Abstract: The invention deals with a controlling device (22) for an electrical device such as for example a hearing aid (20). The hearing aid (20) includes a power supply (23) and a functional unit (21) controlled by the controlling device (22) via a reset signal (2). In order to reduce undesired behavior of the hearing aid in case of transients, brown-out or other oscillations of the input voltage (1), the controlling device (22) is built such that the functional unit (21) is resetted as long as the rising supply voltage (1) is lower than a startup threshold. Once the functional unit (21) is enabled, it remains enabled as long as the supply voltage (1) does not fall below a shutdown threshold where the shutdown threshold voltage is lower than the startup threshold voltage. This hysteresis is implemented via a reference generator (24) generating a constant reference voltage (27) and a modifiable voltage divider (28) which generates different output voltages (1.1) in dependency of the output of the comparator (25).

Abstract: A switching regulator includes first and second transistors, which are provided in series between power sources respectively having first and second potentials, and which convert a direct current voltage of a potential difference between the first and the second potentials into an alternating current voltage, and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a comparator which compares the alternating current voltage and a threshold voltage in a period when the second transistor is to be on, and receives a predetermined voltage, at least immediately before the period in which the second transistor is to be on, the predetermined voltage being farther than a midpoint potential of the first and second potentials from the threshold voltage.

Abstract: The inverter comprises a diode bridge (21) that rectifies an inputted three-phase AC voltage into a DC voltage, an inverter section (22) that converts the DC voltage converted by the diode bridge (21) into an AC voltage and outputs the resulting voltage, an LC filter that has an inductor Ldc connected between one output terminal of the diode bridge (21) and one input terminal of the inverter section and a capacitor Cdc connected across the input terminals of the inverter section, a voltage detecting section (24) that detects cross terminal voltage of the inductor Ldc, and a control section (100) that controls the inverter section (22). The control section (100) controls the inverter section (22) so that the transfer characteristic of the I/O voltage of the inverter section (22) becomes a characteristic of the first-order lag system on the basis of the cross terminal voltage of the inductor Ldc detected by the voltage detecting section (24).

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to devices and methods for converting or buffering a voltage including an inductor configured to perform at least a primary function and to be reused to contribute to converting or buffering the voltage as a secondary function.

Abstract: A method of providing threshold voltage monitoring and control in synchronous power converters is disclosed. The method establishes a threshold voltage level for at least one of an upper gate and a lower gate power switch in a synchronous power converter. The threshold voltage levels indicate switching delay times are present in the upper and lower gate power switches. The method detects body diode conduction levels for both the upper and lower gate power switches. When at least one of the detected body diode conduction levels exceed a prescribed body diode conduction level, the method adjusts the threshold voltage level for at least one of the upper and lower gate power switches to reduce a body diode conduction time for the at least one of the upper and lower gate power switches.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the condition of a power outlet and for reducing or interrupting power in the event that a condition of the outlet circuitry indicates that a potentially dangerous situation exists. The device can also include a reporting function to alert a user as to the existence of the dangerous condition.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a resistor layer, and a capacitor layer. The resistor layer is configured to overlie the semiconductor substrate. The resistor layer has a resistor disposed therewithin. The capacitor layer is configured to overlie the resistor layer. The capacitor layer has a capacitor disposed over and electrically connected with the resistor. Further, a semiconductor device that generates a constant output voltage from an input voltage includes a semiconductor substrate, a resistor layer, and a capacitor layer. The resistor layer is configured to overlie the semiconductor substrate. The resistor layer has a resistor disposed therewithin. The capacitor layer is configured to overlie the resistor layer. The capacitor layer has a capacitor disposed over and electrically connected with the resistor.

Abstract: A digital current-mode controller for a DC-DC converter is disclosed. The controller comprises a digital current reference; and a current loop compensator adapted to receive a digital current error signal derived from a digital current sample sensed from the DC-DC converter and the digital current reference and to generate a duty-cycle command, wherein the current loop compensator comprises a low-pass filter that is used in generating the duty-cycle command. A DC-DC regulator comprising a digital current-mode controller and a method of controlling a DC-DC converter are also disclosed.

Abstract: In order to prevent interference of signals in a plurality of outputs from a current mirror circuit, the current mirror circuit comprises a current mirror input transistor Q1 through which a constant current flows and a plurality of current mirror output transistors Q7 and Q8 which have control ends commonly connected to a control end of the current mirror input transistor Q1. The constant current is supplied from the plurality of current mirror output transistors Q7 and Q8 to a plurality of operating circuits. Further, at least one of the plurality of current mirror output transistors Q7 and Q8 is equipped with a low pass filter for removing a high-frequency component contained in a current output from the at least one of the plurality of current mirror output transistors Q7 and Q8.

Abstract: An active electromagnetic interference (EMI) filtering may reduce the requirements for high current differential mode inductors. The active EMI filtering of the present invention may be useful in power devices that use switching power converters. Conventional EMI differential mode filtering devices may occupy up to 30% of the total weight and volume of the power electronics. Conventional differential mode filtering inductors tend to be large and heavy, especially so for high current input power lines. The present invention may replace the large conventional differential mode filtering inductors with a smaller set of coupled inductors.

Abstract: An apparatus, such as a Buck converter system, for generating an output voltage while at the same time monitoring whether an overload or over current condition occurs at the output, and protecting the system if the overload or over current condition occurs. The apparatus includes a first circuit adapted to monotonically change a control voltage from a first voltage (e.g., approximately ground potential) towards a second voltage (e.g., a reference voltage VREF); a second circuit adapted to generate the output voltage based on the control voltage; a third circuit adapted to detect whether a magnitude of an output current exceeds a current threshold; and a fourth circuit adapted to change the control voltage from the second voltage towards the first voltage in response to the third circuit detecting that the magnitude of the output current exceeds the current threshold.

Abstract: Disclosed is a switching converter without an auxiliary winding. The switching converter has a transformer, a switching transistor, a coupling circuit and a regulating circuit. The transformer has a primary winding and a secondary winding, and is for transforming an input voltage into an output voltage; a first end of the switching transistor is coupled to the primary winding of the transformer, and the switching transistor is for controlling an operation of the transformer according to a control signal; the coupling circuit is for coupling a signal at the first end of the switching transistor to generate a coupled signal; and the regulating circuit is for detecting the coupled signal to generate the control signal according to the detecting result.

Abstract: The present invention provides a voltage clamping circuit which is operated in a stable manner with the simple constitution and a switching power source device which enables a high-speed operation. In a switching power source device, one of source/drain routes is connected to an input terminal to which an input voltage is supplied, a predetermined voltage to be restricted is supplied to a gate, and using a MOSFET which provides a current source between another source/drain route and a ground potential of the circuit, a clamp output voltage which corresponds to the input voltage is obtained from another source/drain route. The switching power source device further includes a first switching element which controls a current which is made to flow in an inductor such that the output voltage assumes a predetermined voltage and a second switching element which clamps an reverse electromotive voltage generated in the inductor when the first switching element is turned off to a predetermined potential.

Abstract: A rapid charging circuit for a lithium ion battery. The battery charger in accordance with the present invention compensates for the voltage drops across the various resistance elements in the battery circuit by setting the charging voltage to a level to compensate for the initial resistance of the series resistances in the circuit and an additional resistance selected to take into account the anticipated increase in resistance of the various circuit elements over time. The battery charger in accordance with the present invention periodically monitors the open-circuit voltage of the battery cell and reduces the charging voltage to when the battery cell voltage reaches the optimal value. Thus, during a constant current charging mode, the battery cell is driven at a relatively optimal charging current to reduce the charging time.

Abstract: Charger for an industrial truck which has an asynchronous machine and a three-phase AC control unit for converting a battery voltage for the asynchronous machine, said charger having a mains power module which applies an AC voltage to one or two motor connection leads via a transformer, the charging current being rectified by half-bridges in the three-phase AC control unit.

Abstract: During burst mode operation of a four switch buck-boost converter, the input voltage and an output voltage can be detected and a preset peak charging current threshold level can be modulated when the difference between the input voltage and output voltage is within a prescribed range. A burst mode charging cycle will progress until the modulated peak charging threshold level is attained and cut off at the set peak level. A charge transfer cycle and discharge cycle may proceed thereafter.

Abstract: A power supply includes a first switch to establish a first path to charge an output of the power supply by a voltage source, a second switch to establish a second path to discharge the output, and a third switch connected between the output and a capacitor. When to discharge the output, the third switch is turned on before the second switch turns on, to transfer a portion of energy on the output to the capacitor. When to charge the output, the third switch is turned on before the first switch turns on, to transfer a portion of the energy on the capacitor to the output.

Abstract: A switching power supply device includes a first series circuit of first and second switching elements connected in parallel with a DC power supply. An isolation transformer has primary and secondary windings and first and second auxiliary windings, a first layer including the primary windings between a second layer of the two auxiliary windings, and a third layer of the secondary windings. A capacitor in series with the primary windings defines a second series circuit in parallel with the second switching element. A rectifying and smoothing circuit includes a rectifying diode and a smoothing capacitor, connected to the secondary windings. First and second control circuits turn on and off the first and second switching elements based on voltages generated in the two auxiliary windings, to obtain a DC output from the rectifying and smoothing circuit, enabling an adequate auxiliary windings voltage and stable switching operation including stable zero-voltage turn-on.

Abstract: An electronic circuit is disclosed. The electronic circuit includes a bandgap circuit provided with first and second bipolar transistors that are coupled at a first node and a current mirror circuit provided with third and fourth transistors with respective control terminals coupled at a second node. The electronic circuit further includes a fifth transistor that is bipolar which is coupled to an output terminal of the third transistor where a base of the fifth transistor is coupled to a collector of the second transistor and a sixth transistor that is bipolar that is coupled to an output terminal of the fourth transistor with a base of the sixth transistor coupled to the first node. A control circuit controls a current provided to the bandgap circuit based on an output of the current mirror circuit. A reference voltage output terminal is provided between the control circuit and the bandgap circuit and outputs a reference voltage.

Abstract: An apparatus having an input voltage and an output voltage is provided. The apparatus comprises a switch that receives the input voltage and that is adapted to be coupled to a load, a modulator having a timing signal, a compensator that is coupled to the modulator and that includes an amplifier, an overcurrent circuit, and a sampler. The modulator is coupled to the switch and the modulator actuates the switch at a first frequency. The amplifier amplifies the difference between at least a portion of the output voltage with a predetermined reference voltage and outputs an amplified voltage. The overcurrent circuit receives the amplified voltage and outputs an overcurrent signal to the modulator.