Patents Examined by Stuart Hansen
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Patent number: 7433212Abstract: A system linking apparatus for generated electric power which may be made smaller and more efficient. The system linking apparatus is intended for connecting an electric power system to an output of a power generator through a linking inverter (PWM inverter). The system linking apparatus includes a magnetic energy regenerating circuit, a diode rectifier, and a capacitor. The magnetic energy regenerating circuit has a capacitor for condensing magnetic energy condensed in the power generator. The diode rectifier is connected with the magnetic energy regenerating circuit and operates to dc convert electric power generated by the power generator and output the converted power to the linking inverter. The capacitor is connected with the diode rectifier and operates to keep a dc output to the linking inverter at a predetermined voltage.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2005Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignees: Fuji Electric Device Technology Co., Ltd., Tokyo Institute of TechnologyInventors: Seiki Igarashi, Yoshiyuki Uchida, Ryuichi Shimada
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Patent number: 7426123Abstract: A method is disclosed for generating pulse width modulated pulse control signals for controlling switches in a switching power supply. First, a count value is determined of a master clock within a switching cycle of the power supply from beginning to end thereof. A separate state machine providing for each edge in each of pulse control signals and each is operated to generate the associated edge as a function of the sum of a fixed reference count value from the beginning of the switching cycle and a determined count value when the sum is determined to equal the actual count value.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2005Date of Patent: September 16, 2008Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventors: Ka Y. Leung, Kafai Leung
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Patent number: 7417877Abstract: A system for controlling a soft start for a switching power converter includes a digital controller that enables the programming of a plurality of input voltage profiles during a soft start condition of the switching power converter. The programming of the plurality of input voltage profiles is parameterized by a control parameter. A microcontroller determines the control parameter used by said digital controller and operates independently of the operation of the digital controller.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2005Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventors: Ka Y. Leung, Chia-Ling Wei
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Patent number: 7417875Abstract: A power converter having input and output nodes and a method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the power converter includes a switching circuit including first, second and third active phase legs. Each of the first, second and third active legs includes a first switch coupled to one of the input nodes and a second switch coupled to another of the input nodes and has a common switching node therebetween. The power converter further includes a magnetic device including first, second and third primary windings, and first, second and third secondary windings. The first, second and third primary windings are coupled to the common switching node of the first, second and third active phase legs, respectively. The power converter still further includes a rectifier including first, second and third rectifier elements interposed between the first, second and third secondary windings, respectively, and one of the output nodes.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2006Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: ColdWatt, Inc.Inventors: Sriram Chandrasekaran, Vivek Mehrotra
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Patent number: 7414864Abstract: A switching power supply apparatus includes a first inductor that is serially connected to a primary winding of a transformer, and a second inductor that is arranged so as to apply a voltage of a capacitor with sine waves obtained by rectifying an AC input voltage for an on-period of a first switching circuit. A diode for preventing the inverse current to the second inductor and a capacitor that is charged by excitation energy charged to the second inductor and applies a voltage to the primary winding for on-period of the first switching circuit. Further, a capacitor is arranged so that the inductor, the primary winding, and a second switching circuit define a closed loop. Switching control circuits control the on-period of a first switching element to control an output voltage Vo, and further control an input voltage Vi by controlling the on-period of a second switching element.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2004Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tatsuya Hosotani, Hiroshi Takemura
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Patent number: 7414865Abstract: A controller controls the output current by measuring and controlling the switching current of the power converter. A first circuit generates a first signal in accordance with the switching current. A second circuit detects a discharge-time of the transformer. A third circuit generates a third signal by integrating the first signal with the discharge-time. The time constant of the third circuit is programmed and correlated with the switching period of the switching signal, therefore the third signal is proportional to the output current. A switching circuit generates a switching signal and controls the pulse width of the switching signal in accordance with the third signal and a reference voltage. Therefore, the output current of the power converter can be regulated.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2005Date of Patent: August 19, 2008Assignee: System General Corp.Inventor: Ta-Yung Yang
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Patent number: 7411378Abstract: A power factor controller for a switching power supply, that in one embodiment couples a power factor control circuit between an AC input and an output wherein a digital controller computes circuit currents for regulating the power supply without direct current measurements.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2005Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Embed, Inc.Inventors: Olin Lathrop, David Tweed
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Patent number: 7411375Abstract: An apparatus for issuance of at least one electrical output signal (Iout), wherein the desired electrical current level of the output signal (Iout) is predeterminable, including: at least one measuring resistor, at which the electrical current level of the output signal (Iout) is measurable; at least one adjuster, via which the electrical current level of the output signal (Iout) is settable; and at least one controller, which compares the electrical current level of the output signal (Iout) measured at the measuring resistor with the electrical current level desired for the output signal (Iout), and which controls the electrical current level of the output signal (Iout) via the adjuster; wherein the controller and the measuring resistor are connected with an electric base-potential (VGND); and wherein the base-potential (VGND) is a reference potential for the controller.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2006Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Endress + Hauser Wetzer GmbH + Co. KGInventors: Stephan Konrad, Thomas Haerle, Christian Schneid
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Patent number: 7405952Abstract: A power supply device has first and second terminals, a transformer, a switching element and an auxiliary power supply element. The first and second terminals receive input power having an input voltage. The transformer has a primary winding and a secondary winding. The primary winding has a pair of winding terminals. One of the pair of winding terminals is connected to the first terminal. The switching element is connected between the second terminal and the other of the pair of winding terminals of the primary winding. The auxiliary power supply element feeds electric power to the transformer when the input voltage decreases to or less than a predetermined value. The auxiliary power supply element has a capacitor and a second switching element for storing energy from the primary winding into the first capacitor during a normal operation of the power supply device.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2006Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Assignee: TDK CorporationInventor: Takeshi Uematsu
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Patent number: 7405951Abstract: A switching power supply includes: a first series circuit, connected to both terminals of a direct current power supply Vdc1, in which a primary winding 5a of a transformer T, a reactor L3 and a first switch Q1 are connected in series; a second series circuit, connected to both terminals of the primary winding 5a and the reactor L3, which includes a switch Q2 and a capacitor C3; a smoothing circuit D1, D2, L1, C4; and a control circuit 10 alternately turning on and turning off the switches Q1, Q2. The transformer T includes: a main core 21, formed with a magnetic circuit, on which the primary and secondary windings 5a, 5b are wound with a given gap 23; and a plurality of auxiliary cores 24a, 24b disposed in the given gap 23 with a given distance in a circumferential direction of the primary winding 5a. Further, the reactor L3 is formed of a leakage inductance of the transformer T.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2004Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Assignee: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Mamoru Tsuruya
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Patent number: 7402988Abstract: A switching regulator includes a reference voltage generator and a switching-regulating module. The reference voltage generator receives a digital control signal and generates a reference voltage according to the digital control signal. The switching-regulating module is connected to the reference voltage generator and generates an output voltage according to the reference voltage. The value of the digital control signal is gradually increased to make the reference voltage being gradually increased at the initial stage of the activation of the switching regulator.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2006Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.Inventors: Pao-Cheng Chiu, Chieh-Min Feng, Ming-Han Lee
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Patent number: 7400120Abstract: A first output voltage Vcc is obtained via a first switching element from an external power supply, and a second output voltage Vme via a second switching element cascade-connected to the first switching element. The first switching element has a base current continuously controlled by a first comparator/amplifier to maintain the voltage Vcc at a predetermined value. The second switching element has a base current continuously controlled by a second comparator/amplifier to maintain the voltage Vme at a predetermined value. A third switching element connected in parallel to the first switching element and controlled by a duty-factor control circuit makes a bypass power supply to maintain a current flowing through the first switching element not more than a predetermined value. Thus, a constant voltage control device obtaining two types of stabilized voltages from external power supply of large voltage variation can reduce power consumption and improve voltage control accuracy.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2006Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Koji Hashimoto, Manabu Yamashita
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Patent number: 7394669Abstract: In a switching mode power supply, an input received from the secondary side of the transformer 7 and indicative of the power being drawn by the loads is used to control the timing of bursts. The input is compared with two threshold different threshold values V2, V3, and switching is enabled if the input rises above a first higher threshold value V2, and disabled if it falls below a second lower threshold value V3. A memory device FF1 controls a current limitation circuit which limits currents in the primary of the transformer when the switching mode power supply is operating in the burst mode.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2003Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Marc Fahlenkamp, Xiao Wu Gong, Harald Zoellinger
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Patent number: 7391187Abstract: An electrical circuit that provides accurate, regulated output voltage over a wide range of input voltages, while exhibiting each of three desired characteristics: accuracy across different supply/process/temperature; stability and linearity yielding phase/gain margins; and high (good) power supply rejection ratio (PSRR). The circuit comprises an output node having a load current and an amplifier having a first input coupled to a reference voltage and receiving a bias input current that is a pre-established proportionate size of the load current across the output node, such that a change in the load current results in a proportionate change in the bias input current. The electrical circuit represents a voltage regulator that provides accurate, linear output voltage that is a predictable portion of the reference voltage.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2007Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventor: Todd Morgan Rasmus
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Patent number: 7391196Abstract: A system for analyzing the operation of a switching power converter includes a digital controller for receiving an analog signal representing the output DC voltage of the power converter for comparison to a desired output voltage level and generating switching control signals to control the operation of the power supply to regulate the output DC voltage to said output voltage level. At least one portion of a control loop within the digital controller may be switched into the control loop in a first mode of operation and out of the control loop in a second mode of operation. A microcontroller emulates the operation of the at least one portion of the control loop during the second mode of operation.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2005Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventor: Ross Martin Fosler
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Patent number: 7391631Abstract: A switching power source device is provided which comprises a drive controller 40 connected between an error amplifier 26 and changeover circuit 37. A second comparator 52 of drive controller 40 compares an output voltage or an equivalent signal thereto from error amplifier 26 with a numerical value from a sweep circuit 57 and produces an output to changeover circuit 37 to stop the on-operation of a switching element 4 and restrict an undesirable rise in output voltage during the light load period when the numerical value exceeds the output voltage or an equivalent signal thereto from error amplifier 26.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2006Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masaaki Shimada
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Patent number: 7388763Abstract: A switching power supply of the present invention comprises: a switching element through which a DC voltage is supplied via a primary winding; an output voltage detection circuit detecting a voltage of a secondary winding to generate an error signal; a regulator generating a predetermined voltage based on a voltage generated at a node between the switching element and the primary winding; a photocoupler through which a feedback current signal corresponding to the error signal passes; a feedback current detection circuit detecting a feedback current signal; a feedback voltage generation circuit generating a feedback voltage according to the current of the feedback current detection circuit when the switching element is OFF and holding the generated feedback voltage when the switching element is ON; and a control circuit controlling ON/OFF duty of the switching element according to an increase or decrease of the feedback voltage.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2006Date of Patent: June 17, 2008Assignee: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masaru Nakamura
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Patent number: 7382636Abstract: A power supply for inductively powering a remote device has an inverter operating at an operating frequency and a primary coil. A phase comparator compares the phase of the voltage or current delivered by the power supply. If the phase relationship detected by the comparator is unacceptable, the inverter is disabled. After a period of time, the inverter is re-enabled, and the phase relationship is again determined.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2005Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Assignee: Access Business Group International LLCInventors: David W. Baarman, John J. Lord, Wesley J. Bachman
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Patent number: 7378826Abstract: Switching regulator Burst Mode control circuitry is provided for limiting voltage overshoot at the output of a switching regulator operating in power saving Burst Mode. The Burst Mode control circuitry may include regulator load current sensing circuitry which may be operative to put and maintain the regulator in the SLEEP state when the load current amplitude is below a threshold. The control circuitry may also include gated over-voltage comparator circuitry operative to reduce regulator output overshoot and to eliminate erroneous deactivation of the regulator switch circuitry when the regulator is not operating in Burst Mode. The gated over-voltage circuitry may include a one-shot timer circuit.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2006Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: Linear Technology Corp.Inventor: Chiawei Liao
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Patent number: 7372241Abstract: A regulator is provided. The regulator includes a main switch, a synchronous switch, an inductor, a sample-and-hold circuit, a ramp generator, a PWM comparator, an error amplifier, and a current sense amplifier. A current through the synchronous switch is sensed by the current sense amplifier. Also, a current sense voltage provided by the current sense amplifier is sampled when the synchronous switch is on, and held when the synchronous switch is off. The ramp generator is arranged to generate a voltage ramp that emulates the slope of the inductor current while the synchronous switch is open. Additionally, the sampled synchronous switch current is combined with the voltage ramp. The PWM comparator is arranged to provide a PWM signal by comparing the voltage ramp to a comparison signal provided by the error amplifier.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2006Date of Patent: May 13, 2008Assignee: National Semiconductor CorporationInventor: Kenji Tomiyoshi