Bridge Type Patents (Class 363/132)
  • Patent number: 8836256
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Zimin W. Vilar, Chris J. Tremel
  • Publication number: 20140254228
    Abstract: A three-level converter includes at least one phase bridge arm, each including an upper-half and a lower-half bridge arm circuit modules. The upper-half bridge arm circuit module includes a first and a second switch units that are in series connection, and a first diode unit. The lower-half bridge arm circuit module includes a third and a fourth switch units that are in series connection, and a second diode unit. The first and second diode units are connected to the neutral point of the capacitor unit; the second and third switch units are connected to the alternating-current terminal; The first and the fourth switch unit is respectively connected to the positive terminal and negative terminal of the direct-current bus; the capacitor unit is connected to the direct-current bus between the positive and negative terminals. The two modules are disposed side by side and facing each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Jian-Ping Ying, Shao-Cai Ma, Hong-Jian Gan, Sen-Lin Wen
  • Publication number: 20140254229
    Abstract: A modular high-frequency converter includes submodules, each having an input-side half bridge and a DC link circuit with a DC link capacitance connected in parallel to the half bridge. A DC link circuit voltage drop across the DC link capacitance of each submodule is controlled to a target voltage by adjusting a duty cycle with a closed-loop control structure having a pilot control and a downstream closed-loop error control. Within the framework of the pilot control, a target value for each duty cycle and a target value for the supply current are determined, using a mathematical model of the converter, based on the load-side output currents flowing out of the DC link voltage circuits and on target values of the DC link circuit voltages. Switch position parameters, which map the effect of the switch positions of the input-side half bridges, are each replaced by an associated duty cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: MICHAEL KOPF, MARCEL LUTZE, MIRJAM MANTEL, MARKUS REINHARD, STEFAN VÖLKEL
  • Patent number: 8830711
    Abstract: A hybrid switch comprising two semiconductor switches connected in parallel but having different voltage drop characteristics as a function of current facilitates attainment of zero voltage switching and reduces conduction losses to complement reduction of switching losses achieved through zero voltage switching in power converters such as high-current inverters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Jih-Sheng Lai, Wensong Yu
  • Publication number: 20140247634
    Abstract: A three-level power conversion circuit includes a plurality of one-phase switch circuits which receive power from direct current power supplies that are connected in series. Each of the one-phase switch circuits includes a semiconductor switch series circuit that is connected in parallel to the direct current power supplies, and also a bidirectional switch and a circuit-opening device that are connected in series between a series connection point of the semiconductor switch series circuit and a series connection point of the direct current power supplies. If a semiconductor element in a bidirectional switch fails, the circuit opening device opens a path along which the main current of the semiconductor element flows, and operation of the inverter is continued as a two-level inverter with the remaining bidirectional switches in a constant off-state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Satoki Takizawa
  • Patent number: 8824169
    Abstract: A multiple inverter with neutral line inductor and an active power filter system are disclosed. In the disclosure, the multiple inverter comprises at least two inverter units connected in parallel, the midpoint of the direct current bus in each inverter unit is connected to the neutral line N through the respective neutral line inductor. The multiple inverter can suppress the ripple produced by the neutral line current without increasing the direct current bus capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bin Wang, Pude Yu, Wentao Zhan, Hongyang Wu
  • Patent number: 8823424
    Abstract: A floating gate driver uses a single-end level shifter to translate a set signal and a reset signal induced by a rising edge and a falling edge of a switch signal to a common output terminal to generate an output voltage for a bistable circuit to generate a level shifted switch signal. Under control of a well transient detect signal asserted by detecting noise in the output voltage, a masking circuit between the single-end level shifter and the bistable circuit masks noise in the output voltage. This configuration has lower area penalty and better noise immunity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Richtek Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Pei-Kai Tseng, Chien-Fu Tang, Issac Y. Chen
  • Patent number: 8817510
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a DC-to-AC inverter is disclosed. The DC-to-AC inverter may be configured to convert DC power received from an alternative energy source to AC power for supplying an AC grid or load. The inverter may determine whether the power presently supplied by the alternative energy source is less than a predetermined amount of power and, if so, disable an output converter of the inverter. Additionally, the inverter may predict the voltage of a DC bus of the inverter at a future point in time and, if the predicted DC bus voltage is greater than a predetermined maximum DC bus voltage, enable the output converter to transfer energy from the DC bus to the AC grid to reduce the DC bus voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: SolarBridge Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Trishan Esram, Alexander Gray, Eric Martina, Patrick Chapman
  • Patent number: 8817492
    Abstract: A DC/DC converter includes two input terminals for a DC input voltage, two output terminals for a DC output voltage, an inverter converting a DC voltage into an AC voltage, and a rectifier converting an AC voltage from the inverter into a DC voltage between a first one of the input terminals and a first one of the output terminals. At least one galvanically isolating element is arranged between the output of the inverter and the input of the rectifier, and a capacitance is coupled between the output terminals. The inverter converts a partial DC voltage, being smaller than the full DC input voltage, across a capacitance between the second one of the input terminals and the second one of the output terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Klaus Rigbers, Carsten Althof, Frank Papenfuss
  • Patent number: 8817498
    Abstract: A DC to DC converter system, includes inverter circuitry having a first and a second switch, the inverter circuitry further configured to generate a first and a second gate control signal, the signals configured to open and close the first and second switch, respectively, and generate an AC signal from a DC input signal. The system further includes transformer circuitry configured to transform the AC signal into a sinusoidal AC signal, second stage circuitry configured to rectify the sinusoidal AC signal to a DC output signal, and hybrid control circuitry configured to modulate the first and second gate control signals, wherein the modulation comprises pulse frequency modulation (PFM) and pulse width modulation (PWM).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Hangseok Choi
  • Publication number: 20140232318
    Abstract: A power conversion control device includes a modulation-wave generating unit generating a modulation wave based on output voltage phase angle command and modulation factor, a carrier-wave generating unit that, in a case of non-overmodulation state, generates a triangular wave or saw-tooth wave as the carrier wave, and, in a case of overmodulation state, generates, as the carrier wave, a signal fixed to ?1 in a first section that is a predetermined range centering on timing corresponding to a peak position of the modulation wave, generates, as the carrier wave, a signal fixed to +1 in a second section obtained by shifting the first section by a half cycle of the modulation wave, and generates, as the carrier wave, a triangular wave or saw-tooth wave in remaining third section, and a comparing unit that compares the carrier wave and the modulation wave and generates a switching signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Ryo Yokozutsumi, Yuruki Okada, Hisanori Yamasaki, Sho Kato
  • Patent number: 8811049
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating AC power. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a DC/AC inversion stage capable of generating at least one of a single-phase output power, a two-phase output power, or a three-phase output power; and a conversion control module, coupled to the DC/AC inversion stage, for driving the DC/AC inversion stage to selectively generate the single-phase output power, the two-phase output power, or the three-phase output power based on an input power to the DC/AC inversion stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Enphase Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Fornage
  • Publication number: 20140226386
    Abstract: An electric power conversion device comprises a conversion circuit having bi-directionally switchable plural pairs of switching elements connected to respective phases and converting an inputted AC power into an AC electric power. A first switching time is calculated using detected voltages detected by voltage sensors and an output command value. A second switching time is calculated in a form of a time which is a subtraction of the first switching time from a half period of a carrier and, using this time, control signals to switch on and off of the switching elements are generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventors: Masao Saito, Takamasa Nakamura, Kouji Yamamoto, Junichi Itoh, Yoshiya Ohnuma
  • Patent number: 8804390
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process of connecting an AC output of a transformerless inverter of a solar power plant to an internal AC power grid at an input side of a galvanic isolation, while an offset voltage for shifting a potential center point of a photovoltaic generator connected to the inverter is applied. The process includes: (i) synchronizing the inverter with the power grid; (ii) essentially matching a potential center point of the current-carrying lines of the AC output and a potential center point of the power grid, while only one of the potential center points of the current-carrying lines and the power grid is yet shifted by the offset voltage; and (iii) galvanically connecting all current-carrying lines of the AC output with the power grid only after the steps of synchronizing and essentially matching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Stephanie Coors, Tobias Mueller, Oliver Prior
  • Publication number: 20140217827
    Abstract: A power inverter system consists of a connection to a primary DC power source, a connection to an AC grid or load, a plurality of switching elements and filter elements to connect the DC power source to the AC grid or load, three power rails internal to the inverter, and a buck/boost circuit to provide a third power rail. The invention allows for simple transformerless grounded or ungrounded connection of a DC power source to an AC grid or load. The voltage rail that is not directly connected to the primary DC power source can be connected to an auxiliary DC power source without any significant additional hardware.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: 3L POWER LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Cheek, Peter James Faill, Michael Jay Datta
  • Patent number: 8797768
    Abstract: Provided is a power conversion device capable of detecting a short circuit failure and protecting from the same securely. The power conversion device includes: a three-phase bridge type power conversion circuit including a semiconductor switch including a first main terminal, a second main terminal, and a control terminal; a control circuit for controlling an operation of the semiconductor switch; and a voltage detection circuit for monitoring a voltage between DC terminals of the power conversion circuit, in which the control circuit has a protection function of turning off the semiconductor switch if the voltage between the DC terminals of the power conversion circuit, which is detected by the voltage detection circuit, is lower than a predetermined value for a predetermined period of time or longer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Takamasa Asai
  • Patent number: 8797776
    Abstract: A bridge rectifier operates on low A.C. input voltages such as received by a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) device. Voltage drops due to bridge diodes are avoided. Four p-channel transistors are arranged in a transistor bridge across the A.C. inputs to produce an internal power voltage. Another four diode-connected transistors form a start-up diode bridge that generates a comparator power voltage and a reference ground. The start-up diode bridge operates even during initial start-up before the comparator and boost drivers operate. A comparator receives the A.C. input and controls timing of voltage boost drivers that alternately drive gates of the four p-channel transistors in the transistor bridge with voltages boosted higher than the peak A.C. voltage. Substrates are connected to the power voltage on the power-voltage half of the bridge and to the A.C. inputs on the ground half of the bridge to fully shut off transistors, preventing reverse current flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science & Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwok Kuen (David) Kwong, Chun Fai Wong, Leung Ling (Alan) Pun, Ho Ming (Karen) Wan
  • Patent number: 8797767
    Abstract: An apparatus and system for power conversion. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a transformer having a primary winding and a plurality of secondary windings comprising a first secondary winding, a second secondary winding, and a third secondary winding, the first, the second, and the third secondary windings wound in a tri-filar configuration; and a cyclo-converter comprising a plurality of switch pairs for converting an alternating current to an AC current, each switch pair in the plurality of switch pairs coupled between two lines of an AC output and having a different secondary winding of the plurality of secondary windings coupled between its switches, the plurality of switch pairs comprising a first switch pair, a second switch pair, and a third switch pair, wherein the first, the second, and the third secondary windings are coupled between drain terminals of the first, the second, and the third switch pair, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Enphase Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Fornage, Donald Richard Zimmanck, Fabio Augusto Mendes Pereira
  • Publication number: 20140211530
    Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) system is disclosed that provides dynamic regulation of the output of a PV array such that the inverter can safely operate without entering a voltage protection mode. The PV system includes a PV array that generates a direct current (DC) output from received solar radiation and a DC link coupled to the PV array to receive the DC output therefrom. The PV system also includes a DC-to-AC power inverter electrically coupled to the DC link to receive the DC output therefrom and invert the DC output to an AC output and a damping circuit electrically coupled to the DC link and positioned between the PV array and the DC-to-AC power inverter. The damping circuit includes a damping resistor and a damping switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jih-Sheng Chen, Hung-Kuang Chen, Jung-Hua Weng
  • Publication number: 20140203559
    Abstract: A connection for parallel bridge circuits in a power converter is provided. In particular, a power converter can be used to provide a desired power to a load, such as a generator, motor, electrical grid, or other suitable load. The power converter can include a plurality of bridge circuits coupled in parallel. A bridge output of each of the parallel bridge circuits can be coupled together at the load instead of at the power converter. In particular, the parallel bridge circuits can be coupled together at a location that is physically proximate the physical location of the load, such as at a plurality of terminals associated with the load. By doing so, stray inductance associated with conductors used to couple the bridge outputs of the parallel bridge circuits to the load can be effectively coupled between the parallel bridge circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Robert Allen Seymour, Duro Basic
  • Publication number: 20140204643
    Abstract: A control scheme for reducing current imbalance between parallel bridge circuits in a power converter system is provided. The power converter can include a plurality of bridge circuits coupled in parallel to increase the output power capability of the power system. The parallel bridge circuits can be controlled pursuant to a control scheme for reducing current imbalance between the parallel bridge circuits. In particular, a pulse test can be performed in which a pulse is applied to each of the plurality of bridge circuits. The switch timing of the switching elements responsive to the pulse can be measured and analyzed to determine a timing difference adjustment for one or more of the switching elements of the plurality of bridge circuits. The timing difference adjustment can be stored and used to adjust all subsequent switching events in the parallel bridge circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, David Smith
  • Patent number: 8787054
    Abstract: An electric power conversion apparatus comprises: three conversion units; a backup conversion unit that can be substituted for any one of the conversion units; and a backup terminal conductor unit. The conversion units, which are mounted on a converter board disposed in a case, can convert a DC current to a three-phase AC current having U-, V- and W-phases. If any one of the conversion units goes out of order, the backup terminal conductor unit can then electrically connect the auxiliary conversion unit, in substitution for the conversion unit having gone out of order, to a three-phase AC input/output unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Toshiba Mitsubishi-Electric Industrial Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuhiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8787055
    Abstract: An inverter device includes a DC positive input line and a DC negative input line, a main bridge which includes a pair of series-connected switching elements with diodes being connected in reverse parallel with the switching elements respectively, an auxiliary bridge which includes a pair of series-connected switching elements with diodes being connected in reverse parallel with the switching elements respectively and a current-limiting reactor. A plurality of sets each one of which includes the main bridge and the auxiliary bridge is connected between the DC positive and negative input lines. Each set constitutes a phase. The current-limiting reactor is connected between a common connection point of both switching elements of the main bridge and a common connection point of both switching elements of the auxiliary bridge in each set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Naoto Shinohara, Kazunobu Nagai
  • Publication number: 20140198544
    Abstract: In order to obtain a contactless power supply device which, even when a spatial gap between a primary winding and a secondary winding varies, is capable of not only accurately detecting whether or not the primary winding and the secondary winding come into the position opposite to each other, but also detecting how large the spatial gap between the primary winding and the secondary winding is created, the contactless power supply device is provided with a drive voltage detection unit which detects the drive voltage of an inverter circuit, a drive current detection unit which detects the drive current of the inverter circuit, and a primary component extraction unit which, from the drive voltage and the drive current, extracts a primary drive voltage and a primary drive current including the first order frequency-components having the same frequency as a drive frequency of the inverter circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kazufumi Tanaka, Sadayuki Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8780588
    Abstract: Disclosed is a bidirectional DC/DC converter including: a primary side circuit that includes a first DC power source or a first load; a secondary side circuit that includes a second load or a second DC power source; and a power transfer unit that is capable of transferring power bi-directionally between the primary side circuit and the secondary side circuit. Further, the bidirectional DC/DC converter includes a control circuit that controls the primary side circuit and secondary side circuit in such a way that current flows through the power transfer unit from the first DC power source to the second load or from the second DC power source to the first load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kouichi Teraura, Hiroyuki Nishino, Hiroaki Koshin, Yukihiro Murata, Yasuhisa Ihira
  • Patent number: 8780598
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masami Endo
  • Patent number: 8779806
    Abstract: A floating gate driver uses a single-end level shifter to translate a set signal and a reset signal induced by a rising edge and a falling edge of a switch signal to a common output terminal to generate an output voltage for a bistable circuit to generate a level shifted switch signal. Under control of a well transient detect signal asserted by detecting noise in the output voltage, a masking circuit between the single-end level shifter and the bistable circuit masks noise in the output voltage. This configuration has lower area penalty and better noise immunity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Richtek Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Pei-Kai Tseng, Chien-Fu Tang, Isaac Y. Chen
  • Patent number: 8773870
    Abstract: A converter section (2) includes three pairs of switching elements (Srp, . . . , Stn), each pair having two switching elements connected in series between two direct current links (L1, L2), and phases of an input three-phase alternating current are connected to nodes between the series-connected switching elements one by one. Each of the switching elements (Srp, . . . , Stn) is made of a transistor having a bipolar structure. The control unit (5) controls the switching elements (Srp, . . . , Stn) such that line voltages between a reference phase, which is one of the phases of the input three-phase alternating current, and each of the other phases are output to the two direct current links (L1, L2) on a time division basis. The control unit (5) applies a predetermined gate voltage to one or more of the switching elements (Srp, . . . , Stn) to which a reverse bias is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Fujita, Kenichi Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 8773876
    Abstract: A three-level inverter includes a set of series-connected capacitors connected in parallel to a direct-current power supply; two arms connected in parallel to an output of the direct-current power supply and each having an alternating-current output terminal; and a control section having a neutral voltage controller determining a three-phase voltage correction command based on a neutral voltage and voltage of the direct-current power supply, having a coordinate converter converting the three-phase voltage correction command to a voltage correction command on d-q axis, and suppressing voltage variations at the neutral point by correcting a voltage command on d-q axis based on the d-q voltage correction command. The neutral point is connected to one grounded phase of a three-phase grounded power system. The alternating-current output terminals are connected to respective non-grounded phases of the power system. A power conditioner includes the three-level inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventors: Takashi Kuboyama, Katsutoshi Yamanaka
  • Publication number: 20140185345
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for power conversion comprising a three-port converter comprising a DC port for coupling to an external DC line, an AC port for coupling to an external AC line, and a storage port, internal to the three-port converter, for storing excess energy and discharging needed energy during power conversion, wherein the storage port is located on a DC-side of the three-port converter and is decoupled from the DC port such that a voltage on the storage port can be controlled independently of a DC voltage on the DC port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Enphase Energy, Inc
    Inventor: Michael J. Harrison
  • Patent number: 8767421
    Abstract: Processes, machines, and articles of manufacture that may management power conversion as provided. This may include circuit topology or management that serves to improve power conversion efficiency from a DC waveform to an AC waveform. This circuit topology or management may include considering and managing the voltage across a DC-link capacitive bus and the phase angle output of an AC waveform in order to influence or improve power conversion characteristics or efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: SolarBridge Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick L. Chapman
  • Patent number: 8768533
    Abstract: A communication device includes a first resistance circuit (RB) connected between an output of a signal generating unit (602) and a first terminal (TS1) and having a resistance value corresponding to a requested operation mode requested to a vehicle. The vehicle (10) includes: a second resistance circuit (RA) connected between a ground node (512) fed with a reference potential and a second terminal (TS2); and a vehicle control unit (508) for setting an operation mode of the vehicle. The vehicle control unit (508) detects a signal potential of a signal (CPLT) via a first signal extraction node (N1) provided on a path connecting the second terminal (TS2) and a second resistance circuit (RA) to each other, and sets the operation mode of the vehicle (10) at the requested operation mode corresponding to the resistance value of the first resistance circuit (RB).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinji Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 8767424
    Abstract: A power conversion apparatus includes a MOSFET having a channel and a body diode connected in parallel. The channel of the MOSFET becomes conductive according to a control signal, so that a flow path of a regenerative current of an inductor is formed, and the body diode of the MOSFET causes the regenerative current of the inductor to flow in a forward direction. The power conversion apparatus also includes a shunt resistor and a voltage measuring unit which measure an amount of a current flowing into the MOSFET. In addition, the power conversion apparatus includes a threshold designating unit which designates a threshold current amount, and a synchronous rectification prohibiting circuit which prohibits supplying the control signal when the amount of the current measured by the shunt resistor and the voltage measuring unit is greater than the threshold current amount designated by the threshold designating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Shun Kazama
  • Publication number: 20140177300
    Abstract: An electric power supply system, comprising: a main switching cell (6) comprising a first main branch (14) and a second main branch (16) each including a main switch (T1, T2), and an auxiliary switching cell (10) connected to the main switching cell (6) and comprising a first secondary branch (20) and a second secondary branch (22) on the one hand, each including a secondary switch (T3, T4) and a connection branch (24) for connecting the auxiliary switching cell (10) to the main switching cell (6) on the other hand, the connection branch (24) including a switching inductor (L1), the main switching cell (6) and the auxiliary switching cell (10) being connected, cascaded from each other. The auxiliary switching cell (10) comprises at least two switching capacitors (C1, C2) positioned parallel to one of the secondary switches (T3, T4) for one of them and parallel to one of the main switches (T1, T2) for the other one. An aircraft comprising at least such a power supply system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: THALES
    Inventors: Vivien Lagorce, Christophe Taurand, François Klein
  • Patent number: 8760898
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an inverter including a high-side switch coupled to a low-side switch, the inverter generating a time-varying drive current from a plurality of drive control signals, a positive rail voltage, and a negative rail voltage wherein controlling the switches to generate the time-varying drive current produces a potential transitory overshoot condition for one of the switches of the inverter; a drive control, coupled to the inverter, to generate the drive control signals and to set a level of each of the rail voltages responsive to a plurality of controller signals; and a controller monitoring one or more parameters indicative of the potential transitory voltage overshoot condition, the controller dynamically adjusting, responsive to the monitored parameters, the controller signals to reduce a risk of occurrence of the potential transitory voltage overshoot condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Kroeze, Colin Campbell, Nicholas Robert Kalayjian
  • Patent number: 8760895
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating AC power. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a DC/AC inversion stage capable of generating at least one of a single-phase output power, a two-phase output power, or a three-phase output power; and a conversion control module, coupled to the DC/AC inversion stage, for driving the DC/AC inversion stage to selectively generate the single-phase output power, the two-phase output power, or the three-phase output power based on an input power to the DC/AC inversion stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Enphase Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Fornage
  • Patent number: 8760893
    Abstract: A full bridge switching circuit includes a converter circuit including first and second converters. The first converter includes a first transformer and a first switching element part to control the first transformer in response to a first switching signal. The second converter includes a second transformer and a second switching element part to control the second transformer in response to a second switching signal. The first and second transformers are controlled by the first and second switching element parts to output first and second feedback signals, respectively. The full bridge switching circuit further includes a third switching element part having a third switching input connected to the first and second transformers, and an IC circuit to generate an OR signal by an OR operation of a first control signal generated from the first feedback signal and a second control signal generated from the second feedback signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang-woo Nam, Jung-nam In, Jun-Deok Choi, Min-ki Ahn
  • Publication number: 20140169053
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed with multiple direct current (DC) voltage source inverters to supply power to an alternating current (AC) power system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Inventors: Milan Ilic, Mika Nuotio
  • Publication number: 20140169054
    Abstract: A semiconductor module, an upper and lower arm kit, and a three-level inverter can be provided with low cost and broad current ratings and voltage ratings using existing packages, without developing new packages. A first semiconductor module (100) on an upper arm side and a second semiconductor module (200) on a lower arm side are formed using an existing package, and the semiconductor modules (100) and (200) are used to configure an upper and lower arm kit (300). Further, the upper and lower arm kit (300) is used to configure a three-level inverter (500). These devices can be formed using existing packages (56), and semiconductor modules (100), (200), an upper and lower arm kit (300), and a three-level inverter (500) can be therefore provided with low cost and broad current ratings and voltage ratings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shogo Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20140169055
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting DC power comprising: a boost circuit comprising two switches and a capacitor where the two switches are serially connected and coupled in parallel to the capacitor, a voltage source inverter (VSI) comprising at least four switches in an H-bridge configuration, and a controller coupled to the boost circuit and VSI for selectively energizing the switches wherein no more than two switches are toggling in a time period for operating the apparatus in either the buck mode or boost mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Enphase Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Fornage
  • Patent number: 8755163
    Abstract: A three-phase AC power controller has three strands, each having an input and an output. Five pairs of valves are connected antiparallel for rotating field reversal. The first input is connected to the first output by way of a first pair, the second input is connected to the second output by way of a second pair and to the third output by way of a third pair, and the third input is connected to the second output by way of a fourth pair and to the third output by way of a fifth pair. An RC half-branch is connected as a snubber circuit to each input and to each output. These RC half-branches are each interconnected via a transverse connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Grammenos Nicoltsios, Heinz Pichorner
  • Patent number: 8755188
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a first and second integrated chip switch, each having a back (drain) surface and an opposite front (source) surface. An insulating package embeds the switches along with first, second and third heat sinks. The front surface of the first switch and back surface of the second switch are mounted to the first heat sink to couple first switch source to the second switch drain through the first heat sink in a half-bridge configuration. The first switch back surface is mounted to the second heat sink and the second switch front surface is mounted to the third heat sink. The package includes first, second and third openings which expose, respectively, the first, second and third heat sinks. The first heat sink opening is provided on one surface of the package, while the second and third heat sink openings are provided on an opposite surface of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventor: Cristiano Gianluca Stella
  • Publication number: 20140160821
    Abstract: Technology leading to a size reduction in a power conversion apparatus comprising a cooling function and technology relating to enhancing productivity and enhancing reliability necessary for commercial production are provided. Series circuits comprising an upper arm and lower arm of an inverter circuit are built in a single semiconductor module 500. The semiconductor module has cooling metal on two sides. An upper arm semiconductor chip and lower arm semiconductor chip are wedged between the cooling metals. The semiconductor module is inserted inside a channel case main unit 214. A DC positive electrode terminal 532, a DC negative electrode terminal 572, and an alternating current terminal 582 of a semiconductor chip are disposed in the semiconductor module. The DC terminals 532 and 572 are electrically connected with a terminal of a capacitor module. The alternating current terminal 582 is electrically connected with a motor generator via an AC connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi TOKUYAMA, Kinya NAKATSU, Ryuichi SAITO
  • Publication number: 20140159481
    Abstract: An electronic circuit comprising a direct current interface at which a direct current is providable, an alternating current interface at which an alternating current is providable, a set of switchable half-bridges coupled to the direct current interface, each half-bridge comprising two blocks each having a switch and a diode, a control entity configured for switching the switches of the half-bridges with a predefined relative phase shift between different half-bridges, and a filter entity arranged between the alternating current interface and a plurality of parallel paths relating to the plurality of half-bridges wherein the filter entity comprises a coupled inductor inductively coupling the plurality of parallel paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: FH JOANNEUM GMBH
    Inventor: Hubert Berger
  • Patent number: 8750009
    Abstract: A controller of a power converter including an inverter that includes plural semiconductor switching elements. The controller suppresses an error between a voltage command and an inverter output voltage and responds to a voltage command at a high speed. The controller includes a voltage command generator that generates a voltage command signal and a switching pattern calculator that calculates and outputs, based on the voltage command signal, a switching pattern of a synchronous PWM system in which an average value of an inverter output voltage matches the voltage command signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Furutani, Akira Satake, Jun Sawaki
  • Patent number: 8750005
    Abstract: A power conversion apparatus includes a comparison circuit which compares a determination element related to a loss in the power converter with a switching reference value and outputs a determination instruction when a difference has occurred between them, a determination circuit which outputs a two-level operation switching instruction when the determination element is greater than or equal to the switching reference value, and a switching circuit which, when having received a two-level operation switching instruction, turns off the alternating-current switch and turns on the valve devices in the arm sequentially, thereby bringing the power converter into a two-level operation state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Toshiba Mitsubishi-Electric Industrial Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Yosuke Fujii, Eiichi Ikawa, Tatsuaki Amboh
  • Patent number: 8750008
    Abstract: A power supply device includes: a magnetic-coupling-type multi-phase converter having first and second chopper circuits that respectively adjust respective currents flowing in first and second reactors magnetically coupled to each other, and performing voltage conversion between a DC power supply and a load; and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a determination unit and a current control unit. The determination unit determines whether the temperature of the power supply is lower than a reference temperature. In the case where the power supply temperature is lower than the reference temperature, the current control unit uses a value determined by adding an offset amount to a detected value of the reactor current to set a duty command value for the first chopper circuit and uses a detected value of the reactor current to set a duty command value for the second chopper circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidoha Kabushiki
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Sugiyama, Wanleng Ang, Kenji Itagaki
  • Patent number: 8743573
    Abstract: A voltage inverter capable of operating in the event of a short-circuit or open-circuit fault. The voltage inverter includes: a load having three phases, each phase having a first terminal and a second terminal; first and second cells each including three branches connected together in parallel, each branch including two switches connected in series and a mid-point positioned between the two switches, each first terminal of each of the phases being connected to one of the mid-points of the first cell and each second terminal of each of the phases being connected to one of the mid-points of the second cell; and a DC voltage source, the first and second cells each being connected to the DC voltage source via two electrical isolators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Hispano Suiza
    Inventor: Cédric Balpe
  • Patent number: 8737104
    Abstract: A switching power supply device includes: a chopper circuit that adjusts a DC voltage input through a reactor to a desired DC voltage by performing an on/off operation of a switching element; an inverter circuit that converts an output of the chopper circuit into a desired AC voltage; a first capacitor that is provided on a side of the inverter circuit relative to the switching element; a second capacitor that is provided on a side of the inverter circuit relative to the switching element; and a resistor that is in a resonant loop formed by three constituent elements that are the first capacitor, the second capacitor, and a wiring inductance between the chopper circuit and the inverter circuit, where the resistor is connected in series to the second capacitor and inserted between the DC bus-bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kurushima, Masato Matsubara, Hitoshi Kidokoro, Akihiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: RE45069
    Abstract: Disclosed is a bi-directional battery power inverter (1) comprising a DC-DC converter circuit element (3) to which the battery (2) can be connected in order to generate an AC output voltage from a battery (2) voltage in a discharging mode while charging the battery (2) in a charging mode. The inverter (1) further comprises an HF transformer which forms a resonant circuit along with a resonant capacitor (6). In order to increase the efficiency of said battery power inverter, the transformer is provided with two windings (11, 12) with a center tap (20) on the primary side, said center tap (20) being connected to a power electronic center-tap connection with semiconductor switches (21, 31) while a winding (13) to which the resonant capacitor (6) is serially connected provided on the secondary side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventor: Andreas Falk