Patents by Inventor Piotr Markowski
Piotr Markowski 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: 8885371Abstract: Multi-level power converters are disclosed. In one embodiment, a multi-level power converter includes an input for receiving an input voltage and a converter output for providing a variable output voltage. The multi-level power converter includes a plurality of switching circuits. Each switching circuit is connected to the input in parallel with each other switching circuit. Each switching circuit includes an output. Each switching circuit is selectively operable to couple its output to the input voltage or a reference voltage. The multi-level power converter includes a parallel multi-winding autotransformer (PMA). The PMA includes a plurality of windings and a magnetic core having a plurality of magnetically connected columns. Each winding is positioned around a different one of the columns and has a beginning and an end. The output of each switching circuit is coupled to the beginning of a different winding. The end of each winding is connected to the converter output in parallel with each other winding.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2011Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Astec International LimitedInventors: Piotr Markowski, Lin Guo Wang, Hong Fei Bu
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Patent number: 8742877Abstract: Multi-winding magnetic structures and methods of making multi-winding magnetic structures are disclosed. In one embodiment, a multi-winding magnetic structure includes a core constructed of a magnetic material and a plurality of windings. The core includes a core top, a core bottom, and a plurality of columns. The core top has an exterior edge defining a shape of the core top. A central section of the core top has a substantially constant thickness that defines a thickness of the core top. The core bottom is beneath the core top and has an exterior edge defining a shape of the core bottom. A central section of the core bottom has a substantially constant thickness that defines a thickness of the core bottom. The thickness of one of the core bottom and the core top decreases from an edge of its central section to its exterior edge. The plurality of columns extends from the core bottom to the core top and the plurality of windings are wound around the columns.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2010Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Astec International LimitedInventors: Piotr Markowski, Lin Guo Wang, Hong Fei Bu, Feng Chuan Gao, Jian Wang
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Publication number: 20140028101Abstract: A power supply for providing power to a load includes a first subconverter having input terminals for coupling to a first input power source and output terminals and a second subconverter having input terminals for coupling to a second input power source and output terminals. The first subconverter is configured to supply an AC current and an AC voltage at its output terminals. The second subconverter is configured to supply one of a substantially constant DC current and a substantially constant DC voltage at its output terminals. At least one of the output terminals of the first subconverter is coupled to at least one of the output terminals of the second subconverter. The power supply is configured to supply the AC current, the AC voltage, the substantially constant DC current and the substantially constant DC voltage substantially simultaneously to the load.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2012Publication date: January 30, 2014Inventors: Piotr Markowski, Andreas Stiedl, Karl Kropf, Harald Herbert Etlinger, Klaus Riedmueller
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Publication number: 20130200974Abstract: Multi-winding magnetic structures and methods of making multi-winding magnetic structures are disclosed. A multi-winding magnetic structure includes a plurality of windings (512A, 512B; 612A, 612B, 612C; 712A, 712B; 912A, 912B, 912C; 1012A, 1012B; 1112A, 1112B; 1212A, 1212B; 1412; 1512A, 1512B) and a core (402; 502; 602; 702; 902; 1202; 1402; 1502) formed of a magnetic material. The core includes a core top (408; 508; 608; 708; 908; 1208; 1408; 1508), a core bottom (410; 510; 610; 710; 910; 1210; 1410; 1510) and a plurality of columns (404A, 404B, 404C; 504A, 504B; 604A, 604B, 604C; 704A, 704B; 904A, 90413, 904C; 1204; 1404; 1504). The core top has an exterior edge (1522) defining the shape of the core top and a central section (1516) having a substantially constant thickness. The core bottom which is beneath the core top has an exterior edge (1526) defining the shape of the core bottom and a central section (1518) having a substantially constant thickness.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2010Publication date: August 8, 2013Applicant: Astec International LimitedInventors: Piotr Markowski, Lin Guo Wang, Hong Fei Bu, Feng Chuan Gao, Jian Wang
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Patent number: 8466765Abstract: Multi-winding magnetic structures and methods of making multi-winding magnetic structures are disclosed. In one embodiment, a multi-winding magnetic structure includes a core constructed of a magnetic material and a plurality of windings. The core includes a core top, a core bottom, and a plurality of columns. The core top has an exterior edge defining a shape of the core top. A central section of the core top has a substantially constant thickness that defines a thickness of the core top. The core bottom is beneath the core top and has an exterior edge defining a shape of the core bottom. A central section of the core bottom has a substantially constant thickness that defines a thickness of the core bottom. The thickness of one of the core bottom and the core top decreases from an edge of its central section to its exterior edge. The plurality of columns extends from the core bottom to the core top and the plurality of windings are wound around the columns.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2011Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Astec International LimitedInventors: Piotr Markowski, Lin Guo Wang, Hong Fei Bu, Feng Chuan Gao, Jian Wang
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Publication number: 20130082814Abstract: A parallel multi-winding magnetic structure includes a magnetic core defining a plurality of flux paths through the core and a plurality of windings extending around portions of the core. At least some of the windings are positioned adjacent a periphery of the structure. The structure further includes an electrical conductor extending along the periphery of the structure and the windings positioned adjacent the periphery of the structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2011Publication date: April 4, 2013Inventors: Piotr Markowski, Andreas Stiedl
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Patent number: 8400125Abstract: A method of controlling a multiphase power converter including a plurality of sub-converters coupled to provide power to a load is disclosed. Each sub-converter includes a power switch. The method includes selectively and consistently turning on the power switch of one or more of the sub-converters at substantially a same time as a reference signal representing a desired output of the power converter increases. The method further includes selectively and consistently turning off the power switch of one or more of the sub-converters at substantially a same time as the reference signal representing the desired output of the power converter decreases. Other methods, multiphase power converters and controllers for multiphase power converters are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2009Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Astec International LimitedInventor: Piotr Markowski
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Publication number: 20120098632Abstract: Multi-winding magnetic structures and methods of making multi-winding magnetic structures are disclosed. In one embodiment, a multi-winding magnetic structure includes a core constructed of a magnetic material and a plurality of windings. The core includes a core top, a core bottom, and a plurality of columns. The core top has an exterior edge defining a shape of the core top. A central section of the core top has a substantially constant thickness that defines a thickness of the core top. The core bottom is beneath the core top and has an exterior edge defining a shape of the core bottom. A central section of the core bottom has a substantially constant thickness that defines a thickness of the core bottom. The thickness of one of the core bottom and the core top decreases from an edge of its central section to its exterior edge. The plurality of columns extends from the core bottom to the core top and the plurality of windings are wound around the columns.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2011Publication date: April 26, 2012Applicant: Astec International LimitedInventors: Piotr Markowski, Lin Guo Wang, Hong Fei Bu, Feng Chuan Gao, Jian Wang
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Publication number: 20110254531Abstract: A method of controlling a multiphase power converter including a plurality of sub-converters is disclosed. The method includes, for each of the sub-converters, estimating a current provided by that sub-converter. The method includes selecting one of the sub-converters that is on and determined to have a greatest current as the next sub-converter to be turned off and selecting one of the sub-converters that is off and determined to have a smallest current as the next sub-converter to be turned on. Other methods, multiphase power converters and controllers for multiphase power converters are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2010Publication date: October 20, 2011Applicant: Astec International LimitedInventor: Piotr Markowski
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Patent number: 7994761Abstract: A regulator comprising a linear regulator. The linear regulator may comprise a preamplifier, a first radio frequency (RF) transistor and a second radio frequency (RF) transistor. An output of the preamplifier stage may be provided to a biasing terminal of the first RF transistor and a biasing terminal of the second RF transistor. Also, the first and second RF transistors may be electrically connected in series between a positive supply voltage and a negative supply voltage.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2007Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Astec International LimitedInventors: Piotr Markowski, Lin Guo Wang
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Patent number: 7990214Abstract: A power supply for providing a modulated output voltage to a load is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the power supply comprises a plurality of parallel-connected switch-mode power modules and a controller. The controller is connected to each of the power modules and is for controlling the duty cycles of the respective power modules such that the power modules have a common duty cycle in steady state, but in a phase-shifted or “interleaved” manner. In addition, the controller is for controlling the output voltage of the power converter by controlling the ratio of power modules in the forward state at a time to the total number of power modules. In this way, by providing a sufficiently large number of power modules, arbitrarily low output voltage amplitudes and intra-level oscillations can be achieved. Further, the rate of modulation of the output voltage can exceed the switching frequency (f=1/T, where T is the switching period) of the power modules.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2009Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Artesyn Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Piotr Markowski
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Publication number: 20110074378Abstract: A method of controlling a multiphase power converter including a plurality of sub-converters coupled to provide power to a load is disclosed. Each sub-converter includes a power switch. The method includes selectively and consistently turning on the power switch of one or more of the sub-converters at substantially a same time as a reference signal representing a desired output of the power converter increases. The method further includes selectively and consistently turning off the power switch of one or more of the sub-converters at substantially a same time as the reference signal representing the desired output of the power converter decreases. Other methods, multiphase power converters and controllers for multiphase power converters are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2009Publication date: March 31, 2011Applicant: Astec International LimitedInventor: Piotr Markowski
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Patent number: 7859336Abstract: A circuit for use with a power amplifier that amplifies an input signal. The circuit may comprise an amplitude correction circuit and an open-loop switching regulator. The amplitude correction circuit may be configured to generate a corrected envelope signal from an input envelope signal that represents an envelope of the input signal. The open-loop switching regulator may be connected to the amplitude correction circuit and may be for powering the power amplifier based on the corrected envelope signal. According to various embodiments, the corrected envelope signal generated by the amplitude correction circuit is a function of the input envelope signal and an error voltage of the open-loop switching regulator.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2007Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Astec International LimitedInventors: Piotr Markowski, Lin Guo Wang
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Patent number: 7808313Abstract: A circuit for use with a power amplifier that amplifies an input signal. The circuit may comprise an amplitude correction circuit and an open-loop switching regulator. The amplitude correction circuit may be configured to generate a corrected envelope signal from an input envelope signal that represents an envelope of the input signal. The open-loop switching regulator may be connected to the amplitude correction circuit and may be for powering the power amplifier based on the corrected envelope signal. According to various embodiments, the corrected envelope signal generated by the amplitude correction circuit is a function of the input envelope signal and an error voltage of the open-loop switching regulator.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2009Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Astec International LimitedInventors: Piotr Markowski, Lin Guo Wang
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Publication number: 20090261908Abstract: A power supply for providing a modulated output voltage to a load is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the power supply comprises a plurality of parallel-connected switch-mode power modules and a controller. The controller is connected to each of the power modules and is for controlling the duty cycles of the respective power modules such that the power modules have a common duty cycle in steady state, but in a phase-shifted or “interleaved” manner. In addition, the controller is for controlling the output voltage of the power converter by controlling the ratio of power modules in the forward state at a time to the total number of power modules. In this way, by providing a sufficiently large number of power modules, arbitrarily low output voltage amplitudes and intra-level oscillations can be achieved. Further, the rate of modulation of the output voltage can exceed the switching frequency (f=1/T, where T is the switching period) of the power modules.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2009Publication date: October 22, 2009Applicant: Artesyn Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Piotr Markowski
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Patent number: 7602155Abstract: A power supply for providing a modulated output voltage to a load is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the power supply comprises a plurality of parallel-connected switch-mode power modules and a controller. The controller is connected to each of the power modules and is for controlling the duty cycles of the respective power modules such that the power modules have a common duty cycle in steady state, but in a phase-shifted or “interleaved” manner. In addition, the controller is for controlling the output voltage of the power converter by controlling the ratio of power modules in the forward state at a time to the total number of power modules. In this way, by providing a sufficiently large number of power modules, arbitrarily low output voltage amplitudes and intra-level oscillations can be achieved. Further, the rate of modulation of the output voltage can exceed the switching frequency (f=1/T, where T is the switching period) of the power modules.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2005Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: Artesyn Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Piotr Markowski
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Publication number: 20090184764Abstract: A circuit for use with a power amplifier that amplifies an input signal. The circuit may comprise an amplitude correction circuit and an open-loop switching regulator. The amplitude correction circuit may be configured to generate a corrected envelope signal from an input envelope signal that represents an envelope of the input signal. The open-loop switching regulator may be connected to the amplitude correction circuit and may be for powering the power amplifier based on the corrected envelope signal. According to various embodiments, the corrected envelope signal generated by the amplitude correction circuit is a function of the input envelope signal and an error voltage of the open-loop switching regulator.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2009Publication date: July 23, 2009Inventors: Piotr Markowski, Lin Guo Wang
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Patent number: 7560914Abstract: A power converter is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the power converter includes a first stage comprising a current source and a second stage comprising n output circuits for converting the current signal into n corresponding output voltages. Each of the n output circuits includes an output switch responsive to a corresponding nth control signal for regulating the corresponding nth output voltage. The second stage further comprises a controller for generating the n control signals. The controller includes, for each of the n output circuits, an error amplifier, a waveform generator, and a summing circuit. Each error amplifier is configured to generate an output signal based upon a comparison of the output voltage of the nth output circuit and a corresponding nth reference voltage. Each waveform generator generates a waveform signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2006Date of Patent: July 14, 2009Assignee: Artesyn Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Seamus O'Driscoll, Piotr Markowski
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Publication number: 20090091305Abstract: A regulator comprising a linear regulator. The linear regulator may comprise a preamplifier, a first radio frequency (RF) transistor and a second radio frequency (RF) transistor. An output of the preamplifier stage may be provided to a biasing terminal of the first RF transistor and a biasing terminal of the second RF transistor. Also, the first and second RF transistors may be electrically connected in series between a positive supply voltage and a negative supply voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2007Publication date: April 9, 2009Inventors: Piotr Markowski, Lin Guo Wang
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Patent number: 7449869Abstract: The present invention is directed to a digital controller for adjusting the duty ratio a pulse width modulation control signal used to control a power switch of a switch mode power converter. According to various embodiments, the digital controller comprises a voltage compensator module for generating a first signal (Dvoltage) representative of the duty ratio of the control signal based on a difference between an output voltage of the converter and a reference voltage. The controller also includes a current compensator module for generating a second signal (Dcorrection) representative of a modification to the duty ratio of the control signal based on an output current of the converter. A subtraction module subtracts the second signal (Dcorrection) from the first signal (Dvoltage) to thereby generate a third signal (D), which is used by a duty ratio PWM generator module to generate the pulse width modulation control signal with the appropriate duty ratio.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2004Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Artesyn Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Piotr Markowski