Having Transistorized Inverter Patents (Class 363/16)
  • Patent number: 10156858
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system that includes a switched mode power supply. The switched mode power supply is configured to provide standby power to the HVAC system. The standby power may be limited substantially in accordance with power demand by one or more components of the HVAC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Inventors: John F. Broker, Richard M. Burkhart, Shweta Annapurani Panimadai Ramaswamy
  • Patent number: 10153703
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flyback power converter with a programmable output and a control circuit and a control method thereof. The flyback power converter converts an input voltage to a programmable output voltage according to a setting signal, wherein the programmable output voltage switches between different levels. The flyback power converter includes: a transformer circuit, a power switch circuit, a current sense circuit, an opto-coupler circuit, and a control circuit. The control circuit adaptively adjusts an operation signal according to a level of the programmable output voltage, to maintain a same or relatively higher operation frequency of the operation signal when the programmable output voltage switches to a relatively lower level, so as to maintain a phase margin while supplying the same output current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: RICHTEK TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kuang-Fu Chang, Tzu-Chen Lin, Chien-Fu Tang
  • Patent number: 10153761
    Abstract: A half bridge circuit includes a sapphire substrate, a GaN upper switch on the sapphire substrate, a GaN lower switch on the sapphire substrate and coupled to the GaN upper switch, a first conductor coupled to the upper switch, a second conductor coupled to the lower switch, and a capacitor. A portion of the first conductor and a portion of the second conductor are on a plane vertically separated from the upper switch and the lower switch by a height, and the capacitor is coupled between the portion of the first conductor and the portion of the second conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Brian Hughes, Rongming Chu
  • Patent number: 10148179
    Abstract: In event-based switching for power conversion, binary electrical event signals are selected from a number of available binary electrical event signals. Fewer than all of the available binary electrical event signals are selected. The selected binary electrical event signals are optionally processed in generating respective processed binary electrical event signals. One of the respective processed binary event signals is selected as a switch turn-on signal and another of the respective processed binary electrical event signals is selected as a switch turn-off signal, to control at least one switch in a switching mode power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: SOLANTRO SEMICONDUCTOR CORP.
    Inventors: Tudor Lipan, Christian Dino Gerolami
  • Patent number: 10148190
    Abstract: A power conversion device that constitutes a converter-inverter unit where a converter to convert AC power to DC power and an inverter to convert DC power obtained by conversion of the converter to AC power are connected in series. A capacitor unit including a capacitor cell to accumulate therein the DC power obtained by conversion of the converter is provided between the converter and the inverter. A first conductor electrically connected to one of electrodes of the capacitor cell and a second conductor electrically connected to the other electrode of the capacitor cell are drawn out from the capacitor unit, and the first conductor is connected directly to positive-side capacitor connection terminals and of the converter and positive-side capacitor connection terminals and of the inverter, and the second conductor is connected directly to negative-side capacitor connection terminals and of the converter and negative-side capacitor connection terminals of the inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hirokazu Takabayashi
  • Patent number: 10148185
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a voltage rectifier may include an alternating-current-to-direct-current (AC/DC) converter configured to convert an alternating current (AC) source voltage to a first direct current (DC) voltage and a direct-current-to-direct-current (DC/DC) converter configured to convert the first DC voltage to a second DC voltage for delivery to a load of the voltage rectifier, wherein the DC/DC converter is configured to operate in a plurality of operating modes in response to a failure of the AC source voltage. The plurality of operating modes may include a first hold-up mode in which a gain of the DC/DC converter is a first gain and a second hold-up mode in which the gain of the DC/DC converter is a second gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Stuart Allen Berke, Mehran Mirjafari, Lei Wang
  • Patent number: 10126792
    Abstract: A power conversion system includes a maximum load current controller that is operable to limit a load current. For example, in a power conversion system operating in a discontinuous conduction mode (DCM), the maximum load current controller limits the load current by determining an idle period in an active cycle for power switches of the maximum load current controller. The maximum load current controller is optionally operable to approximate values for the time idle period that are substantially equal to theoretically calculated values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Francesco Silvio Santoro, Ralf Peter Brederlow, Neil Gibson, RĂ¼diger Kuhn
  • Patent number: 10128767
    Abstract: ADC-DC converter system is provided. The DC-DC converter system includes a transformer that is disposed between an input terminal and an output terminal, and a primary side switching circuit unit that converts voltage of the input terminal to AC voltage and provide the converted AC voltage to a primary side coil of the transformer. A secondary side switching circuit unit includes a plurality of switches that convert voltage induced in a secondary side coil of the transformer to DC voltage and provide the converted DC voltage to the output terminal. A controller is configured to adjust a short-circuit/open state of the plurality of switches based on voltages at both ends of each of the plurality of switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jee Heon Kim, Mu Shin Kwak, Dong Jun Lee, Na Lae Kwon, Hyun Wook Seong, Won Kyoung Choi, Ho Joong Lee
  • Patent number: 10116131
    Abstract: An over-current protection circuit includes a detection circuit, a first protection branch, and a second protection branch. The detection circuit is configured for obtaining a first detection voltage. The first protection branch compares the first detection voltage and the first reference voltage. When the first detection voltage is smaller than the first reference voltage, the detection circuit obtains the second detection voltage. The second protection branch compares the second detection voltage and the second reference voltage. When the second detection voltage is greater than or equals to the second reference voltage, the second protection branch cuts off the current inputted to the input end of the over-current protection circuit. The second reference voltage equals to the reference detection voltage plus the predetermined initial value. The over-current protection circuit may amend the protection voltage to avoid over-current issue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xianming Zhang
  • Patent number: 10097103
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a power conversion module, including: a substrate including a routing layer and an insulating layer, the routing layer including a first routing area and a second routing area; an electronic device provided on the first routing area and electrically connected to the first routing area and the second routing area, respectively; a vertical type power device provided on the second routing area and electrically connected to the second routing area; and a capacitor provided on the substrate, disposed between the electronic device and the vertical type power device, and electrically connected to the electronic device and the vertical type power device, respectively. The power conversion module is provided with all devices on the same substrate, thus cost is reduced, yield rate and reliability are improved, and parasitic inductance inside the power conversion module can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Delta Electronics (Shanghai) CO., LTD
    Inventors: Shouyu Hong, Juan Cheng, Tao Wang, Zhenqing Zhao
  • Patent number: 10090667
    Abstract: A radiation-hardened DC-DC converter capable of operating at cryogenic temperatures in high radiation environments. The radiation-hardened DC-DC converter can include an input side, the input side producing a high frequency AC voltage; a transformer; and an output side, the output side including a magnetic amplifier, wherein the pre-regulated high frequency AC voltage is fed to the magnetic amplifier through the transformer allowing the magnetic amplifier to provide a pulse width modulation function for voltage regulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Inventor: Steven E. Summer
  • Patent number: 10084385
    Abstract: A resonant converter includes a primary switching circuit including a primary winding and upper and lower switching half-bridge circuits alternately activated during switching cycles of the resonant converter responsive to switching control signals. The switching half-bridge circuits each include a phase node to drive the primary winding. A resonance inductor is coupled to the primary winding. A secondary resonant circuit has a secondary winding magnetically coupled to the primary winding and a resonance capacitor electrically coupled to the secondary winding. A driving circuit generates the switching control signals and senses if a voltage on the phase node of one of the upper and lower switching half-bridge circuits is a negative voltage. The driving circuit adjusts the switching control signals for the switching half-bridge circuit to be activated next switching cycle by a shift time reduced each switching cycle until the negative voltage is less than a negligible under-voltage value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Lorenzo Trevisan, Massimiliano Picca, Roberto Cardu, Cristian Porta
  • Patent number: 10075086
    Abstract: An IPT system for wireless power transfer is provided, in particular an IPT system capable of operating at high frequencies. In one aspect there is provided an IPT transmitter comprising a push-pull resonant converter having a resonant frequency and configured to operate at a switching frequency below the resonant frequency and dependent on a switching characteristic of a second converter configured to inductively couple to said transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Auckland UniServices Limited
    Inventors: Udaya Kumara Madawala, Duleepa Jayanath Thrimawithana
  • Patent number: 10075083
    Abstract: A resonant power converter is disclosed with a driving circuit generating a switching signal connecting power to a resonant tank circuit, with a voltage monitoring circuit measuring a voltage output and a load current. A micro-controller is operable with a control circuit for multiple step sampling with the switching signal at a switching frequency to settle the resonant circuit determined from the voltage output and load current. A fast load transient response at a high frequency with the resonant circuit provides the multiple step sampling to ensure enough time for micro-controller to calculate. Optimal trajectory control facilitates a burst mode of high frequency with the resonant circuit using adaptive multiple step sampling for an on-time to extend the burst operation range. A soft start-up process uses the micro-controller processing in multiple stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Chao Fei, Fred C. Lee, Weiyi Feng, Qiang Li
  • Patent number: 10063085
    Abstract: A power supplying apparatus includes a power supply and an alternating current (AC) power generator. The power supply generates a direct current (DC) power. The alternating current (AC) power generator comprises an inductor configured to generate an AC power based on the DC power, wherein the AC power comprises a first AC power with a first AC voltage and a second AC power with a second AC voltage, and the first AC voltage and the second AC voltage have phases opposite to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Su Ho Bae
  • Patent number: 10050513
    Abstract: A control apparatus is provided which controls a power converter including a first circuit including first-side switching elements, and a second circuit including second-side switching elements and a choke coil. The control apparatus includes a current obtainment unit which obtains a value of current flowing through the choke coil, and a control unit which, when power is supplied from the second circuit to the first circuit, keeps a first-side switching element ON during a predetermined time period, before turning off at least one second-side switching element in an on state, the first-side switching element generating a reverse current in the second-side switching element to be turned off. The control unit performs control of keeping the first-side switching element ON during the predetermined time period and control of turning off the second-side switching element, on condition that the obtained value of the current is more than a predetermined command value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seiji Iyasu, Yuji Hayashi, Kimikazu Nakamura, Yuichi Handa
  • Patent number: 10051702
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a driving circuit and a lighting apparatus for a light emitting diode capable of improving a flicker, light efficiency, and electrical characteristics. The disclosed driving circuit for a light emitting diode includes: a dimmer modulating an AC voltage input depending on a selected dimming level; a rectifier full-wave rectifying the modulated AC voltage output from the dimmer to generate and output a driving voltage; and a driving module receiving the driving voltage of the rectifier to detect the selected dimming level and controlling a driving mode of a plurality of light emitting diode groups depending on the detected dimming level, in which the driving module selects one of a resistance driving mode driving all the plurality of light emitting diode groups and a sequential driving mode sequentially driving the plurality of light emitting diode groups to improve light efficiency and electrical characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang Bea Lim, Sung Ho Jin, Sang Wook Han, Young Do Jong
  • Patent number: 10044267
    Abstract: A peak-current sampling circuit, with current emulation auto-calibration, is disclosed, to create a current-mode control scheme, in a DC-DC switching converter, operating at frequencies above where traditional current-mode control schemes fail. To accomplish this, a replica signal is created inside a switching converter that emulates the current in the coil. This internal signal can then be used to control the switching converter. This signal will not suffer the ringing and long settling times that affect the actual current signal. This signal can also have a much larger magnitude than the actual current signal, and can therefore trigger the comparator with less delay. This signal can then be auto-calibrated to ensure it matches the actual coil current of the DC-DC switching converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Mark Childs
  • Patent number: 10027233
    Abstract: A single-ended primary-inductor converter (SEPIC) circuit has at least a circuit input node and a circuit common node, and includes an inductor, a first coupling capacitor, an isolation transformer, a controllable switch, a second coupling capacitor, and a clamp diode. The inductor is electrically connected in series between the circuit input node and the first coupling capacitor. The first coupling capacitor is connected in series between the inductor and the first primary input terminal. The controllable switch is electrically connected in series between an internal circuit node and the circuit common node, and the internal circuit node is located between the inductor and the first coupling capacitor. The second coupling capacitor is electrically connected in series between the second primary input terminal and the circuit common node. The clamp diode is electrically connected in series between the internal circuit node and the second primary input terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Pandu Ranga Rao Somarowthu, Sunit Kumar Saxena, Deepak Bhimrao Mahajan
  • Patent number: 10024887
    Abstract: Circuitry and methods for measuring the voltage at a node are disclosed. A capacitive divider is coupled to the node, wherein the capacitive divider provides a first output. A resistive divider is coupled to the node, wherein the resistive divider provides a second output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Olivier Trescases, Johan Tjeerd Strydom, Rajarshi Mukhopadhyay
  • Patent number: 10020749
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power converter including a transformer; a current doubler including a switch element and connected to a secondary side of the transformer to double a current of the transformer according to an operation of the switch element; and a voltage resonator connected to the switch elements, wherein the voltage resonator includes a switch element and a capacitor which are connected to each other in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chunfeng Jin, Joo Suk Kang, Jae Sam Lee, Jung Hwan Choi, Dong Young Huh
  • Patent number: 10014765
    Abstract: A single-stage power factor correction power supply has two transformers: a main transformer and an auxiliary transformer (fly-back transformer). The main transformer transfers energy from the primary circuit to the secondary circuit. The auxiliary transformer is used to correct input current waveform. A fill-valley circuit is used to stored energy when the input voltage is higher than the voltage across bulk capacitors in the fill-valley circuit and to release energy when the input voltage is lower than the voltage across the bulk capacitors in fill-valley circuit. A small capacitance value capacitor is used to improve input current waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventor: Fuxiang Lin
  • Patent number: 10014760
    Abstract: One example includes a switch circuit. The switch circuit includes a transistor configured to activate in response to an activation voltage at an activation terminal of the transistor. The switch circuit also includes a current source coupled to the activation terminal and being configured to generate an activation current. The switch circuit further includes a driver control circuit interconnecting the activation terminal and a voltage rail. The driver control circuit includes digital counter logic configured to cycle through a predetermined number of count values based on an oscillator signal. The driver control circuit is configured to adjust an amplitude of the activation voltage at each of the predetermined number of count values based on the activation current to provide a soft-start activation of the transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Shailendra Kumar Baranwal, Alan Stephen Bass, Vighnesh Rudra Das, Anant Shankar Kamath, Abhijeeth Aarey Premanath
  • Patent number: 10008858
    Abstract: A power conditioning unit for delivering power from a dc power source to an ac mains power supply output includes a dc power input to receive dc power from a dc power source, an ac power output for delivering ac power to the ac mains power supply, a dc link coupled between the dc power input and the ac power output, first and second dc-to-dc converters coupled between the dc power input and the dc link, wherein one or both of the first and second dc-to-dc converters comprises a pair of resonant capacitors, a sensing element connected in parallel to one of the pair of the resonant capacitors for sensing a ripple voltage, and a controller operative to control the first and second dc-to-dc converters in response to the sensed ripple voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Garrity
  • Patent number: 10008921
    Abstract: A driving power generating circuit configured to generate a driving power to drive a load is provided. The driving power generating circuit includes a signal generating circuit, a power converter circuit, and a sampling control circuit. The signal generating circuit is configured to output a control signal according to a feedback signal and a lock signal. The power converter circuit is electrically connected to the signal generating circuit. The power converter circuit is configured to generate the driving power according to the control signal, so as to drive the load. The sampling control circuit is electrically connected to the signal generating circuit. The sampling control circuit is configured to sample the control signal and output the lock signal according to a sampling result. A method for generating a driving power is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chih-Ping Cheng, Pei-Ling Tseng, Szu-Chieh Liu, Sue-Chen Liao
  • Patent number: 10008956
    Abstract: In a first period having a first period length, first data and second data are alternately given to an inverter control unit. The first data has a first value indicating a length of time from the start point of time of the first period to a matching point of time as a point of time when a converter carrier takes a converter threshold value and an inverter threshold value corresponding to a second period having the first value as its length. The second data has a second value indicating a length of time from the matching point of time to the end point of time of the first period and an inverter threshold value corresponding to a second period having the second value as its length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Kenichi Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 9991782
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses for voltage regulation are disclosed. For an embodiment, a voltage regulator includes a power source block configured to convert an input voltage to an output voltage to supply current to an output load, a storage capacitor, and an active filter configured to transfer energy between the output load and the storage capacitor. A conversion ratio of the active filter is controlled by a parameter related to the output voltage, and a conversion ratio of the power source block is at least partially controlled by a parameter related to the voltage on the storage capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: R2 Semiconductor
    Inventors: Edward Paul Coleman, Eric Bernard Rodal, Jonathan Audy, David Fisher
  • Patent number: 9991800
    Abstract: A switched mode power supply includes an active clamp flyback converter having an input for receiving an input voltage, and an output for providing a regulated voltage, the active clamp flyback converter having a first switch for controlling a flow of current through a primary winding of a flyback transformer, and a second switch for clamping a switch node on a primary side of the flyback transformer, and a controller for controlling the first and second switches to operate the active clamp flyback converter in an active clamp flyback mode when a load current is above a first predetermined level, and for controlling the first and second switches to operate the active clamp flyback converter in a discontinuous conduction mode with a variable switching frequency when the load current is below a second predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ajay Karthik Hari, Bryan McCoy
  • Patent number: 9992830
    Abstract: Several aspects of power distribution systems are described. One aspect relates to apparatus for providing a direct current to a load comprising one or more light emitting diodes. The apparatus comprises: a rectifier operatively connectable to a secondary winding of a transformer whose primary winding is for carrying a high-frequency alternating current; a first capacitor operatively connectable to the secondary winding; and a second capacitor operatively connectable, at least partly via the rectifier, to the secondary winding. The first and second capacitors together provide a reactance referred to the primary winding which substantially compensates for the reactance of the primary winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Greengage Lighting Limited
    Inventor: Philip John Rimmer
  • Patent number: 9966863
    Abstract: A switching power-supply circuit includes a second rectifying/smoothing circuit arranged to generate a second output voltage by rectifying and smoothing the output of a second secondary winding, and the second rectifying/smoothing circuit includes a second rectifier circuit and a capacitor, connected to the second secondary winding. A second switching control circuit operates in response to an alternating-current winding voltage occurring in the second secondary winding, and includes a time constant circuit causing a switch mechanism connected to the control terminal of a rectifier switch element to operate, and a second feedback circuit arranged to detect and feed back the second output voltage to the time constant circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Hosotani, Satoshi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9966875
    Abstract: Five-level topology units and inverters based on the five-level inverter units without a boost circuit. Cost is reduced by using only one AC filtering inductor and high efficiency is achieved in the absence of an extra boosting circuit. Leakage current is eliminated substantially by using a half-bridge inverter module. A five-level inverter including a five-level topology unit without a boost circuit to raise the input voltage is able to output the same AC power as a five-level full bridge inverter under the same working condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Inventors: Hongliang Wang, Yanfei Liu
  • Patent number: 9960691
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a control circuit, a control method and a flyback converter of primary-side feedback control including the control circuit. On the basis of the current sampling signal feedback, the flyback converter of primary-side feedback control is controlled to operate in a constant on time mode when the input voltage is large, and is controlled to operate in a peak current mode when the input voltage is close to a valley. Thus, the peak value of the primary-side current may not become too small because of a decreased input voltage, further avoiding occurrence of an error sampling after a blanking time due to excessive variations in demagnetization time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: SILERGY SEMICONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGY (HANGZHOU) LTD.
    Inventors: Huiqiang Chen, Jianxin Wang
  • Patent number: 9948204
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling power conversion. In one embodiment, the method comprises computing a voltage ratio based on a voltage conversion in a resonant converter; comparing the voltage ratio to a threshold; and controlling, independent of switching frequency of the resonant converter, power output from the resonant converter based on whether the voltage ratio satisfies the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Enphase Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Fornage, Donald Richard Zimmanck
  • Patent number: 9948210
    Abstract: An electric power conversion device includes a capacitor package. The capacitor package includes a first positive electrode bus bar that is connected to a positive electrode of the inverter circuit unit and connected to a smoothing capacitor. The capacitor package also includes a second positive electrode bus bar that is connected to a positive electrode on a battery side of the converter circuit unit and connected to the another smoothing capacitor. On a first side thereof the negative electrode bus bar directly overlaps the entire first positive electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keisuke Fukumasu, Yosei Hara, Masayoshi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9929657
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of an alternating valley switching controller is provided. The alternating valley switching controller includes a valley detection circuit and an alternating circuit. The valley detection circuit is coupled to an auxiliary winding of a transformer to generate a valley-detection signal. The alternating circuit alternates a plurality of switching periods of a switching signal according to a blanking-window signal and the valley-detection signal. The blanking-window signal switches between a first voltage level and a second voltage level in the plurality of switching periods. The plurality of switching periods includes at least two first periods and at least two second periods which occur alternately in response to the first voltage level and the second voltage of the blanking-window signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Chien-Tsun Hsu, Hang-Seok Choi, Chih-Hsien Hsieh
  • Patent number: 9929595
    Abstract: A system comprises a primary switch network coupled to a power source, wherein the primary switch network comprises a plurality of power switches, a primary resonant tank coupled to the plurality of power switches, wherein a resonant capacitor of the primary resonant tank is formed by a first variable capacitance network, and wherein the first variable capacitance network is modulated to improve soft switching of the plurality of power switches through reducing a voltage level and a current level of a switch at a turn-on instant and a primary coil coupled to the primary resonant tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: NuVolta Technologies
    Inventor: Hengchun Mao
  • Patent number: 9927825
    Abstract: A frequency stabilizing apparatus includes a power detecting method control amount calculator, a frequency detecting method control amount calculator, and a command value calculator. The power detecting method control amount calculator generates a first command value based on demand and supply imbalance of power in an isolated island system. The frequency detecting method control amount calculator generates a second command value based on a change in a frequency of the power in the isolated island system. The command value calculator generates a command value to be given to a first storage battery based on the first command value and the second command value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Takaguchi, Yasuhiro Kojima, Masanobu Koshio, Hiroshi Nagashima, Fumitoshi Nomiyama
  • Patent number: 9923480
    Abstract: A DC-to-AC power converter (1) includes: a current-type DC-to-AC converter (70) having a first DC input (80) and a first AC output (85), said first DC input (80) being connected in parallel to said main DC input (10) and said first AC output (85) being connected in parallel to said main AC output (20); and a controller (110) for: controlling said bidirectional voltage-type DC-to-AC converter (50) for delivering at said first AC output-input (65) a sinusoidal AC voltage of said fundamental frequency f0; controlling said current-type DC-to-AC converter (70) for delivering at said first AC output (85) a quasi square-type AC current of said fundamental frequency ID and in phase with said sinusoidal AC voltage; imposing that at least 70% of said rated current is provided by said current-type DC-to-AC converter (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: CE+T Power Luxembourg
    Inventors: Paul Bleus, Fabrice Frebel, Thierry Joannes, François Milstein
  • Patent number: 9923486
    Abstract: An electric power conversion circuit includes: first through fourth port terminals; first through fourth switches that are connected with each other in a bridge configuration; fifth through eighth switches that are respectively connected in parallel with the first through fourth switches; first through eighth diodes that are respectively connected in series with the first through eighth switches; a first bootstrap circuit that is connected to control terminals of the first, second, fourth, and sixth switches; and a second bootstrap circuit that is connected to control terminals of the third, fifth, seventh, and eighth switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Taiki Nishimoto, Atsushi Yamamoto, Shoichi Hara
  • Patent number: 9924571
    Abstract: An operating circuit for energizing a lamp (5) comprising at least one light emitting diode (6) has a primary side (11) and a secondary side (12) that is electrically isolated from the primary side. The operating circuit comprises a clocked converter (14) that has a primary coil and a secondary coil (18). The operating circuit further comprises a detection device (20) for determining an output voltage (Vout) of the operating circuit; the detection device (20) comprises an inductor (21) which is located on the primary side (11) of the operating circuit and which is inductively coupled to the secondary coil (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: TRIDONIC GMBH & CO KG
    Inventor: Mathias Duenser
  • Patent number: 9917522
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power control apparatus for sub-modules in a Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC), which controls the supply of power to sub-modules in an MMC connected to an HVDC system and to a STATCOM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: HYOSUNG CORPORATION
    Inventors: June-Sung Kim, Hong-Ju Jung, Jung-Soo Park, Doo-Young Lee, Jong-Yun Choi
  • Patent number: 9906131
    Abstract: A switched-mode power converter includes timing control feedback loop circuits to minimize or eliminate the potential difference across a high-power switch and a low-power switch during their transitions times. A first feedback circuit compares the measured voltage across the high-power switch at the moment the high-power switch closes with the input voltage to the high-power switch to control a low-to-high delay time. A second feedback circuit compares the measured voltage across the low-power switch at the moment the low-power switch closes with the input voltage to the low-power switch to control a high-to-low delay time. A third feedback circuit compares the measured voltage across the low-power switch at the moment the low-power switch opens. The output of the third feedback circuit is provided as inputs to the first and second feedback circuits. The third feedback circuit also controls the frequency of the power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ferric Inc.
    Inventors: William Lee, David Jew, Joseph Meyer, Noah Sturcken
  • Patent number: 9906169
    Abstract: A voltage converter system includes a first DC-AC voltage converter that converts a first DC voltage signal to a first AC voltage signal. A DC link converts the first AC voltage signal to a second DC voltage signal. A second DC-AC voltage converter converts the second DC voltage signal to a second AC voltage signal. In another configuration a DC-AC voltage converter converts a DC voltage signal to a first AC voltage signal. An AC-AC voltage converter converts the first AC voltage signal to a second, lower-frequency AC voltage signal. In yet another configuration a first voltage converter portion converts a DC voltage signal to pulses of DC voltage. A second voltage converter portion converts the pulses of DC voltage to a relatively low-frequency AC voltage signal. The voltage converter system is selectably configurable as a DC-AC voltage converter or an AC-DC voltage converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: VANNER, INC.
    Inventors: Alexander Isurin, Alexander Cook
  • Patent number: 9893511
    Abstract: A protective circuit assemblage for a multi-voltage electrical system includes: a DC voltage converter provided in the region of the transition between a high-voltage loop and a low-voltage loop; and at least one switch respectively provided in each of the high-voltage loop and the low-voltage loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Mirko Schinzel, Turgut Karacay, Juergen Haeffner, Nils Draese, Ulf Pischke, Sebastian Walenta, Gabriel Wetzel
  • Patent number: 9887640
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices which eliminate the DC current from the output of grid-connected inverters. A current controller is provided which interfaces with a grid-connected DC/AC inverter. The current controller uses a nonlinear adaptive filter which receives, as input, the output current of the inverter along with grid current frequency. The nonlinear adaptive filter estimates the DC value of the grid current and, in conjunction with an integrator, removes this DC current component. This is done by adjusting the duty cycle of the grid-connected inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: SPARQ SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Suzan Eren, Majid Pahlevaninezhad, Shangzhi Pan, Praveen Jain
  • Patent number: 9881729
    Abstract: A wideband power amplifier module includes a plurality of switch mode amplifiers and a plurality of impedance amplifier modules. Each switch mode amplifier includes an input to receive an input signal, and an RF output to output an RF power signal. The switch mode amplifier includes at least one semiconductor switch formed from gallium nitride (GaN). Each impedance amplifier module includes an output electrically connected to the RF output of a respective switch mode amplifier. The impedance amplifier module is configured to inject at least one impedance control signal to each RF output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventor: Timothy D. Aust
  • Patent number: 9869710
    Abstract: Method and device for determining an insulation resistance RISO of a photovoltaic system (1) with respect to earth potential (EP), comprising a DC-DC converter unit (4) which converts a first DC voltage generated by the photovoltaic generator (2) into a second DC voltage which is applied to an intermediate circuit (5) that temporarily stores the electrical energy, supplied by the photovoltaic generator (2), for a DC-AC converter unit (6) connected thereto, wherein the intermediate circuit (5) contains a reference node (BK) having an adjustable reference potential (BP), and comprising a measuring unit (7) which picks up the measuring voltages between the reference potential (BP) and the earth potential (EP) at different reference potentials (BP), and an evaluation unit (8) which evaluates the measuring voltages that have been picked up in order to determine the insulation resistance of the photovoltaic generator (2) of the photovoltaic system (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: FRONIUS INTERNATIONAL GMBH
    Inventors: Friedrich Oberzaucher, Gerhard Reiter
  • Patent number: 9866135
    Abstract: A power conversion device includes first and second terminals connected to a DC power source, third and fourth terminals connected to a commercial power system or a load, a transformer including a primary winding having seventh and eighth terminals and a secondary winding having fifth and sixth terminals, an inverter circuit connected between the first and second terminals and the seventh and eighth terminals, a converter circuit connected between the fifth and sixth terminals and the third and fourth terminals, a diode bridge including first and second AC input terminals connected to the fifth and sixth terminals, respectively, and first and second DC output terminals, a first capacitor connected between the first and second DC output terminals, and a first resistor connected in parallel with the first capacitor between the first and second DC output terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fumito Kusama, Takaaki Norisada, Go Yamada, Keiji Akamatsu
  • Patent number: 9859085
    Abstract: A power system includes a direct current (DC) channel connected to a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) bus, an HVDC bus ground fault protection device connected to the HVDC bus, and a DC channel ground fault protection device connected to the DC channel. The HVDC bus ground fault protection device is operatively associated with the DC channel ground protection fault device through the DC channel to cause the DC channel ground fault protection device to disconnect the DC channel from the HVDC bus based on a comparison of current imbalance in the DC channel with a DC channel current imbalance threshold when the HVDC bus ground fault protection device determines that current leakage from the HVDC bus exceeds a current leakage threshold of the HVDC bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory I. Rozman, Steven J. Moss
  • Patent number: 9847711
    Abstract: A switching power supply device enables measures against noise even when the conducted EMI standard is expanded to a low frequency region. A jitter control circuit, configured so as to reduce generation of conducted EMI noise by giving jitter (frequency diffusion) to a switching frequency which drives a switching element, upon receiving a feedback voltage representing the condition of a load, expands the diffusion width of the switching frequency in stages in accordance with a shift from a fixed frequency region of a maximum oscillation frequency, through a frequency reduction region, to a fixed frequency region of a minimum oscillation frequency. By so doing, it is possible to obtain the effect of sufficient reduction of EMI noise even when an EMI noise measurement frequency range is expanded to a low frequency side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenichi Nishijima