Switched (e.g., Switching Regulators) Patents (Class 323/282)
  • Patent number: 11385666
    Abstract: Circuitry comprising: a capacitor; first circuitry; and second circuitry, wherein the circuitry is operable to couple the capacitor to the first circuitry when the first circuitry is active, and to couple the capacitor to the second circuitry when the first circuitry is inactive or is not actively using the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Hamed Sadati, John A. Breslin, Sushanth Hegde, John L. Melanson
  • Patent number: 11387733
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapid discharge of power rails is disclosed. A circuit includes a power converter circuit includes an inductor coupled between a switch node and regulated power supply node. A first device is coupled between an input power supply node and the switch node, while a second device is coupled between the switch node and a ground node. The power converter is configured to generate a particular voltage level on the regulated power supply node by controlling the first and second devices. The circuit also includes a control circuit which, in response to receiving a discharge comment, repeatedly activates and deactivates the second device to discharge, via the switch node and the inductor, the regulated power supply node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn Searles, Fabio Gozzini
  • Patent number: 11387666
    Abstract: A dual stage power converter and a method for charging an energy storage device are presented. The dual stage power converter has a first stage and a second stage arranged in series. A first stage has a voltage divider circuit with a flying capacitor to convert an input voltage at an input of the dual stage power converter into a smaller, intermediate voltage at an intermediate node of the dual stage power converter. A second stage has a voltage regulator circuit to receive said intermediate voltage for regulating, using a feedback loop, an output voltage at an output of the dual stage power converter. The described dual stage power converter enables a reduction of the switching power losses in the voltage regulator circuit and a reduction of the resistive power losses within an external cable connecting the dual stage power converter with an external wall adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Francesco Dalena
  • Patent number: 11374493
    Abstract: A circuit to control the peak current of a single inductor multiple output (SIMO) power converter operating in continuous current mode (CCM) is disclosed. The circuit generates a peak-current threshold signal that can be raised or lowered based on an error signal generated by comparing output voltages to their respective regulated levels. Additionally, the circuit can lower the peak-current threshold signal when an energy storage element of the SIMO power converter is in a freewheeling state. The lowering can occur at a rate that continues as long at the freewheeling state persists. The disclosed circuits and methods allow the peak-current threshold to converge on a level that facilitates the sufficient charging of the energy storage element to provide enough energy to the outputs but not excessive charging so as to increase ohmic loss associated with the freewheeling state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Gabriel Eirea
  • Patent number: 11374499
    Abstract: A system for reducing common-mode noise includes a switch mode power supply having primary and secondary sides, primary and secondary side grounds, an input voltage source, a primary switch, a transformer, a core, and a power output. The primary and secondary sides each have a quiet termination. The transformer includes a primary winding, a secondary winding, and an active shield winding between the primary and secondary windings. The active shield winding has two terminations, is wound in a same direction as the secondary winding, and occupies a same axial position on the core as the secondary winding. One of the terminations of the active shield winding is connected to the quiet termination of the primary side, so that the terminations of the secondary winding and the active shield winding that are adjacent each other carry alternating voltages of a same polarity and a same amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Rompower Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Ionel Jitaru, Mihai Bogdan Jitariu, Andrei Stefan Savu
  • Patent number: 11374579
    Abstract: A circuit includes a current controller oscillator generating a CCO output signal at a CCO output, a charge pump boosting a supply voltage based on the CCO output signal and producing a charge pump output voltage at an output, and a current sensing circuit sensing load current at the output and generating a feedback signal having a magnitude that varies with the sensed load current if a magnitude of the sensed load current is between lower and upper load current thresholds. A frequency of the CCO output signal is constant at a lower frequency threshold where the sensed load current is below the lower load current threshold, asymptomically rises to an upper frequency threshold where the sensed load current is above the upper load current threshold, and is proportional to the feedback signal where the sensed load current is between the lower and upper load current thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics Design and Application S.R.O.
    Inventor: Sandor Petenyi
  • Patent number: 11362584
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide for a circuit. In some examples, the circuit includes a first charging path including a first capacitor coupled to a first output node. The circuit further includes a second charging path comprising a first switch and a second capacitor. The circuit further includes a third charging path comprising a second switch and a third capacitor. The circuit further includes a first discharging path comprising the second capacitor, a third switch coupled between the second charging path and a second output node, and a fourth switch coupled between the second charging path and a fourth node. The circuit further includes a second discharging path comprising the third capacitor, a fifth switch coupled between the third charging path and the second output node, and a sixth switch coupled between the third node and the fourth node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Wei Zhao, Jianzhang Xie
  • Patent number: 11362588
    Abstract: A power conversion circuit includes a first switch branch, a second switch branch, a third switch branch, a filter branch, and a first capacitor. A first terminal of the first capacitor is connected to a power source through the first switch branch, and a second terminal of the first capacitor is grounded through the second switch branch. The filter branch includes a filter inductor and a filter capacitor. A first terminal of the filter inductor is connected to the first terminal of the first capacitor, and a second terminal of the filter inductor is connected to a first terminal of the filter capacitor. A second terminal of the filter capacitor is grounded, and the filter capacitor is connected in parallel with the load. The third switch branch is connected between the second terminal of the first capacitor and the second terminal of the filter inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun Song, Pengfei Wang
  • Patent number: 11353902
    Abstract: A power control semiconductor device includes: a voltage control transistor connected between an input terminal and an output terminal; a control circuit that controls the voltage control transistor in accordance with a voltage of the output terminal; and an external terminal that controls an output voltage externally. The control circuit includes: a first divider which has resistor elements connected in series to the output terminal and which divides the output voltage of the output terminal; a first error amplifier that outputs a voltage corresponding to a potential difference between a predetermined reference voltage and a voltage divided by the first divider; and an output voltage change circuit that changes the divided voltage in accordance with a voltage input to the external terminal to change the output voltage in accordance with the voltage of the external terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shinichiro Maki, Yoichi Takano, Katsuhiro Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 11349302
    Abstract: Provided is a circuit structure for suppressing surge current, which includes a surge current suppression judgment circuit, a switching control circuit and a self-boosting regulating circuit. An output end of the surge current suppression judgment circuit is connected with the switching control circuit. An output end of the switching control circuit is connected with the self-boosting regulating circuit. The switching control circuit and the self-boosting regulating circuit are both connected with a current input end Vin. An output end of the self-boosting regulating circuit is connected with an input end of the surge current suppression judgment circuit. The output end of the self-boosting regulating circuit is an output end Vout of the whole circuit structure for suppressing surge current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: ZHENGZHOU YUNHAI INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Weihua Cao
  • Patent number: 11349385
    Abstract: A start-up circuit for a power converter includes a charging circuit that uses a DC bus voltage of the power converter to generate a charging current to charge an energy storage device to a selected voltage and an auxiliary power output circuit including a transformer primary side auxiliary winding. A control circuit controls one or more switches of the start-up circuit and one or more switches of the power converter primary side. The charging current provides power to the control circuit until the auxiliary power is established. The control circuit disables the start-up circuit when the auxiliary power output is established. The start-up circuit has very low standby power consumption and compact size, and is particularly suitable for power converter applications such as power adapters for portable electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Queen's University at Kingston
    Inventors: Yang Chen, Yan-Fei Liu
  • Patent number: 11349404
    Abstract: A power conversion circuit includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a first switching conversion unit, a second switching conversion unit, a flying capacitor and a magnetic element. The first switching conversion unit includes a first switch and a third switch. The second switching conversion unit includes a second switch and a fourth switch. The magnetic element includes two first windings and a second winding. A first one of the two first windings is serially connected between the flying capacitor and the second terminal. A second one of the two first windings is serially connected between the second switch and the second terminal. The second winding is serially connected with the flying capacitor and the first one of the two first windings. A turn ratio between the second winding, the first one of the two first windings and the second one of the two first windings is N:1:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Da Jin, Yahong Xiong, Qinghua Su
  • Patent number: 11349393
    Abstract: A system has an input voltage source, a power stage coupled to the input voltage source, a load coupled to an output node of the power stage and a control circuit, the control circuit implemented on a semiconductor die and including: an error amplifier having a first input, a second input and an output; a voltage divider coupled to the output node and configured to provide an output voltage sense value to the first input of the error amplifier; and a programmable reference voltage circuit with an output coupled to the second input of the error amplifier. The programmable reference voltage circuit includes: a reference voltage source; scaling circuit components between the reference voltage source and the second input of the error amplifier; and a switch between the reference voltage source and the second input of the error amplifier. The control circuit is coupled to the power stage and is configured to generate a control signal for switches of the power stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Ahmed Essam Hashim, Sang Yong Lee, Uzair Mohammed, Eric Wayne Tisinger
  • Patent number: 11349396
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a DC-DC converter in an interleaved (or rotating) pulse frequency modulation (PFM) mode is disclosed. A DC-DC converter includes a number of inductor pairs, with each inductor coupled to a corresponding pulse control circuit. During a cycle in which one of the pulse control circuits sources a current pulse through its respectively coupled inductor, a second pulse control circuit coupled to the other inductor of the pair determines if a voltage on its output node (e.g., where it is coupled to its inductor) is less than a threshold voltage. Responsive to determining that the voltage on its output node is less than the threshold, the second pulse control circuit activates a current path through the other inductor of the pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Couleur, Shawn Searles, Nikola Jovanovic
  • Patent number: 11342911
    Abstract: Gate driver bootstrap circuits and related methods are disclosed. An example gate driver stage includes a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal to be coupled to a capacitor, the capacitor and the second terminal to be coupled to a gate terminal of a power transistor, a gate driver coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal, and a bootstrap circuit coupled to the first terminal, the second terminal, and the gate driver, the bootstrap circuit including a control stage circuit having an output and a first transistor having a first gate terminal and a first current terminal, the first gate terminal coupled to the output, the first current terminal coupled to the first terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Kyoung Min Lee, Satish Kumar Vemuri, James Michael Walden
  • Patent number: 11340680
    Abstract: Examples described herein relate to a system controller for tracking a characteristic system energy of a computing system. The system controller may retrieve the characteristic system energy of the computing system from a voltage regulator (VR). The VR may include a VR controller, one or more phase converters, and an output capacitor coupled to a load to provide an operating voltage to the load. The characteristic system energy is related to a sum of capacitances comprising a capacitance of the output capacitor and a capacitance of the load and is determined by the VR controller based on a voltage at the output capacitor and a charging current or a discharging current of the output capacitor via the one or more phase converters. Further, the system controller may determine whether to initiate a corrective action for the VR based on a comparison between the characteristic system energy and a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: Mohamed Amin Bemat, Daniel Humphrey
  • Patent number: 11342467
    Abstract: An electronic circuit is disclosed. The electronic circuit includes: a first transistor device integrated in an inner region of a first semiconductor body; a level shifter integrated in a level shifter region of the first semiconductor body, the level shifter region located in an edge region surrounding the inner region of the semiconductor body; and a drive circuit integrated in a drive circuit region in the edge region of the first semiconductor body, the drive circuit configured to receive a first input signal from a first input and drive the first transistor device based on the first input signal, the drive circuit region arranged closer to the inner region than the level shifter region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Dresden GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Richard Hensch, Franz Stueckler, Stefan Tegen, Rolf Weis
  • Patent number: 11342849
    Abstract: Control circuits and methods to operate a switch of a DC-DC converter, including an output circuit to turn the switch off to control a peak inductor current in a given switching control cycle, and a modulation circuit to implement transition mode (TM) or continuous conduction mode (CCM) operation for a given switching control cycle by causing the output circuit to turn the switch on in response to an earlier one of a first signal, that represents an inductor current of the DC-DC converter, decreasing to a reference voltage that represents a zero crossing of the inductor current for the TM operation or the first signal decreasing to a valley reference signal that represents a non-zero value of the inductor current for the CCM operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Isaac Cohen
  • Patent number: 11342848
    Abstract: A multiphase switching converter has a plurality of switching circuits coupled in parallel, and a plurality of control circuits configured in a daisy chain. Each control circuit receives a phase input signal, and provides a phase output signal and a switching control signal for controlling a corresponding switching circuit. When a current sense signal is less than a phase shedding threshold, and if a corresponding one of the control circuits is a last one in the daisy chain or if a pulse on the phase input signal lasts within a preset time period, then a corresponding one of the switching circuits stops a power output, and the phase output signal equals the phase input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Chengdu Monolithic Power Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Suhua Luo
  • Patent number: 11334133
    Abstract: An information handling system including a processor; a battery; a charger module a voltage regulator module connected between the charger module and the processor, the voltage regulator module configured to receive power from the charger module and provide a regulated voltage to the processor; a OVP module configured to determine that the regulated voltage output from the voltage regulator module is above a first threshold, and in response, provide a first signal to the charger module to indicating that the regulated voltage is above the first threshold; a UVP module configured to determine that the charger voltage output from the charger module is below a second threshold, and in response, provide a second signal to the charger module indicating that the charger voltage is below the second threshold, wherein the charger module, in response to receiving both the first signal and the second signal, changes to an off power state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Andy Liu, Gary Charles, Merle Jackson Wood
  • Patent number: 11334130
    Abstract: Systems and methods for staggering the release of multiple endpoints from a power brake event. A MCU on each riser implements a riser offset delay based on its position in an order in which power is to be released. For a riser with multiple slots, a delay circuit may be connected to one or more slots to provide a unique offset time to delay the release of power supply the slot. In some systems, a baseboard management controller (BMC) identifies endpoints subject to a power brake event during a POST process. Risers and slots that are not subject to a power brake event are identified and not included in the determination of delays or offset times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Kennedy, Timothy M. Lambert, Yuchen Xu
  • Patent number: 11329599
    Abstract: A method and system include a plurality of solar cells and a plurality of voltage controllers. Each of the plurality of solar cells is directly coupled to a dedicated one of the plurality of voltage controllers to form unique pairs of solar cells and voltage controllers. Each of a plurality of panels contain a plurality of unique pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Tigo Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan Kikinis
  • Patent number: 11329565
    Abstract: The present invention provides regulation for an output voltage of a DC-DC voltage converter. The controlled variable provided to the regulator of the DC-DC voltage converter is in this case made up of a controlled variable from a voltage regulator and a further controlled variable from an initial controller. The controlled variable from the voltage regulator is in this case obtained directly from the comparison of the output voltage with a setpoint voltage. The controlled variable from the initial controller takes into consideration, inter alia, the input voltage of the DC-DC voltage converter, the value of the input DC voltage being able to be corrected such that the voltage regulator can be operated close to the zero point during steady-state operation. In this manner, faster and more precise regulation of the output voltage is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Gholamabas Esteghlal
  • Patent number: 11329546
    Abstract: A power converter apparatus is provided to include a switching circuit, and a filter circuit. The switching circuit generates an AC voltage by switching a DC voltage at a predetermining switching frequency, and the filter circuit converts the AC voltage from the switching circuit into the DC voltage by low-pass filtering the AC voltage. The filter circuit induces first and second bypass capacitors, and an inductor. The first bypass capacitor bypasses noise of a first frequency component of the AC voltage from the switching circuit, and the second bypass capacitor bypasses noise of a second frequency component of the AC voltage from the switching circuit, which is lower than the first frequency component. The inductor is inserted between the first and second bypass capacitors, and the inductance thereof is set so that a resonance frequency of the filter circuit is lower than the switching frequency by insertion of the inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noriyuki Nosaka, Takeo Nishikawa, Wataru Okada, Satoshi Iwai, Takanori Ishii, Gun Eto
  • Patent number: 11329542
    Abstract: A switching regulator includes a switching element, a rectifier element, an output capacitor having one electrode connected to an output terminal, a control circuit which supplies a pulse width modulation signal in accordance with a voltage of the output terminal to a control terminal of the switching element, a load determination circuit which outputs a determination signal in accordance with a load, based on a voltage of the control terminal of the switching element, and a variable inductance circuit including a plurality of coils and having an inductance value which is switchable based on the determination signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuma Hirao
  • Patent number: 11323029
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter including converter circuitry, a voltage detector providing a low voltage signal, and pulse-pairing circuitry. The converter circuitry may be configured according to a buck or a boost configuration switching between a zero and peak current levels. The pulse-pairing circuitry includes a paired pulse generator, a load detector, and a maximum on timing controller. In response to the low voltage signal, the paired pulse generator activates an on signal for a pair of equal duration on pulses separated by a predetermined pulse separation interval. The on time periods are based on an adjustable time value and a peak current indication. The load detector provides a load adjust signal for adjusting the time value based on sampling the low voltage signal and an off time signal at the start of the second pulse. The maximum on timing controller adjusts the adjustable time value based on the load adjust signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Mohamed Elkholy, Anil Shirwaikar
  • Patent number: 11323022
    Abstract: A system for controlling an inductor current of a boost converter includes a start-up controller that is configured to generate a control signal that has a fixed on-time duration and a dynamic off-time duration that decreases with each cycle of the control signal, and a pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit that is configured to generate a PWM signal. During a start-up of the boost converter, the PWM signal transitions from a deactivated state to an activated state when the control signal is activated, and from an activated state to a deactivated state when the inductor current is equal to a reference current. The reference current corresponds to a peak value of the inductor current during the start-up. Thus, during the start-up, the duty cycle of the PWM signal increases with each cycle of the PWM signal. The PWM signal is provided to the boost converter for controlling the inductor current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Arvind Sherigar, Samiran Dam, Ashutosh Ravindra Joharapurkar
  • Patent number: 11323030
    Abstract: A control method for a DC/DC converter and a DC/DC converter are provided. The method includes: detecting an input voltage and an output voltage, and calculating a voltage gain according to a ratio of the output voltage to the input voltage; determining an operating mode of the DC/DC converter according to a first threshold and the voltage gain, and setting a first duty ratio and a second duty ratio according to the mode; detecting an inductor current to generate a current feedback signal, and then setting a regulation component according to the current feedback signal; regulating the first or second duty ratio according to the regulation component and generating driving signals to control the two groups of switches. The converter could operate in the Buck mode, Boost mode and Buck-Boost mode, and the voltage gain could be linearly continuous around 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Guoqiao Shen, Jian Li, Guojin Xu, Jinfa Zhang
  • Patent number: 11320892
    Abstract: Digital low-dropout micro voltage regulator configured to accept an external voltage and produce a regulated voltage. All active devices of the voltage regulator are digital devices. All signals of the voltage regulator, except the first voltage and the regulated voltage, may be characterized as digital signals. Some active devices of the voltage regulator may be physically separated from other active devices of the voltage regulator by active devices of non-voltage regulator circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: NVIDIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Siddharth Saxena, Tezaswi Raja, Fei Li, Wen Yueh
  • Patent number: 11316428
    Abstract: A time signal generating circuit of a power converter and a control method thereof are provided. The time signal generating circuit includes a reference frequency generating circuit, an on-time circuit and a frequency tracking circuit. The reference frequency generating circuit provides a reference frequency signal. The on-time circuit provides an on-time signal according to a first reference signal and a second reference signal. The second reference signal is related to an output voltage of the power converter. The frequency tracking circuit is coupled to the reference frequency generating circuit and the on-time circuit, and compares frequencies of the reference frequency signal and the on-time signal within a default time to generate a tracking signal. The on-time circuit adjusts the second reference signal according to the tracking signal, so that the on-time circuit adjusts the frequency of the on-time signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: uPI Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Chih-Lien Chang, Chun-Chieh Wang
  • Patent number: 11316420
    Abstract: A circuit includes first and second transistors, an adaptive bias current source circuit, and an adaptive resistance circuit. The first transistor has a control terminal and first and second current terminals. The control terminal of the first transistor being a first input to the circuit. The second transistor has a control terminal and first and second current terminals, and the control terminal of the second transistor is a second input to the circuit. The first and second inputs are differential inputs to the circuit. The adaptive bias current source circuit is coupled to the second current terminal of the first transistor. The adaptive resistance circuit is coupled between the second current terminal of the second transistor and the adaptive bias current source circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Rohit Phogat, Ramakrishna Ankamreddi, Isha Agrawal
  • Patent number: 11316509
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for controlling inrush current for a system comprising a plurality of metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs). The system may include a control circuit coupled to parallel series of gate drivers, where each gate driver is coupled to a different MOSFET. An inrush current may be received during charging of a capacitor of the switch circuit. During a first period of a ramp time, the control circuit may cause the inrush current to pass through a first gate driver. During a second period of the ramp time, the control circuit may cause the inrush current to pass through a second gate driver. By using a control circuit to cause the inrush current to pass through each MOSFET, a gate-source threshold voltage for the MOSFETs may remain below safe operating areas (SOAs) for the different MOSFETs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: ZT Group Int'l, Inc.
    Inventor: Yung-Tsung Hsieh
  • Patent number: 11309806
    Abstract: To disclose several zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) power inversion circuits, a modified pulse-width modulation control scheme is employed. It includes two driver-signal pairs. Each pair has a near 50% duty ratio driver signal and a pulse-width modulation driver signal. Because the combination timing waveform of the two driver signals of each pair resembles to a letter T, the control scheme is thus briefly named as double T (TT) control. In addition to achieving zero-voltage switching performance for high frequency operation, the disclosed power inversion circuits can alleviate the potential shoot-through problem existed in phase-shift control full-bridge power inversion circuits. Consequently, reliability performance can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Inventor: Ching-Shan Leu
  • Patent number: 11303207
    Abstract: A method of controlling a power converter includes: generating a modulation signal for controlling a phase current of a power stage of the power converter such that an output voltage of the power converter follows a load line having a slope that determines a rate of change of the output voltage as a function of load current; receiving a signal which indicates a target voltage regulation setpoint; and overriding the load line when the signal is active, such that the output voltage follows the target voltage regulation setpoint instead of the load line when the signal is present at the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Jayadevan Radhakrishnan, Danny Clavette
  • Patent number: 11303210
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide for a circuit. In at least some examples, the circuit includes a first switch coupled between a first node and a second node and a second switch coupled between a third node and the second node. The circuit further includes a resistor coupled between the second node and a fourth node and a capacitor comprising a first terminal coupled to the fourth node and a second terminal. The circuit further includes a transistor comprising a drain terminal coupled to the third node, a source terminal coupled to a fifth node, and a gate terminal and an amplifier comprising a first input terminal coupled to the fifth node, a second input terminal coupled to the fourth node, and an output terminal coupled to a sixth node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ivan Shumkov, Christian Harder, Erich-Johann Bayer, Joerg Kirchner, Gaetano Petrina
  • Patent number: 11303204
    Abstract: A trans-inductor voltage regulator (TLVR) circuit has multiple phases and a switching circuit for each phase. Each switching circuit has a winding of a transformer as an output inductor. The other windings of the transformers are connected in series with a nonlinear compensation inductor. An on-time period of each switching circuit is reduced when a load transient condition occurs or when a load current starts to be stable after the load transient condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Tao Zhao, Hang Shao, Dianbo Fu, Daocheng Huang
  • Patent number: 11300986
    Abstract: A system comprises a first current balancer and a second current balancer. Each of the first and second current balancers includes a first input line for a first voltage source connected to a first output, a second input line for a second voltage source connected to a second output and is in parallel with the first input line, a first series pass element connected in series with the first input line, and a second series pass element connected in series with the second input line. The system further includes a controller operatively connected to the first series pass element and to the second series pass element to throttle at least one of the first series pass element and the second series pass element to balance output current in the first and second outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Wilson, Steven A. Avritch, Gary L. Hess
  • Patent number: 11293808
    Abstract: A method includes, responsive to an application of power to an IC, self-initializing the IC by asserting a reset signal for a reset period. Self-initializing the IC also includes, in response to an expiration of the reset period, deasserting the reset signal. Self-initializing the IC also includes, responsive to deasserting the reset signal, automatically obtaining first temperature data from at least one thermal sensing device associated with a die of the IC, and storing the first temperature data in a storage component of the IC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies IP Limited
    Inventors: Soumyajit Routh, Kevin M. Gertiser, Jack L. Glenn, John Mark Dikeman, Daniel C. Penrod
  • Patent number: 11291093
    Abstract: A load control device for regulating an average magnitude of a load current conducted through an electrical load may operate in different modes. The load control device may comprise a control circuit configured to activate an inverter circuit during an active state period and deactivate the inverter circuit during an inactive state period. In one mode, the control circuit may adjust the average magnitude of the load current by adjusting the inactive state period while keeping the active state period constant. In another mode, the control circuit may adjust the average magnitude of the load current by adjusting the active state period while keeping the inactive state period constant. In yet another mode, the control circuit may keep a duty cycle of the inverter circuit constant and regulate the average magnitude of the load current by adjusting a target load current conducted through the electrical load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventor: Steven J. Kober
  • Patent number: 11271476
    Abstract: A charge pump circuit by which fundamental issues involved in the voltage feedback type charge pump circuit have been solved is realized. A power supply circuit includes a charge pump circuit, a feedback circuit feeding an output of the charge pump circuit back to an input of the charge pump circuit, a first current source causing a constant current to flow through the feedback circuit, a MOS transistor element interposed in a middle of the feedback circuit, a resistor element interposed at a position closer to the output of the charge pump circuit than the MOS transistor element in the feedback circuit, a bias circuit applying a constant voltage to a control terminal of the MOS transistor element, and a control section controlling a value of the constant current which the first current source flows through the feedback circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Ichihashi, Kenya Kondou, Kazumasa Nishimura, Syou Mitsuishi, Toshio Suzuki, Nobuhiko Shigyo, Masayuki Katakura, Motoyasu Yano
  • Patent number: 11271479
    Abstract: In some examples, a switch-mode power supply circuit comprises a pulse generation circuit comprising an oscillator, the oscillator configured to generate first pulses using a fixed frequency regulation for a first load condition that exceeds a predefined threshold and configured to generate second pulses using a variable frequency regulation for a second load condition that does not exceed the predefined threshold. The circuit also includes a power converter coupled to the pulse generation circuit and configured to convert a first voltage to a regulated voltage using either one of the first or second pulses generated by the pulse generation circuit. The circuit further comprises an output filter coupled to the power converter and configured to produce a second voltage from the regulated voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Tawen Mei
  • Patent number: 11271468
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are synchronous rectifier control techniques for Discontinuous Current Mode (DCM) converters. These techniques may be particularly advantageous where the current shape is triangular in nature with a fixed down-slope. Such converters may include DCM flyback converters and DCM buck converters. The proposed control techniques can reduce body diode conduction of the synchronous rectifier and optimize turn-off timing, while negating the effect of parasitic circuit elements. These techniques may also help simplify the control of synchronous rectifiers operated in parallel mode. Finally, such techniques may also help achieve higher performance in variable output voltage converters and converters that operate at high switching frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Vijay Phadke
  • Patent number: 11264097
    Abstract: A voltage generation circuit includes a driver configured to generate an internal voltage by driving an external voltage depending on a driving signal; an amplifier configured to generate the driving signal depending on a result of comparing a reference voltage and a feedback voltage; and a switch configured to delay a decrease of the internal voltage by precharging a node of the amplifier with a predetermined voltage depending on a control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Chan Hui Jeong
  • Patent number: 11262775
    Abstract: An electrical circuit for ensuring safe ramp-up and ramp-down of at least a regulated operating voltage, a reference voltage, and a reset signal for a consumer is described. The electrical circuit includes a voltage reference circuit and a voltage regulator. The voltage regulator is provided in order to furnish a regulated operating voltage, the voltage reference circuit is provided in order to be supplied with the regulated operating voltage furnished by the voltage regulator, and the voltage regulator is provided in order to obtain a reference voltage from the voltage reference circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Carsten Hermann
  • Patent number: 11262778
    Abstract: A reference voltage generator includes an input terminal configured to receive an enable signal and an output terminal configured to provide an output signal. A voltage generator circuit is arranged to generate a first output voltage signal, and a pre-settling circuit is arranged to generate a second output voltage. The pre-settling circuit is configured to provide the second output voltage signal at the output terminal in response to the enable signal received at the input terminal, and following a first time period provide the first output voltage at the output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yen-An Chang, Yi-Chun Shih, Chieh-Pu Lo
  • Patent number: 11256276
    Abstract: A power control integrated circuit (IC) chip can include a direct current (DC)-DC converter that outputs a switching voltage in response to a switching output enable signal. The power control IC chip can also include an inductor detect circuit that detects whether an inductor is conductively coupled to the DC-DC converter and a powered circuit component in response to an inductor detect signal. The power control IC chip can further include control logic that (i) controls the inductor detect signal based on an enable DC-DC signal and (ii) controls the switching output enable signal provided to the DC-DC converter and a linear output disable signal provided to a linear regulator based on a signal from the inductor detect circuit indicating whether the inductor is conductively coupled to the DC-DC converter and the powered circuit component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Sachin Sudhir Turkewadikar, Nitin Agarwal, Madhan Radhakrishnan
  • Patent number: 11258347
    Abstract: A method of reducing THD can include: acquiring a first average inductor current during a first conduction time of a main power transistor of a power converter in a switching cycle; acquiring a second average inductor current during a second conduction time and an off time of the main power transistor in the switching cycle; and adjusting the second conduction time of the main power transistor in accordance with a difference between the first and second average inductor currents, where the first and second conduction times are successive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Silergy Semiconductor Technology (Hangzhou) LTD
    Inventors: Longqi Wang, Jianxin Wang
  • Patent number: 11255732
    Abstract: Provided are a temperature sensor, an array substrate, and a display device. In the temperature sensor, a low-pass filter is disposed between a ring oscillator and a comparator, so that a square-wave signal output from the ring oscillator passes through the low-pass filter and a high-frequency component in the square-wave signal output from the ring oscillator is directly filtered out by the low-pass filter, thereby improving a signal-to-noise ratio of the ring oscillator and a test accuracy of the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xueyou Cao, Haisheng Wang, Chunwei Wu, Xiaoliang Ding, Yanling Han, ChihJen Cheng, Wei Liu, Ping Zhang, Tianhang Luan, Hao Li, Shaoning Guo, Bingqian Zhu
  • Patent number: 11258444
    Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments herein provide a power switching circuit, comprising a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, and a plurality of switching devices, each switching device having a first transistor having a first gate, a first source, and a first drain, a second transistor having a second gate, a second source, a second drain coupled to the first source, and a bipolar body diode coupled between the second drain and the second source, and a unipolar diode configured to prevent a transition voltage applied across the first gate and the first source from exceeding a degradation threshold of the first transistor during a transition period, wherein a first switching device of the plurality of switching devices is coupled between the first and third terminals and the and a second switching device of the plurality of switching devices is coupled between the second and third terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Indra Prakash, Damir Klikic
  • Patent number: 11255881
    Abstract: An inductor current detecting circuit is provided. A differentiator circuit differentiates a high-side voltage signal to generate a first differential signal, and differentiates a low-side voltage signal to generate a second differential signal. A first current source outputs a first charging current according to the first differential signal. A second current source outputs a second charging current according to the second differential signal. First and second terminals of a first switch are respectively connected to the first current source and a first terminal of a second switch. A second terminal of the second switch is connected to the second current source. Two terminals of a capacitor are connected to the second terminal of the first switch and the second current source respectively. The first switch and the second switch are alternately turned on to obtain a continuous waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: ANPEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chih-Yuan Chen