Patents Examined by Sisay G Tiku
  • Patent number: 11677393
    Abstract: A circuit includes a power supply voltage node having a power supply voltage level, a protection circuit that generates a first signal having first and second logical voltage levels based on the power supply voltage level, and a gate driver. The gate driver includes a first n-type HEMT between the power supply voltage node and a first node, a second n-type HEMT between the first node and a power supply reference node, and a DCFL circuit between the first node and an output terminal. A gate of the first n-type HEMT receives the first signal, a gate of the second n-type HEMT receives a second signal, and the DCFL circuit generates a third signal at the output terminal based on the second signal when the first signal has the first logical voltage level, and as a DC voltage level when the first signal has the second logical voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Ming Hsien Tsai
  • Patent number: 11671009
    Abstract: An embodiment DC switching converter comprises first and second Zeta converters, each comprising an input stage, an output stage, a first switching stage, and a second switching stage. The input stage of each Zeta converter comprises a respective input inductor having a first terminal electrically coupled to the respective first switching stage. The input inductors of the input stages of the first and second Zeta converters are magnetically coupled in such a way that when current enters the terminal of the input inductor of the first Zeta converter that is coupled to the first switch stage of the first Zeta converter, a voltage induced by the coupled current is positive at the terminal of the input inductor of the second Zeta converter that is coupled to the first switching stage of the second Zeta converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventor: Edoardo Botti
  • Patent number: 11658478
    Abstract: A grid connected inverter is connectable to a power grid having a synchronous generator connected thereto, and is operable according to an output active power command generated by a virtual synchronous generator control function, to thereby reduce grid frequency variation. The output active power command is represented by a sum of a set value of the output active power of the grid connected inverter, a value obtained by multiplying a pseudo attenuation coefficient to a frequency deviation between a grid frequency and a reference frequency, and a value obtained by multiplying a pseudo inertia coefficient to a derivative value of the grid frequency. The pseudo inertia coefficient after the grid frequency reaches a maximum point of frequency variation is adjusted to a value smaller than the pseudo inertia coefficient before the grid frequency reaches the maximum point of frequency variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Songhao Yin
  • Patent number: 11652408
    Abstract: A DC/DC power converter comprises three or more capacitors connected in series between an output terminal and a ground terminal, the three or more capacitors being connected in series by means of two or more capacitor connection points, and an input voltage switching unit configured to connect an input terminal to one of a group of switching connection points, the group of switching connection points comprising the two or more capacitor connection points and the output terminal. With such a DC/DC power converter it is possible, for example, to convert a variable DC voltage at the input into a variable DC voltage at the output, wherein the voltage range of the output voltage is smaller than the voltage range of the input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Huawei Digital Power Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Petar Grbovic, Roland Huempfner, Jose Antonio Cobos, Pedro Alou, Jesus Angel Oliver, Miroslav Vasic
  • Patent number: 11651911
    Abstract: A method operates an electrical treatment device having a user-operable operating switch, and a motor electronics system with a motor control and an electric drive motor. The switch electrically connects to a drive voltage source and the motor electronics system. The motor electronics system electrically connects to the drive motor on an output side via the motor control. The method monitors whether an input voltage at the motor electronics system meets a closed criterion or an open criterion, wherein the closed criterion is characteristic of a closed switching state of the operating switch, and wherein the open criterion is characteristic of an open switching state of the operating switch, and when the open criterion is met, operates the motor control in a state from an open state set that includes a voltage control state for limiting an increase in the input voltage caused by the running-down electric drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Tobias Schmidt, Kay-Steffen Gurr, Marc Saemann, Rudolf Saemann
  • Patent number: 11646652
    Abstract: A circuit to rectify an alternating current (AC) signal produced by an output coil of a transformer responsive to an input current in an input coil of the transformer comprises: an output node and a return node coupled to an output load; a first rectifier, coupled to a first terminal of the output coil and the return node, to rectify the AC signal to supply a current to the output node when the input current is ON; a second rectifier, coupled to a second terminal of the output coil and the return node, to rectify the AC signal to supply a current to the output node when the input current is OFF; and a voltage clamp to clamp a first voltage transient and a second voltage transient of the AC signal that occur at the first terminal and the second terminal when the input current is switched OFF and ON.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: L3Harris Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Justin M. Graves
  • Patent number: 11646567
    Abstract: A circuit interrupter including a current sensor having a normal sensor output and an over current detection output, a solid state switch module structured to have a closed state to allow current to flow through the circuit interrupter and an open state to interrupt current flowing through the circuit interrupter, a gate driver structured to control the solid state switch module including a desaturation function output, wherein the gate driver is structured to cause the solid state switch module to interrupt current flowing through the circuit interrupter when the DESAT function output changes to the on state, and an electronic trip circuit structured to output a trip signal to the gate driver when the normal sensor output reaches a first threshold level or the overcurrent detection output changes to the on state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Xin Zhou, Brian E. Carlson, Yanjun Feng, Jianyang Liu, Michael Slepian, Andrew L. Gottschalk, Santosh Kumar Chamarajanagar Govinda Nayaka
  • Patent number: 11637423
    Abstract: A miniature circuit breaker for providing short circuit and overload protection is disclosed herein. The miniature circuit breaker features a field effect transistor (FET), which may be a depletion mode metal oxide semiconductor FET (D MOSFET), a junction field-effect transistor (JFET), or a silicon carbide JFET, the FET being connected to a bi-metallic switch, where the bi-metallic switch acts as a temperature sensing circuit breaker. In combination, the D MOSFET and bi-metallic switch are able to limit current to downstream circuit components, thus protecting the components from damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Chuan Fang Chin, Teddy To
  • Patent number: 11630472
    Abstract: Described embodiments include a voltage regulator circuit comprising an output voltage terminal configured to be coupled to a load that draws a load current, first and second amplifiers, and first, second, third, fourth and fifth transistors. The embodiment also includes a dynamic R-C network coupled between the third amplifier input and the seventh transistor current terminal, wherein the dynamic R-C network includes capacitors and MOS-based resistors, a third amplifier having a fourth amplifier input and a third amplifier output, wherein the fourth amplifier input is coupled to the output voltage terminal, and a capacitor that is coupled between the output voltage terminal and the fourth amplifier input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ramakrishna Ankamreddi, Isha Agrawal, Rohit Phogat
  • Patent number: 11631974
    Abstract: A snubber circuit includes a snubber substrate including an electrically insulating carrier and an electrically conducting structured layer applied thereon, the electrically conducting structured layer including two segments. The snubber circuit further includes two electrically resistive layers, each resistive layer being applied onto the two segments of the electrically conducting structured layer of the snubber substrate, and a capacitor disposed on the electrically resistive layers and having two terminals, each terminal being electrically connected to one of the electrically resistive layers. Further, a power semiconductor module having such a snubber circuit is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Michael Schlueter, Andre Uhlemann
  • Patent number: 11625057
    Abstract: A voltage regulator includes an operational amplifier, a first transistor, a second transistor, a capacitor and a current sink circuit. The operational amplifier outputs a control voltage according to an amplified differential voltage between a first input terminal and a second input terminal of the operational amplifier. The first transistor includes a control terminal receiving the control voltage, a first terminal coupled to a supply terminal, a second terminal providing an output voltage, and a bulk terminal. The second transistor includes a second terminal coupled to the bulk terminal of the first transistor, and a bulk terminal coupled to the supply terminal. The capacitor includes a first terminal coupled to the bulk terminal of the first transistor, and a second terminal receiving the output voltage. The current sink circuit generates a feedback voltage according to the output voltage and output the feedback voltage to the operational amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: United Semiconductor Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Matsuo
  • Patent number: 11626720
    Abstract: A multiphase ground fault circuit interrupter includes a first phase power line input, a second phase power line input, a third phase power line input, a neutral line input, a controller circuit having a relay control output, a first phase latching relay having a first phase switch input coupled to the first phase power line input and a first phase relay control input coupled to the relay control output of the controller circuit, a sensor having a core and a sensor pickup coupled to the controller circuit, and a first phase load wire coupled to a first phase switch output of the first phase latching relay and passed through the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: NEILSEN-KULJIAN, INC.
    Inventors: Huy D. Nguyen, Tom Lik-Chung Lee
  • Patent number: 11626801
    Abstract: A converter includes two switching stages coupled in series between positive and negative input terminals. A control circuit is configured for driving the switching stages based on an output voltage of the converter. A first switching stage includes two switches coupled in series between a positive input terminal and a first node. A capacitor and an inductor are coupled in series between the two switches and a positive output terminal. A third switch is coupled between a node between the capacitor and the inductor and the negative input terminal. A second capacitor is coupled between the first node and the negative input terminal. A second switching stage includes a second node coupled to the first node. Two additional electronic switches are coupled in series between the second node and the negative input terminal. A second inductor is coupled between the two additional switches and the positive output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventor: Osvaldo Enrico Zambetti
  • Patent number: 11626806
    Abstract: A bidirectional isolated resonant converter includes a first side circuit, a second side circuit, and a resonant tank circuit. The resonant tank circuit includes a first resonant capacitor, a resonant inductor, an isolated transformer and a second capacitor. The first resonant capacitor, the resonant inductor and a first side winding of the isolated transformer are connected in series. A second side winding of the isolated transformer and the second capacitor are connected in series. The resonant inductor and the isolated transformer are integrated into an integrated magnetic component, wherein a magnetic core of the integrated magnetic component includes an inductor magnetic core portion on which an inductor winding is wound, a transformer magnetic core portion on which the first side winding and the second side winding are wound, and a common magnetic core portion shared by the resonant inductor and the isolated transformer to form closed magnetic paths, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Na Dong, Lei Chang, Haijun Yang, Zengyi Lu
  • Patent number: 11619919
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement for switching an electrical load comprising an electrical switching element with a control input and an output; a control unit connected to the control input to drive the electrical switching element, in a first switching state, to generate a first output signal forming a switch-on signal for the load and, in a second switching state, to generate a second output signal, smaller than the first output signal, forming a switch-off signal for the electrical load; a safety output connected electrically to the electrical switching element output and to which the electrical load is connected; a decoupling apparatus arranged between the electrical switching element output and the safety output; a first output signal detecting apparatus connected to the electrical switching element output; and a second output signal detecting apparatus arranged in a circuit path between the decoupling apparatus and the safety output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Pilz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kim Lê, Paul Depner, Ralf Bauer, Stefan Röhmann
  • Patent number: 11621554
    Abstract: Described are curve shapes that may be implemented in a transformer protector that provide enhanced fault protection. A transformer protector curve rating structure relates response curves to the transformer size and simplifies selection of response curves implemented within a transformer protector and associated transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: S&C Electric Company
    Inventor: Thomas J Tobin
  • Patent number: 11611273
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe frequency detection techniques for detecting power irregularities. These irregularities may include variations or abnormalities in switched-mode power supply circuit switching behavior, power spikes, and/or output oscillations. The frequency detection techniques may compare different frequency components of the power signal to detect irregularities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Analog Devices International Unlimited Company
    Inventors: Jie He, Tao Lin, Langyuan Wang
  • Patent number: 11601036
    Abstract: A circuit technique substantially reduces the switching losses in an AC-DC power conversion system caused by turn-on characteristics of a main switch and the reverse-recovery characteristic of a rectifier. The losses are reduced by using an active soft-switching cell having a series inductor, a series capacitor, a main switch, a rectifier switch, and an auxiliary switch. The reverse-recovery related losses are reduced by the series inductor connected between the main and rectifier switches to control the rate of current change in the body diode of the rectifier switch during its turn-off. The main switch, the rectifier switch, and the auxiliary switch operate under zero-voltage switching (ZVS) conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Tomas Sadilek, Yungtaek Jang, Peter Barbosa
  • Patent number: 11601064
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a power conversion device that converts power between a DC circuit and an AC circuit includes a plurality of leg circuits connected in parallel between first and second DC terminals and electrically connected to the AC circuit. Each of the plurality of leg circuits includes at least one first converter cell and a plurality of second converter cells other than the first converter cell. A first control signal that controls switching of a semiconductor switching element included in at least one first converter cell is higher in frequency than a second control signal that controls switching of a semiconductor switching element included in each of the plurality of second converter cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Hario, Noriyuki Imada
  • Patent number: 11594973
    Abstract: A bidirectional DC-DC converter with three or more ports is described along with a method of operation thereof. The converter utilizes a common transformer for all ports and allows for power transfer from any port to any or all of the remaining ports. The converter may utilize a controller which implements variable-frequency control, delay-time control, and/or phase-delay control to achieve power transfer as desired between the converter ports. In some cases, power transfer between ports can operate similar to a series-resonant converter or a dual active bridge converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Delta Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Misha Kumar, Yungtaek Jang, Peter Mantovanelli Barbosa, Minli Jia, Hao Sun