Voltage Regulator Protective Circuits Patents (Class 361/18)
  • Patent number: 11238822
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to a driver circuit, a preset protection value and a first voltage are input via a first circuit. A first switching circuit is electrically connected to the first circuit and a trigger circuit. A second switching circuit is electrically connected to a first voltage, and the trigger circuit is electrically connected to a printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignees: Chongqing HKC Optoelectronics, Technology Co., Ltd, HKC Corporation Limited
    Inventor: Xiaoyu Huang
  • Patent number: 11233392
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium in a containment, comprising a sensor unit and an electronics unit, wherein the electronics unit includes a transceiver unit and a transceiver protecting unit for limiting an input voltage of the transceiver unit to a first transceiver voltage value. According to the present disclosure, the transceiver protecting unit includes a first limiting unit and a transistor unit, the transistor unit connected in series with the transceiver unit, wherein the first limiting unit is connected in parallel with transceiver unit and to a control terminal of the transistor and is configured to control an input voltage for the control terminal of the transistor to a predeterminable control value such that the input voltage of the transceiver unit is limited to the first transceiver voltage value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+ Co. KG
    Inventors: Armin Wernet, Michael Dötsch
  • Patent number: 11215649
    Abstract: An electric power system comprises recording devices (101-105) located at different elements of the electric power system and configured to record waveform samples of quantities related to operation of the elements of the electric power system. The electric power system comprises a central device (106) configured to receive the recorded waveform samples from the recording devices. The recording devices are synchronized to maintain a common clock time and to associate, to each of the recorded waveform samples, one or more timing values indicative of the clock time during recording the waveform sample. As the timing values are associated to the waveform samples, it is possible to reconstruct a time order of phenomena indicated by the recorded waveform samples. Thus, it is possible to identify which of the phenomena are causes and which are consequences when analyzing for example what happened prior to a fault situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Danfoss Editron Oy
    Inventors: Matti Iskanius, Risto Tiainen
  • Patent number: 11211866
    Abstract: An adjustable inductance system includes a plurality of inductor modules coupled to a corresponding plurality of loads and a pool of at least one floating inductor module that may be coupled in parallel with any one of the plurality of inductor modules. A control circuit monitors the current drawn through the inductor module by the load. If current draw exceeds a threshold, the control circuit couples a floating inductor module to the load. Using the current drawn by the load, the control circuit determines an appropriate inductance value and determines an appropriate inductor configuration for the inductor module, the floating inductor module, or both the inductor module and the floating inductor module to achieve the determined inductance value. The control circuit causes switching elements to transition to a state or position to achieve the inductor configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Lambert, Kaladhar Radhakrishnan, Beomseok Choi, Krishna Bharath, Michael J. Hill
  • Patent number: 11210398
    Abstract: An activity sensing circuit includes an ammeter circuit configured to monitor a supply current drawn specifically by a webcam. A hardware trigger circuit receives a webcam supply current monitoring signal from the ammeter circuit, and detects when the webcam supply current monitoring signal indicates the supply current drawn specifically by the webcam exceeds a first threshold supply current level. In response to detection of the supply current exceeding the first threshold supply current level, the trigger circuit notifies an indicator circuit to provide a user-perceptible indication. The indicator circuit is immune to control by a processor of an information handling system of which it is part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Sathish Bikumala, Jace W. Files
  • Patent number: 11204010
    Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle that includes a DC/DC converter is described. In one example, the method includes adjusting an output voltage of the DC/DC converter after the DC/DC converter is used to crank an engine. The output voltage of the DC/DC converter may be adjusted responsive to a state of charge of an ultra-capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander O'Connor Gibson, John Eric Rollinger, David Hancock, William Taylor, Mark E. Shields
  • Patent number: 11190004
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a failure diagnosis circuit may comprise a first terminal, a second terminal, a first relay and a second relay, a diagnostic signal transmission circuit, a transmission circuit diagnosis circuit, a first diagnostic signal reception circuit, a first reception circuit diagnosis circuit, a second diagnostic signal reception circuit, a second reception circuit diagnosis circuit, and a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO WAVE INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Takeru Morishita
  • Patent number: 11115017
    Abstract: Provided is a driving apparatus that includes a gate driving circuit that turns off a first semiconductor element upon receiving a turn-off signal, a measuring circuit that measures a parameter according to a voltage applied to the second semiconductor element, a timing generating circuit that generates a timing signal if the parameter satisfies a first condition during a time period in which the first semiconductor element is tuned off; and a driving condition change circuit that, in response to the timing signal, further decreases a changing speed of a gate voltage of the first semiconductor element than a reference speed during the time period in which the first semiconductor element is tuned off, wherein the gate driving circuit turns off the first semiconductor element in response to that the parameter satisfies a second condition during a time period in which the first semiconductor element is tuned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kunio Matsubara, Tsuyoshi Nagano
  • Patent number: 11101777
    Abstract: An output OUT is coupled to a load. A high-side transistor MH is arranged such that its source is coupled to a power supply line, and such that its drain is coupled to an output terminal OUT. A first OCP circuit compares a first current detection signal ICS1 that corresponds to a current ISRC that flows through the high-side transistor MH with a first threshold value IOCP having a positive correlation with a power supply voltage VDD of a power supply line, and generates a first OCP signal SOCP that indicates the comparison result. A driving circuit latch-stops the driving operation of the high-side transistor MH according to the first OCP signal SOCP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuji Saegusa
  • Patent number: 11101739
    Abstract: A switching loss of a power conversion device is sufficiently reduced. A DC-DC converter includes a switching circuit that converts input first DC power into AC power, a transformer that performs voltage conversion of the AC power, and an output circuit that converts the AC power subjected to the voltage conversion by the transformer into second DC power. The control circuit that controls the DC-DC converter calculates a magnetic flux density value B of the transformer and controls a drive frequency of the switching circuit based on the calculated magnetic flux density value B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Shintaro Tanaka, Kenji Kubo, Takayuki Ouchi, Yuji Sobu, Naoya Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11096253
    Abstract: Multi-driver configuration apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided. Apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided for multi-driver configuration of a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) drivers. The system includes a plurality of LED drivers having a transformer, an input interface coupleable to the configuration device via a common communication medium, a microcontroller, a direct current (DC) sensing section to detect at least a portion of a tuning signal received at the input interface and to transmit a driver control input signal corresponding to the at least a portion of the tuning signal to the microcontroller, and a transmit switch configured to receive a driver control output signal from the microcontroller and to cause at least one output signal to be output from the LED driver via the input interface. A configuration device transmits the tuning signal to at least one LED driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Universal Lighting Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Mays, II, John J. Dernovsek, Scott Price, Dane Sutherland
  • Patent number: 11089392
    Abstract: An optoelectronic switch for switching data from a source external client device to a destination external client device, the optoelectronic switch includes: an array of client-side transceivers, each having an array of client-facing optical ports to connect to an external client device, and an array of leaf-facing electrical ports; an array of leaf switches, each including an array of client-side electrical ports and an array of fabric-side electrical ports; a first electrical interconnecting region providing electrical connections between the leaf-facing electrical ports of the client-side transceivers and the client-side electrical ports of the leaf switches, an array of fabric-side transceivers, each having an array of leaf-facing electrical ports, and an array of fabric-facing optical ports; a second electrical interconnecting region providing electrical connections between the fabric-side electrical ports of the leaf switches and the leaf-facing electrical ports of the fabric-side transceivers; an array
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Rockley Photonics Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Rickman, Cyriel Johan Agnes Minkenberg, Guy Regev
  • Patent number: 11081876
    Abstract: One or more embodiments relate to a control circuit for an input filter circuit in a switch mode power supply comprising a power switch and a switch controller to control the power switch to provide a regulated output voltage and current to a load. The control circuit, also referred to as a filter control circuit, can be used to detect a high voltage surge at its input and disconnect a capacitor in the input filter circuit from an input return, thereby protecting the input filter capacitor and the SMPS from damage. According to certain aspects, the control circuit can be integrated with the switch controller. Additionally, the control circuit can provide power to the switch controller at start-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics America Inc.
    Inventor: Zhihong Yu
  • Patent number: 11074089
    Abstract: A switch state determining device, includes: an external terminal to which a switch is externally attached; a constant current generating part configured to generate a constant current and flow the constant current through the external terminal; a voltage comparing part configured to compare a terminal voltage of the external terminal with a threshold voltage to generate a comparison signal; an ON/OFF determining part configured to output an ON/OFF determination signal of the switch depending on the comparison signal; a threshold voltage control part configured to adjust the threshold voltage depending on a threshold voltage set value; and a level determining part configured to output a level determination signal of the terminal voltage or a terminal voltage value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyoshi Ishida
  • Patent number: 11068008
    Abstract: A supply circuit is provided including a supply generation circuit coupled to a supply terminal. A voltage deviation detection circuit is adapted to detect a voltage deviation in an internal supply voltage. A current limiter arrangement is adapted to limit a current through the supply generation circuit to a predefined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Kirk Herfurth
  • Patent number: 11056875
    Abstract: Systems and methods for gate driver with field-adjustable undervoltage lockout (UVLO) are disclosed. A gate driver system comprises a control circuit and a driver circuit. The driver circuit incorporates a field-adjustable UVLO, a control logic, and an inverter. The level of the field-adjustable UVLO is adjustable by an external circuit, which can be a resistor based voltage divider. By setting the UVLO level externally adjustable and by moving a reference ground to the external voltage divider, the gate driver system is able to implement gate control for various load without needing extra ground pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Arman Hematy
  • Patent number: 11050347
    Abstract: A method for dynamic enhancement of loop response upon recovery from fault conditions includes detecting a fault condition in response to a programmed output voltage of a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) converter decreasing below an input voltage of the PWM converter. A peak voltage is sampled at the end of at least one of a plurality of clock cycles of the PWM converter in response to detecting the fault condition, wherein the peak voltage is proportional to a sensed current conducted through a transistor. An error output of an error amplifier is preset to an error value determined by the peak voltage. A PWM driver is controlled with the error value to drive the transistor. An output load is charged to the programmed output voltage with the transistor in response to the input voltage increasing above the programmed output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Percy Edgard Neyra, John Ryan Goodfellow, Ondrej Pauk
  • Patent number: 11050418
    Abstract: A method of operating a power switch driver circuit coupled to a power switch includes producing, by a controller of the power switch driver circuit, a first driving signal to a control terminal of the power switch to turn on the power switch; comparing, by a first comparator of the power switch driver circuit, a first voltage at the control terminal of the power switch with a first pre-determined threshold; and starting monitoring a desaturation condition of the power switch a pre-determined period of time after detecting that the first voltage is above the first pre-determined threshold, wherein monitoring the desaturation condition comprises monitoring a second voltage at a load path terminal of the power switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Marco Bachhuber
  • Patent number: 11025243
    Abstract: A power circuit has a power switching device (PSD) to, when in an ON state, conduct current from its first to second terminal; a diode anti-parallel to the PSD that, when in a non-blocking state, conducts current from its anode to its cathode; a drive input line coupled to a device control terminal of the PSD to control its switching; and sense circuitry, having a temperature sensitive current source (TSCS) coupled to a conduction terminal, providing a sense signal from the TSCS to the drive input line to indicate temperature. The TSCS is thermally coupled to the PSD, the temperature indicated is of the PSD, and the conduction terminal is the first or second terminal of the PSD; and/or the TSCS is thermally coupled to the diode, the temperature indicated by the sense signal is of the diode, and the conduction terminal is the anode or cathode of the diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: MASCHINENFABRIK REINHAUSEN GMBH
    Inventor: Angus Bryant
  • Patent number: 11005360
    Abstract: Apparatus for voltage monitoring of a dual-channel device which implements or monitors a safety function of a machine or technical installation. The apparatus comprises an input for receiving an input voltage, a voltage regulator for generating a defined output voltage, and an output for providing the defined output voltage for the operation of the device. A voltage monitor compares a voltage present at the output with the defined output voltage and switches off the output in case the present voltage at the output deviates from the defined output voltage. A first interface and a second interface connect the voltage regulator to the dual-channels of the device, wherein the first interface and the second interface connect to a first processing channel and a second processing channel of the device separately so that the first processing channel and the second processing channel of the device can detune the voltage regulator independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: PILZ GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Daniel Bakovic, Matthias Schweiker, Uwe Schoch, Juergen Pullmann
  • Patent number: 10978891
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for extending discharge over-current trip time in a battery protection circuit are disclosed. The protection circuit includes a safety circuit that asserts a first discharge over-current indicator when the discharge current of the battery exceeds a first discharge over-current threshold corresponding to a sustained over-current limit, a delay circuit that applies an added delay to the assertion of the first discharge over-current indicator, and a short circuit detection circuit that asserts a second discharge over-current indicator, with no delay added, when the discharge current exceeds a second discharge over-current threshold corresponding to a cell-specific peak output current limit. The battery protection circuit includes a logic circuit configured to assert a discharge over-current control signal to disable the battery responsive to assertion of the first discharge over-current indicator or the second discharge over-current indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Snyder, Donald L. Flowers
  • Patent number: 10971995
    Abstract: Apparatus for voltage monitoring of a dual-channel device which implements or monitors a safety function of a machine or technical installation. The apparatus comprises an input for receiving an input voltage, a voltage regulator for generating a defined output voltage, and an output for providing the defined output voltage for the operation of the device. A voltage monitor compares a voltage present at the output with the defined output voltage and switches off the output in case the present voltage at the output deviates from the defined output voltage. A first interface and a second interface connect the voltage regulator to the dual-channels of the device, wherein the first interface and the second interface connect to a first processing channel and a second processing channel of the device separately so that the first processing channel and the second processing channel of the device can detune the voltage regulator independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: PILZ GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Daniel Bakovic, Matthias Schweiker, Uwe Schoch, Juergen Pullmann
  • Patent number: 10958268
    Abstract: Transformer-driven power switch devices are provided for switching high currents. These devices include power switches, such as Gallium Nitride (GaN) transistors. Transformers are used to transfer both control timing and power for controlling the power switches. These transformers may be careless, such that they may be integrated within a silicon die. Rectifiers, pulldown control circuitry, and related are preferably integrated in the same die as a power switch, e.g., in a GaN die, such that a transformer-driven switch device is entirely comprised on a silicon die and a GaN die, and does not necessarily require a (large) cored transformer, auxiliary power supplies, or level shifting circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Kennith Kin Leong, Thomas Ferianz
  • Patent number: 10958154
    Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a wireless power circuit is presented. In some embodiments, the wireless power circuit includes one or more high-side transistors; one or more low-side transistors coupled in series with the one or more high-side transistors, wherein the one or more low-side transistors can be controlled as current sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Integrated Device Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Rui Liu, Gustavo J. Mehas, Lijie Zhao
  • Patent number: 10955864
    Abstract: A configurable charge storage network and control system provide a context-aware power network for a system including a circuit, the power network coupled to the circuit to provide a core voltage to the circuit; and a context-based controller that monitors a supply voltage level of a power supply, monitors a core voltage level of the core voltage, and monitors activity of the circuit to derive an activity level of the circuit; and based on the activity level of the circuit, adjusts a capacitance of the power network or charging parameters associated with the power network to correspond to a power requirement associated with the activity level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: ARM LIMITED
    Inventor: Subbayya Chowdary Yanamadala
  • Patent number: 10951111
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an inverter configured to be connected to a load, a driver having an output coupled to control terminals of transistors of the inverter and a control input configured to receive control vectors and responsively apply control signals to control terminals of the inverter, a desaturation detector configured to detect desaturation of the transistors, and a controller coupled to the control input of the driver and configured to apply at least one test vector that causes the driver to turn on selected ones of the transistors for a duration sufficient for the desaturation detector to detect desaturation of at least one of the selected transistors and to enable or inhibit further operation of the inverter responsive to the desaturation detector. The load may be a motor and the controller may be configured to apply the at least one test vector responsive to a command to start the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Inventors: Irving A. Gibbs, Gabriel Braga
  • Patent number: 10938355
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an amplifier circuit and a protection circuit. The amplifier circuit may be configured to generate an output signal by amplifying an input signal received at an input port. The input signal may be a radio-frequency signal. The protection circuit may be configured to (i) generate a detection signal by detecting when a level of the input signal exceeds a corresponding threshold, where the level is a power level, a voltage level or both, (ii) route the input signal away from the input port of the amplifier circuit and disable the amplifier circuit both in response to the detection signal being continuously active at least a first time duration and (iii) route the input signal to the input port of the amplifier circuit and enable the amplifier circuit both in response to the detection signal being continuously inactive at least a second time duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Integrated Device Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Korol, Roberto Aparicio Joo
  • Patent number: 10930787
    Abstract: To provide a method for driving a semiconductor device, by which influence of variation in threshold voltage and mobility of transistors can be reduced. The semiconductor device includes an n-channel transistor, a switch for controlling electrical connection between a gate and a first terminal of the transistor, a capacitor electrically connected between the gate and a second terminal of the transistor, and a display element. The method has a first period for holding the sum of a voltage corresponding to the threshold voltage of the transistor and an image signal voltage in the capacitor; a second period for turning on the switch so that electric charge held in the capacitor in accordance with the sum of the image signal voltage and the threshold voltage is discharged through the transistor; and a third period for supplying a current to the display element through the transistor after the second period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hajime Kimura
  • Patent number: 10917073
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a filter circuit for an output stage of an electronic circuit. The filter circuit includes a capacitor connected between a supply voltage and a first transistor. The first transistor is arranged as a diode connected transistor; a second transistor is connected to the first transistor so that the first and second transistors are arranged as a current mirror. The capacitor is connected to the first and second transistors and configured and arranged so that during operation the first transistor, the second transistor and the capacitor operate as a high pass filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Nexperia B.V.
    Inventors: Geethanadh Asam, Harrie Horstink
  • Patent number: 10910832
    Abstract: A converter apparatus includes: an AC/DC converter; a DC link capacitor connected to the converter; a voltage detection unit detecting the DC link voltage; a switching unit connecting or disconnecting between a power supply and the converter; a switching operation unit detecting an abnormality in a motor drive device including the converter apparatus and an inverter, and control the switching unit; a power supply monitoring unit detecting a voltage inputted to the converter to monitor a connection state between the power supply and the converter; a threshold value setting unit setting a threshold value to determine the presence or absence of a short circuit failure; and a short circuit failure detection unit determining that a short circuit failure has occurred, when the voltage of the DC link capacitor, immediately after the power supply is disconnected from the converter, is equal to or less than the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventor: Tomokazu Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10910820
    Abstract: A protection circuit including a pad configured to input an external voltage from a connector, a first circuit branch connected to the pad and configured to receive a fast ramp-up surge at the pad, a second circuit branch connected to the pad and configured to receive a ramp-up surge at the pad, a third circuit branch connected to the pad and configured to output a surge detection signal when a surge voltage is received at the pad, an enabling transistor connected between the second circuit branch and the third circuit branch, at least one switch to be protected, and a controller configured to control components of the second circuit branch and third circuit branch of the protection circuit based on an on-state of the at least one switch to be protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Harold Garth Hanson, Siamak Delshadpour
  • Patent number: 10910940
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a voltage regulator including a high-side field-effect transistor, a low-side field-effect transistor, an inductor, and a conductive net connecting the high-side field-effect transistor, the low-side field-effect transistor and the inductor. The apparatus further includes an attenuation circuit coupled to the conductive net, wherein the attenuation circuit includes an electronic switch that enables and disables an amount of attenuation provided by the attenuation circuit. Examples of the attenuation circuit include a snubber circuit and a boost resistor circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: LENOVO ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Douglas I. Evans, Brian C. Totten, Dipak N. Tailor, Jamaica La Quay Barnette
  • Patent number: 10903759
    Abstract: Provided is a power conversion device with which it is possible to acquire a sign of a system stop before the system stops, and to minimize the nonworking time of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Arao, Kazushige Hotta
  • Patent number: 10897133
    Abstract: A system includes a two-conductor loop in which the loop current or current signal is controlled by a loop current controller to be proportional to a signal output from a sensor. The system further includes energy harvesting circuitry in electrical connection with the two-conductor loop which includes a second current controller in parallel electrical connection with the loop current controller and a power converter in electrical connection with the second current controller. The second current controls a portion of current drawn from the two-conductor loop and delivered to the power converter from an output port thereof. The portion of the current drawn from the two-conductor loop is returned to the loop current controller from the energy harvesting circuit. Noise in the portion of the current drawn from the two-conductor loop by the second current controller is controlled by the second current controller to be below a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: MSA TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Kevin Sexton, Mark Flori Zanella, Sr.
  • Patent number: 10879686
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a first switch configured to connect a VCONN supply terminal of a Universal Serial Bus Type-C (USB-C) controller to a first configuration channel (CC) terminal of the USB-C controller in response to a USB-C connector being in a first orientation. A first current may flow through the first switch. The electronic device also includes an overcurrent component coupled to the first switch. The overcurrent component includes a second switch associated with the first switch. The second switch has a second current associated with the first current. The overcurrent component is configured to determine whether the first current is greater than a threshold current based on the first current and the second current. The overcurrent component is also configured to close the first switch in response to determining that the first current is greater than the threshold current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Partha Mondal, Hemant P. Vispute, Arun Khamesra
  • Patent number: 10866629
    Abstract: Power control for computer systems with multiple power supplies including receiving a first measurement of power supplied to a computer system by a first power supply; receiving a second measurement of power supplied to the computer system by a second power supply; calculating a total power supplied to the computer system by combining the first measurement of power supplied to the computer system by the first power supply and the second measurement of power supplied to the computer system by the second power supply; comparing the total power supplied to the computer system to a power threshold of the computer system; and in response to determining that the total power supplied exceeds the power threshold of the computer system, shutting off the first power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Lenovo Enterprise Solutions (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Schlude, Warren D. Bailey, Ritu Bhatia, Michael D. French, Jr., Donald N. Tingen
  • Patent number: 10862403
    Abstract: A power inversion apparatus includes a smoothing capacitor, first and second primary coils, a secondary coil, first to fourth switches of bridge circuit switches, a clamp capacitor, and a switch controller. The switch controller calculates a lower-arm duty ratio of each of the first and second switches using a map or a mathematical expression by feed-forward control based on an input voltage. The switch controller outputs a fixed value that is equal to or greater than a maximum value of the lower-arm duty ratio within a variation range of the input voltage as an upper-arm duty ratio of each of the third and fourth switches. The switch controller generates a pulse width modulation signal based on the calculated lower-arm duty ratio and the fixed value of the upper-arm duty ratio, and outputs the pulse width modulation signal to the bridge circuit switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaya Takahashi, Nobuhisa Yamaguchi, Masaki Kanesaki, Shoichi Takemoto
  • Patent number: 10862469
    Abstract: An under-voltage lockout (UVLO) circuit configured for indicating that an electronic device may be enabled and disabled based on threshold levels of a power supply voltage. The UVLO circuit has a non-differential comparator configured to have a fixed threshold voltage. A voltage divider having a first terminal connected to the power supply voltage and configured to adapt a compare signal applied to the non-differential comparator to be proportional the power supply voltage such that a desired threshold voltage for the power supply voltage causes the non-differential comparator to change its output state. The UVLO circuit has a hysteresis controller configured for adjusting the compare voltage such that the power supply voltage has at least two threshold voltages to cause the non-differential comparator to change states. The non-differential comparator comprises a flipped gate transistor with a gate-to-source threshold greater than a normally gated transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Daisuke Kobayashi, Soichiro Ohyama
  • Patent number: 10855197
    Abstract: A power supply system includes a power supply assembly, an auxiliary power circuit and a control unit. The power supply assembly converts input power into a first DC power when the input power outputted from an input power source is normal. The auxiliary power circuit includes at least one energy storage unit for providing a second DC power and power converter electrically connected between the energy storage unit and the load for converting the second DC power into an individual auxiliary power. The control unit drives the auxiliary power circuit to provide an overall auxiliary power to the load when the input power is normal and a transient power required by the load is greater than a upper limit rated value of an output power outputted from the power supply assembly, so as to compensate a difference value between the transient power and the upper limit rated value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Shih-Chieh Chang
  • Patent number: 10847969
    Abstract: A constant power protection circuit includes a voltage conversion circuit, a current detection circuit, a voltage detection circuit, a power setting circuit, a voltage feedback circuit, an addition circuit, a current feedback circuit, and a signal isolation unit. When an output voltage of the voltage conversion circuit is larger than a voltage of the voltage detection circuit and an output current of the voltage conversion circuit is larger than a current of the current detection circuit, the power setting circuit provides a comparison signal to the current feedback circuit, the current feedback circuit outputs a feedback signal to the signal isolation unit. According to a signal outputted from the signal isolation unit, the voltage conversion circuit enables a constant power mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: CHICONY POWER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ping-Sheng Chen, Tso-Jen Peng
  • Patent number: 10811956
    Abstract: A controller for a multiple output power converter, including an error amplifier configured to generate an error signal based on a difference between an output signal of a multiple output power converter and a reference signal. A switch request circuit is configured to generate a request signal in response to the error signal. The switch request circuit is further configured to control a switching of a power switch of the multiple output power converter to transfer energy from an input of the multiple output power converter to an output of the multiple output power converter. A power limit fault circuit is configured to receive the request signal and the error signal, the power limit fault circuit further configured to generate a first fault signal in response to detection of an output overload or short circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Moore, Antonius Jacobus Johannes Werner
  • Patent number: 10802565
    Abstract: Technology for a system operable to extend a level of processor performance is disclosed. The system can comprise a power source connected to a platform voltage regulator (VR) and one or more processors and configured to provide an input power to the platform VR. The system can further comprise the platform VR connected to a peripheral interface and the one or more processors and configured to power the peripheral interface and send a power good signal to the one or more processors. The system can further comprise the peripheral interface connected to the platform VR and the one or more processors and configured to connect to a peripheral device and send a signal to the one or more processors when a peripheral interface connection state is identified as connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Naveen G, Bharath Kumar
  • Patent number: 10778080
    Abstract: A self-biased non-isolated buck regulator is provided. The regulator may include a first input terminal and a second input terminal, a high-voltage switch coupled to the first input terminal, a low-voltage switch coupled to the high-voltage switch, an inductor having a first terminal coupled to the high-voltage switch and the first low-voltage switch, a high-voltage rectifier diode coupled between the first low-voltage switch and the second input terminal, a second low-voltage switch coupled to the first low-voltage switch and the high-voltage rectifier diode, and a capacitor having a first terminal coupled to the first terminal of the inductor, and a second terminal coupled to the second low-voltage switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventor: Alexander Mednik
  • Patent number: 10777999
    Abstract: A device includes a chip and integrated circuit. Devices and integrated circuits are provided where a resistor is coupled to a terminal of a chip or integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Horn, Mario Motz
  • Patent number: 10770978
    Abstract: A power supply includes an active bridge section with input terminals that receive power from a constant current source where the active bridge section operates at a fixed switching frequency. The power supply includes a resonant section with a resonant inductor and a resonant capacitor. The resonant section is connected to an output of the active bridge section. The power supply includes an output rectifier that receives power from the resonant section and includes output terminals for connection to a load and a controller that regulates output current to the load where the controller regulates output current to the load by controlling switching of the active bridge section. The fixed switching frequency of the active bridge section matches a resonant frequency of the resonant section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Utah State University
    Inventors: Hongjie Wang, Regan A Zane, Tarak Saha
  • Patent number: 10756634
    Abstract: System and method are provided for protecting a power converter. The system includes a first comparator, and an off-time component. The first comparator is configured to receive a sensing signal and a first threshold signal and generate a first comparison signal based on at least information associated with the sensing signal and the first threshold signal, the power converter being associated with a switching frequency and further including a switch configured to affect the primary current. The off-time component is configured to receive the first comparison signal and generate an off-time signal based on at least information associated with the first comparison signal. The off-time component is further configured to, if the first comparison signal indicates the sensing signal to be larger than the first threshold signal in magnitude, generate the off-time signal to keep the switch to be turned off for at least a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: On-Bright Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lieyi Fang
  • Patent number: 10715116
    Abstract: A power control circuit comprising a power supply and a load, the load being synthesized from an impedance synthesizer comprising two-terminal impedance elements connected in series and grouped in impedance modules. The impedance elements in each impedance module are of equal value, while those between the modules bear ratios uniquely defined according to the numbers of impedance elements in the impedance modules. A number of switches associated with said impedance elements short out a selected number of the impedance elements under the control of a first analog signal which may be preprocessed by an analytic function. The analog signal is converted to digital signals by an analog-to-digital converter, then level shifted to control the switches associated with the impedance elements, whereby the amount of power delivered to the load is controllable by the first analog signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Inventor: King Kuen Hau
  • Patent number: 10700509
    Abstract: A power switching device is provided. A first transmitting switch transmits an input voltage to an output node when the first transmitting switch is turned on. When the current passing through the first transmitting switch exceeds a predetermined value, a current limiting circuit turns off the first transmitting switch. When a short circuit occurs between the output node and a ground node, a short protection circuit turns off the first transmitting switch. The short protection circuit includes a first comparator and a first set circuit. The first comparator compares a voltage of the output node and a first reference voltage to generate a first comparison result to turn off the first transmitting switch. The first set circuit generates the first reference voltage according to the voltage of the output node. The first reference voltage is less than the voltage of the output node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: NUVOTON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Cheng-Tao Li
  • Patent number: 10700515
    Abstract: The invention relates to a surge protected power supply for feeding a device with electrical energy. The power supply includes a surge protection device SPD connected in series with a controllable switch where this series connection is connected between two current conductors of the power supply. The power supply further includes a device for determining a comparison voltage such that the comparison voltage is in some form indicative of a surge voltage present at the input of the power supply. This comparison voltage then is compared to a threshold. If the comparison voltage is higher than the threshold, the controllable switch is closed such that the SPD in series with the switch is effectively connected between the two current conductors to divert the surge current through the SPD. If the comparison voltage is lower than the threshold the switch remains open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS (THAILAND) PUBLIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Christian Krumpholz
  • Patent number: 10686364
    Abstract: A power conversion device includes a power conversion unit to convert an input power into an output power, a regular controller to perform control of the power conversion unit, and a protective controller to perform protective operation of the power conversion unit. The regular controller, on the basis of current command value in accordance with a target value of an output of the power conversion unit and an output current of the power conversion unit, for example, outputs a control signal to control on-off switching of switching elements included in the power conversion unit. When at least one value corresponding to the output power of the power conversion unit is not within the target power range determined in accordance with the target value of the output, the protective controller stops the power conversion by the power conversion unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Katsuya Nishikawa, Keitaro Yasumori