Patents by Inventor Wolfgang F. W. Dietz

Wolfgang F. W. Dietz 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: 5455442
    Abstract: The performance of COMFET-based electrical switches may be improved by connecting a MOSFET substantially in parallel with the COMFET. In a monolithic embodiment, a MOSFET drain region may be added to a surface of a COMFET and shorted to the emitter region of the COMFET. The invention decreases the turn-off time of the COMFET, reduces the discontinuity at current direction reversal and increases the latch-up current of a semiconductor switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: John M. S. Neilson, Wolfgang F. W. Dietz
  • Patent number: 4737694
    Abstract: In a video display apparatus, the high voltage generating circuitry responds to trigger pulses derived from horizontal deflection retrace-related pulses. During normal horizontal deflection operation, the trigger pulses produced are of sufficient amplitude to cause normal triggering of the high voltage generating circuits resulting in normal high voltage levels being produced. Under abnormal horizontal deflection operation in which the horizontal deflection current is not produced, the trigger pulses will be of insufficient amplitude to trigger the high voltage generating circuit, and hence no high voltage level is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1988
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Wolfgang F. W. Dietz
  • Patent number: 4709193
    Abstract: A deflection circuit generates a deflection current at a scan frequency selected from any one of at least two ranges of frequencies. When the scan frequency is selected from the first range, only a first S-capacitor provides S-correction. When the scan frequency is selected from a lower second range, a series connected FET switch couples a second S-capacitor across the first S-capacitor. A DC average voltage is developed at a junction between the first and second S-capacitors. A resistor coupled to the second S-capacitor causes the second S-capacitor to be charged to the average DC voltage to prevent the average DC voltage from developing across the main current conducting electrodes of the FET switch when the FET switch is nonconductive. The FET switch is controlled by an output voltage of a comparator. The comparator is responsive to a signal that is indicative of the frequency range from which the scan frequency is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1987
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Wolfgang F. W. Dietz
  • Patent number: 4675580
    Abstract: A vertical rate parabolic voltage at a peak-to-peak amplitude that is adjustable is generated in an integrator from a sawtooth input voltage. The parabolic voltage at an output terminal of the integrator is applied to a source of a B+ operating voltage to form a parabolic component voltage of the B+ operating voltage that controls the amplitude of a trace current in a horizontal deflection circuit output stage. The parabolic voltage is adjusted in peak-to-peak amplitude to provide east-west pincushion correction of the raster. The minimum level of the parabolic voltage in each vertical period is automatically maintained at an unchanged level that is approximately zero volts throughout the range of east-west adjustment. Because the minimum level of the parabolic voltage remains unchanged, the maximum level of the B+ operating voltage, a level that occurs in the center of each vertical interval, also remains unchanged throughout the range of east-west adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Wolfgang F. W. Dietz
  • Patent number: 4675581
    Abstract: A television centering circuit includes a non-linear conduction network coupled in series with an inductance. The series arrangement is conductively coupled in parallel with a horizontal deflection winding. A control circuit for the non-linear conduction network utilizes negative feedback to sense and control the current in the inductance when the current is of a first polarity, thereby regulating the average value of the current in the inductance and in the deflection winding to provide raster centering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Wolfgang F. W. Dietz
  • Patent number: 4660080
    Abstract: A phase-lock loop circuit of a television apparatus is synchronized by a horizontal synchronizing input signal. The phase-lock loop circuit includes a frequency-to-voltage converter that is responsive, during vertical trace, to the synchronizing input signal for generating a control voltage indicative of the frequency of the synchronizing input signal. During vertical trace, the control voltage varies the free running frequency of a controlled oscillator of the phase-lock loop circuit such that the free running frequency of the oscillator is directly related to the frequency of the input signal. During vertical retrace, the frequency-to-voltage converter is responsive to the oscillator output signal for generating the control signal that maintains the free running frequency of the oscillator substantially unchanged during vertical retrace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventors: Wolfgang F. W. Dietz, Sammy S. Henig
  • Patent number: 4652920
    Abstract: A video monitor includes apparatus for generating a horizontal blanking pulse accurately timed with respect to a horizontal image retrace interval. The leading edge of the blanking pulse is derived from a differentiated horizontal oscillator signal which is applied to one input of a gate having a threshold operating level. The lagging edge of the blanking pulse is generated when the amplitude of a horizontal flyback pulse applied to another input of the gate falls below the gate threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Wolfgang F. W. Dietz
  • Patent number: 4645985
    Abstract: An automatic S-correction circuit for a deflection circuit includes an active source of generally sawtooth current having an amplitude that is proportional to the deflection frequency. The sawtooth current and a deflection current that flows in a deflection winding are combined as a current flowing in an S-capacitor that develops a parabolic voltage. The amplitude of the parabolic voltage is automatically adjusted to be at a level that is required for maintaining proper S-correction for any deflection frequency within a continuous, wide range of frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Wolfgang F. W. Dietz
  • Patent number: 4634939
    Abstract: A phase-lock loop circuit of a video display apparatus is synchronized by a horizontal synchronizing input signal. The phase-lock loop circuit includes a frequency-to-voltage converter that is responsive to the synchronizing input signal for generating a control voltage indicative of the frequency of the synchronizing input signal. A voltage-to-current converter responsive to the control voltage generates a control current that is indicative of the frequency of the input signal. The control current varies the free running frequency of a controlled oscillator of the phase-lock loop circuit such that the free running frequency of the oscillator is directly related to the frequency of the input signal. The phase of the output signal of the oscillator is controlled by a second control current that is indicative of the phase difference between the oscillator output signal and the synchronizing input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1987
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Wolfgang F. W. Dietz
  • Patent number: 4625155
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating a periodic resonant pulse voltage across an inductance includes first and second switches coupled together in a series cascode arrangement. The cascode arrangement applies a first voltage to an inductance for storing energy therein. A periodic switching signal is coupled to the second switch. Each cycle of the switching signal includes a turn-on portion and a turn-off portion. The initiation of the turn-off portion makes the second switch nonconductive to enable the inductance and a resonating capacitance to form a resonant circuit that generates a resonant pulse voltage at a terminal of the resonant circuit. A damper switch is coupled to the inductance for terminating the generation of the resonant pulse voltage at the end of the first interval, prior to the initiation of the turn-on portion of the switching signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Wolfgang F. W. Dietz
  • Patent number: 4559481
    Abstract: A line deflection voltage regulator develops a regulated scan supply voltage. A line deflection circuit is coupled to the voltage regulator for generating line scanning current in a line deflection winding. The amplitude of the scanning current is dependent on the magnitude of the regulated scan supply voltage. A high voltage regulator develops a second regulated voltage. A high voltage generator is coupled to the high voltage regulator for generating an ultor output voltage at an ultor terminal. The magnitude of the ultor output voltage is dependent on the second regulated voltage. A high voltage control circuit is coupled in a feedback path between the high voltage generator and the high voltage regulator for developing a first ultor control voltage that is representative of the ultor output voltage to regulate the ultor output voltage. A second ultor control voltage that is representative of fluctuations in the ultor output voltage is developed at a point within the feedback path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1985
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Wolfgang F. W. Dietz
  • Patent number: 4387397
    Abstract: An integrated circuit interface means for use in a television receiver comprises means including an interface terminal which gives an indication of whether the receiver is operating in a standard or nonstandard mode. Standard operating mode occurs during the reception of standard broadcast signals. Non-standard non-broadcast signals cause the receiver to operate in a non-standard mode. The interface means also comprises means coupled to the same interface terminal for providing a signal to the integrated circuit which manually selects the operating mode, thereby allowing the interface terminal to serve the dual function of indicating and selecting the receiver operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1983
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Wolfgang F. W. Dietz
  • Patent number: 4362974
    Abstract: A transistor horizontal deflection circuit is energized from a source of unregulated direct voltage derived from the power mains but is conductively isolated therefrom. A switching voltage regulator couples the direct voltage source to the horizontal deflection circuit. The regulator includes a controllable switch serially coupled with the primary winding of a transformer and the source. The switch is controlled to maintain a constant voltage or energy level in the horizontal deflection circuit. A secondary winding conductively isolated from the primary is coupled across the deflection winding for forming a path for bidirectional current flow. The horizontal output transistor is coupled in parallel with the deflection winding for producing retrace pulses which are coupled to the primary winding for reducing the current in the controllable switch to zero during the retrace interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1982
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Wolfgang F. W. Dietz
  • Patent number: 4301394
    Abstract: A horizontal deflection circuit of a television receiver includes a horizontal deflection winding, a retrace capacitor and a trace switch comprising a damper diode and a horizontal output transistor. A horizontal oscillator provides a synchronized deflection rate square-wave voltage to a base-drive generator circuit for the horizontal output transistor. The base-drive generator circuit develops a forward biasing portion of the horizontal output transistor base-drive signal to maintain the transistor in saturated conduction during the latter portion of trace. The generator also develops a reverse biasing portion to initiate horizontal retrace after the output transistor collector current is cut off. A lapse of a turn-off delay time occurs from the initiation of the reverse biasing portion of the base-drive signal to the collector current cutoff instant.Energy is transferred from an unregulated input supply to television receiver load circuits through an inductance such as a flyback transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1981
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Wolfgang F. W. Dietz
  • Patent number: 4238712
    Abstract: An SCR is one controllable switch thyristor in an SSVD circuit and the other is a triac. One electrode of each thyristor is grounded, and the gates of the thyristors are driven from the SSVD control circuit by pulse voltages relative to ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1980
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Wolfgang F. W. Dietz
  • Patent number: 4234826
    Abstract: A television synchronous switched vertical deflection circuit couples energy from horizontal deflection circuit to a vertical deflection winding by means of a pair of controllable switches to form the vertical deflection current. One switch of the pair couples energy during the horizontal retrace interval and the other couples energy during the horizontal trace interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1980
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Wolfgang F. W. Dietz
  • Patent number: 4227123
    Abstract: An amplifier includes first and second switches coupled at a junction to form a series circuit. The series circuit is serially coupled with an inductor across a source of energizing potential. A capacitor couples the junction between the switches to a load. The switches conduct alternately under the control of a duty cycle modulator. The duty cycle modulation tends to vary the amplitude of the two opposite-polarity portions of the signal appearing across the load. A clamp is coupled to the junction of the series switch circuit and the inductor. The clamp operates during a first of the two alternate switch conduction intervals to clamp the voltage across the inductor at a fixed value. Since a direct voltage cannot be established across an inductor, the voltage across the inductor during the second switch conduction interval is established by the clamp voltage and the duty cycle, and varies with duty cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1980
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Wolfgang F. W. Dietz
  • Patent number: 4193018
    Abstract: A trace current is generated in a horizontal deflection winding upon closure of a trace switch. A retrace capacitor forms a resonant retrace circuit with the deflection winding upon open-circuiting of the trace switch. A second resonant circuit is coupled to an energy supply and stores energy when the trace switch is closed. A second switch couples the resonant retrace circuit to the second resonant circuit during retrace. The stored energy in the second resonant circuit is then transferred to the resonant retrace circuit and to other load circuits, such as a flyback transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1980
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Wolfgang F. W. Dietz
  • Patent number: 4169241
    Abstract: An electronic regulator produces a regulated direct voltage less than the raw direct voltage input. The load on the regulated output is the primary winding of the horizontal output transformer of a television horizontal deflection circuit. A secondary winding of the output transformer is connected in series with the source of raw direct voltage. An energy storage capacitor is coupled across the secondary winding, and charged therefrom by a gated rectifier. The regulated output voltage is taken across the raw direct voltage source and capacitor. An overvoltage protection circuit for protecting against fault conditions is provided. The protection circuit includes a diode coupled between the regulated output voltage terminal and the raw input voltage terminal. The diode is normally back-biased and becomes conductive when a fault condition makes the regulated voltage exceed the raw input voltage. A resistor in series with the secondary winding controls circulating currents in the event of an overvoltage fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1979
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Peer, Robert J. Gries, Leroy W. Nero, Wolfgang F. W. Dietz
  • Patent number: RE30271
    Abstract: A series coupled inductance and active current conducting device are coupled in parallel with a winding of an output transformer of a horizontal deflection generator. Flyback pulses integrated in sawtooth waveforms are combined with a vertical rate parabolic waveform derived from a vertical deflection generator and coupled to a control electrode of the active device for controlling its conduction during each flyback interval at a vertical rate for loading the output transformer and thereby altering the horizontal scanning current in a manner to correct for side pincushion distortion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1980
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Wolfgang F. W. Dietz