Patents by Inventor Mark Jutras
Mark Jutras 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).
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Patent number: 10749340Abstract: A power switch includes a bridge-connected switching circuit with (1) a pair of MOSFETs back-to-back in series between line and load connections, an interconnection point of the MOSFETs being a first common connection, and (2) a pair of diodes back-to-back between the line and load connections, an interconnection point of the diodes being a second common connection. A line/load controller has supply inputs connected to the first and second common connections for receiving operating power, and (1) places both MOSFETs in the ON state to deliver normal operating current to the load for normal operation, and (2) places both MOSFETs in the OFF state to deliver (by body diode conduction) a substantially reduced leakage current to the load when the load is not powered for normal operation, the leakage current providing the operating power to the line/load controller.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2017Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Bel Fuse (MACAO COMMERCIAL OFFSHORE) LimitedInventors: Mark Jutras, Scott Moore, Mark Masera
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Patent number: 10274980Abstract: A power supply includes power circuitry configured to provide DC power to a separate load, and wireless communication circuitry for wirelessly communicating with an external control device such as a smart phone. A controller is configured to (1) conduct communications with the external control device via the wireless communication circuitry to receive configuration parameters, and (2) incorporate the configuration parameters into a control scheme for operation of the power supply. The power supply may be used with an LED lamp including a series of LEDs, and the configuration parameters establish desired operating characteristics including selection of constant-current or constant-voltage operation, and/or parameters for a dimming curve applied in dimming operation of the LED lamp. The power supply may be used in other applications including battery charging applications.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2015Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: Bel Fuse (Macao Commercial Offshore) LimitedInventor: Mark Jutras
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Patent number: 9742262Abstract: A power converter startup circuit establishes an operating voltage for control circuitry during startup and is then disabled to reduce no-load power dissipation. The startup circuit has a normally on characteristic to automatically provide startup charging current for a startup capacitor. The control circuitry begins operating as the startup capacitor voltage reaches an operating value, and it generates an inhibitory signal that disables the startup circuit to stop the startup charging current and reduce power dissipation. The normally on characteristic is achieved by an emitter switched current source employing a normally on device such as a depletion-mode J-FET. A resistor divider network provides both biasing for the startup current source and a point of monitoring the power supply input voltage during steady state operation. A charge pump provides a voltage of the inhibitory control signal sufficiently above the auxiliary voltage to turn off the normally on switching transistor.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2016Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Bel Fuse (Macao Commerical Offshore) LimitedInventor: Mark Jutras
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Patent number: 9337720Abstract: A power converter startup circuit establishes an operating voltage for control circuitry during startup and is then disabled to reduce no-load power dissipation. The startup circuit has a normally on characteristic to automatically provide startup charging current for a startup capacitor. The control circuitry begins operating as the startup capacitor voltage reaches an operating value, and it generates an inhibitory signal that disables the startup circuit to stop the startup charging current and reduce power dissipation. The normally on characteristic is achieved by an emitter switched current source employing a normally on device such as a depletion-mode J-FET. A resistor divider network provides both biasing for the startup current source and a point of monitoring the power supply input voltage during steady state operation.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2014Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Bel Fuse (Macao Commercial Offshore) LimitedInventor: Mark Jutras
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Publication number: 20160098046Abstract: A power supply includes power circuitry configured to provide DC power to a separate load, and wireless communication circuitry for wirelessly communicating with an external control device such as a smart phone. A controller is configured to (1) conduct communications with the external control device via the wireless communication circuitry to receive configuration parameters, and (2) incorporate the configuration parameters into a control scheme for operation of the power supply. The power supply may be used with an LED lamp including a series of LEDs, and the configuration parameters establish desired operating characteristics including selection of constant-current or constant-voltage operation, and/or parameters for a dimming curve applied in dimming operation of the LED lamp. The power supply may be used in other applications including battery charging applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2015Publication date: April 7, 2016Inventor: Mark Jutras
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Patent number: 9178433Abstract: A regulated switching power converter generates a converter output having first and second regulated output values under corresponding operating conditions. The converter output transitions between the first and second output values in response to transition of a trigger signal in a transition window between first and second trigger values. A transition step function is based on transition amplitude, transition interval and number of steps, the transition amplitude being a difference between the first and second regulated output values, and the transition interval being a difference between the first and second trigger values. The transition step function generates a step-like transition signal based on values of the trigger signal between the first and second trigger values. During operation in the transition window, the step-like transition signal is included in the regulation reference value to generate a step-like transition of the converter output between the first and second regulated output values.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2013Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: Bel Fuse (Macao Commercial Offshore) LimitedInventors: Mark Jutras, Mark Masera
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Patent number: 9124101Abstract: A power supply includes signaling circuitry coupled to output terminals for engaging in bidirectional communications with a load. A controller is capable of conducting the bidirectional communications and selecting among different operating modes for the power supply based on the communications. The modes may include a constant-current mode suitable for applications such as battery charging and power LED lamps, and a constant-voltage mode suitable for a variety of conventional uses such as powering electronic circuitry. The signaling circuitry may include a power switching transistor in series with the load, which is pulsed in a binary fashion to transmit communications to the load. A signal-forming resistor in parallel with the power switching transistor develops a signaling voltage monitored by the controller to receive communications from the load.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2014Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: Bel Fuse (Macao Commercial Offshore) LimitedInventors: Mark Jutras, Scott Moore
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Publication number: 20150194875Abstract: A power converter startup circuit establishes an operating voltage for control circuitry during startup and is then disabled to reduce no-load power dissipation. The startup circuit has a normally on characteristic to automatically provide startup charging current for a startup capacitor. The control circuitry begins operating as the startup capacitor voltage reaches an operating value, and it generates an inhibitory signal that disables the startup circuit to stop the startup charging current and reduce power dissipation. The normally on characteristic is achieved by an emitter switched current source employing a normally on device such as a depletion-mode J-FET. A resistor divider network provides both biasing for the startup current source and a point of monitoring the power supply input voltage during steady state operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2014Publication date: July 9, 2015Applicant: BEL FUSE (MACAO COMMERCIAL OFFSHORE) LIMITEDInventor: Mark Jutras
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Patent number: 8901774Abstract: A power supply system includes a digital power manager and multiple power blocks each conveying regulated power to a respective load. The power blocks include the power part of non-isolated DC/DC converters, signal sampling and conversion circuits to provide analog voltage signal representing output voltage, output current, temperature, etc., and driving circuits to receive pulse width modulation (PWM) signals and drive switching devices. Closed-loop voltage control and protection functions for the power blocks are integrated into the digital power. The digital power manager includes a non-volatile memory containing registers, including a digital power manager configuration register, a power block set-up register, and a power block monitor register, as well as a user-definable space.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2011Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Bel Fuse (Macao Commercial Offshore) LimitedInventors: Jiajia Yan, Yuanping Zhou, Huajun Jian, Mark Jutras
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Publication number: 20140340941Abstract: A regulated switching power converter generates a converter output having first and second regulated output values under corresponding operating conditions. The converter output transitions between the first and second output values in response to transition of a trigger signal in a transition window between first and second trigger values. A transition step function is based on transition amplitude, transition interval and number of steps, the transition amplitude being a difference between the first and second regulated output values, and the transition interval being a difference between the first and second trigger values. The transition step function generates a step-like transition signal based on values of the trigger signal between the first and second trigger values. During operation in the transition window, the step-like transition signal is included in the regulation reference value to generate a step-like transition of the converter output between the first and second regulated output values.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2013Publication date: November 20, 2014Applicant: BEL FUSE (MACAO COMMERICAL OFFSHORE) LIMITEDInventors: Mark Jutras, Mark Masera
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Publication number: 20140292297Abstract: A power supply includes signaling circuitry coupled to output terminals for engaging in bidirectional communications with a load. A controller is capable of conducting the bidirectional communications and selecting among different operating modes for the power supply based on the communications. The modes may include a constant-current mode suitable for applications such as battery charging and power LED lamps, and a constant-voltage mode suitable for a variety of conventional uses such as powering electronic circuitry. The signaling circuitry may include a power switching transistor in series with the load, which is pulsed in a binary fashion to transmit communications to the load. A signal-forming resistor in parallel with the power switching transistor develops a signaling voltage monitored by the controller to receive communications from the load.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2014Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: BEL FUSE (MACAO COMMERCIAL OFFSHORE) LIMITEDInventors: Mark Jutras, Scott Moore
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Patent number: 8581565Abstract: A DC/DC converter for use in power supply applications employing multiple parallel-connected converters employs a digital controller referenced to the secondary or output side of an isolation boundary and having non-isolated direct connections to secondary side components. The controller directly monitors output voltage and output current and uses feedback control techniques to precisely control these values in a desired manner. The DC/DC converter can implement so-called “droop” current sharing with increased accuracy arising from the secondary-side digital control, so that a desired balanced sharing of current across multiple converters can be achieved. The converter uses calibration establish accurate set points, and any of a variety of additional functions/features to attain operational goals.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2012Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Bel Fuse (Macao Commercial Offshore) LimitedInventors: Zhao Tang, Jia Deng, Yuanping Zhou, Hongliang Lu, Mark Jutras
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Patent number: 8395329Abstract: A power supply for an LED lamp has a set of coupled coils, primary-side power circuitry including a converter power switch for conducting input power, and secondary-side power circuitry including a dimming power switch. Power control circuitry includes converter control circuitry which generates a converter control signal for the converter power switch to maintain a desired undimmed level of lamp current at a normal operating value of a lamp voltage. Dimming control circuitry generates a dimming control signal for the dimming power switch to pulse-width modulate the lamp current at a duty cycle corresponding to a desired dimming. Operation of the converter control circuitry is modified during dimming to prevent an automatic increase of the lamp voltage in response to a decrease in lamp current, avoiding undesirable overshooting of the lamp current and providing more accurate and effective control over dimming operation.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2010Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Bel Fuse (Macao Commercial Offshore)Inventors: Mark Jutras, Mark Masera, Scott Moore
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Publication number: 20110234000Abstract: A power supply system includes a digital power manager and multiple power blocks each conveying regulated power to a respective load. The power blocks include the power part of non-isolated DC/DC converters, signal sampling and conversion circuits to provide analog voltage signal representing output voltage, output current, temperature, etc., and driving circuits to receive pulse width modulation (PWM) signals and drive switching devices. Closed-loop voltage control and protection functions for the power blocks are integrated into the digital power. The digital power manager includes a non-volatile memory containing registers, including a digital power manager configuration register, a power block set-up register, and a power block monitor register, as well as a user-definable space.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2011Publication date: September 29, 2011Applicant: BEL FUSE (MACAO COMMERCIAL OFFSHORE) LIMITEDInventors: Jiajia Yan, Yuanping Zhou, Huajun Jian, Mark Jutras
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Publication number: 20110057573Abstract: A power supply for an LED lamp has a set of coupled coils, primary-side power circuitry including a converter power switch for conducting input power, and secondary-side power circuitry including a dimming power switch. Power control circuitry includes converter control circuitry which generates a converter control signal for the converter power switch to maintain a desired undimmed level of lamp current at a normal operating value of a lamp voltage. Dimming control circuitry generates a dimming control signal for the dimming power switch to pulse-width modulate the lamp current at a duty cycle corresponding to a desired dimming. Operation of the converter control circuitry is modified during dimming to prevent an automatic increase of the lamp voltage in response to a decrease in lamp current, avoiding undesirable overshooting of the lamp current and providing more accurate and effective control over dimming operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2010Publication date: March 10, 2011Applicant: BEL FUSE (MACAO COMMERCIAL OFFSHORE) LIMITEDInventors: Mark Jutras, Mark Masera, Scott Moore