US 5,900,722 A · Multimode power converter

Abstract

A particularly advantageous power converter, suitable for use in an engine powered generator system. A signal simulating a desired AC waveform is produced by a converter circuit at first and second converter output terminals. The converter circuit, responsive to respective switching signals applied thereto, selectively effects current paths between a juncture node and one of the first and second converter output terminals and between a common rail and the other of the first and second converter output terminals. A controller selectively generates control signals to the converter circuit and to a mechanism for varying the magnitude of the juncture node voltage, to create a predetermined waveform at the converter output terminals simulating the desired AC waveform. A number of alternative embodiments for producing a simulated sine wave are described, as well as accommodations for inductive loads, and mechanisms for minimizing power dissipation during the switching interval.

Claims96

Dependent claims

Apparatus for producing a signal simulating a desired AC waveform having a sloped rising edge, comprising:

first and second converter output terminals;
a juncture node, at a voltage of predetermined polarity and variable magnitude relative to a common rail;
a converter circuit, responsive to control signals applied thereto, for selectively effecting current paths between the juncture node and one of the first and second converter output terminals and between the common rail and the other of the first and second converter output terminals;
means, responsive to control signals applied thereto, for controllably varying the magnitude of the juncture node voltage;
and
a controller for selectively generating the control signals to the converter circuit and means for varying the magnitude of the juncture node voltage, to create a predetermined waveform having a sloped rising edge at the converter output terminals, simulating the desired AC waveform.

3 more elements

Apparatus comprising:

first and second rails, adapted to have a rectified rail voltage applied therebetween;
first and second converter output terminals;
a first power switch circuit, electrically connected to the first rail, and to the first converter output terminal, disposed to, responsive to control signals applied thereto, selectively effect a current path between the first rail and the first converter output terminal;
and
a second power switch circuit, electrically connected to the first rail, and to the second converter output terminal, disposed to, responsive to control signals applied thereto, selectively effect a current path between the first rail, and the second converter output terminal;
a third power switch circuit, electrically connected to the second rail, and to the first converter output terminal, disposed to, responsive to control signals applied thereto, selectively effect a current path between the second rail and the first converter output terminal;
and
a fourth power switch circuit, electrically connected to the second rail, and to the second converter output terminal, disposed to, responsive to control signals applied thereto, selectively effect a current path between the second rail and the second converter output terminal;
and
a controller for selectively generating the control signals to the power switch circuits to create a predetermined waveform having a sloped rising edge at the converter output terminals simulating a desired AC waveform;
wherein
each power switch circuit comprises a power switching device and a firing circuit for turning the power switching device on and off in accordance with the control signals;
and
the firing circuits for the first and second power switch circuits comprise means for quickly driving the associated power switching device into a saturated state when the associated control signal changes state to minimize power dissipation during the switching interval.

11 more elements

Apparatus comprising:

first and second converter output terminals;
a juncture node, receptive of a rectified signal relative to a common rail;
a first power switch circuit, electrically connected to the juncture node, and to the first converter output terminal, disposed to, responsive to control signals applied thereto, selectively effect a current path between the juncture node and the first converter output terminal;
and
a second power switch circuit, electrically connected to the juncture node, and to the second converter output terminal, disposed to, responsive to control signals applied thereto, selectively effect a current path between the juncture node, and the second converter output terminal;
a third power switch circuit, electrically connected to the common rail, and to the first converter output terminal, disposed to, responsive to control signals applied thereto, selectively effect a current path between the common rail and the first converter output terminal;
a fourth power switch circuit, electrically connected to the common rail, and to the second converter output terminal, disposed to, responsive to control signals applied thereto, selectively effect a current path between the common rail and the second converter output terminal;
a capacitance;
a fifth power switch circuit, electrically connected to the capacitance, disposed to, responsive to control signals applied thereto, selectively effect a current path between the juncture node and the common rail through the capacitance;
and
a controller for selectively generating the control signals to the power switch circuits to create a predetermined waveform having a sloped rising edge at the converter output terminals simulating a desired AC waveform.

8 more elements

Apparatus comprising:

high, intermediate, and common DC rails, an intermediate DC rail signal being applied between the intermediate and common rails, and a high DC rail signal being applied between the high and common rails;
first and second converter output terminals;
a juncture node, receptive of the intermediate DC rail signal;
a first power switch circuit, electrically connected to the juncture node, and to the first converter output terminal, disposed to, responsive to control signals applied thereto, selectively effect a current path between the juncture node and the first converter output terminal;
and
a second power switch circuit, electrically connected to the juncture node, and to the second converter output terminal, disposed to, responsive to control signals applied thereto, selectively effect a current path between the juncture node, and the second converter output terminal;
a third power switch circuit, electrically connected to the juncture node, and to the high DC rail, disposed to, responsive to control signals applied thereto, selectively effect a current path between the high DC rail and the juncture node;
a fourth power switch circuit, electrically connected to the common DC rail, and to the first converter output terminal, disposed to, responsive to control signals applied thereto, selectively effect a current path between the common DC rail and the first converter output terminal;
a fifth power switch circuit, electrically connected to the common DC rail, and to the second converter output terminal, disposed to, responsive to control signals applied thereto, selectively effect a current path between the common DC rail and the second converter output terminal;
and
a controller for selectively generating the control signals to the power switch circuits to create a predetermined waveform having a sloped rising edge at the converter output terminals simulating a desired AC signal.

8 more elements

Apparatus for producing a signal simulating a desired AC waveform having a sloped rising edge, comprising:

first and second converter output terminals;
a juncture node, at a voltage of variable magnitude relative to a common rail;
a converter circuit, responsive to respective control signals applied thereto, for selectively effecting current paths between the juncture node and one of the first and second converter output terminals and between the common rail and the other of the first and second converter output terminals;
means, responsive to control signals applied thereto, for controllably varying the magnitude of the juncture node voltage;
and
means, for selectively generating the control signals to the converter circuit and to the means for varying the magnitude of the juncture node voltage, to create a predetermined waveform at the converter output terminals simulating the desired AC waveform.

3 more elements

Apparatus for a producing a signal simulating a desired AC waveform, comprising:

first and second converter output terminals;
a juncture node, at a voltage of variable magnitude relative to a common rail;
a converter circuit, responsive to respective control signals applied thereto, for selectively effecting current paths between the juncture node and one of the first and second converter output terminals and between the common rail and the other of the first and second converter output terminals;
means, responsive to control signals applied thereto, for controllably varying the magnitude of the juncture node voltage;
a controller for selectively generating, in sequence:
a first control signal to the converter to cause the converter to effect a current path between the juncture node and the first converter output terminal and between the common rail and the second converter output terminal, the magnitude of the juncture node voltage initially being at a first level;
a second control signal to the means for varying the magnitude of the juncture node voltage, to initiate a change in the magnitude of the juncture node voltage to a second level;
greater than the first level;
a third control signal to the means for varying the magnitude of the juncture node voltage, to initiate a change in the magnitude of the juncture node voltage back to the first level;
a fourth control signal to the converter to cause the converter to effectively break at least one of the current paths between the juncture node and the first converter output terminal and between the common rail and the second converter output terminal;
a fifth control signal to the converter to cause the converter to effect a current path between the juncture node and the second converter output terminal and between the common rail and the first converter output terminal;
and
the control signals to the converter circuit and means for varying the magnitude of the juncture node voltage, effecting a predetermined waveform at the converter output terminals simulating the desired AC waveform.

10 more elements

Apparatus for producing a signal simulating a desired periodic AC waveform comprising:

first and second converter output terminals;
a juncture node, at a voltage of variable magnitude relative to a common rail;
a converter circuit, responsive to respective control signals applied thereto, for selectively effecting current paths between the juncture node and one of the first and second converter output terminals and between the common rail and the other of the first and second converter output terminals;
a capacitance;
a switching circuit, electrically connected to the capacitance, disposed to, responsive to control signals applied thereto, selectively effect a current path between the juncture node and the common rail through the capacitance;
and
a controller for selectively generating control signals at periodic times in the desired AC waveform to the converter circuit and to the switching circuit, to create a predetermined waveform at the converter output terminals simulating the desired AC waveform.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Multimode power converter

Life of this patent

Multimode power converter

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims96