Patents by Inventor Stefan Baurle

Stefan Baurle 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).

  • Patent number: 8148968
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of switching a switch of a power supply in response to an input voltage signal are disclosed. According to aspects of the present invention, a power supply controller includes a switch duty cycle controller coupled to receive a feedback signal and a duty cycle adjust signal. The switch duty cycle controller is coupled to generate a drive signal coupled to control switching of a switch, which is coupled to an energy transfer element, to regulate energy delivered from an input of a power supply to an output of the power supply. The power supply controller also includes a gain selector circuit coupled to receive an input voltage signal, which is representative of an input voltage to the power supply, to generate the duty cycle adjust signal received by the switch duty cycle controller. The maximum duty cycle of the drive signal to be varied in response to a plurality of linear functions over a range of values of the input voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Bäurle, Zhao-Jun Wang
  • Patent number: 8143875
    Abstract: An example integrated circuit controller for a power supply includes a modulator, a drive signal generator, a comparator, and a variable current limit generator. The modulator generates an enable signal having logic states responsive to a feedback signal. The drive signal generator either enables or skips enabling a switch of the power supply during a switching period in response to the logic state of the enable signal. The comparator asserts an over current signal to disable the switch if current flowing through the switch exceeds a variable current limit. The variable current limit generator sets the variable current limit to a first current limit in response to one logic state of the enable signal during a switching period and sets the variable current limit to a second current limit if the enable signal transitions logic states and the over current signal is asserted during the switching period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex B. Djenguerian, Stefan Bäurle, Kent Wong
  • Publication number: 20110299306
    Abstract: An example power supply controller includes a regulation circuit, a current sense circuit, and a response circuit. The regulation circuit is coupled to regulate a sense terminal to a voltage level. The current sense circuit is coupled to the sense terminal to sense a current through the sense terminal a measurement delay period after a magnitude of the current through the sense terminal reaches a first threshold current level. The response circuit is coupled to the sense circuit and is responsive to the current through the sense terminal only after the measurement delay period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Zhao-Jun Wang, Stefan Bäurle, David Michael Hugh Matthews
  • Publication number: 20110273910
    Abstract: An example controller for use in a power converter includes an oscillator and a logic circuit. The oscillator is to be coupled to a switch of the power converter and determines a switching cycle period of the switch. The logic circuit is also to be coupled to the switch to control a duty cycle of the switch in response to a magnitude of a feedback signal to regulate an output of the power converter. The logic circuit controls the duty cycle of the switch such that a control loop gain of the power converter is substantially constant during a transition of the controller between duty cycle control modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Stefan Bäurle, Giao Pham
  • Publication number: 20110267843
    Abstract: An example integrated circuit controller for a power supply includes a modulator, a drive signal generator, a comparator, and a variable current limit generator. The modulator generates an enable signal having logic states responsive to a feedback signal. The drive signal generator either enables or skips enabling a switch of the power supply during a switching period in response to the logic state of the enable signal. The comparator asserts an over current signal to disable the switch if current flowing through the switch exceeds a variable current limit. The variable current limit generator sets the variable current limit to a first current limit in response to one logic state of the enable signal during a switching period and sets the variable current limit to a second current limit if the enable signal transitions logic states and the over current signal is asserted during the switching period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Alex B. Djenguerian, Stefan Bäurle, Kent Wong
  • Patent number: 8004864
    Abstract: An example power supply includes a controller and a detection circuit. The controller includes a sense terminal coupled to provide a sense terminal current representative of an input voltage of the power supply during normal operation. The detection circuit is external to the controller and is coupled to the sense terminal. The detection circuit includes a Zener diode coupled to conduct a current to adjust the sense terminal current during a fault condition, where during the fault condition the controller is responsive to a measured impedance of the detection circuit which is determined in response to the sense terminal current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhao-Jun Wang, Stefan Bäurle, David Michael Hugh Matthews
  • Patent number: 8000114
    Abstract: An apparatus of regulating a power converter with multiple operating modes includes a switch coupled to an energy transfer element coupled between an input and an output of the power converter. A control circuit is also included, which is coupled to the switch to control the switch. The control circuit includes first and second duty cycle control modes to regulate power delivered to the output of the power converter. A transition between the first and second duty cycle control modes is responsive to a magnitude of a current flowing in the switch reaching a current threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Bäurle, Giao Pham
  • Patent number: 7990125
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to adjust a current limit in a switching regulator. One example switching regulator includes a comparator having first and second inputs and an output. The first input of the comparator is adapted to sense a current flow through a switch and the second input of the comparator is adapted to sense a variable current limit value. A controller is coupled to the output of the comparator and to the switch to control switching of the switch to regulate an output of a power supply in response a feedback signal. The controller disables the switch if the sensed current flow through the switch is greater than the sensed variable current limit value. The variable current limit value is set to a first variable current limit value by the controller in response to an input line voltage of the power supply if there is not an over current condition during a first switching cycle that occurs after a skipped switching cycle of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex B. Djenguerian, Stefan Bäurle, Kent Wong
  • Publication number: 20110108963
    Abstract: A package for a semiconductor die includes a die attach pad that provides an attachment surface area for the semiconductor die, and tie bars connected to the die attach pad. The die attach pad is disposed in a first general plane and the tie bars are disposed in a second general plane offset with respect to the first general plane. A molding compound encapsulates the semiconductor die in a form having first, second, third and fourth lateral sides, a top and a bottom. The tie bars are exposed substantially coincident with at least one of the lateral sides. The form includes a discontinuity that extends along the at least one of the lateral sides, the discontinuity increasing a creepage distance measured from the tie bars to the bottom of the package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Balu Balakrishnan, Brad L. Hawthorne, Stefan Bäurle
  • Publication number: 20110024185
    Abstract: A package includes a body that encapsulates a semiconductor die, the body having a first pair of opposing lateral sides, a second pair of opposing lateral sides, a top, and a bottom. The bottom has a primary surface and a plurality of protrusions that extend outward from the primary surface. When the package is mounted to a printed circuit board (PCB) the protrusions contact the PCB and the primary surface is disposed a first distance away from the PCB. The package further includes a plurality of leads that extend outward from the first pair of opposing lateral sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Balu Balakrishnan, Brad L. Hawthorne, Stefan Bäurle
  • Patent number: 7880042
    Abstract: The invention relates to multiply substituted tetrahydronaphthalene derivatives of the formula (Ia) to processes for preparing them and to their use as antiinflammatory agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Bayer Schering Pharma AG
    Inventors: Markus Berger, Hartmut Rehwinkel, Heike Schäcke, Stefan Bäurle, Norbert Schmees
  • Patent number: 7875962
    Abstract: A package for a semiconductor die includes a die attach pad that provides an attachment surface area for the semiconductor die, and tie bars connected to the die attach pad. The die attach pad is disposed in a first general plane and the tie bars are disposed in a second general plane offset with respect to the first general plane. A molding compound encapsulates the semiconductor die in a form having first, second, third and fourth lateral sides, a top and a bottom. The tie bars are exposed substantially coincident with at least one of the lateral sides. The form includes a discontinuity that extends along the at least one of the lateral sides, the discontinuity increasing a creepage distance measured from the tie bars to the bottom of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Balu Balakrishnan, Brad L. Hawthorne, Stefan Bäurle
  • Patent number: 7859865
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to regulate an output of a power converter. One example power converter controller circuit includes a line sense input to be coupled to receive a signal representative of an input voltage of a power converter. A feedback input to be coupled to receive a feedback signal representative of an output of the power converter is also included. A drive signal generator is also included to generate a drive signal coupled to control switching of a switch to provide a regulated output parameter at the output of the power converter in response to the feedback signal. The drive signal generator is coupled to receive a plurality of inputs including the line sense input and the feedback input. The drive signal generator is coupled to latch the power converter into an off state in response to a detection of a fault condition in the power converter as detected by the plurality of inputs if the power converter input voltage is above a first threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Bäurle, Alex B. Djenguerian, Kent Wong
  • Publication number: 20100298311
    Abstract: The invention relates to multiply substituted tetrahydronaphthalene derivatives of the formula (Ia) to processes for preparing them and to their use as antiinflammatory agents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Markus BERGER, Hartmut REHWINKEL, Heike SCHÄCKE, Stefan BÄURLE, Norbert SCHMEES
  • Patent number: 7759922
    Abstract: Various techniques directed to providing temporary peak power from a switching regulator are disclosed. In one aspect, a switching regulator includes a switch that is to be coupled between a power supply input and an energy transfer element of the power supply. A controller is coupled to be responsive to a feedback signal to be received from an output of the power supply. The controller is coupled to switch the switch in response to the feedback signal to regulate the output of the power supply. An oscillator is coupled to provide an oscillating signal to the controller to determine a maximum switching frequency of the switch. The oscillating signal is coupled to oscillate at a first frequency under a first moderate load condition at the power supply output. The oscillating signal is coupled to oscillate at a second frequency under a second peak load condition at the power supply output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Bäurle, William M. Polivka, David Michael Hugh Matthews
  • Patent number: 7760518
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to detect a fault in the feedback circuit of a switching power supply while the power supply operates in a mode where the output is below its regulated value. The power supply delivers maximum power at a given switching frequency without a feedback signal while the output is below its regulated value. A fault protection circuit substantially reduces the average output power if there is no feedback signal for the duration of a fault time. When there is no feedback signal, the power supply increases the maximum output power by increasing the switching frequency before the end of the fault time to increase the output to a regulated value. The presence of a feedback signal when the output reaches a regulated value restores the original switching frequency and returns the output to its unregulated value. The absence of a feedback signal at the end of the fault time engages the fault protection circuit to substantially reduce the output power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Bäurle, William M. Polivka
  • Publication number: 20090268362
    Abstract: A power supply controller method and apparatus measuring impedance is disclosed. An apparatus according to aspects of the present invention includes a sense circuit coupled to a sense terminal. A regulation circuit coupled to the sense circuit and coupled to regulate the sense terminal to a first voltage level when a current flowing through the sense terminal is less than a first threshold current level. The regulation circuit is further coupled to regulate the sense terminal to a second voltage level when the current flowing through the sense terminal reaches the first threshold current level. A response circuit is coupled to the sense circuit and is responsive to the current flowing through the sense terminal when the sense terminal is regulated at the second voltage level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Zhao-Jun Wang, Stefan Baurle, David Michael Hugh Matthews
  • Publication number: 20090256544
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to adjust a current limit in a switching regulator. One example switching regulator includes a comparator having first and second inputs and an output. The first input of the comparator is adapted to sense a current flow through a switch and the second input of the comparator is adapted to sense a variable current limit value. A controller is coupled to the output of the comparator and to the switch to control switching of the switch to regulate an output of a power supply in response a feedback signal. The controller disables the switch if the sensed current flow through the switch is greater than the sensed variable current limit value. The variable current limit value is set to a first variable current limit value by the controller in response to an input line voltage of the power supply if there is not an over current condition during a first switching cycle that occurs after a skipped switching cycle of the switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Alex B. Djenguerian, Stefan Baurle, Kent Wong
  • Publication number: 20090251931
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to regulate an output of a power converter. One example power converter controller circuit includes a line sense input to be coupled to receive a signal representative of an input voltage of a power converter. A feedback input to be coupled to receive a feedback signal representative of an output of the power converter is also included. A drive signal generator is also included to generate a drive signal coupled to control switching of a switch to provide a regulated output parameter at the output of the power converter in response to the feedback signal. The drive signal generator is coupled to receive a plurality of inputs including the line sense input and the feedback input. The drive signal generator is coupled to latch the power converter into an off state in response to a detection of a fault condition in the power converter as detected by the plurality of inputs if the power converter input voltage is above a first threshold level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Stefan Baurle, Alex B. Djenguerian, Kent Wong
  • Publication number: 20090231888
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to detect a fault in the feedback circuit of a switching power supply while the power supply operates in a mode where the output is below its regulated value. The power supply delivers maximum power at a given switching frequency without a feedback signal while the output is below its regulated value. A fault protection circuit substantially reduces the average output power if there is no feedback signal for the duration of a fault time. When there is no feedback signal, the power supply increases the maximum output power by increasing the switching frequency before the end of the fault time to increase the output to a regulated value. The presence of a feedback signal when the output reaches a regulated value restores the original switching frequency and returns the output to its unregulated value. The absence of a feedback signal at the end of the fault time engages the fault protection circuit to substantially reduce the output power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Baurle, William M. Polivka