Patents by Inventor Stefan Baurle

Stefan Baurle 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: 20130336021
    Abstract: A timing circuit of a controller generates a clock signal having a switching period for use by a pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit to control a switch of a power supply. The switching period of the clock signal is based on a charging time plus a discharging time of a capacitor included in the timing circuit. A first current source charges the capacitor while the timing circuit is in a normal charging mode. A second current source charges the capacitor while the timing circuit is in an alternative charging mode that is when the on time of the switch exceeds a threshold time. The current provided by the second current source is less than the current provided by the first current source such that the switching period of the clock signal is increased in response to the timing circuit entering the alternative charging mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Bäurle, Guangchao Zhang, Arthur B. Odell, Edward E. Deng
  • Patent number: 8611116
    Abstract: An example integrated circuit controller for use in a switching power supply includes a pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit and a timing circuit. The PWM circuit controls a switch to regulate an output of the power supply in response to a switch current flowing through the switch and in response to a clock signal having a switching period. The timing circuit provides the clock signal and increases the switching period in response to an on time of the switch exceeding a threshold time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Bäurle, Guangchao Darson Zhang, Arthur B. Odell, Mingming Mao, Michael Yue Zhang, Edward Deng
  • Patent number: 8587284
    Abstract: A power supply includes an energy transfer element, a switch, and a controller. The controller includes a modulator, a drive signal generator, a comparator, and a variable current limit generator. The modulator generates an enable signal having logic states responsive to a feedback signal. The drive signal generator either enables or skips enabling a switch of the power supply during a switching period in response to the logic state of the enable signal. The comparator asserts an over current signal to disable the switch if the switch current exceeds a variable current limit. The variable current limit generator sets the variable current limit to a first current limit in response to one logic state of the enable signal and sets the variable current limit to a second current limit if the enable signal transitions logic states and the over current signal is asserted during the switching period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex B. Djenguerian, Stefan Bäurle, Kent Wong
  • Patent number: 8582327
    Abstract: A method, in a power supply controller, of responding to an increase in current through a terminal of the power supply controller, is disclosed. The method includes regulating the terminal to a first voltage level and sensing a magnitude of a first current through the terminal while the controller is regulating the terminal to the first voltage level. The method also includes providing an initial response by the power supply controller in response to the magnitude of the first current exceeding a first threshold current level and then regulating the terminal to a second voltage level after the magnitude of the first current exceeds the first threshold current level. The magnitude of a second current through the terminal is sensed while the controller is regulating the terminal to the second voltage level and the controller determines a final response based on the magnitude of the second current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhao-Jun Wang, Stefan Bäurle, David Michael Hugh Matthews
  • Patent number: 8531853
    Abstract: An example integrated circuit controller includes a pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit and a timing circuit. The PWM circuit controls a switch to regulate an output of a power supply in response to a switch current flowing through the switch and in response to a clock signal having a switching period. The timing circuit provides the clock signal and includes a timing capacitor where the switching period of the clock signal is equal to a charging time that the timing capacitor charges to an upper reference voltage plus a discharging time that the timing capacitor discharges to a lower reference voltage. The timing circuit increases the charging time of the timing capacitor by decreasing a rate at which the timing capacitor is charged to increase the switching period of the clock signal if an on time of the switch is greater than or equal to a threshold time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Bäurle, Guangchao Darson Zhang, Arthur B. Odell, Edward Deng
  • Patent number: 8487417
    Abstract: A package for a semiconductor die includes a die attach pad that provides an attachment surface area for the semiconductor die, and tie bars connected to the die attach pad. The die attach pad is disposed in a first general plane and the tie bars are disposed in a second general plane offset with respect to the first general plane. A molding compound encapsulates the semiconductor die in a form having first, second, third and fourth lateral sides, a top and a bottom. The tie bars are exposed substantially coincident with at least one of the lateral sides. The form includes a discontinuity that extends along the at least one of the lateral sides, the discontinuity increasing a creepage distance measured from the tie bars to the bottom of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Balu Balakrishnan, Brad L. Hawthorne, Stefan Bäurle
  • Publication number: 20130155724
    Abstract: An example controller for a power converter to provide power to a load through a distribution network includes a control circuit and a cable drop compensator. The control circuit outputs a drive signal to control switching of a switch to regulate an output of the power converter in response to a feedback signal. The cable drop compensator is coupled to adjust the feedback signal in response to a conduction time of an output diode of the power converter to compensate for a distribution voltage dropped across the distribution network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: STEFAN BÄURLE
  • Patent number: 8437154
    Abstract: An example power supply controller includes a switch duty cycle controller coupled to receive a feedback signal and a duty cycle adjust signal. The switch duty cycle controller is coupled to generate a drive signal coupled to control switching of a switch, which is coupled to an energy transfer element, to regulate energy delivered from an input of a power supply to an output of the power supply. The power supply controller also includes a gain selector circuit coupled to receive an input voltage signal, which is representative of an input voltage to the power supply, to generate the duty cycle adjust signal received by the switch duty cycle controller. The duty cycle of the drive signal to be varied in response to a plurality of linear functions over a range of values of the input voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Bäurle, Zhao-Jun Wang
  • Publication number: 20130027996
    Abstract: An example integrated circuit controller includes a pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit and a timing circuit. The PWM circuit controls a switch to regulate an output of a power supply in response to a switch current flowing through the switch and in response to a clock signal having a switching period. The timing circuit provides the clock signal and includes a timing capacitor where the switching period of the clock signal is equal to a charging time that the timing capacitor charges to an upper reference voltage plus a discharging time that the timing capacitor discharges to a lower reference voltage. The timing circuit increases the charging time of the timing capacitor by decreasing a rate at which the timing capacitor is charged to increase the switching period of the clock signal if an on time of the switch is greater than or equal to a threshold time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Stefan Bäurle, Guangchao Darson Zhang, Arthur B. Odell, Edward Deng
  • Publication number: 20130027990
    Abstract: An example integrated circuit controller for use in a switching power supply includes a pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit and a timing circuit. The PWM circuit controls a switch to regulate an output of the power supply in response to a switch current flowing through the switch and in response to a clock signal having a switching period. The timing circuit provides the clock signal and increases the switching period in response to an on time of the switch exceeding a threshold time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Stefan Bäurle, Guangchao Darson Zhang, Arthur B. Odell, Mingming Mao, Michael Yue Zhang, Edward Deng
  • Publication number: 20120320640
    Abstract: A power converter controller is disclosed. An example controller includes a control circuit coupled to receive a feedback signal representative of an output of the power converter. The control circuit coupled to control a switching of a power switch of the power converter in response to the feedback signal to control a transfer of energy from an input of the power converter to the output of the power converter. An internal programming interface circuit is coupled to the control circuit. A coupling switcher is coupled to the internal programming interface circuit. An external programming terminal is selectively coupled to the internal programming interface circuit through the coupling switcher. An external programming circuit coupled to the external programming terminal is coupled to the internal programming interface circuit through the coupling switcher during a startup programming condition and during a fault condition of the power converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Stefan Bäurle, Guangchao Darson Zhang, Mingming Mao
  • Publication number: 20120320634
    Abstract: An example controller for use in a power converter includes an oscillator that is to be coupled to a switch of the power converter to determine a switching cycle period of the switch. The controller also includes means for controlling a duty cycle of the switch to regulate an output of the power converter and for maintaining a substantially constant rate of change of the duty cycle with respect to changes in a magnitude of a feedback signal as the controller transitions between duty cycle control modes such that a control loop gain of the power converter is substantially constant during the transition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Stefan Bäurle, Giao Pham
  • Publication number: 20120280666
    Abstract: A method, in a power supply controller, of responding to an increase in current through a terminal of the power supply controller, is disclosed. The method includes regulating the terminal to a first voltage level and sensing a magnitude of a first current through the terminal while the controller is regulating the terminal to the first voltage level. The method also includes providing an initial response by the power supply controller in response to the magnitude of the first current exceeding a first threshold current level and then regulating the terminal to a second voltage level after the magnitude of the first current exceeds the first threshold current level. The magnitude of a second current through the terminal is sensed while the controller is regulating the terminal to the second voltage level and the controller determines a final response based on the magnitude of the second current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Zhao-Jun Wang, Stefan Bäurle, David Michael Hugh Matthews
  • Publication number: 20120273944
    Abstract: A package includes a body that encapsulates a semiconductor die, the body having a first pair of opposing lateral sides, a second pair of opposing lateral sides, a top, and a bottom. The bottom has a primary surface and a plurality of protrusions that extend outward from the primary surface. When the package is mounted to a printed circuit board (PCB) the protrusions contact the PCB and the primary surface is disposed a first distance away from the PCB. The package further includes a plurality of leads that extend outward from the first pair of opposing lateral sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Balu Balakrishnan, Brad L. Hawthorne, Stefan Bäurle
  • Patent number: 8279627
    Abstract: An example controller for use in a power converter includes an oscillator and a logic circuit. The oscillator is to be coupled to a switch of the power converter and determines a switching cycle period of the switch. The logic circuit is also to be coupled to the switch to control a duty cycle of the switch in response to a magnitude of a feedback signal to regulate an output of the power converter. The logic circuit controls the duty cycle of the switch such that a control loop gain of the power converter is substantially constant during a transition of the controller between duty cycle control modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Baurle, Giao Pham
  • Publication number: 20120238533
    Abstract: The invention refers to the use of androgen receptor antagonists for the treatment and/or prevention of fibroids, also known as uterine leiomyoma, leiomyomata. Particularly, the invention refers to the use of an androgen receptor antagonist being any one of the compounds according to the following list: cyproterone acetate, oxendolone, chlormadinone acetate, spironolactone, osaterone acetate, dienogest, flutamide, hydroxyflutamide, nilutamide, bicalutamide, RU 58841, LGD-2226, MDV3100, BMS-641988, BMS-779333, or 4-(3-{[6-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropoxy)pyridin-3-yl]methyl}-4,4-dimethyl-5-oxo-2-thioxoimidazolidin-1-yl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzonitrile (thioxoimidazolidine derivative) for the treatment of fibroids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: BAYER PHARMA AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Arwed Cleve, Ulrich Lücking, Stefan Bäurle, Martin Fritsch, Jens Schröder, Bernd-Wolfgang Igl
  • Patent number: 8243480
    Abstract: An example power supply controller includes a regulation circuit, a current sense circuit, and a response circuit. The regulation circuit is coupled to regulate a sense terminal to a voltage level. The current sense circuit is coupled to the sense terminal to sense a current through the sense terminal a measurement delay period after a magnitude of the current through the sense terminal reaches a first threshold current level. The response circuit is coupled to the sense circuit and is responsive to the current through the sense terminal only after the measurement delay period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhao-Jun Wang, Stefan Bäurle, David Michael Hugh Matthews
  • Publication number: 20120163041
    Abstract: An example power supply controller includes a switch duty cycle controller coupled to receive a feedback signal and a duty cycle adjust signal. The switch duty cycle controller is coupled to generate a drive signal coupled to control switching of a switch, which is coupled to an energy transfer element, to regulate energy delivered from an input of a power supply to an output of the power supply. The power supply controller also includes a gain selector circuit coupled to receive an input voltage signal, which is representative of an input voltage to the power supply, to generate the duty cycle adjust signal received by the switch duty cycle controller. The duty cycle of the drive signal to be varied in response to a plurality of linear functions over a range of values of the input voltage signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Stefan Bäurle, Zhao-Jun Wang
  • Patent number: 8207455
    Abstract: A package includes a body that encapsulates a semiconductor die, the body having a first pair of opposing lateral sides, a second pair of opposing lateral sides, a top, and a bottom. The bottom has a primary surface and a plurality of protrusions that extend outward from the primary surface. When the package is mounted to a printed circuit board (PCB) the protrusions contact the PCB and the primary surface is disposed a first distance away from the PCB. The package further includes a plurality of leads that extend outward from the first pair of opposing lateral sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Balu Balakrishnan, Brad L. Hawthorne, Stefan Bäurle
  • Publication number: 20120155129
    Abstract: An example power supply includes an energy transfer element, a switch, and a controller. The controller includes a modulator, a drive signal generator, a comparator, and a variable current limit generator. The modulator generates an enable signal having logic states responsive to a feedback signal. The drive signal generator either enables or skips enabling a switch of the power supply during a switching period in response to the logic state of the enable signal. The comparator asserts an over current signal to disable the switch if the switch current exceeds a variable current limit. The variable current limit generator sets the variable current limit to a first current limit in response to one logic state of the enable signal and sets the variable current limit to a second current limit if the enable signal transitions logic states and the over current signal is asserted during the switching period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Alex B. Djenguerian, Stefan Bäurle, Kent Wong