Patents Examined by Jeffrey L. Sterrett
  • Patent number: 8519692
    Abstract: An output voltage of a voltage regulator is set to within a prescribed voltage range in a short time. The voltage regulator comprises: an amplifier (AMP) that amplifies a difference between a reference voltage and a voltage proportional to an output voltage; an NMOS transistor (MN1) that has a control terminal connected to an output terminal of the amplifier (AMP) and that drops a power supply voltage to output an output voltage; a first capacitive element (C1) that has a first terminal connected to the output terminal of the amplifier (AMP) and a second terminal connected to ground; a second capacitive element (C2) that has a first terminal connected to the output terminal of the amplifier (AMP); and a control circuit (11) that, subsequent to supply of the power supply voltage, controls operation activation of the amplifier (AMP) and also supplies a drive signal to a second terminal of the second capacitive element (C2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Shingo Nakashima
  • Patent number: 8050068
    Abstract: A resonant converter is provided which may be used for supplying power to the primary conductive path of an inductively coupled power transfer (ICPT) system. The converter includes a variable reactive element in the resonant circuit which may be controlled to vary the effective inductance or capacitance of the reactive element. The frequency of the converter is stabilised to a nominal value by sensing the frequency of the converter resonant circuit, comparing the sensed frequency with a nominal frequency and varying the effective inductance or capacitance of the variable reactive element to adjust the converter frequency toward the nominal frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Auckland Uniservices Limited
    Inventors: Stephan Helmut Hussmann, Aiguo Hu
  • Patent number: 8023288
    Abstract: An inverter (1) for a grounded direct voltage source, in particular for a photovoltaic generator (2), a battery or a fuel cell, for converting the direct voltage into an alternative voltage with a DC-DC converter (3) and a pulse inverter that is supplied by said DC-DC converter (3), said DC-DC converter (3) being configured to be an oscillating circuit inverter and comprising a series resonant oscillating circuit, said DC-DC converter (3), which is configured to be an oscillating circuit inverter, being configured to be a series-compensated oscillating circuit inverter with a choke (L1) and a series-mounted capacitor array consisting of two or several oscillating circuit capacitors, a rectifier bridge branch including 2 diodes (D3, D4; D5, D6, . . .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Bernd Engel, Regine Mallwitz, Peter Zacharias
  • Patent number: 8023289
    Abstract: A synchronous rectifier of a resonant switching power converter is provided to improve efficiency. The synchronous rectifier includes a power transistor and a diode connected to a transformer and an output of the resonant switching power converter for ratifications. A controller generates a drive signal to control the power transistor in response to an on signal and an off signal. A causal circuit is developed to generate the off signal in accordance with the on signal. The on signal is enabled once the diode is forward biased. The on signal is coupled to enable the drive signal for switching on the power transistor. The off signal is coupled to disable the drive signal for switching off the power transistor. The off signal is enabled before the on signal is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: System General Corp.
    Inventors: Ta-Yung Yang, Ying-Chieh Su, Chou-Sheng Wang, Tien-Chi Lin, Jhih-Da Hsu
  • Patent number: 8018214
    Abstract: There is provided a regulator with soft-start using a current source. The regulator with soft-start may include: a power switch unit including first and second power switches connected between a power supply terminal and an output terminal; a load capacitor connected between the output terminal and a ground; a voltage detection unit detecting a voltage of the output terminal; a comparison unit comparing a detection voltage and a predetermined reference voltage, and outputting first and second switching signals; a current generating a predetermined constant current; a current control unit switching a connection between a control terminal of the first power switch and the current source unit according to the first switching, and switching a connection between the control terminal of the first power switch and the ground according to the second switching signal; and an error amplification unit amplifying an error voltage between the detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong Il Kwon, Joon Hyung Lim, Tah Joon Park
  • Patent number: 8014173
    Abstract: A resonant converter for improving synchronous rectification control is provided. The resonant converter obtains an input power, and through a switch unit, the period of the input power to be transmitted to a resonant circuit can be modified. The resonant converter further includes two transformers electrically connected to the resonant circuit, two synchronous controllers electrically connected to the primary sides of two transformers respectively, and two synchronous rectifiers electrically connected to the secondary sides of two transformers. The input power modified by the resonant circuit is obtained by the primary sides of two transformers, and two induced power are respectively produced at the secondary sides. Then, through sensing the polarity variation of the voltage, the two synchronous controllers individually provide a synchronous driving signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: FSP Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Ming Xu, Bo Yuan, Qiao Liong Chen
  • Patent number: 8009450
    Abstract: Active power converters and methods are presented for converting input electrical power to output electrical power with converter switching control in which the individual phase voltage command values are compensated according to phase line voltage imbalances to compensate the converter control to provide balanced phase currents in the presence of unbalanced phase supply line voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Semyon Royak, Robert J. Breitzmann, Mark M. Harbaugh
  • Patent number: 7995359
    Abstract: A control circuit for use in a power converter with an unregulated dormant mode of operation includes a drive signal generator coupled to generate a drive signal to control switching of a power switch in response to an energy requirement of one or more loads to be coupled to the power converter output. An unregulated dormant mode control circuit is included and is coupled to render dormant the drive signal generator when the energy requirement of the one or more loads falls below a threshold for more than a first period of time. The unregulated dormant mode control circuit is coupled to power up the drive signal generator after a second period of time has elapsed. The drive signal generator is coupled to again be responsive to changes in the energy requirement of the one or more loads after the second period of time has elapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex B. Djenguerian, Leif Lund
  • Patent number: 7994768
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a senseless MPPT control apparatus of a photovoltaic power generation system and a method thereof. The control apparatus includes a current transformer, an A/D converter, a new and old current detector, a new duty ratio detector, an old duty ratio detector, a new and old duty ratio comparator, first and second new and old current comparators, a duty ratio adder, a duty ratio subtractor and a PWM signal generator. A maximum output point of a solar battery cell is tracked by using only one feedback current flowing into a load. Further, feedback factors can be reduced to one. It is possible to simplify the construction of a control circuit and minimize tracking control failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Chang Won National University Business Administration
    Inventor: Min Won Park
  • Patent number: 7990118
    Abstract: An exemplary switching regulator, is provided. The switching regulator includes an oscillator, a PWM logic controller, an inductor, a capacitor, a switch, a driver, a current sense amplifier, and a minimum power pulse width generator. The current sense amplifier and the minimum power pulse width generator compose a first feedback loop for generating a first feedback signal to the PWM logic controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Fitipower Integrated Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Wen Feng, Wen-Yen Lee
  • Patent number: 7986535
    Abstract: A method of providing power to a load is provided. A first series resonant converter is provided. A second SRC is operably coupled to the first SRC in a cascade connected arrangement. First and second zero voltage switching (ZVS)-assistance networks are operably coupled between the first SRC and the second SRC, such that the first and second ZVS-assistance networks are providing first and second ZVS-assistant currents flowing from each ZVS-assistance network to the cascade connected arrangement of SRCs. Power from a power source is received at the cascade connected arrangement of first and second SRCs, power from a power source. The cascade connected arrangement of first and second SRCs supplies an output voltage to the load in response to receiving power from the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Boris S. Jacobson, Evgeny N. Holmansky
  • Patent number: 7982443
    Abstract: A circuit for converting voltages is provided. The circuit includes a switch circuit coupled in series with an input node and a reference node. The switch circuit includes at least three controllable switches coupled in series and an inductive low pass output stage coupled to a connecting node between each of the switches. Each output stage is configured to output an average of the voltage generated at the connecting node. The circuit also includes a control circuit coupled to the controllable switches. The control circuit is configured to generate a plurality of control signals for control nodes of the switches, where the control signals have a plurality of complementary periodic components. Each of the complementary periodic components alternates a predetermined combination of the switches for alternating a voltage at each connecting node between a voltage at the input node and a voltage at the reference node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: David Simon Baba
  • Patent number: 7982446
    Abstract: According to one configuration, a monitor circuit monitors a delivery of power supplied by one or more switch devices to a dynamic load. Based on an amount of power delivered to the load as measured by the monitor circuit, a control circuit produces a voltage control signal. A gate bias voltage generator circuit utilizes the voltage control signal to generate a switch activation voltage or bias voltage. A switch drive circuit uses the switch activation voltage as generated by the bias voltage generator to activate each of the one or more switch devices during a portion of a switching cycle when a respective switch device is in an ON state, and the respective switch device conducts current from a voltage source through the switch device to the load. The control circuit adjusts the voltage control signal to modify a level of the switch activation voltage depending on the dynamic load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: James Noon, Lawrence Spaziani, Robert T. Carroll, Venkat Sreenivas
  • Patent number: 7978485
    Abstract: A thyristor power control circuit reduces EMI and maintains a holding current in the thyristor to prevent flickering at a load. The power control circuit includes a thyristor configured to receive an input AC voltage, and responsive to a gate pulse generates a modified AC voltage. A rectifier receives the modified AC voltage and generates a rectified DC voltage. A power converter coupled to the rectifier receives the rectified DC voltage and generates a controlled output current. A damping circuit coupled to an output terminal of the rectifier includes a damping resistor for maintaining the holding current in the thyristor during an ON period of the thyristor. The damping circuit includes a first capacitor coupled in series to the damping resistor and a diode coupled in parallel to the damping resistor. The diode enables the first capacitor to discharge without causing power loss at the damping resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Stamm, Vipin Bothra, Vee Shing Wong
  • Patent number: 7977927
    Abstract: A DC/DC voltage converter includes an inductive switching voltage regulator and a capacitive charge pump connected in series between the input and output terminals of the converter. The charge pump has a second input terminal connected to the input terminal of the converter. This reduces the series resistance in the current path by which charge is transferred from the capacitor in the charge pump to the output capacitor and thereby improves the ability of the converter to respond to rapid changes in current required by the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Analogic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard K. Williams
  • Patent number: 7973518
    Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes a voltage regulator (VR) that includes a first amplifier receiving a first reference voltage and a feedback voltage as inputs. A second amplifier receiving a second reference voltage and an output of the first amplifier as inputs. A drive component (e.g., transistor(s)) coupled to the second amplifier to drive current to an output based on an output of the second amplifier. A shunt component (e.g., transistor(s)) coupled to the first amplifier to shunt current from the output based on the output of the first amplifier. Current variations in the shunt component are controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Shor, Adam Zaidel, Noam Familia
  • Patent number: 7969752
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, the switching power supply device using a current sharing transformer includes an inverter switching unit for switching an input voltage; a set of share inductors connected to the inverter switching unit for distributing a current applied by the inverter switching unit; first and second transformers of which each primary side connected to the set of share inductors is connected in parallel to each other; and a rectifying unit connected to secondary sides of the first and second transformers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Cheol Bong, Tae Young Ahn, Don Sik Kim, Hak Ryong Kim, Myung Hyun Sung, Do Heung Na, Jong Pil Kim, Dong Joong Kim, Tae Won Heo, Dong Wook Lee
  • Patent number: 7969127
    Abstract: A method and circuit for controlling the start-up of a shunt regulator that uses an error amplifier for normal operation in a linear range of a target value output voltage set by a reference voltage upon circuit start-up clamps the output voltage to a first level value below the target value, next applies regenerative positive feedback independent of the error amplifier to force the output voltage through a range where adverse conditions can occur to a second level value below the target value, and then releases the positive feedback near the target value where the error amplifier assumes control of the regulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: David James Megaw
  • Patent number: 7965065
    Abstract: A trimming circuit which comprises a shunt circuit having two shunt resistors and two shunt ON/OFF switches and connected in parallel with a series resistor circuit. The middle point of the shunt circuit is connected to a connection point of the series resistor circuit, the resistance ratio thereof with respect to the connection point being equal to the resistance ratio of the shunt resistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Oki Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihiro Hirota
  • Patent number: RE42674
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a control circuit to detect an input voltage for the control and protections of a power converter. It includes a current sense circuit for generating a current signal in response to a switching current of a transformer. A detection circuit is coupled to sense the current signal for generating a slope signal in response to a slope of the current signal. A protection circuit is further developed to control the switching signal in accordance with the slope signal. The level of the slope signal is corrected correlated to the input voltage of the power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: System General Corp.
    Inventors: Ta-Yung Yang, Chien-Yuan Lin