US008.

729842B2

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 8,729,842 B2

Babcock et al. (45) Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
(54) SUPPLY ARCHITECTURE FOR INDUCTIVE 4,055,789 A 10, 1977 LaSater
LOADS 4,160,920 A 7, 1979 Courier de Mere

(75) Inventors: Paul M. Babcock, Spokane Valley, WA (Continued)

(US); David J. Babcock, Spokane FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
Valley, WA (US); Phillip N. Smith,
Liberty Lake, WA (US) DE 342.5414 T 1984
(73) Assignee: Flyback Energy, Inc., Spokane Valley, EP O151,199 2, 1984
EP O319660 6, 1989
WA (US) EP O902527 3, 1999
(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this FR 2611098 2, 1987
patent is extended or adjusted under 35 (Continued)
U.S.C. 154(b) by 300 days. OTHER PUBLICATIONS
(21) Appl. No.: 13/012,788
He, "An Improved Energy Recovery Soft-Switching Turn-on/Turn
(22) Filed: Jan. 24, 2011 off Passive Boost Snubber with Peak Voltage Clamp.” APEC 2000,
(65) Prior Publication Data Fifteenth Annual IEEE, vol. 2, pp. 699-706.
US 2011 FO115462 A1 May 19, 2011 (Continued)
Related U.S. Application Data Primary Examiner — Karen Masih
(60) Continuation of application No. 12/554,546, filed on (74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Craige Thompson;
Sep. 4, 2009, now Pat. No. 7,898,229, which is a Thompson Patent Law Offices
division of application No. 1 1/582,115, filed on Oct.
16, 2006, now Pat. No. 7,602,157. (57) ABSTRACT
(60) Provisional application No. 60/754,460, filed on Dec. Apparatus and associated Systems and methods may relate to
28, 2005. a process for Supplying unidirectional current to a load, con
trolling a reverse electromotive force (REMF), capturing
(51) Int. Cl. inductive energy from the load, and supplying the captured
HO2H 7/08 (2006.01) inductive energy to the load. In an illustrative example, an
(52) U.S. Cl. operating cycle may include a sequence of operations. First,
USPC ............. 318/400.21: 318/400.01: 318/400.22 inductive energy captured from the load on a previous cycle
(58) Field of Classification Search may be Supplied to the load. Second, energy may be supplied
USPC .......... 3 18/400.01, 400.21, 400.22, 434, 821, to the load from an external power source. Third, a REMF
3.18/825; 323/222 Voltage may be substantially controlled upon disconnecting
See application file for complete search history. the power source from the load. Fourth, the load current may
be brought to Zero by capturing the inductive energy for use
(56) References Cited on a Subsequent cycle. In some embodiments, a single power
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS stage may supply a DC inductive load, or a pair of power
stages may be operated to Supply bidirectional current to an
448,326 A 3/1891 Eickemeyer AC load.
3,581,117 A 5/1971 Dixon, Jr.
3,614.474. A 10, 1971 Hahn 13 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
2
Energy processing exile
is

Power Stage

Categie
 US 8,729,842 B2
Page 2

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U.S. Patent May 20, 2014 Sheet 1 of 8 US 8,729,842 B2

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U.S. Patent May 20, 2014 Sheet 8 of 8 US 8,729,842 B2
 US 8,729,842 B2
1. 2
SUPPLY ARCHITECTURE FOR INDUCTIVE or destroy, for example, an unprotected Switch. In some sys
LOADS tems, stored inductive energy may be dissipated as heat.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED SUMMARY
APPLICATIONS
Apparatus and associated Systems and methods may relate
This application claims priority under 35 USCS 119 to U.S. to a process for Supplying unidirectional current to a load,
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/754,460, entitled, “Apparatus controlling a reverse electromotive force (REMF), capturing
and Method for Improving Electromagnetic Processes by inductive energy from the load, and Supplying the captured
Capturing, Controlling and Utilizing Reverse EMF Energy.” 10 inductive energy to the load. In an illustrative example, an
which was filed on Dec. 28, 2005 by Babcock et al. This operating cycle may include a sequence of operations. First,
application also claims priority as a divisional application inductive energy captured from the load on a previous cycle
filed under 35 USC S 121 to U.S. Pat. No. 7,602,157, entitled may be Supplied to the load. Second, energy may be supplied
“Supply Architecture for Inductive Loads,” which was filed to the load from an external power source. Third, a REMF
15 Voltage may be substantially controlled upon disconnecting
on Oct. 16, 2006 by Babcock, et al., and claims priority as a the power source from the load. Fourth, the load current may
continuation application filed under 35 USC S120 to U.S. be brought to Zero by capturing the inductive energy for use
patent application Ser. No. 12/554,546, of the same title and on a Subsequent cycle. In some embodiments, a single power
inventorship, which was filed on Sep. 4, 2009 by Babcock, et stage may supply a DC inductive load, or a pair of power
al. The contents of each of the foregoing priority documents stages may be operated to Supply bidirectional current to an
are fully incorporated herein by reference. AC load.
Certain embodiments may provide one or more advan
TECHNICAL FIELD tages. For example, some embodiments may operate to main
tain Substantially unidirectional current flow during each
Various embodiments relate to operating inductive and/or 25 operating state, which may substantially reduce and/or elimi
resistive loads. nate resonances and associated electromagnetic noise. For
example, various embodiments may generate Substantially
BACKGROUND reduced or negligible energy that may contribute to con
ducted and/or radiated electromagnetic interference (EMI).
Many electrically-operated Systems and devices have 30 Some embodiments may operate from a wide range of AC
inductance. Some inductive devices, such as DC (direct cur and/or DC voltages and frequencies, and Supply either unidi
rent) motors, automotive ignition systems, and some electro rectional and/or bidirectional current to inductive and/or
magnets, can operate when Supplied with a unidirectional resistive loads. Energy recovery and re-use may provide high
current. Some inductive devices, such as transformers, AC efficiency at low noise levels. In some AC input embodi
(alternating current) motors, and fluorescent lights, operate 35 ments, control of phase and duty cycle may provide high input
when supplied with a bidirectional current. power factor and harmonic factor. Some embodiments may
In general, inductive elements can store energy in a mag provide output power controllability, which may yield energy
netic field. Typically, the magnetic field is Supported by an savings in applications such as fluorescent lighting, for
electric current flowing through the inductive element. Induc example. Furthermore, Some DC input embodiments may
tance may be a function of the characteristics of a magnetic
40 provide substantial input line stabilization with low input line
flux path. For example, inductance in some elements may noise while supplying AC or DC outputs to inductive and/or
depend on material properties of a core (e.g., air, steel, and resistive loads. Various embodiments may be implemented in
a wide range of form factors and/or integrated modules which
ferrite) in the flux path, and/or a flux density saturation level. may provide reduced manufacturing cost, increased reliabil
The amount of energy stored in a magnetic field of an 45 ity, and/or simplicity of use in a wide variety of stand-alone or
inductive element can be a function of the inductance and the system integration applications.
current. In general, the amount of energy stored in the mag The details of various embodiments are set forth in the
netic field increases as current increases, and decreases as the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other
current decreases. Accordingly, when the current through the features and advantages will be apparent from the description
inductive element is Zero, the stored inductive energy is also 50 and drawings, and from the claims.
ZO.
One characteristic of an ideal inductor is that a Voltage DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
across the inductor is proportional to its inductance and the
time rate of change of current. This concept may be repre FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary
sented by a formula as: V-L di/dt. 55 energy processing module with a power stage to Supply
Under certain conditions, the energy stored in an inductor energy from a DC input to a DC inductive load.
can generate potentially uncontrolled large Voltages. This FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary
effect may be referred to by terms such as reverse electromo power stage to Supply energy from a DC input to a DC
tive force (REMF), flyback voltage, or “inductive kick. As an inductive load.
illustrative example, if an inductor is being Supplied a current 60 FIG.3 shows plots of exemplary voltage and current wave
through a Switch, and that Switch is rapidly opened, then the forms to illustrate operation of the power stages of FIGS. 1-2.
inductor may have a relatively large change of current (large FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary
di) in a relatively short period of time (small dt). As a conse power stage to Supply energy from a DC input to a DC
quence, the inductor could generate a correspondingly large inductive load.
Voltage (large V). 65 FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary
In some applications, the energy stored in an inductor may pair of power stages to supply energy from a DC input to an
be capable of generating sufficiently large Voltages to damage AC inductive load.
 US 8,729,842 B2
3 4
FIG. 6 shows a block diagram representation of an exem The power stage 110 further includes a transitional circuit
plary energy processing system that uses the power stages of 150 which may be operated to provide a current flow path for
FIG. 5 to supply energy from an AC input to an AC inductive the current Iout so as to control an amplitude of a REMF that
load. may be generated when the input switches 130a, 130b open
FIG. 7 shows plots of exemplary voltage and current wave and rapidly disconnect the output current Iout from the input
forms to illustrate operation of the power stages of FIGS. 5-6. current lin. As such, the transitional circuit 150 may substan
FIGS. 8-9 show exemplary voltage limiting circuits. tially protect the input switches 130a, 130b from exposure to
Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate potentially destructive REMF voltages. In the depicted
like elements. example, the transitional circuit 150 includes a unidirectional
10
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE current element (e.g., diode) 155 in series connection with a
EXAMPLES voltage limiter element 160 and a transitional switch 165.
Exemplary embodiments of the transitional circuit 150 are
FIG. 1 shows an exemplary system 100 in which energy described in further detail, for example, with reference to
FIGS. 2 and 8-9.
may be supplied to inductive and/or resistive loads at a con 15
trollable rate with high efficiency and low electromagnetic The power stage 110 also includes an energy capture cir
noise. The system 100 of this example includes an energy cuit 170 connected substantially in electrical parallel with the
processing module 105 that receives energy at an input, pro load 125 and the transitional circuit 150. In the depicted
cesses the energy, and delivers unidirectional current to Sup example, the energy capture circuit 170 includes an energy
ply energy to a load connected at an output. The module 105 capture switch 175 in series connection with a capacitor 180
includes a power stage 110 that operates in response to con and a unidirectional current element (e.g., diode) 185. When
trol signals from a controller 115. In operation, the controller the energy capture switch 175 is turned on, the output current
115 controls the operating states of switches in the power Iout can flow from the return node 145 to the output node
stage 110 according to a sequence of operating states that through the capacitor 180. Accordingly, inductive energy in
may, for example, be repeated in a cyclical pattern. In an 25 the load 125 is transferred to stored charge on the capacitor
exemplary cycle of operation, the controller 115 generates a 180. The rate at which output current Iout falls depends sub
sequence of operating states that cause the power stage 110 to stantially on a capacitance value of the capacitor 180. As one
store energy from a power source 120 into an inductive load skilled in the art will appreciate, increasing the capacitance
125, control a reverse electromotive force (REMF) that may value may resultina longer time for the Iout to “reset to zero.
develop when the inductive load 125 is disconnected from the 30 In various embodiments, the capacitance value of the capaci
Source 120, discharge inductive energy from the load into a tor 180 may be selected or dynamically adjusted to reset the
capacitance, and then discharge the capacitance to store output current Iout to Zero before the next operating cycle.
energy back into the load 125 on a Subsequent cycle. In After the output current Iout resets to zero, the unidirectional
various embodiments, the power stage 110 may deliver sub current element 185 substantially prevents Tout current from
stantially unidirectional current flow to the load 125. Some 35 flowing in the opposite direction. As such, resonances or
embodiments may completely discharge stored inductive oscillatory currents may be substantially prevented with
energy from the load 125 during each cycle. respect the output node 140 of the power stage 110.
One exemplary cycle of operation of the power stage 110 Finally, the depicted power stage 110 includes diodes
includes a sequence of operating states as indicated by arrows 190a, 190b to return captured energy from the capacitor 180
A, B, C, D. For example, the processing module 105 may 40 to the input node 135. During steady-state operation, for
draw current from the power source 120 during a state B of a example, the capacitor 180 Supplies the captured energy
cycle, while the power stage 110 may provide for unidirec through the diodes 190a, 190b and back to the load 125 when
tional current flow through the load 125 (e.g., DC (direct the input switches 130a, 130b are turned on. In this example,
current) motor) during states A, B, C, and D of the cycle. In a blocking diode 195 substantially prevents the captured
Some applications, additional work may be performed during 45 energy from flowing back to the power source 120. This
states A, C, and D when no power is being drawn from the energy recovery may advantageously improve efficiency, for
power source 120. Examples of voltage and current wave example, in applications in which Substantial inductive
forms associated with some embodiments of the power stage energy can be recovered from the load and re-supplied to the
110 are described in further detail with reference to FIG.3 and load on a Subsequent operating cycle.
FIG 8. 50 In various applications, the controller 115 may generate
In the depicted example, the power stage 110 includes a one or more control signals to control the switches 130a,
pair of input switches 130a, 130b, which may be operated, in 130b, 165, and 175 during an exemplary cycle of operation.
Some embodiments, as a double-pole single throw Switch. To aid understanding of an exemplary operation of the power
Some other embodiments (not shown) may be configured to stage 110, time period indicators A, B, C, D are shown on
operate with only one of the input switches 130a, 130b. The 55 FIG. 1 to indicate current flows at successive time periods
input switch 130a connects between an input node 135 and an within a typical cycle of operation. Exemplary Voltage and
output node 140. The voltages of the nodes 135, 140 may be current waveforms during each of the indicated time periods
referred to herein as Vin, Vout, respectively. After the input are described in further detail with reference to FIG. 3.
switches 130a, 130b are turned on, an input current (Iin) In the example depicted in FIG. 1, an exemplary cycle of
supplied from the power source 120 may flow to the input 60 operation begins with a time period A. At the beginning of the
node 135, and through the input switch 130a to the output time period A, the capacitor 180 may be charged with energy
node 140. An output current (Iout) flows from the output node captured from a previous operating cycle. During the time
140, through the load 125, and returns through a return node period A, the input switches 130a, 130b are turned on, and the
145 and the input switch 130b to the power source 120. As capacitor 180 may discharge its stored energy through the
will be described below, the current Iin from the power source 65 diodes 190a, 190b, the switches 130a, 130b, and the load 125.
120 may begin to flow some time after the input switches During the time period A, energy that is delivered to the load
130a, 130 b are turned on. 125 is drawn substantially from the capacitor 180. The time
 US 8,729,842 B2
5 6
period A may end, for example, when the capacitor 180 be turned on early enough to Substantially minimize a delay
discharges to a point that the diode 195 is no longer reverse time for the output current Iout to start flowing through the
biased. transitional circuit 150. The energy capture switch 175 may
At the beginning of the time period B, the input switches be turned on at any one of a number of times, which may be
130a, 130b remain turned on, and the power source 120 drives before, at the same time, or after the transitional Switch 165 is
current through the diode 195, the switches 130a, 130b, and turned on. As the energy capture switch 175 starts to conduct
the load 125. During the time period B, energy that is deliv a substantial portion of the current Iout, the transitional
ered to the load 125 is drawn substantially from the power switch 165 may be turned off.
source 120. The time period B may end, for example, when In another embodiment (not shown), the power stage 110
the on-time of the input switches 130, 130b corresponds to a 10
may operate Substantially without an actively controlled tran
duty cycle set by the controller 115, or when the output sition circuit, such as the transition circuit 150. In such
current Iout reaches a threshold value. At the end of the time
period B, the controller 115 may command the input switches embodiments, the energy capture switch 175 may be turned
130a, 130b to transition to an off (e.g., non-conducting) state. on while the input switches 130a, 130b are conducting the
Prior to the end of the period B, the controller 115 may 15 output current Iout. The unidirectional current element 185
generate a command to turn on the transitional Switch 165 to may be reverse biased until the output current Iout starts to
minimize delay in allowing the output current Iout to flow decrease, at which point the REMF voltage may forward bias
through the transitional circuit 150. At the beginning of the the unidirectional current element 185 such that the output
time period C, the load generates the REMF voltage in current Iout would start to flow through the energy capture
response to the opening of the input switches 130a, 130b. The circuit 170. In various examples, passive Voltage clamping
REMF voltage may forward bias the unidirectional current circuitry, examples of which are described with reference to
element 155, such that the output current Iout flows substan FIGS. 2 and 8-9, could optionally be used to control a REMF
tially through the transition circuit 150. The voltage limiter voltage amplitude, for example, in the voltage limiter 160. In
160 may operate to Substantially control (e.g., limit, clamp, or some embodiments, the transitional switch 165 may be turned
the like) the REMF voltage to a value that, for example, is 25 on continuously during normal operation, or replaced with a
Substantially within the Voltage ratings of any devices that short circuit, for example. In some embodiments, the transi
could be exposed to the REMF voltage. During the time tional switch 165 may be turned on during part or all of the
period C. Some inductive energy may be transferred from the time periods A and/or B, for example.
load 125 to the voltage limiter 160. In various embodiments, When the input switches 130a, 130b open, inductance in
the time period C may be sufficiently short in duration that the 30 the load 125 may generate a reverse electromotive force
amount of energy transferred to the Voltage limiter is rela (REMF), which, in general, may be considered to represent a
tively small and can be, for example, dissipated as heat (e.g., voltage with an amplitude that corresponds to the time rate of
in a resistor) without significantly reducing overall efficiency. change of the load current (e.g., dIout/dt). Reducing Iout to
In some embodiments, the controller 115 may generate a Zero very rapidly, for example, may generate a substantial
signal to turn on the energy capture switch 175 before or 35 REMF voltage in the inductive load 125.
during the time period C. As the energy capture switch 175 Fast transient voltages associated with a large REMF could
turns on and becomes capable of conducting the output cur generate, for example, Substantial radiated and/or conducted
rent Iout, the time period C may conclude, and the controller electromagnetic radiation (e.g., radio frequency noise). Gen
115 may generate a signal to turn off the transitional switch erally, systems that generate such noise energy may employ
165. 40 shielding and/or filtering, which may reduce efficiency and
At the beginning of the time period D, the output current increase the cost, Volume and/or weight of the system.
Iout flows Substantially through the energy capture Switch Moreover, large REMF voltages may impart substantial
175, the capacitor 180, and the unidirectional current element Voltage stress to components, such as Switches, diodes,
185. As such, stored inductive load energy, which is sup capacitors, and transistors. In some examples, a single pulse
ported by the output current Iout, gets transferred to the 45 of a large REMF Voltage can Substantially damage or destroy
capacitor 180 during the time period D. The time period D a semiconductor device, for example, by exceeding the
may end, for example, after the output current Iout falls to device's Voltage rating.
Zero. Upon detecting that the output current Iout has reset to The power stage 110 provides a capability for rapidly
Zero, or after allowing a time Sufficient to ensure the output Switching current Supplied to an inductive load. In one aspect,
current Iout is substantially reset, the controller 115 may 50 the power stage 110 includes a transitional circuit 150 in
generate a signal to turn off the energy capture Switch 175. parallel with the load 125. In some embodiments, the transi
Following the time period D, there may be, in some tional circuit 150 may provide a path for the load current Iout
embodiments, an additional period of time from the end of the to flow so that dIout/dt is controlled during a brief transition
time period D until the end of the operating cycle. In some period after the input switch 130 opens. Controlling the dIout/
applications, for example, the voltage limiter 160 may be 55 dt for the inductive load 125 may substantially reduce the
discharging a capacitor into a resistor or through a Switch (not REMF voltage. At sufficiently small values of REMF voltage,
shown) during this additional time period. In various appli for example, the associated transient energy may be insuffi
cations, a motor may be coasting, for example, during this cient to excite Substantial conducted or radiated noise. As
period. Such, shielding and/or filtering may be substantially reduced
In various examples, the controller 115 may time the opera 60 or eliminated in some systems.
tion of some or all of the Switches 130a, 130b, 165, and 175 In another aspect, some embodiments of the power stage
during an exemplary operating cycle as follows. The transi 110 may include one or more semiconductor switch elements
tional switch 165 may be turned on prior to turning off the with high peak reverse Voltage capability. Some embodi
input switches 130a, 130b. The diode 155 may substantially ments may use high Voltage devices to improve reliability in
block current flow through the transitional circuit 150 until 65 systems that Switch inductive loads. In some embodiments,
the output current Iout starts to decrease and a REMF voltage one or more of the Switch elements may combine a high peak
is generated by the load 125. The transitional circuit 165 may reverse voltage capability with very short turn-on and/or turn
 US 8,729,842 B2
7 8
off times. Examples of various switch elements that may be Zero current turn on for the controlled semiconductor switch
used in the power stage 110 are described in further detail (e.g., IGBT) and/or controlled turn-off for the gated unidirec
with reference to FIG. 2. tional current element (e.g., SCR). In an illustrative example,
In the depicted example, the controller 115 receives a con which is not meant to be limiting, any of the switches 130a,
trol input. In various examples, the control input may couple 130b, 175 may be turned on by supplying an enabling signal
the controller 115 to a feedback signal from one or more to a control terminal (e.g., gate, base) of the controlled semi
position, torque, speed, Voltage, light intensity, or current conductor switch; after the controlled semiconductor Switch
sensors, or a combination of signals from these and/or other has had sufficient time to Substantially transition to a Substan
sensors. In some other examples, the control input may tially high conductance state, a fast turn-on time gated unidi
couple the controller 115 to one or more command inputs, 10 rectional current element may be controlled to turn on. The
which may be in the form of analog (e.g., potentiometer, relay relative timing of the enabling signal to the controlled semi
contacts, and the like) and/or digital (e.g., serial, parallel) conductor Switch and to the gated unidirectional current ele
input signals. ment may depend, at least in part, on the turn-on transition
In response to such feedback and/or command input sig times of the devices. In various embodiments, the enabling
nals, the controller 115 may adjust operation of the power 15 signals to the controlled semiconductor Switch and to the
stage 110, for example. In various examples, the responses to gated unidirectional current element may be generated in
control input signals may include, but are not limited to, response to one signal (e.g., Substantially simultaneous), or
turning the output on or off, increasing or decreasing the the signals may be separated in time by a controlled delay
average output Voltage, maintaining the output current within (e.g., based on hardware or Software timers, based on events
predetermined limits, adjusting operating duty cycle and/or as determined by a processor executing instructions, and/or
frequency, for example. In some implementations, such con analog delay circuit, or the like). In some embodiments,
trol actions may be used to, for example, maintain the output enabling signals from the controller 115 may be coupled to
current or load temperature within predetermined limits, one or more of the devices, for example, via Suitable gate
regulate a motorshall position and/or speed, or control a lamp Supply circuits, some of which may include, but are not lim
output intensity. 25 ited to, optical, magnetic (e.g., pulse transformer) circuits. In
Exemplary embodiments and features of the controller 115 various embodiments, the gated unidirectional current Switch
are described, for example, with reference to FIG. 6 may include, but is not limited to, an SCR (silicon controlled
In various examples, the energy stored in the load (e.g., rectifier), DIAC, TRIAC, flash tube, or the like. In various
reactive energy) may be Supported by a unidirectional current embodiments, the semiconductor Switch may include one or
supplied by the power stage 110. Unidirectional current loads 30 more series and/or parallel combinations of IGBTs (insulated
may include, but are not limited to, DC motors, inductors gate bipolar transistors), MOSFETs (metal oxide semicon
(e.g., air core, iron core, laminated Steel core, high perme ductor field effect transistors), BJTs (bipolar junction transis
ability cores), electromagnets, lighting (e.g., direct current tors), Darlington pairs, JFETs (junction field effect transis
high intensity discharge elements), DC transmission lines, or tors), vacuum tubes, or the like.
combinations of these and/or other unidirectional current 35 Typical Switching transition times may be, for example,
loads. Some embodiments may be used as, or as replacement between about 2 and about 10 microseconds, although
for, mechanical relays or contactors. For example, the power embodiments may be used with substantially faster or slower
stage 110 may act as an electronically controllable switch to Switching times. In an illustrative example, the time for the
a DC load, for example, that may be controlled by a switch, switches 130a, 130b to turn completely off and the switch 175
optical signal, magnetic signal, or electrical signal, which 40 to turn on may typically take about 5 microseconds. In some
may be generated by, for example, a processor, timer, control examples, the transitional switch 165 may conduct current
circuit, or other element (e.g., bimetallic strip, level sensor, during at least those 5 microseconds. In some embodiments,
humidity sensor, or the like). the voltage limiter 160 may substantially conduct the load
Some other embodiments may operate to Supply energy to current in response to the REMF voltage in, for example, 10
unidirectional current and/or bi-directional current loads that 45 to 40 nanoseconds.
are substantially inductive, Substantially resistive, or partially Also depicted in FIG. 2 is an exemplary embodiment of the
resistive and partially inductive. Bidirectional current loads Voltage limiter 160, including a parallel resistor and capacitor
may include, but are not limited to, AC motors (e.g., synchro network. In various implementations, the capacitor may be
nous, brushless DC, induction), DC motors (e.g., forward and implemented as one or more capacitors in series and/or par
reverse torque), resistors (e.g., heating elements), inductors 50 allel combinations. For example, capacitors of with a range of
(e.g., air core, iron core, laminated Steel core, high perme frequency response characteristics may be used to respond to
ability cores), electromagnets, lighting (e.g., fluorescent, the REMF voltage over a wide frequency range. In some
high intensity discharge), AC transmission lines, transform embodiments, which may be used in higher Switching fre
ers, or combinations of these and/or other bi-directional cur quency applications, the Voltage limiter 160 may include a
rent loads. Examples of energy processing modules that are 55 controlled Switch to “dump' charge stored on a capacitor
capable of Supplying unidirectional and/or bidirectional cur during the time period C. In this embodiment, the capacitor
rent loads are described in further detail with reference, for 180 is implemented across the input terminals of the module
example, to FIGS. 5-7. 110. In other embodiments, the capacitor 180 may be imple
FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary mented in whole or in part within the module 180, and may be
power stage to Supply energy from a DC input to a DC 60 Supplemented with additional external parallel capacitance to
inductive load. In the depicted embodiment, the unidirec Suit a wide variety of application conditions, for example.
tional current element 185 is implemented with an SCR that In this embodiment, the transitional switch 165 is depicted
may be controlled to conduct current during time period D. as being implemented with a semiconductor Switch. In vari
In the depicted example, the switches 130a, 130b, 175 are ous implementations, the transitional switch 165 may be
implemented with a gated unidirectional current element con 65 implemented, for example, with one or more IGBTs, MOS
nected in series with a controlled semiconductor Switch. In FETs, BJTs Darlington pairs, JFETs, vacuum tubes, or the
Some embodiments, each Switch may be controlled to provide like. In addition, the power stage 110 of this embodiment
 US 8,729,842 B2
10
includes a diode 210 connected between the transitional switch 175 to a capacitor in an array of parallel-connected
switch 165 and the output node 140. In some embodiments, capacitors forming a capacitance 410. In various implemen
the diode 210 may provide additional protection for the tran tations, the module or systems may incorporate some or all of
sitional switch 165, for example. In some examples, the diode the capacitance 410, which may include an array of parallel
210 may replace the diode 155. capacitors to implement the capacitor 180. In some embodi
FIG.3 shows plots of exemplary voltage and current wave ments, one or more of the individual capacitors may each
forms to illustrate operation of the power stages of FIGS. 1-2. have a different frequency response characteristic (e.g.,
In this example, a plot 300 illustrates that the power source inductance) Such that the array of capacitors 410 may effec
120 provides a unipolar input Voltage. In this case, the Voltage tively capture energy from the inductive load over a wide
may be that supplied by a battery. In other examples, the 10 range of frequency components, for example, in the REMF
power source 120 may be any other suitable unipolar or DC Voltage signal.
source, such as a half- or full-wave rectified AC signal, for Also depicted in this embodiment is a diode array 405
example. In some applications, the power source 120 may connected between the energy capture switch 175 and one of
exhibit a voltage stiff characteristic, which may be provided, the capacitors in the array of capacitors 180. The parallel
for example, by a Substantially large hold-up capacitor. In 15 diodes 405 may, in Some embodiments, advantageously
Some other applications, the power source may provide a reduce ringing and/or oscillations among the capacitors in the
rectified AC signal without a Substantial hold-up capacitance. capacitance 410. The capacitor 410 may be implemented
In Such applications, the Voltage of the unipolar power Source using two or more parallel capacitances that may provide
120 may drop to within one or two diode drops of the AC wider response bandwidth (e.g., low inductance paths) and/or
Supply Voltage, for example, during the time period B when increased capacitance. Optionally, the array of diodes may be
the output current Iout is supplied substantially by the power implemented as a single diode (e.g., diode 190b of FIG. 1). In
source 120. Some implementations (not shown), a controllable device
The plot 305 illustrates that the power source 120 supplies such as an SCR may optionally be included in the path car
the input current Iinto the load during the time period B (e.g., rying current during time period D, an example of which is
Iin Iout), and not during any other time period of the exem 25 described with reference to the element 185 in the FIG. 2.
plary operating cycle. Such an SCR may advantageously increase peak voltage
The plot 310 illustrates that Vin at the input node 135 is withstand capability, and/or reduce undesired (e.g., inter
elevated at the beginning of the time period A, which reflects electrode, parasitic) capacitance, for example.
the charge on the capacitor 180. The plot 315 of the output FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary
current Iout illustrates that the discharge of the capacitor 180 30 pair of power stages 110a, 110b to supply energy from a DC
during the time period A Supplies real energy to the load, input to an AC inductive load. In this embodiment, the power
which may advantageously reduce the power drawn from the stages 110a, 110b are substantially similar in that they have
power source 120 during the operating cycle. substantially the same circuitry and draw power from the
The plots 310,315 also show the charging of the capacitor same power source (e.g., through the diode 195). They differ
180 and a controlled decrease in output current Iout in the 35 primarily in the timing of their output signals. In various
time period D. The controlled decrease of Iout may advanta embodiments, the power stages 110a, 110b may alternately
geously control an amplitude of the REMF. Supply output current to the load. In particular, the power
The plot 320 illustrates, in a magnified view, a portion of stage 110a may supply unidirectional output current A, B, C,
the output current Iout waveform around the time period C in Dina first direction to the load, and the power stage 110b may
the plot 315. In some examples, the time period C is short 40 supply unidirectional output current A, B, C, D' in a second
relative to the time periods A, B, and D. During the time direction to the load. In some implementations, the capacitor
period C in this example, the slope (e.g., dIout/dt) of the plot 410 may be implemented using two or more parallel capaci
315 is controlled substantially by operation of the voltage tances that may provide wider response bandwidth (e.g., low
limiter 160. In some embodiments, the slope may be con inductance paths) and/or increased capacitance, as described
trolled sufficiently well such that the amplitude and noise 45 in embodiments with reference to FIG. 4, for example.
energy associated with the REMF voltage signal may be In an illustrative embodiment, a controller (not shown)
substantially reduced. may generate control signals to perform an operating cycle
In some applications. Successive operating cycles may using power stage 110a. During power stage 110a's operat
occur without interruption for an indefinite period during ing cycle, the controller may turn off all of the switches in the
which energy may be supplied to the load. For example, 50 power stage 110b, thereby preventing any output current from
operating cycles may have a substantially fixed period, which the stage 110a from flowing in the stage 110b. Similarly, the
may include, but is not limited to, periods of between about 10 controller may disable the stage 110a when the power stage
and about 20 milliseconds, or between about 1 and about 30 110b performs its operating cycle.
milliseconds, or between about 50 and about 1000 microsec FIG. 6 shows a block diagram representation of an exem
onds, or less than 60 microseconds, for example. In some 55 plary energy processing system that can use the power stages
applications, one or more finite number of Successive periods of FIG.5 to supply energy from an AC input to an AC induc
may be interrupted by variable times of not Supplying power tive load. The system 600 receives AC power input from an
to a load. In some embodiments, the duration of an operating AC power source 605, and supplies an AC power output to
cycle may be varied according to load requirements, an input operate an AC load 610.
command, or other requirements (e.g., to avoid an audible 60 In the depicted example, the energy processing module 105
resonance frequency, filtering requirements, synchronization includes two power stages 110a, 110b, and a controller 615.
to a utility Supplied Voltage). Using the controller 615, the energy processing module 105
FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary may provide automatic and intelligent control to the power
power stage 110 to supply energy from a DC input to a DC stages 110a, 110b to improve efficiency and/or control a
inductive load. 65 power factor of the AC power input. For example, the energy
In the depicted embodiment, the power stage 110 has an processing module 105 may control REMF of the load and
array of diodes 405, each of which is connected from the capture and re-use inductive load energy to provide high
 US 8,729,842 B2
11 12
energy efficiency. Additionally, the energy processing mod motors, and power Supplies. In some examples, the LFS pro
ule 105 may be digitally controlled. In some examples, the cess may be used in high-power applications and high-power
controller 615 may be programmed to control the power control. For example, very large inductors operating at high
stages 110a, 110b according to various inputs (e.g., user power levels may be operated with improved stability and
inputs, analog inputs, and/or communication network input). 5 energy efficiency. In some examples, the controller 615 may
For example, the controller 615 may also include software use the LFS process to provide capabilities that include, but
and hardware to control the Switches in the power stages are not limited to, power factor (PF) correction, power level
110a, 110b based on user input and/or in response to specified control, high-speed shutdown protection, Soft-start and/or
events (e.g., AC brownout conditions, load fault conditions, hard-start, and universal input (e.g., AC and/or DC). Exem
time of day events, or the like). 10 plary applications may include, but are not limited to line
The system 600 also includes an input stage 620. The frequency inductive devices Such as metal halide and fluores
energy processing module 105 receives the AC power input cent lighting, AC induction motors, and welders, for example.
from the AC power source 605 via the input stage 620 and In one example application, a small amount offilter capaci
Supplies the AC power output to the load. In some implemen tance (e.g., to provide AC current wave shaping and improved
tations, the AC power source 605 may supply power from an 15 crest factor) may be combined with LFS timing to substan
electrical power distribution network (e.g., utility power at tially equalize input power among all four quadrants. In Such
about 50-60 Hz, or marine/aviation power at about 400 Hz). an example, the energy processing module 105 may generate
The input stage 620 may precondition an input Voltage, for the AC power output with a high PF.
example, by Smoothing and/or rectifying input power for the In some embodiments, the controller 615 may operate to
energy processing module 105. adjust phase and duty cycle to maximize achievable power
As shown, the input stage 620 includes a diode bridge factor when Supplying any output power level to the inductive
rectifier 625 and a capacitor 630 to filter the DC power output. device. For example, a PF of better than 0.9 may be accom
In some implementations, the capacitor 630 may reduce the plished down to about 50% output power levels in some
variation in the DC output voltage waveform from the bridge. applications. If a higher PF is required below 50% output
In some examples, the capacitor 630 may be tuned for wave 25 power levels. Some embodiments may include an AC line
shaping to improve power efficiency of the energy processing reactor at the AC power source 605 to raises PF back to
module 105. In various embodiments, the capacitor 630 may acceptable levels.
be sized to effectively provide input current wave shaping that The controller 615 in the energy processing module 105
Substantially reduces crest factor by reducing current peaks may provide certain control functions to adjust PF in the
and associated AC current harmonics. 30 system 600 and to, for example, reduce REMF, improve
In some implementations, the capacitor 630 may raise the energy efficiency, and/or execute software instructions. The
DC average voltage to supply the energy processing module controller 615 includes a processor 640 (e.g., a CPU) and a
105. In some examples, the higher DC voltage may be used to random access memory (RAM) 645 to provide various digital
start the load 610 and improve various types of inductive control functions. The controller 615 also includes a non
device performance. In some examples, the increase in DC 35 volatile memory (NVM) 645 to store software and data. In the
voltage levels may also be used to overdrive line losses to depicted example, the NVM 645 stores a code 655. The
maintain inductive device performance. processor 640 may execute the code 655 to perform various
Using the energy processing module 105, the AC power digital control functions in the energy processing module
source 605 may supply unidirectional and/or bidirectional 105.
current to a load, such as the load 610. The load 610 may 40 In the depicted example, the controller 615 may receives
include a single device (e.g., motor) or multiple devices (e.g., external input via a user interface 660, an analog interface
a bank of lights). 665, and/or a communication port 670.
In the depicted example, the load 610 includes a trans From the user interface 660, the controller 615 may receive
former 635 that receives the bidirectional (e.g., AC) power user input. The user interface 660 may be, for example, a set
output from the energy processing module 105. In one imple- 45 of dip Switches for setting an operating mode of the energy
mentation, the transformer 635 may transform the AC power processing module 105. For example, a user may use the user
output Voltage from the energy processing module 105 to a interface 660 to set the output voltage of the energy process
load voltage (e.g., 200 V-500 V) that is used by the load 610. ing module 105 to be 110 V for operation in the U.S. or 220 V
For example, the transformer 635 may step-up a low output for operation in Europe. In another example, the user inter
voltage (e.g., 100 V-220 V) to a higher voltage (e.g., 480 V) 50 face 660 may receive user input to dim or brighten intensity of
for the load 610. a bank of fluorescent lights in a commercial building.
The energy processing module 105 may provide improved The controller 615 may receive analog input via the analog
power efficiency and/or control over the input power factor. interface 665. The analog input may include signals gener
For example, the energy processing module 105 may provide ated from sensors. For example, the system 600 may include
line frequency power factor correction to improve a power 55 a Hall Effect sensor, Voltage sensor, current sensor, position
factor drawn from the AC power source 605. In some imple sensor, Velocity sensor, a temperature sensor, a light sensor,
mentations, the system 600 may provide line frequency AC line (e.g., 50-60 Hz) phase sensor, and/or other sensor to
Switching (LFS) operations at any in a range of frequencies. detect external environment parameters. In some implemen
In some examples, the LFS process may be timed and Syn tations, the controller 615 may receive measurement signals
chronized with a phase of the AC power source 605 to pro- 60 from a Hall Effect sensor for proximity switching, position
duce, for example, 50 Hz or 60 Hz, switched voltages and ing, speed detection, and current sensing applications. In
current waveforms for a wide spectrum of inductive loads some implementations, the controller 615 may receive mea
(e.g., the load 610). Surement of an ambient temperature at from a temperature
In some examples, the controller 615 may use the LFS sensor to control power output. For example, the processor
process to raise the electrical efficiency and controllability of 65 640 may adjust to Supply maximum output power to an air
standard 50 Hz, and 60 Hz, inductive devices, such as the conditioning load when the ambient temperature is higher
transformer 635, lamp ballasts, AC induction motors, DC than a set point. In some implementations, the controller 615
 US 8,729,842 B2
13 14
may receive measurement of an external light intensity. For AC source, and the PWM 685 may generate a duty cycle
example, the processor 635 may control the power stages command to determine a required on time for the input
110a, 100b to supply a decreased power output to dim the switches that connect the power source to the load. The switch
lights (e.g., when the Sun is shining, during off hours, and the timing control 690 may use the duty cycle and phase infor
like). 5 mation to generate control signals for the input Switches. The
The controller 615 communicates with a communication control signals may be timed to draw a current waveform with
network 675 via the communication port 670. For example, a fundamental frequency Substantially in phase with the AC
the communication port 670 may transmit and receive data source voltage. The output of the power stage controller 680
between the processor 640 and the communication network may control, for example, at least the fundamental frequency
675. The communication network 675 may include the Inter 10 of the output current waveform.
net, a local area network (LAN), and/or a communication FIG. 7 shows plots of exemplary voltage and current wave
cable (e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) cable, a Firewire, forms to illustrate operation of the power stages of FIGS. 5-6.
other parallel or serial data bus) for communicating with a The plots 700, 705, 710, 715, and 720 of FIG. 7 illustrate
computer device. The connection between the controller 615 similar aspects of an operating cycle, respectively, to those
and the communication network 675 may also be wireless. 15 illustrated in the plots 300, 305, 310, and 315 of FIG. 3.
For example, the communication network 675 may be con However, the plots of FIG. 7 illustrate bi-directional current at
nected to the controller 615 using wireless LAN, infrared, the load, as described, for example, with reference to FIG. 5.
Bluetooth, mobile communication network or other wireless In addition, the load in the depicted example is an AC motor.
network connections. As such, the waveforms in the plots of FIG. 7 reflect a time
In some implementations, the controller 615 may receive varying back-emf generated by The motor.
remote data or instructions from the communication network Although the output current Iout of the plot 720 is bidirec
675. In some examples, the controller 615 may receive mes tional and Supplied to an AC motor, the energy processing
sages that are remotely generated and transmitted to the con module 105 provides for a controlled dIout/dt during time
troller 615 through the communication port 670. For periods C, D, C' and D'. As such, the REMF voltage may be
example, an operator may remotely adjust power output by 25 well controlled, providing various advantages as discussed
transmitting an instruction to the controller 615 from a remote above. Moreover, the energy captured during the time periods
terminal via a communication network, Such as the Internet. D. D' may be reused during Subsequent time periods A, A,
In some implementations, the controller 615 may transmit respectively.
status and/or other data to the communication network 675. In FIGS. 8-9 show exemplary voltage limiting circuits that
Some examples, there may be an administrative processor that 30 may be used, for example, in the voltage limiter 160 of FIG.
is connected to the communication network 675 to monitor 1.
operating conditions of the system 600. For example, the FIG. 8 shows an exemplary voltage limiter circuit 800 that
controller 615 may transmit, via the communication port 670, includes five parallel strings, each string including five gas
status information indicating the operating conditions of the discharge tubes connected in series. The circuit 800 also
system 600. 35 includes a series-connected resistor and capacitor that is in
En some implementations, the controller 615 may receive parallel with the five parallel strings. One of skill in the art
software updates from the communication network 675. For would recognized that the number of parallel and series con
example, the code 655 or operation settings stored in the nected components, as well as selection of the specific com
NVM 650 may be updated by data received from the com ponents, may be adapted to various Voltage limiter applica
munication network 675 via the communication port 670. 40 tions.
The code 655 may include operations that may be per FIG.9 shows an exemplary voltage limiter circuit 900 that
formed generally by the processor 640. The operations may includes a pair strings, each string including a rectifier in
be performed under the control, Supervision, and/or monitor series with Zener diode, each string being connected in anti
ing of the controller 615. Operations may also be supple parallel so as to Substantially limita Voltage in either polarity
mented or augmented by other processing and/or control 45 across the circuit to a diode drop plus the Zener breakdown
elements that may be incorporated by the interfaces 660, 665, voltage. The circuit 900 also includes a series-connected
670. Some or all of the operations may be performed by one resistor and capacitor that is in parallel with the strings. One
or more processors executing instructions tangibly embodied of skill in the art would recognized that the number of parallel
in a signal. The processing may be implemented using analog and series connected components, as well as selection of the
and/or digital hardware or techniques, either alone or in coop 50 specific components, may be adapted to various Voltage lim
eration with one or more processors executing instructions. iter applications. For example, the circuit 900 may be placed
In some implementations, the processor 640 may execute directly across an AC load.
the code 655 to route the input power based on conditions at Although various embodiments, which may be portable,
the AC power source 605 and the load 610. For example, the have been described with reference to the above figures, other
AC power source 605 may be a wind-power generator. When 55 implementations may be deployed in other power processing
the load 610 is turned off and the wind-power generator is applications, such as universal motor drives, DC transmission
generating power, the code 650 may include operations to line Stabilization, power factor correction, and numerous
save the generated energy in a storage element (e.g., a bat other applications.
tery). Generally, components of a transient Voltage limiter may
In the depicted example, the controller 615 includes a 60 be implemented and arranged to minimize inductance that
power stage controller 680 to control switches in the power may increase the response time.
stages 110a, 110b. By controlling the power stage controller In some embodiments, energy processing modules that are
680, the processor 640 may control the switches in the power capable of Supplying bidirectional current loads may also be
stages 110a, 110b. The power stage controller 680 includes a operated to Supply unidirectional current loads. For example,
PWM (pulse width modulator) 685, a switch timing control 65 in the energy processing module 500 depicted in FIG. 5,
690, and a phase detector 695. In one example, the phase either one of the power stages 505, 510 may be operated to
detector 695 may provide phase information about the input Supply unidirectional current to the load on Successive oper
 US 8,729,842 B2
15 16
ating cycles while the other power stage is held in an inactive In embodiments with outputs that provide AC (e.g., single
state. As an illustrative example, if the load includes a DC phase, three phase, four phase, twelve phase, or the like) may
motor driving a linear positioning system, then the power be operated to output any fundamental frequency to the load,
stages 505, 510 may be activated as needed by a position including frequencies up to at least about 100 kHz or more,
controller to drive the motor in either advance or reverse such as about 5 Hz, 50 Hz, 60 Hz, 100 Hz, 400 Hz, 2 kHz, 5
directions, respectively, to position an actuator. Such posi kHz, 10 kHz, 20 kHz, 60 kHz, 90 kHz, or about 100 kHz.
tioning systems may be used in industrial robotics, HVAC Further, phase of the output fundamental frequency and/or at
(heating ventilation air conditioning), and/or numerous other least one harmonic frequency may be controlled, for example,
applications. to synchronize to a utility line Voltage signal.
In some embodiments, the capacitance provided in the 10 In some implementations with bidirectional or multiple
energy recovery stage may be adjustable during operation. phase capability, two or more power stages may share the
One or more switches may be provided, for example, each of same energy recovery capacitance. With reference to FIG. 7,
energy captured in the capacitance during the time period D
which may be individually operated to connect additional could be applied to the load in the subsequent time period A',
capacitance in parallel and/or in series with capacitance in the 15 and energy captured in the capacitance during the time period
energy capture circuit. Adjustable capacitance may be used to D' could be applied to the load in the subsequent time period
adjust the time required to discharge load current to Zero A.
before the end of a cycle, for example. Capacitance selection One or more power processing modules may be coupled to
Switches may be arranged in parallel with a capacitance to a network that may provide for control commands, Software
short around the capacitance when turned-on, and/or in series updates to be communicated to modules, and/or to receive
with a capacitance to prevent current flow through the capaci status information from modules. Particular modules may be
tance when the switch is turned off. Adjusting fall times of the assigned a network address, such as an IP (interne protocol)
load current may advantageously provide for adaptation to a address. For example, each module in an installation may be
wider range of operating conditions, such as load inductance assigned a unique network address or controlled through a
and/or load current conditions, for example. 25 gateway with an IP address.
In embodiments that include more than one power stage Although particular features of an architecture have been
coupled to drive a load, a controller may provide one or more described, other features may be incorporated to improve
interlock (e.g., AND gate) to prevent control signals from performance. For example, caching (e.g., L1, L2, etc. . . . )
turning on Switches in more than one power stage 110 at a techniques may be used. Random access memory may be
time. In some implementations, an output current from each 30 included, for example, to provide scratch pad memory and or
power stage may be monitored, and if a current is detected, all to load executable code or parameter information stored in the
switches in a corresponding power stage may be disabled. non-volatile memory for use during runtime operations.
In various implementations, an energy processing module Other hardware and software may be provided to perform
may be packaged in a module that contains one or more power operations, such as network or other communications using
stages and at least one controller. In addition to printed circuit 35 one or more protocols, wireless (e.g., infrared) communica
board implementations, some embodiments may be provided tions, stored operational energy and power Supplies (e.g.,
in hybrid modules that may contain Subcomponents or sys batteries), Switching and/or linear power Supply circuits, soft
tems. For example, some implementations may include two ware maintenance (e.g., self-test, upgrades, etc. . . . ), and the
power stage circuits adapted to provide an AC or two inde like. One or more communication interfaces may be provided
pendent DC outputs, and a suitable controller in a potted 40 in Support of data storage and related operations.
module. Some modular implementations may have a DC Some systems may perform electronic processing func
input for connection to a unipolar power source, an AC input tions. For example, various implementations may include
for connection to an AC power source (e.g., through an inte digital and/or analog circuitry, computer hardware, firmware,
grated rectifier module, such as the input stage 620 of FIG. 6). Software, or combinations thereof. Apparatus can be imple
or a combination of one or more Such inputs. 45 mented in a computer program product tangibly embodied in
Extending the bi-directional output current capability an information carrier, e.g., in a machine-readable storage
embodiments described with reference to FIG. 6, for device or in a propagated signal, for execution by a program
example, additional power stages may be configured to Sup mable processor, and, methods may be performed by a pro
ply systems with three or more phases. For example, a three grammable processor executing a program of instructions to
phase induction motor with stator windings arranged in a 50 perform functions of the invention by operating on input data
Delta configuration may be supplied by three pairs of power and generating an output. Some embodiments can be imple
stages, each pair being configured as described with reference mented advantageously in one or more computer programs
to FIGS. 5-6, for example, and each pair being coupled to that are executable on a programmable system including at
Supply one phase of the DELTA. Torque, current, speed, least one programmable processor coupled to receive data
phase, position, or other parameters may be controlled, for 55 and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to,
example, by a controller Supplying control signals to the a data storage system, at least one input device, and/or at least
controller 615, for example. In some embodiments, encoder, one output device. A computer program is a set of instructions
Hall Effect, back-emf sensing, or sensorless control, for that can be used, directly or indirectly, in a computer to
example, may be used to implement vector oriented control perform a certain activity or bring about a certain result. A
techniques, such as variable frequency, constant Volts per 60 computer program can be written in any form of program
hertz, direct field orientation, or indirect field orientation, for ming language, including compiled or interpreted languages,
example. In another example, power stages may be arranged and it can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone
and controlled to supply a three-phase system WYE-con program or as a module, component, Subroutine, or other unit
nected transformer, for example. In various multi-phase sys Suitable for use in a computing environment.
tems, the input to the power stage may be provided from a DC 65 Suitable processors for the execution of a program of
Source and/oran AC source (e.g., single phase, multiple phase instructions include, by way of example, both general and
with half- or full-wave rectification for each phase). special purpose microprocessors, which may include a single
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17 18
processor or one of multiple processors of any kind of com A number of implementations of the invention have been
puter. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various
data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or modifications may be made. For example, advantageous
both. Elements of a computer may include a processor for results may be achieved if the steps of the disclosed tech
executing instructions and one or more memories for storing 5 niques were performed in a different sequence, if components
instructions and data. Generally, a computer will also include, in the disclosed systems were combined in a different manner,
or be operatively coupled to communicate with, one or more or if the components were replaced or supplemented by other
mass storage devices for storing data files; Such devices may components. Accordingly, other implementations are within
include, but are not limited to, magnetic disks, such as internal the scope of the following claims.
hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and 10
optical disks. Storage devices Suitable for tangibly embody What is claimed is:
ing computer program instructions and data include all forms 1. An apparatus comprising:
of non-volatile memory, including, by way of example, semi a computer program product (CPP) tangibly embodied in a
conductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and non-transitory computer readable medium and contain
flash memory devices; magnetic disks. Such as internal hard 15 ing instructions that, when executed, cause a processor
disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and, CD to perform operations to control energy transfer from an
ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and the memory energy Supply to a load, the operations comprising:
can be Supplemented by, or incorporated in, ASICs (applica connect an input node to an output node to transfer
tion-specific integrated circuits). energy from a source connected to the input node to a
Some implementations may be programmed with the same 20 magnetic field that is associated with an output cur
or similar information and/or initialized with substantially rent flowing from the output node to a load, the con
identical information stored in volatile and/or non-volatile nection being made during a portion of an operating
memory. For example, one data interface may be configured cycle;
to perform auto configuration, auto download, and/or auto disconnect the input node from the output node during a
update functions when coupled to an appropriate host device, 25 remainder of the operating cycle;
Such as a desktop computer or a server. control a reverse electromotive force (REMF) voltage
In some implementations, one or more user-interface fea associated with the magnetic field by providing a path
tures may be custom configured to perform specific functions. for the output current to flow when the output node is
To provide for interaction with a user, some implementations disconnected from the input node, wherein control
may provide for a display device, such as a CRT (cathode ray 30 ling a REMF Voltage comprises providing a path for
tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor for displaying the output current to flow through a Voltage limiting
information to the user, a keyboard, and/or a pointing device, circuit;
Such as a mouse or a trackball, by which an operator can collect a portion of the energy stored in the magnetic
access and/or provide input to the computer. field during the operating cycle in an energy storage
Various implementations may communicate using Suitable 35 element; and
communication methods, equipment, and techniques. For Supply the collected energy to the load in a Subsequent
example, the system may communicate with compatible operating cycle.
devices (e.g., devices capable of transferring data to and/or 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the operation to con
from the system 100) using point-to-point communication in trol a REMF voltage comprises providing a path for the
which a message is transported directly from the Source to the 40 output current to flow through a Voltage limiting circuit.
receiver over a dedicated physical link (e.g., fiber optic link, 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the operation to col
point-to-point wiring, daisy chain). The components of the lect a portion of the energy stored in the magnetic field during
system may exchange information by any form or medium of the operating cycle comprises an operation to provide a path
analog or digital data communication, including packet for the output current to flow through a capacitance.
based messages on a communication network. Examples of 45 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the operation to Sup
communication networks include, e.g., a LAN (local area ply the collected energy to the load in a Subsequent operating
network), a WAN (wide area network), MAN (metropolitan cycle comprises an operation to transfer the collected energy
area network), wireless and/or optical networks, and the com from the capacitance to a magnetic field that is associated
puters and networks forming the Internet. Other implemen with the output current flowing from the output node to the
tations may transport messages by broadcasting to all or 50 load.
Substantially all devices that are coupled by a communication 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the CPP further com
network, for example, by using omni-directional radio fre prises an operation to adjust the capacitance to cause the
quency (RF) signals. Still other implementations may trans output current to fall to Substantially Zero during the operating
port messages characterized by high directivity, Such as RF cycle.
signals transmitted using directional (i.e., narrow beam) 55 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the operation to col
antennas or infrared signals that may optionally be used with lect a portion of the energy stored in the magnetic field during
focusing optics. Still other implementations are possible the operating cycle comprises an operation to cause the output
using appropriate interfaces and protocols such as, by way of current to fall to Substantially Zero during the operating cycle.
example and not intended to be limiting, USB 2.0, Firewire, 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the output current
ATA/IDE, RS-232, RS-422, RS-485, 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi, 60 flows in only one direction with respect to the output node.
Ethernet, TCP/IP. IrDA, FDDI (fiber distributed data inter 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the Source comprises
face), token-ring networks, or multiplexing techniques based a unipolar Voltage source.
on frequency, time, and/or code division. Some implementa 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a duration of each
tions may optionally incorporate features such as error check operating cycle is between about 10 and about 20 millisec
ing and correction (ECC) for data integrity, or security mea- 65 onds.
Sures, such as encryption (e.g., WEP) and password 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a duration of each
protection. operating cycle is between about 1 and about 30 milliseconds.
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19 20
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a duration of each
operating cycle is between about 50 and about 1000 micro
seconds.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a duration of each
operating cycle is less than 60 microseconds.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the CPP further
comprises an operation to modulate a capacitance of the
energy storage element to discharge the load current to Sub
stantially Zero before the Subsequent operating cycle.
k k k k k
10