With Harmonic Filter Or Neutralizer Patents (Class 307/105)
  • Patent number: 6909203
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for regulating resonance in a computer system I/O interface is provided. A shunting impedance/resistance is arranged across a power supply of the I/O interface. The shunting impedance/resistance is controlled by circuitry that is arranged to detect voltage overshoot conditions in the I/O interface. The circuitry has (1) an analog front end that is arranged to detect power supply oscillations relative to a grounded terminal, (2) an amplifier (or logic conversion circuit) that is arranged to convert an output signal from the analog front end to a digital signal, and (3) a shunting apparatus arranged to modify power supply behavior in the I/O interface dependent on the digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Claude Gauthier, Brian Amick, Aninda Roy
  • Patent number: 6876179
    Abstract: A hybrid reactive power compensation device comprises a passive type reactive power compensator and an active type reactive power compensator serially connected thereto. The passive type reactive power compensator is an AC power capacitor adapted to provide the reactive power that reduces capacity of the active type reactive power compensator. The active type reactive power compensator is consisted of a power converter, a DC capacitor, a high-frequency ripple filter and a controller. The hybrid reactive power compensation device can supply a linearly adjustable reactive power within a predetermined range, and the supplied current is approximated to be a sinusoidal waveform. Therefore, it can avoid the destruction of AC power capacitor caused by the power resonance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: UIS Abler Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hurng-Liang Chou, Chin-Chang Wu, Wen-Pin Hsu, Yao-Jen Chang
  • Patent number: 6862199
    Abstract: A controller (130) for compensating reactive power and selected current load harmonics in an unbalanced multi-phase power distribution system. Control current is injected from a multi-phase voltage source inverter (118) into the multi-phase power distribution system as a function of the voltage and current provided by the source inverter 118. The injected current is operative to balance the load seen by the power distribution system including non-linear/distorted and unbalanced loads in each phase. The controller includes an inner loop control processor (216), an outer loop control processor, and an adaptation processor. The adaptation processor (238) is operative to estimate a selected set of predetermined harmonic components in the periodic disturbance which is a function of the unknown system parameters, the source current, the source voltage, and their time derivatives in stationary coordinates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Northeastern University
    Inventors: Gerardo Escobar, Alex M. Stankovic, Paolo Mattavelli
  • Patent number: 6788166
    Abstract: A harmonic wave distortion suppressor includes a main body, at least a connecting pin and a coating. The main body is made of a first material and covered with a second material for absorbing an instantaneous high voltage or sharp wave. The connecting pin is coupled to two lateral sides of the main body respectively so as to form a capacitor. The coating is coated on the main body locally with a clearance being exposed and the clearance provides a function of charging and discharging locally. When the high voltage or sharp wave passes through the harmonic wave distortion suppressor, peak discharging effect of the clearance can not only isolate the high voltage or sharp wave from entering an electronic device but also prevent an iron core in the electronic device from occurring magnetization effect resulting from the high voltage or sharp wave so that quality of signal transmission and receiving can be secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Lantek Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Shan-Jui Lu
  • Patent number: 6747373
    Abstract: System and methods for coordinating the control system of a switched power capacitor with an integrated resonance protection function. The coordination system coordinates the function of a switched power capacitor's primary control system and resonance protection system to avoid duplication of tasks and on/off operation deadlock. The coordination system adjusting calculations made by the primary control system in response to a determination of a harmonic resonance condition by the resonance protection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Yi Hu, Luciano Di Maio, Fabio Gatelli, William M. Egolf, David G. Hart
  • Publication number: 20040066253
    Abstract: A filter for mitigating harmonics in an electrical distribution system. In one embodiment the filter has one winding that is connected to the power distribution system which may be a three phase system and capacitors are connected to other end of the winding in either a delta or y-connection. There is one tapping on the winding for connection to a load which may an adjustable speed drive. In another embodiment the filter has two or more separate reactors. In either embodiment a switch may be in series with the capacitors and capacitors may be connected in parallel with the series combination of switch and capacitors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Applicant: ABB Oy
    Inventor: Pasi Matti Lauri
  • Patent number: 6717789
    Abstract: A power supply rejection circuit and method thereof for capacitively-stored reference voltages is disclosed. The power supply rejection circuit generally comprises a comparison circuit for comparing a signal associated with a power supply such as, for example, a Wheatstone bridge configuration, to a stored reference voltage, such that the comparison circuit includes at least one existing capacitor therein. At least one additional capacitor can be then coupled to the comparison circuit, such that the additional capacitor creates a capacitively-coupled voltage divider. This capacitively-coupled voltage divider negates the first order effects of power supply noise in the system. This effect significantly reduces the effect of power supply noise and improves signal jitter associated with the comparison circuit during a comparison of the signal to the stored reference voltage utilizing the comparison circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Perry A. Holman, Jason M. Chilcote
  • Patent number: 6661680
    Abstract: A higher harmonic suppressor element 10 includes a higher harmonic coil 12 for suppressing a higher harmonic and a thermal fuse 14 which is connected in series with the higher harmonic coil 12 and also which is melted down by heat generated by the higher harmonic coil 12. The higher harmonic coil 12 and the thermal fuse 14 are both contained in the same envelope body 16. Also, the higher harmonic coil 12 is equipped with a magnetic core 121 and a winding 122 wound around the magnetic core 121. In this configuration, the thermal fuse 14 is in tight contact with the magnetic core by means of an adhesive agent etc. If an over-current flows through the higher harmonic coil 12, it runs hot to thereby melt down the thermal fuse 14. With the melting down of the thermal fuse 14, which is connected in series with the higher harmonic coil 12, the over-current flow to the higher harmonic coil 12 is blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Kazutoshi Maruoka
  • Patent number: 6657322
    Abstract: An active filter controller for use with both pure and hybrid shunt filters wherein the controller maintains a minimum DC bus voltage required to generate a compensating current on coupling lines and also extrapolates to estimate an expected feedback current to be compensated so that compensation currents are more accurate and harmonic currents are appreciably reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Leonard Skibinski, Dongsheng Zhou, Frederick Louis Hoadley, Naihu Li, Qiang Yin
  • Patent number: 6636405
    Abstract: In a multiple phase system for supplying power from an AC source to nonlinear loads, a device for substantially eliminating currents in a neutral wire. The device includes a completely-passive parallel resonant circuit having three passive electrical branches connected in parallel tuned to a third harmonic frequency of the AC source. The three branches comprise a first branch consisting of a capacitor, a second branch consisting of a reactor, and a third branch consisting of a resistor. The resonant circuit is connected to the neutral wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Inventor: Michael Z. Lowenstein
  • Patent number: 6624997
    Abstract: A transformer based power conditioner to provide high purity electrical power. Capacitor based low impedance filters may be connected in the transformer secondary for noise filtering. Surge suppressors may be connected from the start to the finish of the primary windings regardless of tap selection, to limit peak voltages due to transient electrical surges that reach the load. Filter performance can be improved as required by the end user, by cascading the filter circuits on the output lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Teal Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Reynaldo P. Llanos, Victor Soto, Randall J. Redding
  • Publication number: 20030160515
    Abstract: A broad-spectrum harmonic filter is developed. This filter is to be connected in series ahead of the load which generates harmonics. This filter basically consists of 3 fixed elements, i.e. a series reactor and a shunt reactor in series with a capacitor. It can function to completely filter out 5th harmonic current in 3 phase systems (or 3rd harmonic current in single phase systems) and to reduce other harmonic components by high percentages say, typically close to 70%. Thus the portions of various harmonics flowing toward the electrical power source can be held within acceptable limits. By adjusting these two reactors and the capacitor, a desirable and controllable filtering performance can be achieved. A satisfactory performance of the filter and the electrical system can be expected by use of this invented filter with only 3 major elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Luke Yu, Henry Yu
  • Patent number: 6605882
    Abstract: An integral harmonic mitigation device and distribution panel(s) are configured as a power center unit for non-linear electrical loads. The power center unit performs harmonic mitigation to reduce the presence of upstream electrical disturbances in a source current. The power center unit is located close to the non-linear loads to isolate the loads and facilitate load balancing to improve harmonic mitigation. The power center unit is also ideally suited for mobile or semi-mobile applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Delta Transformers of Canada (1999) Ltd.
    Inventors: Jean-Guy Boudrias, Stéphane Brouillette
  • Patent number: 6577487
    Abstract: Connection arrangements are employed for reducing the effect of third-hannonic voltages in case of direct connection of AC machines to a three-phase distribution or transmission network, wherein the stator winding of the AC machine is Y-connected and wherein the neutral point of the winding is available. An exemplary embodiment employs a suppression filter turned to the third-harmonic, with an overvoltage protection device arranged between the neutral point and ground of the power network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AB
    Inventor: Lars Gertmar
  • Patent number: 6559561
    Abstract: In a method for damping power oscillations in a transmission line, at least one first angular-frequency signal is generated, representing a first angular frequency which is given by a prior knowledge of oscillation frequencies expected in the power system, and a first phase-reference signal is formed as the time integral of the angular-frequency signal. A power quantity in the transmission line characterizing the power is sensed and a first estimated power quantity is formed, representing for an oscillation of the first angular frequency, its amplitude and phase position relative to the first phase-reference signal. A first damping signal is formed with an amplitude dependent on the amplitude of the first estimated power quantity and with a first phase shift in relation to the phase position thereof, and the first damping signal is supplied to an actuator for influencing the power transmitted in the transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventor: Lennart Angquist
  • Publication number: 20030075986
    Abstract: An alternating current filter circuit for a BiCMOS differential amplifier has a circuit that computes a base current of the BiCMOS differential amplifier and a circuit that generates an offset current based upon the computing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Ted Wyman, Fouad Kiamilev
  • Patent number: 6552919
    Abstract: A method for use in a power converter which includes: monitoring a magnitude of an input of a power-flow controller; generating a pulse-width modulated signal wherein at least one pulse has width correlated with a difference between a reference and the monitored magnitude; and varying an output power flow of the power-flow controller in response to the pulse-width modulated signal. In another embodiment of the method, the power converter is characterized by a power converter selected from the group including but not limited to a power supply, a power controller, and a power regulator. In one or more various embodiments, related systems include but are not limited to circuitry and/or programming for effecting the foregoing-referenced method embodiments; the circuitry and/or programming can be virtually any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware configured to effect the foregoing-referenced method embodiments depending upon the design choices of the system designer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventor: Douglas A. Bors
  • Patent number: 6549434
    Abstract: A harmonic mitigating apparatus connected between a three phase power source and a load provides a multiple-winding reactor for reducing harmonics directed from the load to the source, the apparatus including, for each system phase, first and second line windings in series between the source and load and oriented so as to have the same polarity such that the winding fluxes add thereby increasing total reactance to harmonics directed from the load to the supply, the apparatus also including at least one trap circuit including a series inductance and capacitor for each phase and linked between the first and second line windings and a neutral point (or another phase), the trap circuit characterized by a reactance that is lower than the reactance of the first line winding such that harmonics flow into the trap circuit, for each phase, at least two of the first and second line windings and the trap winding arranged on the same core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dongsheng Zhou, Gary L. Skibinski, Walt A. Maslowski, Brian R. Buchholz, Nick N. Guskov
  • Publication number: 20030062776
    Abstract: An active filter controller for use with both pure and hybrid shunt filters wherein the controller maintains a minimum DC bus voltage required to generate a compensating current on coupling lines and also extrapolates to estimate an expected feedback current to be compensated so that compensation currents are more accurate and harmonic currents are appreciably reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: Gary Leonard Skibinski, Dongsheng Zhou, Frederick Louis Hoadley, Naihu Li, Qiang Yin
  • Patent number: 6522516
    Abstract: A fuse and filter arrangement having to a polymer fuse apparatus that provides bypass fuse protection. A polymer bypass fuse includes of an electrical conductor wherein a portion of the conductor is surrounded by an internal electrode, which is then surrounded by a layer of polymeric positive temperature coefficient (PTC) material, which is then surrounded by a conductive material similar to that of the internal electrode. The fuse and filter arrangement includes a plurality of in-line and bypass fuses combined with a differential and common mode filter, which itself consists of a plurality of common ground conductive plates maintaining first and second electrode plates between the various conductive plates, all of which are surrounded by a material having predetermined electrical characteristics to provide fail safe filter and circuit protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: X2Y Attenuators, LLC
    Inventor: Anthony A. Anthony
  • Patent number: 6507505
    Abstract: In a power conversion device comprising an AC filter 2 for harmonic current suppression having a combination of at least some of a reactor, capacitor and resistance and a power conversion circuit 3 that converts AC power into DC power or DC power into AC power and is connected to an AC power source 1 through AC filter 2, by providing: voltage reference calculation means (unit) 5 that calculates and outputs a voltage reference corresponding to the voltage that is to be output by the power conversion device main unit; current detection means (unit) 4 that detects and outputs current flowing through a prescribed location between AC power source 1 and power conversion circuit 3; and voltage reference correction means (unit) 8 that uses the output from current detection means (unit) 4 as a voltage reference correction signal to correct the voltage reference that is output from voltage reference calculation means (unit) 5, resonance of the AC filter for harmonic current suppression is suppressed without employing a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Toshiaki Oka, Kazuto Kawakami
  • Patent number: 6486570
    Abstract: A waveform correction filter is connected into an alternating current power line to absorb and remove various forms of power pollution, including high-frequency spikes, surges and other forms of high-frequency oscillations, such as those which result from switching inductive loads on and off. The waveform correction filter of the invention includes a fuse and a coaxial amorphous toroidal inductor connected between a power line and neutral with a low-pass filter connected in series with the fuse and coaxial amorphous toroidal inductor. The filter includes a capacitor, a varistor connected in parallel with said capacitor, and a magnetic core inductor connected in series with each other and in parallel with the capacitor and said varistor. A lamp may be connected in series with the resistor and the magnetic core inductor or across the resistor. Various arrangements are shown for connecting a plurality of the waveform correction filters into single phase or three-phase Wine or delta circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Environmental Potentials, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward G. Price, Theodore Thibault, Andrew Pickett
  • Patent number: 6476521
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a system protection scheme comprising of at least two system protection terminals (18), introduced at suitable locations in an electric power system (1). The system protection terminals (18) are interconnected by a communication system (22), preferably using a substantially dedicated communication resource. At least-two of the system protection terminals (18) are equipped to collect measurement signals (72) associated with time stamped voltage or current values of the power system at that particular location or quantities derivable therefrom. The measurements are evaluated and related data is spread to other system protection terminals (18). At least one of the system protection terminals (18) is equipped to evaluate the existence of poorly damped power oscillations in the power network and if necessary provide control signals (74) to power system actuating units. The evaluation is preferably based on changes in the node angle differences between the measurement locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Per-Anders Löf, Daniel Karlsson
  • Patent number: 6472775
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a harmonic feedback system is characterized by: a three-phase to two-phase transformer configured to convert an output fundamental frequency current from a distributed power system and to convert the output fundamental frequency current from a three-phase current to a two-phase stationary reference current; a harmonic frequency transformer configured to convert the two-phase stationary reference current to a synchronous reference current, said harmonic frequency transformer having a target synchronous reference frame frequency based upon a reference harmonic current of the output fundamental frequency current; at least one filter device configured to remove predetermined components from the synchronous reference current to output a harmonic feedback current; a summation component to compare the harmonic feedback current with the reference harmonic current and to output a harmonic error current for driving the distributed power system to produce the output current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Fengtai Huang, Bing Cheng
  • Publication number: 20020105233
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a series active continuous time voltage regulator operating in conjunction with a alternating current power source and one or more loads. The alternating current power source is a voltage source that induces currents at a first end of the apparatus. At a second end of the apparatus one or more loads consume power from the apparatus. The series buck-boost regulator is composed of a pure monochromatic voltage source of frequency equal to that of the alternating current power source, and of constant phase with respect to the alternating current power source. The regulator is further composed of a sampling network that provides a scaled continuous time sample of the voltage delivered by the power conditioner to the loads. Finally, the regulator is composed of a high gain differential amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventor: Michael Wendell Vice
  • Patent number: 6385063
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hybrid for an AC mains system, with the hybrid filter having a passive and an active filter which are electrically connected in series, and with the active filter having a voltage source. According to the invention, a tuned filter, which is tuned to the rated frequency of the AC mains system, is electrically connected in parallel with the active filter. This results in a hybrid filter for an AC mains system, whose active filter is not loaded by the fundamental current component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Kadry Sadek, Marcos Pereira
  • Patent number: 6366180
    Abstract: The mains filter comprises coils with windings which are arranged on substrates, for example conventional thin printed circuit boards, as conductor tracks. A coil can comprise one or more substrates, which are in contact with one another in the case of a plurality of substrates. In the centre, the substrates have an opening through which a core is passed. With an appropriate number of windings, one substrate is sufficient for one winding, so that only one substrate per coil is required for the mains filter. The two substrates for the two coils can be of identical design, in particular, the input and the output for a coil being arranged on a substrate in the region of opposite corners. The core used can be a narrow E/E core or E/I core, so that the space requirement for the filter on a circuit board is very low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Deutsche Thomson-Brandt GmbH
    Inventors: José-I. Rodriguez-Duran, Thomas Riesle, Hans-Otto Haller
  • Patent number: 6344701
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating exhaust gases. In this apparatus, a plurality of stages of reactor chambers (R1, R2, . . . Rn) are connected in series in the direction of an exhaust gas flow. Further, high-voltage power supplies (V1, V2, . . . and Vn) are connected to the reactor chambers (R1, R2, . . . and Rn), respectively. Moreover, in each of these reactor chambers, a streamer discharger plasma is generated. Furthermore, the more downstream a reactor chamber of a stage is placed, the lower energy to be cast into the reactor chamber becomes. The density of electrons generated in a gas decomposition unit is high in a portion thereof on the upstream side of the exhaust gas flow and the electron density is low in a portion thereof on the downstream side. Additionally, the present invention further provides a pulse generator in which a high voltage, which is an output voltage of a D.C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Kawamura, Tetsuro Shigemizu, Hirohisa Yoshida, Masayoshi Murata
  • Patent number: 6339265
    Abstract: A voltage drop compensating reactor connected between the power distribution system and the load provides a flux shifting multiple-winding reactor with a capacitor bank connected between the reactor windings. At least one line winding is oriented in a first polarity on a core, and at least one compensating winding oriented in the opposite polarity on the core and connected between the output of the first winding and the load. The opposing fluxes generated by the line winding and the compensating winding cancel and the total reactance of the device is lower than the reactance of the line winding. The input of a cross-link circuit comprising a capacitor is connected between the line winding and the compensating winding. The reactance through the cross-link circuit to the neutral (or another phase) is lower than the reactance through the line winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: 1061933 Ontario, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael I. Levin, Anthony H. Hoevenaars, Igor V. Volkov, Vladimir G. Kuznetsov
  • Patent number: 6327162
    Abstract: A static series voltage regulator (SSVR) for an electric power distribution system protects a load on a feeder branch from voltage dips by boosting voltage under certain conditions. The SSVR contains a 3-phase voltage source inverter and a source bridge, fed from a source, supplying the dc side of the inverter. A series transformer is connected between the power source and a load coupling the inverter output to appear between the power source and the load. A surge filter connected in parallel with the series transformer protects the load from fast front voltage pulses produced by the inverter, and isolation and bypass switches isolate the inverter and series transformer from the power source and load. The inverter is controlled so that during normal operation it acts as a short on the series transformer, and, during a fault that causes a dip in the source voltage, it injects voltage in series with the source voltage to provide a boost action to maintain load voltage at a desired magnitude and balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Einar V. Larsen, Kara Clark, Reigh Walling
  • Patent number: 6320392
    Abstract: An active filter device provided for compensating harmonic distortion in a supply line by injecting for each harmonic (fk) to be considered a compensation current. The compensation current being determined by injecting a monitoring current on the supply line at a first (f1) and second (f2) frequency value, offset respectively on either side of the considered harmonic, and measuring response currents generated by the supply line upon injection of said monitoring currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri Jumet S.A.
    Inventor: Lars Jonsson
  • Patent number: 6295216
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes an AC input port and a rectifier circuit, coupled to the AC input port, that produces a DC voltage at a rectifier circuit output from an AC input voltage at the AC input port. The apparatus further includes a selective harmonic current inducing circuit, coupled to the rectifier circuit output, that induces a harmonic component in a current delivered to a load from the rectifier circuit output. The selective harmonic current inducing circuit may control a phase and a magnitude of the induced harmonic current component in order to achieve selective suppression of a harmonic input current at the AC input port. The power supply apparatus may further include a filter circuit, coupled to the AC input port, that selectively suppresses a first harmonic current at the AC input port. The selective harmonic current inducing circuit may control the phase and magnitude of the induced harmonic current component such that a second harmonic current at the AC input port is suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Powerware Corporation
    Inventors: Des Faria, Hong Zhang, Piotr Grudzinski, Edward Akbari
  • Patent number: 6288917
    Abstract: A power conditioning circuit for conditioning power supplied by a power source at a nominal frequency over line, neutral and ground conductors includes first, second and third stages. The first stage provides voltage suppression and includes a set of three metal oxide varistors (MOVs). The second stage provides high frequency power suppression and includes three inductors coupled to the line, neutral and ground conductors, respectively, and to output lines. Each of the inductors prevents power at frequencies greater than the nominal frequency from reaching the output lines and each of the inductors may be rated to compensate for the capacitive impedance characteristics of a load supplied by the power conditioning circuit. The third stage provides voltage suppression and voltage clamping and includes an MOVs and a set of first and second rectifier diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Leveler
    Inventors: James E. Redburn, Leonard E. Webster
  • Patent number: 6255745
    Abstract: An arrangement for frequency-selective suppression of high frequency signals is described, with a hollow chamber (11) including at least partially electrically conductive walls (6, 7) and having radiator elements (4, 5), embodied by stripline technology, for coupling the high frequency signals into and out of the hollow chamber (11). At least two radiator elements are present, of which at least one is intended for coupling in the high frequency signals and at least one other is intended for outcoupling them. The at least two radiator elements (4, 5) are embodied on separate substrate faces (2, 3). The separate substrate faces (2, 3) are disposed on a common substrate plate (1), and the hollow chamber is formed by a hood (6), which is disposed on or above the substrate plate (1) in such a way that it covers the radiator elements (4, 5). It is especially advantageous if the hood (6) is integrated with the housing wall (10) of a shielding housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Guenter Bertsch, Klaus-Dieter Miosga, Siegbert Martin
  • Patent number: 6218913
    Abstract: An electromagnetic interference filter for reducing conducted noise for alternating current power lines, wherein a compact component geometry integrates matched material characteristics to create a coaxial inductor and square axisymmetric capacitor configuration capable of providing reduced size, increased frequency performance and improved voltage isolation over traditional magnet wire construction methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Curtis Industries, a division of Powers Holatings, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Pagenkopf
  • Patent number: 6201715
    Abstract: A power distribution system includes an active rectifier and a controller for the active rectifier. The controller extracts a positive sequence component of a Park vector representing line voltage; and uses the positive sequence component to perform synchronous frame regulation to control the active rectifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Colin Huggett, Gabor Kalman
  • Patent number: 6194996
    Abstract: A signal superposing apparatus designed, in accordance with a basic power line model taking account of the term of the mutual inductance and that of a self inductance of a transformer connected to AC power lines, with the circuit constants of capacitors selected appropriately to minimize the distortion of information waveform by the effect of the impedance of the transformer, will permit any desired waveform to be superposed over power signals with its distortion being kept to the minimum. In this way, for example a stepwise pulse waveform can be superposed over power signals with the distortion of waveform being minimized, and accordingly CDMA is made possible in a power line carrier system whereby information signals are communicated with power signals on AC power lines being used as carrier wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: IBIDEN Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Okazaki, Mitsusato Kawashima
  • Patent number: 6182017
    Abstract: A method of determining parameters of a harmonic pollution source connected to a power line at a connection point. The harmonic pollution source is a power customer and the power is supplied by an electric utility. The electric utility is also a source of harmonic pollution. Both the utility and customer can be modeled as a harmonic current source in parallel with an impedance. In the method of the present invention, a harmonic voltage and a harmonic current are measured at the connection point between the utility and customer. The voltage and current measurements are combined with the known reference impedances in a calculation to yield the magnitude of current produced by the customer or utility harmonic current sources. Also, the present invention provides a method for determining the relative harmonic pollution contributions from the utility and customer. Both the utility and customer can then know exactly how much harmonic pollution they are emitting into the power line to which they are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: The Governor of the University of Alberta
    Inventor: Wilsun Xu
  • Patent number: 6166458
    Abstract: A power conditioning circuit for conditioning power supplied by a power source at a nominal frequency over line, neutral and ground conductors includes first, second and third impedances coupled to the line, neutral and ground conductors, respectively, and to output lines. Each of the impedances prevents power at frequencies greater than the nominal frequency from reaching the output lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Leveler
    Inventors: James E. Redburn, Leonard E. Webster
  • Patent number: 6160319
    Abstract: An improved key system incorporates a number of electrical components. In one main aspect, the key is provided with electrical communication to components on the vehicle when the key is inserted into the ignition. The key connects to an antenna associated with the vehicle, such that the combined antenna size is greater than would otherwise be possible. In this application, the antenna is utilized for garage door opener purposes, and a switch is mounted on the key for actuation of the garage door opener. In another aspect, the key is recharged when inserted into the ignition. Further, the key may be provided with various other functions such as memo, vehicle deactivation, two-way communication, and other security applications. In embodiments of the key, the switches are positioned relative to a thumb area such that inadvertent actuation of the switches is made less likely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.
    Inventors: LeeAnn Marougi, Marian O. Borzea, Joseph D. King
  • Patent number: 6157317
    Abstract: A stop and control box houses the standard phone pager (a COTS APPLICATION--meaning commercial off the shelf) as a stimulating and communication device in either a secured and/or concealed mechanical lockup or in any protected area that employs any means to limit access. This protected area would also house control circuitry and could house monitoring circuitry to interface with and record the host machine's functions and finally record the operator and occupant's activities. The stop and control box accomplishes its remote capabilities in a number of ways from actually being wired directly to the pagers circuitry to merely sensing or reading the pager functions and numerical messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Kline and Walker LLC
    Inventor: Richard C. Walker
  • Patent number: 6157552
    Abstract: A distribution series capacitor control system is provided with a sub-harmonic detection module connected to an input signal and operable to detect the presence of at least two distinct types of sub-harmonic content in the input signal. A logical signal processor is electrically connected to the sub-harmonic detection module, and operates to independently determine the existence of self-excitation during induction motor starting and ferroresonant phenomena based upon the at least two distinct types of sub-harmonic content, respectively. A system controller is electrically connected to the logical signal processor and operates to eliminate effects of self-excitation during induction motor starting and ferroresonant phenomena on the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Michael Kern, Stanley A. Miske, Jr., William Herbert Sahm, III
  • Patent number: 6154694
    Abstract: An electrical control unit for a vehicle successively writes operation data of the vehicle in a transponder provided in a key used for starting the vehicle. At the same time, the electric control unit successively writes the same operation data in a memory area of a non-volatile memory corresponding to a key used for starting the engine. When the key is lost, the engine is started under the condition that the identification of the lost key is written in a replacement key. Then, the electric control unit of the vehicle writes operation data stored in the non-volatile memory corresponding to the lost key in the replacement key. At the same time, the electric control unit of the vehicle moves the operation data to a memory area corresponding to the replacement key. Accordingly, when the operation data is read from the replacement key, operation data stored in the lost key can be managed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Hisashi Aoki, Shinichi Koga
  • Patent number: 6144113
    Abstract: An immobilizer ECU (20) compares an internally stored reference code with a key code transmitted from a key (10). An engine ECU (24) transmits a rolling code A when an engine speed reaches 500 rpm. The immobilizer ECU (20) transmits a rolling code B when the codes coincide with each other. The engine ECU (24) will stop an engine if it cannot receive the rolling code B within a prescribed period of time. Further, there is provided a counter CIMMOF which is incremented at the beginning of such a process. The counter CIMMOF is reset only when the process is normally completed. If an ignition is turned off prior to transmission and reception of the rolling codes, the counter CIMMOF will be counted up. According to a value of the counter CIMMOF, a period of waiting for the rolling code B is gradually shortened. Further, when the process is completed or a backup power supply to a backup memory (24d) is cut off, a time to transmit and receive the rolling codes is advanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Hayashi, Satoru Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6144114
    Abstract: An interface communicates with a computer mounted in a vehicle. The interface includes an input device, adapted to be removed from the vehicle, having a first electrical connector. A docking site, having a second electrical connector adapted to receive the first electrical connector, is mounted in the vehicle for supporting the input device. A communication cable connects the second electrical connector to the computer thereby providing a communication path between the input device and the computer. In one embodiment, the input device includes a transmitter circuit for producing and transmitting wireless control signals. In this manner, the input device may be used to remotely control an electrical accessory device in the vehicle, such as a door lock/unlock motor. In another embodiment, the input device is used to enable the engine ignition system of the vehicle. In this manner, the vehicle may be started without an ignition key yet still be protected against theft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Lear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Chutorash
  • Patent number: 6133649
    Abstract: A vehicle antitheft system and method which effect re-registration and erasure of codes without using a tool used exclusively for such purposes. By the time T1 seconds has elapsed from the time a master key, in which a code is registered, is inserted into a key cylinder, turning an ignition switch from off to on is repeated five times. When opening and closing of a door is repeated six times and the ignition switch is turned off and the key is removed from the key cylinder in the next T2 seconds, a mode is changed to a master key code registration mode. When a master key whose code is to be registered is inserted into the key cylinder within T3 seconds from the time when a master key in which a code is registered is removed from the key cylinder, and the ignition switch is turned on within T4 seconds, an identification code to be registered is read from a transponder. When T5 seconds has elapsed, the read identification code is registered in the memory as a registered code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Iwamoto, Motoshi Kondo, Masachika Kamiya, Takao Akatsuka
  • Patent number: 6134126
    Abstract: A power conversion system always keeps a constant voltage level relative to the ground potential and shows an improved controllability for the noise compensation current. In the noise reduction circuit of the system, a rectified DC voltage is applied to the positive side output line and the negative side output line. The DC voltage is divided by a pair of capacitors connected in series with the intermediary point held to the ground potential. Thus, the positive side output line can always supply a positive voltage that is held to a constant level relative to the ground potential. Similarly, the negative side output line can always supply a negative voltage that is held to a constant level relative to the ground potential. Additionally, as the transistors are controlled for on/off operations by the amplifier, the noise compensation current flows through the noise reduction circuit between the input grounding terminal of the full-wave rectifier and the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiroo Ikekame, Katsumi Fukasawa, Dai Karasawa
  • Patent number: 6130488
    Abstract: A switching filter is disclosed for discriminating false control signals from actual control signals. The switching filter is particularly useful on a high impedance input, such as that of a motor controller. The filter is designed to compensate for capacitive, inductive, and/or resistive coupling between extended control lines that are run in parallel with other power lines. A low impedance is switched into the otherwise high impedance control line input for a brief instant to dissipate and phase shift false control signals to prevent the controller from interpreting the false signals as actual control signals. The filter includes a first resistor connectable to sense a presence of a possible false control signal, and a second resistor, having much lower resistance than the first resistor, connected in a path between the control line input and circuit common.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Hansen, Michael R. Scharnick, Thomas A. Wilsdon
  • Patent number: 6130604
    Abstract: To prevent the engine from becoming able to be started by a cut-off of the communication line, for example, an engine control ECU 20 contains a reference code which is used to compare with a personal ID code transmitted from a transponder 12 of a key 10. A key insertion detecting switch 22 start this comparison when the insertion of the key is detected, and finishes the comparison before the engine is started. When a trouble of the key insertion detecting switch 22 is detected, a code collating section 20b collates the ID code with a reference code until the number of revolutions of the engine 30 exceeds 500 rpm. Therefore, even when the key insertion detecting switch 22 becomes out of order, it is possible to recognize the operation with a correct key, and give a permission to start the engine 30.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Toyota Joshida Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoru Matsumoto, Kazuhiko Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6127743
    Abstract: A harmonic mitigating device connected between the power distribution system and the load provides a flux shifting multiple-winding reactor with a capacitor bank connected between the reactor windings. At least one line winding is oriented in a first polarity on a core, and at least one compensating winding oriented in the opposite polarity on the core and connected between the output of the first winding and the load. The opposing fluxes generated by the line winding and the compensating winding cancel and thus reduce the through-reactance of the device between the load and the power supply. The input of a cross-link circuit comprising a capacitor is connected between the line winding and the compensating winding. The reactance through the cross-link circuit to the neutral (or another phase) is lower than the reactance through the line winding. Harmonic currents thus flow through the cross-link circuit, and are largely prevented from penetrating the power distribution system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Ontario Inc.
    Inventors: Michael I. Levin, Anthony H. Hoevenaars, Igor V. Volkov, Vladimir G. Kuznetsov