For Protective System Patents (Class 323/276)
  • Patent number: 11949336
    Abstract: Multiphase voltage regulator systems are disclosed which include parallel signal pathways that functionally cooperate to provide an analog output signal at a constant, or substantially constant, voltage. The parallel signal pathways generate energy storage element charging signals to charge and/or discharge energy storage elements. Energy provided by discharging energy storage elements is thereafter combined to provide the analog output signal. Moreover, the parallel signal pathways compare one of the energy storage element charging signals with a reference input signal to provide a global error correction signal representing a difference, or error, between the reference input signal and the analog output signal. The parallel signal pathways thereafter adjust the energy storage element charging signals in accordance with the global error correction signal to lessen this difference or error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Russell Kinder
  • Patent number: 11762406
    Abstract: A system for regulating voltage includes an electronic fuse including a switching component and an active control circuit connected to the switching component, the control circuit configured to open the switching component based on at least an overcurrent condition. The system also includes a voltage regulation component connected to the switching component, the voltage regulation component configured to regulate a voltage across the switching component by applying a voltage to the switching component based on a measured voltage drop across the switching component, and a desired load voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Lyall Kenneth Winger, James Morrison, Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Chandra S. Namuduri
  • Patent number: 11659638
    Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) matrix driver includes a scan line switch coupled to a scan line of an LED matrix and adapted to be coupled to a signal ground; a first voltage clamp coupled to the scan line switch and the scan line; and a second voltage clamp coupled to the scan line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Yan He, Yang Wang, Haibin Shao, Shang Ding, Wei Xu, Qingjie Ma
  • Patent number: 11611209
    Abstract: The problem to be solved is to provide a system and a method to protect the regulator rectifiers from the reverse voltage condition and the short circuit condition, and the problem is solved in the present invention by a system and a method that use a protection device including a control unit that receives an input from the circuit based on the reverse voltage condition and the short circuit condition, and based on the existence of at least one of the condition or a combination thereof, the control unit switches a switching unit from an ON state to an OFF state, thereby breaking the circuit between the regulator rectifier device and the load section, thus protecting the regulator rectifier device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: FLASH ELECTRONICS (INDIA) PRIVATE LIMITED
    Inventor: Ramit Verma
  • Patent number: 11588322
    Abstract: In some examples, this disclosure describes a method for detecting a fault in an electrical power system comprising a bus connected between a first solid state power converter and a second solid state power converter. The method includes receiving, at a controller of the electrical power system, a first signal indicating a current at a source side of the first solid state power converter, wherein the source side of the first solid state power converter is connected to a power source of the electrical power system. The method also includes receiving, at the controller, a second signal indicating a current at the bus and determining, by the controller, that a fault occurred in the electrical power system based on the first signal and further based on the second signal. The method further includes controlling the first solid state power converter in response to determining that the fault occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc., Rolls-Royce Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Chandana Jayampathi Gajanayake, Yu Yang, David Loder, Amit Kumar Gupta
  • Patent number: 11537155
    Abstract: A low-dropout regulator having an output current branch being arranged between a supply line to provide a supply potential and an output node to provide a regulated output voltage. The output current branch includes an output driver to provide an output current at the output node. The output driver has a control connection to apply a control voltage to operate the output driver with a different conductivity in dependence on the control voltage. The LDO includes an input amplifier stage to provide the control voltage to the control connection of the output driver. The input amplifier stage is configured to provide the control voltage with a different slew rate in dependence on an increase or decrease of the output current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventors: Carlo Fiocchi, Valerio Pisati
  • Patent number: 11523484
    Abstract: A controller circuit for a set of light emitting diodes (LEDs) includes a linear current source, channel circuitry, and supervisor circuitry. The linear current source is configured to regulate a first current from a supply along a first series path to the set of LEDs. The channel circuitry is configured to control a second current from the supply along a second series path to the set of LEDs, the second series path being in parallel with the first series path and the second series path comprising a drop element coupled in series with the supply and the set of LEDs. The supervisor circuitry is configured to regulate a total current supplied to the set of LEDs using the linear current source and the channel circuitry, the total current comprising the first current and the second current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Franco Mignoli, Marco Pamato, Maurizio Galvano, Hans-Peter Kreuter
  • Patent number: 11424670
    Abstract: A drive device performs switching of at least one switch configuring an electrical power converter. The drive device includes a control section that generates a drive signal for the switch and transmits the drive signal, and at least one drive circuit that receives the transmitted drive signal. The control section generates speed adjustment information for adjusting a switching speed of the switch and transmits the speed adjustment information to the drive circuit. The drive circuit includes a speed calculation section that receives the transmitted speed adjustment information and calculates command switching speed information of the switch based on the received speed adjustment information, and a drive section that performs switching of the switch based on the received drive signal and the calculated command switching speed information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koichi Nishibata
  • Patent number: 11378992
    Abstract: In certain aspects, a voltage regulator includes a pass n-type field effect transistor (NFET) coupled between a first voltage rail and a second voltage rail, and a pass p-type field effect transistor (PFET) coupled between the first voltage rail and the second voltage rail. The voltage regulator also includes a first amplifier having an output, a first switch coupled between the output of the first amplifier and a gate of the pass NFET, a second amplifier having an output, and a second switch coupled between the output of the second amplifier and a gate of the pass PFET, a third switch coupled between the gate of the pass NFET and a ground, and a fourth switch coupled between the gate of the pass PFET and the second voltage rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Madjid Hafizi
  • Patent number: 11283357
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a control circuit configured for an interleaved switching power supply, can include: (i) a feedback compensation signal generation circuit configured to sample an output voltage of the interleaved switching power supply, and to generate a feedback compensation signal; (ii) a first switch control circuit configured to compare a voltage signal indicative of an inductor current in the first voltage regulation circuit against the feedback compensation signal, and to control a first main power switch in the first voltage regulation circuit; and (iii) a second switch control circuit configured to turn on a second main power switch in the second voltage regulation circuit after half of a switching cycle after the first main power switch is turned on, and to regulate an on time of the second main power switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Silergy Semiconductor Technology (Hangzhou) LTD
    Inventors: Feng Yu, Chen Zhao
  • Patent number: 11171642
    Abstract: A driver circuit for controlling a P-channel MOSFET includes a first voltage divider connected to a source terminal of the P-channel MOSFET, a first sub-transistor including a first collector terminal, a first emitter terminal and a first base terminal, the first collector terminal is connected to the first voltage divider, a second sub-transistor including a second collector terminal, a second emitter terminal and a second base terminal, the second emitter terminal is connected to a gate terminal of the P-channel MOSFET, and the second base terminal is connected to a first connection node, a third sub-transistor including a third collector terminal, a third emitter terminal and a third base terminal, the third emitter terminal is connected to the second emitter terminal, and the third collector terminal is connected to a ground, and a first resistor connected between the second collector terminal and the second emitter terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventor: Jun-Yeob Kim
  • Patent number: 11108337
    Abstract: A rectifier includes a first stage to convert an AC signal to a first rectified signal and a second stage to convert the AC signal to a second rectified signal. Each stage includes a MOSFET, a differential amplifier with a predetermined gain, and an analog buffer coupled to the output of the differential amplifier. The differential amplifier generates an amplified signal based on a difference between an input signal voltage and an output signal voltage. The analog buffer outputs a gate signal to switch the MOSFET based on the amplified signal. Switching of the MOSFET converts the AC signal corresponding to the input signal voltage to a corresponding one of the first rectified signal and the second rectified signal. The first and second rectified signals may be combined to form a DC signal for driving a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Daniel Meeks
  • Patent number: 11101729
    Abstract: A drive circuit is disclosed. The drive circuit includes a high-side switch coupled between a power supply and an inductive load, and a low-side switch coupled between the load and ground. A current sense device is connected in series with the high-side switch, the low-side switch and the load. A control circuit controls the high-side and low-side switches. The control circuit further includes an input coupled to an output of the current sense device, and is configured to selectively provide a current path between the first and second terminals of the inductive load based upon the output of the current sense device. The current path is provided when an overcurrent condition exists, and dissipates energy stored in the inductive load in response to the overcurrent condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Vitesco Technologies USA, LLC
    Inventors: Jose de Jesus Ortiz-Aguilar, Mario Alejandro Rodriguez Rodriguez, Jorge Gonzalez-Amaya
  • Patent number: 11055598
    Abstract: A smart card includes an antenna to transmit and to receive a radio frequency signal, a rectifier to rectify a signal received through the antenna to output a rectified voltage, a voltage regulator to operate in a first operation mode for stabilizing a level of the rectified voltage and a second operation mode for generating an internal voltage using the rectified voltage, a regulator converter to control the voltage regulator to operate the voltage regulator in one of the first operation and the second operation according to a mode selection signal, a clamp circuit to connect an output terminal of the rectifier to a ground according to the mode selection signal, a load modulator to vary a resistance of the antenna to perform a load modulation, and a regulator controller to generate the mode selection signal according to whether the load modulator is activated or deactivated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyeongdo Kim, Sanghyo Lee, Seungwon Lee, Jongpil Cho
  • Patent number: 10992295
    Abstract: A monolithic integrated circuit for controlling a high-side switching element for a load using a bootstrap capacitor is disclosed. The integrated circuit comprises a first supply voltage input for receiving a first input supply voltage V1, a second supply voltage input for receiving a second, current-limited input supply voltage VCP, a voltage-sensing input for receiving a source voltage, a first output for providing a drive signal VG to the switching element, a second output for providing a charging signal VBS to a bootstrap capacitor, a pre-driver for generating the drive signal, the pre-driver having a voltage input and an output which is coupled to the first output, and a power supply control section comprising first and second switches. The first and second switches are arranged in series between the first input and the second output, the second input is coupled to a node between the first and second switches, and the second node is coupled to a voltage input of the pre-driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hans-Juergen Braun
  • Patent number: 10886913
    Abstract: Disclosed a drive method, a drive circuit for a power switch and a power supply system. During the turning-on period of the power switch, which can be roughly divided into three processes, a current limiting module is used to limit the current flowing through the power switch for preventing current overshoot, a logic control module is used for controlling the current limiting module not to operate before the turning-on period and the control terminal of the power switch is turned off; during the turning-on period, a feedback circuit adjusts the gate voltage of the power switch for controlling the current flowing through the power switch to reach a predetermined limited value quickly and then maintain at the limited value until the power switch is fully turned on. The current limiting module can be employed in various embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: JOULWATT TECHNOLOGY (HANGZHOU) CO., LTD
    Inventors: Pitleong Wong, Libin Huang, Yuancheng Ren, Xunwei Zhou
  • Patent number: 10868529
    Abstract: A system and method for an overcurrent detector includes a device. The device includes a threshold generation circuit, and an overpower determination circuit. The threshold generation circuit is configured to produce a threshold value based on an output of a temperature sensor proximate to a power transistor, and a maximum power dissipation in the power transistor. The overpower determination circuit is configured to determine an overpower state of the power transistor based on the threshold value and a switch voltage. The switch voltage is detected between a source and a drain or a collector and an emitter of the power transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Karl Norling, Erwin Huber
  • Patent number: 10831224
    Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for control of voltage source converters. The control apparatus has a reference voltage generator that generates a voltage control signal as part of a voltage control loop. The reference voltage generator may be a DC voltage/power controller operated to regulate DC voltage or power and may generate the voltage control signal based on a feedback DC voltage/power signal and a defined set-point. An overcurrent controller generates a current control signal for modulating the voltage control signal to prevent an overcurrent. The overcurrent controller generates the current control signal as part of a control path that is independent from the voltage control loop. The DC voltage/power controller may thus directly generate a voltage reference and may act to keep the DC voltage substantially constant over the time scale of short term transients, with the overcurrent controller providing current limiting only when required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventor: Andrzej Adamczyk
  • Patent number: 10797588
    Abstract: A converter control system includes first and second step-up converters and first and second electronic control units. The first and second electronic control units are respectively configured to generate first and second PWM driving signals for the first and second step-up converters. The second electronic control unit is configured to determine whether a first carrier and a second carrier are synchronous with each other based on the first PWM driving signal, a first duty ratio, and the second carrier. The second electronic control unit is configured to, when the second electronic control unit determines that the first carrier and the second carrier are not synchronous with each other, shut down the second step-up converter and then restart generation of the second PWM driving signal with the second carrier synchronous with the first carrier with the use of the first PWM driving signal and the first duty ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshihiro Yasuda
  • Patent number: 10727661
    Abstract: An electronic circuit includes an electronic switch having a control terminal and a load path and also includes a monitoring circuit comprising a switched-capacitor circuit with at least one capacitive storage element. The switched-capacitor circuit coupled to the load path of the electronic switch. The circuit can be operated by using the monitoring circuit to evaluate a load voltage of the electronic switch and to generate a failure signal dependent on the evaluation and providing a drive signal at the control terminal of the electronic switch dependent on the failure signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventor: Karl Norling
  • Patent number: 10554038
    Abstract: An isolated synchronous rectification type DC/DC converter, includes: a transformer including primary and secondary windings; a switching transistor connected to the primary winding; a synchronous rectifying transistor installed between the secondary winding and a ground line on the secondary side; a photocoupler including a light emitting device and a light receiving device; a feedback circuit driving the light emitting device such that an output voltage of the DC/DC converter approaches a target voltage; a primary side controller connected to the light receiving device and switching the switching transistor depending on feedback signal from the photocoupler; a synchronous rectification controller controlling the rectifying transistor; and a protection circuit including a temperature detection element, one end of the detection element connected to a drain of the rectifying transistor, the protection circuit configured to detect an overheated state of the rectifying transistor depending on a first signal gene
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroki Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 10542593
    Abstract: A controller circuit for a set of light emitting diodes (LEDs) includes a linear current source, channel circuitry, and supervisor circuitry. The linear current source is configured to regulate a first current from a supply along a first series path to the set of LEDs. The channel circuitry is configured to control a second current from the supply along a second series path to the set of LEDs, the second series path being in parallel with the first series path and the second series path comprising a drop element coupled in series with the supply and the set of LEDs. The supervisor circuitry is configured to regulate a total current supplied to the set of LEDs using the linear current source and the channel circuitry, the total current comprising the first current and the second current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Franco Mignoli, Marco Pamato, Maurizio Galvano, Hans-Peter Kreuter
  • Patent number: 10483794
    Abstract: A power continuation control circuit includes a power supply circuit, a detection circuit, an energy storage circuit, a switch module, and a control circuit. The detection circuit is coupled to the power supply circuit. The switch module is coupled to the energy storage circuit. The control circuit is coupled to the switch module and the detection circuit. The power supply output terminal is coupled to the control circuit and the power supply circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: NANNING FUGUI PRECISION INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yi-Feng Wang
  • Patent number: 10361628
    Abstract: Provided is a power converter which is applied to a power converter equipped with a switching element provided on a line, and a radiator connected to a predetermined potential such as a ground potential. A noise eliminator in which a conductive member is covered with insulator is provided between the switching element (semiconductor switch) and the radiator (heatsink). A conductive member of the noise eliminator is connected to a stable potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Shingo Nagaoka, Hiroyuki Onishi, Takeo Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 10338620
    Abstract: In some examples, a device includes an amplifier circuit configured to receive a reference voltage signal at a first input, receive a feedback signal at a second input, and generate an output signal based on the reference voltage signal and the feedback signal. In some examples, the device also includes a feedback circuit including a soft-shaper circuit that is electrically connected to the second input of the amplifier circuit. In some examples, the feedback circuit is configured to sense a voltage step in the reference voltage signal, generate a voltage step across the soft-shaper circuit approximately equal to the voltage step in the reference voltage signal in response to sensing the voltage step in the reference voltage signal, and ramp a voltage level across the soft-shaper circuit to zero after generating the voltage step across the soft-shaper circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Fabio Ballarin, Cristian Garbossa, Marco Piselli
  • Patent number: 10338618
    Abstract: An LDO circuit comprises a pass element, and input stage, a current sink, a comparator and a control circuit. The pass element is configured to generate an output voltage depending on a gate signal and on an input voltage. The input stage is configured to generate a steering signal based on a deviation between a first reference signal and a feedback signal, the feedback signal being based on the output voltage. The current sink is controlled by a steering signal and connected between the gate control terminal and a reference terminal. The comparator is configured to compare the steering signal to a second reference signal and to generate a switch signal based on the comparison. The control circuit comprises a first current path and is configured to suspend, in particular temporarily suspend, the first current path depending on the switch signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventors: Martin Mayer, Thomas Jessenig
  • Patent number: 10338613
    Abstract: A switch controller, an isolated system incorporating an integrated circuit (IC) and a method of operating a power switch. In one embodiment, the IC includes: (1) a monolithic substrate, (2) a drive circuit supported by the monolithic substrate and configured to drive a power switch, (3) a diagnostics block supported by the monolithic substrate and configured to provide diagnostic signals indicating at least one attribute associated with the power switch and (4) a control block supported by the monolithic substrate and configured to drive the drive circuit in response to control signals developed based on the diagnostic signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Triune Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Ross E. Teggatz, Eric C. Blackall, Amer H. Atrash, David J. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 10256814
    Abstract: An first embodiment relates to a device comprising: a first semiconductor switch; an integrated sensor for determining a current that passes the first semiconductor switch; and a terminal to which a signal is provided in case the current fulfills a predetermined condition. Also, a system comprising such device, and a method of operation are suggested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Robert Illing, Veli Kartal, Fang Lu-Ruhbach
  • Patent number: 10236885
    Abstract: An output buffer apparatus that includes an electronic circuit composed of a buffer that electronically feeds an electronic status signal behind the buffer and into a digital output that drives the buffer. The electronic status signal provides a status signal indicative of the state of the field load in electrical communication with the electronic circuit. The digital output is buffered without losing the line-fault detection feature associated with that digital output. The disclosed output buffer apparatus can be implemented in the context of industrial control and automation systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Erik Wormmeester
  • Patent number: 10224921
    Abstract: A driver IC includes a ring-shaped termination area, and a first area and a second area that are respectively arranged outside and inside the termination area on a layout. A sense MOS that is arranged between a floating terminal and a first sense node and is driven at a power supply voltage is formed in the termination area. A fault detection circuit that detects presence of a fault when a voltage of the first sense node is higher than a decision voltage that has been determined in advance in a period of time that a low side driver is driving a low side transistor into an ON state is formed in the first area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Ryo Kanda, Koichi Yamazaki, Hiroshi Kuroiwa, Masatoshi Maeda, Tetsu Toda
  • Patent number: 10205389
    Abstract: A switching mode power supply (SMPS) configured for clearing an overvoltage condition. The overvoltage is determined by detecting that the output voltage has exceeded the input voltage by a limited amount. The overvoltage is cleared by repetitively turning on and then off the switches controlling the flow of energy to the SMPS in sequence until the excess charge resulting from the overvoltage is couple to circuit ground, and the output is reduced to within acceptable limits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Mark Childs, Paul Collins
  • Patent number: 10205340
    Abstract: An un-interruptible power supply (UPS) with indication of battery internal resistance includes a processor, a display, a sensing module and a battery pack. The sensing module is connected to the processor and the battery pack. The processor is connected to the display, generates a reference internal resistance according to multiple internal resistances detected by the sensing module within a stable time after installation, generates a stable internal resistance according to an internal resistance of the battery pack detected by the sensing module after the stable time, compares the stable internal resistance with the reference internal resistance to generate a status of internal resistance of the battery pack, and instructs the display unit to display the status for user's timely awareness of the condition of the battery pack and prompt action when the performance of the battery pack deteriorates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: CYBER POWER SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Hung-Ming Hsieh, Yung-Hao Peng, Ta-Peng Chen
  • Patent number: 10164477
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus controlling a wireless power transmitter by applying a first low-side driver signal to a first channel in a first pair of channels and applying a first high-side driver signal to a second channel in first pair of channels, wherein each driver signal has a state that is “active” or “inactive” and drives a transistor gate of a switching element. The state of each driver signal on each channel can be monitored to detect an error condition to prevent damaging current flow condition to the switching elements. When the error condition is detected, at least one of the driver signals may be set to “inactive” for a period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: WITRICITY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bradley Martin
  • Patent number: 10122273
    Abstract: An object is to provide a technique enabling conversion efficiency to be increased irrespective of an operating ambient temperature. A DC-DC converter includes switching elements, a drive unit which drives the switching elements to conduct synchronous rectification, a freewheel diode connected in parallel to the switching element, and a temperature detection circuit which detects a temperature of the freewheel diode. The drive unit stops driving the switching element when the temperature detected by the temperature detection circuit is equal to or lower than a predetermined first threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Fumio Wada, Hiroya Sannai
  • Patent number: 10109995
    Abstract: A switch drive circuit for driving a switching device includes an overcurrent detector which detects an overcurrent passing through the switching device, and a voltage controller which applies a control voltage to the switching device to control the switching device between On and Off states. When the overcurrent detector detects an overcurrent, the voltage controller applies to the switching device a control voltage that initially drops to a predetermined voltage higher than the threshold voltage of the switching device and that then, after the lapse of a predetermined time, drops further to the ground potential of the switch drive circuit to turn off the switching device. When the overcurrent detector detects no overcurrent, the voltage controller applies to the switching device a control voltage that drops, before the lapse of the predetermined voltage, to the ground potential of the switch drive circuit to turn off the switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daiki Yanagishima, Chinatsu Nakaoka
  • Patent number: 10031875
    Abstract: A switch monitoring system is provides information on sensor readings and contact closures over a one-wire network or a loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: William R. Krenik, Matthew R. Webb, Deric W. Waters, Anand G. Dabak, Srinath Hosur
  • Patent number: 10020297
    Abstract: Control ICs for controlling IGBTs include overheat detection comparators that determine an overheated state of the case, in addition to overheat detection comparators that determine an overheated state of chips of the IGBTs. Outputs of the overheat detection comparators are input into an AND circuit, and when all of the overheat detection comparators determine the overheated state of the case, the AND circuit outputs a protection operation signal of high level, and an alarm output circuit outputs an alarm signal. The overheated state of the chips and the overheated state of the case are detected on the basis of chip temperatures measured by temperature detection diodes which are provided with the IGBTs respectively, and therefore a temperature detection IC for case overheat protection is unnecessary, and detection accuracy of the case overheat improves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kei Minagawa
  • Patent number: 9941689
    Abstract: A switching mode power supply (SMPS) including a surge protection unit that is connected to a protection pin of a pulse width modulation (PWM) controller to cut off a power supply of the SMPS when a voltage that is applied to the protection pin exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage, where the surge protection unit blocks an external surge voltage lower than a surge protection capacity of the surge protection unit for blocking a surge voltage input from outside thereof, and, when the output voltage of the SMPS is not within the predetermined range, the surge protection unit applies a voltage obtained by subtracting the surge protection capacity of the surge protection unit from a predetermined feedback voltage output from a feedback unit to the protection pin, and where the surge protection capacity is set higher than the predetermined threshold voltage of the protection pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: S-PRINTING SOLUTION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Young-jun Song
  • Patent number: 9932001
    Abstract: A vehicular power source controller is designed so that when there is abnormal action in a microprocessor and an abnormal fuse state cannot be determined from the current of a load detected by a current sensor circuit, power supply to the load cannot be turned on and off by the operation of a combination switch corresponding to the load, but can be turned on and off by the operation of an ignition switch. It is thereby possible to prevent continuing power supply to the load when the combination switch is turned on during the abnormal action of the microprocessor, and battery exhaustion can be suppressed. Power supply to the load cannot be turned on and off by the operation of the combination switch during the abnormal action of the microprocessor, and an operator is easily made aware of the abnormal action of the microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keisuke Ueta, Akinori Maruyama, Yoshihide Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9885739
    Abstract: An intelligent electronic device (IED), e.g., an electrical power meter, having at least one removable memory device for storing data sensed and generated by the intelligent electronic device is provided. The IED includes a housing; at least one sensor; at least one analog-to-digital converter; at least one processing unit coupled to the at least one analog-to-digital converter configured to receive the digital data and store the digital data in a removable memory; and at least one device controller coupled to the at least one processing unit, the at least one device controller including an interface disposed on the housing for interfacing with the removable memory, wherein the at least one device controller is operative as a USB master or USB slave device controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Electro Industries/Gauge Tech
    Inventor: Erran Kagan
  • Patent number: 9882422
    Abstract: An efficient, modular, direct current (DC) uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for at least one server of a data center is disclosed. The single-conversion DC UPS includes an AC-DC converter, an energy storage device electrically coupled to the output of the AC-DC converter, and a single conversion server supply DC-DC converter electrically coupled to the AC-DC converter and the energy storage device, which may be a low-voltage lithium-ion battery or combined with an ultra capacitor. The DC UPS may be incorporated into a UPS system for a data center including a plurality of server rack assemblies and a plurality of cooling distribution units (CDUs). The UPS system includes an electric generator, an AC UPS electrically coupled between the electric generator and the plurality of CDUs, and a plurality of DC UPSs coupled between the electric generator and the plurality of server rack assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Inertech IP LLC
    Inventor: Subrata K. Mondal
  • Patent number: 9882372
    Abstract: An electronic device and a power protection method are provided. The electronic device includes a transfer port, a switch, a first detecting unit and a second detecting unit. The transfer port provides a driving voltage to an external device. The switch is coupled between the transfer port and a supply power source, and the switch is selectively turned off according to at least one of a first control signal and a second control signal. The first detecting unit generates the first control signal when a voltage drop of the driving voltage exceeds a threshold voltage. The second detecting unit generates a sampling voltage by detecting the driving voltage and generates the second control signal when the sampling voltage is lower than a first reference voltage. The electronic device can provide a power protection when an external device is plugged in/out the transfer port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC.
    Inventors: Xiao-Feng Zhou, Wei Han, Ching-Ji Liang
  • Patent number: 9831781
    Abstract: A power interface device includes a main switching converter, an auxiliary switching converter, and a feedback sense circuit. The main switching converter is coupled to an input terminal and an output terminal and configured to operate at a first switching frequency to source a low frequency current from the input terminal to the output terminal. The auxiliary switching converter is coupled to the input terminal and the output terminal in parallel with the main switching converter and configured to operate at a second and higher switching frequency than the first switching frequency to source a fast transient high frequency current from the input terminal to the output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Linear Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Henry Jindong Zhang, Jian Li
  • Patent number: 9785162
    Abstract: An LDO with high efficiency receives an input voltage from an input power line and outputs an output voltage at an output power line. The LDO includes a first active device, a second active device, an operational amplifier and a protection circuit. The first and second active devices are connected in series between the input and output power lines via a connecting node. The operational amplifier controls the second active device according to the output voltage and a core power voltage of a core power line to cause the output voltage to stabilize at a target voltage value. The protection circuit is connected to the input and output power lines, the connecting node and a control node of the first active device, and controls a voltage of the connecting node and the control node of the first active device according to the input and output voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Chun-Chia Chen, Chao-An Chen, Jian-Feng Shiu, Kai-Fei Chang
  • Patent number: 9705310
    Abstract: A system includes a current measurement unit, an overload timer, and a processing unit. The current measuring unit measures current through a power transistor, and the overload timer measures an overload time associated with the measured current. The processing unit receives a user-specified overload time setting or a user-specified overload amperage setting associated with a protection device connected in series with a load, receives a temperature measurement of a component associated with the power transistor or a measurement of overload time associated with the current, wherein the power transistor supplies the current to the load and the protection device, and selectively turns off the power transistor based on the measured temperature, the measured current through the power transistor, and the user-specified overload amperage setting or based on the measured temperature, the measured overload time, and the user-specified overload time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Thomas & Betts International LLC
    Inventors: Hans-Erik Pfitzer, Justin Walraven
  • Patent number: 9651965
    Abstract: A linear regulator circuit includes a power transistor coupled between an input voltage node and an output voltage node. A control circuit of the linear regulator includes a feedback network having an input coupled to the output voltage node and an output configured to generate a feedback voltage. An error amplifier receives a reference voltage and the feedback voltage to generate an error signal. A driver circuit receives the error signal and has an output coupled to drive a control terminal of the power transistor. A first power supply terminal of the driver circuit is coupled to a first power supply node and a second power supply terminal of the driver circuit is coupled to the output voltage node. The bias current for operation of the driver circuit is accordingly directly sourced to the output voltage node to support low quiescent current operation of the regulator circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (CHINA) INVESTMENT CO. LTD
    Inventors: Zhenghao Cui, Ming Jiang
  • Patent number: 9600006
    Abstract: Provided is a voltage regulator having a simple circuit configuration in which a protection circuit is not erroneously operated, and delay time of activation of the protection circuit is short. The voltage regulator includes: a protection circuit configured to control an output transistor when an abnormality of the voltage regulator is detected; a first constant current circuit configured to supply operating current to the protection circuit; and a detection circuit configured to detect output current flowing through the output transistor, to thereby control the first constant current circuit. The detection circuit is further configured to detect the output current with a predetermined reference current value. The protection circuit is further configured to control the output transistor so that the output current does not fall below the reference current value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventors: Tadashi Kurozo, Takao Nakashimo, Michiyasu Deguchi
  • Patent number: 9577629
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a circuit for an active diode, a method for operating an active diode, and, based thereon, an integrated active diode system, a rectifier, and a system for voltage conversion and/or regulation, comprising at least one transistor by which a current defined as positive from a first connection to a second connection of the transistor can be controlled, and at least one measuring/control circuit (for determining the current by means of which the at least one transistor can be switched on for currents under and at most up to a predetermined, non-positive threshold value (i1<=ith<=0), and can otherwise be switched off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventor: Gerald Deboy
  • Patent number: 9577630
    Abstract: An electronic device that includes a power on reset, a variable power supply filter coupled to the power on reset, and control logic coupled to the power on reset and the variable power supply filter. The control logic is configured to activate the variable power supply filter based on a core domain of the electronic device being active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Arnold, Ruediger Kuhn, Johannes Gerber
  • Patent number: 9515549
    Abstract: A voltage regulator for controlling an output device in accordance with embodiments includes an error amplifier; a controlled conductance output device; and a load predicting circuit; wherein an output of the error amplifier and an output of the load predicting circuit are summed to control the output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventor: D. C. Sessions