Patents Examined by Peter M Novak
  • Patent number: 12267084
    Abstract: A converter system includes a reference buffer buffering a reference input to produce a DAC reference, operating from a reference feedback voltage generated by a reference divider. A tail buffer generates a tail voltage from an input voltage generated from the DAC reference by a tail divider. An R-2R type DAC utilizes an R-2R ladder to generate a DAC output from a code. This ladder has a tail resistor coupled to the tail voltage. A feedback buffer buffers the DAC output to produce a converter reference. A DC-DC converter generates a DC output from a DC input, based upon a converter feedback voltage. A feedback divider coupled between the DC output and the converter reference generates the converter feedback voltage. Control circuitry selectively taps the reference divider to produce the reference feedback voltage (performing gain trimming) and selectively taps the tail divider to produce the input voltage (performing offset trimming).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Marco Attanasio, Stefano Ramorini
  • Patent number: 12267016
    Abstract: A buck-boost converter for converting an input voltage at an input node into an output voltage at an output node, the converter comprising: first and second inductor nodes for connection of an inductor therebetween; a first converter stage coupled between the input node and the first inductor node; and a second converter stage coupled between the second inductor node and the output node, wherein one or more of the first converter stage and the second converter stage comprises a switching network, comprising: a first switch for selectively connecting a first flying capacitor node to a stage input node; a second switch for selectively connecting the first flying capacitor node to a stage output node; a third switch for selectively connecting a second flying capacitor node to the stage output node; and a fourth switch for selectively connecting the second flying capacitor node to a reference voltage, the first and second flying capacitor nodes for connection of a flying capacitor therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2025
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic Inc.
    Inventor: John P. Lesso
  • Patent number: 12255538
    Abstract: For power transfer from a first DC part to a second DC part in a dual active bridge (DAB) converter by stepping down a voltage, a first bridge circuit includes a period in which the first DC part and a primary winding of an insulated transformer conduct and a period in which ends of a primary winding of the insulated transformer are short-circuited in the first bridge circuit. A second bridge circuit includes a rectification period. A control circuit variably controls 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: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shogo Hirota, Kenji Hanamura, Takashi Shirakawa
  • Patent number: 12249909
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a circuit having a current source and a load circuit coupled to the current source. The current source can include a transistor electrically coupled to a voltage supply and can be configured to generate a first current with a first current rate-of-change during a time interval, where the first current can be a cancellation current. In addition, the load circuit can be configured to generate a second current with a second current rate-of-change during the same time interval, where the second current can be a load current. The second current rate-of-change can be substantially an inverse of the first current rate-of-change. A power system can include a power management unit configured to generate a power supply voltage at an output, a current source and a load circuit electrically coupled to the output, and a control circuit controls the first current rate-of-change during the time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Meei-Ling Chiang, Khaled M. Alashmouny, Zhi Hu
  • Patent number: 12244236
    Abstract: The invention relates to a DC voltage converter for transferring power from a high voltage network to a low voltage network. As a result, a circuit configuration which can be operated alternatively as an active-clamp flyback converter or an active-clamp buck converter is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Emiliano Gudino Carrizales
  • Patent number: 12244245
    Abstract: A method of operating a transport refrigeration system having a plurality of inverters configured to power a refrigeration unit includes placing a first inverter of the plurality of inverters in an active state; monitoring a load on the first inverter; comparing the load on the first inverter to an upper threshold; placing a second inverter of the plurality of inverters in an active state upon the load on the first inverter being greater than the upper threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Raymond L. Senf, Jr.
  • Patent number: 12244216
    Abstract: A method for controlling a voltage converter includes the following steps. A feedback compensation signal is generated based on an output voltage of the voltage converter. An output representation signal is compared with a first threshold and a second threshold. A switch control signal to control the turn-on and turn-off of a power circuit of the voltage converter is adjusted based on an ultra-light load feedback value when the output representation signal is less than the first power threshold. The switch control signal is adjusted based on the feedback compensation signal when the output representation signal is greater than the first power threshold. The second threshold is greater than the first threshold, and the ultra-light load feedback value is greater than the feedback compensation signal when the output representation signal is equal to the second threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Chengdu Monolithic Power Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Pengfei Liu
  • Patent number: 12244215
    Abstract: A first switch couples an input node receiving a main control signal for a main switching stage of a multi-phase converter to an output node delivering a secondary control signal for a secondary switching stage following actuation of the secondary switching stage. A second switch couples the output node to a capacitor during a time period of actuation/deactuation of the secondary switching stage. Current is sourced to the capacitor during the actuation time period or sunk from the capacitor during the deactuation time period. The sourced or sunk current may be generated proportional to the main control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventor: Alberto Cattani
  • Patent number: 12237759
    Abstract: Disclosed are a high-efficiency integrated power circuit with a reduced number of semiconductor elements and a control method thereof. A high-efficiency integrated power circuit of an integrated converter includes an input port, which is a first port, to which power for driving the integrated converter is input, a non-isolated port, which is a second port, for outputting, to outside the high-efficiency integrated power circuit, an allowable amount of power generated when power input through the input port passes through an inductor, and an isolated port, which is a third port, for conducing remaining power excepting power output through the non-isolated port and for maintaining the conducted remaining power inside the high-efficiency integrated power circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Korea Aerospace Research Institute
    Inventors: Jeong Eon Park, Jung Kyu Han
  • Patent number: 12231041
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a power converter circuit is disclosed. The power converter circuit includes a plurality of voltage splitting units (VSUs) coupled to a plurality of current splitting units (CSUs). The VSUs are connected to each other in series and the CSUs are connected to each other in parallel. The VSUs each have a fixed voltage conversion ratio and are operated at a lower frequency than the CSUs. The CSUs each have an adjustable voltage conversion ratio and are operated at a higher frequency than the VSUs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: THE TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Minjie Chen, Shuai Jiang
  • Patent number: 12231027
    Abstract: A chain-link converter includes a number of series-connected chain-link modules. Each chain-link module has a module controller that is programmed to control operation of the corresponding chain-link module to selectively provide a voltage source, whereby the chain-link converter is able to provide a stepped variable voltage source. The chain-link converter also includes a chain-link converter controller that is arranged in communication with each module controller, and which is programmed to, in-use, communicate to a number of the module controllers a measured converter current (IDC) that is flowing through the chain-link converter. The module controllers that receive the measured converter current (IDC) is each further programmed, in-use, to combine the measured converter current (IDC) with a measured rate of change of current (IAC) flowing through the corresponding chain-link module, to establish an instantaneous module current (Ii) that is flowing through the corresponding chain-link module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: GE INFRASTRUCTURE TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventor: Andrew Nolan
  • Patent number: 12231042
    Abstract: Embodiments of a power stage for a direct current (DC)-DC converter and a DC-DC converter are disclosed. In an embodiment, a power stage for a DC-DC converter includes an input terminal from which input power of the DC-DC converter with an input DC voltage is received, a high-side segment connected between the input DC voltage and an output signal of the power stage, and a low-side segment connected between the output signal of the power stage and ground. At least one of the high-side segment and the low-side segment includes stacked transistors having isolation terminals that are biased to reduce substrate injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: John Pigott, Trevor Mark Newlin
  • Patent number: 12224663
    Abstract: A switched capacitor converter can include a plurality of input switch groups connected in series between an input terminal and an output terminal, where each input switch group can include two power switches connected in series. The switched capacitor converter can also include a plurality of output switch groups, where each output switch group can include two power switches connected in series. The switched capacitor converter can also include a plurality of capacitors, first terminals of which are respectively connected to the common nodes of every two series-connected power switches in the plurality of input switch groups, and second terminals of which are respectively connected to intermediate nodes of each output switch group. The switched capacitor converter can also include a plurality of inductors, where a first terminal of each output switch group can connect to a first terminal of a corresponding inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Silergy Semiconductor Technology (Hangzhou) LTD
    Inventors: Junyan Sun, Wang Zhang
  • Patent number: 12224591
    Abstract: A method for controlling an inverter-based resource (IBR) connected to a power grid during a grid event includes operating the IBR based on a first virtual impedance reference prior to the grid event, the first virtual impedance reference being used for determining a first virtual impedance of the IBR defining a first virtual reactance and a first virtual resistance. The method also includes receiving an indication of a start of the grid event that causes a change in the first virtual impedance reference to a second virtual impedance reference. Immediately after the change in the first virtual impedance reference, the method includes activating a soft activation module for outputting a second virtual impedance defining a second virtual reactance and a second virtual resistance that maintains a magnitude of the second virtual impedance at or above a magnitude of the second virtual impedance reference so as to reduce current in the inverter-based resource.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: GE Infrastructure Technology LLC
    Inventors: Philip Joseph Hart, Maozhong Gong
  • Patent number: 12206332
    Abstract: System and method for generating one or more compensation currents for a DC-to-DC voltage converter. For example, a system for generating one or more compensation currents for a DC-to-DC voltage converter includes: a voltage generator configured to receive a reference voltage and generate a first ramp voltage and a second ramp voltage based at least in part on the reference voltage; and a current generator configured to receive the first ramp voltage, the second ramp voltage, an input voltage, and an output voltage; wherein the current generator is further configured to: if the output voltage is smaller than the input voltage, generate a first compensation current based at least in part on the first ramp voltage; and if the output voltage is larger than the input voltage, generate a second compensation current based at least in part on the second ramp voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: On-Bright Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fagang Wang, Qiang Luo
  • Patent number: 12199497
    Abstract: A gate driving power source device individually supplies a DC power source to a plurality of gate drive circuits provided for a power conversion device. The power conversion device includes a step-up/down converter and one or a plurality of AC/DC conversion circuits. The step-up/down converter includes a step-up/down upper arm switching element and a step-up/down lower arm switching element. The AC/DC conversion circuit includes an AC/DC upper arm switching element and an AC/DC lower arm switching element. The gate driving power source device includes a power source unit that supplies a shared DC power source to at least two of the step-up/down upper arm switching element, the step-up/down lower arm switching element, the AC/DC upper arm switching element, and the AC/DC lower arm switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazunari Kurokawa, Tao Trong Bui
  • Patent number: 12191766
    Abstract: A power converter for converting an input voltage at an input of the power converter into an output voltage at an output of the power converter may include a switching node, a power inductor coupled between the switching node and the output, a flying capacitor having a first flying capacitor terminal and a second flying capacitor terminal, a pump capacitor having a first pump capacitor terminal and a second pump capacitor terminal, the second pump capacitor terminal coupled to ground, a first switch coupled between the input and the first flying capacitor terminal, a second switch coupled between the first flying capacitor terminal and the switching node, a third switch coupled between the second flying capacitor terminal and the switching node, a fourth switch coupled between the second flying capacitor terminal and a ground voltage, a fifth switch coupled between the second flying capacitor terminal and the first pump capacitor terminal, and a sixth switch coupled between the output and the first pump capac
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic Inc.
    Inventor: Changjong Lim
  • Patent number: 12184199
    Abstract: Asynchronous bridge rectifier comprises a monolithic die comprising plurality of planar switching elements, each having a control terminal and two controlled terminals. The bridge rectifier further comprises a plurality of controller integrated circuits mechanically attached to the monolithic die, wherein the controller integrated circuits are configured to sense voltage across the controlled terminals of the planar switching elements and to generate a drive signal at the control terminal of the planar switching elements to control opening and closing of the planar switching elements so as to be capable of rectifying an alternating current input signal to form a rectified direct current output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Champion Microelectronic Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Hwang
  • Patent number: 12176824
    Abstract: A power conversion device includes power conversion units connected to a shared power source. The power conversion units each include a contactor, a power converter, and a unit controller. A contactor controller closes or opens the contactor. A sensor measures a value of at least one of input current or output current of the power converter. The unit controller determines presence or absence of a failure of the power conversion units based on the measured value of the sensor, and sends a determination result to another unit controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kentaro Shioura, Takeshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 12170481
    Abstract: A DC-DC power converter with closed loop error compensation may operate in both pulse width modulation (PWM) mode and pulse frequency modulation (PFM) mode. The DC-DC power converter includes type III compensation, and is operable in PWM mode and PFM mode. Use of a bypass switch for an output inductor of the power converter may increase stability of a loop including type III compensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Endura IP Holdings Ltd.
    Inventor: Hassan Ihs