With Control Of Magnitude Of Energy Transfer Patents (Class 307/20)
  • Patent number: 11881741
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an emergency lighting circuit, an emergency start control method thereof and an emergency lighting system. When an emergency start condition is met, matching can be performed in a preset dimming database according to type information of load lighting equipment connected to a current emergency lighting circuit to obtain a dimming parameter value matching a power value required by the load lighting equipment, and finally, the load lighting equipment is directly controlled to start with the dimming parameter value. Through the above solution, when emergency lighting is started, there is no need to spend time in regulating power of the load lighting equipment, and a corresponding power value can be ensured when the load lighting equipment is started, which is highly reliable in emergency lighting start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Shenzhen Yihui Lighting Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jianwei Wang, Lin Yang
  • Patent number: 11728666
    Abstract: A power supply system includes: a capacitive first battery; an output-type second battery having a smaller heat capacity than the first battery; a voltage converter that converts a voltage between first and second power circuits; a power converter that converts power between the first power circuit and a drive motor; and a power controller that operates the voltage converter and the power converter. The power controller is configured to: after a start of operation, execute a power pass control under which power is transferred between the first and second batteries, until a total output upper limit Ptot_max of all the batteries exceeds a travelable threshold value Pready1; and subsequent to the power pass control, execute a second priority control under which the second battery is discharged in preference to the first battery, until a first output upper limit P1_max of the first battery exceeds a margin traveling threshold value Pready2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroki Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 11658486
    Abstract: An energy control system (ECS) for controlling an energy storage system (ESS's) that includes energy storage devices(s) or an energy storage combination (ESDC's) including?1 of the energy storage devices and ?1 of the energy storage combinations. A power conversion system is coupled to an output of the ESDC, and a transformer is coupled to an output of the power conversion system. The ECS includes an ECS server and an ESS adapter configured for providing an interface between ECS server and the ESS. The ECS server is configured for reading status data from the ESS and submitting schedules including selected charging and discharging times to the ESS, monitoring or displaying a variance between an expected performance of the ESS based on the schedules and an actual ESS performance, and responsive to the variance being determined to be above a predetermined threshold, sending an update of the schedules to the ESS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Rhett Heath Newman, Mark Bertinetti, Dynish Padinjarenjarukulathel Kurian, David Barry Granatelli
  • Patent number: 11626727
    Abstract: An energy supply network has a bus line with a line impedance for energy distribution. The energy supply network also includes a number of power-electronic converters having a respective commutation capacitor wherein the storage capacity thereof is selected in such a way that a controlling of the associated power-electronic converter is guaranteed during operation of the energy supply network and an excess of voltage is managed during a commutation. At least one energy accumulator is provided, which can be connected selectively to the bus line by controlling a switch device via a computer unit, wherein the storage capacity of the energy accumulator is substantially greater than the storage capacity of a respective commutation capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Karsten Handt, Sebastian Nielebock, Markus Pfeifer, Jens Weidauer
  • Patent number: 11588346
    Abstract: A power supply control device includes a first system, a second system, an inter-system switch, a battery switch and a controller. The controller turns off an inter-system switch that connects and disconnects the systems and turns on a battery switch that connects and disconnects a second power supply to and from the second system in response to an abnormality of a first power supply or the second power supply being detected and thereafter turn on the inter-system switch and turns off the battery switch in response to determination that there is no abnormality in the power supplies. Before turning on the inter-system switch, when voltage difference between the power supplies is equal to or larger than a threshold, the controller performs convergence control, and after determining that there is no abnormality in the power supplies, the controller keeps the battery switch turned off while performing the convergence control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: DENSO TEN Limited
    Inventors: Daiki Hakushima, Takeshi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 11509158
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a power processor, an interface, a first detector that detects at least one of a voltage value and a current value on an electric power line which connects the power processor and the interface, a second detector that detects at least one of a voltage value and a current value on the electric power line, a switch that switches a supply of electric power supplied from the interface to an outside, and a controller. The controller controls the switch to restrict the electric power supplied from the interface to an outside in a case where at least one of a detection value of the first detector and a detection value of the second detector is equal to or greater than a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Shimamura, Hajime Usami
  • Patent number: 11444565
    Abstract: A power device includes: a DC voltage output circuit that generates a DC internal power voltage from external supply power; a capacitor that is connected to the internal power voltage; and a voltage supply control circuit that monitors a voltage level of the internal power voltage and that, when detecting a drop in the internal power voltage, cuts off supply of the internal power voltage. The power device supplies internal power to a load. The power device supplies, to a first load that is a part of the load, the internal power voltage, and supplies, to a second load that is a load other than the first load, the internal power voltage via the voltage supply control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Furukawa, Yusuke Shimogaki
  • Patent number: 11296512
    Abstract: A reference capacity determiner determines a reference capacity of each power storage apparatus, under an assumption that power is not transmitted/received among the customer facilities. An actual capacity determiner determines an actual capacity of each power storage apparatus, under an assumption that power is transmitted/received among the customer facilities. A characteristic value determiner determines a first number of charging/discharging cycles, under an assumption that power is not transmitted/received among the customer facilities and each power storage apparatus has the reference capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Junichi Kanou, Akira Minegishi, Tetsuyoshi Ogura
  • Patent number: 11245283
    Abstract: A circuit includes an emergency lighting system and an AC/DC converter. An output terminal of the emergency lighting system is electrically connected to a LED load, and the other output terminal DIM of the emergency lighting system is electrically connected to a switch S2. The switch S2 is controlled by the emergency lighting system. The emergency lighting system includes an AC input detection module, a switching time detection module and a lithium battery. The AC input detection module is electrically connected to a neutral wire VN and a live wire VL. The switching time detection module is electrically connected between an output terminal of the AC input detection module and the terminal DIM. An output terminal of the AC/DC converter is electrically connected to a positive electrode of the lithium battery, and the other output terminal of the AC/DC converter is electrically connected to the LED load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: SHANGHAI SINCERETEK MICROELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO , LTD.
    Inventors: Hongyue Du, Siyuan Xu
  • Patent number: 11121549
    Abstract: A power flow control device intended to be used in a mesh network. The device includes a first voltage source connected between a first terminal (B1) and a third terminal (B3). A second voltage source is connected between a second terminal (B2) and the third terminal (B3). A current source is connected alternately to the first voltage source and the second voltage source and configured to ensure a transfer of energy between the first voltage source and the second voltage source. A switching means is arranged to allow the current source to be connected alternately in parallel with the first voltage source or in parallel with the second current source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignees: Supergrid Institute, Ecole Centrale De Lyon
    Inventors: Selle Toure, Florent Morel, Serge Poullain
  • Patent number: 10924016
    Abstract: A USB Type-C device supporting a bidirectional power supply, includes: a first device terminal configured to be coupled to a second USB Type-C device; a second device terminal configured to be coupled to a rechargeable DC voltage power source; and a reversible switched-mode power supply coupled to the first device terminal and the second device terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (GRAND OUEST) SAS
    Inventor: Christophe Belet
  • Patent number: 10879728
    Abstract: An emergency unit (1) is provided, comprising input terminals (I1, I2) for supplying the emergency unit (1) with AC power, a battery charging unit (40) designed for charging a battery unit (30) of the emergency unit (1) by using the AC power, a DC/DC converter (10), supplied by the battery unit (30) and designed to provide DC power to DC power output terminals (O1, O2) designed for supplying power to emergency lighting means (EL), a control unit (20) designed for being supplied with a signal indicating the state of the AC power and for outputting commands to the battery charging unit (40) and to the DC/DC converter (10). The control unit (20) can assume a state (S6) in which it causes the DC/DC converter (10) to provide DC power based on the battery unit and at the same time start the operation of the battery charging unit (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: TRIDONIC GMBH & CO KG
    Inventor: Ian Wilson
  • Patent number: 10819117
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods for configuring and managing the combination of strings of photovoltaic energy generators to improve the energy production performance of such generators. The strings of photovoltaic energy generators are connected to terminals in a combiner box having receptacles for receiving removable modular units of various types. Removable modular units with measurement capabilities are used in the combiner boxes to measure the direct current input provided by the strings; and in light of the measurements, the removable modular units can be selectively downgraded to simpler units that do not have measurement capabilities to reduce cost, and/or selectively upgraded to more sophisticated units that can adjust the output of the respective strings, such as upconverting the output voltage of the respective strings, to improve the performance of the strings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Tigo Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Grana
  • Patent number: 10809678
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods relating to managing and sharing resources within a spatially-distributed electrical power network in a fully distributed fashion. The electrical power network includes source nodes each having a power source and a local controller. The electrical power network includes a physical layer where the source nodes are connected to a power distribution network including one or more loads. The electrical power network also includes a communication layer for communicating power information between source nodes and neighbor source nodes of the electrical power network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Vahidreza Nasirian, Ali Davoudi, Frank L. Lewis
  • Patent number: 10707679
    Abstract: An improved method for sharing power between multiple battery energy storage systems (BESS) connected to a common DC network having a nominal voltage wherein the current from each BESS is regulated based upon a voltage-current characteristic which defines an output current which increases linearly in a predetermined ratio as the measured system voltage decreases. The predetermined ratio is constant in respect of each BESS. The output current of each BESS varies based upon an external signal that varies with the state of charge of the BESS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Inventors: Peter Waldemar Lehn, Kyle Muehlegg
  • Patent number: 10686439
    Abstract: A method of controlling a power converter having a plurality of parallel-connected switching devices, the method comprising: measuring a threshold voltage of each of the parallel switching devices at start up of the parallel power converter in an initial self-calibration process; and determining synchronization of a time at which the threshold voltages of the respective switching devices occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fabien Dubois, Karthik Debbadi
  • Patent number: 10673244
    Abstract: A photovoltaic system, including: a plurality of photovoltaic panels having outputs connected in series as a string to provide a string output; a converter coupled to the string to receive the string output as an input and generate a direct current output from the input; a series connection of the string output and the direct current output; and a bus powered at least in part by the series connection of the string output and the direct current output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Tigo Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Shmuel Arditi, Ron Hadar
  • Patent number: 10630087
    Abstract: The invention provides an uninterruptible power supply, which comprises a battery management circuit and a control circuit. The battery management circuit is electrically coupled to each battery of at least one battery string for measuring the voltage of each battery. When the battery strings discharge, the control circuit obtains the voltage of each battery through the battery management circuit to calculate the discharge current of each battery, and determines whether there is any measured voltage having dropped to an EOD voltage corresponding to a discharge current of a corresponding battery. When the determination result is positive, the control circuit controls the uninterruptible power system to stop the discharging of at least one battery string in which there is at least one measured voltage having dropped to an EOD voltage corresponding to a discharge current of a corresponding battery. Furthermore, a corresponding battery management apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: CYBER POWER SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Lien-Hsun Ho, Kai-Tsung Yang
  • Patent number: 10476273
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, system and computer program is provided for controlling an electric power system, including implementation of a voltage control and conservation (VCC) system used to optimally control the independent voltage and capacitor banks using a linear optimization methodology to minimize the losses in the EEDCS and the EUS. An energy validation process system (EVP) is provided which is used to document the savings of the VCC and an EPP is used to optimize improvements to the EEDCS for continuously improving the energy losses in the EEDS. The EVP system measures the improvement in the EEDS a result of operating the VCC system in the “ON” state determining the level of energy conservation achieved by the VCC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Dominion Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Tyler, Phillip W. Powell
  • Patent number: 10373456
    Abstract: The invention disclosed here is a display system for managing power and security for a plurality of hand-held electronic devices sold to consumers in a retail location. The display includes features that allow power to be supplied to individual devices and security sensors without continuous hard wiring or multi-conductor retractor cables. The display also allows for individual security alarms to be triggered when a theft occurs. Security alarm conditions are preferably triggered via wireless signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: MOBILE TECH, INC.
    Inventors: Donald Henson, Kris Schatz, Wade Wheeler
  • Patent number: 10263426
    Abstract: A system stabilizing controller for estimating and controlling stability of a power grid includes a collection unit collecting grid information including a power flow amount from the power grid and a calculation unit calculating a generator shedding amount at a fault observation point on the basis of the grid information and estimating a correlation line on the basis of the power flow amount and generator shedding amount. The calculation unit determines a generator phase angle curve that is the relationship between the internal generator phase angle of a generator connected to the power grid and the power flow amount, determines a stability limit power flow amount on the basis of the amounts of generator acceleration energy and deceleration energy in the generator phase angle curve, determines a stability limit generator shedding amount corresponding to the stability limit power flow amount, and estimates a correlation line including a stability limit point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Ryo Yamaguchi, Kouichi Hara
  • Patent number: 10217338
    Abstract: The invention disclosed here is a display system for managing power and security for a plurality of hand-held electronic devices sold to consumers in a retail location. The display includes features that allow power to be supplied to individual devices and security sensors without continuous hard wiring or multi-conductor retractor cables. The display also allows for individual security alarms to be triggered when a theft occurs. Security alarm conditions are preferably triggered via wireless signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: MOBILE TECH, INC.
    Inventors: Donald Henson, Thaine Allison, Jason Goldberg, Justin Olson, Eric Pitt, Kris Schatz, Wade Wheeler, Ron Peters
  • Patent number: 10211721
    Abstract: A DC/AC converter apparatus is disclosed for converting DC power of a DC energy source into AC power for supplying a load and or the utility grid. The DC/AC converter apparatus is adapted to automatically control the amount of both active and reactive electrical power that is exchanged with the utility grid in order to optimize the electrical power usage of the micro grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Andrea Becattini, Sauro Macerini
  • Patent number: 10083583
    Abstract: The invention disclosed here is a display system for managing power and security for a plurality of hand-held electronic devices sold to consumers in a retail location. The display includes features that allow power to be supplied to individual devices and security sensors without continuous hard wiring or multi-conductor retractor cables. The display also allows for individual security alarms to be triggered when a theft occurs. Security alarm conditions are preferably triggered via wireless signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: MOBILE TECH, INC.
    Inventors: Donald Henson, Thaine Allison, Jason Goldberg, Justin Olson, Eric Pitt, Kris Schatz, Wade Wheeler, Ron Peters
  • Patent number: 10026281
    Abstract: The invention disclosed here is a display system for managing power and security for a plurality of hand-held electronic devices sold to consumers in a retail location. The display includes features that allow power to be supplied to individual devices and security sensors without continuous hard wiring or multi-conductor retractor cables. The display also allows for individual security alarms to be triggered when a theft occurs. Security alarm conditions are preferably triggered via wireless signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: MOBILE TECH, INC.
    Inventors: Donald Henson, Kris Schatz, Wade Wheeler
  • Patent number: 9942956
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention improve efficiency and address the stability issues that arise when a boost converter is used for both backlight WLEDs and camera flash applications, which require increased voltage or output voltage less than input voltage. In prior solutions, boost converters may suffer poor efficiency when operating in a fixed high output voltage mode or may lose stability by not properly regulating their output when operating in a step-down voltage mode. To improve efficiency of the boost converter, the present invention uses a 100%-pass mode topology when the battery voltage is high enough to support the diode voltage required for the backlight WLEDs or the camera flash. On the other hand, when the battery voltage drops below the required voltage, then the converter switches automatically to boost mode to generate a sufficient output voltage to drive the diodes to the required current level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Wenliang Chen, Eung Jung Kim
  • Patent number: 9866019
    Abstract: An exemplary control apparatus for an energy distribution system includes a connection to an alternating current supply system and a plurality of predetermined loads each having an energy storage capacity and being electrically connected as by a respective switching device to the alternating current supply system for a duration of a half-wave or a whole number times said half-wave. The respective switching devices are supplied electrical energy from the alternating current supply system for a respective control time period within a predetermined common cycle time period. The start and end of the respective control time periods within the common cycle time period are established prior to the start of said common cycle time period to create a substantially constant loading graph. The optimization procedure is based at least one load in lieu of a continuous control time period having at least two non-continuous block time periods of equal total duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schader, Reinhard Bauer, Silke Klose, Subanatarajan Subbiah
  • Patent number: 9859715
    Abstract: A station-building power supply device is provided in each station building and supplies low-voltage AC power to station building facilities of each station building. There are two mode therein: a regenerative mode in which, when regenerative power regenerated by a train to an overhead wire becomes surplus, the surplus regenerative power supplied from the overhead wire and power supplied from a high-voltage distribution line are used together to supply low-voltage AC power corresponding to an amount of normal power consumption of the station building; and a standby power supply mode in which, when a power outage of the high-voltage distribution line occurs, power supplied from the overhead wire is used to supply low-voltage AC power corresponding to an amount of emergency power of the station building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Tanaka, Yasushi Matsumura, Wataru Okuda, Syuji Ishikura
  • Patent number: 9829880
    Abstract: A method for modelling load in a power grid is provided. The method includes obtaining measurement data from a measurement device in the power grid, identifying one or more voltage adjustment events in the power grid from the measurement data, and generating a load model based on one or more voltage factors computed using the one or more voltage adjustment events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Chaitanya Ashok Baone, William James Premerlani, Yan Pan, Jing Dai, Santosh Sambamoorthy Veda, Zhenyu Tan
  • Patent number: 9786140
    Abstract: The invention disclosed here is a display system for managing power and security for a plurality of hand-held electronic devices sold to consumers in a retail location. The display includes features that allow power to be supplied to individual devices and security sensors without continuous hard wiring or multi-conductor retractor cables. The display also allows for individual security alarms to be triggered when a theft occurs. Security alarm conditions are preferably triggered via wireless signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Mobile Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Henson, Thaine Allison, Jason Goldberg, Justin Olson, Eric Pitt, Kris Schatz, Wade Wheeler, Ron Peters
  • Patent number: 9713993
    Abstract: This discloses apparatus including, but not limited to, an all Direct Current (DC) energy transfer circuit, a energy transfer controller, an all-DC energy transfer network, components of use in such circuits, and application apparatus that benefits from including and/or using the all-DC energy transfer device and methods of operating the above in accord with this invention. The application apparatus may include, but are not limited to, a hybrid electric vehicle, an electric vehicle, and/or a solar power device, in particular, a hybrid electric/internal combustion engine automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: RICHARD H. SHERRAT AND SUSAN B. SHERRATT TRUST FUND
    Inventor: Brian Elfman
  • Patent number: 9552029
    Abstract: The techniques described herein include for forming a power grid array with multiple power generators coupled to a power distribution unit. The power distribution unit is adapted to monitor operational data from each of the power generators to perform load balancing among the generators and to optimize the performance of the power grid array. A microgrid network is also provided within the power grid array to enable communication among the power distribution unit and the multiple generators in the array. This communication facilitates monitoring of the power grid as well as receiving and storing the operational data from each of the generators in the grid. The microgrid network can then be used to communicate the operational data over one or more connected networks allowing users to remotely access the power grid and to monitor and control the operational characteristics of the generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: ENGINEERED ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher J. Vaum, Gene Frohman, John Petsche, Jason Deguzis, Mike Santella
  • Patent number: 9368965
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for configuring and managing solar panels to form strings of photovoltaic energy generators with improved performance and reduced cost. The photovoltaic energy generators are connected via one or more combined local management units (CLMUs), each having a plurality of direct current converters connected to and configured to receive direct current power from a respective solar panel. A controller unit shared by the CLMU's direct current converters is utilized to separately control the operation of each converter such that the power extracted from the solar panels is maximized. A communications unit coupled with the controller unit is utilized to facilitate communications between the controller unit and a system unit remote from the CLMU to report measurements and receive control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: TIGO ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Shmuel Arditi, Ron Hadar
  • Patent number: 9306082
    Abstract: The invention relates to a module for locally controlling a photovoltaic panel that includes: first and second terminals (B1, B2) for connecting in series by a single conductor (13) having homologous modules; a first terminal (A1) for connecting the photovoltaic panel, said first terminal being connected to the first terminal (B1) for connecting in series; a switcher (S) that is connected between the second terminal (B2) for connecting in series and a second terminal (A2) connecting the panel; a diode (D0) that is connected between the first and second terminals (B1, B2) for connecting in series; a converter (70) that is provided so as to supply power to the module on the basis of the voltage that is developed by the panel between the first and second terminals (A1, A2) connecting the panel; a sensor (R3) for measuring the current flowing within the single conductor (13); and a means (60, 62) for closing the switcher when the current flowing within the single conductor exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: Andras Pozsgay
  • Patent number: 9134746
    Abstract: Systems and methods for harmonic resonance control are described. In some embodiments, a system comprises a first switch-controlled VAR source and a harmonic management block which may each be configured to be coupled to a distribution power network. The first switch-controlled VAR source may comprise a first processor, a voltage compensation component, and a switch. The first processor may be configured to enable the voltage compensation component after a delay by controlling the switch based on first proximate voltage after a duration associated with the delay to adjust voltage volt-ampere reactive. The harmonic management block may be configured to compare a second proximate voltage to at least one resonant threshold to detect potential resonance caused by enablement of the voltage compensation component and to engage based on the comparison the resonance compensation component to manage the potential resonance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: VARENTEC, INC.
    Inventors: Deepakraj M. Divan, Anish Prasai
  • Patent number: 8975779
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a load management controller for a household electrical installation comprising a pair of electricity supplies, a grid supply and a micro-generator supply, providing electricity to a plurality if sub-circuits. The household electrical installation has means to monitor the amount of electricity being supplied by the micro-generator supply and the amount of electricity being consumed in the household. The load management controller has means to access and use that information to control the supply of electricity to an energy storage sub-circuit to route surplus electricity supplied by the micro-generator to the energy storage sub-circuit. Furthermore, the load management controller can communicate with a remote electricity supplier to control the loads in the household to achieve better grid management and efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventors: Timothy Patrick Cooper, Colin David Harris, Thomas Laurence Bean
  • Publication number: 20140368032
    Abstract: The invention relates to a network infrastructure component and a distributed network system for supply purposes comprising a plurality of network infrastructure components, wherein the network infrastructure component comprises at least one contact unit for connection to a further network infrastructure component, and at least one coupling module for coupling a functional group, wherein the network infrastructure component is designed to communicate with a coupled functional group at least at a supply level, wherein the network infrastructure component is designed to communicate with at least one further network infrastructure component at least at the supply level and/or a data level, such that a self-configured network system for linking a plurality of functional groups can be produced with a network of a plurality of network infrastructure components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Johannes Doerndorfer
  • Publication number: 20140330446
    Abstract: According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the system for managing a power system with a plurality of power components that includes power source components and power consumption components includes a central power bus, a plurality of adaptable connectors that each electrically couple to a power component and to the central power bus, and a control processor that receives the state of each power component from the respective adaptable connector and is configured to balance the voltage and current output from each power source component to provide a desired power to a power consumption component based on the received states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: Motiv Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Michael Castelaz, Jessica Riley, Steven Diamond, Sam Chang, Vishal Parikh, Benson Tsai
  • Publication number: 20140319910
    Abstract: Dynamic power flow controllers are provided. A dynamic power flow controller may comprise a transformer and a power converter. The power converter is subject to low voltage stresses and not floated at line voltage. In addition, the power converter is rated at a fraction of the total power controlled. A dynamic power flow controller controls both the real and the reactive power flow between two AC sources having the same frequency. A dynamic power flow controller inserts a voltage with controllable magnitude and phase between two AC sources; thereby effecting control of active and reactive power flows between two AC sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: VARENTEC, INC.
    Inventors: DEEPAKRAJ M. DIVAN, ANISH PRASAI
  • Patent number: 8860246
    Abstract: Systems and methods to balance currents among a plurality of photovoltaic units connected in series. In aspect, a management unit is coupled between a photovoltaic energy production unit and a string of energy production units. The management unit has an energy storage element (e.g., a capacitor) connected to the photovoltaic energy production unit. The management unit further has a switch to selectively couple to the energy storage element and the photovoltaic energy production unit to the string. The management unit allows the current in the string to be larger than the current in the photovoltaic energy production unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Tigo Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Ron Hadar, Shmuel Arditi
  • Publication number: 20140111005
    Abstract: The present invention provides a UPS and a DC-DC converter. An input end of the DC-DC converter is connected to a BUS+, a BUS?, and an N wire. Therefore, an input voltage is relatively low, and devices with low voltage resistance may be selected as devices in the DC-DC converter. Moreover, a load in the DC-DC converter is connected to a switch tube through a inductor rather than be directly connected to the switch tube. Therefore, a high-frequency switch wave on the second switch tube may not affect the load. Accordingly, performance of the load and an anti-electromagnetic interference capability of a whole circuit may be improved. In addition, the DC-DC converter provided in present invention does not have a structure as complicated as that of a dual BUCK topology in the prior art. Therefore, the DC-DC converter, with respect to the dual BUCK topology, has less devices and lower costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Peiguo Liu, Zhenfu Fei, Yanan Zhou
  • Publication number: 20140058576
    Abstract: A power unit including multiple generators supplies power to a load or loads that may be variable. The generators can differ, e.g., in generating capacities, rates at which their outputs can be changed, maintenance requirements, and/or different energy-conversion efficiencies. A control unit throttles the generators independently according to a digitally implemented algorithm that may, but need not, use the difference(s) in supplying power to the load. In some cases, the controller regulates monitored power delivered to the load or loads. A power combiner is connected to the outputs of the generators. If desired, a buffer can be used between the generators and the load or loads to provide energy storage that can allow for the load or loads to change at a faster rate than the generators are throttled and for peak loads that temporarily exceed the capacity of the generators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Green Light Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Peter Jackson, Thomas J. Phillips, Joseph Matthew Zlotnicki
  • Publication number: 20130249287
    Abstract: An energy supply network has an n-phase electrical machine where n?1 and a controllable first energy reservoir which serves to control and supply electrical energy to the electrical machine. The first energy reservoir has n parallel energy supply branches that each have at least two energy reservoir modules, connected in series, that each encompass at least one electrical energy reservoir cell having an associated controllable coupling unit and are connected on the one hand to a reference bus, and on the other hand to a respective phase of the electrical machine. As a function of control signals, the coupling units either bypass the respectively associated energy reservoir cells or switch the respectively associated energy reservoir cells into the energy supply branch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Peter Feuerstack, Erick Weissenborn, Martin Kessler
  • Patent number: 8493029
    Abstract: A method of dynamic power management of a mobile device. The method includes monitoring at least one load to determine when at least one of the loads will become active or inactive, determining a minimum required output voltage level to be provided by a single voltage converter based on voltage level requirements of the at least one load that will become active or inactive, converting an input voltage level via the voltage converter to provide the minimum required output voltage level to the output power port in advance of the at least one load becoming active or after the at least one load becomes inactive, monitoring the input voltage level, determining whether the input voltage level is below a first threshold, and when the input voltage level is below the first threshold, reducing the output voltage level provided by the single voltage converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Lyall Kenneth Winger, Dusan Veselic, Martin George Albert Guthrie
  • Publication number: 20130140888
    Abstract: A power system includes one or more notification circuits for powering notification devices, a backup power source, and a plurality of primary power supplies. The primary power supplies are configured to provide a combined current to the notification circuits. Each primary power supply regulates its output current to equal a highest output current provided by one of the primary power supplies so that each contributes approximately the same current to the load. The primary power supplies also include boost regulator circuits for boosting the voltage of the backup power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: UTC FIRE & SECURITY AMERICAS CORPORATION, INC.
    Inventors: William Edwards, Richard P. Tucker, Donald Becker
  • Patent number: 8421267
    Abstract: A wireless power system includes a power source, power receiver, and components thereof. A current sensor senses the amount of current through the antenna. That amount of current is then used to adjust characteristics of the transmitting or receiving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM, Incorporated
    Inventors: Nigel P. Cook, Lukas Sieber, Hanspeter Widmer
  • Patent number: 8384343
    Abstract: A power management system may comprise a generative power source, a main bus between the generative power source and electrical loads, a energy accumulator and a main bi directional power converter interposed between the main bus and the energy accumulator unit. The energy accumulator may comprise a plurality of energy storage blocks. The energy storage blocks may individually comprise energy storage units and control units with dedicated DC/DC bidirectional power converters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Hassan Ali Kojori, David Lazarovich, Harmohan N. Singh
  • Patent number: 8321073
    Abstract: Aircraft power systems, aircraft galley systems, and methods and systems for managing power distribution to aircraft galley systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, an aircraft system can include an aircraft power source and at least first and second galley appliances operably coupled to the aircraft power source. The aircraft system can further include a controller operably coupled to the first and second galley appliances. The controller can be configured to receive a first power request from the first galley appliance and a second power request from the second galley appliance. The controller can be further configured to sort the first and second power requests and distribute power to the first and second galley appliances from the aircraft power source based on the sorting of the first and second power requests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Michael B. McAvoy
  • Publication number: 20120286573
    Abstract: A power managing system including a power plant and a plurality of electric vehicles each having a battery for storing the power generated by the power plant. The power stored in the battery of each electric vehicle is recovered to the power plant according to demand for power during the time when each electric vehicle is not in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: DISCO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuma Sekiya
  • Patent number: 8264215
    Abstract: Electrical currents are detected and analyzed across structural members in a structural joint, such as a fastener of a vehicle. In some aspects, printed circuit boards etched with Rogowski coil circuits are inserted proximate the structural members in the structural joint. The Rogowski coil circuits may detect an electrical current as it flows through the structural joint. An integrator may integrate a transient current to generate an output signal, such as when the vehicle is subjected to an electrical charge. The output signal may be transmitted to an Integrated Vehicle Health Management (IVHM) system for analysis. In various aspects, the IVHM system may enable recording and reporting of various aspects of the current to enable maintenance, inspection, or real time/near real time health assessment of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel James Kovach, Andrew M. Robb