Conversion Systems Patents (Class 307/151)
  • Patent number: 12149188
    Abstract: A device for recovering or dampening vibratory energy from a mechanical resonator, comprising: an electrical generator comprising an element for converting mechanical vibration energy into electrical charges coupled to the resonator, the electrical generator periodically transferring a portion of the electrical charges from one terminal of the conversion element to the other; a frequency variation to phase variation conversion device, comprising an injection-locked oscillator of which the free-running oscillation frequency is equal to the resonance frequency of the resonator, and supplying to the electrical generator a control signal of frequency equal to that of the signal outputted by the conversion element and of which the phase shift depends on the difference between the frequency of the signal outputted by the conversion element and the resonance frequency of the resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignees: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES, UNIVERSITE SAVOIE MONT BLANC
    Inventors: Adrien Morel, Adrien Badel, Franck Badets, Nicolas Goux, Gaël Pillonnet
  • Patent number: 12081125
    Abstract: A control circuit of a boost DC/DC converter including a high side transistor and a low side transistor, includes a pulse modulator including a first error amplifier that amplifies an error between a reference voltage and a feedback signal corresponding to an output voltage of the converter, the pulse modulator being configured to generate a pulse signal with a pulse modulated, a logic circuit that generates a high side control signal and a low side control signal, and a load switch drive circuit that drives a load switch that is a PMOS transistor connected between the high side transistor and a load. The load switch drive circuit can make a switch between a first mode for fully turning on the PMOS transistor and a second mode for supplying a drive voltage corresponding to the output signal of the first error amplifier to a gate of the PMOS transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: ROHM Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shun Fukushima, Tomohisa Shinozaki, Tsutomu Ishino
  • Patent number: 12006070
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises both a first side and a second side that is opposite the first side. The apparatus includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells disposed on the first side of the substrate and a plurality of microwave antennas disposed on both the first side of the substrate and the second side of the substrate. In addition, the apparatus comprises at least one photonic integrated circuit operably coupled to the substrate and to at least one of the plurality of photovoltaic cells to thereby receive electrical power therefrom. By one approach, the apparatus can further comprise at least one atomic clock supported by the substrate. By one approach, at least some of the aforementioned plurality of microwave antennas that are disposed on the first side of the substrate can comprise an optically transparent portion that serves as both a protective cover and a focusing lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Inventor: Trevor Brown
  • Patent number: 11996695
    Abstract: A power system includes an integrated energy storage system (ESS). It further includes a photovoltaic (PV) source. It further includes an integrated inverter having power connections to both the energy storage system and the photovoltaic source. The inverter includes an integrated PV disconnect switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Lunar Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Jaspreet Singh Haer, Conrad Xavier Murphy
  • Patent number: 11811354
    Abstract: A method of controlling a wind turbine connected to an electrical grid is provided. The method comprises generating a turbine control reference signal and a grid control reference signal. The turbine control reference signal is provided to a machine side unit of a power or torque control system of the turbine to control the amount of energy generated by the turbine. The grid control reference signal is provided to a line side unit of the power or torque control system to control the amount of energy transferred to the electrical grid based on the grid control reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventor: Jacob Deleuran Grunnet
  • Patent number: 11784597
    Abstract: An output control system includes a first power controller controlling an output of a first power source, a second power controller controlling an output of a second power source, and a controller determining a control mode based on a state of a motor and controlling one or both of the first power controller and the second power controller based on the control mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 11735952
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system is provided. The UPS system includes a first input configured to be coupled to an input power source, a second input configured to be coupled to an energy storage device, an output configured to provide output power, a power conversion circuit (PCC) configured to convert power received from at least one of the input power source or the energy storage device, an output circuit coupled to the PCC and the output, and a controller. The PCC includes a first inductor and a second inductor magnetically coupled to the first inductor. The controller is configured to control the PCC to provide, via the first inductor, DC power derived from the input power source to the output circuit, and provide, via the first and second inductors, DC power derived from the energy storage device to the output circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pradeep Tolakanahalli Nagabhushanrao, Chandrasekaran Jayaraman
  • Patent number: 11664726
    Abstract: A method includes configuring a switched capacitor converter to operate in a switching mode and configuring the switched capacitor converter to enter into a bypass mode after applying a charging mode to the switched capacitor converter, wherein as a result of applying the charging mode, the switched capacitor converter has a smooth transition from the switching mode to the bypass mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Huawei Digital Power Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yushan Li
  • Patent number: 11621474
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an antenna apparatus. The antenna apparatus may include a first substrate; a second substrate opposite the first substrate; a first antenna layer; an insulating layer; and a conductive layer. The first antenna layer may comprise a plurality of antenna units, each of the plurality of antenna units may comprise a radiation patch and is configured to receive the signals in one of the different frequency ranges. The insulating layer may comprise a plurality of sub-insulating layers; the conductive layer may comprise a plurality of conductive electrodes; and the plurality of the sub-insulating layers, the plurality of the conductive electrodes, and the plurality of the antenna units may be in one-to-one correspondence. The radiation patch, at least one of the plurality of conductive electrodes, and at least one of the plurality of sub-insulating layers may constitute a rectifier diode structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Guangkui Qin, Xiaoguang Xu
  • Patent number: 11569764
    Abstract: A method for configuring a battery for operation of at least two N-phase electric machines, in which a battery includes a plurality of energy modules, and the energy modules each have at least one energy cell and at least two power switches. A respective N-phase electric machine is assigned a respective group of the plurality of energy modules, and the assignment is carried out in accordance with an estimation of a respective energy consumption of the respective N-phase electric machines on the basis of a respective load of the respective N-phase electric machines which load is to be assumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Inventors: Malte Jaensch, Jan Kacetl, Tomas Kacetl, Hermann Helmut Dibos, Eduard Specht, Christian Korte, Stefan Götz
  • Patent number: 11486461
    Abstract: Disclosed is a self-powered vibration damper based on piezoelectricity and a control method. The damper comprises a loading platform, an energy collecting mechanism, a curved leaf spring, a vibration control mechanism and a substrate all connected in sequence, the circuit system comprises a rectifier circuit, a DC-DC voltage conversion circuit, an energy storage circuit, a control circuit and a charging battery, a first piezoelectric stack is connected with the input end of the rectifier circuit, the output end of the rectifier circuit is connected with the input end of the DC-DC voltage conversion circuit, the output end of the DC-DC voltage conversion circuit is connected with the input ends of the energy storage circuit and the charging battery, the output end of the energy storage circuit is connected with the input end of the control circuit, the output end of the control circuit is connected with the second piezoelectric stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Shanghai University
    Inventors: Min Wang, Dong Zhang, Jun Luo, Huayan Pu, Yi Sun, Chaoqun Duan, Shunqi Zhang, Yan Peng, Shaorong Xie
  • Patent number: 11480153
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling a wind turbine to protect the wind turbine from anomalous operations. Accordingly, in response to receiving data indicative of an anomalous operational event of the wind turbine, the controller initiates an enhanced braking mode for the wind turbine. The enhanced braking mode is characterized by operating the generator at a torque setpoint that generates maximum available torque for a given set of operating conditions. Additionally, the torque setpoint is in excess of a nominal torque limit for the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Cornelius Edward Holliday, III, Mathew Doyle Angel, Robert Gregory Wagoner, Nathan Michael Killeen, Edward Wayne Hardwicke, Jr., Steven Wade Sutherland, Govardhan Ganireddy, Fernando Arturo Ramirez Sanchez, Talha Irfanul Haque
  • Patent number: 11444484
    Abstract: An energy-harvesting generator provides energy for storage in a capacitor. A sensing circuit senses a voltage across the capacitor and generates an activation signal as a function of the sensed voltage. The activation signal switches from a first value to a second value when the sensed voltage reaches an upper threshold and switches from the second value to the first value when the sensed voltage reaches a lower threshold. A signal transmitter powered by stored energy in the capacitor responds to the activation signal being switched to the second value by activating and transmitting a transmission signal. The signal transmitter further responds to the activation signal being switched to the first value by discontinuing transmission of the transmission signal and deactivating. A duration of time elapsing between de-activation and activation of the transmitter is indicative of an amount of energy harvested by the energy-harvesting electric generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventor: Roberto La Rosa
  • Patent number: 11398648
    Abstract: The system (4) is provided for managing at least one sub-assembly (2) of an electric battery. Each sub-assembly comprises a plurality of power storage cells (12). The system includes, for each power storage cell, a circuit (14) for managing the state of the cell and a communication circuit (16), which is configured such that it receives and transmits data relative to the cell. The communication circuit is configured such that it transposes, over a carrier frequency, the data to be received and transmitted, the value of said carrier frequency being greater than or equal to 1 GHz. The management system further includes, for each sub-assembly, a loss cable (18) connecting the power storage cells of said sub-assembly. The loss cable acts as a waveguide and is coupled by capacitive coupling to the communication circuit of each power storage cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: EM Microelectronic-Marin SA
    Inventors: Thierry Scordilis, Jerome Saby, Arnaud Casagrande, Luca De Rosa
  • Patent number: 11362539
    Abstract: An artificial intelligence reactive power control system for low voltage ride-through in a grid connected distributed generation network includes a grid, a circuit breaker, a distributed generation circuit including 3-phase terminals, and a voltage and current measurement unit connected to the 3-phase terminals and configured to generate a set of measured variables. An intelligent low voltage ride-through detector receives the set of measured variables and identifies a low voltage ride-through status of the utility grid. An intelligent reactive power controller receives a low voltage ride-through status signal from the intelligent low voltage ride-through detector and controls a low voltage ride-through during a grid voltage sag and a voltage reduction by transmitting one or more of an active power reference and a reactive power reference value to the distributed generation circuit based on the low voltage ride-through status signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: King Abdulaziz University
    Inventors: Md Mottahir Alam, Ibrahim M. Mehedi, Nebras Sobahi, Asif Irshad Khan, Md. Moddassir Alam, Ahteshamul Haque, Samir Kasim, Varaha Satya Bharath Kurukuru
  • Patent number: 11296544
    Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply includes disconnectors that perform a disconnection operation to electrically disconnect a plurality of uninterruptible power supply modules individually. Each of the disconnectors includes a connection conductor that electrically connects a first conductor to a second conductor, and a moving member mechanically moving the connection conductor in a direction in which the connection conductor approaches and contacts the first conductor and the second conductor, and a direction in which the connection conductor is spaced away from the first conductor and the second conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keita Koshii, Seiitsu Kin, Tomo Kurozaki
  • Patent number: 11239690
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an uninterruptable power supply for an electrical consumer. The uninterruptable power supply may include a first current path; a second current path, where the first current path and the second current path are configured to supply electrical energy; a first switch configured to interrupt the first current path; a voltage transformer configured to limit a current intensity of an electrical current, where the voltage transformer is in the second current path; and a controller configured to open the first switch when a current intensity limit value of the electrical current in the first current path is reached to electrically interrupt the first current path and conduct the electrical current over the voltage transformer to limit the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Daniel Knoop, Irene Berthold
  • Patent number: 11211897
    Abstract: A photovoltaic module can include a solar cell module including a plurality of solar cells; a converter configured to convert a level of DC power input from the solar cell module; a DC-terminal capacitor configured to store DC power output from the converter; an inverter including a plurality of switching elements and configured to convert DC power from the DC-terminal capacitor into AC power; and a controller configured to control the inverter, in which the converter controls some switching elements among of the plurality of switching elements included in the inverter to perform switching at a third switching frequency, and controls other switching elements among the plurality of switching elements included in the inverter to perform switching at a forth switching frequency higher than the third switching frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kanghwan Jin, Sunho Yu, Kanghwi Kim, Daihyun Kim, Yesl Shin, Hyeonggu Han
  • Patent number: 11200384
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems and devices for allocating a power signal. In one particular implementation, a reader device may exchange messages with one more transponder devices to determine an allocation of a power signal. For example, one or more transponder devices may provide one or more messages in a downlink signal indicative of a requested signal up time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Arm Limited
    Inventors: James Edward Myers, Parameshwarappa Anand Kumar Savanth, Ludmila Cherkasova
  • Patent number: 11171493
    Abstract: A battery charging circuit includes a buck converter, a charge pump power converter, a sensor external to or internal to the battery charging circuit, and a control unit. The charge pump power converter includes an output coupled to an output of the buck converter for charging a battery. The sensor is configured to sense a total input current. The control unit receives the total input current that is sensed and compensates for a variation in an input current to the charge pump power converter based on whether the total input current meets a specified current variance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Cheong Kun, Guoyong Guo, Curtis Gong, Kalpesh Shetye, Georgios Konstantinos Paparrizos, Todd Sutton
  • Patent number: 11133576
    Abstract: A rectenna for high efficiency RF-to-DC wireless energy harvesting that includes an off-center-fed patch (OCFP) antenna and a rectifying circuit. The input impedance of the antenna may be tunable and directly conjugate matched to an impedance of the rectifying circuit over a wide range of frequencies and/or under different operating conditions. An impedance matching network required by rectenna systems may therefore be eliminated using the methods disclosed for the design and implementation of the OCFP rectenna. The OCFP rectenna offers consistently high RF-to-DC power conversion efficiency over a wide range of frequencies and under different operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Aeternum, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Carter, Yi Huang, Chaoyun Song
  • Patent number: 11056914
    Abstract: A first Radio-Frequency-to-Direct-Current (RF2DC) transducer receives a first signal from a sensing antenna and generates energy stored by an energy storage circuit. An energy transfer circuit is controllably switched between an energy storage state where energy is stored in the energy storage state and an energy transfer state where stored energy is transferred to a load. The voltage at the energy storage circuit is alternatively variable between an upper value and a lower value around a voltage setting point. A second RF2DC transducer, which is a down-scaled replica of the first RF2DC transducer, produces a second signal indicative of an open-circuit voltage of the first RF2DC transducer. The voltage setting point is set as a function of the second signal indicative of the open-circuit voltage of the first RF2DC transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Roberto La Rosa, Alessandro Finocchiaro
  • Patent number: 10966156
    Abstract: A self-powered sensor device (100) is provided which comprises a wireless network unit (140) configured to enable a communication in a Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN), an energy converting unit (150) configured to convert a first physical quantity into energy, and an energy harvesting unit (110) configured to harvest energy from the energy converted by the energy converting unit (150), and to initiate a sending of a message via the wireless network unit (140) every time a predetermined amount of energy is harvested by the energy harvesting unit (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Henricus Antonius Gerardus Van Vugt, Joseph Henricus Gerardus Rous
  • Patent number: 10841020
    Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure include methods, systems, and computer-readable storage mediums for receiving a first current detected data value for a first sensor of a sensor network including multiple sensors, determining a first predicted data value based on historical data values of the first sensor, and a second predicted data value based on a second current detected data value for a second sensor, providing a combined predicted data value based on the first predicted data value, and the second predicted data value, comparing the first current detected data value and the combined predicted data value to provide a comparison, and determining a first corrected data value for the first sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: SAP SE
    Inventors: Wenjun Zhou, Wen-Syan Li
  • Patent number: 10811762
    Abstract: A trickle-charged RFID device includes a main antenna receiving wireless interrogator signals from one or more RFID readers, a power harvester connected with the main antenna to obtain power from the wireless interrogator signals, and an intermediate storage device connected to the power harvester to collect trickle flows of unused power harvested from wireless interrogator signals received by the RFID device that lack an inquiry for the device. The RFID device further includes a primary storage device, into which the intermediate storage device discharges its collection of trickle flows of unused power when the collection reaches a predetermined threshold level, which recharges power lost from the main storage device. The intermediate storage device can include one or more capacitors including super-capacitors, and the main storage device can include a rechargeable battery, such that the effective life of the main storage device is extended from the collected trickle flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Intermec, Inc.
    Inventors: H. Sprague Ackley, Pavel Nikitin
  • Patent number: 10761554
    Abstract: A dynamic Casimir effect device for moving reflective surfaces rapidly comprising: an epitaxial stack of a plurality of closely spaced semiconductor lamina; each lamina having a band gap within a range of band gaps between a low band gap value a high band gap value; and a variable voltage source capable of producing a range of output voltages that is electrically connected to the plurality of lamina; wherein each said semiconductor lamina is connected to said voltage source such that said variable voltage source can apply a range of voltages to the plurality of semiconductor lamina and wherein each said semiconductor lamina becomes a reflecting conductor when said variable voltage source applies a specific semiconductor band gap dependent voltage within said range of output voltages to said semiconductor lamina.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Excalibur Almaz USA, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Hyland, Arthur M. Dula
  • Patent number: 10746183
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a surge in a fluid device and a refrigeration system. A fluid device is disposed in an operating unit. The method includes providing and displaying a surge line of the fluid device, where the surge line is at least related to a characteristic between fluid pressure and a flow rate of the fluid device; based on preset time intervals, sequentially providing and displaying operating points, of the fluid device in a current operation condition, in a coordinate system to which the surge line belongs, and when a quantity of the provided operating points exceeds a preset value, removing the first provided operating point therein, so that a quantity of the remaining operating points is the preset value; and monitoring a surge status of the fluid device according to relative position relationships between the displayed operating points and the surge line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shufu Ding, Xinle Qi, Liang Qian, Michael Alan Stark
  • Patent number: 10608384
    Abstract: Electrical charging devices with bar stabilizers and assemblies are provided herein. An example apparatus includes a cradle configured to receive and retain an electronic device, side rail tracks extending below the cradle, an electronics tray comprising: a flange that is received by the side rail tracks, a housing that receives an electronics assembly, and an electrical conductor; and a stabilizer that is hingedly coupled to the housing of the electronics tray, the stabilizer extending around a front of the housing of the electronics tray, the stabilizer pivoting between a stored configuration and a deployed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Inventor: William J. Warren
  • Patent number: 10592630
    Abstract: A method of designing a nano-rectenna panel (NRP) of a vehicle includes generating one or more performance benchmarks associated with nano-rectenna devices that comprise the NRP. A material for the nano-rectenna devices is identified based on one or more of the one or more performance benchmarks. The method also includes designing the NRP based on the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Dor Gabay, Mario Jodorkovsky
  • Patent number: 10590940
    Abstract: A system and apparatus for a ceiling fan electronics assembly including a housing with an interior for housing an electrical system. The electrical system can provide a supply of power to the ceiling fan as well as interpret electrical instruction signals for controlling the operation of the ceiling fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Hunter Fan Company
    Inventor: Phillip Santolucito
  • Patent number: 10567178
    Abstract: Methods and systems are described for a power adapter. The power adapter may provide power to a computing device. The power adapter may comprise a wireless access point or other communication system. The computing device may be configured to access the wireless access point or other communications systems in the power adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Francisco, Christopher Stone, Ted Grauch
  • Patent number: 10554056
    Abstract: A faulty cell detection device and a faulty cell detection method are provided for detecting a faulty cell of a battery pack using a current sensor. The device may include a current sensor including a first current sensor configured to measure a current of a battery pack including the battery module, and a second current sensor configured to measure a current of a battery cell among battery cells in the battery module. The device may also include a faulty cell detector configured to detect occurrence of the faulty cell based on the measured current of the battery pack and the measured current of the battery cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Yong Jeon, Tae Won Song, Jin Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 10554172
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method that includes applying a first condition to a photovoltaic (PV) device, and applying a second condition to the PV device, where the first condition results in a first luminescing of a surface of the PV device at a first intensity, the second condition results in a second luminescing of the surface at a second intensity, measuring the first intensity using a detector to create a first representation of the surface, measuring the second intensity using the detector to create a second representation of the surface, and comparing the first representation with the second representation to create a third representation of the surface that identifies a defect in the surface, if present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Gardner Deceglie, Timothy J. Silverman
  • Patent number: 10483789
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of regulating voltage in an energy distribution network to which there are connected both a renewable energy generation system and an energy storage unit (11), the method being characterized in that, over a time window, a charging power of the electrical energy storage unit (11) is controlled so as to compensate for variations in the instantaneous voltage level induced by the renewable energy generation system relative to a prediction of the mean voltage level induced by the renewable energy generation system over the time window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbH
    Inventor: Guillaume Foggia
  • Patent number: 10476266
    Abstract: A power controller that includes first and second buck controllers and a power balancer. The first buck controller is configured to receive a first power rail at a first voltage and generate a first output signal. The second buck controller is configured to receive a second power rail at a second voltage and generate a second output signal. The power balancer is configured to receive an average current for the output signals and generate, based on the average current, a reference voltage to be received by the second buck controller. The output signals are combined to create a output power rail such that the first buck controller functions as a voltage source for the output power rail and the second buck controller controls, based on the reference voltage, an amount of current in the output power rail received from each of the buck controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Sanjay Gurlahosur, Rajdeep Mukhopadhyay
  • Patent number: 10476391
    Abstract: A voltage converting device that detects an anomaly wherein the duty ratio provided to a voltage converting portion does not converge to a normal range is provided. The voltage converting device includes: an output voltage detecting portion that detects a value indicating an output voltage of a voltage converting portion. A setting portion sets the duty ratio of a PWM signal provided to the voltage converting portion so as to bring the output voltage value of the voltage converting portion closer to a target voltage value. A driving portion outputs the PWM signal having the duty ratio set by the setting portion to the voltage converting portion. An anomaly detecting portion that detects an anomaly in which the duty ratio set by the setting portion does not converge to a predetermined normal range when the voltage converting portion is in a predetermined stabilized state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Atsushi Miki
  • Patent number: 10460057
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for simulating a MMC system in an electronic simulator uses a computing unit and a connected input/output interface. The electronic simulator comprises a simulation model of a modular multilevel converter (MMC) system including at least one MMC valve, each MMC valve including a plurality of connected converter-submodules (SMs), each SM preferably comprising at least two controlled switches, a capacitor and auxiliary switches. The inventive approach replaces each MMC valve by an equivalent circuit whereby each SM in the valves may be solved separately. Multiple computing units are used to simulate those SMs in parallel, thus achieving fast or real-time simulation speed. The computing unit may comprise multiple computing means using CPU cores, FPGA or GPU cores and combinations thereof. The present inventive method keeps the model-detail including its precision, and enables a real time simulator to achieve fast or real-time speed for very large MMC system-simulations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Inventor: Wei Li
  • Patent number: 10400992
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, there is provided a lighting apparatus including: a housing that has a first back cover having a parabolic shape and a recess opened below the first back cover; a first light emitting module that has a circuit board and a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged on the circuit board; a heat radiation body that is disposed in one region of the first back cover and has a first heat radiation portion in which the circuit board is disposed and a first reflection portion which extends from the first heat radiation portion along an contour line of an inner sphere surface of the first back cover; a transparent sheet that is disposed in an oblique shape between a high point of the recess of the first back cover and the heat radiation body; a first reflection sheet that is disposed on the heat radiation body and reflects a first side light emitted from the plurality of light emitting diodes to the transparent sheet; and a second reflection sheet that is disposed on an inner surface of th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ki Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 10396590
    Abstract: The disclosed invention provides examples of preferred embodiments including systems for harvesting energy from variable output energy harvesting apparatus. The systems include energy harvesting apparatus for providing energy input to a switched mode power supply and a control loop for dynamically adjusting energy harvesting apparatus input to the switched mode power supply, whereby system output power is substantially optimized to the practical. Exemplary embodiments of the invention include systems for harvesting energy using solar cells in boost, buck, and buck-boost configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: TRIUNE SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Ross E. Teggatz, Wayne T. Chen, Brett Smith, Eric Blackall
  • Patent number: 10381691
    Abstract: A battery network is disclosed. The battery network may include a plurality of battery blades. Each battery blade may include a plurality of battery cells; a connection mechanism configured to establish an adjustable connection between the plurality of battery cells; and a processor in communication with the connection mechanism and the plurality of battery cells. The processor may be configured to control the connection mechanism at least partially based on a state of charge of at least one of the plurality of battery cells, and the processor of each battery blade of the plurality of battery blades may be further configured to communicate with each other to support operation of the battery network as an integrated electric power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Nova Greentech, Inc.
    Inventor: Song Ci
  • Patent number: 10324136
    Abstract: A method for testing electrical energy storage systems for driving vehicles provides that the load current of the energy storage system traces by means of a control loop, if possible without delay, a reference current that varies over time according to predetermined test cycles. The control loop is created by means of a model-based controller design method in which a model of the impedance of the energy storage system is integrated in the model of the controlled system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: AVL LIST GMBH
    Inventors: Oliver König, Stefan Jakubek, Günter Prochart, Kurt Gschweitl
  • Patent number: 10263509
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing power factor correction between voltage regulators are described herein. The system can include a leader voltage regulator controller coupled to a first voltage regulator and a follower voltage regulator controller coupled to both a second voltage regulator and the leader voltage regulator controller. The leader voltage regulator controller can determine a difference in measured power factors between the first voltage regulator and the second voltage regulator. The leader voltage regulator controller can also initiate an adjustment of a tap position of the first voltage regulator or the second voltage regulator. Alternatively, instead of leader and follower voltage regulator controllers, the system can utilize a single connected voltage regulator controller that determines differences in measured power factors between a first voltage regulator and a second voltage regulator and initiates an adjustment in a tap position(s) when appropriate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Daniel J. Daley, Craig A. Colopy
  • Patent number: 10254320
    Abstract: A method for measuring electric power value in a HVDC system comprises the steps of receiving current values and voltage values, which are measured from sensor group installed in specific positions of an electric power conversion station; identifying a line impedance of the positions where the sensor group are installed; calculating a first electric power value of the electric power conversion station; calculating a second electric power value of the electric power conversion station; calculating a third electric power value of the electric power conversion station; and determining one of the second and third electric power values as an actual electric power value of the electric power conversion station by comparing the calculated first to third electric power values with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yongkil Choi, Hoseok Choi
  • Patent number: 10250159
    Abstract: A five-voltage level inverter topology circuit and a three-phase five-voltage level inverter topology circuit, suitable for use with two series-connected direct current (DC) power sources, include a half-bridge inverter circuit having a first circuit module and a second circuit module. The half-bridge inverter circuit outputs five voltage levels including a 0V level. The five-voltage level inverter topology circuit has a five-voltage level half-bridge structure, and only requires an alternating current (AC) filtering inductor, thereby reducing system cost and size, removing leakage current, and providing high efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Inventors: Hongliang Wang, Yan-Fei Liu
  • Patent number: 10236554
    Abstract: A trickle-charged RFID device includes a main antenna receiving wireless interrogator signals from one or more RFID readers, a power harvester connected with the main antenna to obtain power from the wireless interrogator signals, and an intermediate storage device connected to the power harvester to collect trickle flows of unused power harvested from wireless interrogator signals received by the RFID device that lack an inquiry for the device. The RFID device further includes a primary storage device, into which the intermediate storage device discharges its collection of trickle flows of unused power when the collection reaches a predetermined threshold level, which recharges power lost from the main storage device. The intermediate storage device can include one or more capacitors including super-capacitors, and the main storage device can include a rechargeable battery, such that the effective life of the main storage device is extended from the collected trickle flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: INTERMEC, INC.
    Inventors: H. Sprague Ackley, Pavel Nikitin
  • Patent number: 10231299
    Abstract: A method is for limiting a voltage in the reverse direction of a light emitting diode is disposed on a secure element. The light emitting diode is electrically connected in parallel to a coil and to operating voltage connectors of an integrated circuit. The coil serves for supplying energy to the integrated circuit and to the light emitting diode because an electrical voltage is induced in the coil with an electromagnetic field produced by an external terminal, and for the contactless data transmission between the integrated circuit and the external terminal. The integrated circuit serves for processing data transmitted between the terminal and the integrated circuit. A shunt regulator regulates the operating voltage required for the operation of the integrated circuit to a value within an allowable range and limits the operating voltage, so a maximally permissible voltage in the reverse direction of the light emitting diode is not exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: GIESECKE+DEVRIENT MOBILE SECURITY GMBH
    Inventor: Stefan Kluge
  • Patent number: 10184349
    Abstract: An electricity generator includes a core having a pair of opposing end caps interconnected by a mid-section cooperating to define an interior chamber. In use, the core is held at a vacuum and filled with at least one inert gas. A frequency generator is attached for introducing and inputting electromagnetic waves into the interior chamber. A waveguide tube is provided to connect the frequency generator to the core, allowing for the passage of electromagnetic waves from the frequency generator into the interior chamber. In addition, a plurality of electrodes is provided which extend into the interior chamber to heat the inert gas and conduct the flow of electricity away from a lining on the interior chamber in order to produce steam. The electricity generator further includes at least one external steam generator system for converting the produced steam into energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventor: David J. Schulte
  • Patent number: 10180696
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reducing the variation in voltage, due to Ferranti effect, using the impedance injection capability of distributed impedance injection modules. The Ferranti effect is an increase in voltage occurring at the receiving end of a long transmission line in comparison to the voltage at the sending end. This effect is more pronounced on longer lies and underground lines when the high-voltage power lines are energized with a very low load, when there is a change from a high load to a very light load, or the load is disconnected from the high-voltage power lines of the power grid. This effect creates a problem for voltage control at the distribution end of the power grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Smart Wires Inc.
    Inventors: Debrup Das, Haroon Inam
  • Patent number: 10178749
    Abstract: An apparatus and corresponding systems and methods for managing electric power, particularly a transformer system and method, and more specifically a transformer for direct current. An example apparatus includes a chamber configured to contain plasma. The apparatus includes input electrodes disposed at least partially within the chamber, and configured to receive a first direct current input into the chamber. The input electrodes are configured to cause the input direct current to induce motion in the plasma. Motion induced in the plasma transforms current flowing there-through. At output electrodes extend from the chamber. The output electrodes conduct a second direct current, from the induced motion in the plasma, for delivery from the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: TIBBAR PLASMA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: John Finn, Cihan Akcay, Daniel Barnes, Juan Fernandez, William Gibson, Aaron McEvoy, Keith Moser, Richard Nebel, Liviu Popa-Simil
  • Patent number: 10148207
    Abstract: A generator or another type machine includes a controlled field alternator, a segmented waveform converter, and a controller. The controlled field alternator is configured to generate a polyphase signal. The segmented waveform converter includes multiple switches connected between the polyphase signal of the controlled field alternator and an output filter. The controller is configured to provide a control signal for the switches based on measured electrical quantities associated with the output filter and provide a field current control signal to the controlled field alternator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Adam Larson