Patents Examined by Adolf D. Berhane
  • Patent number: 11881784
    Abstract: A control circuit for a driving an electronic switch associated with a switching node of a flyback converter includes a comparison circuit configured to generate a switch-off signal by comparing a current measurement signal with a current measurement threshold signal. A valley detection circuit is configured to generate a trigger in a trigger signal when a valley signal indicates a valley in a voltage at the switching node of the flyback converter, and a blanking circuit is configured to generate a switch-on signal by combining the trigger signal with a timer signal provide by a timer circuit. The timer signal indicates whether a blanking time-interval has elapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventor: Fabio Cacciotto
  • Patent number: 11876451
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses example DC-DC converters. One example DC-DC converter includes a first capacitor, a second capacitor, a switched capacitor SC circuit, and an inductor circuit. An input end of the SC circuit is coupled to a voltage input end, and an output end of the SC circuit is coupled to a voltage output end. The first capacitor and the second capacitor are sequentially connected in series between the voltage input end and the voltage output end. One end of the inductor circuit is selectively coupled between the first capacitor and the second capacitor or to a ground end, and the other end of the inductor circuit is coupled to the voltage output end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Qiang Xie, Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 11876439
    Abstract: A battery powered electronic device can include a battery to power one or more loads, a first DC-DC converter having an input coupled to the battery and an output, and a second DC-DC converter cascaded with the first DC-DC converter and coupled to a second load subject to pulsed operation. The first and second converters may be configured so as to isolate the one or more loads from transients associated with the pulsed operation of the second load. The second converter may have an input coupled to the output of the first converter and an output coupled to the second load. Alternatively, the second converter may be a bidirectional converter having first terminals coupled to the output of the first converter and second terminals coupled to an energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Yanhui Xie, Asif Hussain, Jingdong Chen, Zhiyuan Hu
  • Patent number: 11870359
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present application provide a transformer and a bidirectional isolated resonant converter, where the transformer includes a first side winding, a second side winding, and a magnetic core. The magnetic core includes a winding column, at least one side column and two connecting portions. The first side winding includes: a first side first winding and a first side second winding that are electrically connected, and the second side winding is located between the first side first winding and the first side second winding. An air gap is provided on the winding column, and the air gap is provided between the second side winding and a first end surface of the winding column, and a first side equivalent leakage inductance and a second side equivalent leakage inductance are obtained through the air gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jinping Zhou, Mingzhun Zhang, Min Zhou
  • Patent number: 11869705
    Abstract: A transformer for a DC-DC converter, such as a resonant converter, is provided. The converter includes a transformer unit that includes at least one winding with a first winding connection and a second winding connection, and a capacitor assembly consisting of at least one capacitor with a first capacitor assembly connection and a second capacitor assembly connection. The capacitor assembly is arranged so as to lie against the transformer unit in order to form an assembly. The capacitor assembly connections are connected to the winding connections via one or more first connection parts in a specified manner with respect to the electric connections. The capacitor assembly connections and/or the winding connections are electrically connected to multiple second connection parts in a specified manner with respect to the electric connections for connecting to a first power module and a second power module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Marcel Lutze, Markus Pfeifer
  • Patent number: 11870354
    Abstract: An asymmetric half-bridge flyback circuit-based converter is provided. The converter is configured to convert an alternating current (AC) input at an AC input end into a direct current (DC) within a preset voltage value range. The converter includes a full-bridge rectifier circuit, a half-bridge circuit, a resonant circuit, a transformer, a load output circuit, and a control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Meraki Integrated Circuit (Shenzhen) Technology, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuai Yang, Wei Dong, Boyue Luan, Lin Sheng
  • Patent number: 11869794
    Abstract: A substrate support for a plasma chamber includes a base plate arranged along a plane, a first layer of an electrically insulating material arranged on the base plate along the plane, a plurality of heating elements arranged in the first layer along the plane, and a plurality of diodes arranged in respective cavities in the first layer. The plurality of diodes are connected in series to the plurality of heating elements, respectively. Each of the plurality of diodes includes a die of a semiconductor material arranged in a respective one of the cavities. The semiconductor material has a first coefficient of thermal expansion. A first side of the die is arranged on the first layer along the plane. A first terminal of the die is connected to a first electrical contact on the first layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventor: Siyuan Tian
  • Patent number: 11863070
    Abstract: A DC/DC converter includes: a first connection pole and a second connection pole, wherein a first DC voltage is applied between the first connection pole and the second connection pole; a third connection pole and a fourth connection pole, wherein a second DC voltage is applied between the third connection pole and the fourth connection pole; a first commutation cell, wherein the first commutation cell has a capacitor, a diode and a semiconductor switch; a second commutation cell, wherein the second commutation cell has a capacitor, a diode and a semiconductor switch; and a precharging circuit for precharging the capacitor of the first commutation cell and the capacitor of the second commutation cell. The precharging circuit has a precharging resistor and an actuable switching device. The precharging resistor and the actuable switching device are connected in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Lenze Swiss AG
    Inventors: Alex Itten, Benjamin Faessler, Christof Schneggenburger, Dirk Schekulin, Ewgeni Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 11863083
    Abstract: A rectifier assembly includes: a mounting base; and one or more rectification modules configured to be received in the mounting base, each rectification module including: an electronic network including one or more electronic elements configured to convert alternating current (AC) electrical power at an input of the rectification module to direct current (DC) electrical power at an output of the rectification module. Each of the one or more rectification modules is configured to be electrically connected to a DC bus of a driving apparatus that is separate from and independent of the rectifier assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Peter J. Fanduzzi, Paul J. Siebenlist, Mayur Kothari, Michael K. Balck, Sudershan Gawali, Derek Baxter, Craig H. DePas
  • Patent number: 11863077
    Abstract: A power supply system includes an input stage comprising first and second input switches to provide a primary current responsive first and second input switching signals. A transformer generates a secondary current responsive to the primary current. An output stage comprises an output, a first output switch, a second output switch and a clamping switch. The output stage can be configured to generate an output voltage at the output by rectifying the secondary current responsive to respective first and second output switching signals. The clamping switch can be configured to close responsive to a clamp switching signal during an activation dead-time between closing the first input switch and the second input switch. The system further includes a switching controller configured to generate the first and second input switching signals and the first and second output switching signals based on the output voltage, and to generate the clamp switching signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Sheng-Yang Yu, Lieh-Chung Yin
  • Patent number: 11863341
    Abstract: Embodiments of this disclosure provide an integrated control panel for a household appliance and a control system. Integration of the drive module is implemented by integrating the drive module driving multiple loads on the control panel, thereby reducing cost of the control panel and simplifying installation process. The overall cost of the household appliance may be reduced while ensuring the performances of the household appliance. And as relatively few devices and electric connection are employed, reliability of the system may be notably improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: NIDEC MOTOR (QINGDAO) CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chunsheng Yuan, Yongbao Zhang, Bingfu Jiao, Hengdong Cui
  • Patent number: 11862961
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for operating an electric power network are disclosed. The electric power network is a compensated network arranged to be compensated by an arc suppression coil. An indication for an occurrence of an earth fault in the electric power network is received and the arc suppression coil is tuned away from resonance with respect to a resonance point of the electric power network, while the earth fault is present in the electric power network, to increase fault current in the electric power network for tripping one or more relays in the electric power network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: ENSTO OY
    Inventor: Jyrki Penttonen
  • Patent number: 11863085
    Abstract: The invention relates to a converter assembly for converting a DC voltage from a DC voltage source, e.g. a battery, a fuel cell or a DC voltage intermediate circuit, into an N-phase AC voltage, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: AVL List GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Reisinger, Martin Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11853126
    Abstract: A system for configuring a server including a portable housing having a front panel, a back panel, and a cutout disposed on the front panel, a control board disposed within the portable housing, the control board having a socket configured to operably receive and couple to a network interface card that is insertable into and removable from the housing only through the cutout, and a rib disposed within the portable housing between the front panel and the back panel, the rib having a support configured and dimensioned to engage the network interface card when the network interface card is inserted within the housing in an aligned configuration with the socket, a cooling system coupled to and powered via the control board, the cooling system including one or more fans disposed at least partially disposed within the portable housing, and a power supply system coupled to the control board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
    Inventors: Joseph Buton, Brian S. Smith
  • Patent number: 11852092
    Abstract: An electric current detection apparatus, the electric current detection apparatus is configured to detect an electric current flowing in a solenoid configured to be electrified by a PWM control, the apparatus includes a switch, an electric current value detection portion configured to detect a first electric current value at a first timing corresponding to a timing when the switch transitions from a closed state to an open state, the electric current value detection portion being configured to detect a third electric current value at a third timing, and a second electric current value calculation portion configured to calculate a second electric current value on the basis of the first electric current value and the third electric current value, the second electric current value being an electric current value of the electric current at the second timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: AISIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kouki Ojima, Satoshi Sakai, Toshihisa Habiro, Yuta Kawai
  • Patent number: 11855553
    Abstract: Provided is a novel multi-level inverter with mixed device types and methods of controlling same. This novel multi-level inverter topology and control method allows the use of high frequency switching devices for controlled PWM switching, while also using lower frequency switching devices for directional switches. This combination of high frequency PWM switching devices with low frequency directional switching devices allows a cost reduction without a significant performance degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Imagen Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Ezana T Mekonnen, Adel Nasiri, Jerry D. Thunes
  • Patent number: 11853095
    Abstract: A method for reducing and/or managing energy-related stress in an electrical system includes processing electrical measurement data from or derived from energy-related signals captured by at least one intelligent electronic device (IED) in the electrical system to identify and track at least one energy-related transient in the electrical system. An impact of the at least one energy-related transient on equipment in the electrical system is quantified, and one or more transient-related alarms are generated in response to the impact of the at least one energy-related transient being near, within or above a predetermined range of the stress tolerance of the equipment. The transient-related alarms are prioritized based in part on at least one of the stress tolerance of the equipment, the stress associated with one or more transient events, and accumulated energy-related stress on the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Jon A. Bickel
  • Patent number: 11855546
    Abstract: An output stabilization circuit includes: a primary-side circuit including first and second self-excited oscillator circuits connected to a direct-current power supply; and a secondary-side circuit, wherein the first and second self-excited oscillator circuits include power transmission coils, resonant capacitors, switching element pairs, and feedback coils, the second self-excited oscillator circuit further includes a phase shift filter, the phase shift filter includes a primary-side control coil that is magnetically coupled to a secondary-side control coil included in the secondary-side circuit and that has a characteristic that an inductance changes depending on a current flowing through the secondary-side control coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 11848616
    Abstract: A three-phase power supply circuit is provided. The power supply circuit includes three LLC resonant voltage convertors, three step-down transformers, and a bridge rectifier. Each step-down transformer includes a primary and secondary coil, and each primary and secondary coil has a first node and a second node. Each step-down transformer is electrically coupled with one of the three LLC resonant voltage convertors by the first and second nodes of the primary coils. The bridge rectifier is electrically coupled with the first node of the secondary coil of each of the three step-down transformers. The second nodes of the secondary coils of each of the three step-down transformers are electrically coupled together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Astec International Limited
    Inventor: James Sigamani
  • Patent number: 11848607
    Abstract: A circuit for supplying an error signal to a controller in a boost or SEPIC DC-DC converter includes first, second, and third Zener diodes, first, second, and third resistors, and a MOSFET or BJT switch. The circuit includes, connected to a common voltage input source, a first branch including the switch, the first Zener diode and the first resistor, a second branch including the second Zener diode and the second resistor. The first and second branches are mutually connected to the third resistor, and the third resistor is connected to the controller. A third branch includes the third Zener diode and connections to the base or gate of the switch and ground. Each of the first, second, and third Zener diodes are reverse-biased. The second and third Zener voltages are equal and higher than the first Zener voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Frank Warnes