For Forward-type Converter Patents (Class 363/21.04)
  • Patent number: 8542508
    Abstract: A saturation prevention circuit includes a first controlled current source, a second controlled current source, an integrating capacitor, and a comparator. The first controlled current source generates a first current that is proportional to an input voltage that is to be applied to a winding of a transformer. The second controlled current source generates a second current that is proportional to a reset voltage that is to be applied to the winding. The capacitor is charged with the first current while the input voltage is applied to the winding of the transformer and discharged with the second current while the reset voltage is applied to the winding. The comparator compares a voltage on the integrating capacitor with a first threshold and generates a first signal to immediately turn off the switch when the voltage on the integrating capacitor reaches the first threshold to limit a magnetic flux in the transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Mayell
  • Publication number: 20130242619
    Abstract: An example method includes controlling a duty ratio of a switch to regulate an output of a forward power converter and storing a first voltage. The first voltage is equal to an input voltage of the forward power converter when the input voltage is at a steady-state value. The method also includes resetting a transformer of the forward power converter when the switch is in an OFF state by setting a voltage across a primary winding of the transformer to the stored first voltage in response to a drop in the input voltage to below the steady-state value. Further included in the method is increasing the duty cycle of the switch to greater than fifty (50) percent in response to the drop in the input voltage to maintain regulation at the output of the forward power converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Ionut A. Nania, Arthur B. Odell
  • Publication number: 20130235619
    Abstract: A transformer capable of suppressing common mode current and a power converter thereof are provided. The transformer comprises a primary winding, a secondary winding, a magnet core and a shielding winding layer. The shielding winding layer has a first shielding winding and a second shielding winding. A voltage jump direction of the first shielding winding is constantly opposite to that of the second shielding winding. The shielding winding layer is coupled to a static terminal coupled with the primary winding or the secondary winding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: DELTA ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jin-Ping Zhou, Yi-Cong Xie, Jian-Ping Ying
  • Publication number: 20130229831
    Abstract: Operating a DC-DC converter on a chip that includes: micro-power-switching phases and magnetic material, each phase including: a high-side and low-side switch with control inputs for activating the switch, and an output node; where: the output node of each phase extrudes through the magnetic material to form, in each phase, a torodial inductor with a single loop coil, and to form, for the plurality of phases, a directly coupled inductor; the output node of each micro-power-switching phase is coupled to a filter and a load; each high-side switch is configured, when activated, to couple a voltage source to the phase's single loop coil; and the low-side switch of each phase is configured, when activated, to couple the phase's single loop coil to a ground voltage and the switches are alternatively activated where no two switches of any phase are activated at the same time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jamaica L. Barnette, Raymond M. Clemo
  • Publication number: 20130229830
    Abstract: Operating a DC-DC converter that includes: a directly coupled inductor with a first and second coil element, the first and second coil element coupled to an output filter and a load; and power-switching phases, including: a first power-switching phase that includes a high-side and low-side switch, where the high-side switch is configured, when activated, to couple a voltage source to the first coil element and the low-side switch is configured, when activated, to couple the first coil element to a ground voltage; and a second power-switching phase that includes a high-side and low-side switch, where the high-side switch is configured, when activated, to couple the voltage source to the second coil element and the low-side switch is configured, when activated, to couple the second coil element to the ground voltage; and the switches are activated alternatively with no two switches are activated at the same time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jamaica L. Barnette, Raymond M. Clemo
  • Publication number: 20130215648
    Abstract: A switching power supply device includes: a power factor correction circuit having a step-up chopper circuit including a chopper switching element and a power factor correction control unit controlling a switching operation of the chopper switching element; a DC/DC converter having a transformer, a switching circuit, a rectifier circuit, a smoothing circuit, and a DC/DC converter control unit; and a control ON/OFF circuit controlling the ON/OFF states of an output voltage of the DC/DC converter circuit. The switching circuit is provided at a primary winding side of the transformer. The rectifier circuit and the smoothing circuit are provided at a secondary winding side of the transformer. The control ON/OFF circuit controls the ON/OF states of the output voltage of the DC/DC converter circuit by controlling the power factor correction control unit and the DC-DC converter control unit based on an external signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventor: TDK Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130201728
    Abstract: A forward converter comprises a magnetic component with a transformer and a filter output inductor. Also disclosed is a method for assembly of a forward converter. A first and a second U/UR core are arranged to form an O-core. Windings of the transformer are arranged on the O-core. A bobbin-less U/UR core is arranged to abut the O-core, and windings of a filter output inductor are arranged directly on a body section of the bobbin-less U/UR core. Alternatively, windings of the transformer are arranged on a first section of an E/ER core, and windings of the filter output inductor are arranged directly on a second, bobbin-less section of the E/ER core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: DET INTERNATIONAL HOLDING LIMITED
    Inventor: DET International Holding Limited
  • Publication number: 20130194834
    Abstract: An example power supply includes a first power converter, a second power converter, and a shared clamp reset circuit. The first power converter is adapted to convert an input to a first voltage output and includes a first diode and a first transformer having a first primary winding. The second power converter is adapted to convert the input to a second voltage output and includes a second diode and a second transformer having a second primary winding. The shared clamp reset circuit is included in the first power converter and is coupled to the cathode of the first diode. The shared clamp reset circuit also includes a clamp connection that is coupled to the cathode of the second diode. The shared clamp reset circuit is adapted to manage leakage inductance energy within the first transformer and within the second transformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Power Integrations, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130194833
    Abstract: A driver circuit (1) for driving a capacitive load (2) with a drive pulse having a rise time, a predetermined voltage period and a fall time. The driver circuit (1) includes an inductance (6), switches (10, 11, 12), and a transformer (8) having a primary side (8) and secondary side (9). The switches (10, 11, 12) are controlled by a controller (13) to charge the inductance (6) from a power supply (4), and, when the capacitive load (2) is to be driven, to enable a charge path from the inductance (6) to the capacitive load (2) during the rise time, to disable the charge path during the constant peak voltage period and to enable a discharge path via the primary side (8) of the transformer (7) during the fall time. As the capacitive load (2) discharges through the primary side (8) of the transformer (7), charge is induced on the secondary side (9) of the transformer (7) and is used to charge the inductance (6), thereby saving power and enabling a lower voltage power supply to be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: GLOBAL INKJET SYSTEMS LIMITED
    Inventor: Michael Penberth
  • Publication number: 20130170253
    Abstract: An auxiliary power generation circuit adopted for use on a filter power circuit includes a first voltage stabilization capacitor and a second voltage stabilization capacitor connecting to the first voltage stabilization capacitor via a first diode. The first and second voltage stabilization capacitors form a capacitor voltage division circuit. The first voltage stabilization capacitor and first diode are bridged by a first connection point which is connected to a short circuit element and a second diode with a set on current opposite to the short circuit element. The short circuit element has a control end connecting to a first Zener diode which is connected to a first resistor with a desired resistance. The first resistor is connected to a second connection point between the second voltage stabilization capacitor and first diode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventor: Masakazu Ushijima
  • Publication number: 20130155727
    Abstract: An isolated switched mode power supply comprises a transformer, with primary and secondary windings, and a rectification network connected to the secondary winding. The rectification network and the transformer are arranged such that, during a free-wheeling period of operation of the switched mode power supply, a magnetic flux from a first portion of a secondary winding of the transformer substantially cancels a magnetic flux from a second portion of the secondary winding between the first and second portions of the secondary winding. Additionally, a secondary side circuit connected to the secondary winding comprises a switching device, which is connected to a centre-tap, provided between the first and second portions of the secondary winding, and an output of the rectification network so as to conduct at least a part of a free-wheeling current flowing in the secondary side circuit during the free-wheeling period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET L M ERICSSON (PUBL)
    Inventors: Magnus Karlsson, Jonas Malmberg, Oscar Persson
  • Patent number: 8467199
    Abstract: A two-stage insulated bidirectional DC/DC power converter is disclosed. A two-stage insulated bidirectional DC/DC power converter according to an embodiment of the invention has the characteristic of including: an LLC resonant converter operating at a constant duty ratio; a bidirectional converter joined to a front part of the LLC resonant converter and configured to perform a booster converter function of outputting the input voltage at a consistent input voltage for the LLC resonant converter, and a buck converter function of reducing the voltage by way of the LLC resonant converter and then outputting a consistent voltage; and a bidirectional converter control unit configured to control changes in an input voltage of the bidirectional converter and regulate an output voltage of the LLC resonant converter to thereby maintain a consistent input voltage of the LLC resonant converter, such that the LLC resonant converter operates at a constant duty ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignees: Myongji University Industry and Academia Cooperation Foundation, Orient Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jun-Young Lee, Yu-Seok Jeong, Hyung-Jun Chae, Kwang-Min Yoo, Jae-Jin Chang, Jae-Ha Chang
  • Patent number: 8456869
    Abstract: An AC/DC converter has at its input a rectifier circuit connected in series with a primary winding of an isolating transformer and with a chopper switch (T1) connected to a pulse width modulation control circuit. The isolating transformer has a first secondary winding wound in the same direction as the primary winding and connected to an output line of the converter via a diode (D4). The output line is connected to an output capacitor (Cout), wherein the isolating transformer has a second secondary winding that is wound in the opposite direction to the primary winding and that is connected directly to the output line via a diode (D2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Sagem Defense Securite
    Inventors: François Guillot, Jean-Marie Courteille
  • Patent number: 8451630
    Abstract: A reset voltage circuit for a forward power converter includes a reset capacitor and a memory capacitor. The reset capacitor is to be coupled to recycle energy from a primary winding of a transformer to an input bulk capacitor during a resetting of the transformer. The memory capacitor is to be coupled to store a first voltage equal to an input voltage of the power converter when the input voltage is at a steady-state value. The memory capacitor is further to set a voltage across the primary winding during the resetting of the transformer to a magnitude greater than or equal to the first voltage when the input voltage of the forward power converter drops below the steady-state value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Ionut A. Nania, Arthur B. Odell
  • Patent number: 8451626
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for both power and control signal transmission through a single coupled inductor. A current driver generates a cyclical current signal on a primary winding of a coupled inductor, to induce a voltage signal at the secondary winding corresponding to the cyclical current signal. A rectifier module is coupled with the secondary winding and configured to rectify the signal induced at the secondary winding. A control timing signal module is coupled with the primary winding and configured to induce voltage pulses on the secondary winding, the induced voltage pulses having an insubstantial impact on the output of the rectifier module. A switching module coupled with the secondary winding is configured to receive the voltage pulses and control a switching signal for a power switch coupled with the output of the rectifier and provide power to a load coupled with the output of the rectifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Microsemi Corporation
    Inventor: Charles Coleman
  • Patent number: 8446134
    Abstract: A power supply for converting AC to a regulated DC output current, utilizing two serial switched mode power supplies, the first providing an intermediate DC output voltage with only moderate ripple properties, this output being input to the second, which operates as a DC/DC converter to provide the desired output with low ripple and good regulation. The diode rectifier assembly has no reservoir/smoothing capacitor, or one of much smaller capacitance than in prior art power supplies. The large resulting rectifier output ripple is overcome by use of the two power supply units, at least the first having a smoothing capacitor at its output. A majority of the energy stored in this capacitor is utilized during each AC half cycle. Such power supplies also provide improved hold-up times. The power supply is also constructed to have low standby power consumption, by use of a double burst configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Techtium Ltd.
    Inventors: Dror Manor, Pascal Lebens, Ronny Van Rooij
  • Publication number: 20130114309
    Abstract: A battery module and an arrangement including a number of battery modules connected in series are disclosed. An energy store has a positive and a negative connection. A boost converter has a first and a second converter output. The energy store is connected at the positive connection of the energy store to a first connection and at the negative connection of the energy store to a second connection. The first converter output is connected to a first compensation connection and the second converter output is connected to a second compensation connection. The converter is designed to draw energy from the energy store and to provide the energy to the converter outputs of the converter in the form of current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventor: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
  • Patent number: 8427848
    Abstract: An example integrated circuit for use in a power supply includes a feedback terminal and a controller having a variable time clamp (VTC). The feedback terminal is to be coupled to receive a feedback signal and the controller is to be coupled to enable or disable the conduction of a power switch during a switching cycle in response to the feedback signal. The controller includes a current limit comparator coupled to terminate the conduction of the power switch during an enabled switching cycle in response to a current through the power switch exceeding a variable current limit. The VTC is coupled to clamp the feedback terminal to a voltage for a clamp time that is responsive to the variable current limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventor: Leif Lund
  • Publication number: 20130088896
    Abstract: In a switching control circuit, a length of a soft start period is set by a time constant of an external circuit that is connected to a soft start terminal of a switching control IC. After a voltage of the soft start terminal has reached a predetermined voltage at the termination of the soft start period, the on-pulse period of a first switching device is limited by a maximum value. When a Zener diode is connected between the soft start terminal and ground, the upper limit voltage of the soft start terminal is a Zener voltage and, hence, the maximum on-pulse period is limited by this voltage. As a result, the switching control circuit and a switching power supply apparatus, which have a soft start function and a power limiting function, are reduced in size and cost by limiting the number of terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8411468
    Abstract: We describe a resonant discontinuous power converter including a magnetic energy storage device, and a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) switch having a collector terminal coupled to repetitively switch power from the input on and off to said magnetic energy storage device such that power is transferred from the input to the output. During an off-period of said BJT switch a voltage on said magnetic energy storage device and on said collector terminal of said BJT is at least partially resonant. The power converter includes a voltage clamping circuit to clamp a base voltage on a base terminal of said BJT during a resonant portion of said off-period to limit an excursion of a collector voltage on said collector terminal of said BJT towards or beyond an emitter voltage of said BJT during said resonant portion of said off-period, in particular to inhibit reverse bias of a base emitter junction of the transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Cambridge Semiconductor Limited
    Inventors: Vinod A. Lalithambika, Paul Ryan, David M. Garner, Russell Jacques
  • Patent number: 8406016
    Abstract: A power supply circuit includes a rectifying unit for outputting a rectified input voltage, a transformer for receiving the voltage and outputting an induced voltage based on the input voltage, a first smoothing unit for smoothing the induced voltage to output a first output voltage, a detecting unit for outputting an error signal corresponding to the difference between the first output voltage and a reference voltage, and an insulating unit for receiving the error signal and outputting a signal corresponding to the error signal. The input and output terminals of the insulating unit are insulated. The circuit also includes a controlling unit for outputting a control signal for selectively inputting the input voltage into the transformer on basis of the signal from the insulating unit, and also includes a switching unit connected to the transformer for selectively inputting the input voltage into the transformer, based on the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Motoi Yamaki
  • Patent number: 8395915
    Abstract: Provided is a DC/DC converter including a power supply unit that includes a transformer having one primary side and a plurality of secondary sides and outputs a plurality of driving voltages for driving a load; and a constant current converting unit that is connected to one secondary side and a low-voltage stage of another secondary side adjacent to the one secondary side among the plurality of secondary sides of the transformer and boosts a driving voltage output from the one secondary side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young Gun Hong, Young Joo Kim, Hyun Jung Kim, Dong Seong Oh
  • Publication number: 20130058136
    Abstract: A saturation prevention circuit includes a first controlled current source, a second controlled current source, an integrating capacitor, and a comparator. The first controlled current source generates a first current that is proportional to an input voltage that is to be applied to a winding of a transformer. The second controlled current source generates a second current that is proportional to a reset voltage that is to be applied to the winding. The capacitor is charged with the first current while the input voltage is applied to the winding of the transformer and discharged with the second current while the reset voltage is applied to the winding. The comparator compares a voltage on the integrating capacitor with a first threshold and generates a first signal to immediately turn off the switch when the voltage on the integrating capacitor reaches the first threshold to limit a magnetic flux in the transformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventor: Robert J. Mayell
  • Patent number: 8379413
    Abstract: A power converter includes a transformer operated in multiple switching cycles. At least one switching cycle includes a charging period, a discharging period, and an adjusting period. The transformer has a primary winding coupled to a power source and a secondary winding coupled to a load. During the charging period the transformer is powered by the power source and a current flowing through the primary winding increases. During the discharging period the transformer discharges to power the load and a current flowing through the secondary winding decreases. A ratio of a duration of the discharging period to a total duration of the charging period, the discharging period and the adjusting period is constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: 02Micro Inc.
    Inventors: Zhimou Ren, Jun Ren, Yunning Xie
  • Patent number: 8363438
    Abstract: A multi-output buck converting apparatus with a controllable energy-releasing function includes a main buck converter and at least one auxiliary buck converter to provide multi-output voltages. The multi-output buck converting apparatus further includes an energy releasing unit and an abnormal voltage signal generating unit. The abnormal voltage signal generating unit generates a control signal to control a switch device of the energy releasing unit when the multi-output buck converting apparatus shuts down. Therefore, the energy, which is stored in the auxiliary buck converter, can be released through the energy releasing unit so as to avoid returning the energy to the main buck converter and rebounding a main output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Cheng-Yi Lo, Kuo-Jung Lin
  • Patent number: 8355266
    Abstract: A controller for use in a power converter includes a control circuit to be coupled to a current controller coupled to an energy transfer element. A first, second or third current is enabled in the current controller in response to the control circuit. The first current is substantially zero, the second current is greater than the third current, and the third current is greater than the first current. The third current only partially discharges a capacitance coupled to a terminal coupled between the energy transfer element and the current controller. A first feedback circuit coupled to the control circuit generates a first feedback signal after a full discharge pulse of current through the current controller. A second feedback circuit coupled to the control circuit generates a second feedback signal after a partial discharge pulse of current through the current controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex B. Djenguerian, Arthur B. Odell, Henson Wu
  • Publication number: 20130003424
    Abstract: A multi-phase interleaved bidirectional DC-DC converter with a high voltage conversion ratio is provided. The multi-phase interleaved bidirectional DC-DC converter with a high voltage conversion ratio allows effective control of charge/discharge in multi-energy storage modules including a battery cell module or a super capacitor module, which is characterized in low voltage and high current output. Accordingly, a high-efficiency bidirectional DC-DC converter for use in battery charge/discharge can be implemented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Yujin Song, Soo-Bin Han, Sukin Park, Hak-Geun Jeong, Su-Yong Chae, Gyu-Duk Kim, Seung-Weon Yu
  • Patent number: 8331116
    Abstract: A power converter in one aspect limits the magnetic flux in a transformer. A control circuit included in the power converter includes a pulse width modulator, a logic circuit and a saturation prevention circuit. The saturation prevention circuit asserts a first signal when a first integral value of the input voltage reaches a first threshold value and asserts a second signal after a delay time that begins when a difference between the first integral value and a second integral value of a reset voltage of the transformer falls to a second threshold value. The logic circuit turns off the switch when the first signal is asserted, and allows the switch to turn on and off in accordance with the pulse width modulator when the second signal is asserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Mayell
  • Publication number: 20120287681
    Abstract: A switching delay controller (150) for controlling a switching delay between the switching of a first and a second switching element (Q1 to Q4) in a switched mode power supply (300), the switched mode power supply comprising a feedback signal generator (140) operable to generate a feedback signal indicative of a difference between an output (Vout) of the switched mode power supply and a reference (Vref) for the output, and a drive circuit (120) for switching the first and second switching elements so as to convert an input voltage (Vin) to the switched mode power supply (300) into an output voltage (Vout) thereof based on the feedback signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Fredrik Wahledow, Henrik Borgengren, Magnus Karlsson, Anders Kullman, Jonas Malmberg
  • Patent number: 8305004
    Abstract: A single-stage integrated circuit drives LED sources in a constant power mode to eliminate the need for LED current sensing, while reshaping the waveform of the inductor current near line zero crossing to achieve high power factor. The integrated circuit achieves substantially constant input power by maintaining a constant voltage at a power factor corrector controller through an input voltage feedforward system. Accordingly, the disclosed circuit provides a high power factor, high efficiency, simple, and cost-effective solution with substantially consistent input power for both isolated and non-isolated offline LED applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jianwen Shao
  • Patent number: 8300430
    Abstract: The configurations of a compensation device configured in a circuit having a synchronous rectifier (SR), a controller and a load, and a compensation method thereof are provided in the present invention. In the proposed circuit, the SR includes a first terminal, a first inductor electrically connected to the first terminal in series, a second terminal and a second inductor electrically connected to the second terminal in series, the controller is coupled to the first and the second inductors, and the device includes a voltage source having a positive terminal coupled to the controller and a negative terminal coupled to the second inductor and providing a compensation voltage to reduce or eliminate the influence of the first and the second inductors towards a voltage value across the first and the second terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Junshan Lou, Dezhi Jiao, Dong Lin
  • Patent number: 8300432
    Abstract: An isolated power converter comprising a transformer arranged in such a way that the mirrored primary voltage on the secondary side has a positive potential relative to ground, said converter comprising a derivating net arranged to cause the second transistor to conduct in dependence of the voltage across the secondary winding, the source of the second transistor being connected to the negative end of the secondary winding, the drain of a third transistor further being connected to the positive end of the secondary winding, a second capacitor and a second resistor being connected between the gate and the source of the third transistor, a third resistor connected between the second resistor and the drain of the second transistor, a third capacitor connected between the sources of the second and third transistors to provide a first output voltage on one terminal of the third capacitor and a second output voltage on the other terminal of the third capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ)
    Inventor: Mikael Appelberg
  • Publication number: 20120257420
    Abstract: In a coil bobbin, a cover section is provided as a spacer section which abuts against a heat radiating section that functions as a heat radiating terminal of the first coil winding, from a direction following the axis line of the tubular section. Here, when performing heat radiation from the coil winding, since the cover section which abuts against the heat radiating terminal when the coil winding is fixed to the heat radiating object functions as an insulating member, then the radiation of heat from the coil winding is raised without increasing the number of parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kouji KANEKO
  • Patent number: 8264858
    Abstract: A technique for controlling a power supply with power supply control element with a tap element. An example power supply control element includes a power transistor that has first and second main terminals, a control terminal and a tap terminal. A control circuit is coupled to the control terminal. The tap terminal and the second main terminal of the power transistor are to control switching of the power transistor. The tap terminal is coupled to provide a signal to the control circuit substantially proportional to a voltage between the first and second main terminals when the voltage is less than a pinch off voltage. The tap terminal is coupled to provide a substantially constant voltage that is less than the voltage between the first and second main terminals to the control circuit when the voltage between the first and second main terminals is greater than the pinch-off voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald R. Disney
  • Patent number: 8259469
    Abstract: A circuit used to convert DC input to AC output comprises a transformer and three series sub-circuits. The first series sub-circuit is connected in parallel with the DC input and comprises first and second capacitors connected in series. The secondary series sub-circuit is connected in parallel with the DC input and comprises a first primary winding of the transformer, a clamping capacitor and a second primary winding of the transformer sequentially connected in series. The third series sub-circuit connected in parallel with said clamping capacitor and comprises first and second switches connected in series. The center nodes of the first and third series sub-circuits are connected together. Thus, while a secondary winding of the transformer provides AC voltage, the circuit is able to effectively reduce current ripple and decrease voltage stress on semiconductor switch with minimum component count. Similar topologies may be used for rectification instead of inversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Ching-Shan Leu, Pin-Yu Huang
  • Patent number: 8254149
    Abstract: A power supply module includes an AC/DC converter, a voltage transforming circuit, a feedback circuit, and a detecting circuit. The AC/DC converter is used for converting the input AC voltage to a primary DC voltage. The voltage transforming circuit is used for transforming the primary DC voltage to the first DC voltage. The feedback circuit is used for sampling the first DC voltage to generate a feedback signal. The detecting circuit is used for detecting if the power supply module is powered on, and generating a first voltage when detecting that the power supply module is powered on. Wherein the voltage transforming circuit maintains the first DC voltage at a first predetermined value according to the feedback signal, the feedback circuit increases a magnitude of the feedback signal according to the first voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jian-Hui Lu
  • Publication number: 20120194090
    Abstract: A switching power circuit includes a first switching element having one end connected to a positive electrode of a first capacitor, a second switching element having one end connected to a negative electrode of the first capacitor, an inductive element having one end connected to the other ends of the first and the second switching element, a semiconductor switching element connected in parallel to the current limiting resistor, and a second capacitor connected to a control electrode of the semiconductor switching element. The second capacitor is charged by using a voltage induced to the inductive element when the first or the second switching element is off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Sana ESAKI, Akinori HIRAMATU
  • Patent number: 8233292
    Abstract: A controller for controlling power to an LED light source includes a control terminal and control circuitry coupled to the control terminal. The control terminal provides a control signal to control a transformer. A cycle of the control signal includes a charging period, a discharging period, and an adjusting period. The control circuitry controls a primary winding of the transformer to receive power during the charging period and controls a secondary winding of the transformer to discharge power to the LED light source during the discharging period. The control circuitry further varies a frequency of the control signal periodically by controlling the adjusting period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: O2Micro, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhimou Ren, Yunning Xie, Yu-Chang Hsu
  • Patent number: 8213190
    Abstract: A single-stage isolated high power factor AC/DC converter with a leakage inductor energy recovery function includes a buck-boost circuit, for step-down or step-down a power supply; a transformer, electrically connected to the buck-boost circuit, for transforming the stepped-down or stepped-up power supply; a switch, electrically connected to the buck-boost circuit; an input capacitor, electrically connected to the buck-boost circuit; and an output circuit, for outputting the power supply transformed by the transformer. When the switch is cut off, the buck-boost circuit provides an energy recovery path to return energy stored in a leakage inductor of the transformer to the input capacitor. The energy stored in the leakage inductor of the transformer in a flyback converter or a forward converter is returned to the input capacitor through the energy recovery path. The problem caused by the leakage inductor of the transformer is solved without using any additional element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Macroblock, Inc.
    Inventor: Yan-Cun Li
  • Patent number: 8198880
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a control circuit for constant on-time converter and a control method thereof. The proposed constant on-time DC/DC converter stabilizes the system and improves the performance of the load transient response without large equivalent series resistance of the output capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Qian Ouyang
  • Publication number: 20120140525
    Abstract: An energy transfer assembly with tuned leakage inductance and common mode noise compensation is disclosed. An example energy transfer assembly for use in a resonant power converter includes a first winding wound around a bobbin mounted on a magnetic core. The first winding has a first number of layers proximate to a first end along a length of the bobbin and a second number of layers proximate to a second end along the length of the bobbin. The energy transfer assembly also includes a second winding wound around the bobbin. The second winding has a third number of layers proximate to the first end along the length of the bobbin and a fourth number of layers proximate to the second end along the length of the bobbin. The first and second windings are wound around the bobbin such that at least a portion of one of the first and second windings overlaps at least a portion of an other one of the first and second windings around the bobbin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jason E. Cuadra, John R. Estabrooks, Raymond K. Orr
  • Patent number: 8194420
    Abstract: An embodiment of a power-supply controller comprises a switching-control circuit, an error amplifier, and a signal generator. The switching-control circuit is operable to control a switch coupled to a primary winding of a transformer, and the error amplifier has a first input node operable to receive a feedback signal, a second input node operable to receive a comparison signal, and an output node operable to provide a control signal to the switching-control circuit. The signal generator is operable to generate either the feedback signal or the comparison signal in response to a compensation signal that is isolated from a secondary winding of the transformer and that is proportional to a load current through a conductor disposed between the secondary winding and a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Salvatore Tumminaro, Salvatore Giombanco, Alfio Pasqua, Claudio Adragna
  • Patent number: 8194419
    Abstract: A switching mode power supply includes an EMI filter unit, a PFC unit, a DC/DC unit, a PFC controller including a feedback stage to which a link voltage at an output side of the PFC unit is fed back and an overvoltage protection stage, a DC/DC controller generating a burst mode operation signal in a light-load or no-load condition, an error signal generation unit for sensing an output voltage of the power supply to generate an error signal, and a control unit for enabling the PFC unit to operate in a burst mode by connecting the overvoltage protection stage and the feedback stage. When the error signal is smaller than a predetermined value, the DC/DC controller generates the burst mode operation signal. When the link voltage fed back to the feedback stage exceeds a threshold voltage of the overvoltage protection stage, the PFC controller deactivates the PFC unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byoung Woo Ryu, Gun Woo Moon, Seong Wook Choi, Byoung Hee Lee, Dong Seong Oh
  • Publication number: 20120127762
    Abstract: An active snubber circuit for a power converter, a method of operating the same and an inductor inductor capacitor converter incorporating the circuit or the method. In one embodiment, the circuit includes: (1) a series-coupled first capacitor and diode associated with a secondary-side switch in the power converter and coupled to an output thereof and (2) an active snubber circuit switch coupled in parallel with the diode and configured to receive a control signal that closes the active snubber circuit switch during at least a portion of a time during which the secondary-side switch is open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: Lineage Power Corporation
    Inventor: Raghothama Reddy
  • Patent number: 8179699
    Abstract: An embodiment of a power-supply controller comprises a switching-control circuit, an error amplifier, and a signal generator. The switching-control circuit is operable to control a switch coupled to a primary winding of a transformer, and the error amplifier has a first input node operable to receive a feedback signal, a second input node operable to receive a comparison signal, and an output node operable to provide a control signal to the switching-control circuit. The signal generator is operable to generate either the feedback signal or the comparison signal in response to a compensation signal that is isolated from a secondary winding of the transformer and that is proportional to a load current through a conductor disposed between the secondary winding and a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Salvatore Tumminaro, Salvatore Giombanco, Alfio Pasqua, Claudio Adragna
  • Publication number: 20120112657
    Abstract: A power supply circuit has an LLC converter stage for converting a DC voltage input into a DC voltage output, and at least one hysteretic converter stage. Each hysteretic converter stage has a DC voltage input coupled to the DC voltage output of the LLC converter stage, and a DC current output. The LLC converter stage lacks a feedback control, and is operated at its load independent point. A ripple on the DC voltage output of the LLC converter does not affect the output current of the hysteretic converter stage. The stable DC current output of the hysteretic converter stage is coupled to a load having one or more LED strings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Geert Willem Van Der Veen, Jeroen Snelten
  • Patent number: 8144484
    Abstract: A technique for controlling a power supply with power supply control element with a tap element. An example power supply control element includes a power transistor that has first and second main terminals, a control terminal and a tap terminal. A control circuit is coupled to the control terminal. The tap terminal and the second main terminal of the power transistor are to control switching of the power transistor. The tap terminal is coupled to provide a signal to the control circuit substantially proportional to a voltage between the first and second main terminals when the voltage is less than a pinch off voltage. The tap terminal is coupled to provide a substantially constant voltage that is less than the voltage between the first and second main terminals to the control circuit when the voltage between the first and second main terminals is greater than the pinch-off voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald R. Disney
  • Patent number: 8144487
    Abstract: A controller for use in a power converter providing sensing of an isolated output is disclosed. An example controller includes a current controller to be coupled to an energy transfer element and an input of the power converter. A control circuit is included that generates a mode select signal coupled to be received by the current controller. A first, second or third current is enabled in the current controller in response to a selection of a first, second or third mode of operation, respectively, of the current controller by the control circuit. The first current is substantially zero, the second current is greater than the third current and the third current is greater than the first current. A first feedback circuit is coupled to the control circuit and is coupled to generate a first feedback signal representative of an output of the power converter during the first mode of operation after a period of operation of the second mode of operation of the current controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex B. Djenguerian, Arthur B. Odell, Henson Wu
  • Publication number: 20120057373
    Abstract: A boost-forward-flyback convertor has a boost converting circuit, a forward converting circuit, a flyback converting circuit and a transformer. The boost converting circuit, the forward converting circuit and the flyback converting circuit are coupled by using elements of the boost and forward converting circuits to form the transformer. The boost-forward-flyback convertor combines benefits of conventional boost, forward and flyback convertors, specifically combines active clamping and lower power pressure to the element from the boost convertor, increases gain ratio by using the forward convertor and provides output to the load during a switch OFF-state from the combination of the flyback and boost converting circuit. The boost-forward-flyback convertor combines benefits of conventional boost, forward and flyback convertors and not only has very high gain, high converting efficiency and lower power loading for devices, but also is simple, cost less, easy to use and has a small volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: Huan Tsai Liu, Tseng Kuo Ching, Po Chih Chou
  • Patent number: 8130517
    Abstract: A power converter in one aspect limits the magnetic flux in a transformer. A control circuit included in the power converter includes a pulse width modulator, logic circuits and saturation prevention circuits. The saturation prevention circuits assert a first signal when a first integral value of the input voltage reaches a first threshold value and assert a second signal after a delay time that begins when a difference between the first integral value and a second integral value of a reset voltage of the transformer falls to a second threshold value. The logic circuits turn off the switch when the first signal is asserted, and allow the switch to turn on and off in accordance with the pulse width modulator when the second signal is asserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Mayell