Bridge Type Patents (Class 363/132)
  • Patent number: 12368372
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a power conversion apparatus includes: semiconductor elements mutually coupled in parallel; gate drivers which corresponds to the respective semiconductor elements and which supplies a drive voltage to the corresponding semiconductor elements; and a controller configured to supply to the respective gate drivers a gate command corresponding to the drive voltage in accordance with a carrier wave, wherein the semiconductor elements are set to a conductive state at different timings in an operation period of the semiconductor elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2025
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Infrastructure Systems & Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Takagi, Makoto Takeda
  • Patent number: 12362682
    Abstract: A frequency converter has a first intermediate circuit arm on which a positive intermediate circuit potential is present during operation, a second intermediate circuit arm on which a negative intermediate circuit potential is present during operation, and an inverter having first and second input terminals. The inverter has a number of bridge arms, each of which has an upper and a lower semiconductor switching device. The upper and lower switching devices are looped in series between the first and second input terminals. A connection node of the upper and lower switching devices forms an inverter output terminal. A reactor is looped-in between the first circuit arm and the first input terminal. A shunt resistor is looped-in between the second circuit arm and the second input terminal. An evaluation unit detects, based on a voltage across the shunt resistor, a ground fault on the upper semiconductor switching devices of the inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: Lenze Swiss AG
    Inventor: Andreas Burgermeister
  • Patent number: 12362676
    Abstract: A self-oscillating electronic LC resonant inverter for use in fixed-frequency power converters, providing zero-current and zero-voltage soft switching. The inverter incorporates an active fixed-frequency series resonant current pump capable of pumping the tank circuit current up as well as down. The magnitude of the resonant current is controlled at the resonant frequency of the LC tank circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2024
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2025
    Assignee: MYRTLE HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: L. Dexter Bates
  • Patent number: 12341363
    Abstract: A method for generating a polyphase alternating current by interconnecting a plurality of DC voltage sources, having at least the following method steps: providing a configurable DC voltage string for each phase (L1, L2, L3) of the polyphase alternating current, wherein each configurable DC voltage string is formed from a plurality of the DC voltage sources which can be interconnected in a configurable series circuit; arranging the configurable DC voltage strings in a polygon circuit, in particular in a delta circuit; providing a neutral grounding transformer for the purpose of achieving a common neutral point (N) of all configurable DC voltage strings; and configuring the configurable DC voltage strings such that the polyphase alternating current is provided and a zero phase-sequence system current is also formed for charge equalization between the configurable DC voltage strings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2025
    Assignee: SAX Power GmbH
    Inventor: Anya Xie
  • Patent number: 12341438
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a power converter capable of reducing inductance and preventing a manufacturing process from becoming complicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2025
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masaki Hirakata
  • Patent number: 12334765
    Abstract: A grid connection control method of an energy storage apparatus, an energy storage control unit, an energy storage system, and a storage medium are provided and relate to the field of energy storage technologies, where the method includes: sequentially controlling energy storage units of energy storage sub-modules to be connected to corresponding voltage-sharing capacitors in a state in which a main energy transmission circuit is disconnected from a direct-current bus, so as to make the energy storage units pre-charge the corresponding voltage-sharing capacitors; and controlling the main energy transmission circuit to be connected to the direct-current bus under a condition that the voltage-sharing capacitor of each energy storage sub-module meets a voltage-sharing capacitor pre-charge completion condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2024
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX FUTURE ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE (SHANGHAI) LIMITED
    Inventors: Yanhua Lu, Dongxu Yu, Bingtuan Luo
  • Patent number: 12334813
    Abstract: The present application relates to a rectification control system, a charger and a control method for a charger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2025
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: CRRC QINGDAO SIFANG ROLLING STOCK RESEARCH INSTITUTE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Lijun Zhang, Xuqiang Zhao, Haiyang Li, Bowei Zhu, Zhuangzhuang Shen, Xiantao Chu, Long Li, Maoqun Zhou
  • Patent number: 12322955
    Abstract: A method of balancing voltage distribution over a plurality of switches connected in series with each other in a high voltage (HV) switch is provided. A snubber arrangement is associated with each switch of the plurality of switches. The method includes, for a first snubber arrangement associated with a first switch of the plurality of switches, determining a first voltage across a first snubber energy storage component of the first snubber arrangement associated with the first switch. The method further includes, for a second snubber arrangement associated with a second switch of the plurality of switches, determining a second voltage across a second snubber energy storage component of the second snubber arrangement associated with the second switch. The method further includes comparing the first voltage and the second voltage and, based on the comparison, adjusting a first drive signal of at least the first switch based on the first voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2025
    Assignee: TRUMPF HUETTINGER SP. Z O. O.
    Inventors: Andrzej Klimczak, Michal Balcerak, Andrzej Gieraltowski
  • Patent number: 12289064
    Abstract: A DC/AC inverter and microinverter architectures using the DC/AC inverter are disclosed. The DC/AC inverter is based on a differential geometry control scheme to balance and optimize the flying capacitor voltages across the flying capacitors used in the inverter's power circuit. Based on changing inverter and overall system conditions, including capacitor voltages, grid voltages, grid current, and DC bus voltages, desired fields are generated. These fields are used to balance capacitor voltages such that capacitor voltage values converge, over time, to an optimal solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: Sparq Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Majid Pahlevaninezhad, Praveen Jain
  • Patent number: 12284887
    Abstract: A display device includes a pixel including a primary inductor and a secondary inductor that are inductively coupled to each other, a pixel circuit electrically connected to the primary inductor, and configured to control a current flowing through the primary inductor by using at least one transistor, and a light emitting unit electrically connected to the secondary inductor, and including at least one light emitting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gwang Teak Lee
  • Patent number: 12278571
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device forming a DC voltage bus for a polyphase electrical system (M), comprising voltage legs (A1, A2, A3) each having a plurality of battery cell modules (C1, C2, C3), each module comprising a battery cell or a cluster of battery cells (c1), connected to a DC-to-AC converter (DCAC); said battery cell modules (C1, C2, C3) being connected together in series via the DC-to-AC converter (DCAC); said voltage legs (A1, A2, A3) each being connected to a specific phase leg (B1, B2, B3) for said polyphase electrical system (M), at least one phase leg (B1, B2, B3) having a branch (D1, D2, D3) connected to a rectifier module (R1). The invention also relates to a motor vehicle, a renewable energy generator and a method based on such a system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignees: PSA Automobile SA, Centrale Supelec, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, SAFT, Sorbonne Universite, Universite Paris-Saclay
    Inventors: Francis Roy, Thomas Peuchant, David Herpe, Eric Laboure, Franck Castejon
  • Patent number: 12273048
    Abstract: Embodiments of this application disclose an inverter apparatus and an inverter apparatus control method. The inverter apparatus includes an inverter circuit and a control unit, and the control unit detects a driving mode of the inverter circuit based on a running state of the inverter circuit. When the inverter circuit outputs reactive power and an output current amplitude is greater than a current threshold, the control unit controls the inverter circuit in a full-bridge two-level bipolar control mode; and in other cases, the control unit controls the inverter circuit in a three-level control mode. This reduces a risk of breaking down horizontal bridge semiconductor switching devices by a voltage spike in an active turn-off process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: HUAWEI DIGITAL POWER TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong Chen, Yanzhong Zhang, Lei Shi
  • Patent number: 12257910
    Abstract: There are provided a plurality of drive circuits (103 U, 103 L) for driving respective plural switching devices constituting upper arms and lower arms, a power supply circuit for supplying a power supply to the plurality of drive circuits, and a discharge circuit for discharging a capacitor. The power supply circuit includes a first transformer (201U) for the upper arms, and a second transformer (201L) for the lower arms, which include a primary winding connected in parallel to a DC power supply. The first transformer and the second transformer include a secondary winding for supplying a power supply to the drive circuits and for supplying a power supply to a low-voltage circuit (110). Each of the first transformer and the second transformer includes a feedback winding for outputting the voltage output to the drive circuits, to a power supply control IC. The discharge circuit (120) is driven by a power supply supplied from the feedback winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Ikuyama, Koichi Yahata, Shinichirou Hida, Yawara Kato
  • Patent number: 12261538
    Abstract: A zero voltage switching circuit includes a zero voltage switching unit which forms a full-bridge circuit at the primary side of a converter and comprises a plurality of switches for zero voltage switching; an adjustable inductor which performs zero voltage switching in resonance with a parasitic capacitor of the zero voltage switching unit, and is adjusted according to control of a control unit; and the control unit which controls inductance of the adjustable inductor according to an input voltage of the zero voltage switching unit or an electric current flowing in the adjustable inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Su Ho Bae
  • Patent number: 12255487
    Abstract: A smoothing capacitor is forcibly discharged, in a state where a battery is disconnected from a high-voltage circuit, first discharge control is initiated to consume electric charges of the smoothing capacitor by an in-vehicle component via a DC/DC converter. Thereafter, when a voltage of the smoothing capacitor is reduced and reaches a specified threshold, second discharge control is executed to forcibly discharge the electric charges in an active discharge circuit. In the case where continuous forced discharge occurs, delay control to delay execution timing of the second discharge control is further executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuta Otsuka, Haruki Yamane, Takashi Yoshizaki, Shosuke Morimoto, Sho Kawanari, Hiroaki Kashihara, Yusuke Kame
  • Patent number: 12249837
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus which use a microinverter comprising integrated neutral forming function for off-grid facilities are provided herein. For example, a microinverter configured for use with an AC storage system comprises switching circuitry connected at an AC output of the microinverter, a three-line connector connected at the AC output and comprising a neutral line connected between two lines configured to connect to at least one of a single phase grid system or a split phase grid system, wherein the neutral line is connected to the microinverter at a point that maintains a mid-way voltage between the two lines voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Enphase Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Harrison
  • Patent number: 12249927
    Abstract: A power inverter, such as a synchronous buck power inverter, that is configured with a high frequency switching control having a (PWM) controller and sensing circuit. Controller provides a low frequency oscillating wave to effect switching control on a synchronous-buck circuit portion that includes a plurality of switches to invert every half cycle of the frequency provided by controller. The inverting process thus creates a positive and negative transition of the oscillating wave signal. A low frequency switching stage includes a further plurality of switches configured to operate as zero voltage switching (ZVS) and zero current switching (ZCS) drives Charge on an output capacitor is discharged to zero on every zero crossing of low frequency switching stage and advantageously discharges energy every half cycle. During this discharge of energy, the zero crossing distortion in the low frequency sine wave is greatly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Inventors: Ronald Beebe, Christopher D. Compton, David Eckerson, Yizhe Liu, Salman Talebi
  • Patent number: 12231060
    Abstract: A voltage source converter includes first and second DC terminals which have at least one converter limb extending therebetween. Each limb portion includes a chain-link converter that extends between an associated AC terminal and a corresponding one of the first or the second DC terminal. Each chain-link converter also includes a chain-link converter controller which is programmed to control a series of connected chain-link modules. The voltage source converter additionally includes a voltage source converter controller which is arranged in operative communication with each chain-link converter controller to coordinate operation of the chain-link converters. Each chain-link converter controller is further programmed to reconstruct from a received modulation index demand the chain-link converter voltage reference, which the chain-link converter it is controlling is required to produce, by multiplying the received modulation index demand by a total voltage sum established at a first time instant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: GE INFRASTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventors: Pablo Briff, Andrzej Adamczyk, Sameer Singhal
  • Patent number: 12231029
    Abstract: A soft switching sub-circuit forming part of or for use with a circuit. The soft switching sub-circuit comprises a bridge switching circuit. The soft switching sub-circuit is configured and operable to provide a varying current output that tracks output current from the bridge switching circuit to create a substantially zero current through at least one switch component of the bridge switching circuit to enable soft switching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: INTDEVICE LIMITED
    Inventors: Li Jun Yu, Hao Hao, Anton Van Vugt
  • Patent number: 12218577
    Abstract: A power conversion device is provided, and includes a major circuit part, and a control device; the major circuit part includes a power conversion part converting, into AC power, power that is input, and a filter circuit causing the AC power output from the power conversion part to approach a sine wave; the control device controls power conversion by the major circuit part by controlling an operation of the power conversion part; the control device includes an overcurrent suppression controller; the overcurrent suppression controller calculates instantaneous value voltage output command values of the phases of the AC power output from the power conversion part to suppress an overcurrent at the output end of the major circuit part. Accordingly, a power conversion device and a control device of the power conversion device are provided in which the generation of an overcurrent can be suppressed even when a voltage-controlled operation is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: TMEIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuhito Nakajima, Yasuaki Mitsugi, Tomoya Katsukura
  • Patent number: 12199523
    Abstract: A power control apparatus, comprising: a first wiring and a second wiring connected to a power source; a first capacitor connected to the first wiring and the second wiring; an electrical component including a plurality of switches connected in parallel with the first capacitor through the first wiring and the second wiring; and a second capacitor which is connected to one of the first wiring and the second wiring and is connected to a reference potential portion having a constant potential, wherein an impedance of a first conducting path between another side connection point, which is connected to the first capacitor, of the other one of the first wiring and the second wiring and the power supply not through the first capacitor, is higher than an impedance of a second conducting path between the another side connection point and the second capacitor through the first capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuuki Ogawa, Takuya Okubo
  • Patent number: 12113481
    Abstract: A switch circuit, a mixer, and an electronic device, where the switch circuit includes a first metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor, a second MOS transistor, a third MOS transistor, and a fourth MOS transistor, both a gate of the first MOS transistor and a gate of the fourth MOS transistor are connected to a first port, and both a gate of the second MOS transistor and a gate of the third MOS transistor are connected to a second port; and a lead between the gate of the first MOS transistor and the first port, a lead between the gate of the second MOS transistor and the second port, a lead between the gate of the third MOS transistor and the second port, and a lead between the gate of the fourth MOS transistor and the first port all have an equal length. In this way, linearity is relatively high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yongli Zhou, Xiangju Jin, Yan Lai
  • Patent number: 12095382
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor element that converts DC electric power into AC electric power; a DC terminal that transmits DC electric power; an AC terminal that transmits AC electric power; a sealing member that seals the semiconductor element, at least a part of the DC terminal, and at least a part of the AC terminal; and at least one floating terminal that is arranged between the DC terminal and the AC terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiichi Ide, Junpei Kusukawa, Nobutake Tsuyuno
  • Patent number: 12062915
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a sub-module hybrid MMC with low full-bridge ratio and a DC fault processing method thereof. The hybrid MMC prevents the energy at the AC side from entering a DC system by artificially creating three-phase interphase short circuit at the AC side of a converter in the DC fault processing process, which greatly reduces the ratio of full-bridge sub-modules required for DC fault processing. Moreover, the hybrid MMC has the same DC fault processing speed as the sub-module hybrid MMC with high full-bridge. The duration of the artificially created three-phase interphase short circuit fault in the fault processing process does not exceed 30 ms, which will not have a great impact on the AC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Zheng Xu, Yuzhe Xu, Zheren Zhang
  • Patent number: 12057785
    Abstract: A three-level converter includes a first power switch, which has a first end connected to a first DC input end and a first end of a third power switch. A second end of a second power switch is connected to a second DC input end and a second end of a fourth power switch. A connection point between a second end of the first power switch and a first end of the second power switch is a first AC output end. A connection point between a second end of the third power switch and a first end of the fourth power switch is a second AC output end. Fifth and sixth power switches are connected in series between the first AC output end and a neutral end. A seventh power switch is connected between the second AC output end and a connection point between the fifth and sixth power switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2024
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Foxess Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Cong Yin, Jian Peng
  • Patent number: 12047013
    Abstract: A motor drive system for an electrified vehicle includes a DC source, such as a battery, and an inverter, which includes one or more phase drivers, each configured to switch current from the DC source to generate AC power upon one or more output terminals using a hybrid of two or more different solid-state switches, each having a corresponding voltage rating. A nine-switch inverter includes three phase drivers, each including high, low, and middle solid-state switches, with Si-MOSFET high and low switches having a first voltage rating of half of the rated voltage of the system, and with Gallium Nitride (GaN) transistors rated to block a full rated voltage of the system used for the middle switches. A delay driver synchronizes timing between two different solid-state switches by energizing control terminals at different rates. The inverter can be operated using near-state pulse-width modulation (NSPWM) to reduce switching losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignees: Magna International Inc., University of Windsor
    Inventors: Animesh Kundu, Aiswarya Balamurali, Himavarsha Dhulipati, Narayan Chandra Kar, Lakshmi Varaha Iyer, Gerd Schlager, Philip Korta, Wolfgang Baeck
  • Patent number: 12034377
    Abstract: A direct current (DC) power secondary distribution system is provided. The system comprises at least one first conversion unit and a one or more second conversion units. The first conversion unit receives alternating current (AC) electrical voltage from a distribution transformer of an AC power distribution system and converts the AC electrical voltage to DC electrical voltage output. The one or more second conversion units are connected downstream of the first conversion unit, and each second conversion unit converts the DC electrical voltage output from the first conversion unit to a respective AC electrical voltage output for a respective one or more loads. The one or more loads may be associated with a household.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Electronic Grid Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Zhongyi Quan, Yunwei Li
  • Patent number: 12032080
    Abstract: A distributed power system including multiple DC power sources and multiple power modules. The power modules include inputs coupled respectively to the DC power sources and outputs coupled in series to form a serial string. An inverter is coupled to the serial string. The inverter converts power input from the serial string to output power. A signaling mechanism between the inverter and the power module is adapted for controlling operation of the power modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Meir Adest, Guy Sella, Lior Handelsman, Yoav Galin, Amir Fishelov, Meir Gazit, Yaron Binder, Nikolay Radimov
  • Patent number: 12010823
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a power module that includes at least one power substrate, a housing arranged on the at least one power substrate, and a first terminal electrically connected to the at least one power substrate. The first terminal includes a contact surface located above the housing at a first elevation. The power module includes a second terminal including a contact surface located above the housing at a second elevation different from the first elevation, a third terminal electrically connected to the at least one power substrate, and a plurality of power devices electrically connected to the at least one power substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Wolfspeed, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Martin, Brice McPherson, Alexander Lostetter
  • Patent number: 11962250
    Abstract: Provided is a hybrid modular multilevel converter (HMMC) based on a neutral point clamped (NPC) topology and having an ABC N-phase structure. The HMMC includes N pairs of identical upper and lower arms, each upper and lower arm being composed of X submodules and Y sets of switches. The switches within each set are cascaded and connected in series, each of the submodules is formed of full-bridge silicon (Si) insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) converters, and at least one of the set of switches is formed of IGBTs of opposite polarities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: GE Energy Power Conversion Technology Limited
    Inventor: Zhi Zhou
  • Patent number: 11962251
    Abstract: Provided is a hybrid modular multilevel converter (HMMC) based on a neutral point pilot (NPP) topology and having an ABC N-phase structure. The HMMC includes N pairs of identical upper and lower arms, each upper and lower arm being composed of X submodules and Y sets of switches. The switches within each set are cascaded and connected in series, each of the submodules is formed of full-bridge silicon (Si) insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) converters, and at least one of the set of switches is formed of IGBTs of opposite polarities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: GE Energy Power Conversion Technology Limited
    Inventor: Zhi Zhou
  • Patent number: 11903110
    Abstract: A virtual and parallel power extraction method by using time division, comprising an alternating current load (1), a load end time-division power extraction control device (2), a switch end time-division power extraction control device (3), and a switch end power supply load (4). The alternating current load (1) is connected in parallel with the load end time-division power extraction control device (2); the switch end time-division power extraction control device (3) is connected in parallel with the switch end power supply load (4); a combination body formed by connecting the alternating current load (1) with the load end time-division power extraction control device (2) in parallel and the combination body formed by connecting the switch end time-division power extraction control device (3) with the switch end power supply load (4) in parallel are together connected in series in an alternating current circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: HUIZHOU HAOMEISHI INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hui Li, Long Zhao, Wenfan Li
  • Patent number: 11901805
    Abstract: A method for switching off power semiconductor switches in a bridge circuit having first through sixth power semiconductor switches. The method includes a switch-off process for establishing a final switch configuration in which all power semiconductor switches in the bridge circuit are in a switched-off state. Over the course of the switch-off process, a switch configuration is established in which the fifth power semiconductor switch and the sixth power semiconductor switch are concurrently in a switched-on state, while the first power semiconductor switch and the fourth power semiconductor switch are in a switched-off state. Also disclosed is a bridge circuit having a control circuit configured to carry out such a method. In addition, an inverter that includes at least one bridge circuit of this type is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventor: Uwe Stickelmann
  • Patent number: 11894790
    Abstract: A control substrate capable of effectively reducing noise input to a plurality of MOSFETs is provided. The control substrate includes at least three parallel snubber circuits (132, 134, and 135). Each of the parallel snubber circuits (132, 133, and 134) is connected in parallel with each of U-phase MOSFETs (126a and 126b), V-phase MOSFETs (127a and 127b), and W-phase MOSFETs (128a and 128b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: NIDEC TOSOK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yusaku Seki
  • Patent number: 11869695
    Abstract: A coupled inductor includes first and second magnetic rails, a plurality of connecting magnetic elements, and a plurality of windings. The first and second magnetic rails are separated from each other in a first direction, and the first magnetic rail has a first cross-sectional area A1 as seen when viewed in the first direction. Each connecting magnetic element is disposed between the first and second magnetic rails in the first direction. The plurality of connecting magnetic elements collectively have a second cross-sectional area A2 as seen when viewed in the first direction, and a ratio of A2/(A1?A2) is at least 1.5. A respective winding is wound at least partially around each connecting magnetic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandr Ikriannikov, Di Yao
  • Patent number: 11842949
    Abstract: Semiconductor device A1 includes: first terminal 201A and second terminal 201B; first switching element 1A including first gate electrode 12A, first source electrode 13A and first drain electrode 14A; and second switching element 1B including second gate electrode 12B, second source electrode 13B and second drain electrode 14B. First switching element 1A and second switching element 1B are connected in series to each other between first terminal 201A and second terminal 201B. Semiconductor device A1 includes first capacitor 3A connected in parallel to first switching element 1A and second switching element 1B between first terminal 201A and second terminal 201B. First switching element 1A and second switching element 1B are aligned in y direction. First capacitor 3A overlaps with at least one of first switching element 1A and second switching element 1B as viewed in z direction. These arrangements serve to suppress surge voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Yamaguchi, Hiroyuki Sakairi, Takukazu Otsuka
  • Patent number: 11817782
    Abstract: An inverter device includes a converter circuit and a filter. The converter circuit converts a DC input voltage into an AC intermediate voltage based on six control signals, and includes first and second converters. Each of the first and second converters includes three switches, two diodes and a coupled inductor circuit. The switches of the first converter operate respectively based on three of the control signals. The switches of the second converter operate respectively based on the other three of the control signals. The filter filters the AC intermediate voltage to generate an AC output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: I SHOU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Chien-Hsuan Chang, Yi-Fan Chen
  • Patent number: 11804788
    Abstract: A power converter includes an inverter circuit connected between the positive and negative terminals of a DC power supply, three single-phase bridge circuits each connected in series between an AC terminal of one of different phases of the inverter circuit and a motor, and a power conversion controller that generates gate signals to control operations of the inverter circuit and the three single-phase bridge circuits based on phase voltage commands. When a semiconductor switching element of the single-phase bridge circuits fails, the power conversion controller sets the output voltage of the single-phase bridge circuit of a phase to which the faulty semiconductor switching element belongs to zero to continue operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuya Kojima, Hisatoshi Fukumoto, Kenji Fujiwara, Akihiko Iwata
  • Patent number: 11799469
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a method and a circuit for controlling first and second switches electrically in series, wherein one or a plurality of crossings of a voltage threshold by a voltage across the first switch cause a conductive state of the second switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Léo Sterna, Pierre Perichon
  • Patent number: 11791712
    Abstract: A power conversion device converts a direct-current power on the DC side of the power conversion device to an alternating-current power by an inverter circuit having a plurality of semiconductor switching elements, and outputs the AC power from the AC side of the power conversion device. A current detector detects a reactor current output from the inverter circuit. As overcurrent detector detects overcurrent in a control mode in which the reactor current is caused to follow a reactor current command value, control circuit starts an overcurrent mode in which a time period where the reactor current monotonically decreases is provided. In the overcurrent mode, whether to switch the overcurrent mode to the normal control mode is determined based on the reactor current or in accordance with a timing corresponding to a zero-cross point of a voltage or current on the AC side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Amimoto, Kikuo Izumi, Tatsuya Okuda, Tomoaki Kimura
  • Patent number: 11784582
    Abstract: The present application provides a power component of a three-level converter, a three-level converter and a wind turbine. The power component of the three-level converter includes: a first NPC bridge arm unit including a plurality of first NPC bridge arms connected in parallel; a second NPC bridge arm unit including a plurality of second NPC bridge arms connected in parallel; and a third NPC bridge arm unit including a plurality of third NPC bridge arms connected in parallel. The number of the second NPC bridge arms is the same as the number of the first NPC bridge arms, and the number of the third NPC bridge arms is determined based on the ratio of the loss of the first NPC bridge arm to the loss of the third NPC bridge arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: BEIJING GOLDWIND SCIENCE & CREATION WINDPOWER EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Songge Fu, Xiaofeng Yuan
  • Patent number: 11705737
    Abstract: A method for feeding electrical power into an electrical supply network using an inverter-controlled infeed unit is provided. The infeed unit has an inverter arrangement with a plurality of inverters to generate an output power and feed same into the network. Each inverter has an associated isolating switch to galvanically isolate the respective inverter from the network. Each inverter has a circuit composed of switches to generate an output current using pulsed actuation. Each inverter generates a variable partial power, and the output power is a sum of all partial powers. Depending on the output power, one or more of the inverters are operated as active inverters that respectively generates a partial power. The other inverters are operated as passive inverters that do not generate a partial power. One or more of the passive inverters are operated as blocked inverters and remain galvanically connected to the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Wobben Properties GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Brombach, Tobias Fredewess
  • Patent number: 11699961
    Abstract: A bridge circuit includes a first leg and a second leg arranged in parallel between the first node and the third node. A clamp circuit includes a third leg including a first bidirectional switch disposed between a fourth node that is a midpoint of the first leg and a fifth node that is a midpoint of the second leg. A first reactor is connected with the fourth node and a sixth node, and a second reactor is connected with a fifth node and a seventh node. A fourth leg includes a second bidirectional switch disposed between the second node and the fourth node or the fifth node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Amimoto, Naoki Nishio
  • Patent number: 11695323
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for discharging an input voltage by utilizing discharge circuitry configured to produce a relatively constant discharge voltage value/output voltage, a relatively constant discharge current value/output current, or a relatively constant discharge power value/output power. The discharge circuitry may include at least one power device, such as a DC to DC converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Zakay Lifschits, Andrey Omer, Tzachi Glovinsky, Yakir Loewenstern
  • Patent number: 11689013
    Abstract: A source-network coordination type direct-current (DC) circuit breaker based on pre-charged capacitors for an MMC based DC grid is provided. The MMC based DC grid is provided with four converter stations, each having two converters, which are in loop connection through a double-loop DC overhead line. Two ends of each DC line connecting the converters are separately equipped with DC circuit breakers for isolating a fault of the DC line. An MMC active voltage adjusting control strategy is matched with pre-charged capacitor voltage in the self-adaptive mode to provide a beneficial breaking condition for a quick mechanical switch branch, so that the fault line is effectively cut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: TIANJIN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Xiaolong Chen, Xiaowen Han, Yongli Li
  • Patent number: 11575261
    Abstract: A system and method for combining power from DC power sources. Each power source is coupled to a converter. Each converter converts input power to output power by monitoring and maintaining the input power at a maximum power point. Substantially all input power is converted to the output power, and the controlling is performed by allowing output voltage of the converter to vary. The converters are coupled in series. An inverter is connected in parallel with the series connection of the converters and inverts a DC input to the inverter from the converters into an AC output. The inverter maintains the voltage at the inverter input at a desirable voltage by varying the amount of the series current drawn from the converters. The series current and the output power of the converters, determine the output voltage at each converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Meir Adest, Lior Handelsman, Yoav Galin, Amir Fishelov, Guy Sella
  • Patent number: 11569659
    Abstract: A system and method for combining power from DC power sources. Each power source is coupled to a converter. Each converter converts input power to output power by monitoring and maintaining the input power at a maximum power point. Substantially all input power is converted to the output power, and the controlling is performed by allowing output voltage of the converter to vary. The converters are coupled in series. An inverter is connected in parallel with the series connection of the converters and inverts a DC input to the inverter from the converters into an AC output. The inverter maintains the voltage at the inverter input at a desirable voltage by varying the amount of the series current drawn from the converters. The series current and the output power of the converters, determine the output voltage at each converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Meir Adest, Lior Handelsman, Yoav Galin, Amir Fishelov, Guy Sella
  • Patent number: 11552551
    Abstract: A method relating to control of a system including a single-phase three-level quasi-Z type source inverter connected to an LC filter which is in turn connected to a load, the inverter including first and second bridge arms, each including a plurality of switches, the method including the steps of (a) for each of a plurality of consecutive sampling periods (i) determining the duration of a shoot-through period for the next sampling period during which the inverter is in shoot-through mode; (ii) choosing a configuration of the switches for the next sampling period (iii) at the end of the sampling period setting the switches in the chosen configuration for the next sampling period; and (b) at a time during the next sampling period and for the duration of the shoot-through period setting the switches such that the inverter is in shoot-through mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: CITY UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG
    Inventors: Chunhua Liu, Yuxin Liu
  • Patent number: 11552575
    Abstract: A method for operating a multi-level bridge power converter includes providing a plurality of switching devices of the power converter in one of a neutral point clamped topology or an active neutral point clamped topology. The method also includes providing a plurality of deadtimes for the switching devices. Further, the method includes selecting one of the deadtimes for each of the switching devices such that at least two of the switching devices operate according to different deadtimes. Moreover, the method includes operating the switching devices at the selected deadtimes to allow a first group of the switching devices to switch slower than a second group of the switching devices such that the first group of the switching devices satisfy safe operating requirements while the second group of the switching devices switch faster than the first group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nathaniel Robert Michener, Fernando Arturo Ramirez Sanchez, Steven Wade Sutherland, Robert Gregory Wagoner, Rajesh Bhupathi, Igor Berroteran
  • Patent number: 11539303
    Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is provided that includes a split direct current (DC) link having a first capacitor coupled between a positive DC link terminal and a first node, and a second capacitor coupled between the first node and a negative DC link terminal. The UPS also includes a rectifier coupled to an input of the split DC link and a controller coupled to the rectifier. The rectifier includes first, second, and third legs, wherein each leg is configured to convert a first alternating current (AC) voltage received from an AC source into a DC voltage to be provided to the split DC link, and a fourth leg configured to balance DC link voltages of the first and second capacitors. The controller is configured to maintain functionality of the rectifier during at least one of a partial utility power outage, a full utility outage, and a failure of at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Lorenzo Giuntini, Silvio Colombi, Andrea Mannuccini