Patents Examined by Carlos Rivera-Perez
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Patent number: 9590502Abstract: A regulated switching converter having improved closed loop settling time is disclosed. An error amplifier having a voltage reference input, a feedback input, and an error output is included. An output filter having a voltage output terminal coupled to the feedback input provides an output voltage sample to the error amplifier. A compensation network coupled between the feedback input and the error output of the error amplifier includes at least one capacitor and at least one switch that is communicatively coupled across the at least one capacitor. A controller is adapted to monitor current flowing through the switching output terminal. The controller has at least one switch control output coupled to a control input of the at least one switch to allow the controller to momentarily close the at least one switch to substantially discharge the at least one capacitor when a predetermined high current state is reached.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2013Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc.Inventor: Ashraf Rozek
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Patent number: 9553526Abstract: In a converter for converting energy from a generator to a power network, wherein the converter comprises multiple power modules, wherein each power module includes at least two power cells and a transformer for connecting the power cells to the power network, wherein each power cell includes a phase input, a phase output, a transformer output connected to the transformer, a rectifier circuit and an inverter, the transformer (T) of a power module (4.1, . . . , 4.n) includes one generator-side winding (10) for each of the power cells (5) and exactly one common grid-side winding for balancing an energy flow through the power cells (5) of a power module (4.1, . . . , 4.n).Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: DET INTERNATIONAL HOLDING LIMITEDInventors: Kilian Noetzold, Michael Bragard, Karsten Fink, Richard Griessel, Ralf Wegener
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Patent number: 9543933Abstract: A current generator circuit included in a triangle-wave generator circuit in a control circuit includes plural stages of current mirrors connected in parallel with each other. The plural stages of current mirrors are placed so that the sum of output currents output therefrom becomes an output current of the current generator circuit. A switching element that controls the on/off state of a current in accordance with the amount of load current of a DCDC converter is connected to each of the current mirrors.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yoshiaki Ito
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Patent number: 9535446Abstract: Techniques to perform bandgap circuit trimming that maximize the operating range and minimize the trimming time at which the bandgap will be accurate. A bandgap circuit output voltage may be trimmed by heating the circuit, supplying increasing input power to the bandgap circuit, and adjusting operational parameters of the bandgap circuit to generate a constant bandgap circuit output voltage. When the bandgap circuit output voltage may remain constant, a constant input power may be applied to the bandgap circuit and its output voltage may be adjusted to a predetermined voltage level.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2011Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.Inventor: Adam Glibbery
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Patent number: 9523995Abstract: Provided is a reference voltage circuit with improved temperature characteristics. A current based on a current flowing through a first depletion transistor whose gate and source are connected to each other is caused to flow through a third depletion transistor having the same threshold, to thereby generate a voltage between a gate and a source of the third depletion transistor. A current based on a current flowing through a second depletion transistor whose gate and source are connected to each other is caused to flow through a fourth depletion transistor having the same threshold, to thereby generate a voltage between a gate and a source of the fourth depletion transistor. A reference voltage is generated based on a difference voltage of the two voltages, to thereby obtain a reference voltage having less voltage fluctuations with respect to a temperature change.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2015Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: SII SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATIONInventor: Fumiyasu Utsunomiya
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Patent number: 9520767Abstract: A protection circuit of a power converter without an input capacitor is disclosed. The protection circuit comprises a high voltage switch, a detection circuit and a control circuit. The switch senses an input voltage of the power converter via a resistor for generating a first signal. The detection circuit coupled to a transformer senses the input voltage of the power converter for generating a second signal. The control circuit controls a switching signal in response to the first signal and the second signal. The switching signal is utilized to switching the transformer for regulating the power converter; and the level of the first signal and the second signal is correlated a level of the input voltage of the power converter.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2012Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Fairchild (Taiwan) CorporationInventor: Ta-Yung Yang
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Patent number: 9473026Abstract: The step-up converter includes the plurality of converting units, each having the reactor and the semiconductor element part having electronic parts such as the transistor and the diodes. The ECU performs changeover control of increase or decrease of the number of drive phases of the converting units, based on the output condition from the fuel cell, the temperature condition of the reactor, and the temperature condition of the semiconductor element part.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2011Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kota Manabe
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Patent number: 9467070Abstract: The invention relates to a device and to a method for monitoring a decentralized power generation plant for feeding into a three-phase network in order to prevent undesired island network operation, wherein the power generation plant has an inverter, which produces three alternating currents phase-shifted from each other from an input-side direct voltage, in particular of a photovoltaic generator, which alternating currents are fed into the network. The basis of the monitoring method is that the target power value for a designated phase of the network alternating voltage is changed, e.g. reduced, by a predetermined first amount for a predetermined time period while the target power values for the other two phases are changed in the opposite direction, e.g. increased, by a predetermined second and/or third amount. The sum of the second and third amounts equals the first amount.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2012Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: AEI Power GmbHInventors: Jochen Hantschel, Felix Martin
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Patent number: 9459642Abstract: A device includes an error amplifier, a standby current source, a charging current source, a voltage divider, and a first switch. The error amplifier has a negative input terminal and a positive input terminal. The standby current source has a control terminal electrically connected to an output terminal of the error amplifier. The voltage divider has an input terminal electrically connected to an output terminal of the standby current source, and an output terminal electrically connected to the positive input terminal of the error amplifier. The charging current source has a control terminal electrically connected to the output terminal of the error amplifier. The first switch has a first terminal electrically connected to an input terminal of the charging current source, and a second terminal electrically connected to a first power supply node.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2013Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Jerry Chen, Cheng-Hsiung Kuo, Yue-Der Chih
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Patent number: 9461558Abstract: A control device of a switching converter controls the closing and opening of a switch of the converter that regulates the operation of an inductor. The control device includes a ramp voltage generator, a switch control circuit configured to close the switch based on a comparison of the ramp voltage with a first signal and a generator control circuit configured to control the ramp voltage generator based on a value of a second signal representative of a current flowing through the inductor of the converter, in comparison with the value of a third signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2013Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Alberto Bianco, Claudio Adragna
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Patent number: 9455620Abstract: Methods, devices, and circuits are disclosed for a buck-type AC/DC converter with DC output harmonic control. One example is directed to a AC/DC converter configured to generate a DC output at a target output voltage. The converter is configured to, responsive to an AC input voltage being less than the target output voltage, convert the AC input voltage to a boosted DC output voltage. The converter is further configured to, responsive to the AC input voltage being greater than the target output voltage, convert a first portion of the AC input voltage to a clamped boosted DC output voltage. The converter is further configured to buffer a second portion of the AC input voltage to a buffered DC voltage. The converter is further configured to apply the buffered DC voltage to the clamped boosted DC output voltage.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2013Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AGInventors: Weifu Yu, Yi Tang
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Patent number: 9450518Abstract: An on-chip power converter and an on-chip switching power supply implemented using a film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) in place of an inductor. This MEMS device offers high inductance density and high Q factor. FBARs can be conveniently fabricated in a CMOS compatible process. FBARs also shows better EMI results than conventional inductors.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: University of Utah Research FoundationInventors: Faisal Khan, Abusaleh Imtiaz
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Patent number: 9444334Abstract: The present invention includes: a zero crossing detection circuit which outputs a zero crossing signal when an inductor's regeneration period is completed; a light load detection circuit which compares an amplified error signal from an error amplifier and a threshold and outputs a light load signal; a timer circuit which outputs an intermittent operation enabling signal after a predetermined period based on the light load signal and zero crossing signal and outputs an intermittent operation disabling signal when the zero crossing signal is not outputted for a predetermined period; and an ON-OFF control controller which turns off a switching element when the amplified error signal falls below the threshold while the timer circuit is outputting the intermittent operation enabling signal, and turns on the switching element when the amplified error signal at least reaches or exceeds the threshold while the timer circuit is outputting the intermittent operation enabling signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2014Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masaru Nakamura, Hiroaki Nakamura, Takayuki Konishi, Chie Isshi, Satoshi Nakamoto
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Patent number: 9417642Abstract: The present invention discloses a bootstrap DC-DC converter. The bootstrap DC-DC converter includes a lower gate driver, for generating a lower gate control signal according to a control signal; a lower gate, for turning on and turning off according to a lower gate control signal; and a bootstrap voltage maintaining circuit, for generating the control signal, such that the lower gate turns on at least a minimum off time each time.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2013Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: Anpec Electronics CorporationInventors: Liang-Hsiang Chiu, Chih-Yuan Chen
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Patent number: 9411287Abstract: When an image forming apparatus shifts to a power saving mode, a controller unit further reduces power consumption by switching AC current on/off every predetermined amount of time. When AC current input from a commercial AC power supply is turned off, a DC voltage generating circuit normally can no longer supply a DC voltage, rendering the controller unit unable to operate. Accordingly, the controller unit operates using a charge accumulated in a smoothing capacitor while the AC current is not being supplied. An AC cutting circuit is switched on before a both-end voltage at the smoothing capacitor drops below a lower limit of operation voltage of the DC voltage generating circuit, and the smoothing capacitor is recharged.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2014Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Tetsuya Nozaki
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Patent number: 9401637Abstract: A switching regulator controller for a buck switching regulator incorporates a multi-mode adaptive modulator configured to automatically select between a first operation mode and a second operation mode as a function of the output voltage being generated. In one embodiment, the switching regulator controller compares the output voltage to a comparator reference voltage and is configured to operate in a selected operation mode based on the output voltage. In this manner, a single switching regulator controller can be used in multiple instances of an electronic system to supply circuitry that may have different operational requirements. In one embodiment, the switching regulator controller is configured to operation in a PWM/PFM mode and a PWM mode as a function of the output voltage, which indicates the circuit application to which the switch regulator controller is used to supply.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: Alpha and Omega Semiconductor IncorporatedInventors: Zhinan Wei, Zhiye Zhang, Allen Chang
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Patent number: 9391523Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for generating a temperature independent current limit. The value of the temperature independent current limit may be determined based in part on an error signal representative of a difference between an actual output value and a desired output value of a power converter. When the error signal is below a lower threshold voltage, the temperature independent current limit may be set to a first value. When the error signal is above an upper threshold voltage, the temperature independent current limit may be set to a second, higher value. When the error signal is between the lower threshold voltage and the upper threshold voltage, the temperature independent current limit may change linearly with the error signal. The error signal may be adjusted to compensate for changes in the system caused by a change in temperature.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.Inventors: Yury Gaknoki, Mingming Mao, Michael Y. Zhang
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Patent number: 9391531Abstract: A control circuit, that controls the duty cycle of a switched mode power supply, comprises a reference voltage generator that, responsive to the input voltage exceeding a threshold value, generates a predetermined reference signal. Responsive to the input voltage not exceeding the threshold value, the reference voltage generator receives a signal indicative of an input voltage of the switched mode power supply and generates a variable reference signal dependent upon the input voltage. The control circuit further comprises an error signal generator that receives a signal indicative of an output voltage of the power supply and generates an error signal based on the reference signal generated by the reference voltage generator and based on the output voltage. The control circuit also includes a duty cycle control signal generator that generates the control signal to control the duty cycle of the power supply in dependence upon the error signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2012Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET L M ERICSSON (PUBL)Inventors: Magnus Karlsson, Oscar Persson
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Patent number: 9379607Abstract: A control module of constant on-time mode for a voltage converting device, includes a comparing unit, for generating a comparing signal according to an enhanced feedback voltage and a comparing voltage; a feedback voltage generating unit, for generating the enhanced feedback voltage according to a voltage difference between a first reference voltage and a feedback voltage corresponding to an output voltage of the voltage converting device; a comparing voltage generating unit, for generating the comparing voltage according to a second reference voltage and a control signal; and a adjusting unit, for acquiring an average voltage of the enhanced feedback voltage and adjusting the first reference voltage according to a voltage difference between the average voltage and the second reference voltage.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2014Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: Anpec Electronics CorporationInventors: Liang-Hsiang Chiu, Chih-Yuan Chen
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Patent number: 9379632Abstract: A power converter 100 includes a DC capacitor C, semiconductor switch groups each of which includes semiconductor switches connected in series to each other, bridge-cells 11u-j, 11v-j, and 11w-j each of which includes the DC capacitor C and two semiconductor switch groups connected in parallel to the DC capacitor C, a delta connection unit 10 including delta-connected bridge-cells and a integrated control unit 1 for controlling a circulating current flowing in the delta connection unit such that each of DC-capacitor by-phase average values follows a DC-capacitor three-phase average value, each of the DC-capacitor by-phase average values being obtained by averaging voltage values of the DC capacitors at a corresponding phase of three phases, and the DC-capacitor three-phase average value being obtained by averaging voltage values of the DC capacitors at all of the three phases.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2012Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: Tokyo Institute of TechnologyInventors: Hirofumi Akagi, Makoto Hagiwara