Patents Examined by Emily Pham
  • Patent number: 8102680
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a smart driving method for a secondary synchronous rectifier of an isolated converter and its apparatus thereof. The apparatus comprises: a main circuit having a secondary synchronous rectifier Q1; a differentiation filter circuit, filtering the drain-source voltage Vds of the secondary synchronous rectifier, comprising a capacitor and at least one resistor connected in series and outputting a filtered voltage Vf from either between said capacitor and said at least one resistor or between said at least one resistor; a smart driver, receiving Vf and Vds and putting out a driving signal to the gate of the secondary synchronous rectifier. The control approach is fulfilled by comparing Vds to a reference voltage Vthr2 and comparing the absolute value of Vf to another reference voltage Vthr3. When Vds<Vthr2 and |Vf|>Vthr3, Q1 is turned on. When Vds>Vthr1, Q1 is turned off, where Vthr1 is a predetermined reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuancheng Ren, Junming Zhang, Lei Miao, Zhaoqi Mao
  • Patent number: 8102167
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for sensing a phase-cut dimming signal and outputting a control signal compatible with a switching power circuit. Embodiments of the invention generate at least one of a low-frequency pulse-wave-modulated control signal, an analog output control signal, or a digital (e.g., higher-frequency pulse-wave-modulated) output control signal. Some embodiments further provide preloading and/or startup control functionality to allow proper functioning of the circuitry under small-conduction-angle (i.e., highly dimmed) conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Microsemi Corporation
    Inventors: Pierre Irissou, Etienne Colmet-Daage, Bernard Drexler
  • Patent number: 8102679
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention relates to a power converter including a resistor divider with an internal node to sense an input line voltage. The internal node is operable as a multifunctional pin. A controller compares a feedback voltage dependent on a power converter output characteristic to a current-sense signal including an offset dependent on a voltage of the internal node to control entry and exit of the power converter from burst mode operation. The node may be employed to manage power converter operation by sensing or controlling its voltage to signal operation in a standby or burst mode, to sense the input line voltage, to enable an external system to signal shutdown to the power converter, and to enable the power converter to signal a delayed restart condition to the external system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Xiaowu Gong, Siu Kam Kok, Yi He, Tuck Meng Chan
  • Patent number: 8094474
    Abstract: A drive controller is provided, for controlling driving of a power conversion circuit. The power control circuit includes a switching element for increasing/decreasing an absolute value of current passing through a coil by repeating electrical ON/OFF operation, so that voltage of power storage means is converted to a desired value required by power supply means, the switching element being provided for each positive/negative polarity of output current outputted from a circuit other than the power storage means, to the power storage means. Meanwhile, the drive controller includes energy loading means and OFF-state setting means. The energy loading means loads energy on the coil through a switching element not corresponding to existing polarity of the output current, after the absolute value has been zeroed by the turn OFF of the switching element corresponding to the existing polarity, but preceding an ON operation of the switching element corresponding to the existing polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Tomonori Kimura
  • Patent number: 8093874
    Abstract: A buck (with boost) switcher is provided that adds boost functionality to a buck switcher without compromising the buck's performance with extra series-coupled switches nor requiring a second inductor. The switcher has an integrated circuit that is capable of receiving a power supply voltage and a mode signal and generating on separate outputs either a boost voltage or a buck voltage based on the power supply voltage and the mode signal. The mode signal corresponds to one of a buck mode and a boost mode. The switcher also has a single inductor that is coupled to the integrated circuit and is capable of being used by the integrated circuit to generate the boost voltage (or a high voltage capable current) in the boost mode and to generate the buck voltage in the buck mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffry M. Huard
  • Patent number: 8089255
    Abstract: A power factor correction power supply unit for correcting a power factor includes a switching device, an input voltage detection circuit, an output voltage detection circuit, an error amplifier for outputting an error signal obtained by amplifying a difference between an output voltage detection signal and a reference voltage, an ON width generation circuit for generating an ON time width, an OFF width generation circuit for generating an OFF time width of the switching device, and a switching device driving circuit. The drive circuit conducts an ON/OFF control over the switching device upon receiving a turn-on timing signal for turning on the switching device as soon as the OFF time width is terminated and upon receiving a turn-off timing signal for turning off the switching device as soon as the ON time width is terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jian Chen
  • Patent number: 8089259
    Abstract: A system that has low power recovery capabilities, the system includes: a switch that is adapted to provide a gated power supply to a power gated circuit in response to a control current; and a control signal generator adapted to control an intensity of the control current in response to a reception of a low power period end indicator, a value of the continuous supply voltage at a port of the control signal generator, a value of the gated supply voltage and an output signal of a high switching point buffer that is inputted by the gated supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Sergey Sofer, Vlad Goldman, Dov Tzytkin
  • Patent number: 8085031
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for supplying power to measuring sensors and transmitting a synchronous clock signal thereto, in particular, for a low-voltage switchgear, with a power supply unit (10) whose output signals are transmitted to the measuring sensors via transformers providing the isolation. A quartz-controlled oscillation circuit arrangement (quartz-controlled clock generator) is provided whose output signals are supplied to the power supply unit (10) so that the clock frequency of the power supply unit output signals is the same for the primary sides of the transformers (11, 12, 13), the frequency lying within the operating range of the transformers (11, 12, 13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: ABB Patent GmbH
    Inventors: Jochen Mast, Stefan Weiers, Klaus-Georg Müller
  • Patent number: 8080985
    Abstract: Circuit configurations for a high power switch-mode voltage regulator circuit is disclosed that include an array of Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) switching transistors electrically coupled to one another at their drains and sources and a plurality of gate driver circuits. Each gate driver circuit is coupled to a gate and dedicated to driving only one MOS switching transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Ueunten
  • Patent number: 8076912
    Abstract: A first pump circuit generates a first voltage for decreasing the distance between primary electrodes. The first voltage is limited to a predetermined limit by a first limiter circuit. A second pump circuit generates a second voltage for keeping the distance between the primary electrodes constant. A third pump circuit generates the second voltage and has a supplying capacity smaller than the first one. The second voltage is limited by second and third limiter circuits. A ripple capacitor is charged up to the second voltage by the second pump circuit and the second limiter circuit within a period of time the first voltage is being generated. When a supplying voltage of the first pump circuit reaches to the first voltage, and a deformation stops, the second voltage is supplied by the third pump circuit and the third limiter circuit instead of the second pump circuit and the second limiter circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Atsushi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8076920
    Abstract: A switching power converter tracks a time-varying input voltage during each cycle of the input voltage to provide power factor correction. The switching power converter includes a switch with a frequency and duty cycle modulated control signal. The switch controls the transfer of energy between the input and output of the switching power converter. The frequency of the control signal is greater than a frequency of the input signal. The control signal frequency is modulated during each cycle of the input voltage so that energy transferred from the switching power tracks the energy supplied to the switching power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Melanson
  • Patent number: 8072783
    Abstract: The invention relates to an input circuit for a logic circuit part, comprising a voltage converter component for conversion of a mains voltage to the required low voltage in order to supply a user with a low voltage. The supply to the input circuit may hence be connected to a mains supply to rectify the mains voltage and an output from the input circuit may be connected to the voltage converter component to provide a rectified input voltage for the voltage converter component. According to the invention, an improved input circuit for a logic circuit part with improved functionality and operating security also permitting an extensive miniaturization and simplified production may be achieved by replacement of at least two of the remaining four diodes in the rectifier part of an input circuit for a logic circuit part by two controllable switches which work as a synchronous rectifier and are connected such as to be switched on and off by alternate forced control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Power Systems Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Mörbe, Michael Bothe
  • Patent number: 8072197
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power-managed socket adapted for connecting to an electrical device and thus providing the electrical device with power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Yu-Ping Tsou, Cheng-Ting Lin, An-Peng Wang, Chun-Yu Chen, Wu-Chi Ho
  • Patent number: 8067927
    Abstract: A control circuit for a multi-phase converter including an analog front-end circuit for receiving and processing an output voltage and current of the converter circuits and an average output current; a digital circuit for producing an output voltage reference for setting a desired output voltage of the converter; and an error circuit for comparing the output voltage reference and a parameter related to said output voltage and current for generating control signals for controlling the converter circuits, said error circuit including an Analog to Digital Converter circuit, further comprising a digital PWM generation circuit controlled by said Analog to Digital converter circuit for generating digital control signals for controlling the converter circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: Wenkai Wu, George Schuellein
  • Patent number: 8063619
    Abstract: Power is supplied to an information handling system chipset with a single voltage regulator having dual phases. A first phase of the voltage regulator provides power to a low power state power rail in an independent mode to support a low power state, such as a suspend or hibernate state. A second phase of the voltage regulator provides power to a run power state power rail in combination with the first phase by activation of a switch, such as a MOSFET load switch, that connects the low power state power rail and the run power state power rail. Voltage sensed from both power rails is applied to control voltage output so that the run power state power rail is maintained within more precise constraints than the low power state power rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Guangyong Zhu, Merle J. Wood, Joseph A. Clegg
  • Patent number: 8050001
    Abstract: A timed electrical outlet (or pluggable apparatus) and a method of operation thereof. The electrical outlet (or pluggable apparatus) includes a current sensor, a counter, and an electrical switch. When an electrical load is plugged into the electrical outlet (or pluggable apparatus), the current sensor senses the flow of current and triggers the counter to start counting. When the counter is finished counting, the counter triggers the electrical switch, opening the current path within the electrical outlet (or pluggable apparatus) such that electrical current no longer flows to the electrical load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Crucs Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin M. Crucs
  • Patent number: 8050063
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a converter for powering a load are provided. According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for powering a load is provided. A power converter may be provided. At least one gating control signal having a switching pattern may be supplied to the power converter, wherein the switching pattern has a waveform with an effective switching frequency greater than 1 times the fundamental frequency of the switching pattern and less than 2 times the fundamental frequency of the switching pattern. At least one output power signal may be output to the load responsive at least in part to the at least one gating control signal supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Allen Ritter
  • Patent number: 8036005
    Abstract: A switching apparatus for grounding an inverter (3) that converts a direct current voltage into an alternative current voltage at mains frequency, with an inverter housing (7) and with a safety fuse (8) that connects a positive or a negative direct current voltage to a grounding terminal, is intended to be provided such that a technician has the possibility of grounding an inverter appliance optionally positively or negatively at little expense, with the possibility for an IP-65 region of the appliance to remain closed. This is achieved in that a safety fuse (8), which is accessible and can be plugged from the outside, is arranged on said inverter housing (7) and can be contacted optionally to a positive or a negative direct current voltage in such a manner that either a positive or a negative direct current voltage is grounded through said safety fuse (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventor: Bernd Gebert
  • Patent number: 8035362
    Abstract: A power supply system comprises a parallel arrangement of a linear amplifier (LA) and a DC-DC converter (CO). An output of the linear amplifier (LA) is directly coupled to a load (LO) for supplying a first current (II) to the load (LO). The DC-DC converter (CO) has a converter output coupled to the load (LO) for supplying a second current (12) to the load (LO). The linear amplifier (LA) comprises a first amplifier stage (OS1) to supply the first current (II), and the second amplifier stage (OS2) to generate a third current (13) being proportional to the first current (II). The first amplifier stage (OS1) and the second amplifier stage (OS2) have matched components. The DC-DC converter (CO) further comprises a controller (CON) having a control input for receiving a voltage generated by the third current (13) to control the second current (12) for minimizing a DC-component of the first current (II).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Pieter G. Blanken
  • Patent number: 8031489
    Abstract: The configuration of a synchronous rectification circuit and a controlling method thereof are provided. The proposed circuit includes a converter including a first switch and a first synchronous rectifier, and a burst mode controller including a logic process module performing one of functions of delaying one of a non-integer and at least one operating periods to generate a synchronous rectification driving signal of the first synchronous rectifier counting from a beginning of a first pulse of a driving signal of the first switch during a working time of a burst period, and turning off the synchronous rectification driving signal of the first synchronous rectifier by one of the non-integer operating period and the at least one operating period ahead of an ending of a last operating period of the driving signal of the first switch during the working time of the burst period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Bin Wang, Hongyang Wu, Jianping Ying, Xiaoni Xin, Qikun Wu