carrying to the load, control mechanism, as well as size and inability to adapt to various signaling interfaces and communications. Preferred power interruption approach avoids electromechanical limitations, and thus offers improved speed, reliability, and functional versality to support various communication interfaces.

Abstract: For AC-DC conversion, signal is extracted, then sampled and held and released. Extraction element receives AC signal to generate extracted signal, then sample and hold and release element receives the extracted signal to generate DC signal. Extraction and/or sample and hold and release signal processing may use microprocessor or controller programmably to generate the extracted signal and/or DC signal. Extraction is configurable such that AC signal is received at extraction time or temporal window, whereby said extraction element generates the extracted signal having an extraction current or voltage value during at least one extraction time, and preferably said sample and hold and release element generates the DC signal having the same extraction current or voltage value.

Abstract: A novel approach for the control of AC power uses power MOSFETs in a bidirectional switch subcircuit configuration having an optically coupled, electrically floating control circuit that self-biases the switches into the “on” state and uses an optically coupled control element to force the switches into the “off” state. The time constant of the control circuit is fast enough to allow phase control as well as on-off control. A plurality of subcircuits can be easily cascaded to provide improved performance.

Abstract: A resonant power converter includes an event generator and multiple separate resonant tanks configured as second harmonic filters. The event generator is configured to generate a predetermined resonant switching frequency to which the resonant tanks are tuned, to selectively apply voltage stress harmonic links using the resonant tanks, and to control zero voltage switching time and peak current through the switching devices. Configuring and operating the resonant power converter in the manner described herein enables the resonant power converter to maintain a substantially constant efficiency over varying input line voltage, making the efficiency of the resonant power converter substantially independent of the input line voltage value.

Abstract: A novel approach for the control of AC power uses power MOSFETs in a bidirectional switch subcircuit configuration having an optically coupled, electrically floating control circuit that self-biases the switches into the “on” state and uses an optically coupled control element to force the switches into the “off state. The time constant of the control circuit is fast enough to allow phase control as well as on-off control. A plurality of subcircuits can be easily cascaded to provide improved performance.

Abstract: An element of a building automation system is described that comprises a multifunctional system integrator contained in a standard receptacle gang box for outlets. The system provides enhanced safety and security, power metering, power control, and home diagnostics. The module can include an AC to DC power supply, a bidirectional solid state dimmer switch, a microprocessor, a communications subsystem and sensors that are controlled by the internal microprocessor. The module includes a user interface for programming and control. The apparatus replaces existing outlet receptacles with a familiar flush but elegantly updated and seamlessly integrated faceplate.

Abstract: An improved AC power supply is described. The supply identifies the load through monitoring the current and voltage wave forms and phase relations with the AC Mains. The comparison is done in conditions where the power to the load is programmably varied through use of a control switch located in the line and neutral between the AC mains and the load. The program of controlling the switch is varied to optimize the ability to distinguish similar load types. The switch can be further used to control power to the load that varies according to a set of rules based upon the identity of the load. In a preferred embodiment, the design enables high efficiency with minimal components that may be fully integrated onto silicon.

Abstract: An improved AC direct to DC extraction conversion system is described. The AC direct to DC extraction conversion system consists of an efficient electronic switch employed to provide controlled pulsed power to a storage device. 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: The invention relates to a novel approach for the protection of electrical circuits from ground faults and parallel and series arc faults in a fully solid-state circuit configuration. Solid-state circuits and methods of use are described that provide the key functions of low-voltage DC power supply, mains voltage and current sensing, fault detection processing and high voltage electronic switching.

Abstract: An improved AC to DC conversion system consists of an electronic switch employed to disconnect the input of a prior art series voltage regulator circuit from a rectified AC mains power supply over a fraction of the period of the AC mains to reduce the power dissipated within the series regulator.

Abstract: A novel approach for the control of AC power uses power MOSFETs in a bidirectional switch subcircuit configuration having an optically coupled, electrically floating control circuit that self-biases the switches into the “on” state and uses an optically coupled control element to force the switches into the “off state. The time constant of the control circuit is fast enough to allow phase control as well as on-off control. A plurality of subcircuits can be easily cascaded to provide improved performance.

Abstract: A resonant power converter includes an event generator and multiple separate resonant tanks configured as second harmonic filters. The event generator is configured to generate a predetermined resonant switching frequency to which the resonant tanks are tuned, to selectively apply voltage stress harmonic links using the resonant tanks, and to control zero voltage switching time and peak current through the switching devices. Configuring and operating the resonant power converter in the manner described herein enables the resonant power converter to maintain a substantially constant efficiency over varying input line voltage, making the efficiency of the resonant power converter substantially independent of the input line voltage value.