Patents by Inventor Robert J. Mayell

Robert J. Mayell 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).

  • Publication number: 20100072966
    Abstract: A circuit with an isolation interface and a remote on/off function is disclosed. The circuit includes a controller included in a primary side of the circuit. The controller is coupled to receive a primary side feedback signal and the controller is configured to enter a shutdown mode when the primary side feedback signal exceeds a feedback signal threshold. The circuit also includes an isolation interface coupled to galvanically isolate the primary side from a secondary side of the circuit. The isolation interface translates a secondary side feedback signal from the secondary side into the primary side feedback signal on the primary side. The isolation interface is configured to adjust the primary side feedback signal to exceed the feedback signal threshold in response to an on/off signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Robert J. Mayell
  • Publication number: 20100073966
    Abstract: A control circuit for use in a power converter in one aspect limits the magnetic flux in a transformer of a switching power converter. A first controlled current source has a first current that is substantially directly proportional to an input voltage to be applied to a winding of the transformer. A second controlled current source has a second current that is substantially directly proportional to a reset voltage to be applied to the winding of the transformer. A first switch is adapted to charge an integrating capacitor with the first current while the input voltage is applied to the winding of the transformer. A second switch is adapted to discharge the integrating capacitor with the second current when the reset voltage is applied to the winding of the transformer. A third switch is adapted to remove and to prevent application of the input voltage to the winding of the transformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Robert J. Mayell
  • Publication number: 20100073968
    Abstract: A power supply includes a first power converter, a second power converter, and a clamp reset circuit. The clamp reset circuit is electrically coupled to other components within the first power converter and the second power converter. A clamp standby connection can be provided to electrically couple the clamp reset circuit to components comprising the second power converter. The clamp reset circuit is coupled to reduce magnetizing energy of a transformer of the first power converter and limit voltage in a component of the second power converter. The clamp reset circuit may include a Zener diode and a resistor that are adapted to reduce magnetizing energy of the first power converter and voltage through the second power converter. The clamp reset circuit normally includes a capacitor that is adapted to store energy from the first power converter and the second power converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Robert J. Mayell
  • Publication number: 20100073041
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to select functional parameters and/or operating modes of a circuit based on a measurement during an initialization period. In one aspect an integrated circuit includes a threshold detection circuit coupled to measure during an initialization period of the integrated circuit a signal from a first external circuit comprising one or more components coupled to a first external terminal of the integrated circuit. A selection circuit is coupled to the threshold detection circuit to select a parameter/mode of the integrated circuit in response to the signal from the first external circuit during the initialization period of the integrated circuit. The first external terminal is further coupled to one or more additional external circuits, each of which comprising one or more components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Alex B. Djenguerian, Robert J. Mayell, Kent Wong
  • Publication number: 20100039837
    Abstract: A switching circuit for use in a power converter in one aspect includes a first and second active switch and a first and second passive switch. The first active switch can be coupled to a first terminal of a primary winding of a transformer. The second active switch can be coupled to a second terminal of the primary winding of the transformer. The output capacitance of the first active switch is greater than the output capacitance of the second active switch. The first passive switch can be coupled to the second active switch and to the second terminal of the primary winding. The second passive switch can be coupled to the first active switch and to the first terminal of the primary winding. The reverse recovery time of the first passive switch is greater than the reverse recovery time of the second passive switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Robert J. Mayell
  • Patent number: 7626373
    Abstract: A current sink circuit is disclosed. An apparatus according to aspects of the present invention includes a sensing element, a pass element coupled to the sensing element and a setting element coupled to the pass element. The setting element provides both a voltage threshold level and a current regulation reference. The pass element is to pass current conducted through the current sink circuit in response to the setting element. The current conducted through the current sink circuit is substantially zero when a voltage applied across the current sink circuit is below the voltage threshold level. A signal generated by the sensing element is regulated in response to the current regulation reference by regulating a current conducted through the pass element when a voltage applied across the current sink circuit is above the voltage threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Mayell
  • Publication number: 20090262561
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to regulate a power supply with a compensation signal generation circuit. One example regulated power supply includes a sense circuit coupled to sense an output voltage of the regulated power supply. The regulated power supply also includes a switching power converter circuit, which includes a switch coupled to be switched in response to a control signal received from the sense circuit to regulate the output voltage of the regulated power supply. The regulated power supply also includes a compensation signal generation circuit coupled to receive a switching signal representative of a switching of the switch in the switching power converter circuit. The compensation signal generation circuit is to generate a compensation signal responsive to the switching signal. The compensation signal is to be received by the sense circuit to modify the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert J. Mayell, Chan Woong Park
  • Publication number: 20090201619
    Abstract: An in-rush current limiting circuit is disclosed. An apparatus according to aspects of the present invention includes a power switch having a first, second and third terminals. A capacitor having a first terminal and a second terminal is also included. The second terminal of the capacitor is coupled to the first terminal of a current source. The second terminal of the current source is coupled to a second input terminal of the in-rush current limit circuit. A power switch is also included. The first terminal of the power switch is coupled to the anode of a diode. The cathode of the diode is connected to the first terminal of the current source. The second terminal of the power switch is coupled to a second input terminal of the in-rush current limit circuit. The third terminal of the power switch is coupled to be responsive to a voltage across the current source circuit in response to a rate of change of voltage between first and second terminals of the power switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Robert J. Mayell
  • Patent number: 7570500
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to regulate a power supply with a compensation signal generation circuit. One example regulated power supply includes a sense circuit coupled to sense an output voltage of the regulated power supply. The regulated power supply also includes a switching power converter circuit, which includes a switch coupled to be switched in response to a control signal received from the sense circuit to regulate the output voltage of the regulated power supply. The regulated power supply also includes a compensation signal generation circuit coupled to receive a switching signal representative of a switching of the switch in the switching power converter circuit. The compensation signal generation circuit is to generate a compensation signal to approximate a load current to be delivered from an output of the regulated power supply. The compensation signal is to be received by the sense circuit to modify the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Mayell, Chan Woong Park
  • Patent number: 7535691
    Abstract: An in-rush current limiting circuit is disclosed. An apparatus according to aspects of the present invention includes a power switch having a first, second and third terminals. A capacitor having a first terminal and a second terminal is also included. The second terminal of the capacitor is coupled to the first terminal of a current source. The second terminal of the current source is coupled to a second input terminal of the in-rush current limit circuit. A power switch is also included. The first terminal of the power switch is coupled to the anode of a diode. The cathode of the diode is connected to the first terminal of the current source. The second terminal of the power switch is coupled to a second input terminal of the in-rush current limit circuit. The third terminal of the power switch is coupled to be responsive to a voltage across the current source circuit in response to a rate of change of voltage between first and second terminals of the power switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Mayell
  • Publication number: 20080157739
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to regulate a power supply with a compensation signal generation circuit. One example regulated power supply includes a sense circuit coupled to sense an output voltage of the regulated power supply. The regulated power supply also includes a switching power converter circuit, which includes a switch coupled to be switched in response to a control signal received from the sense circuit to regulate the output voltage of the regulated power supply. The regulated power supply also includes a compensation signal generation circuit coupled to receive a switching signal representative of a switching of the switch in the switching power converter circuit. The compensation signal generation circuit is to generate a compensation signal to approximate a load current to be delivered from an output of the regulated power supply. The compensation signal is to be received by the sense circuit to modify the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert J. Mayell, Chan Woong Park
  • Patent number: 7359222
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to regulate a power supply with a compensation signal generation circuit. One example regulated power supply includes a sense circuit coupled to sense an output voltage of the regulated power supply. The regulated power supply also includes a switching power converter circuit, which includes a switch coupled to be switched in response to a control signal received from the sense circuit to regulate the output voltage of the regulated power supply. The regulated power supply also includes a compensation signal generation circuit coupled to receive a switching signal representative of a switching of the switch in the switching power converter circuit. The compensation signal generation circuit is to generate a compensation signal responsive to the switching signal. The compensation signal is to be received by the sense circuit to modify the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Mayell, Chan Woong Park
  • Publication number: 20070273681
    Abstract: A light emitting diode array powering method and apparatus is disclosed. An apparatus according to aspects of the present invention includes a power supply circuit having input terminals and output terminals. The input terminals of the power supply circuit are to be coupled to receive a supply voltage. A plurality of loads is to be coupled between the output terminals. The power supply circuit is coupled to provide an output voltage between the output terminals to be applied across each one of the plurality of loads coupled between the output terminals. A feedback selector circuit is coupled between the power supply circuit and the plurality of loads. The feedback selector circuit is coupled to receive a feedback signal from each one of the plurality of loads. The power supply circuit is coupled to be responsive to only one of the feedback signals at any one time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventor: Robert J. Mayell