Patent · US Expired

Inrush current control for AC to DC converters

US6493245B1 · kind B1 · utility

20Cited by
16References
2Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 15, 2001
Grant dateDec 10, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 15, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S323/908
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The present invention provides for an apparatus and corresponding method for controlling inrush current in an AC-DC power converter by controlling the state of a plurality of silicon-controlled rectifiers (SCRs) when AC power is lost. The present invention provides full control of inrush current even during cold startup, warm startup, and power line disturbance conditions. The present invention controls inrush current without the need for an extra series dissapative device and its consequent additional losses. The preferred embodiment includes use of the present invention for AC-DC converters having active power factor correction. An alternative embodiment is for use in non-power factor corrected applications.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.