H03K3/45

Electrical power system including energy storage modules and shared system controller

An example electrical power system includes a bus current controller configured to adjust a direct current (DC) provided on a DC bus, and a plurality of energy storage modules (ESMs). Each ESM includes at least one energy storage device, and includes a DC/DC converter configured to control charging of the at least one energy storage device from the DC bus and discharging of the at least one energy storage device onto the DC bus. A shared system controller is configured to control the bus current controller and the plurality of DC/DC converters. A method of controlling an electrical power system is also disclosed.

Electrical power system including energy storage modules and shared system controller

An example electrical power system includes a bus current controller configured to adjust a direct current (DC) provided on a DC bus, and a plurality of energy storage modules (ESMs). Each ESM includes at least one energy storage device, and includes a DC/DC converter configured to control charging of the at least one energy storage device from the DC bus and discharging of the at least one energy storage device onto the DC bus. A shared system controller is configured to control the bus current controller and the plurality of DC/DC converters. A method of controlling an electrical power system is also disclosed.

Power contact fault clearing device

A power contact fault clearing device includes a first pair of terminals adapted to be connected across a first set of switchable contacts, and a second pair of terminals adapted to be connected across a second set of switchable contacts. The second set of switchable contacts coupled to an arc suppressor. A current sensor is adapted to be connected between a power load and the second set of switchable contacts. The current sensor is configured to measure a power load current associated with the power load. A controller circuit is operatively coupled to the current sensor and the first and second pairs of terminals. The controller circuit is configured to detect a fault condition based at least on the power load current, and sequence deactivation of the first set of switchable contacts and the second set of switchable contacts based on the detected fault condition.

Generating random bitstreams with magnetic tunnel junctions
10732933 · 2020-08-04 · ·

True random number generation (TRNG) circuits are presented which employ magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) elements that can change magnetization state probabilistically in response to application of electrical pulses. Some implementations include pulse generators which apply perturbation sequences to the MTJ elements. The MTJ elements responsively produce randomized outputs related to changes in magnetization states. Probability compensators are included which monitor for deviations in measured probabilities in the randomized outputs from a target probability. The probability compensators make adjustments to the perturbation sequences to influence probabilistic changes in the magnetization states of the MTJ elements and bring the measured probabilities to within a predetermined deviation from the target probability.

Wet/Dry Contact Sequencer
20200243268 · 2020-07-30 ·

Device, circuit, system, and method for contact sequencing are discussed. An electrical circuit includes a first pair of terminals adapted to be connected across a first set of switchable contacts, and a second pair of terminals adapted to be connected across a second set of switchable contacts that are coupled to an arc suppression circuit. A controller circuit is coupled to the first and second pairs of terminals and is configured to sequence activation or deactivation of the first and second sets of contacts based on a contact control signal. A first power switching circuit is coupled to the first pair of terminals and the controller circuit. The first power switching circuit is configured to switch power from an external power source and to trigger the activation or the deactivation of the first set of switchable contacts based on a first logic state signal from the controller circuit.

Power Contact Health Assessor Apparatus and Method
20200243269 · 2020-07-30 ·

A power contact health assessor system includes a pair of terminals adapted to be connected to a set of switchable contact electrodes of a power contact and a contact separation detector configured to determine a time of separation of the set of switchable contact electrodes during deactivation of the power contact. The system includes a controller circuit operatively coupled to the pair of terminals and the contact separation detector. The controller circuit is configured to determine within a first observation window, a plurality of contact stick durations and an average contact stick duration. One or more additional observation windows with corresponding average contact stick durations are configured. A health assessment for the set of switchable contact electrodes may be based on a subsequent contact stick duration for a contact cycle after the first observation window and the corresponding average contact stick durations for the one or more additional observation windows.

Power Contact End-of-Life (EoL) Predictor Apparatus and Method
20200243275 · 2020-07-30 ·

A power contact EoL predictor includes a pair of terminals adapted to be connected to a set of switchable contact electrodes of a power contact; a power switching circuit configured to trigger activation of the contact electrodes based on a first logic state signal or deactivation based on a second logic state signal; a contact separation detector determining a time of separation of the switchable contact electrodes of the power contact during the deactivation, and a controller configured to generate the second logic state signal to trigger the deactivation, and determine a stick duration associated with the set of switchable contact electrodes. The stick duration is based on a difference between a time the second logic state signal is generated and the time of separation during the contact cycle. The controller generates an EoL prediction for the contact electrodes based on the determined stick duration for multiple contact cycles.

Power Contact Fault Clearing Device
20200244060 · 2020-07-30 ·

A power contact fault clearing device includes a first pair of terminals adapted to be connected across a first set of switchable contacts, and a second pair of terminals adapted to be connected across a second set of switchable contacts. The second set of switchable contacts coupled to an arc suppressor. A current sensor is adapted to be connected between a power load and the second set of switchable contacts. The current sensor is configured to measure a power load current associated with the power load. A controller circuit is operatively coupled to the current sensor and the first and second pairs of terminals. The controller circuit is configured to detect a fault condition based at least on the power load current, and sequence deactivation of the first set of switchable contacts and the second set of switchable contacts based on the detected fault condition.

Wet/dry contact sequencer

Device, circuit, system, and method for contact sequencing are discussed. An electrical circuit includes a first pair of terminals adapted to be connected across a first set of switchable contacts, and a second pair of terminals adapted to be connected across a second set of switchable contacts that are coupled to an arc suppression circuit. A controller circuit is coupled to the first and second pairs of terminals and is configured to sequence activation or deactivation of the first and second sets of contacts based on a contact control signal. A first power switching circuit is coupled to the first pair of terminals and the controller circuit. The first power switching circuit is configured to switch power from an external power source and to trigger the activation or the deactivation of the first set of switchable contacts based on a first logic state signal from the controller circuit.

Power contact end-of-life (EoL) predictor apparatus and method

A power contact EoL predictor includes a pair of terminals adapted to be connected to a set of switchable contact electrodes of a power contact; a power switching circuit configured to trigger activation of the contact electrodes based on a first logic state signal or deactivation based on a second logic state signal; a contact separation detector determining a time of separation of the switchable contact electrodes of the power contact during the deactivation, and a controller configured to generate the second logic state signal to trigger the deactivation, and determine a stick duration associated with the set of switchable contact electrodes. The stick duration is based on a difference between a time the second logic state signal is generated and the time of separation during the contact cycle. The controller generates an EoL prediction for the contact electrodes based on the determined stick duration for multiple contact cycles.