Conversion Systems Patents (Class 307/151)
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Patent number: 8729744Abstract: Disclosed is an inverter that supplies power using a battery pack mounted on a mobile device. The inverter includes a case having a receiving part in which a battery pack is to be received, a control part disposed within the case to convert a voltage of the battery pack into a preset output voltage, and an external terminal disposed outside the case. The output voltage converted by the control part is output through the external terminal.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2011Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: Huntae Ro
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Patent number: 8723373Abstract: The interface has three inputs, a first output which is connected to a first input, a second output which can be connected to a second input or to the third input. The interface also includes a switching device which is connected to the second input, the third input and the second output, and a control device which is coupled to the third input in such a way that a detection signal can be fed from the third input to the control device. The detection signal is indicative of whether the second input or the third input is connected to the second pole of the two-pole line.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2008Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Urs Kästli
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Patent number: 8723374Abstract: The disclosure provides a non-contact power receiving apparatus including a conductive pattern in a second region of a substrate not covered by a magnetic sheet. The conductive pattern includes first and second electrodes provided in a first plane parallel to a surface of the substrate and arranged in a length direction of the conductive pattern. A third electrode is formed on a second plane parallel with the first plane. A first via hole connects superposed portions of the first and third electrodes to each other, and a second via hole connects superposed portions of the second and third electrodes to each other. As a result, loops of eddy currents generated in the conductive pattern can be made to be small, whereby eddy current loss can be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2011Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takeshi Kurihara, Keiichi Ichikawa
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Patent number: 8717765Abstract: An integrated-inverter electric compressor and an inverter unit thereof are provided, with which sufficient anti-vibration properties can be ensured and weight reduction can be achieved. In an integrated-inverter electric compressor, an inverter unit includes an inverter module in which a power-system metallic board having mounted thereon semiconductor switching elements and so forth is integrated with a plastic case, and a CPU board having mounted thereon a control and communication circuit that operates at a low voltage, such as a CPU, is provided on a top face of the inverter module, and inside the plastic case, a thermosetting resin layer for insulation and anti-humidity purposes is provided so as to cover a top face of the power-system metallic board, and a vibration-absorbing elastomeric adhesive layer that maintains a rubber state in an operating temperature range of the integrated-inverter electric compressor is provided between a bottom face of the CPU board and the thermosetting resin layer.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2009Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Makoto Hattori, Kazuki Niwa, Takashi Nakagami, Koji Nakano, Shunsuke Yakushiji
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Publication number: 20140103744Abstract: A conveying arrangement includes a conveyor belt having a carrying-side cover plate and a running-side cover plate. The conveying arrangement further includes a drive drum, a reversing drum, carrying rollers and a carrying structure. The conveying arrangement forms a material-conveying upper strand (A) with a charging location for the conveyed goods and a lower strand (B). A device for generating current is provided at the charging location for the conveyed goods underneath the conveyor belt of the upper strand (A). The device includes an impact bearing having sliding properties for the running-side cover plate of the conveyor belt of the upper strand (A). A generator is operatively connected to the impact bearing and a supporting device is provided for the generator. The generator converts at least part of the impact energy of the conveyed goods into electric current.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: Phoenix Conveyor Belt Systems GmbHInventor: Bernd Kuesel
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Publication number: 20140103743Abstract: A system and method for automatic identification and recording of vehicles passing a road user charging point or location. A system and method for powering an on-board-unit (OBU) that can be mounted in a vehicle by including an energy harvester capable of providing at least a part of the energy required to operate the on-board-unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2012Publication date: April 17, 2014Inventor: Anders Hagen
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Patent number: 8698358Abstract: A circuit is provided that includes a parasitic power circuit that powers a parasitic circuit. The parasitic power circuit derives a supply voltage from an external AC or other signal suitable for use as a communications signal. A PMOS transistor or transistors is utilized to enable a supply voltage capacitor to charge substantially to the same voltage as the channel voltage of the communications signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2012Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.Inventors: Marvin L. Peak, Jr., Bradley M. Harrington, Matthew R. Harrington
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Patent number: 8692408Abstract: A sub-sea power delivery system includes a plurality of modular power converter building blocks on each of the power source side and the sub-sea load side that are stacked and interconnected to meet site expansion requirements and electrical load topologies. The power delivery system comprises a system DC transmission link/bus, wherein the system DC link is configured to carry HVDC or MVDC power from an onshore utility or topside power source to multiple sub-sea load modules. The stacked modular power converter topology on the sub-sea side of the sub-sea power delivery system is symmetrical with the stacked modular power converter topology on the on-shore/top-side of the sub-sea power delivery system.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2008Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Richard S. Zhang, Rajib Datta, Christof Martin Sihler, Manguelle Joseph Song
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Patent number: 8674559Abstract: Consistent with example embodiment, a DC-DC converter is adapted to supply a MEMS device comprising an input for receiving a DC voltage (Vs), an output for transmitting a supplied voltage (V1) to the MEMS device. The DC-DC converter further comprises a biasing circuit (MNBC) for biasing a first node (Vmi) and a second node (Vme) with a first biasing voltage (Vm1) and a second biasing voltage (Vm2).Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2011Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: NXP B.V.Inventor: Jagdip Singh
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Patent number: 8674550Abstract: A contactless power transfer system is proposed. The system includes a first coil coupled to a power source and configured to produce a magnetic field. A second coil is configured to receive power from the first coil via the magnetic field. A field focusing element is disposed between the first coil and the second coil and configured as a self resonant coil having a standing wave current distribution. The field focusing element is further configured to focus the magnetic field onto the second coil and enhance the coupling between the first coil and the second coil.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2010Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Adnan Kutubuddin Bohori, James William Bray, Somakumar Ramachandrapanicker, Suma Memana Narayana Bhat
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Publication number: 20140060589Abstract: The disclosure relates to a maintenance unit for servicing aircraft during stand-still, comprising electrically powered service and/or maintenance equipment. There is a power input for connecting the unit to an electrical power supply operating at 200/115VAC at 400 Hz. The unit further comprises a transformer and conversion unit (TCU) for transforming the 200/115 VAC/400 Hz power to standard grid voltage at 400/23OVAC at 50 Hz and at least one frequency converter enabling variable frequency of the output voltage, for powering said service and/or maintenance equipment. The maintenance equipment may be a gas turbine engine washing equipment and comprises a water delivery member for supplying water from a water source, a high pressure pump coupled to the water providing means for providing pressurized water, and a high pressure water outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2013Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: EcoServices, LLCInventors: Sebastian Nordlund, Henrik Amcoff, Helena Nyberg
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Patent number: 8664800Abstract: Power inverters are controlled in response to reactive power support commands received from a power grid such that at least one power inverter provides reactive power to the power grid. The reactive power provided is based on each power inverter's reactive power capacity only while the total power capacity of each power inverter providing the reactive power is not exhausted in generating real power.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2010Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Anthony William Galbraith, Owen Jannis Schelenz, Mark Edward Cardinal, Andreas Kirchner, Nicholas Wright Miller, Kara Clark
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Publication number: 20140054978Abstract: An embodiment of the disclosure provides an electronic device including a power supply, an optical to electrical converter and a controller. The power supply outputs a first electric power. The optical to electrical converter receives an infrared light beam and converts the infrared light beam to a second electric power. The controller is coupled to the power supply and the optical to electrical converter. The controller operates in a first mode and a second mode. When the controller operates in the first mode, the controller is activated by the second electric power and after the controller is activated, the controller operates in the second mode and drives the power supply. Then, the controller receives the first electric power and stops receiving the first electric power for operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: Wistron Corp.Inventors: Chih-Ming HSU, Kuo-Hua CHEN
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Patent number: 8643223Abstract: A power supply device with solar cells, working with artificial light sources, for electronic equipment, includes a structure (1) internally covered with one or more solar cells (2), and a light source (3) such as LED arrays or lamps, which are provided power by the main line voltage directly, or through a stabilization circuit.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2001Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignees: St. Francis of Assisi FoundationInventor: Paolo Agostinelli
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Patent number: 8638217Abstract: A system comprises a sensing node that includes a sensor, a processor, an energy harvesting circuit, a time keeper, a first energy storage device, and a second energy storage device. The energy harvesting circuit is connected for recharging the first energy storage device. The processor is connected for receiving all its power derived from the energy harvesting circuit. The second energy storage device is connected for powering the time keeper.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2010Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Lord CorporationInventors: Steven W. Arms, Chris Pruyn Townsend, David Lawrence Churchill, Michael John Hamel
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Patent number: 8638081Abstract: Point-of-load (POL) regulators may be configured as multiphase POL DC-to-DC (direct current to direct current) converters, operating in a multiphase configuration in order to boost the total current available to a system. Current balancing may be performed by utilizing an active low bandwidth current sharing algorithm that uses matched artificial line resistance (droop resistance) while maintaining multi-loop stability during both steady-state and dynamic transient states. The current sharing algorithm may be facilitated through digital communication between the devices, where the digital bus may be a single wire bus, a parallel bus or a clock-and-data bus.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2012Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.Inventors: Douglas E. Heineman, Kenneth W. Fernald
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Publication number: 20140021779Abstract: Systems and methods for a mobile power conditioning platform are disclosed. According to one embodiment of the invention, a mobile power conditioning platform is positioned proximate to a power grid, coupled to the power grid via an offboard power coupling, coupled to an onboard electrical system of a vehicle via a vehicle power coupling, and transfers electric power between the power grid and the onboard electrical system. One or more onboard generators of the vehicle may modify operation at least partly in response to the transfer of electric power.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2012Publication date: January 23, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: Ralph TEICHMANN
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Publication number: 20140021804Abstract: A method for feeding electrical power into an electrical power supply network is described. A configuration for supplying electrical power in the form of DC voltage has been provided and it is connected to the power supply network through an inverter. An MPP tracker (31) has been provided for influencing the inverter, from which an intermediate circuit desired voltage (udc, ref) is determined. A modulation regulator (33) has been provided, from which a given reactive power desired value (Qref) is changed to a reactive power value (Q*). The inverter (17) is influenced by the intermediate circuit desired value (udc, ref) and the reactive power value (Q*).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2013Publication date: January 23, 2014Inventor: -Ing. Kamran Jalili
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Patent number: 8633615Abstract: Disclosed herein is a wireless power transmission/reception apparatus. The wireless power transmission/reception apparatus includes a wireless power transmission unit and a wireless power reception unit. The wireless power transmission unit receives power, generates a wireless power signal to be wirelessly transmitted, wirelessly transmits the generated wireless power signal in a magnetic resonance manner, receives a returned wireless power signal and detects the number of power consumption devices, and wirelessly transmits a wireless power signal using resonance frequency appropriate for the number of power consumption devices.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2009Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mchanics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kwang Du Lee, Kyung Uk Kim, Jeong Hoon Kim, Eung Ju Kim
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Patent number: 8624443Abstract: A solar photovoltaic monitoring system for monitoring and controlling a solar photovoltaic inverter is provided. The system includes a wireless transceiver coupled to a solar photovoltaic inverter that includes a device monitor for monitoring and controlling the inverter. The device monitor generates monitoring data defining a status of the system and transmits the data by using the transceiver coupled to the inverter. The system also includes a wireless repeater for receiving data from the inverter and retransmitting the data and a transceiver coupled to a gateway capable of communicating the received retransmitted data to a monitoring station. The gateway also transmits control data received from the monitoring station. The repeater receives control data from the gateway and retransmits data to the inverter. The inverter receives the retransmitted control data and controls its operation based on the received data.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Enecsys LimitedInventor: Asim Mumtaz
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Publication number: 20140001887Abstract: A system for at least one virtual power apparatus includes a first virtual power apparatus that includes a first port configured to receive a first power signal, a second port configured to provide a second power signal, and a power system controller communicatively connected to a power device. The power system controller is configured to receive an image of an electric power solution, wherein the image comprises instructions for deriving the second power signal by altering and routing the first power signal, process the image by converting the image instructions into commands understandable by the power device, and send the commands to the power device for realizing the image in the power device. The power device is configured to receive the command for realizing the image, derive the second power signal, and provide the second power signal to the second port.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2013Publication date: January 2, 2014Applicant: Virtual Power Systems Inc.Inventors: Shankar Ramamurthy, Madhav Manjrekar, Steven Uhlir
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Patent number: 8618934Abstract: A system and a method of long-term condition monitoring of structures are based on use of autonomous sensing modules, centers for storing and processing data and software for data analysis. An autonomous sensing module contains a set of sensors for measurements of parameters related to the condition of a monitored structure, a non-volatile memory, a wireless data transfer unit, a controller, a clock circuit, a battery, an energy harvesting device and a power management unit. The autonomous sensing module provides a very long-term (40 years or more) functionality and reliability due to both use of at least near hermetic packages for the controller, the non-volatile memory, the battery, the clock circuit and the power management unit and choosing the duration of periods when the sensing module works in active mode in such a way that the average energy consumed by the autonomous sensing module is fully compensated by the average energy harvested by the energy harvesting device.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2010Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Kolos International LLCInventors: Nickolai S Belov, Olga V Belova
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Publication number: 20130334884Abstract: A power conversion device according to the present invention includes a power supply, a booster unit (a reactor, a switch) that boosts a voltage supplied from the power supply by switching control, a smoothing circuit that smoothes an output voltage from the booster unit, a rectifier that is arranged between the booster unit and the smoothing circuit to prevent a current reverse flow toward the booster unit, and a commutation unit that is connected to the rectifier in parallel to commutate a current flowing through the rectifier toward itself.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2011Publication date: December 19, 2013Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Koichi Arisawa, Takuya Shimomugi, Yosuke Shinomoto
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Publication number: 20130334898Abstract: Alternating current power systems for powering cordless power tools are disclosed. An electrical power assembly comprises an alternating current to direct current (“AC/DC”) converter connected to a power interface adapter. The AC/DC converter receives alternating current through an electrical socket and generates direct current. A power interface adapter shaped similarly to the replacement battery packs is connected to the cordless power tools and feeds the direct current to the cordless tool. The AC/DC converter may be located within the power interface adapter or a wall-mountable electrical connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2013Publication date: December 19, 2013Inventors: Selvin Kao, Philip Carlo J. DeGuzman
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Patent number: 8610317Abstract: A communication circuit and an adapter having the same are provided. The communication circuit includes a coupling circuit and a transceiver module. The coupling circuit is coupled to a DC power line of the adapter to filter a first modulation signal carried on the DC power line or to couple a second modulation signal to the DC power line. The transceiver module is used to receive and demodulate the first modulation signal from the coupling circuit or to output the second modulation signal to the coupling circuit. The adapter is capable of transmitting data and power through the same DC power line.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2010Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignees: Lite-On Electronics (Guangzhou) Limited, Lite-On Technology CorporationInventors: Tsung-Yuan Tsai, Chien-Chung Hsu
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Publication number: 20130320780Abstract: The power generation and transmission device and method is able to be used to harness power such as solar and/or wind power and then transmit the power to a device on the other side of a physical structure such as a house, a car, a umbrella, a tent, and an awning.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2013Publication date: December 5, 2013Inventors: Chih-Cheng Tai, Lucas John Myslinski, Chyh-Yih Chang, Shih Ming Tseng, Shih Hsiang Tseng
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Patent number: 8598749Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2011Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: MGE UPSInventor: Alain Lacarnoy
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Publication number: 20130314096Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for operating, monitoring and diagnosing photovoltaic arrays used for solar energy collection. The system preferably includes capabilities for monitoring or diagnosing an array, under some circumstances, by using a bidirectional power converter not only to convert the DC output of the array to output power under some conditions, but also, for diagnostic operations, applying a back-converted DC voltage to the array.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2013Publication date: November 28, 2013Applicant: Ideal Power Converters, Inc.Inventor: Ideal Power Converters, Inc.
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Publication number: 20130307352Abstract: An inverter apparatus comprising a first switch group that is connected to a DC power source and includes a first switch and a second switch connected in series; a capacitor that has one end thereof connected to a first connection point between the first switch and the second switch; a second switch group that is connected in parallel with the capacitor and includes a third switch and a fourth switch that are connected in series; a switch control section that controls an ON/OFF state of the first switch, the second switch, the third switch, and the fourth switch to convert DC voltage from the DC power source into AC voltage and output the AC voltage from a second connection point between the third switch and the fourth switch; and a smoothing circuit that is connected to the second connection point and normalizes a pulse waveform of the AC voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2013Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicants: TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, OMRON CORPORATIONInventors: Masao MABUCHI, Kenji KOBAYASHI, Takao MIZOKAMI, Yasuhiro TSUBOTA, Akihiro FUNAMOTO, Hideaki FUJITA
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Patent number: 8587160Abstract: Current source converter (CSC) based wind energy power conversion systems (WECS) and methods are presented in which a unified DC link current control scheme is employed to facilitate grid fault ride-through conditions, with a multiple-mode converter control system that combines the power flow control capabilities of the generator-side and grid-side converters, in which transitions between normal operation and fault condition are achieved automatically by monitoring the grid voltage without the need for, or with partial additional ride-through components.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2010Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jingya Dai, David Dewei Xu, Bin Wu, Navid Zargari
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Patent number: 8575788Abstract: A method for operating a thermoelectric generator supplying a variable-load component includes commanding the variable-load component to operate at a first output and determining a first load current and a first load voltage to the variable-load component while operating at the commanded first output. The method also includes commanding the variable-load component to operate at a second output and determining a second load current and a second load voltage to the variable-load component while operating at the commanded second output. The method includes calculating a maximum power output of the thermoelectric generator from the determined first load current and voltage and the determined second load current and voltage, and commanding the variable-load component to operate at a third output. The commanded third output is configured to draw the calculated maximum power output from the thermoelectric generator.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2011Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Michael G. Reynolds, Joshua D. Cowgill
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Publication number: 20130285477Abstract: Methods, devices and systems are provided for wirelessly powering and controlling a lab-on-a-chip device. Direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) signals can be produced at the lab-on-a-chip device in a wireless manner. In some configurations, integrated RF components and optoelectronic components of the lab-on-a-chip device are used to collaboratively produce the DC and AC signals. In other configurations only optoelectronic components on the lab-on-a-chip system can produce the DC and/or AC signals in response to incident light. By modulating the incident light, AC signals of various frequencies and waveforms can be generated. The DC and AC signals can be used by additional integrated electronic circuits and by a microfluidic chip lactated on the lab-on-a-chip device to control the behavior of the bioparticles in the microfluidic device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2011Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIAInventors: Yu-Hwa Lo, Wen Qiao
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Patent number: 8552884Abstract: A power and signal distribution system comprises a converter unit connected to a plurality of control units. The converter unit and the control units are arranged in areas difficult to access, for instance on the sea bed. The converter unit is connected to a remote monitoring and supplying device via at least one cable connection. Each control unit has assigned thereto at least one production apparatus for crude oil or natural gas corresponding gate valves, chokes, biops, actuators. In some embodiments, the power and signal distribution system the converter unit comprises a data separation device and a voltage converter. The converted voltage from the voltage converter is transmitted together with data/signals from the converter unit to at least one of the control units.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2012Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Cameron International CorporationInventors: Klaus Biester, Norbert Lenz, Peter Kunow, Steffen Gebauer, Martin Trog, Volker Zabe
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Publication number: 20130249322Abstract: A multilevel converter includes at least one phase. Each phase of the multilevel converter includes a direct current (DC) link, a first circuit, a second circuit, and a phase capacitor. The DC link includes a first capacitor, a second capacitor, and a third capacitor situated between the first and second capacitors. The first circuit is electrically coupled to two terminals of the first capacitor. The second circuit is electrically coupled to two terminals of the second capacitor. The phase capacitor is electrically coupled between the first circuit and the second circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2012Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Di Zhang, Luis José Garcés Rivera
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Patent number: 8541904Abstract: An apparatus includes a DC-link, a voltage converter, a bus voltage controller, and a supervisory controller. The voltage converter is configured to convert a first DC voltage into a second DC voltage based on a command signal and based on an adjustment signal and to supply the second DC voltage to the DC-link. The bus voltage controller is configured to iterate calculation of the adjustment signal to communicate each iterated calculation of the adjustment signal to the voltage converter. The supervisory controller is configured to iterate calculation of the command signal and to communicate each iterated calculation of the command signal to the voltage converter and to the bus voltage controller. A frequency of the bus voltage controller to communicate each iterated calculation of the adjustment signal is higher than a frequency of the supervisory controller to communicate each iterated calculation of the command signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2012Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Johannes Huber, Lembit Salasoo, Alexander Walsch, Michal-Wolfgang Waszak, Alexander Felix Fiseni, Stefan Brandhoff, Karl Kyrberg
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Patent number: 8531059Abstract: In wireless power transfer with applying magnetic resonance therein, for suppressing deterioration of transfer efficiency, with lessening fluctuation of the resonance frequency when a distance between coils is close to, coils are so position that a supply-side power supply coil 101 and a load-side power supply coil 102 are inserted between a supply-side magnetic resonance coil 1 and a load-side magnetic resonance coil 2.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2009Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Hitachi Consumer Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Katsuei Ichikawa, Taku Takaki
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Publication number: 20130221761Abstract: Energy-harvesting and -storage devices in conveyor belts and methods for molding those devices integrally into modular belt links and for enhancing energy harvesting through resonance tuning. Piezoelectric materials, electro-active polymers, thermoelectric generators, RF receivers, photovoltaic devices, linear induction generators, and inductive transformer coupling are used to harvest energy to power belt on-board devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2011Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: Laitram, L.L.C.Inventor: Joseph M. DePaso
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Publication number: 20130207399Abstract: The invention is a wind energy conversion device that can use microwaves or electrical discharges to pass the electricity to another positionType: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2011Publication date: August 15, 2013Inventor: Peter Robert Goodall
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Patent number: 8508082Abstract: A solar electricity system, comprising a solar collection surface adapted to convert light into DC electricity; a power inverter to convert the DC electricity into AC electricity; and a power cable connected to the power inverter, the power cable comprising a male plug on its distal end adapted to mate with a female power receptacle on a building structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2010Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Inventor: William E. Hickman
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Patent number: 8508205Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a DC voltage to a lower DC voltage, provides for conducting current from an input terminal, through an inductor to charge a capacitor connected to the inductor at an output terminal and to provide a varying range of load current from the output terminal, alternately switching the input terminal between a supply voltage and a ground potential to produce a desired voltage at the output terminal that is lower than the supply voltage, while providing the varying range of load current, and disconnecting the input terminal from both the supply voltage and the ground potential to reduce an increase in voltage at the output terminal caused by a substantial reduction in the load current, while current through the inductor adjusts in response to the reduced load current.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2010Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: L&L Engineering, LLCInventors: Paul W. Latham, II, Stewart Kenly
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Publication number: 20130200730Abstract: The Energy Uploader is a device using several components to achieve it's end result. The Energy Uploader operates in conjunction with any motor vehicles 12-volt dc charging system and works independently of the vehicles primary electrical system to produce 120-volt ac electrical energy that can be used or sold to the public utility power grid when the car is shut off.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2012Publication date: August 8, 2013Inventors: Raymond William Nowicki, Robert Joseph Hewitt
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Patent number: 8502420Abstract: A modular power supply and power control system includes a digital controller coupled to each of a plurality of output modules via a single wire serial data bus having a default high logic state. A plurality of isolation transformers are each coupled on a primary side to receive an intermediate bus voltage, and further coupled on a secondary side to one of the output modules. Galvanic isolation circuits provide galvanic isolation on the serial data bus between each of the output modules and the digital controller. The digital controller further includes circuitry effective to pull a bus logic state from high to low for generating data transmission to the plurality of isolated modules. Each of the plurality of isolated modules further include circuitry effective to independently pull the bus logic state from high to low for generating data transmission to the digital controller.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2010Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Power-One, Inc.Inventor: Igor Mogilevski
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Publication number: 20130193775Abstract: A power converting apparatus and a photovoltaic module are discussed. The power converting apparatus includes a converter including a tapped inductor and a first switch, the converter converting a level of an input direct current (DC) voltage and outputting the level-converted DC voltage, and an inverter including a plurality of switches, the inverter converting the level-converted DC voltage into an alternating current (AC) voltage. The inverter operates separately in a first switching mode where the inverter performs a switching operation at a first frequency for a first period of the converted AC voltage and a second switching mode where the inverter performs a switching operation at a second frequency for a second period of the converted AC voltage, the second frequency being lower than the first frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2013Publication date: August 1, 2013Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventor: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
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Patent number: 8497605Abstract: A power supply arrangement is for supplying power to a chip core. A dc-dc converter arrangement is used both for a wake-up state of the core in preparation for an active state, and for a shut down charge recycling state in which the core supplies charge to the dc-dc converter. Thus, the dc-dc converter arrangement functions both to control powering on of the core in an efficient manner and the powering down of the core to implement charge recycling. In an active state, the core is supplied with power from the high power supply line.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2010Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: NXP B.V.Inventors: Harish Kundur Subramaniyan, Rinze Ida Mechtildis Peter Meijer
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Patent number: 8492933Abstract: Power supply equipment includes an adapter to convert power from a power source to a DC power for powering an electronic device. The adapter includes circuitry for producing an analog data signal for use by the electronic device to control an amount of power drawn by the device. A cable has an output connector with a plurality of conductors to transfer the DC power and the analog data signal to the electronic device. The connector further includes circuitry to receive a data request from the electronic device and in response transmit a data output which identifies the power supply equipment to the electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2012Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Comarco Wireless Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Thomas W. Lanni
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Patent number: 8492924Abstract: In one embodiment, a power supply system is configured to use a linear regulator to receive a first output voltage and form a regulated voltage during a standby mode and to use the regulated voltage to form another output voltage.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2010Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Seminconductor Components Industries, LLCInventor: Nicolas Cyr
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Patent number: 8492929Abstract: A method utilizing a device and/or system presented herein for generating alternating current (a/c) electricity directly from photovoltaic cells utilize an array of photovoltaic cell pairs that are each connected in anti-parallel to form an a/c junction. The system, device and method mechanically gradually exposes and shades photovoltaic cell pairs to sunlight to generate alternating current electricity at an a/c junction of the solar cell pairs. Gradually and alternately exposing and shading the two anti-parallel connected solar cells of each solar cell pair causes the amplitude and polarity of the electricity at the a/c junction to gradually rise and fall to produce alternating current electricity. The gradual, alternating exposure and shading of the two anti-parallel solar cells is accomplished by mechanically covering and exposing the solar cell pairs. This is efficiently accomplished by a rotating segmented disc positioned over an array of solar cell pairs.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2012Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Inventor: Jason Allen Oliver
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Publication number: 20130175883Abstract: A circuit arrangement, includes output terminals that provide an output current and input terminals that receive a source current and a source voltage from a DC current source. A maximum power point tracker is coupled between the input terminals and the output terminals and a bypass circuit is coupled between the input terminals and the output terminals. The bypass circuit is configured to enter a bypass state dependent on the output current and dependent on the source current. The source current flows through the bypass circuit in the bypass state.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2013Publication date: July 11, 2013Applicant: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRIA AGInventor: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
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Patent number: 8482164Abstract: At least one embodiment of the invention relates to supplying ships in a harbor with external energy in order to prevent the formation of soot and CO2. For this purpose it is already known to supply ships with power from the wharfage. One problem in such a power supply provided from the wharf is that differences in the harbor's water level must be balanced for the power supply of a ship in the harbor. Furthermore, the operational readiness of such a power supply on land may be adversely affected, such as in the case of high water. At least one embodiment of the invention proposes a buoyant harbor power supply, e.g. the components of the harbor power supply are disposed on or in a buoyant device, particularly a barge.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2008Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Ernst-Christoph Krackhardt, Hans Bernhard Müller-Schwenn
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Patent number: 8482163Abstract: A DC to AC inverter used in a solar cell power system can include an improved structure for cooling itself and increasing power output.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2010Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: First Solar, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Belikoff, Thomas Kuster, Christopher Thompson