Abstract: An electronic device whose housing can be electronically changed in look. The housing can have at least one curved surface, an electronic device, in the housing, the electronic device carrying out a function and displaying information. The housing has a controllable color portion on the outer surface. That color portion is controlled to display its color.

Abstract: When a command frequency to a rotating electric machine is included in an inverter lock frequency band, a frequency switching section switches the command frequency to a frequency outside the inverter lock frequency band by changing a slip frequency command value. In response to this, a torque command change section changes a torque command to a second rotating electric machine other than a first rotating electric machine of which the slip frequency is changed such that a torque fluctuation caused by the change of the slip frequency command value is canceled out.

Abstract: A system for estimating a position associated with a pre-tensioned active material without using a position sensor. The system includes an active material being transformable between a first state and a second state in response to a pre-determined stimulus and pre-tensioned to at least a pre-determined threshold, yielding the pre-tensioned active material. The system also includes a processing unit configured to perform various operations. The operations include obtaining a value for electrical resistance of the pre-tensioned active material. The operations also include estimating, using the electrical resistance determined, the position associated with the pre-tensioned active material.

Abstract: A storage module voltage equalizer includes a plurality of voltage equalization circuits that are prepared to correspond to a plurality of storage cells which are arranged to be lined up in a first direction, and equalize an inter-terminal voltage of the plurality of storage cells, and a plurality of mounting substrates that are stacked, in which the plurality of voltage equalization circuits are mounted, in a distributed manner, on the plurality of mounting substrates.

Abstract: A method for authenticating measurement data for a battery that comprises at least one battery module, having an associated module controller, and a central controller has the following steps: capture of measurement data from battery units by the module controller; ascertainment of at least one additional information carrier, which is set up to authenticate the measurement data, by the module controller; transmission of the measurement data and of the additional information carrier from the module controller to the central controller; and validation of the measurement data by the central controller using the additional information carrier. Furthermore, a data structure, a computer program and a battery management system are specified that are set up to perform the method, and also a battery and a motor vehicle, the drive system of which is connected to a battery of this kind.

Abstract: This motor control device generates a voltage command value from a current command value and performs feedback control by means of a detected current flowing through a motor. The motor control device is provided with: a speed control unit that causes the motor to rotate at a set speed, and performs speed control of the motor on the basis of a speed command value that causes the flow of a d-axis current that is a set amount of current; a current measurement unit that measures a current command value that is on the basis of the output of the speed control unit when the motor is rotated at the set speed and the set amount of d-axis current is flowing; and a correction value calculation unit that calculates a correction value for the rotational position of the motor on the basis of the measured current command value.

Abstract: A controlling apparatus for an electric motor according to an embodiment includes a superposed component generator, an inverter, a current detector, and a magnetic pole position estimator. The superposed component generator generates, at a predetermined cycle, a superposed voltage reference of which vector is shifted by 90 degrees with respect to that of a superposed voltage reference previously generated, in a coordinate system that is set to a stator of the electric motor. The inverter outputs a driving voltage that is based on a driving voltage reference superposed with the superposed voltage reference to the electric motor. The current detector detects currents flowing into respective phases of the electric motor, and outputs the detected currents. The magnetic pole position estimator detects the magnetic pole position of the electric motor based on an amount of change in the detected currents at the predetermined cycle.

Abstract: An inverter, which drives an electric motor installed in a road vehicle, includes sensors, a storage apparatus, a power calculator, a torque calculator, a deviation calculator, and a torque corrector. The sensors measure at least one voltage and at least one current within the inverter. The storage apparatus records values measured during an electric revolution of the motor. Following the electric revolution, the power calculator calculates a mean electric power based on the recorded values. From the mean electric power and a rotational speed of the motor during the electric revolution, the torque calculator calculates a torque produced on an output shaft of the motor, The deviation calculator determines a deviation between the torque produced on the output shaft and a setpoint torque of the inverter. When an absolute value of the deviation is greater than a predetermined threshold, the torque corrector makes a torque correction.

Abstract: Current imbalance may be detected in a 3-phase power system by monitoring current output between two points of a phase signal provided along wire pairs from an inverter to a motor. In some embodiments, each wire of a wire pair leading to the motor from the inverter may be provided with a line current sensor. A comparison of current output from each wire in the wire pair may be performed to determine if a current imbalance is present. In some embodiments, a phase current sensor may be coupled to a phase input of the inverter. Failures in the 3-phase system may be detected by measuring the output from each phase current sensor for imbalanced distribution of power output. In some embodiments, the output from the phase current sensors may be compared to an output of a line current sensor along the same phase for current imbalances or harness failures.

Abstract: In an EC motor, comprising a motor electronics, a signal input or a signal output, and an optocoupler for the galvanically isolated transmission of a useful signal between the motor control unit and the signal input or the signal output, the intention is to reliably determine the degradation of the optocoupler and to improve the service life of the EC motor. This is achieved in that an evaluation unit regularly evaluates a saturation voltage of the optocoupler at the output of the optocoupler in relation to a reference threshold when the optocoupler is wired and generates a warning signal when the saturation voltage exceeds the reference threshold.

Abstract: When the current flowing through each electric terminal of an AC motor 21 reaches the vicinity of zero, an operation putting the electric terminals of the AC motor 21 into an opened state, or putting an electric terminal into a conductive state via a reflux diode inside an inverter 11, is carried out. Herein, as an operation such that the current flowing through each electric terminal reaches the vicinity of zero, the electric terminals are short-circuited by all upper arm or lower arm switching elements of the inverter 11 being turned on. By so doing, a flow of electromagnetic energy of a reactance component of the AC motor 21, from the AC motor 21 into the inverter 11 side when the drive of the inverter 11 is stopped, is prevented or suppressed. As a result of this, an overvoltage or overcurrent is prevented.

Abstract: A method of controlling a switching frequency of an inverter, the method comprising the steps of: measuring a signal indicative of a temperature variable at a first switching frequency to determine a measured temperature variable; comparing the measured temperature variable to a first threshold; determining if the measured temperature variable is above the first threshold; if the measured temperature variable is not above the first threshold, calculating the temperature variable at a second switching frequency; if the temperature variable calculated at the second switching frequency is less than the first threshold, setting the switching frequency of the inverter to the second switching frequency.

Abstract: The invention is a method of determining the position and the speed of the rotor in a synchronous electric machine using a state observer of the currents of the electric machine and the injection of signals. Thus, the invention provides position information which is accurate, notably at low speed, without using a position detector. The invention also is a control method and system for controlling a synchronous electric machine which accounts for the position determined for the rotor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining internal temperatures (2) (coil and magnet temperatures) in a synchronous electric machine (4) using state observers for the resistance of the coils and the magnetic flux of the magnet. The invention also relates to a diagnostic method, a control method and system (3) for controlling a synchronous electric machine from the internal temperatures thus determined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating electrical energy comprises driven permanent magnets mounted tangentially on a freely rotating disk attached to a relatively stationary platform, and driver permanent magnets mounted on the platform radially to the disk. As the disk rotates, as a driven magnet approaches a driver magnet, their respective opposite poles attract, accelerating the disk. After the driven magnet passes the driver magnet, their like poles repel, also accelerating the disk. When the two permanent magnets are in close proximity, such that repulsion between like poles would decelerate the disk, an electromagnet is engaged between the two permanent to counteract this counterproductive force. One or more coils generate electricity through electromagnetic induction when the driven magnet passes them. A portion of this electricity powers the electromagnet, and the balance is the net energy generated.

Abstract: A fan motor driving device driven based on a pair of out-of-phase Hall signals may include a first driving portion, configured to (i) amplify a difference of the pair of the Hall signals with a first polarity and generate a first control signal, and (ii) switch between a driving status and a regeneration status; a second driving portion, configured to (i) amplify the difference of the pair of the Hall signals with a second polarity, and generate a second control signal, and (ii) switch between a driving status and a regeneration status; and a regeneration controller, controlling statuses of the first driving portion and the second driving portion, respectively.

Abstract: A phase gating controller includes a thyristor/triac having a control terminal and two power terminals, a sampling device for sampling a voltage present across the power terminals of the thyristor/triac and a control device configured to provide a control voltage at the control terminal in order to trigger the thyristor/triac. The control device is further configured to switch off the control voltage at the triggered thyristor and to detect an unexpected turning-off of the thyristor/triac if the sampled voltage exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present method and system permit an effective method for determining the optimum selection of pulse width modulation polarity and type including determining machine parameters, inputting the machine parameters into a predicted duty cycle module, determining the optimum polarity of the pulse width modulation for a predicted duty cycle based on a pulse width modulation generation algorithm, and determining the optimum type of the pulse width modulation for a predicted duty cycle based on the pulse width modulation generation algorithm.

Abstract: A position limiting device includes a magnetic element, a detecting element, a motor, and a controller. The magnetic element is disposed in the center of the position limiting device, the motor is coupled to the detecting element, and the controller is electrically coupled to the detecting element and the motor. The detecting element is configured to detect magnetic fields generated by the magnetic element, and correspondingly generate and transmit a magnetic field intensity signal. The controller is configured to receive and process the magnetic field intensity signal to obtain a magnetic field intensity value. In addition, the controller is further configured to compare the magnetic field intensity value and a magnetic field intensity boundary value. When the magnetic field intensity value is less than the magnetic field intensity boundary value, the controller drives the motor so that the motor makes the detecting element to move correspondingly to the magnetic element.

Abstract: A power-assisted door closer includes an output shaft, a driving mechanism operatively connected to the output shaft, a mechanical energy accumulator for storing closing energy for the door leaf and acting upon the driving mechanism, a motor/generator unit operatively connected to the output shaft and an electrical energy accumulator for storing an assisting energy for the door leaf and being electrically connected to the motor/generator unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to an asynchronous motor unit including a frequency converter for regulating the asynchronous motor. The frequency converter comprises an input-side, uncontrolled bridge rectifier, a DC voltage intermediate circuit and an output-side inverter. According to the invention, the DC voltage intermediate circuit furthermore comprises a DC-to-DC converter with galvanic isolation, with the result that electrical isolation between the bridge rectifier and the inverter is produced.

Abstract: A control device for an induction motor that drives a vehicle includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit i) controls torque of the induction motor when an inverter that controls supply of electric current to the induction motor is in a locked state, so as to release the inverter from the locked state, ii) determines whether the inverter is in the locked state, iii) controls a slip frequency of the induction motor when it determines that the inverter is in the locked state, and iv) superimposes a frequency that actual torque does not substantially respond, on the slip frequency, so that an electric frequency lies in a region outside a lock region in which the inverter is in the locked state.

Abstract: A tablet computer with modular assembly having interchangeable end cap portions, and a method for installing the same. The assembly provides a universal design and customized features to a range of tablets. The modular assembly has a tablet carrier encasing a selected type of tablet computer and an exterior housing enclosing the tablet carrier. The exterior housing contains at least one battery and a controller for communication with the selected tablet computer. The housing also includes end cap portions configured to communicate with the controller and implement a function. The end caps can be interchanged. The tablet carrier and/or exterior housing can also include one or more programmable buttons with actuators for electromechanically actuating a button or an application associated with the tablet.

Abstract: A multi-phase charging circuit comprises a device that can be configured for master mode operation or slave mode operation. In master mode operation, the device generates a control signal and a clock signal to control operation of a switching circuit for generating charging current. In slave mode operation, the device receives externally generated control and clock signals to control operation of its switching circuit.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a charging socket, a protection circuit, and a battery. The charging socket includes a charging pin. The charging pin is detachably connected to a charging plug of a power supply device, receives power from the power supply device, and transmits the power to the battery. The protection circuit is connected between the battery and the charging socket, and controls whether the battery is electrically connected to the charging pin. During a process of disconnecting the charging socket from the charging plug, the protection circuit disconnects the battery from the charging pin before the charging pin is disconnected from the charging plug.

Abstract: A battery charging circuit comprises two or more charging circuits, each capable of charging a battery. The charging outputs of the charging circuits are connected together and can be connected to a battery to provide fast charging of the battery. The charging circuits can be configured so that they do not adversely interfere with each other during battery charging.

Abstract: A control circuit of minimal size for quickly charging a large-capacity battery of an electronic device is connected between a charging port and the battery. The charging control unit includes a charging control chip, a first resistor, and a current adjusting unit. The charging control chip provides a predefined voltage to charge the battery. The current adjusting unit includes a second resistor and a switching unit connected between the charging control chip and the battery, in parallel with the first resistor. The switching unit detects whether the electronic device is on or off. If the electronic device is on, the switching unit turns off to disconnect the second resistor from the battery. If the electronic device is off, the switching unit turns on to connect the second resistor to the battery. An electronic device including the charging control circuit is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a power adapter, a controlling method thereof and a notebook computer including the power adapter. The power adapter includes a first DC-DC converter and a device charging circuit. The first DC-DC converter has an input terminal and an output terminal. The output terminal of the first DC-DC converter is connected to a first external port. The device charging circuit includes an energy storage unit and at least one second DC-DC converter. An output terminal of each of the at least one second DC-DC converter is connected to at least one second external port. The energy storage unit is connected to the output terminal of the first DC-DC converter so as to receive power therefrom or output power to the first external port, and the at least one second DC-DC converter is connected to the energy storage unit so as to receive power therefrom.

Abstract: A wireless power transmission apparatus for preventing a misconnection between the wireless power transmission apparatus and a wireless power reception apparatus in an environment in which a plurality of wireless power transmission apparatuses charge a plurality of wireless reception apparatuses includes a detector configured to detect a signal induced in a resonator, and a controller configured to determine either one or both of a transmission interval of a wake-up power and a point in time at which the wake-up power is transmitted to prevent a waveform of the detected signal from overlapping a waveform of the wake-up power.

Abstract: A wireless power transfer (WPT) station is disclosed for wirelessly transferring power to a WPT enabled device. To initiate charging of the WPT enabled device, the WPT enabled device is simply moved to be proximate to the WPT station. After an initialization and setup period, the WPT station transmits power transfer signals to the WPT enabled device. The WPT enabled device receives the transferred power transfer signals, typically through inductive coupling, and extracts a voltage and/or current therefrom for charging. The extracted voltage and/or current can then be rectified and/or regulated by the WPT enabled device to produce a charging voltage and/or charging current that can be stored in a power storage element, such as a battery or a capacitor to provide some examples, of the WPT enabled device.

Abstract: A wireless power transmitter including a power supply unit configured to supply an input voltage; a power conversion unit configured to generate wireless power based on a driving signal, generated by the supplied input voltage and a first pulse width modulation (PWM) signal, and transfer the wireless power to a wireless power receiver; and a power transmission control unit configured to receive a voltage value of a battery charged with the wireless power through a wireless network, and generate the first PWM signal based on the voltage value of the battery.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted charger which performs wireless charging includes a control unit which controls energization of a primary coil, a position detection unit which detects a positional relationship between the primary coil and a secondary coil of an apparatus to be charged such as a mobile phone, and a notification unit which performs notification to the user. In a state where the energization of the primary coil is not performed, the control unit acquires the positional relationship between the primary coil and the secondary coil which is detected by the position detection unit, and controls the notification unit to notify of the positional relationship.

Abstract: An inductive charging system for vehicles includes a power receiving (PR) device disposed in a vehicle, and a power sourcing (PS) device disposed in a charging equipment separated from the vehicle.

Abstract: A power storage system and a method of driving the power storage system and preventing damages due to possible erroneous operations are disclosed. One inventive aspect includes a power converter that converts power, a power storage device that stores power and a main switch that is configured to switch between a charge path and a discharge path. The power storage system controls the main switch by sensing a connection between the power converter and the power storage device.

Abstract: A battery management system (BMS) and a method of driving the same are disclosed. In one aspect, the BMS includes a first state of charge (SOC) estimator configured to estimate an SOC of a battery using at least one of i) a charge and discharge current of the battery, ii) a voltage of the battery and iii) a temperature of the battery. The BMS also includes a residual capacity estimator, when the estimated SOC is substantially equal to or less than the reference SOC, configured to estimate a current residual capacity using at least one of i) a reference residual capacity calculated from a reference SOC, ii) the measured battery voltage, iii) a first reference voltage, and iv) a second reference voltage. The BMS further includes a second SOC estimator configured to estimate a current SOC based at least in part on the current residual capacity.

Abstract: A battery rack includes: a plurality of battery packs; a plurality of slave battery management systems, each of the slave battery management systems being coupled to a corresponding one of the battery packs, being powered by an operating power, and being configured to use the corresponding one of the battery packs for the operating power in response to receiving a corresponding one of a plurality of operating power changing signals; and a master battery management system coupled to the slave battery management systems and configured to transmit the operating power changing signals to the slave battery management systems.

Abstract: A Wireless battery area network permits the wirelessly monitoring and controlling of individual batteries within large-scale battery applications. The system automatically configures its wireless nodes in the network and provides for the linking of a plurality of batteries (10) to a master battery management unit (M-BMU) (100) by establishing a wireless battery area network within a battery pack that include slave units (S-BMU) (210). The entire system may also be controlled by a top level battery management unit (T-BMU) (510). The system and method allows for the monitoring of voltage, current, temperature, or impedance of individual batteries and for the balancing or bypassing of a battery.

Abstract: A power supply avoiding over-discharge of battery modules includes a main power supply system and a redundant power supply system. The invention uses a battery protection module to detect the status of a battery module in the redundant power supply system in normal conditions. The battery protection module includes an activation path connected to the main power supply system to receive standby power, a battery detection path connected to the battery module to receive a micro current and generate a protection activation signal when the battery module is in a charge-waiting state, and a protection activation path connected to a switch unit in the redundant power supply system to receive the protection activation signal to make the switch unit enter an OFF state.

Abstract: A method for controlling an energy storage system. The same battery system shall support multiple services at the same time. During a planning phase, the multiple services to be provided are determined, based on the market situation and the capabilities of the energy storage system, and prioritized according to predefined criteria. During an operation phase, the power and energy status of the energy storage system is periodically monitored, and compared against the power and energy demands of the multiple services, in order to determine whether at each time instance, the multiple services can indeed be supported at the same time. In case power and/or energy limits are exceeded by the multiple services, at least one service is interrupted to allow the operation of the energy storage system to be within power/energy limits again. The interrupted service(s) is resumed when the power/energy limits are met.

Abstract: A rapid charging power supply system comprises: a stationary rapid charger (11) for controlling power supplied from a power supply (1) to be a DC power optimum for rapidly charging an on-vehicle electric storage means (85c) equipped in a second electric moving body (53); a power supply switching means (11m) for switching and supplying the DC power from the stationary rapid charger (11) to either a first charging circuit (20A) for supplying the DC power to a first electric moving vehicle (50) or a second charging circuit (20B) for supplying the DC power to the second electric moving body (53); an stationary electric storage means (15) capable of storing DC power charged by the DC power supplied to the side of the first charging circuit (20A) from the stationary rapid charger (11) via the power supply switching means (11m) and used for being directly supplied to at least the first electric moving body (50); and a power feeding control means (12) for stopping power supply to the stationary electric storage means

Abstract: A method for automatically charging the battery pack of an electric vehicle in accordance with a set of location sensitive charging instructions is provided. Exemplary location sensitive charging instructions include preset charging schedules and preset charge level limits. Different charging schedules and different charge level limits may be preset for different charging stations and locations, thus allowing the user to preset the charging instructions for each of multiple locations where the user routinely charges their car. Default charging instructions are used at those charging stations and locations where a set of location sensitive charging instructions has not been preset.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the excitation current of a variable frequency generator (VFG) including means to create a voltage-regulated DC link using PMG power and frequency information, the latter being the image of the VFG mechanical input speed. A step-down voltage-controlled chopper is inserted between the passive rectifier stage and the excitation current control chopper. The control law of this voltage-controlled source is such that when the mechanical input speed of the VFG increases, its output (controlled DC-link voltage) decreases non-linearly, leading to DC link voltage varying from V (engine at idle) to V/2 (engine at take-off speed). The DC voltage becomes inverse-proportional to input mechanical speed.

Abstract: Electrical power is fed from a wind energy installation into an AC voltage system via an energy transmission path, which is delimited by an installation-side transformer and a system-side transformer. A power factor correction device is connected, at a common node between the energy transmission path and the AC voltage system using a closed-loop control device, which controls the wind energy installation and which receives a variable which is proportional to the reactive power on the energy transmission path and a further measured variable. A measurement signal produced at the output of the power factor correction device is used as further measured variable. The closed-loop controller has such a control characteristic that the voltage on the low-voltage side of the system-side transformer increases, depending on the reactive power on the energy transmission path, from the inductive range to the capacitive range.

Abstract: An electronic circuit and method for sampling negative coil current in a power converter includes a zero crossing detector and a sample-and-hold circuit. A switch determines whether a charging or discharging current is flowing through a coil.

Abstract: Provided is a voltage regulator capable of accurately adjusting a tail current of a differential amplifier circuit without adding a test terminal. The voltage regulator includes: a constant current circuit for causing the tail current of the differential amplifier circuit to flow; a protection circuit; a current output circuit for outputting a current of the constant current circuit to a test terminal for measuring characteristics of the protection circuit; a switch circuit for stopping a function of the protection circuit; and a fuse provided between the test terminal and the current output circuit.

Abstract: A reference power supply is built into a semiconductor integrated circuit, receives an input voltage VDD, and supplies an internal power supply voltage VREG to a second power supply line. The reference power supply comprises (i) a current source which generates a bias current, and (ii) a reference voltage circuit including a Zener diode arranged on a path of the bias current, configured to output a first voltage according to a voltage generated at the Zener diode, which are arranged in series between a first power supply line and a ground line. An emitter-follower or source-follower buffer circuit includes a first transistor having its base/gate receiving the first voltage and its emitter/source connected to the second power supply line. The buffer circuit outputs, as the internal power supply voltage, a voltage generated at the emitter/source of the first transistor.

Abstract: A power controller controls power to a load and includes a primary conductor, a current divider, first and second current sensors, and a controller. The primary conductor carries a primary current to the load. The current divider is connected between the primary conductor and the load and includes a first conductor and a second conductor. The second conductor has a greater impedance than the first conductor. The first current sensor provides a first output representative of the primary current, and the second current sensor provides a second output representative of a secondary current in the second conductor of the current divider. The controller determines the primary current to the load based upon the first output when the primary current is less than a threshold value, and based upon the second output when the primary current is greater than the threshold value.

Abstract: An integrated voltage regulator substrate or interposer system includes a control system and coupled-magnetic-core inductors. The control system is integrated within a package. The coupled-magnetic-core inductors are integrated in the package. The control system is configured to utilize the coupled-magnetic-core inductors to generate a selected regulated voltage for drastically electrical power consumption saving, especially advantageous for portable, mobile or cloud computing device packages relatively smaller form factor, shorter interconnect path, faster operation speed and broader frequency bandwidth.

Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit is provided that includes a pass circuit including a field effect transistor (FET) having a gate coupled to the output of a comparison circuit. The comparison circuit is configured to provide a signal to the pass circuit that is based on a comparison of a first input coupled to a reference voltage and a second input. The voltage regulator includes a feedback path configured and arranged to provide feedback from an output of the pass circuit to a second input of the comparison circuit. The voltage regulator also includes a current adjustment circuit configured and arranged to adjust current consumed by the comparison circuit based on a current passed by the pass circuit.

Abstract: A boost switching regulator incorporates a ripple injection circuit to generate a voltage ripple signal for feedback control that mimics the actual ripple signal of the regulated output voltage. In this manner, the ripple injection circuit achieves optimal ripple injection for stable and enhanced feedback control. In one embodiment, the injected ripple signal is generated from a current injection signal that mimics the difference between the inductor current that flows through the synchronous rectifier and the load current when the synchronous rectifier is on. The injected voltage ripple signal is generated when the current injection signal is integrated by a feedforward capacitor.