Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080212345 | DC-DC CONVERTER SYSTEM - A DC-DC converter system is provided to improve switching control operation of a battery charging DC-DC converter ( | 09-04-2008 |
20080247198 | CONTROL CIRCUIT AND CONTROLLING METHOD OF SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM - A switching power supply system has a control circuit that controls an output voltage by causing a switching device to turn ON and OFF. The control circuit includes a control pulse supplying unit that supplies a pulsed signal that_keeps the switching device turned-ON and -OFF. A protection circuit shuts down the switching power supply system upon occurrence of an abnormality. A delay circuit produces a delay signal that delays by a specified time duration the termination of a state of the pulsed signal in which the pulsed signal keeps the switching device turned-ON. The protection circuit is responsive to the pulsed signal or the delay signal to switch between an operation state and a stand-by state. | 10-09-2008 |
20080247199 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR POWER CONVERTER FAULT CONDITION DETECTION - An example controller includes a fault detector and a control. The fault detector is to be coupled to a feedback circuit of a power converter to detect a fault condition in the power converter in response to an input voltage of the power converter. The control is coupled to the fault detector and is to be coupled to control the switching of a power switch to regulate an output of the power converter. The control is coupled to inhibit the switching of the power switch in response to the fault detector detecting the fault condition during the switching of the power switch. | 10-09-2008 |
20080253154 | Inrush Current Limiter Device and Power Factor Control (Pfc) Circuit Having an Improved Inrush Current Limiter Device - The present invention relates to an inrush current limiter device ( | 10-16-2008 |
20080253155 | Power Supply with Current Limiting Circuits - A power supply ( | 10-16-2008 |
20080259659 | Overload and short protected soft-start converter - A converter and a driving method thereof are provided. The converter can determine the output short state of the converter after the soft start is finished by using a detection signal that corresponds to an input signal while a switched is turned on and that corresponds to an output signal while the switch is turned off, so as to convert the input signal into the output signal according to a switching operation of the switch. The converter can determine the overload state of the converter by using a feedback voltage corresponding to the output signal, and terminate the switching operation when the converter is in an output short state or overload state. | 10-23-2008 |
20080266911 | Current sensing circuits and methods for a converter - In one embodiment, a current sensing circuit for a converter includes a sensing switch and a comparator. The sensing switch is coupled to a power switch within the converter for receiving a first voltage signal indicative of the current through the power switch. The sensing switch also produces a second voltage signal based on the first voltage signal. The comparator is coupled to the sensing switch for detecting an operation condition of the converter based on the second voltage signal. An offset voltage between the second voltage signal and the first voltage signal can compensate for a delay at the comparator. | 10-30-2008 |
20080266912 | HIGH VOLTAGE POWER SUPPLY - A high voltage power supply includes a current overflow prevention unit to detect a change in a load of a device that is operated by an output power supplied from a transformer and to ground filtered signals that are input to first and second comparison units according to the detection result. | 10-30-2008 |
20080285316 | AC/DC CONVERTER AND AC/DC CONVERSION METHOD USING THE SAME - Disclosed herein are an AC/DC converter which is simple in circuit configuration, generates little ElectroMagnetic Interference (EMI) and has no transformer so that it can be reduced in weight and size and improved in AC/DC conversion efficiency, and an AC/DC conversion method using the same. The AC/DC converter includes a rectification circuit for converting a commercial AC (85-264V) voltage into a ripple AC voltage, a first control circuit for comparing the converted ripple AC voltage with a reference voltage and outputting a first pulse control signal as a result of the comparison, a first switching circuit for switching and outputting the ripple AC voltage from the rectification circuit in response to the first pulse control signal outputted from the first control circuit, and a first charge storage circuit for smoothing the ripple AC voltage outputted from the first switching circuit to convert it into a primary DC voltage. | 11-20-2008 |
20080291708 | PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR MULTI-LEVEL CONVERTER - A protective circuit for a multi-level converter including a DC link capacitor bank includes: an energy absorbing element; switches, wherein at least two of the switches each couple the energy absorbing element to the capacitor bank; and a controller configured to provide control signals to the switches to selectively actuate the switches to enable control of energy dissipation and to enable control of voltage balance on the capacitor bank of the multi-level converter. | 11-27-2008 |
20080298099 | Apparatus and method for reducing the die area of a PWM controller - An apparatus and method for reducing the die area of a PWM controller include a protection circuit triggered by a fault index signal for counting, and the counting time is provided for a delay time required by fault verification. Therefore, fault detection circuits can be eliminated and the purpose of reducing the die area can be achieved. | 12-04-2008 |
20080304297 | SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY WITH PROTECTION FUNCTION - A switching power supply with protection function includes a transistor controlled to be on or off by a PWM signal from a PWM controller to convert a DC voltage into a square wave signal, a filter filtering the square wave signal into an output voltage signal, the output voltage signal being fed back to the PWM controller to be compared with a predetermined voltage, and a switch device having an input terminal for receiving the output voltage signal from the filter, an output terminal for connecting to a load, and a control terminal. If the voltage of the output voltage signal from the filter is not equal to the predetermined output voltage, the PWM controller will not output a signal to the control terminal of the switch device and the switch device will be in an off state. The PWM controller adjusts the duty ratio of the PWM signal until the voltage of the output voltage signal from the filter is equal to the predetermined output voltage such that the PWM controller outputs a control signal to turn on the switch device to allow the load receiving the output voltage signal via the switch device. | 12-11-2008 |
20080310198 | Apparatus and method for suppressing the input current inrush for a voltage converter in a pre-charge stage - An apparatus and method are provided for suppressing the input current inrush for a voltage converter in a pre-charge stage. The voltage converter comprises a power input for receiving an input current, a power output for supplying an output voltage for a load, and an output capacitor connected to the power output. In a pre-charge stage, a current limiting device is connected between the power input and the output capacitor to limit the input current to flow therethrough, and a variable current limiting control circuit provides a control signal to the current limiting device to determine a variable maximum value for the input current. | 12-18-2008 |
20080310199 | POWER SUPPLY PROTECTION APPARATUS AND RELATED METHOD - A power supply protection method for a power supply device includes: detecting whether an output voltage of the power supply device reaches a voltage protection threshold to generate a detection result; generating a first control signal according to a power good input signal and the detection result; utilizing a fault protection circuit to decide whether to output a fault protection signal according to the first control signal; and using a short circuit protection circuit to receive the power good input signal and determining whether to generate a second control signal according to the power good input signal. When the power good input signal is not enabled during a specific time after the power supply device is started, the short circuit protection circuit is directly used to generate the second control signal into the fault protection circuit for triggering the fault protection circuit to output the fault protection signal. | 12-18-2008 |
20080316777 | Method for thermal protection of frequency converter and a frequency converter - A method for thermal protection of a frequency converter and a frequency converter that comprises means for controlling the output current of the frequency converter. The method comprises the steps of determining beforehand two or more data points which define a thermal current limit for a semiconductor component of the frequency converter at specific temperatures at two or more switching frequencies, determining beforehand two or more data points which define a thermal current limit for the semiconductor component at specific temperatures at a zero converter output frequency, measuring the temperature of the semiconductor component, determining the switching frequency of the frequency converter, determining the output frequency of the frequency converter, determining the highest allowable thermal current as a function of measured temperature, determined switching frequency and determined output frequency on the basis of the defined data points, and limiting the output current of the frequency converter to the determined highest allowable thermal current. | 12-25-2008 |
20090027928 | STEP UP CONVERTER WITH OVERCURRENT PROTECTION - A step up converter with overcurrent protection is disclosed. The step up converter can precisely limit the output current of the upstream device. Current from the input terminal of the converter is detected and compared with a predetermined maximum current to get a comparison value which is delivered to a close-loop regulator. The overcurrent protection is achieved by the regulator outputting a control signal to fulfill the conduction or resistance increase of a resistive element of the protection circuit. Furthermore, detection of the temperature or the output voltage may trigger shut off of the protection circuit to implement a protection function. | 01-29-2009 |
20090040798 | SWITCHING MODE POWER SUPPLY APPARATUS AND POWER SUPPLY METHOD THEREOF - A switching mode power supply apparatus includes a conversion unit to convert input power into output power having a predetermined voltage by performing a switching operation; a light emitting unit to emit light if the voltage of the output power exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage; a light receiving unit to receive the light emitted from the light emitting unit and output a signal indicative of the voltage of the output power; a switching controller to control the switching operation of the conversion unit according to the voltage of the output power indicated by the signal output from the light receiving unit; and a disconnection unit to disconnect power applied to the light receiving unit if a voltage of the power applied to the light receiving unit exceeds a predetermined trigger voltage. | 02-12-2009 |
20090086517 | DC/DC BOOST CONVERTER WITH RESISTORLESS CURRENT SENSING - A DC to DC boost converter circuit receives a DC input voltage and converts it to a DC output voltage at a different voltage level than the DC input voltage. The DC to DC boost converter includes a switching power converter for receiving the input voltage on an input and converting the input voltage to an output as the DC output voltage in response to pulse control signals. A switching controller generates the pulse control signals during a switching cycle. Current sensing circuitry limits a current passing through the switching power converter. The current sensing circuitry generates an overload signal when the current exceeds a reference value. The current sensing circuitry sensing the current with a current sensing resistor having a size of at least approximately 500 ohms. | 04-02-2009 |
20090168469 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR A LOW COST FAULT-TOLERANT POWER SUPPLY - An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a low cost fault-tolerant power supply. The invention includes a power supply that regulates a bus voltage under varying load conditions. The power supply includes at least one pulse-width modulated stage, where each pulse-width modulated stage includes at least two DC-to-DC converters connected and operating in parallel. Each converter includes a switch and a fuse connected in series where the fuse disconnects the switch in response to an over current condition sufficient to open the fuse. The power supply also includes a pulse-width modulator for each stage of the power supply that regulates a bus voltage controlled by the stage by sensing the controlled bus voltage and adjusting a switching duty cycle to regulate the controlled bus voltage to a target value. The pulse-width modulator for a stage provides a substantially identical switching duty cycle to each switch of the stage. | 07-02-2009 |
20090196079 | SELF-ADJUSTING BLEEDER FOR A FORWARD CONVERTER - A switched mode power supply (SMPS) may be operated with uncoupled output inductors. Overvoltage produced by “low-load” conditions may be controlled through use of an adaptive regulating bleeder. The bleeder may comprise a shunt regulator and a power dissipation resistor connected in parallel with a load of the SMPS. As load on the SMPS is reduced below a predetermined level, the shunt regulator may begin to conduct. Current may pass through the power dissipation resistor. Power dissipation may occur at a rate sufficient to maintain continuous conductance through an output inductor of the SMPS. During normal load operation, the shunt regulator may not conduct and inefficient dissipation of power through the resistor may be avoided. | 08-06-2009 |
20090257255 | ACTIVE SNUBBER FOR TRANSITION MODE POWER CONVERTER - A transition mode power converter having an active snubber the operation of which is controlled using an auxiliary winding on the transformer of the power converter. In one embodiment, the power converter includes a transformer having a primary winding connected to a voltage source, a primary switch, an auxiliary switch, a capacitor, and an auxiliary winding on the transformer. The primary switch includes a first terminal connected to the primary winding of the transformer and a second terminal connected to a common node. The auxiliary switch includes a first terminal connected to the voltage source and to the primary winding. The capacitor is connected between a second terminal of the auxiliary switch and the first terminal of the primary switch. The auxiliary winding of the transformer is connected to a third terminal of the auxiliary switch and controls operation of the auxiliary switch via the third terminal. | 10-15-2009 |
20090268489 | FLYBACK CONVERTER HAVING AN ACTIVE SNUBBER - A flyback converter having an active snubber includes a transformer to receive input power. The transformer has a primary winding at a first side. The active snubber is coupled in parallel with two ends of the primary winding and has a first circumferential circuit coupling in parallel with the primary winding, a second circumferential circuit and a zero voltage switch unit. The second circumferential circuit is controlled by the zero voltage switch unit and incorporated with the first circumferential circuit to form double damping paths to reduce current and prevent resonance that might otherwise occur to a single circumferential circuit and the secondary side of the transformer. | 10-29-2009 |
20090316451 | APPARATUS PROVIDING PROTECTION FOR POWER CONVERTER - A switching circuit for a power converter includes an oscillation circuit, a first circuit, and a first comparator. The oscillation circuit generates a switching signal for regulating an output of the power converter. The first circuit generates a threshold signal. The first comparator is coupled to receive a signal representative of a current through a power switch. Besides, the first comparator generates a control signal in response to the signal and the threshold signal. A frequency of the switching signal is increased in response to the enabling of the control signal. | 12-24-2009 |
20090323377 | OPTIMAL UTILIZATION OF POWER CONVERTERS FOR ENGINE START SYSTEM - A method and system for utilization of power converters in an aircraft engine start system includes measurement of power converter operation data that is utilized with a mathematical model of the power converter thermal characteristics to calculate operation limits for subsequent start duty cycles. A warning indicator is utilized in the event the start duty cycle limits are exceeded. This invention can be extended for any More Electric Vehicle applications, which utilizes an electric engine start system. | 12-31-2009 |
20100165676 | SYSTEM AND METHOD PROVIDING OVER CURRENT AND OVER POWER PROTECTION FOR POWER CONVERTER - System and method for protecting a power converter. A system includes a threshold generator configured to generate a threshold signal, and a first comparator configured to receive the threshold signal and a first signal and to generate a comparison signal. The first signal is associated with an input current for a power converter. Additionally, the system includes a pulse-width-modulation generator configured to receive the comparison signal and generate a modulation signal in response to the comparison signal, and a switch configured to receive the modulation signal and adjust the input current for the power converter. The threshold signal is associated with a threshold magnitude as a function of time. The threshold magnitude increases with time at a first slope during a first period, and the threshold magnitude increases with time at a second slope during a second period. The first slope and the second slope are different. | 07-01-2010 |
20100259956 | Dimmable Power Supply - Various embodiments of a dimmable power supply are disclosed herein. For example, some embodiments provide a dimmable power supply including an output driver, a variable pulse generator and a load current detector. The output driver has a power input, a control input and a load path. The variable pulse generator includes a control input and a pulse output, with the pulse output connected to the output driver control input. The variable pulse generator is adapted to vary a pulse width at the pulse output based on a signal at the control input. The load current detector has an input connected to the output driver load path and an output connected to the variable pulse generator control input. The load current detector has a time constant adapted to substantially filter out a change in a load current at a frequency of pulses at the variable pulse generator pulse output. | 10-14-2010 |
20100315846 | SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY AND OVER-TEMPERATURE PROTECTION METHOD - A switching power supply includes an energy-storing device, a power switch, a driving circuit and a thermal sensing device. The energy-storing device is coupled to an input power source and controlled by the power switch to increase or decrease the power therein. The power switch has a control terminal connected to the driving circuit for switching. The thermal sensing device is connected to the control terminal of the power switch and powered by the driving circuit. When sensing an operation temperature exceeding a predetermined range, the thermal sensing device disables the driving circuit. | 12-16-2010 |
20100315847 | COMPONENT FAULT DETECTION FOR USE WITH A MULTI-PHASE DC-DC CONVERTER - Provided herein are circuits, systems and methods that monitor for a fault within a multi-phase DC-DC converter. This can include monitoring the channels of the DC-DC converter for way out of balance (WOB) conditions, and monitoring for a component fault in dependence on detected WOB conditions. A fault can be detected if, during a predetermined period of time, one of the WOB conditions occurs at least a specified amount of times more than another one of the WOB conditions. The DC-DC converter and/or another circuit can be shut-down in response to a fault being detected. Additionally, or alternatively, a component fault detection signal can be output in response to a fault being detected. | 12-16-2010 |
20110019444 | Method and apparatus for detection and control of dc arc faults - A method and apparatus for managing DC arc faults. At least a portion of the method is performed by a controller comprising at least one processor. In one embodiment, the method comprises analyzing a signature of a signal of a power converter and determining, based on analysis of the signature, whether an arc fault exists. | 01-27-2011 |
20110080759 | FEEDING SYSTEM FOR AN INDUCTIVE LOAD FROM AN ENERGY SOURCE WITH VARIABLE POWER - A system is provided for the feeding of an inductive load, with electric power of continuous current, generated from an energy source and, more in particular, to a feeding system for a vibratory pump from solar or aeolic energy, which processes the electric power of continuous current supplied by a bank of solar cells or aeolic generator, in a compatible form, using a circuit of electronic command by digital micro controller, for the control and actuation of vibratory pump, independent of the electric power variations supplied by the sources as solar cells, due to the alterations in the level of solar radiation; or in aeolic generator, due to wind speed variations. | 04-07-2011 |
20110085360 | METHOD AND APPARATUS PROVIDING A MULTI-FUNCTION TERMINAL FOR A POWER SUPPLY CONTROLLER - A power supply controller circuit is disclosed. An example power supply controller circuit includes a control circuit coupled to generate a switching waveform to be used to regulate an output of a power supply. A current input circuit is coupled to receive a current representative of an input of the power supply. The current input circuit is to generate a sense signal in response to the current representative of the input of the power supply. A first comparator is coupled to the current input circuit to receive the sense signal. The first comparator coupled to generate a first signal in response to the sense signal being above a first threshold. An enable/disable logic circuit is coupled to the first comparator. The enable/disable logic circuit is coupled to deactivate the control circuit in response to the first signal. | 04-14-2011 |
20110103108 | Converter Valve - A converter valve unit including a plurality of parallel connected semiconducting elements, a free-wheeling diode and a control unit. | 05-05-2011 |
20110122663 | POWER SUPPLY WITH ARC FLASH PROTECTION MECHANISM AND DATA-PROCESSING SYSTEM EMPLOYING SAME - A power supply with arc flash protection mechanism for providing power to a load is disclosed. The power supply comprises a first power connector including a plurality of power terminals and a first detecting terminal, a power conversion circuit, a control unit and a connection status detection circuit. The power terminals of the first power connector are configured to couple with a plurality of power terminals of a second power connector, and the first detecting terminal is configured to couple with a second detecting terminal of the second power connector and provide a detecting signal indicative of whether the second power connector is being disconnected with the first power connector. When the first detecting terminal is disconnected with the second detecting terminal, a power connection status signal of the connection status detection circuit is under disable status and the control unit controls the power conversion circuit not to generate or output the output voltage to the load. | 05-26-2011 |
20110128760 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DC/AC SYSTEMS TO RIDE THROUGH GRID TRANSIENTS - A converter system comprises a DC to AC converter, a maximum power point tracking device, and an array-side control. The DC link converts DC from a photovoltaic array to AC for a grid. The maximum power point tracking device is coupled to the array. The array-side control, which is coupled to the DC to AC converter and the device, prevents overvoltage in the DC bus of the DC to AC converter using array voltage and current data from the device and DC bus voltage data from the DC to AC converter during a grid transient by adjusting a maximum power point of the array to increase array voltage. | 06-02-2011 |
20110149619 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VARYING CURRENT LIMIT TO LIMIT AN OUTPUT POWER OF A POWER SUPPLY - A power supply controller is disclosed. An example power supply controller includes an input voltage sense input coupled to sense an input voltage sense signal representative of an input voltage of a power supply. An output voltage sense input is coupled to sense an output voltage sense signal representative of an output voltage of the power supply. A current limit circuit is coupled to generate a current limit signal. The current limit signal is varied relative to a first ratio representative of a ratio of a product of the input voltage and a scaled output voltage of the power supply, to a sum of the input voltage and the scaled output voltage of the power supply. A drive signal generator is coupled to generate a drive signal in response to the current limit signal to drive the power switch of the power supply to limit an output power of the power supply in response to the input voltage. | 06-23-2011 |
20110235374 | Stored Energy Dissipating Circuits and Methods for Switched Mode Power Supplies - A circuit includes a detector configured to detect a state of a power supply including an energy storage component and to generate a control signal responsive to the state of the power supply, a dissipating component, and a switch configured to controllably couple the dissipating component to the energy storage component in response to the control signal output by the detector. Methods of operating a power supply including an energy storage component and a dissipating component are disclosed. The methods include monitoring the power supply to determine if the power supply may be active, and, in response to determining that the power supply may be inactive, coupling the dissipating component to the energy storage component to dissipate energy from the energy storage component. | 09-29-2011 |
20110249475 | GRID-CONNECTED INVERTER - A grid-connected inverter includes first and second power conversion circuits, a contactor and a control circuit. The first conversion circuit converts a first DC voltage to a second DC voltage. The second conversion circuit converts the second DC voltage to an AC voltage. The contactor connects an output side of the second conversion circuit to a power system. The control circuit includes a decision circuit and controls start and stop operations of the conversion circuits, and opening and closing of the contactor. The decision circuit decides whether a condition of the contactor is abnormal by detecting, after the control circuit controls the contactor to be open, whether or not a value of the second DC voltage is less than a threshold value, and if the value of the second DC voltage is detected to be not less than the threshold value, decides that the condition of the contactor is abnormal. | 10-13-2011 |
20110292698 | SYSTEM AND METHOD PROVIDING OVER CURRENT AND OVER POWER PROTECTION FOR POWER CONVERTER - System and method for protecting a power converter. A system includes a threshold generator configured to generate a threshold signal, and a first comparator configured to receive the threshold signal and a first signal and to generate a comparison signal. The first signal is associated with an input current for a power converter. Additionally, the system includes a pulse-width-modulation generator configured to receive the comparison signal and generate a modulation signal in response to the comparison signal, and a switch configured to receive the modulation signal and adjust the input current for the power converter. The threshold signal is associated with a threshold magnitude as a function of time. The threshold magnitude increases with time at a first slope during a first period, and the threshold magnitude increases with time at a second slope during a second period. The first slope and the second slope are different. | 12-01-2011 |
20120014146 | POWER-DEPENDANT MAINS UNDER-VOLTAGE PROTECTION - A method and controller for power dependant mains under-voltage (“brown-out”) protection is disclosed. Brown-out protection is meant for protection against overheating due to low mains voltage and associated high mains current. Usually this is coupled to the absolute value of the mains voltage, but for devices operating at low power this is not necessary, as overheating will not occur. The disclosed method and controller allow for lower mains voltages at low load by comparing the mains voltage with a signal indicating the actual power level of the power supply. | 01-19-2012 |
20120039100 | POWER CONVERSION DEVICE, METHOD OF CONTROLLING POWER CONVERSION DEVICE, AND VEHICLE WITH THE SAME MOUNTED THEREON - In a power conversion device of a vehicle, when a collision of a vehicle is detected, the voltage of a gate signal that drive a semiconductor switching element included in the power conversion device is decreased, and residual charge stored in a smoothing capacitor is discharged. Such a configuration increases switching loss when the semiconductor switching element is turned on or off during discharge of the residual charge in the power conversion device, so that discharge of the residual charge can be accomplished in a shorter time. | 02-16-2012 |
20120063180 | Protection Circuit for a Power Conversion Apparatus - A protection circuit that interrupts a supply of power to a driving circuit for a power conversion apparatus upon detection of an abnormality includes switches connected in series between the power supply and the driving circuit. An interruption signal enabling/disabling circuit controls the transmission of an interruption signal from the power conversion apparatus to one of the switches and turns the switch off. A monitoring circuit monitors a voltage output from the switches, and determines that the switch which is to be turned off is in a short-circuit state if the voltage is a normal value. A switch may also be determined to be in a short-circuit fault state if the interruption signal turns the switches off, and if a monitored voltage output from the switches decreases at a decay rate faster than a decay rate in a condition where the switch is not in a short-circuit state. | 03-15-2012 |
20120099351 | ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - An electronic apparatus having reinforced power saving and safety functions, the electronic apparatus may include: a power supply which converts alternating current (AC) power input from an AC power source to direct current (DC) power to be outputted; an AC power switch provided on a first AC power input line connecting the AC power source and the power source and is turned on and off to selectively transmit the AC power to the power supply; a relay provided on a second AC power input line connecting the AC power source and the power supply in parallel with the AC power switch, and receives the DC power from the power supply to selectively transmit the AC power to the power supply; a switching unit which selectively transmits the DC power output from the power supply to the relay; and a controller which controls the switching unit to supply the DC power to the relay if the AC power switch is turned on. | 04-26-2012 |
20120147635 | SYNCHRONOUS RECTIFIED PWM REGULATOR WITH AUTO FAULT CLEARING - A fault tolerant synchronous rectifier PWM regulator system and method are disclosed. In the system and method, a force commutated synchronous rectifier is operable to be coupled to an electrical bus, and a low side switch is operable to be coupled to a common ground. In addition, a first fuse is coupled to the force commutated synchronous rectifier and the low side switch, and is operable to open in response to a first fault. Furthermore, an inductor is coupled to the first fuse, the force commutated synchronous rectifier and the low side switch, and a second fuse is coupled to the inductor and is operable to be coupled to a current source and to open in response to a second fault. | 06-14-2012 |
20120195078 | PREVENTION OF SAFETY HAZARDS DUE TO LEAKAGE CURRENT - Medical apparatus includes an electrical power supply, which is configured for connection to an electrical medical device that is coupled to a body of a patient. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes alternating current (AC) lines that include a ground line. A switch is coupled to connect and disconnect the AC lines from an AC power source. A current sensor is coupled to sense a current flowing in the ground line and to actuate the switch to disconnect the AC lines when the current exceeds a predetermined threshold. In another embodiment, a plurality of electrocardiogram (ECG) leads, including a common lead, are coupled to the body of the patient. An auxiliary current sensor is coupled to monitor a current flowing through the common lead and to actuate the switch to disconnect the power connection when the current exceeds a predetermined limit. | 08-02-2012 |
20120314463 | POWER SUPPLY WITH RESTART CIRCUIT - A power supply protected against open circuit conditions at its output terminals, and methods for so protecting, are disclosed. A front end circuit receives an input voltage and provides a regulated front end DC voltage to a voltage converter circuit, which in turn provides a DC output voltage to the output terminals to drive a light source. An open circuit protection circuit is coupled between the voltage converter circuit and the output terminals. It has a non-conducting state to couple the DC output voltage to the output terminals, and a conducting state to establish a short circuit across the output terminals in response to charging of a capacitor during an open circuit condition at the output terminals. A restart circuit intermittently discharges the capacitor during the open circuit condition to place the open circuit protection circuit in the non-conducting state when the open circuit condition is resolved. | 12-13-2012 |
20130051093 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VARYING CURRENT LIMIT TO LIMIT AN OUTPUT POWER OF A POWER SUPPLY - A power supply controller includes an input voltage sense input and an output voltage sense input coupled to sense an input voltage and an output voltage of a power supply. A current limit circuit includes a first variable resistance coupled in parallel with a second variable resistance. The first variable resistance responsive the input voltage of the power supply and the second variable resistance is responsive to the output voltage of the power supply. The current limit circuit is coupled to generate a current limit signal in response to an equivalent resistance of the first variable resistance coupled in parallel with the second variable resistance. A drive signal generator is coupled to generate a drive signal in response to the current limit signal to drive a power switch of the power supply to limit an output power of the power supply in response to the input voltage. | 02-28-2013 |
20130114314 | CONVERTER SYSTEM AND POWER ELECTRONIC SYSTEM COMPRISING SUCH CONVERTER SYSTEMS - Exemplary embodiments are directed to a converter system having a phase voltage source, n partial converter systems, wherein n≧1 and, when n=1, the partial converter system is connected to the phase voltage source at a connection point and, when n>1, the partial converter systems are connected to the phase voltage source at the connection point. Furthermore, a power switch is connected in series between the phase voltage source and the connection point. An interruption element is connected in series between the phase voltage source, the power switch, and the connection point to rapidly switch off a fault current via a partial converter system. Furthermore, a power electronic system including m converter systems is specified, wherein m>1. | 05-09-2013 |
20130121044 | Power Converter Controller IC Having Pins with Multiple Functions - A controller integrated circuit (IC) for controlling a power converter uses one or more IC pins having plurality of functions such as configuration of a parameter supported by the controller IC and shutdown protection. Several different functions may be supported by a single IC pin, thereby reducing the number of pins required in the controller IC and also reducing the cost of manufacturing the controller IC. The controller IC may also share a comparison circuit among different pins and the different functions provided by those pins. Use of a shared comparison circuit further reduces the cost of manufacturing the controller IC without sacrificing the performance of the IC. | 05-16-2013 |
20130128635 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A CONVERTER AND A SWITCHING CELL AND A CONVERTER - Exemplary embodiments are directed to a method for operating a converter, wherein the converter includes a plurality of bridge branches having one or more switching cells connected in series. Each bridge branch connects one of a plurality of inputs to one of a plurality of outputs of the converter. The method includes monitoring each of the switching cells in order to determine a fault. If a fault is identified in one of the switching cells, triggering one of the triggering elements for short-circuiting switching cell connections if the fault identified in the switching cell is not followed by identification of a fault in a further one of the switching cells within a predetermined period of time. | 05-23-2013 |
20130194840 | Redundancy Structures for Static Converters - The invention relates to a static converter connected between an electrical voltage source ( | 08-01-2013 |
20130229840 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - A semiconductor device of the present invention determines an overheat state by comparing a forward voltage drop of a temperature sensing diode with a reference voltage, and in addition includes a series regulator circuit composed of an amplifier and resistors, that receives the forward voltage drop of a temperature sensing diode and delivers an output voltage as temperature information to an external output terminal for temperature detection of the semiconductor device. Such a device can continuously detect the temperature of the semiconductor chip. | 09-05-2013 |
20130242626 | DISCHARGE CIRCUITS FOR EMI FILTERS CAPACITORS AND METHODS THEREOF - A discharge circuit for an EMI filter capacitor, wherein the EMI filter capacitor is coupled between input terminals of a switching converter. The discharge circuit has a detecting circuit and a current source. The detecting circuit is configured to detect whether an electrical source is coupled to the input terminals of the switching converter. The current source is coupled between the input terminals of the switching converter and a power supply capacitor, and is configured to provide a power supply voltage across the power supply capacitor. When the electrical source is uncoupled from the input terminals of the switching converter, the EMI filter capacitor is discharged by the current source. | 09-19-2013 |
20130258728 | MULTILEVEL POWER CONVERTER - Aspects of the invention address a circumstance in multilevel power converter devices having a bidirectional switch connected to a middle point of a DC power supply assembly, whereby interruption of the device may cause break down of semiconductor switches due to overvoltage if the semiconductor switches are totally interrupted simultaneously. In some aspects, a shut down procedure of a multilevel power converter device having a bidirectional switch connected to the middle point of a DC power supply assembly, gates of semiconductor switches are interrupted one by one according to a predetermined sequence or a sequence corresponding to the conditions of voltage and current at that moment with a time interval, and finally the bidirectional switch connected to the middle point of a DC power supply assembly is interrupted. As a result, a transition from an operating state to a shut down state can be made with minimum voltage variation. | 10-03-2013 |
20130294121 | SYSTEM AND METHOD PROVIDING OVER CURRENT AND OVER POWER PROTECTION FOR POWER CONVERTER - System and method for protecting a power converter. A system includes a threshold generator configured to generate a threshold signal, and a first comparator configured to receive the threshold signal and a first signal and to generate a comparison signal. The first signal is associated with an input current for a power converter. Additionally, the system includes a pulse-width-modulation generator configured to receive the comparison signal and generate a modulation signal in response to the comparison signal, and a switch configured to receive the modulation signal and adjust the input current for the power converter. The threshold signal is associated with a threshold magnitude as a function of time. The threshold magnitude increases with time at a first slope during a first period, and the threshold magnitude increases with time at a second slope during a second period. The first slope and the second slope are different. | 11-07-2013 |
20130301318 | DRIVE UNIT FOR SWITCHING ELEMENT AND METHOD THEREOF - The present application provides a drive unit for a switching element, the driving unit having a function that is capable of promptly detecting the flow of excess current. The unit is usable for an electrical rotating machine. A drive unit for a switching element, comprising: a sense terminal output current detecting means for detecting an output current of a sense terminal that outputs a minute current having correlation with a current flowing between an input terminal and an output terminal of a switching element; a switching element drive control means for restricting the driving of the switching element when the output current detected by the sense terminal output current detecting means exceeds a predetermined threshold value; and a threshold changing means for changing the threshold value on the basis of a difference of electric potential between the input terminal and the output terminal of the switching element. | 11-14-2013 |
20130308355 | POWER CONVERTER AND MATRIX CONVERTER - The number of ICs used for a power converter is reduced. The power converter includes n power transistors each having an emitter terminal or a source terminal connected to a common line, and driver ICs. Each of the driver ICs includes n pre-drivers that drive the respective n power transistors, and a receiver circuit that is integrated monolithically with the n pre-drivers. The receiver circuit is coupled with a transmitter circuit by AC coupling, and outputs a control signal that controls the n pre-drivers in response to a signal received from the transmitter circuit. | 11-21-2013 |
20140009983 | POWER CONVERSION DEVICE CONTROL DEVICE - Aspects of the invention include a power conversion device control device, including multiple drive circuits having an alarm signal formation circuit that sets a pulse signal having as one cycle a period. The one cycle period includes a determination period, of which a different period is set for each of plural protection circuits that detect information for carrying out a protection operation of semiconductor elements configuring a power conversion device, and a constant period, in which a condition varies with respect to the determination period, takes a protection circuit for which it is first detected that a protection operation is necessary to be a first-come first-served protection circuit, and outputs the pulse signal corresponding to the first-come first-served protection circuit as an alarm signal, wherein the alarm signal formation circuit is such that a resetting condition of the alarm signal is a condition that a protection operation stopped condition. | 01-09-2014 |
20140049995 | DIAGNOSTICS FOR MULTI-LEVEL MEDIUM VOLTAGE DRIVE USING MECHANICAL BYPASS - A system and method for performing diagnostics in a medium voltage drive. The system includes a power cell and a bypass mechanism. The bypass mechanism is operably connected to output terminals of the power cell and configured to create a shunt path between the output terminals. The bypass mechanism includes a communication interface configured to transmit a bypass signal to a communication interface associated with the power cell in response to a state change. The method of performing diagnostics includes a controller transmitting an input voltage to a bypass mechanism of the power supply, thereby causing a state change of the bypass mechanism. The controller receives a signal from the power cell, wherein the signal indicates the power cell has detected the state change of the bypass mechanism. The controller then determines if the power cell is correctly associated with the bypass mechanism. | 02-20-2014 |
20140063876 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR INPUT PROTECTION FOR POWER CONVERTERS - Systems and methods in accordance with this invention provide a power converter including an input signal terminal, a first output signal at a first output signal terminal, and a controller. The controller is adapted to switch the first output signal from a first value to a second value, measure a voltage at the input signal terminal as a function of time, set a flag to a first flag value if the measured voltage falls below a predetermined value within a first predetermined time interval after the first output signal has been switched from the first value to the second value, otherwise set the flag to a second flag value, and save the flag in a memory. Numerous other aspects are also provided. | 03-06-2014 |
20140071720 | VOLTAGE CONVERTER AND ASSOCIATED OVER-VOLTAGE PROTECTION METHOD - A voltage converter includes: an input terminal receiving an input voltage; an output terminal providing an output voltage; a switching circuit having a main switch configured to regulate the output voltage, wherein a control end of the main switch is configured to receive a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signal, and the output voltage is controlled according to the duty cycle of the PWM signal; and a protection switch coupled between the input terminal and the switching circuit, and wherein when the output voltage is higher than a reference voltage, the protection switch is turned OFF. | 03-13-2014 |
20140092652 | POWER SUPPLY DEVICE AND METHOD OF DETERMINING ABNORMALITY IN POWER SUPPLY DEVICE - A power supply device includes: a first switching element and a flywheel semiconductor element which are connected in series to a first DC power source in this order; and a reactor and a second DC power source which are connected in series in this order to a node between the first switching element and the flywheel semiconductor element. A second switching element and a charge circuit for charging a line between the first switching element and the second switching element are interposed between the reactor and the second DC power source. Abnormality of each element is determined from a voltage of each portion of the power supply device measured when the first and second switching elements and the flywheel semiconductor element are driven and controlled. | 04-03-2014 |
20140112035 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO REDUCE OVERCURRENT DURING THE STARTUP OF A SWITCHING REGULATOR - A power supply apparatus includes an inductor to store and discharge energy and a circuit to charge the inductor using a plurality of charging pulses. The circuit skips a charging pulse of the plurality of charging pulses to reduce overcurrent associated with the inductor. | 04-24-2014 |
20140119071 | Overload Protection Saving Circuit - An overload protection saving circuit provided by the present invention has an input power circuit, an output power circuit, a control circuit, an overload timing circuit, and a saving circuit. The output power circuit couples to the input power circuit. The control circuit receives a feedback signal of the output power circuit in order to control the input power circuit. The overload timing circuit receives the feedback signal of the output power circuit in order to transmit an overload signal to the control circuit while the time of an overload is over a predetermining time. The saving circuit receives the feedback signal of the output power circuit in order to transmit a saving signal to the overload timing circuit while in a lightload or a noload, so that the overload timing circuit is disabled. | 05-01-2014 |
20140133200 | CLAMP SNUBBER CIRCUIT AND RESISTANCE ADJUSTMENT METHOD FOR THE SAME - A clamp snubber circuit for reducing a value of a peak voltage on a power switch of a power converter includes: a clamp switch; a clamp capacitor having a first terminal electrically coupled to the power switch via the clamp switch, and a second terminal electrically coupled to a ground; and at least one resistance adjustment circuit, each of which includes: a switch element having a first terminal electrically coupled to the first terminal of the clamp capacitor, a second terminal electrically coupled to the ground, and a control terminal; and a control circuit configured to receive a detection parameter of the power converter and compare the detection parameter with a preset parameter and output a control signal to the control terminal of the switch element to adjust a resistance value of the resistance adjustment circuit. Peak voltages applied on power switches may be clamped and absorbed more effectively. | 05-15-2014 |
20140177297 | POWER SUPPLY CIRCUIT - A power supply circuit preventing any overvoltage to an electronic element includes a voltage conversion unit and a voltage clamping unit. The voltage conversion unit converts voltage of a power supply into an operation voltage of the electronic element, and outputs the converted voltage through an output terminal of the voltage conversion unit. When the voltage output from the output terminal of the voltage conversion unit is more than the operation voltage of the electronic element, the voltage clamping unit effectively clamps the voltage output from the output terminal of the voltage conversion unit down to the operation voltage of the electronic element. | 06-26-2014 |
20140192569 | OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION CIRCUIT - Apparatus and methods for generating an overvoltage signal from a bias winding signal of a power converter transformer are disclosed. In one example, an overvoltage protection circuit may include a current augmentation circuit and a detection circuit. The current augmentation circuit may be coupled to receive the bias winding signal, which may be representative of the power converter output. The current augmentation circuit may include a threshold circuit and a filter circuit that may generate a filtered level shifted signal from the bias winding signal. The current augmentation circuit may generate an augmented signal from the filtered level shifted signal. The detection circuit may be coupled to receive the augmented signal and to generate an overvoltage signal by comparing the augmented signal with a reference voltage. When high asserted, the overvoltage signal may indicate a potential overvoltage condition at the output of the power converter. | 07-10-2014 |
20140192570 | POWER GENERATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A POWER GENERATION SYSTEM - According to an embodiment, a power generation system is provided comprising a power generator; a plurality of converter modules, each converter module having a DC link, wherein the DC link of each converter module is connected to the DC links of the other converter modules of the plurality of converter modules via a fuse associated with the converter module; and a controller configured to, if it is detected that there is a fault in one of the converter modules, disconnect the converter module in which there is a fault from the power generator and connect two or more other converters module of the plurality of converter modules to the power generator and to control the power generation system to supply power to the DC links of the two or more other converter modules such that power is supplied to the converter module in which there is a fault via the fuse associated with the converter module such that the fuse associated with the converter module melts. | 07-10-2014 |
20140268938 | AC VOLTAGE SENSOR WITH LOW POWER CONSUMPTION - A power converter controller includes an input sense circuit to receive an input sense signal representative of an input of a power converter. A zero-crossing detector is coupled to the input sense circuit to be responsive to the input sense signal falling below a first zero-crossing threshold and rising above a second zero-crossing threshold to determine zero-crossing intervals. A timer circuit is coupled to the zero-crossing detector to determine peak intervals and to synchronize an enable signal generated to enable the input sense circuit to sense the input of the power converter during the peak intervals of the input of the power converter. A comparator circuit is coupled to the input sense circuit and the timer circuit to detect if the input of the power converter is greater or less than one or more thresholds during the peak intervals of the input of the power converter. | 09-18-2014 |
20140268939 | FAULT TOLERANT POWER SUPPLY INCORPORATING INTELLIGENT GATE DRIVER-SWITCH CIRCUIT TO PROVIDE UNINTERRUPTED POWER - A fault tolerant power supply system includes at least one load switch configured to connect an input voltage to an output node of the load switch when the load switch is turned on and at least one power channel coupled to the load switch to receive the input voltage. The power channel is configured as a buck converter and includes at least a high-side power switch and a low-side power switch. The fault tolerant power supply system is configured to measure a current flowing through the low-side power switch, to determine that the current flowing through the low-side power switch has exceeded a current limit threshold, and to disable the low-side power switch and the load switch in response to the determination that the current flowing in the low-side power switch has exceeded the current limit threshold. | 09-18-2014 |
20140268940 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SWITCHING BRANCH OF THREE-LEVEL CONVERTER AND SWITCHING BRANCH FOR THREE-LEVEL CONVERTER - Exemplary embodiments are directed to a method for controlling a switching branch of a three-level converter to enter a stop state. The switching branch including a first semiconductor switch and a second semiconductor switch, a first diode and a second diode, a third semiconductor switch and a fourth semiconductor switch, a third diode, and a fourth diode, a fifth semiconductor switch and a sixth semiconductor switch, a fifth diode, and a sixth diode, and a manner of controlling the semiconductor switches. When the switching branch is set to enter a stop state, current flowing in a main circuit of the switching branch is transferred in a controlled manner to diodes that conduct the current, when all the semiconductor switches of the main circuit of the converter are turned OFF. | 09-18-2014 |
20140293666 | CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENT FOR SUPPRESSING AN ARC OCCURRING OVER A CONTACT GAP OF A SWITCHING MEMBER - The disclosure relates to a circuit arrangement for suppressing an arc occurring during a switching process, wherein a current bypass path comprises a PTC resistor connected in series with a fuse. The current bypass path is provided in parallel with a switch. The disclosure also relates to a photovoltaic power plant with a photovoltaic generator which is connected to an inverter via DC lines. In this arrangement, such a circuit arrangement is arranged in at least one of the DC lines. | 10-02-2014 |
20140313796 | CONVERTER VALVE - A converter valve unit including a plurality of parallel connected controllable semiconducting elements. A free-wheeling diode is connected in anti-parallel with each semiconducting element. A control unit is configured to control each semiconducting element. A current sensor is connected to each of the parallel connected semiconducting elements. The current sensor is configured to sense a current of each semiconducting element by measuring a voltage over the current sensor. A differentiator is configured to compare the currents of the semiconducting elements by comparing the voltages. Upon detecting an unbalance in the currents the differentiator sends a turn-on signal to all control units to control all the semiconducting elements of the valve unit into a conducting stage. | 10-23-2014 |
20140313797 | POWER ELECTRONIC MODULE - In the field of voltage source converters which provide high voltage direct current (HVDC) power transmission and reactive power compensation there is a need for an improved power electronic module which exhibits high efficiency, provides a safe failure mode, and is tolerant of faults. | 10-23-2014 |
20140362621 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TWO-LEVEL PROTECTION OF POWER CONVERSION SYSTEMS - Systems and methods are provided for protecting a power conversion system. A system controller includes a two-level protection component and a driving component. The two-level protection component is configured to detect an output power of a power conversion system and generate a protection signal based on at least information associated with the output power. The driving component is configured to generate a drive signal based on at least information associated with the protection signal and output the drive signal to a switch associated with a primary current flowing through a primary winding of the power conversion system. The driving component is further configured to generate the drive signal corresponding to a first switching frequency to generate the output power equal to a first power threshold and generate the drive signal corresponding to a second switching frequency to generate the output power equal to a second power threshold. | 12-11-2014 |
20140369093 | ADAPTIVE RCD SNUBBER AND METHOD FOR SWITCHING CONVERTER - Exemplary embodiments provide a method and an adaptive RCD snubber circuit for a switching converter having a series-connection of a main inductor and a main switching device. A voltage stress of the main switching device is sensed, and the sensed voltage stress is controlled to a reference level by controlling a snubber capacitor voltage, wherein the snubber capacitor voltage is controlled by adjusting the snubber resistance of the RCD snubber. | 12-18-2014 |
20140369094 | CONVERTER CELL AND ASSOCIATED CONVERTER ARM AND METHOD - It is presented a converter cell comprising: a first terminal and a second terminal; an energy storage device connected on a first end to the second terminal; a first switch connected on a first end to the first terminal; a second switch arranged between the two terminals; and a third switch connected between a second end of the first switch and a second end of the energy storage device. A corresponding converter arm and method are also presented. | 12-18-2014 |
20150009729 | CIRCUIT HAVING A FAULT PROTECTING FUNCTION - A circuit includes a switching module, a control module, and a driving module. The driving module is electrically coupled between the control module and the switching module for generating a driving signal. The driving module includes a normal driving unit and a fault protection unit. The normal driving unit is for turning on and off the switching module according to a first command signal from the control module. The fault protection unit is for lowering the driving signal from a driving value to a protection value according to a second command signal from the control module during a fault protection period after the control module receives a fault signal. | 01-08-2015 |
20150016157 | Constant switching frequency discontinuous current mode average output current control scheme - The constant switching frequency discontinuous current mode average output current control scheme is composed of a reference block, reference calculation block, state detecting block, error detector block, zero state detector, power driver block and internal clock. The reference block generates preset reference; The reference calculation block, based on the power current converter's power topology, the correspondent algorithm is calculated to convert the input reference from the reference block into correspondent output; It is the output of reference calculation block that makes state detecting block, error detector block, zero state detector, power driver block and internal clock operate together and control the power current converter's output following with the output of reference block | 01-15-2015 |
20150049526 | INDIRECT MATRIX CONVERTER - A converter receives input of an AC voltage, converts the AC voltage into a DC voltage, and applies the DC voltage between a first power line on a positive electrode side and a second power line on a negative electrode side. A snubber circuit has a capacitor provided between the first and the second power lines, and a diode connected in series with the capacitor between the first and the second power lines, and including an anode on a side close to the first power line on the positive electrode side in a series path with the capacitor. An inverter converts the DC voltage into an AC voltage, and applies the AC voltage to an inductive load. An inverter-side current detection unit detects a current that flows through the first power line on the positive electrode side or the second power line on the negative electrode side between the inverter and the snubber circuit. | 02-19-2015 |
20150109835 | OUTPUT OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION METHOD AND CIRCUIT FOR SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY AND SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY THEREOF - In one embodiment, an output overvoltage protection method for a switching power supply, can include: (i) charging a first capacitor by a first current during a first time interval of a switching period of the switching power supply; (ii) charging a second capacitor by a second current during a second time interval of the switching period of the switching power supply; and (iii) generating an overvoltage protection signal by comparing a first voltage across the first capacitor against a second voltage across the second capacitor at the end of the second time interval, where the overvoltage protection signal is active when the first voltage is at least as high as the second voltage. | 04-23-2015 |
20150124499 | ACTIVE DAMPER AND POWER SUPPLY INCLUDING THE SAME - An active damper and a power supply according to exemplary embodiments include: a damper resistor coupled to an input voltage; a damper switch coupled in parallel with the damper resistor; and a capacitor to which a reset current generated by a leading edge of the input voltage flows. The damper switch is turned off by the reset current. | 05-07-2015 |
20150138852 | OVERLOAD LIMITATION IN PEAK POWER OPERATION - An exemplary method for operating a converter to supply electrical power to a load includes controlling the converter for a provided overload time so that overload power is applied to the load, and controlling the converter for a provided resting time, so that resting power is applied to the load. The overload power is higher than a nominal power which corresponds to a steady-state operation limit of the converter, wherein the resting power is lower than the nominal power. | 05-21-2015 |
20150295488 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OVER-CURRENT PROTECTION - An exemplary power conversion system includes a power conversion device and a control system. The power conversion device converts electrical power from one form to another. The power conversion device includes at least one switching element capable of being turned off to block an electrical current flowing through the at least one switching element. The control system is electrically coupled to the power conversion device for monitoring an electrical current flowing through the at least one switching element and for monitoring at least one parameter in association with the operation of the power conversion system. The control system further generates an over-current threshold value that is variable with respect to at least one monitored parameter. | 10-15-2015 |
20150311780 | FAULT TOLERANT POWER SUPPLY INCORPORATING INTELLIGENT GATE DRIVER-SWITCH CIRCUIT TO PROVIDE UNINTERRUPTED POWER - A fault tolerant power supply system includes at least one load switch configured to connect an input voltage to an output node of the load switch when the load switch is turned on and at least one power channel coupled to the load switch to receive the input voltage. The power channel is configured as a buck converter and includes at least a high-side power switch and a low-side power switch. The fault tolerant power supply system is configured to measure a current flowing through the low-side power switch, to determine that the current flowing through the low-side power switch has exceeded a current limit threshold, and to disable the low-side power switch and the load switch in response to the determination that the current flowing in the low-side power switch has exceeded the current limit threshold. | 10-29-2015 |
20150326009 | GATE DRIVE UNIT AND METHOD FOR SHORT CIRCUIT PROTECTION FOR A POWER SWITCH - A gate drive unit includes a measurement unit, a multi-resistive driving device, and a processing unit. The measurement unit measures a voltage across main terminals of a power switch. The driving device includes plural individually controllable resistive elements. The processing unit controls a control voltage applied to a control electrode of the power switch to activate the power switch. The processing unit individually activates or deactivates the resistive elements of the multi-resistive driving device to change which of the resistive elements at least partially conducts the control voltage to the power switch at different times responsive to the voltage across the main terminals representing a short circuit event. The processing unit changes which of the resistive elements are activated or deactivated to control a rate at which the control voltage decreases. | 11-12-2015 |
20150364987 | POWER CONVERTER AND POWER CONVERSION METHOD - A line-to-ground fault location detector detects, based on a difference between a current flowing from a power transmission circuit to a load circuit, and a current flowing from the load circuit to the power transmission circuit, whether a line-to-ground fault is occurring at a power-transmission-circuit side or a load-circuit side. A contactor controller opens a first contactor when the load circuit detects the occurrence of the line-to-ground fault, and when a line-to-ground fault location detector detects that a location of the line-to-ground fault is at the power-transmission-circuit side, the contactor controller maintains the open state of the first contactor even if an operation to instruct closing of the first contactor is made after the first contactor is opened. | 12-17-2015 |
20150381030 | POWER SUPPLY DEVICE - A power supply device supplies DC power to a load and includes: a shunt resistor connected in series to a low-potential side of the load; a power supply control device for controlling a power supply state to the load according to an amount of a voltage drop across the shunt resistor; a ground fault detection element connected in series to the low-potential side of the load to cause a voltage drop; and a limiting device for limiting a supply of power by the power supply control device by determining that a ground fault occurs in a case where an amount of a voltage drop, which occurs when a detection current flows through the ground fault detection element, is less than a predetermined threshold. | 12-31-2015 |
20160013716 | FAULT CURRENT REDUCTION STRUCTURE OF MULTI-LEVEL CONVERTER AND APPARATUS USING THE FAULT CURRENT REDUCTION STRUCTURE | 01-14-2016 |
20160028302 | PROTECTION OF SWITCHED CAPACITOR POWER CONVERTER - Transient or fault conditions for a switched capacitor power converter are detected by measuring one or more of internal voltages and/or currents associated with switching elements (e.g., transistors) or phase nodes, or voltages or currents at terminals of the converter, and based on these measurements detect that a condition has occurred when the measurements deviate from a predetermined range. Upon detection of the condition fault control circuitry alters operation of the converter, for example, by using a high voltage switch to electrically disconnect at least some of the switching elements from one or more terminals of the converter, or by altering timing characteristics of the phase signals. | 01-28-2016 |
20160126826 | CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR BALANCING SUPERCAPACITORS IN A SERIES STACK USING MOSFETS - A circuit for automatically balancing leakage current has at least two supercapacitors coupled in series. A respective MOSFET is placed across each of the at least two supercapacitors. | 05-05-2016 |
20160126827 | SUB-MODULE, PROTECTION UNIT, CONVERTER, AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - Disclosed are a submodule structure formed of an energy storage element, a first turn-off device, a second turn-off device, a third turn-off device, a freewheeling diode, a series resistor, and diodes respectively in antiparallel connection with the turn-off devices, and a converter completely or partially formed of the submodules. Also disclosed are a relevant protection unit and a control method for the converter. The converter can be locked when a direct current (DC) fault occurs to prevent an alternating current (AC) system from injecting a fault current into a DC network, so that a transient fault of the DC network can be removed without tripping an AC line switch, thereby rapidly restarting the system. A charging resistor is comprised in the submodule so that a charging resistor disposed at an AC side of the converter can be reduced and even may not be disposed. | 05-05-2016 |
20160190909 | POWER SUPPLY PROTECTING APPARATUS - A power supply protecting apparatus includes a first comparison unit, a second comparison unit, and a switch unit. The first comparison unit receives an input voltage from an electronic device, compares the input voltage with a first DC voltage, and outputs a first control signal. The second comparison unit receives an output voltage from an electronic device, compares the output voltage with the first DC voltage, and outputs a second control signal. The switch unit receives the first control signal and the second control signal, and outputs a first voltage level reference voltage when receiving a first voltage level first control signal from the first comparison unit or a second voltage level second control signal from the second comparison unit. A reference terminal of the electronic device receives the first voltage level reference voltage, and the electronic device stops working when receiving the first voltage level reference voltage. | 06-30-2016 |
20160190910 | SURGE CURRENT COMPENSATING CIRCUIT AND COMPARATOR MODULE - A surge current compensating circuit has a compensating current generation unit and a bias unit, for compensating a surge current drawn from a supply power after an output signal of a specific circuit transits. The compensating current generation unit electrically coupled to the output stage of the specific circuit draws a compensating current form the supply power according to the output signal. The compensating current substantially equals to the surge current, and a summation of a current flowing through the output stage of the specific circuit and the compensating current is substantially unchanged regardless whether the output signal transits or not. The bias unit electrically coupled to the compensating current generation unit provides a bias to the compensating current generation unit to receive the compensating current passed through the compensating current generation unit or output the compensating current to the compensating current generation unit. | 06-30-2016 |
20160190911 | OVERHEATING CONTROL APPARATUS AND DRIVING SYSTEM USING THE SAME - An overheating control apparatus according to examples includes an overheating detector configured to detect an overheating state, and a driving controller configured to provide a driving signal to driving circuits, and to change a duty ratio of the driving signal provided to at least a portion of the driving circuits according to the overheating state. In this manner, the overheating control apparatus helps manage problems that would otherwise occur due to overheating. | 06-30-2016 |
20160197547 | BYPASS APPARATUS FOR CONVERTER | 07-07-2016 |