Abstract: A system for measuring the conductivity of a flexible media positioned between a conductive backing and a conductive roller, wherein the conductive roller contacts the flexible media in a roller contact region. A pressure control mechanism presses the conductive roller against the second surface of the flexible media with a specified contact pressure, and a motion control system provide a relative motion between the conductive roller and the flexible media. A resistance measuring system connected to the conductive roller and the conductive backing measures the conductivity of the flexible media within the roller contact region. A data recording system records the measured conductivity of the media as a function of position.

Abstract: According to example configurations as described herein, a power supply system includes a unique circuit including an analog summer circuit, an analog-to-digital converter, and a digital controller. An output voltage feedback control loop of the power supply system feeds back the output voltage to the analog summer circuit. The analog summer circuit generates an analog error voltage signal based on: i) the output voltage received from the output voltage feedback loop, ii) an analog reference voltage signal, and iii) an analog reference voltage adjustment signal. The analog reference voltage adjustment signal varies depending on a magnitude of current provided by the output voltage to the dynamic load. Accordingly, the analog summer circuit can be configured to support adaptive voltage positioning. The analog-to-digital converter converts the analog error voltage signal into a digital error voltage signal. A controller generates output voltage control signal(s) based on the digital error voltage signal.

Abstract: According to one configuration, a controller repeatedly loads a time delay circuit with a predetermined (count) value. The predetermined count value specifies an approximate time delay between activating and/or deactivating high side switch circuitry of one or more phases in the power supply. Based on passing of time as indicated by the time delay circuit, the controller generates control signals to control high side switch circuitry (of a same or different phase) in the power supply. The high side switch circuitry in one or more phases can be successively activated or spaced in time by an approximate amount of time as specified by the predetermined (count) value.

Abstract: A power supply system includes multiple power converter phases. A controller (e.g., a processor device) monitors energy delivery for each of multiple power converter phases that supply energy to a load. The controller analyzes the energy delivery associated with each of the multiple power converter phases to identify an imbalance of energy delivered by the multiple power converter phases to the load. Based on the analyzing and detection of an imbalance condition, the controller modifies a future order of activating the multiple power converter phases for powering the load. Accordingly, a single phase of a multiphase switching power converter may be prevented from becoming overloaded while delivering energy to power the load.

Abstract: According to one configuration, a multi-phase power supply adjusts a number of active phases based at least in part on a peak current supplied to a dynamic load. For example, a controller associated with the multi-phase power supply can monitor or receive a value indicative of a peak magnitude of current delivered by the multi-phase power supply to a dynamic load. The controller initiates comparison of the value to threshold information. Based at least in part on the comparison, the controller adjusts how many phases of the multi-phase power supply are activated to deliver the current delivered to the dynamic load. Thus, one embodiment herein is directed to controlling a multi-phase power supply based at least in part on a measured parameter such as peak current magnitude.

Abstract: An alcoholic beverage dispenser for receiving individual containers and dispensing alcohol from one or more of the received containers comprising a base having multiple compartments therein each for receiving the individual containers therein. A valve having a valve stem extending therefrom is coupled around the opening of each individual container and each container is in turn connected with a dispensing system within the base. The dispensing system receives liquid from each individual container and dispenses the received liquid through a receiving outlet such as a tap, drink dispenser, or an individual glass.

Abstract: In an example configuration, a power supply manager receives an output current value representing an amount of output current supplied by one or more power converter phases to a load. The power supply manager also receives a duty cycle value representing a duty cycle for controlling operation of the at least one power converter phase. The power supply manager produces an estimate of input current supplied to the power supply circuit based at least in part on multiplying the output current value by the duty cycle value. Contrary to conventional methods such as physically measuring an input current using complex measuring circuitry, embodiments herein include utilizing parameter information such as output current information and duty cycle information to deduce an amount of input current.

Abstract: A power supply system includes multiple power converter phases. A controller (e.g., a processor device) monitors energy delivery for each of multiple power converter phases that supply energy to a load. The controller analyzes the energy delivery associated with each of the multiple power converter phases to identify an imbalance of energy delivered by the multiple power converter phases to the load. Based on the analyzing and detection of an imbalance condition, the controller modifies a future order of activating the multiple power converter phases for powering the load. Accordingly, a single phase of a multiphase switching power converter may be prevented from becoming overloaded while delivering energy to power the load.

Abstract: A power supply system includes multiple power converter phases. A controller (e.g., a processor device) monitors energy delivery for each of multiple power converter phases that supply energy to a load. The controller analyzes the energy delivery associated with each of the multiple power converter phases to identify an imbalance of energy delivered by the multiple power converter phases to the load. Based on the analyzing and detection of an imbalance condition, the controller modifies a future order of activating the multiple power converter phases for powering the load. Accordingly, a single phase of a multiphase switching power converter may be prevented from becoming overloaded while delivering energy to power the load.

Abstract: A power supply system delivers current to a load at a corresponding load voltage. The power supply system includes multiple power converter phases. Each power conversion phase comprises a phase switch and a phase inductor. In one embodiment, activation of a corresponding phase switch (e.g., a field effect transistor such as a MOSFET) electrically couples a voltage input (e.g., Vin) to an inductor electrically coupled to deliver current to a load. A controller (e.g., a processor device) associated with the power supply system is configured to monitor the load and/or a change in the current delivered to the load. Based on the monitoring, the controller modifies a relative timing of an initiation and duration of on-times of the phase switches in order to alter a rate-of-change of the current delivered by the power supply system.

Abstract: A power supply system includes multiple power converter phases. A controller (e.g., a processor device, ASIC) monitors an output voltage generated by a combination of multiple power converter phases that supply power to a load. Based on the monitoring, the controller determines: i) a magnitude of an error signal representing a relative difference between the output voltage and a predetermined setpoint value, and ii) a rate-of-change associated with the output voltage. The controller compares the rate-of-change to threshold criteria. In response to detecting that the rate-of-change associated with the output voltage exceeds a threshold value, the controller adjusts a time of turning on of a phase switch (e.g., a power switch configured to convey an input voltage to an inductor that in turn delivers energy to the load) in one or more of the multiple power converter phases depending on the magnitude of the error signal.

Abstract: According to example configurations as described herein, a power supply system includes a unique circuit including an analog summer circuit, an analog-to-digital converter, and a digital controller. An output voltage feedback control loop of the power supply system feeds back the output voltage to the analog summer circuit. The analog summer circuit generates an analog error voltage signal based on: i) the output voltage received from the output voltage feedback loop, ii) an analog reference voltage signal, and iii) an analog reference voltage adjustment signal. The analog reference voltage adjustment signal varies depending on a magnitude of current provided by the output voltage to the dynamic load. Accordingly, the analog summer circuit can be configured to support adaptive voltage positioning. The analog-to-digital converter converts the analog error voltage signal into a digital error voltage signal. A controller generates output voltage control signal(s) based on the digital error voltage signal.

Abstract: According to one configuration, a multi-phase power supply adjusts a number of active phases based at least in part on a peak current supplied to a dynamic load. For example, a controller associated with the multi-phase power supply can monitor or receive a value indicative of a peak magnitude of current delivered by the multi-phase power supply to a dynamic load. The controller initiates comparison of the value to threshold information. Based at least in part on the comparison, the controller adjusts how many phases of the multi-phase power supply are activated to deliver the current delivered to the dynamic load. Thus, one embodiment herein is directed to controlling a multi-phase power supply based at least in part on a measured parameter such as peak current magnitude.

Abstract: In an example configuration, a power supply manager receives an output current value representing an amount of output current supplied by one or more power converter phases to a load. The power supply manager also receives a duty cycle value representing a duty cycle for controlling operation of the at least one power converter phase. The power supply manager produces an estimate of input current supplied to the power supply circuit based at least in part on multiplying the output current value by the duty cycle value. Contrary to conventional methods such as physically measuring an input current using complex measuring circuitry, embodiments herein include utilizing parameter information such as output current information and duty cycle information to deduce an amount of input current.

Abstract: A power supply system includes multiple power converter phases. A controller (e.g., a processor device) monitors energy delivery for each of multiple power converter phases that supply energy to a load. The controller analyzes the energy delivery associated with each of the multiple power converter phases to identify an imbalance of energy delivered by the multiple power converter phases to the load. Based on the analyzing and detection of an imbalance condition, the controller modifies a future order of activating the multiple power converter phases for powering the load. Accordingly, a single phase of a multiphase switching power converter may be prevented from becoming overloaded while delivering energy to power the load.

Abstract: An alcoholic beverage dispenser for receiving individual containers and dispensing alcohol from one or more of the received containers comprising a base having multiple compartments therein each for receiving the individual containers therein. A valve having a valve stem extending therefrom is coupled around the opening of each individual container and each container is in turn connected with a dispensing system within the base. The dispensing system receives liquid from each individual container and dispenses the received liquid through a receiving outlet such as a tap, drink dispenser, or an individual glass.