Showing papers on "Power module published in 1998"

Universal power supply

Abstract: A power supply detects power requirements of an electrical device and configures itself to provide the correct power to the device. By using a connector that isolates the device from its battery, the power supply can provide power to the device, recharge the battery, recharge the battery while at the same time providing power to the device, or provide power to the device while preventing the battery from being recharged. A switch used with the connector creates various circuits and is controllable by the power supply, the electrical device, by signals from the electrical device, or by a third device. The power supply may provide power to a plurality of devices and may be used with other power supplies to form a power grid. A master control unit receives inputs from each of the power supplies and controls the delivery and supply of power being the power supplies.

Method and apparatus for supplying contactless power

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supplying contactless power. Electrical power is transferred from a power source (100) to a load (500) through a primary energy converter that can be connected to the power source, through a primary inductive loop connected to the magnetically coupled to the primary (200) inductive loop, and then to a secondary energy converter. The power factor for the transfer of electrical energy is one. Multiple loads can receive power from the power source end, where the loads are located in zones, collisions between the loads can be prevented.

Uninterruptible power supply with direction of DC electrical energy depending on predetermined ratio

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply is disclosed in which the backup energy source is connected to the power supply of the protected computer by means of a bi-directional power converter. This converter operates without sensing circuitry, relays, or switches, operating continuously when a load is present in either charging or discharging the backup energy source. This uninterruptible power supply can be placed within the available space of a functioning standard computer power supply enclosure, and may be configured so that it may be replaced during normal computer operation (i.e. it is "hot swappable"). Methods are described to interface the uninterruptible power supply to the computer, providing mutual control and communication. The device may be also used to power devices requiring external DC power, which are commonly found in association with computer operations.

Capacitors : Pulsed powder science and technology

Abstract: Over the last decade, significant increases in capacitor performance, especially in reliability and energy/power densities, have been achieved for energy discharge applications in plasma science and fusion research applications through a combination of advanced manufacturing techniques, new materials, and diagnostic methodologies to provide requisite life-cycle performance for high energy pulse applications. Recent innovations in analysis of aging are introduced for predicting component performance and fault tolerance, especially relevant for very high energy storage applications necessary for next generation simulators, electrically energized fusion research machines, and advanced high power electronics for commercial, industrial, and military applications. Included in this study will be developments in capacitor technologies for electronics filtering and resonant energy transfer applications, as well as multisecond energy reservoir applications for uninterruptible power sources and the like. Next generation power electronics, driven by advances in solid state switching technologies, will require reduced capacitor dissipation factor by 1/3 to 1/10 at the same cost, particularly for ac applications. In addition, higher power electronics will require robust high frequency mica capacitor technology for >300°C operation, up to 5 kV. The increasing expansion of the motor drive and industrial switched mode power supply (SMPS) market will be driven in cost by the availability of electrolytic capacitors of 750-850 Vdc ratings, at 450 Vdc cost and size. New formation processes and electrolytes are anticipated to be needed to achieve these extended performance levels. At higher frequencies, advanced power electronics drives the need for lower equivalent series resistance (ESR) « 0.1% to 100 MHz, multimicrofarad value solid tantalum capacitors, having fail-safe surface mount configurations. Emerging power electronics applications in the millisecond and longer time are projected to have a broad application need for electrochemical chemical double layer capacitors, especially for compact sizes as this technology has the potential of achieving energy densities of many 20 kJ/kg for discharge times of tens of seconds. The prismatic power conditioning system, designed to be compliant with the available volume and surfaces into which it is to be placed, is described in some detail. It permits flexibility for the design engineer to optimize the design without having to allocate a specific space for the power conditioning system or subcomponents. Such prismatic geometry power and power conditioning systems are becoming commercially feasible in the low power consumer and industrial regime because of dramatic advances in multichip module switching, energy storage, and planarized interconnections. This work builds on assessing the applicability of these technologies to the megawatt-class average power, power electronics regime. Higher power density prismatic power electronics enables a broad range of applications in the commercial arena in areas such as motor drives, inverters, power quality systems, and mobile power systems.

Introduction to modern power electronics

Abstract: Preface. 1 Principles and Methods of Electric PowerConversion. 1.1 What Is Power Electronics? 1.2 Generic Power Converter. 1.3 Waveform Components and Figures of Merit. 1.4 Phase Control. 1.5 Pulse Width Modulation. 1.6 Calculation of Current Waveforms. 1.6.1 Analytical Solution. 1.6.2 Numerical Solution. 1.6.3 Practical Examples: Single-Phase Diode Rectifiers. 1.7 Summary. Example. Problems. Computer Assignments. Literature. 2 Semiconductor Power Switches. 2.1 General Properties of Semiconductor Power Switches. 2.2 Power Diodes. 2.3 Semicontrolled Switches. 2.3.1 SCRs. 2.3.2 Triacs. 2.4 Fully Controlled Switches. 2.4.1 GTOs. 2.4.2 IGCTs. 2.4.3 Power BJTs. 2.4.4 Power MOSFETs. 2.4.5 IGBTs. 2.5 Comparison of Semiconductor Power Switches. 2.6 Power Modules. 2.7 Summary. Literature. 3 Supplementary Components and Systems. 3.1 What Are Supplementary Components and Systems? 3.2 Drivers. 3.2.1 Drivers for SCRs, Triacs, and BCTs. 3.2.2 Drivers for GTOs and IGCTs. 3.2.3 Drivers for BJTs. 3.2.4 Drivers for Power MOSFETs and IGBTs. 3.3 Overcurrent Protection Schemes. 3.4 Snubbers. 3.4.1 Snubbers for Power Diodes, SCRs, and Triacs. 3.4.2 Snubbers for GTOs and IGCTs. 3.4.3 Snubbers for Transistors. 3.4.4 Energy Recovery from Snubbers. 3.5 Filters. 3.6 Cooling. 3.7 Control. 3.8 Summary. Literature. 4 AC-to-DC Converters. 4.1 Diode Rectifiers. 4.1.1 Three-Pulse Diode Rectifier. 4.1.2 Six-Pulse Diode Rectifier. 4.2 Phase-Controlled Rectifiers. 4.2.1 Phase-Controlled Six-Pulse Rectifier. 4.2.2 Dual Converters. 4.3 PWM Rectifiers. 4.3.1 Impact of Input Filter. 4.3.2 Principles of Pulse Width Modulation. 4.3.3 Current-Type PWM Rectifier. 4.3.4 Voltage-Type PWM Rectifier. 4.4 Device Selection for Rectifiers. 4.5 Common Applications of Rectifiers. 4.6 Summary. Examples. Problems. Computer Assignments. Literature. 5 AC-to-AC Converters. 5.1 AC Voltage Controllers. 5.1.1 Phase-Controlled Single-Phase AC Voltage Controller. 5.1.2 Phase-Controlled Three-Phase AC Voltage Controllers. 5.1.3 PWM AC Voltage Controllers. 5.2 Cycloconverters. 5.3 Matrix Converters. 5.4 Device Selection for AC-to-AC Converters. 5.5 Common Applications of AC-to-AC Converters. 5.6 Summary. Examples. Problems. Computer Assignments. Literature. 6 DC-to-DC Converters. 6.1 Static DC Switches. 6.2 Step-Down Choppers. 6.2.1 First-Quadrant Chopper. 6.2.2 Second-Quadrant Chopper. 6.2.3 First-and-Second-Quadrant Chopper. 6.2.4 First-and-Fourth-Quadrant Chopper. 6.2.5 Four-Quadrant Chopper. 6.3 Step-Up Chopper. 6.4 Current Control in Choppers. 6.5 Device Selection for Choppers. 6.6 Common Applications of Choppers. 6.7 Summary. Example. Problems. Computer Assignments. Literature. 7 DC-to-AC Converters. 7.1 Voltage-Source Inverters. 7.1.1 Single-Phase Voltage-Source Inverter. 7.1.2 Three-Phase Voltage-Source Inverter. 7.1.3 Voltage Control Techniques for Voltage-SourceInverters. 7.1.4 Current Control Techniques for Voltage-SourceInverters. 7.2 Current-Source Inverters. 7.2.1 Three-Phase Square-Wave Current-Source Inverter. 7.2.2 Three-Phase PWM Current-Source Inverter. 7.3 Multilevel Inverters. 7.4 Soft-Switching Inverters. 7.5 Device Selection for Inverters. 7.6 Common Applications of Inverters. 7.7 Summary. Examples. Problems. Computer Assignments. Literature. 8 Switching Power Supplies. 8.1 Basic Types of Switching Power Supplies. 8.2 Nonisolated Switched-Mode DC-to-DC Converters. 8.2.1 Buck Converter. 8.2.2 Boost Converter. 8.2.3 Buck Boost Converter. 8.2.4 uk Converter. 8.2.5 SEPIC and Zeta Converters. 8.2.6 Comparison of Nonisolated Switched-Mode DC-to-DCConverters. 8.3 Isolated Switched-Mode DC-to-DC Converters. 8.3.1 Single-Switch Isolated DC-to-DC Converters. 8.3.2 Multiple-Switch Isolated DC-to-DC Converters. 8.3.3 Comparison of Isolated Switched-Mode DC-to-DCConverters. 8.4 Resonant DC-to-DC Converters. 8.4.1 Quasi-Resonant Converters. 8.4.2 Load-Resonant Converters. 8.4.3 Comparison of Resonant DC-to-DC Converters. 8.5 Summary. Examples. Problems. Computer Assignments. Literature. 9 Power Electronics and Clean Energy. 9.1 Why Is Power Electronics Indispensable in Clean EnergySystems? 9.2 Solar and Wind Renewable Energy Systems. 9.2.1 Solar Energy Systems. 9.2.2 Wind Energy Systems. 9.3 Fuel Cell Energy Systems. 9.4 Electric and Hybrid Cars. 9.5 Power Electronics and Energy Conservation. 9.6 Summary. Literature. Appendix A PSpice Simulations. Appendix B Fourier Series. Appendix C Three-Phase Systems. Index.

Method and apparatus for providing uninterruptible power using a power controller and a redundant power controller

Abstract: A power supply system has a power input to receive input power from a power source, a power output to provide output power to a load, at least one battery module having a battery output that provides battery power, at least one power module coupled to the power input to receive the input power, coupled to the battery output to receive the battery power and coupled to the power output to provide the output power, a controller, coupled to the at least one power module, constructed and arranged to monitor and control the output power from the at least one power module, and a redundant controller, coupled to the at least one power module and to the controller, constructed and arranged to provide redundant monitoring and controlling of the output power from the at least one power module.

Silicon carbide power devices

Abstract: The more and more demanding requirements of the power device users bring the silicon technology very close to its own physical limits. Silicon carbide (SiC) appears today as the only semiconductor having the capability for significantly improving the ratings of major power components (such as high voltage Schottky rectifiers), indeed for creating novel devices for new applications. The choice of SiC comes from superior physical properties, an existing substrate commercialization, and an experimental confirmation of several potentialities (at high voltage, temperature, or frequency) via demonstrative prototypes. However, such a young technology still suffers from a too poor quality of the available basic materials, and from the fabrication step immaturity, delaying the SiC power electronics emergence.

Power control system and method for distribution of power to peripheral devices

Abstract: In a system to which a plurality of devices are connected, each device has heretofore required a connector for an AC adapter and a connector for a signal line. Further, in order to arrange it so that the amount of power supplied to the overall system will not exceed a limit value, it has been required to adjust the amount of power during system use by turning the power source of each device on or off. According to the present invention, a signal line for data transfer and a power line for supply of power in a system connecting a plurality of devices are consolidated in a single cable to make it possible to connect both lines to one connector of each device. The power controller of a certain device acquires the properties of a plurality of devices connected to this device, decides the optimum power distribution and controls the power controllers of each of the other devices.

High efficiency lighting system

Abstract: A high efficiency lighting system maintains normal lighting conditions by lighting fixtures requiring DC electrical power. A power control device receives AC electrical power from a public utility converts AC power to DC power and delivers low voltage DC electrical power to lighting fixtures. A standby battery is provided to maintain power during power outages. Optionally, a photovoltaic DC electrical power source may be connected to the power control device, to provide alternate DC electrical power. In a further embodiment, a gas driven cogenerator unit may supply DC electrical power.

Physics-based models of power semiconductor devices for the circuit simulator SPICE

Abstract: Models of power semiconductor devices are implemented in the circuit simulator PSpice. The combination of subcircuits and mathematical functions enables very compact solutions. High accuracy and validity in a wide operation range are obtained due to the derivation from device physics. Models of the power diode and the IGBT are presented as examples.

Modular static power converter connected in a multi-level, multi-phase, multi-circuit configuration

Abstract: In the particular embodiments described, an unlimited voltage static power converter includes an array of multi-level phase drivers consisting of a plurality of H-bridge power modules connected in series. The midpoint node of the series-connected power semiconductors is connected to corresponding midpoint nodes in adjacent H-bridges to achieve a desired high output voltage using available power switch ratings. A three-dimensional multi-level, multi-phase, multi-circuit array of H-bridges permits the use of the static power converter for high power applications, while providing a high degree of power quality. The power semiconductor switches are operated in accordance with a two-dimensional interleaved pulse width modulation algorithm which produces a waveform with a switching frequency that can be more than an order of magnitude higher than the switching frequency of a single power switch. PWM complementary triangle carrier waves are used for individual PWM control of each H-bridge in each multi-level phase driver, resulting in a two-dimensional interleaved control algorithm. Injection of harmonic or non-harmonic content into the PWM reference waveform further reduces harmonic and non-harmonic content of the output voltage waveforms. Part-load efficiency is increased using unique load partitioning methods, five of which are described herein.

Power Electronics Building Blocks and potential power modulator applications

Abstract: Power Electronic Building Blocks (PEBBs) are power processors. A PEBB is not a specific semiconductor material, not a device, nor a circuit topology. It is the search for the common electrical, mechanical and thermal denominators of all these, allowing integration of all these technologies. It is not; "one size fits all". There will be several blocks that will fit together to perform the majority of everyday power electronic jobs. Like a set of children's interlocking blocks, PEBBs will be a rational and simple set of blocks and procedures that most any designer or architect can use to build electrical systems. The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is developing Power Electronic Building Blocks to achieve: increased power density, "user friendly" design ("plug and play" power modules), and multi-functionality. Digital controls, integrated with higher frequency and more robust power circuits, enable modular power systems with lower size, weight, and cost-while increasing performance. Although the day when solid-state will replace tubes in high-power modulator applications is still in the future, many near-term opportunities exist for PEBBs and associated technologies. This paper presents requirements, opportunities and issues for standardized power modules. First, an overview of the PEBB program is given. Then, opportunities are examined for technologies developed by the PEBB program.

Electric power quality: a tutorial introduction

Abstract: Electric power quality is an aspect of power engineering that has been with us since the inception of power systems; however, topics in power quality have risen to the forefront since the advent of high power semiconductor switches and networking of transmission and subtransmission systems. Also, the trends in modern power engineering have been to extract the most from the existing installed power system, and this too has placed stress on issues of sinusoidal waveform fidelity, absence of high and low voltage conditions and other AC waveform distortion. A tutorial introduction to the concepts of electric power quality is presented in this paper.

The role of custom power products in enhancing power quality at industrial facilities

Abstract: New technologies, using power electronics-based concepts, have been developed to provide protection for commercial and industrial customers from power quality problems on the electrical distribution system. Known as custom power products, the technologies described in this paper provide protection against sags, swells, voltage flicker, harmonics, and other power quality concerns. The custom power products can increase the availability of sensitive load and reduce costs associated with process interruptions. This paper covers two custom power products that were developed by Westinghouse Electric Corporation under contract to the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). The dynamic voltage restorer (DVR), which is a series-connected power electronics based device, quickly compensates for power system sags and swells. The distribution static compensator (DSTATCOM), which is a shunt-connected power electronics-based device, protects the electrical system from a polluting (flicker-producing) load. The DSTATCOM can be used in place of a traditional static VAr compensator and offers many advantages.

Power electronics design handbook : low-power components and applications

Abstract: Introduction * Power Semiconductors * DC to DC Converters * Off-the-Line Switchmode Power Supplies * Rechargeable Batteries and Their Management * Protection Systems for Low-Voltage, Low-Power Systems * Uninterruptable Power Supplies * Energy-Saving Lamps and Electronic Ballasts * Power Factor Correction and Harmonic Control * Power Integrated Circuits, Power Hybrids, and Intelligent Power Modules * Index

Further improvements in the reliability of IGBT modules

Abstract: This paper gives a survey of the measures and the resulting improvements of IGBT module reliability reached by eupec during the introduction of IGBT high power modules. The points of improvement are in the areas of: bonding; base plate; partial discharge; and chip characteristics.

4H-SiC power devices for use in power electronic motor control

Abstract: Silicon carbide (SiC) is an emerging semiconductor material which has been widely predicted to be superior to both Si and GaAs in the area of power electronic switching devices. This paper presents an overview of SiC power devices and concludes that the MOS turn-off thyristor (MTO™), comprising of a hybrid connection of SiC gate turn-off thyristor (GTO) and MOSFET, is one of the most promising near term SiC switching device given its high power potential, ease of turn-off, 500°C operation and resulting reduction in cooling requirements. The use of a SiC and an anti-parallel diode are primary active components which can then be used to construct an inverter module for high-temperature, high-power direct current (d.c.) motor control.

Power conversion apparatus utilizing zero-phase power supply device that provides zero-phase sequence components

Abstract: A power conversion apparatus is provided which includes a power converter including a plurality of semiconductor switching elements which operate to perform power conversion, thereby to generate polyphase alternating current, an ac load circuit connected to an ac output side of the power converter, and a zero-phase power supply device connected to the ac load circuit. In this apparatus, the power converter, ac load circuit, and the zero-phase power supply device are connected in the form of a loop, so that voltage and current of the zero-phase power supply device provide zero-phase-sequence components when viewed from the ac output side of the power converter through the ac load circuit. The power converter performs time-sharing operations to supply and receive electric power to and from the ac load circuit, and supply and receive zero-phase-sequence power to and from the zero-phase power supply device.

Interface exploration for reduced power in core-based systems

Abstract: Reducing power dissipation is becoming more important in the design of embedded systems. Core-based system design opens up the opportunity for exploring different bus interfaces in order to optimize for reduced power. We give a first approach for exploring a range of possible bus configurations, such as width and coding schemes, for a given set of communication channels. Our approach uses power estimation formulas, for fast performance. We use this approach to explore different bus interfaces for a real GPS navigation system in order to select the optimal bus interface for minimum power consumption.

Semiconductor integrated circuit having virtual power supply line and power control transistor

Abstract: The invention intends to provide a semiconductor integrated circuit including MOS transistors, which is able to operate at a high-speed with a low power supply voltage in the active mode, and to reduce the power consumption resulting from the leakage current in the standby mode. In view of the foregoing object, the semiconductor integrated circuit of the invention is comprised of a first power supply line to which a first power supply potential is supplied, a virtual power supply line, a logic circuit connected to the virtual power supply line, a power control transistor provided between the first power supply line and the virtual power supply line, having a control electrode to which a first control signal is inputted, a second power supply line to which a second power supply potential is supplied, and a substrate potential control circuit connected to a substrate on which the power control transistor is formed, the first power supply line, and the second power supply line.

Electric power supply system for load

Abstract: A fast changeover from one power system to another in the event of an irregularity in the power source system substantially reduces operating costs by minimizing a power loss in switches during conduction, dispenses with a cooling device for cooling a thyristor switch, and implements the thyristor switch in a compact and low-cost design. The power supply system for a load includes one switching apparatus for connecting a load to one power source system, and another switching apparatus for connecting the load to another power source system. Each of the switching apparatus includes a pair of thyristors connected in anti-parallel and a mechanical switch connected in parallel with the thyristor pair. The thyristor pairs and the mechanical switches are controlled so that the mechanical switches conduct a load current when the load is supplied with power from the one power source system in a steady power supply state. The thyristor switches conduct the load current during a power source changeover time within which the load is disconnected from one power source system and connected to the other power source system, and do not conduct the load current during the steady power supply state.

Improved power supply system for a packet-switched radio transmitter

Abstract: An improved power supply system involves load-leveling the large transient currents drawn by a high power, low duty-cycle load application circuit by means of a high performance capacitive charge storage device, such as a super-capacitor or a network of super-capacitors. The improved power supply system allows the high power load application circuit to be driven by a limited energy power source, such as a battery or the power supplied to a PCMCIA slot by a host computer. When the input voltage source is a battery, the improved power supply system allows for a substantial increase in the battery's operational life. The inventive system is particularly useful for managing power supply requirements for miniaturized wireless transmission systems, such as two-way pagers or radio modems, which employ low duty-cycle packet-switched RF transmitters.

System and method for synchronizing and interleaving power modules

Abstract: For use in a distributed power system having first and second power processing modules, a power processing module for, and method of synchronizing an operation of the second power processing module with the first power processing module and a power converter employing the power processing module or the method. In one embodiment, the power processing module includes: (1) a synchronization input terminal adapted to receive a first control signal, (2) a free-running oscillator that generates a gate drive signal for controlling a switch of the power processing module, the gate drive signal having a frequency that is a free-running frequency of the power processing module, (3) a synchronization circuit, coupled to the synchronization input terminal and the free-running oscillator, that synchronizes the gate drive signal with the first control signal and (4) a frequency setting circuit, coupled to the synchronization input terminal and the free-running oscillator, that modifies an operation of the free-running oscillator.

Electronic equipment and control method for electronic equipment

Abstract: Portable electronic equipment includes a carried-by-user detector for detecting whether the electronic equipment is in a state carried by a user or not. When the electronic equipment is in a state not carried by the user, i.e., when the user is not employing the electronic equipment, an operating mode is shifted from a normal operating mode to a power saving mode to reduce power consumption of the electronic equipment. Useless consumption of power during non-use of the electronic equipment can be thus reduced. Further, in electronic equipment (timepiece) incorporating a power generator for generating power by converting first energy (motion, pressure or heat) into electric energy as second energy, whether the power generator is generating power, i.e., whether the electronic equipment is carried by the user, is detected by a power generation detecting circuit, and when a non-power-generation time exceeds a predetermined time, the operating mode is shifted to the power saving mode, thereby reducing power consumption. Accordingly, the electronic equipment (timepiece) can be provided with which when the electronic equipment is in the state not carried by the user or when the electronic equipment is in the state not carried by the user and in a state of not generating power, the operating mode of the electronic equipment is shifted to the power saving mode and energy can be saved without inconveniencing the user.

Method and a system for electrically powering electronic equipment

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical power supply system for powering electronic equipment. The system uses an AC main power supply under normal conditions and uses a DC secondary power supply to supply power if the main power supply fails. The system has a means for detecting the failure of the main supply and for switching over to the secondary supply in a back-up mode. Each piece of electrical equipment has a distinct power converter that delivers internal power required by each piece of equipment. The power converter of each is powered directly by the main power supply under normal conditions and directly by the secondary power supply in the back-up mode. The system of the instant invention is less costly and produces less loss due to conversions than the prior art systems.

Typically high-availability information storage product

Abstract: A power supply module supplies power to a power bus. The module includes a module casing. Within the module casing is a power supply and a means for cooling the power supply. The power bus supplies power to the means for cooling the module as well as to other devices connected to the power bus. Multiple power supply modules are included in a disk drive array system. Each module provides power to the power bus and to each means for cooling. Upon failure of one of the power supplies, the other of the power supplies will provide power to each device connected to the power bus, including the means for cooling the failed power supply.

A comparison among three-level ZVS-PWM isolated DC-to-DC converters

Abstract: Considering that the designer of high-frequency high-input voltage power supplies does not always find semiconductors capable of sustaining the desired voltage, several topologies have been proposed based on multilevel converters in which only a fraction of the voltage is applied to each switch. This paper compares five different three-level ZVS PWM isolated DC-to-DC converter topologies. Basics concepts of each topology are shown along with their advantages and drawbacks. A comparison involving the size of reactive elements employed, stress of the semiconductors devices, number of semiconductors devices employed, simplicity and efficiency is made and summarised. Experimental results are included, in order to verify the theoretical analysis.