CPC Definition - Subclass H02M
This place covers:
Only circuits or apparatus for the conversion of AC or DC input power into AC or DC output power, or the conversion of AC or DC input power into surge output power, or arrangements for control or regulation of such circuits or apparatus.
The individual electro-technical devices employed when converting electric power are covered by the relevant subclasses, e.g. inductors, transformers H01F, capacitors, electrolytic rectifiers H01G, mercury-vapour rectifying or other discharge tubes H01J, semiconductor devices H01L, H10 impedance networks or resonant circuits not primarily concerned with the transfer of electric power H03H.
Voltage and current regulation circuits operating according to the non-switched (linear) principle are classified in subclass G05F
The subject matter of starting, regulating, electronically commutating, braking, or otherwise controlling electrical machines using power converters covered by this subclass is classified in subclass H02P.
Arrangements of power converters of this subclass in power distribution networks, not being concerned with the particular converter designs, are classified in subclass H02J.
Measuring of circuit parameters such as currents, voltages or magnetic flux in general and not particularly intended for power converters of this subclass, is classified in subclass G01R.
General mechanical arrangements of electronic components other than mechanical arrangements particularly intended for power converters of this subclass, are classified in subclass H05K.
Protection circuits in general, other than those forming an integral part of power converters of this subclass are classified in subclass H02H
Enabling and disabling of power switches, other than particularly intended for power switches in power converters of this subclass, is classified in subclass H03K.
Use and generation of Pulse Width Modulation schemes, other than particularly intended for power converters of this subclass, are classified in subclass H03K
General testing and monitoring of power converters of this subclass are classified in subclass G01R
Power converters particularly adapted for charging batteries are classified in subclass H02J.
Uninterruptible Power Supplies are classified in subclass H02J
Dynamically controlled power converters, that serve the purpose of signal amplification rather than energy supply as in this subclass, are classified in H03F
Power supply circuits particularly intended for operating light sources are classified in subclass H05B
Power supply circuits and arrangements particularly intended for computer type gear are classified in subclass G06F
Power supply circuits and arrangements particularly intended for video type gear are classified in subclass H04N
Switched capacitor power conversion circuits particularly intended for supply of semiconductor memory circuits are classified in subclass G11C
Power converters being used in a particular application and characterised by their operation in that application, without focus on the design of power converter, are classified in the subclass relevant for the application.
This place does not cover:
Transformers | |
Dynamo-electric converters | |
Controlling transformers, reactors or choke coils, control or regulation of electric motors, generators or dynamo-electric converters |
Examples of places where the subject matter of this place is covered when specially adapted, used for a particular purpose, or incorporated in a larger system:
Conversion of current or voltage specially adapted for use in electronic time-pieces with no moving parts | |
For digital computers | |
Static converters specially adapted for igniting or operating discharge lamps |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Testing power supplies | |
Systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables in general, e.g. using transformers, reactors or choke coils, combination of such systems with static converters | |
Emergency protective circuit arrangements...for static converters or rectifiers | |
Connection or control of one converter with regard to conjoint operation with a similar or other source of supply | |
Pulse generators | |
Electronic switching or gating | |
Generation or supply of power specially adapted for television receivers |
Switch Mode Power Converters are generally made up of generic, functional elements. Such generic elements are rectifiers (AC-DC-conversion), inverters (DC-AC-conversion), transformers (AC-AC-conversion), filters, regulation loops, resonance-circuits, drivers, snubbers etc. Of these generic elements only few may appear at first glance to be novel over the prior art and it serves no purpose repeatedly to classify all elements. Only those elements that appear novel should form basis for the classification.
In this place, the following terms or expressions are used with the meaning indicated:
SMPS | Switch Mode Power Supply. A general designation for the type of power converters where power is converted in small quantities at a very rapid pace. The energy entering into the conversion circuit or out of the conversion circuit is controlled by power switches. In an SMPS the power switches are typically operated either to be fully conducting or fully non-conducting, opposite to linear voltage regulators where the power switch is used as partly conductive. |
Chopper | Chopper is another name for a switch mode circuit. Chopper refers to that the signal (energy flow) is cut-up into small amounts. |
Conversion | In respect of an electric variable, e.g. voltage or current, conversion means the change of one or more of the parameters of the variable, e.g. amplitude, frequency, phase, polarity. |
PFC | Power Factor Correction. PFC relates to AC power input. Power Factor Correction is the discipline of rendering the input current sine-wave-shaped, with little harmonics and in phase with the AC input voltage. The aim is to make the AC input power load appear purely resistive for efficient use of the AC distribution network. |
Snubber | A circuit aiming at absorbing or redirecting inductive energy generated during switched power conversion when a power switch is turned off (rendered non-conductive). |
This place covers:
- Details of power converters that are generic for different types of power converters.
- Power switch driving circuits particularly intended for switch mode power converters.
- Adaptation of power converters for operation from different kind of input sources.
- Means for reducing ripple or harmonics on inputs or outputs.
- Contact mechanisms of dynamic converters.
- Means for protecting power converters.
- Means for starting and stopping power converters.
- Means for preventing simultaneous conduction of switches.
- Means for preventing magnetic saturation.
- Circuits or arrangements for Power Factor Correction.
- Circuits or arrangements for compensating for electromagnetic interference.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Protection circuits in general | |
Protection circuits in general, other than those forming an integral part of power converters | |
Electronic switching or gating |
This place covers:
Details of circuits used in static power converters for generating driving voltages or currents necessary for controlling, e.g. via a gate or base terminal, the switching state of power semiconductor devices (e.g., gate drivers).
The scope of this subgroup is not intended to cover logical control circuits in a static converter without additional, specialized driver circuitry for controlling the gate or base of a power semiconductor switching device.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Electronic switching or gating |
This place does not cover:
Control signals being transmitted optically |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Emergency protective circuit arrangements specially adapted for converters with automatic disconnection |
This place covers:
- Conversion of DC power input into DC power output without conversion into AC.
- Conversion of DC power input into DC power output with conversion into AC.
- Conversion of DC power input into DC power output using dynamic converters.
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Protection circuits in general | |
Electric motor control with feedback of internal parameters of the motor | |
Electronic switching or gating | |
Generation or supply of power specially adapted for television receivers |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Charge pumps for substrate bias voltage generators | |
Charge pumps for static stores | |
Charge pumping structures for internal polarisation |
This place does not cover:
Semiconductor devices having at least one active switching element at the secondary side of an isolation transformer | |
With self-oscillating arrangements |
This place does not cover:
Semiconductor devices in push-pull configuration |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Self-interrupters in general |
This place covers:
- Direct conversion of AC input power into different AC output power, e.g. by change of voltage, frequency or number of phases, without intermediate conversion into DC.
- Conversion of AC input power into AC output power with intermediate conversion onto DC (DC-link).
- Conversion of AC input power into AC output power using dynamic conversion means.
This place does not cover:
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Protection circuits in general | |
Electronic switching or gating |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Two stages of AC-AC conversion, e.g. having a high frequency intermediate link | |
Conversion of frequency |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Two stages of AC-AC conversion, e.g. having a high frequency intermediate link | |
Conversion of frequency |
This place covers:
- Constructional details of power converters.
- Conversion of AC power input into DC power output without reversal.
- Conversion of DC power input into AC power output without reversal.
- Conversion of AC power input into DC power output or DC power input into AC power output with possibility of reversal.
- Conversion of AC power input into DC power output or DC power input into AC power output using dynamic converter means.
This place does not cover:
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Semiconductor device modules |
This place does not cover:
Semiconductor devices comprising a passive stage to generate a rectified sinusoidal voltage and a controlled switching element in series between such stage and the output |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Self-interrupters in general |
This place does not cover:
High frequency intermediate AC stage | |
Discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode operating from a resonant DC source, i.e. the DC input voltage varies periodically, e.g. resonant DC-link inverters |
This place does not cover:
Special starting equipment |
This place does not cover:
High frequency intermediate AC stage | |
Discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode operating from a resonant DC source, i.e. the DC input voltage varies periodically, e.g. resonant DC-link inverters |
This place does not cover:
In a push-pull configuration |
This place does not cover:
Special starting equipment | |
Push-pull configuration | |
Self-oscillating arrangement | |
Bridge configuration |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Self-interrupters in general |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Devices of a triode or transistor type arranged for operation in parallel |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Self-interrupters in general |
This place covers:
- Switch mode power converters not falling under any of the groups described previously.
- Power converters with pulsed power output.
- Power converters including piezoelectric elements performing power conversion.
This place does not cover:
Generation of pulsed high-voltages used to generate sparks | H01T 15/00, F23Q, F02P/00 |
Attention is drawn to the following places, which may be of interest for search:
Piezoelectric devices |