With Control Of Magnitude Of Current Or Power Patents (Class 307/24)
  • Patent number: 11929690
    Abstract: A microgrid control system that can govern power provided to a load from various power sources. The microgrid control system can determine apportionment of power between the various sources based on characteristic power features of the various sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: GO ELECTRIC INC.
    Inventors: Robert Anthony Soverns, Alex Spencer Creviston
  • Patent number: 11924002
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for a smart energy home. The smart energy home may promote optimization of consumption of electricity by appliances and other consumer devices. Prioritization of where and when electricity may be provided to various appliances, chargers, or other devices which draw electrical power may be managed by the smart energy home. Information concerning prevailing weather conditions and contemporaneous electrical tariffs may be utilized in processes executed by the smart energy home. Related systems, apparatuses, and methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Julie Horn, Frank Bakker, Ofir Appelbaum, Yossi Yacov, Shabtai Atlow
  • Patent number: 11881711
    Abstract: A power management server includes a receiver for receiving, from an upper management server, an adjustment request for requesting a fluctuation adjustment of a frequency of a power grid for each fluctuation cycle of an adjustment target, a transmitter for transmitting, to an adjustment power supply, an adjustment instruction for instructing the fluctuation adjustment of the frequency of the power grid according to the fluctuation cycle of the adjustment target requested by the adjustment request, a management unit for managing a correspondence relationship between the fluctuation cycle of the adjustment target instructed by the adjustment instruction and the adjustment power supply, and a controller for determining an adjustment power supply to which the adjustment instruction is to be transmitted based on the correspondence relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinji Aikawa
  • Patent number: 11876327
    Abstract: A direct current (DC)-DC conversion system including at least one DC source, at least one source cable, a DC-DC converter, at least one output cable, and at least one DC load. Each of the at least one source cable includes a source input connector, a source output connector, and a source input cable. The DC-DC converter includes a housing, a DC-DC input connector, and a DC-DC output connector. Each of the at least one output cable includes a load input connector, at least one load output connector, and a load output cable. The DC-DC converter is operable to receive energy from the at least one source via the at least one source cable, and is operable to provide energy to the at least one DC load via the at least one output cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: LAT ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventors: Laura Thiel, Giancarlo Urzi
  • Patent number: 11853095
    Abstract: A method for reducing and/or managing energy-related stress in an electrical system includes processing electrical measurement data from or derived from energy-related signals captured by at least one intelligent electronic device (IED) in the electrical system to identify and track at least one energy-related transient in the electrical system. An impact of the at least one energy-related transient on equipment in the electrical system is quantified, and one or more transient-related alarms are generated in response to the impact of the at least one energy-related transient being near, within or above a predetermined range of the stress tolerance of the equipment. The transient-related alarms are prioritized based in part on at least one of the stress tolerance of the equipment, the stress associated with one or more transient events, and accumulated energy-related stress on the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon A. Bickel
  • Patent number: 11810759
    Abstract: The RF generator is provided with a first RF power source and a second RF power source that generate RF waves of different frequencies from each other, and respectively supply RF power to a first antenna and a second antenna that are installed in a plasma reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: HITACHI KOKUSAI ELECTRIC INC.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Oshida, Naoya Fujimoto, Norikazu Kato, Sunao Egashira
  • Patent number: 11670946
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for intelligent energy source monitoring and selection control to enable power delivery in a multi-modal energy system. A multi-modal energy system includes a control system, power supply systems, and an electrical distribution system. The power supply systems are coupled to the control system. The power supply systems include a mains utility power system and at least one renewable power system. The electrical power distribution system is coupled to the control system. The control system is configured to monitor each power supply system to determine a power availability of each power supply system, determine an amount of power usage by the electrical power distribution system, and selectively connect and disconnect one or more of the power supply systems to the electrical power distribution system based on the determined power availability of the power supply systems and the determined power usage of the electrical power distribution system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Amber Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Telefus, Chris Casey
  • Patent number: 11527966
    Abstract: An apparatus according to an embodiment includes a control circuit to control operations of an inverter and a switch. The control circuit judges whether or not a power system has a power failure, based on values of the system voltage and a frequency of the power system; and calculates a phase difference between a phase of the output voltage of the inverter and a phase of the system voltage and generate, by means of the phase difference, an output frequency pattern for changing a frequency of the output voltage of the inverter. The control circuit, when it is judged that the power system has recovered from the power failure, controls the inverter to change the frequency of the output voltage of the inverter in line with the output frequency pattern, and closes the switch after the phase difference becomes smaller than or equal to a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, Toshiba Infrastructure Systems & Solutions Corporal
    Inventors: Yuusuke Kouno, Yoichi Morishima
  • Patent number: 11476900
    Abstract: An apparatus including circuitry configured for: controlling transmission from the apparatus to at least two user equipment within a communications system, wherein the circuitry is further configured for: controlling transmission of data signals for one of the at least two user equipment for a first slot of a direct transmission phase from the apparatus to the at least two user equipment within the communications system, such that: the one of the at least two user equipment is configured to receive and decode the data signals; and at least one other of the at least two user equipment is configured to receive and harvest energy from the data signals for relaying data signals to the one of the at least two user equipment for a cooperative transmission phase; controlling transmission of data signals for both the one of the at least two user equipment and at least one other of the at least two user equipment for a second slot of a direct transmission phase from the apparatus to the at least two user equipment wit
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy
    Inventor: Chung Shue Chen
  • Patent number: 11436861
    Abstract: A display device includes: a display panel to display an image by generating light, a sensor disposed under the display panel to convert a light energy into an electrical energy, a voltage generator connected to the sensor, and a capacitive element connected to the sensor. The electrical energy generated by the sensor is charged in the capacitive element. The sensor senses an object using the light reflected by the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Goeun Cha, Keumdong Jung, Yuna Kim, Kyungtea Park, Soojung Lee, Kangbin Jo
  • Patent number: 11367886
    Abstract: The power controller starts imposing the current limit when a condition for the current limit is met the condition, the condition being that the fuel cell does not generate to fulfill the requested amount of power generation while the fuel cell generates power at an upper limit of the supply capability of the fuel gas supply unit, and the power controller removes the current limit at a first predetermined increase rate determined when the requested amount of power generation exceeds a predetermined threshold below a rated power generation amount of the fuel cell and at a second increase rate higher than the first increase rate when the requested amount of power generation is the threshold or less, after the condition for the limit is dissolved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Bono, Toshihiro Egawa, Masahiro Okuyoshi
  • Patent number: 11349409
    Abstract: A control circuit corrects a reference gain by multiplying the reference gain by a correction value set in association with state-of-charge information of a storage battery, and uses the corrected reference gain as a first gain for controlling a DC/AC inverter, to adjust the slope of frequency drooping characteristic. The correction value is a value that gradually decreases with increase in state-of-charge information of the storage battery, the minimum value of the correction value is N1 which is a real number greater than 0 and corresponding to a first state of charge for stopping charging of the storage battery, and the maximum value of the correction value is N2 which is a real number greater than N1 and corresponding to a second state of charge for stopping discharging of the storage battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Fujiwara, Tatsuya Okuda, Takahiro Kato
  • Patent number: 11258257
    Abstract: A grid voltage stabilization system according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a power generation device for generating power by using a new and renewable energy source, and supplying the generated power to a grid; an energy storage system (ESS) for, according to a command value, storing power generated in the power generation device in a battery, or supplying power stored in the battery to the grid in the form of active power and reactive power; and a power management system (PMS) for, when a voltage value of the grid is out of a reference range, controlling the magnitude of the reactive power to be supplied to the grid such that the command value is changed according to the voltage value of the grid to enable the voltage of the grid to be within the reference range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: LS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Min-Jun Park
  • Patent number: 11211794
    Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to systems, apparatuses and methods for managing one or more loads connected to one or more power sources using one or more smart outlets. Apparatuses described herein may include smart outlets configured to communicate with one or more controllers and responsively connect and disconnect electrical loads connected thereto. Methods described herein may include signaling and/or controlling one or more loads from a group of loads to connect to or disconnect from one or more power sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoav Galin, Guy Sella, Ilan Yoscovich, Amir Fishelov
  • Patent number: 11205947
    Abstract: A multi-input single-output DC-DC converter can include: a plurality of input circuits and an output circuit, where each input circuit includes a first switch, and one terminal of each of the input circuits is coupled to an input source, and the other terminal of the input circuit is coupled to the output circuit; and a control circuit configured to control operation periods of each input circuit in one switching period, in order to achieve power distribution and reach requirements for input currents of the input circuit and an output signal of the output circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Silergy Semiconductor Technology (Hangzhou) LTD
    Inventors: Wei Chen, Liangwei Sun
  • Patent number: 11201471
    Abstract: Method of operating an energy system, said energy system comprising: a local common transmission bus; at least one local energy connected to said bus; at least one local load connected to said bus; an energy store connected to said bus; a controllable interface arranged to exchange energy between said bus and an external distribution network external to said energy system; a controller adapted to control said interface so as to carry out said exchange of energy. According to the invention, the controller defines three modes based on the state of charge of the energy store which determine if, and how, energy is exchanged with the external network so as to optimize self-consumption and to perform ramp-rate reduction and peak shaving as appropriate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: CSEM CENTRE SUISSE D'ELECTRONIQUE ET DE MICROTECHNIQUE SA—RECHERCHE ET DÉVELOPPEMENT
    Inventors: Christian Rod, Pierre-Jean Alet, Vincenzo Musolino, Nelson Koch
  • Patent number: 11121634
    Abstract: A first full-bridge circuit, a transformer, a first reactor, a second full-bridge circuit, a second reactor, a capacitor, and a control unit are included. When activated, the control unit switches one or more of a combination of a first switching leg and a second switching leg and a combination of a third switching leg and a fourth switching leg with a certain second phase difference and drives first, third, fifth, and seventh switching devices or second, fourth, sixth, and eighth switching devices with a first duty ratio, which is lower than a duty ratio during normal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11108239
    Abstract: A power system is provided for controlling a connection point power at a connection point with a power grid D. The power system includes a processing device that calculates a guidance command value for controlling the connection point power to achieve a target power, and a plurality of power control devices that each control the output power of mutually different types of control targets, based on a common guidance command value inputted from the processing device. Each of the plurality of power control devices calculates a target value of the output power, based on an optimization problem including a common evaluation function. The evaluation function includes the guidance command value and a design parameter for which a setting value set for each of the plurality of power control devices is substituted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: DAIHEN Corporation
    Inventors: Takafumi Hanao, Akihiro Ohori
  • Patent number: 11063432
    Abstract: In the present legacy electrical power generation and distribution system, the power quality delivered to end consumers is being degraded by a number of disruptive technologies and legislative impacts; especially with the rapidly increasing myriad of privately owned and operated domestic and commercial distributed energy generation (DEG) devices connected at any point across a low voltage (LV) distribution network. The present invention bypasses this increasing critical DEG problem by offering a solution comprising an energy processing unit (EPU) that is installed at the edge of the high voltage (HV) transmission grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Edge Electrons Limited
    Inventors: Neal George Stewart, Jian Carlo Decena Zapata
  • Patent number: 11054092
    Abstract: A high-power rechargeable spotlight with two-way universal serial bus (USB) capable of recharging electronic devices as well as recharging itself. A bidirectional universal serial bus (USB) adaptor port that can be integrated into a high-power rechargeable battery-operated spotlight or other rechargeable battery-operated device. The device can utilize a micro-controller to convert a single USB adaptor port into either an input device or an output device. A high-power rechargeable spotlight with bidirectional USB adaptor port is capable of recharging external electronic devices, as well as recharging itself through the same port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: VECTOR PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventor: Mathew Inskeep
  • Patent number: 11031794
    Abstract: A system and apparatus for autonomous charge balancing of an energy storage device of the microgrid. In one embodiment the apparatus comprises a power conditioner, coupled to the energy storage device, comprising a droop control module for operating the power conditioner, during an autonomous mode of operation, such that the state of charge of the energy storage device is autonomously driven toward the state of charge of at least one other energy storage device of the microgrid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Enphase Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Richard Zimmanck
  • Patent number: 10926721
    Abstract: A control system configured to reduce the number of terminals of a connector in an electronic control unit and reduce the insertion/extraction force of the connector includes an ECU having a first connector unit, and a wire harness unit having a second connector unit to be connected to the first connector unit. The ECU includes a multiplexing control circuit and a first signal line serving as a transmission path for a multiplexed signal. The second connector unit is provided with a second signal line serving as a transmission path for the multiplexed signal transmitted via the first signal line, and a multiplexing control circuit. The multiplexing control circuit performs at least one of a process of separating signals from the multiplexed signal transmitted via the second signal line and a process of multiplexing a plurality of signals and transmitting a multiplexed signal to the second signal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeo Hayashi, Hiroki Hirai, Toshiaki Kakii, Mitsuaki Nishie
  • Patent number: 10908218
    Abstract: A battery management system having a microcontroller with first and second applications and first and second tables is provided. The first table has a first record with a first encoded channel index and a first battery cell voltage value associated with a first battery cell. The second table has a first record with a first encoded channel index and a first battery cell overvoltage flag associated with the first battery cell. The first application sends the first encoded channel index from the first table to the second application. The second application transitions a contactor to an open operational position, when the first encoded channel index from the first table is not equal to a first predetermined encoded channel index indicating a data misalignment of the first battery cell voltage value and the first battery cell overvoltage flag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kerfegar K. Katrak
  • Patent number: 10879695
    Abstract: Distributed grid network intelligence enables data aggregation at a local control node. In a consumer node, a meter is on a consumer side of a point of common coupling (PCC). The meter can receive one or more external grid inputs and one or more local sensor inputs. The grid inputs can come from sources outside the PCC, and the local sensor inputs monitor conditions at the PCC and/or within the PCC. The meter can identify power demand within the PCC and calculate an output power to generate with a local power converter. The calculation is not simply based on power demand, but on aggregation information, including the one or more external grid inputs, the one or more local sensor inputs, and the power demand for the local load. The local power converter can then output power in accordance with the calculated output power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Apparent Labs, LLC
    Inventors: Stefan Matan, Fred C Horton, Frank P Marrone, Clayton Borzini
  • Patent number: 10873212
    Abstract: In example implementations, a wireless charging request at a first class type is sent by a power receiving unit (PRU) to a power transmitting unite (PTU) for an amount of power from the PTU. A charging fail notification is received from the PTU due to a mismatch in an amount of power available from the PTU and the amount of power requested in the wireless charging request. A wireless charging request is sent to the PTU at a lower class type than the first class type that matches the amount of power available from the PTU. The PRU is charged with the amount of power available from the PTU. The wireless charging request is re-sent at the first class type to the PTU after a pre-defined period of time to charge at the amount of power requested by the wireless charging request at the first class type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Isaac Lagnado
  • Patent number: 10819209
    Abstract: A multi-source energy harvester system includes a power conversion apparatus. First and second energy harvesters respectively harvest first and second energy and respectively provide first and second input powers. The power conversion apparatus includes an adjustable impedance matching circuit and a power conversion circuit. The impedance matching circuit generates an adjusted power according to the first input power. The power conversion circuit converts a bus power to an output power. The energy harvester system controls a first and a second switch circuits according to the adjusted power and/or the second input power to select and conduct one of the adjusted power or the second input power as the bus power, and adjusts an impedance of the adjustable impedance matching circuit to maximize a voltage of the adjusted power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: RICHTEK TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kuo-Chi Liu, Chang-Yu Ho
  • Patent number: 10804713
    Abstract: A charge-discharge device and a control method of the charge-discharge device are provided. The control method of the charge-discharge device comprising: receiving an input voltage signal via a configuration channel of a USB port; sampling the input voltage signal in a predetermined period to generate a plurality of sampling values; selectively connecting the configuration channel to a pull-down circuit or a pull-up circuit according to the sampling values, receiving a first charging voltage via a power channel of the USB port when the configuration channel is connected to the pull-down circuit, and outputting a second charging voltage via the power channel when the configuration channel is connected to the pull-up circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: ASUSTEK COMPUTER INC.
    Inventors: Feng-Chi Shen, Tsung-Han Wu, Chien-Chung Lo, Yii-Lin Wu
  • Patent number: 10784711
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a photovoltaic energy storage air conditioner and a control method thereof. The air conditioner may include a photovoltaic power generation device, an energy storage device, an air conditioning unit and an energy scheduling and management device. The energy scheduling and management device may include: a detection module, configured to detect an operation state of the air conditioner, a power supply quantity and a working state of the photovoltaic power generation device and a power supply quantity and a working state of the energy storage device; and a scheduling module, configured to control power supply and/or charging according to the operation state of the air conditioner, the power supply quantity and the working state of the photovoltaic power generation device, the power supply quantity and the working state of the energy storage device, preset power supply priorities and power usage priorities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. of Zhuhai
    Inventors: Meng Huang, Dongyuan Xu, Wenqiang Tang, Xia Liu, Shugong Nan, Peng Ren
  • Patent number: 10770742
    Abstract: A Reversible Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (RSOFC) system includes a Reversible Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (RSOFC) unit, a bi-directional alternating current/direct current (AC/DC) converter, coupled to the RSOFC unit, a common bus, coupled to the bi-directional AC/DC converter and to a power grid, and a plurality of RSOFC subsystems, coupled to receive power only through the common bus. The RSOFC unit has a fuel cell mode, wherein the RSOFC unit produces electrical power from fuel, and an electrolysis mode, wherein the RSOFC unit consumes electrical power to produce the fuel. The bi-directional AC/DC converter is coupled to the RSOFC unit, and is configured to convert direct current (DC) electrical power produced by the RSOFC unit into outgoing alternating current (AC) power, and to convert incoming AC power into DC power for consumption by the RSOFC unit in electrolysis mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Joshua M. Mermelstein, Sergio Espinoza
  • Patent number: 10763750
    Abstract: A power converter circuit included in a computer system may charge and discharge a switch node coupled to a regulated power supply node via an inductor. During a discharge cycle, the power converter circuit may sense a current being discharge from the regulated power supply node through the inductor into a ground supply node. The power converter circuit may also sense a noise current flowing in the ground supply node, and generate a control current using both the current being discharge and the noise current. Using the control current, the power converter circuit may halt the discharge cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Nikola Jovanovic, Michael Couleur
  • Patent number: 10714938
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and controllers are described herein for controlling an electrical power system. A time-synchronized measurement of a phasor from one or more phasor measurement units is fed back to a feedback controller. Distributed energy resources of the electrical power system are controlled by the feedback controller using feedback control algorithms by sending, to distributed energy resources, a power setpoint derived from the time-synchronized measurement of the phasor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: PXiSE Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Charles H. Wells, Raymond A. de Callafon, Patrick T. Lee
  • Patent number: 10673245
    Abstract: A cascading regulation system connected to a number of serially connected power sources and uses multiple regulators having different cutoff voltages to provide an output for the local power consumption unit. Each of the regulators is connected to a subset of serially connected power sources and so configured that if the voltage generated at the lowest tap is no longer sufficient for a stable supply to the local power consumption unit, the next higher regulator takes over, and the output voltage drops in small steps reflective of that takeover of the next higher tap. When the voltage generated across a subsection grows, a lower connected tap may take over again, producing a slightly higher output voltage for the local power consumption unit. The cutover steps are chosen such that the output voltage range matches the range given as the acceptable input range for the local power consumption unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Tigo Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Shmuel Arditi, Daniel Eizips, Mordechay Avrutsky
  • Patent number: 10673040
    Abstract: A vehicular battery pack comprising a parallelepiped-shaped container, defined by first, second and third lateral walls that are mutually perpendicular, wherein cells are arranged in layers one above the other in the container, wherein said third lateral walls are parallel to said layers, and wherein relative monitoring and supervision devices of the individual cells are arranged so as to define a first of said second lateral walls, and wherein terminals and safety devices of the battery pack are arranged in a second of said second lateral walls, opposite to said first of said second lateral walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: FERRARI S.P.A.
    Inventors: Elena Ligabue, Luca Poggio
  • Patent number: 10666047
    Abstract: A method includes the steps of providing a common DC bus to interconnect power elements to a DC distribution system using power converters. A first group of one or more of the elements (main element) is used to execute the primary function by automatically maintaining the DC bus voltage following a set point. The DC bus voltage set point is intentionally changed with slow dynamics according to a secondary function executed by the main element such that the average DC bus voltage regulated by the main element changes. A local logic is used on each of the power elements connected to the DC bus but different from the main element to modify their power generation or consumption as a result of changes in the measured average DC bus voltage such that they contribute to the fulfillment of the secondary level of control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Arda Power Inc.
    Inventor: Luis Zubieta
  • Patent number: 10608552
    Abstract: A boost converter circuit and method of operating the same is provided. The boost converter circuit includes a bridge rectifier configured to convert an alternating current (AC) voltage at a rectifier input to a rectified voltage at a rectifier output; a transistor switch coupled between the bridge rectifier and a DC link capacitor, and configured to receive a control signal in order to regulate a charging and a discharging of the DC link capacitor; a surge voltage detection circuit coupled to the rectifier output, and configured to measure the rectified voltage for detecting a surge event based on the measured rectified voltage; and a gate controller configured to output the control signal to the transistor switch, wherein, upon occurrence of the surge event, the gate controller is configured to turn off the transistor switch for a predetermined delay period via the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventor: Byoungho Choo
  • Patent number: 10599175
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are described for controlling power of a balancing area having a plurality of distributed energy resources of a power system. A high frequency controller having a memory and at least one data processor of one distributed energy resource of the balancing area continuously receives (i) data including a phasor data stream having time-synchronized phasor measurements derived from the plurality of distributed energy resources of the balancing area and (ii) real-time energy levels of the plurality of distributed energy resources. The high frequency controller determines a power set point pair having a desired frequency set point and a desired voltage set point based on a combination of the real-time energy levels and the time-synchronized phasor measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: PXiSE Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Charles H. Wells, Raymond A. de Callafon, Patrick T. Lee
  • Patent number: 10562757
    Abstract: A system for controlling selection and distribution of a product in a product dispensing system. The system includes a user interface for prompting a selection and selecting the product, a machine control processor in communication with the user interface, a power distribution module connected to the machine control processor, and a power supply unit for supplying power to the system through the power distribution module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: John J. Biasi, Russell H. Beavis, Michael J. Goulet, Eric L. Pribyl
  • Patent number: 10511178
    Abstract: A system and apparatus for autonomous charge balancing of an energy storage device of the microgrid. In one embodiment the apparatus comprises the energy storage device; and a power conditioner, coupled to the energy storage device, comprising a droop control module for operating the power conditioner, during an autonomous mode of operation, such that the state of charge of the energy storage device is autonomously driven toward the state of charge of at least one other energy storage device of the microgrid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Enphase Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Richard Zimmanck
  • Patent number: 10504848
    Abstract: One or more chip-embedded integrated voltage regulators (“CEIVR's”) are configured to provide power to a circuit or chip such as a CPU or GPU and meet power delivery specifications. The CEIVR's, circuit or chip, and power delivery pathways can be included within the same package. The CEIVR's can be separate from the circuit or chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Faraday Semi, Inc.
    Inventor: Parviz Parto
  • Patent number: 10498165
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a set of power supply units where each power supply unit from the set of power supply units is associated with a power zone from a set of power zones. The apparatus can also include a redundant power supply unit and a set of electronic devices where each electronic device from the set of electronic devices is associated with a power zone from the set of power zones. Additionally, each electronic device from the set of electronic devices is operatively coupled to a power supply unit from the set of power supply units for that power zone and is also operatively coupled to the redundant power supply unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Juniper Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Boris Reynov, Ben T. Nitzan, Philip Quaife, Shreeram Siddhaye, Venkata S. Raju Penmetsa, Jack W. Kohn
  • Patent number: 10483766
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for a power receiver circuit. A power generating mechanism may include power generating elements that may generate alternating current signals. Rectifier circuit may include rectifiers that may generate a direct current signal from an alternating current signal, and diodes. Group circuits that may connect groups of rectifier circuits in electrical circuits to combine the direct current signals from the rectifier circuits in a group into a single direct current signal. A step down converter may be connected to the group circuits. The step down converter may convert a direct current signal to a direct current signal of a target voltage level. An output switch may be connected to the step down converter. A linear regulator may be connected to the step down converter. A microcontroller may be connected to the linear regulator and the output switch and may control the output switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: uBeam Inc.
    Inventors: Hong Gao, Jonathan Bolus
  • Patent number: 10481673
    Abstract: A power converter system is provided that supports multiple voltage rails through a plurality of point-to-point power management communication buses. The power converter system includes a plurality of power converters each of which is operable to output an independent voltage rail regulated at a defined voltage level, a plurality of ports each of which is configured for point-to-point communication over a dedicated serial communication power management bus with single and multiple voltage rail support, each port being dedicated to a single serial communication power management bus, the power converter system having fewer ports than voltage rails, and configuration logic operable to flexibly assign each power converter to one of the ports based on configuration information stored in or provided to the power converter system, so that each power converter communicates over the serial communication power management bus to which the port assigned to that power converter is dedicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventor: Benjamim Tang
  • Patent number: 10477633
    Abstract: A device for driving light-emitting diodes (LEDs) includes an address transceiver, a processor, and at least one power supply. The address transceiver stores a communication address and receives a Konnex (KNX) protocol signal carrying a driving address. The address transceiver generates a driving signal when the driving address corresponds to the communication address. The processor, electrically connected to the address transceiver, receives the driving signal and generates a power starting signal according to the driving signal. The power supply, electrically connected to the processor and at least one light-emitting diode (LED) module, receives the power starting signal and uses the power starting signal to drive the LED module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Mean Well (Guangzhou) Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Min-Qiang Hu
  • Patent number: 10454834
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a device in a network detects a power outage event. The device monitors one or more operational properties of the device, in response to detecting the power outage event. The device determines whether to initiate a traffic control mechanism based on the one or more monitored operational properties of the device, according to a power outage traffic control policy. The device causes one or more nodes in the network that send traffic to the device to regulate the traffic sent to the device, in response to a determination that the traffic control mechanism should be initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Philippe Vasseur, Jonathan W. Hui
  • Patent number: 10404078
    Abstract: An energy storage system operable in a charging phase and in a discharging phase is disclosed. The energy storage system includes M energy storage units and N power converters, where M is at least two and N is at least one. The energy storage system also includes a switching fabric that reconfigurably couples the energy storage units to the power converters and a controller that reconfigures the switching fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Inventor: Mike M. He
  • Patent number: 10367374
    Abstract: Electrical power is shared wirelessly among electrical power-sharing hubs in a wireless mesh network. Each electrical power-sharing hub includes one or more transmitters and receivers for wireless communications with other hubs and wireless power transfer technology to transmit or receive electrical power with other hubs. If electrical power at a respective electrical power-sharing hub is insufficient to power an electrical load on the hub, the hub wirelessly requests that a specific amount of electrical power be transmitted to it wirelessly from one or more neighboring electrical power-sharing hubs. At least one of the neighboring hubs may send a portion or all of the requested power. If the neighboring hubs do not have electrical power to share, a request for power is wirelessly transmitted to non-neighboring hubs, at least one of which may relay available electrical power wirelessly to the requesting hub via the wireless mesh network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Azbil North America Research and Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Tole, Peter Walther, Tasuku Imanishi
  • Patent number: 10333314
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to technology for providing power, voltage, and/or current from a combination of DC power sources, such as photovoltaic modules or DC batteries. One aspect includes a buck-boost optimizer having a number of inductorless buck stages and a boost stage. The buck-boost optimizer may be used within a power generation system. The combined output voltages of each of the buck stages may be input to the boost stage. The boost stage may have an inductor that may serve as an energy storage device to boost a voltage, as well as to filter a signal from the buck stages. Thus, the buck-boost optimizer may use a single inductor. Having a single inductor provides for a very efficient power generation system. Also, cost and size of components in the power generation system may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Futurewei Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Heping Dai, Xiaolin Mao
  • Patent number: 10320226
    Abstract: In a case where it is determined that a generated electric power of a solar panel is less than a predetermined value, a control unit of a solar photovoltaic generation device is configured to disconnect a solar battery from a first electric power conversion unit and a second electric power conversion unit, stop providing a power supply to the first electric power conversion unit to execute a power saving control, and store an open circuit voltage of the solar panel as a reference voltage after the execution of the power saving control. In a case where the open circuit voltage of the solar panel exceeds the reference voltage continuously for a predetermined time period after the execution of the power saving control, the control unit is configured to connect the solar battery to the first electric power conversion unit and the second electric power conversion unit, and start providing the power supply to the first electric power conversion unit to release the power saving control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Sayuri Takahashi, Tatsuya Miyoshi, Haruki Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 10312695
    Abstract: Provided is a power source control device that realizes multi-channel PWM control without using a timer port, and a power source control method for the same. A power source control device performs PWM control on a plurality of power source units that repeat an ON operation and an OFF operation in cycles having a predetermined PWM period. The power source control device includes: a generation unit configured to generate operation data for the entire PWM period, the operation data determining whether to cause the individual power source units to perform the ON operation or the OFF operation in cycles having a predetermined period that is shorter than the PWM period; and an output unit configured to output operation data generated by the generation unit to the plurality of power source units in cycles of the predetermined period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuuki Sugisawa
  • Patent number: 10250041
    Abstract: This system can manage efficient operation control among distributed power sources without impairing their versatility. This power control system includes distributed power sources including a storage cell (12) and a power generation device (33) that generates power while a current sensor (40) detects forward power flow, and a power control device (20) including a first power converter (21) that converts AC power from a commercial power grid to DC power and supplies the DC power to the storage cell (12) during an interconnected operation, a supply unit that supplies power generated by the power generation device (33) to the storage cell (12) during an independent operation, and an independent operation switch (24) opened during the interconnected operation and closed during the independent operation to cause output from the first power converter (21) to flow in a forward power flow direction through the current sensor (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventors: Masaomi Satake, Tetsuya Takenaka