Patents Examined by Fred E Finch, III
  • Patent number: 11870347
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a regulator, a modulation circuit, a first delay generator, and a second delay generator. The regulator generates a regulator control output signal to control a current of a power converter to regulate an output voltage of the power converter, the modulation circuit modulates a switching frequency of the power converter, the first delay generator controls a first delay time to turn on a switch of the power converter in a switching cycle, based on a change in the switching frequency of the power converter, and the second delay generator controls a second delay time to turn the switch of the power converter off in the switching cycle, based on the first delay time and a duty cycle of the power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Marc Davis-Marsh, Abdallah Obidat
  • Patent number: 11870342
    Abstract: A resonant converter includes primary and secondary circuits, a transformer, a resonant network and a control circuit. The control circuit is coupled to the primary circuit and the secondary circuit, and configured to control primary switches of the primary circuit operating with a switching frequency. At least one of primary switches is configured to be turned on from a first switching moment until a second switching moment. The control circuit is configured to control secondary switches of the secondary circuit, such that at least one of secondary switches is turned on during a first time interval to increase a current of the resonant network in a first flowing direction and an output current in a second flowing direction or equal to zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Delta Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hui Huang, Kun-Peng Wang, Shuai-Lin Du, Wei-Ke Yao, Feng Yao, Kai Dong, Jin-Fa Zhang
  • Patent number: 11869695
    Abstract: A coupled inductor includes first and second magnetic rails, a plurality of connecting magnetic elements, and a plurality of windings. The first and second magnetic rails are separated from each other in a first direction, and the first magnetic rail has a first cross-sectional area A1 as seen when viewed in the first direction. Each connecting magnetic element is disposed between the first and second magnetic rails in the first direction. The plurality of connecting magnetic elements collectively have a second cross-sectional area A2 as seen when viewed in the first direction, and a ratio of A2/(A1?A2) is at least 1.5. A respective winding is wound at least partially around each connecting magnetic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexandr Ikriannikov, Di Yao
  • Patent number: 11863075
    Abstract: A multi-phase boost converting apparatus includes a multi-phase boost converter and a passive lossless snubber, wherein the passive lossless snubber includes a first resonant capacitor, a second resonant capacitor, an output-end first unidirectional conduction component, an output-end second unidirectional conduction component, an input-end first unidirectional conduction component, an input-end second unidirectional conduction component and a resonant inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: ASIAN POWER DEVICES INC.
    Inventor: Tsung-Liang Hung
  • Patent number: 11855445
    Abstract: Even when one power conversion device among a plurality of power conversion devices connected in parallel experiences a short circuit, the other power conversion devices having experienced no short circuit can be promptly restarted. Each power conversion device includes: a short circuit occurrence determination unit configured to determine, on the basis of a current value at an output terminal, whether or not a short circuit has occurred; a short circuit elimination determination unit configured to determine, on the basis of a current value and a voltage value at the output terminal, whether or not the short circuit has been eliminated; and a current interruption unit configured to, on the basis of determination by the short circuit occurrence determination unit and determination by the short circuit elimination determination unit, interrupt current that flows from a power conversion unit to the output terminal or cancel the interruption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takushi Jimichi, Takaharu Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 11848613
    Abstract: A multiphase switching converter includes: a plurality of phases, an output capacitor, and a control loop. Each phase includes: a current detection device, a pulse width modulator, a set of switching devices, and an inductor. The control loop is configured to generate a first current signal to the current detection device of each phase of the plurality of phases. The first current signal is proportional to an average current generated by the plurality of phases. The current detection device of each phase provides a signal to a corresponding PWM to control a duty cycle of the set of switching devices to equalize the current generated by each phase and maintain a charge balance on the output capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Empower Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Narendra Nath Gaddam, Trey Roessig
  • Patent number: 11835976
    Abstract: There is disclosed new topology for an Electronic Voltage Regulator (EVR) which can apply additive or subtractive (aka boost or buck) voltages to compensate for an increase or decrease in system voltages. This regulator employs a ladder of power capacitors which are in series and connected across the input voltage to apply different levels of voltages to a controlled or regulated transformer. Considering this, the proposed EVR can be utilized as a replacement for conventional electromechanical type on-load tap changers or (OLTCs) commonly used in power transformers, and meant to compensate voltage changes in a system. Electromechanical tap changers have some significant issues, such as defined time durations when switching to different taps, as determined by the spring-loaded mechanism's operation; a high malfunction rate due to mechanical switching when causing arcing, and thereby decreasing the operating lifetime of transformers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: PTI Transformers Inc.
    Inventors: George Partyka, Sr., Waldemar Ziomek, Abolfazl Babaei, Greg Parsons, Aniruddha Gole
  • Patent number: 11831244
    Abstract: A resonant converter having a pre-conduction mechanism for realizing a wide output voltage range is provided. The resonant converter includes a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit includes a plurality of primary-side switches. The plurality of primary-side switches includes a first high-side switch, a second high-side switch, a first low-side switch and a second low-side switch. The second circuit includes a plurality of secondary-side switches. The plurality of secondary-side switches includes a third high-side switch, a fourth high-side switch, a third low-side switch and a fourth low-side switch. When the second low-side switch and the first low-side switch are turned on and a current time reaches a preset on time, the fourth high-side switch and the third low-side switch are turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Jing-Yuan Lin, Hsuan-Yu Yueh, Yi-Feng Lin, Che-Yu Chang
  • Patent number: 11824458
    Abstract: A DC-to-DC converter converts a DC input voltage to a DC output voltage by generating a primary AC voltage and transforming the primary AC voltage into a secondary AC voltage with a transformation ratio. The DC-to-DC converter has series resonance circuit for each AC voltage phase. When the ratio of the DC output voltage to the DC input direct voltage is greater than the transformation ratio, a phase shift between the primary alternating voltage and a series resonance circuit current corresponding to the primary alternating voltage is controlled to zero by changing a clocking frequency clocking the AC voltages. Conversely, when the ratio of the DC output voltage to the DC input voltage is less than the transformation ratio, the phase shift between the secondary AC voltage and a series resonance circuit current corresponding to the secondary AC voltage is controlled to zero by changing a clocking frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Markus Zocher, Martin Hergt
  • Patent number: 11817791
    Abstract: A synchronous rectifier driver circuit is configured to drive a synchronous rectifier FET and includes a first terminal configured to be connected to a source terminal of the synchronous rectifier FET. A second terminal is configured to be connected to a drain terminal of the synchronous rectifier FET, and a third terminal is configured to be connected to a gate terminal of the synchronous rectifier FET. The synchronous rectifier driver circuit is configured to measure the voltage between the second terminal and the first terminal, and detect a switch-on instant in which the measured voltage reaches a first threshold value and a switch-off instant in which the measured voltage reaches a second threshold value. The synchronous rectifier driver circuit generates a drive signal between the third terminal and the first terminal as a function of the measured voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics Design and Application S.R.O.
    Inventors: Alberto Iorio, Maurizio Foresta, Emilio Volpi, Jan Novotny
  • Patent number: 11817783
    Abstract: A switched mode power supply includes a multilevel buck power converter and a control circuit. The power converter includes a first buck circuit and a second buck circuit each having a power switch, a rectifier, and an inductor. The power supply may further include a resonant power converter coupled to the multilevel buck power converter. In some examples, the control circuit is configured to generate control signals for the first buck circuit's power switch and the second buck circuit's power switch to control the power converter, and adjust a switching frequency of the control signals to control the amount of reverse current flowing in the first buck circuit and the second buck circuit to achieve zero voltage switching of the first buck circuit's power switch and the second buck circuit's power switch. Other example multilevel buck power converters and power supplies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Astec International Limited
    Inventors: James Sigamani, Jonathan Ross B. Fauni
  • Patent number: 11811320
    Abstract: A power conversion circuit includes a first and a second power converters for generating a first and a second driving voltages respectively. The second power converter is a switching converter. In a short-circuit detection mode, the first driving voltage is regulated to the first driving level, and the second power converter is configured to operate in a pulse frequency modulation mode to regulate the second driving voltage to a short-circuit detection level, and when a switching frequency of the second power converter exceeds a threshold frequency, a short-circuit condition between the second driving voltage and the first driving voltage is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: RICHTEK TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Je-Kwang Cho
  • Patent number: 11799293
    Abstract: A high-voltage DC transformation apparatus, a power system and a control method of the power system. The high-voltage DC transformation apparatus is electrically connected to at least one high-voltage DC power generator. The high-voltage DC transformation apparatus includes at least one bidirectional AC/DC conversion module, at least one first transformer and at least one unidirectional rectifier module. A DC terminal of the bidirectional AC/DC conversion module is electrically connected to the corresponding high-voltage DC power generator. The first transformer includes a first transmission terminal and a second transmission terminal. The first transmission terminal is electrically connected to an AC terminal of the corresponding bidirectional AC/DC conversion module. The unidirectional rectifier module includes an input terminal and an output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Li Chen, Changyong Wang, Yansong Lu, Aibin Qiu
  • Patent number: 11797041
    Abstract: One example discloses a power management circuit, including: a voltage reference circuit including a bandgap circuit coupled to and configured by a first trimming circuit; an undervoltage lockout (UVLO) circuit coupled to and configured by a second trimming circuit; wherein the first trimming circuit and the second trimming circuit are configured to receive a single trim control setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Trevor Mark Newlin
  • Patent number: 11791715
    Abstract: An intelligent architecture system is provided. The intelligent architecture system includes an input line, an output line and an intelligent architecture operably interposed between the input line and the output line. The intelligent architecture is configured to control a voltage of the output line in accordance with a voltage of the input line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sridhar Katakam, Somasekhar Valleru, Nageswara Rao Kalluri, Ashish Vijay
  • Patent number: 11791710
    Abstract: A stacked half bridge converter may be configured to provide an AC output voltage from either a DC or an AC input voltage. The switching devices of the converter may be operated according to a plurality of switching sequences, each switching sequence including one or more switching patterns, each switching pattern including one or more switching states of the switching devices. The switching sequences, patterns, and states may be selected to improve operation of the converter, by regulating the voltage at a neutral point of the converter to reduce ripple, increase switching efficiency, protect the switching devices from overvoltages, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jie Lu, Brandon Pierquet, Ashish K. Sahoo
  • Patent number: 11789481
    Abstract: Methods and devices for speeding up the onset of a target current through an output leg of a current mirror are presented. Upon activation of the current mirror, a pre-charge current is sourced to a node of the current mirror that is common to the output leg and an input leg of the current mirror. Sourcing of the pre-charge current is based on sensing, by a first transistor, of a voltage at the common node. Pre-charging of the common node continues up to a cutoff voltage sensed at the common node. Sourcing of the pre-charge current is provided by a second transistor coupled to the common node. Based on the voltage sensed at the common node, the first transistor controls the sourcing of the pre-charge current by the second transistor. Such control is based on a portion of a current from a current source that flows through the first transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: PSEMI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jaroslaw Adamski
  • Patent number: 11777409
    Abstract: An inductive current simulation circuit of a switching circuit, an inductive current simulation method of the switching circuit, and a switched-mode power supply are provided. The inductive current simulation method includes the following steps: based on an error amplification circuit, performing, by the error amplification circuit, an error amplification on a first sampling signal representing a current of a synchronous rectifier and a second sampling signal representing an inductive current simulation signal when the synchronous rectifier is turned on to obtain an error amplification signal; and reconstructing an inductive current according to the error amplification signal when the synchronous rectifier is turned on and a first current when a main power transistor is turned on to obtain the inductive current simulation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: JOULWATT TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Aimin Xu
  • Patent number: 11770069
    Abstract: A controller used in a resonant converter having a switching circuit and a resonant tank. The switching circuit has a high side switch and a low side switch. The controller has a feedback processing circuit for providing a reference signal based on a feedback signal. The reference signal changes at a first slope based on the feedback signal when the feedback signal is higher than a first voltage threshold, and the reference signal changes at a second slope based on the feedback signal when the feedback signal is lower than the first voltage threshold. The turning off of the high side switch is controlled by a high side off signal, which is generated based on the reference signal and a voltage sampling signal indicative a voltage across a resonant capacitor of the resonant tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Chengdu Monolithic Power Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Pengfei Liu
  • Patent number: 11764671
    Abstract: A voltage converter including first to fourth switches between a first voltage node and ground, fifth to eighth switches between the first voltage node and the ground, a first floating capacitor between a first node between the first and second switches and a second node between the third and fourth switches, a second floating capacitor between a third node between the fifth and sixth switches and a fourth node between the seventh and eighth switches, a ninth switch between a second voltage node and a center node, a first inductor between the second node and a third voltage node, a center capacitor between the center node and the ground, a tenth switch between the second voltage node and the third voltage node, a first capacitor between the third voltage node and the ground, and a second capacitor between the second voltage node and the ground may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang Chan Lee, Hyoungseok Oh, Hojun Yu, Jeongkwang Lee, Jungwook Heo