Including Plural Sensing Or Control Means Patents (Class 363/79)
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Patent number: 11815926Abstract: A method includes receiving a respective signal from each of a plurality of respective sensor circuits, wherein each respective signal is indicative of a voltage or a current detected by each of the plurality of respective sensor circuits and performing an operation to determine whether one or more of the received signals meets a criterion. The method further includes generating a voltage management control signal in response to a determination that the one or more of the received signals meets the criterion, transferring the voltage management control signal to a voltage regulator, and generating, by the voltage regulator, a voltage signal in response to receipt of the voltage management control signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2022Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Leon Zlotnik, Leonid Minz, Ekram H. Bhuiyan
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Patent number: 11757374Abstract: We describe techniques to reduce DC ripple voltage in an inverter by determining a plurality of switching events for each of the three phases in each Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) period. The switching events provide a desired target output voltage for the respective PWM period. From this determination of the switching events, a comparison can be made to determine a first time period between a first and second switching event across all of the phases, and a second time period between the second and a third switching event across all of the phases. The timing of one or more switching events in only one of the phases in the respective PWM period is adjusted in response to the determined time period being greater than a threshold in order to reduce the determined first or second time period.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: YASA LIMITEDInventors: Simon David Hart, Samuel David Ahearn, Richard Phillips, Tim Woolmer
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Patent number: 11747842Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to multi-referenced power supplies. One method includes sensing each voltage, via a voltage sensor, of plurality of voltages from different areas of circuit components prior to the voltage reaching a voltage regulator, receiving, at a voltage manager, a sensed voltage magnitude from the voltage sensor, and selecting a feedback voltage to be provided to the voltage regulator based on the sensed voltage magnitude from the voltage sensor for the at least one of the plurality of voltages.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2022Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Leon Zlotnik, Leonid Minz, Ekram H. Bhuiyan
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Patent number: 11626731Abstract: Hybrid renewable energy source systems and methods are provided. A hybrid renewable energy source system can include a renewable energy source system (e.g., a photovoltaic (PV) system) in conjunction with an energy storage system (ESS), such as a battery energy storage system (BESS). The hybrid renewable energy source system can include at least one intelligent decentralized controller at the inverter/converter level, feeding a robust coordinated controller, thereby allowing the hybrid renewable energy source system to operate as a unified single power generation unit (PGU).Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2022Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: THE FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEESInventors: Arif I. Sarwat, Temitayo O. Olowu
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Patent number: 11621625Abstract: A burst-mode controller for a DC-DC converter includes an output module configured to provide a switch control signal to the DC-DC converter. The switch control signal includes a plurality of burst windows, each burst window corresponding to a period of a fixed-frequency burst clock and having a number of switching cycles. The burst-mode controller includes an on-time-control-module configured to receive a compensation signal based on the output voltage of the DC-DC converter, and set an on-time of the switching cycles of the switch control signal based on the compensation signal. The burst-mode controller also includes a burst-control-module configured to regulate the on-time of the switching cycles of the switch control signal by setting the number of switching cycles for each burst window of the switch control signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2021Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: NXP B.V.Inventors: Ravichandra Karadi, Matthias Rose, Hendrik Johannes Bergveld, Marcel Dijkstra
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Patent number: 11437819Abstract: A system for regulating electrical energy transfer over a pathway including a DC link (16, 18, 20) is provided. The system is configured for computing a rate of electrical energy flow through the DC link at least in part on a basis of a state of balance between power generation and a load determined from frequency measurement (32, 34) and for adjusting the rate of electrical energy flow through the DC link. An electrical vehicle charger is provided that includes a power input for connection to an AC power distribution network and a power output for connection to an electric vehicle, and is configured for determining a rate of electrical energy flow through the power output by using as a factor a state of balance between power generation and load in an AC power distribution network to which the power input connects. A method for regulating electrical energy transfer over a pathway including a DC link is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2021Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: BIPCO-SOFT R3 INC.Inventors: Gilles Trudel, Simon Jasmin, Irenee Normandin
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Patent number: 11300987Abstract: A system may include an integrated circuit comprising an on-chip power supply and an internal power rail, a gate-controlled supply switch configured to be coupled between the on-chip power supply and an external power supply such that the internal power rail is regulated by the on-chip power supply when the gate-controlled supply switch is open and the internal power rail is regulated by the external power supply when the gate-controlled supply switch is closed, and a control circuit configured to monitor conditions associated with the on-chip power supply when the gate-controlled supply switch is transitioning between switch states and based on the conditions, control a rate of charging or discharging of a capacitance coupled to a gate of the gate-controlled supply switch.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2021Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.Inventors: Kathryn R. Holland, Wesley L. Mokry, Neel Pramanik, Christian Larsen
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Patent number: 10931202Abstract: A method to control a high side switch of a motor drive includes sinking a current of an ON signal to communicate a turn ON of the high side switch. A first current signal, a second current signal, a third current signal, a fourth current signal and a common mode rejection signal are generated in response to the ON signal. The ON signal in a presence of common mode noise is determined by comparing the first current signal and the second current signal. A first output signal is generated in response to determining the ON signal. A drive signal is generated responsive to the first output signal to control the high side switch in response to the ON signal in presence of common mode noise that is caused by a slewing at a half-bridge node.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2019Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.Inventors: Hartley Fred Horwitz, Steven Greig Porter
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Patent number: 10854898Abstract: A load leveling system includes a fuel cell inverter, a direct current (DC) load bank, and a controller. The fuel cell inverter is configured to receive DC power generated by a fuel cell assembly. The DC load bank is connected to the fuel cell assembly in parallel with the fuel cell inverter. The controller is in communication with the fuel cell inverter and the DC load bank. The controller is configured to identify a reduction in a load being drawn by the fuel cell inverter. Responsive to the identification of the reduction of the load, the controller is also configured to divert the DC power generated by the fuel cell assembly from the fuel cell inverter to the DC load bank to prevent load cycling of the fuel cell assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2018Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: FuelCell Energy, Inc.Inventors: George P. Berntsen, Lincoln Vitalis
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Patent number: 10723236Abstract: A vehicle system includes a motor, a first device connected to the motor and configured to supply the motor with power, a fuel cell connected to the first device and configured to charge the first device, a second device connected to the fuel cell, a first converter interposed between the fuel cell and the first device and configured to adjust a voltage from one of the fuel cell or the first device and to supply power to the other, a second converter interposed between the fuel cell and the second device and configured to adjust a voltage from the second device and to apply the adjusted voltage to the fuel cell, and a third converter interposed between the first device and the second device and configured to adjust a voltage from one of the first device or the second device and to supply power to the other.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2016Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Daiki Tanaka
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Patent number: 10637330Abstract: A vehicle light assembly, a system, and a method for reducing electromagnetic interference are provided. The vehicle light assembly includes a light source, DC-DC conversion circuitry including a switch, and a microcontroller. The microcontroller is configured to generate a reference voltage, the reference voltage being changed periodically within a predetermined range, and drive the switch associated with the DC-DC conversion circuitry with a signal based on at least the reference voltage.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2017Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: Valeo North America, Inc.Inventors: Monji Moumen, David Boudikian, Youssef Zahi
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Patent number: 10390404Abstract: An electronic converter, including a measurement circuit for determining a first signal indicative of the voltage or current supplied by the electronic converter, a regulation circuit for generating a regulation signal as a function of the first signal and one or more reference signals, and a driver circuit for driving the switching stage of the electronic converter as a function of the regulation signal. The electronic converter includes an optical, inductive or capacitive coupler and a transmission circuit configured to generate a pulse width modulated signal applied to the input of the optical, inductive or capacitive coupler, wherein the transmission circuit varies the duty cycle and the frequency of the pulse width modulated signal as a function of the first and second signal. The electronic converter includes a receiver circuit configured to monitor the received signal at the output of the optical, inductive or capacitive coupler.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2018Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: OSRAM GMBHInventor: Daniele Luccato
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Patent number: 10178731Abstract: Systems and methods of driving a light source, such as a light emitting diode (LED), while minimizing power consumption. Different techniques can be implemented in circuits that eliminate the traditional need for a sense resistor. By eliminating the sense resistor, a LED driving circuit's efficiency can be improved by up to and exceeding 30%. A pulse-width modulator can be used to control current flow in a buck, boost, or buck-boost circuits. Many of the configurations discussed eliminate the need for a sense resistor, which needlessly dissipates power. Others use a sense resistor minimally compared to traditional LED driving circuits.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2016Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: LUMINARA WORLDWIDE, LLCInventors: Douglas Patton, Kanchana Sanjaya Gunesekera Karunaratne
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Patent number: 9985305Abstract: The object of the present invention is to balance: the suppression of deterioration of a fuel cell and degradation of its durability and the optimization of the output control of the fuel cell. The present invention provides an output control apparatus for a fuel cell, being capable of switching a control mode between a power control mode in which an output power of a fuel cell connected to a load is controlled so as to be at a target power and a voltage control mode in which an output voltage of the fuel cell is controlled so as to be at a target voltage, wherein a control in the voltage control mode is performed when the output voltage of the fuel cell decreases below a predetermined low voltage threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2011Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Tomohiko Kaneko
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Patent number: 9781806Abstract: A light-emitting diode (LED) driving device and a short protection method for a driving device are provided. The driving device includes an LED module, a driving circuit, a reference voltage setting circuit, a voltage comparison circuit, and a power supply. A first node of the LED module receives a lighting voltage, and a second node of the LED module has a first voltage. The reference voltage setting circuit receives the lighting voltage to generate a reference voltage. The voltage comparison circuit determines whether the first voltage is greater than the reference voltage when the LED module is turned off. When the first voltage is greater than the reference voltage, the voltage comparison circuit generates a short signal. The power supply supplies power to the LED module and determines whether to shut down the power of the LED driving device according to the short signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Wistron CorporationInventors: Shih-Chi Yeh, Ju-Hsing Hu, Pei-Chi Tsai, Wei-Chiuan Huang
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Patent number: 9770991Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for charging a battery. The system, for example, includes, but is not limited to a first interface configured to receive a voltage from an AC voltage source, a matrix conversion module comprising a plurality of switches electrically connected to the first interface and configured to provide a charging voltage to the battery, and a controller communicatively connected to the matrix conversion module, wherein the controller is configured to: determine a voltage of the battery, determine an angle of the AC voltage source to initiate charging of the battery based upon the voltage of the battery, and control the plurality of switches to provide the charging voltage to the battery between the determined angle of the AC voltage source and a subsequent zero-crossing of the AC voltage source.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2013Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Milun Perisic, Ray M. Ransonm, Lateef A. Kojouke
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Patent number: 9762133Abstract: A power conversion apparatus for converting AC power supplied from an AC power source to DC power includes an AC-DC conversion circuit connected with the AC power source at an input end thereof for converting the AC power to DC power, a DC-DC conversion circuit connected with an output end of the AC-DC conversion circuit at an input end thereof for converting DC voltage level of the DC power generated by the AC-DC conversion circuit, a smoothing capacitor parallel connected to the output end of the AC-DC conversion circuit and the input end of the DC-DC conversion circuit, a DC link voltage detector for detecting a voltage of the smoothing capacitor as a DC link voltage, and a control unit for controlling operation of the DC-DC conversion circuit. The control unit suppresses an output power of the DC-DC conversion circuit, if the DC link voltage is smaller than a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2017Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Yuuichi Handa, Seiji Iyasu, Kimikazu Nakamura
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Patent number: 9263932Abstract: A DC-DC converter includes: an error amplifier for outputting an error between an output voltage and a predetermined voltage; a phase compensation impedance element for accumulating the error across one end to generate an error phase; a determination unit for determining whether the voltage output by the error amplifier is higher, or lower than a reference voltage that is consonant with the predetermined voltage, and outputting a determination signal indicating determination results; and a voltage setting unit for setting a voltage for one end of the phase compensation impedance element higher than a lower output voltage limit for the error amplifier when the determination signal indicates that the voltage output by the error amplifier is lower than the reference voltage, or for canceling setting of the voltage when the determination signal indicates that the voltage output by the error amplifier is higher than the reference voltage.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Asahi Kasei Microdevices CorporationInventor: Satoru Ito
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Patent number: 9235226Abstract: A method for determining a maximum power point (MPP) of a photovoltaic generator (PV) by variation of at least one parameter of search voltage and search current, within a maximally searchable search area on a power/voltage curve is disclosed. The method includes initializing by defining a start point with a start voltage and a start current, searching for the maximum power point (MPP) in at least one search direction by repeated variation of the search voltage or search current in the search area taking account of at least two limiting conditions for limiting the search area, wherein at least one of the limiting conditions for limiting the search area are is determined with evaluation of parameters provided in an operating state already attained during the search, and ending the search if one of the at least two limiting conditions for limiting the search area is met.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2012Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AGInventors: Jens Klein, Gerd Bettenwort, Markus Hopf
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Patent number: 9214809Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and products for dynamically configuring current sharing and fault monitoring in redundant power supply modules for components of an electrically powered system, including summing, by a master service processor, during powered operation of the system, the present power requirements of components presently installed in the electrically powered system and setting, by the master service processor for each redundant power supply module in dependence upon the sum of the present power requirements, a current sharing tolerance and a fault reporting tolerance.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2012Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Jerrod K. Buterbaugh, Timothy C. Daun-Lindberg
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Patent number: 9143082Abstract: In a light power generation system, a control device, a control method, and a program, efficient power can be supplied. The maximum power detection unit operates a MOSFET in a power converter circuit and open-circuits both ends of a solar cell panel in the maximum power detection mode. After that, the maximum power detection unit short-circuits both ends of the solar cell panel, detects a maximum power by monitoring the output power of the solar cell panel during a period from the open state to the short-circuited state, and defines the voltage of the solar cell panel as an optimal voltage when detecting the maximum power. In a tracking operation mode, the control unit performs PWM control with respect to the MOSFET by defining the optimal voltage to be a reference signal. Operations are repeated between the maximum power detection mode and the tracking operation mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2014Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: SCHOOL JUDICAL PERSON IKUTOKUGAKUENInventor: Kazutaka Itako
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Patent number: 9130390Abstract: In some embodiments, a power extractor utilizes power transfer circuitry with analysis circuitry to detect a power slope and to control the magnitude of the current in response to the detected power slope. The power analysis circuitry may increase the current as long as the power slope shows an increase in power and may decrease the current as long as the power slope shows a decrease in power. The magnitude of the current is responsive to the duty cycle of the switching circuitry and to the detected power slope. Other embodiments are described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2007Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Inventors: David A. Besser, Stefan Matan
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Patent number: 9088670Abstract: A cell phone charger comprises a main body having embedded therein a charging circuit configured to receive line AC voltage and to convert it to a DC voltage suitable for charging the mobile device. AC prongs fold into the body in a stowed position and a connection structure formed integrally with the main body grasps onto and holds the charger secured to the cell phone device. In a preferred embodiment, the AC prongs pivot independently and lie flat against an outside surface of the main body.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2014Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Inventors: Yeoshua Sorias Sorias, Max Moskowitz
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Patent number: 9052733Abstract: A method is provided for determining a value for an electrical output of a converter of renewable energy. The method comprises obtaining a signal representing the electrical output of the converter wherein that electrical output has an initial value. The method further comprises applying a pulse signal to the signal representing the electrical output, wherein the pulse signal comprises a positive portion and a negative portion. The method further comprises obtaining a measurement of electrical power produced by the converter during application of the pulse signal, removing the pulse signal and then obtaining a measurement of electrical power produced by the converter in the absence of the pulse signal. An error value is determined from the obtained electrical power measurements and that error value is applied to the initial value to obtain a target value for the electrical output of the converter.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2012Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: CONTROL TECHNIQUES LTDInventors: Scott Alan Meredith-Jones, Stephen Turner, Michael Cade
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Patent number: 8976542Abstract: A high frequency cathode heater supply for a microwave source includes a SMPS inverter and an isolation transformer having a primary winding arranged to be powered by the SMPS inverter, a monitor winding passing through primary core assemblies of the primary winding and a secondary winding arranged for connection to the cathode heater. A current monitor is arranged to monitor a current in the primary windings. Signal processing modules are arranged to receive a first input signal from the monitor winding indicative of a voltage across the cathode heater and a second input signal from the current monitor indicative of a current through the cathode heater. The signal processing modules are arranged to output a control signal to the SMPS inverter to control power supplied to the cathode heater dependent on a monitored resistance of, or monitored power supplied to, the cathode heater as determined from the first input signal and the second input signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2010Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: E2V Technologies (UK) LimitedInventors: Robert Richardson, Michael Bland, Colin Bennett
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Patent number: 8971077Abstract: A power supply circuit includes: a first switch and a second switch that are connected in series between an input voltage terminal and a reference power supply; a controller that controls the first and second switches to be turned on and off by turns; a comparator that has an inverting input terminal connected to a voltage supply and that has a non-inverting input terminal connected to a first terminal of a capacitor; a third switch that is provided between an output terminal and the non-inverting input terminal of the comparator; a fourth switch that is provided between a connection node of the first and second switches, and a second terminal of the capacitor; and a latch circuit that detects change of output of the output terminal of the comparator and controls the second switch to be turned off.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2013Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventor: Hiroyuki Nakamoto
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Patent number: 8929108Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling a grid-connected converter which includes a boost converter, a buck converter, and a current source inverter having an output CL filter. An input of the buck converter input is connected to an output of the boost converter, and an input of the current source inverter is connected to an output of the buck converter. The method includes controlling a boost converter input voltage, controlling a boost converter output voltage through control of a buck converter output voltage, and controlling the current source inverter to produce an AC current from the buck converter output voltage. The apparatus implements the method.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2013Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: ABB Research LtdInventors: Gerardo Escobar, Ngai-Man Ho, Sami Pettersson
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Publication number: 20150002020Abstract: A physical vapor deposition system may include an RF generator configured to transmit an AC process signal to a physical vapor deposition chamber via an RF matching network. A detector circuit may be configured to sense the AC process signal and output a DC magnitude error signal and a DC phase error signal. A controller may be coupled to the detector circuit and the RF matching network and configured to receive the DC magnitude and phase error signals and to vary an impedance of the RF matching network in response to the DC magnitude and phase error signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2014Publication date: January 1, 2015Applicant: COMET TECHNOLOGIES USA, INC.Inventor: Gerald E. Boston
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Patent number: 8923025Abstract: Apparatus and methods in accordance with this invention provide a multi-cell power supply for receiving power from a source and delivering power at an output terminal to a load. The multi-cell power supply includes a first power cell coupled to the source, and a first current sensor circuit. The first power cell provides a first output current, and includes a first output terminal coupled to a reference node of the multi-cell power supply, and a second output terminal coupled to the output terminal. The first current sensor circuit includes a first current sensor and a power supply. The first current sensor is coupled to the first output terminal of the first power cell, and measures the first output current. The power supply is coupled to either the reference node or a floating ground node of the first power cell, and provides power to the first current sensor.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2013Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventors: Mukul Rastogi, Daniel Edward Erb, Edward Alan Cheesman
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Patent number: 8913408Abstract: A power supply device includes an SMPS circuit including an electric transformer having first and second stages, the SMPS circuit generating a second stage output voltage using the electric transformer, a power switcher receiving and switching the second stage output voltage to generate a first power voltage having logic high and low levels in one frame, and a PWM controller controlling a voltage level of the second stage output voltage by providing a control signal to the first stage. The first power voltage is simultaneously provided to a plurality of pixels, and a magnitude of the logic low level is increased or decreased according to a magnitude of an image load, where the magnitude of the image load is dependent on a color and a gradation level of an image to be displayed in a next frame.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2012Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hak-Ki Choi
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Publication number: 20140362617Abstract: Systems and methods for performing vector control of grid-connected power electronic converters using a neural network are described herein. Optionally, the grid-connected power electronic converters can be used in renewable and electric power system applications. In order to improve performance and stability under disturbance conditions, integrals of error signals can be introduced as inputs to the neural network. Alternatively or additionally, grid disturbance voltage can be introduced to an output of a trained neural network.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2014Publication date: December 11, 2014Applicant: The Board of Trustees of The University of AlabamaInventor: Shuhui Li
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Patent number: 8901416Abstract: A power supply assembly which can drive a number of different devices at different voltages. A rack holds a number of breaker modules, and each breaker module can connect to one or many breakout boxes. The breakout boxes are keyed to the breaker modules, so that the breaker boxes will not be energized with power unless they are the proper voltage and/or configuration to receive that power. The coil of a contactor in the breaker module is powered by a key wire that is connected through specified pins in the breakout box. Therefore, no power is ever provided to the breakout box unless it is of the proper voltage configuration. In addition, feeder power to the power supply assembly is provided over bolted connections, without any wire connections between the power feed and the circuit breaker.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2012Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Production Resource Group, L.L.C.Inventors: James Bornhorst, John Covington
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Patent number: 8879287Abstract: Apparatus and methods in accordance with this invention provide a multi-cell power supply for receiving power from a source and delivering power at an output terminal to a load. The multi-cell power supply includes a first power cell coupled to the source, and a first current sensor circuit. The first power cell provides a first output current, and includes a first output terminal coupled to a reference node of the multi-cell power supply, and a second output terminal coupled to the output terminal. The first current sensor circuit includes a first current sensor and a power supply. The first current sensor is coupled to the first output terminal of the first power cell, and measures the first output current. The power supply is coupled to either the reference node or a floating ground node of the first power cell, and provides power to the first current sensor.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2013Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventors: Mukul Rastogi, Daniel Edward Erb, Edward Alan Cheesman
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Patent number: 8867245Abstract: A switching power supply comprises one or more power supply stages that receive power from an input power source and that generate a regulated output voltage for powering a load. A controller monitors at least the regulated output voltage and generates at least one switch control signal for alternately opening and closing a switch so as to regulate the regulated output voltage. A monolithic integrated circuit is coupled to receive the switch control signal. The monolithic integrated circuit is separate from the controller and comprises a plurality of transistors capable of operation at voltage levels that are at least one order of magnitude higher than voltage levels within the controller integrated circuit.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2010Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Champion Microelectronic CorporationInventor: Jeffrey Hwang
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Patent number: 8848327Abstract: Disclosed is a controller for controlling short-circuit across positive and negative terminals of a dye sensitized solar cell for converting a light energy into an electrical energy. The controller includes: a voltage detecting section detecting a voltage developed across the positive and negative terminals of the cell; a current detecting section detecting a current caused to flow through the positive terminal of the cell; a judging section judging how a power generation state of the cell is, and whether or not a release state is provided across the positive and negative terminals of the cell in accordance with a value of the voltage detected by the voltage detecting section and a value of the current detected by the current detecting section; and a short-circuiting/releasing section short-circuiting or releasing across the positive and negative terminals of the cell in accordance with a result of the judgment made by the judging section.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Atsushi Sato, Yoshiaki Inoue, Mikio Takenaka
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Patent number: 8848409Abstract: A converter includes an active stage for converting an AC input voltage at an AC input into an intermediate DC voltage, and a DC/DC converter for transforming the intermediate DC voltage into an output DC voltage at a DC output. The DC/DC converter has a resonant transformer formed by a resonant circuit and a transformer. The converter also includes control unit configured to actively operate the active stage only based on an output DC voltage of the DC/DC converter, an input voltage, and an input current of the converter, and to operate the DC/DC converter in an open loop mode. A method for operating such a converter is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2012Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: ABB Technology AGInventors: Drazen Dujic, Francisco Canales, Akos Mester
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Patent number: 8805629Abstract: A maximum-power-point tracking device is provided for a solar electric-generation system that includes a solar battery and a DC/DC converter connected to the solar battery. The device includes a sampling module configured to detect output current and voltage values of the solar battery. A controlling module is configured to calculate a target current value according to the output current and voltage values and a preset current value, and output a controlling signal for controlling the value of a current according to the output current of the solar battery and the target current value. The device also includes a driving module configured to receive the controlling signal from the controlling module and output a driving signal to adjust a output current value of the DC/DC converter to close to the target current value and adjust an output power of the DC/DC converter.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2011Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: BYD Company LimitedInventors: Shaowen Yin, Xiang Zhang, Rongchun Yang
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Patent number: 8791399Abstract: An object of the invention is to accurately detect a state of an object to be heated in a cooking vessel and effectively avoid cooking failure. An induction heating section (13) inductively heats a cooking vessel (11). A vibration detecting section (14) detects a vibration of the cooking vessel (11) via a top plate (12). A vibration waveform extracting section (15) extracts a vibration waveform of a frequency component having a frequency equal to a predetermined multiplication product of an induction heating frequency, from a waveform of the vibration detected by the vibration detecting section (14). A determining section (16) determines a state of an object to be heated, based on the vibration waveform extracted by the vibration waveform extracting section (15).Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2007Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Sachio Nagamitsu, Makiko Noda
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Publication number: 20140092657Abstract: An operation control apparatus includes a criterion calculator that obtains an operation criterion for the power converter, based on the voltage detected by the above voltage detector on the side of the alternating-current power system, a direct-current voltage detector that detects a direct-current output voltage of the solar battery, and an operation determination device that compares the direct-current output voltage detected by the direct-current voltage detector with the operation criterion obtained by the criterion calculator, and supplies the power converter with an operation command if the direct-current output voltage is greater than the operation criterion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2013Publication date: April 3, 2014Inventor: Yosuke FUJII
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Patent number: 8681515Abstract: An energy generation system includes an inverter for converting a DC voltage into an AC voltage, a three-phase/two-phase transformer for transforming an output of the inverter into a three-phase/two-phase stationary coordinate system, a phase locked loop for calculating the phase and frequency of an output voltage of the inverter, a phase shifter for generating a current phase reference value, a current reference coordinate transformer for transforming the current phase reference value and the current amplitude reference value into a two-phase stationary coordinate system, a current phase calculator for outputting a current phase calculation value, a current phase calculator for outputting a current amplitude calculation value, a current adjuster for generating a current adjustment signal, an output three-phase transformer for transforming the current adjustment signal into a current adjustment signal in a three-phase stationary coordinate system, and a PWM controller for outputting a PWM control signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2011Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Kaco New Energy Inc.Inventors: Young Sang Bae, Seong Jin Oh, Kyoung Hwan Kim
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Patent number: 8665620Abstract: A timing circuit of a controller generates a clock signal having a switching period for use by a pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit to control a switch of a power supply. The switching period of the clock signal is based on a charging time plus a discharging time of a capacitor included in the timing circuit. A first current source charges the capacitor while the timing circuit is in a normal charging mode. A second current source charges the capacitor while the timing circuit is in an alternative charging mode that is when the on time of the switch exceeds a threshold time. The current provided by the second current source is less than the current provided by the first current source such that the switching period of the clock signal is increased in response to the timing circuit entering the alternative charging mode.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2013Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.Inventors: Stefan Bäurle, Guangchao Zhang, Arthur B. Odell, Edward E. Deng
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Patent number: 8653783Abstract: A circuit switching element is provided that switches a step-up/step-down bidirectional chopper circuit, arranged between a DC bus and a power storage element, to a first chopper circuit or to a second chopper circuit, whose step-up and step-down characteristics are in a complementary relation. The first and second chopper circuits are used together at a time of charge and discharge. Accordingly, an AC motor drive device having mounted therein a power storage system is obtained, in which the power storage system can perform charge and discharge to and from the power storage element, regardless of a bus voltage and can increase energy use efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2011Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Manabu Ohashi, Kazuya Nakamura
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Publication number: 20130336030Abstract: There is provided a solar power generation system including a solar cell, an inverter converting a direct current power generated by the solar cell into an alternating current power, a system voltage measurement unit measuring a system voltage, a voltage drop detector detecting a voltage drop of a power system, based on the system voltage, a first direct current voltage controller controlling a direct current voltage of the inverter to enhance a power generation efficiency of the solar cell, when the voltage drop is not detected, and a second direct current voltage controller controlling the direct current voltage of the inverter to suppress a current output from the inverter, when the voltage drop is detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2013Publication date: December 19, 2013Applicant: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATIONInventors: Ruben Alexis Inzunza FIGUEROA, Eiichi IKAWA, Takeshi SUMIYA
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Patent number: 8570776Abstract: A method is provided for determining a control scheme for a voltage source converter (VSC) with a topology of three bridge legs between each of three phases of a grid and a neutral point. The method includes: analyzing the waveform of the grid and/or a load voltage and determining an allowed period for no-swilching of the corresponding bridge leg; operating the VSC with different clamping carrier modulator frequencies, and then analyzing the balance in the operating junction temperatures and/or power losses across the active switches and also analyzing the total losses of the VSC; comparing the balance and the total losses of different clamping carrier modulator frequencies and selecting the clamping carrier modulator frequency; operating the VSC with the selected clamping carrier modulator frequency, and optimizing the balance in the operating junction temperatures and/or power losses across the active switches and the total losses of the VSC.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2011Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: ALSTOM Technology LtdInventors: Johann W. Kolar, Thiago Soeiro, Per Ranstad, Jörgen Linner
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Patent number: 8559201Abstract: A grid-connected inverter includes first and second power conversion circuits, a contactor and a control circuit. The first conversion circuit converts a first DC voltage to a second DC voltage. The second conversion circuit converts the second DC voltage to an AC voltage. The contactor connects an output side of the second conversion circuit to a power system. The control circuit includes a decision circuit and controls start and stop operations of the conversion circuits, and opening and closing of the contactor. The decision circuit decides whether a condition of the contactor is abnormal by detecting, after the control circuit controls the contactor to be open, whether or not a value of the second DC voltage is less than a threshold value, and if the value of the second DC voltage is detected to be not less than the threshold value, decides that the condition of the contactor is abnormal.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2011Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kansuke Fujii, Toshiya Yamada, Masaki Katoh
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Patent number: 8531853Abstract: An example integrated circuit controller includes a pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit and a timing circuit. The PWM circuit controls a switch to regulate an output of a power supply in response to a switch current flowing through the switch and in response to a clock signal having a switching period. The timing circuit provides the clock signal and includes a timing capacitor where the switching period of the clock signal is equal to a charging time that the timing capacitor charges to an upper reference voltage plus a discharging time that the timing capacitor discharges to a lower reference voltage. The timing circuit increases the charging time of the timing capacitor by decreasing a rate at which the timing capacitor is charged to increase the switching period of the clock signal if an on time of the switch is greater than or equal to a threshold time.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2011Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.Inventors: Stefan Bäurle, Guangchao Darson Zhang, Arthur B. Odell, Edward Deng
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Patent number: 8503205Abstract: Disclosed is a power converter including a power factor corrector and a DC/DC converter and a power conversion method.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2012Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Andrea Carletti, Albino Pidutti
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Patent number: 8503204Abstract: A power converter includes a DC/AC converter with input terminals and output terminals. A DC/DC converter includes input terminals for receiving a DC input voltage and output terminals for providing a DC output voltage. The output terminals are coupled to the input terminals of the DC/AC converter. The DC/DC converter also includes a control circuit that is configured to control an output current of the DC/DC converter dependent on a reference signal. The reference signal has a frequency that is dependent on a frequency of the AC output voltage.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2011Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Andrea Carletti, Albino Pidutti
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Patent number: 8493757Abstract: Disclosed is a power converter including a power factor corrector and a DC/DC converter and a power conversion method.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2011Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Andrea Carletti, Albino Pidutti
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Patent number: 8471409Abstract: The present invention discloses a power conversion circuit. A control module controls a pulse width modulation regulator to regulate a duty cycle of a DC-DC converter according to the direct current link voltage of the DC-DC converter and the output current and voltage of a renewable power supply. The control module also controls the pulse width modulation regulator to regulate a duty cycle of a DC-AC inverter according to the direct current link voltage of the DC-DC converter, output voltage of a utility power supply, and the output current and voltage of the renewable power supply.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2011Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Chung-Hsin Electric and Machinery Manufacturing Corp.Inventors: Jin-Ming Chang, Zhan-Yi Lin, Chen-Kun Chou, Yu-Ming Sun, Chi-Bin Wu