| Astec International Limited Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120127764 | Power Systems for Photovoltaic and DC Input Sources - A power conversion system for use with a photovoltaic (PV) power source may include a DC/DC converter for converting a first DC voltage into a second DC voltage, an isolation transformer, an inverter for converting DC power to AC power, and at least one controller for controlling the DC/DC converter and the inverter. The controller may be configured to operate the DC/DC converter as a buck converter or a boost converter based, at least in part, on whether the first DC voltage is less or greater than a reference voltage. Additionally, the controller may operate the converter according to a maximum power point tracking algorithm. Further, the controller may be configured to operate the inverter to control the DC voltage at the inverter's input as a function of the AC voltage at the inverter's output. Example embodiments of power systems, DC/DC converters, DC/AC inverters and related methods are also disclosed. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120098632 | Core and Coil Construction for Multi-Winding Magnetic Structures - Multi-winding magnetic structures and methods of making multi-winding magnetic structures are disclosed. In one embodiment, a multi-winding magnetic structure includes a core constructed of a magnetic material and a plurality of windings. The core includes a core top, a core bottom, and a plurality of columns. The core top has an exterior edge defining a shape of the core top. A central section of the core top has a substantially constant thickness that defines a thickness of the core top. The core bottom is beneath the core top and has an exterior edge defining a shape of the core bottom. A central section of the core bottom has a substantially constant thickness that defines a thickness of the core bottom. The thickness of one of the core bottom and the core top decreases from an edge of its central section to its exterior edge. The plurality of columns extends from the core bottom to the core top and the plurality of windings are wound around the columns. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120092908 | Multi-Level Parallel Power Converters - Multi-level power converters are disclosed. In one embodiment, a multi-level power converter includes an input for receiving an input voltage and a converter output for providing a variable output voltage. The multi-level power converter includes a plurality of switching circuits. Each switching circuit is connected to the input in parallel with each other switching circuit. Each switching circuit includes an output. Each switching circuit is selectively operable to couple its output to the input voltage or a reference voltage. The multi-level power converter includes a parallel multi-winding autotransformer (PMA). The PMA includes a plurality of windings and a magnetic core having a plurality of magnetically connected columns. Each winding is positioned around a different one of the columns and has a beginning and an end. The output of each switching circuit is coupled to the beginning of a different winding. The end of each winding is connected to the converter output in parallel with each other winding. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120083925 | Jitter Control and Operating Profiles for Air Moving Devices - Various methods related to air moving devices in electronic systems are disclosed. Various electronic systems including controlled air moving devices are also disclosed. Thus, one example electronic system includes an air moving device and a controller for controlling the air moving device. The controller is configured to selectively control a rotational speed of the air moving device. The controller is configured to vary the rotational speed within a range bounded by and including a first rotational speed and a second rotational speed during a time that a target rotational speed is within the range. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120081937 | Converters and Inverters for Photovoltaic Power Systems - A power system includes a plurality of DC/DC converters and a DC/AC inverter. The plurality of DC/DC converters having outputs electrically connected in parallel for supplying a DC voltage bus to an input of the DC/AC inverter. The plurality of DC/DC converters each include a maximum power point tracker (MPPT). Various DC/DC converters and DC/AC inverters suitable for use in this system and others are also disclosed. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120080943 | Photovoltaic Power Systems - A power system includes a plurality of DC/DC converters and a DC/AC inverter. The plurality of DC/DC converters having outputs electrically connected in parallel for supplying a DC voltage bus to an input of the DC/AC inverter. The plurality of DC/DC converters each include a maximum power point tracker (MPPT). Various DC/DC converters and DC/AC inverters suitable for use in this system and others are also disclosed. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120076636 | Controlled Angular Acceleration for Air Moving Devices - Various methods related to air moving devices in electronic systems are disclosed. Various electronic systems including controlled air moving devices are also disclosed. Thus, in one method of controlling an air moving device in an electronic system, the air moving device is operable to accelerate between rotational speeds at a maximum angular acceleration. The method includes limiting an angular acceleration of the air moving device to a first acceleration limit less than the maximum angular acceleration when changing the air moving device from a first rotational speed to a second rotational speed. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120075898 | Photovoltaic Power Converters and Closed Loop Maximum Power Point Tracking - Power converters for photovoltaic (PV) systems and maximum power point tracking techniques are disclosed. One example power converter for a PV system includes an input for coupling to the PV system, an output for providing an output voltage, and a switch coupled between the input and the output. The input is configured to receive an input voltage (Vin) and input current (Iin) from the PV system. The power converter includes a controller configured for controlling operation of the switch using a control signal C. C is a function of at least the input voltage, the input current and a variable (K). | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120074237 | Delayed Execution and Automated Model Detection for Air Moving Devices - Various methods related to air moving devices in electronic systems are disclosed. Various electronic systems including controlled air moving devices are also disclosed. Thus, one example electronic system includes an air moving device, a sensor for monitoring an operating parameter of the electronic system and generating a signal representative of the operating parameter, and a controller for controlling the air moving device. The controller is configured to selectively control a rotational speed of the air moving device, to receive the signal representative of the operating parameter, and to delay changing the rotational speed of the air moving device in response to the signal representative of the operating parameter. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120069617 | Switching Power Converters and Controllers Having Auxiliary Power Circuits - Switching device controllers, drive circuits, power converters and related methods are disclosed. One example controller for a switching device includes a drive circuit for controlling the switching device and an auxiliary circuit coupled to the drive circuit. The auxiliary circuit includes an input for receiving a waveform having alternating first and second intervals. The auxiliary circuit is configured to energize the drive circuit during the first intervals and de-energize the drive circuit during the second intervals. One example method of energizing and de-energizing a drive circuit for a switching device includes receiving a waveform having alternating first and second intervals, energizing the drive circuit during the first intervals, and de-energizing the drive circuit during the second intervals. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120056048 | FASTENER RETAINER BRACKETS - Fastener retainer brackets and related assemblies and methods are disclosed. One example fastener retainer bracket includes a mounting portion and a restricting portion coupled to the mounting portion. The mounting portion defines a plurality of openings structured to receive a plurality of fasteners received in a support structure. The restricting portion is adapted to permit tool access to heads of the plurality of fasteners when the plurality of fasteners extend through the plurality of openings of the mounting portion. The restricting portion is adapted to contact the head of at least one of the fasteners to inhibit removal of that fastener from the support structure. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20110254531 | Current Balancing Multiphase Power Converters, Controllers and Methods - A method of controlling a multiphase power converter including a plurality of sub-converters is disclosed. The method includes, for each of the sub-converters, estimating a current provided by that sub-converter. The method includes selecting one of the sub-converters that is on and determined to have a greatest current as the next sub-converter to be turned off and selecting one of the sub-converters that is off and determined to have a smallest current as the next sub-converter to be turned on. Other methods, multiphase power converters and controllers for multiphase power converters are also disclosed. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110242775 | Inductors Occupying Space Above Circuit Board Components - Methods of making an assembly are disclosed. The assembly may include a circuit board with a top surface and a circuit component mounted on the top surface of the circuit board. The method may include positioning an inductor coil above the circuit component and the top surface of the circuit board and encapsulating the inductor coil, the circuit component and at least part of the top surface of the circuit board in a magnetic material. Assemblies according to such methods are also disclosed. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110075462 | Bridgeless Boost PFC Circuits and Systems - Bridgeless boost PFC circuits and systems providing an improved method of current sensing using two current sensing resistors is envisaged. Analog switches are provided to select one of the two current sensing resistors based on the polarity of the AC line. An amplifier is provided to eliminate use of resistors with large values, thus resulting in lower power loss and efficient systems. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110075459 | Power Factor Correction Circuits, Systems and Power Supplies Operable With Different Input Voltages - A cost effective solution for power factor correction in power devices operating at two widely separated input voltages comprises two unequal power rails. One power rail is optimized for operation at high line voltage only, while the other power rail is designed only for low line voltage. When operating at high line voltage, the second rail is disabled. At low line, both power rails are enabled but by virtue of unequal boost inductors, the high line power rail handles only about 30% of the power while the low line power rail handles the remaining power. Hence, the efficiency at high line voltage is maximized. As the inductance used in the high line power rail is much higher in value, it stays in continuous conduction mode for all load conditions and hence the power factor is significantly improved. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110075458 | AC-DC Switching Power Converters With Frequency Variation in Response to Load Changes - A method of operating a switching power converter having at least one power switch controlled by a drive signal having a switching frequency is disclosed. The method includes monitoring an output power of the switching power converter, determining whether the output power has decreased below a threshold level and, in response to the output power decreasing below the threshold level, changing the switching frequency of the drive signal from a first switching frequency to a second switching frequency when an operating condition of the switching power converter is satisfied. Also disclosed are controllers and switching power converters (including PFC converters). | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110075392 | Assemblies and Methods for Directly Connecting Integrated Circuits to Electrically Conductive Sheets - An integrated circuit assembly includes a first electrically conductive sheet, a second electrically conductive sheet electrically isolated from the first electrically conductive sheet, a non-conductive material disposed between the first and second electrically conductive sheets, an electrical trace disposed on the non-conductive material and electrically isolated from the first and second electrically conductive sheets, and an integrated circuit having at least one lead directly connected to the first electrically conductive sheet, at least one lead directly connected to the second electrically conductive sheet, and at least one lead electrically connected to the electrical trace. Other integrated circuit assemblies and method for making integrated circuit assemblies are also disclosed. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110074533 | Center Tapped Transformers for Isolated Power Converters - A cost effective solution for construction of high frequency, double ended, isolated, push pull, center tapped power transformers operating in continuous/discontinuous mode with minimized winding proximity losses comprises at least two identical sets of windings with identical coupling coefficients. Each set of windings consists of at least one primary winding and at least one secondary winding tightly coupled to each other. Both the sets of windings are loosely coupled to each other with a magnetic field isolating separator. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110074532 | Low Cost Charger Transformer - A cost effective integrated automotive solution for a charger transformer with minimized fringing flux and core grounding for reducing electromagnetic interference (EMI). The method provides an air gap filled with a mixture of an adhesive and ferrite powder that bonds the ferrite core sections together. In addition, the ground pin of the transformer is exposed through a groove in the pocket of the bobbin on which the core is mounted and an electrical contact is established between the exposed end of the ground pin and the core surface by means of a drop of epoxy. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110074383 | Assemblies and Methods for Sensing Current Through Semiconductor Device Leads - Assemblies and methods for sensing current through semiconductor device leads are disclosed. One example method includes mounting a current sense assembly about a lead of a semiconductor device. The current sense assembly may include a carrier adapted to hold a current sensor in close proximity to a semiconductor device lead to sense current flowing in the lead. One example assembly for sensing current through a semiconductor device lead includes a carrier for mounting to the semiconductor device lead and a current sensor supported by the carrier. The carrier includes output terminals. The current sensor has leads electrically coupled to the output terminals. The current sensor is positioned to extend around at least a portion of the lead and provide a signal to the output terminals representing current flowing in the lead when the carrier is mounted to the lead. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110074378 | Multiphase Power Converters, Controllers and Control Methods - A method of controlling a multiphase power converter including a plurality of sub-converters coupled to provide power to a load is disclosed. Each sub-converter includes a power switch. The method includes selectively and consistently turning on the power switch of one or more of the sub-converters at substantially a same time as a reference signal representing a desired output of the power converter increases. The method further includes selectively and consistently turning off the power switch of one or more of the sub-converters at substantially a same time as the reference signal representing the desired output of the power converter decreases. Other methods, multiphase power converters and controllers for multiphase power converters are also disclosed. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110037444 | Bridgeless Boost PFC Circuits and Systems With Reduced Common Mode EMI - According to one example embodiment, a bridgeless boost power factor correction (PFC) system includes a first input for connection to a first line of an alternating current (AC) source and a second input for connection to a second line of the AC source. The PFC system includes an output for delivering an output of the bridgeless boost PFC system, a first boost choke coupled to the first input and a second boost choke coupled to the second input. A common mode choke is coupled between the first and second input and the first and second boost choke. A first X capacitor is coupled between the first input and the output and a second X capacitor coupled between the second input and the output. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20100302702 | Feedthrough Capacitor Assemblies - A feedthrough capacitor assembly for attachment to a mount having an opening is disclosed. The assembly includes a feedthrough terminal adapted for insertion through said opening for coupling a signal from a first side of the mount to a second side of the mount. The assembly includes a first conductive region extending about and electrically coupled to the feedthrough terminal and a second conductive region extending about the first conductive region. A plurality of capacitors are electrically coupled between the first conductive region and the second conductive region. The plurality of capacitors are arranged about the feedthrough terminal with each capacitor having about the same capacitance as each of the other capacitors. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20100110640 | Thermally Conductive Covers For Electric Circuit Assemblies - A method of producing a thermally conductive cover for an electric circuit assembly having a plurality of heat dissipating components is disclosed. The thermally conductive cover including a top surface, a bottom surface, and at least one rib extending downwardly from the bottom surface. The method includes selecting a plurality of dimensions for the thermally conductive cover such that the bottom surface will be spaced above and extend over top sides of the plurality of heat dissipating components when the thermally conductive cover is installed over the electronic circuit assembly. The at least one rib will extend over and be spaced from the plurality of heat dissipating components when the thermally conductive cover is installed over the electronic circuit assembly. The method further includes producing the thermally conductive cover with the selected dimensions. Thermally conductive covers are also disclosed. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100054008 | Inductorless Isolated Power Converters With Zero Voltage and Zero Current Switching - A method of controlling an isolated switching power converter that includes a transformer with a primary side and a secondary side, at least one primary switch coupled to the primary side of the transformer and at least one synchronous rectifier coupled to the secondary side of the transformer is disclosed. The method includes turning on the synchronous rectifier a first fixed time after turning on the primary switch and turning off the synchronous rectifier a second fixed time after turning off the primary switch. Power converters for operation according to this method are also disclosed, including power converters without an output inductor. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100026095 | Multiple Output Isolated DC/DC Power Converters - Methods of regulating an output voltage of a multi-output isolated power converter are disclosed. One method includes allowing the output voltage to vary unregulated when the output voltage is below a threshold value and preventing the output voltage from increasing when the output voltage reaches the threshold value. Additional methods and multi-output power supplies are also disclosed. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20090153111 | Switching Power Converter with Reduced Switching Losses - A switching power converter has at least one electronic power switch. To minimize switching losses and optimize efficiency, the gate drive voltage level used to drive the electronic power switch is optimized. In an aspect, a digital controller generates optimizes the gate drive voltage using efficiency optimization algorithms, which in an aspect are programmed in the digital controller. In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, the switching power supply has at least two electronic power switches coupled in parallel. Optimization algorithms are used to determine the optimum number of switched electronic power switches that are actively being switched at a given time in order to achieve optimized efficiency for condition changes, such as input voltage variation, load and environmental temperature changes. In an aspect, the algorithms are programmed in a digital controller chip. In an aspect, both gate drive voltage level and the number of electronic power switches being actively switched at a given time are optimized. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090085546 | Fast Transient Step Load Response in a Power Converter - A method of controlling a power converter having at least one switching device for supplying an output voltage and a load current to a load is disclosed. The method includes sensing the output voltage and sensing the load current. The method further includes controlling a duty cycle of the switching device according to the sensed output voltage and a voltage control loop when a rate of change of the load current does not exceed a threshold level. The method also includes adjusting the duty cycle of the switching device set by the voltage control loop when the rate of change of the load current exceeds the threshold level. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090085543 | Variable Output Voltage Power Converter - A method of generating at least a first voltage and a second voltage in a power converter including at least one DC-DC converter is disclosed. The method includes operating the DC-DC converter as a full-bridge converter to generate the first voltage and operating the DC-DC converter as a half-bridge converter to generate the second voltage. Power supplies including a DC-DC converter selectively configurable as a full bridge converter to provide a first DC voltage and as a half bridge converter to produce a second DC voltage and controller circuits for such configuration are also disclosed. | 04-02-2009 |
