Abstract: A battery charger (1000) non-concurrently performing a first operation to charge a main battery (MBA) and a sub-battery (SBA) by using an external power supply (AC), and a second operation to charge the sub-battery by using the main battery, including: a power supply circuit (1); a transformer (3); a secondary-side circuit (4) rectifying a voltage induced in a winding (302) and supplying the voltage to the main battery in a first time period for the first operation, and converting a DC voltage from the main battery into an AC voltage and supplying the AC voltage to the winding in a second time period for the second operation; a conduction angle adjustment circuit (7); and a control circuit (10), the secondary-side circuit being a full-bridge circuit including parallel-connected arms each including parallel-connected bodies connected in series, the parallel-connected bodies each including a switching unit and a rectifying unit connected in parallel.

Abstract: A two-wire smart load control device, such as an electronic switch, for controlling the power delivered from a power source to an electrical load comprises a relay for conducting a load current through the load and an in-line power supply coupled in series with the relay for generating a supply voltage across a capacitor when the relay is conductive. The power supply controls when the capacitor charges asynchronously with respect to the frequency of the source. The capacitor conducts the load current for at least a portion of a line cycle of the source when the relay is conductive. The load control device also comprises a bidirectional semiconductor switch, which is controlled to minimize the inrush current conducted through the relay. The bidirectional semiconductor switch is rendered conductive in response to an over-current condition in the capacitor of the power supply, and the relay is rendered non-conductive in response to an over-temperature condition in the power supply.

Abstract: Disclosed is an energy conversion apparatus. An energy conversion apparatus may comprise a control part controlling a length of a first time duration in which input current is inputted and accumulated, a length of a second time duration in which the accumulated current is provided to a load, and a length of a third time duration in which inverse current flows; and a DC-to-DC converter including an inductor, a output capacitor, and at least one switching element, wherein the input current is accumulated during the first time duration by switching the at least one switching element according to a control of the control part so as to perform input impedance matching, and the DC-to-DC convert provides a current corresponding to a difference between the accumulated current provided during the second time duration and the inverse current flowing from the output capacitor during the third time duration to the load.

Abstract: The disclosure herein relates to a field-programmable gate array for detecting and normalizing partial discharges in a digital signal. The field-programmable gate array includes a filter that receives the digital signal and isolates high frequency information from the digital signal. The field-programmable gate array then normalizes the high frequency information by a compensation value to produce a normalized signal. Further, a comparator of the field-programmable gate array can determine whether the normalized signal exceeds a threshold input. In turn, a counter of the field-programmable gate array increments a counter value in response to each determination that the high frequency information exceeds the threshold input.

Abstract: Disclosed are circuits and method for reducing or eliminating reference spurs in frequency synthesizers. In some implementations, a phase-locked loop (PLL) such as a Frac-N PLL of a frequency synthesizer can include a phase frequency detector (PFD) configured to receive a reference signal and a feedback signal. The PFD can be configured to generate a first signal representative of a phase difference between the reference signal and the feedback signal. The PLL can further include a compensation circuit configured to generate a compensation signal based on the first signal. The PLL can further includes a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) configured to generate an output signal based on the compensation signal. The compensation signal can include at least one feature for substantially eliminating one or more reference spurs associated with the PLL.

Abstract: A motor vehicle electrical system having a DC-to-DC converter with a high-voltage side and a low-voltage side, wherein at least one traction battery is connected to the high-voltage side and electrical loads are connected to the low-voltage side, wherein the DC-to-DC converter can be switched on or woken up by a control signal of an electrical device, wherein the electrical device is arranged on the high-voltage side or is designed with an electrical energy store locally associated with the electrical device. Also disclosed is a method for operating such a motor vehicle electrical system.

Abstract: A circuit includes a series arrangement of capacitors and a balancing circuit coupled to the series arrangement of capacitors, the balancing circuit having drive circuits each coupled at a node in the series arrangement at which two of the capacitors are coupled in series. The drive circuit includes an output stage having switches arranged to either push or pull current from a drive circuit output depending on the state of the switches.

Abstract: A battery cell (10), having a low-inductance, capacitive parallel path interconnected between the poles of the battery cell (10), wherein the parallel path is embodied as a discrete capacitor (11).

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a switching power circuit and a control circuit. The switching power converter circuit includes an output port for electrical coupling to a variable load, an input port for electrically coupling to a first energy source, wherein the energy density of the first energy source is insufficient to meet a peak energy requirement of the variable load, an input/output port for electrical coupling to a second energy source, and one inductor electrically coupled to the input port and a circuit node, wherein the electrical coupling is non-switchable. The control circuit is configured to charge the inductor using the first energy source via the input port, to provide energy from the inductor to the load via the output port, and to provide both of, via the input/output port, energy from the inductor to the second energy source and energy from the second energy source to the variable load.

Abstract: An AC-to-DC converter involves a rectifier, an inductor, a storage capacitor, a switch, and a microcontroller. In a capacitor pre-charge operation, the periodicity and voltage amplitude of an AC supply voltage are determined. Based on this, the microcontroller identifies one of a plurality of stored sequences. Each sequence is a list of values. The microcontroller turns off the switch on AC supply voltage zero crossings and turns on the switch in accordance with the values. As a result, a sequence of identical pulses of charging current flows into the storage capacitor. Each pulse passes in a current path from the rectifier, through the inductor, through the capacitor, through the switch, and back to the rectifier. During the pre-charge operation, the microcontroller does not measure the capacitor voltage and use that to calculate when to the turn the switch on next, but rather the sequence of precalculated stored values is used.

Abstract: Example embodiments of the present invention include a power source; a load circuit; a relay provided between the power source and the load circuit; a rectifying circuit connected between an output terminal and an input terminal of the relay; a discharge circuit connected to the power source line on an input side of the relay and to perform, when turned on, discharging operation to discharge an electric charge that remains on each of the input side and an output side of the relay; and a discharge control circuit to turn on the discharge circuit to perform discharging operation when the relay is turned off to stop the power supply input to the load circuit.

Abstract: A method (200) of balancing ultracapacitor cells (102) is provided. The method may measure individual ultracapacitor cell voltages, select a balancing setpoint voltage, compare an actual voltage variation within each ultracapacitor cell (102) with a voltage variation threshold, and enable a balancing element (104) associated with the ultracapacitor cell (102) if the actual voltage variation exceeds the voltage variation threshold.

Abstract: A method of balancing voltages in a group of capacitors of a power electronic device, such as a multilevel power inverter, includes making a balancing determination regarding whether to (i) inject energy into the selected one of the capacitors from an energy storage element, or (ii) extract energy from the selected one of the capacitors into the energy storage element based on the voltage of a selected one of the capacitors, and either injecting energy into the selected one of the capacitors from the energy storage element, or extracting energy from the selected one of the capacitors into the energy storage element based on the balancing determination. Also, a voltage balancing circuit that implements the method. In one particular implementation, a spatial second derivative algorithm is used. In another particular implementation, a comparison to an average capacitor voltage is used.

Abstract: An auto-resonant driver for a transmitter inductor drives the inductor at an optimal frequency for maximum efficiency. The transmitter inductor is magnetically coupled, but not physically coupled, to a receiver inductor, and the current generated by the receiver inductor is used to power a load. The system may be used, for example, to remotely charge a battery (as part of the load) or provide power to motors or circuits. A feedback circuit is used to generate the resonant driving frequency. A detector in the transmit side wirelessly detects whether there is sufficient current being generated in the receiver side to achieve regulation by a voltage regulator powering the load. This point is achieved when the transmitter inductor peak voltage suddenly increases as the driving pulse width is ramped up. At that point, the pulse width is held constant for optimal efficiency.

Abstract: A device for converting thermal energy into electric energy intended to be used in combination with a hot source including: a capacitor of variable capacitance, including two electrodes separated by an electrically-insulating material, one of these electrodes being deformable and being associated with an element forming a bimetallic strip, said bimetallic strip including at least two layers of materials having different thermal expansion coefficients, said bimetallic strip being free to deform when it is submitted to the heat of said hot source; a second capacitor having a first electrode connected to a first electrode of said capacitor of variable capacitance; a harvesting circuit electrically connected between the second electrode of the capacitor of variable capacitance and the second electrode of the second capacitor, said harvesting circuit being capable of conducting the current flowing between said second electrodes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for low voltage conversion and energy storage uses a charge pump array including a first set of capacitors in parallel with a second set of capacitors and switches for selectively coupling the first and second set of capacitors to a variable input DC voltage. A data processor programmably controls one or more of the switches to couple the first and second set of capacitors to the variable input DC voltage for a variable first time period during which the input DC voltage charges the first and second set of capacitors to a DC voltage level. An energy storage device is switchably coupled to an output of the charge pump array.

Abstract: A charging circuit and method for charging a power storage device in a power over Ethernet environment are necessary to prevent unnecessary power consumption. Power sourcing equipment continuously supplies power to a connected device after determining that the device is compatible. In order to prevent supply of power after a power storage device attains full charge, a charging circuit may include an interface for supplying electric power; a sensing circuit including a switch in series with a resistor; and a voltage detection circuit. The voltage detection circuit may communicate with the sensing circuit and may output a first signal that turns the switch OFF when the voltage of the power storage device is greater than or equal to a first voltage and may output a second signal that turns the switch ON when the voltage of the power storage device is less than or equal to a second voltage.

Abstract: [Problem] To enable effectively utilizing electrical energy of a vehicle and effectively preventing early deterioration of the second electricity storage unit. [Solution] Provided is a vehicle control device for supplying electricity to an electrical load component of a vehicle.

Abstract: In a monitoring device including a reader and a data carrier, the data carrier includes a receiver coil (201), a resonator capacitor (202), rectifier means (203), a modulation capacitor (206), an energy storage capacitor (204), three modulation switches (209, 210, 211) and data processing means. The modulation capacitor (206), the energy storage capacitor (204), the data processing means and the three modulation switches (209, 210, 211) are arranged such that, in a first configuration, the modulation capacitor (206) and the energy storage capacitor (204) are coupled in parallel and, in a second configuration, the modulation capacitor (206) and the energy storage capacitor (204) are coupled in series. The invention further provides a method of operating a data carrier in such a monitoring device.

Abstract: A voltage conversion circuit, comprising: a transformer that converts a voltage input to a primary side and outputs a converted voltage from a secondary side; a switching unit configured to switch on/off of electrification of the primary side of the transformer; and a bypass unit configured to transmit charges from the secondary side to the primary side of the transformer when the switching unit is off, so as to reduce a surge voltage caused on the switching unit.

Abstract: A driver circuit of a liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes a drive line driving a lightbar of the LCD device. A discharge module and a switch module are in series connection between the drive line and a ground end of the LCD device driver circuit in sequence; a starting signal sent by the LCD device is coupled to the switch module. When the starting signal is an OFF signal, the switch module is turned on, and when the starting signal is an ON signal, the switch module is turned off.

Abstract: The timing and power consumption of controller circuits are is dependent on Process, Voltage, and Temperature. If the controller ASIC can measure the average voltage level during run-time, then firmware can use this information to tune the voltages for optimal speed/power performance. A voltage detector generates an output of, for example, 3 bits, where each state of the three bit bus represents a voltage band. These bits can then be used by the firmware to trim the appropriate regulators to boost/lower the voltages. This can be done for both the core voltage and I/O voltages. The firmware can be further optimized to take into account the states of temperature detectors and process detectors along with voltage band detector to optimize the system performance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a battery charging circuit having several operating modes include boost and buck mode, and forward and reverse mode. A power train and a current sensing block may share power transistors thus reducing the number of space-consuming power devices in the circuit. The current sensing block may indicate output current based only a sensed input current, and vice versa.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a charging circuit (20) for charging an energy storage element (30). The charging circuit (20) comprises a feedback module (201), a controlling module (202), a switching module (203) and a storage module (204), wherein the controlling module (202) is configured to adjust the control signal so as to increase the ON-OFF ratio of the switching module (203) when the feedback signal is substantially smaller than a reference signal, or to adjust the control signal so as to decrease the ON-OFF ratio of the switching module (203) when the feedback signal is substantially larger than a reference signal. By applying the charging circuit (20), the charging time for the energy storage element (30) is shorter and therefore less power from the power source (10) is consumed.

Abstract: A voltage adjusting circuit includes an inducing circuit configured to induce a voltage from electromagnetic waves, a first rectifying circuit configured to rectify an output signal of the inducing circuit, a second rectifying circuit configured to rectify the output signal of the inducing circuit, a first regulator configured to regulate an output signal of the first rectifying circuit, and a second regulator configured to regulate an output signal of the second rectifying circuit.

Abstract: A probe is configured such that an output current pulse is able to be delivered by the charge storage at defined intervals to a load. A mean power to be fed to the charge storage is ascertainable for a subsequent time interval, and the level of the mean input power, which is to be drawn by the voltage transformer from the power source, is specifiable as a function of the ascertained mean power. The voltage transformer is controllable accordingly.

Abstract: An charging device includes: capacitors connected in series; a charging unit that charges the capacitors; bypass units, each respectively connects in parallel to each capacitors, wherein each bypass unit causes, when a charged voltage of any capacitor has reached a set voltage, a charging current to bypass the capacitor whose charged voltage has reached the set voltage; and a control unit that controls the charging unit to charge the capacitors in such a manner that, when a charging voltage of the any capacitor has reached the set voltage, the control unit causes the charging unit to reduce the charging current, and if a predetermined period has elapsed since the charging voltage has reached the set voltage, and if a charging voltage of any of the other capacitors has not reached the set voltage after the predetermined period, the control unit causes the charging unit to increase the charging current.

Abstract: A system for removing a layer of lead sulfate insulation crystals in which lead sulfate is selectively subjected to heating by dielectric relaxation loss at a peak frequency of lead sulfate dielectric relaxation loss of 10 MHz, thereby finely decomposing the crystals which have turned into poor conductors to oxidize positive electrodes of lead oxide and reduce negative electrodes of elemental lead by charging current.

Abstract: Mobile devices have limited power sources. In some cases, such as camera flash operations in cell phones or digital cameras, the power required to provide bright illumination is significant and exceeding the battery voltage level. In order to supply burst power or continuous high power to light sources, such as white LEDs (light emitting diodes), mobile devices typically employ charge storage functioning as energy reservoir that can supply the required power. One such charge storage is a supercapacitor that can supply the needed power repeatedly by discharging and recharging. Various embodiments of the present invention include devices and methods for providing the charge energy and controlling the charge and discharge operations.

Abstract: A discharge device actively discharges a main capacitor in an electric-power system of an electric-drive vehicle and comprises a discharge branch of a circuit connected in parallel to the capacitor and including a discharge transistor biased to “conduction” mode when the capacitor must be discharged. A control device is connected to a “gate/base” terminal of and controls the transistor, biasing the transistor to the mode when the capacitor is required to fee discharged. A control transistor maintains the discharge transistor in a “non-conductive” state when the control transistor is in the mode. The control transistor is in the state for the discharge transistor to be in the mode. A safety capacitor is interposed between the terminal and a power supply and charges when the discharge transistor is in the mode, causing a progressive decrease of current at the terminal, until the discharge transistor is biased to the state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring system for monitoring a state of a door lock mechanism of a door or of a closure of a storage space of a means of transportation, comprising a generator and a sensor/actuator. The generator produces electrical energy from vibration energy, and the sensor detects the state of the door lock mechanism. The sensor uses the kinetic energy that is produced by the actuation of the door lock to generate an electrical signal, which is then transmitted to a microcontroller.

Abstract: A most recent electrostatic capacitance value for a backup capacitor is measured periodically. Each time the most recent electrostatic capacitance value is measured, a charging voltage (a required charging voltage) that is required in order to cause a return operation of a valve from the setting opening at that time to an emergency opening/closing position (for example, the fully closed position) is calculated based on the electrostatic capacitance value that has been measured, and the terminal voltage of the backup capacitor is adjusted so as to become equal to the calculated required charging voltage.

Abstract: An emergency power supply device is provided to supply emergency power to a direct voltage circuit. The direct voltage circuit has a first potential tap and a second potential tap, comprising an energy storage unit. The energy storage unit has a plus pole and a minus pole, and one of the poles is connected to the first potential tap via a first connection. The other pole is connected to the second potential tap via a second connection. At least one of the connections has a directional electric current meter and at least one of the connections has an interrupter. The directional electric current meter can measure a flow of charging current. The interrupter can prevent a flow of charging current, and the interrupter can be controlled as a function of the flow of charging current that has been measured.

Abstract: Auxiliary power supplies include a capacitor (e.g., super capacitor) and a capacitor charging circuit, which is configured to provide a charging current to a first terminal of the capacitor. Enhanced failure detection is provided by a capacitor monitoring circuit, which may be electrically coupled to at least one terminal of the capacitor. The capacitor monitoring circuit is configured to detect when the capacitor is malfunctioning in an open condition as well as when the capacitor is malfunctioning in a short condition.

Abstract: A quick discharge circuit includes a reference voltage source, a power supply voltage monitoring circuit, a control circuit, and a discharge circuit. The reference voltage source provides a threshold voltage for quick discharge; the power supply voltage monitoring circuit collects change conditions of a power supply voltage; the control circuit performs logical control according to the power supply voltage collected by the power supply voltage monitoring circuit and the threshold voltage provided by the reference voltage source to determine whether the discharge circuit is ON. With the quick discharge circuit, when a terminal product is powered off, an input bulk capacitor of a DC-DC circuit is discharged quickly so that the voltage thereof rapidly drops to a safe voltage range. When the terminal product is powered on again quickly, it is guaranteed that a soft start circuit works normally so as to implement slow increase of power-on voltage and current.

Abstract: The discharge circuit includes plural resistors connected in parallel to a capacitor and connected between input lines. When input of an alternative voltage has stopped, the plural resistors form plural discharge paths to remove charges accumulated in the capacitor, thereby removing the charges in the capacitor connected between the input lines of the alternative voltage.

Abstract: A battery voltage measuring circuit for an implantable cardiac device is presented. Since the usable battery voltage for the device is limited to an upper range of voltages, the need for measuring lower voltages at which the battery is approaching end of life is of no use. The disclosed invention allows for the measurement of a selectable upper range of battery levels that can be chosen without using a level shifting device such as a zener diode. Multiple voltage ranges with associated measurement resolutions can be achieved without using high current zener diode implementations. This allows for a trade-off between measurement range and resolution while resulting in a lower power and more accurate measurement circuit. Conventional zener diode implementations only allow for a single measurement range and are prone to non-linear error as the voltage measurement range increases.

Abstract: A capacitor device includes a capacitor unit, a voltage-dividing circuit for outputting a divided voltage obtained by dividing a voltage of the capacitor unit, and a comparator circuit. The comparator circuit causes the charge circuit to operate such that the voltage of the capacitor unit reaches a full-charge voltage. The voltage-dividing circuit includes a semiconductor switching element, and outputs a divided voltage. A control circuit is operable to determine the full-charge voltage to be a high-temperature full-charge voltage by turning off the first semiconductor switching element when a temperature at the capacitor unit exceeds a reference temperature. The control circuit is operable to determine the full-charge voltage to be a low-temperature full-charge voltage that is higher than the high-temperature full-charge voltage by turning on the first semiconductor switching element when the detected temperature is not higher than the reference temperature.

Abstract: An electronic lock with power failure control circuit includes a lock mechanism having a latchbolt movable between extended and a retracted positions and an electrically powered lock actuator to lock and unlock the latchbolt. The power failure control circuit includes a microcontroller and the lock is connected to a primary power source and an auxiliary power source, preferably supercapacitors and charger that can be turned on by the microcontroller and off when the charger signals a full charge. A power monitor circuit detects low voltage on the primary power supply and sets a power failure interrupt causing the microcontroller to execute power failure instructions that control the actuator so that the lock is placed into a desired locked or unlocked final state during the power failure. upon detection of the return of good power, the system resets the lock.

Abstract: A firing circuit configured for complete discharge of a storage capacitor is provided with a storage capacitor, an inductor, a diode, a transistor switch having a gate to which the inductor and the diode are connected in series, the inductor and the capacitor being configured for inductor capacitor ringing, the inductive capacitive ringing creating upon initiation of the circuit a gate voltage at the gate above an initial capacitor voltage of the storage capacitor; and the diode blocking the discharge of the gate voltage ensuring that the capacitor can be fully discharged.

Abstract: A method for charging a battery is provided, wherein current pulses are supplied to the battery, wherein each pulse is followed by a rest period during which no current is supplied to the battery, and wherein the state of charge of the battery is determined during the rest period.

Abstract: A fast charging high energy storage capacitor system jump starter is described. The jump starter apparatus incorporates a method of using reserve energy from a depleted electrical system such as an automobile battery, combined with a fast charging high energy capacitor bank to enable the rapid and effective way to jump start a vehicle.

Abstract: Electronic device (1) for charging and discharging a capacitor (10) from and to a power source (30). The electronic device is connectable to the capacitor and to the power source, and includes a first circuit (SI, D, R1, LI) for charging the capacitor and at least one second circuit (S2, D, R2, L2) for discharging the capacitor. The capacitor is connected to the first circuit in a charge line (31) and is connected to the second circuit in a discharge line (32). Both the charge line and discharge line are connectable to the power source. The first circuit is arranged as a first buck converter circuit and the at least one second circuit is arranged as a second buck converter circuit.

Abstract: A power conversion system includes a controller to control discharge of a smoothing condenser based on at least one signal received through an input. The at least one signal indicates a failure of a discharge circuit configured to discharge the smoothing condenser The controller controls discharge of stored charge in the smoothing condenser through parasitic resistance components of a power system which includes the smoothing condenser. The power conversion system may be used with an electric vehicle.

Abstract: A most recent electrostatic capacitance value for a backup capacitor is measured periodically. Each time the most recent electrostatic capacitance value is measured, a charging voltage (a required charging voltage) that is required in order to cause a return operation of a valve from the setting opening at that time to an emergency opening/closing position (for example, the fully closed position) is calculated based on the electrostatic capacitance value that has been measured. If the required charging voltage that has been calculated is higher than the terminal voltage that has been detected, then a value for a charging current value is determined based on the actual degree of opening and the setting opening of the valve, and the backup capacitor is charged until the terminal voltage reaches the required charging voltage.

Abstract: A control circuitry (134) and a method for controlling a bi-directional switch (132) is provided. The bi-directional switch (132) having a control terminal (130) for receiving a control voltage (124) to control an on state and an off state of the bi-directional switch (132) and at least one semiconductor switch in a bi-directional main current path. The control circuitry (134) comprises an energy storage element (102), a coupling means (101) to couple the energy storage element (102) to a supply voltage to charge the energy storage element (102), and a control circuit (108) configured to receive power from the energy storage element (102) and pendent of the supply voltage when the emergency storage element (102) is not coupled to the supply voltage. The coupling means (101) is configured for only coupling the energy storage element (102) to the supply voltage when the bi-directional switch (132) is in the off state.

Abstract: A power converter and a method of operation thereof is disclosed including an input, an output, a sensor unit, a switched power converter, and a processor module. The power converter may convert an input power into an output power. The power converter may sense real-time measurements of the input power and the output power to determine a real-time calculated efficiency. The power converter may chop the input power into sized and positioned portions of the input power based on a plurality of determined operating parameters. The power converter may determine the operating parameters based on the real-time calculated efficiency and on a plurality of other operating factors/conditions.

Abstract: A photopolymerization apparatus comprising a charging station and a hand-guidable photopolymerization device, wherein the photopolymerization device comprises at least one reservoir for electrical power and at least one attachment having at least one charging contact, wherein at least one of (i) the at least one attachment is securable to the charging station and (ii) the at least one attachment is securable to the photopolymerization device, wherein the attachment provides at least one electrically conductive connection by means of which the at least one reservoir is rechargeable.

Abstract: A power converter and a method of operation thereof is disclosed including an input, an output, a sensor unit, a switched power converter, and a processor module. The power converter may convert an input power into an output power. The power converter may sense real-time measurements of the input power and the output power to determine a real-time calculated efficiency. The power converter may chop the input power into sized and positioned portions of the input power based on a plurality of determined operating parameters. The power converter may determine the operating parameters based on the real-time calculated efficiency and on a plurality of other operating factors/conditions.

Abstract: A power converter and a method of operation thereof is disclosed including an input, an output, a sensor unit, a switched power converter, and a processor module. The power converter may convert an input power into an output power. The power converter may sense real-time measurements of the input power and the output power to determine a real-time calculated efficiency. The power converter may chop the input power into sized and positioned portions of the input power based on a plurality of determined operating parameters. The power converter may determine the operating parameters based on the real-time calculated efficiency and on a plurality of other operating factors/conditions.