Unisys Corporation

Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Sperry Corporation

Thermo King Corporation

Schott Power Systems Inc.

Nicollet Technologies Corporation

Product Development Associates, Inc.

Christopher P. Henze

Christopher Paul Henze

George R Woody

Matthew S Nelson

Ashok Muralidhar

Gregory R Truckenbrod

Robert N Neddermeyer, Iii

Keming Chen

Stephen W Raiser

David S Lo

Ray G Radys

Karl David Conroy

Hubert C Martin, Jr

James P Souther

Eugene M Steele

Joseph H Mulkern

Raymond G Radys

David F Grimm

Kenneth E Nicholls

James A Smith

John G Hayes

Rohit K Tirumala

Ned Mohan

Anthony James Pascuzzi

Seok Jang

An apparatus for high-speed switching between a plurality of power sources includes a switch-mode isolation transformer. The switch-mode isolation transformer includes a plurality of isolated primary windings. Each of the plurality of isolated primary windings can be electrically isolated from others of the isolated primary windings and selectively couplable to a power source of the plurality of power sources. The switch-mode isolation transformer further includes a secondary winding coupled to a load. The apparatus further includes a controller to selectively couple one of the plurality of power sources through a corresponding isolated primary winding, responsive to detecting an adverse condition in another power source of the plurality of power sources. Other methods and systems are also described.

Unit level isolated bus transfer device

A phase balancer includes a plurality of power conversion circuits, a direct current transformer, and a plurality of phase-nodes. Each of the power conversion circuits may include a throughput, a capacitor bank, and a direct current bus. The direct current transformer may be coupled to each of the direct current buses to move energy between the power conversion circuits. Each throughput may be operatively coupled to the capacitor bank of one power conversion circuit and the throughput of another power conversion circuit to move current between the plurality of power conversion circuits.

Phase balancer including power conversion circuits

A mobile environment-controlled unit, such as an over-the-road compartment trailer, having an environmental-control system, such as a refrigeration unit, powered by an alternator and having a high-voltage alternating current (AC) bus. The unit incorporates a high resistance ground scheme and can incorporate a solid-state input module to detect phase-chassis faults. This combination provides an improvement in protection for mobile applications that cannot have a voltage reference (or neutral point) solidly connected to earth ground.

Vehicle or environment-controlled unit having a multiphase alternator with a protected high-voltage bus

A method and an apparatus are provided for balancing current for each of a plurality of similar phases of a DC/DC boost converter. The method includes the step of measuring a voltage drop of each of the plurality of similar phases at predetermined times by measuring the voltage drop across each phase switching device when current is flowing through the switch. The method also includes the steps of calculating current information for each of the plurality of similar phases in response to the voltage drop measured for each of the plurality of similar phases and balancing current for each of the plurality of similar phases in response to the current information of each of the plurality of similar phases.

Multi-phase DC/DC boost converter

Systems and/or apparatus are provided for automotive electrical systems having power converters that are coupled by using a transformer. An electrical system comprises a boost converter, wherein a first winding of a transformer is coupled between the input node of the boost converter and a first reference node. The boost converter further includes a switch coupled between the first reference node and a second reference node and a diode coupled between the first reference node and the output node of the boost converter. An energy source is coupled between the input node and the second reference node and a first electrical load is coupled between the output node and the second reference node. The electrical system further comprises a voltage converter having an input coupled to a second winding of the transformer, and a second electrical load coupled to the output of the voltage converter.

Automotive electrical system for coupling power converters with a transformer

Systems and methods are provided for discharging a high-voltage bus using semiconductor devices. A discharge system for a first voltage rail and a second voltage rail comprises a first semiconductor device coupled to a first voltage rail and a second semiconductor device coupled between the first semiconductor device and a second voltage rail. A control circuit is coupled to the first semiconductor device and the second semiconductor device. In response to a discharge condition, the control circuit is configured to activate the first semiconductor device and gradually activate the second semiconductor device, such that the energy potential between the first voltage rail and the second voltage rail is gradually dissipated through the semiconductor devices.

Systems and methods for discharging bus voltage using semiconductor devices

Methods and apparatus are provided for charging a high-voltage battery of a hybrid electric vehicle. The high-voltage battery charging apparatus comprises a battery charger configured to provide electrical energy, a battery module configured to store the electrical energy provided by the battery charger, and a high-voltage bus coupled to the battery charger and the battery module, which is configured to transmit the electrical energy from the battery charger and battery module to the electrical system of the hybrid electric vehicle. In addition, the high-voltage battery charging apparatus comprises a bus contactor interposed between the high-voltage bus and the battery charger, which is bus contactor configured to provide a first substantial electrical isolation between the battery charger and the high-voltage bus during a charging period of the battery module. Furthermore, the high-voltage battery charging apparatus comprises an isolation mechanism interposed between the battery charger and the high-voltage bus and also interposed between battery charger and the battery module, which is configured to provide a second substantial electrical isolation between the battery charger, the battery module, and the high voltage bus during a non-charging period of the battery module.

Isolated high voltage battery charger and integrated battery pack

A detection circuit detects a difference between a source current and a return current. The detection circuit includes a constantly biased magnetic core through which conductors of the source and return currents extend, and a sense winding around the core. The sense winding carries an AC signal. A sensing circuit connected with the sense winding senses a change in small signal impedance of the sense winding relative to the core. This detection circuit can be used to protect people and equipment against accidental contact with high-voltage DC systems.

Differential current detection

An embodiment of the present invention pertains to a multiple discharge load electronic ballast system, including a distribution bus and a plurality of electronic ballasts. The distribution bus has a nominal distribution power rating. The plurality of electronic ballasts are operatively coupled to the distribution bus. A respective electronic ballast comprises adaptations for DC voltage control and an alternating current (AC) output, and has a maximum ballast power rating. A sum of the maximum ballast power ratings of the plurality of electronic ballasts is greater than the nominal distribution power rating of the distribution bus.

Multiple discharge load electronic ballast system

A lamp power measurement circuit measures average power delivered to a gas discharge lamp. The circuit includes a voltage sensor having a first measurement output representative of AC voltage across the lamp and a current sensor having a second measurement output representative of AC current through the lamp. A first absolute value circuit is coupled in series with the first measurement output and has a first absolute value output. A second absolute value circuit is coupled in series with the second measurement output and has a second absolute value output. A pulse width modulator modulates one of the first and second absolute value outputs with the other of the first and second absolute value outputs and has a pulse width modulated output. A low-pass filter is coupled in series with the pulse width modulated output and has a DC voltage output representative of average power dissipated through the lamp.

Lamp power measurement circuit

An inductive charger includes a rectifier that can be connected to both single- and three-phase power sources. The rectifier includes first, second and third legs that include first and second diodes. Alternately, the third leg includes first and second silicon-controlled rectifiers. A capacitor is connected across an output of the rectifier. An inverter is connected to the rectifier and the capacitor and includes a plurality of switching circuits. A series resonant tank circuit is connected to an output of the inverter. A charge coupler and an inductive inlet include a transformer and a parallel resonant tank circuit for coupling energy to a load. A controller is connected to the rectifier and the inverter. The controller generates drive signals for controlling the switching circuits. The inductive charger is capable of providing approximately 0.99 power factor from single-phase and 0.91 power factor at twice the output power from three-phase power sources.

Multiple input single-stage inductive charger

A method and an apparatus for charging one or more electric vehicles includes a first power converter and a second power converter connectable to a source of electric power to receive electric power therefrom. A switch selectively connects the power converters together to provide combined power to a first power coupler in order to charge one electric vehicle, or connects the power converters to separate power couplers in order to charge a plurality of vehicles.

Method and apparatus for charging one or more electric vehicles

An apparatus and method for testing a battery charger includes a converter having input terminals connectable to a battery charger for receiving a current, output terminals and a switching device for electrically connecting at least one of the input terminals to the output terminals. A load is connected to the output terminals. A controller controls the switching device to periodically connect the input terminals to the output terminals, and in a preferred embodiment, maintain a desired voltage across the input terminals.

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Lakeville, MN, United States of America

Christopher Paul Henze