Patents by Inventor Alvaro Aguilar

Alvaro Aguilar has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11996764
    Abstract: Described embodiments include a circuit for limiting power converter output ripple. A first transistor has a first current terminal receiving an input voltage, and a second current terminal coupled to a first capacitor. A second transistor has a third current terminal coupled to the first capacitor, and a fourth current terminal is coupled to a second capacitor. A third transistor has a fifth current terminal coupled to the second capacitor, and a sixth terminal coupled to a filter input. A fourth transistor has a seventh current terminal coupled to the second current terminal, and an eighth current terminal coupled to the sixth current terminal. A fifth transistor has a ninth current terminal coupled to the fourth current terminal, and a tenth current terminal coupled to the sixth current terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Alvaro Aguilar, Yutian Cui
  • Publication number: 20230025078
    Abstract: Described embodiments include a circuit for limiting power converter output ripple. A first transistor has a first current terminal receiving an input voltage, and a second current terminal coupled to a first capacitor. A second transistor has a third current terminal coupled to the first capacitor, and a fourth current terminal is coupled to a second capacitor. A third transistor has a fifth current terminal coupled to the second capacitor, and a sixth terminal coupled to a filter input. A fourth transistor has a seventh current terminal coupled to the second current terminal, and an eighth current terminal coupled to the sixth current terminal. A fifth transistor has a ninth current terminal coupled to the fourth current terminal, and a tenth current terminal coupled to the sixth current terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Alvaro Aguilar, Yutian Cui
  • Patent number: 11362587
    Abstract: In described examples of methods and control circuitry to control a multi-level power conversion system, the control circuitry generates PWM signals having a duty cycle to control an output signal. The duty cycle is adjustable in different switching cycles. States of the system's switches are adjustable in one or more intervals within the switching cycles. In response to a voltage across a capacitor of the system being outside a non-zero voltage range, the control circuitry adjusts states of the switches in two intervals to discharge or charge the capacitor in a given switching cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Orlando Lazaro, Kevin Scoones, Alvaro Aguilar, Jeffrey Anthony Morroni, Sombuddha Chakraborty
  • Patent number: 11101735
    Abstract: In a described example, an apparatus includes a first switch coupled between a terminal for receiving an input voltage and a top plate node, and having a first control terminal; a second switch coupled between the top plate node and a switching node, and having a second control terminal; a third switch coupled between the switching node and a bottom plate node and having a third control terminal; a fourth switch coupled between the bottom plate node and a ground terminal, and having a fourth control terminal; a flying capacitor coupled between the top plate node and the bottom plate node; a fifth switch coupled between the top plate node and an auxiliary node; a sixth switch coupled between the auxiliary node and the bottom plate node; and an auxiliary capacitor coupled between the auxiliary control terminal and a ground terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Kevin Scoones, Orlando Lazaro, Alvaro Aguilar, Jeffrey Anthony Morroni, Reza Sharifi, Saurav Bandyopadhyay
  • Patent number: 11011978
    Abstract: An apparatus includes: a switched capacitor (SC) converter to generate a first voltage based on a voltage source; and a direct current-to-direct current (DC-DC) converter to generate a second voltage based on the voltage source of the apparatus. A difference between the first voltage and the second voltage corresponds to an output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Timothy McRae, Aleksandar Prodic, Sombuddha Chakraborty, Alvaro Aguilar, William James McIntyre
  • Publication number: 20200227997
    Abstract: An apparatus includes: a switched capacitor (SC) converter to generate a first voltage based on a voltage source; and a direct current-to-direct current (DC-DC) converter to generate a second voltage based on the voltage source of the apparatus. A difference between the first voltage and the second voltage corresponds to an output voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Timothy McRae, Aleksandar Prodic, Sombuddha Chakraborty, Alvaro Aguilar, William James McIntyre
  • Patent number: 10651736
    Abstract: A power converter device includes a set of switches configured to switch between at least three input-side voltage levels to provide output pulses. The power converter device also includes a control circuit for the set of switches, wherein the control circuit configured to selectively switch the power converter device between a continuous conduction mode of operation (CCM) having a first charge per pulse and a discontinuous conduction mode of operation (DCM) having a second charge per pulse, the second charge per pulse being greater than the first charge per pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Orlando Lazaro, Alvaro Aguilar, Jeffrey Morroni, Kevin Scoones, Reza Sharifi
  • Patent number: 10601304
    Abstract: In methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture to a high efficient hybrid power converter, an example apparatus includes: a switched capacitor (SC) converter to generate a first voltage based on a voltage source; and a direct current-to-direct current (DC-DC) converter to generate a second voltage based on the voltage source of the apparatus, the difference between the first voltage and the second voltage corresponding to an output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Timothy McRae, Aleksandar Prodic, Sombuddha Chakraborty, Alvaro Aguilar, William James McIntyre
  • Publication number: 20200021196
    Abstract: In a described example, an apparatus includes a first switch coupled between a terminal for receiving an input voltage and a top plate node, and having a first control terminal; a second switch coupled between the top plate node and a switching node, and having a second control terminal; a third switch coupled between the switching node and a bottom plate node and having a third control terminal; a fourth switch coupled between the bottom plate node and a ground terminal, and having a fourth control terminal; a flying capacitor coupled between the top plate node and the bottom plate node; a fifth switch coupled between the top plate node and an auxiliary node; a sixth switch coupled between the auxiliary node and the bottom plate node; and an auxiliary capacitor coupled between the auxiliary control terminal and a ground terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Inventors: Kevin Scoones, Orlando Lazaro, Alvaro Aguilar, Jeffrey Anthony Morroni, Reza Sharifi, Saurav Bandyopadhyay
  • Patent number: 10468988
    Abstract: In a described example, an apparatus includes a first switch coupled between a terminal for receiving an input voltage and a top plate node, and having a first control terminal; a second switch coupled between the top plate node and a switching node, and having a second control terminal; a third switch coupled between the switching node and a bottom plate node and having a third control terminal; a fourth switch coupled between the bottom plate node and a ground terminal, and having a fourth control terminal; a flying capacitor coupled between the top plate node and the bottom plate node; a fifth switch coupled between the top plate node and an auxiliary node; a sixth switch coupled between the auxiliary node and the bottom plate node; and an auxiliary capacitor coupled between the auxiliary control terminal and a ground terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Kevin Scoones, Orlando Lazaro, Alvaro Aguilar, Jeffrey Anthony Morroni, Reza Sharifi, Saurav Bandyopadhyay
  • Patent number: 10439494
    Abstract: In described examples of methods and control circuitry to control a power conversion system, a regulator circuit is coupled to provide switching control signals according to a regulation signal to operate a plurality of converter switches to generate a voltage signal at a switching node. A compensation sense circuit is coupled to provide a compensation pulse signal having a duty cycle that represents a percentage of time that a current flowing through the switching node is above a threshold value. A current compensation circuit adjusts the regulation signal according to the compensation pulse signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Reza Sharifi, Kevin Scoones, Orlando Lazaro, Alvaro Aguilar
  • Patent number: 10355609
    Abstract: In described examples of methods and control circuitry to control a multi-level power conversion system with a flying capacitor, a power circuit regulates a regulator input voltage signal to provide a supply voltage signal to the control circuitry. A power switching circuit couples the regulator input to a first terminal of the flying capacitor in response to a second terminal of the flying capacitor being coupled to a reference voltage node in a given switching cycle, and couples the regulator input to the second terminal in response to the first terminal being coupled to an input node of the power conversion system in the given switching cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Orlando Lazaro, Kevin Scoones, Jeffrey Anthony Morroni, Alvaro Aguilar, Reza Sharifi
  • Publication number: 20190081548
    Abstract: In methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture to a high efficient hybrid power converter, an example apparatus includes: a switched capacitor (SC) converter to generate a first voltage based on a voltage source; and a direct current-to-direct current (DC-DC) converter to generate a second voltage based on the voltage source of the apparatus, the difference between the first voltage and the second voltage corresponding to an output voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Timothy McRae, Aleksandar Prodic, Sombuddha Chakraborty, Alvaro Aguilar, William James McIntyre
  • Publication number: 20190058397
    Abstract: In described examples of methods and control circuitry to control a multi-level power conversion system, the control circuitry generates PWM signals having a duty cycle to control an output signal. The duty cycle is adjustable in different switching cycles. Each switching cycle includes a respective first sub-cycle with a first sub-cycle duration and a respective second sub-cycle with a second sub-cycle duration. The control circuitry controls a given switching cycle's first and second sub-cycle durations to control a voltage across a capacitor of the power conversion system while maintaining the given switching cycle's duty cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Orlando Lazaro, Kevin Scoones, Alvaro Aguilar, Jeffrey Anthony Morroni, Reza Sharifi
  • Publication number: 20190058398
    Abstract: In described examples of methods and control circuitry to control a power conversion system, a regulator circuit is coupled to provide switching control signals according to a regulation signal to operate a plurality of converter switches to generate a voltage signal at a switching node. A compensation sense circuit is coupled to provide a compensation pulse signal having a duty cycle that represents a percentage of time that a current flowing through the switching node is above a threshold value. A current compensation circuit adjusts the regulation signal according to the compensation pulse signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Reza Sharifi, Kevin Scoones, Orlando Lazaro, Alvaro Aguilar
  • Publication number: 20190058385
    Abstract: In described examples of methods and control circuitry to control a multi-level power conversion system, the control circuitry generates PWM signals having a duty cycle to control an output signal. The duty cycle is adjustable in different switching cycles. States of the system's switches are adjustable in one or more intervals within the switching cycles. In response to a voltage across a capacitor of the system being outside a non-zero voltage range, the control circuitry adjusts states of the switches in two intervals to discharge or charge the capacitor in a given switching cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Orlando Lazaro, Kevin Scoones, Alvaro Aguilar, Jeffrey Anthony Morroni, Sombuddha Chakraborty
  • Publication number: 20190058405
    Abstract: In described examples of methods and control circuitry to control a multi-level power conversion system with a flying capacitor, a power circuit regulates a regulator input voltage signal to provide a supply voltage signal to the control circuitry. A power switching circuit couples the regulator input to a first terminal of the flying capacitor in response to a second terminal of the flying capacitor being coupled to a reference voltage node in a given switching cycle, and couples the regulator input to the second terminal in response to the first terminal being coupled to an input node of the power conversion system in the given switching cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Orlando Lazaro, Kevin Scoones, Jeffrey Anthony Morroni, Alvaro Aguilar, Reza Sharifi
  • Publication number: 20190028031
    Abstract: In a described example, an apparatus includes a first switch coupled between a terminal for receiving an input voltage and a top plate node, and having a first control terminal; a second switch coupled between the top plate node and a switching node, and having a second control terminal; a third switch coupled between the switching node and a bottom plate node and having a third control terminal; a fourth switch coupled between the bottom plate node and a ground terminal, and having a fourth control terminal; a flying capacitor coupled between the top plate node and the bottom plate node; a fifth switch coupled between the top plate node and an auxiliary node; a sixth switch coupled between the auxiliary node and the bottom plate node; and an auxiliary capacitor coupled between the auxiliary control terminal and a ground terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Kevin Scoones, Orlando Lazaro, Alvaro Aguilar, Jeffrey Anthony Morroni, Reza Sharifi, Saurav Bandyopadhyay
  • Patent number: 10075080
    Abstract: In a described example, an apparatus includes a first switch coupled between a terminal for receiving an input voltage and a top plate node, and having a first control terminal; a second switch coupled between the top plate node and a switching node, and having a second control terminal; a third switch coupled between the switching node and a bottom plate node and having a third control terminal; a fourth switch coupled between the bottom plate node and a ground terminal, and having a fourth control terminal; a flying capacitor coupled between the top plate node and the bottom plate node; a fifth switch coupled between the top plate node and an auxiliary node; a sixth switch coupled between the auxiliary node and the bottom plate node; and an auxiliary capacitor coupled between the auxiliary control terminal and a ground terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Kevin Scoones, Orlando Lazaro, Alvaro Aguilar, Jeffrey Anthony Morroni, Reza Sharifi, Saurav Bandyopadhyay
  • Publication number: 20070235348
    Abstract: A method is provided for forming a thin film conducting polymer (24) for sensor applications. The method comprises forming at least one pair of electrodes (14, 16) on a substrate (12), the pair of electrodes (14, 16) having an insulating layer (18) positioned therebetween, the insulating layer (18) having a surface (20) opposed to the substrate (12), increasing OH? groups on the surface (20), binding silane molecules (22) to the surface (20), and forming the conducting polymer material (24) on the silane molecules (22) between and in electrical contact with the electrodes (14, 16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Larry Nagahara, Islamshah Amlani, Alvaro Aguilar, Erica Forzani, Xiulan Li, Nongjian Tao