Patents Issued in December 4, 2008
  • Publication number: 20080298060
    Abstract: Light from a LED (point-like light source) is expanded smoothly to a desirable range at a high efficiency by a light flux control member. The light flux control member is provided with a lens portion located at a part corresponding to the LED and a mount portion (body portion) detachably supporting the lens portion. The lens portion has a back face provided with a recess located as to correspond to the LED. The recess expands light from the LED smoothly and efficiently to a broad range, bringing an emission from a front face (fore face) toward a wide range. A member-to-be-illuminated supplied with the emission is illuminated uniformly. LEDs and recesses are made enable to be arranged flexibly without need of an increased number of molds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: ENPLAS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shingo Ohkawa
  • Publication number: 20080298061
    Abstract: A light emitting module (19), comprising at least one semi-conductor light source (20a-c) capable of emitting light, and a light-modifying member (21) arranged adjacent to the at least one semiconductor light source (20a-c) in a direction of emission of the light. The light-modifying member (21) is formed by a stacked sheet element (21) separated from an integral stacked sheet structure comprising first and second stacked sheets, so that the stacked sheet element (21) includes first and second sheet portions of the first and second stacked sheets, and at least the first sheet portion is configured to modify the emitted light. By providing the light-modifying member as a stacked sheet element which has been separated from an integral stacked sheet structure, batch manufacturing of the light-modifying member and/or the light emitting module is enabled, such that manufacturing steps requiring manual labor, or use of expensive equipment may be performed to produce the integral stacked sheet structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Wilhelmus Weekamp, Willem Hoving, Eric Cornelis Egbertus Van Grunsven, Piet Christiaan Jozef Van Rens, Gerard Maria Janssen
  • Publication number: 20080298062
    Abstract: An LED illumination device includes a die casting lamp cover, a plurality of LED modules, a reflection cover, and a transparent module. A top surface of the die casting lamp cover protrudes forth to form a plurality of heat dissipating fins, and the LED modules are assembled in an accommodating room of the die casting lamp cover. The LED modules respectively include a LED lamp assembly and an isothermal vapor chamber. The reflection cover includes a plurality of openings surroundingly arranged on outside of the LED modules correspondingly. The transparent module are arranged under the die casting lamp cover and enclosed in the accommodating room. The LED illumination device can uniformly disperse light beams from the LED modules to outside for reducing energy loss, and further can efficiently dissipate heat to reduce chances of damaging the LEDs because of high temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Pei-Choa WANG
  • Publication number: 20080298063
    Abstract: A light emitting apparatus includes a plurality of light emitting devices. A first lead and a second lead compose a lead pair. The first and second leads are electrically connected to the light emitting devices. A plurality of the light emitting devices is mounted on the base. The lead pairs are arranged generally symmetrically with respect to the base as the center line of the light emitting apparatus. The first and second leads are electrically insulated from each other. A first resin molding member covers at least parts of the base and the lead pairs. Thus, the first resin molding member, the base, and the lead pairs are integrally formed. A recessed portion is formed in the first resin molding member. The recessed portion is filled with a second resin molding member. The first and second resin molding members are formed of a thermosetting resin material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: NICHIA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masaki Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20080298064
    Abstract: A decorative light system including a first frame assembly, a second frame assembly, a thin profile assembly, and a light string system. Both the first frame assembly and the second frame assembly include a frame, which generally is a skeleton, and a sheet that is carried by the frame. The first frame assembly and the second frame assembly are connected to one another by the thin profile assembly, which can include at least one hinge. The thin profile assembly enables the decorative light system to collapse to a thin profile. The light string system is in communication with the second frame assembly, and the light string system includes wiring, a plurality of bulb assemblies. Each bulb assembly includes a socket system, and a light source to illuminate the light string system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Cindex Holdings Limited (a Hong Kong corporation)
    Inventor: Lewis CHENG
  • Publication number: 20080298065
    Abstract: A ventilating exhaust fan including a housing, a light source module, and a panel module, with a conveniently replaceable light source is provided. An added swivel structure between a reflective cover and a lamp socket enables the lamp socket to turn around at certain angles relative to the reflective cover, and when the strip lamp needs to be replaced, it is convenient to pull the strip lamp out by turning the lamp socket that is integrated with the strip lamp, and at the same time the swivel structure enlarges the space between the strip lamp and the reflective cover and makes it easier for an operator to apply force by holding the strip lamp to pull it, and in addition, it can prevent the breakage of the strip lamp, thus eliminating potential harm or injury to the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Chaohua Deng
  • Publication number: 20080298066
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lamp unit, especially to a UHP lamp unit, comprising a housing, a lamp positioned within said housing, a reflector assigned to said lamp for reflecting light emitted by said lamp through a transmission window, and at least one thermal bridge and/or heat sink unit being assigned to the reflector and/or to the lamp and/or to the housing. The or each thermal bridge and/or heat sink unit is preferably made from a material having a good thermal conductivity, e.g. the or each thermal bridge and/or heat sink is made from metal or ceramics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Patrick Cyriel Van De Voorde, Sergei Shulepov, Peter Hermanus Bouma, Hendrik Jan Eggink
  • Publication number: 20080298067
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a light source assembly and a backlight module including the same. The light source assembly (10) includes a light source (12) and a light guide plate (16). The light source (12) includes a light-emitting layer (122). The light source assembly (10) further includes a transparent filling layer (14) is interposed between the light source (12) and the light guide plate (16). The light source assembly (10) can reduce reflection and refraction loss when the light beam enters the light guide plate (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: FOXSEMICON INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: YUAN-FA CHU
  • Publication number: 20080298068
    Abstract: A fixing apparatus, applied to a diffuser plate of a backlight unit (BLU), includes a fixing groove and a positioning piece. The fixing groove is formed at the frame and symmetrically related to one end of a centrosymmetric line of a diffuser plate. A first pair of edges are set at two sides of the centrosymmetric line. A third edge connects the first pair of edges cutting across the centrosymmetric line. The positioning piece is located within the fixing groove. The positioning piece is separated from the first pair of edges of the fixing groove at a first distance, and separated from the third edge of the fixing groove at a second distance, wherein the first distance is smaller than the second distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Chi Mei Optoelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Cheng-Hsiang Chen, Yu Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20080298069
    Abstract: A light source module includes a plurality of light emitting diodes (21), a heat dissipation device (27) and a thermoelectric cooler (24) having a cold side (241) and a hot side (242). The light emitting diodes thermally contact with the cold side of the thermoelectric cooler. The heat dissipation device thermally contacts with the hot side of the thermoelectric cooler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: FOXSEMICON INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: YUAN-FA CHU
  • Publication number: 20080298070
    Abstract: A LED lighting device includes a light hood, a base and a LED. The light hood has a hood wall and an open side. The base is disposed in and joined to the hood wall to be opposite to the open side. The LED is disposed in and attached to the base. A quartz light-pervious plate is disposed at the open side and light emitted from the LED is capable of being spread outward through the quartz-pervious plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: CHING-HANG SHEN
  • Publication number: 20080298071
    Abstract: A LED lighting device includes a light hood, a base and a LED. The light hood has a hood wall and an open side. The base is disposed in and joined to the hood wall to be opposite to the open side. The LED is disposed in and attached to the base. A polygon surface shaped light-pervious plate is disposed at the open side and light emitted from the LED is capable of being spread outward through the polygon surface shaped light-pervious plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: CHING-HANG SHEN
  • Publication number: 20080298072
    Abstract: An exemplary LED lamp includes a housing having an opening, a printed circuit board, at least one LED, a light reflective element, at least one light-shielding sheet and a lamp cover. The printed circuit board is positioned on a bottom of the housing. The LED is electrically connected with the printed circuit board. The light reflective element defines at least one through hole, the LED passing through the corresponding through hole. The at least one light-shielding sheet corresponds to the at least one LED respectively. Each light-shielding sheet comprises a bottom reflective plate and a pair of opposite sidewalls extending from two opposite ends of the bottom reflective plate. A plurality of light holes is defined at ends of the bottom reflective plate adjacent to the two opposite sidewalls. The lamp cover is fixed on the opening of the housing. The LED lamp assembly has a uniform luminance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: SHAO-HAN CHANG
  • Publication number: 20080298073
    Abstract: The invention discloses a lighting system which includes a light source (11), a lens group (12) and an aspherical reflector (13). The light source includes an elliptical reflection cover (111). A light beam emitting from the light source is focused on an entry of the lens group via the elliptical reflection cover. The lens group regulates the light beam to a round patch and then which is projected onto the aspherical reflector. The aspherical reflector changes the round patch to an inverse trapezia patch. Then the inverse trapezia patch can be projected on an object (14) and become a large square patch in a short distance. The utilization efficiency of the light energy is enhanced in the lighting system, and the lighting system includes a small number of components, uses the point light source, and becomes easy to produce, and convenient to repair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: OMT Digital Display Technology(ShenZhen) Limited
    Inventor: Shi Hwa HUANG
  • Publication number: 20080298074
    Abstract: A bullet-shaped LED bulb has a bullet-shaped rotating body capable of concentrating the light to the vertex of the rotating body so as to form another light point distinguished to the LED chip, as if another “light source” exists therein. Moreover, the rotating body can be added 1˜2 layers to form an end cap without changing the overall appearance of the LED bulb, therefore 3˜4 visual “light sources” can be formed. The light emitted by such “light source” can radiate to any direction directly, which enables people to feel the light anywhere and improves the directional limitation of light in conventional LED package. Furthermore, the packaging structure of the present invention is similar to a bullet head, the special appearance capable of achieving an excellent visual effect when used in decorative lighting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Ben FAN
  • Publication number: 20080298075
    Abstract: A lamp holder structure of the present invention is comprised of: a cup-shaped base; a circuit board and two elastic conducting devices mounted inside the cup-shaped base; and at least one light-emitting device mounted on the circuit board, wherein first ends of the elastic conducting devices are mounted under the circuit board for connection with the circuit board, and second ends of the elastic conducting devices are extended outside of the cup-shaped base, whereby the lamp holder structure can be supplied with electric power via the elastic conducting devices for providing illumination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Jui-Tsung Liao, Yuan-Cheng Chin
  • Publication number: 20080298076
    Abstract: A counter light fixture has a fixture housing with a downward facing reflector and lamp sockets under the reflector, and a window panel hinged to the housing for access to the lamp sockets. The fixture housing is formed as a continuous extrusion including a wiring compartment which extends the length of the housing. The extrusion has a downwardly facing concave top section joined to an upwardly facing concave rear section. The reflector is under the downwardly facing concave top section, one or more lamp sockets are mounted under the reflector, the window panel is supported between opposite end caps of the housing under the downwardly facing concave top section, and the electrical wiring is contained in the upwardly facing concave rear section. The window panel slides away from a closed condition and then swings down to an open condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Maer Skegin
  • Publication number: 20080298077
    Abstract: A vehicular headlamp includes a light source for illuminating light from the vehicular headlamp in an illumination direction; a swivel mechanism capable of changing the illumination direction horizontally rightward and leftward; a leveling mechanism capable of changing the illumination direction vertically upward and downward; and electronic control unit capable of controlling the swivel mechanism and the leveling mechanism so as to change the illumination direction toward an oncoming vehicle lane side during linear travel of a vehicle. A method of illumination control for a vehicular headlamp includes illuminating light from the vehicular headlamp in an illumination direction; and changing the illumination direction toward an oncoming vehicle lane side during linear travel of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahito Naganawa, Michio Tsukamoto
  • Publication number: 20080298078
    Abstract: A motorcycle includes a main switch, a main switch wiring connected to the main switch and extending downward from the main switch, and a headlight stay for supporting a headlight part provided in a vicinity of a lower part of the main switch as seen from a side of the vehicle. The motorcycle is constructed so that the main switch wiring extending downward from the main switch is disposed in an inside, concave portion of the headlight stay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takehiro Miyamoto
  • Publication number: 20080298079
    Abstract: This system is a device that provides lighting in all four wheel wells above the respective tire. Each of the lights is assembled into the wheel well where the housing is formed from the base. It is also covered with a fiber glass and plastic door to prevent any damage to the lighting device. The bulb for this system is very easy to install and will be sold at any automotive stores. The wiring of this system should be done by mechanic professionals to make sure of proper installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Rashad Cornell Whitehead
  • Publication number: 20080298080
    Abstract: A flickerless light source comprising a transparent or semitransparent diffuser, a lightpipe with a patterned surface inside the diffuser, and an LED light source attached to each end of the lightpipe is disclosed. The patterned surface of the lightpipe diffuses or reflects light emitted by the LED light sources and through the lightpipe to provide a light with uniform brightness and intensity. The lightpipe is coated with a thin layer of visible-light transparent material which is doped with organic dye molecules. The organic dye has strong ultraviolet light absorption characteristics. By changing the doping concentration of the dye molecules the coating can become total opaque or semi-transparent to certain wavelengths and selective wavelength conversion is obtained. In this way light color, brightness, and intensity can be varied or controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Rong-Yaw Wu, Ai-Lan Hsu
  • Publication number: 20080298081
    Abstract: A light source and a method for making the same are disclosed. The light source includes a lead frame, an integrated circuit chip and a body. The lead frame has first and second sections. The first section includes a lateral portion, a chip mounting area and a first extension. The integrated circuit chip is bonded to the first section in the chip mounting area and is in thermal contact with the chip mounting area. The body has top, bottom, and side surfaces. The first extension is bent to provide a heat path from the chip mounting area to the side surface, a surface of the first extension that is not in contact with the side surface forming a first planar bonding surface. The heat path has less thermal resistance than a heat path through the lateral portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Siang Ling Oon, Thye Linn Mok, Kah Yan Loon
  • Publication number: 20080298082
    Abstract: A whirlpool is provided with a control panel that includes a number of user input devices and at least one display all of which are received in a bezel. The bezel is backlit over at least a majority of its surface area to make the user control panel more readily identifiable and usable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Lisa Plunk Churchwell
  • Publication number: 20080298083
    Abstract: The invention relates to electronic devices, in particular consumer electronic devices, including an electrophoactive display, as well as to electronic document reading devices, sometimes called e-readers, such as electronic books. We describe an electronic device including an electroactive display and a light to illuminate said display, wherein said display has a viewing surface, and wherein said light is configured to illuminate said display from in front and to one side of an edge of said viewing surface, across said viewing surface and through a front-most surface of said display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Ben Watson, Nick Sandham, David Fisher, Duncan Barclay, Simon Jones, Carl Hayton, Anusha Nirmalananthan
  • Publication number: 20080298084
    Abstract: A display for a mobile communication device is disclosed. The display may include a first layer with refractive index n1, having at least a rough surface on one side, a second layer, having refractive index n2, applied contiguously on a side opposite from the rough side of the first layer, wherein n1>n2>nair and nair, is the refractive index in air media, a reflective display disposed on a side of the second layer opposite from the first layer, and at least one light source located adjacent to at least one edge or side of the first layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Sen Yang, Chien-Hui Wen, Steve C. Emmert, Yi-Lin Pei, James P. Elfering, Mark J. Carlson
  • Publication number: 20080298085
    Abstract: A backlight module with uniform brightness has a light guide panel (LGP), a diffusing reflector, at least one light source and a diffuser and a prism film. The diffusing reflector is placed on the LGP and has a substrate, a reflective film and multiple diffusing elements. The reflective film is formed on the substrate. Each one of the multiple diffusing elements has an adhesive bed and multiple balls. The multiple balls can be easily pasted or printed separately on the reflective film by using the adhesive bed and provide a uniform diffused light output form the LGP, so the backlight module has a lowered cost and is easily manufactured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Sheng-Hui Chiang
  • Publication number: 20080298086
    Abstract: A spread illuminating apparatus includes a light source, a light conductor plate having the light source at a side surface thereof, and a frame to house the light conductor plate, wherein the frame is basically composed of a metal core member and a resin body member which has an enclosed structure and which has recesses at outer surfaces of the enclosed structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: MINEBEA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoshi Kawashima, Hiroshi Takeshita
  • Publication number: 20080298087
    Abstract: The switching sequence of a phase-shifted zero-voltage-transition (PS-ZVT) full bridge converter circuit is alternated between two modes by periodically reversing the switching sequence for diagonally opposed switching devices of the bridge. Over a period of operation, each of the switching devices periodically conduct the entire free-wheeling current that occurs during load current reversal transitions so as to balance their average power dissipation and reduce the overall power dissipation of the converter circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Aurelien T. Mozipo, Robert D. Maple
  • Publication number: 20080298088
    Abstract: Disclosed is a DC to DC converter, which comprises: a transforming circuit, for transforming an input voltage to an output voltage; a comparator, for comparing a reference voltage and a feedback voltage proportional to the output voltage to generate a comparing signal; a control circuit, coupled to the transforming circuit and the comparator, for controlling the transforming circuit according to the comparing signal; and a time-counting device, coupled to the control circuit, for counting the time of a specific voltage level of the comparing signal; wherein the time-counting device informs the control circuit that a load open situation occurs if the specific voltage level of the comparing signal lasts a predetermined time, then the control circuit turns off the transforming circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Yi-Lun Shen, Da-Chun Wei
  • Publication number: 20080298089
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a converter circuit and a conversion method for converting an input signal of a first value to an output signal of a second value based on a switched operating mode, wherein an output feedback loop (40) and an additional input forward control loop (60) are provided. The additional input forward control loop (60) serves to correctly control a switching parameter not only with respect to the output load but also over a wide input voltage range. This leads to an improved power efficiency and reliability of the converter circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Jacques Reberga, Melaine Philip, Emeric Uguen
  • Publication number: 20080298090
    Abstract: A switched voltage regulator provides improved regulation at a lower clock rate/sampling frequency (e.g. several orders of magnitude lower than would be required for comparable regulation) while using a low resolution digital pulse width modulator such that limit cycle oscillations occur (and thus of low cost and complexity and small size) by limiting the amplitude of limit cycle oscillations which therefore need not be avoided by more complex arrangements which are not commercially feasible. Limiting of amplitude of limit cycle oscillations is achieved by adding essentially a digitized ripple voltage signal corresponding to the difference between the output of the voltage regulator and an average output of the voltage regulator as an input to the digital pulse width modulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Jian Li, Yang Qiu, Ming Xu, Fred C. Lee
  • Publication number: 20080298091
    Abstract: The present invention can include an image forming apparatus having an electrical load, a supplying circuit configured to supply an electrical power to the electrical load, and an output circuit configured to output a voltage according to a current value of the electrical power being supplied to the electrical load. The present invention may also provide for a controller configured to control an electrical current flowing in the electrical load based on an output voltage value of the output circuit as a feedback value, and an inhibiting circuit configured to inhibit a reverse current to flow in the output circuit when the supplying circuit is turned off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsumi INUKAI
  • Publication number: 20080298092
    Abstract: Control circuit and method for controlling a switching power supply, which regulates its output voltage using pulse-width modulation (PWM) that switches on and off a main switch with a PWM signal (VCONT) at an adjusted ON-period ratio of the main switch. The control circuit includes an error signal amplifier circuit that compares the output voltage with a reference voltage and outputs an error signal VE based on the comparison. The control circuit also includes an ON-period adjusting circuit that starts generating a PWM signal (VCONT) in every cycle based on a pulse VPULSE, the period thereof being fixed, and adjusts the HIGH-period of the PWM signal (VCONT) based on the output voltage of the error signal VE. As a result, the control circuit widens the HIGH-period ratio range or the LOW-period ratio range of the PWM signal greatly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Fuji Electric Device Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Satoshi Sugahara
  • Publication number: 20080298093
    Abstract: The various embodiments and example provided herein are generally directed to novel multiphase resonant converters. In an embodiment, a multiphase resonant converter comprises N unit resonant converters having inputs and outputs connected in parallel, respectively. Each unit converter comprises an inverter, a LLC series resonant tank, and a rectifier. In a preferred embodiment, the inverters of the N unit converters are driven by N drive signals phase-shifted 2?/N degrees apart. During operation, the current of the multiphase converter is shared among the unit converters, resulting in a smaller current in each unit converter. The smaller current in each unit converter reduces conduction losses, thereby increasing the efficiency of the multiphase converter. In addition, the smaller current in each unit converter reduces the amount of stress placed on individual components of the converter allowing for the use of lower tolerance components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Taotao Jin, Keyue Smedley
  • Publication number: 20080298094
    Abstract: A flyback power supply method and apparatus is disclosed. An apparatus according to aspects of the present invention includes an energy transfer element having a primary winding and first and second output windings. The first and second output windings are coupled to produce first and second output values, respectively. A primary switch is coupled to the primary winding. A control circuit is coupled to the primary switch to regulate a sum of the first and second output values. A steering circuit having first and second output switches is also included. The first and second output switches are coupled to the first and second output windings, respectively, to regulate a ratio of the first output value to the second output value. The first output switch is coupled to block current through the first output winding and the second output switch is coupled to block current through second output winding. At least one of the first and second output switches is coupled to be closed when the primary switch is opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Jason E. Cuadra, Simon Krugly, Peter Vaughan
  • Publication number: 20080298095
    Abstract: A flyback converter has a controller to switch a power switch so as to convert an input voltage to an output voltage for a load by monitoring an output voltage dependent signal and a current sensing signal derived from a current flowing through the power switch, a light-load efficiency improving apparatus monitors the load and a supply voltage provided for the controller to selectively clamp the output voltage dependent signal when the load is lower than a first threshold value and the supply voltage is lower than a second threshold value, so as to increase the supply voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Chao-Hsuan Chuang, Cheng-Hsuan Fan, Hung-Che Chou
  • Publication number: 20080298096
    Abstract: A topology for a three-phase, wye-connected H-bridge converter allowing continued operation when one H-bridge phase has failed by bypassing the failed H-bridge, increasing dc-bus voltage to provide the required output load voltage, and decreasing switching frequency to reduce power losses in semiconductor switches. In normal operation, the dc-bus voltage is operated at a lower voltage, improving the reliability of power semiconductor devices. When an H-bridge is bypassed, the dc-bus is operated at a higher voltage but lower effective switching frequency, reducing semiconductor losses, allowing the converter to put out more current with the same temperature rise in the power switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Robert G. Wagoner
  • Publication number: 20080298097
    Abstract: A system and method for precharging a harmonic filter connected to a power supply line to receive AC power and deliver the AC power to the motor drive unit includes a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to monitor an operational state of the motor drive unit or the power supply line, and generate a first control signal upon a predetermined change in the operational state and a second control signal delayed from the first control signal. The system also includes a charging circuit having a first switch configured to actuate in response to the first control signal to provide a reduced power to at least a portion of the harmonic filter and a second switch configured to actuate in response to the second control signal to provide a non-reduced power to the at least a portion of the harmonic filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Frederick L. Hoadley, John T. Streicher
  • Publication number: 20080298098
    Abstract: A zero-current, synchronous switching waveform is provided for a three-phase, wye-connected H-Bridge to power an electric motor. The switching waveform includes two notches per cycle on the switching waveform provided to each of the semiconductor switches to minimize total harmonic distortion and switching loss. Positioning of the notch with respect to the zero-current crossing is optimized to reduce switching loss and minimize total harmonic distortion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Robert G. Wagoner
  • Publication number: 20080298099
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing the die area of a PWM controller include a protection circuit triggered by a fault index signal for counting, and the counting time is provided for a delay time required by fault verification. Therefore, fault detection circuits can be eliminated and the purpose of reducing the die area can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Pei-Lun Huang, Cheng-Hsuan Fan
  • Publication number: 20080298100
    Abstract: Provided is a contactless power receiving unit which has a simple configuration, and which is capable of generating constant induced electromotive force regardless of the orientation of a power receiving coil. Multiple power receiving coils are arranged to form certain relative angles to one another in a parallel magnetic field generated by a power supply unit. A rectifier circuit is connected to each power receiving coil. An adder circuit is configured to add DC power obtained, through the rectifier circuits, from the multiple power receiving coils, and to output resultant DC power of the addition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koichiro ESAKA, Masaaki Konoto
  • Publication number: 20080298101
    Abstract: A circuit for reducing switching losses in a synchronous rectifier of a switching stage including a high-side control transistor and a low-side synchronous transistor coupled at a switching node, the switching stage receiving an input voltage and providing a controlled output voltage at an output node. The circuit including a first circuit portion for sensing waveshape edges of a first signal at a gate terminal of the low-side synchronous transistor and a first voltage to determine a delay between the waveshape edge of the first signal and the waveshape edge of the first voltage; and a second circuit portion for calibrating the first signal and the first voltage to align the waveshape edge of the first signal and the waveshape edge of the first voltage, with an optional offset to achieve minimal power loss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL RECTIFIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seungbeom Kevin Kim, Todd Vacca, Jason Zhang
  • Publication number: 20080298102
    Abstract: A welding power supply includes an input rectifier that receives sinusoidal or alternating line voltage and provides a rectified voltage. A pre-regulator provides a dc bus and a convertor, such as a boost convertor, provides a welding output. The pre-regulator is an SVT (slow voltage transition) and an SCT (slow current transition) switched convertor. It may include a snubber circuit having a diode that is SVT switched. Also, the boost convertor may be SVT and SCT switched. The pre-regulator preferably includes a power factor correction circuit. The power source includes, in one embodiment, an inverter having a snubber circuit having a first switch in anti-parallel with a first diode, and a second switch in anti-parallel with a second diode. The first switch and first diode are connected in series with the second switch and the second diode, and the first and second switches are connected in opposing directions, to form a switched snubber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Illinois ToolWorks Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Geissler
  • Publication number: 20080298103
    Abstract: A four pole, three-phase, NPC converter that produces virtually no common mode voltage. The low common mode voltage output is achieved by constraining the switch states of the NPC converter. A fourth pole and associated control balance the upper and lower DC link voltages. The converter may be an inverter or a rectifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: DRS POWER & CONTROL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ashish R. Bendre, James C. Vander Meer, Robert M. Cuzner, Craig Goshaw
  • Publication number: 20080298104
    Abstract: A step wave power converter comprises multiple different bridge circuits configured to convert DC voltage inputs into AC voltage outputs. A controller is configured to estimate an average voltage output from the multiple different bridge circuits for controlling the current output from the multiple different bridge circuits. The number of bridge circuits needed to provide the estimated average output voltage is identified and the identified bridge circuits controlled during a next switching period to generate a combined inverter output voltage that corresponds with the estimated average output voltage. In another embodiment, one or more transformers are associated with the different bridge circuits. Inductors are coupled between the bridge circuits and the primary windings of the associated transformers. The inductors filter the current output from the bridge circuits prior to feeding the current into the transformers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Sustainable Energy Technologies
    Inventors: Rishi Sachdeva, Russell Jack Morash
  • Publication number: 20080298105
    Abstract: A switching power supply system, in which a DC voltage obtained by full-wave rectification of an AC voltage is turned on and off by a switching device, converted to a desired DC voltage and outputted, includes a slope compensating circuit and an overcurrent protecting circuit, and a full-wave rectified voltage inputted to a terminal Tm is subtracted from a reference voltage Vref inputted to a terminal Tr to produce a reference voltage waveform signal (OCP correction value) Vocp to eliminate the influence of slope compensation. The reference signal of the overcurrent protection circuit is varied by a signal having a reverse phased waveform relative to the phase of the full-wave rectified waveform. This enables highly accurate overcurrent protection with a net overcurrent protection level unaffected by the slope compensation varied by the input voltage when the system is operated in a current mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Fuji Electric Device Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Masato Kashima
  • Publication number: 20080298106
    Abstract: An adjustable compensation offset voltage is applied to a comparator to vary turn-off timing of a synchronous rectifier. A comparator output indicates when current through an inductor coupled to the synchronous rectifier should be approaching zero. If the synchronous rectifier is turned off before the current through the inductor reaches zero, the compensation offset voltage is adjusted to delay the synchronous rectifier turn-off for the next switching cycle. If the synchronous rectifier is turned off after the current through the inductor reaches zero, the compensation offset voltage is adjusted to advance the synchronous rectifier turn-off for the next switching cycle. An up/down counter, in conjunction with a digital to analog converter, may be used to provide the adjustment to the compensation offset voltage. The adjustable compensation offset voltage improves the accuracy of synchronous rectifier turn-off in relation to a zero inductor current, thereby improving power converter efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Tetsuo Tateishi
  • Publication number: 20080298107
    Abstract: An AC signal producer comprises a controlling unit, a Class-D switch circuit, and a low-pass filter. The control unit receives a DC signal and produces a PWM control signal via checking reference tables. The Class-D switch circuit receives the PWM control signal and outputs a square-wave signal. The low-pass filter transforms the square-wave signal into the AC signal. Thereby, the defect of using an oscillator and a transformer to perform the DC to an AC function in the DC system is solved by the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Yi-Chen Lin
  • Publication number: 20080298108
    Abstract: A component construction with switching power supply actuates module use for stabilize voltage on/off to achieve high efficiency energy saving. With the remains of resonance electric wave form drive by vibration to make it not follow the voltage input and the changes of the electric wave load effect to stabilize voltage. In the meanwhile, when improve the electric wave form it can solve and reduce to the minimum of the high frequency harmonic wave for radiation between space. Using monitor control circuit, compare over voltage and under voltage for reference to command the voltage input and output during the current changing process and make sure the circuit power output and the electric wave are sine wave. There will be more perfect sine power driving appear on the new model module to achieve saving energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Hyperup Group Limited
    Inventor: Jia Hua Hu
  • Publication number: 20080298109
    Abstract: An analog sampler (1) for continuous recording and read-out of analog data carried by a bus (5) comprises an array (10) of recording cells (2) arranged in L rows (13) and C columns (12). Each cell (2) has an analog input (3) coupled to the write bus (5) and an analog output (103) coupled to a read bus (4) through commutation means (21, 25) having respectively a control digital input (23, 26). The cells of a column are recorded sequentially, whereas the cells of another column already recorded are read-out simultaneously. A constant number of columns separates the write column from the read column. The system is looped so that writing and read-out go on indefinitely in a continuous way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicants: Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique, Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Dominique Breton, Eric Delagnes