IP Library Granted Patent US 12,334,294
Granted Patent B2
US 12,334,294 · App. 18/002,906 · Granted Jun 17, 2025

Power supply device

Inventors: Yousuke Hayashi (Chuo-ku, JP); Xiaochen Zhang (Chuo-ku, JP); Haruyoshi Mori (Chuo-ku, JP)
Assignee: TMEIC Corporation
H01H9/541H02J3/381H02M1/0009H02M1/344
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,334,294
App. No.
18/002,906
Granted
Jun 17, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

An AC switch that includes a semiconductor switch and a snubber circuit connected in parallel between a first terminal connected to an AC power supply via a circuit breaker and a second terminal connected to a load. The power converter is connected between a power storage device and the second terminal. The current detector detects a current flowing through the AC switch. When the AC power supply is normal, the controller turns on the semiconductor switch. When an open state of the circuit breaker is detected, the controller controls the power converter to supply a current having a phase opposite to that of the current detected by the current detector to flow through the semiconductor switch and supply the AC power to the load. The controller further turns off the semiconductor switch in response to that the amplitude of the current detected by the current detector is 0.

Claims (25)

1. A power supply device comprising:

a first terminal that is connected to an AC power supply via a circuit breaker;

a second terminal that is connected to a load;

an AC switch that includes a semiconductor switch and a snubber circuit connected in parallel to each other between the first terminal and the second terminal;

a power converter that is connected between a power storage device and the second terminal to convert DC power from the power storage device into AC power and output the AC power to the second terminal;

a current detector that detects a current flowing through the AC switch;

a voltage detector that detects an AC voltage input to the first terminal; and

a controller that controls the AC switch and the power converter based on a detection value of the voltage detector,

when the AC power supply is normal, the controller turns on the semiconductor switch so as to supply AC power from the AC power supply to the load via the AC switch,

when an open state of the circuit breaker is detected,

the controller controls the power converter so as to supply a current having a phase opposite to that of the current detected by the current detector to flow through the semiconductor switch and supply the AC power to the load, and

the controller turns off the semiconductor switch in response to that an amplitude of the current detected by the current detector is 0.

2. The power supply device according to claim 1 , wherein

the circuit breaker includes a mechanical switch,

the circuit breaker opens the mechanical switch in response to an open command sent from outside of the circuit breaker, and

the controller detects the open state of the circuit breaker based on the detection of the open command sent to the circuit breaker.

3. The power supply device according to claim 1 , wherein

the AC power supply is a three-phase AC power supply,

the current detector detects three phase AC currents flowing through the AC switch, and

the controller detects the open state of the circuit breaker based on that any one phase AC current of the three phase AC currents detected by the current detector has been maintained at 0 for a predetermined time.

4. The power supply device according to claim 3 , wherein

the circuit breaker includes a mechanical switch,

the circuit breaker opens the mechanical switch when an accident occurs in a power system equipped with the AC power supply.

5. The power supply device according to claim 1 , wherein

the controller turns off the semiconductor switch, and controls the power converter to convert DC power of the power storage device into AC power and supply the AC power to the load.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 26, 2024
From: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
To: TMEIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 067244/0359 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 22, 2022
From: HAYASHI, YOUSUKE; ZHANG, XIAOCHEN; MORI, HARUYOSHI
To: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 062181/0601 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230352253A1 · Nov 2, 2023
References Cited (8)
US 20150280546A1 · Kouno · 2015 [cited by examiner]
US 20200366078A1 · Telefus · 2020 [cited by examiner]
JP 2003164166A · 2003 [cited by examiner]
JP 2009136099A · 2009 [cited by applicant]
JP 2016149213A · 2016 [cited by examiner]
Y. Wu, Y. Hu, Y. Wu, M. Rong and Q. Yi, “Investigation of an Active Current Injection DC Circuit Breaker Based on a Magnetic Induction Current Commutation Module,” in IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, vol. 33, No. 4,… [cited by examiner]
International Search Report issued Jul. 13, 2021 in PCT/JP2021/018383, filed on May 14, 2021, 2 pages. [cited by applicant]
Office Action dated Feb. 14, 2025. issued in corresponding Korean patent application No. 10-2023-7000253 (with machine translation). [cited by applicant]