Patents Examined by Peter M Novak
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Patent number: 10924024Abstract: A control unit controls an inverter circuit such that a positive voltage and a negative voltage are alternately applied to a primary winding. The control unit controls a cycloconverter so as to allow no power to be transmitted between the cycloconverter and the inverter circuit in a first period including an inversion period during which a voltage of the primary winding has its polarity inverted. The control unit also controls the cycloconverter so as to allow power to be transmitted either in a first direction from the cycloconverter toward the inverter circuit, or in a second direction opposite from the first direction, in a second period different from the first period.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2017Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO, LTD.Inventors: Takaaki Norisada, Keiji Akamatsu, Fumito Kusama, Go Yamada, Yutaka Kamon, Makoto Ozone
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Patent number: 10831220Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit using precharge voltage rails is generally disclosed. For example, the voltage regulator circuit may include a first voltage regulator having a voltage output, an output capacitor coupled to the voltage output, and one or more precharge voltage circuits configured to selectively couple to the voltage output, each of the one or more precharge voltage circuits comprising a capacitor coupled between an output of a precharge voltage regulator and a reference potential.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2018Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: QUALCOMM IncorporatedInventors: Chris Rosolowski, Todd Sutton, Orlando Santiago, Joseph Duncan
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Patent number: 10795389Abstract: An electronic device including a low dropout regulator having an output coupled to a first conduction terminal of a transistor, with a second conduction terminal of the transistor being coupled to an output node of the electronic device. A method for operating the device to switch into a power on mode includes: turning on the low dropout regulator, removing a DC bias from the second conduction terminal of the transistor, and turning on the transistor. A method for operating the device to switch into a power down mode includes: turning off the transistor, forming the DC bias at the second conduction terminal of the transistor, and turning off the low dropout regulator.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2018Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: STMicroelectronics International N.V.Inventors: Kapil Kumar Tyagi, Nitin Gupta
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Patent number: 10790744Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for controlling switching regulator switching operations. The techniques include generating, using an inductor, a plurality of output voltage signals from an input voltage by controlling one or more switches that vary charging operations of the inductor; generating a feedback control signal based on whether the plurality of output voltage signals are within a range of target values corresponding to the plurality of output voltage signals; selecting a second output voltage signal of the plurality of output voltage signals when the feedback control signal indicates that a first output voltage signal exceeds the range of a first target value of the target values that corresponds to the first output voltage signal; and controlling the one or more switches of the switching regulator based on a difference between the selected second output voltage signal and a second target value.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2019Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Analog Devices International Unlimited CompanyInventors: Danzhu Lu, Jie He, Suyi Yao
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Patent number: 10790749Abstract: A system may include a first capacitor, a first switched-mode power supply configured to deliver energy from a power source to the first capacitor at an output load of the first switched-mode power supply, a second capacitor having a capacitance larger than the first capacitor, a second switched-mode power supply configured to deliver energy from the power source or a second power source to the second capacitor and one or more switching elements coupled between the first capacitor and the second capacitor. The system may operate in a plurality of modes, including a first mode in which the first switched-mode power supply transfers energy to the first capacitor and the second capacitor, a second mode in which the second capacitor transfers energy to the first capacitor, and a third mode in which first switched-mode power supply transfers energy to the first capacitor and the second capacitor and the second switched-mode power supply transfers energy to the first capacitor and the second capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2017Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.Inventors: Eric J. King, Eric B. Smith, Mark May
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Patent number: 10788848Abstract: An amplifier stage of an LDO regulator circuit includes an amplifier stage that generates a drive signal in response to a first voltage difference an output voltage of the LDO regulator circuit and a reference voltage. A drive stage having a quiescent current consumption is configured to generate a control signal in response to the drive signal. The control signal is applied to the control terminal of a power transistor. A dropout detector senses whether the LDO regulator circuit is operating in closed loop regulation mode or in open loop dropout mode by sensing a second difference in voltage between the drive signal and the control signal. A quiescent current limiter circuit responds to the sensed second difference by controlling the quiescent current consumption of the drive stage, and in particular limiting current consumption when the LDO regulator circuit is operating in the open loop dropout mode.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2019Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: STMicroelectronics Design and Application S.R.O.Inventor: Sandor Petenyi
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Patent number: 10778096Abstract: It is an object of the present disclosure to reduce the number of constituent components and accurately detect a current. A current detection circuit detects a current flowing through a DC/DC converter. A first output unit applies, to a third signal path, a voltage that corresponds to an output from a detection sensor, which has detected a larger current, out of a first sensor and a second sensor. Furthermore, the first output unit applies, to the third signal path, a voltage obtained by reflecting a voltage drop at the transistor or the transistor that is connected to the detection sensor, in the voltage output from the detection sensor. A second output unit applies, to a fourth signal path, a voltage obtained by reflecting a voltage drop that occurs between a base and an emitter of a transistor, in the voltage applied to the third signal path.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2019Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Kentaro Kozuma, Yuuki Sugisawa
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Patent number: 10756627Abstract: A switch mode power supply (voltage converter) is adapted as a current-mode control buck regulator for different loading conditions. The voltage converter operates in a continuous conduction mode (CCM) during heavy load conditions using pulse width modulation (PWM). When a zero-current detector determines no inductor current during light load conditions (discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) region), the controller initiates adaptive duty control using pulse frequency modulation (PFM). Adaptive duty estimation circuitry provides controllable energy to charge the power inductor to maintain voltage accuracy and maximize efficiency when in the PFM mode. Using clock synchronization and a single control-loop, smooth transition between PFM, PWM, and bypass modes is automatically performed. Clock synchronization from a master oscillator provides a base for frequency division in different operation modes which gives controllable evenly distributed switching harmonics.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATEDInventors: Alex Hsu, Sam Tsui, Paolo Nora, Tsz Yin Man
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Patent number: 10756635Abstract: Peak primary current control on the secondary side. In a power converter having a primary side and a secondary side separated by a main transformer, example methods include: driving primary current through a primary winding of the main transformer; creating, on the secondary side of the main transformer, a signal indicative of current through the primary winding of the main transformer; and ceasing the driving of primary current through the primary winding when the signal indicative of primary current reaches a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventor: Ajay Karthik Hari
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Patent number: 10756631Abstract: A multi-voltage converter is described that includes integrated temperature-protection circuitry. The converter may be used to bias radio-frequency components such as PIN diodes and gallium-nitride devices, and may include integrated bias-sequencing circuitry. Programmable output voltages as high as 30 volts and as low as ?20 volts may be generated.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2019Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: MACOM TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS, INC.Inventors: Andrew Patterson, Brendan Foley, Michelle Dowling, Chi Mo
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Patent number: 10742109Abstract: A controller (100) for a quasi-resonant (QR) flyback converter (200) having a switching element (210) operable at a switching frequency (F) is presented.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2019Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AGInventor: Tae Yong Kim
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Patent number: 10734980Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for pulsed charging applications comprises a bulk capacitor operably connected to a power source, an inductor connected to the bulk capacitor with a charge switch, a pulse capacitor connected to the inductor, a freewheeling diode connecting a point between the charge switch and the inductor to a point after the pulse capacitor, a second diode connecting the inductor to the pulse capacitor, and a pulse switch connecting the pulse capacitor to a load.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2018Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: FERMI RESEARCH ALLIANCE, LLCInventors: Chris Jensen, Howard Pfeffer, Kenneth Quinn, Matthew Kufer
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Patent number: 10727738Abstract: A Method and apparatus for control of switch mode power supplies utilizing magnetic and capacitive conversion means are disclosed. The switch mode power supply is efficient and generates very small inductor current ripple and output voltage ripple. The switch mode power supply has a wider bandwidth and the filter components including magnetic storage element and the output capacitor can be made much smaller. The capacitor voltages in the switched capacitor array are regulated by changing the amount of time the inductor current passes through them.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2018Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Inventor: Sridhar V. Kotikalapoodi
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Patent number: 10712761Abstract: This invention provides a multi-bit digitally controlled accurate current source circuit including a reference current detection unit, a voltage buffer unit, a digital logic control unit, a switch array unit, and a current source array unit. The reference current detection unit generates a first bias voltage according to a reference current; the voltage buffer unit receives the first bias voltage, and generate a buffer voltage accordingly; the digital logic control unit receives the buffer voltage, and generate a digital control signal accordingly; the switch array unit receives the digital control signal, and generate on-off signals accordingly; and the current source array unit receives and responds to the on-off signals so as to control turn-on and turn-off of the current sources in the current source array unit. In this invention, by adding only one voltage buffer, a cascode current source if formed, and an area saving accurate current source is realized.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2019Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: AMPLIPHY TECHNOLOGIES LIMITEDInventors: Tianlin Cao, Yichao He, Jie Lou, Qingping Li, Zhuoyuan Li
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Patent number: 10707778Abstract: In a control apparatus, a controller performs comparison between a command voltage and a cyclic carrier signal to thereby perform one of pulse-width modulation upon each of first positive and negative peaks of the command voltage being within or identical to the corresponding one of second positive and negative peaks of the cyclic carrier signal, and single-pulse modulation upon each of the first positive and negative peaks of the command voltage being outside the corresponding one of the second positive and negative peaks of the cyclic carrier signal. The pulse-width modulation generates, for each cycle of the command voltage, plural drive pulses based on a result of the comparison. The single-pulse modulation generates, for each cycle of the command voltage, a single positive pulse and a single negative pulse for each cycle of the command voltage based on a result of the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2019Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Kosuke Kondo, Yoo Tanaka, Jun Ishida
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Patent number: 10700522Abstract: Disclosed are a method and device for processing a voltage drop, a grid interconnection method and device for processing an electrical apparatus, and a system. The method includes: acquiring a drop amplitude of a first voltage for each phase in a three-phase alternating current (S204); and under a condition in which the first voltage for any phase in the three-phase alternating current drops, performing reactive power compensation according to a drop amplitude of the first voltage for a phase in which the first voltage drops (S206). Therefore, the electrical apparatus has a low voltage ride-through function, thereby solving the technical problem of a large deviation of voltage drop amplitude determination arising from an asymmetrical drop of three phases.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2017Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES, INC. OF ZHUHAIInventors: Weitao Ni, Shiyong Jiang, Xuefen Zhang, Jianhua Li, Hewei Lou, Jing Wang
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Patent number: 10686381Abstract: In some boost converter applications, an input voltage normally exceeds a regulated output voltage. The operation of the boost converter in this condition can be referred to as a pass-through operation. Using various techniques, the efficiency of a pass-through operation of a synchronous boost regulator circuit can be greatly improved. For example, a synchronous boost regulator circuit can include an input voltage VIN to output voltage VOUT voltage comparator that can accurately monitor the output voltage to detect the pass-through operation. In a pass-through operation, the high-side switch can be kept ON to maintain high efficiency, and the quiescent current of the regulator circuit can be minimized by setting portions of the control circuit into a sleep mode.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2019Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: Analog Devices International Unlimited CompanyInventors: Bin Zhang, Eric Stephen Young, Bryan Avery Legates, Mark William Marosek
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Patent number: 10671108Abstract: A bandgap reference circuit and method of using the same are provided. The bandgap reference circuit includes a startup component; an output component; and a bandgap core component coupled there-between. The bandgap core component includes a reference point having a voltage associated with an output signal of the output component. A controller is configured for controlling the bandgap core component and the output component to switch between a low power consumption mode and a normal operation mode based on the voltage at the reference point. When the bandgap core component and the output component operate in the normal operation mode, the bandgap reference circuit outputs a stable voltage and has a first power consumption. When the bandgap core component and the output component operate in the low power consumption mode, the bandgap reference circuit has a second power consumption less than the first power consumption.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2017Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignees: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation, Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Beijing) CorporationInventors: Josh Yang, Zhi Bing Deng, Cheng Tai Huang, Cheng Yi Huang, Wen Jun Weng, Jun Tao Guo
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Patent number: 10666148Abstract: A control method, which is applied to a conversion circuit including at least one bridge arm and an inductor, the bridge arm including an upper semiconductor switch and a lower semiconductor switch connected in series, and one end of the inductor being connected to a midpoint of the bridge arm, includes: judging a direction of current of the inductor when a scram event occurs in the conversion circuit; turning on the upper semiconductor switch and turning off the lower semiconductor switch when the direction of current of the inductor is judged as a first direction, wherein the first direction is a forward conduction direction of the lower semiconductor switch; and turning off the upper semiconductor switch and turning on the lower semiconductor switch when the direction of current of the inductor is judged as a second direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2017Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.Inventors: Guoqiao Shen, Jinfa Zhang
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Patent number: 10666130Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electric power conversion system includes a convertor, a detector, a delay controller, and a determinator. The detector is configured to detect information related to a voltage of electric power converted by the converter. The delay controller is configured to delay a conversion operation start of the converter by a first predetermined time with respect to a supply start time at which supply of the electric power is started. The determinator is configured to perform a first determination on the basis of a detection result detected by the detector before elapse of the first predetermined time from the supply start tune, and to perform a second determination on the basis of a detection result detected by the detector after the elapse of the first predetermined time from the supply start time.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2018Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignees: CENTRAL JAPAN RAILWAY COMPANY, Toshiba Infrastructure Systems & Solutions CorporationInventors: Kenji Sato, Hirokazu Kato, Takafumi Fukushima, Hiroaki Otani, Tomoyuki Makino, Toshiyuki Uchida, Manato Mori