Rectifier (i.e., A.c.-d.c.) Patents (Class 363/108)
  • Patent number: 9759748
    Abstract: Precision AC voltage, current, phase, power and energy measurements and calibrations with current ranges from 1 uA to 20 kA and voltage ranges from 1V to 1000 kV are now performed with accuracies of better than one part per million. Continued demand for improved accuracy has led the inventors to address improvements to dual stage and multi-stage current transducers that may form the basis of the measuring process within many of the measurement instruments providing the precision AC measurements and calibrations. Additionally, the improvements to dual stage and multi-stage current transducers provide for novel feedback controlled precision AC current sources without requiring measurement of the AC current source output directly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Guildline Instruments Limited
    Inventors: Petar Miljanic, Tomasz Barczyk
  • Patent number: 8933637
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an AC/DC power converter can include: a rectifier bridge and a filter capacitor for converting an external AC voltage to a half-sinusoid DC input voltage; a first storage component, where during each switching cycle in a first operation mode, a first path receives the half-sinusoid DC input voltage to store energy in the first storage component, and a first current through the first storage component increases; a second storage component, where a second path receives a second DC voltage to store energy in the second storage component, and a second current through the second storage component increases; and a third storage component, where in a second operation mode, the first current decreases to release energy from the first to the third storage component, where the second DC voltage includes a voltage across the third storage component through a third path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Silergy Semiconductor Technology (Hangzhou) Ltd.
    Inventors: Jian Deng, Binbin Li
  • Patent number: 8896260
    Abstract: A power supply unit for a press machine having a converter (converter circuit) connected to a commercial AC power supply, and an inverter (inverter circuit) connected to a press motor, includes an electrical energy bank, an inrush prevention circuit, an inrush prevention instruction signal generation section, and a contactor switch section, wherein contactors of the inrush prevention circuit are switched from on ON state to an OFF state and inrush prevention resistors of the inrush prevention circuit are connected to AC phase current paths on condition that the inrush prevention instruction signal generation section has generated and output an inrush prevention instruction signal (Sres) during press operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Aida Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Kuboe
  • Patent number: 8890379
    Abstract: A rectifier assembly and method are provided. The rectifier assembly includes a cover comprising a flange having an annular channel extending around an outer circumference of the flange, an annular bus bar, an insulator ring, and an outer housing for receiving the insulator ring, the annular bus bar and the outer housing. A snap ring is positioned within the annular channel of the outer circumference of the flange, wherein an outer circumference of the snap ring is located within a snap ring retention channel located around an inner diameter of the outer housing to retain the cover, the annular bus bar, and the insulator ring within the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Paul Krause, Dhaval Patel, Glenn C. Lemmers, Mark J. Franklin
  • Patent number: 8726052
    Abstract: A power supply system includes a battery and a power management system. The power management system is coupled to the battery and to an external power source that is operable to charge the battery using a first charge level. The power management system is operable to determine that a battery power level of the battery is greater than a first predetermined level that depends on a battery storage option and, in response, disable power from being supplied from the external power source such that power is supplied from the battery until the battery power level is below the first predetermined level. The power management system is also operable to determine that the battery power level of the battery is less than the first predetermined level and, in response, charge the battery with a second charge level that is less than the first charge level until the battery power level is above a second predetermined level that depends on the battery storage option.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Yung Fa Chueh, Chia-Fa Chang, Wen-Yung Chang
  • Patent number: 8690549
    Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifugal pump assembly with an electric drive motor and with a control device having a frequency converter, for the control of the rotational speed of the drive motor, wherein the control device is designed in a manner such that in at least one control region, a field weakening is produced in the drive motor, by way of which the rotational speed of the drive motor is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Grundfos Management a/s
    Inventors: Jan Caroe Aarestrup, Keld Folsach Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 8593101
    Abstract: A power converting device is disclosed that can reduce switching loss occurring in a voltage source inverter that drives an AC motor. It is possible to supply DC power to the voltage source inverter from both a voltage source rectifier, which converts AC power from an AC generator into DC power, and a battery. A first switching circuit is inserted between the voltage source rectifier and the AC generator, and the battery is connected to the output side of the voltage source rectifier. A second switching circuit is inserted between the battery and the voltage source inverter. A third switching circuit and a reactor are inserted in series between the input side of the voltage source inverter and the input side of the voltage source rectifier. At least one of an upper arm and a lower arm of the voltage source rectifier can be chopper controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michio Iwahori
  • Patent number: 8464079
    Abstract: A power supply system includes a battery and a power management system. The power management system is coupled to the battery and to an external power source that is operable to charge the battery using a first charge level. The power management system is operable to determine that a battery power level of the battery is greater than a first predetermined level that depends on a battery storage option and, in response, disable power from being supplied from the external power source such that power is supplied from the battery until the battery power level is below the first predetermined level. The power management system is also operable to determine that the battery power level of the battery is less than the first predetermined level and, in response, charge the battery with a second charge level that is less than the first charge level until the battery power level is above a second predetermined level that depends on the battery storage option.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Yung Fa Chueh, Chia-Fa Chang, Wen-Yung Chang
  • Patent number: 8446099
    Abstract: A solid-state lighting system comprises a plurality of light-emitting devices (e.g., light-emitting diodes) and an alternating current to direct current (AC-DC) converter that converts AC power to DC power for powering the plurality of light-emitting devices. The AC-DC converter is configured to perform AC-DC conversion directly, without the need for or use of a bridge rectifier or step-down transformer. According to one aspect of the invention, the light-emitting devices of the solid-state lighting system are autonomous and individually powered by a plurality of DC power supplies generated from the DC power produced by the AC-DC converter. According to another aspect, a plurality of phase-offset dimmer control signals are generated based on waveform distortions in a dimming signal produced by a conventional dimmer switch. The phase-offset dimmer control signals are used to individually control the dimming of the light-emitting devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Earl W. McCune, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8368333
    Abstract: A DC motor is provided. The DC motor prevents rush or overload of current in the DC motor during and/or after power input irregularities to the DC motor. A control circuit of the DC motor is configured to control current provided to the DC motor. When power irregularities in the power input to the DC motor are detected by the control circuit, the control circuit stops generating PWM (Pulse Width Modulated) signals and stops the current provided to the DC motor. After the stoppage of PWM signals, the control circuit can perform a soft-start of the PWM signals when the power irregularities are no longer detected. The soft starting of the PWM signals generates gradual increase in current to the DC motor, thus, preventing sudden rush of current that cause malfunction of the DC motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventor: Young-Chun Jeung
  • Patent number: 8276006
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a power adapter comprises a power supply to output power for powering a powered device. The power adapter outputs information indicative of an amount of power output by the power supply for use by the powered device to control the amount of power used by the powered device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Sawyers, Jeff K. Jeansonne
  • Patent number: 8250358
    Abstract: A data diode system enables one-way data flow from an unsecured device to a secured device is disclosed. The data diode system includes at least one data diode that convert a communication received from an unsecured device to a secured communication for transmission to the secured device. The data diode system includes a voltage converter that receives a negative voltage from a serial data port connection of the secured device. The voltage converter converts the negative voltage into a positive voltage in order to power the data diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Kelvin Y. Cheng
  • Patent number: 8103885
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a power adapter comprises a power supply to output power for powering a powered device. The power adapter outputs information indicative of an amount of power output by the power supply for use by the powered device to control the amount of power used by the powered device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Sawyers, Jeff K. Joansonne
  • Patent number: 8064227
    Abstract: Cathode-anode voltage across free-wheeling diodes in an active rectifier is used in the determination of switching points when the free-wheeling diode is forward biased. Hysteretic switching is accomplished through the selection of conductive and non-conductive switching threshold. The switching thresholds are further selected to prevent voltage oscillations at zero current crossings and reduce delays during deactivation to prevent cross-conduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Chandra S. Namuduri, Kenneth J. Shoemaker
  • Patent number: 8055928
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that controls a device that characterizes the health of a computer system power supply. During operation, a signature for the power supply is generated based on measurements of a set of performance parameters for the power supply. Then, the health of the power supply is characterized based on a comparison between the signature for the power supply and signatures for one or more other power supplies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Anton A. Bougaev, Aleksey M. Urmanov, Kenny C. Gross
  • Patent number: 8035331
    Abstract: An AC/DC converting circuit, has a full-bridge rectifier having two input terminals and two output terminals, a first capacitor, a second capacitor, an electronic switch having a control terminal, a trigger circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal, and a detecting circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Zhongshan Broad-Ocean Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong Zhao, Junqiang Zhang, Dawei Liu, Songfa Tang
  • Patent number: 7453895
    Abstract: An outlet (70, 75, 76, 78, 79) for a Local Area Network (LAN), containing an integrated adapter (21, 25) that converts digital data to and from analog video signal. Such an outlet allows using analog video units in a digital data network (80), eliminating the need for a digital video units or external adapter. The outlet may include a hub (31, 41) that allows connecting both an analog video signal via an adapter, as well as retaining the data network connection, which may be accessed by a network jack (73). The invention may also be applied to a telephone line-based data networking system. In such an environment, the data networking circuitry as well as the analog video adapters are integrated into a telephone outlet, providing for regular telephone service, analog video connectivity, and data networking as well. In such a configuration, the outlet would have a standard telephone jack (71), an analog video jack (72) and at least one data networking jack (73).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Serconet Ltd
    Inventor: Yehuda Binder
  • Patent number: 7436842
    Abstract: An outlet for a Local Area Network (LAN), containing an integrated adapter that converts digital data to and from analog video signal. Such an outlet allows using analog video units in a digital data network, eliminating the need for a digital video units or external adapter. The outlet may include a hub that allows connecting both an analog video signal via an adapter, as well as retaining the data network connection, which may be accessed by a network jack. The invention may also be applied to a telephone line-based data networking system. In such an environment, the data networking circuitry as well as the analog video adapters are integrated into a telephone outlet, providing for regular telephone service, analog video connectivity, and data networking as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Serconet Ltd.
    Inventor: Yehuda Binder
  • Publication number: 20080205105
    Abstract: A voltage converter having an input unit, a transitional unit configured to convert an AC voltage provided by the input unit into a transitional voltage and at least one auxiliary transitional voltage, and an output unit configured to convert the transitional voltage to a DC voltage using a charge pump unit, the charge pump unit being supplied with the at least one auxiliary transitional voltage as a control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicants: Infineon Technologies Austria AG, Technische Universitaet Graz
    Inventor: ALBERT MISSONI
  • Patent number: 7280375
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement is for operating at least one light-emitting diode LED in an electrical circuit at a service voltage greater than the forward voltage of the at least one light-emitting diode. The light-emitting diode is PWM-controlled. The circuit includes reactances that are connected in series at both connections of the light-emitting diode, an additional switching arrangement between the terminals, and a full-wave rectifier circuit, such that the circuit is protected against short-circuits on the service voltage and on ground while the LED can continue to be triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Joos
  • Patent number: 7245513
    Abstract: In a semiconductor integrated circuit device in which a rectifier device constituting a rectifier comprises a MOS transistor whose gate is connected to one antenna terminal and whose source is connected to the other antenna terminal, the parasitic capacitance applied between the antenna terminals increased. The present invention provides a technology for connecting a first MOS transistor whose gate is connected to a second input terminal between a first input terminal and a first output terminal, allowing an output terminal of a first bulk terminal control circuit, which is connected between the first and second input terminals, to control a bulk terminal of the first MOS transistor, and allowing an output terminal of a second bulk terminal control circuit, which is connected between the first and second input terminals, to control a bulk terminal of a second MOS transistor, which is connected between the second input terminal and the first output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Kazuki Watanabe, Yoshiki Kawajiri, Hisataka Tsunoda
  • Patent number: 7161307
    Abstract: A power factor correction apparatus with an embedded direct-current to direct-current (DC-DC) converter is provided. The apparatus includes a power factor controller, a high-voltage adapter and a low-voltage adapter. The power factor controller, which receives an AC power source, includes a transformer. The secondary side of the transformer includes a first sub-coil and a second sub-coil for outputting a first power source and a second power source respectively. The high-voltage adapter converts the first power source into a high DC power source. The low-voltage adapter converts the second power source into a first DC power source. The power factor controller corrects the power factor of the power factor correction apparatus according to the first DC power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Benq Corporation
    Inventor: Chi-Jen Chen
  • Publication number: 20020181261
    Abstract: A high voltage converter system including a high voltage power line at a first voltage level, a step-down device connected to a second voltage level lower than the first voltage level, and a high voltage switch module including a plurality of voltage limited controllable switch elements including components to limit the voltage across each the voltage limiting controllable switch element to a predetermined voltage when each the voltage limiting controllable switch element is in an open state and to a zero voltage when each the voltage limiting controllable switch element is in a closed state. The voltage limiting controllable switch elements are typically connected in series between the power line and the step-down device. The high voltage down-converter system also includes a control system to selectively set the open state and the closed state of each the voltage limiting controllable switch elements to control the current through the step-down device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventor: Marcel Pierre Joseph Gaudreau
  • Patent number: 5640058
    Abstract: Methods, circuits, and kits for converting battery powered smoke detectors to AC power include a power converter which converts standard household AC voltage to a DC voltage suitable for use by a battery powered smoke detector and a battery clip connector for connecting the power converter to the battery clips of a battery powered smoke detector. According to one embodiment of the invention, a light emitting diode is coupled to the battery clip connector to indicate the presence or absence of DC voltage at the smoke detector. According to another embodiment of the invention, several battery powered smoke detectors are coupled to a single power converter. In yet another embodiment of the invention, several battery powered smoke detectors are provided with an AC power supply having an automatic battery back-up power supply. Preferred aspects of the invention include: providing the battery backed-up AC power supply with a battery tester and providing fuses for each smoke detector and for the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Inventor: Salvatore Calvo
  • Patent number: 5585677
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a backup power-supply system for emergency that may apply power to a data processing system and recover the information in it when the power supply is cut off or a power-supply connector is abruptly removed due to a careless user, so as to prevent the damage to the information the user is working on.When the power is applied to the system, a battery is charged with the direct current power applied from a linear conversion rectifier by a battery charger, and when the power is not applied to the system while a power switch is being turned on, a DC/DC converter is operated by a power controller to apply the DC power charged in the battery to the main power-supply system after the direct current has been converted into DC/DC power in such a manner that the main power-supply means applies to the system the power for recovering the information a user was working on in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyungyong Cheon, Kyungseol Min, Kyungsang Lee
  • Patent number: 5347191
    Abstract: In a power supply for use with electronic equipment, the power supply includes a dynamic transformer having a single rotary element with permanent magnets attached, magnetic bearings to support the rotary element during operation, primary and secondary windings linking the flux of the magnets, circuit means to drive the primary windings, and means of using the secondary AC output to provide DC power at the point of use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Altor, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan R. Wood