← Back to Patent Explorer
US4855890A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Power factor correction circuit

Assignee: Vertiv Energy Systems Inc
•
Filing: 1988-10-27
•
Granted: 1989-08-08
•
Expires: 2008-10-27
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A power factor correction circuit for an off line supply of the switch mode type. In its simplest form the circuit is made up of a capacitor and an inductor. The capacitor is to be connected to the input rectifier of the supply. The capacitor is in aiding relationship for each half cycle of the line voltage. When so connected, a unidirectional current flows from the rectifier to charge the bank capacitors of the supply. The inductor is to be connected to at least the rectifier. The inductor causes the amplitude of the unidirectional current to increase and decrease at a rate which is less than it would be if the inductor was not so connected. Embodiments having at least two capacitors which are controlled to be switched in and out of the correction circuit as well as one or more inductors which may or may not be controlled are also disclosed.

Inventors

  • 👤 Neil Kammiller

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 12:24
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M1/00; H02M1/42; H02M1/4208; H02M1/4266; H02J; H02J3/00; H02J3/18; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B70/00; Y02B70/10; Y02E; Y02E40/00; Y02E40/30

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim 97 words
A power factor correction circuit for connection to an off line switch mode type power supply, said supply having an input for connection to an AC line voltage, rectifying means and energy storage capacitor means, said rectifying means having an input connected to said power supply input and an output connected to said energy storage capacitor means, said power factor correction circuit comprising: (a) at least one capacitor for connection between said rectifying means input and said energy storage capacitor means; (b) at least one inductor for connection between said power supply input and said rectifying means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 97 words
A power factor correction circuit for connection to an off line switch mode type power supply, said supply having an input for connection to an AC line voltage, rectifying means and energy storage capacitor means, said rectifying means having an input connected to said power supply input and an output connected to said energy storage capacitor means, said power factor correction circuit comprising: (a) at least one capacitor for connection between said rectifying means input and said energy storage capacitor means; (b) at least one inductor for connection between said power supply input and said rectifying means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 18 words
The power factor correction circuit of claim 1 wherein said at least one capacitor is a single capacitor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 38 words
The power factor correction circuit of claim 1 further comprising a controllable switch connected in series with said capacitor, said series connected controllable switch and capacitor for connection between said rectifying means and said energy storage capacitor means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 65 words
The power factor correction circuit of claim 3 wherein said power supply has a LOAD connected to said energy storage capacitor means and means for generating a signal indicative of current amplitude in said LOAD and said power factor correction circuit further comprises control means responsive to said indicative signal for controlling said controllable switch to be open or closed dependent upon said current amplitude.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 46 words
The power factor correction circuit of claim 1 wherein said capacitor is first and second capacitors and wherein said correction circuit further comprises a first controllable switch connected in series with said first capacitor and a second controllable switch connected in series with said second capacitor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 67 words
The power factor correction circuit of claim 5 wherein said power supply has a LOAD connected to said energy storage capacitor means and means for generating a signal indicative of current amplitude in said LOAD and said power factor correction circuit further comprises control means responsive to said indicative signal for controlling said first and said second controllable switches to change state dependent upon said current amplitude.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 95 words
The power factor correction circuit of claim 6 wherein said first and said second controllable switches each have the same state when said current amplitude has not reached a first predetermined amplitude, said control means controlling said first switch to change state when said current amplitude reaches said first predetermined amplitude, said control means controlling said first switch and said second switch to both change state when said current amplitude reaches a second predetermined amplitude and said control means controlling said first switch to change state when said current amplitude reaches a third predetermined amplitude.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 87 words
In an off line switch mode type power supply having an input for connection to an AC line voltage, rectifying means and energy storage capacitor means, said rectifying means having an input connected to said power supply input and an output connected to said energy storage capacitor means, a power factor correction circuit comprising: (a) at least one capacitor connected between said rectifying means input and said energy storage capacitor means; and (b) at least one inductor connected between said power supply input and said rectifying means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 87 words
In an off line switch mode type power supply having an input for connection to an AC line voltage, rectifying means and energy storage capacitor means, said rectifying means having an input connected to said power supply input and an output connected to said energy storage capacitor means, a power factor correction circuit comprising: (a) at least one capacitor connected between said rectifying means input and said energy storage capacitor means; and (b) at least one inductor connected between said power supply input and said rectifying means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 15 words
The power factor correction circuit of claim 8 wherein said capacitor is a single capacitor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 37 words
The power factor correction circuit of claim 8 further comprising a controllable switch connected in series with said capacitor, said series connected controllable switch and capacitor connected between said rectifying means and said energy storage capacitor means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 65 words
The power factor correction circuit of claim 10 wherein said power supply has a LOAD connected to said energy storage capacitor means and means for generating a signal indicative of current amplitude in said LOAD and said power factor correction circuit further comprises control means responsive to said indicative signal for controlling said controllable switch to be open or closed dependent upon said current amplitude.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 46 words
The power factor correction circuit of claim 8 wherein said capacitor is first and second capacitors and wherein said correction circuit further comprises a first controllable switch connected in series with said first capacitor and a second controllable switch connected in series with said second capacitor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 66 words
The power factor correction circuit of claim 12 wherein said power supply has a LOAD connected to said energy storage capacitor means and means for generating a signal indicative of current amplitude in said LOAD and said power factor correction circuit further comprises control means responsive to said indicative signal for controlling said first and second controllable switches to change state dependent upon said current amplitude.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 94 words
The power factor correction circuit of claim 13 wherein said first and second controllable switches each have the same state when said current amplitude has not reached a first predetermined amplitude, said control means controlling said first switch to change state when said current amplitude reaches said first predetermined amplitude, said control means controlling said first switch and said second switch to both change state when said current amplitude reaches a second predetermined amplitude and said control means controlling said first switch to change state when said current amplitude reaches a third predetermined amplitude.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 109 words
A power factor correction circuit for connection to an off line switch mode type power supply, said supply having AC terminals for connection to an AC line voltage, rectifying means having two AC terminals connected to said power supply AC terminals and having two DC terminals, and energy storage capacitor means connected to said two DC terminals, said power factor correction circuit comprising: (a) at least one capacitor for connection between one of said rectifying means two AC terminals and said energy storage capacitor means; and (b) at least one inductor for connection between said power supply AC terminals and the other of said rectifying means two AC terminals.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 109 words
A power factor correction circuit for connection to an off line switch mode type power supply, said supply having AC terminals for connection to an AC line voltage, rectifying means having two AC terminals connected to said power supply AC terminals and having two DC terminals, and energy storage capacitor means connected to said two DC terminals, said power factor correction circuit comprising: (a) at least one capacitor for connection between one of said rectifying means two AC terminals and said energy storage capacitor means; and (b) at least one inductor for connection between said power supply AC terminals and the other of said rectifying means two AC terminals.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 15 words
The power factor correction circuit of claim 15 wherein said capacitor is a single capacitor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 38 words
The power factor correction circuit of claim 15 further comprising a controllable switch connected in series with said capacitor, said series connected controllable switch and capacitor for connection between said rectifying means and said energy storage capacitor means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 46 words
The power factor correction circuit of claim 15 wherein said capacitor is first and second capacitors and wherein said correction circuit further comprises a first controllable switch connected in series with said first capacitor and a second controllable switch connected in series with said second capacitor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 72 words
A power factor corrected off line switch mode type power supply having an input for connection to an AC line voltage comprising: (a) rectifying means having an input connected to said power supply input and having an output; (b) energy storage capacitor means connected to said rectifying means output; and (c) means for correcting said power factor connected between said power supply input, said rectifying means and said energy storage capacitor means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 72 words
A power factor corrected off line switch mode type power supply having an input for connection to an AC line voltage comprising: (a) rectifying means having an input connected to said power supply input and having an output; (b) energy storage capacitor means connected to said rectifying means output; and (c) means for correcting said power factor connected between said power supply input, said rectifying means and said energy storage capacitor means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 51 words
The off line switch mode type power supply of claim 19 wherein said power factor correction means comprises: (i) at least one capacitor connected to said rectifying means input and said energy storage capacitor means; and (ii) at least one inductor connected between said power supply input and said rectifying means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 22 words
The off line switch mode type power supply of claim 20 wherein said power factor correction means capacitor is a single capacitor.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 50 words
The off line switch mode type power supply of claim 20 wherein said power factor correction means further comprises a controllable switch connected in series with said power factor correction means capacitor, said series connected controllable switch and capacitor connected to said rectifying means and said energy storage capacitor means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 53 words
The off line switch mode type power supply of claim 20 wherein said power factor correction means capacitor is first and second capacitors and wherein said correction means further comprises a first controllable switch connected in series with said first capacitor and a second controllable switch connected in series with said second capacitor.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 69 words
The off line switch mode type power supply of claim 23 wherein said power supply has a LOAD connected to said energy storage capacitor means and means for generating a signal indicative of current amplitude in said LOAD and said power factor correction means further comprises control means responsive to said indicative signal for controlling said first and second controllable switches to change state dependent upon said current amplitude.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 101 words
A power factor correction circuit for connection to an off line switch mode type power supply, said supply having an input for connection to an AC line voltage, rectifying means connected to said input and energy storage capacitor means connected to said rectifying means, said power factor correction circuit comprising: (a) first and second capacitors for connection to at least said rectifying means; (b) at least one inductor for connection to at least said rectifying means; and (c) a first controllable switch connected in series with said first capacitor and a second controllable switch connected in series with said second capacitor.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 101 words
A power factor correction circuit for connection to an off line switch mode type power supply, said supply having an input for connection to an AC line voltage, rectifying means connected to said input and energy storage capacitor means connected to said rectifying means, said power factor correction circuit comprising: (a) first and second capacitors for connection to at least said rectifying means; (b) at least one inductor for connection to at least said rectifying means; and (c) a first controllable switch connected in series with said first capacitor and a second controllable switch connected in series with said second capacitor.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 67 words
The power factor correction circuit of claim 25 wherein said power supply has a LOAD connected to said energy storage capacitor means and means for generating a signal indicative of current amplitude in said LOAD and said power factor correction circuit further comprises control means responsive to said indicative signal for controlling said first and said second controllable switches to change state dependent upon said current amplitude.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 95 words
The power factor correction circuit of claim 26 wherein said first and said second controllable switches each have the same state when said current amplitude has not reached a first predetermined amplitude, said control means controlling said first switch to change state when said current amplitude reaches said first predetermined amplitude, said control means controlling said first switch and said second switch to both change state when said current amplitude reaches a second predetermined amplitude and said control means controlling said first switch to change state when said current amplitude reaches a third predetermined amplitude.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 39 words
The power factor correction circuit of claim 17 wherein said series connected first controllable switch and first capacitor, and said series connected second controllable switch and second capacitor are each also for connection to said energy storage capacitor means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 90 words
In an off line switch mode type power supply having an input for connection to an AC line voltage, rectifying means connected to said input and energy storage capacitor means connected to said rectifying means, a power factor correction circuit comprising: (a) first and second capacitors connected to at least said rectifying means; (b) at least one inductor connected to at least said rectifying means; and (c) a first controllable switch connected in series with said first capacitor and a second controllable switch connected in series with said second capacitor.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 90 words
In an off line switch mode type power supply having an input for connection to an AC line voltage, rectifying means connected to said input and energy storage capacitor means connected to said rectifying means, a power factor correction circuit comprising: (a) first and second capacitors connected to at least said rectifying means; (b) at least one inductor connected to at least said rectifying means; and (c) a first controllable switch connected in series with said first capacitor and a second controllable switch connected in series with said second capacitor.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 66 words
The power factor correction circuit of claim 29 wherein said power supply has a LOAD connected to said energy storage capacitor means and means for generating a signal indicative of current amplitude in said LOAD and said power factor correction circuit further comprises control means responsive to said indicative signal for controlling said first and second controllable switches to change state dependent upon said current amplitude.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 94 words
The power factor correction circuit of claim 30 wherein said first and second controllable switches each have the same state when said current amplitude has not reached a first predetermined amplitude, said control means controlling said first switch to change state when said current amplitude reaches said first predetermined amplitude, said control means controlling said first switches and said second switch to both change state when said current amplitude reaches a second predetermined amplitude and said control means controlling said first switch to change state when said current amplitude reaches a third predetermined amplitude.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3365657A Cited
DE1934980A1 Cited
US4074344A Cited
US4193111A Cited
US4222096A Cited
US4384321A Cited
US4437146A Cited
US4412277A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1992-08-07 1993-02-06 1993-08-08 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1996-08-07 1997-02-06 1997-08-08 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2000-08-07 2001-02-06 2001-08-08 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag