With Means To Introduce Or Eliminate Frequency Components Patents (Class 363/39)
  • Patent number: 8514595
    Abstract: Methods of calibrating and operating a switching power supply in an electronic system are disclosed. A switching power supply is calibrated to determine a switching frequency. Harmonic frequencies that are multiples of the switching frequency are determined. A further determination is made as to whether any of the harmonic frequencies falls within one of one or more frequency bands of interest. A second switching frequency is determined such that none of its corresponding harmonic frequencies falls within a frequency band of interest. During operation of the system, the switching power supply is configured to operate at the second switching frequency if operation occurs within one of the frequency bands of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul J. Husted, Richard T. Chang
  • Patent number: 8513911
    Abstract: A power converter that interfaces a motor requiring variable voltage/frequency to a supply network providing a nominally fixed voltage/frequency includes a first rectifier/inverter connected to a stator and a second rectifier/inverter. Both rectifier/inverters are interconnected by a dc link and include switching devices. A filter is connected between the second rectifier/inverter and the network. A first controller for the first rectifier/inverter uses a dc link voltage demand signal indicative of a desired dc link voltage to control the switching devices of the first rectifier/inverter. A second controller for the second rectifier/inverter uses a power demand signal indicative of the level of power to be transferred to the dc link from the network through the second rectifier/inverter, and a voltage demand signal indicative of the voltage to be achieved at network terminals of the filter to control the switching devices of the second rectifier/inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Converteam Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Rodney Jones, Christopher Newton
  • Publication number: 20130201727
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the improvement of the line quality in a system, in which a common feeding (1), via at least one distribution transformer (3), feeds at least two non-linear loads (11) drawing non-sinusoidal currents from the common feeding (1), wherein between the common feeding (1) and the distribution transformer (3) there is at least one primary side transformer line (2) and between the at least one distribution transformer (3) and the loads (11) there is at least one lower voltage secondary side transformer line (22), wherein at least one active filter (24) attached to at least one lower voltage secondary side transformer line (22) is used for the attenuation or elimination of higher order harmonics experienced by the common feeding (1). Furthermore a high power distribution system for use of such a method is disclosed, in particular for the operation of an electrostatic precipitator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Johann Walter Kolar, Thiago Batista Soeiro, Jürgen Biela, Per Ranstad, Jörgen Linner
  • Publication number: 20130201733
    Abstract: Isolated Dynamic-Current (“Dyna-C”) converters are converters that convert incoming 3-phase AC or DC power to a mix of DC and AC power via an isolation link. In various embodiments, the isolation link is a high-frequency isolation transformer. Isolated Dyna-C converters may provide a high-frequency galvanic isolation and are able to convert three-phase AC power to three-phase AC power, or three-phase AC power to DC and vice versa. The topology is minimal and the costs are low. Isolated Dyna-C converters provide fast current responses and keep the losses low by using a simplified two-stage conversion and providing a magnetizing current that is dynamically controllable and tailored to the load. An isolated Dyna-C converter may synthesize currents at its input or output ports with an arbitrary phase that is relative to the grid or load voltages, thereby enabling a full independent control over the active and reactive power at its ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: DEEPAKRAJ M. DIVAN, ANISH PRASAI, HAO CHEN
  • Publication number: 20130201734
    Abstract: A device for suppressing high-frequency currents in infeed lines to an inverter having a common-mode impedance. A magnetic core is configured for inductively coupling the infeed lines, wherein the current load on the common-mode impedance is minimized. A snubber impedance unit is inductively coupled to the common-mode impedance and has a frequency-dependent impedance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Lorenz Jung, Robert Schmid, Thomas Schröck, Gerhard Zimmer
  • Patent number: 8493753
    Abstract: A photovoltaic powered system and an alternating current (AC) module thereof are disclosed. The photovoltaic powered system provides a direct current (DC) power through a photovoltaic module and converts the DC power into an AC power, which is grid-connected to an AC utility power. The AC module of the photovoltaic powered system produces a continuous quasi-sinusoidal current and the quasi-sinusoidal current is converted into a sinusoidal current. The high-frequency harmonic components of the sinusoidal current are filtered to produce a sinusoidal output current in phase with the AC utility power, thus realizing the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) of the photovoltaic module and feeding unity-power-factor power into the AC utility power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Allis Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ching-Ming Lai, Ching-Tsai Pan, Chih-Hsing Fang, Wen-Wei Chan, Ming-Chieh Cheng
  • Patent number: 8482229
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for charging accumulation means via an external electrical network via at least a first (A) and a second (B) switching arm respectively comprising two switches (12), said method comprising a step for controlling the switches (12) of the switching arms (A, B) by transmission of pulse width modulation control signals, characterized in that the switches (12) of the second switching arm (B) are controlled by adapting the pulse width of the control signals so as to generate an alternating voltage (Vx) in phase opposition relative to the voltage at the terminals of a compensation inductance (7?) connected on the one hand to the second arm (B) and on the other hand to the neutral (N) of said network, so that the voltage (VN) between the neutral (N) of said network and ground is a direct voltage. The invention also relates to a charging device for implementing such a charging method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Boris Bouchez, Luis De Sousa
  • Patent number: 8468837
    Abstract: A high efficiency thermoelectric cooling system and method is described. The cooling system has a thermoelectric module having a semi-conductor body sandwiched in contact between a pair of thermally conductive plates. A smooth continuous variable output direct current source supplies the semi-conductor body to attenuate thermal stress in the conductive plates due to temperature differential fluctuation across the plates. Current flow in the semi-conductor body transfers heat from one plate to the other plate. A cold heat sink absorbs heat from the cold plate. A heat convection assembly, including a hot heat sink, evacuates heat from the hot plate. The thermoelectric cooling device is secured to a wall of an insulated enclosure. An air convection housing may b provided to evacuate heat from the hot heat sink using an outside air supply or ambient air supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Inventor: Claude Pinet
  • Patent number: 8472215
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a grid-tie inverter includes: a inverter performing pulse width modulation for a DC voltage; a first capacitor circuit connected to an input side of the inverter so as to form a neutral point; a second capacitor circuit connected to an output side of the inverter so as to form a neutral point; a common mode current bypass channel formed by connecting the neutral points of the first capacitor circuit and the second capacitor circuit; a grounded capacitor provided between the bypass channel and a ground; a first common mode choke coil unit including a common mode choke coil at least one of between the first capacitor circuit and the inverter and between the inverter and the second capacitor circuit; and an output filter converting a pulse width-modulated voltage outputted from the inverter into a sine AC voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yushi Koyama, Junichi Tsuda, Hiroshi Mochikawa
  • Patent number: 8437149
    Abstract: A power supply produces one or more conditioned and scaled output voltages with low noise. The power supply has various components to produce a plurality of higher output voltages from a plurality of taps of a multiplier or multiple isolated outputs. Components include an internal reference voltage circuit or an external voltage that generates a reference voltage and a sine wave power oscillator circuit and resonant circuit that generates an alternating current and voltage. The power supply has a controlled current source circuit connected to the sine wave power oscillator circuit for regulating the power level to the sine wave power oscillator. A control amplifier circuit controls the current level to the controlled current source circuit based on the error between the sampled output and the reference voltage. The resonant transform connected to the sine wave power oscillator circuit generates one or more scaled output voltages on one or more secondary windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: University of New Hampshire
    Inventor: Christopher M. Bancroft
  • Patent number: 8427122
    Abstract: A scheme for enhancement of the power-supply ripple rejection for operational amplifiers (op-amps) and low-dropout (LDO) voltage regulators is described. The scheme adds calculated amounts of current derived from the power-supply ripple with the input differential pair current to cancel off the output ripple, improving the high-frequency power-supply ripple rejection without requiring a substantial redesign of the circuitry involved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: MediaTek Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: Uday Dasgupta
  • Patent number: 8421389
    Abstract: The invention relates to converters (inverters, pulse or frequency converters) and to driving “magnetically active” operating means. According to one embodiment, a circuit arrangement for feeding the operating means in at least one first winding phase (S1), comprises a first branch (Z1) of a frequency converter (WR1) adapted for and operable at a switching frequency of not higher than 5 kHz for outputting a main alternating current generated at said switching frequency and having a substantially lower operating frequency (f1) to a winding (L1). A second branch (z1) of another frequency converter (WR2) is adapted for and operable at a second switching frequency of more than 5 kHz for outputting a supplementary alternating current generated at said switching frequency to the same winding (L1). In the at least one winding (L1), the two alternating currents (iA(t); iB(t)) of the two branches (Z1, z1) are superimposed to form a sum current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Lenze Drives GmbH
    Inventor: Carsten Fraeger
  • Patent number: 8422255
    Abstract: An oscillation control part composed of a control switching element and a damping resistance connected in parallel is arranged between an input power supply and a main switching element of a power conversion circuit, and the control switching element and the main switching element have a relationship such as Ron(S2)<E(Rg)×fsw/(D×I2), and the main switching element is turned off and after a current of the main switching element has become zero, the control switching element is turned off to prevent a high-frequency oscillation generated between a parasitic inductance of the circuit and a junction capacitance of the main switching element, with a damping resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Kazuto Takao
  • Patent number: 8416595
    Abstract: An arrangement for exchanging power, in shunt connection, with a three-phase electric power network includes a Voltage Source Converter having at least three phase legs with each a series connection of switching cells. Each switching cell has at least two semiconductor assemblies connected in series and having each a semiconductor device of turn-off- type and a rectifying element connected in anti-parallel therewith and at least one energy storing capacitor. A control unit is configured to control the semiconductor devices of each switching cell and to deliver a voltage across the terminals thereof being zero or U, in which U is the voltage across the capacitor. The control unit is also configured to calculate a value for amplitude and phase position for a second negative sequence-current or a zero-sequence voltage or a value of a dc current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventor: Jean-Philippe Hasler
  • Publication number: 20130077359
    Abstract: A switched-mode power supply (SMPS) and a method of control thereof is described, wherein the SMPS is operable to apply a spread spectrum modulation to a switching driver signal to reduce EMI in the SMPS. The SMPS is operable to perform voltage and current monitoring in parallel to the spread spectrum modulation to provide variable limit threshold detection and shutdown capabilities for circuit protection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: PR ELECTRONICS A/S
    Inventors: Stig Alnøe Lindemann, Mads Kolding Nielsen
  • Patent number: 8405327
    Abstract: Disclosed is a passive converter for a drive device of a switched reluctance motor (SRM), in which high demagnetization voltage for the SRM is provided. The converter includes a rectifier which smoothes input voltage to supply DC voltage, a boost circuit connected with the rectifier, and an asymmetric converter connected with the boost circuit, and the boost circuit includes first to third diodes and first and second capacitors. The high demagnetization voltage is generated at current duration of a single phase or poly-phase SRM by using the passive converter for the drive device of the SRM, so that the driving efficiency and the output power of the SRM can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Easy Life Center Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jianing Liang, Dong Hee Lee, Jin Woo Ahn
  • Patent number: 8400796
    Abstract: A device for converting a DC voltage into an AC voltage and vice versa comprises a control system to control the voltage conversion and at least one phase leg (1) with a first (Uvp1) voltage source connected in series between a first DC terminal (4) and a first AC terminal (6) and with a second (Uvn1) voltage source connected in series between the first AC terminal (6) and a second DC terminal (5). Each of the voltage sources comprises at least a first and a second submodule (15) in series-connection, where each submodule (15) comprises at least two power electronic switches (16) connected in parallel with at least one capacitor (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Lars Döfnäs, Lennart Harnefors, Anders J. Pettersson, Gunnar Asplund, Erika Siljestrom
  • 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: 8385090
    Abstract: A power supply system includes an electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter circuit, a rectifier and filter circuit, a switch circuit, a transformer, a feedback circuit and a controller. The feedback circuit includes a voltage divider circuit, a filter circuit, and a voltage and temperature compensation circuit. The voltage divider circuit generates a voltage dividing signal, and includes a first lossless element and a second lossless element connected in series between an output of the transformer and the ground, and the voltage dividing signal is generated at a node of the first and second lossless elements. The filter circuit filters the voltage dividing signal into a direct current (DC) signal. The voltage and temperature compensation circuit does voltage compensation and temperature compensation to the DC signal to generate a feedback signal, and sends the feedback signal to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Ampower Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Chan Ger, Tsung-Liang Hung
  • Patent number: 8363433
    Abstract: A hybrid conditioner for filtering harmonics in a power system that includes a non-linear load. The hybrid conditioner includes an active filter structured and controlled to filter one or more high-order harmonic currents of the fundamental frequency, and a passive filter structured to filter one or more low-order harmonic currents of the fundamental frequency. The active filter and the passive filter are electrically connected in parallel with one another. The hybrid conditioner may also be for providing reactive power compensation for the power system, wherein the active filter is further controlled to provide a compensatory reactive power for compensating for the reactive power that is consumed by the load. The hybrid conditioner may also provide oscillation dampening for the power system, wherein the active filter is further controlled to damp oscillating currents that exist between the passive filter and the AC source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: GE Energy Power Conversion Technology Limited
    Inventor: Jinhui Zhang
  • Patent number: 8362753
    Abstract: A switching power supply circuit includes a power circuit, a switching circuit and a load. The switching circuit includes a first filter module, a power processing unit, a stability module, and a second filter module. The first filter module receives a voltage signal from the power circuit and sends a filtered first voltage signal to the power processing unit; the power processing unit outputs a second voltage signal, the stability module stabilizes the second voltage signal and sends a third voltage signal to the second filter module; the second filter module filters the third voltage signal and sends a drive voltage to the load. In response to the second voltage signal instantaneously changing from high to low or low to high, during the change in current, power of the second voltage signal is stored in the stability module and released through the second filter module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignees: Innocom Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Chimei Innolux Corporation
    Inventor: Jie-Jian Zheng
  • Patent number: 8345453
    Abstract: The object is to effectively reduce the resonant current flowing inside a converter unit and an inverter unit in a power conversion apparatus for an electric vehicle. The power conversion apparatus includes a converter unit that converts an alternating-current power into a direct-current power, an inverter unit that converts the direct-current power into an intended alternating-current power and supplies the intended alternating-current power to an electric motor that drives an electric vehicle, a housing that accommodates the converter unit and the inverter unit and a part of which is connected to ground, and a magnetic core that is disposed inside the housing and that suppresses the resonant current flowing between the converter unit and the inverter unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Itoh, Satoshi Azuma, Kengo Sugahara, Masataka Yabuuchi
  • Publication number: 20120314461
    Abstract: A power converter that is able to lower the level of switching noise in a wide frequency range is disclosed. In detail, the power converter converts an input power by controlling a switching element on the basis of a switching frequency discrete pattern. The switching frequency discrete pattern is composed in such a manner that a main discrete pattern and a sub discrete pattern are synthesized. The main discrete pattern is regulated by a plurality of transitionally discrete frequencies. Also the sub discrete pattern is regulated by a plurality of transitionally discrete frequencies in which a gap of the magnitude among consequent frequencies is smaller than that of the main discrete pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoru YOSHIKAWA, Seiji Iyasu, Shinji Andou, Shinji Ohoka, Jun Ishii
  • Patent number: 8325499
    Abstract: A method is provided for minimizing a double-frequency ripple power exchanged between a load and an energy source, the energy source delivering electrical power to the load through a single-phase power conditioner, and the power conditioner being coupled to an energy storage device. The method includes determining a phase shift of an AC output signal of the power condition and an average AC output power of the power conditioner. The average AC output power may be a predetermined value or a calculated value based on sensed or measured signals. The method further includes generating an AC signal at an energy storage device. The generated AC signal has an amplitude that is a function of the average AC output power and a phase shift substantially equal to 45 degrees minus an amount that is dependent on the determined phase shift. In some embodiments, the phase shift may be determined to be of a non-zero value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: SolarBridge Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip T. Krein, Robert S. Balog, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120300514
    Abstract: A method is provided for determining a control scheme for a neutral point clamped (NPC) voltage source converter (VSC) with at least 3 levels and a topology of three bridge legs between each of three phases of a grid and a neutral point. Each leg includes at least four active switches, and a clamping carrier modulator synchronized with the grid is provided for the control of no-switching intervals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Johann W. KOLAR, Thiago SOEIRO, Per RANSTAD, Jörgen LINNER
  • Patent number: 8279642
    Abstract: An inverter for converting an input direct current (DC) waveform from a DC source to an output alternating current (AC) waveform for delivery to an AC grid includes an input converter, an output converter, and an active filter, each of which is electrically coupled to a bus. The bus may be a DC bus or an AC bus. The input converter is configured to convert the input DC waveform to a DC or AC bus waveform. The output converter is configured to convert the bus waveform to the output AC waveform at a grid frequency. The active filter is configured to reduce a double-frequency ripple power of the bus waveform by supplying power to and absorbing power from the power bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: SolarBridge Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick L. Chapman, Brian T. Kuhn, Robert S. Balog, Jonathan W. Kimball, Philip T. Krein, Alexander Gray
  • Patent number: 8278891
    Abstract: Feedback voltage stabilizing apparatus, method, and power conversion system are disclosed. The apparatus includes a first switching unit, a second switching unit, and a conduction control unit. In which, the first switching unit is coupled to a feedback circuit for controlling whether a feedback signal is transmitted from a first end to a second end. The second switching unit is for avoiding voltage vibrations which caused by the feedback signal occurring at the second end. By capturing a detection signal, the conduction control unit can determine whether to simultaneously turn on the first switching unit and the second switching unit, in order to eliminate the voltage vibrations, or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Lien Chang Electronic Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Kong Chan, Po-Yuan Yu
  • Patent number: 8274803
    Abstract: A variable frequency drive comprises a diode rectifier receiving multiphase AC power from a source and converting the AC power to DC power. An inverter receives DC power and converts the DC power to AC power to drive a load. A link circuit is connected between the diode rectifier and the inverter and comprises a DC bus to provide a relatively fixed DC voltage for the inverter. A bus capacitor is across the bus. A soft charge circuit limits inrush current to the bus capacitor. The soft charge circuit comprises an inductor connected between the source and the link circuit and a switch circuit in the link circuit for selectively providing a semiconverter configuration or a full bridge converter configuration to provide two stage charging of the bus capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Yaskawa America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mahesh M. Swamy, Tsuneo Joe Kume
  • Patent number: 8274804
    Abstract: A voltage transforming apparatus includes a first high voltage side coil, a first low voltage side coil magnetically coupled to the first high voltage side coil, a second low voltage side coil magnetically coupled to the first high voltage side coil, and a first switch switching an externally supplied voltage between being supplied to the first low voltage side coil and the second low voltage side coil and being supplied to the first high voltage side coil. The first low voltage side coil and the second low voltage side coil are provided such that a magnetic flux that is generated by current flowing through the first low voltage side coil and a magnetic flux that is generated by current flowing through the second low voltage side coil cancel each other out when a voltage is supplied via the first switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiro Noda, Tetsuya Matsuda, Hiroshi Kiuchi
  • Publication number: 20120236606
    Abstract: A system and method for harvesting and applying power harmonics (e.g., harmonic distortion) comprises a shunt filter that is harmonically tuned for one or more connected loads. The shunt filter generally comprises at least one inductor connected serially to at least one capacitor. Additionally, the output leg of the capacitor (i.e., not connected to the inductor) is connected to at least one load. Operatively, the shunt filter separates harmonic current and, in some instances, the fundamental current from the root mean square current originating from a power source delivering power to the one or more connected loads. Illustratively, the harmonic current is directed to the one or more connected loads. The neutral current originating from the one or more filter connected loads is then returned back to the power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventor: George Albert Mazzoli
  • Patent number: 8259473
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for operation of a converter circuit, which includes a converter unit having a multiplicity of controllable power semiconductor switches, and which is connected via a transformer to a three-phase electrical AC voltage power supply system. The method includes controlling the controllable power semiconductor switches by means of a control signal which is formed from a regulating signal. In order to damp oscillations of a power supply system voltage above the fundamental frequency, a filtered power supply system current is formed by filtering a power supply system current using a low-pass filter characteristic. A filtered transformer inductance voltage is formed by filtering a transformer inductance voltage, which is formed from the power supply system current, using a low-pass filter characteristic. A filtered power supply system voltage is formed by filtering a power supply system voltage using a low-pass filter characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Beat Ronner, Tobias Thurnherr
  • Patent number: 8243479
    Abstract: A structure and method for reducing the effects of chip-package resonance in an integrated circuit assembly is described. A series RLC circuit is employed to reduce the output impedance of the power delivery system at the resonance frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Houfei Chen
  • Patent number: 8223515
    Abstract: A transformer module includes a main primary winding coupled to a first input power source to receive a medium voltage signal, multiple main secondary windings each to couple to a power cell of a drive system, and an auxiliary primary winding coupled to a second input power source to receive a low voltage signal. The auxiliary primary winding can be spatially separated from the main windings to increase leakage inductance. The auxiliary primary winding can be active during a pre-charge operation to pre-charge the power cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: TECO—Westinghouse Motor Company
    Inventors: Mehdi Abolhassani, Thomas Keister, Alex Skorcz, Ryan Edwards, Enrique Ledezma
  • Patent number: 8223512
    Abstract: A power converter includes a small-sized inductor connected to an AC voltage input line for power factor correction and a filter for suppressing conduction noise. The inductor is connected to a rectifier and comprises first and second windings and that are wound on a common magnetic core and loosely coupled with each other. A leakage inductance component of the inductor functions as an energy storage element in a main conversion operation and an excitation inductance component of the inductor functions as a noise reduction element for suppressing an conduction noise caused by on-off operation of a switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michiya Yamada, Yukihiro Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20120170332
    Abstract: The present invention provides for EMI mitigation in switching circuitry, such as power converters, by implementing a controlled, non-random change in frequency in every cycle of switch control signals based on a static or dynamically changing modulation cycle. This permits frequency spreading across a wide range while avoiding excessive jitter between cycles and voltage dropouts common to randomized EMI control circuitry. Further, since it may be implemented digitally, some embodiments may avoid performance, size and power consumption problems experienced by mixed signal or analog switch control circuitry and EMI control circuitry. Further still, implementations of the present invention may mitigate EMI from a constant frequency source without the necessity of a variable frequency source, such as one generated by a VCO, to realize frequency variation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventor: Tao Jing
  • Patent number: 8213198
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a medium voltage drive system having multiple power cells each to couple between a transformer and a load. A first subset of the power cells are configured to provide power to the load and to perform partial regeneration from the load, and a second subset of the power cells are configured to provide power to the load but not perform partial regeneration. A controller may be included in the system to simultaneously control a DC bus voltage of at least one of the first subset of the power cells, correct a power factor of the system, and provide harmonic current compensation for the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: TECO-Westinghouse Motor Company
    Inventors: Mehdi Abolhassani, Thomas Keister, Alex Skorcz, Enrique Ledezma, Ryan Edwards
  • Patent number: 8212507
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a control system for driving a three-strand brushless, electronically commutated electric motor (2), wherein a line AC voltage (UN) is rectified and fed via a slim DC link (8) with minimum DC link reactance as a DC link voltage (UZ) to an inverter (10) that can be driven to supply and commutate the electric motor (2). A pulsating DC voltage (UG) initially generated by rectifying the line AC voltage (UN) is dynamically increased with respect to its instantaneous values by a step-up chopper (18) in such a manner that the resulting DC link voltage (UZ) with a reduced ripple always lies above a defined limit voltage (U18/U1) over time. The control system consists of a network rectifier (6), a downstream slim DC link (8) with minimum DC link reactance and a controllable inverter (10) that can be supplied via the DC link and driven to commutate the electric motor (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: EBM-Papst Mulfingen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralph Wystup, Helmut Lipp
  • Patent number: 8207712
    Abstract: An arrangement for exchanging power with a three-phase electric power network includes a Voltage Source Converter having three phase legs with each a series connection of switching cells. The three phase legs are interconnected in a neutral point by forming a wye-connection. The arrangement also includes a device connected to the neutral point of the converter and configured to provide a current path for a zero-sequence current. A control unit is configured to calculate a value for amplitude and phase position for a zero-sequence current for which, when added to said three phase legs upon generation of a negative-sequence current, the resulting energy stored in energy storing capacitors in each phase leg will be constant and to control semiconductor devices of said switching cells to add such a zero-sequence current to the currents of each phase leg of the converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventor: Jean-Philippe Hasler
  • Patent number: 8193800
    Abstract: A method and system for reducing the noise level of a power supply system with the implementation of a voltage controlled decoupling capacitor in an electrical circuit. Voltage variations of the power supply caused by switching currents are detected by a voltage sensor control circuit. The voltage sensor circuit compares a stable reference voltage with the varying voltage level of the power supply in order to generate a sensor control voltage. When applied to the decoupling capacitor, the control voltage adjusts the capacitance of the voltage controlled capacitor. The adjusted capacitance allows the voltage controlled decoupling capacitor to compensate for the effects of the voltage variations by supplying an increased quantity of charge to various circuit components. Thus, the voltage controlled capacitor is able to efficiently reduce noise within the power supply system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Yaping Zhou
  • Patent number: 8189353
    Abstract: A method for the operation of a converter of a power-generating generator system that can be connected to an electrical AC network, and the use of the converter is provided. The converter is operated by a regulation device regulating the converter as an active audio frequency block. At least one audio frequency current of at least one specified audio frequency is detected. An AC current progression that is to be transmitted to the converter in the regulation device is determined, where at least one audio frequency current is at least partially impressed on the AC current progression. The AC current progression in the converter is generated. The AC current progression generated by the converter is then supplied to the AC network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Repower Systems AG
    Inventor: Heinz-Hermann Letas
  • Patent number: 8180526
    Abstract: Equipment for vehicle in accordance with the present invention includes: a vehicle-mounted unit which runs with respect to a vehicle body ground on a side of a negative electrode of a battery; an impedance component having an end connected to the vehicle body ground, and another end connected to a circuit ground; a circuit to be controlled which runs with respect to the circuit ground; a control unit which runs with respect to the circuit ground, for controlling the circuit to be controlled and for outputting a communication signal in a digital form which is to be transmitted to the vehicle-mounted unit; and a communication interface circuit which runs with respect to both the vehicle body ground and the circuit ground, for cancelling a potential difference between the vehicle body ground and the circuit ground, and for carrying out bidirectional communications between the vehicle-mounted unit and the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunori Ohtsuka, Takashi Ohsawa
  • Patent number: 8169107
    Abstract: A method of reducing switching losses in a power supply includes the steps of advancing the output voltage of a first pole of a power cell by a first angle, retarding the output voltage of a second pole of the power cell by a second angle, and producing a combined output voltage of the power cell equal to a positive pulse of a duration angle equal to the sum of the first angle and the second angle for a first half of a switching cycle of the power cell, and equal to a negative pulse of a duration angle equal to the sum of the first angle and the second angle for a second half of the switching cycle of the power cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Willard Hammond, Mukul Rastogi
  • Patent number: 8169172
    Abstract: A variable speed drive for an electric motor has an inverter for receiving pulse width modulation controls. The inverter communicates power signals to a poly-phase electrical motor. A resolver communicates signals from the poly-phase motor back to a motor control. The motor control includes a speed control, a field-oriented control, and a pulse width modulation drive for driving the inverter. The resolver is connected to the speed control and to the field-oriented control, and further communicates with a synchronous compensator. The synchronous compensator is configured to drive the harmonic content at a target frequency or frequencies in a selected signal towards zero over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Albert L. Markunas, James J. Wrobel
  • Publication number: 20120092906
    Abstract: An arrangement for exchanging power with a three-phase electric power network comprises a Voltage Source Converter having three phase legs with each a series connection of switching cells. The three phase legs are interconnected by forming a delta-connection. The arrangement also includes a control unit configured to calculate a value for amplitude and phase position for a zero-sequence current for which, when circulated in the delta-connection circuit of the three phase legs, the balance of the total direct voltage of each of the three phase legs with respect to the other two phase legs is restored will there be an unbalance and control the semiconductor devices of switching cells of the phase legs to add such a zero-sequence current to the currents of each phase leg of the converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventor: Jean-Philippe Hasler
  • Patent number: 8159840
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multilevel inverter comprising: a converter unit converting an inputted AC power source to a direct current (DC) power source; a film capacitor rectifying the DC power source converted by the converter unit; an inverter unit converting the rectified DC power source to a three-phase current in response to a pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal and outputting the current; a current detector detecting a current outputted from the inverter unit; a power cell main controller generating a voltage instruction and a voltage instruction using the detected current; and a PWM controller generating the pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal using the voltage instruction and frequency instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: LS Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hong Min Yun
  • Patent number: 8148908
    Abstract: A power supply control device for lamp includes a control unit, the control unit receives a forward voltage signal and a reverse voltage signal simultaneously from a zero-crossover sampling circuit and determines if a connected load is an LED lamp, then the control unit turns on a tri-electrode AC switch (TRIAC) after an operating voltage for the LED voltage is reached, thereby outputting the AC power to an outlet for illuminating the LED lamp; since the TRIAC can be turned on with the forward voltage or the reverse voltage, the LED lamp is powered with a stable power supply to prevent the LED lamp from blinking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: Li-Chun Lai
  • Patent number: 8144488
    Abstract: The resistors of a filter block \in a voltage source converter station are connected with a floating neutral point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: ABB Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Anders Petersson, Lin Jiang
  • Patent number: 8144489
    Abstract: A converter has at least one phase module, an AC voltage terminal and a DC voltage terminal. A phase module branch is formed between each DC voltage terminal and each AC voltage terminal. Each phase module branch has a series circuit containing submodules which each have a capacitor, a power semiconductor, and submodule sensors for detecting energy stored in the capacitor and with a regulation device for regulating the apparatus in dependence on energy values and predetermined desired values. Therefore unbalanced loading of the energy storage units is avoided. The regulation device has a summation unit for summing the energy values while obtaining branch energy actual values and a device for calculating circuit current desired values in dependence on the branch energy actual values. The regulation device compensates for imbalances in the branch energy actual values in dependence on the circuit current desired values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Mike Dommaschk, Jörg Dorn, Ingo Euler, Jörg Lang, Quoc-Buu Tu, Klaus Würflinger
  • Patent number: 8116104
    Abstract: A power supply to improve an EMI characteristic and an electronic device having the power supply. The power supply includes a power converter to convert an alternating current (AC) power applied from outside to a direct current (DC) power, a ground portion to supply a ground power to the power converter and a noise attenuator to reduce noise by blocking a harmonic current generated by a driving of the power converter from passing through the ground portion. Accordingly, the stable ground power can be supplied to the internal elements by avoiding the potential change of the ground power and the noise caused by the flow of the harmonic current can be reduced by shortening the harmonic current path. Therefore, the EMI characteristic can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung-hak Lee
  • Patent number: 8089786
    Abstract: The present invention is a polyphase, resonant switching power converter which includes a transformer structure configured for minimizing converter-frequency ripple at both an input and output of the power converter. The power converter is further configured for maximizing frequency response of an output signal provided by the power converter. The power converter further provides an electrically efficient system for providing a modulated supply voltage/power signal (ex.—the output signal) to power amplifiers which utilize EER or other techniques requiring modulated supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Cripe