Substitute Or Alternate Source Patents (Class 307/23)
  • Patent number: 10622814
    Abstract: A power conversion apparatus including a main power converter and an auxiliary power converter is provided. The main power converter converts an AC power to a first DC power, and then converts the first DC power to a DC output power. The main power converter has a first power conversion terminal for outputting the first DC power. The auxiliary power converter converts an auxiliary power to a second DC power, and then converts the second DC power to the DC output power. The auxiliary power converter has a second power conversion terminal for outputting the second DC power. The first power conversion terminal and the second power conversion terminal are commonly coupled to a DC power conversion circuit, such that the main power converter and the auxiliary power converter share the DC power conversion circuit and generate a DC output power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: FSP TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Chien-Li Tsai
  • Patent number: 10604018
    Abstract: A method for charging a battery of a vehicle uses a battery charging station that provides an electric current at a first DC voltage. The electric current that is output by the battery charging station at the first DC voltage is supplied to a charger of the vehicle, The electric current at the first DC voltage is converted within the charger into a second electric current at a second DC voltage that is required for charging the battery of the vehicle, and then is supplied to the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Daniel Spesser
  • Patent number: 10554046
    Abstract: A hardware processor may be coupled to a communication network and receive charging requests and discharging requests from a plurality of prosumer facilities via the communication network. One or more energy storage systems may be coupled to an energy grid and able to charge from and discharge to the energy grid, and may communicate with the hardware processor via the communication network. Based on the charging requests and discharging requests, an energy schedule may be generated. The energy schedule may include a first set of the prosumer facilities from which charge requests are accepted, and a second set of prosumer facilities from which discharge requests are accepted. One or several energy storage systems may be controlled or triggered to charge or discharge repeatedly via the energy grid according to an updated energy schedule (e.g., regularly updated).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Julian de Hoog, Arun Vishwanath, Timothy M. Lynar
  • Patent number: 10535982
    Abstract: A transfer switch and load controller that can be plugged into an existing utility meter socket and electrically positioned between the meter socket and a distribution panel to allow switching between utility power and standby power. The plug-in transfer switch functions to transfer the power supplied to a home between the utility power source and the generator power source upon loss of power from the utility power source. The transfer switch components are contained in an enclosed housing of a meter socket adapter that is mounted directly to the meter socket of a meter housing. The meter socket adapter is prewired to a standby generator such that the standby generator can be connected to a home power system by plugging the meter socket adapter into the meter socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Miller, Gary Gracyalny, David A. Kratz, Richard Gilpatrick, Dean Weigand, Sie Teong Lim, Nicholas Demos
  • Patent number: 10521001
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a modular DC power unit having a form factor enabling mounting in at least one of a plurality of component locations of an equipment rack. The modular DC power unit provides DC power to a DC bus of the equipment rack. The modular DC power unit may have a chassis defining a plurality of slots into which a plurality of DC power supplies may be inserted. An AC input module may be used for receiving AC power from an external AC power source. A plurality of independent, modular DC power supplies, each having a form factor enabling insertion and mounting in one of the slots of the chassis, may be mounted in the chassis. A controller may be in communication with the DC power supplies and housed within the chassis. A DC bus housed within the chassis communicates with the DC power supplies and supplies DC output power from the DC power supplies to the separate DC bus housed within the equipment rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Vertiv Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Wilcox, Bob Kippley, Matthew Schneider
  • Patent number: 10511186
    Abstract: In an automatic transfer power supply with relay protection, multiple electric power sources may be selectively coupled with a switched-mode power supply circuit using multiple corresponding sets of relays. The switched-mode power supply circuit may include one or more switches that operate under the control of a switch controller element to implement the functionality of the switched-mode power supply. To protect the relays during source transfer, a source transfer controller may signal the switch controller element to halt current flow through the switched-mode power supply circuit, and then signal the relays to change state while the current flow is halted, thereby protecting the relays during source transfer. Sparking may be reduced in relays that physically move metal armatures to make and break electrical connections, prolonging relay life and/or reducing relay failures and improving power supply availability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William Mische, Jared Joseph Lee, Richard Arvel Stevens
  • Patent number: 10481576
    Abstract: A method for implementing connection control includes: reading connection parameter information from a charging manager, and determining, according to the connection parameter information, a connection state of electric equipment; and controlling, according to the connection state of the electric equipment, ON or OFF of a circuit and/or an enabled state of the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: ZTE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tao Chen, Chao Liang, Jiancheng Wang
  • Patent number: 10481660
    Abstract: Data storage device has a super-capacitor, a control unit with multiple operational states, non-volatile memory, and a bus connected to a computing device with a separate power source. The control unit state is set by the power level of the computing device and the super-capacitor. In a backup state, the control unit stores backup data from the computing device in the non-volatile memory using power from the super-capacitor. In an inactive state, the control unit does not receive power from the super-capacitor. The control unit is set to the backup state when the device power level is less than a first threshold and the super-capacitor voltage level is greater than a second threshold. The control unit is set to the inactive state when the super-capacitor voltage level decreases below a third threshold that is less than the second threshold by more than the dielectric absorption voltage gain of the super-capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Feldman, Boris Feldman
  • Patent number: 10476300
    Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply device includes N UPS modules connected in parallel with one another between an AC power supply and a load, a current detector configured to detect a load current, and a controller configured to select n UPS modules, and an auxiliary UPS module, based on a result of detection by the current detector. Each of the n UPS modules is configured to supply, to the load, a shared current which is 1/n of the load current. The auxiliary UPS module is configured to output, to the load, a counter voltage having a value in accordance with output voltages of the n UPS modules, and thereby to stand by in a state where no current flows between the auxiliary UPS module and the n UPS modules and between the auxiliary UPS module and the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaru Toyoda, Kenta Hayashi, Akihiro Yamanishi
  • Patent number: 10474220
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reliable redundant power distribution. Some embodiments include micro Automatic Transfer Switches (micro-ATSs), including various components and techniques for facilitating reliable auto-switching functionality in a small footprint (e.g., less than ten cubic inches, with at least one dimension being less than a standard NEMA rack height). Other embodiments include systems and techniques for integrating a number of micro-ATSs into a parallel auto-switching module for redundant power delivery to a number of devices. Implementations of the parallel auto-switching module are configured to be mounted in, on top of, or on the side of standard equipment racks. Still other embodiments provide power distribution topologies that exploit functionality of the micro-ATSs and/or the parallel micro-ATS modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Zonit Structured Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: William Pachoud, Steve Chapel
  • Patent number: 10468888
    Abstract: A control system for a solar power plant includes: plural power conditioning systems performing grid connection control of transmission of electrical power generated by a solar power generator to a power grid; and a supervisory controller which issues a target output command to each power conditioning system so that interconnection point electrical power, electrical power fed to the power grid, becomes equal to or smaller than an upper limit output value. The supervisory controller: receives an urgent request including information related to a time of day at which the upper limit output value is scheduled to be changed and the scheduled upper limit output value; and calculates a target value of the interconnection point electrical power for each time of day so that the interconnection point electrical power conforms to the scheduled upper limit output value by the scheduled time of day.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toshio Okochi
  • Patent number: 10467167
    Abstract: Diodes allow passage of electricity from a battery or a commercial power supply toward a processing system. A power feed reception terminal establishes a connection with a power feed reception path laid in a docking station or with a power feed reception path laid in another external device. Switches either cut off or connect paths meant for connecting the output sides of the diodes and the power feed reception terminal. A magnetic sensor detects the start of a connection between the power feed reception terminal and the power feed reception path laid in the docking station. When the start of a connection is detected, the control unit switches the switches to allow connection. When the power feed reception terminal is connected to the power feed reception path laid in the other external device, the control unit controls the switches based on the result of communication with the other external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Fujitsu Client Computing Limited
    Inventor: Hirotaka Yakame
  • Patent number: 10461577
    Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a UPS system comprising an input, an output, a converter, an inverter configured to convert DC power into output AC power, and a controller configured to operate the inverter to introduce a voltage droop to the output AC power, wherein the controller includes an active power droop controller including a first moving average filter configured to sample instantaneous active power of the inverter to obtain instantaneous active power samples and calculate a first DC component of the instantaneous active power samples, and a first Min-Max filter configured to receive the first DC component of the instantaneous active power samples and output a second DC component of the instantaneous active power samples having a convergence time less than the first DC component, wherein the active power droop controller is configured to calculate the voltage droop based on the second DC component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rajesh Ghosh, Mudiyula Srikanth, Damir Klikic, Mahendrakumar H. Lipare, Nikhill Onthath
  • Patent number: 10396563
    Abstract: A system and process of its operation for monitoring and managing load circuits connected to a renewable energy generation system are disclosed. A programmable load manger circuit continuously monitors the available energy from the generation system and manages the load circuits connected to the system in a manner such that the energy demand from the active load circuits is below the level of available energy. The load circuits can be prioritized and programmed such that the lower priority loads are deactivated prior to the higher priority loads when the available energy from the generation system is not sufficient to satisfy demand from all the active load circuits. When the renewable energy generation system incorporates more than one generator, a load balancing control algorithm, continuously monitoring the load connected to the system and allocates the load in a balanced manner to each of the generators in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Kripya LLC
    Inventors: Vilakkudi G. Veeraraghavan, Ramarao Ananathakrishnan, Muthiam S Balavenkataraman
  • Patent number: 10333342
    Abstract: Fault-tolerant power distribution systems for modular power plants are discussed. The systems enable the transmission of a portion of the power generated by a modular power plant to remote consumers. The systems also enable the local distribution of another portion of the generated power within the power plant. The various fault-tolerant systems enable the plant to continuously, and without degradation or disruption, transmit power to remote consumers and distribute power within in the power plant in the event of one or more faults within the distribution system. The various embodiments include redundant power-transmission paths, power-distribution module feeds, switchgear, and other hardware components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: NUSCALE POWER, LLC
    Inventor: Ted Hough
  • Patent number: 10305368
    Abstract: Multilevel power converters, power cells and methods are presented for selectively bypassing a power stage of a multilevel inverter circuit, in which a single relay or contactor includes first and second normally closed output control contacts coupled between a given power cell switching circuit and the given power cell output, along with a normally open bypass contact coupled across the power stage output, with a local or central controller energizing the coil of the relay or contactor of a given cell to bypass that cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Navid R. Zargari, Yuan Xiao, Lixiang Wei, Zhongyuan Cheng
  • Patent number: 10284008
    Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system is provided. The UPS system includes a plurality of UPSs, a ring bus that electrically couples the UPSs together, a static switch coupled between an associated UPS of the UPSs and the ring bus, and a controller. The controller receives current data representative of an inverter current and a load current associated with the associated UPS. An output capacitor of the associated UPS is coupled to a node that conducts the inverter current and the load current. The controller further calculates a measured current based on the received current data, determines a voltage of said output capacitor, generates a derived current based on the determined voltage and a predetermined capacitance of said output capacitor, compares the measured current and the derived current to identify a fault location, and controls said static switch based on the identified fault location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Andrea Mannuccini, Lorenzo Giuntini
  • Patent number: 10275003
    Abstract: Example implementations relate to backup power communication. For example, a system for backup power communication can include a shared backup power supply coupled to a node, a plurality of loads supported by the node, and a pass-through device to support multi-master communication between the shared backup power supply and the plurality of loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT LP
    Inventors: Justin H. Park, Patrick A. Raymond, David P. Mohr, David K. Altobelli, David W. Engler, Han Wang
  • Patent number: 10243369
    Abstract: A hub device controls an electrical energy state of one or more appliances, and controls an alternative electricity supply such as a solar generation installation whose output is non-constant such that sometimes the electrical energy available from the alternative electrical supply is greater than the electrical energy demand from the appliances, and at other times the electrical energy available from the alternative electrical supply is less than the electrical energy demand from the appliances. The hub device may control the alternative electricity supply and/or the appliances such that the electrical energy available from the alternative electrical supply is matched to the electrical energy demand from the appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Embertec Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Domenico Gelonese
  • Patent number: 10211675
    Abstract: A method of determining a power transmission device to be set as a master device such that wasteful communication is not caused. In a wireless power feeding system, a power transmission device that transmits electric power to a power reception device forms a group with other power transmission devices. The power transmission device performs communication with the power reception device or the other power transmission devices using a wireless transmission section and a wireless reception section, and exchanges information with the other power transmission devices. The power transmission device receives a setting for determining a power transmission device to be set as a master device out of the self device and the other power transmission devices, with which information has been exchanged. If the received setting is for setting the self device as the master device, the self device is set as the master device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Manabu Hada, Minoru Akazawa, Keisuke Kitajima
  • Patent number: 10199861
    Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system is provided. The UPS system includes a plurality of UPSs, a ring bus coupled to the UPSs, a plurality of chokes, and at least one static switch coupled between an associated UPS of the UPSs and the ring bus. Each choke electrically couples an associated UPS to the ring bus. The static switch is switchable to selectively bypass at least one choke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Lorenzo Giuntini, Andrea Mannuccini, Silvio Colombi
  • Patent number: 10101790
    Abstract: Examples herein disclose determining when a battery module is below a full charge and selecting a subset of loads based on a prioritization among multiple loads. The selected subset of loads is to receive power from the battery module. The examples herein deliver power to the selected subset of loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT LP
    Inventors: Hai Ngoc Nguyen, Han Wang, Patrick A. Raymond, Raghavan V. Venugopal
  • Patent number: 10095254
    Abstract: Various implementations disclosed herein include a power distribution system that provides flexible and/or multi-source supply capacity in response to changes in load power demand relative to active power supply capacity, and based at least in part on a performance objective function. In some implementations, a power distribution system includes a plurality of power supplies, and a power control module connected to control the plurality of power supplies. The power supplies are configured to deliver a current to a power supply node, and are also configured to responsively adjust the current in response to a control command. The power control module provides control commands that are produced in response to threshold changes in load power demand relative to active power supply capacity provided by one or more of the plurality of power supplies, and based at least in part on a performance objective function, such as efficiency, redundancy, and demand tracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Luis R. Saavedra, Amrik Singh Bains, Samir Bouadjel
  • Patent number: 10090702
    Abstract: Reconfiguring a power system for an electrical load includes establishing a secondary feed to an electrical load that is receiving power from a primary power source. A set of secondary feed lines is coupled between a donor power source and a power input to the electrical load such that the set of secondary feed lines is configured to supply power from the donor power source to the electrical load. An automatic transfer switch is coupled in parallel with the set of secondary feed lines. The electrical load is transferred by the automatic transfer switch from the donor power source to the primary power source for the reconfiguration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Noel Kellett, Patrick Hughes, Jonathan David Hay
  • Patent number: 10063049
    Abstract: The disclosed apparatus may include (1) at least one unregulated power input that facilitates feeding unregulated electrical power to a telecommunications device, (2) at least one regulated power input that facilitates feeding regulated electrical power to the telecommunications device, and (3) at least one ORing power device that (A) provides unregulated electrical power from the unregulated power input to the telecommunications device when the unregulated electrical power is above a certain threshold and (B) provides regulated electrical power from the regulated power input to the telecommunications device when the unregulated electrical power is below the certain threshold. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Juniper Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaspal S. Gill, David K. Owen, Michael Braylovskiy
  • Patent number: 10050548
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring power to a load. An AC-to-DC converter output for an AC-to-DC converter is connected to a filter circuit input in a DC-to-DC converter via a connector such that a no-break power transfer occurs when transferring between providing power for the load by the AC-to-DC converter and providing power for the load by the DC-to-DC converter. The topology of the AC-to-DC converter needs only 21 windings for achieving a 24-pulse transformer rectifier unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jian Huang, Thomas F. Currier, Alan Thomas Bernier, Ernest H. Kanning
  • Patent number: 10008878
    Abstract: This system can manage efficient operation control among distributed power sources without impairing their versatility. This power control system includes a power generation device (33) that generates power while a current sensor (40) detects forward power flow and another distributed power source (12), and a power control device (20) including an output unit (50) capable of outputting power from the other distributed power source (12) while the power generation device (33) and the other distributed power source (12) are disconnected from the grid. Output from the output unit (50) allows supply of dummy current to the current sensor (40), the dummy current flowing in the same direction as the forward power flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Masaomi Satake, Tetsuya Takenaka
  • Patent number: 9991719
    Abstract: A system and method for providing power to a vehicle with reduced circulating current and phase-top-phase imbalance is disclosed. The system can include a plurality of parallel module converter for prioritizing and allocating each electrical load to one or more parallel modular converter modules. The system can also comprise a load balancer to ensure that differences in the properties (e.g., impedance) of the parallel modular converter modules do not create circulating currents or phase-to-phase imbalances. The load balancer can monitor the outputs to the plurality of parallel modular converter modules and modify the inputs to equalize, synchronize, or both the outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew J. Krolak, Lijun Gao, Shengyi Liu
  • Patent number: 9929593
    Abstract: A multi-output power management method used in a UPS system for enabling a microcontroller to determine whether to execute an automatic setting or manual setting. In automatic setting, the microcontroller conducts the parameter setting of a multi-output selector output mode, and switches a multi-output selector to a bypass or DC to AC inverter output mode after confirming that the power status parameter is in a predetermined multi-output selector parameter setting range. In manual setting, the multi-output selector can be manually switched to the bypass or DC to AC inverter output mode. Thus, multiple switching units of the multi-output selector of the UPS system can be respectively selectively switched to the bypass or DC to AC inverter output mode to provide different AC outputs to a respective load under the priority of energy saving or electrical safety, enhancing the electrical efficiency of UPS system and achieving the effect of energy saving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Cyberpower Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Chun-Chao Liao, Chao-Ching Yang
  • Patent number: 9923379
    Abstract: A string inverter for use with a photovoltaic array includes at least one string-level DC input channel for receiving DC power from the photovoltaic array, and at least one input-output channel for connecting the string inverter to a battery pack. The string inverter also includes a DC to AC inverter having an AC output, and a switch configured to control a flow of power through the string inverter. When the switch is in a first state, AC power can flow from the string inverter to a load side of a customer utility meter and one or more back-up loads, in a second state, power can flow from the load side of a customer utility meter to the one or more back-up loads bypassing the string inverter, and in a third state, all circuits coupled to the output of the string inverter are electrically disconnected from the string inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: SOLARCITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sandeep Narla, Eric Daniel Carlson, Andrew Russell Lutkus
  • Patent number: 9898025
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to balance adapter power supply and computing device power demand. In one embodiment, power to/from battery pack(s) maybe controlled by adjusting the output voltage of the power adapter via the current input to the power adapter through a feedback pin to meet power demand of electrical loads. Another embodiment provides a way to adjust the activities of the electrical loads such that neither adapter power rating nor the electrical load power limit is exceeded while avoiding system shutdown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Peter T. Li, Don J. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9853491
    Abstract: Disclosed are a battery protection device and method for DC power supply. The device comprises: a first branch circuit unit and a second branch circuit unit; a monitoring unit is connected with a DC power supply, the first branch circuit unit and the second charge circuit unit respectively; the first branch circuit unit and the second branch circuit unit are connected in parallel, with one end connected to the DC power source and the other end connected to the load units in series via a battery unit; when the monitoring unit detects that the DC power supply supplies power normally, it controls the first branch circuit unit to conduct, the DC power supply supplies power to the load units; when the monitoring unit detects that the DC power supply supplies power abnormally, it controls the second branch circuit unit to conduct, the battery unit supplies power to the load units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: XI'AN ZHONGXING NEW SOFTWARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yanni Meng, Mingming Liu, Lingqiao Teng, Baohang Zhou, Shuwang Wei
  • Patent number: 9847673
    Abstract: To prevent overloading of a shared secondary power feed, active transfer switches are controlled to switch discrete hardware from the shared secondary to a corresponding primary power feed, even if such a primary is currently nonoperational thereby resulting in deactivation of such hardware. A threshold amount of power draw from the shared secondary is established, such as to ensure that failure of a single primary can be accommodated, and active transfer switches are controlled so as to prevent such a threshold from being exceeded. Alternatively, or in addition, active transfer switches are controlled such that they, in the event of an interruption in the power being provided by the primary power feed, either switch to the shared secondary or, in accordance with the aforementioned control, do not switch despite the interruption in power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Eason, Michael Myrah
  • Patent number: 9843221
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate generally to uninterruptible power supply units for systems requiring back up power. Each unit may include UPS circuitry for controlling charging and allowing discharging of a battery. The UPS circuitry may includes a controller and a plurality of metal-oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (“MOSFET”) switches. The MOSFETs may include charging and discharging MOSFETs arranged in series with the battery all driven by a single gate driver, such as a controller. In this regard, the controller may limit the charging current though all of the MOSFETs and charge the battery. The MOSFETs may be arranged such that if the charging MOSFET fails, the redundant charging MOSFET may continue to limit the charging current to the battery. Similarly, a redundant discharging MOSFET may be arranged in series with a discharging MOSFET in order to continue to provide discharging current if the discharging MOSFET fails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Sangsun Kim, William Leslie Dailey, Craig Kaneshiro, Shane R. Nay, Cornelius O'Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9831714
    Abstract: A battery storage system includes: an energy converting unit configured to generate electrical power; a power converter including a control circuit, and a circuit that is controlled by the control circuit to generate electrical power to be supplied from an output of the energy converting unit to a load and electrical power to be supplied to the control circuit; a power supply source including a battery storage cell and a commercial power system; and a host control circuit configured to perform control such that electrical power is supplied from the power supply source to the control circuit when an output of the energy converting unit is between a first value and a second value larger than the first value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Suguru Sekita
  • Patent number: 9809119
    Abstract: A bi-directional DC-DC converter assembly that processes and transfers differential power in a variable manner is disclosed. The converter assembly is coupled to an energy storage device and DC link, with the converter assembly including a first converter section coupled to the energy storage device and a second converter section coupled to the DC link and to the energy storage device. The converter assembly processes a first portion of the DC power output of the energy storage device and provides an unprocessed second portion of the DC power output of the energy storage device to the second converter section when providing power to the load, and processes a first portion of a regenerative power from the load and provides an unprocessed second portion of the regenerative power from the load to the first converter section when providing regenerative power to the energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Xu She, Robert Dean King, Kum-Kang Huh
  • Patent number: 9780602
    Abstract: A system of monitoring and/or maintaining remotely located autonomously powered lights, security systems, parking meters, and the like is operable to receive data signals from a number of the devices, and provide a comparison with other similar devices in the same geographic region to detect a default condition of a particular device, and/or assess whether the defect is environmental or particular to the specific device itself. The system includes memory for storing operating parameters and data, and outputs modified control commands to the devices in response to sensed performance, past performance and/or self-learning algorithms. The system operates to provide for the monitoring and/or control of individual device operating parameters on an individual or regional basis, over preset periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: CLEAR BLUE TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventors: John Tuerk, Miriam Tuerk, Mark Windrim, Ahmad Yafaoui
  • Patent number: 9780601
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a rechargeable battery, a circuitry, and a controller. The circuitry is operable to receive power from a power source and to provide power to the rechargeable battery and to other electrical components of the apparatus. The controller is configured to monitor power requirements of the apparatus. Moreover, the controller is further configured to provide power from the rechargeable battery in addition to power supplied from the power source during a peak power event of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Felix Markhovsky, Ashutosh Razdan, Philip Yin
  • Patent number: 9735617
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a load control system responsive to electric power from either a first power source or a second power source operable during first and second time periods, respectively, comprises a first circuit responsive to the first and second power sources to develop power waveforms having different characteristics during the first and second time periods. The load control system further includes a second circuit coupled to the first circuit and responsive to the characteristics of the power developed by the first circuit for developing first and second different outputs during the first and second time periods, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Pope
  • Patent number: 9706626
    Abstract: In the field of appliances connected to the power grid, it is sometimes desirable for such appliances to function even in the absence of grid power. Example applications include emergency lighting or public address systems. It is sometimes further desirable that such appliances be controllable in the absence of grid power, for example responding to commands to turn on or off. Appliances are described that can function in the absence of grid power, yet remain under control of a switch, actuator, or other control device. A control device may be local or remote. Appliances may be controlled via power-line communication. Appliances may sense the state of a switch even where other appliances are connected on a local circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Inventor: Shailendra Suman
  • Patent number: 9658669
    Abstract: Solid-state mass storage devices and methods of operation thereof include a solid-state mass storage device that may have a capacitor-based power supply module configured for providing power to the mass storage device. In one embodiment, the mass storage device has a first mode of operation wherein a primary power supply provided by a host system provides power to the mass storage device sufficient for its operation and provides power to the capacitor-based power supply module to recharge the module, and a second mode of operation wherein power is provided to the mass storage device from both the primary power supply and the capacitor-based power supply module. The mass storage device may be capable of providing power from the capacitor-based power supply module to the mass storage device after a voltage level of the capacitor-based power supply module falls below an under voltage lock out level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Toshiba Corporation
    Inventors: Wenwei Wang, Ilya Shlimenzon
  • Patent number: 9647492
    Abstract: A DC uninterruptible power supply system includes plural uninterruptible power supply devices, each of which includes a power cord, a battery module, a voltage detecting circuit, a current detecting circuit, and a control unit. When the voltage detecting circuit detects that a voltage at the power cord is lower than a first preset value, the control unit controls the battery module to output electrical power to the power cord. When the current detecting circuit detects that current of another uninterruptible power supply device is smaller than a second preset value, the control unit controls a switch to permit current flow to the another uninterruptible power supply device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignees: Lite-On Electronics (Guangzhou) Limited, Lite-On Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Liang-Chun Lin, Yi-Nan Lai, Wei-Lieh Lai, Ming-Wang Cheng
  • Patent number: 9641079
    Abstract: For a DC/DC converter with high dynamics and for high-voltage conditions, a provision is made that a capacitor series connection (2) of at least three capacitors (C1, C2, C3) is provided in the DC/DC converter (1), a first capacitor (C1) and middle third capacitor (C3) of the capacitor series connection (2) being part of a first inverting buck-boost converter (7) and a second capacitor (C2) and the middle third capacitor (C2) of the capacitor series connection (2) being part of a second inverting buck-boost converter (8), and that the first direct-current voltage (UIN) is applied to the capacitor series connection (2) and the second direct-current voltage (UOUT) is applied to the common third capacitor (C3) of the first and second inverting buck-boost converter (7, 8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: FRONIUS INTERNATIONAL GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Schmalnauer, Thomas Kroesswang-Ridler
  • Patent number: 9633781
    Abstract: A ferroresonant transformer is adapted to be connected to a primary power source, an inverter system, and a resonant capacitor. The ferroresonant transformer comprises a core, a main shunt arranged to define a primary side and a secondary side of the ferroresonant transformer, first windings arranged on the primary side of the ferroresonant transformer, second windings arranged on the secondary side of the ferroresonant transformer, and third windings arranged on the secondary side of the ferroresonant transformer. The first windings are operatively connected to the primary power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Alpha Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Thanh Le, James Richardson, Litcho Datzov
  • Patent number: 9543758
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for adjusting power distribution to remote radio heads in a telecommunication network. Multiple buses are implemented in a configuration to individually distribute power to remote radio heads. Each bus is connected to a remote radio heads allowing the remote radio head to receive power on an individual basis and different from other remote radio heads. An eNodeB collects operational measurements from a cell site which are used to provide instructions to adjust the power to each bus and corresponding remote radio head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Nitesh Manchanda, Sreekar Marupaduga, Sharath Somashekar, Eugene S. Mitchell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9537350
    Abstract: A switch-mode power supply that includes a transformer coupled to an alternating current (AC) power source and a direct current (DC) power source, wherein the AC power source is electrically isolated from the DC power source. The switch-mode power supply further includes a first controller configured to regulate a first voltage output from the AC power source, and a second controller configured to regulate a second voltage output from the DC power source when the transformer is not receiving power from the AC output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventor: David Bruce Hyypio
  • Patent number: 9419445
    Abstract: The embodiments herein provide a method and system for extending battery power at cell sites. The method for extending battery power at cell sites comprises providing a combination of a valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) battery and a Li-ION battery, mixing cell chemistry of the VRLA battery and the Li-ION battery and charging the VRLA-Li-ION battery combination with a single charger circuit. The method further comprises providing a rectifier to both the VRLA battery and the Li-ION battery and activating each battery based on the available power. The Li-ION battery and the VRLA battery are the primary battery and secondary battery. The charging current through the VRLA battery is regulated by varying a pulse width of a high current switch based on the current read through the current sensor attached to a VRLA current path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: TEJAS NETWORKS LTD
    Inventors: Vivek Shenoy, Vinod Arithottathumananeelakantan Namboodiri, Patil Makarand Krishna
  • Patent number: 9386518
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, method, and manufacture for generating backup power in a wireless communications system such as a wireless communications service base station. The system includes a communications interface, a primary power interface, a generator, rectifiers, and a battery circuit. During normal operation, the communications interface is powered from the primary power interface. During a power outage, the communications interface is powered from either the generator or the battery circuit. The generator is cycled on and off during power outages to charge the battery circuit while conserving fuel. To decrease rectification loss, rectifiers are run near full load while rectifying the generator output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Fischer
  • Patent number: 9378530
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a smart socket, which includes a timing unit for obtaining current time; a power receiving/output unit for receiving electricity from an external power supply or outputting electricity to a power storage device; an electricity quantity monitoring unit for detecting power value of electricity received from the power receiving/output unit; a home appliance power supply unit and an electricity selling power supply unit for transmitting electricity to an electronic device and an electricity purchaser circuit, respectively; a switching unit connected to the electricity quantity monitoring unit, home appliance power supply unit and electricity selling power supply unit, and being set with a home appliance mode, a power storage mode and an electricity selling mode; and a processing unit connected to the timing unit, electricity quantity monitoring unit and switching unit for switching mode of the switching unit according to the current time and power value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: D-LINK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ming-Han Liu, Wei-Chung Hsu, Jun-Hao Huang, Jia-Jun Chen
  • Patent number: 9306393
    Abstract: A battery power supply device is provided. The battery power supply device includes: an input unit that receives external power; a battery power unit that is connected to the input unit to charge a battery with the external power; a current detection unit that detects a current that is supplied to a load and that provides the current to the battery power unit; and an output unit that provides the external power and battery power from one node to the load and that receives a load current from the battery power unit to adjust output of the battery power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: Eun-Ey Jung