Abstract: A modular multilevel converter system. The system includes a plurality of series connected two-terminal M2LC subsystems and a control system module. The two-terminal M2LC subsystems are arranged into at least two output phase modules. A first one of the output phase modules defines a total value of inductance and includes a positive arm and a negative arm. The control system module is configured to apply selectively reassigned modulated switch functions to only one of the following at a given instance of time: the two-terminal M2LC subsystems of the positive arm of the first one of the output phase modules or the two-terminal M2LC subsystems of the negative arm of the first one of the output phase modules. The selective reassigning of the modulated switch functions forces charge balance of the individual capacitors of the series connected two-terminal M2LC subsystems at a predetermined rate.

Abstract: The invention describes a method of actuating a switch (S) between a device (Di) to be controlled and a power supply (P), which method comprises the steps of generating a first electrical signal (14) in a remote control unit (10) and converting the first electrical signal (14) into electromagnetic radiation (EM) by means of a first transmitting antenna (Ti) of the remote control unit (10). A first detecting antenna (Ri) of a remote control interface module (20) of the device (Di) to be controlled detects the electromagnetic radiation (EM) to obtain a second electrical signal (24), which is passively converted into a switch actuating signal (25). The switch actuating signal (25) is actuated to switch the device (Di) to be controlled between an operating mode in which current is drawn from the power supply (P) by the device (Di) during operation, and an inactive mode in which the device (Di) is completely disconnected from the power supply (P) so that no current is drawn by the device (Di).

Abstract: A converter to supply an AC voltage on a modulated signal output, having two switching units each provided with a DC voltage input and a switching output to supply pulses varying between the voltage on the input in a first switched state, and a reference voltage in a second switched state, each switching unit comprising a first switch connected between the input and the switching output to establish the first switched state, and for each switching unit, a second switch connected between the switching output and the modulated signal output to activate that switching unit, and a third switch connected between the input of that switching unit and the modulated signal output. The converter may be a part of an uninterruptible power supply.

Abstract: A system is described that turns off a high power, power supply when a device no longer needs high power. A low power, power supply or a rechargeable battery provides power to determine when the device again needs high power. The low power supply consumes a minimum possible power when the device does not need high power and the power rechargeable battery is not charged. That is, the high power and low power, power supplies are turned on or off based on the real time power consumption need of the device and the charged state of the battery. The power need of the device is monitored by a current shunt monitoring circuit and a control signal monitoring circuit.

Abstract: A portable motorized device for remotely inserting or removing (racking) draw-out power circuit breakers. Many different designs of draw-out circuit breakers may be connected or disconnected from an energized bus by a human operator cranking a jack screw mechanism that is part of the breaker. The device herein described provides a portable, motorized device that can be hand-carried to the work location and affixed to the circuit breaker without the need of any modification to the breaker or its enclosure. The torque that is required to operate the breaker's racking mechanism is provided by an electrically powered gear motor. Attached to the output shaft of the gear motor is a socket that engages the circuit breaker racking screw. Anti-torque is provided by a portion of the portable racking device that engages the racking screw support frame.

Abstract: A portable motorized device for remotely inserting or removing (racking) screws for draw-out power circuit breakers. Many different designs of draw-out circuit breakers may be connected or disconnected from an energized bus by a human operator cranking a jack screw mechanism that is part of the breaker. The device herein described provides a portable, motorized device that can be hand-carried to the work location and affixed to the circuit breaker without the need of any modification to the breaker or its enclosure. The torque that is required to operate the breaker's racking mechanism is provided by an electrically powered gear motor. Attached to the output shaft of the gear motor is a socket that engages the circuit breaker racking screw. Anti-torque is provided by a portion of the portable racking device that engages the racking screw ‘window’. The friction created by the torque of the socket against the racking screw and the racking device engaging the racking screw window.

Abstract: A remote controlled interactive power switch includes a first coil for controlling a switch contact to be closed by suction, a self-locked device for locking the switch contact to keep conducting state by mechanical self-locking, a second coil for controlling the self-locked device to be disengaged and a power supply control circuit. The power supply control circuit is connected with an interactive control module which includes a remote controlled interactive connecting unit, an interactive monitoring unit, a switch-on signal producing unit and a turn-off signal producing unit. The present invention can simplify the complex control circuit and thoroughly resolve the technical requirements of the power switch with high make-break capacity. Additionally, the present invention produces consumption only when starting the on-off switch, and after starting and under normal operation, the pulse magnetic energy coil keeps an inactivity state, no consumption, no heat and no noise.

Abstract: A power supply circuit comprising: a load; a resistor coupled the load; a first secondary battery; a second secondary battery; a switch configured to switch between a first state in which the first secondary battery and the second secondary battery are charged and a second state in which load current is supplied from the first secondary battery and the second secondary battery to the load based on current flowing through the resistor; and a shunt regulator configured to control the switch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting DC input power to AC output power. The apparatus comprises an input capacitor, a DC-AC inverter, a burst mode controller for causing energy to be stored in the input capacitor during at least one storage period and the energy to be drawn from the input capacitor during at least one burst period, wherein the AC output power is greater than the DC input power during the at least one burst period; a first feedback loop for determining a maximum power point (MPP) and operating the DC-AC inverter proximate the MPP; and a second feedback loop for determining a difference in a first power measurement and a second power measurement, producing an error signal indicative of the difference, and coupling the error signal to the first feedback loop to adjust at least one operating parameter of the DC-AC inverter to drive toward the MPP.

Abstract: A dimmer switch has a user adjustable high-end trim. The dimmer switch includes a bidirectional semiconductor switch, such as a triac, for controlling the amount of power delivered from a source of alternating current power to a lighting load, such as an electric lamp. A user-adjustable timing circuit controls the conduction time of the triac from a minimum time to a maximum time to control the power delivered to the load between a low-end trim and a high-end trim. The timing circuit includes a user-accessible switch that allows a user to reduce the high-end trim from a first nominal level to a second reduced level, lower than the first level, without substantially affecting the low-end trim. The dimmer switch advantageously uses less energy and the lifetime of the lamp is extended when the second reduced level of the high-end trim is selected.

Abstract: An integrated circuit 2 is provided with a first power supply conductor 8 coupled via header transistors 14 to 26 to a second power supply conductor 10. Logic circuitry 4, 6 draws its power supply from the second power supply conductor. When switching from a sleep mode to an operating mode the header transistors 14 to 26 are divided into a plurality of sets of transistors which are switched on in a predetermined sequence using controller circuitry 28. The controller circuitry 28 senses the voltage of the second power supply conductor 10 to determine when each set of header transistors should be switched on. In this way, the in-rush current within the integrated circuit 2 associated with the switch from the sleep state to the operating state can be held within a predetermined range of a target in-rush current.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for reducing power consumption of an electronic product. The apparatus and method reduces unnecessary power consumption by cutting off power for driving a load if a predetermined control condition is satisfied in an electronic product operating for a long time. In the electronic product operating for a long time, power for driving the load is cut off to prevent waste of the power if the predetermined control condition is satisfied, and the load is driven only when the predetermined control condition is not satisfied, thereby efficiently reducing the power consumption of the electronic product.

Abstract: A power distribution apparatus for supplying power from a direct-current power supply to a load via a first connector and a second connector includes a sensor unit configured to detect connected and disconnected states between the first connector and the second connector, a switch unit configured to make and break a connection between the first connector and the direct-current power supply, a receiver unit configured to receive a signal indicating whether to supply or cut off power to the load, and a control unit configured to control the switch unit to make or break the connection in response to the signal received by the receiver unit and the connected and disconnected states between the first connector and the second connector detected by the sensor unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for supplying power to devices from a receptacle with a universal pin configuration. In an example configuration, a plug reader and a controller are provided. The plug reader reads a communication tag of an electrical device plug, and receives data read from the plug reader from which it can identify an electrical capability of the electrical device, such voltage and/or frequency compatibility of the device. Based on the compatibility data, the controller determines whether a universal power supply is included in the device and causes power to be provided to the device.

Abstract: Managing solid-state luminary (SSL) fixtures over power line carrier (PLC) networks is described herein. Devices provided in this description include SSL arrays, and converter circuitry coupled to drive the SSL arrays. More specifically, the converter circuitry is adapted to convert input voltage received from a power distribution network into a level suitable for driving the SSL arrays. The devices also include (PLC) modems for coupling to PLC networks, and coupled to the converter circuitry. In particular, the PLC modems interface the converter circuitry to the PLC networks.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for electronic content management includes physically exposing an electric appliance to a power providing device that is arranged to provide electrical power to various electric appliances, including the electric appliance; automatically obtaining an electronic identifier for the electric appliance using the power providing device; and transmitting the electronic identifier from the power providing device to a remote computing system.

Abstract: Main arrays (MA1-MAm) of solar cells (2) are provided so as to correspond to shunt circuits (SM1-SMm), respectively. Charge arrays (CA1-CAn) are provided so as to correspond to shunt circuits (SC1-SCn) and charging circuits (CH1-CHn), respectively. Each shut circuit operates independently from other shunt circuits, and each charging circuit operates independently from other charging circuits.

Abstract: Maximum power point tracking control apparatus for a solar battery includes: a voltage detection section for detecting an output voltage of the battery; a current detection section for detecting an output current of the battery; a storage section storing therein duty cycle values of a solar-battery output controlling switching element that are predefined on the basis of relationship between output voltages and currents of the battery; and a control section for, at the start of maximum power point tracking control, reading out, from the storage section, one of the duty cycle values that corresponds to the detected output voltage and controlling a duty cycle of the switching element in accordance with the read-out duty cycle value.

Abstract: A fan controller that is capable of switching power to a fan between an “on” state and an “off” state in accordance with one or more programmable schedule. In some cases, fan controller may be programmed to display one or more screens for setting one or more parameters of the fan controller by interacting with a first button and/or a second button. In some cases, when the controller is in an operating mode, depressing a first button, second button, and/or a third button may temporarily override the programmable schedule and, in some cases, override the programmable schedule for a programmable period of time.

Abstract: A high-speed low dropout (HS-LDO) voltage regulation circuit suitable to enable a power gate unit to produce a variable voltage signal based on the load of a processor is disclosed herein. In various embodiments, selection logic may dynamically enable or disable the HS-LDO circuit to allow the power gate unit to operate under a fully-on or fully-off mode. Other embodiments may be disclosed or claimed.

Abstract: A system and method is provided to enable consumers to intelligently manage their consumption of energy. In one embodiment, waveform data is collected for a plurality of appliances which may be found in a residential or commercial setting using a plurality of multi-port outlet monitoring devices. The collected waveform data is processed and analyzed to obtain power consumption profiles that indicate power consumption on a per-appliance and/or per-outlet basis and/or per user basis.

Abstract: A vehicle electrical system comprises a generator and a control device coupled with the generator and operable to protect the generator from catastrophic failure while providing the electrical load in the electrical system with sufficient electrical power. The control device determines a loss of symmetry between two alternating phase signals generated by a first and second phase windings of a single or multiple stator generator. In particular, the control device determines a first and second average values of two of the two or more alternating phase signals and either limits or ceases the total electrical output current of the generator, via a generator output power controller, when the first average value differs from the second average value by a predetermined value. The control device may alternatively be configured to generate an error signal without varying the generator's total electrical output current even in the event of a malfunction.

Abstract: An electronic device (1), which can assume an operating state and at least one energy-saving state, with a power supply (7) that can be connected to a mains voltage, and an evaluation unit (4), which can control the electronic device (1) from the operating state into the energy-saving state and vice versa, wherein the evaluation unit (4) is connected to the power supply (7) in such a way that the power supply (7) can be turned off by the evaluation unit (4) for assuming the energy-saving state and can be turned on again for assuming the operating state, and the evaluation unit (4) can be supplied, at least in the turned-off state of the power supply (7), with energy from another electronic device, which is connected via a standard interface to the electronic device, and/or with energy from a capacitor and/or with energy from an accumulator and/or with energy from a solar cell.

Abstract: A standby power shutoff device is provided that includes a switch generating power when turning on and generating an “on” signal using the power, a switching unit generating an “on/off” signal for a product, a power supply unit providing power for function units of the product by receiving an external input power, a power switching unit driven in response to a driving signal to cut off or connect a power supply path for the input power provided to the power supply unit, a control unit generating a control signal for powering off the product in response to an “off” signal from the switching unit, and a driving unit receiving power from the “on” signal from the switching unit, driving the power switching unit to connect the power supply path, and driving the power switching unit to cut off the power supply path in response to a “power off” control signal.

Abstract: A power transmission control device is provided in a contactless power transmission system that supplies electric power to a load of a power reception device such that a primary coil and a secondary coil are electromagnetically coupled to each other so as to transmit the electric power to the power reception device from the power transmission device. The power transmission control device includes a controller that controls the power transmission control device, and a storage section that stores information about a power transmitting side coil. The controller performs a collation process for collating the information about the power transmitting side coil with information about a power receiving side coil received from the power reception device, and determines whether or not the information about the power transmitting side coil is compatible with the information about the power receiving side coil.

Abstract: A power distribution module has an input line to receive power from a DC power source. A switch selectively opens the input line and blocks supply of power from the input line to an output line to be connected to a DC load. A solid state power control controls a gate drive for the switch. The solid state power control is operable to distinguish between a pre-charge mode, at which current is rushing to supply a capacitor in the downstream DC load, and a short circuit mode, at which a short circuit exists.

Abstract: A touch-switchable USB charging receptacle includes a rectifying and transforming circuit connected to a public power supply for converting AC power into DC power and supplying the latter to DC devices, such as mobile phones, MP3 players, video games, personal digital assistants, etc.; a power supply connector and an illuminating indicator module electrically connected to the rectifying and transforming circuit to obtain power supply; an integrally formed cover plate isolating the rectifying and transforming circuit, the power supply connector and the illuminating indicator module from external environment; and a touch switch located behind the cover plate and electrically connected to the rectifying and transforming circuit for controlling a power supply state of the latter. The illuminating indicator module emits indicating light, which is visible via a light-pervious indicator provided on the cover plate.

Abstract: A switching actuator for controlling the energy supply to at least one electrical consumer (102) with an energy supply input (142), an energy supply output (144), a signal line input (146), a signal line output (148) and an evaluation unit (154), the evaluation unit (154) being adapted to activate or deactivate the energy supply output (144) on the basis of signals input via the signal line input (146).

Abstract: A power generation system including a photovoltaic (PV) module to generate DC power is provided. The system includes a combination of a DC to DC converter and a DC to AC converter coupled to the DC to DC converter for supplying power from the PV module to a power grid. The system further includes a bidirectional converter and an energy storage device coupled to the bidirectional converter. The system also includes a control system to generate commands for controlling a state of charge of the energy storage device. The control system comprises a deadband limiter to detect a deviation of the frequency signal outside of a respective signal range, a power shaper to provide a transient power generation adjustment signal in response to the signal being outside of the respective signal range and a limit controller for preventing the adjustment signal from causing the energy storage device to operate outside of at least one operating constraint.

Abstract: A power transmission control device provided in a power transmission device included in a contactless power transmission system in which power is transmitted from the power transmission device to a power receiving device by electromagnetically coupling a primary coil and a secondary coil and the power is supplied to a load of the power receiving device includes a controller controlling the power transmission control device. The controller includes a communication condition setting section setting, by exchanging information with the power receiving device, a communication condition that is at least one of a communication method between the power transmission device and the power receiving device and a communication parameter, and a communication processing section performing a communication processing between the power transmission device and the power receiving device by using the set communication condition.

Abstract: A power adapter includes a power converter circuit, a direct current (DC) plug and a magnetic switch. The power converter circuit converts power signals of a power source into DC power signals. The DC plug is engageable with a jack of a powered device, and transmits the DC power signals to the powered device. The DC plug includes a magnetic force conducting wire to conduct magnetic force of a magnetic element when the powered device is powered. The magnetic switch, connected between the power source and the power converter circuit, is turned on or off according to if the magnetic force conducting wire conducts the magnetic force or not so as to control the power source to provide power to the power converter circuit.

Abstract: There is provided a power transmission control device included in a power transmission device in a contactless power transmission system that transmits power from the power transmission device to a power receiving device by electromagnetically coupling a primary coil to a secondary coil to supply the power to a load of the power receiving device. The power transmission control device includes a controller controlling the power transmission control device, a host interface communicating with a power transmission-side host, and a register section accessible from the power transmission-side host via the host interface. The controller shifts into a communication mode that executes communication between the power transmission-side host and a power receiving-side host, when the power transmission-side host writes, via the host interface, a communication request command that requests the communication between the hosts in the register section.

Abstract: A smart meter includes: a power supply control unit which causes stoppage of a supply of power passing through the smart meter to an television and so on, when an RD command to stop the supply is received; a first communication unit which performs a first communication through which the RD command is received; a second communication unit which performs a second communication; and a communication control unit which: causes the performance of the first communication before the RD command is received; and prohibit the performance of the first communication and cause only the performance of the second communication, after the RD command is received.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a contactor of a battery pack are disclosed. In one embodiment, the coil of the contactor is controlled by a power supply. Further, the contactor coil holding current may be adjusted in response to vehicle drive mode.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an improved circuit breaker module is installed in an electrical panel of a customer structure that receives power from a solar cell module and a utility company. The circuit breaker module may include a current sensor for sensing electrical current drawn by the customer structure from the utility company. The circuit breaker module may further include a current processing unit for capturing sensed electrical current values to generate energy consumption data and a data transmitter for transmitting energy consumption data to a remotely located data collection computer. The circuit breaker module may transmit energy consumption data over a wired or wireless data link. The circuit breaker module advantageously allows for relatively low cost and easy installation, encouraging installation of solar cell modules even in existing customer structures.

Abstract: A power supply control method of a production system including a first unit and a second unit includes: starting power supply for operation of the second unit in accordance with a signal acquired according to an operation status of the first unit (S41); starting the operation by the second unit after the start of the power supply (S44); acquiring stop time information indicating time from when the operation ends to when a next operation of the second unit starts (S22); determining, based on the acquired stop time information, whether or not to stop the power supply after the started operation ends (S24); and stopping the power supply when it is determined to stop the power supply (S48).

Abstract: The present invention provides a magnetic flux measuring device and magnetic flux measuring method for stationary induction electrical apparatus which can accurately measure the magnetic flux without being influenced by the DC offset component which superimposes on the measurement system, and can constantly and continuously measure the magnetic flux without setting a limit in the magnetic flux measurement period. The magnetic flux measuring method which measures a magnetic flux of a stationary induction electrical apparatus 2 using a voltage waveform of the stationary induction electrical apparatus 2, wherein the magnetic flux 151 of the stationary induction electrical apparatus 2 is determined by the steps of: inputting a voltage waveform 121 of the stationary induction electrical apparatus 2 into a negative-feedback amplification means 14 of which feedback circuit is constructed by a low pass filter; and integrating output of the negative-feedback amplification means 14 by integration means 15.

Abstract: A power generation system configured to provide direct current (DC) power to a DC link is described. The system includes a first power generation unit configured to output DC power. The system also includes a first DC to DC converter comprising an input section and an output section. The output section of the first DC to DC converter is coupled in series with the first power generation unit. The first DC to DC converter is configured to process a first portion of the DC power output by the first power generation unit and to provide an unprocessed second portion of the DC power output of the first power generation unit to the output section.

Abstract: A method of controlling a current breaking device in a high-voltage electricity network is disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes, for each phase (A, B, C), obtaining missing supply voltages from an acquired supply voltage, performing healthy phase/faulty phase discrimination, conducting voltage analysis by attempted matching of a model over a signal window, choosing a strategy of simple closing or reclosing of the breaking device as a function of choice conditions, calculating a set of optimum reclosing times for each phase in accordance with the chosen strategy, and selecting an optimum time from the proposed optimum times and closing the phases of the current breaking device.

Abstract: A driving circuit drives a switching element such that an ON-period of the switching element is shorter when a power receiving device is detected not to be placed than when the power receiving device is placed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for power conversion. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a DC-AC conversion stage; an intermediate capacitor coupled across the DC-AC conversion stage; and a burst mode controller coupled to the intermediate capacitor and the DC-AC conversion stage, wherein the burst mode controller (i) maintains a voltage of the intermediate capacitor below a preset limit during a storage period and (ii) drives the DC-AC conversion stage to convert DC input to AC output during a burst period, wherein the storage and burst periods occur during a burst mode operation.

Abstract: A wall mountable electric timer that is capable of switching power to a load between an “on” state and an “off” state in accordance with a programmable schedule. In some cases, the electric timer may be programmed such that a user can program the electric switch by interacting with only a first button and a second button of a user interface. Alternatively, or in addition, the electric switch may include a power stealing circuit, a series of setup menus, a visual indicator to indicate the operating state of the load, and/or a randomly generated schedule.

Abstract: A control unit for triggering a plurality of electric loads with a plurality of input signals, wherein the electric loads are triggered by pulse width modulated signals, and the input signals are PWM signals. A method is described with which the control unit triggers a plurality of electric loads with a plurality of input signals. The control unit includes controllable switching provisions, wherein these switching provisions connect at least one load respectively with one of at least two different PWM inputs. A method is described for triggering a plurality of electric loads with the aid of the control unit.

Abstract: A power control device for an electronic device includes a power switching unit for switching to output a dc power source to a load of the electronic device according to a power switching signal, a switching detection unit for responding a power switching status to generate a switching detection signal, a status latch module for generating the power switching signal according to the switching detection signal, a first status signal and a second status signal, and a logic unit for generating the first status signal and the second status signal for the status latch module according to the power switching signal, such that the status latch module latches the first status signal and the second status signal.

Abstract: Methods and devices for balancing voltages of capacitors in an electronic circuit are provided. The device includes a chopper circuit having a chopper inductor. Further, the chopper circuit may detect voltages across capacitors as well as an output current of the electronic circuit. In addition, the device may include a chopper control unit receiving the output current then generating a signal representing charging of the chopper inductor based on the output current. Also, the chopper control unit may receive the voltages across the capacitors and detect an imbalance between the voltages based on a polarity of the output current. Additionally, the chopper control unit may transfer of charge between the two capacitors, using the chopper inductor. Further, the chopper inductor is substantially discharged, during the transfer of charge between the capacitors.

Abstract: A system is described that turns off a high power, power supply when a device no longer needs high power. A low power, power supply or a rechargeable battery provides power to determine when the device again needs high power. The low power supply consumes a minimum possible power when the device does not need high power and the power rechargeable battery is not charged. That is, the high power and low power, power supplies are turned on or off based on the real time power consumption need of the device and the charged state of the battery. The power need of the device is monitored by a current shunt monitoring circuit and a control signal monitoring circuit.

Abstract: An electrical system comprises a generator and a control device coupled with the generator and operable to control electrical current through the electrical system via a switch module. The control device determines a loss of symmetry between two alternating phase signals generated by a first and second phase windings of a single or multiple stator generator. Specifically, the control device determines a first and second average values of two of the two or more alternating phase signals and operates to control electrical current distribution throughout the electrical system, via one or more switch modules, when the first average value differs from the second average value by a predetermined value.

Abstract: To provide a power supply apparatus that can supply a large current and a small current to a load circuit in a switchable manner, with a minimum circuit scale and an efficient use of electronic devices and elements contained in conventionally used power supply apparatuses.

Abstract: Upon detecting an external signal which instructs to stop discharge, an input voltage equal to or less than a set value for the prevention of overdischarge, or an output voltage equal to or more than a set value for the prevention of output of an overvoltage, a control unit (12) stops discharge to a load (40) by opening a switching element (4b) of a step-down unit (11b). Upon detecting that an external signal is reset or an input voltage equal to or more than a set value larger than the set value for the prevention of overdischarge, the control unit (12) resumes discharge to the load (40) by setting the switching element (4b) in a switching operation state or short-circuiting it.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes powering on a testing system, whereby a unit present signal is included in the system, the unit present signal communicating to a management complex unit (MCU) that a unit under test (UUT) has been inserted into a corresponding architecture, the signal being sent through a relay such that it can be sent or connected at a later time. The UUT is installed in the system and a programming protocol is initiated. The system is then powered off, whereby the unit present signal is set to open and the system is subsequently powered on. When the UUT is plugged in, the MCU does not see it. The system can include a second relay that allows power being fed to the UUT to be broken such that when the UUT is subsequently powered up, the board is reset and not removed from the architecture.