Power converter apparatus and method for controlling the same
First Claim
1. A power converter apparatus that converts electricity supplied from a power source into a different form and outputs the electricity to an output line, the apparatus comprising:
- a power section having a switching element, wherein the output line is connected to the power section, and wherein the power section converts electricity supplied from the power source into the different form and outputs the electricity to the output line by ON/OFF operation of the switching element;
a ground-fault detector that detects a ground fault in the output line and outputs a ground fault detecting signal;
a simulated ground fault generator that generates a simulated ground fault state in the output line;
a judging section that judges whether the ground fault detecting signal is output within a predetermined time of the operation of the simulated ground fault generator, and judges whether the output of the ground fault detecting signal is stopped as the simulated ground fault generator stops operating; and
a control section that controls the power section based on the judgment of the judging section, wherein, when the ground fault detecting signal is output within the predetermined time and the output of the ground fault detecting signal is stopped as the simulated ground fault generator stops operating, the control section causes the power section to continue outputting electricity, and wherein, when the ground fault detecting signal is not output within the predetermined time or when the output of the ground fault detecting signal is not stopped as the simulated ground fault generator stops operating, the control section stops the power section.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power converter apparatus converts electricity supplied from a power source into a different form and outputs the electricity to an output line. The apparatus includes a ground-fault detector and a simulated ground fault generator. When the ground fault detecting signal is output within an predetermined time and the output of the ground fault detecting signal is stopped as the simulated ground fault generator stops operating, a control section causes the power section to continue outputting electricity. When the signal is not output within the predetermined time or when the output of the signal is not stopped as the generator stops operating, the control section stops the power section. Therefore, the apparatus detects abnormality in the ground fault detector and continues supplying electricity without interruption when the detector is in a normal state.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A power converter apparatus that converts electricity supplied from a power source into a different form and outputs the electricity to an output line, the apparatus comprising:
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a power section having a switching element, wherein the output line is connected to the power section, and wherein the power section converts electricity supplied from the power source into the different form and outputs the electricity to the output line by ON/OFF operation of the switching element;
a ground-fault detector that detects a ground fault in the output line and outputs a ground fault detecting signal;
a simulated ground fault generator that generates a simulated ground fault state in the output line;
a judging section that judges whether the ground fault detecting signal is output within a predetermined time of the operation of the simulated ground fault generator, and judges whether the output of the ground fault detecting signal is stopped as the simulated ground fault generator stops operating; and
a control section that controls the power section based on the judgment of the judging section, wherein, when the ground fault detecting signal is output within the predetermined time and the output of the ground fault detecting signal is stopped as the simulated ground fault generator stops operating, the control section causes the power section to continue outputting electricity, and wherein, when the ground fault detecting signal is not output within the predetermined time or when the output of the ground fault detecting signal is not stopped as the simulated ground fault generator stops operating, the control section stops the power section. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A power converter apparatus that converts supplied electricity into a different form and outputs the electricity to a pair of output lines, the apparatus comprising:
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a power section that includes at least one of converters and inverters of DC-DC type, DC-AC type, AC-DC type and AC-AC type;
a ground-fault detector that detects a ground fault in the output lines, and outputs a ground fault detecting signal, wherein the ground fault detector is located on the output lines;
an electric path, wherein, at least for a predetermined time at the activation of the power section, the electric path connects a section of one of the output lines between the power section and the ground fault detector to a section of one of the output lines that is on the opposite side of the ground fault detector with respect to the power section; and
a controller that controls the power section, wherein, when the ground fault detecting signal is output within the predetermined time and the output of the ground fault detecting signal is stopped as the electric path is open, the controller causes the power section to continue outputting electricity, and wherein, when the ground fault detecting signal is not output within the predetermined time or when the output of the ground fault detecting signal is not stopped as the electric path is open, the controller stops the output of electricity from the power section.
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16. A method for controlling a power converter apparatus that converts electricity supplied from a power source into a different form and outputs the electricity to an output line, the method comprising:
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detecting a ground fault in the output line and outputting a ground fault detecting signal;
generating a simulated ground fault state in the output line for a predetermined time;
continuing outputting electricity to the output line when the ground fault detecting signal is output within the predetermined time and the output of the ground fault detecting signal is stopped as the simulated ground fault generator stops operating; and
stopping outputting electricity to the output line when the ground fault detecting signal is not output within the predetermined time or when the output of the ground fault detecting signal is not stopped as the simulated ground fault generator stops operating. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification