Patents Examined by Thienvu V. Tran
  • Patent number: 11843244
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a current detection circuit having a high detection precision. The current detection circuit includes: a current output type differential amplifier; a first input resistor, configured to be connected between a first input end of the differential amplifier and a first current sense terminal; a second input resistor, configured to be connected between a second input end of the differential amplifier and a second current sense terminal; an output resistor, configured to be connected to an output end of the differential amplifier; a first feedback current path, configured to allow a first feedback current to flow between the first input end and the output end of the differential amplifier; and a second feedback current path, configured to allow a second feedback current to flow between the second current sense terminal and the output end of the differential amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Aoki
  • Patent number: 11843236
    Abstract: An arc detection system for an aircraft high voltage and direct current electrical circuit which includes a sensor sensing high-frequency magnetic fields created by current pulses, a signal conditioning block, a database including a time threshold, status signals of events occurring in aircraft normal operation procedures, a processing unit configured to calculate a statistical dispersion of the high-frequency magnetic fields of the current pulses of the signals measured by the sensor, calculate a threshold under no-arc conditions as a function of the previous measured signals, check if the signals measured by the sensor are above the threshold under no arc-conditions during the time threshold, if positive, check if any status signal of events due to normal operation procedures has been activated, and if negative, activate the operation of an electrical protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: AIRBUS DEFENCE AND SPACE SAU
    Inventors: Guillermo Robles, Juan Manuel Martínez Tarifa, Daniel Izquierdo Gil, Gabriel Barroso De María, Manuel Gómez De La Calle
  • Patent number: 11837950
    Abstract: The invention provides a switching power supply and an electronic device, comprising an active clamp circuit and a transformer, the active clamp circuit including a first clamp capacitor, a second clamp capacitor, and a path guiding module that is connected at two terminals of the first clamp capacitor and two terminals of the second clamp capacitor respectively; the path guiding module, the first and the second clamp capacitors are all directly or indirectly connected to a primary side of the transformer; the path guiding module is configured to guide the first and the second clamp capacitors to obtain an electric energy from different positions on the primary side of the transformer in a first time period, and to guide the first and the second clamp capacitors to discharge the primary side of the transformer after being connected in parallel with each other in a second time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: HUAYUAN SEMICONDUCTOR (SHENZHEN) LIMITED COMPANY
    Inventors: Chunming Guo, Zhiwei Qiu, Chenglong Zhang
  • Patent number: 11835399
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a bandgap reference circuit that includes a first bandgap element, a second bandgap element, and a current mirror circuit. The bandgap reference circuit is configured to generate a temperature-dependent first voltage and a temperature-independent reference voltage. The semiconductor integrated circuit includes an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the first voltage into an output code based on the reference voltage and output the first voltage as temperature information, and a setting control circuit configured to change at least one setting of the bandgap reference circuit based on the temperature information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: KIOXIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takayuki Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 11837958
    Abstract: A multiphase power converter comprises a regulator, a value-supply system arranged for collecting at least one operating point of the power converter, and a predictor for determining updated phase statuses, for activating or deactivating each of the phases (111, 112, 113, . . . ) during a further operation of the power converter. The updated phase statuses are determined using a process based on the at least one collected operating point and predictor parameters obtained from a machine-learning process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Schwabe, Jens A. Ejury, Sandro Cerato
  • Patent number: 11831231
    Abstract: A control device (101) for controlling a power converter (109) is configured to form a frequency droop value based on electric power supplied by the power converter to an alternating current system, decrease a frequency control value by the frequency droop value, form a power control value based on a target value of the electric power, increase the frequency control value by the power control value, and supply the frequency control value to the power converter to control alternating voltage frequency of the power converter. The electric power is driven to a value at which a combined effect of the frequency droop value and the power control value makes the alternating voltage frequency of the power converter to be the same as operating frequency of the alternating current system. Thus, the electric power can be controlled by changing the power control value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Danfoss Editron Oy
    Inventors: Antti Summanen, Antti Tarkiainen
  • Patent number: 11824430
    Abstract: A method of measuring an AC input voltage at an input of a power converter includes measuring a DC bus voltage corresponding to the power converter. During a positive half-cycle of the AC input voltage, the method includes measuring a first voltage at the input of the power converter. During a negative half-cycle of the AC input voltage, the method includes turning on a high-side switch, measuring a second voltage at the input of the power converter, and computing a third voltage equal to the second voltage minus the DC bus voltage. The method further includes providing the AC input voltage as the first voltage during the positive AC half-cycle and the third voltage during the negative AC half-cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Nexgen Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Anders Lind
  • Patent number: 11824464
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to provide a semiconductor device capable of protecting a switching element even though having a capacitor connected to a control signal input terminal of the switching element. Semiconductor device includes an IGBT including a gate configured to be input a gate signal and a current detection terminal used to detect at least one of overcurrent or short-circuit current, a gate capacitor arranged between the gate and a reference potential terminal, the gate capacitor being disconnected from the gate as needed, and a disconnection unit configured to disconnect a connection between the gate capacitor and the gate when a detection current being a current output from the current detection terminal is equal to or larger than a first current set on a basis of a minimum current causing oscillation in a loop circuit formed by including the IGBT and the gate capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuki Kumazawa
  • Patent number: 11824459
    Abstract: A synchronous average harmonic current controller for a bidirectional resonant power converter provides efficient load invariant voltage gain. The controller includes a switched capacitor filter which averages and compensates a current signal over each half of the synchronous switching period. The control signal encodes an independent modulated phase and non-modulated differential duty cycle error response. The error response signals provide negative feedback to a pulse width modulation stage which results in reduction of the synchronous average harmonic current. At this operating point, the harmonic voltage gain is related closely to the commanded bridge duty cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Lee Fredrik Mazurek
    Inventor: Lee Fredrik Mazurek
  • Patent number: 11822359
    Abstract: A current-balanced voltage source may include two regulated voltage sources, each having an input and an output, and an amplifier to receive a control voltage at a positive input and a feedback voltage at a negative input. The output of each amplifier is coupled to the input of the respective regulated voltage source. The outputs of the regulated voltage sources are coupled together to source a current to a load. A differential amplifier may include positive and negative differential inputs, and positive and negative differential outputs. The positive differential input is coupled to the output of the first regulated voltage source and the negative differential input is coupled to the output of the second regulated voltage source. The positive differential output provides the feedback to the first regulated voltage source, and the negative differential output provides the feedback to the second regulated voltage source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: ACACIA COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Yuval Shohet, Robert Manlick
  • Patent number: 11824546
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatuses and methods for minimum energy tracking loop that includes an oscillator to imitate a threshold path of a load system and automatically adjust a clock frequency as a supply voltage to the load system is changed, a voltage regulator configured to supply a power, an energy sensing unit which is connected to the oscillator and the voltage regulator and calculates a proportional energy proportional to a total energy consumed by the load system at a specific supply voltage, a minimum energy finder to find a minimum energy point of the load system by monitoring the calculated proportional energy proportional to the total energy at a plurality of supply voltages, a buck converter to supply a power to the load system with a supply voltage at which the load system operates with a minimum energy when the minimum energy point is found in the minimum energy finder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Research & Business Foundation Sungkyunkwan University
    Inventors: Bai Sun Kong, Jong Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 11811314
    Abstract: In some examples, a circuit includes a state machine. The state machine is configured to operate in a first state in which the state machine gates a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal provided for control of a power converter according to a first signal provided by a voltage control loop. The state machine is configured to operate in a second state in which the state machine gates the PWM signal according to a second signal provided by a current limit comparator. The state machine is configured to transition from the first state to the second state responsive to the second signal being asserted after the first signal is asserted in a switching cycle of the power converter. The state machine is configured to transition from the current state to the first state responsive to the first signal being asserted after the second signal in a switching cycle of the power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Naman Bafna, Muthusubramanian Venkateswaran, Mayank Jain, Vikram Gakhar, Vikas Lakhanpal, Preetam Charan Anand Tadeparthy, Pamidi Ramasiddaiah
  • Patent number: 11811316
    Abstract: A power supply system comprises: a switched-capacitor converter, a controller, and a monitor. Via generation of control signals, the controller controls settings of switches in the switched-capacitor converter to convert a received input voltage to an output voltage that powers a load. The monitor in the power supply system at least occasionally determines an impedance associated with the switched-capacitor converter. A magnitude of the determined impedance provides an indication whether the switched-capacitor converter is operating efficiently. To ensure efficient operation of the switched-capacitor converter, based on input form the monitor, the controller adjusts the control signals controlling the switches in the switched-capacitor converter as a function of the determined impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Benjamin L. Schwabe, Christian Rainer, Darryl Galipeau
  • Patent number: 11805772
    Abstract: A barrier system is provided, the barrier system comprising a first barrier component comprising: a support member formed from an electrically insulating material and having a first major surface, a second major surface and one or more edges extending between the first and second major surfaces; a first electrical conductor assembly comprising a first conductor member disposed on the first major surface of the support member; a second electrical conductor assembly comprising a second conductor member disposed on the first major surface of the support member, the second conductor member spaced apart and electrically insulated from the first conductor member; each of the first and second electrical conductor assemblies comprising an electrical contact member disposed an edge of the support member; wherein each electrical contact member and the respective edge of the support member are configured to connect with a corresponding electrical contact member and the respective edge of a corresponding second barrier c
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignees: Hammer Technologies Ltd, Dufort Associates Ltd
    Inventors: Tobias Murray Bateson, John Francis Dufort
  • Patent number: 11809210
    Abstract: A voltage selector circuit includes a voltage comparator, a multiplexer, and an adaptive current bias generator. The voltage comparator receives first and second input voltages, and outputs a comparator signal based on the first and second input voltages. The multiplexer selects a larger of the first and second input voltages in time based on first comparator signal. The adaptive current bias generator generates a bias current for the voltage comparator during a transition from a first state to a second state. The first input voltage is continuously larger than the second input voltage during the first state, and the second input voltage is continuously larger than the first input voltage in the second state. The bias current during the transition has a time-varying current level that is proportional to a time-varying difference between the first input voltage and the second input voltage during the transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ming Luo, Andres Blanco
  • Patent number: 11803203
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a current being supplied to a load includes a first pass transistor to couple a first sense resistance to the load when the first pass transistor is enabled and a second pass transistor to couple a second sense resistance to the load when the second pass transistor is enabled. An error amplifier determines a difference between a voltage being supplied to the load and a reference voltage and to supplies an error amplifier output signal according to the difference. A switch couples the error amplifier output signal to a gate of the first pass transistor or to a gate of the second pass transistor. Control logic controls the switch according to a value of the current being supplied to the load. The voltage being supplied to the load is controlled using the error amplifier output signal that is selectively coupled to the gate of the first pass transistor or the gate of the second pass transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Franco Maggi, Peter Pap
  • Patent number: 11804708
    Abstract: An electrostatic discharge protection circuit is disclosed. It comprises a stacked drain-ballasted NMOS devices structure and a gate bias circuit. The gate bias circuit includes an inverter, a first gate bias output terminal, and a second gate bias output terminal. The first gate bias output terminal is coupled to a gate of a first one of the drain-ballasted NMOS devices. The second gate bias output terminal runs from an output of the inverter to a gate of a second one of the drain-ballasted NMOS devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: NVIDIA CORP.
    Inventors: Jauwen Chen, Sunitha Venkataraman, Ting Ku
  • Patent number: 11799380
    Abstract: Hybrid control of switching power converters. One example embodiment is a method including: operating the switching power converter such that a charge control switch has a conduction time in each switching cycle; and making adjustments to the conduction time, the adjustments dominated by voltage-mode control when the switching power supply is in a first operational state, and the adjustments dominated by current-mode control when the switching power supply is in a second operational state distinct from the first operational state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Sangcheol Moon, Dongjin Park, Jihoon Jang
  • Patent number: 11799280
    Abstract: Aircraft ground power cable management and monitoring systems and methods including arc fault protection. Disclosed systems are especially well-suited for high power systems such as 400 Hz aircraft ground power supply systems and cable assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Innovative Electrical Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Preston D. Shultz, Michael Marvin
  • Patent number: 11797034
    Abstract: A voltage regulation circuit includes a voltage regulator that is configured to provide a stable output voltage based on an input voltage; and a control circuit, coupled to the voltage regulator, and configured to provide an injection current to maintain the stable output voltage in response to an enable signal provided at an input of the control circuit transitioning to a predetermined state and cease providing the injection current when the control circuit detects that a voltage level of the output voltage is higher than a pre-defined voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yen-An Chang, Chia-Fu Lee, Yu-Der Chih, Yi-Chun Shih