Low-Frequency DC Switching for Universal AC Load Power

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing DC-to-AC converters for connecting direct-current energy sources to alternating current loads are inefficient, costly, and bulky, with efficiencies ranging from 85-90% and adding significant weight and cooling requirements.

Innovation Solution

A direct-current power source configured to power a universal AC load without a DC/AC converter, utilizing an energy storage device with an unregulated battery and a low-frequency switching mechanism to connect directly to AC loads, achieving over 99% efficiency and reducing volume and weight by up to five times and weight by three times compared to conventional systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a DC-to-AC converter (inverter) is used to connect a direct-current energy source to an alternating current load, then the load can be powered, but the system efficiency decreases to 85-90% and significant heat sinks and cooling fans are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to power AC loadVSAvoidconverter efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the DC-to-AC converter (inverter) from the system. By removing this intermediate conversion device, the system achieves direct power delivery from the DC energy storage to the AC load, thereby eliminating the 10-15% energy loss that occurs in conventional inverters and removing the need for heat sinks and cooling fans.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a bridge rectifier circuit as a new intermediary component that enables direct DC-to-AC power delivery. This bridge circuit acts as a mediator that allows the DC energy storage to directly power AC loads without requiring a traditional inverter, achieving over 99% efficiency while maintaining the ability to power universal AC loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a DC-to-AC converter (inverter) is used to connect a direct-current energy source to an alternating current load, then the load can be powered, but the system cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to power AC loadVSAvoidsystem cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the expensive DC-to-AC converter (inverter) from the system architecture. By eliminating this costly intermediate device, the overall system cost is significantly reduced while maintaining the functional capability of powering AC loads through the proposed bridge circuit approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the expensive, complex inverter system with a simpler, more cost-effective bridge rectifier circuit. This substitution uses more affordable components that achieve the same functional outcome of powering AC loads from DC energy storage, making the system economically viable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If a DC-to-AC converter (inverter) is used to connect a direct-current energy source to an alternating current load, then the load can be powered, but the system volume and weight increase by up to five times and three times respectively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to power AC loadVSAvoidsystem weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the heavy DC-to-AC converter (inverter) from the system. By eliminating this bulky intermediate device along with its associated heat sinks and cooling fans, the system weight is reduced by up to three times while maintaining the ability to power AC loads through the streamlined bridge circuit architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a compact bridge rectifier circuit as a new intermediary that replaces the heavy inverter system. This bridge circuit serves as a lightweight mediator enabling direct DC-to-AC power delivery, reducing system weight by up to three times while maintaining full functionality for powering universal AC loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If a DC-to-AC converter (inverter) is used to connect a direct-current energy source to an alternating current load, then the load can be powered, but the system volume increases by up to five times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to power AC loadVSAvoidsystem volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the bulky DC-to-AC converter (inverter) from the system architecture. By extracting this large intermediate device and its associated cooling components, the system volume is reduced by up to five times while maintaining the functional capability of powering AC loads through the compact bridge circuit design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a compact bridge rectifier circuit as a new intermediary component that enables direct DC-to-AC power delivery. This bridge circuit acts as a space-efficient mediator, reducing system volume by up to five times compared to traditional inverter systems while maintaining full functionality for universal AC load compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

5Reliability

If a DC-to-AC converter (inverter) is used to connect a direct-current energy source to an alternating current load, then the load can be powered, but the device complexity increases with multiple components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to power AC loadVSAvoidconverter component count
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the complex DC-to-AC converter (inverter) system from the architecture. By removing this multi-component intermediate device, the overall system complexity is significantly reduced while maintaining the ability to power AC loads through the simpler bridge circuit approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple functions into a single bridge rectifier circuit. This bridge circuit combines the functions of rectification, inversion, and power delivery that were previously distributed across multiple inverter components, thereby simplifying the system architecture and reducing component count while maintaining full functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12463444B2Devices, systems, and methods for a direct-current energy storage to power an alternating current load
Publication Date: 2025.11.04 YELLOW POWER SYST LLC
  • US12463444B2 patent drawing
  • US12463444B2 patent drawing
  • US12463444B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method to connect a direct current power (DC) source to a universal alternating current (AC) load can include an energy storage device configured to output a fixed voltage in a range of 84-135 volts (for 120 volt based systems) or 180-264 volts (for a 230 volt based systems). The universal AC load has input comprising a diode bridge followed by a storage capacitor. The unregulated DC source can be connected to the universal AC load by a switch that is turned on (closed) and off (open) with a low-frequency signal (e.g., 90 and 135 Hz) and a duty cycle between 80% and 98%. A sensor and inductor can be added to protect from excessive currents.