| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 363560010 | Transistor inverter | 89 |
| 20080232145 | Inverter Circuit with Distributed Energy Stores - The invention relates to a rectifier circuit comprising a phase module ( | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080304298 | System Interconnection Inverter - A system interconnection inverter includes a step-up converter and an inverter. Moreover, the system interconnection inverter includes a short-circuit current-interrupting diode with a cathode connected to an input terminal of a negative bus, a semiconductor switch connected to an anode of the short-circuit current-interrupting diode, a semiconductor switch drive circuit that drives the semiconductor switch, a semiconductor switch-off circuit that turns off the semiconductor switch drive circuit when negative power is applied such that electric current flows from a cathode toward an anode of the input terminal, and a control circuit that controls the semiconductor switch drive circuit. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20090052210 | TEMPERATURE SENSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR POWER ELECTRONIC DEVICES - A cooling system is provided for controlling temperature in a power electronic device. The power electronic device includes a semiconductor having a major surface. The cooling system includes a temperature sensor coupled to the major surface of the semiconductor; and a control circuit coupled the temperature sensor. The control circuit is configured to reduce current to the inverter circuit when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090168471 | CIRCUIT DEVICE HAVING A FREE WHEELING DIODE, CIRCUIT DEVICE AND POWER CONVERTER USING DIODES - A circuit device includes at least one switching element and a free wheeling diode connected in parallel to the switching element. The free wheeling diode is made up of a Schottky barrier diode using a semiconductor material having a band gap larger than silicon as its base material and also a silicon PiN diode, which are connected in parallel. The Schottky barrier diode and the silicon PiN diode are provided in the form of separate chips. A circuit system is also provided wherein a diode having a Schottky junction of a compound semiconductor as a rectification element built therein is combined, and a relationship, R | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090273954 | Protection Method, System and Apparatus for a Power Converter - Among many embodiments, a power converter and a method for operating a power converter are disclosed. The power converter may include a pair of switches connected in series, an output transformer connected to a common node between the switches and a protection apparatus for protecting each switch from being hard driven, each switch being enabled by a gate signal and turning ON in alternating half cycles so as to drive transformer current in alternate directions through the transformer. The protection apparatus may include: a detector configured to detect whether an intrinsic diode in a first switch is conducting the transformer current; and a gate signal disabler configured in response to the detector blocking an ON gate pulse from reaching a second switch in the pair of switches so that the second switch is not turned ON while the intrinsic diode of the first switch is conducting. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20110267853 | SYSTEM AND METHOD PROVIDING PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF CURRENT SENSING FAILURE FOR POWER CONVERTER - System and method for protecting a power converter. The system includes a first comparator configured to receive a first threshold signal and a first signal and to generate a first comparison signal. The first signal is associated with an input current for a power converter. Additionally, the system includes a second comparator configured to receive a second threshold signal and the first signal and to generate a second comparison signal. The second threshold signal is different from the first threshold signal in magnitude. Moreover, the system includes a first detection component configured to receive at least the second comparison signal, detect the second comparison signal only if one or more predetermined conditions are satisfied, and generate a first detection signal based on at least information associated with the detected second comparison signal. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20120155128 | Power Converter with Reverse Recovery Avoidance - Reverse recovery avoidance when converting power is provided. A first switch and second switch may be operated to supply an AC load with positive current, respective to the AC load, from a DC power source. A third and fourth switch may be operated to supply the AC load with negative current, respective to the AC load, from the DC power source. Four diodes may be employed with the switches. One diode may conduct the positive current when the first switch is off and the second switch is on. Another diode may conduct the negative current when the third switch is off and the fourth switch is on. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120155129 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO LIMIT OUTPUT POWER IN A SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY - An example power supply includes an energy transfer element, a switch, and a controller. The controller includes a modulator, a drive signal generator, a comparator, and a variable current limit generator. The modulator generates an enable signal having logic states responsive to a feedback signal. The drive signal generator either enables or skips enabling a switch of the power supply during a switching period in response to the logic state of the enable signal. The comparator asserts an over current signal to disable the switch if the switch current exceeds a variable current limit. The variable current limit generator sets the variable current limit to a first current limit in response to one logic state of the enable signal and sets the variable current limit to a second current limit if the enable signal transitions logic states and the over current signal is asserted during the switching period. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120170333 | Semiconductor Power Conversion Apparatus - 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. | 07-05-2012 |
| 20120281444 | SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION AND UTILIZATION SYSTEM - A 1, 2 or 3-phase DC to AC converter system for reducing the cost of solar energy installations achieves cost reduction by eliminating low-frequency power transformers. One DC input polarity is selectively switched to an output terminal when the instantaneous AC output from a second output terminal is desired to be of the opposite polarity, while the other DC input polarity is used to form an approximation to a segment of a sine wave of the desired polarity at the second output terminal. A common-mode AC signal is thereby created on the balanced DC input lines at a frequency which is a multiple of 1, 2 or 3 times the AC output frequency and which is useful for detecting ground faults in the DC circuit. | 11-08-2012 |
| 20120314464 | Solar Module and Method for its Operation - 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. | 12-13-2012 |
| 20120320643 | SNUBBER CIRCUIT AND INVERTER WITH THE SAME - 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. | 12-20-2012 |
| 20130003429 | POWER CONVERSION DEVICE - A power conversion device includes a main circuit unit (direct-current main circuit) that converts direct-current power into alternating-current power, and a control unit that controls the direct-current main circuit. The direct-current main circuit includes a voltage detector (detector) that detects a capacitor voltage and a discharge circuit that discharges energy accumulated in a capacitor. The control unit includes a detection circuit that estimates a capacitor voltage during a normal operation based on a voltage transmitted from the voltage detector in a state where the main circuit unit is disconnected from a power supply and that detects a sign that a short circuit fault occurs in the capacitor, and a control circuit that outputs a control signal for controlling the discharge circuit to operate when the control circuit receives a detection signal from the detection circuit. | 01-03-2013 |
| 20130016542 | ELECTRIC POWER CONVERSION DEVICE AND SURGE VOLTAGE SUPPRESSING METHODAANM Nakamura; KazuyaAACI Chiyoda-kuAACO JPAAGP Nakamura; Kazuya Chiyoda-ku JPAANM Terada; KeiAACI Chiyoda-kuAACO JPAAGP Terada; Kei Chiyoda-ku JPAANM Takahashi; KazutakaAACI Chiyoda-kuAACO JPAAGP Takahashi; Kazutaka Chiyoda-ku JPAANM Jimbo; ShigeoAACI Chiyoda-kuAACO JPAAGP Jimbo; Shigeo Chiyoda-ku JP - To provide an electric power conversion device that converts direct current power supplied from a direct-current power supply into alternating current power, the electric power conversion device includes six switching elements constituted by a voltage-driven transistor that uses a wide bandgap semiconductor and a diode, and a drive circuit that controls a voltage for driving the transistor at a time of turning off the switching elements based on a predetermined voltage profile specifying that the transistor is operated in a non-linear region. | 01-17-2013 |
| 20130033909 | CIRCIUT AND METHOD FOR PROTECTING A CONTROLLABLE POWER SWITCH - A circuit for protecting a controllable power switch is provided. The controllable power switch has a first power switch terminal connected to a first terminal, a second power switch terminal connected to a second terminal, and a power switch control terminal. Further, the circuit includes a diode with a first diode terminal and a second diode terminal, and a controllable control switch having a first control switch terminal connected to the first diode terminal, a second control switch terminal, and a control switch control terminal. A signal applied to the power switch control terminal is based on a signal at the second control switch terminal. Further a method for protecting a controllable power switch is described. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130058140 | METHOD FOR LIMITING THE GENERATOR VOLTAGE OF A PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATION IN CASE OF DANGER AND PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATION - An inverter operable to interface with a generator that has a number of partial strings includes an inverter bridge circuit configured to connect to the partial strings, and a control device operably associated with the inverter bridge circuit. The inverter further includes a series-connection switching device configured to selectively connect the partial strings in series in response to a control signal from the control device such that the series-connection switching device interrupts the series connection of the partial strings in case of a hazard condition detected by the control device. | 03-07-2013 |
| 20130100719 | CIRCUIT FOR CONTROLLING A POWER SUPPLY - A control circuit for controlling a power supply is revealed. The control circuit is used to generate a switching signal for switching the power supply. The control circuit has a detection terminal for detecting a status of the power supply. A first protection circuit is coupled to the detection terminal and to receive a first detection signal via the detection terminal, and the first protection generates a limit signal in response to the first detection signal, for limiting output of the power supply. A second protection circuit is coupled to the detection terminal and to receive a detection signal via thereto, and the second protection generates a protecting signal, for cutting off the output of the power supply, in response to the first detection signal. A phase dividing circuit is coupled to the detection terminal, the first protection circuit and the second protection circuit, and to generate the first and second detection signal in response to the level of the switching signal, for achieving that two independently adjusted protection circuit are detected by one pin of an integrated circuit (IC) to prevent the IC from increasing of the pin amount. It further reduces the occupied area of the IC. | 04-25-2013 |
| 20130148391 | NEUTRAL POINT CLAMPED (NPC) POWER CONVERTER FAULT PROTECTION SYSTEM - A neutral point clamped (NPC) power converter fault protection system is provided, and include a DC bus, a switching network, and a control module. The switching network is connected to the DC bus. The switching network includes at least two leg circuits. Each of the at least two leg circuits includes at least two switches connected in series and two NPC diodes. Each of the two NPC diodes corresponds to one of the at least two switches. Each of the at least two switches has an open position. The two NPC diodes are connected between a corresponding one of the at least two leg circuits and the DC bus. The control module is in communication with the switching network. The control module includes control logic for monitoring the switching network to detect a fault condition. | 06-13-2013 |
| 20130182470 | Power Module Package Having a Multi-Phase Inverter and Power Factor Correction - According to an exemplary implementation, a power module package includes a multi-phase inverter. The power module package also includes a multi-phase inverter driver configured to drive the multi-phase inverter. The power module package further includes a power factor correction (PFC) circuit where the PFC circuit is configured to regulate a bus voltage of the multi-phase inverter and a PFC driver configured to drive the PFC circuit. The multi-phase inverter, the multi-phase inverter driver, the PFC circuit, and the PFC driver are situated on a package substrate of the power module package. The multi-phase inverter driver and the PFC driver can be in a common driver integrated circuit (IC). | 07-18-2013 |
| 20130182471 | OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION CIRCUIT FOR AT LEAST ONE BRANCH OF A HALF-BRIDGE, INVERTER, DC/DC VOLTAGE CONVERTER AND CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENT FOR OPERATING AN ELECTRICAL MACHINE - An overvoltage protection circuit is provided for at least one branch of a half-bridge which includes a controllable semiconductor switch element and a free-wheeling diode connected in series and situated on a common circuit substrate. The protection circuit includes a commutation branch connected in parallel with the half-bridge branch, the commutation branch including at least one commutation capacitor also situated on the circuit substrate. | 07-18-2013 |
| 20130215653 | DRIVER CIRCUIT AND INVERTER CIRCUIT - The present invention provides a safe circuit that can prevent an arm short, when a half-bridge circuit is configured by using a normally-on switching element, and the half-bridge circuit is used as a driver circuit or an inverter circuit. In a driver circuit configured by a half-bridge circuit in which one of input and output terminals of a first switching element | 08-22-2013 |
| 20130329475 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROTECTING A SWITCH MODE POWER SUPPLY - The present disclosure provides systems and methods for protecting a switch mode power supply (SMPS). An SMPS may include an input power connector, an input rectifier and filter, a transformer, an output rectifier and filter, and an output power connector. A control circuit may selectively generate a switching signal for driving the transformer based on a feedback signal and a protection signal generated by a protection circuit. The protection circuit may generate the protection signal with an asymmetric duty cycle oscillating between an enable state and an inhibit state. The protection signal may inhibit the control circuit from generating the switching signal when the protection signal is in the inhibit state. A detection circuit may receive the feedback signal and selectively force the protection signal to the enable state when the feedback signal indicates that an output voltage is too high. | 12-12-2013 |
| 20130343105 | INVERTER OVERHEATING PROTECTION CONTROL APPARATUS AND INVERTER OVERHEATING PROTECTION CONTROL METHOD - An overheating protection control apparatus for an inverter driving a rotating electric machine comprising: a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of a power control element in the inverter, and a control device restricting the load factor of the rotating electric machine when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor reaches a threshold value. The control device modifies the threshold value based on a parameter affecting heat radiation or cooling of the inverter. Preferably, the inverter includes a plurality of power control elements. The temperature sensor detects the temperature of one or more, but not all of the plurality of power control elements. The parameter is a physical quantity affecting the temperature difference between the one or more power control elements and another power control element included in the inverter. Preferably, the inverter is cooled by a coolant medium. The parameter is the temperature of the coolant medium. | 12-26-2013 |
| 20140036555 | Intelligent Level Transition Systems and Methods for Transformerless Uninterruptible Power Supply - Systems and methods are provided for controlling an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to transition between three- or higher-level operation and two-level operation in a neutral-point-clamped (NPC) inverter. In an example, a UPS system includes an NPC inverter and a controller. The NPC inverter may supply power to a load. The controller may control the inverter to operate in a three-level mode or higher when the load is substantially balanced and to operate in a two-level mode when the load is substantially unbalanced. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140036556 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND SWITCHING REGULATOR USING THE DEVICE - The semiconductor device according to the present invention has an n-channel output transistor wherein an input voltage is impressed on a drain, and a pulsed switching voltage that corresponds to a switching drive of the transistor is brought out from a source; a bootstrap circuit for generating a boost voltage enhanced by a predetermined electric potential above the switching voltage; an internal circuit for receiving a supply of the boost voltage to generate a switching drive signal, and supplying the signal to a gate of the output transistor; an overvoltage protection circuit for monitoring an electric potential difference between the switching voltage and the boost voltage, and generating an overvoltage detection signal; and a switching element for establishing/blocking electrical conduction between the internal circuit and the end impressed with the boost voltage, in accordance with the overvoltage detection signal. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140043874 | CIRCUIT FOR CONTROLLING A LATCH MODE OF A PULSE WIDTH MODULATION CIRCUIT AND METHOD THEREOF - A circuit for controlling a latch mode of a pulse width modulation circuit includes a D flip-flop, a voltage generation unit, a comparator, and a logic unit. The D flip-flop generates a switch control signal according to a latch enable signal. The voltage generation unit generates a discharge current, and a voltage divider resistor group included in the voltage generation unit generates a first voltage when the voltage generation unit is turned on according to the switch control signal. A voltage of a predetermined pin of the pulse width modulation circuit is equal to a predetermined voltage when the discharge current is equal to the charge current. The comparator compares a reference voltage with the first voltage to generate a comparison signal. The logic unit generates a clear signal according to the comparison signal. The D flip-flop clears the switch control signal according to the clear signal. | 02-13-2014 |
| 20140056041 | POWER GENERATION SYSTEM, POWER CONVERTER SYSTEM, AND METHODS OF OPERATING A POWER CONVERTER SYSTEM - A power converter system includes a converter configured to be coupled to a power generation unit for receiving power from the power generation unit, and a bus coupled to the converter, wherein a voltage is generated across the bus when electricity is conducted through the power converter system. The power converter system also includes an inverter coupled to the bus, wherein the inverter is configured to supply power to an electrical distribution network. A control system is coupled to at least one of the converter and the inverter, wherein the control system is configured to adjust an operation of the at least one of the converter and the inverter to reduce the voltage across the bus during at least one of a low voltage event and a high voltage event. | 02-27-2014 |
| 20140078794 | SWITCHING POWER SOURCE DEVICE - A switching power source device includes a switching power supply main body switching an input voltage via a switching element to obtain a predetermined DC output voltage, a control circuit performing on/off-driving of the switching element; and a capacitor connected to the control circuit to be charged by an external power supply via an activation switch circuit during activation and charged by a voltage generated in the switching power supply main body after completion of activation to supply a control power voltage to the control circuit. The control circuit further includes a latch circuit set according to a latch signal emitted when an abnormality is detected, to stop the driving of the switching element, a discharge circuit receiving the latch signal to be turned on and discharging charges accumulated in the capacitor, and a comparator resetting the latch circuit when the control power voltage decreases to an operation stop voltage. | 03-20-2014 |
| 20140092654 | METHOD FOR THE OPERATION OF AN INVERTER, AND INVERTER - The invention relates to a method for operating an inverter ( | 04-03-2014 |
| 20140098581 | GATE DRIVING CIRCUIT HAVING A FAULT DETECTING CIRCUIT FOR A SEMICONDUCTOR SWITCHING DEVICE - Aspects of the invention are directed to a gate driving circuit for a power conversion circuit having an upper and lower arm circuit composed of series-connected upper arm and a lower arm, each arm including two or more semiconductor switching devices connected in series. In some aspects, a gate driving circuit of the invention includes a circuit of series connection including a diode and a resistor between a positive potential side of a positive side power supply and a positive electrode side. The gate driving circuit can determine a short-circuit fault of the semiconductor switching device that is connected to the gate driving circuit by detecting the current that flows through the circuit of series connection including the diode and the resistor when an OFF command of ON/OFF command signals is given to the semiconductor switching device. | 04-10-2014 |
| 20140104902 | METHOD FOR THE OPERATION OF AN INVERTER, AND INVERTER - The invention relates to a method for operating an inverter ( | 04-17-2014 |
| 20140126255 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OVER-VOLTAGE PROTECTION - In one aspect, a method for over-voltage protection is provided. The method includes connecting a first winding of a saturable reactor to a direct current (DC) source; connecting at least one phase of an alternating current (AC) electrical system to ground through a second winding of the saturable reactor; and controlling DC current flow from the DC source to the first winding of the saturable reactor in response to an over-voltage event, wherein energy is shunted to ground from the at least one phase of the alternating current electrical system through the second winding of the saturable reactor. | 05-08-2014 |
| 20140286060 | ELECTRIC VEHICLE - An electric vehicle includes: a main battery; an electric power converter configured to convert power to driving power of a drive motor; an auxiliary battery configured to supply power to auxiliaries; a power supply harness connecting the auxiliary battery to the auxiliaries; a step-down converter having an output end connected to the power supply harness, the step-down converter being configured to step down an output voltage of the main battery to the driving voltage of the auxiliaries; an interrupter configured to isolate the step-down converter from the power supply harness at the time when a predetermined specific abnormality has been detected; and a discharger configured to discharge a capacitor incorporated in the electric power converter, the discharger being configured to operate by receiving electric power supplied from a first power supply path which connects the output end of the step-down converter to the interrupter. | 09-25-2014 |
| 20140307492 | DRIVE UNIT FOR SWITCHING ELEMENT - An inverter for driving a motor generator has series connection units, each of which has two switching elements, connected in series, in high and low voltage sides, respectively. A drive unit is arranged for each switching element. A gate of the switching element is connected to an emitter thereof through a first cutoff resistance and a first cutoff switching element in the drive unit. The gate of the switching element is also connected to the emitter thereof through a second cutoff resistance and a second cutoff switching element in the drive unit. A resistance value of the first cutoff resistance is higher than a resistance value of the second cutoff resistance. A software cutoff process is performed when the switching element is in a completely turned-on state so that the first cutoff switching element is turned on and the second cutoff switching element is turned off. | 10-16-2014 |
| 20140334202 | CIRCUIT FOR TRANSFERRING POWER BETWEEN A DIRECT CURRENT LINE AND AN ALTERNATING-CURRENT LINE - A system, method, and apparatus is disclosed for interfacing and transferring power unidirectionally or bidirectionally between a direct current (DC) line and a single or multiphase alternating-current (AC) line for only half of any given phase and only a single phase at a time when polarity is matched between the DC and the AC system. A circuit with simplified, robust, and reduced-cost components perform the power conditioning and the synchronization as a system that simulates a half-wave rectifier/inverter. | 11-13-2014 |
| 20150085539 | ELECTRIC POWER CONVERTER - A processor unit in an electric power converter executes detection of an overheating predicted state that is a stage prior to overheating of the IGBTs, a short circuit predicted state that is a stage prior to a short circuit in the arms, and a voltage drop predicted state that is a stage prior to a drop in a control voltage to be supplied to a driver circuit. When none of these predicted states is detected, a determination that an abnormality is not caused in the power module based on a latch signal is made by the processor unit. When an overheating predicted state is detected, the processor unit lowers the duty ratio of a motor control signal. When a short circuit predicted state is detected, the processor unit prolongs the dead time in which the upper IGBTs and the lower IGBTs are both maintained in the off-state. | 03-26-2015 |
| 20150138854 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING OUTPUT PHASE DEFICIENCY IN INVERTER - An apparatus and a method for detecting phase deficiency in an inverter is provided, the method including deciding whether a sector of the output current is a sector where current detection is possible based on switching operation status of the switching element in the inverter, maintaining a phase deficiency variable when deciding the current detection in the sector of the output current to be impossible, adding a count to a phase deficiency variable to accumulate when deciding the current detection in the sector of the output current to be possible and deciding the output current to be within a phase deficiency band, and determining as phase deficiency when the phase deficiency variable is greater than a prescribed detection level. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150311779 | ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT - When an overcurrent is detected by an overcurrent detecting circuit ( | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150333618 | LOW VOLTAGE RIDE-THROUGH APPARATUS CAPABLE OF FLUX COMPENSATION AND PEAK CURRENT MANAGEMENT - A low voltage ride-through (LVRT) apparatus capable of flux compensation and peak current management is disclosed, which comprises a converter; a space vector modulator, connected to the converter; a current controller, connected to the space vector modulator; an grid realization system, connected to the current controller; a flux offset compensator, connected to the current controller; a filter, connected to the converter; and a transformer, connected to the filter. In this manner, the LVRT apparatus may be connected to an associated grid side (commercial power), and thus applied onto a direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) system for renewable energy source. When the grid side is failed, a flux offset on a transformer may be eliminated, to avoid an inrush current from rising after a recovery of failure exclude voltage, so that the requirement of the grid operation may be satisfied. | 11-19-2015 |
| 20150380926 | POWER CONVERTER, SHORT CIRCUIT PROTECTION CIRCUIT, AND CONTROL METHOD - A power converter, short circuit protection circuit, and control method are disclosed herein. The power converter is configured to generate an output voltage and includes a semiconductor switch, a short circuit protection circuit, and a signal processing module. The semiconductor switch is configured to adjust the output voltage according to a driving signal. The short circuit protection circuit is configured to generate a short circuit protecting signal according to a control signal and a short circuit status of the semiconductor switch. The signal processing module is configured to generate the control signal and the driving signal according to a modulating signal, and to turn off the semiconductor switch according to the short circuit protecting signal. A delay duration is present between the modulating signal and the control signal, and the semiconductor switch is turned on during the delay duration. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20160056711 | RESONANT CURRENT LIMITING DEVICE - A resonant current limiting device, for a resonant current passage having a loop shape including at least one capacitor and a wiring passage with at least one inductor or inductance component, includes: an electric storage element connected in series with the capacitor; a driving power source; and a voltage controller that charges and discharges an electric charge in the electric storage element, which is supplied from the driving power source, controls a terminal voltage of the electric storage element to be a predetermined instruction voltage, and restricts a resonant current component flowing through the wiring passage. | 02-25-2016 |
| 20160181946 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SWITCHING OPERATION MODE OF A FIVE-LEVEL INVERTER | 06-23-2016 |
| 20160190797 | DIGITAL SIGNAL OFFSET ADJUSTMENT DEVICE AND METHOD AND PULSE PATTERN GENERATION APPARATUS - The synthetic circuit | 06-30-2016 |
| 20180026548 | System and Method for a Power Inverter with Controllable Clamps | 01-25-2018 |
| 20180026550 | INVERTER WITH INDEPENDENT CURRENT AND VOLTAGE CONTROLLED OUTPUTS | 01-25-2018 |
| 363560020 | Bridge type | 20 |
| 20110157931 | RESONANT POWER CONVERTER - The present invention provides a resonant power converter including: a first switch circuit in which multiple normally-off switches Q | 06-30-2011 |
| 20120230070 | Method And System For Controlling A Power Converter System Connected To A DC-Bus Capacitor - A method and system for controlling a power converter system with a direct current (DC)-bus capacitor connected to at least a first converter and a second converter. The first converter is with associated first current and the second converter is with associated second current. Switching states of the first and second converters are determined. The switching states of the second converter are sequenced relative to the first converter to reduce a difference of sums of the associated first and second currents between adjacent time intervals. | 09-13-2012 |
| 20140112037 | Electronic Power Circuit, Electric Motor, And Procedure For Checking The Operability Of An Electronic Power Circuit - An electronic power circuit, electrical machine and a method for verifying the functionality of an electronic power circuit. The invention relates to an electronic power circuit, an electrical machine with the electronic power circuit and a method for verifying the functionality of the electronic power circuit. The electronic power circuit comprises a power unit with at least one power semi-conductor switch, which is equipped to generate a pulsed electrical voltage for an electrical consumer from an electrical voltage on the basis of an alternating powering on and off of the at least one power semiconductor switch, and control electronics equipped to control the power semiconductor switch for the alternating powering on and off. | 04-24-2014 |
| 20140126256 | Semiconductor Package Having an Over-Temperature Protection Circuit Utilizing Multiple Temperature Threshold Values - According to an exemplary implementation, a semiconductor package includes a multi-phase power inverter having power switches and situated on a leadframe of the semiconductor package. The semiconductor package further includes an over-temperature protection circuit configured to reduce current through the power switches based on multiple temperature threshold values of the power switches and a sensed temperature of the power switches. The over-temperature protection circuit can be configured to enter first and second modes based on the multiple temperature threshold values and the sensed temperature, where the second mode reduces current through the power switches to a greater extent than the first mode. | 05-08-2014 |
| 363560030 | Having current protection (e.g., over current, short, etc.) | 12 |
| 20090073729 | Protection Circuit for Protecting a Half-Bridge Circuit - The present invention relates to a protection circuit for protecting a half-bridge circuit. The protection circuit detects an incorrect response of the half-bridge by monitoring the current of a first switch at a series resistor of a second switch. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20120063181 | Modular Voltage Source Converter - Voltage source converter based on a chain-link cell topology including one or more phases, each of the phases having one or more series-connected chain-link cell modules connected to each other. The output voltage of the voltage source converter is controlled by control signals applied to the series-connected chain-link cell modules. In case of failure of a chain-link cell module, that module is controlled, by the control signals, such that zero output voltage is provided at its output voltage AC terminal. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20130010507 | PROTECTED POWER CONVERSION DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD - A protected power conversion device ( | 01-10-2013 |
| 20140003103 | MULTI-LEVEL INVERTER APPARATUS AND METHODS USING VARIABLE OVERCURRENT RESPONSE | 01-02-2014 |
| 20140092655 | Power Converter - A power converter includes an inverter unit that includes a plurality of semiconductor switching elements constituting upper and lower arms and converts DC power into AC power; a gate driving unit that outputs, to the inverter unit, a gate signal used to drive gates of the plurality of semiconductor switching elements; a driving control unit that supplies the gate driving unit with a switching control signal used for the gate driving unit to output the gate signal; a first abnormality detection unit that performs over voltage detection of the DC power and over current detection of the AC power and temperature detection of the upper and lower arms; and a second abnormality detection unit that detects abnormality of the plurality of semiconductor switching elements of the upper arm and lower arms, wherein the driving control unit includes a first protection circuit and a second protection circuit. | 04-03-2014 |
| 20140177298 | DEVICE FOR PROTECTING AGAINST AN ELECTRICAL OVERCURRENT IN AT LEAST ONE ELECTRONIC SWITCHING BRANCH, CONVERSION SYSTEM INCLUDING SUCH A PROTECTION DEVICE, AND ASSOCIATED CONTROL METHOD - This device protects at least one electronic switching branch of an electrical conversion system against an overcurrent, each branch comprising two switching half-branches serially connected at an intermediate terminal, at least one half-branch including a switching member, each switching member comprising a first controllable switch and a diode connected in antiparallel to said first switch. | 06-26-2014 |
| 20150009730 | CONTROL OF AN INDUCTIVE LOAD WITH TEMPERATURE-SENSITIVE CURRENT REDUCTION MECHANISM - The control of an inductive load is implemented by a control strategy to generate a control signal for a switching element on the basis of a setpoint datum, with a mechanism defining a maximum permitted value (Imax) of the current in the load as a function of the temperature at the level of the switching element. The mechanism exhibits a temperature threshold (Tshd). The maximum permitted value (Imax) of the current is held constant, equal to an upper limit value (Isup), during a temperature climb phase for all the temperatures which are lower than the threshold. The maximum permitted value of the current is abruptly rendered equal to a lower limit value (Iinf) as soon as the temperature reaches the threshold. Finally, during a temperature descent phase, the maximum permitted value of the current gradually climbs back to the upper limit value as the temperature decreases. | 01-08-2015 |
| 20150023075 | INVERTER CONTROL APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - An apparatus and method for controlling an operation of an inverter are provided. In the inverter control apparatus, an operation signal input unit detects a current of each phase output from an inverter. An error detecting unit detects whether there is a fault of the inverter on the basis of the current detected by the operation signal input unit. A controller controls driving of the inverter according to a type of the fault detected by the error detecting unit. A storage unit stores a kind of fault of the inverter and a corresponding fault type on the basis of the current detected in the operation signal detecting unit. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150023076 | POWER CONVERTER CONTROL DEVICE - A power converter control device includes an alarm signal generation circuit which detects information necessary for a protection operation of a semiconductor element configuring a power converter, and generates and externally outputs an alarm signal with a pulse width responding to a protection factor; a temperature signal generation circuit which detects a temperature of the semiconductor element, and generates a PWM signal, correlated with the temperature, the cycle of which is different from the pulse width of the alarm signal; and an output control circuit which selects the PWM signal in normal time, and selects and externally outputs the alarm signal in place of the PWM signal when the alarm signal is generated. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150357906 | CONVERTER - The present invention provides a converter including a plurality of sub-modules connected in series to each other, wherein each of the sub-modules includes a first half-bridge unit including a first energy storage unit, and a plurality of first power semiconductors connected in parallel to the first energy storage unit and connected in series to each other; a second half-bridge unit including a second energy storage unit, and a plurality of second power semiconductors connected in parallel to the second energy storage unit and connected in series to each other; and an auxiliary circuit unit connecting the first half-bridge unit and the second half-bridge unit; wherein the auxiliary circuit unit includes a single third power semiconductor and a single diode. | 12-10-2015 |
| 20160079846 | Fault recovery for multi-phase power converters - A fault recovery method for multi-phase power converters enables delivery of reduced output power of as much as 66% of normal power in the event of a shorted power switch component. The need for redundant power converters in conventional multi-phase space power systems is reduced, if not eliminated. Fault recovery includes 1) detecting a shorted power switch fault; 2) providing short circuit current protection; 3) providing isolation of the shorted power switch; and 4) reconfiguring the remaining undamaged power switches. | 03-17-2016 |
| 20160094118 | SNUBBER CIRCUIT - A snubber circuit includes a current-variation suppressor, a voltage-variation suppressor, a retrieving circuit, and a discharging circuit. The current-variation suppressor is connected between a bridge circuit and a power supply and reduces current variation when switches in the bridge circuit are controlled. The voltage-variation suppressor is parallel to the switches and reduces voltage variation when the switches are controlled. The retrieving circuit transfers energy stored in the current-variation suppressor when the switches are controlled to the voltage-variation suppressor. The discharging circuit discharges energy stored in the voltage-variation suppressor when the switches are controlled to an AC side of the bridge circuit when the semiconductor switches are controlled. | 03-31-2016 |
| 363560050 | Having voltage protection | 4 |
| 20090052211 | POWER CONVERTER - In a bridge type power converter including series connectors of power semiconductor switches having first and second main terminals and a control terminal; plural steps of the series connectors connected in parallel, a gate drive circuit for limiting voltage between the first and second main terminals of the power semiconductor switch to a predetermined value only in turning off the power semiconductor switch is provided between the first main terminal and the control terminal of the power semiconductor switch. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20140112038 | Method And Controller For Protecting A Voltage Source Converter - A method in a controller for protection of a voltage source converter including one or more phases, each phase including one or more series-connected converter cells. Each converter cell has a by-pass switch for enabling by-pass thereof. The method includes the steps of detecting an over-voltage condition, and controlling simultaneously the by-pass switches of each converter cell, so as to bypass the converter cells upon detection of such over-voltage condition. The invention also encompasses a controller, computer programs and computer program products. | 04-24-2014 |
| 20140286061 | CIRCUIT DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - An electronic circuit includes a failure detection circuit that detects an abnormality of the gate potential of a transistor of a bridge circuit. The failure detection circuit monitors an output voltage of a drive circuit that is to be the gate potential of the transistor of the bridge circuit and, when detecting an abnormality, stops the drive circuit. | 09-25-2014 |
| 20160018446 | GATE DRIVE UNDER-VOLTAGE DETECTION - Gate drive faults are detected for an inverter which comprises a phase switch having an insulated gate, such as an IGBT. A complementary transistor pair is adapted to receive a supply voltage and a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal to alternately charge and discharge the insulated gate. A comparator compares the voltage at the insulated gate with a reference voltage representing a gate drive fault to generate a first logic signal. A latch samples the first logic signal when the PWM signal has a value corresponding to charging the insulated gate. A logic circuit inhibits charging of the insulated gate when the latched logic signal indicates the gate drive fault. An insulated gate voltage less than the reference voltage is indicative of an under-voltage fault as well as other device failures of the IGBT or the complementary transistors. | 01-21-2016 |
| 363560060 | Double-ended type | 4 |
| 20090175060 | POWER TRANSMISSION CONTROL DEVICE, NON-CONTACT POWER TRANSMISSION SYSTEM, POWER TRANSMITTING DEVICE, ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT, AND WAVEFORM MONITOR CIRCUIT - A power transmission control device includes a power-transmitting-side control circuit that controls an operation of a power transmitting device, a driver control circuit that controls operations of a first power transmitting driver and a second power transmitting driver, and a waveform detection circuit that performs a waveform detection process based on a monitor signal from a waveform monitor circuit. The first power transmitting driver drives a first node of a primary coil directly, and the second power transmitting driver drives a second node of the primary coil through a capacitor. A switch circuit is provided in the waveform monitor circuit, the switch circuit being situated in a signal path between the primary coil and a low-level power supply potential. The power-transmitting-side control circuit causes the switch circuit to be turned ON/OFF using a switch control signal. | 07-09-2009 |
| 363560080 | Having voltage protection | 3 |
| 20090279330 | Device and Method for Limiting Drain-Source Voltage of Transformer-Coupled Push Pull Power Conversion Circuit - A circuit is proposed for limiting maximum switching FET drain-source voltage (VDS) of a transformer-coupled push pull power converter with maximum DC supply voltage V | 11-12-2009 |
| 20110149620 | Device and Method for Limiting Drain-Source Voltage of Transformer-Coupled Push Pull Power Conversion Circuit - A circuit is proposed for limiting maximum switching FET drain-source voltage (VDS) of a transformer-coupled push pull power converter with maximum DC supply voltage V | 06-23-2011 |
| 20140376286 | POWER CONVERSION APPARATUS - When a snubber capacitor is charged to a level greater than or equal to a predetermined voltage, a protection circuit renders a clamp diode conductive to complete charging of the snubber capacitor. | 12-25-2014 |
| 363560090 | Single-ended type | 11 |
| 363560100 | Having current protection | 7 |
| 20090034302 | DC-DC CONVERTER WITH CURRENT OVERLOAD PROTECTION CIRCUIT AND METHOD - A DC-DC converter including: a switch, having a control terminal receiving a control signal, and a conduction terminal supplying a current; a load, coupled to the conduction terminal of the switch and selectively receiving the current; a control circuit, receiving a clock signal and generating the control signal in synchronism with the clock signal; an overcurrent sensor, coupled to the switch so as to monitor an electrical quantity correlated to the current and to output a protection signal in presence of overcurrent; moreover including overcurrent-protection circuitry, receiving the protection signal and the clock signal and generating a disabling signal for the control circuit if delay between an overcurrent detection and the clock signal is shorter than a detection time. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090097284 | SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY - In the present invention, an on time is used which increases at an instantaneous interruption. The on time is detected by a MAX-DUTY detector | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090231892 | UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SUPPLY - An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system includes an AC power input configured to receive AC power from a single-phase AC power source or a multi-phase AC power source, a DC power source, an output circuit including a power output, a controllable switch configured to selectively couple at least one of the AC power input and the DC power source to the output circuit, and a processor coupled and configured to affect operation of the output circuit depending upon which of single-phase and multi-phase operation of the UPS is indicated. | 09-17-2009 |
| 20110075452 | DETECTING DEVICE FOR THE MIDPOINT VOLTAGE OF A TRANSISTOR HALF BRIDGE CIRCUIT - A detecting device detects the midpoint voltage of a half bridge circuit of transistors. The circuit comprises a bootstrap capacitor having one terminal connected to the midpoint node of the half bridge circuit and another terminal connected to a supply circuit. The device comprises a further capacitor connected between a second terminal of the bootstrap capacitor and circuit means adapted to form a low impedance node for a current signal circulating in said further capacitor during the transitions from the low value to the high value and from the high value to the low value of the midpoint voltage. The device comprises a detector to detect said current signal circulating in said further capacitor and to output at least a first signal indicating the transitions from the low value to the high value or from the high value to the low value according to said current signal. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110182092 | AN INVERTER WITH SHORT CIRCUIT PROTECTION - An inverter has a current sensor that senses a low side current before a high side of the inverter is permitted to power up. If an over-current situation is detected on the low side, powering up is prevented in order to avoid damage to the rectifier. | 07-28-2011 |
| 20130336029 | SYSTEM AND METHOD PROVIDING OVER CURRENT PROTECTION BASED ON DUTY CYCLE INFORMATION FOR POWER CONVERTER - System and method for protecting a power converter. The system includes a duty-cycle detection component configured to receive a modulation signal, determine a first duty cycle corresponding to a first period of the modulation signal, compare the first duty cycle with a threshold duty cycle, and generate a duty-cycle comparison signal. Additionally, the system includes a threshold generator configured to receive the duty-cycle comparison signal and generate a threshold signal corresponding to a second period of the modulation signal, the second period being after the first period, and a comparator configured to receive the threshold signal and a first signal and to generate a first comparison signal. The first signal is associated with an input current for a power converter. Moreover, the system includes a pulse-width-modulation component configured to receive the first comparison signal and generate the modulation signal for adjusting the input current for the power converter. | 12-19-2013 |
| 20160254740 | INRUSH CURRENT SUPPRESSION CIRCUIT | 09-01-2016 |
| 363560110 | Having voltage protection | 4 |
| 20110157932 | MULTI-RESONANCE POWER SUPPLY WITH AN INTEGRAL QUALITY FACTOR - Subject of the invention is a multi-resonance power supply with integral quality factor limiter, designated for transformation of direct voltages, characterised by high immunity to overload and rapid load changes. The power supply has the (TS) isolating transformer, with its primary winding connected to the main (OR) resonant circuit having at least one node connected with the set of (K | 06-30-2011 |
| 20130100720 | POWER CONVERTER SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF OPERATING A POWER CONVERTER SYSTEM - A power converter system includes a converter, a DC link, an inverter, a damping circuit, and a control system. The converter includes an input to couple to a power generation unit and an output to provide a direct current (DC) DC power output. The DC link includes a capacitor coupled to the converter output. A voltage across the capacitor defines a DC link voltage. The inverter includes an input coupled to the DC link. The damping circuit is coupled between the converter and the inverter in parallel with the DC link capacitor. The damping circuit includes a normally closed switching device, and a resistor coupled in series with the normally closed switching device. The control system is coupled to the damping circuit and configured to control the normally closed switching device as a function of at least one operating parameter of the power converter system. | 04-25-2013 |
| 20150085540 | Systems and Methods for Over-Temperature Protection and Over-Voltage Protection for Power Conversion Systems - Systems and methods are provided for protecting a power conversion system. A system controller includes a first controller terminal and a second controller terminal. The first controller terminal is configured to provide a drive signal to close and open a switch to affect a first current flowing through a primary winding of a power conversion system. The second controller terminal is configured to receive first input signals during one or more first switching periods and receive second input signals during one or more second switching periods. The system controller is configured to determine whether a temperature associated with the power conversion system is larger than a predetermined temperature threshold, and in response to the temperature associated with the power conversion system being larger than the predetermined temperature threshold, generate the drive signal to cause the switch open and remain open to protect the power conversion system. | 03-26-2015 |
| 20160028224 | THREE-LEVEL INVERTER - A series circuit of capacitors and a series circuit of semiconductor switches such as SiC-MOSFETs are connected in parallel to a direct current power source, and one end of a bidirectional switch formed of semiconductor switches, such as IGBTs, and diodes, such as SiC-SBDs (Silicon Carbide Schottky Barrier Diodes), is connected to a series connection point (an M point) of the capacitors, while the other end of the bidirectional switch is connected to a series connection point of the semiconductor switches, in a three-level inverter that outputs three voltage levels by operating the semiconductor switches so as to satisfy at least one of the condition that the peak value of an alternating current output voltage V | 01-28-2016 |
| 363560120 | Transient protection (e.g., snubber, etc.) | 9 |
| 20100039839 | CYCLE MODULATION CIRCUIT FOR LIMITING PEAK VOLTAGE - A cycle modulation circuit for limiting voltage peak value of a power supply employed an active clamp. The power supply receives an input power which is modulated through a power driving unit to become a driving power transformed through a transformer to be output. The cycle modulation circuit includes a comparison unit and a linear voltage generation unit. The comparison unit receives the input power to generate a level signal which is used as a base value to compare level with an oscillation signal generated by the linear voltage generation unit, thereby to modulate and output a pulse width limit signal with a composite cycle consisting of a high level and a low level. The pulse width limit signal is input to the power driving unit to limit the peak value of the driving power modulated by the power driving unit. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100103706 | SNUBBER CIRCUIT - A circuit arrangement for limiting excessive voltages by a forward delay time of a first diode is described. The first diode is alternately switched in a non-conducting direction and a conducting direction by switching a circuit element. The first diode is series-connected to a first capacitor and a pre-charging circuit is provided for the first capacitor, the pre-charging circuit charging the first capacitor while the first diode is switched in the non-conducting direction. The pre-charging circuit charges the first capacitor more strongly than an excessive voltage of the first diode with regard to the amount. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20110310645 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND SNUBBER DEVICE - A semiconductor device of the present invention includes a switching transistor, and a recovery diode and a snubber device which are mounted on a single conductive substrate (frame) on which the switching transistor is also mounted. The snubber device includes a SiC-MOSFET connected between an output terminal C and a reference terminal E of the switching transistor, a Zener diode formed between a gate terminal G and a drain terminal D of the SiC-MOSFET, and a resistor formed between the gate terminal G and a source terminal S of the SiC-MOSFET. The reference terminal E of the switching transistor, the source terminal S of the SiC-MOSFET, and an anode terminal of the recovery diode are commonly connected. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20120182772 | POWER CONVERSION APPARATUS - A control circuit, during a positive period in which current flows from a power conversion apparatus to a load, causes a second snubber capacitor to discharge by controlling a second auxiliary switch to be turned on while a second main diode is turned on, and during a negative period in which current flows from the load to the power conversion apparatus, causes a first snubber capacitor to discharge by controlling a first auxiliary switch to be turned on while a first main diode is turned on. | 07-19-2012 |
| 20140104903 | REDUCTION OF ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE EFFECTS IN CHARGE-PUMP ELEVATOR LADDER - The final cell or cells in a cascade or ladder of voltage elevator cells may be exposed to significant overvoltages from electrostatic discharge originating in off-chip loads. In such conditions, the final cell or cells may be damaged or destroyed by such overvoltages. Protective circuitry may be added to one or more of the final voltage elevator cells to reduce or eliminate such damage or destruction by distributing the overvoltage among two or more cells. Such protective circuitry may include a capacitor coupled in parallel with the input and output node of one or more of the final voltage elevator cells. The protective circuitry may also include a resistor coupled in series between the final voltage elevator cell and the load. | 04-17-2014 |
| 20140192572 | POWER CONVERTER CAPABLE OF OUTPUTTING A PLURALITY OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF VOLTAGES - A power converter includes a group of serial three-level inverters including 2 | 07-10-2014 |
| 20140192573 | POWER CONVERSION CIRCUIT - A power conversion circuit includes a high side switching device connected at its collector to the high potential side of a power supply, a low side switching device connected at its emitter to the lowpotential side of the power supply, a first junction to which the emitter of the high side switching device and the collector of the low side switching device are connected, a first diode connected at its cathode to the collector of the high side switching device, a second diode connected at its anode to the emitter of the low side switching device, a second junction to which the anode of the first diode and the cathode of the second diode are connected, an inductance connected between the first and second junctions, and a snubber circuit connected to the first junction and adapted to absorb stored energy in the inductance when a freewheeling current flows. | 07-10-2014 |
| 20140334203 | POWER CONVERTER AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING POWER CONVERTER - A power converter includes a switch element, a snubber capacitor, and a connection conductor configured to connect the switch element and the snubber capacitor to each other, and at least a part of the connection conductor is arranged to be held between the snubber capacitor and an electrode of the switch element. | 11-13-2014 |
| 20150078044 | POWER CONVERSION APPARATUS - A power conversion apparatus includes: a horizontal switching element having a front surface and a rear surface, including a first electrode and a second electrode on the front surface, and having a first current path between the first electrode and the second electrode; a snubber capacitor electrically connected to the horizontal switching element; a first substrate on which the snubber capacitor is mounted, the first substrate being connected to the first electrode and the second electrode on the front surface of the horizontal switching element; and a second current path through which an electric current flows in a direction approximately opposite to the first current path that is a path allowing an electric current to flow between the first electrode and the second electrode of the horizontal switching element, the second current path being provided in the first substrate and disposed at a position opposite to the first current path. | 03-19-2015 |
