For Bridge-type Inverter Patents (Class 363/98)
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Patent number: 8971082Abstract: A power conditioning unit for delivering power from a power source to a mains utility supply, the power conditioning unit comprising a plurality of input terminals for connecting to the power source, a plurality of output terminals for connecting to the mains utility supply, a voltage increasing converter connected to the input terminals, a voltage reducing converter connected to the voltage increasing converter and a dc-to-ac converter connected to the voltage reducing converter and to the output terminals.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2013Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Enecsys LimitedInventor: Cuauhtemoc Rodriquez
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Patent number: 8970063Abstract: An arrangement which includes two or more energy storage units for electrical energy connected in series, and two or more balancing resistor units. Each balancing resistor unit is connected in parallel with one of the energy storage units. The arrangement also includes means for determining a voltage over all of the series-connected energy storage units and means for determining the energy storage unit voltages between poles of the energy storage units. One or more of the balancing resistor units include a base resistor unit and a control resistor unit connected in series and a switching device connected in parallel with the control resistor units.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2011Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: ABB OyInventor: Ora Veli-Matti Leppänen
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Patent number: 8971078Abstract: An inverter according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a converter having a switch, configured to convert a DC voltage into a half-wave rectified sine waveform voltage; a switching device unit having a switch, configured to convert the half-wave rectified sine waveform voltage into a sine waveform voltage; and a controller configured to control the on/off of the switch of the converter and the switch of the switching device unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2013Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: LSIS Co., Ltd.Inventor: Ki Su Lee
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Patent number: 8971067Abstract: An output current distortion compensating apparatus in an inverter is disclosed, the inverter including an inverter controller generating a PWM signal for controlling a PWM voltage generator, wherein the inverter controller includes a first dead time compensation voltage generator generating a compensation voltage based on an output current polarity of each phase in the inverter, and a second dead time compensation voltage generator generating a compensation voltage based on an output current waveform of each phase in the inverter, and wherein a first dead time compensation voltage outputted from the first dead time compensation voltage generator and a second dead time compensation voltage outputted from the second dead time compensation voltage generator are added to generate a final dead time compensation voltage, thereby preventing occurrence of hunting phenomenon in which a current is greatly fluctuated.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2011Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: LSIS Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kwang Yeon Kim
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Patent number: 8963512Abstract: A comparator compares a voltage of a node into which electric current flows from a system of a first voltage and a reference voltage for maintaining the node at a second voltage. A step-up-type DC-DC converter receives the voltage of the node which is input to the comparator, increases the voltage to a voltage higher than the first voltage, and applies the voltage to the system of the first voltage. According to the comparison of the comparator, when the voltage of the node is higher than the reference voltage, the step-up-type DC-DC converter activates a step-up function, and when the voltage of the node is equal to or less than the reference voltage, the step-up-type DC-DC converter deactivates the step-up function.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2013Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yoh Takano
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Patent number: 8964432Abstract: A power conversion system is disclosed that provides multiphase power, including phase voltages for each phase of the multiphase power. The system comprises a plurality of inverters that generate PWM output voltages based on PWM control signals. A plurality of inductive components is configured to receive the PWM output voltages to generate the phase voltages. The PWM output voltages cause circulating current flows through the inductive components. A voltage controller is employed that is responsive to the phase voltages to generate voltage modulation signals corresponding to the phase voltages. A plurality of current sharing channels are respectively associated with each of the plurality of inductive components and are configured generate current sharing modulation signals in response to the circulating current flows. The PWM control signals are generated based on modulation signals obtained by combining the current sharing modulation signals and voltage modulation signals.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2013Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Qingquan Tang, Dazhong Gu, Dariusz Czarkowski, Francisco de Leon, Kamiar Karimi, Shengyi Liu
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Patent number: 8958221Abstract: A grid tied inverter connectable to an electricity grid having a DC to DC current fed push-pull inverter to generate a current waveform from a DC voltage source. The push-pull inverter includes a transformer having a first side winding connectable to a battery and a second side winding connectable to the grid. The first end of the second side winding is connected between two diodes connected in series between a positive and negative output rail and being oriented in the same direction. The second end of the second side winding is connected between two capacitors connected in series between the positive and negative output rail. A further winding is connected at one end between the two capacitors and at its other end between another two diodes connected in series between the positive and negative output rail.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2012Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Joseph John Nathaniel Adam
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Patent number: 8958222Abstract: There is provided a method and control system for reducing noise in a power converter by controlling a switching device in the power converter according to a modulation scheme. The switching device couples a direct current (DC) source to provide an alternating current (AC) output at a particular switching frequency. The method includes the step of, in each switching period, switching the switching device between active configurations providing a finite voltage at the output and inactive configurations providing a zero voltage at the output. The ratio between the total period of time in which the switching device is in an active configuration and the total period of time in which the switching device is in an inactive configuration is the same for each switching period and is determined according to the desired voltage at the AC output.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2013Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignee: Control Techniques LimitedInventor: Simon David Hart
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Patent number: 8958219Abstract: A non-isolated inverter including a DC input-side, a capacitor connected in parallel with the DC input-side, an AC output-side connected in parallel with a load, and first and second bridge-arm units is provided. The first and second bridge-arm units are connected in parallel with the capacitor. The first bridge-arm unit includes a series forward-connection of upper and lower switch-elements, where a common-node of upper and lower switch-elements and a supplying terminal of the second bridge-arm unit are respectively connected to two terminals of the AC output-side. The upper and lower switch-elements are respectively turned on in positive and negative half cycles of an output current of the non-isolated inverter, and the generation of common-mode currents in the non-isolated inverter is suppressed under a clamping action between the upper and lower switch-elements due to there are no high-frequency voltages on the parasitic-capacitors from the non-isolated inverter to the ground.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: February 17, 2015Assignees: FSP Technology Inc., FSP-Powerland Technology Inc.Inventors: Ming Xu, Chuan-Yun Wang
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Patent number: 8953350Abstract: Photovoltaic power converter systems and methods are described. In one example, a method for use in operating a solar power converter includes sampling a DC link voltage of a DC link during a first cycle of an alternating output voltage of a second stage at one instance when the alternating output voltage is crossing zero volts in a first direction. A voltage difference a voltage difference between the DC link voltage sampled during the first cycle and a DC link voltage sampled during a previous cycle when the alternating output voltage was crossing zero volts in the first direction is determined. A DC link power is estimated based at least in part on the determined voltage difference. The AC power output by the second stage in a second cycle is controlled based at least in part on the estimated DC link power.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2012Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: SunEdison, Inc.Inventor: Gregory Allen Kern
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Patent number: 8953352Abstract: A controller (2) and a method for a DC converter (1), wherein the DC converter (1) comprises an input (E), an output (A), a connection to ground (GND), and also at least two half-bridges with two switching elements each (TR1 . . . TR4) connected in series and an inductance (L1, L2) each connected with the point connecting the two switching elements. In accordance with the invention the controller (2) is equipped to measure the current (IL1, IL2) through the inductances (L1, L2), and controls the switching elements (TR2, TR4)/(TR1, TR2) positions on the ground side/input side always with negative/positive current through the inductance (L1, L2) into an off-state. Finally a DC converter (1) connected with the controller (2) is also specified.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2011Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: BRUSA Elektronik AGInventor: Axel Krause
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Publication number: 20150036400Abstract: There is provided a method and control system for controlling a switching device in a power converter according to a modulation scheme. The switching device couples a direct current (DC) source to provide an alternating current (AC) output at a particular switching frequency. The method comprises the step of, in each switching period, switching the switching device between active configurations providing a finite voltage at the output and inactive configurations providing a zero voltage at the output. The ratio between the total period of time in which the switching device is in an active configuration and the total period of time in which the switching device is in an inactive configuration is the same for each switching period and is determined according to the desired voltage at the AC output.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventors: Antony John Webster, Simon David Hart
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Patent number: 8947897Abstract: A current-source power converting apparatus in an embodiment includes a current-reference generating unit, a polarity determining unit, a PWM-pulse-signal generating unit, and a drive-signal generating unit. The current-reference generating unit outputs a phase current reference and a line-to-line current reference. The polarity determining unit determines a polarity of the phase current reference. The PWM-pulse-signal generating unit generates a PWM pulse signal by comparing the line-to-line current reference and a carrier signal. The drive-signal generating unit generates a drive signal that drives each of a plurality of switching elements, based on the PWM pulse signal and a polarity of the phase current reference.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2012Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa DenkiInventor: Katsutoshi Yamanaka
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Patent number: 8934274Abstract: A current flowing into one of half-bridge circuits of a power semiconductor module is detected by corresponding ones of current detection circuits through a current detection terminal provided in corresponding ones of semiconductor switching devices forming the half-bridge circuits and a current detection terminal provided in corresponding ones of flywheel diodes back-to-back connected to the corresponding ones of the semiconductor switching devices. A pulse voltage waveform indicating the current detected by the corresponding ones of the current detection circuits is held for a predetermined period and converted into a stepwise voltage waveform by use of corresponding ones of sample-and-hold circuits, so that the voltage held by the corresponding ones of the sample-and-hold circuits is transmitted to a control circuit through corresponding ones of insulating circuits.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2012Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tetsuya Kawashima
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Patent number: 8934265Abstract: Provided is a vehicle which enables a highly-efficient DC-DC converter and a highly-efficient power supply to a load, regardless of a power supply amount of to the load. When the power supply amount to a load R1 is a predetermined value or more, a control means 5 implements a first mode for making the switching elements S1 to S4 driven, and when the power supply amount of to the load R1 is the predetermined value or less, the control means 5 implements a second mode, for making the switching elements S3 and S4 stopped in an OFF state, and making only the switching elements S1 and S2 driven.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2010Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Tomoyuki Hatakeyama, Takae Shimada
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Publication number: 20150009734Abstract: A method for the operation of an electrical circuit taking the form of a multi-level half-bridge (MLHB), and a multi-level half-bridge designed for implementation of the method, comprising two connections to which a bridge voltage is applied and which are connected via two symmetrical branches meeting at a central connection, wherein a central voltage is applied to the central connection against the potential of one of the connections.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2014Publication date: January 8, 2015Inventors: Rudiger STAHL, Alexander LICHTE
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Patent number: 8929111Abstract: A multi-level converter includes a plurality of alternating current (AC) terminals connected to an AC source or load, at least three direct current (DC) terminals connected to a multi-level DC source or load, and a plurality of solid-state switches that are selectively turned On and Off to connect each of the plurality of AC terminals to one of the DC terminals. A controller provides PWM control signals to the solid-state switches. The controller utilizes space vector modulation to organize the various switching state configurations, and increments the switching states during a first half of the switching period and decrements the switching states during a second half of the switching period to center-align the PWM signals provided about the center of the switching period. The switching states utilized during the switching period dictate the PWM control signals provided to the plurality of switches employed in the three-level converter.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2012Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventor: Adam Michael White
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Patent number: 8929114Abstract: A main circuit of a three-level active neutral point clamped voltage source converter having a pair of additional main switches provides two paths between an output node and a neutral point in which one of the paths involves only switches of an inner pair of switches that are operated at a high frequency. An auxiliary circuit operating at a high frequency for only a brief period during each high frequency switching cycle selects the path involving only the inner switches and provides operation with zero voltage switching and avoids reverse recovery of diodes connected antiparallel with the main and additional main switches. Accordingly, turn-on switching losses in the main switches is avoided and the voltage source converter can be operated at increased frequency to allow reduction in size of magnetic components and full potential power transfer to be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2012Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.Inventors: Jin Li, Dushan Boroyevich, Jinjun Liu
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Patent number: 8923016Abstract: A solar module has a solar cell which generates a DC voltage. The module has a converter for converting a DC voltage fed into its input. The module contains a semiconductor switch and a controller which drives a switching input of the semiconductor switch. The controller drives the semiconductor switch variably so that the semiconductor switch switches more slowly during the transition operation than during normal operation, thereby reducing a dynamic overvoltage on the switch such that the voltage present on the switch does not exceed the blocking voltage of the switch.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2012Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Inventors: Rainer Weiss, Peter Beckedahl, Ingo Staudt
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Patent number: 8912738Abstract: A drive system and method for operating a drive system, including an electromotor, inverter, energy store, the electromotor being able to be supplied from the inverter, which is supplyable from the energy store, a current able to be controlled by a switch being supplyable to at least one stator winding of the electromotor, which is supplied from an electrical energy source that differs from the energy store.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2010Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: Sew-Eurodrive GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Jochen Mahlein, Hans JĂĽrgen Kollar, Marek Lewandowski, Matthias Hauck, Leobald Podbielski, Josef Schmidt
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Patent number: 8908405Abstract: An inverter may include an inversion unit for converting a direct current bus voltage into an alternating current voltage, a first snubber unit, and a second snubber unit. The inversion unit may include a first external switch, a first internal switch, a second internal switch, and a second external switch which are connected in series in order between a direct current bus positive voltage terminal and a direct current bus negative voltage terminal. The first snubber unit may be connected between the direct current bus negative voltage terminal and the first internal switch for suppressing voltage stress of the first internal switch. The second snubber unit may be connected between the direct current bus positive voltage terminal and the second internal switch for suppressing voltage stress of the second internal switch.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2012Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Liebert CorporationInventor: Jianning Yang
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Patent number: 8908402Abstract: A modular high-frequency converter includes submodules, each having an input-side half bridge and a DC link circuit with a DC link capacitance connected in parallel to the half bridge. A DC link circuit voltage drop across the DC link capacitance of each submodule is controlled to a target voltage by adjusting a duty cycle with a closed-loop control structure having a pilot control and a downstream closed-loop error control. Within the framework of the pilot control, a target value for each duty cycle and a target value for the supply current are determined, using a mathematical model of the converter, based on the load-side output currents flowing out of the DC link voltage circuits and on target values of the DC link circuit voltages. Switch position parameters, which map the effect of the switch positions of the input-side half bridges, are each replaced by an associated duty cycle.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2014Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Michael Kopf, Marcel Lutze, Mirjam Mantel, Markus Reinhard, Stefan Völkel
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Publication number: 20140340017Abstract: The invention relates to a method for calibrating a multiphase, in particular three-phase, inverter (1) having a respective switching element (T1, T2, T3) on the high-voltage side and a respective switching element (T4, T5, T6) on the low-voltage side for each of the phases thereof as well as a respective current sensor for at least some of the phases (I, II, III). The following steps are proposed: (f) switching off all switching elements (T1-T6), (g) switching on a switching element (T1) on the high-voltage side for a first phase (I) and a switching element (T5) on the low-voltage side for a second phase (II), (h) measuring the currents flowing through the first phase (I) and the second phase (II), (i) forming an average value from the measured currents, and (j) calibrating the inverter (1) on the basis of the formed average value. The invention also relates to an apparatus, a computer program and a computer program product.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2012Publication date: November 20, 2014Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Daniel Raichle, Mark Damson
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Patent number: 8891254Abstract: A power converter including: a transformer in which first and second voltages are induced; a full-bridge circuit including parallel-connected first and second arms each including series-connected FETs; and a control circuit, wherein, within a given time period for which a voltage V2 is the first voltage, the control circuit performs control so that FETs in at least one arm are on for an on time period, and, when Pon, PX, PS, ?, and ? respectively denote a duration of the on time period, a duration of the given time period, a duration of a time period from the end of the on time period to a time point of transition from the first to second voltage, a rise time of a body diode of each FET, and a fall time of the body diode, Pon>(?/?)PS, 0?PS<?, and Pon+PS?PX are satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2013Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Satoshi Kominami, Hideki Nakata, Satoshi Moriguchi
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Patent number: 8891269Abstract: Methods and circuits for balancing current in a transformer are disclosed herein. An embodiment of the method includes sensing the magnitude and direction of current flow through the primary side of the transformer. The magnitude of current flowing in a first direction is compared to the magnitude of current flowing in a second direction through the primary side of the transformer. An AC signal driving the primary side of the transformer is adjusted so that the current flow in the first direction is substantially the same as current flow in the second direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2011Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Zhong Ye, Shanguang Xu
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Patent number: 8891256Abstract: System and method for regulating a power converter. The system includes a comparator configured to receive a first signal and a second signal and generate a comparison signal based on at least information associated with the first signal and the second signal. The first signal is associated with at least an output current of a power converter. Additionally, the system includes a pulse-width-modulation generator configured to receive at least the comparison signal and generate a modulation signal based on at least information associated with the comparison signal, and a driver component configured to receive the modulation signal and output a drive signal to a switch to adjust a primary current flowing through a primary winding of the power converter. The modulation signal is associated with a modulation frequency corresponding to a modulation period.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2011Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Guangzhou On-Bright Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Lieyi Fang, Guo Wei Lin
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Patent number: 8885368Abstract: A power converter for effectively reducing switching noise is provided. The power converter comprises a capacitor 111; switching devices Q11a and Q11b connected to the capacitor 111 in parallel; and a controller 105 that controls each switching device individually to perform switching operations. Each of the switching devices Q11a and Q11b forms a closed circuit together with the capacitor 111. The controller 105 controls the switching devices Q11a and Q11b to perform switching operations of switching ON or OFF at different timings such that at least two closed circuits including the switching devices Q11a and Q11b mutually cancel ringing voltages occurring therein, each ringing voltage occurring due to the switching operations performed by a corresponding switching device and having a frequency defined by an inductance of a corresponding closed circuit and an output capacity of a switching device included in the corresponding closed circuit.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2011Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Shun Kazama, Masaki Tagome, Makoto Kitabatake
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Patent number: 8879285Abstract: A power converter includes a booster circuit, an inverter circuit, a hysteresis control circuit, and a proportional-integral control circuit. The booster circuit boosts DC power of a DC power source. The inverter circuit converts the DC power outputted from the booster circuit into AC power and outputs the AC power to a system. The hysteresis control circuit controls the inverter circuit by hysteresis control so that the AC power can be outputted to the system when an AC voltage of the system is less than a DC voltage of the power source. The proportional-integral control circuit controls the booster circuit by proportional-integral control so that the AC power can be outputted to the system when the AC voltage of the system is larger than the DC voltage of the power source.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2012Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignees: Nippon Soken, Inc., Denso CorporationInventors: Fumio Asakura, Kenji Ochi, Hiroshi Yoshida
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Patent number: 8879290Abstract: Provided herein are unified control methods and implementations for controlling single and three-phase power converters. In an exemplary embodiment, a unified controller is provided that can be used to control a three-phase three-wire Voltage Source Inverter (VSI), a three-phase four-wire VSI, a three-phase grid-connected power converter for current shaping, and a single-phase full bridge VSI.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2012Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventors: Lihua Li, Keyue Smedley, Taotao Jin
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Patent number: 8867247Abstract: A commanded negative-sequence current is added to a commanded current so as to suppress double-frequency pulsation on the DC side. The commanded negative-sequence current is found from three values (i.e., the detected value of positive-sequence voltage vector on the power-supply side, the detected value of negative-sequence voltage vector, and a commanded positive-sequence current). Thus, the pulsations which occur on the DC side of a semiconductor power converter and which have a frequency double the power-supply frequency are suppressed even when the AC power supply is at fault while assuring stability of the current control system, thus permitting stable and continuous operation.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2012Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Akira Bando, Yasuhiro Kiyofuji, Masaya Ichinose, Hiromitsu Sakai, Yasuhiro Imazu
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Patent number: 8866326Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include an electric taxi system including a generator configured to provide an AC power source and a main controller configured to generate one or more PWM control signals. The electric taxi system also includes a plurality of motor controllers connected in parallel to the generator, wherein each of the plurality of motor controllers receives one of the one or more PWM control signals. The electric taxi system further includes a plurality of motors, wherein each of the plurality of motors are coupled to one of the plurality of motor controllers.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2013Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventors: Adam M. White, Mustansir Kheraluwala, Keith R. Magnus
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Publication number: 20140307487Abstract: A full bridge oscillation resonance high power factor invertor being connected between a power source and a Load has a first inductor and a second inductor. The first and second inductors are respectively connected to a full bridge inverting circuit. The full bridge inverting circuit is connected parallelly to an energy storing capacitor. The present invention integrals conventional multiple stages invertor/convertors as a signal stage which is low cost and provides a very high transforming efficiency. The two inductors share current Loaded of the invertor, the invertor is able to provide a high power transforming performance. Switches of the full bridge inverting circuit all switch under zero voltage to reduce switching loss of the full bridge inverting circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2013Publication date: October 16, 2014Inventors: Yong-Nong Chang, Deng-Chiun Huang
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Publication number: 20140307495Abstract: In a driver having a reference point with a reference potential for driving a target switching element having an on-off control terminal, a charging path electrically connects the on-off control terminal of the target switching element and a driving power source for charging the on-off control terminal of the target switching element. A bypass path electrically connects the on-off control terminal of the target switching element and the driving power source. A storage has a first conductive end electrically connected to the bypass path and a second conductive end electrically connected to the reference point of the target switching element, and is configured for storing therein charge sent through the bypass path.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2014Publication date: October 16, 2014Applicant: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Junichi FUKUTA, Yoshiyuki HAMANAKA, Masatoshi TAGUCHI, Tsuneo MAEBARA
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Patent number: 8861240Abstract: A power converter includes pairs of series-connected switching elements and, for each pair, a bidirectional switch that clamps the switching elements of the pair at the mid-point of a DC voltage that is supplied to the power converter. An abnormal voltage rise in a forward recovery process of the bidirectional switch is avoided by restraining an induced electromotive force developing across the bidirectional switch upon turning OFF of one of the semiconductor switching elements below the difference in voltage between the gate voltage at the start of the forward recovery process of the bidirectional switch and the gate threshold voltage that allows the maximum recovery current of the bidirectional switch to flow.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2014Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Koh Yoshikawa
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Patent number: 8860379Abstract: A system and method of discharging a bus capacitor of a bidirectional matrix converter of a vehicle are presented here. The method begins by electrically shorting the AC interface of the converter after an AC energy source is disconnected from the AC interface. The method continues by arranging a plurality of switching elements of a second energy conversion module into a discharge configuration to establish an electrical current path from a first terminal of an isolation module, through an inductive element, and to a second terminal of the isolation module. The method also modulates a plurality of switching elements of a first energy conversion module, while maintaining the discharge configuration of the second energy conversion module, to at least partially discharge a DC bus capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2011Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Lateef A. Kajouke, Milun Perisic, Ray M. Ransom
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Patent number: 8854850Abstract: In an AC power supply apparatus, first and second switching circuits connected in series to an input terminal to which a DC input power supply is connected include first and second rectification elements, respectively. A capacitor, an inductor, and a capacitive load are equivalently connected in series to the second switching circuit. The capacitor is charged after the first switching circuit is turned on before the second rectification element is turned off and the charged capacitor is caused to discharge after the second switching circuit is turned on before the second rectification element is turned off. The above operations are periodically repeated. The voltage of the capacitive load is reversed with current flowing during the charge and the discharge of the capacitor to adjust the on and off periods of the first and second switching circuits in order to supply desired AC voltage to the capacitive load.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2013Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tatsuya Hosotani
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Patent number: 8854846Abstract: When determining a fault current portion IF in a differential current idiff(t) measured by an inverter, an AC voltage uAC(t) applied to an AC output of the inverter is measured and a periodic reference function y(t) of alternating sign is generated as a function of the measured AC voltage uAC(t) in order to determine an AC fault current portion IFAC in the differential current idiff(t). The differential current idiff(t) is multiplied by the periodic reference function y(t), and the product of the differential current idiff(t) and the reference function (y(t)) is averaged over an integral number of periods of the reference function y(t). The reference function y(t), at least for one operating state of the inverter, is generated with a predefined phase offset with respect to the measured AC voltage uAC(t) and/or with a frequency which is an integer multiple of the frequency of the measured AC voltage uAC(t).Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2013Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AGInventors: Alexander Nuss, Christian Bode, Wilfried Groote
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Patent number: 8842456Abstract: An analog controller is disclosed. The controller has a maximum power point tracking unit and a power factor adjusting unit. The maximum power point tracking unit generates a maximum power tracking voltage which is used to control the magnitude of the output current of the inverter so as to extract the most available power from the power generating device. The power factor adjusting unit, which generates a ramp control voltage that will further determine the duty ratio and switching frequency of PWM signal, gracefully tunes the magnitude and reduces the total harmonic distortion of the current injected from inverter into utility grid.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2012Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: National Cheng Kung UniversityInventors: Yeong-chau Kuo, Wen-chuen Liu, Tai-haur Kuo
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Patent number: 8839509Abstract: Multiple high-voltage side and low-voltage side electric conductors are formed from one sheet of a conductive plate in such a way that the multiple electric conductors are arranged in parallel to one another across an initial gap between the high-voltage side and the low-voltage side electric conductors. The multiple electric conductors are connected to one another via connecting portions. An intermediate portion of the connecting portion is deformed so as to reduce the initial gap to a smaller adjusted gap. Portions of the electric conductors as well as switching devices mounted to the electric conductors are sealed by sealing material. The connecting portions are cut away so that the electric conductors are finally separated from one another.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2012Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Noriyuki Kakimoto, Masao Yamada
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Publication number: 20140268961Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating AC power. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a DC/AC inversion stage capable of generating at least two of a single-phase output power, a two-phase output power, and a three-phase output power; and a conversion control module, coupled to the DC/AC inversion stage, for driving the DC/AC inversion stage to (i) generate the single-phase output power while an input power is less than a first threshold, and (ii) operate in burst mode while the input power satisfies a burst mode threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Enphase Energy, Inc.Inventor: Martin Fornage
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Publication number: 20140268960Abstract: A method and system for a control circuit are provided. The circuit includes an integrating counter coupled to a process wherein the integrating counter is configured to integrate over time a process parameter signal received from the process and to generate a trigger signal when the integrated signal equals a predetermined count. The control circuit also includes a transition controller electrically coupled to a respective control element and configured to receive the trigger signal generated by the integrating counter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventors: Allen Michael Ritter, Robert Allen Seymour, Rajib Datta, John Douglas D'Atre
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Publication number: 20140268959Abstract: A bidirectional power converter that can be used in an electric vehicle to perform AC to DC power conversion to charge the electric vehicle's battery and to perform DC to AC power conversion to export power to run external electrical loads is described. The bidirectional power converter may include an AC interface coupled to a cyclo-inverter circuit, and a DC interface coupled to a H-bridge circuit. The cyclo-inverter can be electrically coupled to the H-bridge circuit through a transformer. The bidirectional power converter may include a neutral terminal on the AC interface that is coupled to the transformer through a filtering inductor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Engineered Electric CompanyInventors: Gene H. Frohman, Scott Ramsay, Keven Roche, Thomas Parsons, Michael Kelley, John Thompson, Scott McMillan, Jessica Farace, Matthew Tarca, David Gellis
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Patent number: 8837183Abstract: The present invention provides a power switch series circuit and its control method. The power switch series circuit includes a plurality of series modules, a control module and a drive module. At least one series module has a power switch and a detection module, and the detection module includes a detection unit and an isolation unit, so as to detect the overvoltage and output a voltage detection signal based on the detected voltage. The control module receives the voltage detection signal and outputs the corresponding control signal. The drive module amplifies the control signal to drive each power switch to turn ON or turn OFF. The control module outputs the corresponding control signal to turn off each power switch when the overvoltage happens.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2012Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Delta Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hong-Jian Gan, Jian-Ping Ying, Jie Fu, Wei-Liang Fu, Ming Wang
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Patent number: 8836256Abstract: A drive system has a switched reluctance motor (SR motor) and a control system configured to determine an estimated total torque of SR motor as a function of the phase voltages and phase currents of the phases of the SR motor.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2012Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Zimin W. Vilar, Chris J. Tremel
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Publication number: 20140254221Abstract: An electrosurgical generator is provided. The generator includes a DC-DC buck converter configured to output a DC waveform, the DC-DC buck converter including at least one first switching element operated at a first duty cycle; a DC-AC boost converter coupled to the DC-DC buck converter and including at least one second switching element operated at a second duty cycle, the DC-AC boost converter configured to convert the DC waveform to generate at least one electrosurgical waveform; and a controller coupled to the DC-DC buck converter and the DC-AC boost converter and configured to adjust the first duty cycle and the second duty cycle to operate the at least one electrosurgical waveform in at least one of constant current, constant voltage, or constant power modes.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2013Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: COVIDIEN LPInventors: JOSHUA H. JOHNSON, DONALD TONN
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Patent number: 8830711Abstract: A hybrid switch comprising two semiconductor switches connected in parallel but having different voltage drop characteristics as a function of current facilitates attainment of zero voltage switching and reduces conduction losses to complement reduction of switching losses achieved through zero voltage switching in power converters such as high-current inverters.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2011Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.Inventors: Jih-Sheng Lai, Wensong Yu
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Publication number: 20140247000Abstract: The invention relates to a control device for triggering a semi-conductor switch of an inverter, the control device comprising: a switching signal amplification device, which is designed to amplify a switching signal generated by a control regulation of the inverter, and to generate a first switching control signal that triggers the semi-conductor switch in a switching mode; a current regulation device, which is coupled to a current sensor output of the semiconductor switch and is designed to generate a second switching control signal that triggers the semi-conductor switch in a linear mode; and a selection device, which is coupled to the switching signal amplification device and the current regulation device and is designed to output, on the basis of at least one mode selection signal, either the first switching control signal or the second switching control signal in order to trigger a control terminal of the semi-conductor switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2012Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventor: Andreas Schoenknecht
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Patent number: 8824167Abstract: An auxiliary power supply or bias voltage supply employs a step up switch mode DC/DC power converter topology to supply regulated bias supply voltages, from very low input voltages (e.g., less than 2V). The supply will synchronize to dynamic loads making it particularly useful in circuits with periodic high peak current power demands, for example, gate drive circuits employed in regulated switched mode power converters. When unladed, the supply will efficiently adjust its cycle period to the minimum required to maintain the desired boosted output voltage. Additional transformer windings or a charge pump may be used to generate additional vias voltage sources.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2011Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Crane Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Rodney Alan Hughes, Reid Adriance, Bertrand Nkei, Jay Allen Kuehny
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Patent number: 8824168Abstract: A full bridge phase shifted power supply with synchronous rectification and current doubler and method for dynamically adjusting delay parameters thereof mainly have multiple delay parameter combinations respectively varying with multiple loads and embedded in a controller of the power supply. The delay parameter combinations serve to determine driving waveforms of two rectification switches of a synchronous rectification and current doubler circuit of the power supply. When the load of the power supply varies, the controller dynamically performs a corresponding delay parameter combination so as to vary the driving waveforms of the rectification switches of the synchronous rectification and current doubler circuit and enhance the operating efficiency of the power supply.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2011Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Acbel Polytech Inc.Inventors: Chun-Ho Hua, Chien-Wen Wang, Wei-Liang Lin
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Patent number: RE45320Abstract: A docking station for a portable media player. The docking station includes a docking connector to physically secure the portable media player and a communication interface to communicatively couple the portable media player to the docking station when the docking connector is physically securing the portable media player. A projection module operably linked to the communication interface and configured to receive video information from the portable media player via the communication interface projects a video image derived from the video information away from the docking station onto a viewing surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2011Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Jennifer Jaffe, Scott Ballantyne, Steve Stark, Joe O'Sullivan, Phillip H. Salvatori, Donald Rhodes