Using Converter Patents (Class 323/207)
  • Patent number: 10128744
    Abstract: Disclosed examples include methods and control circuits to operate a single or multi-phase DC-DC converter, including an output that turns a first switch on for a controlled on time and then turns the switch off for a controlled off time in successive control cycles, as well as a PWM circuit that computes a threshold time value corresponding to a predetermined peak inductor current and a duty cycle value, and computes a first time value according to an error value for a subsequent second switching control cycle. The PWM circuit sets the on time to the first time value to operate in a critical conduction mode for the second switching control cycle when the first time value is greater than or equal to the threshold time value, and otherwise sets the controlled on time to the threshold time value for discontinuous conduction mode operation in the second control cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ananthakrishnan Viswanathan, Joseph Michael Leisten, Brent McDonald, Philomena Cleopha Brady
  • Patent number: 10096999
    Abstract: A var compensator circuit is provided. The var compensator circuit includes a gas tube switch and a reactive impedance. The gas tube switch is configured to be coupled to a transmission line. The transmission line is configured to deliver real power and reactive power to a load at an alternating current (AC) line voltage. The reactive impedance is configured to be coupled to the transmission line at the AC line voltage through the gas tube switch. The reactive impedance is configured to modify the reactive power configured to be delivered to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Xu She, James William Bray, Timothy John Sommerer, Rahul Shantilal Chokhawala
  • Patent number: 10081354
    Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle, noise occurrence caused in a rectangular wave control of a motor is restricted when a motor running mode is selected with a converter boosting limit applied. A motor controller for a hybrid vehicle mounted with an internal combustion engine and a motor as power sources is provided. The motor controller includes a converter capable of boosting a voltage supplied from a power supply device; an inverter which converts an output voltage of the converter to an AC voltage and applies the AC voltage to the motor; and a control unit which controls the inverter to drive the motor by switching between two or more control modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryoji Sato
  • Patent number: 10075064
    Abstract: A circuit includes a reconfigurable rectifier, a voltage balancer, and a pair of converters. The reconfigurable rectifier includes an ac input port and three output ports. In a first configuration, the reconfigurable rectifier can deliver power at a first output port and, in a second configuration, to at least a second output port. The voltage balancer includes first and second ports coupled to second and third output ports of the reconfigurable rectifier and is configured to balance received voltage at the first and second ports. The first converter has an input coupled to the first port of the voltage balancer and an output at which a first converted voltage signal is provided. The second converter has an input coupled to the second port of the voltage balancer and an output at which a second converted voltage signal is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: David J. Perreault, Khurram K. Afridi, Juan A. Santiago-Gonzalez, David M. Otten
  • Patent number: 10075065
    Abstract: A converter circuit is provided and includes: a first EMI filter connected to AC lines and includes one or more across-the-line capacitors; a charging circuit that receives power from the first EMI filter and limits an amount of current passing from the first EMI filter to a DC bus; and a PFC circuit of a compressor drive that provides PFC between an output of the charging circuit and a generated first DC voltage. The PFC circuit includes: a rectification circuit that rectifies the power from the AC lines or a charging circuit output; and a second EMI filter connected downstream from the rectification circuit and including a DC bus rated capacitor. The second EMI filter outputs a filtered DC signal based on a rectification circuit output. The PFC circuit, based on the second EMI filter output, outputs the first DC voltage to the DC bus to power the compressor drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph G. Marcinkiewicz, Kraig Bockhorst
  • Patent number: 10063067
    Abstract: A battery system includes a main control module and a battery pack. The battery pack includes a plurality of battery modules. During the transition of mode switching, each of the battery modules outputs a constant current. The battery modules monitor the battery status of the battery modules respectively. Based on a load requirement, the battery status of the battery modules and a conversion efficiency, the main control module dynamically controls a voltage conversion operation mode of a voltage converter of the battery system and dynamically controls the operation modes of the battery modules respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Tzi-Cker Chiueh, Shih-Hao Liang, Kai-Cheung Juang, Shou-Hung Ling
  • Patent number: 10050443
    Abstract: A total harmonic distortion (THDi) reduction circuit for a power factor correction (PFC) controller to control a PFC stage. The THDi reduction circuit determines whether an input signal, such as an alternating current (AC) line voltage is a high voltage or low voltage signal. For a high voltage input signal, the THDi reduction circuit may limit the duty cycle of a control signal to a PFC stage to minimize a voltage spike at the zero-crossing point of the input signal and thereby minimize THDi. For a low voltage input signal, the THDi reduction circuit may extend the duty cycle of the control signal to the PFC stage, while ensuring that the control signal has at least a predetermined off-time, i.e. the duty cycle is less than 100 percent. Extending the control signal duty cycle, especially for low voltage input signals under high load, may minimize THDi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventor: Osama Abdel-Rahman
  • Patent number: 10048730
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a voltage rectifier may include: an AC/DC converter, a first DC/DC converter, and a second DC/DC converter. The AC/DC converter may be configured to convert an AC source voltage to a DC bus voltage. The first DC/DC converter may be configured to convert the bus voltage to a DC compensating voltage having an AC ripple to compensate for AC ripple of the bus voltage. The second DC/DC converter may be configured to convert a DC compensated bus voltage to a DC output voltage, wherein the DC compensated bus voltage is equal to a difference between the bus voltage and the compensating voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventor: Hongping Li
  • Patent number: 10044188
    Abstract: A method and a system for controlling grid power distribution by using a controllable real power resource at nodes on the feeder line and a tap changer in a substation on the feeder line by setting a target phasor value at each node that maintains a required power delivery to the real and reactive power resources with a defined acceptable voltage at all nodes with a feeder line loss below an allowable feeder line power loss threshold. The target phasor value is selected to use the substation tap changer less frequently as compared to the reactive power resource to provide voltage management of the feeder line, wherein the power resource is adjusted so that the actual voltage magnitude moves towards the target voltage magnitude at each node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: ENBALA Power Networks Inc.
    Inventor: Malcom Metcalfe
  • Patent number: 10033293
    Abstract: A self-commutated converter is connected to further self-commutated converters by its AC voltage connection via an inductive component using a coupling point, which is common to all the converters, in an AC voltage network. An active power P and a frequency fN are determined from a network voltage at the coupling point and a converter current flowing via the inductive component. An active power difference value ?P is supplied to an orthogonal controller and to a parallel controller. The output value from the parallel controller is used to minimize the reactive power exchanged between converter and coupling point. The frequency difference value ?f is supplied to a frequency controller and the output value from the frequency controller is logically combined with the output value from the orthogonal controller and the output value from the parallel controller, the frequency difference value ?f being simultaneously minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Paul Brian Brogan, Rodney Jones, Peter Menke, Rainer Zurowski
  • Patent number: 10033196
    Abstract: A method for converting alternating current (AC) power to direct current (DC) power in a non-isolated power converter includes receiving a three-phase power supply, transforming the three phase power supply into six voltage phases, half-wave rectifying the AC current, applying a power factor correction to achieve DC power, and outputting a DC power signal. The three-phase power supply has an AC current. The six voltage phase is transformed at a secondary side of a three-phase distribution transformer, which includes a center tap located at the secondary side of the three-phase distribution transformer and one or more AC wire conductors. The AC wire conductors carry the transformed power supply. The half-wave rectification occurs at the secondary side of the three-phase distribution transformer. An arrangement of rectifier diodes on the AC wire conductors accomplishes the half-wave rectification. The output DC power signal has an output voltage at a DC output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Sangsun Kim, Francisco Javier Elias, Cornelius Bendict O'Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10027155
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a power management circuit and a mobile terminal having a first switch for blocking current. The first switch blocks an input of an external power supply in a case that a predetermined load operates in a large current/voltage mode. A bi-directional DC converter boosts a battery voltage and supplies it to the load. Thus, the circuit is simplified and the number of components is reduced for power management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Silergy Semiconductor Technology (Hangzhou) Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen Zhao, Lingdong Xhang
  • Patent number: 10020736
    Abstract: A method and an information handling system (IHS) perform current calibration of a multi-phase voltage regulator (VR) by using a calibrated operating phase to calibrate an unknown operating phase. A calibration controller, using a pulse width modulation (PWM) controller, enables a first unknown operating phase within a first converter sub-circuit in the multiphase VR. The calibration controller enables a calibrated circuit component electronically coupled to the first unknown operating phase. The calibration controller determines a target voltage for the first unknown operating phase based on sense component specifications. The calibration controller determines, for the first unknown operating phase, a sense voltage that identifies the first unknown operating phase as a first evaluated operating phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Feng-Yu Wu, Tsai-Fu Hung, Shin-Chen Wang, Shiguo Luo, Kejiu Zhang
  • Patent number: 10015849
    Abstract: Provided are circuits and methods for use with a power supply that provides a main output including a main DC voltage having a first AC voltage ripple, or a main DC current having a first AC current ripple. A ripple cancellation converter provides a second AC voltage ripple connected in series with the main output, such that the first AC voltage ripple is substantially cancelled; or a second AC current ripple connected in parallel with the main output, such that the first AC current ripple is substantially cancelled. As a result, substantially ripple-free DC output power is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Queen's University at Kingston
    Inventor: Yan-Fei Liu
  • Patent number: 10008922
    Abstract: A switching power supply may include: an inductor connected to an input voltage terminal; a first switch configured to form a first electrical path between the inductor and an output voltage terminal; a second switch configured to form a second electrical path between the inductor and a ground voltage terminal; a negative current sensor configured to sense an inductor current flowing through the first electrical path, and generate an over-current protection signal when the inductor current is sensed as a negative current equal to or more than a preset value; and a controller configured to enable a discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) when the over-current protection signal is generated, and turn off the first switch and turn on the second switch, in response to the enabled DCM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: SILICON WORKS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Won Suk Jang, Young Jin Woo, Tae Kyu Nam, Hong Kyu Choi
  • Patent number: 9983613
    Abstract: Methods and systems of network voltage regulating transformers are provided. A network voltage regulating transformer (NVRT) may provide voltage transformation, isolation, and regulation. A NVRT may further provide power factor corrections. Multiple NVRTs may operate autonomously and collectively thereby achieving an edge of network voltage control when installed to a power system. A NVRT comprises a transformer, a VAR source, and a control module. The input current (i.e., the current through the primary side of the transformer), the output current (i.e., the current through the secondary side of the transformer), and/or the output voltage (i.e., the voltage across the secondary side of the transformer) may be monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Varentec, Inc.
    Inventors: Deepakraj M. Divan, Anish Prasai
  • Patent number: 9985565
    Abstract: Disclosed examples include motor drive power conversion systems with an inverter, as well as a controller methods to drive a motor in which output filter capacitor currents are computed and used to compensate the motor control in consideration of damping resistance values of an output filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Semyon Royak, Jingya Dai, Jingbo Liu, Thomas A. Nondahl, Ehsan Al-Nabi
  • Patent number: 9979202
    Abstract: A control, protection and power management system for an energy storage system, comprises an interface configured to communicate and provide energy exchange with a host power system, a local load, and the energy storage system, and processing structure configured to receive signals from the host power system and the energy storage system, to determine a mode of operation of the energy storage system and to provide control, protection and power management to the energy storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Ecamion Inc.
    Inventors: Himanshu Sudan, Carmine Pizzurro, Reza Iravani, Milan Graovac
  • Patent number: 9979300
    Abstract: Systems and methods for enhancing peak power capability and hold-up time in a resonant converter having a LLC topology may include a couple choke transformer circuit that may control an inductance of the couple choke transformer circuit and improve power efficiency of the resonant converter. The resonant converter may also include a resonant tank circuit that may provide improved peak power delivery of the resonant converter. The resonant converter may further include a resonant tank control circuit to control the resonant tank circuit and may increase the peak gain of the resonant converter, increase a voltage range of the input voltage, and extend a hold-up time of the input voltage when an AC power failure occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Merle Wood, Wei-Cheng Yu, Tun-Chieh Liang, Tsung-Cheng Liao, Wen-Yung Chang
  • Patent number: 9966860
    Abstract: Power conversion system and method. The system includes a first capacitor including a first capacitor terminal and a second capacitor terminal, a second capacitor including a third capacitor terminal and a fourth capacitor terminal, and a plurality of diodes including a first diode, a second diode, a third diode, and a fourth diode. The first diode is coupled to the second diode at a first node, the second diode is coupled to the fourth diode at a second node, the fourth diode is coupled to the third diode at a third node, and the third diode is coupled to the first diode at a fourth node. Additionally, the system includes a fifth diode including a first anode and a first cathode and a sixth diode including a second anode and a second cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: ON-BRIGHT ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yingchieh Lin, Bo Li, Lieyi Fang
  • Patent number: 9960698
    Abstract: An AC to DC converter system is provided. The system includes a bidirectional boost converter circuit coupled to an AC input, a high voltage DC link capacitor circuit coupled to the bidirectional boost converter and comprising at least one capacitor, and a DC to DC converter circuit coupled to the high voltage DC link capacitor circuit and a DC input, wherein the at least one capacitor may include a film capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Flex Power Control, Inc.
    Inventors: James Michio Nagashima, Gregory Scott Smith
  • Patent number: 9948104
    Abstract: A tripolar VSC-HVDC system and method include a rectifier and an inverter formed by a three-phase six-bridge arms modular multilevel converter (MMC) respectively, and two converter valves are arranged on the DC side of the rectifier and inverter respectively. The midpoint of upper and lower converter valves of the rectifier and inverter are connected with a pole 3 DC line by a smoothing reactor. Triggering of the upper and lower converter valves is controlled to change the DC voltage polarity of the pole 3 periodically, and tripolar DC transmission is realized by modulating current orders of the three poles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignees: NR Electric Co., Ltd., NR Electric Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming Hu, Zhenxia Shao, Xinyan Jiao, Jie Tian, Yu Lu, Gang Shen
  • Patent number: 9948140
    Abstract: An improved control arrangement is used in a high power rectifier and comprises two or more power controllers ganged together in parallel. Each power controller rectifies an AC voltage signal using zero voltage crossing switching to produce a binary switched signal and each power controller is connected to an independent connectable load. Each power controller includes a fast acting binary power switch that selectively connects the respective independent connectable load to the rectified AC voltage signal. The control arrangement selectively activates the power controllers to define a desired connected load. This high power rectifier and control arrangement is advantageously used to provide fast up down power regulation to a grid by selective storage of thermal energy and deriving power from the thermal energy storage system to add fill in power to the grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Kelvin Thermal Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Anton Pietsch, George Lynch, Stephen B. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 9941785
    Abstract: A power factor correction circuit and an electronic product including the same are disclosed. This technology configures a bridgeless circuit with no rectifier diode by using an additional switch, eliminating conduction loss due to the diode and reducing common mode EMI noise of the power factor correction circuit. A power factor correction circuit includes at least one inductor directly connected to an AC input stage, an output capacitor to smooth the output voltage, first switching elements to control current to store magnetic energy in the inductor, and a second switching element to maintain a substantially constant voltage between a ground voltage of an AC input stage and a ground voltage of an output stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Han Kim, Han Sol Seo, Bo Hyung Cho, Paul Jang, Sang Woo Kang
  • Patent number: 9906027
    Abstract: A method is provided for transferring electrical power. AC power is generated and guided at least partially underwater. The AC power is guided through a cable from a first end of the cable to a second end of the cable. A frequency of the AC power guided through the cable is adjusted in dependence of a length of the cable between the first end and the second end of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ove Boe, Espen Haugan
  • Patent number: 9897673
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement for generating a current for an inductive load is provided. The circuit includes a switched output state, a modulator, a current measuring device, a controller, a compensator, and a summer. The switched output stage is configured to generate the current from a supply voltage. The modulator is configured to modulate the supply voltage of the output stage depending on a modulator input signal of the modulator. The current measuring device is configured to determine the actual value of the current. The controller is configured to generate a controller signal depending on a setpoint value of the current and the actual value of the current. The compensator is configured to generate from the setpoint value of the current at least one compensation control signal that compensates for nonlinearities of the output stage. The summer is configured to generate the modulator input signal additively from the controller signal and the at least one compensation control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Helmut Lenz
  • Patent number: 9899909
    Abstract: Disclosed are a totem-pole bridgeless power factor correction (PFC) soft switch control device and method, wherein, the device includes a totem pole bridgeless PFC circuit, and the totem pole bridgeless PFC circuit includes at least two bridge arms connected in parallel between a first connecting point and a second connecting point: the first bridge arm includes two switches or diodes connected in serial in a same direction, the second bridge arm includes two switches that are connected in serial in the same direction, the totem pole bridgeless PFC circuit includes at least one PFC inductor, and further a filter capacitor and a load connected in parallel between the first connecting point and the second connecting point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventors: Guoxian Lin, Jianping Zhou, Tao Liu, Junming Zhang
  • Patent number: 9887621
    Abstract: The present examples relate to a power factor correction device, a power factor correction method, and a corresponding converter, in which when an input signal inputted into the converter is changed, a reference signal is also changed to fit to the input signal in consideration of only the frequency and the phase of the input signal. Thus, even without a specifically designated control circuit, examples make it possible to improve power factor correction and Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) and to reduce the size of a semiconductor chip, and examples are potentially used for a device receiving waveforms other than a sine wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Magnachip Semiconductor, Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhi Yuan Cui, In Ho Hwang, Young Gi Ryu, Sang Hoon Jeong, Gyu Ho Lim
  • Patent number: 9887531
    Abstract: Method of protecting a distribution network with a line interconnecting busbars, each busbar being connectable, by means of switching devices adjacent to the busbar, to the line and to loads and/or generators. The method divides the distribution network in multiple protection areas, each comprises a busbar, a protection device and an area controller. Upon a change in connect status of a distribution feeder line, load or generator connectable to one of the busbar, the logic controller in this protection area re-calculates the short circuit level of the areas. Based on the recalculated short circuit levels, the protection settings of the areas may be adapted. The embodiment also provides a system and computer program product adapted to perform the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: ABB Research LTD
    Inventors: Alexandre Oudalov, Antonio Fidigatti, Dmitry Ishchenko, Enrico Ragaini, James Stoupis, Luca Milani
  • Patent number: 9871438
    Abstract: A control device for a converter of the switched-mode type provided with an inductor element and a switch element generates a driving signal for controlling switching of the switch element and determining alternately a phase of storage of energy in the inductor element as a function of an input quantity and a phase of transfer of the energy stored in the inductor element to an output element on which an output quantity is present; the control device generates the driving signal by means of a control based on the value of the output quantity in order to regulate the same output quantity. In particular, an estimation block determines an estimated value of the output quantity, and a driving block generates the driving signal as a function of said estimated value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONIC S.R.L.
    Inventors: Alberto Bianco, Giuseppe Scappatura
  • Patent number: 9868409
    Abstract: A power management system with DC/AC converter for providing power to electrical heating, ventilating and air-conditioning system, having a first electrical power interface (EPI) and a second EPI. Optional DC/DC converter having a third EPI and a fourth EPI, the third EPI being electrically coupled to the second EPI. A switching arrangement of the system has a common connection, the common connection being configured to be coupled to an electromagnetic machine, a first connection selectively electrically coupled to the common electrical connection, the first electrical connection further being electrically coupled to the second EPI and the third EPI, and a second electrical connection selectively electrically coupled to the common electrical connection, the second electrical connection further being electrically coupled to the fourth EPI. The first EPI, the second EPI, the third EPI, the fourth EPI and the common electrical connection are configurable as electrical power inputs and outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignees: VANNER, INC., AUTOMOTIVE CLIMATE CONTROL, INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Cook, Alexander Moultanovsky, William Casey Cummings
  • Patent number: 9840968
    Abstract: A start inverter for an electric engine start scheme includes an inverter phase leg with solid-state switches and a pulse width modulator operatively connected to the solid-state switches of the inverter phase leg. The pulse width modulator provides command signals to the solid-state switches of the inverter phase leg to invert direct current into alternating current with less ripple than a start inverter with two solid-state switches per phase leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Harry H. Chai, Waleed M. Said
  • Patent number: 9831789
    Abstract: A switched mode drive circuit 10 comprises a first switch 14 having a first terminal 14.1 and a second terminal 14.2, a second switch 16 having a first terminal 16.1 and a second terminal 16.2, an inductive component 20 comprising at least a first winding part 20.1 having a first end 20.1.1 and a second end 20.1.2 and a second winding part 20.2 having a first end 20.2.1 and a second end 20.2.2 and an energy storage device 18 having a first pole 18.1 and a second pole 18.2. The first and second terminals of each of the first and second switches and the first and second ends of each of the first and second winding parts are connected in series over the first and second poles of the energy storage device and the first and second winding parts are configured in one of a common mode and a differential mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Barend Visser, Petrus Paulus Krüger
  • Patent number: 9823292
    Abstract: An information output apparatus includes: a first switching element joined through a solder part, and forming one arm of a power conversion apparatus; a second switching element connected in series with the first switching element, and forming the other arm of the power conversion apparatus; a smoothing capacitor; a measuring unit configured to measure a temperature of the first switching element to output a measured value; an applying unit configured to apply two or more continuous pulses in a state where a potential difference across the smoothing capacitor is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the pulses causing the first switching element and the second switching element to simultaneously turn on; an adjusting unit configured to adjust pulse widths of the pulses; and an output unit configured to output information indicating a deterioration of the solder part based on a manner of a change in measured values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yukio Onishi, Takato Sato, Yasushi Shinojima, Masaru Shimono
  • Patent number: 9806598
    Abstract: An active filtering system designed to be connected in parallel with an electric power supply network providing a main power supply current including a disturbing current, the system including at least one capacitor, a controlled current generator including an electric power supply intended to generate a positive determined voltage or a negative determined voltage and connected in series with the capacitor, a device for controlling the controlled current generator, designed to generate a compensation current to be applied to the main current in order to compensate the disturbing current while keeping a decoupling current measured at the connection point between the current generator and the capacitor at a value suitable for not saturating the current generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES SAS
    Inventor: Roger Franchino
  • Patent number: 9806633
    Abstract: Embodiments herein provide a modular multilevel converter configured to increase one of number of an output voltage level and an output current level. The modular multilevel converter includes a plurality of legs where each leg includes a plurality of arms. Each arm of the modular multilevel voltage source converter includes a main wave shaping (WS) circuit, an auxiliary WS circuit and an arm inductor. The main WS circuit includes one or more half bridge sub-module(s) that includes a capacitor. The auxiliary WS circuit includes one or more full bridge sub-module(s) that includes a capacitor. Each arm of the modular multilevel current source converter comprises a plurality of half-bridge modules connected in parallel, and a plurality of arm capacitor connected across the plurality of half-bridge modules and one or more auxiliary full bridge module(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY BOMBAY
    Inventors: Ebin Cherian Mathew, Anshuman Shukla, Mahendra Ghat, Mukeshkumar Mohanbhai Bhesaniya
  • Patent number: 9800173
    Abstract: A rectification circuit for using in all types of linear and nonlinear input and loading includes an input voltage, a bridge rectifier circuit, a loading circuit, voltage level holding driving circuits, a current phase timing detection circuit, high-voltage side and low-voltage side driving circuits, input voltage phase timing detection circuits, a monostable circuit, and a transistor conduction control circuit. The present invention detects both voltage conduction phase of an input signal and conduction phase of a current in an overall circuit to determine the conduction time of switch elements of a bridge rectifier circuit so that with a high performance being achieved, the bridge rectifier circuit can be used in various combinations of an input signal having a random waveform and linear or nonlinear circuits to further improve utilization efficiency of power supply and reduce complication of circuit design and also to prevent erroneous operation generated by the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Lead Year Ent. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ta-Ping Chiu
  • Patent number: 9795048
    Abstract: A modular, scalable, multi-function, power quality system provides a modular and scalable power conditioning system for utility networks. A configurable frame is coupled to an electrical input and an electrical output. A plurality of functional slots each including a receiving connector are coupled to the frame. One or more unique function subsystems are coupled to selected functional slots. Each unique function subsystem includes one or more electrical components coupled to the receiving connector of selected functional slots configured to define functional capability associated with the one or more functional slots. A plurality of identical power modules are disposed in selected functional slots of each of the one or more unique function subsystems. A controller coupled to each of the power modules is configured to enable the power modules in predetermined functional slots of the one or more unique subsystems to perform a predetermined function associated with the electrical input or the electrical output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Gridco Inc.
    Inventors: James Simonelli, Naimish Patel, Jia Wu
  • Patent number: 9787211
    Abstract: An AC power converter converts power from an AC power source to an AC load. A DC power holding source is coupled to an input half-bridge switch, a common half-bridge switch and an output half-bridge switch. A controller is coupled to at least two of the input half-bridge switch, the common half-bridge switch, and an output half-bridge switch. The controller switches the input half bridge at the first switching frequency in boost mode and at the line frequency in buck mode. The controller also switches the output half bridge switch at the first switching frequency in buck mode and at the line frequency in boost mode. Input and output low pass filters can eliminate switching frequency energy from entering the AC source and load. The converter maintains a DC power holding source voltage slightly above peak AC input voltage and significantly less than twice the peak AC input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: TSi Power Corp.
    Inventors: Robert S Schneider, Pallab Midya, Peter Nystrom
  • Patent number: 9748858
    Abstract: A solid state light source driver circuit that operates in either a buck convertor or a boost convertor configuration is provided. The driver circuit includes a controller, a boost switch circuit and a buck switch circuit, each coupled to the controller, and a feedback circuit, coupled to the light source. The feedback circuit provides feedback to the controller, representing a DC output of the driver circuit. The controller controls the boost switch circuit and the buck switch circuit in response to the feedback signal, to regulate current to the light source. The controller places the driver circuit in its boost converter configuration when the DC output is less than a rectified AC voltage coupled to the driver circuit at an input node. The controller places the driver circuit in its buck converter configuration when the DC output is greater than the rectified AC voltage at the input node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventor: Fred Palmer
  • Patent number: 9748860
    Abstract: A device includes a transformer configured to supply a pre-charge voltage to a capacitor and a converter configured for coupling to the transformer and responsive to an increasing modulation index. The modulation index increases for a time quanta after the capacitor becomes substantially fully charged and the pre-charge voltage is substantially constant during the time quanta.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: GE ENERGY POWER CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Tao Wu, Yan Liu
  • Patent number: 9742264
    Abstract: A bridgeless converter includes a boost inductor connected in series with an alternating-current power source, a first series circuit including a first switching device and a second switching device connected in series with each other, a second series circuit including a third switching device and a fourth switching device connected in series with each other, a capacitor connected in parallel with the first series circuit and the second series circuit, and a magnetization sensing circuit including at least one auxiliary winding inductively coupled to the boost inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: James O'Day
  • Patent number: 9738163
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an electric drive. The electric drive may include a first power inverter, a second power inverter, and a positive DC bus connecting the first power inverter and the second power inverter. The electric drive may also include a first switch connected to the positive DC bus between the first power inverter and the second power inverter. The electric drive may include a second switch connected to the positive DC bus between the first power inverter and the second power inverter. The electric drive may further include a control unit connected to the first switch and to the second switch. The control unit may be configured to selectively allow current to pass through the first switch and the second switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rodwan Tarek Adra, Thomas Michael Sopko, Jr., Jackson Wai, Carlos Eduardo Nino Baron
  • Patent number: 9740221
    Abstract: The present document relates to a pre-charge circuit of electronic circuits having Miller compensation and significant output capacitance such as LDOs or multistage amplifiers. The pre-charge circuit limits an inrush current right after enabling of the electronic circuit. The pre-charge circuit limits and clamps the fast charging of the Miller capacitor. A delay circuit disables the pre-charge circuit when the bias conditions of the Miller capacitor are close to normal bias conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor GmbH
    Inventors: Pier Cavallini, Ambreesh Bhattad, Liu Liu
  • Patent number: 9735670
    Abstract: A power factor correction conversion device and control method thereof are adapted to send an AC signal to a power factor correction conversion device, convert the AC signal into a DC signal, and perform power factor correction of the DC signal, so as to change a power factor sent to a back-end load, wherein the control method includes a rectification step, a feedback step, a ripple calculating step, a ripple offsetting step, a logical computation step, a pulse width modulation step and a power factor correcting step. Hence, the second-order ripple component in a feedback signal is eliminated to thereby increase the response speed of the power factor correction conversion device and reduce the distortion rate of the current, thus increasing the power factor sent to the back-end load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: NATIONAL CHUNG SHAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Chi-Sheng Wu, Gwo-Huei You, Hsuang-Chang Chiang, Tsang-Li Tai
  • Patent number: 9729063
    Abstract: A power system includes a first DC-DC converter circuit and a second DC-DC converter circuit, each including a power input terminal and a sensor. The sensor includes a sensor output terminal and at least one of a current sensor and a voltage sensor. The power system also includes a master Power Factor Correction (PFC) circuit that includes a power output terminal coupled to the power input terminal of the first DC-DC converter circuit; and a slave PFC circuit, which includes a power output terminal coupled to the power input terminal of the second DC-DC converter circuit and a voltage adjustment terminal coupled to the sensor output terminal of the second DC-DC converter circuit and to the sensor output terminal of the first DC-DC converter circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventor: Tae Yong Kim
  • Patent number: 9728962
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for filtering harmonics in a power transmission contact line of a railway system includes a multilevel converter multilevel converter having one single phase leg, which phase leg comprises switching cells, each switching cell comprises semi-conductor switches arranged to selectively provide a connection to a corresponding energy storage element. The multilevel converter also includes a controller provided to control the switching of each switching cell, and wherein the phase leg is configured in two parallel branches of cascaded switching cells, which branches is interconnected in a closed circuit. The controller is provided to monitor the content of harmonics in the contact line, and is adapted to filter the monitored harmonics by means of adapting the switching of the switching cells to absorb the harmonics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Jean-Philippe Hasler, Mauro Monge
  • Patent number: 9722502
    Abstract: A converter arrangement comprises first and second modular multilevel converters, Each of the modular multilevel converters comprises two converter branches. Each converter branch comprises a plurality of series-connected converter cells. Each converter cell comprises a cell capacitor and semiconductor switches for connecting and disconnecting the cell capacitor to the converter branch. At least two converter branches of the first modular multilevel converter are connected via first branch connection point and at least two converter branches of the second modular multilevel converter are connected via second branch connection point. The multilevel converters are connected in parallel via a phase connection point for connecting the converter arrangement to a load or a power source, wherein the phase connection point is connected via a first inductance with the first branch connection point and/or via a second inductance with the second branch connection point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventor: Peter Steimer
  • Patent number: 9715243
    Abstract: A timing controlled converter and method for converting a time varying input signal to a regulated DC output voltage for application to a load circuit. A feedback loop is employed as a control means for switchably coupling the time varying input signal to the load circuit for controlled periods of time in a manner so as to provide an average load voltage equal to a reference voltage. The duration of the controlled periods of time is a function of: the difference between the time varying input signal and the output voltage; and the integral of the difference between the output voltage and the reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: ALFRED E. MANN FOUNDATION FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
    Inventor: Edward K. F. Lee
  • Patent number: 9692305
    Abstract: A method for controlling a resonant DC/DC power converting circuit is provided. The resonant DC/DC power converting circuit having a converter output and a converter input comprises at least two converters having similar structures and outputs connected in parallel as said converter output, and a controller. Each converter comprises a full-bridge inverter unit and a resonant unit. The full-bridge inverter unit is configured with at least four switches. The resonant unit is coupled with said full-bridge inverter unit. The controller outputs two groups of driving control signals to drive four switches in said two converters respectively. The method comprises: making said two converters operate at the same frequency and interleave with preset phase shift; and making two of driving control signals in one group interleave with preset angle to reduce output current of said converter corresponding controlled thereby, when output currents of said two converters are not approximately equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Chao Yan, Yi-Qing Ye, Zhi-Zhen Lian