Self-regulating (e.g., Nonretroactive) Patents (Class 323/304)
  • Patent number: 11906995
    Abstract: A voltage regulator coupled between a first node and second node includes a first (full-power) regulator circuit and a second (low-power) regulator circuit. In a first mode: the first regulator circuit is activated (with the second regulator circuit inactive) when the voltage at the first node is a battery voltage, and the voltage regulator is kept de-activated when the voltage at the first node is a ground voltage. In a second mode: the first regulator circuitry in is active (with the second regulator circuitry inactive) when the voltage at the first node is a battery voltage, and the voltage regulator is inactive when the voltage at the first node is a ground voltage. In a third mode: the second regulator circuitry is active (with the first regulator circuitry inactive) irrespective of the voltage at the first node being at the battery voltage or the ground voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Daniele Mangano, Francesco Clerici, Pasquale Butta'
  • Patent number: 11726536
    Abstract: A method for increasing power supply voltage in an information handling system in a normal mode with a first peak voltage comprises, in response to receiving a request for a higher peak voltage, an embedded controller (EC) receiving information associated with the application including a request for power at a higher peak voltage, a housekeeping IC communicating a signal to a PWM IC to increase voltage supplied to the information handling system to the higher peak voltage, the PWM IC converting from the PSU to the higher peak voltage and starting a timer with a defined time period. If no additional requests for operating at the higher peak voltage are received before the time period expires, the PWM IC communicates a signal that power will stop being supplied at the higher peak voltage, and the information handling system returns to operating in the normal mode at the first peak voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Wu Chi Che, Wei-Cheng Yu, Edward Douglas Knapton, Tsung-Cheng Liao, Yung-Chang Chang, Ya-Tang Hsieh
  • Patent number: 11563379
    Abstract: This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for reducing current imbalances between phases in a multi-phase converter as well as reducing instances of particular phases switching twice within a single pulse-width modulated cycle, or other time period. Phases that have not switched for a longest period of time can be compared to see if swapping their firing patterns would reduce current imbalances, and if so, then those firing patterns can be swapped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Daryl Frost
  • Patent number: 11418022
    Abstract: An active inrush current limiter and method of limiting inrush current actively monitor line voltage and voltage drop across a current limiting resistance in a manner that eliminates the impact of fluctuations of line voltage on the decision of when to close a relay and bypass a current limiting resistance between the AC source and a group of power supplies. The active inrush current limiter includes a microcontroller connected to control the electronic switch and relay. The microcontroller is configured to sample the source AC power and detect a pattern of current flow through the electronic switch and current limiting resistance. A program executed in the microcontroller includes calculations that determine when to close the relay and bypass the current limiting resistance by detecting changes in power flow through the current limiting resistance that reliably correspond to a time when the capacitors in the power supplies have completed charging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: SL Power Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Nitish Agarwal, Randall M. Wagner, William Mallory
  • Patent number: 11356048
    Abstract: A method and a converter for controlling a multi-phase electric machine are disclosed. Each phase voltage of the electric machine is generated with two electronic switches interconnected to form a half bridge. The switching statuses of the half bridges are controlled with space vector modulation. A minimum dwell time is predefined, and each switching status, represented by an active basic voltage space vector, of the half bridges is maintained at least for the minimum dwell time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Benno Weis
  • Patent number: 11354329
    Abstract: A system for mining of real-time data from non-production environments (e.g., test and development environments). The data that is mined/extracted is “live” data that reflects instantaneous changes, modifications, to the data. In addition, since embodiments of the present invention provide users/testers with a “live” real-time view of the mined data, the data is stored in temporary storage/non-cache memory as opposed to permanent storage (i.e., cache memory). As a result, once the user/tester consumes the data (i.e., modifies, changes or otherwise conditions the data), the data is deleted from the temporary/non-cache storage location. Thus, embodiments of the invention eliminate the need to provide for and maintain a large database for permanent storage of mined test data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: BANK OF AMERICA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sujata Devon Raju, Vinod Kumar Alladi, Bhimeswar Rao Kharade Maratha, Jayadev Mynampati, Parthiban Tiruvayur Shanmugam, Durga Prasad Turaga, Karthik Kumar Venkatasubramanian
  • Patent number: 11258261
    Abstract: A method may include: applying a first voltage on at least one first terminal of a first direct current (DC) bus electrically connected to a power source, obtaining at least one indication that discharge of a second voltage related to the first voltage should be performed, and discharging the second voltage by electrically connecting at least one second terminal of a second DC bus to a ground in response to the at least one indication. Another method may include: injecting a current at at least one terminal of a direct current (DC) bus that is electrically connected to a power source, simultaneous to injecting the current, measuring an insulation relative to ground, obtaining an electrical parameter related to the power source, and, in response to the electrical parameter, maintaining the current injected at the terminal of the DC bus without ceasing the measuring of the insulation relative to a ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Ilan Yoscovich, Liron Har-Shai, Amir Grossberg, Matan Atias, Daniel Zmood, David Avraham
  • Patent number: 11088565
    Abstract: Techniques for power source management in an information handling system (IHS) include detecting connection of multiple power sources to the IHS through respective DC adapters, obtaining data indicating the capabilities of each power source, obtaining data indicating a system load for the IHS, and generating, based on the obtained data, a load management plan specifying a target combined input power amount for power supplied by the multiple power sources and respective amounts of electrical power to be supplied by a single selected power source or by multiple selected power sources. The techniques also include combining the power supplied by each of the selected power sources into a combined input power and supplying the combined input power to the IHS. Prior to the combining, the voltage of the power supplied by a power source may be stepped up or down to a common voltage, or a power source may be de-rated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Andrew Thomas Sultenfuss, Richard Christopher Thompson
  • Patent number: 10855166
    Abstract: A controller circuit for a switch-mode power supply (SMPS). The controller circuit is configured to generate, with a plurality of phases, a combined output current at a supply node to supply a load, determine a ripple shaping current complimentary to an estimated ripple at the combined output current using a number of active phases of the plurality of phases that generate the combined output current, and generate, with an auxiliary phase, the ripple shaping current at the supply node to reduce ripple occurring at the combined output current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Pawan Garg, Stefan Schumi
  • Patent number: 10673248
    Abstract: A hybrid distributed low voltage power system can include a first primary power source that distributes line voltage power during a first mode of operation. The system can also include a first secondary power source that receives an input signal during the first mode of operation and distributes a reserve signal during the second mode of operation, where the reserve signal is generated from the input signal. The system can further include a PDM coupled to the first primary power source and the first secondary power source. The system can also include at least one first LV device coupled to the first output channel of the PDM, where the at least one LV device operates using the first LV signal during the first mode of operation, and where the at least one first LV device receives a reserve LV signal during the second mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: James Christopher Andrews, Kenneth Dale Walma
  • Patent number: 10627432
    Abstract: A power-generation-amount estimation apparatus estimating photovoltaic power generation amount carried along a power distribution line in a high-voltage system to which loads and photovoltaic power generation equipments are connected, includes: a communication unit receiving voltage and active power at the end point on the upstream side of a power distribution line and voltage and active power at the end point on the downstream side; a load/power-generation center calculator calculating impedance at a load center point based on contract information and the connection position of each load and calculating impedance at a power generation center point based on the connection position and the power generation capacity of each photovoltaic power generation equipment; and a load/power-generation-amount calculator estimating the photovoltaic power generation amount based on the impedance at the load center point, the impedance at the power generation center point, and the voltages and active powers received by the c
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nobuhiko Itaya
  • Patent number: 10525847
    Abstract: The invention relates to a power switch (100) for a battery system. The power switch (100) comprises: a first terminal (104); a second terminal (106); a control terminal (102) for receiving a control signal (108); a device (112) for identifying a power switching signal (114) and a communication signal (116) based on the control signal (108); a power section (118) comprising at least one switch (122) for switching an electrical connection between the first terminal (104) and the second terminal (106) based on the power switching signal (114); and a communication section (120) comprising at least one switch (124) for switching the electrical connection between the first terminal (104) and the second terminal (106) based on the communication signal (116).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Strobel, Oliver Krayl
  • Patent number: 10461623
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a voltage conversion circuit including: a plurality of switched capacitors; and a buck converter configured to be alternately applied with a first voltage and a second voltage output from each of two switched capacitors selected from the plurality of switched capacitors and to convert the applied first voltage or second voltage into an output voltage and to provide the output voltage. According to an embodiment, output terminals of each of the plurality of switched capacitors may be selectively electrically connected to an input terminal of the buck converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyusik Choi, Chulwoo Park, Yunhui Han
  • Patent number: 10452032
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for controlling power at a point of interconnection of the power grid. Power data that characterizes power flow at a point of interconnection of the power grid is received. The power data includes power contribution levels of at least one distributed energy resource and at least one analysis profile for a time period. An objective energy function is determined based on the power contribution levels and the at least one analysis profile. A power contribution set-point is determined based on a minimum value of the objective energy function. The power contribution set-point reflects an optimized power contribution level of the at least one distributed energy resource. The power contribution set-point is provided to the at least one distributed energy resource to achieve the optimized power contribution level by modifying the power contribution of the at least one distributed energy resource.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: PXiSE Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Raymond A. de Callafon, Sai Akhil Reddy Konakalla, Charles H. Wells, Patrick T. Lee
  • Patent number: 10411490
    Abstract: Voltage regulator systems include, in part, a regulator comprising an input terminal and an output terminal, wherein the regulator is configured to receive an input voltage from an adapter at the input terminal and provide an output voltage at the output terminal, wherein the regulator comprises at least one switched capacitor regulator operating in a first conversion mode corresponding to a first conversion factor. The voltage regulator systems also include a controller configured to control an operation of the regulator, wherein the controller is configured to determine when a conversion ratio of the regulator is greater than the first conversion factor, and, in response, to send a request to the adapter to decrease the input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Lion Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Melgar, Alberto Alessandro Angelo Puggelli, Thomas Li, Zhipeng Li, Hans Meyvaert, John Crossley, Wonyoung Kim
  • Patent number: 10333399
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a power circuit includes a DC-DC converter and an activation control circuit. The DC-DC converter converts input voltage into voltage that is different from the input voltage. The activation control circuit sends a first enable signal to start operation of the DC-DC converter when voltage depending on the input voltage becomes equal to or higher than a first threshold voltage, and sends a second enable signal to start operation of a load connected to an output side of the DC-DC converter when the voltage depending on the input voltage becomes equal to or higher than a second threshold voltage. The second threshold is higher than the first threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Takeshi Ueno
  • Patent number: 10305311
    Abstract: According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, an electronic device comprising: a housing; a conductive pattern that is provided in the housing; and a controller that is electrically connected with the conductive pattern, configured to apply a current to the conductive pattern, monitor the current, and if the monitored current value exceeds a first threshold value for more than a selected time, changes the current value to a first selected value that is equal to or less than the first threshold value; wherein the conductive pattern is configured to generate induced electric power responsive to application of current by the controller. Various embodiments may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joon-Il Kim, Won-Ki Lee, Sang-Moo Hwangbo, Se-Ho Park
  • Patent number: 10176938
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a tap switch control method, which comprises the steps of: measuring data of a distribution system; calculating a second dead band and a reference voltage using the measured data; comparing the difference between the measured actual voltage and the reference voltage with a first dead band; comparing the difference between the actual voltage and the reference voltage with the second dead band, when the difference between the actual voltage and the reference voltage is outside the first dead band as a result of the comparison with the first dead band; and controlling the tap of the transformer, when the difference between the actual voltage and the reference voltage is outside the second dead band as a result of the comparison with the second dead band. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress a frequent operation of tap switching due to the fluctuations of the system and distributed power supply by applying the double dead band and to ensure the transformer's lifespan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: KOREA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND BUSINESS FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Gilsoo Jang, Chong Suk Song
  • Patent number: 10177507
    Abstract: An electrical power coupler is configured to convey electrical power upon detecting that a compatible other coupler is properly aligned and no undesirable operating conditions are detected. The power coupler includes a first ferromagnetic metal adjacent a first magnet, a hall sensor for detecting a magnetic field in the first ferromagnetic metal, and at least two first electrical contacts. A control unit is in electrical communication with the power conductors, and includes an electrical switch operable to selectively allow a flow of electricity from a power source through the associated power conductors when the hall sensor detects the magnetic field, such as when the first electrical contacts are in contact with at least two second electrical contacts of another electrical power coupler. The second electrical contacts make contact with the first electrical contacts upon proper alignment of a correspondingly configured other electrical power coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Roger D. Burdi, Shixiong Li
  • Patent number: 10132842
    Abstract: A voltage sensing circuit includes an amplifier having a first input and an amplifier output, the first input being coupled to a node comprising a virtual ground, and a first impedance element having an input structured to be coupled to the conductor and an output coupled to the first input of the amplifier through the node. The first impedance element is structured to cause a current signal having a current directly proportional to the voltage on the conductor and a substantially zero volt voltage to be provided to the first input of the amplifier through the node responsive to the voltage of the conductor being provided to the input of the first impedance element. The amplifier is structured to cause an output voltage that is directly proportional to the current of the current signal to be provided at the amplifier output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventor: Richard Ralph Buell
  • Patent number: 10122323
    Abstract: An envelope tracking power supply, which includes a parallel amplifier, switching circuitry, and a parallel switching supply, is disclosed. The envelope tracking power supply provides an envelope power supply signal to a load. The parallel amplifier regulates an envelope power supply voltage of the envelope power supply signal based on a setpoint of the envelope power supply voltage. The switching circuitry at least partially provides the envelope power supply signal via a first inductive element and drives an output current from the parallel amplifier toward zero. The parallel switching supply provides an assist current to further drive the output current from the parallel amplifier toward zero based on an estimate of a current in the first inductive element and an estimate of a current in the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Baker Scott, Michael R. Kay
  • Patent number: 9997994
    Abstract: A totem-pole PFC and a current-sampling unit of the totem-pole PFC are provided. The totem-pole PFC is electrically connected to an AC power source and a DC-to-DC converter, and is electrically connected to a load through the DC-to-DC converter. The current-sampling unit has a first sampling switch and a second sampling switch. The first sampling switch and the second sampling switch are controlled to be turned on and turned off so that a magnetizing current flows through the magnetizing inductor when a magnetizing inductor is magnetized and a demagnetizing current does not flow through the sampling resistor when the magnetizing inductor is demagnetized, thereby increasing the demagnetization efficiency and overcoming superimposed operations to improve current detection and increase conversion efficiency of the power conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ACBEL POLYTECH INC.
    Inventors: Cheng-Hsiao Luo, Chia-An Yeh, Wei-Liang Lin
  • Patent number: 9979344
    Abstract: A controller for an electric motor system is provided. The electric motor system includes a DC power supply, a power converter, a smoothing capacitor, a three-phase AC motor, and a current sensor. The controller includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to control the power converter such that an inter-terminal voltage of the smoothing capacitor matches a first reference value. The first reference value is a value which is determined as the inter-terminal voltage of the smoothing capacitor when a phase current is equal to a second reference value. The electronic control unit is configured to correct a detection value of the current sensor so as to decrease a difference between the detection value and the second reference value when the inter-terminal voltage matches the first reference value and the detection value does not match the second reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshifumi Yamakawa, Masaki Okamura, Naoyoshi Takamatsu
  • Patent number: 9979278
    Abstract: A power supply device may include a first power line configured to connect a power source to a load via a relay, at least one diode disposed on the first power line between the relay and the load, a second power line disposed in parallel with the first power line and configured to connect the power source to the load via a switching element, and a controller configured to control on and off of the switching element. A voltage drop that occurs across the switching element when the switching element is turned on is smaller than a voltage drop that occurs across the at least one diode when the relay is turned on. The controller is configured to determine whether the switching element is on or off based on a voltage across the at least one diode and a voltage supplied to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro Nakamura, Yuta Kojima
  • Patent number: 9916940
    Abstract: Power controller includes a switching circuit that is configured to provide electrical power to a load. The switching circuit includes a first path having a first switch and a second path that is in parallel with the first path prior to the load. The second path includes a second switch. The switching circuit is in a soft-switching state when the second path is activated and the first path is deactivated. The switching circuit is in an operational state when the second path is deactivated and the first path is activated. The power controller includes a processing unit that is configured to open or close the first and second switches to change the switching circuit between the soft-switching state and the operational state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: TE CONNECTIVITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew D. Mishrikey, Frank Peter Wahl, III
  • Patent number: 9667136
    Abstract: A totem-pole power factor correction circuit (totem-pole PFC) is connected behind an input inductor receiving electric power from an alternating current (AC) power source. The totem-pole PFC is provided, in a high-frequency working area thereof, with at least two current transformer elements or a center-tapped current transformer element. The waveform of current flowing through the totem-pole PFC during positive and negative half cycles of AC power is sensed via the current transformer elements or the center-tapped current transformer element. Thereby, current waveform for the input inductor during positive and negative half cycles may be realized via the obtained current waveform completely, such that the practical problems originating from the conventional necessity for the establishment of bulky Hall device or another current-sensing unit are solved specifically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: SEA SONIC ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Pao-Tsun Lin, Ten-Chun Chen
  • Patent number: 9645626
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for providing voltage control at a load of a buck converter. The buck converter is in a feedback loop so that a reference voltage determines a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal that is fed to the buck converter, and an output voltage of the buck converter is fed back to a PWM control circuit to maintain a value of the output voltage. The load at the buck converter provides event counters to a transient load current prediction circuit, which uses a curve fitting algorithm or other adaptive control algorithm to predict a change in current at the load. The transient load current prediction circuit then manipulates the reference voltage in accordance with the predicted change in current at the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Shahin Solki, Farsheed Mahmoudi
  • Patent number: 9615424
    Abstract: A control unit of a light source device after activation time is configured to turn on switches respectively connected in series with light sources, in prescribed order. The light source device and a lighting device are configured to transmit characteristics of the light sources, based on a voltage change depending on a pattern of on and off of the switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Ido, Hiroshi Kido, Akinori Hiramatu, Junichi Hasegawa, Daisuke Ueda
  • Patent number: 9608435
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a motherboard and a display. The motherboard includes a south bridge chip, a leak-proof circuit, and a connector. The leak-proof circuit includes a control unit and a first signal transmission unit. The control unit is electrically coupled to a power supply. The first signal transmission unit includes a first electronic switch, a second electronic switch and a first resistor. The second electronic switch is electrically coupled to ground through the first resistor. When the motherboard is turned off and the display is turned on, the power supply does not provide power to the control unit, and the control unit outputs a first control signal to the first and the second electronic switches. The first and the second electronic switches are in pinch-off mode. Signals from the display flow into ground through the second electronic switch and the first resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignees: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (WuHan) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun-Yi Deng, Chun-Sheng Chen
  • Patent number: 9450598
    Abstract: A two-stage digital down-conversion device for optimal detection of varying RF pulses incorporates a front end analog to digital converter (ADC), which samples an input RF signal and performs a first stage digital down conversion in wide bandwidth by means of two digital local oscillator multipliers, low pass filters and decimators. A stream of first stage quadrature I and Q samples is analyzed by a first stage I/Q processor. The I/Q processor generates an RF pulse trigger based on a first-stage envelope signal, center frequency and frequency span data which are used for a second stage narrow band digital down-conversion. The second stage digital down-conversion is based on mixing the first stage I and Q data samples with a second stage local oscillator, further low pass filtering and decimation using a second bandwidth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Guzik Technical Enterprises
    Inventors: Alexander Taratorin, Anatoli B. Stein, Lauri Viitas, Igor Tarnikov
  • Publication number: 20150137787
    Abstract: DC-DC converter circuit arrangement (1) consisting of one multiphase DC-DC converter (MW1, . . . , MWn) for transporting energy between two electrical systems, comprising of several converter circuits (WS1.1, . . . , WS1.m, . . . , WSn.1, . . . , WSn.m), whereby each converter circuit (WS1.1, . . . , WS1.m, . . . , WSn.1, . . . , WSn.m) features at least one first control element that can be regulated. A controller (S) can produces several drive signals (TS), whereby the drive signals (TS) have different phases and one switched mode operation of a converter circuit of the multiphase DC-DC converter can be controlled with each drive signal (TS). The DC-DC converter circuit arrangement (1) consists of at least one further multiphase DC-DC converter (MW1, . . . , MWn) for transporting energy between two electrical systems, comprising of several converter circuits (WS1.1, . . . , WS1.m, . . . , WSn.1, . . . , WSn.m), whereby each converter circuit (WS1.1, . . . , WS1.m, . . . , WSn.1, . . . , WSn.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Wolfgang Daub
  • Publication number: 20150123642
    Abstract: Current generator device comprising a processing unit (2) comprising: —an input module (6) designed to acquire input data representing a desired current wave; —a management and control module (8) connected to the input module (6) and designed for: receiving the input data; generating a primary voltage wave; —an output module (12) connected to the management and control module (8) and designed to receive the primary voltage wave and to process it so as to generate an output current wave. The management and control module (8) is further designed for: receiving the output current wave from the output module (12); comparing the output current wave with the desired current wave and, if they are not substantially equal, modifying the primary voltage wave so as to obtain a new output current wave substantially equal to the desired current wave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Mario La Rosa, Sergio Fusero, Fortunato Petrocelli, Giorgio Bruno Ventre
  • Publication number: 20150102857
    Abstract: A voltage generator includes: a first pump configured to generate and output a first voltage to a first node in response to a first clock signal; a second pump configured to generate and output a second voltage to a second node in response to the first clock signal; a third pump configured to generate and output a third voltage to the first and second nodes in response to the first clock signal; a first switch configured to deliver the third voltage to the first node in response to a first control signal; and a second switch configured to deliver the third voltage to the second node in response to a second control signal, in which the first pump has a first drivability, the second pump has a second drivability, and the third pump has a third drivability greater than the first and second drivabilities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: In Ho KANG
  • Patent number: 9006928
    Abstract: Disclosed is a current and voltage detection circuit comprising: a voltage input terminal to which a direct current voltage is applied; a voltage comparison circuit that determines which of the applied voltage and a predetermined voltage is larger; a switching element connected in series to a current-voltage conversion unit, between a positive electrode terminal of the power supply and a reference potential point of the circuit; and a control circuit that generates a control signal of the switching element in response to output of the voltage comparison circuit, wherein the circuit turns ON the switching element and determines the voltage, by the voltage comparison circuit, when a voltage supply capability or current supply capability is low; and turns OFF the switching element by the control signal and determines the voltage, when the voltage comparison circuit determines that the voltage is higher than the predetermined voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Yoshikuni, Tomomitsu Ohara
  • Publication number: 20150061635
    Abstract: A voltage converting integrated circuit includes a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, a fourth switch, and a control circuit. The first switch is coupled between a first voltage pin and a first switch pin. The second switch is coupled between a second voltage pin and a second switch pin. The third switch is coupled between the first switch pin and a third voltage pin. The fourth switch is coupled between the second switch pin and a reference ground. The first to the fourth switches are controlled by a control signal to be turned on or off. The control circuit is coupled to the first to the fourth switches for receiving a mode setting signal and the control circuit generates a control signal according to the mode setting signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Novatek Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Zhen-Guo Ding, Chun-Yu Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20150054484
    Abstract: A DC voltage conversion module includes a substrate, an input terminal, an output terminal, a ground terminal, a DC voltage conversion control element mounted on the substrate, a coil mounted on the substrate and connected to the DC voltage conversion control element and the output terminal, an input-side capacitor mounted on the substrate and connected to the input terminal and the ground terminal, and an output-side capacitor mounted on the substrate and connected to the output terminal and the ground terminal. The input terminal, the output terminal and the ground terminal project in a predetermined projecting direction parallel to each other. The ground terminal is arranged between the input terminal and the output terminal in a direction perpendicular to the projecting direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Gen MUTO, Seitaro MIZUHARA
  • Publication number: 20150054809
    Abstract: A circuit includes a reference signal generating part configured to generate a plurality of reference signals having levels different from each other, a comparing part configured to compare a ripple signal with the reference signals to determine a level of the ripple signal, a compensating signal generating part configured to generate a compensation ripple signal corresponding to the level of the ripple signal, where the compensation ripple signal has a phase opposite to the ripple signal, and a push-pull circuit configured to stabilize the compensation ripple signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: Samsung Display Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Woon-Yong LIM, Tong-Ill KWAK, Min-Ho PARK, Yong-Jin SHIN, Tae-Gwang JUNG, Bong-Kyun JO, Ki-Hyun PYUN
  • Publication number: 20150048743
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a power circuit having multiple stages of charge pumps. The power circuit comprises a first charge pump, a second charge pump, a voltage stabilizing capacitor, and an output capacitor. The first charge pump adjusts an input voltage and produces a first output voltage. The second charge pump adjusts the first output voltage, produces a second output voltage, and outputs the second output voltage for driving a loading. The voltage stabilizing capacitor is coupled between the first and second charge pumps and connected externally to the output of the first charge pump. The output capacitor is coupled to the second charge pump for providing the second output voltage. According to the present invention, the effect of supplying large transient currents to the loading can be achieved by connecting externally the voltage stabilizing capacitor to the output of the first charge pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: SITRONIX TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventors: KUAN-CHAO LIAO, KAI-YI WU
  • Patent number: 8941320
    Abstract: A method of driving a light source includes outputting a variable driving voltage to a light source part, sensing a first voltage based on the driving voltage and developed at a first end of the light source part, sensing a second voltage developed at a second end of the light source part due to current passing through the light source part and adjusting the driving voltage while using the first and second voltages so that power consumption by the light source part is substantially constant irrespective of temperature of the light source part and/or irrespective of a duty cycle ration being used to drive the light source part. Thus, a luminance of the light source part may be maintained at substantially uniform levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Soo Choi, Won-Sik Oh, Eun-Chul Shin
  • Publication number: 20150002126
    Abstract: Controller with thermal balance and method thereof for controlling a multi-phase switching converter with a plurality of switching circuits. The controller having a bias current generator that generates a plurality of bias current signals; a temperature balance modulating circuit that generates a plurality of on time signals based on the plurality of the bias current signals; and a logic circuit that generates a plurality of control signals based on the plurality of on time signals. The plurality of the control signals is used to control the plurality of switching circuits of the multi-phase switching converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Qian Ouyang
  • Patent number: 8916764
    Abstract: An output ripple voltage average amplitude of a switch mode DC-DC converter is dynamically maintained. The converter has a switch and an output filter. By varying a switching period (TPERIOD) of the switch, VRIPPLE is maintained at a substantially constant value over a first range of converter input voltages and a second range of switch duty cycles. Where the output filter includes an inductor having inductance (L) and a capacitor having capacitance (C) the average amplitude of VRIPPLE is dynamically maintained by varying TPERIOD with respect to switch duty cycle (D) and input voltage (VIN) so as to approximately satisfy the following relationship: TPERIOD=(VRIPPLE*8*L*C)0.5/(VIN*(D?D2)).5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Xandex, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven P. Weir
  • Publication number: 20140368179
    Abstract: A power supply device may include: a standby power unit converting a direct current (DC) voltage to an operating voltage and a first standby voltage and providing the first standby voltage to a standby output terminal; a DC/DC converting unit receiving the operating voltage from the standby power unit, converting the DC voltage to a main voltage, and providing the main voltage to a main output terminal; and a main/standby power unit converting the main voltage from the DC/DC converting unit to a second standby voltage and providing the second standby voltage to the standby output terminal. The standby power unit varies a magnitude of the first standby voltage based on whether or not the second standby voltage is supplied to the standby output terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Jeong Nam LEE, Chong Eun Kim
  • Publication number: 20140347031
    Abstract: A control device for a dc-dc converter. The control device is designed for an increase and a decrease in the output power of the dc-dc converter, and the increase in the output power occurs at a different speed than the decrease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas Schmitz
  • Patent number: 8890505
    Abstract: A method for generating a value for available operating reserve for electric utility. Electric power consumption by at least one device is determined during at least one period of time to produce power consumption data, stored in a repository. Prior to a control event for power reduction and under an assumption that it is not to occur, power consumption behavior expected of the device(s) is determined for a time period during which the control event is expected to occur based on stored power consumption data. Additionally, prior to the control event, projected energy savings resulting from the control event, and associated with a power supply value (PSV) are determined based on devices' power consumption behavior. Amount of available operating reserve is determined based on projected energy savings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Causam Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph W. Forbes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8890441
    Abstract: A load driving device has a switch N1, a driver that performs on/off control of the switch in accordance with SWON, a comparator that compares Vdet1 with Vth, and based on a result of the comparison, generates IPEAKDET, an ADC that converts Vdet1 into ADCOUT, a DAC that converts IPEAKSET into Vth, and a logic portion that, upon receiving inputs of IPEAKDET and ADCOUT, outputs SWON and IPEAKSET. The logic portion includes a computation circuit that calculates Y1 by using a computation equation expressed by Y1=AVE×?+?×Ton/2 (where Y1: a signal value of IPEAKSET; AVE: an average current set value of an output current; ?: an adjustment coefficient for AVE; Ton: an on period; ?: a change rate of AVCOUT). The computation circuit determines ? in accordance with computation mode setting signals ISO and PFC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akinobu Sawada
  • Publication number: 20140315504
    Abstract: A power supply circuit includes: a direct current to direct current converter; a linear amplifier; and a first capacitance, one terminal of the first capacitance being coupled an output of the linear amplifier, another terminal of the first capacitance being coupled to an output terminal, wherein the linear amplifier configured to operate in a variable voltage mode and the linear amplifier configured to stop operating and couples an output of the linear amplifier to a ground in a fixed voltage mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Yasufumi SAKAI, Eiji YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20140312871
    Abstract: A voltage signal and a wetting current are received from a switching device. A first pulse train is created from the voltage signal and the first pulse train has a first duty cycle that is proportional to the voltage at the switching device. The first pulse train is transmitted across an isolation barrier. The first pulse train that is received across the isolation barrier is digitized and at least one operating condition of the switching device is determined based upon the digitized pulse train. A second pulse train having a second duty cycle is received and the wetting current from the switching device is controlled based upon the second duty cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: GE Intelligent Platforms, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Alley
  • Patent number: 8866650
    Abstract: A circuit for testing digital-to-analog (DAC) and analog-to-digital converters (ADC) is provided. The circuit applies a code pattern having a plurality of sequential values to the digital to analog converter. A plurality of built-in test switches (BTS) couple at least one tap voltage from the DAC to a test bus and to the ADC as a variable reference input voltage. In one form, the circuit uses incremental digital codes to test for defects in a resistor string, a switch array, and a decode logic that form part of the DAC. In another form, the circuit uses the tap voltages from the DAC to test the comparators that form part of the ADC. Instead of performing time-consuming analog to digital conversions, the functionality of the above mentioned circuitry is tested by varying the code pattern around a reference point and by selecting the appropriate combination of BTS switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen J. Spinks, Andrew Talbot, Colin Mair
  • Publication number: 20140285925
    Abstract: A driver circuit includes a first current source configured to sink part of the current from a power supply through a load and a second current source configured to sink part of the current from the power supply to a return path, bypassing the load, so that the current through the load is the difference between the current from the power supply and the current through the second current source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Rajarshi Mukhopadhyay, Paul Merle Emerson
  • Publication number: 20140266129
    Abstract: A power supply circuit (1) for powering a load device (10) with the requirements of a high power burst at a low duty cycle. The power circuitry includes; a power source (2), a voltage comparator (3) which makes sure that the power source has enough power for the system, a series boost regulator (5) which delivers a higher voltage to the capacitor (7), a switching buck/boost regulator (8) which receives the voltage from the capacitor and regulates the higher or lower voltage to the load device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: DELORME PUBLISHING CO
    Inventor: Matthew Gilbert Clark