Patents by Inventor Johan Strydom

Johan Strydom 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).

  • Publication number: 20240128246
    Abstract: One example includes an apparatus that includes an insulating layer and an electrically conductive layer on the insulating layer. The conductive layer includes a plurality of electrically isolated and conductive regions. A first switch is on a first of the conductive regions, and the first switch has a first terminal and a second terminal. A second switch is on a second of the conductive regions, and the second switch has a third terminal and fourth terminal. A passive component has a fifth terminal and a sixth terminal. The first and third terminals are coupled to the first conductive region. The fourth and sixth terminals are coupled to the second conductive region. The second and fifth terminals are coupled to a third of the conductive regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Kwang-Soo KIM, Makoto SHIBUYA, Johan STRYDOM
  • Publication number: 20240072644
    Abstract: A controller circuit is configured to receive a measurement signal representing a power converter state and receive a control signal representing a power converter resonant period. Based on the power converter state and the power converter resonant period, the controller circuit determines for a switching cycle: a charging interval, a first dead time interval, a discharging interval, and a second dead time interval. The first dead time interval is after the charging interval. The discharging interval is after the first dead time interval. The second dead time interval is after the discharging interval. The controller circuit provides a first drive signal and a second drive signal based on the charging interval, the first dead time interval, the discharging interval, and the second dead time interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Branko MAJMUNOVIC, Johan STRYDOM, Brent MCDONALD
  • Publication number: 20230122886
    Abstract: In one example, a controller circuit is configured to: receive a first measurement signal representing a power converter input voltage; receive a second measurement signal representing a power converter output voltage; receive an indication of whether a voltage across a switch is positive during a state change of the switch; based on the first and second measurement signals and the indication, determine: a charging interval; a first dead time interval after the charging interval; a discharging interval; and a second dead time interval after the discharging interval; and provide a first control signal at the first control output, and provide a second control signal at the second control output, in which the states of the first and second control signals vary across the charging interval, the first and second dead time intervals, and the discharging the interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Yang Jiao, Johan Strydom
  • Patent number: 11621708
    Abstract: A startup circuit adapted to be coupled to an input voltage supply and operable to supply an output voltage at an output terminal, the startup circuit including: a first transistor having a first control terminal, a first current terminal and a second current terminal, the first current terminal adapted to be coupled to the input voltage supply and the second current terminal coupled to the output terminal; a precharge circuit having a first terminal, a second terminal and a third terminal, the second terminal adapted to be coupled to the input voltage supply and the third terminal coupled to the first control terminal; a current limiter coupled to the precharge circuit, the first control terminal and the second current terminal; a second transistor having a second control terminal, a third current terminal and a fourth current terminal, the third current terminal coupled to the precharge circuit and the second control terminal adapted to be coupled to a control signal; and a third transistor having a third c
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Michael Lueders, Johan Strydom, Cetin Kaya, Maik Peter Kaufmann
  • Publication number: 20230038798
    Abstract: Described embodiments include a rectifier circuit comprising a first resistor with first and second resistor terminals, and a second resistor with third and fourth resistor terminals. The first and third resistor terminals are coupled to an auxiliary power terminal. A current source is coupled between the second resistor terminal and a ground terminal. An amplifier has a first amplifier input coupled to the second resistor terminal, and a second amplifier input coupled to the fourth resistor terminal. A first transistor is coupled between the fourth resistor terminal and a damping terminal, and has a first control terminal coupled to the first amplifier output. A gate drive circuit has an input coupled to the damping terminal. A second transistor is coupled between the damping terminal and a bootstrap supply terminal, and has a second control terminal coupled to an output of the gate drive circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Lueders, Cetin Kaya, Johan Strydom, Paul Brohlin
  • Patent number: 11429928
    Abstract: This invention relates to a natural resource and reserve management system, a corresponding method and a resultant natural asset inventory. The system has means for amalgamating and integrating data from disparate expert technical systems and applications, including computer developed or generated data, into at least one common, spatially-referenced database for use by at least one commercially available inventory management application, in order to provide integrated natural asset management in a natural resource inventory. The natural resources and reserves may comprise of depletable mineral resources and reserves, the amalgamation and integration may be conducted continually, and the data may be from disparate expert technical systems and applications in order to provide integrated mineral asset management in a mineral resource inventory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: MINERP IP INCORPORATED
    Inventors: John Francis Megannon, Andries George Hendrik Loubser, Michael Woodhall, Edmund Johan Strydom, Alastair Stuart MacFarlane
  • Patent number: 11171570
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus to facilitate high side control of a switching power converter are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a latch including a first node coupled to a first source of a first switch and an output coupled to a first gate of the first switch; a first diode coupled to the first node and a second node; a second diode coupled to the second node and ground; a second switch coupled to a voltage source and the second node; and a third switch including a third gate coupled to the second switch, a third source coupled to the second node, and a third drain coupled to the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Cetin Kaya, Paul Brohlin, Michael Lueders, Johan Strydom
  • Publication number: 20210265992
    Abstract: A startup circuit adapted to be coupled to an input voltage supply and operable to supply an output voltage at an output terminal, the startup circuit including: a first transistor having a first control terminal, a first current terminal and a second current terminal, the first current terminal adapted to be coupled to the input voltage supply and the second current terminal coupled to the output terminal; a precharge circuit having a first terminal, a second terminal and a third terminal, the second terminal adapted to be coupled to the input voltage supply and the third terminal coupled to the first control terminal; a current limiter coupled to the precharge circuit, the first control terminal and the second current terminal; a second transistor having a second control terminal, a third current terminal and a fourth current terminal, the third current terminal coupled to the precharge circuit and the second control terminal adapted to be coupled to a control signal; and a third transistor having a third c
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Lueders, Johan Strydom, Cetin Kaya, Maik Peter Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 11031933
    Abstract: A startup circuit includes an enhancement mode transistor with a drain coupled to a startup circuit input, a source coupled to a first node, and a gate coupled to a second node. The startup circuit includes a current limiting circuit that controls a current path between the second node and a startup circuit output node based on a current sense voltage signal representing a current through the enhancement mode transistor, and a voltage regulation circuit controls a voltage of the second node to regulate a startup circuit output voltage of the startup circuit output node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Michael Lueders, Johan Strydom, Cetin Kaya, Maik Peter Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 11004942
    Abstract: In some examples, a system comprises a bi-directional gallium nitride (GaN) device including first and second switches and a substrate, the first switch including a first gate and a first source, the second switch including a second gate and a second source, and the substrate shared between the first and second switches. The system include a third switch coupled to the first source and the substrate. The system includes a fourth switch coupled to the second source and the substrate and a comparator having inputs coupled to the first and second sources and outputs coupled to the third and fourth switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Michael Lueders, Johan Strydom
  • Publication number: 20200274530
    Abstract: A startup circuit includes an enhancement mode transistor with a drain coupled to a startup circuit input, a source coupled to a first node, and a gate coupled to a second node. The startup circuit includes a current limiting circuit that controls a current path between the second node and a startup circuit output node based on a current sense voltage signal representing a current through the enhancement mode transistor, and a voltage regulation circuit controls a voltage of the second node to regulate a startup circuit output voltage of the startup circuit output node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Lueders, Johan Strydom, Cetin Kaya, Maik Peter Kaufmann
  • Publication number: 20200153343
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus to facilitate high side control of a switching power converter are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a latch including a first node coupled to a first source of a first switch and an output coupled to a first gate of the first switch; a first diode coupled to the first node and a second node; a second diode coupled to the second node and ground; a second switch coupled to a voltage source and the second node; and a third switch including a third gate coupled to the second switch, a third source coupled to the second node, and a third drain coupled to the latch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Cetin Kaya, Paul Brohlin, Michael Lueders, Johan Strydom
  • Publication number: 20200082329
    Abstract: This invention relates to a natural resource and reserve management system, a corresponding method and a resultant natural asset inventory. The system has means for amalgamating and integrating data from disparate expert technical systems and applications, including computer developed or generated data, into at least one common, spatially-referenced database for use by at least one commercially available inventory management application, in order to provide integrated natural asset management in a natural resource inventory. The natural resources and reserves may comprise of depletable mineral resources and reserves, the amalgamation and integration may be conducted continually, and the data may be from disparate expert technical systems and applications in order to provide integrated mineral asset management in a mineral resource inventory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: John Francis Megannon, Andries George Hendrik Loubser, Michael Woodhall, Edmund Johan STRYDOM, Alastair Stuart MacFarlane
  • Publication number: 20200076312
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus to facilitate high side control of a switching power converter are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a latch including a first node coupled to a first source of a first switch and an output coupled to a first gate of the first switch; a first diode coupled to the first node and a second node; a second diode coupled to the second node and ground; a second switch coupled to a voltage source and the second node; and a third switch including a third gate coupled to the second switch, a third source coupled to the second node, and a third drain coupled to the latch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Cetin Kaya, Paul Brohlin, Michael Lueders, Johan Strydom
  • Patent number: 10581335
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus to facilitate high side control of a switching power converter are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a latch including a first node coupled to a first source of a first switch and an output coupled to a first gate of the first switch; a first diode coupled to the first node and a second node; a second diode coupled to the second node and ground; a second switch coupled to a voltage source and the second node; and a third switch including a third gate coupled to the second switch, a third source coupled to the second node, and a third drain coupled to the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Cetin Kaya, Paul Brohlin, Michael Lueders, Johan Strydom
  • Patent number: 10521763
    Abstract: This invention relates to a natural resource and reserve management system, a corresponding method and a resultant natural asset inventory. The system has means for amalgamating and integrating data from disparate expert technical systems and applications, including computer developed or generated data, into at least one common, spatially-referenced database for use by at least one commercially available inventory management application, in order to provide integrated natural asset management in a natural resource inventory. The natural resources and reserves may comprise of depletable mineral resources and reserves, the amalgamation and integration may be conducted continually, and the data may be from disparate expert technical systems and applications in order to provide integrated mineral asset management in a mineral resource inventory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: MINE RP HOLDINGS (PTY) LIMITED
    Inventors: John Francis Megannon, Andries George Hendrik Loubser, Michael Woodhall, Edmund Johan Strydom, Alastair Stuart MacFarlane
  • Patent number: 10439503
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus to facilitate high side control of a switching power converter are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a latch including a first node coupled to a first source of a first switch and an output coupled to a first gate of the first switch; a first diode coupled to the first node and a second node; a second diode coupled to the second node and ground; a second switch coupled to a voltage source and the second node; and a third switch including a third gate coupled to the second switch, a third source coupled to the second node, and a third drain coupled to the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Cetin Kaya, Paul Brohlin, Michael Lueders, Johan Strydom
  • Publication number: 20190207590
    Abstract: In some examples, a system comprises a bi-directional gallium nitride (GaN) device including first and second switches and a substrate, the first switch including a first gate and a first source, the second switch including a second gate and a second source, and the substrate shared between the first and second switches. The system include a third switch coupled to the first source and the substrate. The system includes a fourth switch coupled to the second source and the substrate and a comparator having inputs coupled to the first and second sources and outputs coupled to the third and fourth switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Michael LUEDERS, Johan STRYDOM
  • Patent number: 9634555
    Abstract: A power factor correction (PFC) boost circuit. The PFC boost circuit can include a first switching device, a second switching device, a first gate driver coupled to the first switching device, a second gate driver coupled to the second switching device, and a PFC controller configured to control the first and second gate drivers. The PFC controller will utilize a new technique, referred to herein as “predictive diode emulation” to control the switching devices in a desired manner and to overcome inefficiencies and other problems that might arise using traditional diode emulation. The PFC controller is configured to operate in synchronous and non-synchronous modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Efficient Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. De Rooij, Johan Strydom
  • Patent number: 9607876
    Abstract: Circuits, structures and techniques for independently connecting a surrounding material in a part of a semiconductor device to a contact of its respective device. To achieve this, a combination of one or more conductive wells that are electrically isolated in at least one bias polarity are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Efficient Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Lidow, Jianjun Cao, Robert Beach, Johan Strydom, Alana Nakata, Guang Y. Zhao