Patents Examined by Lincoln Donovan
  • Patent number: 10038441
    Abstract: A power switching cell with normally on field-effect transistors comprises a current switch receiving the control input signal over an activation input and a power transistor for switching a high voltage VDD applied to its drain, to its source that is connected to the output port of the cell. The control of the gate of the power transistor whose source is floating, according to the input signal, is provided by a self-biasing circuit connected between its gate and source. The current switch is connected between the self-biasing circuit and a zero or negative reference voltage. The self-biasing circuit comprises a transistor whose source or drain is connected to the gate or source of the power transistor. The gate of this transistor is biased by a resistor connected between its gate and source, and between the current switch and the source. The transistors are HEMT transistors using GaN or AsGa technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignees: THALES, COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES, UNIVERSITE DE LIMOGES, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE
    Inventors: Olivier Jardel, Raymond Quere, Stéphane Piotrowicz, Philippe Bouysse, Sylvain Delage, Audrey Martin
  • Patent number: 10038426
    Abstract: A current reference circuit includes a voltage generating device, a resistor, one or more diodes, and a thermal bridge including one or more metal alloy contacts disposed on a substrate. The voltage generating device and the resistor have similar temperature coefficients. The diodes are thermally connected to the voltage generating device through the substrate. The metal alloy contacts are coupled between the diodes and the resistor. The diodes form a reverse bias junction when the compensation circuit is energized such that the thermal bridge may provide thermal conduction between the voltage generating device and the resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Jacques Jean Bertin
  • Patent number: 10038433
    Abstract: A device for correcting a multi-phase clock signal includes a first duty ratio adjusting circuit (DRAC) to adjust a duty ratio of a first clock signal; a variable delay line (VDL) delaying a second clock signal; a second DRAC adjusting a duty ratio of the VDL output; first and second differential clock generating circuits (DFCGs) generating differential signals from first and second DRAC outputs, respectively; an edge combining circuit combining edges of outputs from the DFCGs; a duty ratio detecting circuit (DRDC) detecting a duty ratio of a first DRAC output or a first DFCG output in a first mode and of an edge combining circuit output in a second mode; a first control circuit controlling the first and second DRACs using a DRDC output in the first mode; and a second control circuit controlling the VDL using the DRDC output in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignees: SK HYNIX INC., KOREA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND BUSINESS FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Jeong Cho, Soowon Kim, Jinhoon Hyun, Chanhui Jeong, Daehan Kwon
  • Patent number: 10038339
    Abstract: A dual mode wireless power receiver (DMWPR) selectively applying a received power to a load device and utilizing at least a part of the power to power-up, communicate, and charge a secondary wireless power receiver (SWPR) is provided. The DMWPR includes a first circuitry having an impedance network, a switch network, a filter capacitor, and one or more switches, and a second circuitry having a security engine, a control logic circuit, and a modulator/demodulator circuit. The first circuitry receives power in charging mode and transmits power in communication mode. The second circuitry configures the first circuitry to allow receipt and transmittal of power, receives and interprets data from SWPR in identified wireless power protocol, and based on the type of SWPR authenticates, decrypts and encrypts data transfer between DMWPR and SWPR, and receives and executes on a request from SWPR to perform a function associated with transmitted power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: WIPQTUS INC.
    Inventor: Ganapathy Sankar
  • Patent number: 10033380
    Abstract: A control circuit and a terminal are provided. The control circuit includes a detector, a current-voltage conversion circuit and a control signal generation circuit. The current output end of the detector is connected with the current input end of the current-voltage conversion circuit. The voltage output end of the current-voltage conversion circuit is connected with the voltage input end of the control signal generation circuit. The signal input end of the control signal generation circuit outputs a control signal. The detector detects a state of motion of a detected object and generates at least one current signal according to the state of motion of the detected object. The current-voltage conversion circuit converts the at least one current signal transmitted by the detector to at least one voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: SANECHIPS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventor: Qingwei Shi
  • Patent number: 10033270
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing a local reference voltage for a voltage regulator includes a reference capacitor configured to provide the local reference voltage, a charge pump configured to push current to, or pull current from, the reference capacitor according to one or more control inputs received by the charge pump, and a boosting circuit configured to add or subtract a discrete quantity of charge to the reference capacitor according to one or more boosting control signals. A boosting control circuit may be configured to disconnect a boosting capacitor from the reference capacitor during a first phase of a control cycle and connect the boosting capacitor to the reference capacitor during a second phase of the control cycle. The boosting capacitor may be pre-charged (to add charge) or discharged (to subtract charge) during the first phase of the control cycle. A corresponding method is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Bulzacchelli, Seongwon Kim, Michael A. Sperling, Zeynep Toprak Deniz
  • Patent number: 10033369
    Abstract: A method of differential signal transfer from a differential input Vinp and Vinn having a common mode input voltage that can be higher than the power supply voltage by providing an input chopper having first through fourth chopper transistors, each having a source, a drain and a gate, the input chopper having Vinp and Vinn as a differential input, providing an output chopper, capacitively coupling a differential output Voutp and Voutn of the input chopper to a differential input of the output chopper, capacitively coupling a clock to the input chopper and coupling the clock to the output chopper, the clock having a first phase and a second phase opposite from the first phase, the first phase being coupled to the gates of the first and second transistors and the second phase being coupled to the gates of the third and fourth transistors, and providing protection of the gates of the first through fourth transistors from excessive voltages. Various embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Prodcuts, Inc.
    Inventors: Johan Hendrik Huijsing, Qinwen Fan, Kofi Afolabi Anthony Makinwa
  • Patent number: 10032921
    Abstract: A semiconductor device with a novel structure is provided. A semiconductor device with reduced power consumption is provided. A circuit which is configured to supply a signal from an input terminal to both a gate and a backgate of a transistor in a first state and to only the gate in a second state is provided. With this structure, a current supply capability of the transistor can be changed between operations; accordingly, power consumption can be reduced by the amount needed to charge the backgate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kei Takahashi, Atsushi Miyaguchi
  • Patent number: 10033262
    Abstract: A gate voltage control device includes a detection circuit, a plurality of isolation transformers including primary coils and secondary coils, a primary circuit connected to the primary coils, secondary circuits connected to the secondary coils, and voltage regulator circuits connected to the secondary circuits and gates. The detection circuit transmits signal corresponding to detected physical quantity to the primary circuit. The primary circuit cyclically performs applying a variable voltage in a waveform that corresponds to the signal transmitted from the detection circuit between both ends of each primary coil. Each secondary circuit converts the variable voltage generated in the corresponding secondary coil to a direct voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ken Toshiyuki, Shoji Abo
  • Patent number: 10027147
    Abstract: A holder configured to hold one or more components of a wireless charging power transfer system is provided. The apparatus comprises a first surface having one or more grooves configured to receive at least a portion of a conductor of a coil that spans the holder and at least one other holder, the coil configured to inductively transfer power via a magnetic field. The apparatus comprises one or more mechanical connectors configured to fasten the holder to the at least one other holder. The apparatus further comprises a plurality of transverse grooves on the first surface that extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of extension of the one or more grooves, the plurality of transverse grooves configured to guide the conductor of the coil from the holder to the at least one other holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Simon Peter Islinger, Steven Daniel Niederhauser
  • Patent number: 10027325
    Abstract: A circuit coupled to receive an input voltage that can span a wide voltage supply range and a voltage translator that includes the circuit are disclosed. The circuit includes a first metal oxide silicon (MOS) transistor having a first conductivity type and a first threshold voltage and a second MOS transistor having the first conductivity type and a second threshold voltage that is lower than the first threshold voltage. The first MOS transistor is coupled in parallel with the second MOS transistor between a first rail and a first signal line; the first MOS transistor and the second MOS transistor each receive a first signal on a respective gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Christopher Michael Graves
  • Patent number: 10026733
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a complementary bipolar junction transistor (BJT) integrated structure. The method includes forming a first backplate in a monolithic substrate below a first buried oxide (BOX) layer. Another forming step forms a second backplate in the monolithic substrate below the first BOX layer. The second backplate is electrically isolated from the first backplate. Another forming step forms an NPN lateral BJT above the first BOX layer and superposing the first backplate. The NPN lateral BJT is configured to conduct electricity horizontally between an NPN emitter and an NPN collector when the NPN lateral BJT is active. Another forming step forms a PNP lateral BJT superposing the second backplate. The PNP lateral BJT is configured to conduct electricity horizontally between a PNP emitter and a PNP collector when the PNP lateral BJT is active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Tak H. Ning, Jeng-Bang Yau
  • Patent number: 10027218
    Abstract: A power semiconductor device driving circuit has a capacitor whose one end is connected with a first or a second main electrode of a power semiconductor device, a first switch for charging the capacitor and a control electrode of the power semiconductor device with electric charges, and a second switch for discharging electric charges; in the case where when the first switch turns on, the control electrode and the capacitor are charged with electric charges through different resistors, electric charges are discharged from the control electrode and the capacitor through one and the same resistor when the second switch turns on; in the case where when the first switch turns on, the control electrode and the capacitor are charged with electric charges through one and the same resistor, electric charges are discharged from the control electrode and the capacitor through different resistors when the second switch turns on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Naka, Yasushi Nakayama, Yoshiko Tamada, Shoichi Orita
  • Patent number: 10023134
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a wiring harness attaching structure aiming at improvement in attaching workability and aiming at thinning of a vehicle door. Provided is a wiring harness attaching structure for attaching a wiring harness to a vehicle interior outer surface of a door trim constituting a vehicle door. The wiring harness is a flat cable whose width dimension is longer than a thickness dimension, is located inside a structure body containing gas phase, and is provided integrally with the structure body containing gas phase. The structure body containing gas phase is attached along the vehicle interior outer surface of the door trim. The wiring harness is attached to the door trim together with the structure body containing gas phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Yasumasa Osada, Gaku Ito
  • Patent number: 10020686
    Abstract: A power transmission system is disclosed in which power is transmitted from a power transmission apparatus to a power receiving apparatus by electric field coupling between active and passive electrodes. The power transmission apparatus includes a step-up/down circuit for stepping up or down a direct voltage and an inverter circuit for converting the direct voltage into an alternating voltage that is output to the active and passive electrodes. The power transmission apparatus controls the step-up/down circuit to sweep a transformation ratio M=Vo1/Vin and detects the ratio M when an input power Pin of the step-up/down circuit is a minimum. The power transmission apparatus drives the step-up/down circuit to obtain the ratio M and perform the power transmission. As a result, there is provided a power transmission system capable of efficiently performing power transmission regardless of the change in a load in the power receiving apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keiichi Ichikawa, Tsuyoshi Suesada, Henri Bondar, Hironobu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10018744
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting foreign object debris around a wireless power transfer system include a plurality of detectors, each detector featuring one or more loops of conducting material, and a controller configured to measure at least one of a voltage and a current in each detector and to determine, based on the measurements, whether foreign object debris is present around the wireless power transfer system, where at least some of the plurality of detectors include a first number of loops of the conducting material, and at least some of the plurality of detectors include a second number of loops of the conducting material larger than the first number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: WiTricity Corporation
    Inventors: Arunanshu Mohan Roy, Noam Katz, Nathaniel Endale Atnafu
  • Patent number: 10020798
    Abstract: A wideband RF attenuator circuit that has a reduced impact on the phase of an applied signal when switched between an attenuation state and a non-attenuating reference or bypass state. A low phase shift attenuation at high RF frequencies can be achieved by utilizing a switched signal path attenuator topology with multiple distributed transmission line elements per signal path to provide broadband operation, distribute parasitic influences, and improve isolation to achieve higher attenuation at higher frequencies while still maintaining low phase shift operational characteristics. In an alternative embodiment, extension to even higher frequencies can be achieved by utilizing a quarter-wave transmission line element at the signal interfaces of each signal path, thereby improving insertion loss and power handling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: pSemi Corporation
    Inventor: Vikas Sharma
  • Patent number: 10020800
    Abstract: A nanosecond pulser is disclosed. In some embodiments, the nanosecond pulser may include one or more switch circuits including one or more solid state switches, a transformer, and an output. In some embodiments, the transformer may include a first transformer core, a first primary winding wound at least partially around a portion of the first transformer core, and a secondary winding wound at least partially around a portion of the first transformer core. In some embodiments, each of the one or more switch circuits are coupled with at least a portion of the first primary winding. In some embodiments, the output may be electrically coupled with the secondary winding and outputs electrical pulses having a peak voltage greater than about 1 kilovolt and a rise time of less than 150 nanoseconds or less than 50 nanoseconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: EAGLE HARBOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: James R. Prager, Timothy M. Ziemba, Kenneth E. Miller, John G. Carscadden, Ilia Slobodov
  • Patent number: 10015927
    Abstract: An energy management system for an agricultural vehicle arrangement includes an electric power supply unit for the supply of a large number of electrical consumers with electric power, and a consumption monitoring unit for the determination of a total energy demand dependent on an actual operating state of the electrical consumers. The consumption monitoring unit undertakes an estimate of the electric power supply available from the electric power supply unit and compares it to the determined total electric power demand in order to reduce the electric power supply to the electrical consumers as a function of assigned supply priorities when the available electric power supply is exceeded by the determined total energy demand. The consumption monitoring unit undertakes a dynamic adaptation of the supply priorities as a function of a changing cooling demand of a vehicle unit that is cooled by means of at least one of the electrical consumers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Norbert Fritz, Rainer Gugel, Philipp Muench, Barbara Boehm, John W. Regenauer
  • Patent number: 10014725
    Abstract: The present invention provides a signal processing method performed by a hybrid wireless power transmitting apparatus which is configured to transmit wireless power signals based on magnetic resonance and magnetic induction, the method comprising transmitting a first object detection signal via an inductive power transmitting unit and a second object detection signal via a magnetic resonant power transmitting unit alternatively; operating one of the inductive power transmitting unit and the magnetic resonant power transmitting unit which is selected based on an inductive response signal and a resonant response signal corresponding to the first object detection signal and the second object detection signal respectively; and transmitting wireless power signal via the selected power transmitting unit; and a hybrid wireless power transmitting apparatus using the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: GE HYBRID TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Chun-Kil Jung, Byong-Uk Hwang