Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100094593 | APPARATUS TO PREDICT FAN WEAR-OUT AND IMPENDING FAILURE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - An apparatus for predicting fan wear-out and impending failure and a method of manufacturing the same. One embodiment provides for (1) a lookup table containing expected fan speeds at given duty cycles; and (2) a processor for comparing a measured fan speed at a given duty cycle with an expected fan speed at the given duty cycle, the processor generating a predicted fan wear-out and impending failure. | 04-15-2010 |
20100103710 | LLC CONVERTER SYNCHRONOUS FET CONTROLLER AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF - A method for operating a power controller is provided. The method includes activating a rectifying FET upon a detection of an activation body diode conduction current occurring in the rectifying FET. The method generates an activation signal for a corresponding primary FET. The method further includes deactivating the corresponding rectifying FET upon a reception of a deactivation signal. The method further includes then deactivating the corresponding primary FET after delaying the deactivation signal, wherein the delay lessens a conduction time of a deactivation body current of the corresponding rectifying FET. The method further includes generating a deactivation signal and deactivating the corresponding rectifying FET upon a reception of the deactivation signal and deactivating the primary FET after delaying the deactivation signal. The delaying lessens a conduction time of a deactivation body current of the corresponding rectifying FET. | 04-29-2010 |
20100123450 | INTERLEAVED LLC POWER CONVERTERS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE THEREOF - A system is provided having a first LLC power converter and a second LLC power converter. The first LLC power converter comprises a first LLC voltage source. The second LLC power converter also comprises a second LLC voltage source. The first LLC power converter also comprises a first resonant inductor, a first magnetic inductor, and a first resonant capacitor coupled to the first voltage source of the first LLC power converter. The second LLC power converter comprises a second resonant inductor, a second magnetic inductor, and a second resonant capacitor coupled to the second voltage source of the second LLC power converter. The first LLC power converter and the second LLC power converter are both magnetically couplable to a common load. A resonance of the first LLC power converter substantially matches a resonance of the second LLC power converter. | 05-20-2010 |
20120127762 | LLC CONVERTER ACTIVE SNUBBER CIRCUIT AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF - An active snubber circuit for a power converter, a method of operating the same and an inductor inductor capacitor converter incorporating the circuit or the method. In one embodiment, the circuit includes: (1) a series-coupled first capacitor and diode associated with a secondary-side switch in the power converter and coupled to an output thereof and (2) an active snubber circuit switch coupled in parallel with the diode and configured to receive a control signal that closes the active snubber circuit switch during at least a portion of a time during which the secondary-side switch is open. | 05-24-2012 |
20120153730 | INTERLEAVED LLC CONVERTER EMPLOYING ACTIVE BALANCING - An interleaved LLC converter, a method of operating an LLC converter and a power supply are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the LLC converter includes: (1) a plurality of LLC power channels, with each of the plurality having an independent power input and (2) a compensation controller configured to actively adjust the independent power inputs to substantially match output voltage and current levels for a given load condition and a common operating frequency of the plurality of LLC power channels. | 06-21-2012 |
20120195081 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INCREASING DC POWER SYSTEM EFFICIENCY WITHOUT REQUIRING A LARGE BATTERY RESERVE - A system for increasing parallel rectifier DC power system efficiency. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a controller configured to sense and classify a load magnitude change into groups including large load transients and moderate load transients and (2) at least one rectifier coupled to the controller and configured to transition from a stand-by mode to an active mode upon an occurrence of one of a large load transient and a moderate load transient. | 08-02-2012 |
20120294052 | MONOTONIC PRE-BIAS START-UP OF A DC-DC CONVERTER - The power conversion module includes a power converter coupled to provide a DC output voltage from an input voltage source. The power converter may have primary and secondary stages, and the power converter may also provide a DC output voltage that is electrically isolated from the input voltage source. Additionally, the power conversion module also includes a voltage controller configured to measure a pre-bias value of the output voltage prior to start-up of the power converter and provide a start-up control signal, wherein the start-up control signal corresponds to an initial output voltage that is greater than the pre-bias value of the output voltage. The initial output voltage includes a start-up voltage margin above the pre-bias value and is maintained for a margin hold time. A method of operating a power conversion module is also provided. | 11-22-2012 |
20130003430 | OPTIMIZATION OF A POWER CONVERTER EMPLOYING AN LLC CONVERTER - A power converter includes an input stage connected to receive an input signal and to provide an intermediate DC voltage, and an output stage having an LLC converter connected to receive the intermediate DC voltage and to provide a DC output voltage. Additionally, the power converter includes a control unit connected to the input and output stages to regulate the DC output voltage and set a target operating parameter of the LLC converter based on controlling the intermediate DC voltage. A method of operating a power converter is also provided. | 01-03-2013 |
20130003431 | MULTILEVEL POWER CONVERTER AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING AND OPERATION THEREOF - A power converter includes an input stage connected to receive a three phase AC input voltage and to provide multiple DC voltage levels. The power converter also includes an output stage of a plurality of interleaved LLC converters having series-connected inputs coupled to the multiple DC voltage levels and parallel-connected outputs to provide a DC output voltage. Additionally, the power converter includes a balancing circuit interconnected to the input and output stages to provide substantially balanced output currents from the plurality of interleaved LLC converters for the DC output voltage. Methods of manufacturing and operating a power converter are also provided. | 01-03-2013 |
20130307339 | OPTIMIZED CONTROL OF A POWER CONVERTER IN RESPONSE TO LOAD CONDITIONS - A power converter and a method of operating the same is described, for use in a power conversion system that is capable of receiving power from various sources, including renewable sources, for delivering power to a load. Power type detection circuitry is provided for identifying the type of power source at the input of each power detector, based on attributes of the time-varying power received. The power converter is constructed of a boost stage followed by a galvanically isolated DC-DC converter stage. If a renewable input power source is detected, the boost stage is controlled to operate at a maximum power point, and the DC-DC converter stage is operated in an open loop manner when load exceeds available power at input. The load falls below available input power, the boost stage is controlled to regulate its output voltage and DC-DC converter stage is also placed under closed loop control. If the AC grid is detected as the input power source, the boost stage is controlled to attain maximum power factor, and the DC-DC converter stage is placed under feedback control of the output voltage. | 11-21-2013 |
20130307340 | POWER CONVERTER OPERABLE FROM VARIOUS POWER SOURCES - A power converter and method of operating the same for use in a power conversion system capable of receiving power from various sources, including renewable sources, for application to a load. Power type detection circuitry is provided for identifying the type of power source at the input of each power detector, based on attributes of the time-varying power received. The power converter is constructed of a boost stage followed by a galvanically isolated DC-DC converter stage. If a renewable input power source is detected, the boost stage is controlled to operate at a maximum power point, and the DC-DC converter stage is operated in an open loop manner. If the AC grid is detected as the input power source, the boost stage is controlled to attain maximum power factor, and the DC-DC converter stage is placed under feedback control of the output voltage. Operating modes are also switched in response to low load demand. | 11-21-2013 |
20130308356 | INPUT RELAY ARCHITECTURE FOR RECTIFYING POWER CONVERTERS AND SUITABLE FOR AC OR DC SOURCE POWER - Power converter circuitry for converting power from a power source of any one of a number of power source types, and in which arcing at relays in the event of a shutdown is avoided. A shunt circuit is provided in inrush and protection circuitry of the power converter, the circuit including a power field-effect transistor and optionally a series-connected relay. The shunt circuit is controlled to divert current from the main relay in the event of a rectifier fault, allowing the main relay to be opened under reduced or zero current. The field-effect transistor of the shunt circuit can then be safely opened, allowing its series relay to be opened under zero current conditions. | 11-21-2013 |
20140036545 | LLC CONVERTER WITH DYNAMIC GAIN TRANSFORMATION FOR WIDE INPUT AND OUTPUT RANGE - A resonant power converter system includes an output load and a rectifier stage that provides a DC output voltage to the output load from an AC intermediate voltage. The resonant power converter system also includes a resonant inverter stage that provides the AC intermediate voltage from a DC input voltage, wherein an inverter gain is controlled by switching between full-bridge and half-bridge topologies based on an external variable of the resonant power converter system. The resonant power converter system further includes a controller that controls the resonant power converter system. Additionally, a method of operating a power converter includes rectifying an AC intermediate voltage to provide a DC output voltage and providing the AC intermediate voltage by inverting a DC input voltage, wherein an inversion gain of the AC intermediate voltage is controlled by switching between full-bridge and half-bridge inversion topologies based on an external variable. | 02-06-2014 |
20140062396 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CHARGING AN ENERGY STORAGE DEVICE - A system for use in supplying power to a power storage device. The system includes a charging device that has a plurality of power converters, each of the power converters having an output terminal configured to output current at a predetermined voltage. The system includes a power conduit configured to couple each of the terminals in series to deliver current from the plurality of power converters to the power storage device. The system includes a controller programmed to receive a power storage device voltage signal, determine a charging voltage level based on the power storage device voltage signal, and enable at least one of the plurality of power converters to supply current at the charging voltage level to the power storage device. | 03-06-2014 |
20140247540 | POWER DISTRIBUTION RACK BUS BAR ASSEMBLY AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING THE SAME - A power distribution rack includes a chassis that defines a first slot and a second slot adjacent the first slot. The power distribution rack also includes a plurality of electronics modules including a first module coupled within the first slot and a second module coupled within the second slot. A central bus bar assembly is coupled to the chassis and includes an outer bus bar including a first flange, a second flange, and a first bus plate extending therebetween. The first and second flanges and the first bus plate define a first channel. The bus bar assembly further includes an inner bus bar coupled within the first channel. The inner bus bar includes a third flange, a fourth flange, and a second bus plate extending therebetween. The first and third flanges are coupled to the first module and the second and fourth flanges are coupled to the second module. | 09-04-2014 |