Patents Examined by Nguyen Tran
  • Patent number: 12166422
    Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for DC voltage conversion. A DC converter (100) is described, with a charge pump circuit comprising a plurality of charge pump stages (1401, 1402-1, 1402-2) each charge pump stage comprising connections for respective first and second capacitors for that stage (C1A, C1B; C2A, C2B; C3A, C3B). The charge pump also has a switch network, wherein the switch network comprises, between each successive stage, four switching paths (S7AA, S7AB, S7Ba, S7BB; S6AA, S6AB, S6Ba, S6BB) for separately connecting a respective first electrode of each of the first and second capacitors of one stage to a first electrode either of the first and second capacitors of the preceding stage, so that the relevant capacitor of the one stage can be charged by the relevant capacitor of the preceding stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Lion Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Hans Meyvaert
  • Patent number: 12166432
    Abstract: A system including a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller, a modified relay feedback test (MRFT) block, a memory block, a biasing block, a dq0-to-abc transformation block, a switch configured to selectively couple output signal of the biasing block or the PID controller output signal to the input of the dq0-to-abc transformation block, a three phase digital pulse width modulator, electronic switches, a voltage sensor configured to measure the output of each voltage of the three phases on the load and produce voltage data signals (Voa, Vob, Voc), and an abc-to-dq0 transformation block having an input being a representative of the phase voltages on the load, and producing an output being a representative of these voltages in the dq0 format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Khalifa University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Igor Boiko, Ahmed Shehada, Balanthi Mogru Abdul Rahiman Beig, Yan Yan
  • Patent number: 12155309
    Abstract: The electronic cigarette chip with automatic closed-loop control for output voltage and a working method thereof are provided. The chip comprises a built-in MCU module, a full bridge buck-boost module, an output voltage feedback circuit module, an operational amplifying unit module, and a plurality of signal terminals. The signal terminal VOUT serves to provide output voltage to a heating element. The output voltage feedback circuit module serves to feed output voltage of the signal terminal VOUT back to the built-in MCU module. The operational amplifying unit module serves to detect a resistance value of the heating element and send it to the built-in MCU module. The built-in MCU module serves to perform operations based on setting signals of the external chip and feedback signals of the output voltage feedback circuit module, and automatically control the full bridge buck-boost module, to provide precisely adjustable output voltage by the signal terminal VOUT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: SHENZHEN HAPPY VAPING TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Guangrong Lin, Xianbin Zheng, Xiyong Zhang
  • Patent number: 12149162
    Abstract: A power converter includes a plurality of power switches connected in series between a system ground and an input voltage bus, wherein an upper power switch located between the input voltage bus and an output terminal of the power converter, and immediately adjacent to the output terminal of the power converter is configured as an isolation switch including two back-to-back connected diodes and a bulk terminal, and wherein a connection of the bulk terminal is reconfigurable, and a driver configured to drive the upper power switch immediately adjacent to the output terminal of the power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Halo Microelectronics International
    Inventors: Suming Lai, Kenneth Chung-Yin Kwok
  • Patent number: 12143010
    Abstract: Transient or fault conditions for a switched capacitor power converter are detected by measuring one or more of internal voltages and/or currents associated with switching elements (e.g., transistors) or phase nodes, or voltages or currents at terminals of the converter, and based on these measurements detect that a condition has occurred when the measurements deviate from a predetermined range. Upon detection of the condition fault control circuitry alters operation of the converter, for example, by using a high voltage switch to electrically disconnect at least some of the switching elements from one or more terminals of the converter, or by altering timing characteristics of the phase signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: pSemi Corporation
    Inventors: Aichen Low, David M. Giuliano, Gregory Szczeszynski, Jeff Summit, Oscar Blyde
  • Patent number: 12143023
    Abstract: Controlling an active clamp field effect transistor (FET) and a primary-side FET in a secondary-controlled active clamp converter is described. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a primary-side FET coupled to a transformer and an active clamp FET disposed on a primary side of the transformer. A secondary-side controller is configured to control the active clamp FET and the primary-side FET across a same galvanic isolation barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Rajesh Karri, Arun Khamesra, Hariom Rai
  • Patent number: 12143017
    Abstract: An energy accumulator module (EAM) is coupleable electrically in parallel between a power source and an electrical load via a first transmission line and a second transmission line, to receive a DC voltage from the power source. The EAM includes a power converter having inductor coupled at a first end to the first transmission line, and at a second end to a node, a switching stage including a buck leg and a boost leg, and a capacitor coupled electrically in series between the boost leg and the second transmission line. A controller module is configured to control the switching stage to operate in one of a charge mode to charge the capacitor, and a discharge mode to provide a current to the first transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems LLC
    Inventor: Slobodan Gataric
  • Patent number: 12136886
    Abstract: For power transfer from a first DC part to a second DC part in a dual active bridge (DAB) converter by stepping up a voltage, the second bridge circuit includes a period in which a secondary winding of an insulated transformer and the second DC part conduct and a period in which ends of the secondary winding of the insulated transformer are short-circuited in the second bridge circuit. A control circuit fixes a phase difference between a first leg a the second leg, variably controls a simultaneous off period of a fifth switching element and a sixth switching element, and variably controls a simultaneous off period of a seventh switching element and an eighth switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shogo Hirota, Kenji Hanamura, Takashi Shirakawa
  • Patent number: 12126211
    Abstract: An electrical assembly may include a controller, a first switch electrically connected to the controller, a switch driver electrically connected to the first switch and the controller, and/or a circuit electrically connected to the first switch and the controller. The controller may be configured to control the first switch via the switch driver, and/or the controller may be configured to control the first switch via the circuit. The circuit may include a first resistor and/or a second resistor. A method of operating an electrical assembly may include providing power from a power source to the first switch and/or one or more loads, determining whether a fault condition is present, deactivating the first switch via the controller if the fault condition is present, closing the second switch via the controller, and/or determining, via the circuit, whether the first switch is in an activated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Eduardo De las Heras Palmero, Ignacio Molinero Horno
  • Patent number: 12126249
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to electronic circuits and, more particularly, to a power supply circuit and techniques for voltage regulation. One example method for voltage regulation is performed by a switched-mode power supply (SMPS). The method generally includes charging a first capacitive element during a first discharge phase of the SMPS having a first voltage rail and a second voltage rail, the first voltage rail being separate from the second voltage rail. Charging the first capacitive element may include directing a first current to flow from the second voltage rail to a reference potential node through the first capacitive element. In some aspects, the method also includes generating an output voltage at the output node during a first charge phase by directing a second current to flow from the first voltage rail to an inductive element of the SMPS through the first capacitive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Joseph Dale Rutkowski, Yikai Wang, Navankur Beohar
  • Patent number: 12126163
    Abstract: Protection system and method for preventing damage to components in an inverter module caused by a permanent magnet (PM) electric machine being in an uncontrolled state is provided. The system has a back-up power supply to supply power to voltage rails for gate driver circuitry which controls at least one pair of semiconductor switches. At least one pair of semiconductor switches is electrically connected to the PM electric machine. The back-up power supply receives as input, a differential voltage of a DC bus. The protection system also has a control module electrically connected to the second power supply and receive power therefrom. The control module is configured to receive a sensed voltage of the DC bus and cause the gate driver circuitry to short respective phases when a differential voltage of the DC bus is greater than or equal to a first threshold and a condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: BAE Systems Controls Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew S. Clark, Nicholas A. Lemberg, Joseph M. Dutko
  • Patent number: 12113438
    Abstract: Transient or fault conditions for a switched capacitor power converter are detected by measuring one or more of internal voltages and/or currents associated with switching elements (e.g., transistors) or phase nodes, or voltages or currents at terminals of the converter, and based on these measurements detect that a condition has occurred when the measurements deviate from a predetermined range. Upon detection of the condition fault control circuitry alters operation of the converter, for example, by using a high voltage switch to electrically disconnect at least some of the switching elements from one or more terminals of the converter, or by altering timing characteristics of the phase signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: pSemi Corporation
    Inventors: Aichen Low, David M. Giuliano, Gregory Szczeszynski, Jeff Summit, Oscar Blyde
  • Patent number: 12088204
    Abstract: A power supply circuit and a control method for a control circuit, where the control circuit is coupled to the voltage buck-boost adjustment circuit. The control circuit is configured to: when a voltage value of a first enable signal of the voltage buck-boost adjustment circuit is greater than or equal to a first predetermined value, control the output voltage of the voltage buck-boost adjustment circuit to be a first output voltage, and is further configured to: when the voltage value of the first enable signal of the voltage buck-boost adjustment circuit is less than or equal to a second predetermined value, control the output voltage of the voltage buck-boost adjustment circuit to be a second output voltage or a zero voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: HONOR DEVICE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ting Huang, Chen Zhu, Yingqun Feng, Yupeng Qiu
  • Patent number: 12088172
    Abstract: An embodiment relates to a motor comprising: a shaft; a rotor coupled to the shaft; a stator disposed outside the rotor; a housing for accommodating the rotor and the stator; a cover arranged above the housing; a circuit board arranged under the cover; and a connector electrically connected to the circuit board, wherein the cover comprises a cover body and a cover protrusion protruding from a lower portion of the cover body in an axial direction, the connector comprises a connector body and a grommet disposed at a side of the connector body, and the connector is fitted into a groove formed in the cover protrusion by using the grommet. Accordingly, the motor can be movably arranged on the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Young Gu Kang
  • Patent number: 12088203
    Abstract: A first partial power converter implementation receives and converts an input voltage into multiple auxiliary voltages including a first auxiliary voltage and a second auxiliary voltage. The first partial power converter produces a first output voltage as a first summation of the first auxiliary voltage and the input voltage; the first partial power converter produces a second output voltage as a second summation of the second auxiliary voltage and the input voltage. A second partial power converter implementation as discussed herein receives a first auxiliary input voltage referenced with respect to an output voltage of the power converter. The second partial power converter also receives a second auxiliary input voltage referenced with respect to the output voltage. The second partial power converter converts the first auxiliary input voltage and the second auxiliary input voltage into the output voltage to power a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Luca Peluso, Matthias J. Kasper, Giuseppe Bernacchia
  • Patent number: 12081138
    Abstract: A power conversion device includes a power conversion circuit unit including a plurality of leg circuits. Each of the leg circuits includes a plurality of converter cells each having a capacitor and connected in series to each other. Each of the plurality of converter cells is a first converter cell including at least two switching elements or a second converter cell including at least four switching elements. The power conversion device further includes a control device. The control device operates the plurality of the first converter cells that are controlled not based on a circulating current circulating between the plurality of leg circuits as a voltage source that outputs a circulating voltage in a circulation circuit indicating a closed circuit that does not include a DC circuit and an AC circuit, and operates the plurality of the second converter cells to control the circulating current in the circulation circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Kajiyama, Toshiyuki Fujii, Shuhei Fujiwara, Ryosuke Uda, Yoshiyuki Kono
  • Patent number: 12081126
    Abstract: Circuits and methods for adding a Current Mode signal into a Voltage Mode controller for fixed-frequency DC-to-DC power converters. A current-controlled voltage source (CCVS) generates a voltage proportional to the power converter output current, which voltage is combined with a comparison signal generated by comparing a target output voltage to the actual output voltage. The modified comparison signal generates a pulse-width modulation control signal that regulates the power converter output as a function of output voltage and some portion of output current. With the addition of an inductor current signal into the controller Voltage Mode feedback loop, the double pole predominant in constant conduction mode (CCM) mode can be smoothed over to improve stability, while discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) loop response is largely unchanged with or without the added Current Mode signal. Embodiments enable simplified compensation while covering a wider operating range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian Zanchi, Tim Wen Hui Yu, Gregory Szczeszynski
  • Patent number: 12081014
    Abstract: A power supply system to provide power to a load connected between first and second connectors. The system includes a generator that produces an alternating current generator output and a rectifier that receives the alternating current generator output and converts it into a direct current output and provides the direct current (DC) output between the first and second connectors. The system also includes a filter connected to the rectifier and between the connectors and that smooths the DC output. The filter includes a midpoint configured to be connected to ground. The system also includes a fault clearing source connected to the first connector that provides a clearing voltage to the first connector when a ground fault occurs on the first connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: William S. Heglund
  • Patent number: 12081100
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical machine (1) having a housing (2), wherein the housing (2) has a hollow-cylindrical cooling jacket (2a) for accommodating a stator (3) and, attached to the end sides of the cooling jacket (2a), housing closures (2b), in particular mounting plates, and wherein the cooling jacket (2a) has cooling ducts (4a) running between its end sides (17) and the housing closures (2b) have redirection grooves (4b) so that two adjacent cooling ducts (4a) are fluidically connected by a redirecting groove (4b), whereby the cooling ducts (4a) and the redirecting grooves (4b) form a meandering cooling path (10) which extends through the housing (2) between an inlet (5) and an outlet (6) and through which a coolant can flow, wherein the housing (2) has a bypass duct (7) which fluidically connects the inlet (5) and the outlet (6) while bypassing the meandering cooling path (10), or which fluidically connects two part regions of the meandering cooling path (10) while bypassing one part o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Felix Bensing, Florian Mueller, Simon Michael Heitzer, Stefan Ender
  • Patent number: 12081129
    Abstract: A power control device includes a mode setter configured to effect a change from a normal mode to a low-power mode upon detecting a light load in a burst operation, and a minimum on-period setter configured to, in response to a change to the low-power mode, change the minimum on-period of the switching transistor from a first minimum on-period to a second minimum on-period longer than the first minimum on-period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Sato, Satoru Nate