With Current Sensor Patents (Class 323/277)
-
Patent number: 8816614Abstract: A circuit for controlling a load current through a coil is connected to an output port of a transistor H-bridge that includes two low side transistors and two high side transistors. A current sense circuit is coupled to the H-bridge and configured to provide a representation of the load current provided by the output port. A current regulator is configured to generate a modulated signal dependent on the representation of the load current and a current set-point. The modulated signal has a duty-cycle. A gate control logic drives the individual transistors of the H-bridge on and off in accordance with the modulated signal. A direction signal provides the load current to the coil. The direction signal determines the direction of the load current. An over current detection circuit is coupled to each individual transistor and is configured to signal an over-current by providing an active over-current failure signal when a transistor current through the respective transistor exceeds a respective maximum value.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2011Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventor: Martin Barth
-
Patent number: 8810220Abstract: A power supply device, a processing chip for a digital microphone and related digital microphone are described herein. In one aspect, a power supply device includes: at least two cascaded low-dropout linear regulators. In another aspect, a processing chip for digital microphone includes a processing module and a power supply module, wherein the power supply modules includes at least two cascaded low dropout linear regulators. In another aspect, a digital microphone includes a microphone and a processing chip, wherein the processing chip includes a processing module and a power supply module, wherein the power module includes at least two cascaded low-dropout linear regulators. Embodiments described herein provide a power supply device with higher PSRR.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2011Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Beijing KT Micro, Ltd.Inventors: Rongrong Bai, Jianting Wang, Duanduan Jian, Wenjing Wang, Jing Cao
-
Patent number: 8782444Abstract: The present disclosure provides a circuit protection system and a circuit protection method for an electronic system. The circuit protection system includes a main chip, a power chip powering the main chip, a basic input/output system (BIOS) and a control unit. The control unit detects the potential of a PW_OK signal output from the power chip to the main chip, and gets the current state of the electronic system through the BIOS, thereby determining whether the current state of the main chip corresponds to a predetermined state for the main chip which defined in the current state of the electronic system. If not, the control unit outputs a signal to disable the main chip. The present disclosure disables the main chip instantly when the voltage provided thereto is excessive or insufficient, thereby avoiding the damage caused by excessive or insufficient voltage.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2011Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Lan-Yi Feng, Ying-Bin Fu
-
Publication number: 20140184185Abstract: A driver for an electric load includes a power device having a control terminal and an output terminal for an output current, and a control module. The control module is configured to drive the power device in an auto-recovery mode by switching between activation and deactivation in the occurrence of an overcurrent condition, wherein the output current reaches a threshold current. The control module is also configured to evaluate a first time interval between a time wherein the overcurrent condition occurs, and a first time, and generate a limit signal when the time interval is equal to a time threshold. The power device is driven in a switching-off condition at least as a function of the limit signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2013Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.Inventors: GIOVANNI LUCA TORRISI, DOMENICO MASSIMO PORTO, VANNI POLETTO
-
Patent number: 8760097Abstract: A voltage control operation unit receives, from a subtraction unit, a value obtained by subtracting a detection value of a voltage from a voltage command value, and performs a control operation for setting the voltage to be equal to the voltage command value. The voltage control operation unit outputs the calculated control amount as a current command value. A current control operation unit receives, from a subtraction unit, a value obtained by subtracting a detection value of a current from a current command value, and performs a control operation for setting the current to be equal to the current command value. A driving signal generation unit generates a signal for driving a boost converter based on a duty command value received from the current control operation unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2009Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Naoyoshi Takamatsu, Masaki Okamura, Daigo Nobe
-
Publication number: 20140152280Abstract: A connection device for connecting a load to a power supply, comprising at least first and second current control devices arranged in parallel between the power supply and the load, and a controller arranged to switch the current control devices on in sequence for temporally overlapping on periods.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2014Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: Analog Devices, Inc.Inventors: George Redfield Spalding, JR., Marcus O'Sullivan
-
Patent number: 8680828Abstract: There is provided a voltage regulator capable of achieving a fast transient response upon activation without allowing an abnormal consumption current to flow. The voltage regulator of the present invention includes: a booster circuit for detecting output current from an output transistor and outputting a boost signal to a first differential amplifier circuit; a sensing transistor for sensing the output current; a first transistor for making an adjustment to enable the output current to be copied accurately; and a second differential amplifier circuit in which the output terminal is connected to the gate of the first transistor, the inverting input terminal is connected to the drain of the sensing transistor, and the non-inverting input terminal is connected to the output terminal.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2012Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.Inventor: Socheat Heng
-
Patent number: 8618780Abstract: A multimode voltage regulator comprises an output for providing a regulator output voltage Vdd and an output current to a load and a low power reference voltage source having a reference voltage output providing the regulator output voltage Vdd, when in a first low power mode the output current is not greater than a threshold value. It may comprise a buffer amplifier having an output providing the regulator output voltage Vdd, when the output current is greater than the threshold value and a first bias voltage input being connected in a second low power mode to the reference voltage output when the output current is greater than the threshold value for less than a predefined time. And it may comprise a mode controller for automatically determining the output current and automatically switching from first low power mode to second low power mode.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2008Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Philippe Mounier, Estelle Huynh, David Lopez, Thierry Sicard
-
Patent number: 8610415Abstract: Method and apparatus to provide lambda correction of a current foldback circuit using a regulator including a current foldback circuit are disclosed herein.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2011Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor CorporationInventors: Gregory A. Maher, Hrvoje Jasa
-
Patent number: 8604777Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) current sensor that self-calibrates to adjust its signal gain when employed in a current divider configuration is presented. The current sensor includes an integrated current conductor, a magnetic field transducer, a controllable gain stage and a calibration controller. The integrated current conductor is adapted to receive a portion of a calibration current. The calibration current corresponds to a full scale current. The magnetic field transducer, responsive to the calibration current portion, provides a magnetic field signal having a magnitude proportional to a magnetic field generated by the calibration current portion. The controllable gain stage is configured to amplify the magnetic field signal with an adjustable gain to provide an amplified magnetic field signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2011Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Allegro Microsystems, LLCInventors: Michael C. Doogue, Shaun D. Milano
-
Patent number: 8582271Abstract: A power supply device is described comprising a DC voltage supply, a power section connected to the DC supply for supplying DC power from the DC voltage supply to first and second outlet ports for connection to a remote device via a cable connection, a voltage boosting circuit for generating a voltage above that of the DC supply, an energy absorbing circuit connected between an output of the voltage boosting circuit and a ground potential, and a diode connection means between the first outlet port and the energy absorbing circuit. The major components of the power supply device may be implemented as an integrated circuit.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2007Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Broadcom CorporationInventors: Jacques Bertin, Luc D'Haeze
-
Patent number: 8572415Abstract: A storage system includes one or more first power supplies which receive power from the first input and supplies power to each of multiple load groups through multiple first paths and multiple second power supplies which receive power from the second input and supplies power to each of the multiple load groups through multiple second paths. Each load group is comprised of at least one load, and each load is a storage device. Power is supplied from different second power supplies respectively to two or more load groups to which power is supplied from the first power supply through two or more first paths.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2012Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventor: Yosuke Tsuyuki
-
Patent number: 8564263Abstract: A voltage regulator includes a constant voltage power circuit and an overcurrent protection circuit. The constant voltage power circuit generates an output voltage, an output current and a divided voltage. The overcurrent protection circuit includes a current sensing unit, a first mirroring unit, a voltage to current converting unit, a second mirroring unit, and a pull up unit. The current sensing unit generates a sensing current according to the output current. The first mirroring unit generates a first mirroring current. The first mirroring current is proportional to the output current. The voltage to current converting unit is used for converting the divided voltage into a first current. The second mirroring unit generates a second mirroring current. The second mirroring current is proportional to the second current. The pull up unit controls the output voltage and the output current according to the first mirroring current and the second mirroring current.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Faraday Technology Corp.Inventor: Chi-Yang Chen
-
Patent number: 8541997Abstract: Provided is a current sensing signal comparing device and current sensing signal comparing method. The current sensing signal comparing device includes a current sensing circuit for detecting a current signal of a switching circuit and thereby generating a current sensing signal, a control unit for outputting a control signal, and a compensating circuit for compensating the current sensing signal according to the control signal. The compensated current sensing signal is compared with a constant current reference signal in order to issue a constant current control signal. The device can also be provided to configure the compensating circuit to compensate the constant current reference signal, such that the current sensing signal is compared with the compensated constant current reference signal in order to issue a constant current control signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2010Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Jian Jiang, Qikun Wu, Xiaoni Xin, Bin Wang, Hongyang Wu
-
Patent number: 8525542Abstract: A short circuit detection device is provided to check a circuit layout. The circuit layout includes electronic components connected in parallel. Any of the electronic components includes two contacts on the circuit layout. The short circuit detection device includes a determination circuit configured to determine whether a short circuit has occurred in the circuit layout, and a detection circuit configured to determine the specific electronic component or components responsible for the short circuit. The determination circuit connects with one contact of any of the electronic components. The detection circuit connects with two contacts of any of the electronic components.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2010Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jin-Liang Xiong
-
Patent number: 8508212Abstract: Calibration of a non-contact current sensor provides improved accuracy for measuring current conducted through a conductor such as an AC branch circuit wire. In a calibration mode, a predetermined current is injected through a voltage sensing conductor integrated in the non-contact current sensor. The magnitude of the magnetic field is measured using a sensing element of the non-contact current sensor. Then, when operating in measurement mode, a current conducted in a wire passing through the non-contact current sensor is determined by correcting the output of the non-contact current sensor using the result of the measurement made in the calibration mode. The voltage sensing conductor is used to provide an indication of the magnitude and/or the phase of the electrostatic potential on the wire. The calibration current may be a DC current, and calibration may be performed while the conductor is carrying an AC current.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2011Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Wael El-Essawy, Alexandre Peixoto Ferreira, Thomas Walter Keller, Sani R. Nassif
-
Patent number: 8508199Abstract: A method and circuits to limit the output load current of a current driven LDO voltage regulator are disclosed. The current through a second pass transistor, being in parallel to a first pass transistor and being a fraction of the current through the first pass transistor is measured and compared with a reference current. In case the current through the second pass transistor is larger than this reference current the current through the gates of both pass devices is reduced and thus the output load current of the voltage regulator is limited.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2011Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor GmbHInventors: Antonello Arigliano, Eric Marshalkowski
-
Publication number: 20130193939Abstract: Provided is a variable output voltage regulator capable of reducing heat generation during an overcurrent protection operation even when a setting value of an output voltage is high. The variable output voltage regulator can change an output voltage by trimming a resistor of a voltage dividing circuit in response to a trimming signal output from a trimming signal generation circuit. The trimming signal is used to change a limiting voltage of a fold-back type overcurrent protection circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2013Publication date: August 1, 2013Applicant: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.Inventor: Seiko Instruments Inc.
-
Patent number: 8498089Abstract: A method of sensing a current within a coil, said current being applied to the coil such that it is switched via a switching transistor, includes a detection transistor, a circuit and a control element. The detection transistor is configured to sense the current. The circuit is configured to provide, at a predetermined point in time during a current sensing period, a voltage across the switching transistor. The control element is configured to match, in response to the voltage provided by the circuit, the working points of the switching transistor and of the detection transistor, and to output an output signal which corresponds to the current to be sensed.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2009Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.Inventors: Vincent Lorentz, Sven Berberich, Martin Maerz
-
Patent number: 8497719Abstract: Circuits and methods to limit an in-rush current of a load circuit such as a processor are disclosed. A charge pump is used as driver for switches with pulse modulation width (PWM) control on the duty cycle of a clock. A clock generator generates a ramp signal with variable slope and a reference voltage. The slope of the ramp signal is dependent on the in-rush current of the switch. No dedicated slew rate driver or an external capacitor is required. The main building blocks are: a charge pump used as driver connected to single supply domain, one external (or internal) switch device, a single capacitive feedback between the switch device and the PWM control, and a PWM control comprising a fix frequency voltage triangular pulse generator with variable slope proportional to the in-rush current measurement.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2011Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor GmbHInventors: Pier Cavallini, Alessandro Angeli
-
Patent number: 8493045Abstract: A voltage regulator is configurable to operate in a linear regulator mode or a buck regulator mode. To operate in the buck regulator mode, the voltage regulator is coupled to an inductor. To determine whether an inductor is coupled to voltage regulator, and thus whether the voltage regulator can be configured in the buck regulator mode, a detection circuit determines whether a regulator output of the voltage regulator resists a change in current driven to the regulator output.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2010Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Atmel CorporationInventors: Kai Renton, Frode Milch Pedersen, Jan Rune Herheim
-
Patent number: 8492989Abstract: The present invention is related to a switched-mode power supply. It is also related to a LED lighting system and driver which comprise such a switched-mode power supply. In addition, the present invention is related to a method for electrically driving a load. According to the present invention, the switched-mode power supply is switched from a charging state, in which an energy storage is charged, to a discharging state, in which the energy storage feeds a load, when a current limit has been exceeded. This current limit is set proportional to an instantaneous voltage outputted by the rectifier.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2009Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Lioris B.V.Inventor: Pedro De Smit
-
Patent number: 8476880Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes regulation voltage system for a power supply system. The system includes a current sense system configured to generate a sense signal that represents an output current of the power supply system that is supplied to a load. The system also includes a positive voltage droop controller configured to provide a regulation voltage to the power supply system, the positive voltage droop controller setting the regulation voltage to one of a predetermined fixed reference voltage or a variable reference voltage based on the sense signal. The variable reference voltage can be less than the predetermined fixed reference voltage.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2010Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Wei Dong, Xiao Xu, Wenkai Wu
-
Patent number: 8450986Abstract: Provided is a voltage regulator capable of setting an accurate short-circuit current. Used as a circuit for determining a current value of a short-circuit current of an overcurrent protection circuit is not a resistor for converting current into voltage but a circuit for controlling in the form of current, that is, a circuit of an N-channel depletion type transistor including a gate and a drain that are connected to each other and operating in a non-saturated state. The N-channel depletion type transistor has process fluctuations that are linked with those of a detection transistor, and hence an accurate short-circuit current may be set without trimming.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2010Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.Inventors: Takashi Imura, Teruo Suzuki, Takao Nakashimo, Yotaro Nihei
-
Patent number: 8390965Abstract: An over-current protection device for multiple high-voltage motive devices is provided. The over-current protection device includes a comparison module and a logic operation module. The comparison module receives a plurality of voltages generated from a plurality of operating currents of a plurality of high-voltage motive devices and respectively compares the voltages with at least one reference voltage to generate a plurality of comparison results, wherein the high-voltage motive devices are solenoids, electronic clutches, or a combination of solenoids and electronic clutches. The logic operation module receives the comparison results and generates at least one control signal for a plurality of high-voltage motive device driving circuits according to the comparison results. The high-voltage motive device driving circuits respectively drive the high-voltage motive devices according to the control signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2010Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignees: Cal-Comp Electronics & Communications Company Limited, Kinpo Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Chih-Ming Chang, Ju-Chou Chen
-
Patent number: 8384370Abstract: Provided is a voltage regulator in which a maximum output current and a short-circuit output current may be accurately set. As a circuit for determining respective current values of a maximum output current (Im) and a short-circuit output current (Is) of an overcurrent protection circuit, the voltage regulator includes a current mirror circuit for mirroring a current in accordance with an output current so as to be capable of current control, without employing a resistor for converting a current into a voltage. Therefore, the maximum output current (Im) and the short-circuit output current (Is) may be accurately set with respect to an output current (Iout).Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.Inventor: Takao Nakashimo
-
Patent number: 8299767Abstract: In some implementations, a method of dynamically maintaining a device's operation within a safe operating area (SOA) may include sensing instantaneous voltage and current of the device; determining, based on the sensed instantaneous voltage and current, a value that represents a power dissipated in the device; using the determined dissipated power and a model of thermal behavior of the device to model a junction temperature of the device; and controlling operation of the device based on the modeled junction temperature. A programmable SOA circuit including sensing, scaling, filtering, and controlling functions may be packaged on a single die or in a package with a power transistor.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2010Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Picor CorporationInventors: Claudio Tuozzolo, Aiman Alhoussami, John P. Clarkin, Robert M. Lanoue, Andreas Gerasimos Ladas
-
Publication number: 20120262137Abstract: A method and circuits to limit the output load current of a current driven LDO voltage regulator are disclosed. The current through a second pass transistor, being in parallel to a first pass transistor and being a fraction of the current through the first pass transistor is measured and compared with a reference current. In case the current through the second pass transistor is larger than this reference current the current through the gates of both pass devices is reduced and thus the output load current of the voltage regulator is limited.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2011Publication date: October 18, 2012Inventors: Antonello Arigliano, Eric Marschalkowski
-
Patent number: 8291252Abstract: Gaming machines and related methods for controlling and managing electrical current to peripheral devices in a gaming machine are described. A gaming machine having multiple high-current peripheral devices drawing power from a single power supply within the gaming machine is able to regulate the timing at which the peripherals may receive power. The gaming machine may be a multi-station gaming machine, such as a gaming table, where each station has various standard peripheral devices. The gaming machine determines whether the power required by the peripherals at any given time will exceed a threshold current supply and, if so, delays the operation of one of the peripherals to regulate the amount of current the power supply has to supply at any given time. Current usage and time overlaps of two or more peripheral devices are determined using current profiles of the devices.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2008Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: IGTInventors: Harold E. Mattice, James W. Stockdale, Richard L. Wilder, Michael P. Khamis
-
Patent number: 8289037Abstract: A method and an apparatus to measure current in power switching supplies are disclosed for simplification of in-circuit measurement. The method and apparatus to measure current include a sensing capacitor, which in series with a resistor, is placed across the output inductor of the power supply in order to utilize the parasitic resistance of the inductor, in conjunction with a measurement controller which performs initial calibration and temperature compensation. Initial and secondary measurements are performed using an adjustable current sink in order to eliminate thermal effects. The method and apparatus to measure current in power switching supplies are particularly useful for overcoming invasive measurement techniques for measuring current known in the art.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Alcatel LucentInventors: Rami Labib, Marcos Vivas
-
Patent number: 8258765Abstract: A switching regulator is disclosed that includes a switching element; an inductor; a rectifier element; an error amplifier circuit portion; a PWM pulse generating circuit portion; a current sensing circuit portion; an output voltage decrease detecting circuit portion; a current pulse generating circuit portion; a phase detecting circuit portion; a VFM pulse generating circuit portion; and a switching control circuit portion configured to generate a control signal based on a PWM signal or a VFM signal and to switch a control status of the switching element from a PWM control to a VFM control in accordance with a third signal output from the phase detecting circuit portion, and to switch the control status from the VFM control to the PWM control in accordance with a second signal output from the output voltage decrease detecting circuit portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2009Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Junji Nishida
-
Patent number: 8248049Abstract: In an NMOSFET-base linear charger, a pair of common gate charging NMOSFET and sensing NMOSFET have their sources coupled together or virtually shorted to each other, so that these two NMOSFETs have a same gate-source voltage and thereby the sensing NMOSFET reflects the drain-source current of the charging NMOSFET on its drain-source current. From the drain-source current of the sensing NMOSFET, a current sensing signal is generated to control the gate voltage of the charging NMOSFET. By implementing the current source with NMOSFETs, the linear charger has smaller die area and less power loss.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2008Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Richtek Technology Corp.Inventors: Nien-Hui Kung, Kwan-Jen Chu
-
Patent number: 8248045Abstract: The present invention relates to a charge pump circuit with current detecting and a method thereof. The current detecting charge pump circuit includes a controlled current source, a load circuit which electrically connects to the charge pump circuit unit, and is driven by the charge pump circuit unit to generate a load current. A detecting circuit unit electrically connects to the load circuit, and produces a feedback signal according to the load circuit. A feedback circuit unit which electrically connects to the detecting circuit unit, receives the feedback signal, and adjusts a current of the controlled current source according to the feedback signal. The charge pump circuit also includes a protecting circuit unit which is able to detect feedback signal to protect the circuit according to the feedback signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2010Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Green Solution Technology Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shian-Sung Shiu
-
Patent number: 8237420Abstract: An inrush current suppressing circuit connected between a power supply and a working circuit of an electronic device includes a first power supply circuit and a second power supply circuit both connected between the power supply and the working circuit. The first power supply circuit suppresses inrush current and forwards power from the power supply to the working circuit when the electronic device is powered on. The second power supply circuit forwards power from the power supply to the working circuit when the power supply reaches a predetermined voltage.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2010Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignees: Ambit Microsystems (Shanghai) Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: An Liu
-
Patent number: 8237419Abstract: An AC to DC power supply for small heat sensitive electronic device. The power supply being dynamically controlled to operate symmetrically about the lowest point of the AC source voltage waveform for minimum excess heat production.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2009Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.Inventors: Jeremy D. Schroeder, John K. Mackenzie, Brett Larson
-
Patent number: 8232783Abstract: A constant-voltage power supply circuit which limits the consumption current inside at startup or when overloaded and suppresses the occurrence of an overshoot at startup, comprises an error amplifying part; an output part having an outputting PMOS; a load current monitoring part that monitors a load current flowing through the PMOS and increases the bias current of the error amplifying part according to the load current; and a gain adjusting part having a current limiting resistor and that monitors the load current and decreases a gain of the error amplifying part according to this load current. Hence, at startup or when overloaded, the gain adjusting part operates as a limiter circuit. Hence, at startup or when overloaded, the consumption current inside can be limited. Further, at startup, the response is made slower by this limiter operation, thus suppressing the occurrence of an overshoot.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2009Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Oki Semiconductor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kenji Yanagawa
-
Patent number: 8217821Abstract: A reference signal generator circuit for an analog-to-digital converter, the circuit having a signal-generation stage to generate a first reference signal on a first reference terminal, and a filtering circuit arranged between the generator stage and the analog-to-digital converter to determine a filtering of disturbance present on the first reference signal and supply at output on a second reference terminal a second filtered reference signal, the filtering circuit having a switching circuit to connect the first reference terminal to the second reference terminal directly during startup of the reference signal generator circuit and then through the filtering circuit once the startup step is terminated.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2010Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Filippo David, Igino Padovani
-
Patent number: 8183711Abstract: A power extractor suitable for locations proximate to the sink of a signal channel is disclosed. The power extractor can generate power from the signal channel without substantially disturbing a quality of signals within the channel. In one embodiment, the power extraction circuit can include: a current source coupled to a sink side of a signal channel, where the signal channel is independent of any power supply signal, the current source being high impedance to maintain signal quality within the signal channel; a first regulator configured to generate a first regulated supply from a current derived from the signal channel using the current source; and a second regulator coupled to the first regulator, where the second regulator is configured to generate a second regulated supply from the first regulated supply.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2009Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Quellan, Inc.Inventors: Georgios Asmanis, Faouzi Chaahoub
-
Publication number: 20120112717Abstract: The present invention discloses a power supply comprising: a switching regulator circuit converting an input voltage to an intermediate voltage; a low dropout linear regulator circuit converting the intermediate voltage to an output voltage so as to supply a load current to a load; and a feedback control circuit which increases the noise filtering effect of the low dropout linear regulator circuit when the load current increases.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2012Publication date: May 10, 2012Inventors: Jing-Meng Liu, Chung-Lung Pai, Wei-Che Chiu
-
Patent number: 8169204Abstract: The present invention mainly relates to a current limiting circuit, also known as over-current protection circuit, and a power regulator using the same. The purpose for the circuit is to protect the power device and the loading circuit for the power regulator. The conventional current limiting circuit takes advantage of a resistor and a MOS to convert the detected over current into a voltage and then turn on a P-typed MOS to clamp the gate voltage of a power transistor so as to achieve the goal of current limiting. However, the process variation for the resistor and said MOS and their temperature variation lead to a significant error to the limiting current. The present invention, therefore, takes advantage of the current comparison to enhance the accuracy for the current limiting circuit.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2008Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Holtek Semiconductor Inc.Inventor: Ming-Hong Jian
-
Patent number: 8154263Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention includes a voltage regulator circuit comprising a voltage to current converter. The voltage to current converter is coupled to provide a current to maintain an output voltage under changing load conditions. A transconductance of the voltage to current converter is independent of the output current and therefore improves stability for the voltage regulator across load conditions.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2008Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.Inventors: Zhouyuan Shi, Stephen Leeboon Wong
-
Patent number: 8143870Abstract: Methods and apparatus for current sensing according to various aspects of the present invention operate in conjunction with a current sensor adapted to sense the current provided to a load via a transistor. In one embodiment, a power supply includes the current sensor, and supplies the current through a series combination of an inductor and the transistor. The current sensor is adapted to generate the inductor current signal according to a sensed current in the inductor, and may comprise a series combination of a first resistor and a second resistor. The resistive series combination is adapted to be connected in parallel to the series combination of the inductor and the transistor.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2008Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Inventors: Timothy M. Ng, Jinghong Guo, Kenneth Ostrom
-
Patent number: 8135967Abstract: A storage system includes one or more first power supplies which receive power from the first input and supplies power to each of multiple load groups through multiple first paths and multiple second power supplies which receive power from the second input and supplies power to each of the multiple load groups through multiple second paths. Each load group is comprised of at least one load, and each load is a storage device. Power is supplied from different second power supplies respectively to two or more load groups to which power is supplied from the first power supply through two or more first paths.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2009Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventor: Yosuke Tsuyuki
-
Patent number: 8129918Abstract: A power supply is provided, which includes a DC-DC converter being supplied with an external DC input voltage and a first switching control signal and outputting a duty sensing signal of which a magnitude is varied in accordance with the first switching control signal, the duty sensing signal being indicative of a duty ratio of the first switching control signal, and the DC-DC converter converting the input voltage into a DC output voltage of a predetermined magnitude based on the first switching control signal; and a feedback controlling unit comparing the duty sensing signal with a first reference signal to adjust the duty ratio of the first switching control signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2009Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sang-Gil Lee, Ju-Young Yoon, Jong-Seo Lee, Gi-Cherl Kim, Sang-Yu Lee
-
Patent number: 8125747Abstract: A drive system for a multi-phase electric machine with a permanent magnet rotor, the drive system may comprise conduction paths for each phase. Detectors on each of the conduction paths may determine electrical condition of the conduction path. At least one selectable interconnection path may be present between all of the conduction paths and at least one selectable interconnection path may be operable to connect all of the conduction paths together responsively to at least one of the detectors determining that the electrical condition of its respective electrical path is representative of a predetermined electrical fault condition so that heating of the rotor during continued rotation of the rotor is prevented.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2009Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Evgeni Ganev, Leroy Allen Fizer, Cuong Nguyen, Thay Chau
-
Publication number: 20120038332Abstract: A linear regulator and a current sensing circuit are provided. The linear regulator comprises a pass transistor, a compensation capacitor, a variable resistor, an error amplifier and a current sensing circuit comprising a sense transistor controlled by the error amplifier and a voltage follower coupled with the second terminal of the pass transistor and the second terminal of the sense transistor. The sense transistor receives an input voltage, and generates a sense current proportional to a pass current. The voltage follower controls the voltage at the second terminal of the sense transistor to be the same as that at the second terminal of the pass transistor, and adjusts the resistance of the variable resistor according to the voltages at the second terminal of the pass transistor, the voltage at the second terminal of the sense transistor, and the sense current flowing through the sense transistor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2011Publication date: February 16, 2012Applicant: NOVATEK MICROELECTRONICS CORP.Inventor: Yung-Cheng LIN
-
Patent number: 8098058Abstract: One aspect is a circuit arrangement having a load current path with a load transistor having a first and a second load path terminal and a control terminal. A first measurement current path includes a measuring transistor having a first and a second load path terminal and a control terminal. The control terminals and first load path terminals of the load transistor and the measuring transistor are coupled. A first regulating circuit has a controllable resistor and is designed to drive the resistor depending on electrical potentials at the second load path terminals of the load transistor and of the measuring transistor. A current mirror circuit is coupled between the first measurement current path and a second measurement current path. A deactivation circuit is designed to deactivate the first regulating circuit depending on a current flowing through the measuring transistor.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2009Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Aron Theil, Steffen Thiele
-
Patent number: 8098059Abstract: A current negative-feedback circuit comprises a current detection unit and a sawtooth-shaped waveform generation unit. The current detection unit comprises a first P-ch MOSFET Q2 and a second P-ch MOSFET Q3 which constitute a current mirror circuit, a current adjustment resistor R4, a current detection resistor R1, and a constant current source I1. The current mirror circuit outputs current almost proportional to the charge current of an inductance via a switching device or outputs a current which is the quadratic function of the charge current of an inductance. The sawtooth-shaped waveform generation means adds the constant charge current of the constant current source I2 and the current output from the current mirror circuit, charges the capacitor C1, and generates a sawtooth-shaped waveform.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2009Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Fuji Electric Systems Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasunori Nakahashi, Satoshi Yamane
-
Patent number: 8085026Abstract: A current sense amplifier sensing current through a main switch of a converter. The amplifier includes first and second switch devices, an amplifier control circuit, a bias circuit, a current generator circuit, and a sense circuit. The main switch is coupled to an input, phase and control nodes. The first and second switch devices are smaller matching versions of the main switch and are both coupled to the main switch and form first and second nodes. The bias circuit is coupled between second and fourth nodes and the amplifier control circuit is coupled between first and third nodes. The current generator develops a first current through the amplifier control circuit and a second current through the bias circuit. The sense circuit has a current path coupled to the first node and is controlled by the third node to develop a sense voltage indicative of current through the main switch.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2009Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.Inventor: Stepan Iliasevitch
-
Patent number: 8036006Abstract: A power supply circuit includes a control circuit which outputs a control signal when an in-rush current flows and a power-supply-resistance control circuit which supplies a current to a capacitive load. The power-supply-resistance control circuit, provided in the current path between a power supply and the capacitive load, increases the resistance of the current path in response to the control signal and reduces the resistance of the current path in response to a stop page of the control signal, whereby the control signal is output or stopped so that the in-rush current is suppressed to a value smaller than or equal to a given value.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2008Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Renesas Electronics CorporationInventor: Takashi Tahata