In Transistor Inverter Systems Patents (Class 363/131)
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Patent number: 9733283Abstract: A method for estimating load current in a DC-DC converter, in some embodiments, comprises: identifying a converter capacitor in parallel with a converter load in a DC-DC converter; providing an estimation capacitor based on a capacitance of the converter capacitor; providing said estimation capacitor with an estimation capacitor current based on an inductor current flowing through an inductor in the DC-DC converter; driving an estimation voltage across the estimation capacitor toward a voltage present across the converter capacitor; and using the estimation voltage to generate an estimation current that estimates a load current passing through said converter load.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2015Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventor: Paul Jay Harriman
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Patent number: 9735620Abstract: A mechanical switch and a semiconductor switch are connected between a load and a power supply system. A mechanical switch and a semiconductor switch are connected between the load and a secondary battery side. A control part turns on the mechanical switch, turns off the semiconductor switch, turns on the semiconductor switch and turns off the mechanical switch sequentially. In addition or alternatively, the control part turns on the mechanical switch, turns off the semiconductor switch, turns on the semiconductor switch and turns off the mechanical switch.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2014Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Mitsuhiro Kanayama
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Patent number: 9722497Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for regulating a power conversion system. An example system controller includes a driving component and a detection component. The driving component is configured to output a driving signal to a switch associated with a first current flowing through a primary winding of a power conversion system, the switch including a first switch terminal related to a first voltage and a second switch terminal related to a second voltage, the driving signal being associated with a plurality of switching periods. The detection component is configured to receive an input signal associated with a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage, detect at least one valley of the input signal in magnitude during a detection period for the first switching period, and output a detection signal based on at least information associated with the input signal to affect the driving signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2015Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: On-Bright Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.Inventors: Lieyi Fang, Chao Yao, Xiuhong Zhang, Yunchao Zhang
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Patent number: 9722416Abstract: According to an embodiment, a power generation system is provided comprising a power generator; a plurality of converter modules, each converter module having a DC link, wherein the DC link of each converter module is connected to the DC links of the other converter modules of the plurality of converter modules via a fuse associated with the converter module; and a controller configured to, if it is detected that there is a fault in one of the converter modules, disconnect the converter module in which there is a fault from the power generator and connect two or more other converters module of the plurality of converter modules to the power generator and to control the power generation system to supply power to the DC links of the two or more other converter modules such that power is supplied to the converter module in which there is a fault via the fuse associated with the converter module such that the fuse associated with the converter module melts.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2012Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/SInventors: John Godsk Nielsen, Ove Styhm
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Patent number: 9716556Abstract: An optical receiving device includes: a conversion device that converts an input burst optical signal into a positive phase electrical signal and a negative phase electrical signal; an amplification device that amplifies the positive phase electrical signal and the negative phase electrical signal; a first output terminal that outputs the positive phase electrical signal; a second output terminal that outputs the negative electrical signal; a first transmission line that couples the amplification device with the first output terminal and transmits the positive phase electrical signal; a second transmission line that couples the amplification device with the second output terminal and transmits the negative phase electrical signal; and a control device that reduces a potential difference between the first transmission line and the second transmission line in a no-signal period that is provided between burst optical signals.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2014Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: FUJITSU OPTICAL COMPONENTS LIMITEDInventor: Shinichi Sakuramoto
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Patent number: 9712083Abstract: A method and device for switching an operation mode of a five-level inverter are provided. The method includes: determining a first three-level operation mode as a three-level operation mode to be switched to from a five-level operation mode in a case that a PV input voltage is higher than a bridge line-line voltage command value; switching, after the operation mode is switched to the first three-level operation mode, the operation mode from the first three-level operation mode to a second three-level operation mode, in a case that a junction temperature of a switching device operating in the first three-level operation mode exceeds a first preset value; and switching the operation mode from the second three-level operation mode to the first three-level operation mode in a case that the junction temperature of a switching device operating in the second three-level operation mode exceeds a second preset value.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2015Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: SUNGROW POWER SUPPLY CO., LTD.Inventors: Jie Ding, Haiyan Zou, Lei Tao, Taotao Xu, Cheng Zhang
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Patent number: 9685875Abstract: A switching power supply includes a main switching element that is connected to a primary coil of a transformer and switches a main current ON/OFF, and a secondary switching element connected in parallel to the main switching element and that has a lower power capacity than the main switching element. The switching power supply also includes a control circuit that controls these switching elements. The control circuit includes: a main driver circuit that generates, in accordance with a control signal generated according to an output voltage from a secondary coil of the transformer, a main drive signal for switching the main switching element ON/OFF; a secondary driver circuit that generates a secondary drive signal for switching the secondary switching element ON/OFF according to the control signal; and an enable control circuit that deactivates the main driver circuit when a power consumption of a load is less than a threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2016Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventor: Kenichi Nishijima
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Patent number: 9680398Abstract: A power supply with a multi-bridge topology configured to provide multiple different bridge topologies during operation. The power supply includes a plurality of half-bridge circuits connected to a controller. The controller can selectively configure the power supply between a plurality of different bridge topologies during operation by controlling the half-bridge circuit.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2012Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Access Business Group International LLCInventors: Benjamin C. Moes, Matthew J. Norconk, Joshua B. Taylor, Colin J. Moore
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Patent number: 9673729Abstract: High power output may be obtained from a photovoltaic (PV) system by controlling each photovoltaic cell of a solar array individually to operate at its maximum power point. Each cell may have associated power electronics and control circuitry that may be integrated together on a chip which may be advantageously implemented in CMOS, enabling reductions in cost and size. A perturb and observe algorithm may be used to find the maximum power point by measuring the power produced at different operating points, and modifying the operating point in the direction of increased power production. In one aspect, performance of a perturb and observe algorithm may be improved in the presence of noise.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2011Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Trustees of Darmouth CollegeInventors: David Perreault, Robert Pilawa-Podgurski, Charles Sullivan, Alexander Latham
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Patent number: 9660536Abstract: In a switching power supply device with reduced size and increased power conversion efficiency, a secondary-side rectifier circuit includes an adder-rectifier circuit that stores a voltage generated in a secondary winding in a capacitor as electrostatic energy in an on period of one of a high-side and low-side switching circuits or, and adds the voltage in the capacitor and the voltage generated in the secondary winding and outputs the sum as a direct-current voltage during in an on period of the other of the high-side and low-side switching circuits. A switching control circuit adjusts an output power to be output from the secondary-side rectifier circuit, by using on-period ratio controller that controls a proportion of periods during which the respective high-side side and low-side switching elements are brought into a conductive state.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2013Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Coo., Ltd.Inventor: Tatsuya Hosotani
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Patent number: 9641098Abstract: An inverter comprises a first input capacitor and a second input capacitor connected in series, an inverting unit comprising a first switch, a second switch, a third switch and a fourth switch connected in series, wherein the inverting unit is connected to an input of an L-C filter, a first bidirectional conductive path connected between a common node of the first switch and the second switch, and a common node of the first input capacitor and the second input capacitor, a second bidirectional conductive path connected between a common node of the third switch and the fourth switch, and the common node of the first input capacitor and the second input capacitor and a flying capacitor connected between the common node of the first switch and the second switch, and the common node of the third switch and the fourth switch.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2015Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: Futurewei Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Dianbo Fu, Yunfeng Liu, Yongbing Gao
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Patent number: 9634673Abstract: Wobbling the operating frequency of a phase-locked loop (PLL), preferably by adding a periodic variation is feedback gain or delay in reference signal phase allows the avoidance of any non-detection zone that might occur due to exact synchronization of the phase locked loop operating frequency with a reference signal. If the change in PLL operating frequency is periodic, it can be made of adequate speed variation to accommodate and time requirement for islanding detection or the like when a reference signal being tracked by the PLL is lost. Such wobbling of the PLL operating frequency is preferably achieved by addition a periodic variable gain in a feedback loop and/or adding a periodically varying phase delay in a reference signal and/or PLL output.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2013Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.Inventors: Dong Dong, Dushan Boroyevich, Paolo Mattavelli
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Patent number: 9621083Abstract: There are provided the control device for an AC rotating machine, and the AC rotating machine drive system and an electric power steering system including the control device for an AC rotating machine, which are capable of supplying high-frequency powers, on which high-frequency components corresponding to high-frequency signals input thereto are superimposed, to the AC rotating machine, and calculating a rotational position of the AC rotating machine based on a phase difference between an output torque high frequency contained in an output torque of the AC rotating machine and the high-frequency signals to estimate the rotational position of the AC rotating machine without being constrained by a rotational speed of the AC rotating machine, whether or not the AC rotating machine is electrically salient, and whether or not magnetic saturation has occurred.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2012Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Shunsuke Nakajima, Yoshihiko Kimpara
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Patent number: 9618585Abstract: An adjusting device of an output voltage of a switch power supply and an adjusting method are provided. The adjusting device includes a potential setting module generating a high level signal and an adjustor being connected to the potential setting module to receive the high level signal. The adjustor includes a signal emitting module and a comparison module. The signal emitting module emits a pulse drive signal to the switch power supply when receiving the high level signal. The switch power supply automatically adjusts the output voltage when receiving the pulse drive signal. The comparison module reads the output voltage, compares with a preset voltage, and adjusts the output voltage according to a comparison result. The switch power supply can stop the automatic adjustment when an output level of a switch port of the switch power supply is inverted. An integrated chip is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2014Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS POWER (DONG GUAN) CO., LTD.Inventors: Xiangrong Hu, Liuqun Xie, Weicheng Tan
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Patent number: 9614427Abstract: An inverter includes a DC/AC converter, a DC intermediate circuit on the direct current input side of the DC/AC converter, multiple DC/DC converters connected in parallel to one another on the output side to the DC intermediate circuit, multiple inputs each coupled to one of the DC/DC converters, and an EMC filter connected between the inputs and the DC/DC converters. The EMC filter includes chokes in all current-carrying lines between the inputs and the DC/DC converters and filter capacitors between the inputs and the DC/DC converters leading from all the current-carrying lines to ground. The chokes in all current-carrying lines from the at least two inputs are formed by means of choke windings on a common core of a current-compensated choke.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2015Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: SMA SOLAR TECHNOLOGY AGInventors: Niels Berger, Tomasz Napierala, Stefan Buchhold, Julia Pinne, Frank Rueckmann, Henrik Wolf
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Patent number: 9614459Abstract: There is provided a method and control system for controlling a switching device in a power converter according to a modulation scheme. The switching device couples a direct current (DC) source to provide an alternating current (AC) output at a particular switching frequency. The method comprises the step of, in each switching period, switching the switching device between active configurations providing a finite voltage at the output and inactive configurations providing a zero voltage at the output. The ratio between the total period of time in which the switching device is in an active configuration and the total period of time in which the switching device is in an inactive configuration is the same for each switching period and is determined according to the desired voltage at the AC output.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2014Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: CONTROL TECHNIQUES LIMITEDInventors: Antony John Webster, Simon David Hart
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Patent number: 9609789Abstract: Technology leading to a size reduction in a power conversion apparatus comprising a cooling function and technology relating to enhancing productivity and enhancing reliability necessary for commercial production are provided. Series circuits comprising an upper arm and lower arm of an inverter circuit are built in a single semiconductor module 500. The semiconductor module has cooling metal on two sides. An upper arm semiconductor chip and lower arm semiconductor chip are wedged between the cooling metals. The semiconductor module is inserted inside a channel case main unit 214. A DC positive electrode terminal 532, a DC negative electrode terminal 572, and an alternating current terminal 582 of a semiconductor chip are disposed in the semiconductor module. The DC terminals 532 and 572 are electrically connected with a terminal of a capacitor module. The alternating current terminal 582 is electrically connected with a motor generator via an AC connector.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2014Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.Inventors: Takeshi Tokuyama, Kinya Nakatsu, Ryuichi Saito
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Patent number: 9602009Abstract: An energy storage circuit for use with a power converter includes a base capacitor coupled between an input bus and a ground potential, and an adjust capacitor. A switching device is coupled in series with the adjust capacitor between the input bus and the ground potential. A voltage regulator coupled between a control terminal of the switching device and ground. The voltage regulator has an input coupled to the second internal node, wherein when the power switch is turned on a signal at the second internal node is representative of a fluctuating input voltage. The voltage regulator is activated when the fluctuating input voltage is in a crest region, thereby turning the switching device off and disengaging the adjust capacitor. The voltage regulator is deactivated when the fluctuating input voltage is in a valley region, thereby turning the switching device on and engaging the adjust capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2015Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.Inventor: Stefan Bäurle
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Patent number: 9602015Abstract: A communication method and apparatus that uses modulation of post-conduction oscillation frequency in switching converters is provided. The apparatus may include a converter having a magnetic element having a primary winding and a secondary winding, a first switch, a control circuit configured to repeatedly activate the first switch to couple an input voltage source to the primary winding to store electrical energy in the magnetic element, and a diode coupled to the secondary winding, said diode configured to couple the secondary winding to a load to deliver the electrical energy stored in the magnetic element, and a communication apparatus having a second switch, a first modulator capacitor coupled to the secondary winding, a first transmitter configured to activate the second switch in accordance with a first input signal, and a first receiver configured to detect a post-conduction oscillation frequency of a voltage signal at the primary or secondary windings.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2015Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: Microchip Technology Inc.Inventors: Alexander Mednik, Simon Krugly
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Patent number: 9590523Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices that employ self-driven gate-drive circuitry to facilitate controlling power switches to emulate a diode bridge to synchronously rectify a power signal are presented. A single-phase or multi-phase synchronous rectifier can comprise at least a first pair of switches of a first conducting path and a second pair of switches of a second conducting path that can form or emulate a diode bridge. To facilitate emulating turn-on and turn-off conditions of a diode, a switch can be turned on when voltage across the switch is forward-biased and turned off when switch current is reversed; also, there can be at least one current-controlled switch in each conducting path. Self-driven gate-drive circuitry employs low power components that can facilitate controlling respective switching of the at least first pair and second pair of switches, wherein switching of the switches is also controlled at start-up to emulate a diode bridge.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: CITY UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONGInventors: Shu Yuen Ron Hui, Wenxing Zhong, Ho Wing Choi
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Patent number: 9584027Abstract: A power converter includes an energy transfer element, a switched element, a secondary control circuit, a primary switching, and a primary control circuit. The secondary control circuit generates a voltage pulse across a secondary winding of the energy transfer element while the secondary winding provides current to an output. The secondary control circuit is coupled to vary a voltage across the switched element to generate the voltage pulse across the secondary winding in response to an output of the power converter. The primary control circuit is coupled to the primary switch and a third winding of the energy transfer element. The primary control circuit is coupled to switch the primary switch to regulate the output in response to the voltage pulse. The secondary winding is coupled to reflect the voltage pulse onto the third winding which is on the same side of the energy transfer element as a primary winding.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2015Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.Inventor: William M. Polivka
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Patent number: 9577520Abstract: A power converter with bootstrap circuit, the power converter has a high side switch, a low side switch, a bootstrap circuit and a bootstrap capacitor for providing a bootstrap voltage to supply a high side driver of the high side switch. The power converter receives an input voltage and provides an output voltage based on driving the high side switch and the low side switch to switch on and off. The bootstrap circuit has a first comparing circuit, a first comparing circuit, a boost circuit and a second charging circuit. The second charging circuit charges the bootstrap capacitor when a voltage difference between the input voltage and the output voltage is smaller than a voltage threshold.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: CHENGDU MONOLITHIC POWER SYSTEMS CO., LTD.Inventors: Liping Xiu, Yike Li
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Patent number: 9565791Abstract: Technology leading to a size reduction in a power conversion apparatus comprising a cooling function and technology relating to enhancing productivity and enhancing reliability necessary for commercial production are provided. Series circuits comprising an upper arm and lower arm of an inverter circuit are built in a single semiconductor module 500. The semiconductor module has cooling metal on two sides. An upper arm semiconductor chip and lower arm semiconductor chip are wedged between the cooling metals. The semiconductor module is inserted inside a channel case main unit 214. A DC positive electrode terminal 532, a DC negative electrode terminal 572, and an alternating current terminal 582 of a semiconductor chip are disposed in the semiconductor module. The DC terminals 532 and 572 are electrically connected with a terminal of a capacitor module. The alternating current terminal 582 is electrically connected with a motor generator via an AC connector.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2014Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.Inventors: Takeshi Tokuyama, Kinya Nakatsu, Ryuichi Saito
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Patent number: 9561762Abstract: An electric unit is attached to a power unit including a motor-generator, the power unit being disposed in a power unit mounting chamber that is formed at a front of a vehicle and separated from a vehicle cabin by a partition wall. The electric unit includes: a high-voltage component including an electric power conversion device of a relatively high voltage, the electric power conversion device converting an electric power between a DC electric power and an AC electric power for the motor-generator; and a low-voltage component including a control device of a relatively low voltage, the control device controlling the electric power conversion device. The high-voltage component and the low-voltage component are accommodated in an accommodation case. Inside the accommodation case, the high-voltage component is arranged toward the front of the vehicle, and the low-voltage component is arranged toward a rear of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2013Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Masahiro Miyashita, Hirofumi Shimizu, Akihiro Katakami, Hiroaki Takahashi
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Patent number: 9559675Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a circuit that includes a controller. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of a current flowing in a magnetic component and control a switch in connection with the magnetic component to shape a peak current of the current flowing in the magnetic component. The controller shapes the peak current from a first peak current level to a second peak current level in order to reduce an amplitude of a ripple in a current drawn from a triode for alternating current (TRIAC) during a time to satisfy a holding current requirement of the TRIAC.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2015Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.Inventors: Hao Peng, Jinho Choi, Wanfeng Zhang
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Patent number: 9559601Abstract: A switched mode power supply (400), comprising a transformer (410) having a primary winding (410-1), a transformer core (410-3) configured to store energy transferred thereto from the primary winding (410-1) during operation, and a secondary winding (410-2) having a first terminal (T1) and a second terminal (T2). The switched mode power supply also has a primary side circuit (Q1, Q2, C1) arranged to generate voltage pulses and thereby to drive the primary winding (410-1) of the transformer (410), and a secondary side circuit comprising a rectification circuit connected to the secondary winding (410-2) at the first and second terminals (T1, T2).Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2013Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)Inventors: Oscar Persson, Mikael Appelberg, Magnus Karlsson
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Patent number: 9537423Abstract: A power conversion system includes a filter unit, a DC/DC converter, a DC link, an inverter, a control unit, and a traction motor. The DC/DC converter is used for boosting DC voltage of a DC source and electrically coupled to the DC source through the filter unit. The DC/DC converter includes multiple SiC MOSFETs configured in a synchronous rectification mode by channel reverse conduction control. The inverter is used for converting the boosted DC voltage from the converter to multi-phase AC voltage through the DC link. The control unit is used for providing PWM commands to the converter and the inverter, to convert the DC voltage to AC voltage configured to drive an AC driven device.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2013Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: Saijun Mao
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Patent number: 9531253Abstract: Current flowing through an inductor on a primary side of a voltage converter is sensed and compared to a threshold peak current value to determine when to end an ON portion of the voltage converter. The secondary side of the voltage converter supplies an indication of output voltage for use in determining the threshold peak current value. On start-up the primary side detects when the indication of output voltage is supplied by the secondary side across on isolation channel. Prior to detecting the indicating is being supplied, the primary side uses an increasing threshold peak current as the threshold peak current value. After detection that the indication of output voltage is being provided by the secondary side, the threshold peak current value is based on the indication of the output voltage.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2014Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventors: Riad S. Wahby, Jeffrey L. Sonntag, Tufan C. Karalar, Michael J. Mills, Eric B. Smith, Ion C. Tesu, Donald E. Alfano
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Patent number: 9531204Abstract: A portable modular power system, comprising: a first module having a first generator set coupled to a first battery charger, a first output of the first battery charger coupled to a first battery bank, the first battery bank coupled to a connection point; a second module having a second generator set coupled to a second battery charger, a second output of the second battery charger coupled to a second battery bank, the second battery bank coupled to the connection point; a circuit coupling the first and second outputs of the first and second battery chargers; and, a first control system located in the first module and communicatively coupled to components of the first and second modules for controlling the components.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2014Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: ECO-H TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventor: Vincenzo E. Di Cristofaro
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Patent number: 9525347Abstract: A voltage converter (200) is disclosed, which comprises a controller (210) operable in: a first mode to control the voltage converter so as to convert an input voltage (Vin) at an input (230) of the voltage converter to an output voltage (Vout) at an output (240) of the voltage converter; and a second mode, in which the controller (210) is configurable by configuration control signals (270) so as to change the control applied by the controller to the voltage converter. The voltage converter (200) also includes a power module (280) arranged to derive and supply an operation voltage (Voperation) to the controller (210), the power module (280) being arranged to derive the operation voltage from the input voltage (Vin) during operation of the controller (210) in the first mode, and a voltage source (340) other than the input voltage (Vin) during operation of the controller (210) in the second mode.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2013Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)Inventors: Torbjörn Holmberg, Magnus Karlsson, Jonas Malmberg, Fredrik Wahledow
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Patent number: 9490816Abstract: A parameter control method for an integrated circuit and an integrated circuit using the same are provided. The method includes the steps of: providing a correspondence between 1st to Nth impedance groups and 1st to Nth first settings, wherein each impedance group includes K sub impedances; providing a correspondence between 1st to Kth sub-impedance and 1st to Kth second settings; detecting an impedance from a specific pin of the integrated circuit; comparing an impedance detected from the specific pin of the integrated circuit with the 1st to Nth impedance sets to find a corresponding specific impedance set to select a specific first setting; comparing the impedance detected from the specific pin of the integrated circuit with the 1st to Kth sub-impedance of the specific impedance set to select a specific second setting; and operating the integrated circuit according to the specific first setting and the specific second setting.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2015Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: EOSMEM Corp.Inventors: Tso-Min Chen, Rong-Jie Tu
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Patent number: 9490715Abstract: A transformer comprises a primary winding to which a DC voltage is applied and a secondary winding. A switching circuit is connected to the primary winding. A rectifying-smoothening circuit rectifies and smoothens a pulse voltage generated at the secondary winding, by switching the switching element. An output unit outputs an output voltage obtained by the rectifying-smoothening circuit to a load. An error amplifier outputs an error voltage between the output voltage and a reference voltage to a primary side as a feedback signal. an oscillator lowers a switching frequency of the switching element in accordance with the feedback signal during a light load state. A frequency correction circuit corrects the switching frequency by the oscillator by changing a frequency correction rate in accordance with a value of the feedback signal along an approximate line along which the transformer is not saturated.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2015Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: SANKEN ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventors: Akira Hayakawa, Masaaki Shimada
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Patent number: 9478995Abstract: An ECU outputs, when it determines that there is a battery cell which needs charging, address information to a battery monitor AFE 6. The battery monitor AFE 6 turns ON a transistor specified by the address information and outputs an active ON/OFF signal to a balancing circuit 4. To the balancing circuit 4, a DC converter 30 to which each of battery cells 2a are connected is provided, and selectively charges the battery cells by operating the DC converter 30. When the ON/OFF signal is active, the DC converter 30 is formed of a magnetic-amplifier type forward converter and selectively charges the battery cells having a low cell voltage when the voltage of the battery cells is about lower than 4.2 V, and eventually maintains the cell voltage at about 4.2 V to prevent overcharging to the battery cells 2a.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2011Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATIONInventor: Hirohiko Hayakawa
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Patent number: 9467071Abstract: Excitation current is applied to an excitation winding of a step-up transformer by switching an input voltage with a first switching element. Excitation energy stored causes a voltage resonant state in the secondary side of the step-up transformer during a period when the excitation current is shut off. When the excitation current is shut off, a second resonant circuit provided in the primary side of the step-up transformer enters a resonant state. When a second switching element of the second resonant circuit is turned on, energy returning to an input side in a region where the output voltage is negative is commutated through a second diode to be absorbed in the input voltage. The second switching element is kept off while the second resonant circuit is in the resonant state, turned on when the resonant state ends, and turned off after the first switching element is turned on.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2015Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Hisahiro Kamata
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Patent number: 9461552Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a first power to a second power. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a power conversion circuit for receiving the first power and a controller, coupled to the power conversion circuit, for dynamically selecting between a regular mode and a quasi-resonant mode for operating the power conversion circuit to convert the first power to the second power.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2013Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Enphase Energy, Inc.Inventor: Martin Fornage
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Patent number: 9455702Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a circuit for driving a capacitive load. The circuit includes a first inductor with an input terminal and a load terminal, wherein the load terminal is coupled to the capacitive load. The circuit also includes four or more switching devices. The switching devices may hold a voltage on the load terminal at zero volts. Next, the switching devices may charge the capacitive load through the first inductor until the voltage on the load terminal reaches a first input voltage supplied by a voltage source. The switching devices may then hold the voltage on the load terminal at the first input voltage. Finally, the switching devices may discharge the capacitive load through the first inductor until the voltage on the load terminal reaches zero volts.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2014Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: P. Jeffrey Ungar, William C. Athas, Jeffrey G. Koller, Derek G. Pyne
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Patent number: 9455635Abstract: A snubber circuit includes a capacitor and a buffer device. The buffer device has a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal is electrically connected to the capacitor. When the buffer device operates in a first conduction mode, a charge current flows from the second terminal to the first terminal through the buffer device. When the buffer device switches from the first conduction mode to a second conduction mode, the buffer device generates a discharge current which flows from the first terminal to the second terminal through the buffer device over a specific period of time, such that after the buffer device enters the second conduction mode, a relative maximum voltage level appearing first at the second terminal is lower than a voltage level at the first terminal.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2014Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: FSP TECHNOLOGY INC.Inventor: Kuo-Fan Lin
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Patent number: 9445468Abstract: A voltage converting device includes an input circuit to rectify an AC input voltage, a voltage converter receiving the rectified input voltage, a specific connection of a switch, an inductor, a capacitor and two discharging diodes coupled between the input circuit and a primary-side winding of the voltage converter, and an output circuit coupled to a secondary-side winding of the voltage converter to output a DC output voltage. Through proper operation of the switch, the AC input voltage may be converted into the DC output voltage.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2015Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: I SHOU UNIVERSITYInventors: Chun-An Cheng, Tsung-Yuan Chung
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Patent number: 9444662Abstract: In a contention avoidance control device and a contention avoidance control method for PWM output and A/D conversion, the change timings of PWM outputs are detected, and output of a received A/D conversion trigger to an A/D conversion circuit is inhibited within a predetermined time measured based on the change timings.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2015Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Katsuyuki Imamura, Tetsuro Sugioka
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Patent number: 9438136Abstract: The present invention relates to a converter for electric power having multiple sub-modules connected in series, the sub-modules having an energy storage unit and multiple power semiconductor circuits connected in parallel to the energy storage unit, and which causes an electric current to bypass a sub-module in case the breakdown of the sub-module occurs. To this end, the converter for electric power according to the present invention has multiple sub-modules connected to each other in series, the sub-modules having an energy storage unit and at least one power semiconductor circuit that is connected in parallel to the energy storage unit and comprises multiple power semiconductor switches and freewheeling diodes, wherein each of the sub-modules comprises a bypass switching unit, which is connected in parallel to any one of said at least one power semiconductor circuit, and bypasses an electric current via the bypass switching unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2013Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: HYOSUNG CORPORATIONInventors: June Sung Kim, Tae Gyun Kim, Hang Jun Yang, Jong Yun Choi
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Patent number: 9438121Abstract: A power converter according to examples reduces standby power consumption. The power converter includes a rectifier configured to rectify AC power into DC power, a transformer configured to output power by converting a voltage of DC power rectified by the rectifier, a PWM control module configured to control an output power by switching a power switching device connected to the transformer, a first external switch configured to provide a disable signal, a first capacitor that is connected in parallel to one side of the first external switch, a second external switch configured to provide an enable signal, and a second capacitor that is connected in parallel to one side of the second external switch.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2014Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Magnachip Semiconductor, Ltd.Inventors: Zhi Yuan Cui, Young Gi Ryu, James Jung, Hae Wook Kim, Julie Jang
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Patent number: 9419524Abstract: A direct current power source includes an electric control unit (ECU101) for converting a portion of input direct current electric energy into alternating polarity electric energy or ripple electric energy. The converted alternating polarity or ripple electric energy is supplied to the primary winding of a transformer, and an alternating polarity or ripple electric energy output by the secondary winding of the transformer is rectified by a full wave rectifier for use as a direct current auxiliary power source. The direct current power source uses voltage accumulation to boost the direct current electric energy, eliminating the need for a full power transformer.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2013Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
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Patent number: 9391525Abstract: A controller of a switching power converter includes a voltage protection circuit that generates a modified supply voltage that does not exceed a predetermined threshold voltage to power one or more components of the controller.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2013Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor Inc.Inventors: Andrew Kwok-Cheung Lee, Jiang Chen, Yong Li
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Patent number: 9391385Abstract: An electrical connector for electrically connecting multiple photovoltaic bus bars. A casing includes first and second opposing walls. An elastic strip is bent into a bent elastic strip with a first leg and a second leg. The bent elastic strip is disposed between the first and second walls of the casing with the first leg pressing against the first wall and the second leg pressing against the second wall. The bent elastic strip is configured to hold at least one of the photovoltaic bus bars between the first leg and the first wall and another of the photovoltaic bus bars between the second leg and the second wall. The bent elastic strip may be formed of resilient spring metal with a thickness and an elastic modulus. The thickness and/or the elastic modulus of the elastic strip is/are configured so that the bus bars are inserted without requiring a tool to open a space and so that the bus bars are removed from the connector without requiring a tool to break the electrical connection.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2014Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Ltd.Inventors: Vadim Shmukler, Israel Gershman
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Patent number: 9379620Abstract: A control scheme and architecture for a power conversion circuit employs two bidirectional switches and a zero voltage switching (ZVS) scheme for the high-side switch. Methods of incorporating the control scheme into multiple power conversion circuit topologies are disclosed. Methods of device integration including co-packaging and monolithic fabrication are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2014Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: Navitas Semiconductor Inc.Inventors: Ju Jason Zhang, Daniel M. Kinzer
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Patent number: 9362827Abstract: A soft-switching bi-directional power converter includes a main inductor, a bi-directional switch module, a first switch module, a second switch module, and a control unit. The bi-directional switch module has a bi-directional switch and a resonance inductor. The first switch module has a first switch and a first resonance capacitor; the second switch module has a second switch and a second resonance capacitor. When the bi-directional switch is controlled to occur a resonance of the resonance inductor and the first and the second resonance capacitors so that a voltage of the first resonance capacitor drops to zero, the first switch is turned; when the bi-directional switch is controlled to occur a resonance thereof so that a voltage of the second resonance capacitor drops to zero, the second switch is turned on. Accordingly, the power converter can implement the bi-directional soft switching function.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2015Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.Inventor: Yu-Ming Chang
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Patent number: 9350166Abstract: A renewable energy, utility-size electric power system is provided with a high voltage, renewable energy harvesting network connected by a direct current link to a centralized grid synchronized multiphase regulated current source inverter system. The harvesting network includes distributed renewable energy power optimizers and transmitters that control delivery of renewable energy to the grid synchronized multiphase regulated current source inverter system by step-up voltage boost of the DC voltage from the renewable energy sources in combination with a DC-to-DC conversion where the stepped-up voltage of the renewable sources is utilized as a positive high voltage DC output across the input of an inverter used in a DC-to-DC converter to establish an equal magnitude negative high voltage DC output across a rectified output of the inverter. A visual immersion monitoring and control system can be provided for a three-dimensional, visually-oriented, virtual reality display, and command and control environment.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2013Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: ALENCON ACQUISITION CO., LLCInventors: Oleg S. Fishman, Ulrich K. W. Schwabe
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Patent number: 9344005Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to methods and systems for producing a three-phase current to a three-phase output. Switching converters are used to generate a positive current, a negative current, and an intermediate current. The system is configured such that the produced positive current follows a path of a highest phase of a sinusoidal three-phase signal at a given time, the produced negative current follows a path of a lowest phase of the three-phase signal at the given time, and the produced intermediate current follows a path of a phase of the three-phase signal between the highest and the lowest phase at the given time. The produced currents are switched to each phase conductor of the three-phase output in sequence so that phase currents of the three-phase current are formed in the output conductors.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2014Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: ABB RESEARCH LTD.Inventors: Ngai-Man Ho, Gerardo Escobar, Francisco Canales
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Patent number: 9312844Abstract: A slope compensation module provides slope compensation of a switched-mode power supply using current mode control. The slope control unit comprises a capacitor coupled between an input and an output of the slope control unit, a switch for discharging the capacitor and a constant current source for charging the capacitor. Slope compensation parameters may be changed during operation with a programmable constant current source. The slope compensation module may also function as an analog sawtooth waveform frequency generator, and as an analog pulse width modulation (PWM) generator. Charging the capacitor generates a linearly decreasing (negative slope) ramp voltage for modulating a feedback error voltage into a slope compensated feedback error voltage. Capacitor charging may be controlled from a pulse width modulation signal. Opening of the switch may be programmably delayed, and a minimum closed time thereof may also be programmed during operation of the slope compensation module.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2013Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATEDInventors: Hartono Darmawaskita, Sean Stacy Steedman, Cristian Nicolae Groza, Marilena Mancioiu, John Robert Charais, Zeke Lundstrum
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Patent number: 9300225Abstract: A solar photovoltaic power conversion system is provided to convert a DC input voltage into an AC output voltage, which mainly includes an input capacitor bank, a first switching circuit, a second switching circuit, a first filtering circuit, a second filtering circuit, and a control circuit. The first switching circuit has a first power switch and a second power switch. The second switching circuit has a third power switch and a fourth power switch. The control circuit produces a first control signal, a second control signal, a third control signal, and a fourth control signal to respectively control the first power switch, the second power switch, the third power switch, and the fourth power switch so as to reduce leakage current of the DC input voltage caused by parasitic capacitance voltage.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2013Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.Inventors: Chen-Wei Ku, Wei-Lun Hsin