Self-regulating (e.g., Nonretroactive) Patents (Class 323/304)
  • Publication number: 20120235662
    Abstract: A low-voltage reference circuit may have a pair of semiconductor devices. Each semiconductor device may have an n-type semiconductor region, an n+ region in the n-type semiconductor region, a metal gate, and a gate insulator interposed between the metal gate and the n-type semiconductor region through which carriers tunnel. The metal gate may have a work function matching that of p-type polysilicon. The gate insulator may have a thickness of less than about 25 angstroms. The metal gate may form a first terminal for the semiconductor device and the n+ region and n-type semiconductor region may form a second terminal for the semiconductor device. The second terminals may be coupled to ground. A biasing circuit may use the first terminals to supply different currents to the semiconductor devices and may provide a corresponding reference output voltage at a value that is less than one volt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Albert Ratnakumar, Qi Xiang, Simardeep Maangat, Jun Liu
  • Publication number: 20120229115
    Abstract: A voltage amplitude limiting circuit of a full differential circuit is provided for limiting voltage levels of a differential signal. The voltage amplitude limiting circuit includes a reference voltage generating unit and a replacing circuit. The reference voltage generating unit generates a high reference voltage and a low reference voltage. The replacing circuit is coupled to the reference voltage generating unit, a first input terminal and a second input terminal. When voltage at the first input terminal is greater than the high reference voltage, the replacing circuit uses the high reference voltage to replace the voltage at the first input terminal to serve as an output. When voltage at the first input terminal is less than the low reference voltage, the replacing circuit uses the low reference voltage to replace the voltage at the first input terminal to serve as an output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: C-MEDIA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: CHIH YING HUANG, WEN LUNG SHIEH
  • Publication number: 20120218794
    Abstract: A distributed power supply system is configured to execute a process for determining whether or not to permit a diagnostic process in such a manner that it is determined whether or not a difference between a set upper limit value and an actual measurement current value is not less than a load current value, the set upper limit value being a predetermined upper limit value set with respect to a detected current of a current sensor, the measurement current value being detected by the current sensor in a state where the diagnostic process is not executed, and the load current value being a value of a current flowing from a commercial power utility to a power load during execution of the diagnostic process; and if it is determined that the difference is not less than the load current value, the controller permits the diagnostic process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nin Kake, Shinji Miyauchi, Hiroaki Kaku, Keiichi Sato, Hiroshi Nagasato, Akihito Ootani, Toru Kushisaka, Motomichi Katou, Manabu Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20120217948
    Abstract: A method for distributing the total power of an energy conversion device between at least two converters in the energy conversion device is disclosed. The sum of the conversion powers of the converters is the total power of the conversion device. The energy conversion device converts energy between a first electrical entity and a second electrical entity, where the two converters correspond to at least two portions of a ring, the portions being proportional to a predetermined power value of the respective converters thereof, the combination of the at least two portions forming the whole ring. The total power of the conversion device corresponds to an arc of the ring between the positions of a first slider and a second slider moveable around the ring, and the distribution of power between the converters is determined by the positions of the first and second sliders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: VALEO SYSTEMES DE CONTROLE MOTEUR
    Inventors: Boris Bouchez, Luis De Sousa
  • Publication number: 20120206989
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a virtual power supplier, a driving signal generator and a load driver. The virtual power supplier boosts a driving voltage to generate a virtual voltage. The driving signal generator generates a driving signal based on the virtual voltage, such that the driving signal has a voltage level that is reinforced as compared with a voltage level of the driving voltage. The load driver drives a load based on the driving voltage and the driving signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventor: Tae-Joong Song
  • Publication number: 20120200280
    Abstract: A plug for a DC appliance includes an input unit including anode and cathode terminals, an output unit including anode and cathode terminals to allow a DC current input through the input unit to be output to an electric device, a connection unit to interconnect the input unit and the output unit, a rectifier unit coupled between anode and cathode terminals of the input unit to rectify the input DC current, an inductor unit connected in series to the rectifier unit so that an internal current of the plug is gradually increased in response to an increase of the input DC current, and a condenser unit connected in series to the inductor unit, which is charged with voltage in response to a current passing through the inductor unit, and discharges the charged voltage to the output unit when the input of the DC current from the input unit is interrupted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicants: SUNGKYUNKWAN UNIVERSITY OF, SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyun Cheol Jin, Han Sol Seo, Hyun Soo Park, Byoung Kuk Lee, Joon Young Jeon
  • Publication number: 20120201051
    Abstract: A power-supply circuit for a DC appliance includes an input unit including a first terminal and a second terminal so as to receive a DC current, an output unit including a third terminal to output the DC current entered by the input unit and a fourth terminal, a connection unit including a first conductive line and a second conductive line so as to interconnect the input unit and the output unit, a rectifier unit including first to fourth diodes coupled as a bridge diode format so as to rectify the input DC current in a predetermined direction, an inductor unit that is connected in series to the rectifier unit in such a manner that the input DC current is gradually increased from an abrupt change time point of the DC current, and a condenser unit that is connected in series to the inductor unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyun Cheol JIN, Han Soi SEO, Hyun Soo PARK
  • Patent number: 8238868
    Abstract: A dynamic voltage scaling system for a packet-based data communication transceiver includes a constant voltage supply, a variable voltage supply, and a voltage control unit. The constant voltage supply is configured to supply a constant voltage to at least one parameter-independent function of the transceiver, and the variable voltage supply is configured to supply a variable voltage in accordance with a control signal to at least one parameter-dependent function of the transceiver. Parameter-independent transceiver functions perform operations independent of a predetermined parameter and parameter-dependent transceiver functions perform operations dependent on the predetermined parameter The voltage control unit is configured to generate the control signal based on information provided by at least one parameter-independent transceiver function about the predetermined parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Chunjie Duan, Sinan Gezici, Jinyun Zhang, Rajesh Garg
  • Publication number: 20120194162
    Abstract: A pulse width modulation controller and method for output ripple reduction of a jittering frequency switching power supply detect the current of a power switch of the switching power supply to generate a current sense signal, and adjust the gain or the level of the current sense signal according to the switching frequency of the power switch to adjust the on time of the power switch, to reduce the output ripple of the switching power supply caused by the jittering frequency of the switching power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: RICHPOWER MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kun-Yu LIN, Tzu-Chen LIN, Pei-Lun HUANG
  • Publication number: 20120188806
    Abstract: A power distribution system includes a DC-DC converter which outputs a DC power after converting the DC power outputted from a DC power source to a desired voltage level. In the power distribution system, the DC-DC converter is controlled so as to operate only when the input voltage falls in a predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Tamura, Takuya Kagawa, Hiroaki Koshin
  • Publication number: 20120161526
    Abstract: A DC power source conversion module is provided, including a DC power source module and a DC to DC conversion module. The DC to DC conversion module includes a DC to DC converter and a control module. The DC to DC converter is powered by the DC power source module to generate an output signal. The control module senses a responding signal of the DC to DC conversion module and controls the DC to DC converter according to the sensed responding signal, such that the DC power source conversion module is operated at a predetermined output power, in which the responding signal responds to the output signal of the DC to DC converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Gui-Song HUANG, Peng QU, Jie HUANG
  • Publication number: 20120153926
    Abstract: Provided are a terminal device and a supply current control method which enable reliable charging with a current obtained by power generation. In a terminal device (100), a control unit (107) controls the output current of a generated power supply adjustment unit (102) on the basis of a current value (the current value of a current (A)) detected by a current detection unit (103) and a current value (the current value of a current (E)) detected by a current detection unit (106). More specifically, when the current value of the current (A) is more than or equal to the current value of the current (E), a current is outputted from the generated power supply adjustment unit (102), and when the current value of the current (A) is less than the current value of the current (E), the output of the current by the generated power supply adjustment unit (102) is stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomoki Katsumata
  • Publication number: 20120153925
    Abstract: A voltage adjustment system includes a power supply for providing an initial voltage signal, a plurality of buck converters for receiving the initial voltage signal and generating one adjustable output voltage signal respectively, a microcontroller for determining one adjustable output voltage signal to output and determining whether a variable voltage signal generated by a buck converter that outputs the adjustable output voltage signal is positive or negative, a display unit for displaying value of the adjustable output voltage signal that is outputted, a plurality of voltage control units corresponding to the plurality of buck converters, and a voltage variation adjustment circuit including two buttons. The variable voltage signal is added to the adjustable output voltage signal generated by the same buck converter. Selection of the two buttons causes the microcontroller to adjust absolute value of the variable voltage signal generated by the buck converter through the corresponding voltage control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD .
    Inventors: LAN-YI FENG, QIANG GUO
  • Publication number: 20120155168
    Abstract: A negative voltage generator includes a direct current voltage generator configured to generate a direct current voltage, a reference voltage generator configured to generate a reference voltage, an oscillator configured to generate an oscillation clock, a charge pump configured to generate a negative voltage in response to a pump clock, and a voltage detector. The voltage detector is configured to detect the negative voltage by comparing a division voltage, obtained by voltage dividing the direct current voltage, with the reference voltage, and to generate the pump clock corresponding to the detected negative voltage based on the oscillation clock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Moosung Kim, Jaewoo Im, Jae-Duk Yu, Kitae Park, Ohsuk Kwon
  • Publication number: 20120146420
    Abstract: A system for providing power from solar cells whereby each cell or cell array is allowed to produce its maximum available power and converted by an operatively connected DC/DC converter. Each cell or cell array has its own DC/DC converter. In one form the system includes one or more solar generators wherein each solar generator has one to nine solar cells; a maximum power tracker operatively associated with each solar generator, each maximum power tracker including a buck type DC/DC converter without an output inductor, each maximum power tracker being operatively connected in series with each other; an inductor operatively connected to the series connected maximum power trackers; and means for providing electrical power from the inductor to load means, wherein each maximum power tracker is controlled so that the operatively associated solar generator operates at its maximum power point to extract maximum available power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: TIGO ENERGY, INC.
    Inventor: Peter Wolfs
  • Patent number: 8201002
    Abstract: A control system for saving power in an electronic device obtains information of maximum power that can be supplied to the electronic device by each power supply, detects how much power is demanded by the electronic device, determines minimum number of the plurality of power supplies, based on the detected power demanded by the electronic device, and turns on power supplies, of which the number is equal to the determined minimum number, and turn off the other power supplies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Li-Wen Chang
  • Publication number: 20120126776
    Abstract: A voltage smoothing circuit is configured to smooth a voltage outputted from a power supply portion. The voltage smoothing circuit includes first and second smoothing capacitors, a first balancing resistor, and a second conduction regulating portion. The first smoothing capacitor and the second smoothing capacitor are connected in series to each other and are connected in parallel to the power supply portion. The first balancing resistor is connected in parallel to the first smoothing capacitor. The second conduction regulating portion is connected on a current path in parallel with the second smoothing capacitor and conducts current in one direction on the current path in a case where a voltage equal to or greater than a second predetermined voltage has been applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Sumio Kagimura, Masafumi Hashimoto, Hiroshi Dohmae, Hirotaka Doi, Toshiaki Sato, Shinichi Ishizeki
  • Patent number: 8185757
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of a method and system for safe and efficient power down and drawing minimal current when a device is not enabled may comprise receiving within a network adapter chip (NAC) a signal that indicates a reduced power mode. Based on this signal, the NAC may control an off-chip voltage source that provides reduced voltage to circuitry within the NAC. The off-chip voltage source, which may comprise a first PNP transistor and a second PNP transistor, may reduce a voltage to a first voltage and a second voltage. The NAC may also reduce current through the off-chip voltage source to approximately zero amperes and an output voltage of the off-chip voltage source to approximately zero volts. The first voltage and/or the second voltage may be fed back to control the output voltage and current of the off-chip voltage source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Jonathan F. Lee
  • Publication number: 20120112727
    Abstract: A current measurement device has a rectification unit rectifying an alternating-current signal, an A/D conversion unit converting an analog signal corresponding to a signal obtained by the rectification into a digital signal, an addition unit for adding digital signals corresponding to alternating-current signals during a sampling period among the digital signals obtained by the conversion, and a current value conversion unit for converting an additional value obtained by the addition by the addition unit into a current value using a current value conversion function. The sampling period is a common multiple of the periods of alternating-current signals of 50 Hz and 60 Hz, the current values of which are to be measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: YAMATAKE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hayato Motohashi, Hirofumi Hirayama, Naoki Nagashima
  • Publication number: 20120105044
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement for the inductive transfer of energy is disclosed. The circuit arrangement includes an oscillator; a power supply for supplying the oscillator with energy and having a complex input resistance; and a device for detecting the inductive load of the oscillator and for modifying the complex input resistance of the power supply depending on the load of the oscillator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Philipp Jung, Joachim Lepper, Jan Christian Langsdorf, Lutz Ronald Herzberg, Thomas Hohmann, Herbert Petzold
  • Publication number: 20120105043
    Abstract: There is described a buck-boost converter comprising: a voltage source; an inductor, wherein a first terminal of the inductor is switchably connected to the voltage source; and a plurality of capacitors switchably connected to a second terminal of the inductor, wherein a respective plurality of output voltages are formed across the plurality of capacitors, further comprising: an error determination means, for determining an error in each of the plurality of voltages, an inner control loop adapted to switchably connect one of the plurality of capacitors to the second terminal of the inductor in dependence on the determined errors; and an outer control loop adapted to control switching between buck mode and boost mode in dependence upon the determined errors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: NUJIRA LIMITED
    Inventor: Martin Paul Wilson
  • Publication number: 20120091984
    Abstract: A dedicated power supply apparatus includes a regulator that receives power from an external power source, two signal lines to which the regulator is connected, and two resistors, each placed between the regulator and an associated one of the two signal lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: KENJI IRIE
  • Publication number: 20120086424
    Abstract: A small power semiconductor device current detector circuit and detection method with low loss by detecting current using the sensing function of a power semiconductor device is disclosed. An already known current is caused to flow through a main region of the power semiconductor device. The current is detected by a current detector unit connected to a sense terminal of the power semiconductor device. A deviation in characteristics between the main region and a sensing region is detected by a variable voltage source circuit based on the detected current. An offset amount and gain amount in an output regulator are regulated in such a way that the characteristics of the two coincide. The offset amount and gain amount to be regulated may be supplied to the output regulator, serially or in parallel, from a CPU provided externally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hirofumi UEMURA
  • Publication number: 20120080952
    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: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masato YOSHIKUNI, Tomomitsu Ohara
  • Publication number: 20120081097
    Abstract: High voltage high current regulator circuit for regulating current is interposed between first and second terminals connected to an external circuit and comprises at least one main-current carrying cold-cathode field emission electron tube conducting current between the first and second terminals. First and second grid-control cold-cathode field emission electron tubes provide control signals for first and second grids of the at least one main-current carrying cold-cathode field emission electron tube for positive and negative excursions of voltage on the first and second terminals, respectively. The current regulator circuit may be accompanied by a voltage-clamping circuit that includes at least one cold-cathode field emission electron tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: ADVANCED FUSION SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventor: Curtis A. Birnbach
  • Patent number: 8150557
    Abstract: A system and method that analyzes at least one aspect of the power grid for demand response in order to reduce feeder circuit losses is provided. The system and method may use a demand response model to select one or more factors for the demand response, such as selecting a subset of customers for demand response from a larger pool of available demand response customers. The demand response model may include a grid structure component, such as an indication of the particular customer's position in the grid, and a dynamic operation component, such as a real-time measurement of current in the feeder circuit. By using the demand response model, feeder circuit losses may thereby reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Taft
  • Publication number: 20120062203
    Abstract: Provided is a wireless power transmission system to increase efficiency in wireless power transmission. A wireless power transmitter may include: one or more capacitors; a power inputting unit configured to receive power from a power supply and to charge the one or more capacitors; a transmitting unit configured to transmit resonance power; and a switching unit configured to control electrical connection of the one or more capacitors to the power inputting unit and to the transmitting unit. A wireless power receiver is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventor: Sang Joon KIM
  • Patent number: 8122267
    Abstract: A power control circuit for a hard disk drive (HDD) includes a first control circuit, a second control circuit, a first connector connected to a power supply, the first and second control circuits, and a second connector connected to the first control circuit and the HDD. The power supply outputs a first voltage signal and a second voltage signal to the first and second control circuits via the first connector. The first control circuit converts the first and second voltage signals into a form compatible with a timing sequence of the HDD receiving voltage signals, and outputs the first and second voltage signals to the HDD via the second connector. The second control circuit controls the first control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi Rui, Cheng-Yang Li, Jian-She Shen
  • Patent number: 8115536
    Abstract: A self-oscillating switch circuit for amplitude modulation dimming for dimming a LED load. The self-oscillating switch circuit comprises a high-power input terminal (S2) for supplying a first power to the load and a low-power input terminal (S1) for supplying a second power to the load. The switch circuit further comprises a power switch semi-conductor device (Q1) configured for controlling a load current from at least one of the high-power input terminal (S2) and the low-power input terminal (S1) to the output terminal. A control semi-conductor device (Q2) is configured to control the power switch semi-conductor device (Q1) in response to a sensing voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Jeroen Snelten
  • Publication number: 20120032686
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a voltage source for calibrating a fast transient voltage measurement system, comprising a DC high voltage power supply, a discharging gap, a high voltage conductor and an earthing conductor, wherein the high voltage conductor and the earthing conductor are high voltage insulated from each other and form a traveling wave line with constant wave impedance; the DC high voltage power supply is connected between the ends of the high voltage conductor and the earthing conductor; the discharging gap is connected between ends of the high voltage conductor and the earthing conductor; the discharging gap is broken down when the charging voltage on the high voltage conductor is risen to a certain amplitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicants: TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY, CHINA ELECTRIC POWER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA
    Inventors: Weidong Liu, Weijiang Chen, Shaowu Wang, Gongchang Yue, Chengyu Wang, Zhibing Li
  • Publication number: 20120025800
    Abstract: A voltage mode transmitter equalizer has high efficiencies, yet consumes substantially constant supply current from the power supply and provides constant back-match impedance. The voltage mode transmitter equalizer is configured such that the output voltage of the signal to be output on a pair of transmission lines can be controlled according to the input data, but its return impedance is substantially matched to the differential impedance of the transmission lines and it draws substantially constant supply current from the power supply regardless of the output voltage of the signal. Further, an equalizer for a voltage-mode transmitter provides fine-granularity equalization settings by employing a variable pull-up conductance and a variable pull-down conductance. Conductance is varied by selectively enabling a plurality of conductance channels, at least some of which have resistance values that are distinct from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Wayne D. Dettloff, John W. Poulton, John M. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20120019229
    Abstract: A regulating circuit is used to regulate an output from a power supply to a load. The regulating circuit includes a regulator and a voltage dividing. The voltage dividing is connected between the power supply and the regulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: MING-YUAN HSU
  • Publication number: 20110317449
    Abstract: The present invention provides an alternating current regulating means including a positive half-cycle current-limiting circuit and a negative half-cycle current-limiting circuit. The positive half-cycle current-limiting circuit includes a first diode and a first current-limiting circuit. The negative half-cycle current-limiting circuit includes a second diode and a second current-limiting circuit. The first diode allows the positive half-cycle current of the alternating current to pass through, and the second diode allows the negative half-cycle current of the alternating current to pass through. Thus, when the input power supply generates an alternating current, the first diode and the second diode respectively allow the positive half-cycle current and the negative half-cycle current of the alternating current to pass through.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventor: Chao-Lin Wu
  • Patent number: 8076921
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a self-regulating power supply for MEMS thermal actuators to achieve maximum actuator displacement while preventing over powering. The present invention includes a power supply configured to regulate electrical input power to a MEMS thermal actuator in order to provide the maximum possible electrical input power. Accordingly, the present invention provides a maximum actuator displacement while preventing device failure from over powering. The present invention utilizes resistivity versus temperature properties for silicon or the like to provide a self-regulating power supply that can be utilized to power a variety of MEMS components without requiring custom actuator control circuits for each type of component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Kristopher Nodianos, Laura Blachek, Khoa Nguyen, Adedayo Oyelowo, Tan Tran, Bernice Sanford, Kevin Cochran
  • Publication number: 20110273111
    Abstract: In order to adjust a black level by using a power supply voltage, an organic electroluminescent display device includes: a plurality of scan lines arranged in a row direction; a plurality of data lines arranged in a column direction; a plurality of pixels formed at intersections between the plurality of scan lines and the plurality of data lines; and a direct current (DC)-DC converter to supply a power supply voltage to the plurality of pixels, wherein the DC-DC converter includes a set resistor, and to convert a reference voltage selected according to a set voltage determined by the set resistor into a power supply voltage and to supply the power supply voltage to the plurality of pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: Samsung Mobile Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung Cheon PARK
  • Publication number: 20110267025
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a low-power control circuit that comprises a receiver circuit and a control chip, wherein the receiver circuit is signally connected with the control chip, and the control chip is connected with an actuating mechanism. The present invention is characterized in that the low-power control circuit also comprises a clock generator control circuit which is respectively and signally connected with the receiver circuit and the control chip. Because the clock generator control circuit is adopted in the present invention to close the receiver circuit at regular time, the control chip is awakened only when output signal exists in the receiver circuit. Therefore, the control chip is in sleep state (also called standby state) in general.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Jinyou Wang, Xuexing Wang
  • Publication number: 20110267024
    Abstract: A method for controlling burst mode operation of a switched mode power supply (SMPS) is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Hans Halberstadt
  • Publication number: 20110267023
    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: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Gen MUTO, Seitaro MIZUHARA
  • Publication number: 20110246014
    Abstract: A high-current transmission device for conductive charging of the batteries of electric vehicles has a socket with an integrated electromechanical switching function and at least one contactor. The contactor is configured without terminal contacts on the side facing the plug-and-socket connection and is part of the socket. The terminal contacts are located on a removable plug that is provided with plug contacts. A modular charging station system for conductive charging of the batteries of electric vehicles has a base unit, a master module, and a user module, with the base unit being configured without electronics and having at least one clamping device for the power feed and compartments for accommodating the master module and the user module. The master module and the user module form a high-current transmission device, with the master module having a socket and the user module having a plug that corresponds to the socket of the master module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: SAUPER UMWELTDATENTECHNIK GESELLSCHAFT M.B.H.
    Inventor: Eckhard Sauper
  • Patent number: 8032233
    Abstract: A client device manages consumption of power supplied by an electric utility to multiple power consuming devices. Power flow to the power consuming devices is selectively enabled and disabled by one or more controllable devices controlled by the client device. The client device receives a power control message from a load management server. In one embodiment, the power control message indicates at least one of an amount of electric power to be reduced and an identification of at least one controllable device to be instructed to disable a flow of electric power to one or more associated power consuming devices. Responsive to the power control message, the client device issues a power management command or instruction to one or more controllable devices under the client device's control. The power management command causes the controllable device(s) to disable a flow of electric power to at least one associated power consuming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Consert Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Forbes, Jr., Joel L. Webb
  • Publication number: 20110227552
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus and a method for supplying power are provided. The apparatus, for use in a system having a first power signal, includes an assistance unit and a power supply device. The assistance unit outputs at least one maintaining signal according to the first power signal selectively. The power supply device outputs a second power signal, wherein the power supply device maintains the second power signal according to the at least one maintaining signal, for example, in an inactive state, such as an idle or standby state or other suitable timing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: MACRONIX INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chih-Ting Hu, Chun-Hsiung Hung, Chuan-Ying Yu, Wu-Chin Peng, Kuen-Long Chang, Ken-Hui Chen
  • Publication number: 20110227551
    Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device may include a device housing, and mobile wireless communications device circuitry carried by the device housing. The device may also include a removable electrical power supply module coupled to the mobile wireless communications device circuitry. The removable electrical power supply module may include a module housing, and within the module housing, a battery cell, a DC-to-DC converter coupled to the battery cell, and an output inductor coupled to the DC-to-DC converter. The removable electrical power supply module may also include, within the module housing, a spark suppression circuit coupled to the output inductor, and an output voltage clamp circuit coupled to the output inductor. The removable electrical power supply module may further include a pair of output terminals carried by the module housing and coupled to the output voltage clamp circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventor: Jonathan BLACK
  • Publication number: 20110210876
    Abstract: A plug-in power line conditioner is configured to receive an AC voltage from a circuit and insert a correction signal onto the circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: Searete LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Lowell L. Wood, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110204869
    Abstract: A calibration circuit includes a pad connected between an external resistor connected to a first voltage source and a first node, a first resistor unit connected between the first node and a second voltage source, a second resistor unit connected between a second node and the second voltage source, a first control unit for generating and outputting a first output signal, a first pull-down circuit connected between the second node and the first voltage source, a second pull-down circuit connected between a third node and the first voltage source, a second control unit for generating and outputting a second output signal, and a pull-up circuit connected between the third node and the second voltage source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventor: Jun-bae Kim
  • Publication number: 20110205676
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of voltage protectors that include a first voltage clamping device configured to clamp a voltage of an input power applied to an electrical load, and a second voltage clamping device configured to clamp the voltage applied to the electrical load. A series inductance separates the first and second voltage clamping devices. Also, a switching element is employed to selectively establish a direct coupling of the input power to the electrical load, where a circuit is employed to control the operation of the switching element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Deepakraj M. Divan
  • Publication number: 20110205675
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of voltage protectors that include a first voltage clamping device configured to clamp a voltage of an input power applied to an electrical load, and a second voltage clamping device configured to clamp the voltage applied to the electrical load. A series inductance separates the first and second voltage clamping devices. Also, a switching element is employed to selectively establish a direct coupling of the input power to the electrical load, where a circuit is employed to control the operation of the switching element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Deepakraj M. Divan
  • Publication number: 20110205674
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of voltage protectors that include a first voltage clamping device configured to clamp a voltage of an input power applied to an electrical load, and a second voltage clamping device configured to clamp the voltage applied to the electrical load. A series inductance separates the first and second voltage clamping devices. Also, a switching element is employed to selectively establish a direct coupling of the input power to the electrical load, where a circuit is employed to control the operation of the switching element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Deepakraj M. Divan
  • Publication number: 20110175589
    Abstract: This transmission input circuit is provided with an adjustment processing section which turns ON a switch at an empty timing where transmission current from a slave device is not flowing, to allow a reference current to flow from a constant current circuit to a current detection resistor, generates in the current detection resistor a target adjustment voltage, in which a threshold voltage corresponding to the reference current is added to a load current detection voltage corresponding to the load current, and adjusts a digital value so that a reference voltage output from a digital variable resistor matches with the target adjustment voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: HOCHIKI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Kurimoto
  • Publication number: 20110179291
    Abstract: A power adaptor detection system includes a power adaptor device configured to receive electrical power at a first voltage and to convert the electrical power to a second voltage. The second voltage has a lower value than the first voltage. An identification generating circuit is coupled to the power adaptor device. The identification generating circuit is configured to convert a portion of the electrical power to a substantially constant value electrical current. An identification detection circuit is configured to detect the second voltage. Detecting the second voltage causes the identification circuit to determine the value of a pulse of the electrical current, wherein the value of the electrical current is an identification attribute of the power adaptor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: So-Yu Weng, Hsien Tsung Lin
  • Patent number: 7983106
    Abstract: A voltage stabilization circuit of a semiconductor memory apparatus includes an operation speed detecting unit configured to detect an operation speed of the semiconductor memory apparatus to generate a detection signal, and a voltage line controlling unit configured to interconnect a first voltage line and a second voltage line in response to the detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Yong-Mi Kim, Jeong-Tea Hwang, Jeong-Hun Lee