Bridge Type Patents (Class 363/136)
  • Patent number: 11923784
    Abstract: A pyramid-type multilevel converter for converting DC voltage to AC voltage waveforms, and vice versa. An example device can use modular building blocks to form a selector stage, a converter stage, and at least one intermediate stage if the number of converters within the converter stage is greater than or equal to 3, with the converter stage switching at high-frequency PWM to chop the DC voltages. The modular building blocks are connected in a symmetric or asymmetric pyramid configuration having a base of using the converter stage and an apex of the selector stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Vahid Dargahi, Keith A. Corzine
  • Patent number: 11923165
    Abstract: A radiation tube that is used in a radiation source for radiography includes: an electron emitting unit that includes a cathode unit having an emitter electrode which emits electrons and a gate electrode; an anode unit that has an anode surface facing the cathode unit and collides with the electrons to generate radiation; a constant voltage supply unit that supplies a constant driving voltage to the gate electrode; and a vacuum tube that accommodates the constant voltage supply unit, the electron emitting unit, and the anode unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: FUJIFILM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masayoshi Matsuura
  • Patent number: 11784581
    Abstract: A converter and a method of operating a converter. The converter comprising a DC link capacitor, an upper arm (S1) and a lower arm (S4) with switching cells in series, an upper switch (S2) and a lower switch (S3). The upper switch (S2) and the lower switch (S3) are connected together and the connection point forming an output voltage terminal (a). The converter comprising further an upper valve component and a lower valve component, which are arranged such that the upper valve component allows current from the center point of the DC link capacitor towards the upper arm and the lower valve component allows current from the lower arm towards center point of the DC link capacitor. A current path through the upper valve component or the lower valve component comprises inductance to form a resonance circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Federico Bertoldi, Kalle Ilves, Nan Chen
  • Patent number: 11784576
    Abstract: A method of controlling highly regulated power and frequency from a high frequency power supply system to provide a highly regulated power and frequency to a workpiece load where the highly regulated power and frequency can be independent of the workpiece load characteristics by inverter switching control and an inverter output impedance adjusting and frequency control network that can include precision variable reactor pairs with a geometrically-shaped moveable insert core section and a stationary split-bus section with a complementary geometrically-shaped split bus section and a split electric terminal bus section where the insert core section can be moved relative to the stationary split-bus section to vary the inductance of the variable reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Thermatool Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Ignatowski, Michael A. Nallen, Lesley D. Frame
  • Patent number: 11659682
    Abstract: Portable blockchain mining systems and methods of use are discussed here. Systems include a portable building; a plurality of blockchain mining processors mounted within, or a plurality of blockchain mining processor mounts located within, an interior of the portable building; an air inlet defined in the portable building; and an air outlet defined in the portable building. Air outlets may be above the air inlet and oriented to direct exhaust air in an upward direction out of the portable building. A cooling fan may be connected to convey air through the air inlet, across the plurality of blockchain mining processors and out the air outlet. The cooling fan may simultaneously cool a genset and processors 72. Compact, stackable mining modules are discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Upstream Data Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Barbour
  • Patent number: 11482928
    Abstract: A solution is provided for adaptive slope compensation in a DC-DC switching converter. Jitter is reduced for on times less than 50% Tpd by using two or more different slopes for the compensation ramp. Additionally, any discontinuities at the 50% duty cycle point are reduced. Details of the compensation ramp are described, where the ramp rate for the first half of the switching period, for on times greater than 50% Tpd, decreases with increasing on time until, at an on time of 100% Tpd, it is approximately zero. In addition, the ramp rate for the second half of the switching period, for on times greater than 50% Tpd, decreases with decreasing on time until, at a duty of 50%, it is equal to the ramp rate used for the first half of the switching period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Rebecca Tristram, Mark Childs, Jens Masuch
  • Patent number: 11469684
    Abstract: A soft switching resonant converter is disclosed. The converter includes a power switch operable to connect and disconnect a DC link rail node and an output node. A resonant capacitor is coupled with the power switch. An auxiliary leg is coupled with a DC link midpoint node and the output node. An active damper is coupled in series with the resonant capacitor and the output node and is controllable to provide a first resistance of the active damper in a first state and a second resistance of the active damper in a second state, the first resistance having a lower magnitude than the second resistance. A driver controls the damper switch to provide a first resistance during the soft switching operation of the power switch and a second resistance after the soft switching operation of the power switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Yuxiang Shi, Yu Du, Eddy Aeloiza
  • Patent number: 11255885
    Abstract: An electric power conversion device including a converter ECU (51) configured to control a switching device (33) via a gate driver (52), and an electronically insulating support member (115) supporting the control unit. The support member is provided with a first surface (116) supporting the control unit, and a second surface (117) facing away from the first surface, a signal line connected to the control unit extending along at least one of the first surface and the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takaaki Fushimi, Toshiki Ikeda
  • Patent number: 11196354
    Abstract: An 11 level boost active neutral point clamped (BANPC) inverter using four capacitors and a single DC voltage source to generate eleven voltage levels at load terminals with a voltage gain of 2.5. A minimum of switching elements are used. Gate pulses for the switches are generated using nearest level control pulse width modulation (NLC-PWM). The capacitors of the 11 level boost active neutral point clamped inverter are self-balancing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: King Abdulaziz University
    Inventors: Muhyaddin Rawa, Hussain Bassi, Saad Mekhilef, Marif Daula Siddique, Noraisyah Binti Mohamed Shah
  • Patent number: 11165367
    Abstract: A single-stage three-phase voltage source inverter circuit structure with a cascaded magnetic integrated switching inductor-capacitor network includes an input DC power supply, a magnetic integrated switching inductor-capacitor network, a three-phase inverter bridge, a three-phase filter, a three-phase AC load or a three-phase AC grid successively connected in cascade. The magnetic integrated switching inductor-capacitor network includes an energy storage inductor, and two identical SLCC type two-port switching inductor-capacitor network units which are successively connected in cascade and connected in series. A magnetic integration structure of the three energy storage inductors is configured to have magnetic coupling of the three inductors, magnetic decoupling of the three inductors, or magnetic coupling of each inductor with the other two inductors, which are respectively realized by an EE type magnetic core, a four-leg type magnetic core, and an EE type magnetic core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: QINGDAO UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Daolian Chen
  • Patent number: 11159095
    Abstract: An 11 level boost active neutral point clamped (BANPC) inverter using four capacitors and a single DC voltage source to generate eleven voltage levels at load terminals with a voltage gain of 2.5. A minimum of switching elements are used. Gate pulses for the switches are generated using nearest level control pulse width modulation (NLC-PWM). The capacitors of the 11 level boost active neutral point clamped inverter are self-balancing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: King Abdulaziz University
    Inventors: Muhyaddin Rawa, Hussain Bassi, Saad Mekhilef, Marif Daula Siddique, Noraisyah Binti Mohamed Shah
  • Patent number: 11121643
    Abstract: An 11 level boost active neutral point clamped (BANPC) inverter using four capacitors and a single DC voltage source to generate eleven voltage levels at load terminals with a voltage gain of 2.5. A minimum of switching elements are used. Gate pulses for the switches are generated using nearest level control pulse width modulation (NLC-PWM). The capacitors of the 11 level boost active neutral point clamped inverter are self-balancing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: King Abdulaziz University
    Inventors: Muhyaddin Rawa, Hussain Bassi, Saad Mekhilef, Marif Daula Siddique, Noraisyah Binti Mohamed Shah
  • Patent number: 10993292
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an induction cooktop. The induction cooktop comprises a ceramic cooking surface in connection with a housing. A plurality of inductors is disposed in the housing and each of the inductors is in communication with an automatic control system. The automatic control system is configured to check for the presence of a cooking pan on the cooktop in order to prevent the inductors from activating in the absence of the cooking pan. The automatic control system is activated upon receiving an activation command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Salvatore Baldo, Stefano Moroni, Davide Parachini, Cristiano Vito Pastore, Gioacchino Prestigiacomo
  • Patent number: 10968101
    Abstract: The present invention generally includes an ozone generation system with a power supply that measures the rate of energy delivered to the ozone generation cell. While changing voltage, frequency or current will likely affect the rate of energy delivery, current, frequency and voltage provide a very poor and unreliable control for an ozone generation cell. It is only through control of the rate of energy delivery that consistent, reliable ozone generation is possible. Based upon the measurements of the rate of energy delivery as measured at the ozone generation cell, compared to the rate of energy delivery supplied, the rate of energy delivery supplied can be adjusted to improve ozone production and control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Pacific Ozone Technology Inc
    Inventor: Philip Tinsley Dempster
  • Patent number: 10770985
    Abstract: A vehicle auxiliary power supply device mounted in an electric rolling stock and that includes a converter device to convert DC power supplied from a DC power supply into desired DC power, and a three-phase inverter to convert the DC power supplied from the converter device into three-phase AC power and to supply the converted power to a load, wherein a switching element of the three-phase inverter is constituted by a semiconductor module formed of a wide bandgap semiconductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeshi Tanaka, Yukio Nakashima
  • Patent number: 10645787
    Abstract: A system for providing electrical power to a load is provided. The system includes at least two inverters and at least two resonant circuits. The inverters are operative to electrically connect to a power source. The resonant circuits are each electrically connected to at least one of the inverters and operative to provide electrical power to the load. The resonant circuits are coupled to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Philippe Ernest, Niranjan Kumar, Nicolas Levilly, Yash Veer Singh, Guillermo Garcia Soto
  • Patent number: 10588820
    Abstract: Some people need to carry their medicines with them wherever they go. However, people can damage their medicines by leaving them outside in hot or cold weather. Specially designed systems can help increase safety by notifying people if their medicine is left behind or is getting too hot or cold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Inventors: Sandy Wengreen, Eric John Wengreen
  • Patent number: 10483874
    Abstract: A reversible converter includes a first field effect transistor and a second field effect transistor coupled in series between a first terminal and a second terminal for a DC voltage. A first thyristor and a second thyristor are coupled in series between the first and second terminals for the DC voltage. A third thyristor and a fourth thyristor are also coupled in series between the first and second terminals for the DC voltage terminals, but have an opposite connection polarity with respect to the first and second thyristors. A midpoint of connection between the first and second field effect transistors and a common midpoint of connection between the first and second thyristors and the third and fourth thyristors are coupled to AC voltage terminals. Actuation of the transistors and thyristors is controlled in distinct manners to operate the converter in an AC-DC conversion mode and a DC-AC conversion mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventors: Ghafour Benabdelaziz, Cedric Reymond, David Jouve
  • Patent number: 10302718
    Abstract: A method is used for operating a switching amplifier, the switching amplifier includes a plurality of cascade elements. The method includes: coupling the cascade elements in series between two terminals of a load; providing two leg circuits each comprised of switches in each of the cascade elements; and controlling all of the switches comprised in the switching amplifier using space vector modulation (SVM), such that a change of a common mode (CM) voltage generated by the switching amplifier is in a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ruxi Wang, Juan Sabate, Song Chi, Ying Mei
  • Patent number: 10033190
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an inverter with at least two DC inputs, which are coupled to a common DC link, which is connected to an inverter bridge. At least one of the DC inputs is coupled to an additional DC link. The disclosure also relates to a PV system comprising such an inverter and to a method for controlling such an inverter of a PV system, wherein a power flow from at least one of the DC inputs is directed into the common DC link and/or into the additional DC link on the basis of suitably coordinated control of the DC-DC converter and of an additional DC-DC converter allocated to the additional DC link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Carsten Ewig, Dietmar Meerwart
  • Patent number: 9979314
    Abstract: A power semiconductor module capable of reducing variation of inductance between upper/lower arms and reducing variation of current caused by the variation of inductance. The power semiconductor module includes circuit blocks (upper/lower arms) each of which is configured by connecting self-arc-extinguishing type semiconductor elements in series; a positive electrode terminal, a negative electrode terminal, and an AC terminal that are connected to each of the circuit blocks; and wiring patterns that connect the self-arc-extinguishing type semiconductor elements of the circuit blocks to the positive electrode terminal, the negative electrode terminal, and the AC terminal, wherein the circuit block is plural in number; the positive electrode terminal, the negative electrode terminal, and the AC terminal are each disposed to be plural in number corresponding to the circuit blocks; and the positive electrode terminals and the negative electrode terminals are closely disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiko Obiraki, Yasushi Nakayama, Yuji Miyazaki, Hiroshi Nakatake
  • Patent number: 9871437
    Abstract: Provided are a multi-level converter having more than one converter arm in which a plurality of sub-modules are connected in series, multi-level converter comprising, a first bypass circuit connected in parallel to at least one sub-module included in more than one converter arm on a first side and including a first switching device, a second bypass circuit connected in parallel to more than one converter arm on a second side and including a diode, a second switching device included in more than one converter arm and having a first end connected in series to at least one sub-module and a second end connected to a first end of first bypass circuit at a single node and a third switching device included in more than one converter arm and having a first end connected in series to at least one sub-module and a second end connected to a first end of second bypass circuit at a single node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY-INDUSTRY FOUNDATION(UIF)
    Inventors: Kyeon Hur, Hee Jin Kim, Sang Min Kim
  • Patent number: 9705392
    Abstract: A phase gating controller includes a thyristor/triac having a control terminal and two power terminals, a sampling device for sampling a voltage present across the power terminals of the thyristor/triac and a control device configured to provide a control voltage at the control terminal in order to trigger the thyristor/triac. The control device is further configured to switch off the control voltage at the triggered thyristor and to detect an unexpected turning-off of the thyristor/triac if the sampled voltage exceeds a predetermined threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Kamil Pogorzelski, Jacek Wiszniewski
  • Patent number: 9685879
    Abstract: A power semiconductor module capable of reducing variation of inductance between upper/lower arms and reducing variation of current caused by the variation of inductance. The power semiconductor module includes circuit blocks (upper/lower arms) each of which is configured by connecting self-arc-extinguishing type semiconductor elements in series; first and second positive electrode terminals, first and second negative electrode terminals, and first and second AC terminals. Further, there are first and second wiring patterns that connect the self-arc-extinguishing type semiconductor elements to the DC and AC terminals. The outline of the power semiconductor module has a substantially quadrangular surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiko Obiraki, Yasushi Nakayama, Yuji Miyazaki, Hiroshi Nakatake
  • Patent number: 9685886
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a DC-AC inverter comprising a plurality of H-bridge converters, each being arranged to be integrated with a respective photovoltaic element and to be supplied with a DC voltage from the photovoltaic element, the H-bridge converters further being cascaded to produce a multilevel voltage output (Vout). The DC-AC inverter further comprises switch control circuitry connected to each one of the plurality of H-bridge converters to control switching thereof for producing the multilevel voltage output, and a central adaptation unit connected to the cascaded H-bridge converter for adapting the multilevel voltage output such that an AC grid voltage is output from the DC-AC inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: OPTISTRING TECHNOLOGIES AB
    Inventor: Tomas Modeer
  • Patent number: 9678519
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling voltage output in power converters between two or more portals, where any or all portals can be DC, single phase AC, or multi-phase AC. The present methods involve determining a reference output voltage VI, measuring the output voltage VE over a power cycle, comparing VI to VE to calculate a delta voltage ?V. ?V can then be multiplied by a scaling parameter k to determine a current command IE. IE can then be used by a current control module in a power converter to control output current. The present methods can be implemented as an algorithm embedded in an FPGA controller connected to the power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: IDEAL POWER, INC.
    Inventor: William C. Alexander
  • Patent number: 9660580
    Abstract: A power inverter, such as a synchronous buck power inverter, that is configured with a high frequency switching control having a (PWM) controller and sensing circuit. Controller provides a low frequency oscillating wave to effect switching control on a synchronous-buck circuit portion that includes a plurality of switches to invert every half cycle of the frequency provided by controller. The inverting process thus creates a positive and negative transition of the oscillating wave signal. A low frequency switching stage includes a further plurality of switches configured to operate as zero voltage switching (ZVS) and zero current switching (ZCS) drives Charge on an output capacitor is discharged to zero on every zero crossing of low frequency switching stage and advantageously discharges energy every half cycle. During this discharge of energy, the zero crossing distortion in the low frequency sine wave is greatly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Jabil Circuit, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Beebe, Christopher D. Compton, David Eckerson, Yizhe Liu, Salman Talebi
  • Patent number: 9590601
    Abstract: A magnetic waveform generator circuit includes a first switch coupled to a first rectifier element at a first node, a first capacitor coupled, at a second node to the first switch, and to a fourth node, a second capacitor coupled, at a third node to the first rectifier element, and to the fourth node, and an inductor coupled between the first and the fourth nodes. The first switch is operable to be in an ON state during a first time period and in an off state during a second time period. The first switch and the first rectifier element are configured to enable the inductor to generate, during the first and the second time periods, a magnetic field having a waveform resembling a positive half-cycle of a triangular waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Michael Krause, James P. Mabry, Elton Pepa
  • Patent number: 9533632
    Abstract: A track-bound vehicle converter comprises a block-wave generator (20) configured to be connected to a direct voltage source (21) and connected to a series resonance link (34), or to an inductive link, for providing the input of a direct converter (41) with semi sinusoidal current pulses. The direct converter has at least one phase leg (42-44) having on one hand one switch (45-47) connected to the link (34) and able to block voltages in both directions thereacross and conduct current in both directions therethrough and on the other a capacitor (48-50) connected in series therewith. The voltage across the capacitor (48-50) of the direct converter is used to provide a converter output with an alternating voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Bombardier Transportation GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Bängtsson, Lennart Kruse, Luyu Wang
  • Patent number: 9502987
    Abstract: A resonant DC/DC power converter is provided with isolated primary and secondary circuits. The primary circuit includes at least four switches as first and second pairs in a bridge configuration, an isolation transformer having at least one primary and at least one secondary winding, and a resonant tank including a resonant capacitor and a split resonant inductor having two separate windings. In one embodiment, the split resonant inductor windings are substantially identical. Synchronous switching of diagonally opposed switch pairs in the bridge configuration thereby produces a center point voltage of the primary transformer winding is substantially free of stepwise voltage changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: PAI CAPITAL LLC
    Inventor: Ivan Feno
  • Patent number: 9467078
    Abstract: A rotating electric machine driver apparatus and an electric power steering apparatus using the same includes a controller section that obtains a detected current value and generates a high-side instruction signal and a low-side instruction signal to switch an upper arm element and a lower arm element based on the detected current value. An abnormality detector determines a simul-OFF abnormality which is an abnormality of a pair made up of the high-side and low-side instruction signals being simultaneously switched off based on a condition that switching off of the high-side instruction signal for the upper arm element and the low-side instruction signal for the lower arm element pair continues for at least a simul-OFF abnormality determination time. In such manner, the simul-OFF abnormality of the instruction signals is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Mukai, Hideki Kabune
  • Patent number: 9401656
    Abstract: A voltage of a reactor is detected. a correction is made on the basis of the voltage of the reactor so that a first voltage control rate command which is a ratio of an amplitude of an AC voltage to an average value of a DC voltage increases as a harmonic component of the DC voltage becomes higher and the first voltage control rate command decreases as an amplitude of an alternating current outputted from the power converter becomes larger, to generate a second voltage control rate command. A switching signal which is generated on the basis of the second voltage control rate command is given to the power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Keisuke Ohta
  • Patent number: 9397580
    Abstract: Methods and systems for transforming electric power between two or more portals using multiple power modules. Any or all portals can be DC, single phase AC, or multi-phase AC. Individual power modules comprise a plurality of bi-directional conducting and blocking semiconductor switches, and an inductor and parallel capacitor (reactance). The switches alternately connect the reactance between said portals, such that energy is transferred into the inductor from one or more input portals and/or phases, then transferred out of the inductor to one or more output portals and/or phases, with said parallel capacitor facilitating “soft” turn-off, and with any excess inductor energy being returned to the input. Dual power modules can operate 90 degrees out of phase. This configuration allows use of the same I/O filter capacitors as with a single power module, while achieving twice the total power produced by the power converter, reducing ripple voltage and doubling ripple frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: IDEAL POWER, INC.
    Inventor: William C. Alexander
  • Patent number: 9379597
    Abstract: In one embodiment, system for driving an electromagnetic appliance includes an electromagnetic appliance, a main-drive unit and a sub-drive unit. The electromagnetic appliance includes coils for n number of phases, the coils for each of the n phases being arranged in a pair and wound so as to be excited in a predetermined direction by being energized with opposite-phase currents. The main drive unit is connected to each of the coils and energizes the paired coils with opposite-phase currents. The sub-drive unit is provided parallel with the main-drive unit and is configured to suppress a short-circuit current occurring at the main-drive unit when switching energization of the coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Naoto Shinohara, Kazunobu Nagai, Kazuhisa Matsuge
  • Patent number: 9282600
    Abstract: A power supply circuit for providing an output voltage that is higher than an input voltage. The power supply circuit is comprised of a bridge circuit and a resonant circuit, and is coupleable to a power source and a load circuit. The power supply circuit provides a boost function for stepping up an input voltage in order to reduce the required number of battery cells in order to power a load, such as a series of LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Martin Paul Christoph, Joseph Hendrik Anna Maria Jacobs, Dirk Hente
  • Patent number: 9263969
    Abstract: A submodule for a high-voltage converter with reduced risk of cross-ignition includes first and second series-connected energy storage devices, first and second semiconductor series circuits connected in parallel with the energy storage devices, respectively, and having first and second, and respectively third and fourth, switched power semiconductor switching units. A first terminal connects to a first potential point between the first and second switching units, a second terminal connects to a second potential point between the third and fourth switching units. A connecting switching unit is connected between the first and second semiconductor series circuits. A first connecting branch with a first diode connects the first potential point and the potential point between the energy storage devices. A second connecting branch with a second diode connects the second potential point and the potential point between the energy storage devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Hans-Günter Eckel, Herbert Gambach
  • Patent number: 9154049
    Abstract: When switching control signals of self-excited semiconductor devices from OFF-control to ON-control, a control circuit controls the self-excited semiconductor device to be ON after a lapse of a turn-ON time from when a control voltage is applied to the self-excited semiconductor device. When switching the control signals of the self-excited semiconductor devices from ON-control to OFF-control, the control circuit controls the control signal of the self-excited semiconductor device to be OFF after a lapse of a turn-OFF time from when the control voltage is applied to the self-excited semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kotaro Higashi
  • Patent number: 9053671
    Abstract: The present invention proposes a liquid crystal display device and a transforming circuit thereof. One terminal of a first coil connects to input voltage. One terminal of a energy-storage unit connects to the other terminal of the first coil. One terminal of a second coil connects to the other terminal of the energy-storage unit, and the other terminal of the second coil connects to the light source. An input terminal of a unidirectional unit connects to the one terminal of the first coil which is connected to the input voltage, and the output terminal connected to the one terminal of the second coil which is connected to the light source. A driving signal is fed into a controlling terminal of a switch unit. A first terminal of the switch unit is grounded, and the second terminal of the switch unit is connected a medial point between the first coil and the energy-storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Xinming Gao, Xiang Yang, Fei Li
  • Patent number: 9000615
    Abstract: A solar power module, and related method of operation, that protects the bypass diodes in the solar power module from overheating due to partial shading, and also protects firefighters and installer personnel from electrical shock hazard. The solar power module includes active bypass switches, and isolation switches that disconnect the PV cells from the bypass switches when all the bypass switches are closed concurrently, thereby allowing the PV cells to continue supplying power to the control circuitry. The isolation switches are also used to maintain the solar power module in a safe state during installation, or in case of fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Sunfield Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Andrew Robbins
  • Patent number: 8405332
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for reducing or removing current spikes generated during a current recirculation period associated with phase switching in a spindle motor are described. In some implementations, the duty cycle of the drive signals applied to the windings of the spindle motor can be adjusted to reduce or eliminate the current surge resulting from current recirculation. In some implementations, the duty cycle of the drive signals during spin-up can be reduced based on a current limit, and the reduced duty cycle can then be used to drive the spindle motor taking into account of current surges in the supply current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Ravishanker Krishnamoorthy, Foo Leng Leong
  • Patent number: 8400792
    Abstract: A power conversion apparatus includes an inverter for converting DC power to AC power for supply to a load, a converter for converting AC power from an AC power supply to DC power for supply to the inverter, and a DC voltage converter for converting a voltage value of power stored in a storage battery and supplying DC power from the storage battery to the inverter when power supply by the AC power supply is abnormal. The converter includes a first three-level circuit which is a multi-level circuit. Similarly, the DC voltage converter includes a second three-level circuit. A control device controls the first and second multi-level circuits to suppress potential fluctuation at a neutral point between first and second capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Toshiba Mitsubishi-Electric Industrial Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Eduardo Kazuhide Sato, Masahiro Kinoshita, Yushin Yamamoto, Tatsuaki Amboh
  • Patent number: 8391038
    Abstract: An inverter (3) is described for feeding electrical energy into a power supply system (2) having in each case one input (6, 7) which is intended for connection to the negative and positive output (4, 5) respectively of a DC voltage generator (1) two outputs (8, 9) which are intended for connection to the power supply system (2), and a device, which has a strong inductor (L1) and switches (S1 to S6), for conversion of a DC voltage to an AC voltage. The input (7) which can be connected to the negative output (5) of the DC voltage generator (1) can be grounded, and at least one of the two outputs (8, 9) is provided with a mains inductor (L2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Peter Zacharias, Benjamin Sahan
  • Patent number: 8385086
    Abstract: A converter has a network-side and a load-side power converter that are connected together on the DC side in an electrically conductive manner. An upper and a lower valve branch of each phase module, respectively, of the load-side power converter has at least one two-poled subsystem. At least one multiphase network-controlled power converter is provided as the network-side power converter. In this way, a converter is obtained, in particular an intermediate voltage circuit converter for intermediate voltages, which combines a simple and cost-effective feed circuit on the network side with a modular multilevel converter on the load side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Marc Hiller, Rainer Sommer
  • Patent number: 8354813
    Abstract: A torque limit section that applies limit to a torque instruction value of an electric motor such that a switching elements temperature is restricted to no more than an element upper limiting temperature includes a torque restriction section that finds a torque restriction value for restricting the torque of the electric motor in accordance with the said switching elements temperature; a torque restriction mitigation section that finds a torque restriction mitigation value for mitigating the torque limit value in accordance with the integrated value of the deviation of the element upper limiting temperature and the switching elements temperature; a first subtractor that finds a torque restriction value by subtracting the torque restriction mitigation value from the torque limit value; and a second subtractor that finds a limited torque instruction value obtained by subtracting the torque limit value from the torque instruction value and outputs this to the gate generating section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Ryuta Hasegawa, Ryuichi Morikawa, Toshiharu Oobu
  • Patent number: 8189351
    Abstract: A modular-based, zero-current-switched (ZCS), isolated full-bridge boost converter with multiple inputs is disclosed. Each converter module is used to match the connected input source and control the amount of power drawn from the source. The power from various sources are combined together and delivered to the load through a multiphase transformer. The input inductor of each boost-derived converter module keeps the input current constant and acts as a current source to drive the multiphase transformer through a phase-shifted-controlled full bridge converter. By connecting an auxiliary circuit across the full-bridge input in each module, the transformer leakage inductance and output capacitance of the switching devices are used to create resonant paths for facilitating zero-current-switching of all switching devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Astec International Limited
    Inventors: Shu Hung Chung, Siu Wai Leung, Kee Ming Chan
  • Patent number: 8169180
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a motor controller of an air conditioner, including a converter for converting a commercial AC power into a DC power, an inverter including a plurality of switching elements, the inverter receiving the DC power, converting the DC power into an AC power through a switching operation and driving a three-phase motor, a gate driver for controlling the switching operation of the switching elements, and a plurality of voltage drop units connected between the converter and the gate driver, the voltage drop units dropping the DC power and supplying driving voltages for an operation of the switching elements. Accordingly, circuit elements within a controller can be protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sun Ho Hwang, Han Su Jung, Chung Hun Lee
  • Patent number: 8089792
    Abstract: In a cycloconverter generator, there are provided, q number of power circuits that supply rectified DC power of a DC power supply unit as operating power to the p(p>q) number of thyristors, and r(p>r) number of thyristor drive circuits that are connected to the q number of the power circuits and drive the p number of the thyristors, wherein the r number of the thyristors drive circuits are individually used to drive in common ones among the p number of the thyristors whose operation is unaffected even if driven at the same timing such that the number r of the drive circuits is made smaller than the number p of the thyristors, thereby enabling to simplify circuit configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshinori Inagawa, Shinsaku Nakayama, Yoshinori Masubuchi
  • Patent number: 7948282
    Abstract: A first comparator compares an output voltage Vout appearing at a capacitor with a maximum threshold voltage Vmax. A second comparator compares the output voltage Vout with a minimum threshold voltage Vmin. An edge detection circuit detects an edge of a synchronization signal SYNC having approximately ½ of frequency of the output voltage Vout and outputs an edge detection signal SE. A charge-discharge control unit refers to the first and the second comparison signal, and sets the charge-discharge circuit to a discharging state when the output voltage Vout becomes higher than the maximum threshold voltage Vmax and sets the charge-discharge circuit to a charging state when the output voltage Vout becomes lower than the minimum threshold voltage Vmin. When the edge signal SE becomes the predetermined level, the charge-discharge control unit switches the charging state and the discharging state of the charge-discharge circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Fukumoto
  • Patent number: 7888986
    Abstract: A method and a circuit for controlling a thyristor (V1) into conducting state, the thyristor (V1) being in a rectifier, which rectifier supplies DC voltage to a DC voltage circuit. The circuit comprising a trigger capacitor (C2) adapted to be charged from the voltage difference across the thyristor (V1) when the anode-to-cathode voltage of the thyristor is positive, a zener diode (V5) adapted to be triggered with the voltage of the trigger capacitor (C2), when the voltage of the trigger capacitor (C2) exceeds the breakdown voltage of the zener diode (V5), and an auxiliary thyristor (V3) adapted to be triggered with the current from the trigger capacitor (C2) flowing via the zener diode (V5), wherein the cathode of the auxiliary thyristor (V3) is connected to the gate of the thyristor (V1) for triggering the thyristor (V1) with the current from the trigger capacitor (C2) flowing via the auxiliary thyristor (V3) for using the thyristor (V1) in a diode mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Oy
    Inventors: Matti Laitinen, Jussi Suortti
  • Publication number: 20090244947
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for resetting at least one Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR) in an H-bridge. The apparatus comprises a current interruption device for controlling current flow through the H-bridge, and a negative voltage detector for detecting a negative voltage at the H-bridge and driving the current interruption device to control the current flow through the H-bridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventor: Martin Fornage