Patents

Abstract: An ac/ac converter for accepting a pulsating dc input with encoded sinusoidal modulation and providing a multiphase modulated output. The converter comprises a bridge including a plurality of switches having switch legs for modulating the pulsating dc input at a carrier frequency over a plurality of phases. The bridge is coupled at one end to a pulsating dc source and coupled at another end to a modulated signal output. A controller is provided for the plurality of switches for causing, for each of the plurality of phases, under unity power factor, one of the switch legs to modulate the pulsating dc input at the carrier frequency while the other switch legs do not modulate the pulsating dc input at the carrier frequency. (Patent Link)

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a scalable single stage differential power converter. The inverter can be implemented in signal, split and multi-phases. A multiphase converter can be achieved with only three modules. Integrated magnetics used in preferred embodiments of the invention mitigate the DC component of the steady-state dynamics and can be extended to AC ripple mitigation. Control architectures in preferred embodiments can mitigate higher order harmonics in steady state dynamics. Embodiments of the invention also provide scalability for voltage and current source topologies. (Patent Link)

Abstract: A system for charging a battery includes three sub-modules, each receiving a respective phase of a three-phase alternating current (AC) signal. The three sub-modules cooperate to transform the respective phases of the three-phase AC signal to a direct current (DC) signal by passing the respective phases of the three-phase AC signal through a respective semiconductor device configured to discontinuously modulate the respective phase of the three-phase AC signal to convert it to a DC signal provided to the battery to charge the battery. (Patent Link)

Abstract: Aspects of the invention overcome a monolithic approach to conventional low-frequency LPTs by using a high-frequency solid-state alternating current ac/ac modular power-conversion approach. Embodiments of the invention enable the ability to incorporate new technologies without in all cases redoing a LPT design from scratch. Furthermore, given that LPTs are for the long term, aspects of the invention ensure that they are durable, efficient, and fault tolerant with overloading capability. (Patent Link)

Abstract: Apparatus for conditioning power generated by an energy source includes an inverter for converting a DC input voltage from the energy source to a square wave AC output voltage, and a converter for converting the AC output voltage from the inverter to a sine wave AC output voltage. (Patent Link)

Abstract: Method for operating an ac/ac converter circuit for a high-frequency-link converter. The ac/ac converter circuit converts an ac input voltage to an ac output voltage. When the ac input voltage is zero, each of a pair of switches for both first and second arms are caused to be on. Current flows through the first arm along a first direction and through the second arm along a second, opposite direction. Next, when the ac input voltage is zero, a selected switch in the second arm is caused to be turned off. The position of the switches can be maintained as the ac input voltage transitions to a dc level, reaches the dc level, approaches zero, and again reaches zero. When the ac input voltage again reaches zero, the selected switch for the second arm is caused to be turned on. (Patent Link)

Abstract: A power conditioner includes power converters for supplying power to a load, a set of selection switches corresponding to the power converters for selectively connecting the fuel-cell stack to the power converters, and another set of selection switches corresponding to the power converters for selectively connecting the battery to the power converters. The power conveners output combined power that substantially optimally meets a present demand of the load. (Patent Link)

Abstract: A system for improving the safety of a room occupied by a patient includes a sensor for monitoring when the patient is out of bed. The sensor sends a signal that gives an alert to a care giver that the patient is out of bed. Lights in the room are slowly illuminated to provide light for the patient. A second sensor may sense when the patient has returned to bed and correspondingly dim the lights. The history of the patient being in and out of bed, and of the care giver responding to alerts may be recorded in a log. A programmable micro controller is used to control the system. (Patent Link)

Abstract: A multi-stage optically-triggered power system. At least one triggering stage is responsive to at least one optical trigger to directly create photogeneration of carriers in the at least one triggering stage and thus generate at least one output signal. At least one main power device stage coupled to the at least one triggering stage is responsive to the at least one generated output signal to activate the at least one main power device stage. The at least one triggering stage and the at least one main power device stage may be monolithically integrated. (Patent Link)

Abstract: A power device is provided in an optically-triggered power system having a controller for generating electrical control signals and a converter for converting the electrical control signals to optical control signals. The power device includes a pair of terminals and a P-body region provided adjacent an N source region. An optical window is provided at least partially over the P-body region, and an N? drift region is provided between the two terminals. The P-body region causes current to conduct between the first and second terminal through the N? drift region when an optical control signal is incident on the optical window. (Patent Link)

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the invention include a thyristor core that is single biased by a source, such as a power source (or a portion thereof) that is being switched through the thyristors. An optically activated transistor that is preferably a minority carrier device is in series with the thyristor core. The thyristor core has an optically activated gate. The turn-off of the thyristor can be accelerated by the turn-on (conduction state) of a gate switch, which ensures a unity gain turn-off of the core thyristor. (Patent Link)

Abstract: This present invention provides a novel photoconductive semiconductor switch (PCSS) comprising: a semi-insulating substrate, an anode formed on the upper surface of said semi-insulating substrate, a first n-type doped layer formed on the lower surface of said semi-insulating substrate, a p-type doped layer formed on said first n-type doped layer, a second n-type doped layer formed on said p-type doped layer, a cathode formed on said second n-type doped layer, several recesses facing towards said first n-type doped layer and vertically extending into a part of said first n-type doped layer, an insulating layer formed on said second n-type doped layer and on the walls and the bottoms of said recesses, a gate electrode consisting of two parts, one part of the which formed on said insulating layer on the walls and the bottoms of recesses, and the other part of the which formed on a part of the insulating layer on the second n-type doped layer for electrically connecting the part of the gate electrode on the reces. (Patent Link)

Abstract: A system for co-transmitting discrete power and data over a common high frequency channel includes a power transmitting node, a power receiving node, a data transmitting node, a data receiving node, a power transmitting switch, a power receiving switch, a data transmitting switch, a data receiving switch, a primary power switch, a secondary power switch, a common high frequency channel, a first control unit, and a second control unit. When the primary power switch, power transmitting switch, and power receiving switch are in an activated state, a power signal is transmitted over the common high frequency channel from the power transmitting node to the power receiving node. When the secondary power switch, data transmitting switch, and data receiving switch are in an activated state, a data signal is transmitted over the common high frequency channel from the data transmitting node to the data receiving node. (Patent Link)

A system for charging a battery includes three sub-modules, each receiving a respective phase of a three-phase alternating current (AC) signal. The three sub-modules cooperate to transform the respective phases of the three-phase AC signal to a direct current (DC) signal by passing the respective phases of the three-phase AC signal through a respective semiconductor device configured to discontinuously modulate the respective phase of the three-phase AC signal to convert it to a DC signal provided to the battery to charge the battery. (Patent Link)

This invention outlines a high-frequency inverter and its control mechanism for providing and controlling the power delivered to an electric scalpel for electrosurgery with the added goal of reducing collateral damage.