Abstract: A multiphase power converter includes one or both of a phase control circuit and a valley switching locking circuit. The phase control circuit measures a phase difference between a first phase circuit and a second phase circuit and varies an on-time of a drive switch of the second phase circuit to produce and maintain a predetermined phase difference between the first phase circuit and the second phase circuit. When the multiphase power converter is operating in a discontinuous mode of operation, the valley switching locking circuit counts the number of zero crossings of an input current of the first phase circuit and blocks a second zero crossing detection signal from a waveform generator (i.e., PWM driver) associated with the second phase circuit until an input current of the second phase circuit has as many zero crossings as that of the first phase circuit input current.

Abstract: Power conversion system and method. The system includes a first capacitor, a second capacitor, and a plurality of diodes including a first diode, a second diode, a third diode, and a fourth diode. Additionally, the system includes a fifth diode including a first anode and a first cathode and a sixth diode including a second anode and a second cathode. Moreover, the system includes a primary winding, and a secondary winding coupled to the primary winding. The first anode is connected to a first input terminal, and the second anode is connected to a second input terminal. The first input terminal and the second input terminal are configured to receive an input voltage. The secondary winding is configured to generate an output voltage based on at least information associated with the input voltage.

Abstract: The power supply includes a first power connector, a power conversion circuit, a control unit and a detection circuit. The first power connector includes a plurality of power terminals and a first detecting terminal. The power conversion circuit is coupled to the power terminals of the first power connector for converting an input voltage into an output voltage. The control unit is coupled to the power conversion circuit for controlling an operation of the power conversion circuit. The detection circuit is coupled to the control unit and the first detecting terminal of the first power connector for detecting if the first detecting terminal is connected or disconnected with a predetermined voltage terminal and correspondingly generating a power transmission status signal to the control unit.

Abstract: A direct current bus management system can include a power management and distribution unit, having a source management section, a bus management section coupled to the source management section, a load management section coupled to the bus management section, a DC bus coupled to the power management and distribution unit, a plurality of DC sources coupled to the source management section and a plurality of loads coupled to the load management section, wherein the bus management section is configured to reconfigure excess DC power on the DC bus from the DC inputs from the plurality of DC sources based on a plurality of priorities, a plurality of feedback signals and a plurality of system parameters.

Abstract: A command value is a current command value with a triangular-like waveform having a cycle that is ? of a cycle of a three-phase voltage. A carrier has a triangular-like waveform having a cycle shorter than the cycle of the command value. Comparison result signals are pulse signals indicating a result of the comparison between the carrier and the command value. In a region of a phase of 30 to 90 degrees, a portion of the comparison result signal present in this region is employed as a gate signal. In a region of a phase of 270 to 330 degrees, a portion of the comparison result signal present in this region is employed as the gate signal.

Abstract: In a control method for supplying power, a first power regulator supplies a first current and an output voltage to a second power regulator and the second power regulator supplies a second current to a load. The method includes: increasing the output voltage and detecting the second current; determining whether the second current suddenly drops as the output voltage increases; when the second current drops, defining a level of the output voltage which corresponds to a starting point of the sudden drop as an upper limit; when the output voltage increases but the second current neither increases nor suddenly drops, defining a level of the output voltage corresponding to a point where the second current stops increasing as a lower limit; and setting the output voltage to be lower than or equal to the upper limit, and higher than or equal to the lower limit.

Abstract: A power supply switch apparatus includes a voltage decreasing circuit, a rectification circuit, a comparison circuit, and a control circuit. The voltage decreasing circuit receives a first alternating voltage output from a power supply and converts the first alternating voltage to a second alternating voltage. The rectification circuit receives the second alternating voltage and converts the second alternating voltage to a first direct voltage. The voltage regulating circuit receives the first direct voltage and converts the first direct voltage to a second direct voltage. The comparison circuit receives the second direct voltage, compares the second direct voltage with a reference voltage, and outputs a control signal. The control circuit receives the control signal and connects the power supply to different circuits according to the control signal.

Abstract: A power converter configured to improve power capture in a wind turbine during low wind speed operation is disclosed. The power converter converts the power generated by the alternator of the wind turbine into a suitable AC current for delivery to a utility grid or to an electric load independent of the utility grid. The power converter is configured to operate in multiple operating modes, utilizing both synchronous and non-synchronous control methods, to extend the operating range of the power converter. During non-synchronous operation, the power converter utilizes a modulation routine that may either vary the dead-time compensation period during a constant modulation period or vary the modulation period with a constant on-time. A seamless transfer between non-synchronous and synchronous control methods with low total harmonic distortion (THD) improves the range of power generation for wind generators.

Abstract: Multi-level rectifiers are provided. A multi-level rectifier may convert a medium AC voltage to a medium DC voltage. A multi-level rectifier may comprise an input inductor, a set of diodes, a set of switches, and a DC link comprising a set of capacitors. One end of the input inductor is coupled to the input AC voltage and the other end of the input inductor is coupled to a pair of diodes that are series connected. The set of switches may be regulated such that the inductor may be coupled to a DC voltage point of the DC link. A multi-level rectifier may operate under a set of operation modes. Each operation mode may be determined from the input voltage and the inductor current. Accordingly, a sinusoidal voltage at the fundamental frequency of the input voltage may be synthesized by selectively switching between adjacent operation modes of the set of operation modes.

Abstract: In an embodiment, set forth by way of example and not limitation a USB power converter for an electronic device includes a USB bus including VBUS power line, a D? data line and a D+ data line, a variable voltage converter, a processor clock, a USB transceiver coupled to the D? data line and the D+ data line, and a processor coupled to processor clock and to the USB transceiver. Preferably, the variable voltage converter has an alternating current (AC) input, a direct current (DC) output coupled to the VBUS power line, and a voltage control input responsive to a voltage control signal to provide a plurality of voltage levels at the DC output. The process is, in this example embodiment, operative to develop the control signal based upon communication from an electronic device connected to the USB bus.

Abstract: A three-phase rectifier converts three-phase alternating current (AC) power supplied from a three-phase AC power supply into direct current (DC) power. The three-phase rectifier includes a full-wave rectifier circuit, a bidirectional switch circuit, and a controller. The full-wave rectifier circuit rectifies three-phase AC power to DC power. The bidirectional switch circuit switches on and off inputs of respective phases from the three-phase AC power supply to the full-wave rectifier circuit. The controller detects voltages of the respective phases of the three-phase AC power supply, generates switching patterns for the respective phases to switch the bidirectional switch circuit on and off based on the detected voltages of the phases, and controls switching of the bidirectional switch circuit based on the switching patterns.

Abstract: A low voltage AC power controller uses a line coupled capacitor AC to DC converter circuit to obtain energy from AC line power supplied to an AC load and may be used with an external high voltage AC switching device to control power supplied to the AC load. The line coupled capacitor AC to DC converter circuit provides a low power device that senses characteristics of the power supplied to the load and can communicate sensed information and/or receive control information related to the power supplied to load.

Abstract: To measure input power as accurate as possible, a power supply apparatus includes an AC/DC converter that generates a direct-current internal power supply from an alternating-current commercial power supply, an output-voltage measurement unit that measures an output voltage of the internal power supply, an output-current measurement unit that measures an output current of the internal power supply, a temperature measurement unit that measures an environmental temperature of the power supply apparatus itself, a storage device that stores therein in advance conversion efficiency data in which a correspondence between a conversion efficiency ? of the AC/DC converter and the environmental temperature is recorded, and a computation unit that determines the conversion efficiency ? based on the environmental temperature and the conversion efficiency data and calculates the input power of the commercial power supply by using the determined conversion efficiency ?, the output voltage, and the output current.

Abstract: An additional electric power receiving method replacing conventional grounding with a negative voltage source includes the step of transmitting electromagnetic wave or current from a power supply source to a rectifier, wherein a grounding end of the rectifier is in electrical communication with the negative voltage source, and the negative voltage source is selected from a negative potential intrinsic of an organism. A device applicable to the electric power receiving method includes a rectifier having an input end and two output ends, wherein the input end is in electrical communication with a power supply source, and rectified direct current is transmitted from the output ends. With the method and device, not only an increase in additional electric power obtained is achieved, but conversion efficiency and stability of current and electromagnetic wave is enhanced.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, an electronic device includes a controller configured to apply slope compensation to a reference signal in a power factor corrector. The device also configured to adjust the slope compensation based on an input voltage of the power factor corrector.

Abstract: Provided is a power supply apparatus with low power in a standby mode. The apparatus includes a voltage multiplier configured to multiply an input voltage and including a first terminal through which the multiplied voltage is output and a second terminal through which a voltage lower than a voltage of the first terminal is output; a main switch-mode power supply (SMPS) configured to receive the voltage of the first terminal of the voltage multiplier; and a standby SMPS configured to receive a voltage of the second terminal of the voltage multiplier.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for controlling an equivalent resistance of a converter. The method includes receiving a power source input signal, generating a first control signal according to a voltage level and a state of the power source input signal to adjust an equivalent resistance of the voltage conversion module and cause the voltage conversion module to operate in the damper mode or the converter mode, when the voltage conversion module operates in the converter mode converting the power source input signal to an output signal, and when the voltage conversion module operates in the damper mode detecting the voltage level or the current level of the power source input signal, and adjusting the equivalent resistance so that the voltage conversion module could operate in the bleeder mode or the converter mode to convert the power source input signal to the output signal.

Abstract: A voltage adjusting circuit is provided includes an inducing circuit configured to induce a voltage from electromagnetic waves, a first rectifying circuit configured to rectify an output voltage of the inducing circuit, a control circuit configured to control an output voltage of the first rectifying circuit in response to the output voltage of the first rectifying circuit, and a second rectifying circuit configured to simultaneously rectify and regulate the output voltage of the inducing circuit in response to the output voltage of the first rectifying circuit.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an electrical supply apparatus which keeps the loading of the supply system low. What is proposed for this purpose is an electrical supply apparatus, in particular a power supply unit comprising a power factor correction device 7, wherein the power factor correction device generates a current waveform signal from a predefined current waveform pattern half-cycle.

Abstract: There are provided a power module in which a bias voltage is varied and supplied to a control circuit controlling power conversion when an idle mode is switched to a normal mode, and a distributed power supply apparatus having the same. The power module includes: a power factor correction stage; a DC/DC conversion stage switching power to convert the power into pre-set DC power in a powering mode in which normal power is output; a standby stage converting the power into pre-set standby power in a cold standby mode in which the DC/DC conversion stage outputs power having a level lower than that of normal power; and a variable bias supply unit varying a voltage level of bias power for controlling DC/DC power conversion and supplying the same to the DC/DC conversion stage in the cold standby mode and the powering mode.

Abstract: A controller for a power converter and method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the controller includes a current-sense device couplable in series with switched terminals of power switches of interleaved switching regulators and configured to produce a current-sense signal. The controller also includes an error amplifier configured to produce an error signal as a function of a characteristic of the power converter. The controller also includes a duty-cycle controller configured to sample the current-sense signal at mid-points of duty cycles of the power switches and regulate the characteristic as a function of the error signal and the current-sense signal.

Abstract: There are provided a power supplying apparatus controlling voltage of a power factor correcting circuit according to a power state and a power charging apparatus controlling voltage of a power factor correcting circuit according to a charging state of a battery. The power supplying apparatus includes: a power factor correcting circuit switching input power to correct a power factor thereof and adjusting a voltage level of the power of which the power factor has been corrected according to a state of power transferred to a load; and a resonant DC to DC converting circuit having a resonance frequency varied according to a voltage level of DC power from the power factor correcting circuit and converting the DC power from the power factor correcting circuit into supply power having a preset level according to the resonance frequency.

Abstract: There are provided a power factor correction circuit and a power supply including the same, the power factor correction circuit including a main switch adjusting a phase difference between a current and a voltage of input power, a main inductor storing or discharging the power according to switching of the main switch, a snubber circuit unit including a snubber switch forming a transfer path for surplus power present before the main switch is turned on and a snubber inductor adjusting an amount of a current applied to the snubber switch, and a reduction circuit unit reducing excessive power imposed on the snubber switch by varying inductance of the snubber inductor.

Abstract: There is provided a power factor correction circuit including: a main switching unit including a first main switch and a second main switch performing a switching operation to regulate a phase difference between a current and a voltage of input power, respectively; a main inductor unit including a first main inductor and a second main inductor accumulating or discharging energy according to a switching operation of each of the first main switch and the second main switch; a snubber switching unit including a first snubber switch and a second snubber switch providing zero-voltage turn-on conditions to the first main switch and the second main switch, respectively; and a controller controlling a switching operation of the main switching unit and the snubber switching unit.

Abstract: There are provided a power factor correction circuit, and a power supply including the same, the power factor correction circuit including a main switch adjusting a phase difference between a current and a voltage of input power, a main inductor storing or discharging the power according to switching of the main switch, a snubber circuit unit including a snubber switch forming a transfer path for surplus power present before the main switch is turned on and a snubber inductor adjusting an amount of a current applied to the snubber switch, and a reduction circuit unit including an auxiliary inductor inductively coupled to the snubber inductor and an auxiliary resistor consuming power induced from the snubber inductor through the auxiliary inductor.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to power conversion. A device may include a controllable switch coupled between an AC network and a DC network. The device may further include control circuitry configured to modify a configuration of the switch based on a detected difference between a reference signal and an output signal at the DC network.

Abstract: A power conversion system includes at least one switching unit. The switching unit includes a switching device including a channel and a body diode integrated with the channel. The switching device includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal. The channel provides a positive direction current flow path to allow a positive direction current to flow through in response to a first turn-on switching control signal supplied to the first terminal. The body diode provides a first negative direction current flow path to allow a negative direction current to flow through in response to a first turn-off switching control signal. The channel provides a second negative direction current flow path to allow the negative direction current to flow through in response to a second turn-on switching control signal.

Abstract: A rectifier is provided. The rectifier includes a first rectification unit having an anode connecting to a negative radio frequency (RF) port and a cathode connecting to a positive direct current (DC) port, a second rectification unit having an anode connecting to a positive RF port and a cathode connecting to the positive DC port, a third rectification unit having an anode connecting to a ground and a cathode connecting to the negative RF port, and a fourth rectification unit having an anode connecting to the ground and a cathode connecting to the positive RF port. The first rectification unit includes a plurality of first diodes that are connected in parallel, and the second rectification unit includes a plurality of second diodes that are connected in parallel.

Abstract: In a steady state operation mode, a charging circuit of a non-isolated AC-to-DC converter decouples an output voltage VO node from a VR node when the rectifier output signal VR on the VR node is greater than a first predetermined voltage VP and, 2) supplies a charging current from the VR node and onto the VO node when VR is less than VP provided that an output voltage VO on the VO node is less than a second predetermined voltage VO(MAX) and provided that VR is greater than VO. In an initial power up operation mode, the maximum limit value of the charging current is smaller than it is during steady state operation. Due to the reduced charging currents employed during initial power up operation, less noise is injected back to the AC source and EMI filters are not required between the rectifier of the converter and the AC source.

Abstract: A power factor correction device comprises a power stage circuit converting input alternating current voltage into input current according to a pulse width modulation signal and outputs the input current to a load generating output voltage on the load, and sampling the input current outputting a correcting current; a current compensating circuit receiving and comparing the correcting current with a reference current signal generating a compensating current signal; a voltage compensating circuit receiving and comparing the output voltage with a reference voltage generating a compensating voltage signal; a multiplication amplifier receiving the compensating current signal and the compensating voltage signal generating an updated reference current signal by multiplying the compensating current signal with the compensating voltage signal; and a pulse width modulation converter receiving the compensating current signal and the compensating voltage signal generating the pulse width modulation signal to synchronize

Abstract: A circuit and method for compensating for parasitic elements of a transistor. A transistor, a controller, and a compensation element are mounted to a printed circuit board. The transistor includes parasitic drain and source inductors. The compensation element may be a discrete inductor that has an inductance value equal to about the sum of the inductance values of the parasitic drain and source inductors. The magnitudes of the compensation voltage and the sum of the voltages across the parasitic drain and source inductances are substantially equal. Thus, the compensation voltage developed across the compensation inductor is used to adjust a reference voltage within the controller. A drain-to-source voltage is applied to one input of a comparator within the controller and the adjusted reference voltage is applied to another input of the comparator. An output signal of the comparator is input to drive circuitry that drives a gate of the transistor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an AC/DC converter comprising at least two phase legs connected in series between first and second DC connection terminals of the AC/DC converter, wherein each phase leg comprises: an AC connection having first and second terminals arranged to connect the phase leg to a phase of an AC system; a phase branch comprising at least one converter cell and having first and second branch end terminals; and a capacitor. The capacitor is connected the between the first branch end terminal and the first AC connection terminal, so that the capacitor forms a DC blocking capacitor. The second AC terminal is connected to the second branch end terminal. The series connection of the phase legs between first and second DC connection terminal is such that a first series connection point in a phase leg is located between the first branch end terminal and the capacitor, while a second series connection point is located between the second branch end terminal and the second AC connection.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus is provided, in which a control chip is used to detect an AC input power, so that it is unnecessary to additionally set an external independent detection circuit, by which not only a design cost is decreased, an extra standby loss is also avoided. Moreover, the method of using the control chip to execute detection of the AC input power can effectively decrease detection deviation, so as to notify the load system within an allowable (accurate) time (i.e. the predetermined time). Moreover, the control chip can determine and adjust the predetermined time within which the indication signal is generated to notify the load system according to an application requirement of the load system, so that the power supply apparatus can be generally applied in different types of the load systems having a timing control requirement.

Abstract: The present invention includes: a converter configured to convert the direct-current voltage of the rectifier to another direct-current voltage and supply to a load; a peak hold unit configured to hold a peak value of a current detected by a current detecting unit configured to detect a current flowing in the switching element; an averaging unit configured to convert, to a current, an output of an n/2 output unit, and then integrate and output the converted current, the n/2 output unit configured to output n/2 (n is an integer of 1 or more) of the held peak value only in a regeneration current period of the reactor; a control unit configured to turn the switching element on and off based on an output signal of the averaging unit in such a way that an average current value of a current flowing in the reactor is equal to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A power converter is provided that has an alternating-current (AC) to direct-current (DC) switched-mode power converter circuit that converts alternating-current power into direct-current power for powering an attached electronic device. Power can be conserved by automatically placing the power converter circuit in a low-power standby mode of operation whenever the electronic device is detached from the power converter. A monitoring circuit can be powered by a capacitor or other energy storage element while the power converter is operating in the standby mode. If the monitoring circuit detects an output voltage change that is indicative of attachment of the electronic device or if the storage element needs to be replenished, the monitoring circuit can place the power converter circuit in an active mode of operation.

Abstract: An off-line power converter includes an integrated circuit power factor controller including a multi-function input terminal, a drive terminal for providing a drive signal to a gate of a drive transistor, a processing circuit coupled to the multi-function input terminal and, based on a signal received from the multi-function input terminal, providing at least one current signal representative of a current conducted in the off-line power converter, and at least one voltage signal representative of a voltage provided to a load, and a controller for providing the drive signal selectively in response to the at least one current signal and the at least one voltage signal.

Abstract: The disclosed technology performs power factor correction involving rectifying and adjusting an input power supply signal with a PWM signal. The PWM signal is generated based on a closed feedback signal obtained from a load, as well as adjusted harmonic content retrieved from a sensed input power supply signal. The adjusted harmonic content is produced by extracting a fundamental signal and a plurality of harmonic signals from the sensed input power supply signal, modifying the plurality of harmonic signals by dividing by the fundamental signal, and combining the modified harmonic signals into a duty factor distortion signal. The duty factor distortion signal controls a duty factor of the PWM signal to provide a substantially square wave template. Furthermore, the power factor is increased by forcing the input power supply signal to follow the substantially square wave template.

Abstract: A power adaptor system and method is provided. The adaptor system includes a system side and a power adaptor. The power adaptor method includes steps of: transforming an AC voltage to a DC voltage; the power adaptor generating a periodic signal and outputting a combined signal according to the DC voltage and the periodic signal; the system side retrieving a determination signal corresponding to the periodic signal according to the combined signal; and the system side selecting an operating mode according to the determination signal.

Abstract: A power generator includes a power generating device that generates a power by receiving vibration, and a power converter that converts the output of the power generating device. The power generating device outputs powers through a first system and a second system. The power converter is driven by receiving the output of the second system from the power generating device, and converts the output of the first system from the power generating device into another power.

Abstract: High voltage DC power, which is produced by rectifying AC power generated by an AC generator, is controlled and regulated without the need for measuring the position of the rotor with hardware. A Field oriented controller uses a sliding mode observer to estimate the position of the rotor without the use of position detection hardware. The estimated position of the rotor and the AC current are then used by the field oriented controller algorithm to regulate a DC output from a rectifier driven by an AC generator.

Abstract: An energy efficient apparatus includes a switching device, a frequency dependent reactive device, and a control element is provided. The switching device is coupled to a source of electrical power and includes a pair of transistors and is adapted to receive a control signal and to produce an alternating current power signal. The frequency of the alternating current power signal is responsive to the control signal. The frequency dependent reactive device is electrically coupled to the pair of transistors for receiving the alternating current power signal and producing an output power signal. The frequency dependent reactive device is chosen to achieve a desired voltage of the output power signal relative to the frequency of the alternating current power signal. The control element senses an actual voltage of the direct current power signal and modifies the control signal delivered to achieve the desired voltage of the direct current power signal.

Abstract: A power supply circuit includes a rectifier, a charging circuit, and a storage capacitor. An AC signal is rectified by the rectifier thereby generating a rectified signal VR between a VR node and a GND node. The capacitor is coupled between an output voltage VO node and the GND node. If VR is greater than a first predetermined voltage VP then the VO node is decoupled from the VR node. If VR is below VP then the charging circuit supplies a substantially constant charging current from the VR node, through the charging circuit, to the VO node, and to the capacitor, provided that VO on the capacitor is below a second predetermined voltage VO(MAX) and provided that VR is adequately high with respect to VO. Due to the charging current, the voltage VO on the storage capacitor is restored to the desired second predetermined voltage.

Abstract: A power factor correction converter includes: a light load detection circuit configured to generate, if supplied power to a load is less than or equal to a predetermined value, a light load detection signal whose level corresponds to the supplied power; a target waveform generation circuit configured to generate, based on an input DC voltage, a target waveform of an inductor current flowing through an inductor; and a drive signal generation circuit configured to generate a drive signal driving a switch such that the inductor current follows the target waveform. The target waveform generation circuit is configured to generate, if the light load detection signal indicates a light load, the target waveform that includes a zero level period in which an amplitude of the target waveform is zero level, the zero level period being adjusted in accordance with the level of the light load detection signal.

Abstract: There is provided a power supply monitoring circuit including a holding part holding, every time a local maximum value of a power supply voltage which fluctuates is detected, the local maximum value as a local maximum voltage value, a power stop detector detecting whether or not supply of the power supply voltage is stopped based on whether or not a state that a value of the power supply voltage is smaller than a first reference value according to the local maximum voltage value continues longer than a predetermined period, and a reference value controller decreasing the first reference value during a period in which the value of the power supply voltage exceeds a second reference value smaller than the first reference value and in which stop of the supply of the power supply voltage is detected.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein describe a method of a controller of a switching power converter that provides a configurable power factor control method for the switching power converter. In one embodiment, the controller combines power regulation control methods of constant on-time control and constant power control to adjust the power factor of the switching power converter.

Abstract: An embodiment is an apparatus that includes an energy-storage circuit and a rectifying circuit. The energy-storage circuit is configured to generate a current that flows in a direction, and the rectifying circuit is configured to substantially block the current from flowing in a reverse direction in response to the current. Such an apparatus may be configured to block a reverse current before it begins to flow. For example, such an apparatus may include a transistor disposed in the path of the current, and may be configured to deactivate the transistor while a forward current is still flowing. Furthermore, by being configured to block the current from flowing in a reverse direction in response to the current itself, such an apparatus may better block a reverse current than an apparatus that blocks a reverse current in another manner, such as in response to a voltage across a rectifying transistor.

Abstract: A power factor correction circuit including a rectifier bridge, an energy storage component, a power switch, a second switch and a control circuit provides reduced THD and improved PF performance under a high input AC voltage.

Abstract: A DC power supply apparatus comprising: a rectifying circuit including, a first rectifying portion, a second rectifying portion, a third rectifying portion and a fourth rectifying portion; a current detection portion; a first switching portion; and a second switching portion; wherein each of the first rectifying portion cooperatively operating with the first switching portion and the second rectifying portion cooperatively operating with the second switching portion is a semiconductor element which is formed by using a Schottky junction formed between silicon carbide or gallium nitride and metal and has a withstanding voltage property with respect to a voltage of an AC power supply.

Abstract: A family of power converters has input ac voltage regulation instead of output dc voltage regulation. The bi-directional converters control power flows and maintain the input ac voltage at or close to a certain reference value. These bi-directional power converters handle both active and reactive power while maintaining the input ac voltage within a small tolerance. Use of these converters is favorable for future power grid maintenance in that they (i) ensure the load demand follows power generation and (ii) provide distributed stability support for the power grid. The converters can be used in future smart loads that help stabilize the power grid.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement is for operating a load having a reactive characteristic on an AC power supply. The circuit arrangement enables the best possible reactive power compensation, that is, enables operation close to a cos ? of 1, in order to increase the overall efficiency of the arrangement or to achieve optimal energy savings. In order to control critical operating states, a feedback loop is provided that supplies a control current to a further reactive circuit element. This further circuit element is arranged parallel to the load or to the power factor correction capacitor, and is acted upon by a control current such that the control current counteracts a change in the reactive component of the load. The control current is derived from the load current as a variable proportional to the load current. In this way, a reactor for optimizing electromagnetic consumption is created.