Plural Substitute Sources Patents (Class 307/65)
  • Patent number: 10355492
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery controller is combined with a rechargeable battery and used in an existing PV system. The controller includes a DC-DC converter, which allows power to be passed between a power line and a rechargeable battery, and a control unit, which determines whether maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control using hill climbing is being performed by a PCS based on an input voltage or current value of the PCS. The control unit regulates charge/discharge power of the rechargeable battery to allow input power of the PCS to be a target value based on the input voltage and current values of the PCS while MPPT control using hill climbing is performed, and maintains, in a period during which MPPT control using hill climbing is not performed, the charge/discharge power to be the power at a beginning of the period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Yamaguchi, Makoto Ohashi, Osamu Uchida, Akihiro Takeshima, Takashi Kitamura
  • Patent number: 10245959
    Abstract: There is provided a power converter system including a power bus, a plurality of power converter modules connected to the power bus in parallel, a plurality of energy storage modules, each energy storage module coupled to the power bus via a corresponding one of the plurality of power converter modules, and a controller module configured to control at least one of the power converter modules to operate in one of a plurality of operating modes. In particular, the plurality of operating modes of the power converter module includes a plurality of charging power conversion modes for connecting an input power source to the corresponding energy storage module for charging power to the corresponding energy storage module. There is also provided a corresponding method of manufacturing the power converter system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Nanyang Technological University
    Inventors: Anshuman Tripathi, Satyajit Athlekar, Nishanthi Duraisamy
  • Patent number: 10044191
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for operating a bidirectional battery converter connected to an AC grid, taking into account the availability of locally generated electrical power. Furthermore, the present disclosure relates to a battery converter comprising measuring devices for detecting the state of charge of a connected battery and comprising a controller, which performs the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Claus Allert, Aleksandra-Sasa Bukvic-Schaefer, Johannes Weide
  • Patent number: 10033188
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling power production in a distribution grid, wherein a technical result consists in increasing the efficiency of responding to an incoming grid state by using a database storing previous grid states and solutions for the previous grid states when solving an optimization problem, where a set of grid parameters is initially obtained to determine the incoming grid state, the incoming grid state is then compared to the previous grid states stored in the database, and if at least one previous grid state similar to the incoming grid state exists in the database, its solution is selected as a solution for the incoming grid state, and the indication of the amount of power to be produced, which is represented by the selected solution for the incoming grid state, is sent to power producers to provide a desired power level for power consumers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Kirill Netreba, Yury Chistyakov
  • Patent number: 10025330
    Abstract: A system and method for evaluating equipment in a data center is disclosed, hi one aspect, a method includes receiving parameters for equipment in the data center, the parameters including information descriptive of mass of the equipment, calculating an idealized thermal mass of the equipment based on the received parameters, calculating a temperature associated with the equipment at a first time period of a plurality of time periods based on the idealized thermal mass, and calculating a temperature for each subsequent time period of the plurality of time periods based on the idealized thermal mass and the temperature at a previous time period of the plurality of time periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IT CORPORATION
    Inventors: James William VanGilder, Christopher M. Healey, Xuanhang Zhang, Zachary Pardey
  • Patent number: 10014687
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a grid-tied photovoltaic power generation system, and particularly, to a grid-tied photovoltaic power generation system including a power maintaining unit configured to maintain power of a controller during an corresponding operation time of a photovoltaic system when power supply is stopped due to a fault generated in a grid, whereby power may be stably supplied to the controller and power of the controller may be maintained, designing of the photovoltaic system and setting of a connection to the grid may be simply and easily performed, a corresponding operation of the photovoltaic system may be controlled regarding the fault generated in the grid, and the fault generated in the grid may be accurately, appropriately, and effectively handled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kwangsoo Koh
  • Patent number: 9997917
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for non-isolated power conversion. In one aspect, a method includes generating first and second rectified outputs using a rectifier with a first input and a second input connected respectively to a first and second output of a power source, capacitively coupling the first and second rectified outputs to a neutral, generating first and second AC outputs from the first and second rectified outputs, and capacitively coupling the first and second AC outputs to the neutral. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding systems, apparatus, and computer programs, configured to perform the actions of the methods, encoded on computer storage devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Sangsun Kim, Anand Ramesh, Scott Aldous, John Zipfel
  • Patent number: 9954864
    Abstract: A safety apparatus for providing a safe operation of a subsystem within a safety critical system, SCS is disclosed herein. The safety apparatus includes: a system communication interface for communication with components of the subsystem and other subsystems of the safety critical system; a backend communication interface for communication with a safety cloud backend; an integrated identifier memory storing a unique identifier of the subsystem; and an authorization control unit configured to perform a handshake authorization procedure with another target subsystem of the safety critical system via the system communication interface, and with the safety cloud backend via the backend communication interface to get authorization for the subsystem to execute a safety critical function on the target subsystem of the safety critical system based on the unique identifiers of both subsystems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Kai Höfig
  • Patent number: 9929567
    Abstract: Unique systems, methods, techniques, and apparatuses of datacenter power supply systems are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a datacenter power supply system comprising an AC power bus structured to selectably receive AC power from an AC power grid and a AC generator and structured to provide AC power to one or more AC datacenter loads and an AC/DC converter, a DC power generation system structured to provide DC power to a DC/DC converter, a DC power bus structured to selectably receive power from the AC/DC converter and the DC/DC converter and to provide DC power to a plurality of DC datacenter loads, and an electronic control system structured to selectably control the datacenter power supply system to operate in plurality of modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Zhenyuan Wang, Sara Ahmed, Juhua Liu
  • Patent number: 9871398
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a hybrid charging method for wireless power transmission based on pocket-forming. This method may extend the battery life of electronic devices such as tablets, smartphones, Bluetooth headsets, smart-watches among others. The method may include wireless power transmission through suitable techniques such as pocket-forming, while including an additional source of energy (backup battery) in the receiver attached or connected to the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Leabman
  • Patent number: 9837856
    Abstract: An AC power supply source switching apparatus includes a switch and a switch connecting a load to an AC power supply system and a DC secondary battery, respectively. When one switch, which is driven to turn off, did not actually turn off, the switch is driven to turn off again after being turned on. When an impedance of the load decreases and a load current flows in a load line, no AC voltage is developed on the load line. As a result, it is determined that the switch has actually turned off. Then the other switch is turned on thereby to switch over connection of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Kanayama
  • Patent number: 9831675
    Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system includes an inverter feed path and a plurality of bypass feed paths configured to couple to an AC voltage source such that each bypass feed path includes a switch configured to couple the AC voltage source to the load when closed. The switch in each bypass feed path may be rated to conduct current that corresponds to an output of the inverter feed path. Each bypass feed path may be coupled in parallel with each other and the inverter feed path. The UPS system may also include at least one controller coupled to a respective inverter and to a respective rectifier in the inverter feed path and a plurality of controllers. Each controller may be coupled to a respective switch such that the at least one controller and the plurality of controllers communicate with each other via at least two communication buses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Silvio Colombi, Lorenzo Giuntini
  • Patent number: 9825487
    Abstract: An apparatus includes: a storage battery including one or more storage batteries and electrically connected to a predetermined load; a detector which detects a power outage state in which no electric power is being supplied from a power system; a first switch between the power system and the storage battery; and a controller which controls at least the first switch. When the detector detects the power outage state, the controller turns off the first switch to electrically disconnect the storage battery and the power system, and the storage battery causes the one or more storage batteries to discharge and supplies electric power to the controller and the predetermined load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Motoshi Ito, Shoichi Toya
  • Patent number: 9819440
    Abstract: A method and a device for data processing in an optical communication network are provided, wherein in an energy saving mode of a polarization multiplexing system data signals are transmitted or received via one polarization plane; and wherein components of the transmitter or receiver of the other polarization plane are at least partially operated in a reduced power mode. Furthermore, a communication system is suggested comprising said device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Xieon Networks S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Arne Striegler, Olaf Adamczyk, Rainer Clemens
  • Patent number: 9806561
    Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply (UPS system) includes a first converter circuit, a second converter circuit and a DC bus coupled to the first and second converter circuits. The system further includes a control circuit configured to control the first and second converter circuits and to selectively couple the first and second converter circuits to an AC source and a load to provide a first mode of operation wherein the first and second converter circuits respectively operate as a rectifier and an inverter to serve the load from the AC source and a second mode of operation wherein the first and second converter circuits operate as parallel inverters to serve the load from the DC bus. The control circuit may be configured to couple the AC source to the load to bypass the first and second converter circuits in a third mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: George Arthur Navarro
  • Patent number: 9804248
    Abstract: Upon receiving a setting signal S1, each of a plurality of monitoring units transmits the first setting signal to the subsequent monitoring unit or a control unit, and in a case when it is not possible to receive the first setting signal, the monitoring unit transmits a second setting signal, which indicates an occurrence of a communication abnormality, to the subsequent monitoring unit or the control unit, and when receiving the second setting signal, it changes the received second setting signal so as to transmit the changed second setting signal to the subsequent monitoring unit or the control unit, while the control unit identifies the occurrence location of a communication abnormality in accordance with second setting signal transmitted from the last monitoring unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Ryusuke Hase, Takahiro Tsuzuku
  • Patent number: 9780561
    Abstract: A solar energy generation system a measurement module and a positioning method are disclosed herein. The positioning method is adaptable to a power generation system having AC generation modules. Each of the AC generation modules generates an output current and is electrically connected to each other in a power-supply network. The positioning method includes the following operations: (a) measuring AC currents or node voltages generated by the AC generation modules at different positions in the power-supply network to obtain current parameters or voltage parameters; and (b) determining a sequence of relative positions of the AC generation modules by calculating the current parameters or the voltage parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: AU OPTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuan-Bor Jean, Yi-Ming Huang, Min-Chien Kuo
  • Patent number: 9755457
    Abstract: Provided is an uninterruptible power supply apparatus that can properly adjust the capacity of cooling a heat radiation source. A housing for housing an uninterruptible power module is provided with a cooling fan for cooling the internal space of the housing. The housing is further formed with an opening. The opening formed in one housing and the opening formed in an adjacent housing for housing another uninterruptible power module are configured to face each other. Furthermore, each uninterruptible power module includes a fan control circuit for controlling the cooling fan. The fan control circuit controls the actuation and suspension of the cooling fan on the basis of a total load of the plurality of uninterruptible power modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tingan Lee, Masaru Toyoda, Hiroshi Masunaga
  • Patent number: 9742198
    Abstract: A redundant path power subsystem comprises a plurality of phase regulators in a multi-phase power converter. The plurality of phase regulators comprises at least N+2 phase regulators. N phases are sufficient to serve an electrical load coupled with the redundant path power subsystem. The redundant path power subsystem also comprises a plurality of power supplies, and a plurality of input and control paths between the plurality of power supplies and the plurality of phase regulators. The plurality of input and control paths comprises a plurality of multiplexing logic devices and a plurality of phase controllers. The plurality of phase controllers is configured to control the plurality of phase regulators. The plurality of multiplexing logic devices is configured to multiplex control signals from the plurality of power supplies and a microprocessor for the plurality of phase controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Barus, Kevin R. Covi, William P. Kostenko, Jack P. Lee, Peter A. Wendling
  • Patent number: 9722422
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a DC plant. In one embodiment, the DC plant includes (1) power sources couplable to a common DC bus, (2) rectifiers and DC-DC converters associated with the power sources and (3) a DC plant controller. The DC plant controller includes a source identifier configured to identify the power sources, a source prioritizer coupled to the source identifier and configured to prioritize the power sources based on at least one criterion, and an output characteristic assigner coupled to the source prioritizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Anurag Jagota, Roy J. Davis, Vijayan J. Thottuvelil
  • Patent number: 9722421
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a DC plant controller and methods of selecting among multiple power sources. In one embodiment, the DC plant controller includes: (1) a source identifier configured to identify power sources couplable to a common DC bus, (2) a source prioritizer coupled to the source identifier and configured to prioritize the power sources based on at least one criterion, (3) an output characteristic assigner coupled to the source prioritizer and configured to place ones of the power sources on standby based on a calculated battery holdup time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Anurag Jagota, Roy J. Davis, Vijayan J. Thottuvelil
  • Patent number: 9692254
    Abstract: Power systems include a housing and an automatic transfer switch (ATS switch) held in the housing, a Bypass switch held in the housing and a control circuit in communication with the ATS switch and the Bypass switch to automatically direct the Bypass switch and the ATS switch to carry out the selective connections to thereby allow automated, redundant power transitions to the system load from three different power sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Steven Tomassi
  • Patent number: 9639130
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments enable parallel control of multiple uninterruptable power modules (“UPMs”) connecting multiple power sources to a bus in parallel. A UPM may be comprised of at least one controller coupled to at least one inverter, and the UPM may be configured to convert the DC voltage output from a DC source to an AC voltage, such as an AC voltage suitable for output to an AC bus. A UPM may receive a power sharing command and control its at least one inverter based at least in part on the received power sharing command to output a voltage to a bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ranganathan Gurunathan, Arne Ballantine, Prasad Pmsvvsv, Carl Cottuli, Saravanakumar Narayanasamy, Badri Narayanan, Deepak Balakrishnan
  • Patent number: 9583973
    Abstract: A power supply system includes at least a first power supply module and at least one redundant power supply module. The at least one power supply module supplies power to an output terminal. The at least one redundant power supply module operates in a first state and in a second state. In the first state the second power supply module supplies power to the output terminal. In the second state the second power supply module provides standby power and operates in a burst mode (for example, such as a discontinuous conduction mode).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Viktor Vogman
  • Patent number: 9548629
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve systems, methods, and the like, for an energy interface system for interfacing alternative energy sources with a utility power source on a premises. The energy interface system provides flexibility in the use and distribution of utility energy sources and alternative energy sources based on several measurements and criteria of the interface system. For example, the energy interface system may allow for the energy consumption to adapt to changing parameters, such as utility rate schedules, cost of alternative fuels and utility premiums for consumption or generation of energy at particular times. The energy interface system also allows for deferment of charging or other high-energy loads to be recognized by the system at otherwise low-energy times. In addition, the energy interface system allows for monitoring and communication with the system for ease of configuring the system based on one or more criteria or measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Milbank Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: John V. Siglock
  • Patent number: 9531192
    Abstract: A power providing apparatus includes a first input port for connection to a first electricity source, a second input port for connection to a second electricity source, an output port, a first current control component connected between the first input port and the output port, and a second current control component connected between the second input port and the output port. Based on voltages associated with the first electricity source and the second electricity source, each of the first and the second current control components makes or breaks a current path from a respective one of the first and second input ports to the output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: CSI Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chen-Sung Liao
  • Patent number: 9472979
    Abstract: A power tool operable to receive a first battery pack and a second battery pack. The power tool including a motor; a first switch; a second switch; and a controller. The controller operable to monitor a first voltage of the first battery pack and a second voltage of the second battery pack, close the first switch and the second switch when the first voltage and the second voltage are within a predetermined range, open the first switch when the first voltage is outside of the predetermined range of the second voltage and the second voltage is greater than the first voltage, and open the second switch when the second voltage is outside of the predetermined range of the first voltage and the first voltage is greater than the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Matthew J. Mergener
  • Patent number: 9455574
    Abstract: A power distribution system includes a direct current (DC) power source and an appliance selection unit for selecting one or more appliances that can be operated with an available power of the DC power source. The power distribution system further includes a display unit for displaying results of selection by the appliance selection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Yanagi, Kiyotaka Takehara
  • Patent number: 9391462
    Abstract: Disclosed is an energy storage system provided with a wired and wireless energy transfer function. The energy storage system includes: an energy input unit to which energy generated from a plurality of energy sources is input; an energy input control unit for selecting one energy source from among the plurality of energy sources, and transferring energy of the selected energy source through operation in a wired operation mode or a wireless operation mode; a wireless energy transmitting/receiving unit for wirelessly transmitting/receiving the energy of the selected energy source during the operation in the wireless operation mode of the energy input control unit; an energy storage/control unit for storing the energy of the selected energy source; an energy output unit for consuming the energy stored in the energy storage/control unit; and an energy output control unit for distributing the energy stored in the energy storage/control unit to the energy output unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Yil Suk Yang, Jong Dae Kim, Se Wan Heo, Ji Min Oh, Min Ki Kim, Jong Kee Kwon
  • Patent number: 9379571
    Abstract: An electrical charging system configured to charge a battery includes a power transmitter, an energy coupling arrangement, an electrical signal shaping device including a controller, and an alignment means. The arrangement includes a first inductive coil disposed external to the vehicle and a second inductive coil attached with the vehicle. The alignment means communicates with the vehicle to ensure repeatable vehicle positioning so that the second inductive coil is positioned relative to the first inductive coil so that the second inductive coil receives the energy produced by the power transmitter wirelessly transmitted from the first inductive coil. The energy received by the second inductive coil is electrically shaped by the electrical signal shaping device and further transmitted through the electrical signal shaping device as controlled by the controller to charge the battery. Methods for transmitting energy through the electrical charging system to charge the battery are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Boyer, Brian D. Pasha, John Victor Fuzo
  • Patent number: 9331523
    Abstract: A power control device is provided, the power control device comprising a first conversion part configured to convert DC voltage power into AC voltage power, the DC voltage power being output from a power generation part configured to generate power using natural energy; a second conversion part configured to convert the AC voltage power output from the first conversion part into DC voltage power; and a controller configured to control output power of the second conversion part based on a voltage value of the power output from the power generation part when supply of power from an external power system is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Junichiro Yamada, Takeo Nishikawa, Wataru Okada
  • Patent number: 9318919
    Abstract: A power distribution system among a set of units (e.g., server blocks) may comprise, for each unit, a utility line and a unit generator, and a reserve generator providing failover transient performance and redundancy improvement to the power for the unit generators. The reserve generator may connect to the units via a reserve bus, and the unit generators may selectively connect to a wraparound bus connected to the reserve bus. When the failover load exceeds the available failover transient capability of one generator, one or more unit generators may (automatically or by operator selection) be connected with the wraparound bus to apply available transient capability to satisfy the excess failover load with minimal increase in power distribution resources and complexity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Thomas Seaton, Allan Joseph Wenzel, Steven Ray Steinert, Courtney Shepherd Jones
  • Patent number: 9281685
    Abstract: Circuitry and a method for maximizing power from multiple serially coupled DC power sources. Electrodes provide for serial coupling of multiple DC power sources, capacitive circuitry couples to each one of the electrodes, switching circuitry couples among various ones of the electrodes, and inductive circuitry couples among various others of the electrodes and the switching circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventor: Andre P. Willis
  • Patent number: 9236763
    Abstract: Embodiments of devices and methods distribute power in a remote pumping system to avoid charge imbalances in energy storage devices of an array. These embodiments identify certain energy storage devices in the array in which the output voltage is less than or equal to a threshold value. In one example, power from a plurality of power sources is directed to the non-performing energy storage devices to expedite re-charging of these energy storage devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Dresser, Inc.
    Inventor: Francisco Manuel Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 9099887
    Abstract: A power supply system includes a flywheel system electrically coupled to a DC bus for supplying electrical power between a power grid and a load. The flywheel system includes a flywheel coupled to rotate with a rotor of a motor/generator. A battery system is electrically coupled to the DC bus concurrently with the flywheel system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Vycon, Inc.
    Inventors: Octavio Solis, Oliver Ulibas
  • Publication number: 20150137604
    Abstract: A multiple uninterruptible power supply system includes at least two uninterruptible power supply modules. Each uninterruptible power supply module has a control unit with the control unit coupled to a synchronization bus. The uninterruptible power supply module are synchronized to each other with one of the uninterruptible power supply modules being operated as a sync master UPS and its control unit sending synchronization signals on the synchronization bus that are received on the synchronization bus by control units of each of the other uninterruptible power supply module which are each operated as a slave UPS synchronized to the sync master UPS. When a bypass power source for the uninterruptible power supply module that is being operated as the sync master becomes unqualified, another one of the UPS modules is operated as the sync master and its control unit then sends out the synchronization signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Liebert Corporation
    Inventors: Xian CHEN, Brian P. HEBER
  • Patent number: 9035492
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for managing the operations of a microgrid module. The microgrid module includes transformers and/or power converters necessary for modifying the input AC or DC power sources to meet the required characteristics of the output power. The microgrid module further comprises a power management software module and a control software module installed on a microgrid computer. The power management software module uses received business parameters to create rules for applying to the operation of the microgrid module. The rules are stored locally at the microgrid computer so that they can be quickly accessed by a control software module. The control software module uses the rules in combination with data collected from sensors installed in the physical circuitry layer of the microgrid module to control the operations of the microgrid module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Science Applications International Corporation
    Inventor: Landon Cabell Garland Miller
  • Publication number: 20150130280
    Abstract: A system includes a first power source and a variable neutral impedance circuit configured to vary a neutral impedance of the first power source based on presence and absence of a parallel coupling of the first power source with a second power source. The variable neutral impedance circuit may be configured to reduce a neutral current of the first power source when the first power source is operating in parallel with the second power source. The variable neutral impedance circuit may include an impedance coupled in series with the first power source, a bypass switch configured to bypass the impedance and a control circuit configured to control the bypass switch. The impedance may include a resistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Daniel Patrick O'Reilly, David Doyle Shipp
  • Patent number: 9030043
    Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of avoiding that wind turbine voltage levels within a wind power plant do not exceed predetermined overvoltage and/or undervoltage protection levels. In particular, the present invention relates to shifting of an output voltage level of a wind power plant in order to protect an internal power plant grid against overvoltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Jorge Martinez Garcia
  • Patent number: 9030047
    Abstract: A redundant path power subsystem comprises a plurality of phase regulators in a multi-phase power converter. The plurality of phase regulators comprises at least N+2 phase regulators. N phases are sufficient to serve an electrical load coupled with the redundant path power subsystem. The redundant path power subsystem also comprises a plurality of power supplies, and a plurality of input and control paths between the plurality of power supplies and the plurality of phase regulators. The plurality of input and control paths comprises a plurality of multiplexing logic devices and a plurality of phase controllers. The plurality of phase controllers is operable to control the plurality of phase regulators. The plurality of multiplexing logic devices is operable to multiplex control signals from the plurality of power supplies and a microprocessor for the plurality of phase controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Barus, Kevin R. Covi, William P. Kostenko, Jack P. Lee, Peter A. Wendling
  • Publication number: 20150115720
    Abstract: Backup battery systems for traffic cabinets that control traffic lights are provided herein. Backup battery systems include a controller operably coupled to 1 or more backup battery panels having rechargeable battery cells. Preferred systems can fit and operate entirely within the traffic cabinet. Monitoring and control of the backup system can be operable locally and remotely via internet cloud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Tim Hysell, Dan Sisson, Mark William Slobodnik, Jeffrey William Slobodink
  • Patent number: 9013063
    Abstract: In an uninterruptible power supply system, control sections of three uninterruptible power supply units are connected to one another by communication cables to configure one integrated control unit. The integrated control unit brings three switches into conduction if a bias feeding mode is selected by one arbitrary operation section and brings three switches into conduction if an inverter feeding mode is selected. Therefore, there is no need to separately provide an operation section and a control section for operating and controlling all of the uninterruptible power supply units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Toshiba Mitsubishi-Electric Industrial Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Eduardo Kazuhide Sato, Masahiro Kinoshita, Yushin Yamamoto, Tatsuaki Amboh
  • Publication number: 20150102677
    Abstract: A battery-free device is provided with one or more series or parallel capacitive networks. One or more solar panels are used to charge the capacitive networks and one or more charging circuits are used to control the charging of the capacitive networks. One or more DC-DC converters maybe used to provide a voltage to the device, a remote monitoring or controlling function, and, optionally, a user interface. In those instances when it is desired that the monitoring or controlling function remain powered at all times, the control circuitry is preferentially preserved at the expense of the other features of the device such that if, for any reason, the capacitive network is drained after running the other features, there will still be sufficient power stored in capacitive network to maintain the monitoring or controlling function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: William P. Laceky, Marty Akins, William Bryant, Bryan Lee
  • Patent number: 9000612
    Abstract: An energy storage system is disclosed. The system can supply DC power from a battery to a DC load or from the DC load to the battery without inverting an AC power to the DC power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jungjin Choi
  • Patent number: 8987938
    Abstract: A hybrid engine and battery generator and a method of operating the same. The generator is controlled to operate in at least three modes: a battery-only mode, a battery charging mode, and a boost mode. In the battery-only mode, the engine is off and an internal battery of the generator is used by an inverter to generate AC output. In the battery charging mode, the engine generates DC power, via an alternator and rectifier, which is used to charge the battery and to supply power to the inverter to generate AC output. In the boost mode, the battery and the engine generate DC power that is used by the inverter to generate an AC output with increased wattage, relative to the battery-only mode and battery charging mode. The generator automatically switches between the modes based on battery level and load demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Techtronic Outdoor Products Technology Limited
    Inventors: Sven Eschrich, Klaus Hahn
  • Patent number: 8987939
    Abstract: A hybrid power system is disclosed. The hybrid power system may include a primary power source configured to provide a primary power, and an energy storage device coupled to the primary power source, the energy storage device configured to store excess primary power provided by the primary power source. The hybrid power system may further include a variable speed genset, the variable speed genset including a secondary power source configured to operate at a variable rotor speed to provide a secondary power responsive to power requirements of a load. The hybrid power system may also include a central controller communicatively coupled to the primary power source, the energy storage device, and the variable speed genset, the central controller configured to control the primary power source, the energy storage device, and the variable speed genset based on the power requirements of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dachuan Yu, Michael Parry Liechty, Mahesh Sitaram Illindala, Matthew Thomas Muller
  • Publication number: 20150048684
    Abstract: A control system includes an electrical power source and an alternating current (AC) power supply electrically coupled with the electrical power source. An uninterruptable power supply is electrically coupled with the AC power supply for storing and returning electrical energy supplied by the AC power supply. The uninterruptable power supply includes multiple battery modules. Each battery module includes a battery cell and a battery monitor configured to monitor the battery cell. Each battery module also includes a controller operatively coupled with the battery modules. The controller is configured to receive diagnostic information from the battery modules. The uninterruptable power supply can also include one or more authentication modules to participate in an authentication sequence between two or more of a battery module, the controller, a device to be coupled with the uninterruptable power supply, an action originator in the control system, and so forth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Albert Rooyakkers, James G. Calvin, George Cranshaw
  • Patent number: 8957547
    Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) includes a rectifier, a buck converter, a solar energy module, a boost converter, a controller, and a power distribution unit (PDU). The solar energy module receives solar energy and converts the solar energy to a first DC voltage. The controller compares the first DC voltage with a preset voltage, and outputs a control signal to turn the boost converter on or off. When the boost converter is turned off, the rectifier receives an AC voltage from the AC power source and converts this to a rectified DC voltage which is output to the buck converter. When the boost converter is turned on, the boost converter converts the first DC voltage to a second DC voltage. The buck converter converts the rectified DC voltage or the first DC voltage to a working DC voltage and outputs to a power supply unit through the PDU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Hsiang Chang, Yu-Chi Tsai
  • Patent number: 8941265
    Abstract: A DC power distribution system and method includes a solid state remote power controller that connects a switching power source to a DC bus when the DC bus is switching power sources thereby providing a nearly uninterrupted power supply to the DC bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne H. Oldenburg, Cecil W. Sims
  • Publication number: 20150022001
    Abstract: A modular power backup system has a plurality of smart battery packs for storing electrical energy. Each of the plurality of smart battery packs includes a first power and control connector. A battery pack rack defines a plurality of slots for holding the plurality of smart battery packs. Each of the plurality of slots includes a second power and control connector for interconnecting with the first power and control connector of a smart battery pack of the plurality of smart battery packs. First control circuitry associated with the at least one battery pack rack selectively pools electrical energy from the plurality of smart battery packs into one or more electrical energy outputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: ESMOND T. GOEI, ANDREW GOEI, U KYAW THU RA, YEN CHIN, HARYADI MAMYO, MOK TIONG TAN, HSIN WOH MAH, RYAN MEJIA