Patents by Inventor Kuan-Hsien Chou

Kuan-Hsien Chou 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: 20230170781
    Abstract: A control method is provided for operating a power converter with a power switch and an inductive device. A current-sense signal is provided to represent an inductor current through the inductive device. An ON time of the power switch is determined in response to a feedback signal and a saw-wave signal, to operate the power converter in a non-power-saving mode. The feedback signal is generated according to an output voltage of the power converter. The power converter can be operated in a power-saving mode, a burst mode. Operating in the burst mode, the ON time is determined in response to the current-sense signal and a current-limiting signal, which is increased during a soft burst-in time and is decreased during a soft burst-out time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Kuan-Hsien CHOU, Yao-Tsung CHEN
  • Publication number: 20230147857
    Abstract: A control method is disclosed to prevent false triggering of over-current protection. A power converter comprises high-side and low-side switches connected in series between an input power line and a ground line, for driving a resonant circuit to resonate. The power converter includes a detector detecting the resonant circuit to provide a detection signal representing a magnitude of resonance in the resonant circuit. A duty cycle of one of the high-side and low-side switches is detected, and a threshold is determined in response to the duty cycle. An over-current protection is triggered based on the threshold and the detection signal. When the over-current protection is triggered, at least one of the high-side and low-side switches stops providing power to the resonant circuit, and the resonance subsides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Yao-Tsung CHEN, Kuan-Hsien CHOU
  • Patent number: 11496039
    Abstract: A power controller for an LLC resonant converter controls a high-side switch and a low-side switch. An ON-time generator in the power controller determines a high-side ON time of the high-side switch and a low-side ON time of the low-side switch in response to the bigger one between a feedback voltage and a burst voltage, where the feedback voltage is generated in response to an output voltage of the LLC resonant converter. A burst-mode controller in the power controller has a triangular-wave generator providing a triangular-wave signal with an amplitude in association with the burst voltage. A comparator comparing the triangular-wave signal and the feedback voltage to determine a break time when both the high-side and low-side switches are turned OFF. The LLC resonant converter operates in a burst mode when the break time is introduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: LEADTREND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yao-Tsung Chen, Kuan-Hsien Chou
  • Patent number: 11462995
    Abstract: A power factor correction (PFC) controller applied to a primary side of a power converter includes a feedback pin, a sensing pin, a current detecting circuit, an output voltage detecting circuit, and a determination circuit. The current detecting circuit is coupled to the feedback pin and the sensing pin for detecting an output current of a secondary side of the power converter according to a feedback voltage of the feedback pin and a sensing voltage of the sensing pin. The output voltage detecting circuit is coupled to the feedback pin for detecting an output voltage of the secondary side of the power converter according to the feedback voltage. The determination circuit is coupled to the current detecting circuit and the output voltage detecting circuit for turning on or turning off a PFC circuit coupled to the power converter according to the output current and the output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Leadtrend Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Ming-Chang Tsou, Kuan-Hsien Chou, Yi-Chuan Tsai, Cheng-Tsung Ho
  • Publication number: 20210376714
    Abstract: A PFC circuit uses a single multifunctional node to detect an inductor current when a power switch is turned ON and a zero-current moment when the power switch is turned OFF. The power switch has a drain connected to an inductor, a source connected to a current-sense resistor, and a gate controlled by a PFC controller with the multifunctional node. A signal-integration circuit is electrically coupled between the drain and the source, to provide a multifunctional signal at the multifunctional node. The PFC controller comprises a first comparator and a zero-current detector. The first comparator compares the multifunctional signal with a first reference signal when the PFC controller turns ON the power switch, to provide over-current protection. The zero-current detector decides, in response to the multifunctional signal when the PFC controller turns OFF the power switch, a zero-current moment when an inductor current flowing through the inductor is about zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Ming Chang TSOU, Kuan-Hsien CHOU, Yao-Tsung CHEN
  • Patent number: 11152862
    Abstract: Disclosure includes a control method in use of a switching-mode power supply that supplies an output voltage to a load. A line voltage generated by rectifying an alternating-current voltage is detected to compare with a first reference voltage. A control signal is generated in response to the comparison of the line voltage and the first reference voltage. When the line voltage is less than the first reference voltage, the control signal is used to increase converted power that the switching-mode power supply provides to the output voltage. When the line voltage is not less than the first reference voltage, the control signal has no influence to the converted power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: LEADTREND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fong Cheng Yang, Kuan Hsien Chou
  • Publication number: 20210305888
    Abstract: A power controller for an LLC resonant converter controls a high-side switch and a low-side switch. An ON-time generator in the power controller determines a high-side ON time of the high-side switch and a low-side ON time of the low-side switch in response to the bigger one between a feedback voltage and a burst voltage, where the feedback voltage is generated in response to an output voltage of the LLC resonant converter. A burst-mode controller in the power controller has a triangular-wave generator providing a triangular-wave signal with an amplitude in association with the burst voltage. A comparator comparing the triangular-wave signal and the feedback voltage to determine a break time when both the high-side and low-side switches are turned OFF. The LLC resonant converter operates in a burst mode when the break time is introduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Yao-Tsung CHEN, Kuan-Hsien CHOU
  • Publication number: 20210281166
    Abstract: A power factor correction (PFC) controller applied to a primary side of a power converter includes a feedback pin, a sensing pin, a current detecting circuit, an output voltage detecting circuit, and a determination circuit. The current detecting circuit is coupled to the feedback pin and the sensing pin for detecting an output current of a secondary side of the power converter according to a feedback voltage of the feedback pin and a sensing voltage of the sensing pin. The output voltage detecting circuit is coupled to the feedback pin for detecting an output voltage of the secondary side of the power converter according to the feedback voltage. The determination circuit is coupled to the current detecting circuit and the output voltage detecting circuit for turning on or turning off a PFC circuit coupled to the power converter according to the output current and the output voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Ming-Chang Tsou, Kuan-Hsien Chou, Yi-Chuan Tsai, Cheng-Tsung Ho
  • Patent number: 10965210
    Abstract: A power controller for use in a PFC power converter is capable being immune from audible noise during the test of load transient response. A transconductor with a transconductance compares an output voltage of the PFC power converter with a target voltage to provide a compensation current, which builds up a compensation voltage. An ON-time controller is configured to end an ON time of a power switch in response to the compensation voltage. An OFF-time controller is configured to end an OFF time of the power switch. A compensation-voltage designator presets the compensation voltage. A status detector controls the transconductor, the ON-time controller, the OFF-time controller, and the compensation-voltage designator, in response to the output voltage, a top-boundary voltage and a bottom-boundary voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: LEADTREND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yao-Tsung Chen, Kuan-Hsien Chou
  • Patent number: 10848055
    Abstract: A transmitting/receiving command method applied between a master controller and a slave controller of a power converter includes enabling the master controller and the slave controller; a controller of the master controller and the slave controller detecting a node voltage of a pin of the controller; the controller transmitting a first command of a plurality of first commands to another controller of the master controller and the slave controller through the pin when the node voltage is less than a predetermined voltage, wherein the predetermined voltage corresponds to over temperature protection of the power converter; and the controller detecting the node voltage again after the controller receives a first return signal transmitted by the another controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Leadtrend Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Yao-Tsung Chen, Kuan-Hsien Chou
  • Publication number: 20200336062
    Abstract: A transmitting/receiving command method applied between a master controller and a slave controller of a power converter includes enabling the master controller and the slave controller; a controller of the master controller and the slave controller detecting a node voltage of a pin of the controller; the controller transmitting a first command of a plurality of first commands to another controller of the master controller and the slave controller through the pin when the node voltage is less than a predetermined voltage, wherein the predetermined voltage corresponds to over temperature protection of the power converter; and the controller detecting the node voltage again after the controller receives a first return signal transmitted by the another controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2019
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Yao-Tsung Chen, Kuan-Hsien Chou
  • Publication number: 20200274441
    Abstract: A power controller for use in a PFC power converter is capable being immune from audible noise during the test of load transient response. A transconductor with a transconductance compares an output voltage of the PFC power converter with a target voltage to provide a compensation current, which builds up a compensation voltage. An ON-time controller is configured to end an ON time of a power switch in response to the compensation voltage. An OFF-time controller is configured to end an OFF time of the power switch. A compensation-voltage designator presets the compensation voltage. A status detector controls the transconductor, the ON-time controller, the OFF-time controller, and the compensation-voltage designator, in response to the output voltage, a top-boundary voltage and a bottom-boundary voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Yao-Tsung CHEN, Kuan-Hsien CHOU
  • Patent number: 10644584
    Abstract: A power controller provides open-circuit protection for a power supply when an open circuit occurs between a ground end of an auxiliary winding and an input ground. The power controller provides a PWM signal to determine an ON time and an OFF time of a power switch connected in series between an input voltage and the input ground. A deviation detector in the power controller detects a winding voltage at a floating end of the auxiliary winding during the ON time, and asserts an open protection signal when a variation of the winding voltage during the ON time fits a first predetermined condition, so as to keep the power switch turned OFF and provide the open-circuit protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: LEADTREND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kuan Hsien Chou, Fong Cheng Yang
  • Publication number: 20200036290
    Abstract: Disclosure includes a control method in use of a switching-mode power supply that supplies an output voltage to a load. A line voltage generated by rectifying an alternating-current voltage is detected to compare with a first reference voltage. A control signal is generated in response to the comparison of the line voltage and the first reference voltage. When the line voltage is less than the first reference voltage, the control signal is used to increase converted power that the switching-mode power supply provides to the output voltage. When the line voltage is not less than the first reference voltage, the control signal has no influence to the converted power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Fong Cheng YANG, Kuan Hsien CHOU
  • Patent number: 10381935
    Abstract: A sample-and-hold circuit includes a first voltage generation unit, a second voltage generation unit, a stabilization capacitor. The first voltage generation unit generates a first voltage according to a first predetermined delay time and a voltage corresponding to an auxiliary winding of a power converter. The second voltage generation unit generates a second voltage according to K multiple of a discharge time of a secondary side of the power converter during a previous period of the power converter and the voltage, wherein K<1. When a sum of the K multiple of the discharge time and a second predetermined delay time leads a first valley of the voltage corresponding to a current period of the power converter, the second voltage generation unit outputs the second voltage. When the sum lags the first valley, the first voltage generation unit outputs the first voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Leadtrend Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Hsin-Hung Lu, Kuan-Hsien Chou
  • Publication number: 20190238048
    Abstract: A power controller provides open-circuit protection for a power supply when an open circuit occurs between a ground end of an auxiliary winding and an input ground. The power controller provides a PWM signal to determine an ON time and an OFF time of a power switch connected in series between an input voltage and the input ground. A deviation detector in the power controller detects a winding voltage at a floating end of the auxiliary winding during the ON time, and asserts an open protection signal when a variation of the winding voltage during the ON time fits a first predetermined condition, so as to keep the power switch turned OFF and provide the open-circuit protection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Kuan Hsien Chou, Fong Cheng Yang
  • Publication number: 20180234020
    Abstract: A sample-and-hold circuit includes a first voltage generation unit, a second voltage generation unit, a stabilization capacitor. The first voltage generation unit generates a first voltage according to a first predetermined delay time and a voltage corresponding to an auxiliary winding of a power converter. The second voltage generation unit generates a second voltage according to K multiple of a discharge time of a secondary side of the power converter during a previous period of the power converter and the voltage, wherein K<1. When a sum of the K multiple of the discharge time and a second predetermined delay time leads a first valley of the voltage corresponding to a current period of the power converter, the second voltage generation unit outputs the second voltage. When the sum lags the first valley, the first voltage generation unit outputs the first voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Hsin-Hung Lu, Kuan-Hsien Chou
  • Patent number: 9979304
    Abstract: A sample-and-hold circuit includes a first voltage generation unit, a second voltage generation unit, a stabilization capacitor. The first voltage generation unit generates a first voltage according to a first predetermined delay time and a voltage corresponding to an auxiliary winding of a power converter. The second voltage generation unit generates a second voltage according to K multiple of a discharge time of a secondary side of the power converter during a previous period of the power converter and the voltage, wherein K<1. When a sum of the K multiple of the discharge time and a second predetermined delay time leads a first valley of the voltage corresponding to a current period of the power converter, the second voltage generation unit outputs the second voltage. When the sum lags the first valley, the first voltage generation unit outputs the first voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Leadtrend Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Hsin-Hung Lu, Kuan-Hsien Chou
  • Patent number: 9917523
    Abstract: A control method is used in a switching mode power supply to improve dynamic load response and switching loss. A PWM signal is provided to control a power switch and has a switching frequency. A cross voltage of a transformer in the switching mode power supply is detected to provide a de-magnetization time. The switching frequency is controlled in response to a sleep signal and a compensation voltage, which is generated based on an output voltage of the switching mode power supply. The sleep signal is provided in response to the de-magnetization time and a current sense signal, a representative of a winding current of the transformer. The switching frequency is not less than a first minimum value if the sleep signal is deasserted, and not less than a second minimum value if the sleep signal is asserted. The second minimum value is less than the first minimum value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: LEADTREND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hsin Hung Lu, Kuan Hsien Chou
  • Publication number: 20180062527
    Abstract: A control method is used in a switching mode power supply to improve dynamic load response and switching loss. A PWM signal is provided to control a power switch and has a switching frequency. A cross voltage of a transformer in the switching mode power supply is detected to provide a de-magnetization time. The switching frequency is controlled in response to a sleep signal and a compensation voltage, which is generated based on an output voltage of the switching mode power supply. The sleep signal is provided in response to the de-magnetization time and a current sense signal, a representative of a winding current of the transformer. The switching frequency is not less than a first minimum value if the sleep signal is deasserted, and not less than a second minimum value if the sleep signal is asserted. The second minimum value is less than the first minimum value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Hsin Hung Lu, Kuan Hsien Chou