Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100096926 | APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING ENERGY USING POWER ELECTRONICS AND MACHINE INDUCTANCE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME - A traction inverter circuit includes a first energy storage device configured to output a DC voltage, a first bi-directional DC-to-AC voltage inverter coupled to the first energy storage device, and a first electromechanical device. The first electromechanical device includes a first plurality of conductors coupled to the first bi-directional DC-to-AC voltage inverter, a second plurality of conductors coupled together, and a plurality of windings coupled between the first plurality of conductors and the second plurality of conductors. The traction converter circuit also includes a charge bus comprising a first conductor coupled to the second plurality of conductors of the first electromechanical device, the charge bus configured to transmit a charging current to or receive a charging current from the first electromechanical device to charge the first energy storage device via the first electromechanical device and the first bi-directional DC-to-AC voltage inverter. | 04-22-2010 |
20100097031 | APPARATUS FOR ENERGY TRANSFER USING CONVERTER AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME - According to an aspect of the invention, a motor drive circuit includes a first energy storage device configured to supply electrical energy, a bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter coupled to the first energy storage device, a voltage inverter coupled to the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter, and an input device configured to receive electrical energy from an external energy source. The motor drive circuit further includes a coupling system coupled to the input device, to the first energy storage device, and to the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter. The coupling system has a first configuration configured to transfer electrical energy to the first energy storage device via the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter, and has a second configuration configured to transfer electrical energy from the first energy storage device to the voltage inverter via the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter. | 04-22-2010 |
20110169449 | APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING ENERGY USING POWER ELECTRONICS AND MACHINE INDUCTANCE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME - A fraction inverter circuit includes a first energy storage device configured to output a DC voltage, a first bi-directional DC-to-AC voltage inverter coupled to the first energy storage device, and a first electromechanical device. The first electromechanical device includes a first plurality of conductors coupled to the first bi-directional DC-to-AC voltage inverter, a second plurality of conductors coupled together, and a plurality of windings coupled between the first plurality of conductors and the second plurality of conductors. The traction converter circuit also includes a charge bus comprising a first conductor coupled to the second plurality of conductors of the first electromechanical device, the charge bus configured to transmit a charging current to or receive a charging current from the first electromechanical device to charge the first energy storage device via the first electromechanical device and the first bi-directional DC-to-AC voltage inverter. | 07-14-2011 |
20120074774 | APPARATUS FOR ENERGY TRANSFER USING CONVERTER AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME - According to an aspect of the invention, a motor drive circuit includes a first energy storage device configured to supply electrical energy, a bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter coupled to the first energy storage device, a voltage inverter coupled to the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter, and an input device configured to receive electrical energy from an external energy source. The motor drive circuit further includes a coupling system coupled to the input device, to the first energy storage device, and to the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter. The coupling system has a first configuration configured to transfer electrical energy to the first energy storage device via the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter, and has a second configuration configured to transfer electrical energy from the first energy storage device to the voltage inverter via the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter. | 03-29-2012 |
20120153878 | APPARATUS FOR ENERGY TRANSFER USING CONVERTER AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME - According to an aspect of the invention, a motor drive circuit includes a first energy storage device configured to supply electrical energy, a bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter coupled to the first energy storage device, a voltage inverter coupled to the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter, and an input device configured to receive electrical energy from an external energy source. The motor drive circuit further includes a coupling system coupled to the input device, to the first energy storage device, and to the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter. The coupling system has a first configuration configured to transfer electrical energy to the first energy storage device via the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter, and has a second configuration configured to transfer electrical energy from the first energy storage device to the voltage inverter via the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter. | 06-21-2012 |
20120153879 | APPARATUS FOR ENERGY TRANSFER USING CONVERTER AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME - According to an aspect of the invention, a motor drive circuit includes a first energy storage device configured to supply electrical energy, a bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter coupled to the first energy storage device, a voltage inverter coupled to the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter, and an input device configured to receive electrical energy from an external energy source. The motor drive circuit further includes a coupling system coupled to the input device, to the first energy storage device, and to the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter. The coupling system has a first configuration configured to transfer electrical energy to the first energy storage device via the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter, and has a second configuration configured to transfer electrical energy from the first energy storage device to the voltage inverter via the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter. | 06-21-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080308141 | PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER CONVERTER SYSTEM WITH A CONTROLLER CONFIGURED TO ACTIVELY COMPENSATE LOAD HARMONICS - Photovoltaic power converter system including a controller configured to reduce load harmonics is provided. The system comprises a photovoltaic array and an inverter electrically coupled to the array to generate an output current for energizing a load connected to the inverter and to a mains grid supply voltage. The system further comprises a controller including a first circuit coupled to receive a load current to measure a harmonic current in the load current. The controller includes a second circuit to generate a fundamental reference drawn by the load. The controller further includes a third circuit for combining the measured harmonic current and the fundamental reference to generate a command output signal for generating the output current for energizing the load connected to the inverter. The photovoltaic system may be configured to compensate harmonic currents that may be drawn by the load. | 12-18-2008 |
20090050792 | Optically powered drive circuit and method for controlling a semiconductor switch - An optically powered drive circuit and a method for controlling a first semiconductor switch are provided. The optically powered drive circuit includes a photovoltaic cell configured to receive a first light signal from a fiber optic cable and to output a first voltage in response to the first light signal. The optically powered drive circuit further includes an energy storage device electrically coupled to the photovoltaic cell configured to store electrical energy received from the first voltage and to output a second voltage. The optically powered drive circuit further includes an electrical circuit electrically coupled to both the photovoltaic cell and the energy storage device. The electrical circuit is energized by the second voltage. The electrical circuit is configured to receive the first voltage and to output a third voltage in response to the first voltage for controlling operation of the first semiconductor switch. | 02-26-2009 |
20090231890 | Boost converter input ripple current reduction circuit - A boost inductor value reduction circuit is integrated into a traditional boost power converter to greatly reduce undesirable high frequency harmonics from being fed back to the input side of the boost power converter. The boost inductor value reduction circuit is very small when compared with traditional filter techniques, is less costly than traditional filter techniques, and does not degrade the boost power converter control performance. It can also be used to reduce the size of the boost inductor without compromising the converter performance for use in energy efficient sensitive applications such as photovoltaic inverters. | 09-17-2009 |
20090323379 | High efficiency photovoltaic inverter - A photovoltaic (PV) inverter includes a single DC to AC converter configured to operate solely in a buck mode for PV array voltage levels greater than a connected power grid instantaneous voltage plus converter margin, and further configured to operate solely in a boost mode for PV array voltage levels plus margin less than the connected power grid instantaneous voltage, such that the PV inverter generates a rectified sine wave current in response to the available PV array power, and further such that the PV inverter generates a utility grid current in response to the rectified sine wave current. | 12-31-2009 |
20100014325 | AC-AC CONVERTER WITH HIGH FREQUENCY LINK - An AC-AC Converter for an AC source which in one embodiment has a first rectifier section rectifying the AC source into a first pulsed DC link voltage signal and a high frequency modulating section coupled to the first pulsed DC link voltage signal and producing a high frequency AC voltage signal. A high frequency transformer is coupled to the high frequency AC voltage signal producing a transformed high frequency AC signal. There is a second rectifier section coupled to the transformed high frequency AC signal and producing a second pulsed DC voltage signal and an unfolder section coupled to the second pulsed DC voltage signal and producing an output AC signal. | 01-21-2010 |
20110050173 | APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING ENERGY USING ONBOARD POWER ELECTRONICS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME - An apparatus comprises a first energy storage device configured to output a DC voltage, a first bi-directional voltage modification assembly coupled to the first energy storage device, and a charge bus coupled to the first energy storage device and to the first bi-directional voltage modification assembly. The apparatus also comprises high-impedance voltage source coupleable to the charge bus and a controller configured to monitor a transfer of charging energy supplied from the high-impedance voltage source to the first energy storage device. The controller is also configured to compare the monitored transfer of charging energy with a threshold value and, after the threshold value has been crossed, control the first bi-directional voltage modification assembly to modify one of a voltage and a current of the charging energy supplied to the first energy storage device. | 03-03-2011 |
20110050174 | APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING ENERGY USING ONBOARD POWER ELECTRONICS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME - An apparatus includes an energy storage device, a bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter coupled to the energy storage device, and an input device. A voltage bus is coupled to the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter and to the input device. The apparatus also includes a controller configured to control the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter to convert a charging energy on the voltage bus into a charging energy suitable for charging the energy storage device during a charging operation and to monitor a voltage of the energy storage device during the charging operation. The controller is also configured to compare the monitored voltage with a threshold value during the charging operation and, after the threshold value has been crossed, control the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter to convert the charging energy into a charging energy configured to maintain the voltage of the energy storage device at a pre-determined value. | 03-03-2011 |
20110148353 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RAPID CHARGING USING SHARED POWER ELECTRONICS - An apparatus comprises a power electronic energy conversion system comprising a first energy storage device configured to store DC energy and a first voltage converter configured to convert a second voltage from a remote power supply into a first charging voltage configured to charge the first energy storage device. The apparatus also includes a first controller configured to control the first voltage converter to convert the second voltage into the first charging voltage and to provide the first charging voltage to the first energy storage device during a charging mode of operation and communicate with a second controller located remotely from the power electronic energy conversion system to cause a second charging voltage to be provided to the first energy storage device during the charging mode of operation to rapidly charge the first energy storage device. | 06-23-2011 |
20110204854 | APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING ENERGY USING ONBOARD POWER ELECTRONICS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME - An apparatus comprises a first energy storage device configured to output a DC voltage, a first bi-directional voltage modification assembly coupled to the first energy storage device, and a charge bus coupled to the first energy storage device and to the first bi-directional voltage modification assembly. The apparatus also comprises high-impedance voltage source coupleable to the charge bus and a controller configured to monitor a transfer of charging energy supplied from the high-impedance voltage source to the first energy storage device. The controller is also configured to compare the monitored transfer of charging energy with a threshold value and, after the threshold value has been crossed, control the first bi-directional voltage modification assembly to modify one of a voltage and a current of the charging energy supplied to the first energy storage device. | 08-25-2011 |
20110221387 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CHARGING AN ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM FOR AN ELECTRIC OR HYBRID-ELECTRIC VEHICLE - A system and method for electrical charging is disclosed. The electrical charging system comprises a first charging coil and an energy storage device coupled to the first charging coil. The energy charging system further comprises an energy charging station comprising a second charging coil disposed on a movable positioner, wherein the second charging coil is coupleable to an electrical energy source, at least one drive mechanism configured to translate the movable positioned, and a system controller. The system controller is configured to detect an event indicative of a proximity of the first charging coil to the energy charging station, translate the movable positioner such that the second charging coil is substantially aligned with, and closely spaced apart from, the first charging coil to form an electrical transformer, and initiate a charging cycle configured to transfer electrical energy to the at least one energy storage device via the electrical transformer. | 09-15-2011 |
20120092898 | ALTERNATING CURRENT TO DIRECT CURRENT POWER CONVERSION - An alternating current to direct current (AC to DC) power conversion system is provided. The system includes a rectifier configured to convert an input AC voltage to an initial pulsating DC voltage. The system also includes an inverter configured to convert the initial pulsating DC voltage to a converted AC voltage. The system further includes a plurality of transformers, each transformer including a primary winding paired to a secondary winding, wherein each of the primary windings is coupled in series with the other primary windings, wherein the series coupled primary windings are coupled to the inverter to receive respective portions of the converted AC voltage. The system also includes a plurality of bridges, each bridge coupled to a respective secondary winding configured to receive a respective portion of a transformed AC voltage from the respective secondary windings, and coupled in parallel to the other bridges to provide a combined DC output voltage. | 04-19-2012 |
20120112693 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CHARGING AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE - An energy management system (ESMS) includes energy storage devices coupled to a vehicle drivetrain and configured to store DC energy, a power electronic conversion system having energy ports, the power electronic conversion system comprising a DC electrical converters, each DC electrical converter configured to step up and to step down a DC voltage, wherein each of the energy ports is coupleable to each of the energy storage devices and each of the energy ports is coupleable to an electrical charging system. The EV includes a controller configured to determine a voltage of each energy port having either an energy storage device or a DC electrical charging system coupled thereto, and electrically connect a first energy port to a second energy port such that at least one of the DC electrical converters either steps up or steps down an input DC voltage based on the determined voltage of each energy port. | 05-10-2012 |
20120112702 | APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING ENERGY USING ONBOARD POWER ELECTRONICS WITH HIGH-FREQUENCY TRANSFORMER ISOLATION AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME - An apparatus for transferring energy using onboard power electronics with high-frequency transformer isolation includes a power electronic drive circuit comprises a dc bus and a first energy storage device coupled to the dc bus. A first bi-directional dc-to-ac voltage inverter is coupled to the first energy storage device and to the dc bus, and a first electromechanical device coupled to the first bi-directional dc-to-ac voltage inverter. A charging system coupled to the dc bus via a charge bus comprises a receptacle configured to mate with a connector coupled to a voltage source external to the power electronic drive circuit and an isolation transformer configured to electrically isolate the charge bus from the receptacle. A controller configured to cause the charging system to supply a charging voltage to the dc bus based on a voltage received from the voltage source external to the power electronic drive circuit. | 05-10-2012 |
20130234675 | APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING ENERGY USING ONBOARD POWER ELECTRONICS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME - An apparatus for transferring energy using onboard power electronics comprises a first energy storage device configured to output a DC voltage and a DC bus coupled to the first energy storage device, the DC bus coupleable to a high-impedance voltage source. The apparatus also comprises a braking resistor coupled to the DC bus and to a control circuit, and a controller. The controller is configured to control the control circuit to cause on the DC bus to be dissipated through the braking resistor during a regenerative braking event, cause the first energy storage device to receive a charging energy from the high-impedance voltage source through the braking resistor during a charging event, and after a threshold value has been crossed, cause the first energy storage device to receive the charging energy from the high-impedance voltage source bypassing the braking resistor during the charging event. | 09-12-2013 |
20130308361 | TRANSFORMER TAP-CHANGING CIRCUIT AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - A transformer tap-changing circuit comprises an apparatus that includes a transformer comprising a secondary winding configured to inductively couple to a primary winding when a current is passed through the primary winding from an energy source, a first rectifier coupled to the secondary winding and configured to rectify a first AC voltage from the secondary winding into a first DC voltage, and a second rectifier coupled to the secondary winding and configured to rectify a second AC voltage from the secondary winding into a second DC voltage. The apparatus also includes a DC bus coupled to the first and second rectifiers and configured to receive the first and second DC voltages therefrom, wherein the first AC voltage is higher than the second AC voltage, and wherein the first DC voltage is higher than the second DC voltage. | 11-21-2013 |
20140145677 | APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING ENERGY USING POWER ELECTRONICS AND MACHINE INDUCTANCE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME - A fraction inverter circuit includes a first energy storage device configured to output a DC voltage, a first bi-directional DC-to-AC voltage inverter coupled to the first energy storage device, and a first electromechanical device. The first electromechanical device includes a first plurality of conductors coupled to the first bi-directional DC-to-AC voltage inverter, a second plurality of conductors coupled together, and a plurality of windings coupled between the first plurality of conductors and the second plurality of conductors. The traction converter circuit also includes a charge bus comprising a first conductor coupled to the second plurality of conductors of the first electromechanical device, the charge bus configured to transmit a charging current to or receive a charging current from the first electromechanical device to charge the first energy storage device via the first electromechanical device and the first bi-directional DC-to-AC voltage inverter. | 05-29-2014 |
20140146585 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR POWER CONVERSION - A power converter is provided. The power converter includes a converter leg including switches for converting power. The power converter also includes a controller for switching the switches using a pulse width modulation technique. The power converter further includes an interface inductor coupled to the converter leg for avoiding a reverse recovery of current in the switches during operation. | 05-29-2014 |
20140207319 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RAPID CHARGING USING SHARED POWER ELECTRONICS - An apparatus comprises a power electronic energy conversion system comprising a first energy storage device configured to store DC energy and a first voltage converter configured to convert a second voltage from a remote power supply into a first charging voltage configured to charge the first energy storage device. The apparatus also includes a first controller configured to control the first voltage converter to convert the second voltage into the first charging voltage and to provide the first charging voltage to the first energy storage device during a charging mode of operation and communicate with a second controller located remotely from the power electronic energy conversion system to cause a second charging voltage to be provided to the first energy storage device during the charging mode of operation to rapidly charge the first energy storage device. | 07-24-2014 |