Patents by Inventor Kuo-Chi Liu
Kuo-Chi Liu has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11984419Abstract: Package structures and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. The package structure includes a first bump structure formed over a first substrate. The first bump structure includes a first pillar layer formed over the first substrate and a first barrier layer formed over the first pillar layer. In addition, the first barrier layer has a first protruding portion laterally extending outside a first edge of the first pillar layer. The package structure further includes a second bump structure bonded to the first bump structure through a solder joint. In addition, the second bump structure includes a second pillar layer formed over a second substrate and a second barrier layer formed over the second pillar layer. The first protruding portion of the first barrier layer is spaced apart from the solder joint.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2022Date of Patent: May 14, 2024Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Cheng-Hung Chen, Yu-Nu Hsu, Chun-Chen Liu, Heng-Chi Huang, Chien-Chen Li, Shih-Yen Chen, Cheng-Nan Hsieh, Kuo-Chio Liu, Chen-Shien Chen, Chin-Yu Ku, Te-Hsun Pang, Yuan-Feng Wu, Sen-Chi Chiang
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Patent number: 11955884Abstract: A resonant switching power converter circuit including: a switching converter, a control circuit and a pre-charging circuit; wherein the control circuit controls a first switch of the switching converter in a pre-charging mode, so as to control electrical connections between a first power and at least one of plural capacitors of the switching converter, and to control other switches of the switching converter, so as to control the pre-charging circuit to charge at least one capacitor to a predetermined voltage; wherein in a start-up mode, the plural switches control electrical connections of the capacitors according to first and second operation signals, such that after the pre-charging mode ends, the switching converter subsequently operates in the start-up mode; wherein in the start-up mode, the first and second operation signals have respective ON periods, and the time lengths of the ON periods increase gradually.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Richtek Technology CorporationInventors: Kuo-Chi Liu, Ta-Yung Yang, Chung-Lung Pai
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Patent number: 11953877Abstract: Manufacturing of a shoe or a portion of a shoe is enhanced by executing various shoe-manufacturing processes in an automated fashion. For example, information describing a shoe part may be determined, such as an identification, an orientation, a color, a surface topography, an alignment, a size, etc. Based on the information describing the shoe part, automated shoe-manufacturing apparatuses may be instructed to apply various shoe-manufacturing processes to the shoe part, such as a pickup and placement of the shoe part with a pickup tool.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: NILE, Inc.Inventors: Dragan Jurkovic, Patrick Conall Regan, Chih-Chi Chang, Chang-chu Liao, Ming-Feng Jean, Kuo-Hung Lee, Yen-Hsi Liu, Hung-Yu Wu
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Patent number: 11939268Abstract: A method of forming low-k material is provided. The method includes providing a plurality of core-shell particles. The core of the core-shell particles has a first ceramic with a low melting point. The shell of the core-shell particles has a second ceramic with a low melting point and a low dielectric constant. The core-shell particles are sintered and molded to form a low-k material. The shell of the core-shell particles is connected to form a network structure of a microcrystal phase.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2020Date of Patent: March 26, 2024Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTEInventors: Kuo-Chuang Chiu, Tzu-Yu Liu, Tien-Heng Huang, Tzu-Chi Chou, Cheng-Ting Lin
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Publication number: 20240072633Abstract: The present invention provides a resonant switched capacitor voltage converter (RSCC), which is coupled to and operates synchronously with another RSCC. The RSCC includes: plural switches, a resonant inductor, a resonant capacitor, and a control circuit. The control circuit controls the switches, so that the resonant capacitor and the resonant inductor are connected in series to each other, to perform resonant operation in a switching period, thus converting an input voltage to an output voltage. The control circuit generates a zero current signal and a first synchronization signal when a resonant inductor current flowing through the resonant inductor is zero. The control circuit turns off at least one corresponding switch according to the zero current signal. The control circuit turns on at least one corresponding switch according to the zero-current signal and a second synchronization signal, so that the RSCC operates in synchronization with at least another RSCC.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Inventors: Kuo-Chi Liu, Ta-Yung Yang, Wei-Hsu Chang, Chao-Chi Chen
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Publication number: 20240063720Abstract: A conversion control circuit controls plural stackable sub-converters which are coupled in parallel to generate an output power to a load, the conversion control circuit includes: a current sharing terminal, wherein a current sharing signal is configured to be connected to the current sharing terminals, in parallel, of the plurality of the conversion control circuits; and a current sharing circuit, configured to generate or receive the current sharing signal which is generated according to an output current of the output power; wherein the conversion control circuit adjusts the power stage circuit according to the current sharing signal for current sharing among the plural stackable sub-converters.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventors: Ta-Yung YANG, Wei-Hsu CHANG, Kuo-Chi LIU, Chao-Chi CHEN
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Publication number: 20230396162Abstract: A switched capacitor voltage converter circuit for converting a first voltage to a second voltage includes: an output capacitor; a switched capacitor converter; and a control circuit. The switched capacitor converter includes: a switch circuit including fourth switches; an inductor coupled between the switch circuit and the output capacitor; and a flying capacitor coupled to the switch circuit, wherein the flying capacitor and the output capacitor constitute a voltage divider. The control circuit generates a PWM signal according to the second voltage and generates switch signals according to the PWM signal to control the switch circuit, so as to convert the first voltage to the second voltage. The control circuit decides whether the switched capacitor converter operates in a boundary conduction mode, a discontinuous conduction mode or a continuous conduction mode according to an output current or an output current related signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2023Publication date: December 7, 2023Inventors: Kuo-Chi Liu, Ta-Yung Yang, Wei-Hsu Chang
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Publication number: 20230361674Abstract: A switched capacitor voltage converter circuit includes: a switched capacitor converter and a control circuit. The switched capacitor converter includes at least one resonant capacitor, switches and at least one inductor. The control circuit generates a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal according to a first voltage or a second voltage and generates a control signal according to the PWM signal and a zero current detection signal. The control signal controls the switched capacitor converter by operating the corresponding switches to switch electrical connection of the inductor, so as to convert the first voltage to the second voltage or convert the second voltage to the first voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2023Publication date: November 9, 2023Inventors: Kuo-Chi Liu, Ta-Yung Yang
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Publication number: 20230336074Abstract: A power converter includes first to fourth switches, a flying capacitor, an inductor, an output capacitor and a control circuit. The first to fourth switches are sequentially coupled in cascode. The first switch is used to receive an input voltage. The flying capacitor is coupled across the second switch and the third switch, the inductor is coupled to the second switch, the third switch and the output capacitor. The output capacitor is used to output an output voltage. When the input voltage is less than an input voltage threshold, the control circuit is used to switch the first to fourth switches according to a resonant frequency. When the input voltage exceeds the input voltage threshold, the control circuit switch is used to the first to fourth switches according to a regulated frequency exceeding the resonant frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Applicant: RICHTEK TECHNOLOGY CORP.Inventors: Kuo-Chi Liu, Ta-Yung Yang, Wei-Hsu Chang
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Publication number: 20230336075Abstract: A power converter includes first to fourth switches, a flying capacitor, an inductor, an output capacitor and a control circuit. The first to fourth switches are sequentially coupled in cascode. The first switch receives an input voltage, and the fourth switch is further coupled to a ground terminal. The flying capacitor is coupled across the second switch and the third switch, the inductor is coupled to the second switch, the third switch and the output capacitor. The output capacitor is used to output an output voltage. In a non-regulated mode, the control circuit switches the first to fourth switches according to a resonant frequency. In a regulated mode, the control circuit switches the first to fourth switches according to a regulated frequency exceeding the resonant frequency. When the flying capacitor is coupled to the inductor, the flying capacitor and the inductor can form a resonant circuit having the resonant frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Applicant: RICHTEK TECHNOLOGY CORP.Inventors: Kuo-Chi Liu, Ta-Yung Yang, Wei-Hsu Chang
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Patent number: 11742760Abstract: A resonant switching power converter includes: a power stage circuit and a driving circuit. The power stage circuit includes: a resonant capacitor, a resonant inductor and switches. The driving circuit includes: drivers for driving the switches; and a power supply circuit for providing driving powers to the drivers. The power supply circuit includes: a voltage booster circuit generating a booster power supply according to a clock signal, a DC voltage and an output related signal; driving capacitors, wherein a voltage across each driving capacitor corresponds to one driving power; and supply diodes, which are coupled in series from the booster power supply along a forward direction of the supply diodes. A backward end of each supply diode is coupled to a positive end of one corresponding driving power, to charge one corresponding driving capacitor, thus generating the corresponding driving power.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2021Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Inventors: Kuo-Chi Liu, Ta-Yung Yang, Chung-Lung Pai
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Patent number: 11742751Abstract: A resonant switching power converter includes: a first power stage circuit; a second power stage circuit; a controller; and a current sensing circuit configured to sense a first charging/discharging resonant current flowing through a first charging/discharging inductor of the first power stage circuit and sense a second charging/discharging resonant current flowing through a second charging/discharging inductor of the second power stage circuit, to generate a corresponding first current sensing signal and a corresponding second current sensing signal, respectively. The controller adjusts at least one of a first delay interval, a second delay interval, a third delay interval, a fourth delay interval, and/or input voltages, according to a first current sensing signal and a second current sensing signal, so that a constant ratio between an output current of the first power stage circuit and an output current of the second power stage circuit is achieved.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2021Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: RICHTEK TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Kuo-Chi Liu, Ta-Yung Yang, Chung-Lung Pai
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Patent number: 11736007Abstract: A resonant switching power converter includes: capacitors; switches; one charging inductor; and one discharging inductor. In a charging process, by switching the switches, the capacitors and the charging inductor form a charging path between an input voltage and an output voltage, wherein a turned-ON time point and a turned-OFF time point of the switches are synchronous with a start time point and an end time point of a positive half wave of a charging resonant current. In a discharging process, by switching the switches, each capacitor and the discharging inductor are connected in series between the output voltage and a ground voltage level, whereby plural discharging paths are formed, wherein a turned-ON time point and a turned-OFF time point of the switches are synchronous with a start time point and an end time point of a positive half wave of a discharging resonant current.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2021Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Inventors: Kuo-Chi Liu, Chung-Lung Pai
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Publication number: 20230246548Abstract: A switched capacitor voltage converter circuit for converting a first voltage to a second voltage, includes: a switched capacitor converter and a control circuit. The switched capacitor converter includes at least two capacitors, plural switches and at least one inductor. In a mode switching period wherein the switched capacitor converter switches from a present conversion mode to a next conversion mode, at least two forward switches of the plural switches operate in a unidirectional conduction mode. Each of the forward switches provides a current channel that unidirectionally flows toward the second voltage in the unidirectional conduction mode. The switched capacitor voltage converter circuit is also operable to convert the second voltage to the first voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 1, 2023Publication date: August 3, 2023Inventors: Kuo-Chi Liu, Ta-Yung Yang, Wei-Hsu Chang
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Patent number: 11716020Abstract: A DC-DC power conversion system includes a resonant switched-capacitor converter and a controller. The resonant switched-capacitor converter is switched between a first state and a second state to generate an output voltage, and includes an input terminal, a resonant tank, an output capacitor, a first set of switches and a second set of switches. The input terminal is used to receive an input voltage. The output capacitor is used to generate the output voltage. The first set of switches is turned on in the first state and turned off in the second state according to a first control signal. The second set of switches is turned on in the second state and turned off in the first state according to a second control signal. The controller adjusts the first control signal and the second control signal according to the output voltage.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2021Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: RICHTEK TECHNOLOGY CORP.Inventors: Kuo-Chi Liu, Ta-Yung Yang, Chung-Lung Pai
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Publication number: 20230223843Abstract: A switched capacitor voltage converter circuit includes: a switched capacitor converter, a control circuit and a zero current estimation circuit. The switched capacitor converter includes at least one resonant capacitor, switches and at least one inductor. The zero current estimation circuit is coupled to the at least one inductor and/or the at least one resonant capacitor, for estimating a time point at which a first resonant current is zero during a first process and/or a time point at which a second resonant current is zero during a second process according to a voltage difference between two ends of the inductor, and/or a voltage difference between two ends of the resonant capacitor, to a generate a zero current estimation signal accordingly for generating the operation signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2022Publication date: July 13, 2023Inventors: Kuo-Chi Liu, Ta-Yung Yang
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Patent number: 11682966Abstract: A switched capacitor converter circuit includes: plural capacitors and plural switches which periodically switch the coupling relationships of the plural capacitors. During a first period, the switches control at least two of the capacitors to be electrically connected in series between the first power and the second power, and control a first capacitor of the capacitors to be electrically connected in parallel to the second power. During a second period, the switches control at least two of the capacitors to be electrically connected in series between the second power and a ground voltage level, and control a second capacitor of the capacitors to be electrically connected in parallel with the second power, thereby executing power conversion between the first power and the second power.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2021Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: RICHTEK TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Kuo-Chi Liu, Ta-Yung Yang, Chung-Lung Pai
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Publication number: 20230179093Abstract: A switched capacitor voltage converter circuit includes: a switched capacitor converter and a control circuit. In a charging process of a resonant operation mode, the switches in the switched capacitor converter operate to form a series connection of at least one capacitor and an inductor between a first voltage and a second voltage, as a charging path. In a discharging process of the resonant operation mode, the switches operate to form a series connection of each capacitor and the inductor between the second voltage and a ground level, thus forming plural discharging paths simultaneously or sequentially. In an inductor switching mode, the switches operate to couple one end of the inductor to the first voltage or the ground level alternatingly. The control circuit decides to operate in the resonant operation mode or the inductor switching mode according to the first voltage, thereby maintaining the second voltage within a predetermined range.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2022Publication date: June 8, 2023Inventors: Kuo-Chi Liu, Ta-Yung Yang
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Patent number: 11671002Abstract: A resonant switching power converter includes: plural capacitors; plural switches; at least one charging inductor; at least one discharging inductor; a controller which generates a charging operation signal and at least one discharging operation signal; and at least one zero current detection circuit which detects a charging resonant current flowing through the charging inductor in a charging process and/or detect a discharging resonant current flowing through the discharging inductor in a discharging process. When detecting that a level of the charging resonant current or a level of the discharging resonant current is zero, the zero current detection circuit generates at least one zero current detection signal which is sent to the controller. The controller determines start time points and end time points of the charging process and the discharging process according to the zero current detection signal. There can be plural discharging processes.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: RICHTEK TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Kuo-Chi Liu, Chung-Lung Pai, Ta-Yung Yang
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Resonant switching power converter capable of performing discharging operation in a sequential order
Patent number: 11646654Abstract: A resonant switching power converter includes: capacitors; switches; at least one charging inductor; at least one discharging inductor; a controller generating a charging operation signal corresponding to charging process and discharging operation signals corresponding to discharging processes, to operate the switches to switch electrical connection relationships of the capacitors. In the charging process, the controller controls the switches via the charging operation signal, so that a series connection of the capacitors and the charging inductor is formed between the input voltage and the output voltage, which forms a charging path. In the discharging processes, the controller controls the switches via the discharging operation signals, so that a series connection of one of the capacitors and the discharging inductor is formed between the output voltage and a ground voltage level, to form plural discharging paths at different periods in a sequential order.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2021Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: RICHTEK TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Kuo-Chi Liu, Ta-Yung Yang, Chung-Lung Pai