For Inverter Patents (Class 363/95)
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Publication number: 20100091532Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting DC input power to AC output power. The apparatus comprises an input capacitor, a DC-AC inverter, a burst mode controller for causing energy to be stored in the input capacitor during at least one storage period and the energy to be drawn from the input capacitor during at least one burst period, wherein the AC output power is greater than the DC input power during the at least one burst period; a first feedback loop for determining a maximum power point (MPP) and operating the DC-AC inverter proximate the MPP; and a second feedback loop for determining a difference in a first power measurement and a second power measurement, producing an error signal indicative of the difference, and coupling the error signal to the first feedback loop to adjust at least one operating parameter of the DC-AC inverter to drive toward the MPP.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2008Publication date: April 15, 2010Applicant: ENPHASE ENERGY, INC.Inventor: Martin Fornage
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Publication number: 20100084924Abstract: A multi-input electrical power conversion device is provided for converting multiple DC energies each arising from different junctions in a multi-junction solar cells into AC energy. The device includes a plurality of electrical inputs for receiving the multiple DC energies from at least one multi junction solar cell. The number of DC energies id no less than the number of junctions in the multi-junction solar cell. The device also includes at least one DC-to-AC circuit for receiving the multiple DC energies from the plurality of electrical inputs and at least one electrical output receiving at least one AC energy from the DC to AC circuit. The device also includes at least one MPPT circuit operatively coupled to the DC to AC circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2008Publication date: April 8, 2010Applicant: SUNLIGHT PHOTONICS INC.Inventors: Sergey Frolov, Allan James Bruce, Michael Cyrus
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Publication number: 20100073976Abstract: A DC/AC converter includes: a resonant circuit including a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding and at least one capacitor, in which the capacitor is connected to at least one of the primary winding and secondary winding of the transformer, and an output terminal to which the load is to be connected is provided on the secondary winding side; a switching circuit connected to both ends of a direct current power supply and having a bridge configuration composed of switching elements for flowing a current through the primary winding of the transformer and the capacitor in the resonant circuit; and a control circuit that turns on/off the switching elements by a pair of drive signals, and flows a current through the load bidirectionally, thereby performs a PWM control for the current flowing through the load, wherein the control circuit includes step drive circuits which turn on the switching elements in steps, and the step drive circuits are provided so as to individually correspond to theType: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2009Publication date: March 25, 2010Applicant: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kengo KIMURA, Toru Ashikaga, Toshihiro Nakano
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Publication number: 20100067271Abstract: A method of providing reactive power support is proposed. The method includes detecting at least one of a plurality of network parameters in a distributed solar power generation system. The generation system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules coupled to a grid via inverters. The method further includes sensing a state of the photovoltaic modules coupled to the distributed solar power generation system and determining a reactive power measure based upon the sensed state and the detected network parameters. The reactive power measure is used to generate a reactive power command. The reactive power command is further used to compensate reactive power in the distributed solar power generation system.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2008Publication date: March 18, 2010Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Luis Jose Garces, Yan Liu, Michael deRooij, Sumit Bose
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Publication number: 20100046258Abstract: A digital control system for a switch mode power supply (SMPS), the control system having a demand input for a signal indicating whether an output voltage of said SMPS is above or below a desired value, and a drive output for a switch controlling energy transfer between an input and an output of said SMPS during a power switching cycle, the control system further including: a signal processor coupled to said demand input and to said drive output to control said drive output responsive to said demand signal to regulate said output voltage at said desired value, and wherein said signal processor includes at least one storage element to store at least one value of said demand signal, and wherein said switching control signal for a said power switching cycle is responsive to a value of said demand signal in at least two previous power switching cycles.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2005Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicant: CAMBRIDGE SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITEDInventors: David Robert Coulson, Philip John Moyse
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Publication number: 20100008113Abstract: A surge voltage target setting unit (103) obtains a main circuit power supply voltage (VH) of a semiconductor power conversion device based on an inter-terminal voltage (Vce) of a semiconductor switching element (100) detected by a voltage detection unit (102), and sets a control target (Vm) of a surge voltage in accordance with the obtained main circuit power supply voltage. An active gate control unit (71), when the semiconductor switching element (100) is turned off, sets a quantity of voltage modification (V1) so as to modify a gate voltage (Vg) in a direction raising the gate voltage (Vg), that is, in a direction lowering a turn-off speed, based on feedback of the inter-terminal voltage (Vce), when the inter-terminal voltage (Vce) exceeds the control target (Vm).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2008Publication date: January 14, 2010Applicants: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, DENSO CORPORATION, NIPPON SOKEN, INCInventors: Hiromichi Kuno, Satoshi Hirose, Naoyoshi Takamatsu, Hiroya Tsuji, Hiroyuki Sakakibara, Kazuki Fukatsu
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Publication number: 20100008106Abstract: At the starting time and an overload time in which the output voltage of the switching power source apparatus is low, if an overcurrent state, in which the ON period of the switching device becomes short and a current not less than the current limit value of the switching device flows through the switching device, occurs, this overcurrent state is detected. The blanking period of a blanking pulse signal is made shorter than the blanking period that is obtained during steady operation, and the ON period of the switching device is made shorter. Hence, the device current flowing through the switching device can be made small in each pulse for the switching operation, and, at the same time, the device current is suppressed from increasing each time a pulse for the switching operation is generated.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2009Publication date: January 14, 2010Applicant: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Keita Kawabe, Kazuhiro Murata, Yoshihiro Mori, Naohiko Morota
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Publication number: 20100002470Abstract: This invention relates to a method for Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) a photovoltaic cell by a power converter that provides an output current at voltages useful to operate electronics or charge batteries. This invention also relates to a method for Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) multiple photovoltaic cells by a power combiner that combines the output of the multiple photovoltaic cells into a single output. The power combiner is comprised of multiple power converters, one for each photovoltaic cell. Each power converter used in these methods has an input-regulating element that has an output wave form with a characteristic that is related to the photovoltaic cell voltage and current. As a result only the photovoltaic cell voltage is directly measured in these methods and the photovoltaic cell current is determined indirectly.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2009Publication date: January 7, 2010Inventors: Fouad Kiamilev, Nicholas Andrew Waite
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Patent number: 7643321Abstract: A current sensing circuit that determines an output current of a bi-directional converter circuit comprises a current transformer that receives a first current signal and that outputs a second current signal. The first current signal is indicative of the output current and flows in one of a first direction and/or a second direction. The second current signal is indicative of the first current signal. A current sensing module receives the second current signal and has a first state and a second state. A converter control module simultaneously transitions the first current signal from the first direction to the second direction and transitions the current sensing module from the first state to the second state. The converter control module transitions the current sensing module to the first state after a resetting period.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2005Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventor: Keming Chen
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Patent number: 7640455Abstract: An apparatus for forcing outputs of a digital controller of a switching power converter to a safe state during shutdown of the switching power converter is described. The apparatus includes a multiplexer providing an output signal of the digital controller and having a first input of the multiplexer connected to receive a switching control signal control signal from the digital controller. The multiplexer also has a plurality of inputs from control registers providing programmed safe state values. The multiplexer connects one of the first input or the inputs from the plurality of control registers to the output of the multiplexer responsive to a multiplexer control signal. Control logic generates the multiplexer control signal responsive to at least one of an end of frame interrupt, an over current interrupt, an enable interrupt or a software bypass signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2005Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventors: Ka Y. Leung, Kafai Leung, Donald E. Alfano
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ELECTRICAL POWER SOURCE, OPERATIONAL METHOD OF THE SAME, INVERTER AND OPERATIONAL METHOD OF THE SAME
Publication number: 20090310390Abstract: The present invention is an electric power source in which a plurality of inverters operate on the same frequency and the plurality of inverters are connected in parallel so that a resistance value expressed by (1??·G)/(?·G) where ? is the output voltage feedback gain, ? is the output current feed forward gain, and G is the inverter current gain, is made to be the equivalent output impedance; and is an electrical power source in which the cross-current between the inverters are made to be an acceptable value or below by adjusting the output of each of the inverters by controlling the equivalent output impedance by modifying both or either one of the output voltage feedback gain ? or the output current feed forward gain ?.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2009Publication date: December 17, 2009Applicant: ORIGIN ELECTRIC COMPANY, LIMITEDInventors: Masaaki OHSHIMA, Shuuichi USHIKI, Jirou FUKUI -
Patent number: 7633781Abstract: An AC power supply and a method for dynamically controlling the output current thereof are disclosed. An output voltage stop signal is used to disable a DC/AC converter from outputting. During a period that the DC/AC converter stops its output, the output current of the DC/AC converter is measured and is fed back to a output current control device as an output current feedback signal to produce a deviation. Using the difference between the output current feedback signal of the DC/AC converter and the deviation, an approximate DC value of the output current of the DC/AC converter is calculated. With reference to the approximate DC value, the DC/AC converter can be controlled so that the DC current injection in the output current is approximately zero.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2007Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: Phoenixtec Power Co., Ltd.Inventors: Fu-San Hsu, Jui-Chin Wu
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Publication number: 20090256490Abstract: A voltage sensing circuit includes a voltage divider and a voltage rectifier. The voltage divider divides a first output voltage on a first output voltage line to a first divided output voltage. The voltage divider comprises a first metal foil and a first capacitor. The first metal foil and the first output voltage line can form a first capacitive component. The first capacitive component is coupled in series with the first capacitor. The first capacitive component and the first capacitor can generate the first divided output voltage. The voltage rectifier is coupled to the voltage divider and can rectify the first divided output voltage to a sensing voltage indicative of the first output voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2009Publication date: October 15, 2009Inventors: Youling Li, Yingpeng Hu, Xiaojun Wang
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Publication number: 20090251062Abstract: A soft start circuit generates a soft start voltage which changes over time when light emission of an EEFL is started. A pulse modulator receives a feedback voltage that corresponds to the output voltage of an inverter and the soft start voltage, and adjusts the duty ratio of a pulse signal PWM such that these two voltages match one another using a feedback operation. A striking control circuit monitors an error signal which is asserted when an abnormal state occurs. In a case in which the error signal has been asserted at a detection timing after the soft start voltage has reached a target voltage, the striking control circuit resets and restarts the soft start circuit. A driver controls the switching of the voltage at the primary coil of a transformer according to the pulse signal received from the pulse modulator.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2009Publication date: October 8, 2009Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.Inventors: Junichi HAGINO, Kenichi FUKUMOTO
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Patent number: 7593245Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to limit the current in a switch of a switching power supply. An example switching regulator circuit includes a power switch to be coupled to an energy transfer element of a power supply. A controller to generate a drive signal is coupled to be received by the power switch to control the switching of the power switch. A short on time detector is included in the controller. The short on time detector is to detect an occurrence of a threshold number of one or more consecutive short on times of the switch. A frequency adjuster is also included in the controller and coupled to the short on time detector. The frequency adjuster is to adjust an oscillating frequency of an oscillator included in the controller in response to the short on time detector.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2005Date of Patent: September 22, 2009Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.Inventors: Alex B. Djenguerian, Andrew J. Morrish
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Patent number: 7583522Abstract: A power controller forms drive pulses that reduces audible noise under light load conditions.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2004Date of Patent: September 1, 2009Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, L.L.C.Inventors: Jefferson W. Hall, Christophe Basso
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Publication number: 20090206792Abstract: A system for automatic disconnect of an AC source from a converter that includes a converter and a converter. The converter includes a power supply capable of being connected to an alternating current (AC) power source and converting an AC voltage to a direct current (DC) voltage. The portable device contains a rechargeable battery where the portable device uses the DC voltage to charge the rechargeable battery. The connection of the converter to the AC power source is automatically disconnected responsive to the rechargeable battery reaching a full charge or the portable device being disconnected from the converter and automatically reconnected responsive to the rechargeable battery being below a full charge or the portable device being reconnected to the converter.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2008Publication date: August 20, 2009Inventor: Edward C. Hyatt
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Patent number: 7577006Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 25, 2006Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: Azure Dynamics Corp.Inventor: Dorin O. Neacsu
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Patent number: 7567444Abstract: A multi-output DC-DC converter that can optimize its cross-regulation performance is proposed, in which a nonlinear inductive element functioning as a leakage inductance of an output coupled inductor is placed on the output channel of at least one secondary circuit coupled to a secondary winding of a transformer. The inductance of the nonlinear inductive element is varied in inverse proportion with the variation of the current flowing through the nonlinear inductive element. When the load on an output end of the DC-DC converter is changed, the output channel having a higher load current is configured to produce a lower leakage inductance and the output channel having a lower load current is configured to produce a higher leakage inductance, and thereby balance the output currents flowing through the output channels of the DC-DC converter.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2006Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Wei Chen, Zengyi Lu, Gangming Qiu
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Publication number: 20090179608Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a power inverter in an electric drive system of an automobile are provided. A signal controlling the power inverter is modified utilizing a first voltage distortion compensation method if a modulation index of the signal is less than a first modulation index value. The signal is modified utilizing a second voltage distortion compensation method if the modulation index is at least equal to the first modulation index value.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2008Publication date: July 16, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Brian A. WELCHKO, Steven E. SCHULZ, Silva HITI
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Publication number: 20090175061Abstract: A control system is provided for controlling varying alternating current (AC) to a load with varying resistance and inductance. A plurality of nested control loops may employ cascaded proportional controllers to provide desired control of a pulse width modulation (PWM) block to control an inverter that supplies AC power to the load. An AC feedback signal may be supplied to each proportional controller. An AC feed forward signal may be added to outputs of the proportional controllers.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2008Publication date: July 9, 2009Inventors: Milan Rajne, Sukumar De, Ram Krishan Maheshwari
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Publication number: 20090174260Abstract: A UPS system includes one or more UPS units with identical or different capacities. A control circuit, used to control a DC/AC inverter of the UPS unit, includes a voltage feedback control circuit and a current feedforward control circuit. The voltage feedback control circuit is used to control the amplitude and the waveform of load voltage. The current feedforward control circuit is used to operate the DC/AC inverter of the UPS unit as a virtual fundamental resistor and a virtual harmonic resistor which are serially connected to an output terminal of the DC/AC inverter such that each UPS unit can be distributed to provide an output current according to the capacity ratio of the UPS system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2008Publication date: July 9, 2009Inventors: Chin-Chang Wu, Hung-Liang Chou, Yu-Hsiu Lin, Wen-Jie Hou, Han-Sheng Wei
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Patent number: 7554821Abstract: A power converter delivers electrical power from an electrical power source to a load according to a plurality of operation modes, where at least one of the operation modes is a peak current switching mode. Under the peak current switching mode, a switch controller controls the switch in the power converter to be kept on until the current through the switch reaches a peak current value corresponding to a given phase of the input voltage signal to the power converter. The peak current values have a reference shape, which may be a trapezoidal. The power converter may have any topology, such as a flyback-type power converter or a boost-type power converter.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2008Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Assignee: iWatt Inc.Inventors: Arthur J. Collmeyer, Anatoly Shteynberg, Junjie Zheng, Paul F. King, Dickson T. Wong, Harry Rodriguez
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Publication number: 20090159350Abstract: A controller for a vehicle including at least one motor driving wheels, an inverter driving the motor, and a boosting converter supplying a dc power supply current to the inverter, is provided with a control portion performing rectangular wave control and non-rectangular wave control on the inverter in a switched manner. The control portion has an emergency switching condition for switching control from the rectangular wave control to the non-rectangular wave control, as a determination reference, and when the emergency switching condition is satisfied while the rectangular wave control is being executed (YES at step S5), the control portion instructs the boosting converter to lower target output voltage (S7). Preferably, the control portion determines that the emergency switching condition is satisfied when a q-axis current supplied from the inverter to the motor exceeds a prescribed threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2006Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hideto Hanada, Sojiro Yokoyama
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Patent number: 7548438Abstract: A power converter delivers electrical power from an electrical power source to a load according to a plurality of operation modes, where at least one of the operation modes is a peak current switching mode. Under the peak current switching mode, a switch controller controls the switch in the power converter to be kept on until the current through the switch reaches a peak current value corresponding to a given phase of the input voltage signal to the power converter. The peak current values have a reference shape, which may be a trapezoidal. The power converter may have any topology, such as a flyback-type power converter or a boost-type power converter.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2008Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: iWatt Inc.Inventors: Arthur J. Collmeyer, Anatoly Shteynberg, Junjie Zheng, Paul F. King, Dickson T. Wong, Harry Rodriguez
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Patent number: 7545659Abstract: Cycle error correction is performed in an electronic power system to compensate for a difference between an AC grid side frequency and an AC load side frequency. The electronic power system can comprise an electronic power inverter, such as one usable with an uninterruptible power supply. Cycles of signals indicative of the AC grid power and the AC load power are counted and compared to obtain a cycle error value. If the cycle error value exceeds a first value to indicate that AC load side frequency is too high or too low, then compensation is performed to change the AC load side frequency to be closer to the AC grid side frequency. If the cycle error value falls below a second value to indicate that the AC grid side frequency and AC load side frequency are sufficiently close to one another, then the compensation is deactivated.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2008Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventors: Duo Deng, Kenneth J. Farkas, Anil Tuladhar, Kerry E. Grand
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Patent number: 7539028Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to detect a fault in the feedback circuit of a switching power supply while the power supply operates in a mode where the output is below its regulated value. The power supply delivers maximum power at a given switching frequency without a feedback signal while the output is below its regulated value. A fault protection circuit substantially reduces the average output power if there is no feedback signal for the duration of a fault time. When there is no feedback signal, the power supply increases the maximum output power by increasing the switching frequency before the end of the fault time to increase the output to a regulated value. The presence of a feedback signal when the output reaches a regulated value restores the original switching frequency and returns the output to its unregulated value. The absence of a feedback signal at the end of the fault time engages the fault protection circuit to substantially reduce the output power.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2005Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.Inventors: Stefan Bäurle, William M. Polivka
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Publication number: 20090129132Abstract: A control circuit for a power converter includes a voltage command unit that generates a voltage command signal, a voltage command compensation unit that compensates the voltage command signal to generate a compensatory voltage command signal, and a switching pattern arithmetic unit that generates a switching signal for each of semiconductor switching elements of the power converter based on the compensatory voltage command signal and a carrier wave. The conversional fundamental frequency of the power converter is f and the carrier frequency of the carrier wave is fc. The voltage command compensation unit generates a compensation signal including at least one compensatory frequency component of fc?n×f (where n denotes successive positive and negative integers), and generates the compensatory voltage command signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2006Publication date: May 21, 2009Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Shinichi Furutani, Akira Satake, Jun Sawaki
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Patent number: 7528588Abstract: A switched-mode power supply (200, 300, 400) comprises a primary side, a secondary side and a transformer (103, 303, 403) therebetween. An output on the secondary side delivers an output voltage and an output current to a load. An output voltage control circuit (110, 113, 801) keeps the output voltage at a first level, corresponding to a first output current value. A circuit element (201, 301, 401) integrates over time a voltage obtained from the transformer (103, 303, 403) and produces a signal indicative of the integrated voltage, corresponding to a second output current value that is smaller than the first output current value. An output voltage modifier (113, 601, 801) responds to the signal by changing the output voltage from the first level to a second level.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2004Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Assignee: Salcomp OyjInventor: Pertti Lampinen
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Patent number: 7515443Abstract: An inverter circuit is configured with a reduced number of components for driving a plurality of discharge tubes. Primary coils of a plurality of drive transformers are respectively connected in series to primary coils of corresponding balancer-transformers, and then connected between output terminals of a switching circuit in parallel. The secondary coils of the balancer-transformers are connected in series, and connected between the output terminals of the switching circuit to configure an inverter circuit for driving a plurality of discharge tubes. The inverter circuit includes a voltage detecting circuit for detecting a voltage at any of connecting-midpoint of the series-connected secondary coils of the balancer-transformers, and a voltage comparing circuit for comparing an output of the voltage detecting circuit with a reference voltage. A signal designates an abnormal operation at an output of the voltage comparing circuit when the voltage of the connecting-midpoint exceeds the reference voltage.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2007Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: Sumida Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Miyazaki, Takeshi Hatakeyama
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Patent number: 7511971Abstract: Disclosed herein is a constant voltage circuit for a power adapter which is capable of varying an output voltage with loads so as to reduce the charging time of a system battery.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2006Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Won Chun Lim
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Patent number: 7511978Abstract: System and method for providing switching to power regulators. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides system for providing switching. The system includes a first voltage supply that is configured to provide a first voltage. The system also includes a second voltage supply that is configured to provide a second voltage. The second voltage being independent from the first voltage. The system additionally includes a controller component that is electrically coupled to the first voltage supply. For example, the controller component being configured to receive at least a first input signal and to provide at least a first output signal. Additionally, the system includes a gate driver component that is electrically coupled to the second voltage supply. The gate driver component is configured to receive at least the first output signal and generated a second output signal in response to at least the second voltage and the first output signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2006Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: On-Right Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.Inventors: Zhiliang Chen, Shifeng Zhao, Lieyi Fang, Zhenhua Li
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Method and arrangement for measuring output phase currents of a voltage source inverter under a load
Patent number: 7508688Abstract: A method and arrangement for measuring output phase currents of a voltage source inverter when the inverter is connected to a load, the method comprising, during commissioning of a drive, the steps of forming consecutive voltage pulses to the load by using the inverter, measuring current of a DC bus for each consecutive pulse such that for each consecutive pulse, a time difference between a current measurement instant and a start of a voltage pulse is changed, removing a value of DC current from measured current samples to obtain sample values for stray current, storing the sample values of the stray current and their time instants with respect to the start of respective voltage pulses, the method further comprising during the use of the inverter the following steps of, measuring DC-bus current, determining an output phase current of the inverter from the measured DC-bus current and from the stored stray current samples.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2006Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: ABB OyInventor: Panu Virolainen -
Publication number: 20090073733Abstract: A controller for use in a power supply regulator is disclosed. One controller includes a feedback circuit coupled to generate an equivalent switching frequency signal in response to a sense signal from a power supply regulator output. A comparator is coupled to compare the equivalent switching frequency signal with a reference signal. A period modulation circuit is coupled to the feedback circuit to generate a period modulation switching signal in response to the equivalent switching frequency signal. A multi-cycle modulator circuit is coupled to the output of the comparator. The multi-cycle modulator circuit is coupled to enable or disable a switch signal from the controller, which is to be coupled to a switch of the power supply regulator. A group of two or more consecutive switching cycles is separated from a next group having two or more switching cycles by a time of no switching.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2008Publication date: March 19, 2009Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.Inventors: Balu Balakrishnan, Arthur B. Odell
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Publication number: 20090067199Abstract: A switched mode power supply assembly (1) is described, comprising at least two switched mode power supply units (10i) coupled to each other in parallel; each power supply unit (10i) having an output stage (50i, 60i) capable of selectively operating in a first mode wherein its output signal (IOUT,I) is increasing and operating in a second mode wherein its output signal (IOUT,i) is decreasing; a control device (100) receiving mode switch control signals from all power supply units (10i); wherein the control device (100), if it finds that the actual phase relationship between two power supply units deviates from an optimal phase relationship, is designed to generate synchronising control signals for at least one power supply unit (102), effectively changing the timing of at least one mode switch moment, such that the deviation between the actual phase relationship and said optimal phase relationship is reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2004Publication date: March 12, 2009Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONIC, N.V.Inventors: Roelf Van Der Wal, Jacobus Josephus Leijssen, Josephus Adrianus Maria Van Erp, Machiel Antonius Martinus Hendrix
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Patent number: 7502242Abstract: A plug and an outlet are electrically and directly connected, and when a control circuit determines that AC power is input from a power source to a bidirectional insulated DC/AC inverter by voltage V1 detected in a voltage detection circuit, driving of each bridge circuits is inhibited so as not to output AC power outward from the bidirectional insulated DC/AC inverter.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2006Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota JidoshokkiInventor: Takahide Iida
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Patent number: 7502241Abstract: A method for the startup of a solar power inverter in which a waiting period is increased between successive attempts to start the inverter. This method allows the inverter to start up in a reasonable amount of time while avoiding excessive cycling during prolonged periods of low light.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2006Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: PV Powered, Inc.Inventor: Bill Taylor
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Publication number: 20090059631Abstract: A method is provided for preventing islanding of a power source connected to an electric AC grid via an interface. The method senses an output voltage waveform of the interface, controls an output current waveform of the interface to track a reference current waveform having a mathematical relationship with the sensed output voltage waveform, and discontinues the output current waveform when the output voltage waveform is sensed to be outside a predetermined waveform range.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2007Publication date: March 5, 2009Inventor: Philip T. Krein
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Publication number: 20090046488Abstract: An inverter circuit (20) includes a transformer (T2) including a primary winding and a secondary winding including a high voltage terminal, a first copper foil (P21), a power stage circuit (21) electrically connected to the primary winding, a detection circuit (22) including a second copper foil (P22) and an impedance (Z2), a protection circuit (23) outputting a protection signal, and a pulse width modulation controller (24) controlling output of the power stage circuit according to the protection signal. The second copper foil and the first copper foil are separated. An equivalent capacitor is formed between the second copper foil and the first copper foil, detecting voltage output from the high voltage terminal. The impedance is electrically connected between the second copper foil and ground, dividing a voltage detected by the equivalent capacitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2008Publication date: February 19, 2009Applicant: AMPOWER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: CHIH-CHANG CHANG, CHAO-TUNG FAN-CHIANG
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Patent number: 7486082Abstract: An inverter system which converts DC input into AC output and supplies the AC output to a load such as an FL tube detects change in a circuit current due to anomaly such as discharge without contacting with a current route. Relating to an inverter which converts DC input into AC output and supplies the AC output to a load, change in a circuit current of the inverter is detected through the medium of magnetic flux change due to the change in the circuit current caused by discharge. For example, if change in a current occurs in the circuit current of the inverter by disconnection discharge or ground-fault discharge occurring in a current route including a load of the inverter, magnetic flux change occurs in circuit wiring and a space of a core gap of a transformer of the inverter. The change in the circuit current is detected through the medium of the magnetic flux change without contacting with the circuit wiring or the transformer.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2006Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Seiji Hachisuka, Masaru Tanaka, Minoru Senba, Shuuichi Yadoori
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Publication number: 20090027932Abstract: A power converter system includes a power converter system including: a DC-to-AC power converter; a first output configured to be coupled to a power grid; a first input configured to be coupled to the power grid; second outputs each configured to be coupled to a corresponding AC load; a power-grid switch coupled to the converter and to the first output; load switches coupled to the converter, the second outputs, and the first input; and a controller coupled to the load switches and to the first output and configured to determine whether energy from the power grid satisfies at least one criterion, the controller being further configured to control the power-grid switch and the load switches to couple the converter to the first output and to couple the first input to the second outputs if the at least one criterion is satisfied and otherwise to control the power-grid switch and the load switches to isolate the converter from the first output and to couple the converter to at least one of the second outputs.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2008Publication date: January 29, 2009Applicant: American Power Conversion CorporationInventors: Lance P. Haines, Vishwas M. Deokar
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Publication number: 20090021967Abstract: In a method for controlling a generation of an alternating current in a vehicle equipped with a battery and an inverter, the inverter is electrically connectable to the battery in order to generate an alternating current from a direct current of the battery for electrical devices that are electrically connectable to the inverter, and the battery is recharged when a charging state of the battery is equal to or less than a threshold value that is sufficient to generate an alternating current required for the electrical devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2008Publication date: January 22, 2009Inventors: Thomas Huber, Boyke Richter, Ellen Mailaender
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Publication number: 20090010030Abstract: An exemplary power supply circuit (200) includes a pulse width modulation circuit (220) providing a pulse signal, a voltage conversion circuit (210) converting a primary voltage to an output voltage according to the pulse signal, a feedback circuit (260), and a control circuit (290). The feedback circuit includes a sampling branch (261) detecting a current of the voltage conversion circuit and accordingly providing a feedback signal, and a voltage division branch (262) electrically coupled to the sampling branch. The control circuit is electrically coupled to the voltage division branch, and is configured for disabling the voltage division branch after a predetermined period of time when the output voltage is within a predetermined range.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2008Publication date: January 8, 2009Inventors: Kun Le, Tong Zhou
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Publication number: 20090003023Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a power inverter are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, a system for converting a direct current into an alternating current may include a switching module, a sensing module, and a control module. The switching module may have an input and an output, and may be operable to receive a direct current at the input and to generate at the output a corresponding alternating current with a desired output characteristic. The sensing module may be coupled to the switching module output, and may be operable to sense a power factor associated with a load coupled to the switching module output. The control module may be coupled to the power inverter and the sensing module, and may be operable to control the desired output characteristic based at least on the sensed power factor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2007Publication date: January 1, 2009Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.Inventors: John M. Knadler, IV, Eugen Munteanu
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Patent number: 7471530Abstract: An apparatus and method of switching a switch of a power supply are disclosed. According to aspects of the present invention, a method includes controlling a switch of a switching power supply to switch on and off within a switching cycle. The switching cycle has a substantially fixed period. One group of consecutive switching cycles is separated from a next group of consecutive switching cycles by a time of no switching. Each group of consecutive switching cycles has at least a predetermined minimum of two or more switching cycles. The time of no switching is adjusted in a closed loop to regulate an output of the switching power supply.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2006Date of Patent: December 30, 2008Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.Inventors: Balu Balakrishnan, Arthur B. Odell
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Publication number: 20080316782Abstract: A system and method for producing anharmonic multi-phase currents wherein the harmonic component of an inverter is filtered and superimposed with a series of control pulses to create a control signal. The control signal is fed back to the inverter, causing the inverter to produce anharmonic multi-phase currents.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2008Publication date: December 25, 2008Applicant: Energetics, Inc.Inventors: Irving Dardik, Shaul Lesin, Alex Shapiro, Michael Khavkin, Arkady Kapusta, Herman Branover, Boris Mikhailovich, Boris Tilman, Ephim Golbraikh, IIya Zilberman
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Publication number: 20080310202Abstract: The invention relates to a method for automatically recognizing a value of the parameter network frequency of a frequency converter connected to a network. According to the invention, the curve of a measured intermediate circuit voltage of the frequency converter is analyzed in order to verify if the network is a 50 Hz or a 60 Hz network, whereupon an analyzed value is entered as parameter network frequency. The frequency converter itself is capable of determining if it is connected to a 50 Hz or 60 Hz network, rendering unnecessary any intervention by a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2005Publication date: December 18, 2008Inventor: Hubert Schierling
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Patent number: 7465872Abstract: Photovoltaic power converter system including a controller configured to reduce load harmonics is provided. The system comprises a photovoltaic array and an inverter electrically coupled to the array to generate an output current for energizing a load connected to the inverter and to a mains grid supply voltage. The system further comprises a controller including a first circuit coupled to receive a load current to measure a harmonic current in the load current. The controller includes a second circuit to generate a fundamental reference drawn by the load. The controller further includes a third circuit for combining the measured harmonic current and the fundamental reference to generate a command output signal for generating the output current for energizing the load connected to the inverter. The photovoltaic system may be configured to compensate harmonic currents that may be drawn by the load.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2003Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Michael Andrew de Rooij, Robert Louis Steigerwald, Eladio Clemente Delgado
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Publication number: 20080278984Abstract: A switching DC to AC power converter includes an automatic zero voltage switching (ZVS) mode controller. The automatic zero voltage switching mode controller may adjust a ZVS dead-time in accordance with a range of load currents being supplied by the power converter that range from quiescent conditions to a predetermined loading level of the power converter. The variable ZVS dead-time may be larger nearer to quiescent conditions, and become progressively smaller as load currents increase. Outside a predetermined range of load currents, the variable ZVS dead-time may be disabled or minimized.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2008Publication date: November 13, 2008Applicant: Harman International Industries, IncorporatedInventor: Gerald R. Stanley
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Publication number: 20080278983Abstract: A control apparatus of a single-phase power converter for a photovoltaic power generation system is disclosed, including a POS MPPT controller for calculating a rating current by applying a POS MPPT control method to an output current detected through a current transformer of a single-phase AC filter, a bandpass filter for filtering only signals of a low-frequency band from a load, a single-phase reference current generator for producing a reference current by matching a phase of the current from the POS MPPT controller to a phase from the bandpass filter, a single-phase current subtractor for subtracting an output current of a current transformer from the reference current calculated by the single-phase reference current generator to thereby calculate a difference current between the output current of the current transformer and the reference current, a PI controller for outputting a control signal, corresponding to the difference current from the single-phase current subtractor, to a PWM signal generator, aType: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2007Publication date: November 13, 2008Applicant: Chang Won National University Business AdministratInventor: Min Won Park