Plural Inverters Patents (Class 363/71)
  • Patent number: 7596007
    Abstract: A multiphase DC to DC converter includes an input, an output, at least first and second converters, an inductor, an output capacitor, and a drive circuit. The drive circuit is configured for switching the first and second converters with a predetermined phase shift therebetween. The output capacitor is operatively coupled between the first and second converters and the output. The inductor can be placed either at the input side or the output side. When placed at the input side, the inductor is operatively coupled between an input capacitor and the first and second converters. When placed at the output side, the inductor is operatively coupled between the first and second converters and the output capacitor. The multiphase DC to DC converter is capable of achieving lossless switching transitions and negligible ripple current in the output capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Astec International Limited
    Inventors: Vijay Phadke, James Sigamani, Israel Beltran
  • Patent number: 7586766
    Abstract: Energy loss due to driving a plurality of power supply units simultaneously in a low-current region is prevented, and a more stable load current is obtained. The generation of a load current in a small-current region from a pilot arc current is handled solely by the power supply unit U1, the remaining (N?1) power supply units U2 through U4 are driven when the small-current region is exceeded, and a current that is the composite of all the currents is fed to the load, whereby a stable plasma arc power supply is obtained in which power consumption in the low-current region is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Sansha Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuro Ikeda, Masahiro Ohashi, Takayuki Nishisako
  • Patent number: 7586768
    Abstract: An electric power conversion apparatus includes a power converter connected to at least a first DC voltage source, a second DC voltage source and an AC electric motor. A control unit controls the power converter to generate a first PWM pulse train for supplying a first output voltage pulse train from the first DC voltage source to the AC electric motor and a second PWM pulse train for supplying a second output voltage pulse train from the second DC voltage source to the load in such a manner to form a pulse continuous in time in a final output voltage at least from each pulse of the first output voltage pulse train and a subsequent pulse of the second output voltage pulse train. A current path is provided constantly from the AC electric motor to at least one of the DC voltage sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kantaro Yoshimoto
  • Patent number: 7583047
    Abstract: There is described a method for controlling a quenching device for a converter bridge with line regeneration, whereby the converter bridge controlled by a network-timed control circuit by ignition pulses is connected with its three inputs to the phases of a three-phase network and the two outputs of the bridge are connected to a direct-current motor which feeds, when operated as a generator, current back to the three-phase network via the bridge. The quenching device is controlled by a trigger unit which emits trigger pulses depending on the monitoring of electrical and temporary variables. The quenching device comprises, for each bridge half, a quenching condenser that can be charged by a charging circuit quenching voltage. The quenching condensers, in the event of quenching, can be connected to the bridge halves by means of switches that are controlled by the trigger unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens AG Osterreich
    Inventors: Thomas Biribauer, Franz Hackl, Wilfried Hofmüller, Heinz Pichorner, Wilhelm Ritschel, Franz Wöhrer
  • Patent number: 7579792
    Abstract: An electrical system for a vehicle includes a power source providing electrical power to a first and a second electrical motor. Each motor has two or more windings, and each winding has a first end and a second end. A boost link such as a battery or capacitor is configured to store electrical energy for subsequent retrieval and use by either electrical motor. A first inverter circuit includes a first grouping of switches, wherein each of the first group of switches couples one of the first ends of the windings to the power source. A second inverter circuit includes a second group of switches, each coupling one of the second ends of the windings to the boost link. A controller is coupled to activate each of the first and second groups of switches to thereby allow the electrical energy to be placed on and retrieved from the boost link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Nagashima, Brian A Welchko, Peter J. Savagian
  • Patent number: 7577008
    Abstract: The invention relates to a converter circuit comprising at least one phase module (100) having an upper and a lower converter valve (T1, . . . , T6), wherein each converter valve (TI, . . . , T6) has at least one two-pole subsystem. According to the invention, each two-pole subsystem (14) has four semiconductor switches (21, 23, 25, 27), which can be switched off and are connected electrically in series, four diodes (22, 24, 26, 28), which are each connected electrically back-to-back in parallel with one semiconductor switch (21, 23, 25, 27) which can be switched off, two unipolar storage capacitors (29, 30), which are connected electrically in series and in parallel with the series circuit comprising the semiconductor switches (21, 23, 25, 27), and an electronic system (32), whose reference potential connection (M) is electrically conductively connected to a common potential (P0).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Marc Hiller
  • Patent number: 7577007
    Abstract: A power converting apparatus used as an active filter includes single-phase multiplex inverter unit for converting DC power into AC power and a control unit for controlling the single-phase multiplex inverter unit. The single-phase multiplex inverter unit includes a first single-phase inverter and a second single-phase inverter. The first single-phase inverter to which a maximum DC voltage is supplied outputs voltage pulses at a rate of one pulse per half the period of an AC voltage fed from an AC source. The control unit includes a pair of hysteresis comparator circuits for driving the second single-phase inverter such that an AC source current follows a sinusoidal target current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Mori, Masaki Yamada, Akihiko Iwata
  • Patent number: 7577006
    Abstract: Non-linear frequency droop control for isochronous frequency operation of parallel inverters includes generating a droop constant corresponding to the power level of the given inverter for maintaining the predetermined frequency range of the given inverter; generating the droop from the given inverter power level and the droop constant and calculating in response to the droop, the incremental shift in the output voltage waveform of a given inverter operating in a predfreytermined limited frequency range to enable current sharing among the inverters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Azure Dynamics Corp.
    Inventor: Dorin O. Neacsu
  • Publication number: 20090185400
    Abstract: A parallel inverter system needs neither a dedicated line for synchronizing common portions nor switching operations, and includes a plurality of inverter units operating in parallel. An inverter control circuit of each inverter unit includes a sinusoidal signal generating circuit, a PWM control signal generating circuit, a phase difference circuit, a frequency difference circuit, and a feedback circuit. The feedback circuit inputs to the sinusoidal signal generating circuit an addition result value which is obtained by adding to a commanded value for reference frequency a value obtained from multiplication of a phase difference by a predetermined gain and a value obtained from multiplication of a frequency difference by a predetermined gain. The phase difference among outputs from the inverter units occurring in the parallel operation of the inverter units is reduced by changing the output frequencies of the inverter units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: SANYO DENKI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Okui
  • Patent number: 7561389
    Abstract: Inverters, based on signals from a control device, generate a commercial AC voltage across neutral points of 3-phase coils. A Y-capacitor for removing noise is connected to a load outside the vehicle receiving the supply of the commercial AC voltage. A relay connected in series with a leakage detecting device is provided inside the vehicle. The relay is turned off when a plug of the load outside the vehicle is connected to a connector, and prevents a leakage current from flowing via a ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuhiro Ishikawa, Hichirosai Oyobe, Yukihiro Minezawa, Shigenori Togashi
  • Patent number: 7558092
    Abstract: A switching power supply unit is provided, in which a convertible voltage range can be more widened. A transformer having four windings at a high-voltage side, the windings having the number of turns equal to one another, and four inductors are provided in correspondence with four switching circuits. Four current paths assume one of the states of a 4-parallel connection state, a 4-series connection state, or a 2-series/2-parallel connection state with one another depending on magnitude of an input voltage in forward operation, and a target voltage value of an output voltage in reverse operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventor: Wataru Nakahori
  • Publication number: 20090147554
    Abstract: A distributed power system wherein a plurality of power converters are connected in parallel and share the power conversion load according to a prescribed function, but each power converter autonomously determines its share of power conversion. Each power converter operates according to its own power conversion formula/function, such that overall the parallel-connected converters share the power conversion load in a predetermined manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: SOLAREDGE, LTD.
    Inventors: Meir Adest, Guy Sella, Lior Handelsman, Yoav Galin, Amir Fishelov, Meir Gazit, Tzachi Glovinski, Yaron Binder
  • Patent number: 7542317
    Abstract: The power conversion apparatus uses the semiconductor device. Said semiconductor device includes a first group of power semiconductor elements at least one of which is electrically connected between a first potential and a third potential, a second group of power semiconductor elements at least one of which is electrically connected between a second potential and the third potential, and a third group of power semiconductor elements at least one of which is electrically connected between the first potential and the third potential. The second group is disposed between the first group and third group. Thereby, a low-loss semiconductor device having both inductance reducibility and heat generation balancing capability and also an electric power conversion apparatus using the same is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsunori Azuma, Toshiaki Morita, Hiroshi Hozoji, Kazuhiro Suzuki, Toshiya Satoh, Osamu Otsuka
  • Patent number: 7535738
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting X phase intermediate voltages on X intermediate lines to output voltage for driving a single three phase load, the apparatus comprising a positive DC bus, a negative DC bus and first and second three phase drives that each include a rectifier section and an inverter section, the rectifier sections each linked to a separate three of the X intermediate lines and to the positive and negative DC buses and the inverter linked to each of the positive and negative DC buses and to the single phase load such that each of the drives has a common positive DC bus and a common negative DC bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lixiang Wei, Gary Leonard Skibinski, Richard A. Lukaszewski
  • Patent number: 7532490
    Abstract: A power converter for coupling an electrical machine to an electrical grid includes a machine side converter and a grid side converter, each, side having a plurality of corresponding stages for converting a three-phase electrical signal of the electrical machine to a three-phase electrical signal of the electrical grid. The machine side converter includes a plurality of single-phase bridges coupled in series. The grid side converter includes a plurality of three-phase bridges. Each three-phase bridge corresponds to one of the single-phase bridges of the machine side converter. Each three-phase bridge is coupled to the primary windings of a corresponding transformer. The secondary windings of each corresponding transformer is phase-shifted from its primary windings and is coupled to secondary windings of another respective transformer, thus providing for coupling of the three-phase bridges in a series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rajib Datta, Haiqing Weng, Richard S. Zhang, Ravisekhar Raju, Allen M. Ritter
  • Patent number: 7525296
    Abstract: A spread-spectrum power converter uses an inter-cycle duty-cycle error compensation to achieve a combination of high-precision tracking of a target average duty cycle and a favorable noise signature. The pulse train consists of a series of cycles having cycle durations of a positive integer of clock cycles, pulse durations of a whole number of clock cycles, and duty cycles corresponding to a ratio of pulse durations over cycle durations. The pulse durations are selected at least in part as functions of a target average duty cycle, the respective cycle durations, and a ripple (or other) error from other cycles in the train. The cycle durations can also be in part a function of the target average duty cycle so that the duty cycle errors can be minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Bayview Ventures, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard R. Billig, David J. Schanin
  • Publication number: 20090102286
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for reducing resonance in a multiple inverter system are provided. One apparatus includes an inverter coupled to a decoupling element, wherein the inverter and the decoupling elements are couplable to a power source. A system includes a motor vehicle power source including first positive and negative terminals, and a plurality of inverters coupled to the power source. Each inverter includes a second positive terminal coupled to the first positive terminal and a second negative terminal coupled to the first negative terminal. A first inverter of the plurality of inverters includes a decoupling element coupled between the first positive terminal and the positive terminal of the first inverter. One method includes operating first and second inverters at different frequencies, and controlling the impedance of a decoupling element coupled between a power source and the first inverter based on the second inverter frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: BRIAN A. WELCHKO
  • Patent number: 7522435
    Abstract: Each of power supply units in a power supply system according to the present invention includes a power supply module, a voltage increase/decrease circuit for increasing the voltage across the power supply module and outputting the increased voltage to a load, and a control circuit. The control circuit calculates the power of the power supply module on the basis of the voltage across the power supply module and current flowing in the power supply module, outputs the power calculation result to a control circuit of another power supply unit, and generates and outputs a control signal to the voltage increase/decrease circuit on the basis of a target output voltage of the voltage increase/decrease circuit, the power calculation result, and a power calculation result obtained from a control circuit of a third power supply unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Kohnotoh, Tomonori Kunimitsu
  • Publication number: 20090097287
    Abstract: In an inverter control circuit for controlling an inverter circuit, when an analog signal from the inverter circuit is amplified and converted from analog to digital, a timing at which a gain of an amplifier is switched is securely detected, and the gain is switched. An inverter control circuit includes: a timer circuit for generating a PWM signal with which an electric conductive state of a switch device of an inverter circuit is controlled; an amplifier for amplifying and outputting an analog signal generated with a load electric current of the inverter circuit; and a gain control circuit for controlling the switching of the gain of the amplifier in synchronization with an output change timing of the PWM signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: NEC Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Masaki Furuchi
  • Patent number: 7518886
    Abstract: DC/DC converter has a transformer having primary coils connected to an input side and secondary coils connected to an output side. Each primary coil connects a full-bridge circuit comprising two switches on two legs, the primary coil being connected between the switches on each leg, each full-bridge circuit being connected in parallel wherein each leg is disposed parallel to one another, and the secondary coils connected to a rectifying circuit. An outer loop control circuit that reduces ripple in a voltage reference has a first resistor connected in series with a second resistor connected in series with a first capacitor which are connected in parallel with a second capacitor. An inner loop control circuit that reduces ripple in a current reference has a third resistor connected in series with a fourth resistor connected in series with a third capacitor which are connected in parallel with a fourth capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Jih-Sheng Lai, Changrong Liu, Amy Ridenour
  • Publication number: 20090066271
    Abstract: Methods and systems for converting direct current (DC) power to alternating current (AC) power are provided. A first phase of the AC power is generated based on a first carrier signal. A second phase of the AC power is generated based on a second carrier signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Lateef A. Kajouke, Brian A. Welchko
  • Patent number: 7495399
    Abstract: A coordination control device of a power output apparatus includes a coordination control unit. The coordination control unit calculates an intermediate value between the maximum value and minimum value among voltage controls for a first motor generator, and voltage control from an AC voltage control generation unit to generate an AC voltage across neutral points of first and second motor generators, and outputs a value that is each phase voltage control for the first and second motor generators minus the calculated intermediate value to a signal generation unit as the final voltage control for the first and second motor generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hichirosai Oyobe, Tetsuhiro Ishikawa, Katsuhiro Asano, Yoshitoshi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20090034303
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling a double-ended inverter system having a first inverter and a second inverter. The method comprises determining a required output current and determining a desired second inverter current. The method further comprises determining a second inverter switching function, wherein only a selected leg in the second inverter is modulated at a duty cycle, determining a first inverter switching function based on the second inverter switching function, and modulating the first inverter and the second inverter using the first inverter switching function and the second inverter switching function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Sibaprasad CHAKRABARTI, Gregory S. SMITH, James M. NAGASHIMA, Brian A. WELCHKO, Milun PERISIC, George JOHN
  • Publication number: 20090034304
    Abstract: An inverter (1) for a grounded direct voltage source, in particular for a photovoltaic generator (2), a battery or a fuel cell, for converting the direct voltage into an alternative voltage with a DC-DC converter (3) and a pulse inverter that is supplied by said DC-DC converter (3), said DC-DC converter (3) being configured to be an oscillating circuit inverter and comprising a series resonant oscillating circuit, said DC-DC converter (3), which is configured to be an oscillating circuit inverter, being configured to be a series-compensated oscillating circuit inverter with a choke (L1) and a series-mounted capacitor array consisting of two or several oscillating circuit capacitors, a rectifier bridge branch including 2 diodes (D3, D4; D5, D6, . . .
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Bernd Engel, Regine Mallwitz, Peter Zacharias
  • Patent number: 7483281
    Abstract: The present invention provides a control circuit for a multi-channel power converter to save power at light load. The control circuit comprises a modulation circuit and an oscillation circuit to modulate the switching frequency of switching signals for power saving. The modulation circuit generates a modulation signal in response to a first feedback signal and a second feedback signal. The oscillation circuit is coupled to the modulation circuit to control a switching frequency of switching signals in accordance with the modulation signal. The switching frequency of the first switching signal can be linearly decreased in response to the decrease of the load when the second switching signal is enabled. The first switching signal can be bursted for further power saving once the second switching signal is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: System General Corp.
    Inventor: Ta-yung Yang
  • Patent number: 7477037
    Abstract: A method for controlling at least two series-cell based drives connected in parallel. The method comprises detecting a failed cell in one of the drives, inhibiting operation of the drive with the failed cell, determining a peak output voltage capability of the drive with the failed cell, communicating the peak output voltage capability to a master controller, and limiting a maximum voltage that each drive can apply to a motor. The method also comprises bypassing the failed cell and resuming operation of the drive with the failed cell after the motor voltage falls below the peak output voltage capability of the drive with the failed cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Amorino, Mukul Rastogi, Anthony C. Schneider
  • Patent number: 7463500
    Abstract: An electrical DC-to-AC power conversion apparatus is disclosed that is primarily intended for use with solar photovoltaic sources in electric utility grid-interactive applications. The invention improves the conversion efficiency and lowers the cost of DC-to-AC inverters. The enabling technology is a novel inverter circuit topology, where throughput power, from DC source to AC utility, is processed a maximum of 1½ times instead of 2 times as in prior-art inverters. The AC inverter output configuration can be either single-phase, split-phase or poly-phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Xantrex Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Rick West
  • Publication number: 20080294916
    Abstract: A voltage converter includes a plurality of voltage converter circuits, each voltage converter circuit having a topology, and a control circuit coupled to the voltage converter circuits. The control circuit is operable to select one of the voltage converter circuits to provide an output power on an output node. The control circuit selects one of the voltage converter circuits in response to a parameter associated with the operation of the voltage converter, such as a parameter associated with the output power on the output node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventor: Zaki Moussaoui
  • Publication number: 20080278980
    Abstract: An exemplary direct current to alternating current converter includes a pulse width modulator having a plurality of pulse signal outputs that can provide a plurality of pulse signals, a driving circuit having a plurality of switching units, and a transformation circuit having a plurality of transformers. Each of the switching units includes a P-type transistor and an N-type transistor. Each pulse signal output is electrically connected to the P-type and N-type transistors of one of the switching units. Each of the transformers is connected to two of the switching units, and the P-type transistors and the N-type transistors of the two switching units are not switched on simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventor: Jian-Hui Lu
  • Patent number: 7450406
    Abstract: A power supply arrangement (1) has a first input for connecting to a first power source, at least one second input for connecting to at least one second power source and an output for connecting to a load. The arrangement (1) comprises at least two paralleled inverter modules (11, 12, 13) supplied by said at least one second input and a static switch (30) for switching a connection from said first power source to said load. Each of said inverter modules (11, 12, 13) comprises an internal switch (11a, 12a, 13a) for switching a connection from the respective inverter module (11, 12, 13) to said load. This architecture allows for directly connecting the critical load to the inverter group (10), thereby eliminating the susceptibility for single point failures at a common static switch for all inverter modules. Redundancy of the whole system may be easily established or increased by providing additional inverter modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventor: Hans-Peter Glauser
  • Patent number: 7443129
    Abstract: There is described a method for controlling a quenching device for a converter bridge with line regeneration, whereby the converter bridge controlled by a network-timed control circuit by ignition pulses is connected with its three inputs to the phases of a three-phase network and the two outputs of the bridge are connected to a direct-current motor which feeds, when operated as a generator, current back to the three-phase network via the bridge. The quenching device is controlled by a trigger unit which emits trigger pulses depending on the monitoring of electrical and temporary variables. The device has measuring values “direct output current” and/or “supply voltages” used to determine characteristic values which are compared with theoretical characteristic values. Depending on the result of said comparison, the quenching device is optionally activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Österreich
    Inventors: Thomas Biribauer, Franz Hackl, Wilfried Hofmüller, Heinz Pichorner, Wilhelm Ritschel, Franz Wöhrer
  • Publication number: 20080259661
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a power converter having at least two phase modules, which each have an upper and a lower valve branch, each having at least three series-connected two-pole subsystems, in the event of failure of at least one subsystem of a valve branch of a phase module. According to the invention, the valve branch (TI, T6) with the failed subsystem (10) is determined, and in each case a subsystem (10) of a valve branch (TI, T6), which corresponds to the faulty valve branch (TI, T6), of any fault-free phase module (100) is driven such that its terminal voltages (UX21) are in each case zero. A polyphase power converter with distributed energy stores (9) is therefore operated with redundancy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Marc Hiller, Rainer Sommer
  • Patent number: 7439714
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for operating a converter system of a wind turbine, wherein the converter system includes converter modules capable of converting electric power produced by a generator to electric power applicable to a utility grid. The converter modules include generator inverters and grid inverters. The method determines the enabling/disabling of the converter modules in response to a parameter related to the variable amount of electric power being produced by the generator. Advantages of the present invention are optimisation of power efficiency of the converter modules and improved reliability of the converter modules. Another advantage is the capability of fast enabling and disabling of the converter modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Gamesa Innovation & Technology, S.L.
    Inventors: Jose Ignacio Llorente Gonzalez, Björn Andresen, Jens Birk
  • Patent number: 7433212
    Abstract: A system linking apparatus for generated electric power which may be made smaller and more efficient. The system linking apparatus is intended for connecting an electric power system to an output of a power generator through a linking inverter (PWM inverter). The system linking apparatus includes a magnetic energy regenerating circuit, a diode rectifier, and a capacitor. The magnetic energy regenerating circuit has a capacitor for condensing magnetic energy condensed in the power generator. The diode rectifier is connected with the magnetic energy regenerating circuit and operates to dc convert electric power generated by the power generator and output the converted power to the linking inverter. The capacitor is connected with the diode rectifier and operates to keep a dc output to the linking inverter at a predetermined voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignees: Fuji Electric Device Technology Co., Ltd., Tokyo Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Seiki Igarashi, Yoshiyuki Uchida, Ryuichi Shimada
  • Publication number: 20080225560
    Abstract: A switching controller for parallel power converters is disclosed. The switching controller includes an input circuit coupled to an input terminal of the switching controller to receive an input signal. An integration circuit is coupled to the input circuit to generate an integration signal in response to the pulse width of the input signal. A control circuit generates a switching signal for switching the power converters. The switching signal is enabled in response to the enabling of the input signal. A programmable delay time is generated between the input signal and the switching signal. The pulse width of the switching signal is determined in response to the integration signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: SYSTEM GENERAL CORP.
    Inventors: Ta-yung Yang, Rui-Hong Lu, Jenn-Yu G. Lin
  • Patent number: 7425806
    Abstract: A variable speed drive is provided having a converter to convert an AC voltage to a DC voltage, a DC link to filter and store energy from the converter, and a plurality of inverters. Each inverter is configured to convert a DC voltage to an AC voltage and is electrically connected in parallel to the DC link. An interleaved pulse width modulation control technique is used to control the operation of the plurality of inverters and possibly the converter to lower the RMS ripple current in the DC link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: York International Corporation
    Inventors: Harold Robert Schnetzka, Ivan Jadric, Scott Victor Slothower
  • Patent number: 7420826
    Abstract: Parallel inverters without any communication buses and the controlling method thereof are provided. The parallel inverters are controlled by an instant voltage. Each inverter includes an output voltage waveform controller and a load-sharing controller. The output voltage waveform controller is connected to an output terminal of the inverter to control the waveform of an output voltage of the inverter. The load-sharing controller is connected to the output voltage waveform controller to control the load-sharing of the inverter and to make each inverter have the same phase, active power and reactive power without communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jing-Tao Tan, Yang Li, Yong-Hua Cheng, Jian-Ping Ying, Charles Tsai
  • Publication number: 20080197706
    Abstract: A 3-phase uninterruptible power supply (UPS) including first, second, and third AC/DC converters, a DC/DC converter, and at least one DC/AC converter coupled to multiple electrical buses. The first, second, and third AC/DC converters each being configured to receive AC power and to provide multiple DC signals to the multiple electrical buses. The DC/DC converter being configured to convert DC voltages present on the multiple electrical buses to a DC voltage that can be used to charge a batter. The DC/AC converter being configured to receive DC power from the multiple electrical buses and to provide an AC output. The 3-phase UPS being configured such that when suitable AC power is provided to the AC/DC converters, the DC/DC converter is configured to charge a battery, and when suitable AC power is not provided to the AC/DC converters, the DC/DC converter is configured to provide DC power to the multiple electrical buses using power provided by the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: Henning Roar Nielsen
  • Patent number: 7414866
    Abstract: A method for smoothing input current to a power delivery system having regeneration capability. The method comprises evaluating input current to an input converter of the power delivery system for a first fundamental cycle, and shifting a window relative to a waveform of an input voltage after the first fundamental cycle. The method also comprises evaluating input current to the input converter for a second fundamental cycle, and determining whether the input current of the second fundamental cycle is smoother than the input current of the first fundamental cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Xuan Zhang
  • Patent number: 7414869
    Abstract: A switching power supply unit is provided, in which widening of the input voltage range can be achieved while suppressing production of a surge current. A transformer having two primary windings having the number of turns equal to each other, and two inductors are provided correspondingly to two switching circuits. By using an input voltage detection circuit, a control section, and connection changeover switches, when an input DC voltage is lower than a threshold voltage, a first current path and a second current path are connected in parallel to each other, and when the input DC voltage is higher than a threshold voltage, they are connected in series to each other. A turn ratio between the primary windings and secondary windings is large in a case of series connection compared with a case of parallel connection. Moreover, current is gently changes in the circuits by an effect of the inductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventor: Wataru Nakahori
  • Publication number: 20080192519
    Abstract: In a power conversion apparatus that boosts a solar light voltage, converts it to AC and supplies AC power to a load or system, power loss is reduced and efficiency is improved. An inverter unit, in which AC sides of three single-phase inverters receive DC power from respective sources with a voltage ratio of 1:3:9 as respective inputs are connected in series. Gradational output voltage control of an output voltage is carried out using the sum of the respective generated AC voltages. Also, a solar light voltage is boosted by a chopper circuit to generate the highest voltage DC power source. When the solar light voltage exceeds a predetermined voltage, the boosting of the chopper circuit is stopped, thereby reducing power loss due to the boosting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiko Iwata, Makoto Seto, Masaki Yamada, Shigeki Harada, Noriyuki Matsubara, Takashi Kumagai
  • Patent number: 7394232
    Abstract: A switched mode power supply assembly that has a plurality of power supply modules cyclically coupled to each other. Each power supply module has a synchronization control module for generating a synchronization control signal for a next neighboring module and for receiving a synchronization control signal from a previous neighboring module to ensure interleaved operation of all modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Koninkljke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Machiel Antonius Martinus Hendrix, Roelf Van Der Wal, Jacobus Josephus Leijssen, Josephus Adrianus Maria Van Erp
  • Publication number: 20080144342
    Abstract: An adaptive hybrid energy system is provided. The system includes a first DC energy source that generates a first DC electrical output by converting a first type of energy into an electrical output. Additionally, the system includes at least a second DC energy source that generates a second DC electrical output by converting a second type of energy into an electrical output. The system further includes a cascaded multilevel converter electrically connected to the first and second DC energy sources to convert a DC electrical output into a sinusoidal electrical output when at least one of the first and second DC energy sources is operable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: Florida State University
    Inventors: Zhong Du, Hui Li
  • Patent number: 7388766
    Abstract: A control and regulation system for use with a harmonic neutralization frequency changer system. In the generalized frequency changer system, a direct converter frequency changer is used to convert bulk power, but unwanted harmonics are introduced. Input and output power distortion is monitored by a control system, and groups of high performance inverters inject shunt/series harmonic currents/voltages into a specially designed transformer to neutralize the power distortion to a specific acceptable level. Two control strategies are used including one that is based on discrete narrow band harmonic regulation and another that is based on wide band harmonic control. Each of these control strategies can be used at the input and/or output of the frequency changer and can be injected using shunt-current and series-voltage schemes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Curtiss-Wright Electro-Mechanical Corporation
    Inventors: Gary E. Baumgart, Kalyan K. Sen
  • Publication number: 20080123375
    Abstract: A power converter including a DC input; an AC input; a conditioning module coupled to the DC input; a first inverter coupled to the conditioning module, the first inverter providing a first AC voltage to a first AC output; a second inverter coupled to the conditioning module, the second inverter providing a second AC voltage to a second AC output; a converter coupled to the conditioning module, the converter providing a DC voltage to a first DC output; and a second DC output coupled to the conditioning module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: ITT MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Inventor: Benedict J. Beardsley
  • Patent number: 7378758
    Abstract: The invention relates to a parallel inverter system, in which each inverter includes a synchronized square wave generator, a voltage given generator, a voltage regulating unit and a power amplifier unit. All of the above components are connected in parallel. The output current given by the voltage regulating unit no longer requires selection of “one out of many components,” but outputs a linear combination result of outputs of all of the voltage regulating units after linear combination, thereby changing an unequal parallel connection to an equalized parallel connection. At the same time, the output square waves of all of synchronizing square wave generators are inputted into voltage given generators as the synchronizing square wave after AND. The output sine waves of all of voltage given generators after linear combination are used as given voltage of voltage regulating units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Emerson Network Power Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sandy Ling
  • Patent number: 7375993
    Abstract: A power supply for a device which has a load, comprising a first resonant generator and a second resonant generator, coupled in parallel, each generator having a phase output. The power supply further comprises a control circuit coupled to the first and second generators controlling the first and second phase outputs, wherein the first phase output and the second phase output are summed to provide a variable power supply to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: EMD Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Beland
  • Patent number: 7372712
    Abstract: Methods for controlling a multiple DC-to-AC inverter system, which is suitable for an electric or hybrid vehicle application, are disclosed. In one embodiment, if an inverter fails or suffers from degraded performance (faulty inverter), the faulty inverter is disabled and drive signals to a healthy inverter that is coupled to the faulty inverter are updated such that the healthy inverter can remain active without being driven into an over-current condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Constantin C. Stancu, Mark L Selogie
  • Patent number: 7362597
    Abstract: A motive power outputting apparatus includes motor generators, inverters, and a transformer. The motor generator includes a three-phase coil, and the motor generator includes a three-phase coil. The inverter allows an in-phase AC current to pass through an U-phase coil, a V-phase coil and a W-phase coil of the three-phase coil. The inverter allows an in-phase AC current, which has a phase being inverted relative to that of the in-phase AC current passing through the three-phase coil, to pass through an U-phase coil, a V-phase coil and a W-phase coil of the three-phase coil. The transformer converts an AC voltage generated in a primary coil and outputs a commercial-power-source AC voltage to terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuhiro Ishikawa, Satoshi Fujii
  • Patent number: 7359223
    Abstract: A power converter system for supplying an output voltage is provided. The power converter system is adapted to operate in a normal mode and a fault mode. The system comprises a plurality of bridges and a plurality of transformers. The system further comprises a plurality of dc link capacitors, each coupled across a corresponding bridge. The system also includes a controller adapted for, during the normal mode, switching each bridge with a respective normal phase shift. During the fault mode, the controller is adapted for switching each of the remaining ones of the bridges with a respective adjusted phase shift to generate the output voltage. During the fault mode, at least one of the plurality of bridges is bypassed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rajib Datta, Kunlun Chen, Haiqing Weng, Ravisekhar Nadimpalli Raju