Patents Examined by Peter M Novak
  • Patent number: 12149159
    Abstract: The present application provides a driving circuit of power devices, a switching circuit and a power conversion circuit. The driving circuit is configured to control switching actions of N power devices connected in parallel, where N?2 and N is a positive integer; the driving circuit includes a driving input circuit and a common magnetic bead, where a first end of the driving input circuit is electrically connected to N first ends of the common magnetic bead, N second ends of the common magnetic bead are electrically connected to control ends of the N power devices in a one-to-one correspondence, and a second end of the driving input circuit is electrically connected to second ends of the N power devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Delta Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yingqi Zhang, Yao Tao, Baohua Wang
  • Patent number: 12149166
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter includes a first capacitor and a second capacitor provided between one of a first conductive path and a second conductive path and a reference conductive path, a first switch and a second switch interposed between a first external power source and the first capacitor and between a second external power source and the second capacitor, and a control unit configured to switch the first switch and the second switch between an ON state and an OFF state, whereby the control unit, in the case of switching from shut-off control in which the first switch and the second switch are kept in the OFF state to energization control in which the first switch and the second switch are kept in the ON state, performs intermittent control in which the first switch and the second switch are intermittently switched to the ON state prior to the energization control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Arata Nakashima, Takeshi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 12149063
    Abstract: Examples of the disclosure include a system for modifying a trip level of a circuit, the system comprising a protection device configured to activate responsive to a differential current exceeding the trip level, a first current transformer coupled to an input of the circuit, a second current transformer coupled to the output of the circuit, at least one measurement circuit coupled to the first current transformer and to the second current transformer, the at least one measurement circuit being configured to obtain a first current measurement from the first current transformer, obtain a second current measurement from the second current transformer, determine a bias current based on the first current measurement and the second current measurement, and modify the trip level of the protection device based on the bias current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD.
    Inventor: Ian David Young
  • Patent number: 12143021
    Abstract: An active clamp flyback (ACF) converter can be used to convert AC voltages to DC voltages and offers the ability to reuse leakage energy and a negative magnetizing current to achieve zero-volt-switching. The leakage energy can vary with system design and therefore may be difficult to control, but the negative magnetizing current can be controlled by adjusting a switching frequency of the ACF converter. The adjustment can be determined by comparing the negative magnetizing current to a threshold. Using a fixed threshold may not be optimal because variations in system operating conditions, such as load current, line voltage, and output voltage, can affect the amount of negative magnetizing current required for zero-volt-switching (i.e., can affect the threshold). Additionally, a range of possible switch technologies can affect the threshold. The present disclosure describes an adaptable threshold for a variable frequency ACF converter that allows for efficient switching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Selvarajan Shanthosh, Bryan Wayne McCoy
  • Patent number: 12143032
    Abstract: A flying capacitor-type NPC three-level topology, comprising: two half-busbar capacitors and at least one bridge arm. The bridge arm comprises: a flying capacitor, two inner transistor units, two outer transistor units, and two clamping diodes, wherein the capacitance of the flying capacitor is greater than a specific value. Since the flying capacitor has a clamping effect on the two inner transistor units and the capacitance of the flying capacitor is large, voltage fluctuations of the flying capacitor would not cause overvoltage of switching transistors no matter what type of short circuit fault occurs, thereby preventing the switching transistor units from being damaged due to overvoltage and further improving the security of a circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei Liu, Jiacai Zhuang, Jun Xu
  • Patent number: 12126162
    Abstract: An electrical conversion system includes an inverter arranged according to a multilevel type topology with k arms and a command device for cut-off against an electrical overload, connected to a set of first intermediate lines to measure a first intermediate continuous voltage. The cut-off command device is configured to determine a fault by detecting if the first measured intermediate continuous voltage is outside of a nominal voltage variation range [Vmax1, Vmin1] of the first intermediate voltage and to transmit a generalised opening command signal for an opening of the electronic commutation switches of each arm when the fault is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: SAFRAN ELECTRONICS & DEFENSE
    Inventor: Louis Grimaud
  • Patent number: 12126248
    Abstract: There is described a method of controlling a single inductor multiple output, SIMO, switching converter, the method comprising (a) counting, for each output of the multiple outputs of the SIMO switching converter, a period of time during which an output voltage at the respective output is below a corresponding individual threshold value, (b) identifying that output among the multiple outputs of the SIMO switching converter for which the counted period of time is longest, and (c) connecting the identified output to the single inductor of the SIMO switching converter to supply current from the single inductor of the SIMO switching converter to the identified output. Furthermore, a corresponding controller is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Christian Vincent Sorace, Nicolas Patrick Vantalon, Ludovic Oddoart, Fabien Boitard
  • Patent number: 12126267
    Abstract: A detector compares a drain voltage with a first threshold voltage and outputs a first detection signal. An ON counter detects a period of time during which a current flows in a switching, counts the period of time based on a predetermined clock cycle. An OFF counter detects a period of time during which a current flow through the body diode in a state where no current flows in the switching circuit, counts the period of time. An off-time setting circuit sets the time to turn off the switching circuit. A first comparison circuit compares the cycle count value with turn off time. A second comparison circuit compares a cycle count value output by the ON counter with a comparison result output by the first comparison circuit and outputs a signal to stop transmitting a PWM signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignees: SANKEN ELECTRIC CO., LTD., SANKEN ELECTRIC KOREA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eunsuk Lee, Jungyul Kim, Masaaki Shimada, Shinji Aso, Mitsutomo Yoshinaga, Hanju Kang
  • Patent number: 12119748
    Abstract: A circuit portion comprises a DCDC converter that provides current from an output to a plurality of loads. Channel logic circuitry is configured to provide current from the output of the converter to each load according to a cyclical sequence, wherein each cycle has a duration that is divided equally into a plurality of time slots. The channel logic circuitry is configured to provide current to each load for one or more discrete time slots. The number of time slots is greater than the number of loads so that at least two output loads receive current for different numbers of time slots in a cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Nordic Semiconductor ASA
    Inventor: Samuli Hallikainen
  • Patent number: 12113436
    Abstract: A method may include detecting an output voltage of the output smoothing capacitor in the bridgeless interleaved power factor correction circuit of a critical mode, comparing the detected output voltage with a reference voltage, controlling the first and the second half-bridge circuits included in the bridgeless interleaved power factor correction circuit of the critical mode to be on and off based on an error signal between the output voltage and the predetermined reference voltage, measuring ON time of a synchronous rectification switch operation of the first half-bridge circuit by measuring a time period between OFF timing of an active switch of the first half-bridge circuit and output of a differentiation signal generated by a differentiation circuit included in the bridgeless interleaved power factor correction circuit of the critical mode; and assigning the measured time to next ON time of the synchronous rectification switch operation of the second half-bridge circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: SANKEN ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Osamu Ohtake, Ryuichi Furukoshi
  • Patent number: 12095257
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating an inverter of an inverter-based power resource providing electric power to a grid through one or more transformers. The method includes measuring voltages associated with terminals on a selected primary winding and/or measuring voltages associated with terminals on a selected secondary winding; and injecting currents into the primary terminals of the selected primary winding during a fault condition based on the measured voltages being indicative of the type of fault occurring. Preferably the inverter is operated to emulate at least some characteristics of fault currents provided by a generator having rotating magnets or electrical windings. An apparatus is configured to operate in accordance with the method and includes an electrical switching device circuit having input terminals for an inverter-based power resource and output terminals for providing AC electric power to an electric power grid. An inverter controller operates the electrical switching device circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Pratap Gopal Mysore, Daniel Kelly, Ned Mohan
  • Patent number: 12093066
    Abstract: Provided is a highly versatile and reliable power supply device (power supply ASIC) that can support electronic devices with a wide range of drive currents while suppressing a cost increase, and an electronic control device using the same. An electronic control device includes: a first power supply circuit that outputs a first voltage; a second power supply circuit that generates a second voltage from the first voltage; and a first MOSFET arranged independently of the first power supply circuit and the second power supply circuit. The second power supply circuit includes: a reference power supply that outputs a reference voltage; an amplifier that amplifies the reference voltage; a second MOSFET connected in parallel with the first MOSFET; a voltage detection unit that detects a voltage value of a gate terminal of the first MOSFET; and a switching unit that connects an output from the amplifier to either the gate terminal of the first MOSFET or a gate terminal of the second MOSFET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Hitachi Astemo, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Doi, Yuri Ohara, Takeo Yamashita
  • Patent number: 12095375
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes a transformer including a primary coil and a secondary coil, a switching element connected in series to the primary coil, a first generation unit configured to generate a first voltage to be output to a first load from a voltage generated in the primary coil by turning on and off the switching element, and a second generation unit configured to generate a second voltage to be output to a second load from a voltage generated in the secondary coil by turning on and off the switching element. The first voltage has an absolute value smaller than an absolute value of the second voltage. The first voltage has a polarity different from a polarity of the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroki Asano
  • Patent number: 12081127
    Abstract: A power conversion device includes: a switching circuit; a signal generator to generate a switching signal of a switching element based on a first instruction value; a current controller to generate a second instruction value based on a deviation between a current target value and the current flowing through the switching circuit such that the current flowing through the switching circuit approaches the current target value; an operation mode detector to detect an operation mode based on the first instruction value; and a compensator to adjust the second instruction value so as to compensate a gain between the deviation and an amount of a change in the current of the switching circuit. The compensator adjusts the second instruction value so as to suppress a change in the gain based on the operation mode, and outputs the first instruction value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yu Kawai, Hirokazu Nakabayashi
  • Patent number: 12081117
    Abstract: A high-frequency current source with a symmetric bipolar output stage piloted by an active bias network with an extended temperature range. The source is configured to provide a high impedance at 1 MHz and above. The invention includes such active EMI filters with such a high-frequency current source, for example in the current-sense current-inject feedback configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Schaffner EMV AG
    Inventors: Alessandro Amaducci, Enrico Mazzola
  • Patent number: 12081118
    Abstract: A system includes a switching power converter, including a first transistor having a first gate, a first drain, and a first source, the first drain adapted to be coupled to a power supply. The switching power converter also includes a second transistor having a second gate, a second drain, and a second source, the second gate coupled to a second gate driver, the second source adapted to be coupled to ground, and the second drain coupled to the first source. The switching power converter also includes a third transistor having a third gate, a third drain, and a third source, the third gate adapted to be coupled to a current source, the third source coupled to a resistor, and the third drain coupled to the first gate. The switching power converter includes a capacitor coupled to the first drain and adapted to be coupled to the current source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Pavol Balaz
  • Patent number: 12081110
    Abstract: A power conversion module can include: an i-th level structure comprising 2i-1 basic units, a second terminal of each basic unit in each level structure respectively connected to first terminals of two basic units in a next level structure, where a first terminal of a first basic unit in a first-level structure is used as a first terminal of the power conversion module; an N-th level structure comprising 2N-1 balance units, where second terminals of each balance unit are connected as a second terminal of the power conversion module, and second terminals of each basic unit in an (N?1)th level structure are respectively connected to first terminals of two balance units in the N-th level structure; and where each basic unit comprises a switched capacitor circuit, N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2, i is a positive integer, and 1?i?N?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: Nanjing Silergy Micro Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhen Zhang, Wang Zhang, Junyan Sun
  • Patent number: 12074523
    Abstract: A power circuit is disclosed. The power circuit includes an input node, a plurality of inductors each connected to an output node, a plurality of phases each configured to provide current to one of the inductors, and a control circuit configured to trigger the phases. The phases are configured to provide current to one of the inductors in response to being triggered by the control circuit, the control circuit is configured to determine a variable time difference between a first phase being triggered and a second phase being triggered, and the time difference is based at least in part on a voltage difference between an input voltage at the input node and an output voltage at the output node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: EMPOWER SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: David Lidsky, Timothy Alan Phillips, Parag Oak, Shrinivasan Jaganathan
  • Patent number: 12068595
    Abstract: The present disclosure envisages an apparatus for providing protection against an insulation failure in an electrical appliance. A first isolating means is connected in phase line of the AC power source. A second isolating means is connected in the neutral line. At least one TRIAC, having two main terminals and one gate terminal, is connected in parallel to appliance. First main terminal is connected to the phase line between first isolating means and electrical appliance, and second main terminal is connected to the neutral line between second isolating means and electrical appliance. The gate terminal is connected to the body of electrical appliance. In the event of insulation failure, the TRIAC, upon being triggered, blows out the first and second isolating means and thereby electrically isolates the appliance from the AC power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: BALA INDUSTRIES AND ENTERTAINMENT PRIVATE LIMITED
    Inventors: Nitin Langer, Mirza Mohammad Idrees Ul Haq Beigh
  • Patent number: 12068679
    Abstract: A power conversion device includes a voltage-type power converter and a current-type power converter each of which performs power conversion between AC and DC, and a controlling circuitry, and power is transmitted/received between AC sides via a DC circuit. In first starting control for starting the voltage-type power converter and the current-type power converter, the controlling circuitry controls a semiconductor element of at least one of the voltage-type power converter and the current-type power converter, to adjust DC voltage at DC terminals of the voltage-type converter to a set first voltage value, thereby controlling current flowing through the DC circuit to be first current not greater than a rated current value of the semiconductor elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kaho Mukunoki, Toshiyuki Fujii