Patents by Inventor Arthur B. Odell

Arthur B. Odell 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: 11979090
    Abstract: A first controller for a power converter, the first controller comprising a driver, supply terminal, branch switch and branch control. The driver configured to provide a drive signal to turn ON and turn OFF a power switch. The power switch includes a first switch and a second switch coupled in a cascode configuration. The supply terminal coupled to a bypass capacitor that provides operating power to the first controller, wherein the bypass capacitor has a bypass voltage. The branch switch coupled to a node between the first switch and the second switch. The branch control configured to receive a regulation signal representative of a comparison of the bypass voltage to a bypass reference and is configured to turn ON the branch switch if the bypass voltage is below the bypass reference to redirect at least a portion of a drain current of the power switch to the bypass capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Antonius Jacobus Johannes Werner, Arthur B. Odell, Giao Minh Pham
  • Patent number: 11942900
    Abstract: A compensated amplifier for use in a power converter controller. The compensated amplifier comprises a first amplifier, a second amplifier, an integrator, and an arithmetic operator. The first amplifier coupled to receive a sensed signal and a reference signal and configured to generate a first error signal in response to the sensed signal and the reference signal. The second amplifier coupled to the first amplifier and configured to generate a second error signal in response to the sensed signal and the reference signal. The integrator coupled to the first amplifier and configured to generate an integrated error signal in response to the first error signal. The arithmetic operator coupled to the integrator and to the second amplifier, wherein the arithmetic operator is configured to generate a control signal in response to the integrated error signal and the second error signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Arthur B. Odell
  • Patent number: 11888405
    Abstract: A primary controller comprising a control circuit coupled to determine a mode of operation and to generate a first mode of operation signal and a second mode of operation signal. The control circuit coupled to generate a control signal in response to the first mode of operation signal or the second mode of operation signal, the control signal causes a delay time to enable a turn ON of a power switch after a turn OFF of a clamp switch. The control circuit coupled to output a clamp drive signal to control the clamp switch and comprises a delay circuit coupled to receive the first mode of operation signal and the second mode of operation signal, wherein the delay circuit is coupled to apply a first delay time or a second delay time to the control signal, the second delay time being longer than the first delay time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Inventors: Jinyuan Tian, Munadir Aziz Ahmed, Arthur B. Odell, Rajko Duvnjak
  • Publication number: 20230275523
    Abstract: A primary controller comprising a control circuit coupled to determine a mode of operation and to generate a first mode of operation signal and a second mode of operation signal. The control circuit coupled to generate a control signal in response to the first mode of operation signal or the second mode of operation signal, the control signal causes a delay time to enable a turn ON of a power switch after a turn OFF of a clamp switch. The control circuit coupled to output a clamp drive signal to control the clamp switch and comprises a delay circuit coupled to receive the first mode of operation signal and the second mode of operation signal, wherein the delay circuit is coupled to apply a first delay time or a second delay time to the control signal, the second delay time being longer than the first delay time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: JINYUAN TIAN, Munadir Aziz Ahmed, Arthur B Odell, Rajko Duvnjak
  • Publication number: 20230122632
    Abstract: A compensated amplifier for use in a power converter controller. The compensated amplifier comprises a first amplifier, a second amplifier, an integrator, and an arithmetic operator. The first amplifier coupled to receive a sensed signal and a reference signal and configured to generate a first error signal in response to the sensed signal and the reference signal. The second amplifier coupled to the first amplifier and configured to generate a second error signal in response to the sensed signal and the reference signal. The integrator coupled to the first amplifier and configured to generate an integrated error signal in response to the first error signal. The arithmetic operator coupled to the integrator and to the second amplifier, wherein the arithmetic operator is configured to generate a control signal in response to the integrated error signal and the second error signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventor: Arthur B. Odell
  • Patent number: 11632054
    Abstract: A primary controller configured for use in a power converter comprising a control circuit configured to determine a mode of operation of the power converter in response to a drive signal of a power switch. The control circuit further configured to generate a control signal in response to a signal representative of the mode of operation of the power converter, wherein the control signal represents a delay time to enable a turn on of the power switch after a turn off of a clamp switch. The control circuit further configured to generate a clamp drive signal to control the clamp switch. The primary controller further comprises a drive circuit configured to generate a drive signal to enable the power switch to transfer energy from an input of the power converter to an output of the power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jinyuan Tian, Munadir Aziz Ahmed, Arthur B. Odell, Rajko Duvnjak
  • Patent number: 11611279
    Abstract: A controller configured for use in a power converter. The controller includes a control circuit coupled to receive an input line voltage sense signal representative of an input voltage of the power converter. The control circuit is configured to generate a control signal in response to a request signal representative of an output of the power converter. The control signal represents a delay time to turn on a power switch after a turn on of a clamp switch in response to the input line voltage sense signal. The control circuit can further generate a clamp drive signal to control a clamp driver and a drive circuit configured to generate a drive signal to control the power switch to transfer energy from an input of the power converter to the output of the power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur B. Odell, Rajko Duvnjak
  • Publication number: 20230051129
    Abstract: A first controller for a power converter, the first controller comprising a driver, supply terminal, branch switch and branch control. The driver configured to provide a drive signal to turn ON and turn OFF a power switch. The power switch includes a first switch and a second switch coupled in a cascode configuration. The supply terminal coupled to a bypass capacitor that provides operating power to the first controller, wherein the bypass capacitor has a bypass voltage. The branch switch coupled to a node between the first switch and the second switch. The branch control configured to receive a regulation signal representative of a comparison of the bypass voltage to a bypass reference and is configured to turn ON the branch switch if the bypass voltage is below the bypass reference to redirect at least a portion of a drain current of the power switch to the bypass capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: ANTONIUS JACOBUS JOHANNES WERNER, ARTHUR B. ODELL, GIAO MINH PHAM
  • Patent number: 11563382
    Abstract: An inductive charging circuit coupled to a winding of a power converter and a supply terminal of a controller of the power converter. The inductive charging circuit comprising an input coupled to the winding, the input coupled to receive a switching voltage generated by the power converter, an inductor coupled to the input to provide an inductor current in response to the switching voltage, a first diode coupled to the inductor to enable the inductor current to flow from the input of the inductive charging circuit to an output of the inductive charging circuit; and the output of the inductive charging circuit coupled to the supply terminal of the controller, the output of the inductive charging circuit configured to provide an operational current responsive to the switching voltage, the controller is configured to control a power switch of the power converter to generate the switching voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Arthur B. Odell
  • Patent number: 11451152
    Abstract: A power converter, comprising an energy transfer element, an output of the power converter, a power switch, an active clamp circuit, and a first controller. The active clamp circuit comprising a capacitance, a steering diode network coupled to the capacitance and configured to transfer a charge to the capacitance, a clamp switch coupled to the capacitance and configured to transfer the charge stored in the capacitance to the energy transfer element, and an offset element coupled to the clamp switch and configured to provide a path to discharge a capacitance associated with the clamp switch. The first controller configured to output a clamp drive signal to control the turn on and turn off of the clamp switch and a primary drive signal to control the turn on and turn off of the power switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur B. Odell
  • Patent number: 11418121
    Abstract: An auxiliary converter coupled to an output of a main power converter comprising an auxiliary switch, a timing circuit, and an energy transfer element. The auxiliary switch coupled to the output of the main power converter. A timing circuit coupled to receive a control signal from a controller of the main power converter, wherein the controller regulates the output of the main power converter, the timing circuit configured to output an auxiliary drive signal to control switching of the auxiliary switch in response to the control signal. The energy transfer element coupled to the auxiliary switch, wherein the energy transfer element is configured to transfer energy from the output of the main power converter to a supply of the controller, the supply provides operational power for the controller of the main power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc
    Inventors: Arthur B. Odell, Munadir Aziz Ahmed
  • Patent number: 11342856
    Abstract: A switched mode power converter has an energy transfer element that delivers an output signal to a load. A power switching device coupled to the primary side of the energy transfer element regulates a transfer of energy to the load. A secondary controller is coupled to receive a feedback signal and output a pulsed signal in response thereto. A primary controller is coupled to receive the pulsed signal and output a drive signal in response thereto, the drive signal being coupled to control switching of the power switching device. A compensation circuit generates an adaptively compensated signal synchronous with the pulsed signal. The adaptively compensated signal has a parameter that is adaptively adjusted in response to a comparison of the feedback signal with a threshold reference signal. The parameter converges towards a final value that produces a desired level of the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Giao Minh Pham, Vikram Balakrishnan, Arthur B. Odell, Antonius Jacobus Johannes Werner, Karl Moore, Matthew David Waterson
  • Publication number: 20220103084
    Abstract: An inductive charging circuit coupled to a winding of a power converter and a supply terminal of a controller of the power converter. The inductive charging circuit comprising an input coupled to the winding, the input coupled to receive a switching voltage generated by the power converter, an inductor coupled to the input to provide an inductor current in response to the switching voltage, a first diode coupled to the inductor to enable the inductor current to flow from the input of the inductive charging circuit to an output of the inductive charging circuit; and the output of the inductive charging circuit coupled to the supply terminal of the controller, the output of the inductive charging circuit configured to provide an operational current responsive to the switching voltage, the controller is configured to control a power switch of the power converter to generate the switching voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur B. Odell
  • Patent number: 11258369
    Abstract: An inductive charging circuit coupled to a winding of a power converter and a supply terminal of a controller of the power converter. The inductive charging circuit comprising an input coupled to the winding, the input coupled to receive a switching voltage generated by the power converter, an inductor coupled to the input to provide an inductor current in response to the switching voltage, a first diode coupled to the inductor to enable the inductor current to flow from the input of the inductive charging circuit to an output of the inductive charging circuit; and the output of the inductive charging circuit coupled to the supply terminal of the controller, the output of the inductive charging circuit configured to provide an operational current responsive to the inductor current to the controller, the controller is configured to control a power switch of the power converter to generate the switching voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Arthur B. Odell
  • Publication number: 20210257923
    Abstract: An inductive charging circuit coupled to a winding of a power converter and a supply terminal of a controller of the power converter. The inductive charging circuit comprising an input coupled to the winding, the input coupled to receive a switching voltage generated by the power converter, an inductor coupled to the input to provide an inductor current in response to the switching voltage, a first diode coupled to the inductor to enable the inductor current to flow from the input of the inductive charging circuit to an output of the inductive charging circuit; and the output of the inductive charging circuit coupled to the supply terminal of the controller, the output of the inductive charging circuit configured to provide an operational current responsive to the inductor current to the controller, the controller is configured to control a power switch of the power converter to generate the switching voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventor: ARTHUR B. ODELL
  • Publication number: 20210203235
    Abstract: An auxiliary converter coupled to an output of a main power converter comprising an auxiliary switch, a timing circuit, and an energy transfer element. The auxiliary switch coupled to the output of the main power converter. A timing circuit coupled to receive a control signal from a controller of the main power converter, wherein the controller regulates the output of the main power converter, the timing circuit configured to output an auxiliary drive signal to control switching of the auxiliary switch in response to the control signal. The energy transfer element coupled to the auxiliary switch, wherein the energy transfer element is configured to transfer energy from the output of the main power converter to a supply of the controller, the supply provides operational power for the controller of the main power converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: ARTHUR B. ODELL, Munadir Aziz Ahmed
  • Publication number: 20210194378
    Abstract: A primary controller configured for use in a power converter comprising a control circuit configured to determine a mode of operation of the power converter in response to a drive signal of a power switch. The control circuit further configured to generate a control signal in response to a signal representative of the mode of operation of the power converter, wherein the control signal represents a delay time to enable a turn on of the power switch after a turn off of a clamp switch. The control circuit further configured to generate a clamp drive signal to control the clamp switch. The primary controller further comprises a drive circuit configured to generate a drive signal to enable the power switch to transfer energy from an input of the power converter to an output of the power converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jinyuan Tian, Munadir Aziz Ahmed, Arthur B. Odell, Rajko Duvnjak
  • Publication number: 20210175810
    Abstract: A power converter, comprising an energy transfer element, an output of the power converter, a power switch, an active clamp circuit, and a first controller. The active clamp circuit comprising a capacitance, a steering diode network coupled to the capacitance and configured to transfer a charge to the capacitance, a clamp switch coupled to the capacitance and configured to transfer the charge stored in the capacitance to the energy transfer element, and an offset element coupled to the clamp switch and configured to provide a path to discharge a capacitance associated with the clamp switch. The first controller configured to output a clamp drive signal to control the turn on and turn off of the clamp switch and a primary drive signal to control the turn on and turn off of the power switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Applicant: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur B. Odell
  • Publication number: 20210167680
    Abstract: A controller configured for use in a power converter. The controller comprises a control circuit coupled to receive an input line voltage sense signal representative of an input voltage of the power converter. The control circuit is configured to generate a control signal in response to a request signal representative of an output of the power converter. The control signal represents a delay time to turn on a power switch after a turn on of a clamp switch in response to the input line voltage sense signal. The control circuit can further generate a clamp drive signal to control a clamp driver and a drive circuit configured to generate a drive signal to control the power switch to transfer energy from an input of the power converter to the output of the power converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Applicant: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur B. Odell, Rajko Duvnjak
  • Patent number: 10965218
    Abstract: A power converter, comprising an energy transfer element, an output of the power converter, a power switch, an active clamp circuit, and a first controller. The active clamp circuit comprising a capacitance, a steering diode network coupled to the capacitance and configured to transfer a charge to the capacitance, a clamp switch coupled to the capacitance and configured to transfer the charge stored in the capacitance to the energy transfer element, and an offset element coupled to the clamp switch and configured to provide a path to discharge a capacitance associated with the clamp switch. The first controller configured to output a clamp drive signal to control the turn on and turn off of the clamp switch and a primary drive signal to control the turn on and turn off of the power switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur B. Odell