Abstract: In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a power system for a vehicle is disclosed. The system can include, one or more power distribution sources configured to supply electrical power to one or more power districts. One or more power conversion devices can be housed within a respective power district. In embodiments, the power district can be configured to allow for managing a draw by a respective one or more loads within the respective power district. The one or more power conversion devices can be configured to receive electrical power from one or more of the one or more power distribution sources, convert the electrical power to a secondary form, and then the converted electrical power to the one or more loads within the respective power district. In embodiments, a logic module can be operatively connected to the one or more power districts, configured to control at least a load draw.

Abstract: A disconnect mechanism comprises an input shaft defining a drive axis, a disconnect shaft selectively engaged with the input shaft to be driven about the drive axis by the input shaft, and a disconnect ramp operatively connected to the disconnect shaft to axially move the disconnect shaft between at least a first axial position and a second axial position. A disconnect pawl is selectively engaged with the disconnect ramp shaft, and a brake is selectively engaged with the disconnect shaft in the second axial position.

Abstract: A circuit (300) for igniting a high intensity discharge (HID) lamp comprises input terminals (302,304), output terminal (306,308), a charging circuit (RIGN,CIGN), a transformer (320) having a primary winding (322) and a secondary winding (324), a MOSFET (340), and a clamping diode (DCLAMP). During operation, ignitor circuit (300) provides a high voltage (VIGN) for igniting an HID lamp. Ignitor circuit (300) provides an ignition voltage (VIGN) having a peak magnitude that is more predictable and less prone to degradation due to the influences of parasitic components. Additionally, ignitor circuit (300) may be realized in a manner that is significantly more cost-effective than comparable prior art circuits.

Abstract: A circuit (300) for igniting a high intensity discharge (HID) lamp comprises input terminals (302,304), output terminal (306,308), a charging circuit (RIGN,CIGN), a transformer (320) having a primary winding (322) and a secondary winding (324), a MOSFET (340), and a clamping diode (DCLAMP). During operation, ignitor circuit (300) provides a high voltage (VIGN) for igniting an HID lamp. Ignitor circuit (300) provides an ignition voltage (VIGN) having a peak magnitude that is more predictable and less prone to degradation due to the influences of parasitic components. Additionally, ignitor circuit (300) may be realized in a manner that is significantly more cost-effective than comparable prior art circuits.

Abstract: A modified valley fill circuit, including a main ballasting inductor for supplying an electrolytic capacitor, has an additional charging winding on the main ballasting inductor for charging the electrolytic capacitor to a predetermined voltage which maximizes the power factor of the input current by optimizing the conduction angle of the input current. In a discharge lamp ballast, the modified valley fill circuit reduces the lamp current crest factor by controlling the frequency with a lamp current control loop.

Abstract: A power distribution system including a dual active bridge converter (DABC) distributes a regulated high-frequency, edge-resonant, square wave ac output voltage from an unregulated dc voltage source. The DABC-includes a primary-side half-bridge connection of switching devices and a secondary-side half-bridge connection of switching devices which are coupled by an intermediate high-frequency transformer. An ac distribution bus is connected to the regulated secondary side of the transformer. The primary-side and secondary-side connections of switching devices are phase-shifted in a manner to provide a regulated high-frequency square-wave voltage on the ac distribution bus, which is distributed via a low-impedance distribution bus to a plurality of simple point-of-load converters.

Abstract: A multi-resonant boost power factor correction circuit includes a full-wave rectifier; a high frequency filter capacitance coupled across the input terminals of the full-wave rectifier; a series half-bridge converter; a diode connected between the output of the rectifier and the dc bus voltage such that its cathode is connected to a dc bus; a capacitance coupled between the output of the rectifier and the junction between the series-connected switching devices of the half-bridge converter; a resonant load circuit connected to the junction between the switching devices, including a resonant inductor, a resonant capacitor and a load, such as a fluorescent discharge lamp; and a driver circuit for alternately switching the switching devices via a dead time control for selecting a dead time after one of the devices switches off and the other device switches on.

Abstract: A fixed duty ratio, variable frequency, square wave generator includes an astable multivibrator having a pair of resistors coupled in series between a supply voltage terminal and a capacitor, such as of a type implemented with a 555 timer, and further includes a JFET connected between the capacitor and ground. In a current-controlled version, the anode of a diode is connected to the gate of the JFET, and the cathode of the diode is connected to a sensing resistor for sensing current in a load. The multivibrator generates a ramp voltage across the capacitor which varies between predetermined fractions of the supply voltage with a fixed duty ratio. The capacitor of the multivibrator charges and discharges through the series connection of the resistors and the JFET channel resistance with charging and discharging times that vary with the input voltage to the JFET, thereby varying the generator frequency.

Abstract: A high efficiency, high power factor, low voltage power converter includes a dual active bridge converter (DABC) having transformer-coupled primary-side and secondary-side bridge connections of switching devices and providing two output voltages. One output voltage drives a resonant boost converter coupled in series between an ac rectifier for rectifying an ac line voltage and the DABC. The boost converter, which is controlled by frequency modulation, boosts a dc bus voltage above the peak line voltage, thereby providing a high power factor. The other output is a low dc voltage which is regulated by controlling the phase shift between the voltages respectively produced by the primary-side and secondary-side connections of switching devices of the DABC. Advantageously, the leakage inductance of the DABC transformer coupling the primary and secondary sides of the DABC is efficiently used for energy transfer therebetween such that an output filter inductor is not needed.

Abstract: A dual active bridge converter, including high-frequency transformer-coupled input and output bridge converters, receives a rectified ac line voltage via a rectifier acting in a resistive mode and a small, high-frequency filter capacitor. A phase angle controller controls a phase shift between the voltages across the transformer windings such that high-efficiency dc-to-dc conversion is achieved, while maintaining unity power factor at the ac input, using high-density circuitry with small filter components and without adding additional front-end power factor correction circuitry.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a dual output power converter of the type having a pair of input terminals connectable to a source of rectified AC power of variable voltage amplitude, a boosting circuit including a secondary winding of a boost transformer operatively coupled in circuit with the pair of input terminals for providing a boosted voltage onto a DC power bus, and a full-bridge inverter including at least one controllable switching device serially connected in each leg of the inverter. The inverter has an input connected to the DC bus and a pair of output terminals connected to respective ends of a primary winding of an output transformer, at least one of the pair of output terminals being connected in circuit with the primary winding of the boost transformer.

Abstract: A DC/DC power converter suitable for high power applications has an input converter which converts the DC input voltage to an AC voltage and supplies this voltage to a transformer. The output of the transformer is provided to an output converter which converts the AC to a DC output voltage at a controlled level to a load. Both the input and output converters are composed of active gate controlled switching devices and are switched in a soft-switched manner to minimize switching losses and increase switching frequency. The converters can be implemented in single phase or polyphase configurations and can be controlled to closely maintain the output voltage provided to the load at a desired level.