Patents Examined by Gustavo Rosario Benitez
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Patent number: 10461655Abstract: A power fluctuation mitigation system for use in a power supply system that supplies AC power to a load includes an inverter unit including a first converter connected to an AC power supply to perform DC/AC conversion, a DC intermediate condenser, and an inverter connected to the first converter through the DC intermediate condenser to perform DC/AC conversion, and a power fluctuation mitigating device including a second converter connected to the AC power supply to perform AC/DC conversion, a capacitive storage device configured to be charged by an output of the second converter, and a charging unit to charge the DC intermediate condenser with power stored in the capacitive storage device, wherein the charging unit supplies power from the capacitive storage device to the DC intermediate condenser upon occurrence of fluctuation in an output of the inverter unit occurring in response to fluctuation in the load.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignees: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD., RIKENInventors: Kouji Yutani, Hiroyuki Yamano, Reiri Kin, Toshiyuki Tsukamoto
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Patent number: 10461631Abstract: A DC-to-DC controller and a control method thereof are provided. The DC-to-DC controller couples to an output stage, and the output stage provides an output voltage and includes an upper bridge switch and a lower bridge switch. The DC-to-DC controller includes a time signal generating unit and a time signal control circuit. The time signal control circuit couples to the time signal generating unit and receives a preset voltage and the output voltage. During a soft start period, if the output voltage is lower than the preset voltage, after the upper bridge switch is turned off and before the upper bridge switch is turned on again, the time signal control circuit turns off the upper bridge switch and the lower bridge switch for a first preset time and turns on the lower bridge switch for a second preset time.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2018Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: uPI Semiconductor Corp.Inventors: Chih-Wen Hsiao, Chih-Lien Chang
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Patent number: 10444779Abstract: A low dropout voltage regulator for generating an output regulated voltage is provided. The low dropout voltage regulator includes a first transistor and a current recycling circuit. The first transistor has a first terminal for receiving an input supply voltage, a second terminal for generating the output regulated voltage, and a control terminal for receiving a control voltage. The current recycling circuit is configured to drain a feeding current to the second terminal of the first transistor in response to a first signal having feedback information of the output regulated voltage.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2017Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.Inventors: Hao-Yuan Lin, Chia-Hua Chou, Yen-Hsun Hsu
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Patent number: 10447163Abstract: In a DC/DC converter, when stepping up voltage from an input unit to an output unit or when stepping down voltage from the output unit to the input unit, a second driver IC outputs to a charge pump circuit a control signal for controlling a switching element so as to alternately repeat ON/OFF when a switching element is ON and a switching element is OFF. When stepping up voltage from the output unit to the input unit or when stepping down voltage from the input unit to the output unit, a first driver IC outputs to the charge pump circuit a control signal for controlling the switching element so as to alternately repeat ON/OFF when a switching element is ON and the switching element is OFF. As a result, the DC/DC converter can drive the charge pump circuit without providing an oscillation circuit.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2019Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATIONInventors: Keisuke Kanda, Michito Enomoto, Shingo Suzuki
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Patent number: 10447175Abstract: The disclosure relates to an inverter for supplying a power provided as a DC voltage at a DC input to an AC mains connectable to an AC output. In this case, the inverter includes a switching network with a plurality of semiconductor switches and a digital control unit for producing a digital switching pattern for digitally operated semiconductor switches of the switching network that are able to be used to produce a first output voltage (Uout,dig). The inverter additionally includes a linear control unit for producing signals for actuating at least one semiconductor switch of the switching network in a linear mode, wherein the linear control unit is set up to produce a voltage drop (Uout,lin) across and/or a current (Iout,lin) through the at least one linearly operated semiconductor switch to a target value that is dependent on an instantaneous difference between the first output voltage (Uout,dig) and a voltage (UAC) of the AC mains.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2017Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AGInventors: Jens Friebe, Oliver Prior, Thomas Wappler
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Patent number: 10439507Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system to control a multi-phase converter having at least one power channel with a plurality of power modules, and involves detecting the voltage and the current of the power modules, calculating a command voltage based on a product of a programmed virtual resistance and the detected current, and transmitting a command voltage signal to the power modules based on the calculated command voltage.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2015Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: GE ENERGY POWER CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY LTD.Inventors: Shyam Sunder Ramamurthy, Christopher Joseph Lee, Luke Anthony Solomon
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Patent number: 10418892Abstract: In an electric power conversion circuit, a gate controller executes a first operation. In the first operation, the gate controller performs control such that a first lower FET, a first upper FET, a second lower FET, and a second upper FET satisfy the following conditions: a condition that a first state in which the first lower FET is turned on, a second state in which both of the lower FETs are turned off, a third state in which the second lower FET is turned on, and a fourth state in which both of the lower FETs are turned off appear repeatedly in the order; and a condition that the first upper FET is turned on at a middle of a period of the second state and is maintained in an on state until a middle of a period of the third state.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2018Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Ken Toshiyuki
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Patent number: 10411602Abstract: A multipurpose power supply suitable for a power switch driver circuit takes an input voltage and generates output voltages at four output terminals. Two output terminals may be connected to voltage supply rails to drive a switched-mode power converter. The voltage output at each output terminal relative to ground is different, allowing the voltage rails to be set to voltages suitable for a variety of different power-switch driver circuits by adjusting the output terminals to which the voltage rails are connected. A reference voltage is applied to one output terminal in order to set the values of the voltages at the remaining output terminals.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2018Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventor: Frank Warnes
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Patent number: 10404153Abstract: A method for controlling a voltage regulator is receiving a voltage identification code which has a pulse width modulation signal, providing a duty signal via measuring a duty cycle of the pulse width modulation signal, calculating a target voltage based on the duty signal, providing a reference signal via filtering the duty signal by a first filter if the voltage identification code varies, and providing the reference signal via filtering the duty signal by a second filter if the reference signal is in a range determined by the target voltage.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2018Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: Chengdu Monolithic Power Systems Co., Ltd.Inventors: Binci Xu, Lijie Jiang, Chao Liu, Tao Zhao
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Patent number: 10396686Abstract: A converter comprises a plurality of controllable two-pole sub-modules connected in series. At least some of the sub-modules each comprises a first and a second sub-module connection, a first, a second, a third and a fourth controllable switch, and a storage dipole, which comprises a first and a second dipole connection, an energy store and a controllable switching device, wherein the controllable switching device has a first selectable switching state, in which the storage dipole outputs no energy, and a second selectable switching state, in which the store of the storage dipole can take up or discharge energy. The sub-module has a selectable conduction state, in which the controllable switching device of the storage dipole assumes the first switching state and the first to fourth switches are switched such that a current flows through the sub-module on two parallel branches.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2016Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Inventor: Rainer Marquardt
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Patent number: 10389249Abstract: A switching regulator having adjustable inductor current threshold employs a control method which includes: (S1) determining whether an output voltage is greater than a reference voltage or determining whether a switching frequency of the power stage is smaller than a predetermined lower frequency limit, and (S2) when it is determined yes in the step (S1), adjusting the inductor current threshold, such that the switching regulator operates under a pseudo discontinuous conduction mode (PDCM) wherein the switching frequency is not smaller than the predetermined lower frequency limit. Consequently, when the switching regulator operates under a light load mode, an optimum balance between a total power consumption and switching noise interference will be ensured.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2018Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: RICHTEK TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Hong-Wei Huang, Yu-Kai Lin, Wei-Chuan Wu
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Patent number: 10389253Abstract: A switching power converter is provided that cycles a power switch during a group pulse mode of operation to produce a train of pulses within a group period responsive to a control voltage being within a group mode control voltage range. Depending upon the control voltage, the number of pulses in each train of pulses is varied to provide a linear power delivery to the load.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2018Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: DIALOG SEMICONDUCTOR INC.Inventors: Fuqiang Shi, Kai-Wen Chin, Cong Zheng, Jianming Yao, Yong Li
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Patent number: 10389246Abstract: A switched-mode power regulator circuit has four solid-state switches connected in series and a capacitor and an inductor that regulate power delivered to a load. The solid-state switches are operated such that a voltage at the load is regulated by repetitively (1) prefluxing the inductor then charging the capacitor causing an increased current to flow in the inductor and (2) prefluxing the inductor then discharging the capacitor causing increased current to flow in the inductor. The inductor prefluxing steps enable the circuit to provide increased output voltage and/or increased output current.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2017Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Empower Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: David Lidsky, Timothy Alan Phillips, Parag Oak
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Patent number: 10381953Abstract: A bidirectional bridgeless buck-boost power converter circuit is provided that can function as both a voltage source inverter (VSI) circuit to transform direct current (DC) voltage to alternating current (AC) voltage and as a power factor corrector (PFC) circuit to transform AC voltage to DC voltage. The disclosed converter fully utilizes inductors to form a CL filter and buck-boost converter energy storage element. Thus, low inductance chokes are used in the converter, which leads to a higher power density and is more cost-effective. Further, the bridgeless configuration minimizes conduction losses of semiconductors, and coupled with the use of low inductance chokes this improves system efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2017Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: The University of ManitobaInventors: Ngai Man Ho, King Man Siu
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Patent number: 10367415Abstract: A power management module comprises one or more power converter chips that are mounted on a power management package substrate. First and second electrical contacts are disposed on opposing first and second sides of the power management package substrate. The power management module can be mounted on a processor module to supply power to one or more processor chips in the processor module. In one example, the processor chip(s) are mounted on a first side of a processor package substrate and the power management module is mounted on an opposing second side of the processor package substrate. The power management module and the processor module can be centered and aligned with respect to each other or they can be offset laterally from each other. In another embodiment, the power management module and the processor chip(s) are mounted on the same side of the processor package substrate.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2018Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Ferric Inc.Inventors: Noah Sturcken, Ehsan Kalami, Joseph Meyer, Michael Lekas
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Patent number: 10355578Abstract: A switching power supply includes a SiC MOSFET (a main switching device) that switches a main current flowing through a primary coil of a transformer ON and OFF as well as a Si MOSFET (a secondary switching device) that has a lower power capacity than the main switching device and is arranged in parallel therewith. A control circuit includes a driver circuit that respectively switches the main switching device and the secondary switching device ON and OFF on the basis of a control signal generated in accordance with an output voltage obtained from a secondary coil of the transformer. The control circuit further includes an enable control circuit that disables the ON/OFF switching of the main switching device when a voltage of an auxiliary voltage obtained from an auxiliary coil of the transformer is less than a prescribed threshold voltage.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2017Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventor: Kenichi Nishijima
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Patent number: 10340803Abstract: A DC-to-DC voltage converter includes a converter input for receiving a DC voltage. A first switch is coupled between the input and a first node. A second switch is coupled between the first node and a ground. An inductor is coupled between the first node and a converter output. A capacitor is coupled between the converter output and ground. An output voltage synthesizer is coupled to the converter input and the converter output for synthesizing the voltage at the first node and for generating a control signal for at least one of the first switch and the second switch in response to the voltages at the converter input and the converter output.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2016Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Neil Gibson, Michael Couleur, Antonio Priego, Stefan Herzer, Syed Wasif Mehdi
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Patent number: 10338658Abstract: A power supply for an information handling system includes a rectifier circuit that is coupled to a power factor correction circuit. The power factor correction circuit includes a bulk capacitor. An extended hold-up capacitor is coupled in parallel to the bulk capacitor, via an electronic switch. The electronic switch has a first terminal coupled to the bulk capacitor and a second terminal coupled to the extended hold-up capacitor. A control circuit is coupled to a third terminal of the electronic switch and controls the operation of the electronic switch. An extended hold-up circuit is coupled to the extended hold-up capacitor and an output terminal of the power factor correction circuit. A digital signal controller is coupled to the extended hold-up circuit. The digital signal controller controls the operation of the extended hold-up circuit, and a DC to DC converter is coupled to the extended hold-up circuit.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2016Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.Inventors: Tsai-Fu Hung, Shih-Chieh Wang, Kuang-Hao Chou, Dennis A. Martin
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Patent number: 10333415Abstract: A synchronous rectification controller configured to control a synchronous rectification transistor is provided on the secondary side of an insulated synchronous rectification DC/DC converter. A DRAIN pin receives the drain voltage VDS2 of the synchronous rectification transistor. A pulse generator generates a pulse signal S11 based on the voltage at the DRAIN pin. A driver drives the synchronous rectification transistor based on the pulse signal S11. Upon detecting an open-circuit fault of the DRAIN pin, an abnormality detection circuit asserts an abnormality detection signal S13.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2017Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.Inventor: Hiroki Kikuchi
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Patent number: 10331152Abstract: A circuit for generating an output voltage, and regulating the output voltage to a target voltage, is described. The circuit comprises a pass device coupled between an input voltage level and an output voltage level, an error amplifier stage configured to generate a first control voltage on the basis of a reference voltage and the output voltage, a buffer stage configured to generate a drive signal for the pass device on the basis of the first control voltage, and a tracking circuit configured to track a voltage across the pass device and to generate a second control voltage on the basis of the voltage across the pass device. The buffer stage comprises a variable resistance element, for limiting a current flowing through the buffer stage on the basis of the second control voltage.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2018Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) LimitedInventors: Mihail Jefremow, Dan Ciomaga, Gennadii Tatarchenkov, Stephan Drebinger, Fabio Rigoni