Patents by Inventor Francis Yu
Francis Yu 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: 11791705Abstract: A multi-phase voltage converter has a plurality of integrated circuits (ICs), and a controller. Each IC has a power switch, a monitoring pin and a current sense pin. The power switch is controlled to convert an input voltage to an output voltage. The current sense pin is capable of providing a current sense signal representative of a current flowing through the power switch. The controller is capable of providing a clock signal via the monitoring pin, and provides a plurality of data signals via the current sense pin of the plurality of ICs. Each of the plurality of ICs is assigned an identification code based on the clock signal and one of the plurality of data signals.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2022Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.Inventors: Chiahsin Chang, Chao Liu, James Nguyen, Francis Yu, Huichun Dai, Fangyu Zhang
-
Patent number: 10083930Abstract: A semiconductor device reducing parasitic loop inductance of system for the switching converter. The semiconductor device has an input voltage pin, a ground reference pin, a switching pin, and a semiconductor die, wherein the semiconductor die comprises a high-side power switch and a low-side power switch and a metal connection. The metal connection directly connects the high-side power switch and the first terminal of the low-side power switch, and is along and proximity to an edge of the semiconductor device to which the input voltage pin is distributed.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2017Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.Inventors: Huaifeng Wang, Eric Braun, Hunt Hang Jiang, Francis Yu
-
Publication number: 20180050911Abstract: A system and method for producing tritium are disclosed. The system includes at least one neutron generator configured to generate neutrons. The system further includes at least one target comprising a lithium-containing material. The at least one target is configured to be irradiated by at least some of the neutrons and to produce tritium. The system further includes at least one collection structure configured to receive at least some of the tritium from the at least one target. The at least one collection structure comprises at least one gas conduit having an input configured to receive a carrier gas and an output configured to allow the carrier gas and the received tritium to flow out of the at least one gas conduit after the carrier gas has flowed along the at least one target.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2017Publication date: February 22, 2018Inventor: Francis Yu-Hei Tsang
-
Publication number: 20170338739Abstract: A power supply includes a half-bridge circuit. The power supply further includes an output inductor connected to a switch node that is common to a high side switch and a low side switch of the half-bridge. During a turn ON time of the low side switch, a current detection circuit of the power supply samples and holds in a capacitor a valley of an inductor current flowing through the output inductor. Also during the turn ON time of the low side switch, the current detection circuit samples and holds in another capacitor a peak of the inductor current. During a turn OFF time of the low side switch, a sense inductor current that is representative of the inductor current is generated by combining the charges stored in the capacitors.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2016Publication date: November 23, 2017Applicant: Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.Inventors: James NGUYEN, Francis YU
-
Patent number: 9817039Abstract: In one embodiment, a current sensing circuit includes a differential current sensing amplifier adapted for sensing a voltage drop across a main transistor, the differential current sensing amplifier being adapted for providing a switched current output to a timing circuit which is adapted for providing a timing signal to one or more switching current sample-and-hold circuits based on a current waveform of the switched current output, and the one or more switching current sample-and-hold circuits, each of which are adapted for producing a substantially continuous output current. In another embodiment, a method for detecting a current includes driving a main transistor with a first current, driving one or more sensing transistors with a second current, measuring a sensing inductor current of the one or more sensing transistors, and determining the first current based on the sensing inductor current, wherein the sensing inductor current is related to the first current.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2011Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: MONOLITHIC POWER SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Peng Xu, Francis Yu
-
Patent number: 9812963Abstract: A power supply includes a half-bridge circuit. The power supply further includes an output inductor connected to a switch node that is common to a high side switch and a low side switch of the half-bridge. During a turn ON time of the low side switch, a current detection circuit of the power supply samples and holds in a capacitor a valley of an inductor current flowing through the output inductor. Also during the turn ON time of the low side switch, the current detection circuit samples and holds in another capacitor a peak of the inductor current. During a turn OFF time of the low side switch, a sense inductor current that is representative of the inductor current is generated by combining the charges stored in the capacitors.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.Inventors: James Nguyen, Francis Yu
-
Publication number: 20170236607Abstract: A system and method for radioisotope production uses fast-neutron-caused fission of depleted or naturally occurring uranium targets in an irradiation chamber. Fast fission can be enhanced by having neutrons encountering the target undergo scattering or reflection to increase each neutron's probability of causing fission (n, f) reactions in U-238. The U-238 can be deployed as one or more layers sandwiched between layers of neutron-reflecting material, or as rods surrounded by neutron-reflecting material. The gaseous fission products can be withdrawn from the irradiation chamber on a continuous basis, and the radioactive iodine isotopes (including I-131) extracted.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2017Publication date: August 17, 2017Inventor: Francis Yu-Hei Tsang
-
Publication number: 20170214319Abstract: A semiconductor device reducing parasitic loop inductance of system for the switching converter. The semiconductor device has an input voltage pin, a ground reference pin, a switching pin, and a semiconductor die, wherein the semiconductor die comprises a high-side power switch and a low-side power switch and a metal connection. The metal connection directly connects the high-side power switch and the first terminal of the low-side power switch, and is along and proximity to an edge of the semiconductor device to which the input voltage pin is distributed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2017Publication date: July 27, 2017Inventors: Huaifeng Wang, Eric Braun, Hunt Hang Jiang, Francis Yu
-
Publication number: 20170032860Abstract: A system for radioisotope production uses fast-neutron-caused fission of depleted or naturally occurring uranium targets in an irradiation chamber. Fast fission can be enhanced by having neutrons encountering the target undergo scattering or reflection to increase each neutron's probability of causing fission (n, f) reactions in U-238. The U-238 can be deployed as one or more layers sandwiched between layers of neutron-reflecting material, or as rods surrounded by neutron-reflecting material. The gaseous fission products can be withdrawn from the irradiation chamber on a continuous basis, and the radioactive iodine isotopes (including I-131) extracted.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2016Publication date: February 2, 2017Inventor: Francis Yu-Hei Tsang
-
Patent number: 9047997Abstract: A system for radioisotope production uses fast-neutron-caused fission of depleted or naturally occurring uranium targets in an irradiation chamber. Fast fission can be enhanced by having neutrons encountering the target undergo scattering or reflection to increase each neutron's probability of causing fission (n, f) reactions in U-238. The U-238 can be deployed as layers sandwiched between layers of neutron-reflecting material, or as rods surrounded by neutron-reflecting material.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2010Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: GLOBAL MEDICAL ISOTOPE SYSTEMS LLCInventor: Francis Yu-Hei Tsang
-
Patent number: 8989335Abstract: A system for radioisotope production uses fast-neutron-caused fission of depleted or naturally occurring uranium targets in an irradiation chamber. Fast fission can be enhanced by having neutrons encountering the target undergo scattering or reflection to increase each neutron's probability of causing fission (n, f) reactions in U-238. The U-238 can be deployed as one or more layers sandwiched between layers of neutron-reflecting material, or as rods surrounded by neutron-reflecting material. The gaseous fission products can be withdrawn from the irradiation chamber on a continuous basis, and the radioactive iodine isotopes (including I-131) extracted.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2010Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Global Medical Isotope Systems LLCInventor: Francis Yu-Hei Tsang
-
Patent number: 8454732Abstract: A membrane composition and process for its formation are disclosed from the removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) from mixed gases, such as flue gases of energy production facilities. The membrane includes a substrate layer comprising inorganic oxides, a barrier layer of in-situ formed Li2ZrO3, a Li2ZrO3 sorbent layer and an inorganic oxide cap layer. The membrane has a feed side for introduction of mixed gases containing nitrogen (N2) and a sweep side for recovery of CO2 wherein the membrane has a relatively high selectivity for CO2 transport at temperatures in the range of 400° to 700° C.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2011Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Southwest Research InstituteInventors: Francis Yu Chang Huang, Vladimir I. Gorokhovsky, Kent E. Coulter
-
Patent number: 8435478Abstract: A process and apparatus for enhancement of syngas production (CO and H2) of a carbon based feedstock with CO2 conversion, which utilized CO2 as an oxygen resource and converts CO2 to CO through chemical reactions. The process includes a thermal plasma reactor and optionally a nonthermal plasma reactor.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2011Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Southwest Research InstituteInventors: Maoqi Feng, Francis Yu Chang Huang, Richard L. Johnson
-
Publication number: 20130082689Abstract: In one embodiment, a current sensing circuit includes a differential current sensing amplifier adapted for sensing a voltage drop across a main transistor, the differential current sensing amplifier being adapted for providing a switched current output to a timing circuit which is adapted for providing a timing signal to one or more switching current sample-and-hold circuits based on a current waveform of the switched current output, and the one or more switching current sample-and-hold circuits, each of which are adapted for producing a substantially continuous output current. In another embodiment, a method for detecting a current includes driving a main transistor with a first current, driving one or more sensing transistors with a second current, measuring a sensing inductor current of the one or more sensing transistors, and determining the first current based on the sensing inductor current, wherein the sensing inductor current is related to the first current.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2011Publication date: April 4, 2013Applicant: MONOLITHIC POWER SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Peng Xu, Francis Yu
-
Publication number: 20120193580Abstract: A process and apparatus for enhancement of syngas production (CO and H2) of a carbon based feedstock with CO2 conversion, which utilized CO2 as an oxygen resource and converts CO2 to CO through chemical reactions. The process includes a thermal plasma reactor and optionally a nonthermal plasma reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2011Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicant: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTEInventors: Maoqi FENG, Francis Yu Chang HUANG, Richard L. JOHNSON
-
Patent number: 8094771Abstract: The invention describes a product and a method for generating electrical power directly from nuclear power. More particularly, the invention describes the use of a liquid semiconductor as a means for efficiently converting nuclear energy, either nuclear fission and/or radiation energy, directly into electrical energy. Direct conversion of nuclear energy to electrical energy is achieved by placing nuclear material in close proximity to a liquid semiconductor. Nuclear energy emitted from the nuclear material, in the form of fission fragments or radiation, enters the liquid semiconductor and creates electron-hole pairs. By using an appropriate electrical circuit an electrical load is applied and electrical energy generated as a result of the creation of the electron-hole pairs.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2003Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Francis Yu-Hei Tsang, Tristan Dieter Juergens, Yale Deon Harker, Kwan Sze Kwok, Nathan Newman, Scott Arden Ploger
-
Patent number: 8073097Abstract: The invention describes a product and a method for generating electrical power directly from nuclear power. More particularly, the invention describes the use of a liquid semiconductor as a means for efficiently converting nuclear energy, either nuclear fission and/or radiation energy, directly into electrical energy. Direct conversion of nuclear energy to electrical energy is achieved by placing nuclear material in close proximity to a liquid semiconductor. Nuclear energy emitted from the nuclear material, in the form of fission fragments or radiation, enters the liquid semiconductor and creates electron-hole pairs. By using an appropriate electrical circuit an electrical load is applied and electrical energy generated as a result of the creation of the electron-hole pairs.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2005Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Francis Yu-Hei Tsang, Tristan Dieter Juergens, Yale Deon Harker, Kwan Sze Kwok, Nathan Newman, Scott Arden Ploger
-
Publication number: 20110286565Abstract: A system for radioisotope production uses fast-neutron-caused fission of depleted or naturally occurring uranium targets in an irradiation chamber. Fast fission can be enhanced by having neutrons encountering the target undergo scattering or reflection to increase each neutron's probability of causing fission (n, f) reactions in U-238. The U-238 can be deployed as one or more layers sandwiched between layers of neutron-reflecting material, or as rods surrounded by neutron-reflecting material. The gaseous fission products can be withdrawn from the irradiation chamber on a continuous basis, and the radioactive iodine isotopes (including I-131) extracted.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2010Publication date: November 24, 2011Applicant: MiPod Nuclear Inc.Inventor: Francis Yu-Hei Tsang
-
Publication number: 20110280356Abstract: A system for radioisotope production uses fast-neutron-caused fission of depleted or naturally occurring uranium targets in an irradiation chamber. Fast fission can be enhanced by having neutrons encountering the target undergo scattering or reflection to increase each neutron's probability of causing fission (m, f) reactions in U-238. The U-238 can be deployed as layers sandwiched between layers of neutron-reflecting material, or as rods surrounded by neutron-reflecting material.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2010Publication date: November 17, 2011Applicant: MiPod Nuclear Inc.Inventor: Francis Yu-Hei Tsang
-
Publication number: 20110274233Abstract: The invention describes a product and a method for generating electrical power directly from nuclear power. More particularly, the invention describes the use of a liquid semiconductor as a means for efficiently converting nuclear energy, either nuclear fission and/or radiation energy, directly into electrical energy. Direct conversion of nuclear energy to electrical energy is achieved by placing nuclear material in close proximity to a liquid semiconductor. Nuclear energy emitted from the nuclear material, in the form of fission fragments or radiation, enters the liquid semiconductor and creates electron-hole pairs. By using an appropriate electrical circuit an electrical load is applied and electrical energy generated as a result of the creation of the electron-hole pairs.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2003Publication date: November 10, 2011Inventors: Francis Yu-Hei Tsang, Tristan Dieter Juergens, Yale Deon Harker, Kwan Sze Kwok, Nathan Newman, Scott Arden Ploger