Patents Examined by Rafael O De Leon Domenech
  • Patent number: 11632036
    Abstract: A power controller with short-circuit protection is disclosed to control a power switch, which is connected in series with a current-sense resistor and an inductive device between two power lines. The current-sense resistor provides a current-sense signal. The power controller includes a PWM signal generator and a short-circuit protection circuit. The PWM signal generator generates a PWM signal to the power switch to create switching cycles, each consisting of an ON time and an OFF time. The short-circuit protection circuit has a high-pass filter and a condition detector. The high-pass filter high-pass filters the current-sense signal to provide a filtered signal to the condition detector, which determines whether the filtered signal fits a predetermined condition during the ON time to generate a short-circuit protection signal and to prevent the power switch being turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: ARK SEMICONDUCTOR CORP. LTD.
    Inventors: Yi-Lun Shen, Yu-Yun Huang
  • Patent number: 11632037
    Abstract: A protective device intended to protect a power converter, the protective device includes a set of at least one sensor, each sensor in the set of at least one sensor making it possible to deliver a measurement representative of the instantaneous current delivered at the output of a power converter on a phase in the set of at least one phase, a protective device receiving the measurement representative of the instantaneous current delivered by the set of at least one sensor and connected to a control device and to the power converter such that the commands delivered by the control device are transmitted to the power converter via the protective device, the protective device being configured to inhibit the commands delivered by the control device when the absolute value of the measurement representative of the instantaneous current and delivered by at least one sensor in the set of at least one sensor exceeds a predetermined first threshold S1 such that the power switches of the power converter are kept in the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: THALES
    Inventors: Hocine Kherbouchi, Eric Ravindranath Dubois, Stéphane Guguen, Bruno Sadeg
  • Patent number: 11621637
    Abstract: A control circuit of a power converter includes a sensing circuit, a ramp signal generator, an error amplifier, a comparator and a PWM circuit. The sensing circuit, coupled to a first output circuit, provides a current sensing signal. The ramp signal generator, coupled to the sensing circuit, receives the current sensing signal to provide a ramp signal. The error amplifier receives a reference voltage and an output feedback voltage of the power converter to provide an error amplification signal. The comparator, coupled to the ramp signal generator and the error amplifier, provides a control signal according to the ramp signal and the error amplification signal. The PWM circuit, coupled between the comparator and the first output circuit, receives the control signal and provides a PWM signal to control the first output circuit. The ramp signal generator adjusts a slope of the ramp signal according to the current sensing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: UPI SEMICONDUCTOR CORP.
    Inventor: Wei-Hsiu Hung
  • Patent number: 11616440
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a voltage converter includes: a first transistor coupled between an internal node and a first node receiving a supply voltage; a second transistor coupled between the internal node and a second node receiving a reference voltage; an inductance coupled between the internal node and an output node; a first circuit controlling the first and second transistors; and a second circuit configured to detect, when the first and second transistors are in the off state, when the voltage of the internal node is equal to the voltage of the output node, to condition a switching to the on state of the first transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (GRENOBLE 2) SAS
    Inventors: Helene Esch, Mathilde Sie
  • Patent number: 11615911
    Abstract: A coil component includes a body, a support substrate embedded in the body, a first coil portion and a second coil portion disposed on the support substrate, a first external electrode and a second external electrode disposed on one end surface of the body to be spaced apart from each other, a third external electrode and a fourth external electrode disposed on the other end surface of the body to be spaced apart from each other, a surface insulating layer disposed on one surface of the body connecting the one end surface and the other end surface of the body to each other, and an edge protection layer disposed between the first and second external electrodes and between the third and fourth external electrodes in the one end surface and the other end surface of the body, and having one end portion extending upwardly of the surface insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Hyuk Jung, Sung Hee Kim, Young Sun Kim
  • Patent number: 11605500
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transformer core with at least one additional leg. Said additional leg is used to form a leakage path. In order to optimize the installation space and for easier connection of the transformer windings, the transformer legs and the additional leakage path legs are not arranged along a common line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Winter, Jan Riedel
  • Patent number: 11606037
    Abstract: A detection circuit for a switching converter, whereby: the detection circuit is coupled in parallel with an output capacitor of the switching converter, and is configured to provide a detection branch coupled in parallel with the output capacitor during a first period of a switching cycle, in order to detect an output voltage of the switching converter; and an output voltage detection signal is generated according to the detected output voltage during a second period of the switching cycle. A switching converter can include the detection circuit and an integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Silergy Semiconductor Technology (Hangzhou) LTD
    Inventor: Longqi Wang
  • Patent number: 11606024
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a circuits for harvesting energy from an energy source. The energy source may have a first and a second potential of an input voltage. The circuits may further comprise one or more of a charging capacitor, transformers, transistors, or diodes. The circuits may be used for harvesting energy from thermoelectric generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Matrix Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Harald Dillersberger, Douglas W. Tham
  • Patent number: 11601054
    Abstract: A power semiconductor device protection circuit includes: a drive circuit that drives a power semiconductor device; a current detector which includes a first resistor and an inductor connected in parallel; and a detection circuit that detects a short-circuit condition of the power semiconductor device. One end of the first resistor and one end of the inductor are connected to one terminal of the power semiconductor device. The detection circuit detects the short-circuit condition of the power semiconductor device by comparing a voltage of the one terminal of the power semiconductor device, which changes as a function of current flow through the first resistor and the inductor, with a short-circuit detection voltage. A reference potential of the drive circuit is connected to the other end of the first resistor and the other end of the inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi Morokuma, Takuya Sakai
  • Patent number: 11594949
    Abstract: A power converter assembly comprises a plurality of power converter channels each arranged to provide a three-phase output to an electrical machine having a multiple of three-phase windings. The power converter assembly further comprises control means arranged to provide a torque demand signal to the plurality of power converter channels to provide, together, a desired torque output to drive the machine and a temperature sensing means to detect temperature in the power channels and/or at the windings of the machine. The control means is arranged to determine the proportion of the desired torque output to be provided by each channel based on the detected temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ajith Balachandran, Stephen Minshull
  • Patent number: 11587703
    Abstract: An electronic isolator device arranged for receiving field wiring from a field element includes a connector configured to receive a surge element for providing surge functionality to the electronic isolator device, and to provide surge protection to the connectivity by way of the field wiring. The connector is configured to connect the surge element to the electronic isolator device and to the field wiring. The connector is arranged for parallel connection of the surge element with respect to the field wiring such that the surge element can be connected and disconnected with the isolator device without disrupting the connection of the isolator device with the field elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventor: Frederic Vladimir Esposito de la Torella
  • Patent number: 11588410
    Abstract: A switched-mode power supply includes an input, an output, and a transformer including primary and secondary windings. The power supply also includes a synchronous rectifier coupled to selectively conduct current through the secondary winding of the transformer. The synchronous rectifier includes a source, a gate and a drain terminal. The power supply further includes a controller having a supply voltage terminal and a gate terminal to supply a control signal to the gate of the synchronous rectifier, and a circuit coupled between the supply voltage terminal of the controller and at least one of the gate terminal of the controller and the drain terminal of the synchronous rectifier to supply power from the gate terminal of the controller or the drain terminal of the synchronous rectifier to the supply voltage terminal of the controller. Methods of supplying power in switched-mode power supplies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Astec International Limited
    Inventors: Yongtao Xie, Pengfei Cai, Shaobo Li, Zhanwu Wang
  • Patent number: 11588396
    Abstract: A method of operating a power conversion system including converting variable frequency AC voltage to constant frequency AC voltage by a power converter, setting a first peak current reset threshold above operating currents previously observed during steady state short circuit current regulation in by a controller of the power converter, setting a second peak current reset threshold at a current lower than the previously observed steady state short-circuit regulation point observed during previous operation during steady state short circuit current regulation by the controllers of the power converter, resetting inverter converter AC output regulating voltage to 0 volts, and ramping AC output regulating voltage back up into steady-state operation when the second a peak current reset threshold is exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Adam Michael White, Dwight D. Schmitt
  • Patent number: 11569734
    Abstract: A power converter with over temperature protection compensation includes a main conversion unit, a primary-side control unit, a secondary-side control unit, a secondary detection circuit, and an over temperature adjustment circuit. The secondary-side control unit obtains a secondary voltage change value through the secondary detection circuit, and the secondary-side control unit correspondingly provides a current change value to the over temperature adjustment circuit according to the secondary voltage change value. The over temperature adjustment circuit provides a temperature control voltage according to the current change value so that the secondary-side control unit determines whether an over temperature protection is activated according to the temperature control voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: CHICONY POWER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tso-Jen Peng, Ssu-Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 11563369
    Abstract: According to an aspect, a power supply system includes a plurality of power stages including a first power stage and a second power stage. The power supply system includes a voltage regulator connected to the first power stage and the second power stage. The voltage regulator is configured to detect an analog temperature signal from at least one of the first power stage and the second power stage via a communication line. The analog temperature signal is detected within a first voltage range. The voltage regulator is configured to transmit a digital bit stream to the first power stage and the second power stage via the communication line. The digital bit stream includes one or more programmable power stage parameters. The digital bit stream has digital levels within a second voltage range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Alessandro Zafarana
  • Patent number: 11563376
    Abstract: A power conversion device suppresses voltage variation of a power supply bus. The device includes a variation compensation circuit and a control circuit. The variation compensation circuit includes: a first capacitor connected to the power supply bus; a second capacitor connected in series between the first capacitor and a ground; an auxiliary capacitor; and a converter including a switching element and having a voltage step-down function, the converter being connected to the second capacitor and the auxiliary capacitor. The control circuit includes an active power calculating section that calculates instantaneous active power ip in the variation compensation circuit. The control circuit controls the voltage Vc of the auxiliary capacitor using the instantaneous active power ip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: DIAMOND & ZEBRA ELECTRIC MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Hatagishi, Shinnosuke Takenaka
  • Patent number: 11557972
    Abstract: A power conversion device suppresses voltage variation of a power supply bus. The device includes a variation compensation circuit and a control circuit. The variation compensation circuit includes: a first capacitor connected to the power supply bus; a second capacitor connected in series between the first capacitor and a ground; an auxiliary capacitor; and a converter including a switching element and having a voltage step-down function, the converter being connected to the second capacitor and the auxiliary capacitor. The control circuit includes a proportional resonant control section having a peak gain for variation with a frequency ?0 which is twice a frequency of the single-phase alternating current. The control circuit uses the proportional resonant control section to generate a signal for controlling the switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: DIAMOND&ZEBRA ELECTRIC MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Hatagishi, Shinnosuke Takenaka
  • Patent number: 11557971
    Abstract: A switching regulator includes a first switch circuit, a second switch circuit, and a protection circuit. The first switch circuit has a first connection node coupled to a first reference voltage, and a second connection node coupled to one end of an inductor. The second switch circuit has a first connection node coupled to a second reference voltage, and a second connection node coupled to the one end of the inductor. The protection circuit senses a voltage level at the first connection node of the first switch circuit, and selectively enables an auxiliary current path in response to the voltage level at the first connection node of the first switch circuit, wherein the auxiliary current path and at least the first switch circuit are arranged in a parallel connection fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Wei-Chung Chen, Kuo-Chun Hsu, Chen Tsou, Chao-Chang Chiu, Chih-Wei Chang
  • Patent number: 11552565
    Abstract: A switch-mode power supply circuit includes a low-side switching transistor, a high-side switching transistor, a low-side current sensing circuit, and a gate driver circuit. The low-side current sensing circuit is coupled to the low-side switching transistor and is configured to sense a current flowing through the low-side switching transistor. The gate driver circuit is coupled to the low-side current sensing circuit and the high-side switching transistor. The gate driver circuit is configured to generate a signal having a first drive strength to switch the high-side switching transistor based on current flowing through the low-side switching transistor being less than a threshold current, and to generate a signal having a second drive strength to switch the high-side switching transistor based on current flowing through the low-side switching transistor being greater than the threshold current. The first drive strength is greater than the second drive strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Saurav Bandyopadhyay, Thomas Matthew LaBella, Huy Le Nhat Nguyen, Michael G. Amaro, Robert Allan Neidorff
  • Patent number: 11540426
    Abstract: The semiconductor device according to the present invention includes a semiconductor module, a cooling member, and a heat transfer member. The semiconductor module includes a switching element and a diode connected in antiparallel to each other. The heat transfer member is disposed between the semiconductor module and the cooling member so as to transfer heat generated by the switching element and the diode to the cooling member. The heat transfer member has a mounting surface on which the switching element and the diode are mounted side by side and a surface which is opposite to the mounting surface and is disposed in contact with the cooling member. In the heat transfer member, the thermal conductivity in a first direction parallel to the mounting surface is higher than the thermal conductivity in a second direction perpendicular to the mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshihide Nakano, Kenji Suzuki, Koki Nakamura