North Carolina State University

Access Business Group International LLC

Linear Technology Corporation

Philips IP Ventures B.v.

Arthur W Kelley

Joshua K Schwannecke

Matthew J Norconk

Joshua B Taylor

Colin J Moore

Neil W Kuyvenhoven

Kenneth C Armstrong

H Troy Nagle

Dale R Liff

Jeffrey S Mueller

Robert D Gruich

Jason L Amistadi

Ronald S Gyurcsik

Matthew Burdet Harris

Charles Edward Hawkes

Luca Vassalli

Mohab A Hallouda

Aaron M Jungreis

John Ledford

John Cavaroc

A communication system that uses keyed modulation to encode fixed frequency communications on a variable frequency power transmission signal in which a single communication bit is represented by a plurality of modulations. To provide a fixed communication rate, the number of modulations associated with each bit is dynamic varying as a function of the ratio of the communication frequency to the carrier signal frequency. In one embodiment, the present invention provides dynamic phase-shift-keyed modulation in which communications are generated by toggling a load at a rate that is a fraction of the power transfer frequency. In another embodiment, the present invention provides communication by toggling a load in the communication transmitter at a rate that is phase locked and at a harmonic of the power transfer frequency. In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides frequency-shift-keyed modulation, including, for example, modulation at one of two different frequencies.

System and method of providing communications in a wireless power transfer system

A signal processing methodology and circuit for supplying bias power and duty cycle information across an isolation barrier, wherein, at an input side of the isolation barrier at least one input signal carrying input duty cycle information, together with DC bias power, is received and encoded on a constant repetition rate, constant duty cycle carrier waveform. Encoding is carried out by an encoder implemented to encode the carrier waveform with a marker, such as a waveform discontinuity, at a timing corresponding to the input duty cycle information, and wherein the presence of the marker leaves the average value of the carrier waveform unaffected. At the output side of the isolation barrier, the duty cycle information may be received by a decoder, the input duty cycle information detected to reconstruct the at least one input signal, and optionally DC bias power extracted from the carrier waveform. An exemplary embodiment is based on PWM encoding and decoding of a bipolar square wave carrier waveform of constant repetition rate and duty cycle. Duty cycle information in the form of short pulse discontinuities may be superimposed on successive half cycles of the carrier waveform, to enable two independent PWM signals to be processed per cycle.

System and method for transferring duty cycle information in an isolated DC/DC converter or other circuit

Power supply systems and methods can enable an electromagnetic device, such as an electrical contactor, to ride-through both voltage sags and dropouts. In an illustrative embodiment, a rectifier is used to generate a DC input voltage from an AC supply voltage. An interface circuit supplies the DC input voltage to an electrical contactor to provide the necessary power for operating the contactor. In general, an electrical contactor that is intended to operate from an AC voltage will operate equally well from a lower magnitude DC voltage. The interface circuit uses this difference in magnitudes between the AC voltage source and an operationally equivalent DC voltage source to maintain the DC input voltage at a desired level even if the AC voltage source sags below its normal operating level. In addition, an energy storage device may be used to store at least some of the DC input voltage. When a sag or dropout occurs in the AC voltage source, the interface circuit is able to maintain the operation of the electrical contactor for a period of time by using the stored DC input voltage as a power source. The energy storage device thus provides a power reservoir that can be accessed during severe voltage sags or even dropouts to ensure continuous operation of the electrical contactor.

Power supply systems and methods that can enable an electromagnetic device to ride-through variations in a supply voltage

Magnetic Vector Steering (MVS) and Half-Cycle Amplitude Modulation (HCAM) are novel techniques which enhance the powering and control of multiple arbitrarily oriented implant devices. Together, these techniques enable arbitrarily oriented implants to receive power and command, programming, and control information in an efficient manner that preserves battery life and transmission time while reducing overall implant device bulk. By steering the aggregate magnetic field from a near-orthogonal set of AC-energized coils, selected implants can be powered or communicated with at desired times. Communication with individual implants can also be enhanced through half-cycle amplitude modulation &mdash;a technique that allows bit rates up to twice the energizing frequency. Unlike prior art systems, power and data transfer can be realized over the same frequency channel.

System and method for powering, controlling, and communicating with multiple inductively-powered devices

Magnetic Vector Steering (MVS) and Half-Cycle Amplitude Modulation (HCAM) are novel techniques which enhance the powering and control of multiple arbitrarily oriented implant devices. Together, these techniques enable arbitrarily oriented implants to receive power and command, programming, and control information in an efficient manner that preserves battery life and transmission time while reducing overall implant device bulk. By steering the aggregate magnetic field from a near-orthogonal set of AC-energized coils, selected implants can be powered or communicated with at desired times. Communication with individual implants can also be enhanced through half-cycle amplitude modulation&mdash;a technique that allows bit rates up to twice the energizing frequency. Unlike prior art systems, power and data transfer can be realized over the same frequency channel.

Magnetic Vector Steering (MVS) and Half-Cycle Amplitude Modulation (HCAM) are novel techniques which enhance the powering and control of multiple arbitrarily oriented implant devices. Together, these techniques enable arbitrarily oriented implants to receive power and command, programming, and control information in an efficient manner that preserves battery life and transmission time while reducing overall implant device bulk. By steering the aggregate magnetic field from a near-orthogonal set of AC-energized coils, selected implants can be powered or communicated with at desired times. Communication with individual implants can also be enhanced through half-cycle amplitude modulation--a technique that allows bit rates up to twice the energizing frequency. Unlike prior art systems, power and data transfer can be realized over the same frequency channel.

System and method for powering, controlling, and communicating with

Impedance of an energized electrical line which carries electrical current at a predetermined line frequency is nondistruptively measured at frequencies which are above and below the predetermined line frequency. A measurement current is generated at a measurement frequency between, for example, 10 Hz and 30 kHz for a 60 Hz line. The current generator is coupled to the energized electrical line by an isolating circuit which blocks only the predetermined line frequency and frequencies which differ from the predetermined line frequency by substantially less than the predetermined line frequency. For example, a notch filter may be used. A current sensor measures the line current in the energized line at the measurement frequency. A voltage sensor measures the line voltage in the energized electrical line at the measurement frequency. An analyzer determines impedance of the energized line at the measurement frequency. The measurement is repeated over a wide range of frequencies above and below the line frequency. Preferably, the current sensor and voltage sensor use the same current sensor to cancel errors. Improved nondisruptive line impedance measuring is thereby provided.

Method and apparatus for nondisruptively measuring line impedance at

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling the speed of an electronically commutated motor. Such motors typically include a rotor, a stator coil, and an electronic commutator for controlling electrical power flow from an electrical power source of predetermined frequency to the stator coil. The invention includes the steps of generating a switch control signal responsive to a position of the rotor; generating a phase gating signal from the electrical power source of predetermined frequency, the phase gating signal having twice the predetermined frequency and having transitions in timed relation to the zero crossings of the electrical power source; varying the timed relation of the phase gating signal in accordance with an operational parameter desired for the electronically commutated motor; generating a phase controlled switch signal which is responsive to the phase gating signal and the switch control signals; and applying the phase controlled switch signal to the electronic commutator to control the electronic commutator, thereby controlling the speed of the electronically commutated motor.

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Raleigh, NC, United States of America

Arthur W Kelley