Patents Examined by LaKaisha Jackson
  • Patent number: 9806526
    Abstract: A bi-directional direct current to direct current converter includes a first inductor, a first switch, a first capacitor, a middle voltage point, a second inductor, a second switch, a second capacitor, a third switch and a fourth switch. A direct current voltage supply unit provides the bi-directional direct current to direct current converter with an input direct current voltage. When the third switch is turned on, and the fourth switch is turned on, and the first switch is turned off, and the second switch is turned off, then the first inductor and the second inductor store energy. When the third switch is turned off, and the fourth switch is turned off, and the first switch is turned on, and the second switch is turned on, then the first inductor and the second inductor release energy to the first capacitor and the second capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Chih-Chang Li, Xin-Hung Lin
  • Patent number: 9800154
    Abstract: A voltage supply unit includes a regulator unit, a current mirror, and a cascode unit. The regulator unit is configured to receive first and second voltage signals and generate a third voltage signal. The current mirror is configured to generate first and second current signals based on the third voltage signal. The cascode unit includes a first terminal configured to receive the first current signal, a second terminal configured to receive a first bias voltage signal, a third terminal configured to receive a second bias voltage signal, and a fourth terminal electrically connected to the regulator unit. An output voltage supply signal is controlled by the second current signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Chan-Hong Chern, Tsung-Ching Huang, Chih-Chang Lin, Ming-Chieh Huang, Fu-Lung Hsueh
  • Patent number: 9793804
    Abstract: A circuit including: a control system for a three-level buck converter, the three-level buck converter including multiple input switches, each of the input switches receiving one of a plurality of different pulse width modulated signals, the control system including: a first clock signal and a second clock signal, the second clock signal being a phase-shifted version of the first clock signal; ramp generating circuitry receiving the first and second clock signals and producing first and second ramp signals, respectively, from the first and second clock signals; a first comparing circuit receiving the first ramp signal and producing a first one of the pulse width modulated signals therefrom; and a second comparing circuit receiving the second ramp signal and producing a second one of the pulse width modulated signals therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Chuang Zhang, James Thomas Doyle, Farsheed Mahmoudi, Amirali Shayan Arani
  • Patent number: 9781804
    Abstract: A light regulating apparatus includes a converter, a load circuit, and a controller. The converter is configured to output a load current signal according to a controlling signal. The load circuit is driven by the load current signal. The controller is configured to generate the control signal. The controller includes an error calculation unit, a regulation unit, a feed forward compensation unit, and an addition unit. The error calculation unit is configured to generate a first error signal according to a reference current signal and a feedback signal. The regulation unit is configured to generate a regulating signal according to the error signal. The feed forward compensation unit is configured to generate a feed forward compensation signal according to the reference current signal. The addition unit is configured to generate the control signal according to the regulation signal and the feed forward compensation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wei-Qiang Zhang, Xiao-Peng Wang, Zhi-Hui Ding
  • Patent number: 9780683
    Abstract: A converter full-wave rectifies a single-phase voltage, and outputs the rectified voltage across DC power supply lines. An inverter receives the rectified voltage, and supplies a three-phase AC current to an inductive load. A power buffer circuit is connected between the DC power supply lines. The power buffer circuit includes a discharge circuit and a charge circuit. The discharge circuit includes a capacitor and a switch connected in series to each other. The discharge circuit is configured, for example, by a boost chopper, and includes a switch, a reactor, and a diode. The power buffer circuit provides and receives part of pulsations of a power input into the converter to and from the DC power supply lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Sakakibara, Naoya Yamashita
  • Patent number: 9775251
    Abstract: A circuit is for controlling a power transistor of a DC/DC converter. The circuit may include first and second first transistors coupled in series between a first reference voltage and a control terminal of the power transistor, the first and second transistors defining a first junction node. The circuit may include third and fourth transistors coupled in series between the control terminal and a second reference voltage, the third and fourth transistors defining a second junction node. The first and second transistors may have a first conductivity type different from a second conductivity type of the third and fourth transistors. The circuit may include a capacitive element coupled between the first and second junction nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL N.V.
    Inventors: Patrik Arno, Eric Cirot
  • Patent number: 9753474
    Abstract: A low-power low-dropout (LDO) voltage regulator device includes an error amplifier, a level-shifter circuit, and an NMOS pass transistor. The error amplifier compares a sampled portion of a regulated output voltage of the LDO voltage regulator with a reference voltage and generates an error signal. The level-shifter circuit is coupled to the error amplifier. The NMOS pass transistor provides the regulated output voltage with low dropout operation. The level-shifter circuit can shift a voltage level of the error signal to facilitate the low dropout operation of the NMOS pass transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES GENERAL IP (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Jinghua Zhang, Ricky Setiawan, Jeffrey Norwood Harrison
  • Patent number: 9753470
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide for an adaptive headroom controller circuit that increases the efficiency of switch mode pre-regulator circuits that supply power to multiple linear sub-regulators. Certain embodiments increase efficiency by dynamically modulating the output voltage of the pre-regulator in response to varying headroom voltages requirements, which allows sub-regulators to operate at their individually optimized headroom voltage, thereby, extending battery life and, at the same time, avoiding the triggering of a drop-out condition. In certain embodiments of the invention, further efficiency improvements are provided by selectively operating low drop-out regulators in regulator and load-switch mode. The innovation is applicable to modern mobile PMIC switching pre-regulator architectures (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Westcott Hawley, KyungTak Lee, ChiYoung Kim, Rui Liu
  • Patent number: 9735680
    Abstract: A constant on-time pulse width control-based apparatus capable of detecting a transient event of a voltage converter includes a specific comparator, a logic circuit, and a controller. The specific comparator generates a logic control signal to the logic circuit according to two resultant signals of the controller. The logic circuit generates a pulse control signal with an on-time pulse width to charge an output capacitor according to the logic control signal. The controller generates the two resultant signals to the specific comparator by generating a voltage ramp signal and amplifying an output voltage ripple signal based on a reference voltage, and detects the transient event to dynamically adjust the on-time pulse width of the pulse control signal according to the amplified output voltage ripple signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventor: Hua-Chiang Huang
  • Patent number: 9716438
    Abstract: An integrated circuit controls a switch power supply including: a primary feedback terminal, a primary feedback sampling module, an error amplifying module, a first control module, a secondary control module, a secondary feedback terminal, a second control module, and a driving module; the second control module, connected with the first control module and the secondary control module, respectively, and configured to generate a logic control signal according to the constant voltage control signal, or according to the secondary control signal and the constant voltage control signal; and the driving module, connected with the second control module and configured to generate a driving signal according to the logic control signal and to output the driving signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: BYD Company Limited
    Inventors: Yongjun Hou, Wenhui Ye, Haiquan Zhang
  • Patent number: 9716431
    Abstract: An IGBT/FET-based energy savings device, system and method wherein a predetermined amount of voltage below a nominal line voltage and/or below a nominal appliance voltage is saved, thereby conserving energy. Phase input connections are provided for inputting analog signals into the device and system. A magnetic flux concentrator senses the incoming analog signal and a volts zero crossing point detector determines the zero volts crossing point of the signal. The positive half cycle and negative half cycle of the signal are identified and routed to a digital signal processor for processing the signal. The signal is reduced by pulse width modulation and the reduced amount of energy is outputted, thereby yielding an energy savings for an end user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: The PowerWise Group, Inc.
    Inventor: John L Lumsden
  • Patent number: 9716433
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses for voltage regulation are disclosed. For an embodiment, a voltage regulator includes a power source block configured to convert an input voltage to an output voltage to supply current to an output load, a storage capacitor, and an active filter configured to transfer energy between the output load and the storage capacitor. A conversion ratio of the active filter is controlled by a parameter related to the output voltage, and a conversion ratio of the power source block is at least partially controlled by a parameter related to the voltage on the storage capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: R2 Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Paul Coleman, Eric Bernard Rodal, Jonathan Audy, David Fisher
  • Patent number: 9705419
    Abstract: Inverter control device is provided. First correcting-signal providing unit of the inverter control device provides a signal reflecting an active power correcting signal. Active power control unit of the inverter control device generates an angle control signal reflecting an output voltage phase of an inverter. Second correcting-signal providing unit of the inverter control device provides a signal reflecting a reactive power correcting signal. Reactive power control unit of the inverter control device generates a control signal reflecting an output voltage amplitude of the inverter. Processing unit of the inverter control device receives a feedback signal reflecting an output current of the inverter, a feedback signal reflecting an output voltage of the inverter, the angle control signal, and the control signal, and outputs a signal reflecting the active power of the inverter, a signal reflecting the reactive power of the inverter, and a voltage command signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Cheng Lu, Dan Wang, Jia-Min Zhang, Jian-Hong Zhou, Hong-Yang Wu
  • Patent number: 9698681
    Abstract: An adaptive duty cycle limiting circuit is used with a switching DC-to-DC converter for preventing the duty cycle entering a region of operation having negative gain. The adaptive duty cycle limiting circuit includes a duty cycle ramp signal generator, a voltage source for providing a voltage having a fractional value of an input voltage source, and a comparator that compares the duty cycle ramp signal with the fractional value of the input voltage source. When the voltage level of the duty cycle ramp signal is less than the fractional value of the voltage source, a cycle limit signal is activated and communicated to a switching control circuit to adjust the duty cycle of the switching DC-to-DC converter to prevent the duty cycle entering the region of operation where the gain of the switching DC-to-DC converter becomes negative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Naoyuki Unno, Kemal Ozanoglu, Pier Cavallini, Louis de Marco
  • Patent number: 9698671
    Abstract: A single-stage AC-to-DC converter includes a bus capacitor, a power factor correcting module, a resonant converting module and a control module. The power factor correcting module generates, based on an AC (alternating current) input voltage, a first control signal and a second control signal, a DC (direct current) bus voltage across the bus capacitor and an intermediate voltage switching between the bus voltage and zero. The resonant converting module generates a DC output voltage based on the intermediate voltage. The control module generates, based on the bus voltage, the first and second control signals, each of which switches between an active state and an inactive state and has a duty cycle associated with the bus voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Jing-Yuan Lin, Kuan-Fu Chou, Yao-Ching Hsieh, Huang-Jen Chiu, Yu-Kang Lo, Po-Jung Tseng
  • Patent number: 9692295
    Abstract: In a power converter, an external terminal, a case, and capacitors are arranged to provide a conductive loop. The conductive loop defines thereinside a first region through which magnetic flux of an AC magnetic field penetrates, and a second region through which the magnetic flux penetrates. A magnetic-flux shielding member partly shields at least one of the first region and the second region from penetration of the magnetic flux of the AC magnetic field to adjust at least one of an amount of the magnetic flux penetrating through one of the first region and the second region, and an amount of the magnetic flux penetrating through the other thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, NIPPON SOKEN, INC.
    Inventors: Yuuki Takemoto, Shinji Ohoka
  • Patent number: 9692308
    Abstract: A device for current protection comprises a switch-mode power supply controller. The switch-mode power supply controller includes an inrush current comparator that is arranged to compare a primary winding current with an inrush current threshold at least during at least one of a startup phase or a burst phase. The switch-mode power supply controller also includes a switch controller that is arranged to control regulation of an output voltage by controlling turning of a primary switch on and off based on a feedback signal that is based, at least in part, on the output voltage. The switch controller is further arranged to, if the inrush current comparator determines that the primary winding current has reached the inrush current threshold, control the primary switch to turn off and remain turned off until at least a next switching cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Weifu Yu, Mingping Mao, Tong Bao, Guoxing Zhang
  • Patent number: 9678524
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for power regulation based on input power using circuitry are disclosed herein. An example apparatus may include a reference circuit configured to receive a first voltage and a second voltage and to provide an output reference voltage at an output node having a value equal to the second voltage subtracted from the first voltage. The reference circuit may be configured to mirror a current of a first circuit coupled between the second voltage and a reference voltage through a second circuit coupled between the first voltage and the output node. The example apparatus may further include a power circuit configured to provide a third voltage based on the output reference voltage. The third voltage may have a value that is equal to the output reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michelangelo Pisasale, Maurizio Giovanni Gaibotti
  • Patent number: 9680376
    Abstract: A power conversion apparatus and individual components thereof is described. In general, the power conversion apparatus converts a DC output received from an appropriate source, such as string of solar panels, to an AC output. The AC output may be a single-phase or three-phase, sinusoidal AC signal. The inverter system may include a boost converter, which is a DC-to-DC converter, and an inverter, which is essentially a DC-AC converter. In operation, the boost converter will boost the DC output from the appropriate source to a desired DC output voltage. The inverter will convert the DC output voltage to a desired single-phase or three-phase output voltage at a desired frequency, such as 50 or 60 hertz. The boost converter and the inverter may be packaged together in an appropriate sealed and weatherproof housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Cree, Inc.
    Inventors: XueChao Liu, John Mookken
  • Patent number: 9678526
    Abstract: A current generation circuit including a first and a second bipolar transistors, a current distribution circuit that makes a first current and a second current flow through the first and second bipolar transistors, respectively, the first current and the second current corresponding to a first control voltage, a first NMOS transistor disposed between the first bipolar transistor and the first current distribution circuit, a second NMOS transistor disposed between the second bipolar transistor and the first current distribution circuit, a first resistive element, a first operational amplifier that outputs the second control voltage to the gates of the first and the second NMOS transistors according to a drain voltage of the first NMOS transistor and a reference bias voltage, and a second operational amplifier that generates the first control voltage according to a drain voltage of the second NMOS transistor and the reference bias voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsushi Motozawa, Yuichi Okuda