Patents Examined by Yemane Mehari
  • Patent number: 11121635
    Abstract: An AC-DC converter with synchronous rectifier (SR) architecture and method for operating the same are described. Generally, a secondary side IC controller of the AC-DC converter includes a SR-SNS pin coupled to a peak-detector block, a zero-crossing block, and a calibration block. The calibration block is configured to: measure a loop turn-around delay (Tloop), a time (Tpkpk) between two successive peak voltages detected on the SR-SNS pin, and a time (Tzpk) from when the voltage sensed on the SR-SNS pin crosses zero voltage to when a peak voltage is detected on the SR-SNS pin; and set timing for a signal to turn on a power switch in a primary side of the AC-DC converter based at least on Tloop, Tpkpk, and Tzpk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Arun Khamesra, Hariom Rai
  • Patent number: 11121539
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a DC solid-state circuit breaker with self-adapt fault current limiting capability. The topology of the DC solid-state circuit breaker is a H-bridge circuit consisting of two unidirectional breakable bridge arms and two series-connected diode bridge arms, wherein the two unidirectional breakable bridge arms are connected in series to the two series-connected diode bridge arms in a same direction to form two series branches, respectively; the series branches are connected in parallel; a series branch formed by a DC reactor L and a DC biased power supply is connected to the PCC between the two unidirectional breakable bridge arms and the PCC between the two series-connected diode bridge arms; the DC line is connected to the two PCCs, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Tianjin University
    Inventors: Bin Li, Jiawei He
  • Patent number: 11118872
    Abstract: A conducted electrical weapon (“CEW”) launches wire-tethered electrodes from multiple cartridges to provide a stimulus signal through a human or animal target to impede locomotion of the target. The CEW may detect the quality of the electrical coupling (e.g., connection) of pairs of electrodes with the target. In accordance with the quality of the connections, the CEW may provide pulses of a stimulus signal to the various connections between electrode pairs in accordance with a sequence. The sequence may provide pulses at a first maximum pulse rate to any one connection to increase the likelihood of inducing neuromuscular incapacitation (“NMI”) and to save energy. The sequence may provide pulses to all connections at a second maximum pulse rate to increase the likelihood of inducing NMI and to save energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Axon Enterprise, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Goodchild, Gerzain Mata, Magne Nerheim
  • Patent number: 11114950
    Abstract: A line length between an input end of a switching circuit and a high frequency capacitor is shorter than a line length between an output end of a DC power supply and the high frequency capacitor. A current path going through the switching circuit and the high frequency capacitor is the shortest among a plurality of current paths through which a switching current is caused to flow by switching at the switching circuit. Furthermore, the high frequency capacitor makes the ratio of time during which the voltage across the high-side switch element changes by a switching operation of the high-side switch element and the ratio of time during which the voltage across the low-side switch element changes by a switching operation of the low-side switch element the same, and thus reduces a harmonic wave current included in a current output from the high frequency power generation circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Hosotani
  • Patent number: 11114935
    Abstract: A switching-mode power supply circuit includes a boost inductor, a boost capacitor, a storage capacitor, a transformer or DC-DC inductor, a first switching component, an output rectification component, a filter capacitor, a feedback and control circuit, first and second rectification circuits. When first switching component conducts, the boost inductor, boost capacitor and first switching component form a first boost loop, the boost inductor stores energy, and the storage capacitor, first switching component and transformer or DC-DC inductor form a first DC-DC loop. When first switching component cuts off, the boost inductor, boost capacitor, storage capacitor and transformer or DC-DC inductor form a second boost loop, and the transformer or DC-DC inductor, output rectification component and filter capacitor form a second DC-DC loop. The filter capacitor supplies energy to a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: SHANGHAI TUITUO TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Renhong Li, Zhuo Shen
  • Patent number: 11101729
    Abstract: A drive circuit is disclosed. The drive circuit includes a high-side switch coupled between a power supply and an inductive load, and a low-side switch coupled between the load and ground. A current sense device is connected in series with the high-side switch, the low-side switch and the load. A control circuit controls the high-side and low-side switches. The control circuit further includes an input coupled to an output of the current sense device, and is configured to selectively provide a current path between the first and second terminals of the inductive load based upon the output of the current sense device. The current path is provided when an overcurrent condition exists, and dissipates energy stored in the inductive load in response to the overcurrent condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Vitesco Technologies USA, LLC
    Inventors: Jose de Jesus Ortiz-Aguilar, Mario Alejandro Rodriguez Rodriguez, Jorge Gonzalez-Amaya
  • Patent number: 11101646
    Abstract: A circuit breaker system is disclosed in the present application. The circuit breaker system includes a housing to hold an electrical interrupter within an internal region separated from an external ambient region. The electrical interrupter includes at least a first pair of electrical contact elements that are movable between open and closed positions. A voltage limiter, such as a metal oxide varistor (MOV), is connected across the pair of electrical contact elements to receive and dissipate a transient voltage when the first pair of electrical contacts is moved from a closed position to an open position, thereby reducing undesired arcing and premature wear or erosion of certain electrical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: ABB POWER GRIDS SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventors: Sushil A. Shinde, Carl Kurinko, Arnold P. Vitols, Gary Hammack, Thomas Hoburn, Peter Dubach, Ektor Sotiropoulos
  • Patent number: 11095208
    Abstract: Disclosed in embodiments of the present invention are a control method, apparatus, device, and medium for a power factor correction (PFC) circuit, used for solving the problems of high implementation costs and relatively severe THD that exist in existing PFC circuit control methods. The control method for a power factor correction (PFC) circuit, comprising: acquiring circuit parameter information of the PFC circuit; when determining that the circuit parameter information meets a preset switching condition, switching a control mode of the PFC circuit to be a continuous conduction mode (CCM).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Vertiv Corporation
    Inventors: Bo Xiang, Jian Li, Ruiguo Yang, Huaxing Fu
  • Patent number: 11092988
    Abstract: A start-up speed enhancement circuit and method for lower-power regulators is provided herein. Operations of a method can comprise detecting a condition of a power regulator being a start-up condition and applying a first current and a second current to the power regulator based on the start-up condition. The method can also comprise determining the condition of the power regulator changes from the start-up condition to an operation condition. Further, the method can comprise stopping application of the second current to the power regulator based on the condition being the operation condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: INVENSENSE, INC.
    Inventors: Le Jin, Pradeep Shettigar, Pablo Moreno Galbis
  • Patent number: 11088632
    Abstract: A system includes a first inverter connected between a dc power source and an input terminal of a first leg of a coupled inductor, a second inverter connected between the dc power source and an input terminal of a second leg of the coupled inductor, a third inverter connected between the dc power source and an input terminal of a third leg of the coupled inductor, and an output filter connected between the coupled inductor and an ac power source, wherein output terminals of the first leg, the second leg and the third leg of the coupled inductor are connected together and further connected to the output filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Futurewei Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dianbo Fu, Yunfeng Liu
  • Patent number: 11088615
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a string of capacitors including at least two capacitors coupled in series and a switching circuit including a first port having first and second terminals connected to a first node and a second end node, respectively, of the string of capacitors, and a second port configured to be coupled to an energy storage device. The switching circuit is configured to selectively connect first and second terminals of the second port to a first end node, a second end node, and at least one interconnection node of the siring of capacitors. The apparatus also includes at least one inductor configured to be coupled in series with the second port of the switching circuit and the energy storage device and a charging switch configured to directly connect the first terminal of the second port to the second terminal of the second port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Inventors: James Andrew McBryde, Swanand Juvekar
  • Patent number: 11081957
    Abstract: A converter circuit includes a power stage circuit configured to convert an input voltage to an output voltage provided at an output, and a control circuit configured to control the power stage circuit. The control circuit is configured to operate in one of a pulse frequency modulation (“PFM”) mode and a pulse width modulation (“PWM”) mode depending on a current supplied to the output. The control circuit includes a multi-mode timer circuit configured to provide a switching signal to set an off time for each switching cycle of the power stage circuit during the PFM mode and during the PWM mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Guofeng Jin, Yueming Sun
  • Patent number: 11073365
    Abstract: A hand-wearable device capable of electro muscular incapacitation is disclosed. The device may comprise a glove portion including a back side and a palm side, a stun hardware component including a charging port, a rechargeable battery, and a capacitor. First and second terminals may be positioned on the back side of the glove portion and electrically connected to the stun hardware component. The glove portion may encompass a traditional five-fingered glove, cycling glove, lifting glove, or gauntlet. In addition, the glove portion may comprise a cuff or bracer. When the hand-wearable device comprises a glove, the glove portion may be an insulated glove. A switch for actuating discharge of an electrical charge from the first and/or second terminal may be activated when contact is made with the switch; an accelerometer may be adapted to prevent the discharge when acceleration of the glove portion has not reached a predetermined rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Inventor: William Gullotti
  • Patent number: 11075517
    Abstract: Disclosed is a rapid short-circuit protection circuit of charger at output end. With the short-circuit protection circuit adopted at an output end of a battery charger, MOS switch transistors in a battery power supply circuit may not burn out when an output end VOUT of the battery charger is short-circuited, and thus a good short-circuit protection effect is rendered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignees: SHENZHEN CLICK TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., CLICK TECHNOLOGY (XINFENG) CO., LTD., HUIZHOU CITY CLICK TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tongcheng Li, Mingliang Zhou
  • Patent number: 11071225
    Abstract: An integrated smart relay assembly includes a case and an electronic solid-state switch disposed inside the case and a gate driver circuit electrically connected to the electronic solid-state switch. The gate driver circuit is configured to drive the electronic solid-state switch with a predetermined gate voltage and a predetermined gate current. The relay assembly further includes a protection circuit electrically connected to the gate driver circuit. The protection circuit is configured to protect the electronic solid-state switch against over-voltage, short circuit, and overheating. The relay assembly further includes a communication interface integrated with the electronic solid-state switch. Each of the protection circuit, electronic solid-state switch, and the communication interface is disposed inside the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Chandra S. Namuduri, Rashmi Prasad
  • Patent number: 11070135
    Abstract: A converter includes an input capacitor, a primary-side switch circuit, a transformer, an inductor, a secondary-side switch circuit, and an output capacitor. The primary-side switch circuit includes a first and a second bridge arm. Each of the first and the second bridge arm includes at least two switches. A soft-start period of an output voltage from the converter includes a voltage rising period of the output voltage. A turn-on time of one of the at least two switches of the first bridge arm is less than ½ of a switching period. A turn-on time of one of the at least two switches of the second bridge arm is zero of the switching period or near zero of the switching period. The inductor and parasitic capacitors of the at least two switches of the second bridge arm oscillate, and energy generated from an oscillation is transmitted to the second-side switch circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Da Jin, Ya-Hong Xiong, Qing-Hua Su
  • Patent number: 11063507
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a power source unit and a control unit. The power source unit includes a first inductor, a second inductor different from the first inductor, and a switching unit that performs switching so that one of the first and the second inductor is used. The power source unit is capable of operating in a first operation mode or a second operation mode different from the first operation mode. The control unit determines which one of the first and the second operation modes the power source unit is caused to operate in, and causes the switching unit to perform switching so that the first inductor is used in the power source unit when operating in the first operation mode and the second inductor is used in the power source unit when operating in the second operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masao Kimura, Izumi Kaburagi
  • Patent number: 11063525
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a power supply module and a manufacture method thereof, belonging to the technical field of power electronics. According to the present disclosure, a unibody conductive member is employed to connect a conductive part in a passive element to a conductive layer in a substrate. This is advantageous in simplifying the structure of the passive element, and enabling a structurally compact power supply module at a reduced cost. Additionally, stacking the passive element with the substrate may allow for a further compact structure for the power supply module, improving the space utilization rate for the power supply module, while enhancing the external appearance of the power supply module with tidiness, simplicity and aesthetics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Pengkai Ji, Shouyu Hong, Xiaoni Xin, Le Liang, Zhenqing Zhao
  • Patent number: 11043890
    Abstract: A controller for use in a power converter includes a secondary controller coupled to receive a feedback signal representative of an output of the power converter to generate d a request signal. A primary controller is coupled to receive the request signal to generate a primary drive signal. The primary drive signal is coupled to control switching of a power switch to control a transfer of energy from the input to the output of the power converter. A frequency to on-time converter included in the primary controller is coupled to receive the request signal. The frequency to on-time converter is coupled to control the duration of on-time pulses included in the primary drive signal in response to a period of the request signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Balu Balakrishnan, Tiziano Pastore, Sundaresan Sundararaj
  • Patent number: 11038344
    Abstract: A cell circuit includes a first power rail, having a first line length, in a first layer. The first power rail is configured to receive a first voltage for the cell circuit. The cell circuit includes multiple lines in a second layer and a shunt in a third layer. The shunt is electrically coupled to the first power rail and a first set of lines of the multiple lines. The shunt has a second line length shorter than the first line length. The cell circuit includes another shunt in t the third layer. The other shunt is also parallel to the first power rail. The other shunt is electrically coupled to the first power rail and a second set of lines of the multiple lines. The other shunt has a third line length shorter than the first line length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Qualcomm Incorporated
    Inventors: John Jianhong Zhu, Xiangdong Chen, Haining Yang, Kern Rim