Patents Examined by Jye-June Lee
  • Patent number: 12287660
    Abstract: Provided is a low-dropout regulator circuit with high loop stability based on a load-dependent zero mobile compensation and a method thereof. The LDO circuit with high loop stability comprises a LDO circuit body, the LDO circuit body includes a PMOS transistor; the LDO circuit with high loop stability comprises a dynamic-resistance-boosting-circuit adaptively connected with the PMOS transistor, a dynamically variable resistor in parallel with PMOS transistor is generated according to the state of the load by the dynamic-resistance-boosting-circuit; the dynamically variable resistor is connected in parallel with PMOS transistor following the load variations to form a load equivalent resistor, a value for the formed load equivalent resistor is less than an equivalent resistance maximum value for PMOS transistor in a stable loop state, so that a high frequency pole frequency of the LDO circuit body is greater than a unit gain frequency of the LDO circuit body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: BEIJING TONGXIN TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD
    Inventor: Bingjie Chen
  • Patent number: 12273033
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a modular high power bi-directional half bridge buck/boost converter assembly and, in particular, to a system for converting power from one form of current (either AC or DC) to a differing level of voltage, either lower (buck) or higher (boost), to output a wave signal based on pulse wave modulation (PWM) switching control by means of an external digital controller and methods of operation. In particular, an inverter-converter system includes at least one half bridge module including a plurality of circuit components, at least one inductor which is connected to the at least one half bridge module and a power supply, and a controller which is configured to receive and send instructions to the at least one half bridge module for converting an input voltage to an output voltage and dynamically tune switching frequencies based on a load of the inverter-converter system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: Pacific Energy Inc.
    Inventors: David M D Kim, Philip Edmund Schaefer, German Rafael Nielsen Lopez, Matthew Jordan Serrano
  • Patent number: 12261541
    Abstract: System and method for synchronous rectification of a power converter. For example, the system for synchronous rectification includes: a first system terminal configured to receive an input voltage; and a second system terminal configured to output a drive signal to a first transistor terminal of a transistor, the transistor further including a second transistor terminal and a third transistor terminal, the second transistor terminal being connected to a secondary winding of the power converter, the power converter further including a primary winding coupled to the secondary winding; wherein the system is configured to: determine whether the input voltage becomes lower than a predetermined voltage threshold; and if the input voltage becomes lower than the predetermined voltage threshold, determine whether a time when the input voltage becomes lower than the predetermined voltage threshold is during or not during a demagnetization process of the secondary winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: On-Bright Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yaming Cao, Wuping Lin, Chunsheng Zhao, Lieyi Fang
  • Patent number: 12261521
    Abstract: A load control device for controlling power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load may have a closed-loop gate drive circuit for controlling a semiconductor switch of a controllably conductive device. The controllably conductive device may be coupled in series between the source and the load. The gate drive circuit may generate a target signal in response to a control circuit. The gate drive circuit may shape the target signal over a period of time and may increase the target signal to a predetermined level after the period of time. The gate drive circuit may receive a feedback signal that indicates a magnitude of a load current conducted through the semiconductor switch. The gate drive circuit may generate a gate control signal in response to the target signal and the feedback signal, and render the semiconductor switch conductive and non-conductive in response to the gate control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Bollinger, Venkatesh Chitta, Firozbabu Cholashari, Jonathan Waldron
  • Patent number: 12261429
    Abstract: A short detection circuit includes a first transistor, a switched load circuit, a second transistor, a switched capacitor circuit, and a comparator. The first transistor is configured to conduct a load current. The switched load circuit is coupled to the first transistor. The switched load circuit is configured to switchably draw a test current. The second transistor is coupled to the first transistor. The second transistor is configured to conduct a sense current. The sense current includes first and second portions that are respectively representative of the load current and the test current. The switched capacitor circuit is coupled to the second transistor. The switched capacitor circuit is configured to generate a short detection voltage representative of the second portion. The comparator has a first comparator input coupled to the switched capacitor circuit. The comparator is configured to compare the short detection voltage to a short threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Rampal Barjati, Akhila Gundavarapu, Lokesh Ghulyani
  • Patent number: 12261517
    Abstract: A bootstrap gate driver charging circuit arranged to drive the gate of an upper switch (QU) and a lower switch (QL) connected in series to provide an AC output voltage (400) voltage by alternatively turning on and off according to a predetermined duty cycle of alternate upper switch turn-on and lower switch turn-on phases, the bootstrap gate driver charging circuit comprising: an input terminal; an output terminal; an H-bridge inverter with an inverter input and an inverter output; a charging path; and a bootstrap capacitor. The input inverter is electrically connected to the input terminal, the inverter output is electrically connected to a first end of the bootstrap capacitor, the charging path is electrically connected between a second end of the bootstrap capacitor and a gate driver supply voltage; wherein in response to the lower switch being turned ON and providing a path to ground with respect to the supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ponggorn Kulsangcharoen, Rodrigo Fernandez-Mattos, Jonathan Roadley-Battin
  • Patent number: 12261549
    Abstract: A control device for a power conversion device includes a voltage recognizing unit configured to detect a voltage at a linkage point of the plurality of power converters, and a control unit configured to control an amplitude and a frequency of a voltage to be output by a power converter to be controlled on the basis of active power and reactive power output by the power converter to be controlled in a case that the power converter to be controlled is caused to perform autonomous operation as a voltage source, and controls active power and reactive power to be output by the power converter to be controlled so as to compensate for excess or deficiency of active power and reactive power at the linkage point on a basis of an amplitude and a frequency of the voltage detected by the voltage recognizing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: TMEIC Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshinori Tsuruma
  • Patent number: 12261520
    Abstract: A switch-mode power supply and a zero current detector for use therein. A zero current detector includes an input stage and an output stage. The output stage is coupled to the input stage. The output stage includes a detector output terminal, a first transistor, and a second transistor. The first transistor includes an input terminal and a control terminal. The input terminal is coupled to the detector output terminal. The control terminal is coupled to the input stage. The second transistor includes an input terminal, a control terminal, and an output terminal. The input terminal is coupled to the control terminal of the first transistor. The control terminal is coupled to the input terminal of the second transistor. The output terminal is coupled to ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Srinivas Venkata Veeramreddi, Subhash Sahni
  • Patent number: 12255524
    Abstract: A system for driving four-quadrant (4Q) switches of a power converter is provided herein and comprises a transformer driver module, a first gate driver module and a second gate driver module coupled to the transformer driver module via a first isolation transformer and a second isolation transformer, respectively, for receiving both switch signal information and power, and a first bidirectional switch and a second bidirectional switch coupled to the first gate driver module and the second gate driver module and to one another for driving the first bidirectional switch and the second bidirectional switch based on the switch signal information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Enphase Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Tomasz Janusz Kotula, Patrick Lyle Chapman, Martin Fornage
  • Patent number: 12249902
    Abstract: A module includes: an electrically insulative housing; a driver circuit enclosed in the housing and configured to drive a control terminal of a power switch; a wireless communication circuit enclosed in the housing and configured to receive, through the housing, wireless control information transmitted to the module; and a wireless energy receiver enclosed in the housing and configured to receive, through the housing, energy wirelessly transmitted to the module, and to supply power to the driver circuit. The driver circuit is configured to drive the control terminal of the power switch based on the wireless control information received by the wireless communication circuit. A power electronic assembly that incorporates one or more of the modules and a corresponding power conversion control circuit are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Jens Barrenscheen
  • Patent number: 12244227
    Abstract: A power converter including an inductor, a first power switch, a second power switch, a third power switch, a fourth power switch, a sixth power switch, a first flying capacitor, a third flying capacitor, a seventh power switch, an eighth power switch, a ninth power switch, a tenth power switch, a twelfth power switch, a second flying capacitor, and a fourth flying capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Renesas Design (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Sorin Laurentiu Negru, Sabin Eftimie
  • Patent number: 12244122
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing (e.g., a housing having a form factor of a molded case circuit breaker) and at least two phase terminals supported by the housing and configured to be connected to respective ones of at least two phase buses in an electrical panelboard. The apparatus further includes at least one fault generation device supported by the housing and including an arc containment chamber and first and second spaced-apart electrodes in the arc containment chamber and electrically coupled to respective ones of the at least two phase terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Xin Zhou, Joe W. Kirstein, William Michael Crooks
  • Patent number: 12231056
    Abstract: Both AC and DC Power supply systems that may be connected directly to. AC mains and are integrated on silicon are described. The AC systems include both simple on/off capabilities as well as phase control capabilities. The DC power supply may be fixed, adjustable as through a potentiometer and programmable. The power supply systems use newly invented components of AC/DC converters and bidirectional MOSFET switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Inventor: Mark Telefus
  • Patent number: 12224681
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a DC-to-AC converter comprising a first output terminal and a second output terminal. The apparatus also includes a DC-to-DC converter comprising a third output. The DC-to-AC converter is configured to receive a DC input voltage from a DC power source, and to produce a first alternating output voltage at the first output terminal, and a second alternating output voltage at the second output terminal. The DC-to-DC converter is configured receive a DC input voltage from the DC power source, and to step down the DC input voltage at the third output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Tzachi Glovinsky, Ilan Yoscovich, Guy Sella, Milan Ilic, Jaya Deepti Dasika
  • Patent number: 12224671
    Abstract: A power supply circuit includes a transformer having a primary winding and secondary windings, a first power conversion circuit configured to convert a DC voltage into an AC voltage and output the AC voltage to the primary winding, a rectifying and smoothing circuit that is connected to the secondary winding and is configured to rectify and smooth an alternating current output from the secondary winding, and a second power conversion circuit configured to boost a direct current output from the rectifying and smoothing circuit and supply to a load a DC voltage lower than a rated voltage of the load set in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuaki Mino
  • Patent number: 12218575
    Abstract: In a power converter having a regulator and charge pump, both of which operate in plural modes, a controller receives information indicative of the power converter's operation and, based at least in part on said information, causes transitions between regulator modes and transitions between charge-pump modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: pSemi Corporation
    Inventors: Aichen Low, Gregory Szczeszynski, David M. Giuliano
  • Patent number: 12218593
    Abstract: A physical arrangement of at least two power switches and at least one capacitor in a power loop. At least one of the switches is formed of at least two parallel electronic devices, such as transistors. The arrangement minimizes total power loop impedance and results in approximately equal impedance in each parallel branch of the switch formed of two parallel devices, thereby resulting in approximately equal currents in the switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Efficient Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Glaser, Yuanzhe Zhang, Michael A. de Rooij
  • Patent number: 12212227
    Abstract: A variable current gate driver for a transistor includes a first current control device having a first controllable output current. The first current control device is electrically connected between a first bus and an activator of the transistor, and a second current control device having a second controllable output current. The second current control device is electrically connected between the activator of the transistor and a second bus. A controller is operatively connected to the first and second current control devices to control the first and second controllable output currents to control the first and second current control devices to control activation of the transistor via the activator. The controller is operative to control the first and second current control devices to control a slew rate of the transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Hong Nguyen, Michael Z. Pieszala, Yilun Luo, Khorshed Mohammed Alam, Sanjeev M. Naik, Benjamin S. Ngu
  • Patent number: 12212238
    Abstract: A voltage converter includes an input voltage line; an inductor coupled to the input voltage line; transistors coupled to the inductor; an output voltage line coupled to at least one of the transistors; a current sensor coupled to at least one of the input voltage line, the inductor, or the output voltage line; and a comparator coupled between the current sensor and the transistors. A DC-DC converter may include a voltage converter having an inductor and a plurality of transistors and configured to convert an input voltage into a power voltage and output the power voltage to an output terminal, an input current sensor configured to sense the input current of the converter, and a controller configured to change the slew rate of an inductor voltage in response to the input current of the converter and a preset reference current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Dong Kwan Han
  • Patent number: 12206337
    Abstract: A power conversion device and a control circuit are provided. The power conversion device includes a power conversion circuit and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a first controller and a second controller. The power conversion circuit includes an input capacitor, a rectifier circuit, and a power switch. The input capacitor is coupled to an input terminal of the power conversion device. The rectifier circuit converts an input AC power into a rectified power. The first controller operates the power switch to cause the power conversion circuit to convert the rectified power into an output power. The second controller detects a signal waveform at the input terminal, and controls the first controller in response to the signal waveform at the input terminal, so as to utilize the power switch to discharge the charge stored in the input capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: Power Forest Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Chia-Hsien Liu