Patents Issued in November 2, 2017
  • Publication number: 20170317581
    Abstract: A control arrangement for use in controlling the electrical supply from a power supply unit including an internal capacitance. The control arrangement includes first and second magnetically linked inductors arranged in series with one another and defining a connection therebetween. Third and fourth magnetically linked inductors are each connected to the connection between the first and second inductors. A switch means provides switched connections between the third and fourth inductors and ground, and a controller is operable to control the operation of the switch means such that closing of a switch of the switch means results in the formation of an LCR circuit. The internal capacitance forms the capacitance of the LCR circuit and the third or fourth inductor form the inductance of the LCR circuit. The magnetic link between the third and fourth inductors allow an output to be generated from the other of the third and fourth inductors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: University of Plymouth
    Inventor: Mohammed Ahmed
  • Publication number: 20170317582
    Abstract: In one example, a circuit includes an alternating current (AC) voltage source, a voltage rail, a reference rail, a first capacitor, a second capacitor, and a switching unit. The AC voltage source is configured to supply voltage in a first direction during a first half of a cycle and supply voltage in a second direction during a second half of the cycle. During a first state of the circuit, the voltage in the first direction supplied by the AC voltage source charges the first capacitor and the voltage in the second direction supplied by the AC voltage source charges the first capacitor. During a second state of the circuit, the voltage in the first direction supplied by the AC voltage source charges the first capacitor and the voltage in the second direction supplied by the AC voltage source charges the second capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Kennith Kin Leong, Anders Lind
  • Publication number: 20170317583
    Abstract: In described examples, in response to a voltage at an external power terminal falling below a safe limit: a charge pump is operated at a first frequency to produce a voltage at a charge pump node; and a first controlled current is coupled from the charge pump node to a control terminal of a power switch transistor. The power switch transistor has a conduction path coupled between the external power terminal and an internal power terminal at which an internal power source is connected. In response to the voltage at the external power terminal reaching a selected level: the charge pump is operated at a second frequency, lower than the first frequency; and a second controlled current, lower than the first controlled current, is coupled from the charge pump node to the control terminal of the power switch transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Hassan Pooya Forghani-Zadeh, Sujan Kundapur Manohar, Ariel Dario Moctezuma
  • Publication number: 20170317584
    Abstract: A charge pump unit including a capacitor that accumulates a charge on an output node according to a first clock signal and a transfer gate that takes in and applies a voltage of an input node to the output node according to a second clock signal received at a control terminal is controlled in the following manner. If the ratio of the total time of periods in which the voltage of the output node is higher than a target voltage in a predetermined monitoring period is smaller than or equal to a first threshold, i.e., if the charge pump unit executes a boosting operation for a relatively long period, a pulse voltage value of the second clock signal is increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: LAPIS Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki TANIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20170317585
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for mixed charge pumps with voltage regulator circuits is disclosed. An example apparatus comprises a first charge pump circuit configured to provide a first output, a second charge pump circuit configured to provide a second output, a plurality of coupling circuits configured to voltage couple and current couple the first output and the second output to a common node to provide a regulated voltage, and a feedback circuit configured to regulate the first output and the second output based on the regulated voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaojiang Guo, Qiang Tang
  • Publication number: 20170317586
    Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of a method is for controlling a switch. The switch is used to charge a capacitor that provides an output voltage. The switch has an inductor on an input side between a power source and the switch. The method includes: initiating a switching cycle including turning on the switch, sensing a voltage representing current through the inductor, using a reference voltage as a basis for turning off the switch during the switching cycle when the sensed voltage exceeds the reference voltage, and setting an initial value of the reference voltage at a beginning of the switching cycle based on at least one feature of an activation of the switch during at least one previous switching cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Osman Musa, Mark W. Gose, Jerry W. Campbell
  • Publication number: 20170317587
    Abstract: A switching regulator with constant on time control adopts a timer to time when the system is in discontinuous current mode (DCM). If the DCM lasted for a set time, a power stage in the switching regulator is controlled to be ON for a minimum on time duration, so as to ensure the switching regulator enters sleep mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Xudong Zhang, Yike Li
  • Publication number: 20170317588
    Abstract: A system that includes multiple integrated circuits is disclosed. A first integrated circuit of the system includes a plurality of circuit blocks, and a first circuit block of the plurality of circuit blocks includes a first power terminal. A second integrated circuit of the system includes multiple voltage regulation circuits, a second power terminal coupled to an output of a given voltage regulation circuit, and a third power terminal coupled to an input of the given voltage regulation circuit. A substrate, included in the system, includes a plurality of conductive paths, each of which includes a plurality of wires fabricated on a plurality of conductive layers. The system further includes a power management unit that may be configured to generate a power supply voltage at a fourth power terminal that is coupled to the third power terminal via a first conductive path of the plurality of conductive paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Shawn Searles, Vidhya Ramachandran
  • Publication number: 20170317589
    Abstract: The DC-DC converter includes: a switching element connected between an inductor and a power supply terminal; a pseudo ripple generation circuit configured to generate a pseudo ripple voltage depending on a ripple component that is generated in the output voltage, and a smoothed voltage by smoothing the pseudo ripple voltage; a comparison circuit configured to combine a first comparison result obtained by comparing the pseudo ripple voltage and the smoothed voltage to each other, and a second comparison result obtained by comparing a reference voltage and a feedback voltage obtained by dividing the output voltage to each other, and output a comparison result signal; and an output control circuit configured to control the switching element to be turned on and off based on the comparison result signal. The comparison circuit is configured to output only the second comparison result, as the comparison result signal, when a load becomes lighter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Akihiro KAWANO, Katsuya GOTO
  • Publication number: 20170317590
    Abstract: There is provided a DC-DC converter which is safe and secure, but yet with low power consumption. The DC-DC converter is configured to monitor the output voltage of an error amplifier, and detect that the output voltage of the error amplifier becomes a fixed value or smaller to drive an overheat protection circuit and a supply voltage monitoring circuit intermittently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Akihiro KAWANO, Katsuya GOTO
  • Publication number: 20170317591
    Abstract: A switching power supply includes a plurality of parallel branches, each parallel branch including two serially connected controllable switches and a coil connected between the two switches and an output node, a capacitor connected between the output node of the parallel branches and ground; and a controller configured to switch the two serially connected controllable switches of each parallel branch such that a first switch of a parallel branch is switched from a conducting state to a non-conducting state when a current flowing through a coil of the parallel branch reaches a first current value larger than 5 A, and such that the second switch is switched from a conducting state to a non-conducting state when the current flowing through the coil of the parallel branch reaches a second current value smaller than 0 A.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventor: Holger SEDLAK
  • Publication number: 20170317592
    Abstract: There is provided a DC-DC converter which is safe and secure, but yet with low power consumption. The DC-DC converter is configured such that an overcurrent protection circuit is operated intermittently only for a predetermined period of time based on a signal output from an output control circuit to turn on a switching element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Akihiro KAWANO, Katsuya GOTO
  • Publication number: 20170317593
    Abstract: Power supplies together with related over voltage protection methods and apparatuses. A power supply has a transformer including a primary winding and an auxiliary winding. A power switch is coupled to the primary winding and a sensing resistor coupled between the power switch and a grounding line. A multi-function terminal of a controller is coupled to the sensing resistor. A diode and a first resistor is coupled between the auxiliary winding and the multi-function terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Kuo-Chien Huang, Ren-Yi Chen
  • Publication number: 20170317594
    Abstract: In one example, a circuit includes a voltage rail, a reference node, a first capacitor, and a capacitor module. The first capacitor is coupled to the voltage rail and to the reference node. The capacitor module includes a second capacitor and a switching unit. The switching unit is configured to operate in a closed state and an open state. The switching unit couples the second capacitor in parallel with the first capacitor in the closed state. The switching unit decouples the second capacitor from the first capacitor in the open state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies Americas Corp.
    Inventor: Anders Lind
  • Publication number: 20170317595
    Abstract: A voltage converter includes a power stage, a passive circuit, a synchronous rectification (SR) switch component, and a control circuit. The passive circuit couples the power stage to an output node of the voltage converter, and is switchably coupled to ground by the SR switch component. The SR switch component includes a plurality of SR switches, which are independently controllable. The control circuit determines which of the SR switches are to be activated/enabled, and only uses those SR switches in its variable switching of the voltage converter. The determination of which SR switches are to be activated/enabled is based upon an estimate of the output current for the voltage converter. By using more SR switches when the voltage converter is fully loaded, and fewer SR switches when it is lightly loaded, the power loss of the SR switch component is minimized and the voltage converter is more power efficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Amir Babazadeh, Robert Carroll
  • Publication number: 20170317596
    Abstract: A power transfer system includes DC-DC power conversion circuitry that has a first switch and a second switch on either side of a first transformer and a first capacitor and a second capacitor on either side of a second transformer that is connected in parallel with the first transformer. Primary secondary sides of the DC-DC power conversion circuitry are aligned based a direction of power transfer. A quantity of power transfer through the DC-DC power conversion circuitry is determined based on power and voltage characteristics of electrical components. A duty cycle and a switching frequency for the first switch or second switch is determined based on the quantity of power to be transferred. The primary and secondary switches are controlled using switching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Masanori ISHIGAKI, Jongwon SHIN
  • Publication number: 20170317597
    Abstract: A circuit includes a timer circuit configured to generate a first control signal defining a first time period and a second control signal defining a second time period. A controller is configured to control a high-side and a low-side transistor of a half-bridge circuit in response to the first and second control signals only during a first switching cycle of the half-bridge circuit. The half-bridge circuit includes a bootstrap capacitor coupled to a node between the high-side and low-side transistors. The controller turns on the low-side transistor for the first time period during the first switching cycle and configured turns off the low-side and the high-side transistors for the second time period during the first switching cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Claudio Adragna, Aldo Vittorio Novelli, Christian Leone Santoro
  • Publication number: 20170317598
    Abstract: A power conversion circuit including an SR MOSFET is provided. A minimum off-time timer for the SR MOSFET is started. A voltage potential at a first terminal of the SR MOSFET is measured. The SR MOSFET is turned on after a rate of change over time of the voltage potential exceeds a first threshold and before the minimum off-time timer expires.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Karel PTACEK, Tomas TICHY
  • Publication number: 20170317599
    Abstract: A switching power supply device includes a power factor improvement circuit, a phase-shifted full bridge type DC/DC converter that is arranged in a rear stage of the power factor improvement circuit and has a full-bridge type switching circuit, an output current detecting circuit for detecting an output current to be supplied to a load, an output voltage detecting circuit for detecting an output voltage to be supplied to the load, and a power factor improvement circuit output voltage detecting circuit for detecting a power factor improvement circuit output voltage, which is input from the power factor improvement circuit to the DC/DC converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: NOBUAKI SATOH
  • Publication number: 20170317600
    Abstract: A flyback converter is provided with a controller that is configured to analyze the reflected feedback voltage waveforms to determine the presence of a ground connection fault for the auxiliary winding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Pengju Kong, Duc Doan, Fuqiang Shi
  • Publication number: 20170317601
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power converter including a transformer; a current doubler including a switch element and connected to a secondary side of the transformer to double a current of the transformer according to an operation of the switch element; and a voltage resonator connected to the switch elements, wherein the voltage resonator includes a switch element and a capacitor which are connected to each other in series.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chunfeng JIN, Joo Suk KANG, Jae Sam Lee, Jung Hwan Choi, Dong Young Huh
  • Publication number: 20170317602
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method to control the synchronous rectification in a power converter including a primary winding and a secondary winding, including detecting a peak current in a secondary winding, determining a blanking threshold based on the peak current, and blanking a turning off of a synchronous rectifier (SR) switch for a blanking time based on the blanking threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Jeroen KLEINPENNING, Jan DIKKEN
  • Publication number: 20170317603
    Abstract: An integral inverter, usable with a solar cell module comprising a solar cell panel, can include a terminal for inputting a DC power from the solar cell panel; a bypass diode electrically connected to the terminal; an inverter member including a direct current (DC)-alternating current (AC) inverter electrically connected to the bypass diode; a case to integrate at least one of the terminal and the bypass diode with the DC-AC inverter located therein, and attached to a back surface of the solar cell panel using an adhesive; and an AC cable for outputting AC power from the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hyukjin NAM, Joonho JEON, Myonghwan KIM, Jinyoung CHO, Daehyun SHIN, Byoungsu YOON, Giyob PARK, Byungwook WOO, Jungguen KIM, Hyunrok MUN
  • Publication number: 20170317604
    Abstract: A power converter for a power system includes an input ceramic layer, an output ceramic layer, an input stage coupled to the input ceramic layer, an output stage coupled to the output ceramic layer, and a planar transformer coupled between said input stage and said output stage. The input receives a power input and the output stage generates a power output at least partially as a function of the power input. The planar transformer includes an input winding coupled to the input stage and an output winding coupled to the output stage. The input winding has a plurality of input turns and the output winding has a plurality of output turns. The input turns interleave the output turns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Ravisekhar Nadimpalli Raju, Mark Edward Dame, Nathaniel Benedict Hawes
  • Publication number: 20170317605
    Abstract: A power conversion apparatus includes a capacitor and a heat dissipation member for cooling the capacitor. The capacitor and the heat dissipation member are pressed in an arranging direction in which the capacitor and the heat dissipation member are arranged. The capacitor includes a capacitor element which includes a dielectric body and a metal layer formed on a surface of the dielectric body, an electrode part connected to the metal layer and a bus bar connected to the electrode part. Part of the bus bar is interposed in the arranging direction between the heat dissipation member and the capacitor element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuya TAKEUCHI, Tetsuya MATSUOKA, Ryota TANABE
  • Publication number: 20170317606
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a damping apparatus of a converter system, which compensates an input voltage reference being transmitted to a converter to damp an output current of a harmonic filter that is connected between an output end of the converter and a system, including a voltage reference compensation unit configured to compensate for the input voltage reference using a ratio between inductances of inductors included in the harmonic filter; a capacitor voltage value compensation unit configured to compensate for a voltage value of a capacitor included in the harmonic filter using the ratio between the inductances of the inductors; and a voltage reference generation unit configured to generate a final voltage reference by subtracting the compensated voltage value of the capacitor from the compensated input voltage reference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventor: Byung-Geuk CHO
  • Publication number: 20170317607
    Abstract: A three-level converter includes a first converter leg having first switches connected across a positive DC node and a negative DC node, a second converter leg having second switches connected across the positive DC node and the negative DC node, and a third converter leg having third switches connected across the positive DC node the negative DC node. The converter includes a battery connected between the positive DC node and the negative DC node, and center-connected to a ground node having a ground potential. Each of the first, second, and third converter legs is connected to the ground node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Ismail Agirman, Steven M. Millett, Daryl J. Marvin, Shashank Krishnamurthy
  • Publication number: 20170317608
    Abstract: A circuit, comprising, a first high-side switch and a second high-side switch each receiving a source voltage, a first low-side switch and a second low-side switch, a first application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) connected to the first high-side switch and the first low-side switch, and a second ASIC connected to the second high-side switch and the second low-side switch, wherein the switches are connected to form an H-bridge circuit to generate a drive current, and wherein the first and second ASICs control the switches in a synchronized manner to cause current to flow through a load in one of a first direction and a second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Fei Gong, Meenal Vaidya, Daniel R. Harshbarger
  • Publication number: 20170317609
    Abstract: A wearable energy generating apparatus includes a flexible substrate, and a flexible electrode part having a first electrode attached to one surface of the flexible substrate, and coated with a negatively charged material, and a second electrode attached to one surface of the flexible substrate, and spaced apart from the first electrode by a predetermined interval. The negatively charged material coated on a surface of the first electrode may directly contact a human body that is a positively charged object, and the second electrode may directly contact the skin of the human body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Youn Tae KIM, Chang Jun LEE, A Young CHOI, Do Gyun KIM, Ji Won PARK
  • Publication number: 20170317610
    Abstract: An inverse electrowetting harvesting and scavenging circuit includes a first substrate having first and second surfaces. An electrode is formed proximate the first surface and includes an insulating layer covering a surface of the electrode. An electromechanical systems device includes a moveable mass extending over the first surface of the first substrate that may be displaced relative to the first substrate in three dimensions responsive to external forces applied to the moveable mass. The movable mass includes a moveable electrode and a conductive fluid is positioned between the insulating layer of the electrode and the movable electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Sara Loi, Alberto Pagani
  • Publication number: 20170317611
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a charge pump-based artificial lightning generator comprises the steps of: forming a second electrode on a prepared substrate; forming a negatively charged body having a sponge structure under the second electrode; removing spherical polymer particles from the negatively charged body using a toluene solution; allowing metal particles to penetrate into the negatively charged body; forming a positively charged body in a location which is at a predetermined distance below the negatively charged body in order to generate charges; nano-structuring the surface of the positively charged body; coating the nano-structured surface of the positively charged body with second metal particles; forming a ground layer for charge separation while maintaining a constant distance in the downward direction from one side of the positively charged body; and forming a first electrode for charge accumulation in a location which is at a predetermined distance below the positively charged body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicants: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., UNIST (ULSAN NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY)
    Inventors: Jeong Min BAIK, Jin Sung CHUN, Byeong Uk YE
  • Publication number: 20170317612
    Abstract: A motor includes a first vibrator, a plurality of biasing parts that are disposed around the first vibrator and that presses the first vibrator onto a contacting member in contact with the first vibrator, a first pressing member that is biased by the plurality of biasing parts and that includes a pressing part pressing the first vibrator by biasing force of the plurality of biasing parts, and a second pressing member that is biased by the plurality of biasing parts. The first vibrator and the contacting member move relatively by vibrations that occur in the first vibrator. The first and second pressing members integrally moves while the first vibrator moves. The first pressing member and the first vibrator are tiltable around a first direction orthogonal to both of a moving direction of the first vibrator and a biasing direction of the plurality of biasing parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Noguchi
  • Publication number: 20170317613
    Abstract: A motor includes a pressing member pressing a vibrator onto a contacting member, first and second holding members respectively holding the vibrator and a transmission member, which transmits pressing force by the pressing member to the vibrator, and a coupling member coupling the first and second holding members. The vibrator and the contacting member move by vibrations occurring in the vibrator. The coupling member includes a rolling member moving the first and second holding members in a pressing direction of the pressing member, and an urging member, which is held by the second holding member, urging the first and second holding members in parallel with a moving direction of the vibrator and the contacting member. The rolling member is sandwiched between the first and second holding members, and abuts against the first holding member on a center side of the vibrator in the moving direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Shinsuke Yoshida, Yasufumi Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20170317614
    Abstract: A motor includes a vibrator, a plurality of pressing members that presses the vibrator onto a contacting member in contact with the vibrator, a transmission member that transmits pressing force, which is applied by the plurality of pressing members, to the vibrator, a first holding member that holds the vibrator, a second holding member that holds the transmission member, and a coupling member that couples the first holding member to the second holding member. The vibrator and the contacting member move relatively by vibrations that occur in the vibrator. The vibrator includes a protruding part that is provided on a surface opposite to a surface on a transmission member side. The pressing members are arranged separately to surround the protruding part. The coupling member is arranged at a position closer to the protruding part than the pressing members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventor: Masato Shiono
  • Publication number: 20170317615
    Abstract: A torque system includes a DC power device, a polyphase electric machine, a contactor pair, a power inverter module (PIM), and a controller. The PIM connects to the power device via the contactor pair and directly connects to the electric machine. The controller executes a method to control a fault response under a fault condition resulting in opening of the contactor pair and a polyphase short condition. The controller calculates a back EMF of the electric machine and transmits switching control signals to semiconductor switches of the PIM to transition from the polyphase short condition to a polyphase open condition only when the calculated back EMF is less than a calibrated value and a voltage rise on a DC side of the PIM is less than a calibrated voltage rise. A vehicle includes the DC power device, road wheels, electric machine, PIM, and controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Daniel J. Berry, Wei D. Wang, Bon Ho Bae, Brian A. Welchko, Wesley G. Zanardelli, Melissa R. McNeely
  • Publication number: 20170317616
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for controlling multiple inverters and an inverter system including the same. The apparatus according to the present disclosure determines a motor having the smallest operation time among motors which are not being operated as a main motor to thereby transmit a running reference and a frequency reference to the corresponding main motor, if a speed of a main motor which is being operated is above a speed set by a user and a feedback is below a predetermined level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventor: Chae-Bong BAE
  • Publication number: 20170317617
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for controlling an electric motor. An exemplary system may include a torque detector configured to detect an output torque of the electric motor. The system may also include a controller configured to control a voltage source to apply a predetermined voltage to drive the electric motor and determine an operating table containing a plurality of operating points. The controller may select an operating current value and generate a plurality of current commands. The controller may also apply each of the plurality of current commands to drive the electric motor and determine an output torque generated by the electric motor. The controller may further determine a target current command that generates a maximum output torque. In addition, the controller may determine an operating point of the operating table based on the target current command. Moreover, the controller may control the electric motor using the operating table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Mengwei Campbell, Stefan Grubic
  • Publication number: 20170317618
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire a first phase signal and a second phase signal that are acquired by measuring a rotation of a moving object, and a calculation unit configured to calculate a rotational angle by an iterative calculation so as to satisfy a relational expression bearing an arctangent. The relational expression bearing the arctangent uses a first cosine wave and a second cosine wave at a higher harmonic of the first cosine wave for the first phase signal, and a first sine wave and a second sine wave at a higher harmonic of the first sine wave for the second phase signal. The first phase signal and the second phase signal may, for example, be analog signals having a wave shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Masahiko Mizoguchi, Tadayoshi Nakayama, Toru Aida
  • Publication number: 20170317619
    Abstract: A gate driver circuit includes a comparator and a gate driver. The comparator is configured to detect a short circuit in a first power field effect transistor (FET). The gate driver is configured to drive a gate of the first power FET by generating a first signal at a first drive current. In response to the comparator detecting a short circuit in the first power FET, the gate driver is further configured to pulse the first signal at a first pulldown current. After the pulse has ended, the gate driver is further configured to drive the gate of the first power FET at a first hold current. The first hold current is less than the first pulldown current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Shyamsunder BALASUBRAMANIAN, Toshio YAMANAKA, Toru TANAKA, Mayank GARG
  • Publication number: 20170317620
    Abstract: A vehicle performs first PWM control of generating a first PWM signal of a plurality of switching elements to switch the plurality of switching elements by comparing voltage commands of phases based on a torque command with a carrier voltage when a target operating point including a rotation speed and the torque command of the motor is outside a predetermined area, and selects and performs second PWM control of generating a second PWM signal of the plurality of switching elements to switch the plurality of switching elements based on a modulation factor of a voltage and a voltage phase based on the torque command and the number of pulses in a predetermined period of an electrical angle of the motor or the first PWM control when the target operating point is inside the predetermined area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshihiro YAMAMOTO, Kenji YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20170317621
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor integrated circuit, a motor and an application apparatus are provided. The magnetic sensor integrated circuit includes an input port, a magnetic sensor, and a signal processing unit. The input port is electrically coupled to an external power source. The magnetic sensor senses a polarity of an external magnetic field and outputting a detection signal. The signal processing unit includes a switched capacitor filter unit to sample and filter the detection signal; the signal processing unit eliminating an offset of the detection signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Guang Jie CAI, Chun Fai WONG
  • Publication number: 20170317622
    Abstract: A magnetic sensor integrated circuit includes a rectifier circuit, a magnetic field detection circuit, and a timing controller. The rectifier circuit converts an external power into a DC power. The magnetic field detection circuit senses a polarity of an external magnetic field and outputting a magnetic detection signal; and the magnetic field detection circuit includes a first chopping switch, a first amplifier unit and a switched capacitor filter module. The timing controller outputs a first clock signal to the first chopping switch and the first amplifier unit, and a second clock signal delayed for the first clock signal with a first predetermined time to the switched capacitor filter module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Guang Jie CAI, Chun Fai WONG
  • Publication number: 20170317623
    Abstract: An inverter controller according to an embodiment has an inverter main circuit, current detectors, a current command value calculator, a voltage command value calculator and an estimator. The inverter main circuit is capable of being electrically connected to a rotary drive target. The current detectors detect current values output from the inverter main circuit. The current command value calculator calculates current command values with which an output voltage output from the inverter main circuit becomes equal to or more than a target value. The voltage command value calculator calculates voltage command values with which the current values become equal to the current command values. The estimator calculates an estimated rotational phase angle of the rotary drive target, based on the voltage command values and the current values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Shun TANIGUCHI, Kazuaki YUUKI, Kentaro SUZUKI, Tomoaki SHIGETA
  • Publication number: 20170317624
    Abstract: An electronic control module is provided. The electronic control module is operably connected to a power supply for providing power to a motor. The electronic control module includes an input device, a processor coupled to the input device, and first and second current supply lines. The processor is configured to generate a command signal in response to an input supplied by the input device and transmit the command signal to the motor. The command signal controls an operating point of the motor. The first and second current supply lines are operably connectable to the motor and the processor. At least one of the current supply lines, the input device and the processor are adapted to utilize the current supply lines both to transmit power to the motor and to transmit the command signal to the motor over the current supply lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Paul Steven Mullin, Michael David Smith, Katie Da-Nelle Hamilton, Srinivas Chandu Kutcherlapati
  • Publication number: 20170317625
    Abstract: A voltage regulator includes an output transistor, an error amplifier coupled to the output transistor, a cascode transistor coupled to the output transistor in series, and a cascode bias circuit coupled to the cascode transistor and the output transistor. The output transistor is configured to generate an output signal at a first voltage. The error amplifier is configured to receive a reference signal. The cascode bias circuit is configured to bias the cascode transistor such that, in response to a drain-to-source short circuit of the output transistor, the cascode transistor generates the output signal at the first voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Alejandro VERA, Shyamsunder BALASUBRAMANIAN, Toshio YAMANAKA, Toru TANAKA
  • Publication number: 20170317626
    Abstract: Method and systems are provided for, in response to a state of charge (SOC) of a vehicle battery increasing above a threshold SOC, reducing an alternator charging based on one or more of a spark timing, an engine speed, an air-fuel ratio, and an engine load. In this way, fuel consumption may be reduced while maintaining a battery SOC for operation of front-end accessories may be achieved, and fuel consumption may be reduced during aggressive vehicle driving conditions such has high engine loads near transmission downshift thresholds and high engine speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas G. Leone, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Publication number: 20170317627
    Abstract: A floating electrical power generator having a three-dimensional (3D) flow passageway configured for increasing the water flow on the paddle wheel to increase the power output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventor: Bruno BERGMAN
  • Publication number: 20170317628
    Abstract: Systems and methods to control auxiliary power output voltage using a welding output voltage are disclosed. An example power system includes an engine, a generator to provide electrical power based on mechanical power received from the engine, the electrical power comprising welding-type power and non-welding power, and a controller to control the generator or the engine to increase or decrease a voltage of the non-welding power based on a voltage measurement of the welding-type power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventor: Ross Neal Renner
  • Publication number: 20170317629
    Abstract: A master generator is configured to use a duty upper limit value and a duty lower limit value to perform duty restriction processing on a PWM signal in continuous Y cycles out of generated X cycles, and transmit the PWM signal after the restriction processing to a slave generator. The slave generator is configured to receive the PWM signal after the restriction processing transmitted from the master generator as a received PWM signal, and determine that a reception abnormality exists when the received PWM signal is received as a signal representing a duty less than the duty lower limit value or a duty more than the duty upper limit value in continuous (X?Y+1) cycles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Junya SASAKI, Keisuke KATSURADA, Masahiro NAKAJIMA, Katsuyuki SUMIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20170317630
    Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method for implementing a PMG variable speed constant frequency generating system on an aircraft including an aircraft engine is provided. The method includes receiving AC power from a PMG at an AC/DC conversion stage, the received power being proportional to a rate of rotation of the aircraft engine and converting the AC power to DC power in the AC/DC conversion stage. The method further includes sensing a DC voltage output by the AC/DC conversion stage and providing the DC voltage to a DC/AC conversion stage. The method includes providing a control signal to the DC/AC conversion stage to control a frequency and a voltage of an output signal of the DC/AC conversion stage without varying an electrical signal provided to the PMG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Waleed M. Said, Sunil S. Patel