Self-regulating (e.g., Nonretroactive) Patents (Class 323/304)
  • Patent number: 7554312
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, a method and apparatus for DC voltage conversion are described. According to one embodiment, a voltage converter comprises a current mirror, the current mirror being coupled with a power source; a first transistor device coupled with a bias generator to receive a bias voltage; a second transistor device coupled between the current mirror and the first transistor device; and an output transistor device, a gate of the output transistor device being coupled with a gate of the second transistor device and to the current mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Fulton, Andrew Volk, Chinnugounder Senthilkumar
  • Publication number: 20090085548
    Abstract: A converter circuit is specified in which, in order to avoid losses to the greatest possible extent, a first inductance is connected in series into the connection of a DC voltage source of the converter circuit to a first switch of the converter circuit, and in which, moreover, a second inductance is connected in series into the connection of a second switch of a switching group of the converter circuit to the junction point between a second capacitive energy store and a second unidirectional non-drivable power semiconductor switch of the switching group. Two further alternative converter circuits and also a method for operating the converter circuit are furthermore specified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Yongsug Suh, Peter Steimer, Oliver Keiser
  • Publication number: 20090001956
    Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a method includes receiving a powered device (PD) detection signal at a PD from a powered network and applying the PD detection signal to an external resistor to provide a detection signature to the powered network. Further, the method includes receiving a PD classification mark signal at the PD, applying the received PD classification mark signal to the external resistor, and selectively activating a classification mark current path in parallel with the external resistor to produce a classification mark signature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Alejandro Velez, D. Matthew Landry
  • Publication number: 20080265859
    Abstract: A selectively protected electrical system includes or operates with a power source, a load, a power driver circuit for controllably transferring power from the power source to the load, the power driver circuit being encapsulated in a potting material, and a controller for enabling and disabling the power driver circuit, the controller being un-encapsulated by the potting material. If a contaminant induced electrical fault occurs in the selectively protected electrical system, the electrical fault is more likely to occur in the un-encapsulated controller, such that the selectively protected electrical system is disabled. The contaminant is inhibited from contacting and inducing an electrical fault in the power driver circuit, thus providing for a controlled failure of the selectively protected electrical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Cary D. Talbot, Sheldon B. Moberg, James D. Causey, Jay A. Yonemoto
  • Patent number: 7433800
    Abstract: A system for measuring performance of a voltage regulator module (VRM) attached to a microprocessor includes: a voltage transient tester (VTT) fixture (5) for setting different working voltage levels of the VRM; an oscillograph (2) for measuring transient voltage levels of the VRM, and generating a transient voltage waveform according to the transient voltage levels; an voltmeter (3) for measuring steady voltage levels of the VRM under thermal effects generated by the microprocessor; a direct current (DC) electronic load (4) for educing load currents from the VRM; and a measurement control module (10) installed in a computer (1) for generating load current control signals, controlling the DC electronic load to educe the load currents from the VRM according to the load current control signals, and generating a performance report of the VRM by integrating various measurement results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Shiu Ou Yang, Wei-Yuan Chen, Sung-Kuo Ku, Cho-Hao Wang
  • Publication number: 20080157745
    Abstract: A circuit system comprising a power supply unit configured by a POL power source and a circuit unit of a low voltage/large current consumption for receiving supply of power from this power supply unit and able to respond to a sudden change of load of the circuit unit at a high speed, whereupon the circuit unit is provided with an increase prediction function unit for predicting in advance an increase of its internal power consumption and wherein when an increase is predicted in the function unit, increase prediction information is given to a power supply control function unit before an output voltage of a power supply unit starts to drop so that a power supply capability of the power supply unit is increased in advance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Nobuki Nakata
  • Publication number: 20080129270
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power supply device of a small arms fire control system or a similar small arms system. The device includes a first current limit part for limiting a low current when power is supplied from a battery, a second current limit part for limiting a high current when the power is supplied from the battery, a Zener diode and a step-up DC-DC boost converter connected to the first and second current limit parts, and adapted to primarily charge a supercapacitor to a battery voltage level and subsequently charge the supercapacitor up to a final voltage that will be supplied to a load, and a microprocessor for checking a power supply state of the system and a voltage of the supercapacitor in real-time and controlling ON/OFF of the first and second current limit parts used in the system. An instant high power is supplied to the load using a variable current limit and multi-step charging method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Ki-Ho Kawk, Jung-Ho Ko, Joo-Hong Yoon
  • Publication number: 20070268010
    Abstract: A voltage regulator with a wire arranging structure is formed integrally with an insulated wire, and receives the insulated wire therein in a winding manner. The present invention has a collecting member extending from and covering the insulated wire. The collecting member has at least one accommodating groove and a surrounding groove. The accommodating groove is formed concavely from a periphery of the collecting member and passes through the collecting member in a lengthwise direction of the collecting member. The surrounding groove is formed concavely from a periphery of the collecting member in a helix-like structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Inventor: Fan Tsai
  • Publication number: 20070252571
    Abstract: There is provided an electric power applying circuit for applying a direct current power to a load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Applicant: ADVANTEST CORPORATION
    Inventors: KAZUNARI HIRATA, TADAAKI SATOH, MASAHIRO NAGATA
  • Patent number: 7276861
    Abstract: A system drives one or plurality of LEDs regulating their brightness by controlling LEDs average current or voltage. The system includes a switching power converter and an integrated digital regulator with at least one of electrical, thermal and optical feedbacks. The regulator is constructed as a hysteretic peak current mode controller for continuous mode of operation of the power converter. For discontinuous mode of operation of the power converter a pulse averaging sliding mode control is being used. Average LED current is measured by integrating LED pulse current at off time and hysteretically adjusting on time of the power switch. Input battery is protected from discharging at abnormally low impedance of the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Exclara, Inc.
    Inventors: Anatoly Shteynberg, Harry Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 7092795
    Abstract: In a turbine apparatus comprising a runner rotatable to be rotationally driven by a water, a gain of a derivative calculation element generating a derivative component of a control signal for controlling a flow rate of the water which derivative component is to be applied to the derivative calculation element and the integration calculation element by performing differentiation on a difference between an actual rotational speed and a desired rotational speed of the runner with respect to a time proceeding has a value sufficiently increased to converge a value of the control signal toward a desired value in accordance with the time proceeding in S-characteristic portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takao Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 7072744
    Abstract: In a turbine apparatus comprising a runner rotatable to be rotationally driven by a water, a gain of a derivative calculation element generating a derivative component of a control signal for controlling a flow rate of the water which derivative component is to be applied to the derivative calculation element and the integration calculation element by performing differentiation on a difference between an actual rotational speed and a desired rotational speed of the runner with respect to a time proceeding has a value sufficiently increased to converge a value of the control signal toward a desired value in accordance with the time proceeding in S-characteristic portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takao Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 6919811
    Abstract: A detection circuit is configured to detect the presence of a power source by comparing two input voltages (VIN1, VIN2). An example detection circuit is arranged, such that the first input voltage (VIN1) may operate above the process limit for transistor breakdown, while the second input voltage (VIN2) should be maintained below the transistor breakdown voltage. The detection circuit includes a built-in offset voltage (VOS) for hysteresis such that the detection signal is activated when VIN1>VIN2+VOS. The detection circuit is useful for providing an enable signal in a battery charger application. It is envisioned that the detection circuit is also useful in other applications where detection of a power source is required, and where detection of one voltage relative to another may be desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Vladislav Potanin, Elena Potanina
  • Patent number: 6868293
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for performing energy usage management within a network. The system may include an energy management system, such as a thermostat device, that may be associated with an energy consuming entity, such as a residence. A server may be remotely located from the energy consuming entity and may perform one or more energy curtailment management operations within the network. The server may be in communication with the energy management system over the network. One or more software applications may be stored thereon for remotely controlling the energy management system in accordance with a particular energy curtailment management operation. Additionally, a database may be associated with the server for storing curtailment event information relating to the network. A signal may be transmitted by the server to the thermostat device to alter an offset temperature setting of the thermostat device thereby remotely controlling the operation of the thermostat device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Itron, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan J. Schurr, Gaymond Yee
  • Patent number: 6859021
    Abstract: A circuit for controlling the power supplied to a load. The circuit includes a controlled self-conducting semiconductor switch (4) connected in-series with the load (2). Further, a first energy storage circuit (9a) is provided in-series with the load and includes a first energy storage element (6a) and a first rectifier (8a) connected in-series thereto. A controlled auxiliary switch (12) is also included in the circuit in-parallel fashion to the first energy storage element. A control sub-circuit (13) is provided near the energy storage element which is associated with the self-conducting semiconductor switch and the auxiliary switch. The control sub-circuit closes or opens the auxiliary switch when the voltage on the first energy storage element exceeds a predetermined first value or falls short of a predetermined second value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ulrich Link
  • Patent number: 6756930
    Abstract: A signal transmitting means, in particular relates to a self-contained apparatuses for transmitting digital signals and remote control systems on their basis. Said apparatuses enables the creation of self-contained digital signal transmitters with efficient circuit of supplying power from charge generators, such as piezoelectric cells, triboelectric cells or radioactive sources of charged particles, which do not need periodical replacement or recharging in contrast to traditional power sources, batteries, this in turn enabling the creation of remote control systems for electric apparatuses, data acquisition systems and warning systems with the possibility of long-term integration of remote control signal transmitters in unmanned constructions and structures. In particular, a remote control system for lighting fixtures may be designed in which wall-board switches are in the form of self-contained on/off signal transmitters for respective lighting units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Inventors: Martyn Sergeevich Nunuparov, Nikolai Mikhailovich Maslennikov
  • Patent number: 6711189
    Abstract: Automatic power control (APC) is provided by a) a variable output voltage differential receiver/driver, which receiver is responsive to data signals for generating a voltage, the laser driver output voltage amplitude being controlled by a first potentiometer on an integrated circuit generating an AC current signal for summing with a DC current signal to provide a laser drive current signal to b) a laser transmitter having a laser diode, said laser diode for producing optical power over an optical transfer medium and a photodiode for producing a feedback signal in response to said optical power, the APC including c) a power stabilizing circuit including an error amplifier, a second potentiometer and a bias current drive transistor, the error amplifier having inputs for both the feedback signal and a voltage reference to generate an output control signal, the second potentiometer affecting said output control signal, and said bias current drive transistor being responsive to said output control signal for suppl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Stratos Lightwave, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick B. Gilliland, Luis Torres, Evgueniy Anguelov, Mike A. Ward
  • Patent number: 6583894
    Abstract: A power supply device and power supply method that may be used with an electronic apparatus, such as a facsimile machine. In the device and method, a communication device is placed in a sleep mode while a copy process is conducted. During the sleep mode, power is not supplied to the circuits of the communication device that are necessary for transmission with an external transmission line. Thus, a load current loaded to a DC voltage of +5V can be efficiently reduced. As a result, the energy quantity consumed in a regulator of the power supply device may be reduced. Accordingly, heating of the regulator can be restrained and useless energy consumption may be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yukichi Sawaki
  • Publication number: 20030038617
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a current reference system comprising a selectively activatable high current reference circuit operable to generate a reference calibration circuit when activated and a low current calibrated reference current circuit operable to generate a reference current having a value based upon a control data. The system further comprises a control circuit operable to activate the selectively activatable high current reference circuit during a calibration period. The control circuit is further operable to vary a characteristic of the low current calibrated reference current circuit in a predetermined fashion while comparing another characteristic of the low current calibrated reference current circuit to a predetermined value. The control circuit then identifies a calibration condition based on the comparison, and generates the control data associated therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventor: Daniel A. Yaklin
  • Publication number: 20030012546
    Abstract: An electrical power distribution module for a fiber optic network having a hybrid fiber optic cable. A circuit board in the module includes a source connector connected to a source of electrical power. At least one circuit leg is connected in parallel to the source connector. The circuit leg includes an over-current protection device and a client connection terminal in series therewith. A load can be connected to the connection terminal for providing electrical power thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventor: Robert L. Beers
  • Publication number: 20020190699
    Abstract: A controllable damping member has a substrate with a semiconductor material; a coplanar conductor applied on the substrate and having a metalization; and a control voltage applied between the metalization of the coplanar conductor and the semiconductor material of the substrate and determining a damping of the coplanar conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Roland Mueller-Fiedler, Thomas Walter, Markus Ulm, Johannes Schier, Erich Kasper
  • Publication number: 20020079875
    Abstract: A power generator that operates at a reduced temperature level includes a flux shunt that reduces the amount of fringing magnetic flux axially impinging upon a stator, flange, and multiple keybars during operation of the generator. By reducing the amount of axially impinging flux, the flux shunt reduces an operating temperature of the stator and flange and reduces a voltage differential between keybar voltages induced by the flux in the multiple keybars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Manoj Ramprasad Shah, Sameh Ramadan Salem, Ronald Irving Longwell
  • Patent number: 6366224
    Abstract: The invention relates to programmable voltage regulator that programmably provides a desired operating voltage to a power pin based upon operating voltage configuration data. The programmable voltage regulator includes an operating voltage configuration data decoder arranged to decode the operating voltage configuration data. The programmable voltage regulator also includes a programmable voltage down converter connected to the operating voltage configuration data decoder. The programmable voltage down converter uses the decoded operating voltage configuration data to convert the first voltage to the desired operating voltage which is then output to the power pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Cliff, Robert Bielby
  • Patent number: 6361645
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and device for compensating a bias voltage on a wafer disposed over an electrostatic chuck in a processing chamber of a plasma processing system. The plasma processing system includes an electrostatic and RF power supplies that are coupled to the electrostatic chuck. The bias compensation device includes a voltage converter, a storage unit, and a voltage adjusting circuitry. The voltage converter is coupled to the electrostatic chuck for detecting a voltage Vpp of the electrostatic chuck. The voltage converter converts the detected voltage to a lower voltage Vref. The storage unit stores a predetermined slope and a predetermined offset of a calibration curve, which is derived by fitting a plurality of wafer bias voltages as a function of electrostatic chuck voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Alan M. Schoepp, Robert E. Knop, Christopher H. Olson, Michael S. Barnes, Tuan M. Ngo
  • Patent number: 6232893
    Abstract: The invention relates to programmable voltage regulator that programmably provides a desired operating voltage to a power pin based upon operating voltage configuration data. The programmable voltage regulator includes an operating voltage configuration data decoder arranged to decode the operating voltage configuration data. The programmable voltage regulator also includes a programmable voltage down converter connected to the operating voltage configuration data decoder. The programmable voltage down converter uses the decoded operating voltage configuration data to convert the first voltage to the desired operating voltage which is then output to the power pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Cliff, Robert Bielby
  • Patent number: 5514223
    Abstract: A dual discharge photovoltaic module responsive to high and low loads. The module includes a first plurality of series connected, high short circuit current cells, and a second plurality of series connected, low short circuit current cells connected in series with the first plurality. A diode is connected in parallel with the second plurality of cells such that current flow through the module when the module is under low load reverse biases the diode so that the module discharges at a low current. When the module is under high load, current flow through the module forward biases the diode and bypasses the second plurality of cells so that the module discharges at a high rate. The module is particularly useful for starting and running an electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: United Solar Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Craig N. Vogeli
  • Patent number: 4341607
    Abstract: A solar power system has a photovoltaic array having a locus of peak power points for various insolation levels, a voltage-dependent variable resistance load such as a water electrolysis unit electrically connected to the array, and a demand-dependent variable resistance load such as a DC to AC inverter connected in parallel with the electrolysis unit. The electrolysis unit or other voltage-dependent variable resistance load has a voltage-current characteristic in which the operating point is displaced from the array's peak power point for most insolation levels. The characteristic is displaced towards higher voltage-lower current operating points. The inverter may move the operating point of the photovoltaic array toward its peak power point when the load requires power. The system may be designed so that the array operates within about 5 percent of its peak power point over a wide range of inverter power demands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1982
    Assignee: E:F Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond R. Tison
  • Patent number: 4321524
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transistorized voltage limiter as a dipole having in the conduction direction the characteristic similar to that of the Zener diode. When low voltage is involved, this transistorized voltage limiter can replace the Zener diode in various electronic circuits for the stabilization of voltage. Moreover, it has a small dynamic resistance and eliminates noises in the curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1982
    Inventor: Marko Petrovic
  • Patent number: 4280088
    Abstract: A reference voltage source comprises a bridge network including two zener diodes and two resistors, two operational amplifiers and two switches whose inputs receive a control voltage from the source and whose outputs are coupled to non-inverting inputs of respective operational amplifiers. The first operational amplifier has its inverting input and its output coupled respectively to the anode and cathode of the first zener diode, while the second operational amplifier has its inverting input and its output coupled respectively to the cathode and anode of the second zener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1978
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1981
    Inventor: Toom A. Pungas