Patents Examined by Rajnikant B. Patel
  • Patent number: 10256739
    Abstract: A multiunit power conversion system comprises: a first power conversion unit, a second power conversion unit, and a current sharing transformer. The first power conversion unit comprises a first resonant capacitor and a first resonant inductor in series. The second power conversion unit comprises a second resonant capacitor and a second resonant inductor in series. The current sharing transformer comprises a first winding and a second winding magnetically coupled for current-sharing of the first and second power conversion units. The first and second windings are connected in parallel to the first and second resonant capacitors, respectively; or the first and second windings are connected in parallel to the first and second resonant inductors, respectively; or the first winding is connected in parallel to the first resonant capacitor and the first resonant inductor, and the second winding is connected in parallel to the second resonant capacitor and the second resonant inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shiqiang Hao, Weiqiang Zhang, Xin Chen, Hongyao Liu
  • Patent number: 10256723
    Abstract: A power factor correction (PFC) integrated circuit having a feed forward circuit. The feed forward circuit comprises a first current source, a second current source, and a third current source, a first bi-polar junction transistor (BJT), a second BJT, a third BJT, and a fourth BJT coupled together in a translinear cell, where the first current source is coupled to the first BJT, the second current source is coupled to the second BJT, and the third current source is coupled to the third BJT, a biasing network coupled to the first BJT and to the second BJT and configured to maintain equal collector-to-emitter voltage across the first BJT and the second BJT, where the feed forward circuit is configured to output a current based on a current of the first current source, a current of the third current source, and a current of the second current source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Marcello Vaccalluzzo, Michael Ryan Hanschke, Salvatore Giombanco
  • Patent number: 10250126
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method applied in a controller unit of a feedback circuit for controlling a resonant converter. When the operation mode of the resonant converter turns from no load (or light load) to full load (or heave load), the controller unit is configured by the method of the present invention to control a power switch unit in the resonant converter to switch ON and OFF according to an operation frequency of full load (such as 100 KHz), in the case of the fact that an instantaneous drop of the output voltage and a variation of the output current of the resonant converter are over predicted. As a result, the instantaneous drop of the output voltage is largely reduced. Therefore, this method is able to make the resonant converter provide the output voltage stably during the switch between the no-load operation mode and the full-load operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: MEANWELL (GUANGZHOU) ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Po-Ming Chen, Shao-Jie Lu
  • Patent number: 10243365
    Abstract: Conventionally, optimum introduction assistance for devices including a FACTS device and a storage adapted to changes in impedance and a transmission capacity involved in an increase of renewable energy power supplies has not been achieved. Therefore, in order to solve the problem, the present invention provides a power system equipment introduction assistance device that calculates an introduction point of power system equipment coupled to a power system, the introduction assistance device including a calculating unit configured to calculate, on the basis of predetermined system information and information concerning the power system equipment scheduled to be introduced, a characteristic of the power system affecting the power system during the introduction of the power system equipment and calculate the introduction point of the power system equipment from a predetermined evaluation index related to the characteristic of the power system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Efrain Eduardo Tamayo Ruiz, Shuji Katoh, Shinya Oohara, Shigenori Inoue, Tohru Yoshihara
  • Patent number: 10243346
    Abstract: An apparatus for mitigating GIC (geomagnetically induced current) effects through a fuzzy logic controlled variable resistor. Under GIC conditions (or any unbalanced fault current condition), the GIC or unbalanced fault current flows through the neutral of a power transformer. It is detected by the fuzzy logic controller, which sends a signal to a switch to open. The resistor is in the circuit and impedes the flow of current through the neutral, thereby protecting the transformer from getting overheated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Inventor: Mohd Hasan Ali
  • Patent number: 10193330
    Abstract: Disclosed examples provide control boards with power systems that include a safety system with a protection circuit to selectively connect or disconnect first and second DC to DC converters to or from a DC input signal according to the DC input signal and a monitor signal, and a monitor circuit to provide the monitor signal according to the first and second DC to DC converter output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Bartz, Michael W. Wielebski, Mark F. Pieronek, Joseph D. Riley
  • Patent number: 8094466
    Abstract: The invention relates to a resonant converter (1) which has multiple outputs (7a, 7b) and contains a transformer (4) with a primary winding (5) and at least two secondary windings (6a, 6b) having different winding directions. In this way it is possible to design as cost-effectively as possible a resonant converter with multiple outputs, two of which can be controlled separately from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Duerbaum, Reinhold Elferich
  • Patent number: 8045354
    Abstract: A method for operating a matrix converter to convert n phases of a generator into alternating voltage with nr (nr<n) phases of a load connected to a network includes the steps of alternatingly connecting the nr phases of the load using a plurality of controllable bi-directional switches disposed in an (n×nr) matrix, wherein nr phases of the generator are always connected with the load and (n?nr) phases of the generator are not connected with the load, and controlling the switching of a phase k of the generator at a time t to a phase c of the grid, using a periodical, continuous, segmented function k(t). The function k(t) defines a broken line having a plurality of segments, wherein each segment i is defined by a starting time ti and a pulsation ?i, and the value of the function k(t) is rounded to the closest integer value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventor: Alain Lacaze
  • Patent number: 8026639
    Abstract: A step wave power converter includes a plurality of transformers each configured to receive a Direct Current (DC) voltage from one or more independently generated power sources. Each transformer comprising a primary winding and a secondary winding. A plurality of bridge circuits control different DC voltage inputs from one of the multiple independently generated power sources into the primary windings. One or more processors are configured to use a Phase-Shifted Carrier Pulse Width Modulation (PSCPWM) scheme to operate the bridge circuits in order to produce steps for a step wave Alternating Current (AC) output from the secondary windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Sustainable Energy Technologies
    Inventors: Rishi Sachdeva, Russell Jack Morash, Dubravko Bosnjak, Brent Earle Harris
  • Patent number: 8026702
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes circuits, systems and methods for regulating voltage. One voltage regulator system embodiment includes a voltage regulator having an output and a number of stages coupled in parallel to the output of the voltage regulator. Each stage includes a source follower circuit, and a sample and hold circuit coupled in series between the output of the voltage regulator and an input of the source follower circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Toru Tanzawa
  • Patent number: 8022683
    Abstract: A power control system and method senses input and/or output voltages of a power supply using sense currents in order for an integrated circuit (IC) switch state controller to generate a control signal to control a switch of the power control system. By sensing sense currents, the power control system can eliminate at least one sense resistor used in a voltage sense system. The sense current(s) can be used to provide power and sensing to the switch state controller. In at least one embodiment, the sense current(s) provide power to the switch state controller when auxiliary IC power is unavailable or diminished, such as during start-up of the IC. In at least one embodiment, the IC draws more sense current from an input of the power control system than the output of the power control system to, for example, minimize impact on the output voltage of the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Thompson, John L. Melanson, John Paulos, Mauro Gaetano
  • Patent number: 8018093
    Abstract: An electronic circuit power supply device configured to selectively apply at least one first voltage or one second voltage to a power supply terminal of the electronic circuit that includes elements for applying to the power supply terminal a voltage variable from a value equal to the first voltage to a value equal to the second voltage and elements designed for selecting application of the second voltage to the power supply terminal when the variable voltage reaches the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Sylvain Miermont, Edith Beigne, Pascal Vivet
  • Patent number: 8018207
    Abstract: A switching regulator is disclosed that uses a non-linear amplifier and is capable of PWM control operation at high frequencies with a simple circuit configuration and without increasing current consumption. The switching regulator includes a switching unit, an inductor, a rectification unit, and a control circuit that controls the switching of the switching unit so that the output voltage of the switching regulator becomes a constant voltage. The control circuit uses a pulse signal to perform PWM control on the switching unit. The pulse signal is generated by amplifying an error voltage between the output voltage and a reference voltage at a gain variable in response to a voltage of a saw-tooth waveform signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Junji Nishida
  • Patent number: 8018255
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter in which self turn-on can be prevented and can improve power efficiency. In a non-insulated DC-DC converter, self turn-on is prevented by applying a negative voltage between a gate and a source of a low side MOSFET by the use of a capacitor for generating negative voltage when the low side MOSFET is in an OFF state. Also, when the low side MOSFET is in an ON state due to the capacitor for generating negative voltage, a positive voltage applied between the gate and the source of the low side MOSFET does not drop from a voltage of a gate driving DC power source that is supplied from a gate power input terminal. Therefore, the power efficiency is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Hirao, Takayuki Hashimoto, Masaki Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 8013584
    Abstract: A power supply regulator including a variable current limit threshold that increases during an on time of a switch. In one aspect, a power supply regulator includes a comparator coupled to receive a signal representative of a current through a switch during an on time of the switch. The comparator is further coupled to receive a variable current limit threshold that increases during the on time of the switch. The power supply regulator also includes a feedback circuit coupled to receive a feedback signal representative of an output of a power supply. A control circuit is also included and is coupled to the switch, to an output of the comparator, and to an output of the feedback circuit. The control circuit is coupled to control a switching of the switch in response the output of the comparator and the output of the feedback circuit to regulate the output of the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Balu Balakrishnan, Alex B. Djenguerian, Kent Wong, David Michael Hugh Matthews
  • Patent number: 8008960
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for regulating a synchronous rectifier DC-to-DC converter by adjusting one or more existing synchronous rectifiers in the converter are provided. By regulating an existing synchronous rectifier, the rectifier may function as a modulator for post regulation over a limited range of output voltages suitable for load regulation, without introducing an additional conversion stage for post regulation, which typically decreases efficiency and power density. Independent post regulation of an existing synchronous rectifier may improve the load regulation, reduce output voltage ripple, and improve the transient response of the converter. By operating independently from the main control loop, post regulation may most likely avoid the limitations of the main control loop, such as limited gain bandwidth and a relatively slow transient response. Such post regulation may be added to isolated or non-isolated switched-mode power supplies, such as forward or buck converters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas Paul Arduini
  • Patent number: 8008902
    Abstract: A hysteretic buck converter provides improved regulation control, in particular for buck converter standby operation. A comparison circuit compares the output voltage of the buck converter to a waveform that is generated from an indication of the output current of the converter, so that the turn-on time of the converter is advanced as the output current demand increases. The resulting action anticipates a reduction in output voltage due to the increased current, preventing an excursion of the output voltage below the ripple voltage minimum. The turn-off time of the converter is controlled by an upper threshold that limits the ripple voltage maximum. The output current indication may be a measurement of output current, or may be a dynamic value calculated from the input voltage and the output voltage waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Melanson, Lei Ding
  • Patent number: 8008966
    Abstract: Disclosed is a start-up circuit that can stably and rapidly start up a bandgap reference voltage generating circuit when the bandgap reference voltage generating circuit is switched from a sleep mode to an operation mode, even if a difference in electrical characteristic, such as DC offset or the like, occurs due to, e.g, a physical difference between input transistors of an operational amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Dongbu HitekCo., Ltd
    Inventor: Eun Sang Cho
  • Patent number: 8004122
    Abstract: A power converter controller is operable to control power provided to a load circuit coupled between a first voltage supply terminal and a first switching element by controlling the first switching element and to control power provided to an energy storage element coupled to the first switching element. The energy storage element is operable to provide a power supply. A first control terminal couples to a control input of the first switching element. A first load terminal couples to the first switching element and the charge storing element. A second switching element couples between the first load terminal and a second voltage supply terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Zarlink Semiconductor (U.S.) Inc.
    Inventor: John K. Moriarty, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8001396
    Abstract: A feedback control device is provided. The feedback control device includes a controlled-system which outputs an output in correspondence with a control signal; a feedback signal generating member which generates a feedback signal as the output of the controlled-system; a reference signal unit which outputs a reference control signal to the controlled-system; and a determination unit which determines a version of the controlled-system on the basis of the feedback signal generated by the feedback signal generating member when the reference signal unit outputs the reference control signal to the controlled-system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsumi Inukai, Masahito Hamaya