Bridge Type Patents (Class 363/132)
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Publication number: 20150003133Abstract: Ringing is securely reduced in a case where a Schottky barrier diode of a wide-gap semiconductor is applied to a power conversion circuit. A gate voltage increasing circuit 11a is included. In a period since a gate voltage of a semiconductor switching element in one of upper and lower arms starts being increased from a value in an off-state until the gate voltage reaches a value in an on-state, the gate voltage increasing circuit 11a is configured to make a gate voltage of the semiconductor switching element in the other one of the upper and lower arms change from a value in an off-state into a value larger than the value in the off-state and is configured to control the value larger than the value in the off-state for a predetermined period of time.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2013Publication date: January 1, 2015Applicant: Hitach, Ltd.Inventors: Kazutoshi Ogawa, Katsumi Ishikawa
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Publication number: 20150003134Abstract: A power electronic converter assembly is provided having a multi-level converter, a plurality of phase elements and a controller to switch the multi-level converter. The multi-level converter includes a plurality of AC terminals and is operable to generate an AC phase voltage (VA, VB, VC) at each AC terminal. The plurality of phase elements define a star connection in which a first end of each phase element is connected to a common junction. Each AC terminal is connected in series with a second end of a respective phase element of the star connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2012Publication date: January 1, 2015Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTDInventor: David Reginald Trainer
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Publication number: 20150003132Abstract: An electrical inverter 18 for transforming an DC current into an AC current comprises at least one half-bridge 54. The half bridge 54 comprises at least two series connected semiconductor switches 58a, 58b, 58c, 58d inter-connecting an input terminal 54, 56 with an output terminal 50 of the inverter 18. A snubber capacitor 62a, 62b is connected in parallel to at least two semiconductor switches 58a, 58b, 58c, 58d of the half bridge 54.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2013Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventors: Oliver Woywode, Peter Luerkens
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Patent number: 8923027Abstract: A five-level DC-AC converter includes a capacitor set and a full-bridge circuit. The capacitor set contains two DC capacitors, a power electronic switch and two diodes. When the power electronic switch is turned on/off, the two DC capacitors are connected in series/parallel to provide a two-level DC voltage to the full-bridge circuit. The full-bridge circuit further converts the two-level DC voltage to output a voltage with three voltage levels in the positive half cycle and three voltage levels in the negative half cycle. This achieves the goal of using five power electronic switches to convert DC power into AC power with five voltage levels.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2012Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Ablerex Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chin-Chang Wu, Wen-Jung Chiang, Ming-Pin Mai, Chia-Wei Chou, Mao-Jang He
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Patent number: 8923016Abstract: A solar module has a solar cell which generates a DC voltage. The module has a converter for converting a DC voltage fed into its input. The module contains a semiconductor switch and a controller which drives a switching input of the semiconductor switch. The controller drives the semiconductor switch variably so that the semiconductor switch switches more slowly during the transition operation than during normal operation, thereby reducing a dynamic overvoltage on the switch such that the voltage present on the switch does not exceed the blocking voltage of the switch.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2012Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Inventors: Rainer Weiss, Peter Beckedahl, Ingo Staudt
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Patent number: 8918007Abstract: A power supply apparatus outputs a developing voltage in which a pulse wave shape at a time of positive amplitude is different from a pulse wave shape at a time of negative amplitude. Voltages are supplied from two switching regulators respectively to a bridge circuit for driving a transformer. Here, an absolute value of a difference between a drive frequency of a first switching regulator and a drive frequency of a second switching regulator is configured to be not less than an invisible frequency at which a banding cannot be recognized by humans.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2013Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Tomohiro Tamaoki
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Patent number: 8913410Abstract: A converter device for an uninterruptible power supply, the device having first and second main switching units connected to first and second voltage lines of a first type and each equipped with a first main switch; a main switching point connected to a voltage line of a second type and connected to the first and second main switching units; and a third main switch common to the first and second main switching units, and connected between the main switching point and a third voltage line of the first type; first, second and third capacitors connected between the main switching point and each of the first, second and third voltage lines of the first type; a first auxiliary switching unit connected by individual auxiliary switches between the first and second voltage lines of the first type, and a first auxiliary switching point; a second auxiliary switching unit connected between the first, second and third voltage lines of the first type, and a second auxiliary switching point; and a transformer having windinType: GrantFiled: April 6, 2011Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: MGE UPSInventor: Corentin Rizet
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Patent number: 8912738Abstract: A drive system and method for operating a drive system, including an electromotor, inverter, energy store, the electromotor being able to be supplied from the inverter, which is supplyable from the energy store, a current able to be controlled by a switch being supplyable to at least one stator winding of the electromotor, which is supplied from an electrical energy source that differs from the energy store.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2010Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: Sew-Eurodrive GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Jochen Mahlein, Hans Jürgen Kollar, Marek Lewandowski, Matthias Hauck, Leobald Podbielski, Josef Schmidt
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Publication number: 20140362628Abstract: A submodule for a modular multilevel converter has at least one unipolar energy storage device, first and second connection terminals and a power semiconductor circuit with power semiconductor switches that are driven with a control signal and freewheeling diodes connected in parallel with an assigned power semiconductor switch in the opposite sense. Depending on the driving of the power semiconductor switches, the voltage across the energy storage device(s) or else a zero voltage can be generated between the first and second connection terminals. The power semiconductor circuit forms a bridging branch between the potential points of the first and second connection terminals. Only the power semiconductor switches in the bridging branch are reverse conductive power semiconductor switches. The submodule has low on-state losses during normal operation and is also cost-effective.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2012Publication date: December 11, 2014Inventor: Hans-Guenter Eckel
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Publication number: 20140362627Abstract: The present application discloses a current equalizing busbar for a converter comprising: a direct current busbar connected to a DC terminal of the converter and positive terminals and negative terminals of respective power modules; and an alternate current busbar connected to AC terminals of the respective power modules and a load; wherein, when the converter operates, a sum of an inductance caused by the DC busbar between the DC terminal and a positive terminal or a negative terminal of a power module and an inductance caused by the AC busbar between the load and an AC terminal of the power module is equal to a sum of an inductance caused by the DC busbar between the DC terminal and positive terminals or negative terminals of other power modules and an inductance caused by the AC busbar between the load and AC terminals of said other power modules.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2013Publication date: December 11, 2014Applicant: Delta Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Zongyu Sun, Jun Chen, Teng Xu, Lin Liu, Jingxian Kuang
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Patent number: 8908405Abstract: An inverter may include an inversion unit for converting a direct current bus voltage into an alternating current voltage, a first snubber unit, and a second snubber unit. The inversion unit may include a first external switch, a first internal switch, a second internal switch, and a second external switch which are connected in series in order between a direct current bus positive voltage terminal and a direct current bus negative voltage terminal. The first snubber unit may be connected between the direct current bus negative voltage terminal and the first internal switch for suppressing voltage stress of the first internal switch. The second snubber unit may be connected between the direct current bus positive voltage terminal and the second internal switch for suppressing voltage stress of the second internal switch.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2012Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Liebert CorporationInventor: Jianning Yang
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Publication number: 20140355323Abstract: A device includes a full-bridge configured to convert a direct current (DC) voltage to an alternating current (AC) voltage. The full-bridge includes at least first, second, third and fourth bridge sections. Each of the first, second, third and fourth bridge sections includes a switch of a first type configured to switch in response to a first voltage level and a switch of a second type configured to switch in response to a second voltage level different than the first voltage level. The switch of the second type is configured to be driven using an inductive current of a load coupled to an output of the full-bridge.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2013Publication date: December 4, 2014Inventor: Martin Feldtkeller
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Publication number: 20140355324Abstract: An inverter unit includes a first circuit board and a second circuit board arranged at a predetermined space so as to face each other. Each of the first circuit board and the second circuit board has a main circuit forming area. A plurality of power devices are mounted in the main circuit forming area of the first circuit board and form a main circuit. A plurality of capacitors are electrically connected to the plurality of the power devices and mounted in the main circuit forming area of the second circuit board. A control circuit controls the operation of the main circuit. The second circuit board includes a control circuit forming area separated from the main circuit forming area. The control circuit includes a first control circuit formed in the control circuit forming area of the second circuit board.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2014Publication date: December 4, 2014Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKIInventor: Kazuyoshi KONTANI
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Patent number: 8902622Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes an inverter having output terminals; a first transformer that transforms AC output from the output terminals; a second transformer that is connected to the output terminals in parallel to the first transformer, arranged on an opposite side of the first transformer with respect to a straight line passing through a center of the output terminals and extending perpendicularly to a plane including the output terminals, and transforms AC power output from the output terminals; first conductive lines that connect the output terminals to both ends of the first transformer; and second conductive lines that connect the output terminals to both ends of the second transformer. An area of a first loop formed by the inverter, the first conductive lines, and the first transformer is equal to an area of a second loop formed by the inverter, the second conductive lines, and the second transformer.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2011Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Akihiro Suzuki, Hitoshi Kidokoro, Toshiki Koshimae, Hiroshi Kurushima, Masato Matsubara, Naoki Nishikawa
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Patent number: 8890465Abstract: The invention relates to power converter circuits which are suitable, in particular, for mobile drive systems with stringent requirements in terms of weight minimization and availability as well as direct attachment to rotating field machines. Inter alia, the strictly modular design of the electronics and the very low expenditure on passive filter elements by virtue of the principle involved are characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2011Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: ECPE Engineering Center for Power Electronics GmbHInventors: Rainer Marquardt, Nikolaus Michels
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Publication number: 20140334213Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a method and switching arrangement for an inverter. The inverter including a positive direct current pole, a negative direct current pole, and a neutral direct current pole. The arrangement having a first controllable switch connected between the neutral direct current pole of the inverter and a virtual neutral point of an alternating current network supplied by the inverter; and/or a second controllable switch connected between the neutral direct current pole of the inverter and an earth potential of an alternating current network supplied by the inverter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2014Publication date: November 13, 2014Applicant: ABB OyInventors: Matti T. JUSSILA, Jarno Juhani Alahuhtala, Ville Koivula
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Publication number: 20140334214Abstract: In a switching circuit in which a power semiconductor switching element and a unipolar type diode are connected in parallel, the noise due to ringing is reduced. When the main circuit current flowing is equal to or less than a predetermined value, an Si-IGBT is switched and driven by a gate resistance. In this case, when the main circuit current detected is equal to or more than a threshold value, a main circuit current detection circuit changes a gate resistance switching pMOS from ON state to OFF state. Accordingly, the Si-IGBT operates with a summation of a gate resistance and a gate resistor. More specifically, a gate resistance value of a gate drive circuit of the Si-IGBT increases. Therefore, dv/dt of the collector-emitter voltage of the Si-IGBT, i.e., the recovery dv/dt of the unipolar type diode, is small, and therefore, the noise due to ringing can be reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2012Publication date: November 13, 2014Inventors: Kaoru Katoh, Katsumi Ishikawa, Kazutoshi Ogawa
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Publication number: 20140333246Abstract: The invention relates to a control device (4) for the actuation of a semiconductor switch (1) on an inverter having an actuation switch (16) that is designed to generate a driver signal (18) depending on a switch signal (5) generated by a control regulation of the inverter, and a driver circuit (15) that is connected between the actuation circuit (16) and a control input (13) of the semiconductor switch (1), and which is designed to receive the driver signal (18) and a control signal (7) depending on the driver signal (18), said control signal actuating a semiconductor switch (1) for the generation and infeed into the control input (13) of the semiconductor switch (1), wherein the actuation circuit (16) is designed to generate the driver signal (18) as a consequence of driver signal pulses with a predetermined and adjustable pulse length such that the semiconductor switch (1) is not fully conductive in the event of an actuation with the control signal (7) during the pulse length.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2012Publication date: November 13, 2014Inventors: Edwin Eberlein, Andreas Schoenknecht
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Publication number: 20140334215Abstract: A new and useful circuitry for DC to AC single stage conversion are presented, with the advantages of bi-directionality, resonant power transfer, high efficiency and simplicity. The output voltage dual polarity is achieved by means of control, synchronizing the output switch with one or the other of the primary switches. The invention also provides the means of canceling the common noise of the magnetic transformer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2012Publication date: November 13, 2014Inventor: Bogdan Tudor Bucheru
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Publication number: 20140333141Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV)-based AC module (module) includes a PV panel and a three-phase micro-inverter system attached to or integrated directly into the PV panel including a DC/AC inverter stage including first, second and third phase circuitry each having a plurality of semiconductor power switches. A first, second and third control input driver are coupled to drive control inputs of the plurality of semiconductor power switches in the first, second and third phase circuitry, respectively. The module can include a control unit coupled to drive the first, second and third control input driver, and a transceiver and antenna coupled to the control unit for implementing wireless communications.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2014Publication date: November 13, 2014Applicant: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: HAIBING HU, ISSA BATARSEH, AHMADREZA AMIRAHMADI
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Patent number: 8885375Abstract: An inverter including a switch circuit for converting a DC power to output an AC voltage between a first output terminal and a second output terminal is provided. The switch circuit includes a first switch branch having a first switch element, a second switch element, and a third switch element; a second switch branch having a fourth switch element, a fifth switch element, and a sixth switch element; a first freewheeling unit connected to the first switch element, the second switch element, and the second output terminal for providing a freewheeling path between the second output terminal and the first switch element and the second switch element; and a second freewheeling unit connected to the fourth switch element and the fifth switch element and the first output terminal for providing a freewheeling path between the first output terminal and the fourth switch element and the fifth switch element.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2012Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Chen-Wei Ku, Lei-Ming Lee, Ho Huang
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Patent number: 8885368Abstract: A power converter for effectively reducing switching noise is provided. The power converter comprises a capacitor 111; switching devices Q11a and Q11b connected to the capacitor 111 in parallel; and a controller 105 that controls each switching device individually to perform switching operations. Each of the switching devices Q11a and Q11b forms a closed circuit together with the capacitor 111. The controller 105 controls the switching devices Q11a and Q11b to perform switching operations of switching ON or OFF at different timings such that at least two closed circuits including the switching devices Q11a and Q11b mutually cancel ringing voltages occurring therein, each ringing voltage occurring due to the switching operations performed by a corresponding switching device and having a frequency defined by an inductance of a corresponding closed circuit and an output capacity of a switching device included in the corresponding closed circuit.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2011Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Shun Kazama, Masaki Tagome, Makoto Kitabatake
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Publication number: 20140328102Abstract: An improved topology is presented for a single phase power source inverter that is designed to minimize double frequency ripple. The inverter circuit includes: a capacitor coupled in parallel across a direct current (DC) voltage source; a bridge circuit having three legs electrically connected in parallel with the voltage source and each other, such that each leg of the bridge circuit being comprised of two switches coupled in series with each other; a low pass filter electrically connected between the bridge circuit and a load; an auxiliary inductor having a first terminal electrically connected to one leg of the bridge circuit and a second terminal electrically connected to another leg of the bridge circuit and the load; and a controller that drives the switches of the bridge circuit in a manner that maintains instantaneous power transfer across the bridge circuit constant.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2014Publication date: November 6, 2014Applicant: Board of Trustees of Michigan State UniversityInventor: Bingsen Wang
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Patent number: 8879292Abstract: An electrical circuit for a power converter is described. The circuit has been provided with several semiconductor switches and capacitors used for operating the power converter. A brake resistance for lowering energy is provided and is connected to the semiconductor switches provided without the need for an additional switch. The operation of the power converter and the current flowing through the brake resistance can be controlled by means of the existing semiconductor switches.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2012Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: GE Energy Power Conversion GmbHInventors: Roland Jakob, Thomas Brückner
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Patent number: 8878396Abstract: A continuous grounding system for use in an alternating current system including a transformer is disclosed. The system includes a switch assembly connected between a transformer neutral of a transformer and a ground, the switch assembly having an open position and a closed position, the open position disrupting the path through the switch assembly between the electrical connection and the transformer neutral, and the closed position establishing a path connecting the electrical connection to the transformer neutral through the switch assembly, wherein in normal operation of the alternating current electrical device the switch assembly remains in a closed position. The system also includes a DC blocking component positioned in parallel with the switch assembly and connected between the transformer neutral and the ground.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2011Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Emprimus, LLCInventors: Frederick R. Faxvog, Wallace Jensen, Gale Nordling, Greg Fuchs, David Blake Jackson, Terry Lee Volkmann, James Nicholas Ruehl, Brian Groh
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Patent number: 8879285Abstract: A power converter includes a booster circuit, an inverter circuit, a hysteresis control circuit, and a proportional-integral control circuit. The booster circuit boosts DC power of a DC power source. The inverter circuit converts the DC power outputted from the booster circuit into AC power and outputs the AC power to a system. The hysteresis control circuit controls the inverter circuit by hysteresis control so that the AC power can be outputted to the system when an AC voltage of the system is less than a DC voltage of the power source. The proportional-integral control circuit controls the booster circuit by proportional-integral control so that the AC power can be outputted to the system when the AC voltage of the system is larger than the DC voltage of the power source.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2012Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignees: Nippon Soken, Inc., Denso CorporationInventors: Fumio Asakura, Kenji Ochi, Hiroshi Yoshida
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Publication number: 20140321182Abstract: A control apparatus for a voltage conversion apparatus includes: duty command signal generation means for generating a duty command signal corresponding to a duty ratio of switching elements carrier signal generation means for generating carrier signals corresponding to respective switching frequencies of the switching elements; switching control signal generation means for generating respective switching control signals of switching ON and OFF states of the switching elements, by comparing the duty command signal with the carrier signals; one arm driving control means for implementing one arm driving by alternatively turning on the first and second switching elements; and phase inverting means for bringing phases of portions, of the carrier signals, corresponding to switching at least right after arm switching, into a state where the phases are shifted from each other by 180 degrees between the first and second switching elements, at the time of the arm switching.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2011Publication date: October 30, 2014Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Naoyoshi Takamatsu, Masaki Okamura
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Publication number: 20140321179Abstract: A method, apparatus, computer readable medium, and system for synchronising a power source with a three-phase electricity grid for the power source to supply electricity to the electricity grid is disclosed. The method comprises operating a first switching unit to disconnect a power source from an interfacing circuit. The interfacing circuit comprises a DC-to-AC converter arranged between the power source and a three-phase electricity grid for converting a DC voltage received from the power source to a three-phase AC voltage for supplying the electricity grid, an electrical storage unit connected across the DC-to-AC converter, and a resistance which is selectably connectable in parallel with the electrical storage unit across the DC-to-AC converter, operating a second switching unit to connect the electricity grid to the interfacing circuit, wherein the electrical storage unit is electrically coupled to the electricity grid through the DC-to-AC converter.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2014Publication date: October 30, 2014Applicant: CONTROL TECHNIQUES LIMITEDInventor: Simon David Hart
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Publication number: 20140321180Abstract: An object is to reduce, with the control circuit of the full-bridge inverter circuit, distortions in an output signal of the inverter circuit resulting from an error in control of the switching of the high-side transistors and low-side transistors included in the first half-bridge circuit and the second half-bridge circuit. The pulse width of a signal that controls ON/OFF of the high-side transistors and low-side transistors included in the first half-bridge circuit and the second half-bridge circuit is reduced, i.e., the duty cycle of the signal is reduced. This results in a reduction in short-circuit periods during which both the high-side transistor and the low-side transistor are on, thereby reducing distortions in a signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2014Publication date: October 30, 2014Inventor: Masami Endo
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Publication number: 20140321181Abstract: An increase in leakage current when a reverse voltage is applied to reverse-blocking insulated gate bipolar transistors is suppressed, thus reducing a loss resulting from the leakage current. A power conversion device includes a bidirectional switch formed by connecting two reverse-blocking insulated gate bipolar transistors having reverse breakdown voltage characteristics in reverse parallel. A control circuit is configured so as to output command signals for bringing the gates of the reverse-blocking insulated gate bipolar transistors, to which a reverse voltage is applied, into an on state.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2014Publication date: October 30, 2014Inventor: Shuangching CHEN
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Patent number: 8872455Abstract: For each phase of a controller, semiconductor switches comprise a high side switch and a low side switch. A direct current voltage bus provides electrical energy to the semiconductor switches. A measuring circuit is adapted to measure the collector-emitter voltage or drain-source voltage for each semiconductor switch of the controller. A data processor determines that a short circuit in a particular semiconductor switch is present if the measured collector-emitter voltage or measured source-drain voltage for the particular semiconductor switch is lower than a minimum threshold and if an observed current associated with the particular semiconductor switch has an opposite polarity from a normal operational polarity. A driver simultaneously activates counterpart switches of like direct current input polarity that are coupled to other phase windings of the electric motor, other than the particular semiconductor switch, to protect the electric motor from potential damage associated with asymmetric current flow.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2012Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Chris J Tremel, Eric Vilar
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Publication number: 20140313804Abstract: The present invention provides a power conversion device in which an on-pulse bias voltage and a neutral-point bias voltage do not interfere with each other. A power conversion device 1 of the present invention has a polarity judgment section 8 that judges a polarity of a neutral-point bias voltage VNPC calculated by a neutral-point potential fluctuation suppression control section 4 of a voltage command value control circuit 3, then on the basis of this polarity of the neutral-point bias voltage VNPC, selects a polarity of an on-pulse bias voltage VMPC by an on-pulse control section 5. With this control, it is possible to prevent for the polarities of the neutral-point bias voltage VNPC and the on-pulse bias voltage VMPC from being different then prevent for the both bias voltages from interfering with each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2012Publication date: October 23, 2014Applicant: Meidensha CorporationInventors: Shota Urushibata, Masakazu Muneshima, Hui Zhang
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Publication number: 20140312818Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second resistor groups, first and second switch groups, a register, and an amplifier. The first resistor group includes plural first resistors connected in series between a first terminal and an output of the amplifier. The first switch group includes plural first switches. Each of the first switches is connected between a corresponding one of the connection point between the first resistors and the inverting input terminal of the amplifier. The second resistor group includes plural second resistors connected in series between a second terminal of the amplifier and a reference voltage source. The second switch group includes plural second switches. Each of the second switches is connected between a corresponding one of the connection point between the second resistors and a positive input terminal of the amplifier. The register selects each of first and second switches.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2014Publication date: October 23, 2014Applicant: Renesas Electronics CorporationInventor: Masaki FURUCHI
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Publication number: 20140313803Abstract: A method for generating an AC power signal using a transformerless DC/AC converter includes energizing a first inductor circuitry from a DC input source by controlling first, second and third switches to couple the first inductor circuitry to the DC input source; de-energizing the first inductor circuitry by controlling the first, second and third switches to decouple the first inductor circuitry from the DC input source and couple the first inductor circuitry to an output node to generate, at least in part, a first half cycle of an AC power signal at the output node; energizing a second inductor circuitry from a DC input source by controlling fourth, fifth and sixth switches to couple the second inductor circuitry to the DC input source; and de-energizing the second inductor circuitry by controlling the fourth, fifth and sixth switches to decouple the second inductor circuitry from the DC input source and couple the second inductor circuitry to the output node to generate, at least in part, a second half cycType: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2013Publication date: October 23, 2014Applicant: Fairchild Korea Semiconductor Ltd.Inventors: Jacobo Aguillon-Garcia, Pedro Bañuelos-Sánchez
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Patent number: 8867248Abstract: A highly efficient transformerless inverter and a method of controlling the same. The inverter is designed for use in a distributed power generation system, such as a home having photovoltaic cells (e.g., a solar panel), wind turbines, batteries, and other sources of DC electrical power. The inverter includes four switching states including a positive current path for a positive half-cycle, a free-wheel current path for the positive half-cycle, a negative current path for a negative half-cycle, and a second free-wheel current path for the negative half-cycle. The free-wheel current paths include a reduced number of circuit components (e.g., diodes), which enables a highly efficient inversion of DC power to AC power.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2011Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventor: Zitao (Peter) Wang
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Patent number: 8861240Abstract: A power converter includes pairs of series-connected switching elements and, for each pair, a bidirectional switch that clamps the switching elements of the pair at the mid-point of a DC voltage that is supplied to the power converter. An abnormal voltage rise in a forward recovery process of the bidirectional switch is avoided by restraining an induced electromotive force developing across the bidirectional switch upon turning OFF of one of the semiconductor switching elements below the difference in voltage between the gate voltage at the start of the forward recovery process of the bidirectional switch and the gate threshold voltage that allows the maximum recovery current of the bidirectional switch to flow.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2014Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Koh Yoshikawa
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Patent number: 8860379Abstract: A system and method of discharging a bus capacitor of a bidirectional matrix converter of a vehicle are presented here. The method begins by electrically shorting the AC interface of the converter after an AC energy source is disconnected from the AC interface. The method continues by arranging a plurality of switching elements of a second energy conversion module into a discharge configuration to establish an electrical current path from a first terminal of an isolation module, through an inductive element, and to a second terminal of the isolation module. The method also modulates a plurality of switching elements of a first energy conversion module, while maintaining the discharge configuration of the second energy conversion module, to at least partially discharge a DC bus capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2011Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Lateef A. Kajouke, Milun Perisic, Ray M. Ransom
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Publication number: 20140300206Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2012Publication date: October 9, 2014Applicant: Access Business Group International LLCInventors: Benjamin C. Moes, Matthew J. Norconk, Joshua B. Taylor, Colin J. Moore
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Publication number: 20140301123Abstract: A DC-to-AC power conversion system is provided to convert a DC input voltage into an AC output voltage, which mainly includes a bridge switching circuit, an auxiliary switch circuit, and a control circuit. The bridge switching circuit has a first power switch, a second power switch, a third power switch, and a fourth power switch. The auxiliary switch circuit has a fifth power switch, a sixth power switch, a seventh power switch, and an eighth power switch. The control circuit produces a complementary switching signal pair to control the first and fourth power switches and the second and third power switches, respectively. In addition, the control circuit produces a complementary level signal pair to control the sixth and seventh power switches and the fifth and eighth power switches, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2013Publication date: October 9, 2014Inventors: Lei-Ming LEE, Chen-Wei KU, Ho HUANG
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Publication number: 20140301124Abstract: A cascade bridge-type DC-AC power converter device includes a low-frequency bridge-type power converter including an AC terminal and a DC bus and a high-frequency bridge-type power converter including an AC terminal. A power conversion method includes: serially connecting the AC terminal of the high-frequency bridge-type power converter and the AC terminal of the low-frequency bridge-type power converter; operating frequency of the low-frequency bridge-type power converter synchronized with frequency of an AC source and operating the high-frequency bridge-type power converter with high-frequency PWM to generate a multilevel AC voltage. A DC power source connects to the DC bus of the low-frequency bridge-type power converter. No additional power supply circuit will be required for power supply to a DC bus of the high-frequency bridge-type power converter. Accordingly, the power circuit is simplified and the manufacturing cost is reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2014Publication date: October 9, 2014Applicant: Ablerex Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Chin-Chang Wu, Wen-Jung Chiang, Chien-Ming Huang, Wen-Jie Hou
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Publication number: 20140292243Abstract: The invention relates to a power module (9) for converting an electric current flowing between an accumulator and an alternating-current motor, said module (9) comprising switching means (10) that can be controlled to authorise the powering of the motor and/or the charging of the accumulator, and an intrinsic control unit (13) connected to said switching means (10) and capable of delivering opening and/or closing signals to said switching means (10), said intrinsic control unit (13) being further capable of exchanging data with a remote control unit, with a potential barrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2012Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: VALEO SYSTEMES DE CONTROLE MOTEURInventors: Boris Bouchez, Luis De Sousa, Bénédicte Silvestre
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Patent number: 8848397Abstract: A magnetic integration double-ended converter with an integrated function of a transformer and an inductor includes an integrated magnetic member having a magnetic core with three magnetic columns having at least three windings (NP, NS1, NS2) and at least one energy storage air gap, where a primary winding (NP) and a first secondary winding (NS1) are both wound around a first magnetic column or are both wound around a second magnetic column and a third magnetic column, and a second secondary winding (NS2) is wound around the second magnetic column; an inverter circuit with double ends symmetrically working, acting on the primary winding (NP); and a group of synchronous rectifiers (SR1, SR2), gate electrode driving signals of which and gate electrode driving signals of a group of power switch diodes (S1, S2) of the inverter circuit with the double ends symmetrically working complement each other.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.Inventors: Zengyi Lu, Yongfa Zhu, Yadong Bai, Wei Chen, Zhaoguo Jin
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Patent number: 8847555Abstract: A device for charging a battery including a rectifier input stage configured to be connected to a power supply network and an inverter output stage configured to be connected to the battery, and a mechanism regulating average current obtained from the input stage about a current value generated from the maximum current supplied by the power supply network and according to a coefficient that is at least equal to a ratio between the maximum voltage rectified by the input stage and the battery voltage.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2010Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Renault S.A.S.Inventors: Serge Loudot, Benoit Briane, Olivier Ploix, Arnaud Villeneuve
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Patent number: 8848370Abstract: An inverter for a vehicle is disclosed. The inverter for the vehicle illustratively includes: a power module provided with a power semiconductor device; a cooling module coupled to the power module and flowing a coolant therethrough; and a capacitor module mounted at the cooling module through a mounting unit and adapted to absorb a ripple current of the power module.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Dongmin Shin, Wooyong Jeon, In Pil Yoo, Hyong Joon Park, Joon Hwan Kim, Sungjun Yoon, Minji Kim, Jaehoon Yoon, Jung Hong Joo
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Publication number: 20140285130Abstract: When a counter-electromotive force generated by an inductive load is applied to the drain of a switch element, the gate of the switching element may pull the gate potential toward the direction opposite to its original potential due to capacitance coupling of the drain-gate capacitance, and this may cause a malfunction. To cope with this, a switch element that pulls the potential to the reverse direction is provided and controlled to turn on at timing at which the counter-electromotive force is applied.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2014Publication date: September 25, 2014Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventor: Katsumi INOUE
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Patent number: 8842456Abstract: An analog controller is disclosed. The controller has a maximum power point tracking unit and a power factor adjusting unit. The maximum power point tracking unit generates a maximum power tracking voltage which is used to control the magnitude of the output current of the inverter so as to extract the most available power from the power generating device. The power factor adjusting unit, which generates a ramp control voltage that will further determine the duty ratio and switching frequency of PWM signal, gracefully tunes the magnitude and reduces the total harmonic distortion of the current injected from inverter into utility grid.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2012Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: National Cheng Kung UniversityInventors: Yeong-chau Kuo, Wen-chuen Liu, Tai-haur Kuo
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Patent number: 8839509Abstract: Multiple high-voltage side and low-voltage side electric conductors are formed from one sheet of a conductive plate in such a way that the multiple electric conductors are arranged in parallel to one another across an initial gap between the high-voltage side and the low-voltage side electric conductors. The multiple electric conductors are connected to one another via connecting portions. An intermediate portion of the connecting portion is deformed so as to reduce the initial gap to a smaller adjusted gap. Portions of the electric conductors as well as switching devices mounted to the electric conductors are sealed by sealing material. The connecting portions are cut away so that the electric conductors are finally separated from one another.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2012Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Noriyuki Kakimoto, Masao Yamada
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Publication number: 20140265588Abstract: A DC/AC converter incorporates at least one Magistor module having a first sp control switch, a second sz control switch and a third sm control switch. An AC source is connected to an input of the at least one Magistor module. A switch controller connected to the first sp control switch, second sz control switch and third sm control switch to and provides pulse width modulation (PWM) activation of the switches for controlled voltage at an output.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Magistor Technologies, L.L.C.Inventor: Patrick J. McCleer
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Patent number: 8836258Abstract: An inverter device, a motor driving device, a refrigerating air conditioner, and a power generation system, which can reduce the recovery loss thereof, are obtained. A plurality of arms that can conduct and block current are provided. At least one of the plurality of arms includes: a plurality of switching elements each having a parasitic diode and being connected in series with each other; and a reverse current diode connected in parallel with the plurality of switching elements.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2009Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Koichi Arisawa, Hirokazu Nakabayashi, Takuya Shimomugi, Yosuke Shinomoto, Mitsuharu Tabata, Kazunori Sakanobe
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Patent number: 8836256Abstract: A drive system has a switched reluctance motor (SR motor) and a control system configured to determine an estimated total torque of SR motor as a function of the phase voltages and phase currents of the phases of the SR motor.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2012Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Zimin W. Vilar, Chris J. Tremel