Bridge Type Patents (Class 363/132)
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Patent number: 10044278Abstract: This power conversion device includes a rectification circuit, a reactor, an inverter circuit, and an isolation transformer. The inverter circuit is composed of a first leg A, a second leg B, and a DC capacitor connected in parallel between DC buses. A first AC end of the first leg A is connected to a positive DC terminal of the rectification circuit via the reactor. High power factor control of current iac flowing from an AC power supply via the rectification circuit is performed by PWM control for the first leg A, and voltage Vdc of the DC capacitor is controlled by PWM control for the second leg B using a duty cycle equal to or smaller than that for the first leg A, thereby controlling power outputted to the secondary side of the isolation transformer.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2015Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Ryota Kondo, Takaaki Takahara, Satoshi Murakami, Masaki Yamada, Naohisa Uehara, Hidehiko Kinoshita
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Patent number: 10044294Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for controlling an asymmetric modular multilevel converter which allow numerous levels to be expressed according to a combination of modules each using a different voltage, comprising: an asymmetric arm configured with a full bridge and a half bridge; and a control method of controlling each capacitor level of the full bridges and capacitor level of the remaining half bridges to be different from one another by a full bridge structure, wherein each module configuring the asymmetric arm uses a different voltage and an output voltage is expressed by a combination thereof.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2016Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignees: Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, Yonsei University, Korea Electrotechnology Research InstituteInventors: Jungwook Park, Soohyoung Lee
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Patent number: 10044291Abstract: A method and device for modulating a five-level inverter, and a photovoltaic system are provided. The method includes: acquiring a voltage command value Vcmd of a phase bridge; controlling a first and a fourth switching devices to be switched on alternately when Vcmd?V1Pos+Vthrs1; controlling the first and a third switching devices to be switched on alternately when V1Pos?Vthrs2?Vcmd<V1Pos+Vthrs1; controlling the fourth and the third switching devices to be switched on alternately when 0?Vcmd<V1Pos?Vthrs2; controlling the third and a fifth switching devices to be switched on alternately when ?V1Neg+Vthrs3?Vcmd<0; controlling the third and a second switching devices to be switched on alternately when ?V1Neg?Vthrs4?Vcmd<?V1Neg+Vthrs3; controlling the fifth and the second switching devices to be switched on alternately when Vcmd<?V1Neg?Vthrs4.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2015Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: SUNGROW POWER SUPPLY CO., LTD.Inventors: Jie Ding, Haiyan Zou, Lei Tao, Taotao Xu, Cheng Zhang
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Patent number: 10041839Abstract: The present disclosure proposes the placing of temperature sensors embedded in the power semiconductor device. In this, at least one of the embedded temperature sensors is placed within or close to the heat source, active areas or channels of the power semiconductor circuit, and at least one of the embedded temperature sensors is placed more apart from the heat source, active areas or channels of the power semiconductor circuit. Furthermore, a new the temperature measurement method is provided, with timing of the temperature measurement and adjusting measurement parameters to appropriate threshold values.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2014Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Fabrizio Cortigiani, Adolfo De Cicco
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Patent number: 10038392Abstract: An inverter includes: a first transistor (Q1) connected between a first input terminal (T1) and an output terminal (T4); a second transistor (Q2) connected between the output terminal (T4) and a second input terminal (T2); first and second diodes (D1, D2) connected in anti-parallel to the first and second transistors (Q1, Q2), respectively; and a bidirectional switch that is connected between a third input terminal (T3) and the output terminal (T4) and that includes third and fourth transistors (Q3, Q4) and third and fourth diodes (D3, D4). The first and second transistors (Q1, Q2) and the third and fourth diodes (D3, D4) are each formed of a wide band gap semiconductor. The third and fourth transistors (Q3, Q4) and the first and second diodes (D1, D2) are each formed of a semiconductor other than the wide band gap semiconductor.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2014Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignees: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION, Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Keisuke Ohnishi, Masahiro Kinoshita, Kimiyuki Koyanagi
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Patent number: 10038393Abstract: The present invention discloses a single-phase non-isolated inverter, comprising: a first DC-side capacitor, a second DC-side capacitor, a first switch unit, a second switch unit, a third switch unit, a fourth switch unit, a fifth switch unit, a sixth switch unit, a seventh switch unit, and an eighth switch unit. When the single-phase non-isolated inverter is operated at a zero-voltage switching state, the seventh switch unit and the eighth switch unit are switched to short circuit for forming a short-circuit path between the bus lines. Briefly speaking, this novel single-phase non-isolated inverter has reactive power capability. In addition, according to an adjusting signal of a PI controller, micro controller of the single-phase non-isolated inverter is able to properly adjusts the duty cycle of a switch unit driving signal of the fifth switch unit and the sixth switch unit, so as to cancel the capacitor voltage unbalance between two DC-side capacitors.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2017Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: National Chung-Shan Institute of Science & TechnologyInventors: Kun-Feng Chen, Woei-Luen Chen, Yi-Lun Chen, Jung-Yang Wang
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Patent number: 10024935Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for supplying current to a gradient coil (107,207) of a magnetic resonance imaging system (100) by a gradient amplifier (222), the method comprising: supplying, by an electrical power supply (241), a voltage at first level to the gradient amplifier output to generate a gradient current in the gradient coil (107,207) to produce a magnetic gradient field at an slew rate, wherein the slew rate is set to a first value, resetting the slew rate to a second value, comparing the second value to the first value, and adjusting the voltage to a second level if the second value is different from the first value.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2013Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.Inventor: Cornelis Leonardus Gerardus Ham
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Patent number: 10020801Abstract: A switch controller for controlling a power switch includes a signal transformer to galvanically isolate a primary side from a secondary side and receive and transfer a transition signal to transition the power switch to an on or off state between the primary side and the secondary side. The transition signal pulses to a first value to indicate the power switch transitions to the on state, to a second value to indicate the power switch transitions to the off state, and remains at a third value when there is no transition. A transmission circuit is coupled to a primary winding to control a switch to generate the transition signal. The switch switches a substantially low impedance onto the primary winding when there is no transition. A receiver circuit is coupled to a secondary winding to generate a drive signal to control the power switch in response to the transition signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2016Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: CT-Concept Technologie GmbHInventors: Jan Thalheim, Olivier Garcia
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Patent number: 10020731Abstract: A power switch circuit includes at least one switch unit including at least one first switch and one second switch which are connected in parallel. A turning-on loss of the first switch is smaller than a turning-on loss of the second switch, a turning-off loss of the first switch is larger than a turning-off loss of the second switch; during one controlling period of the switch unit, when the switch unit is controlled to be turned on, a moment when the first switch is turned on is controlled to be earlier than a moment when the second switch is turned on; and when the switch unit is controlled to be turned off, a moment when the first switch is turned off is controlled to be earlier than a moment when the second switch is turned off.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2015Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.Inventors: Zeng Li, Chaofeng Cai
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Patent number: 10020302Abstract: A half-bridge circuit comprises a high supply contact and a low supply contact. A half-bridge output contact is connectable to drive a load and has a high-side between the high supply contact and the half-bridge output contact and a low-side between the half-bridge output contact and the low supply contact. A high-side bidirectional vertical power transistor at the high-side has a source connected to the high supply contact, and a low-side bidirectional vertical power transistor at the low-side, transistor has a source connected to the low supply contact. The high-side bidirectional vertical power transistor and low-side bidirectional vertical power transistor are connected in cascode and share a common drain connected to the half-bridge output contact, and are controllable to alternatingly allow a current flow from the high supply contact to the half-bridge output contact or from the half-bridge output contact to the low supply contact.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2016Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.Inventors: Philippe Perruchoud, Hubert Grandry, Laurent Guillot
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Patent number: 10014781Abstract: Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of a gate drive system are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a drive circuit electrically coupled to a main switching device including a first inverter, a first inverter controller, an air core transformer, at least one rectifier, at least two smoothing capacitors, a current buffer stage, and a detection circuit. The first inverter controller is structured to operate the first inverter in a first mode and a second mode. The air core transformer is structured to receive the converted AC power from the first inverter. The detection circuit is structured to detect a first mode of the first inverter and a second mode of the first inverter, and operate the current buffer stage based on a detected first mode of the inverter and a detected second mode of the first inverter.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2016Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Sandeep Bala, Eddy Aeloiza, Arun Kadavelugu
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Patent number: 10008856Abstract: A power system for offshore application includes a plurality of power circuits. Each of the power circuit includes an alternating current (AC) bus which supplies power to an auxiliary load and is connected to a generator. The power circuit further includes a first direct current (DC) bus having a first DC voltage supplying power to a first load and a second DC bus having a second DC voltage supplying power to a second load. The power circuit also includes a first DC to DC converter coupled between the first DC bus and the second DC bus, wherein the first DC to DC converter is configured for bidirectional power flow and an AC to DC converter coupled between the AC bus and the first DC bus. The first DC bus of at least one power circuit is coupled to the second DC bus of at least another power circuit with a second DC to DC converter.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2015Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Yan Pan, Martin Samuel Butcher, Dong Dong, Martin Richard Ingles, Christof Martin Sihler, Ara Panosyan
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Patent number: 10008938Abstract: A power conversion device, which includes an insulation type full bridge converter and can switch a power transmission direction at a high speed, is provided. A DC/DC converter (10) constitutes a power conversion device, which operates as a first type converter that converts a voltage within a first range applied to a first input/output terminal pair into a voltage within a second range and outputs the voltage from a second input/output terminal pair or a second type converter that converts a voltage within the second range applied to the second input/output terminal pair into a voltage within the first range and outputs the voltage from the first input/output terminal pair, as a device in which a direction of a current flowing through a winding of a transformer (TR) is switched after a magnitude of the current flowing through the winding of the transformer (TR) reaches “0.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2017Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: OMRON CorporationInventors: Isao Fujihata, Masayuki Suetomi, Kesanobu Kuwabara, Makoto Ohashi, Yoshihiko Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 10003279Abstract: A method used to control the operation of a converting device such that it can provide multi-level output voltage for loads. This method comprises at least the steps of: determine whether the load which the converter is providing electricity for is operating under the first condition or the second condition; generate the first pulse signal after determining that this load is operating under the first condition, select at least one of at least three different current paths, such that when the converter is selecting any of the current paths, it can provide output voltage at the same level; as well as generate the second pulse signal after determining that this load is operating under the second condition, such that the converter can perform the regular energy conversion operations.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2015Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bo Qu, Yingqi Zhang, Jie Shen, Kunlun Chen, Ying Zhang
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Patent number: 9996129Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply system includes an AC input interface and a DC output interface, and a plurality of power supply paths coupled between the AC and DC interfaces. A first one of the power supply paths has a lower component count, whereas a second one of the power supply paths has a higher component count. At least one of the power supply paths is structured to supply DC electrical power to a power bus in the DC output interface at a varying voltage.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2015Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AGInventors: Sara Ahmed, Zhenyuan Wang, Francisco Canales
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Patent number: 9991722Abstract: Contactless power transfer from a transmitter to a receiver is managed. A magnetic field is generated by the transmitter from a command at a control frequency for a switching resonant circuit. The receiver communicates information to the transmitter through modulation of the magnetic field. The modulation is detected by the transmitter so as to extract the information. An adjustment of the control frequency is then made according to the received information. The modulation detection involves detecting variations in the control frequency.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2015Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Grand Ouest) SASInventor: Lionel Cimaz
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Patent number: 9991714Abstract: An energy storage system can include an energy storage device, such as a battery energy storage device, having a first terminal and a second terminal. A first unidirectional contactor can be coupled to the first terminal. A second unidirectional contactor can be coupled to the second terminal. The first unidirectional contactor can be coupled to the energy storage device with opposite polarity relative to the second unidirectional contactor. The first unidirectional contactor and the second unidirectional contactor can be controlled based on direction of current flow associated with the energy storage device.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2015Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Lukas Mercer Hansen, Kenneth Lamar Barfield
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Patent number: 9985524Abstract: A DC/DC conversion device that includes three-level power conversion circuits in a plurality of phases. The DC/DC conversion device includes voltage detectors 21 and 22 that detect at least two voltages (Efc and EfcL) of an input DC voltage, a first divided voltage, and a second divided voltage; and a voltage control unit 3 that controls an output voltage of three-level power conversion circuits 12a and 12b. At least one phase (the power conversion circuit 12b) of the three-level power conversion circuits 12a and 12b operates as an imbalance-reduction phase that executes imbalance-reduction control such that one (EfcL) of the first and second divided voltages is divided into half of the input DC voltage Efc.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2013Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Yuruki Okada, Yoshinori Yamashita, Sho Kato, Hisanori Yamasaki
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Patent number: 9979277Abstract: A pulse width modulation (PWM) control device for converting a first PWM signal for a two-level power conversion device to a second PWM signal for a three-level power conversion device, the three-level power conversion device including a switch, the second PWM signal driving the switch through a drive unit. The PWM control device includes an input terminal for receiving the first PWM signal for the two-level power conversion device, a conversion unit configured to convert the first PWM signal into the second PWM signal for the three-level power conversion device, and an output unit that outputs the second PWM signal to the drive unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2017Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventor: Taku Takaku
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Patent number: 9973078Abstract: A power conversion apparatus sets a point between AC input terminals of a full-wave rectifying circuit as an input terminal of an alternating voltage, connects a series circuit of two switches between DC output terminals, connects a series circuit of a capacitor and an inductor with a midpoint of the two switches, forms a closed loop with the first switch, the capacitor and the inductor, connects a series circuit of a diode and a smoothing capacitor with the midpoint of the two switches, forms a closed loop with the first switch, the diode and the smoothing capacitor, sets both ends of the smoothing capacitor as output terminals of direct voltages, and changes a switching frequency according to an average voltage per unit time of the direct voltages output from the output terminals.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Yutaka Usami
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Patent number: 9973034Abstract: An uninterruptable power supply (UPS) is provided. The UPS includes a first input constructed to receive input power from a first power source, a second input constructed to receive input power from a second power source, an output constructed to provide output alternating current (AC) power derived from at least one of the first power source and the second power source, an inverter coupled to the first input, the second input, and the output and constructed to generate the output AC power, and a controller coupled to the inverter. The controller is configured to identify one or more harmonics in the output AC power, generate an inverter reference signal, and modulate the inverter reference signal to reduce harmonic distortion contributed by the one or more harmonics.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2013Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IT CORPORATIONInventor: Kristian Budde
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Patent number: 9973109Abstract: An inverter circuit with a current detection circuitry includes a main bridge circuit connected between the pair of DC input nodes, the main bridge circuit converting the received DC voltage to a primary AC current so as to output the primary AC current through an output terminal to be connected to a load; a supplementary bridge circuit connected in parallel to the main bridge circuit between the pair of DC input nodes, the supplementary bridge circuit having a circuit configuration identical to that of the main bridge circuit with smaller circuit parameters in at least some of constituent circuit elements so as to generate a detection-use AC current that is a prescribed fraction of said AC current outputted by the main bridge circuit. The detection-use AC current is detected by a current detector so as to calculate the amount of the primary AC current.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2017Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventor: Masahiro Sasaki
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Patent number: 9966878Abstract: A method and modular system for assembling a power system architecture includes a direct current (DC) output module having a first DC input and a DC output, a common power module having a DC input/output and an alternating current (AC) input/output, an AC output module having an AC input and a first AC output, and an exciter power module having a second DC input and a second AC output.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2016Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: GE Aviation Systems LLCInventor: Hao Huang
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Patent number: 9950627Abstract: An object is to reduce a discharging time required for discharging residual charges of a capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2014Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Sho Yaegaki, Hiroshi Tamura, Takeshi Matsuo, Hiroyuki Yamada, Nobuhiro Akasaka
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Patent number: 9954462Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are provided wherein inverter topologies and inverter control employ primary and secondary windings with a half-bridge circuit and an unfolding bridge circuit positioned between the second winding and an AC grid. Certain topologies may employ control circuits for controlling the bridges suitable for a phase angle of the AC grid.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: SunPower CorporationInventors: Patrick L Chapman, Jonathan List Ehlmann, Fernando Rodriguez
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Patent number: 9954427Abstract: A controller selects a first switch vector based on a current, voltage, or power of a multi-phase load or power source. The first switch vector identifies a first state for each of a plurality of half-bridges of a converter as on or as off during a first interval. A second switch vector is selected based on the current, voltage, or power of the multi-phase load or power source. The second switch vector identifies a second state for each of the half-bridges as on or as off during a second interval. The first interval is computed based on the selected first switch vector. The second interval is computed based on the selected second switch vector. Each of the plurality of half-bridges is controlled as on or as off during the first interval based on the selected first switch vector and during the second interval based on the selected second switch vector.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2015Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research FoundationInventors: Venkata Giri Venkataramanan, Mahima Gupta
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Patent number: 9950898Abstract: A semiconductor device according to an embodiment includes a plurality of circuit units each includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a switching element portion including first and second switching elements electrically connected between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a capacitor portion including a capacitor electrically connected between the first electrode and the second electrode and stacked with the switching element portion. In two of the adjacent circuit units, the switching element portion of one circuit unit and the capacitor portion of the other circuit unit are adjacent to each other, the capacitor portion of the one and the switching element portion of the other are adjacent to each other, the first electrode of the one and the first electrode of the other are adjacent to each other, and the second electrode of the one and the second electrode of the other are adjacent to each other.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Kazuto Takao, Ryosuke Iijima, Tatsuo Shimizu, Teruyuki Ohashi
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Patent number: 9948208Abstract: The various implementations described herein include inverter devices and systems. In one aspect, an inverter includes: a case; a capacitor within the case having a first terminal and a second terminal; a first bus bar including a first portion within the case and a second portion extending from the case to contact a first transistor; a second bus bar including a first portion situated in the case and a second portion extending from the case to contact a second transistor; and a phase-out bus bar including a first portion situated in the case, a second portion extending from the case to contact the first transistor, and a third portion extending from the case to contact the second transistor.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2017Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: GALATECH, INC.Inventors: Wenjun Liu, Robert James Ramm
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Patent number: 9948196Abstract: The synchronous rectifier controller is provided at the secondary side of the insulation-type synchronous DC/DC converter and controls the synchronous rectifier transistor. The controller is coupled to the output of the feedback photo coupler and drives the switching transistor according to the feedback signal. The synchronous rectifier controller includes a driver circuit and an abnormal detection circuit and is configured as a single module. The driver circuit drives the synchronous rectifier transistor. The abnormal detection circuit detects an abnormal condition in the secondary side of the DC/DC converter. FAIL terminal is coupled to notify outside of an occurrence of the abnormal condition.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.Inventors: Hiroki Kikuchi, Ryo Shimizu
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Patent number: 9941836Abstract: The present invention relates to a transient current and voltage protection device for electrical energy conversion systems connected to the power grid, comprising a diode bridge connected between the power grid and the power section of said inverter, upstream of the main filtering inductors.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2016Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Sauro Macerini, Giovanni Manchia
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Patent number: 9942964Abstract: A constant current regulator for airfield ground lighting is described herein. For example, one or more embodiments include a power converter configured to receive a signal from an alternating current (AC) mains, where the power converter includes a number of bi-directional switches, a transformer configured to isolate the AC signal from an airfield ground lighting circuit, and a rectifier configured to convert the signal from the AC mains from AC to direct current (DC), an inverter configured to convert the DC signal from the power converter and convert the DC to AC, an output filter configured to receive the AC signal from the inverter and send the AC signal to the airfield ground lighting circuit, and a controller configured to switch the number of bi-directional switches of the power converter to allow an input voltage and current of the signal from the AC mains to be in phase.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2016Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Nipun Kumar Chawda, Raghu Seelamonthula
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Patent number: 9933805Abstract: Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of a power converter are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is an electrical power conversion system comprising a first converter stage, a second converter stage, a third converter stage, and a control system. The first converter stage is operable to boost DC power received from a DC power source. The second converter stage is operable to boost DC power received from the first converter stage. The third converter stage includes an inverter. The control system is structured to receive as input voltage (Vpv) and current (Ipv) output by the DC power source, voltage (Vdc) output by the second controller stage, and voltage (Vac) and a current (Iac) which are output by the third stage to an AC electrical power system, provide a control command for the first converter stage, and process the information of Vdc, Vac and Iac to provide control commands for the inverter switches.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2016Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Liming Liu, Jing Xu
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Patent number: 9931939Abstract: An electrical apparatus is provided including an electrical drive system and an electrical machine. The electrical machine includes a rotor, a first separate multi-phase stator winding and a second separate multi-phase stator winding. The drive system includes a first multi phase bridge inverter connected to the first multi-phase stator winding and which is adapted to be connected to a line voltage supply by a connection means when charging a battery. The apparatus further includes a second multi-phase bridge inverter connected to the second multi-phase stator winding and to the battery. A battery can be charged without the need of a specific charger and charging with galvanic isolation is provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2012Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar ABInventors: Mats Alakula, Erik Hoevenaars
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Patent number: 9929585Abstract: A power transfer system and method are provided for transferring power from an AC supply outputting a first AC voltage. The system includes a controller and a matrix converter coupled to the AC supply for converting the first AC voltage to a second AC voltage. A primary coil is connected to the matrix converter and a secondary coil is in communication with the primary coil for producing an induced AC voltage. A secondary rectifier is connected to the secondary coil for rectifying the induced AC voltage to produce a secondary DC voltage. A sensor is coupled to the secondary rectifier and to the controller for monitoring the secondary DC voltage and outputting a proportional signal. The controller is configured to control the matrix converter producing a desired second AC voltage at a desired operating frequency and maintain a predetermined secondary DC voltage in response to the signal from the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2015Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: KETTERING UNIVERSITYInventors: Hua Bai, Xuan Zhou
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Patent number: 9923484Abstract: A controller for operating a multilevel electric power inverter circuit. The controller is configured to generate and apply to the plurality of switching elements switch signal waveforms, the switch signal waveforms comprising a first control signal for causing an energy storage device to be series connected with a direct current source and a load or an alternating current source and charged to a predetermined value proportional to a voltage of the direct current source, and a second control signal for causing the energy storage device to be disconnected from the direct current source and series connected with the load or the alternating current source, thereby causing the energy storage device to be discharged.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: ECOLE DE TECHNOLOGIE SUPERIEUREInventors: Hani Vahedi, Kamal Al-Haddad
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Patent number: 9923448Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and corresponding apparatus for efficient 3-phase AC to DC conversion with high power quality, for example, high power factor and low harmonic distortions. The invention further relates to methods and corresponding apparatus for regulation and control of said AC to DC conversion.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2016Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Avatekh, Inc.Inventor: Alexei V. Nikitin
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Patent number: 9906167Abstract: A power converter has one or more phase legs, each with upper and lower switching devices. A current sensor detects a magnitude of a current flow from a respective leg. A gate driver activates the upper and lower devices according to gate signals determined in response to a PWM control signal. When the detected current magnitude is greater than a positive threshold then the lower gate signal includes a dead-time insertion and the upper gate signal does not include a dead-time insertion. When the detected current magnitude is less than a negative threshold then the upper gate signal includes a dead-time insertion and the lower gate signal does not include a dead-time insertion. When the detected current magnitude is between the positive threshold and the negative threshold then the upper gate signal and the lower gate signal both include a dead-time insertion. Output distortion and control delay are greatly reduced.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2015Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Michael W. Degner, Chingchi Chen, Jun Kikuchi
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Patent number: 9900942Abstract: Various embodiments of apparatuses, systems and methods for regulating the currents provided by a DCDC buck converters to an LED unit are provided. In accordance with at least one embodiment, a regulating module operable to instruct and regulate the time periods during which each of the first switch and the second switch of a driver module, used to control the operation of a buck converter module, are configured into at least one of the first operating state and the second operating state such that a maximum current and a minimum current provided by the buck converter module to an LED unit over a given cycle are symmetrically disposed about an average current provided to the LED unit during an operating cycle, where the average current provided is substantially equal to a target current for the LED unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2016Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLCInventor: Jean-Paul Eggermont
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Patent number: 9899283Abstract: A power module providing a half bridge comprises at least one substrate and an inner metallization area, two intermediate metallization areas and two outer metallization areas, each of which extends in a longitudinal direction of the at least one substrate; wherein the two intermediate metallization areas are arranged besides the inner metallization area with respect to a cross direction of the at least one substrate and each outer metallization area is arranged beside one of the two intermediate metallization areas with respect to the cross direction; wherein the power module comprises two inner sets of semiconductor switches, each inner set of semiconductor switches bonded to an intermediate metallization area and electrically connected to the inner metallization area, such that the inner sets of semiconductor switches form a first arm of the half bridge; wherein the power module comprises two outer sets of semiconductor switches, each outer set of semiconductor switches bonded to an outer metallization areType: GrantFiled: May 19, 2017Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: ABB Schweiz AGInventors: Didier Cottet, Felix Traub
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Patent number: 9893702Abstract: A notch filter including an inductor-capacitor tuning circuit is disclosed. The inductor-capacitor tuning circuit may determine a frequency response of the notch filter in accordance with an associated resonant frequency. In some exemplary embodiments, the inductor-capacitor circuit may include a differential inductor divided at a symmetry point and a variable capacitor coupled to the differential inductor at the symmetry point.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2015Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Gireesh Rajendran, Alok Prakash Joshi, Apu Sivadas
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Patent number: 9893642Abstract: A power module includes a multilayer circuit board, and first and second three-phase inverters, which are mounted on the multilayer circuit board to be stacked each other. A positive-electrode-side power source conductive trace of the first three-phase inverter and a negative-electrode-side power source conductive trace of the second three-phase inverter are disposed to at least partially face each other in a stacking direction of the multilayer circuit board, such that currents respectively flow through the power source conductive traces in opposite directions in a facing section. A negative-electrode-side power source conductive trace of the first three-phase inverter and a positive-electrode-side power source conductive trace of the second three-phase inverter are disposed to at least partially face each other in the stacking direction of the multilayer circuit board), such that currents respectively flow through the power source conductive traces in opposite directions in a facing section.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2017Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATIONInventors: Nobuhiro Uchida, Motoo Nakai
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Patent number: 9884728Abstract: An oscillating conveyor comprising an oscillating rail, at least one electromagnet with a coil, and an armature connected to the oscillating rail, which armature can be moved by activation of the coil to generate an oscillation of the oscillating rail, wherein the coil is part of an oscillator circuit, wherein the oscillator frequency of the oscillator signal of the oscillator circuit depends on the inductance of the coil, which is influenced by the position of the armature relative to the coil, wherein the oscillating conveyor comprises a feedback circuit, which drives the coil by means of a control signal which maps the change over time in the frequency of the oscillator.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2015Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: AFAG HOLDING AGInventors: Klaus Bott, Izudin Mesan, Sebastian Mojrzisch, Jens Twiefel, Jörg Wallascheck
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Patent number: 9887614Abstract: Various embodiments of apparatuses, systems and methods for regulating the currents provided by a DCDC buck converters to an LED unit are provided. In accordance with at least one embodiment, a regulating module operable to instruct and regulate the periods during which a first switch of a driver module, used to control the operation of a buck converter module, is configured into at least one of the first operating state and the second operating state such that the maximum and minimum currents provided by the buck converter module to a load, such as an LED unit, over a given duty cycle are symmetrically disposed about an average current provided to the LED unit during the duty cycle, where the average current provided is substantially equal to a target current for the LED unit.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2016Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLCInventors: Pavel Horsky, Jean-Paul Eggermont, Jan Plojhar, Martin Musil, Paul Andrem Decloedt
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Patent number: 9887627Abstract: The disclosed embodiments and principles provide a way to integrate high-efficiency, low-profile power electronics with localized maximum power point tracking (MPPT) into a rooftop shingle-based photovoltaic power system. DC-DC power converters having a height, or profile, as low as ¼ inch for a 200 W power output, are able to be included in a building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) roof shingle. The DC-DC power converters increase the relatively low voltage produced by two rows of series-connected photovoltaic shingles, each including photovoltaic cells, to a high voltage used by a DC-AC inverter. For example, DC-DC power converter increases the voltage produced by two rows of series-connected photovoltaic shingles from several tens of volts to approximately 400 volts. Thus, the DC-DC power converters provide a large voltage step-up using a low profile and with very high efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2011Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignees: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, A BODY CORPORATE, DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Robert Warren Erickson, Jr., Stephen Pisklak, Timothy Plum
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Patent number: 9887638Abstract: If an input voltage of a DC/DC converter is lower than a first voltage value that is set in advance, a converter controller maintains an output voltage of the DC/DC converter within a first voltage range that is set in advance by changing an operation frequency of switching of the DC/DC converter in compliance with the input voltage as a first voltage maintaining control. If the input voltage is higher than a second voltage value that is higher than the first voltage value, the converter controller maintains the output voltage within a second voltage range that is higher than the first voltage range by changing the operation frequency in compliance with the input voltage as a second voltage maintaining control.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2016Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Yasuaki Norimatsu, Akihiko Kanouda, Yuuichi Mabuchi, Tadahiko Chida, Takuya Ishigaki, Takae Shimada
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Patent number: 9887550Abstract: Methods and systems relating to a control system for an electrical energy outputting device are provided. The method may include receiving voltages from a plurality of power devices connected to a controller; identifying, by the controller in real time, relative levels of voltages output from each power devices; generating, by the system in real time, a waveform for each respective voltage of the power devices so that, for each cycle, power extracted from each generated waveform over a single waveform cycle is based the relative levels of voltages from each respective power device and so that the power level, for each cycle, from each waveform is higher than the power level of the other generated waveforms that have lower voltages; and summing, in real time, the generated waveforms to form an AC waveform.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2014Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTEInventor: Madhav Manjrekar
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Patent number: 9887617Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a power conversion device, including a control unit configured to control ON/OFF of a switching element of a neutral-point-clamped power conversion device unit, wherein the control unit drives the power conversion device unit by a one-pulse control, controls a phase difference of an output voltage of the power conversion device unit with respect to a reference phase of to control an active current component of an output current of the power conversion device unit, and controls ON/OFF based on: (a) a phase angle for eliminating a predetermined odd-order harmonic component of the output voltage; and (b) a sum of the reference phase and the phase difference.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2015Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Ryuta Hasegawa, Shinya Kono, Takashi Fujita, Teruyuki Ishizuki
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Patent number: 9882508Abstract: Provided is a conversion device that converts DC power provided from a DC power supply, to AC power and supplies the AC power to a load, the conversion device including: a filter circuit connected to the load and including an AC reactor and a first capacitor; a DC/AC inverter connected to the load via the filter circuit; a DC/DC converter provided between the DC power supply and the DC/AC inverter; a second capacitor provided between the DC/AC inverter and the DC/DC converter; and a control unit configured to set a current target value for the DC/DC converter to thereby be synchronized with current of the AC power, based on voltage of the AC power, voltage variation due to current flowing through the AC reactor and an impedance thereof, reactive currents respectively flowing through the first capacitor and the second capacitor, and voltage of the DC power.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2014Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Naoki Ayai, Tetsuo Akita, Toshiaki Okumura, Kenji Abiru
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Patent number: 9878635Abstract: A powertrain system for plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) includes one or a number of Energy Storage Sub-Systems (ESSs), and a plurality of Propulsion Machine-Inverter Groups, operatively coupled to the ESSs for being powered in accordance with power requirements of the Propulsion Machines (PMs). Various interface configurations between the ESS(s) and Propulsion Machines are contemplated for the subject powertrain. Some ESSs are coupled to respective PMs (via a common DC Link or a number of independent DC Links) directly, and some through power converters, which may be DC-to-DC, DC-to-AC, AC-to-DC, bi-directional, single input-single output, multiple input-single output, or multiple input-multiple output converters.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2015Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: University of MarylandInventors: Alireza Khaligh, Serkan Dusmez
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Patent number: 9882522Abstract: A power conversion device is configured to convert power supplied from a power source into a driving current of a motor. A first semiconductor switching element of the power conversion device is disposed between a phase output of the power conversion device and the power source. A second semiconductor switching element of the power conversion device is disposed between the phase output of the power conversion device and a ground. The power conversion device further includes a first semiconductor switching element group.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2014Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.Inventors: Nobuyasu Kanekawa, Ryoichi Kobayashi, Tomonobu Koseki