Patents Issued in August 28, 2014
  • Publication number: 20140239896
    Abstract: A charge/discharge control circuit for controlling charging and discharging of multiple secondary batteries includes a series-connection switch part that connects the multiple secondary batteries in series during the charging and connects the multiple secondary batteries in parallel during the discharging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: MITSUMI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Junji TAKESHITA
  • Publication number: 20140239897
    Abstract: Disclosed are a voltage measuring apparatus and a battery management system including the same. The voltage measuring apparatus is connected to a plurality of battery cells connected to each other in series to measure respective voltage of the battery cells. The voltage measuring apparatus includes a first node coupled to one of an positive electrode and a negative electrode of one of a plurality of battery cells as a voltage measuring target, amplifies a voltage difference between the first node and the second node to generate an error voltage, converts the error voltage into a digital signal, and compensates for a polarity of the digital signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: FAIRCHILD KOREA SEMICONDUCTOR LTD.
    Inventors: Moonsik SONG, Seok HEO
  • Publication number: 20140239898
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a power supply device is provided, where the apparatus includes at least one portion of the power supply device. The apparatus includes at least one battery module, each of which is a battery module of a set of battery modules connected in series within the power supply device, where each battery module of the set of battery modules includes at least one battery cell, at least one processing circuit, and at least one balancing circuit, which is electrically connected to the battery cell and the processing circuit. The processing circuit controls operations of the aforementioned each battery module of the set of battery modules. In addition, under control of the processing circuit, the balancing circuit performs balancing of the battery cell. Additionally, the balancing circuit provides the processing circuit with a bias voltage, and the processing circuit obtains electric power from the balancing circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventor: Fu-Sheng Tsai
  • Publication number: 20140239899
    Abstract: A battery system balancing control method for performing balancing control with aid of reference voltage information and battery system are provided. The battery system balancing control method includes: after a specific reference resistor of a plurality of reference resistors is installed into a specific battery module of a set of battery modules connected in series within a power supply device and the reference resistors are electrically connected in series, converting a total voltage of the set of battery modules into the reference voltage information, wherein each battery module of the set of battery modules includes at least one battery cell, and the reference voltage information includes a plurality of sets of reference voltage levels respectively corresponding to the reference resistors; and performing balancing control of the specific battery module according to a set of reference voltage levels corresponding to the specific reference resistor within the sets of reference voltage levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventor: Fu-Sheng Tsai
  • Publication number: 20140239900
    Abstract: This invention reduces degradation of respective lead storage batteries making up a lead storage battery bank and extends the longevity of the lead storage batteries. A lead storage battery system includes an individual battery state measurement unit 102 that measures current, voltage, temperature etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: Keiko Abe, Hideki Inoue, Toshiyuki Sawa, Masahiro Watanabe, Hisaaki Takabayashi, Ichiro Shimoura, Keisuke Fukuhara
  • Publication number: 20140239901
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of forming a balancing circuit for a plurality of battery cells includes configuring the balancing circuit to selectively pre-charge a transfer element from a power source, and to subsequently selectively couple the transfer element to one battery cell of the plurality of battery cells to transfer energy from the transfer element to the one battery cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventor: Bart De Cock
  • Publication number: 20140239902
    Abstract: A method of producing an electrical potential by way of a rechargeable battery with a positive electrode of lead and a negative electrode of highly pure zinc. The electrolyte is an aqueous solution of an alkali metal bisulfate. Upon discharge, lead dioxide is reduced to lead sulfate, zinc is oxidized to zinc oxide, and the electrolyte is converted to an alkali metal hydroxide. The reactions are reversed when the battery is charged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventor: John E. STAUFFER
  • Publication number: 20140239903
    Abstract: A power conversion device having a battery heating function includes a battery, a bidirectional converter including a first circuit unit coupled between the battery and a DC link, a switch between a second node and a first node to which the first circuit unit and the battery are coupled, and second and third circuit units each coupled between the second node and the DC link; and a controller controlling the bidirectional converter to heat the battery in a battery heating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventor: Sun-Ho CHOI
  • Publication number: 20140239904
    Abstract: A battery unit is provided which includes a storage case, a battery, a control board, and a pressing mechanism. The battery is disposed in the storage case and pressed by the pressing mechanism against the bottom of the storage case. The control board has mounted thereon electronic components to control charging or discharging of the battery and is located above the battery within the storage case. The pressing mechanism is disposed next to the control board without any physical interference with each other. Such a layout of the pressing mechanism and the control board permits the battery unit to be reduced in size thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi TANAKA, Yoshinori YAMAGUCHI, Hidehiro KINOSHITA, Hiroaki HIGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20140239905
    Abstract: Deterioration of a battery is prevented or the degree of deterioration of a battery is reduced, and charge and discharge performance of the battery is maximized and the charge and discharge performance of the battery is maintained for a long time. In a battery such as a sodium-ion secondary battery, various malfunctions or deterioration is caused by a reaction product deposited on an electrode surface. The reaction product is dissolved by applying a signal (inversion pulse current) to make a current flow in a direction opposite to a direction in which the reaction product is formed more than once in charging or discharging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shunpei YAMAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20140239906
    Abstract: Flow batteries including one or more metals complexed by one or more redox-active ligands are disclosed herein. In a general embodiment, the flow battery includes an electrochemical cell having an anode portion, a cathode portion and a separator disposed between the anode portion and the cathode portion. Each of the anode portion and the cathode portion includes one or more metals complexed by one or more redox-active ligands. The flow battery further includes an anode electrode disposed in the anode portion and a cathode electrode disposed in the cathode portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Travis Mark Anderson, Mitchell Anstey, Neil C. Tomson
  • Publication number: 20140239907
    Abstract: A method is provided for forming a rechargeable metal-ion battery with a non-aqueous hybrid ion electrolyte. The method provides a transition metal hexacyanometallate (TMHCM) cathode (AXM1YM2Z(CN)N.MH2O), where “A” is from a first group of metals, and M1 and M2 are transition metals. The electrolyte includes a first type of cation from the first group of metals, different than “A”. The method connects the cathode and anode to external circuitry to perform initial charge/discharge operations. As a result, a hybrid ion electrolyte is formed including the first type of cation and “A” cations. Subsequently, cations are inserted into the anode during charging, which alternatively may be only “A” cations, only the first type of cation, or both the “A” cations and the first type of cation. Only “A” cations, only the first type, or both “A” and the first type of cation are inserted into the TMHCM during discharge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Long Wang, Yuhao Lu, David Evans
  • Publication number: 20140239908
    Abstract: A stationary electrical storage system includes: a stationary storage battery including nickel metal hydride secondary batteries; and a controller repeatedly carrying out charging with an external power supply and discharging to supply electric power to a load, stopping discharging to the load when an SOC of any secondary battery has become a first threshold, and stopping charging from the external power supply when an SOC of any secondary battery has become a second threshold. The controller additionally charges the whole stationary storage battery such that the secondary battery other than the secondary battery having the lowest SOC is allowed to be charged to a fully charged level beyond the second threshold by not stopping charging when the SOC of the any secondary battery has become the second threshold and the SOC of the secondary battery having the lowest SOC becomes higher than or equal to the second threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichi ICHIKAWA, Yasuhiro TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20140239909
    Abstract: Provided is a highly safe battery device in which the accuracy of an overcurrent detection current value is high. A charge and discharge control circuit includes an overcurrent detecting terminal, an overcurrent detecting circuit for detecting overcurrent of a secondary battery, the overcurrent detecting circuit being connected to the overcurrent detecting terminal, and a constant current circuit for causing a current to flow to the overcurrent detecting terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Atsushi SAKURAI WATANABE, Fumihiko MAETANI
  • Publication number: 20140239910
    Abstract: A current steering circuit for controlling a branch current flowing through a branch is provided. The branch is coupled to a first main switch. The current steering circuit includes a sensing device, a first auxiliary switch and a control unit. The sensing device is coupled to the branch and arranged for sensing the branch current to generate a sensing result. The first auxiliary switch is coupled in parallel with the first main switch. The control unit is coupled to the sensing device and the first auxiliary switch, wherein while the first main switch is turned on, the control unit generates a first switch control signal to the first auxiliary switch, and adjusts a duty cycle of the first switch control signal according to the sensing result in order to adjust the branch current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventor: Fu-Sheng Tsai
  • Publication number: 20140239911
    Abstract: A control circuit of a battery branch in a battery system is provided. The control circuit includes a relay unit, a switch unit and a control unit. The relay unit is coupled to the battery branch. The switch unit is coupled in parallel with the relay unit. The control unit is coupled to the relay unit and the switch unit, and is arranged for controlling switching of the relay unit and the switch unit in order to selectively conduct a branch current flowing through the battery branch. A control method of a battery branch in a battery system is provided. The control method includes the following steps: coupling a relay unit to the battery branch, and coupling a switch unit in parallel with the relay unit; and controlling switching of the relay unit and the switch unit in order to selectively conduct a branch current flowing through the battery branch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventor: Fu-Sheng Tsai
  • Publication number: 20140239912
    Abstract: In an electrical storage device management system, a control part monitors the temperatures of electrical storage cells. In electrical storage systems that are in a charging/discharging operating state, if the temperature of any of the electrical storage cells has reached a first threshold temperature, the control part switches an electrical storage system that includes this electrical storage cell to a non-charging/discharging state. The control part also switches one of the electrical storage systems that is in the non-charging/discharging state, to the charging/discharging operating state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masato Hanada
  • Publication number: 20140239913
    Abstract: A battery control system, which controls operation of a plurality of batteries connected to an electric power system, comprises: detecting means that detects a delay period of each of the batteries which represents a period that has elapsed after the battery control system supplies the battery with an execution command for charging or discharging the battery until the battery operates according to the execution command; measuring means that measures a frequency rate-of-change of electric power of the electric power system; selecting means that selects adjustment batteries for adjusting the electric power of the electric power system from the batteries based on the frequency rate-of-change and the delay period of each of the batteries; and command means for supplying the execution command to the adjustment batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koji Kudo, Hisato Sakuma, Hitoshi Yano
  • Publication number: 20140239914
    Abstract: A battery controller for charge and discharge control of an assembly battery so that a state of charge of each battery cell forming a battery does not deviate from a predetermined usage range. The battery controller controls an assembly battery comprising a plurality of battery cells. The battery controller calculates an actual average charge state CAVE, an average charge state upper limit value CAVEH, an average charge state lower limit value CAVEL, an average charge state ratio S indicating a position of the actual average charge state CAVE between the average charge state upper limit value CAVEH and the average charge state lower limit value CAVEL, and an assembly battery charge state CPACK based on the actual average charge state CAVE, the average charge state upper limit value CAVEH, the average charge state lower limit value CAVEL, and the average charge state ratio S.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: HITACHI VEHICLE ENERGY, LTD.
    Inventors: Naoyuki Igarashi, Keiichiro Ohkawa, Youhei Kawahara
  • Publication number: 20140239915
    Abstract: A control apparatus controlling charge and discharge of a lithium-ion secondary battery includes a temperature sensor obtaining the temperature of the lithium-ion secondary battery and a controller. The controller controls the charge and discharge of the lithium-ion secondary battery to maintain the temperature obtained by the temperature sensor at a level lower than an upper limit temperature allowed in the lithium-ion secondary battery. The controller estimates the amount of precipitation of lithium in the lithium-ion secondary battery and reduces the upper limit temperature in accordance with an increase in the amount of precipitation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenji Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20140239916
    Abstract: A protective case can house a portable electronic device. The portable electronic device can have a switch (e.g., for switching an operational mode of the portable electronic device). The protective case can have a switch cover that engages the switch of the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is in the protective case. The switch cover can be moved between positions corresponding to positions of the switch of the portable electronic device. As the switch cover is moved, the switch cover correspondingly moves the switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Mophie, Inc.
    Inventors: Nguyen To, Hien Nguyen, William Benjamin Hasbrook, Sean Michael Stuck
  • Publication number: 20140239917
    Abstract: An energy-harvesting system includes a transducer to convert environmental energy into a harvesting electrical signal. A storage element stores electrical energy derived from conversion of the harvested environmental energy. A harvesting interface supplies an electrical charging signal to the storage element. The harvesting interface is selectively connected to the storage element in response to a control signal. The control signal causes the connection when the harvesting electrical signal exceeds a threshold. Conversely, the control signal causes the disconnection when the harvesting electrical signal is less than the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Valeria Bottarel, Giulio Ricotti
  • Publication number: 20140239918
    Abstract: A combined system reinforces the safety of lithium ion batteries by redesign of electrolyte and the charging current a) modifying the electrolyte to inhibit or prevent dendrite growth preferably by the addition of lithiated polyphenoxy polyethylene glycol and/or a second surface active compound chosen from the family of fluorosurfactants, and/or a modest amount of lithium or sodium borate, b) modifying the charging cycle by a so-called ripple current in order to inhibit or prevent dendrite growth (ripple current meaning oscillation in the amount of amperage or voltage in the charging cycle), c) programmable battery management systems with temperature and electrical limits integrated in order to eliminate from the circuit and bypass malfunctioning cells based on past performance of the charging cycle and voltage endpoints achieved, d) minimizing any transient currents and voltages into or out of the battery system and e) maintaining a cool atmosphere in the battery space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventor: Brooke Schumm, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140239919
    Abstract: In various embodiments a circuit is provided including: an input terminal to receive an input voltage; a switch, a first controlled input of which being coupled to the input terminal; an inductor, a first terminal of which may be coupled in series to a second controlled input of the switch; a freewheeling diode, wherein a first diode terminal may be coupled with the second controlled input of the switch and with the first terminal of the inductor, and wherein a second diode terminal may be coupled with a reference potential; a capacitor coupled with a second terminal of the inductor; and a controller configured to operate the switch and the inductor in continuous current mode to charge the capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: Derek Bernardon, Hubert Rothleitner
  • Publication number: 20140239920
    Abstract: A method is provided for charging a supercapacitor. The method initially provides a supercapacitor with a metal cyanometallate (MCM) particle anode, an electrolyte including a salt (DB) made up of cations (D+) anions (B?), and a cathode including carbonaceous materials (?). The method connects an external charging device between the anode and cathode, and the charging device supplies electrons to the anode and accepting electrons from the cathode. In response to the charging device, cations are inserted into the anode while anions are absorbed on the surface of the cathode. A supercapacitor device is also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuhao Lu, Long Wang, Jong-Jan Lee
  • Publication number: 20140239921
    Abstract: A load bank comprises one or more load resistors connected to an engine-generator and a control system for maintaining a minimum generator load when necessary for optimal operation. The control system operates the load bank to mitigate harmful effects of generator neglect and maintains loading for efficient DPF regeneration while allowing the generator to quickly dump the load bank when real load increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: MULTIQUIP, INC.
    Inventor: MULTIQUIP, INC.
  • Publication number: 20140239922
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method to control peak current mode controlled power converter system using selective noise blanking are disclosed. The control of the peak current mode controlled power converter system using selective noise blanking is implemented by hardware, software and/or combination of both to carry out adjusting a blanking time and a blanking time period to prevent change of an output of a pulse modulated waveform generator starting at the blanking time for the blanking time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Hrishikesh Ratnakar Nene
  • Publication number: 20140239923
    Abstract: A system includes a triple modular redundant (TMR) control system comprising three controllers. Each controller of the three controllers includes a current driver system configured to detect and regulate a portion of a total current output of the TMR control system, and a universal input-output (UIO) system comprising a plurality of universal input-output (UIO) ports, wherein the universal input-output (UIO) system is configured to detect the portion of the total current output and the total current output of the TMR control system via one or more of the plurality of the UIO ports, compare the portion of the current output and the total current output of the TMR control system, and adjust the portion of the total current output according to a predetermined total current output threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Daniel Milton Alley
  • Publication number: 20140239924
    Abstract: A voltage converter (FIG. 4) for a power supply circuit is disclosed. The voltage converter comprises a control circuit (400) coupled to receive an enable (EN) signal. The control circuit produces a first control signal (PWM) to provide a load current (IL) in response to the enable signal. A sample and hold circuit (408) is arranged to produce a third control signal (CSP) to emulate the load current and a fourth control signal (CSN?) to sample and hold value of the third control signal. A comparator circuit (416) is arranged to compare the third and fourth control signals and produce the enable signal in response to a result of the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Song Guo
  • Publication number: 20140239925
    Abstract: An inductor current emulation circuit for use with a switching converter in which regulating the output voltage includes comparing an output which varies with the difference between the output voltage and a reference voltage with a ‘ramp’ signal which emulates the current in the output inductor. A current sensing circuit produces an output which varies with the current in the switching element that is turned on during the ‘off’ time, an emulated current generator circuit produces the ‘ramp’ signal during both ‘off’ and ‘on’ times, a comparator circuit compares the ‘ramp’ signal with at least one threshold voltage which varies with the sensed current and toggles an output when the ‘ramp’ exceeds the thresholds, and a feedback circuit produces an output which adjusts the ‘ramp’ signal each time the comparator circuit output toggles until the ‘ramp’ signal no longer exceeds the threshold voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Analog Devices Technology
    Inventor: Analog Devices Technology
  • Publication number: 20140239926
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device according to an embodiment includes at least one first transistor connected at its source to an input power supply line, connected at its drain to an output power supply line, and connected at its gate to a first control line, at least one second transistor connected at its source to the input power supply line, connected at its drain to the output power supply line, and connected at its gate to a second control line, a first buffer which drives the first control line, a second buffer configured to receive a control signal input via the first control line and drive the second control line, and a plurality of transfer gates provided to divide the first control line into a plurality of pieces, the plurality of transfer gates being capable of connecting pieces obtained by dividing the first control line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Takahiro YAMASHITA
  • Publication number: 20140239927
    Abstract: Systems and methods for transition control in a hybrid Switched-Mode Power Supply (SMPS). In some embodiments, a hybrid SMPS may include linear circuitry configured to produce an output voltage proportional to a variable duty cycle when the SMPS operates in linear mode and hysteretic circuitry coupled to the linear circuitry, the hysteretic circuitry configured to cause the duty cycle to assume one of two predetermined values when the SMPS operates in hysteretic mode. The hybrid SMPS may also include transition circuitry coupled to the linear circuitry and to the hysteretic circuitry, the transition circuitry configured to bypass at least a portion of the linear circuitry in response to the hybrid SMPS transitioning from the hysteretic mode to the linear mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Ivan Carlos Ribeiro Nascimento, Edevaldo Pereira Silva, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140239928
    Abstract: There is provided a voltage regulator that stably operates without using a large phase compensation capacitance. The voltage regulator has a voltage 3-stage amplifier circuit comprised of a differential amplifier circuit, a first source ground amplifier circuit provided with a phase compensation circuit, and a second source ground amplifier circuit, which serves as an output circuit. The voltage 3-stage amplifier circuit is provided, between the first source ground amplifier circuit and the second source ground amplifier circuit, with a phase compensation circuit that is effective for reducing the gains of the differential amplifier circuit and the first source ground amplifier circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Tomomi TANIGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20140239929
    Abstract: A low dropout regulator comprises an output transistor (MPOUT) with a controlled section coupled between a first supply terminal (VS) and an output terminal (OUT), and a differential amplifier that comprises a feedback input (VFB) coupled to the output terminal (OUT), a reference input (VR) for receiving a reference voltage, an output (DOUT) connected to a control terminal of the output transistor (MPOUT), and at least one pair of input transistors (M1, M2, M1a, M2a, M1b, M2b). The input transistors (M1, M2, M1a, M2a, M1b, M2b) of each pair are commonly connected to a tail current source (Iab, Ia, Ib) of the respective pair. A control terminal of a respective first transistor (M1, M1a, M1b) of each pair is connected to the reference input (VR). A control terminal of a respective second transistor (M2, M2a, M2b) of each pair is connected to the feedback input (VFB).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: AMS AG
    Inventors: Carlo FIOCCHI, Paolo DRAGHI
  • Publication number: 20140239930
    Abstract: A control circuit is provided for a buck converter that includes at least an inductor coupled to an output of the buck converter. The control circuit includes a power switch configured for coupling to a line voltage and configured for charging the inductor, an input line voltage sampling circuit, and a constant-voltage (CV) and constant-current (CC) control module coupled to the power switch. During a charging period of the inductor, the CV and CC control module is configured to control the power switch to provide a constant output current by maintaining a constant peak inductor current, even when the input line voltage changes. During a discharging period of the inductor, the CV and CC control module is configured to monitor the sensed output voltage to control the power switch to provide a constant output voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Shanghai SIM-BCD Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hu Wang, Yajiang Zhu, Ruixia Fei, Shuzhuang Lv
  • Publication number: 20140239931
    Abstract: Embodiments described include voltage generators having reduced or eliminated cross current. Dynamic adjustment of a low or high threshold voltage used in a voltage generator is described. Use of a folded cascade amplifier in a voltage generator is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Dong Pan
  • Publication number: 20140239932
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a charging circuit and a determining circuit. The charging circuit is configured to generate a charge on a capacitor with a first current that is related to a signal having a characteristic, and the determining circuit is configured to determine the characteristic of the signal in response to the charge on the capacitor. For example, such an apparatus can determine an average of an input current to a power supply, or an average of an output current from a power source for the power supply, by mirroring the input current, charging a capacitor with the mirroring current, and determining the voltage across the charged capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: INTERSIL AMERICAS LLC
    Inventor: Martin GALINSKI
  • Publication number: 20140239933
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a charging circuit and a determining circuit. The charging circuit is configured to generate a charge on a capacitor with a first current that is related to a signal having a characteristic, and the determining circuit is configured to determine the characteristic of the signal in response to the charge on the capacitor. For example, such an apparatus can determine an average of an input current to a power supply, or an average of an output current from a power source for the power supply, by mirroring the input current, charging a capacitor with the mirroring current, and determining the voltage across the charged capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: INTERSIL AMERICAS LLC
    Inventor: Martin GALINSKI
  • Publication number: 20140239934
    Abstract: A switching converter with slope compensation circuit, the slope compensation circuit has a first voltage source, a first operation circuit, a first switch, a first capacitor, a second switch and a first controlled current source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Chengdu Monolithic Power Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bo ZHANG
  • Publication number: 20140239935
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for selective and adaptive slope compensation in peak current mode controlled power converter are disclosed. The selective and adaptive slope compensation in peak current mode controlled power converter is implemented by hardware, software, and/or combination of both to carry out start of a pulse width modulated period and delay of a start of slope compensation by a first time from the starting of the pulse width modulated period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Hrishikesh Ratnakar Nene
  • Publication number: 20140239936
    Abstract: Reference circuit arrangement according to this invention comprises a branched current path (BE) connecting a first and second terminal (T+, T?) via an intermediate terminal (TN). The intermediate terminal (TN) is connected to a reference terminal (GND). A current path (PTAT) is coupled between the first and second terminal (T+, T?) via the reference terminal (GND). A feedback loop (FB) is connected to the first and second terminal (T+, T?) and designed to control, at the first and second terminal (T+, T?), a virtual ground potential. A reference path (REF) is connected to the feedback loop (FB) having a reference input for receiving from the feedback loop a reference current (Iref) and reference output (Vref) to provide a reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: ams AG
    Inventors: Lorenzo Paglino, Simone Verri
  • Publication number: 20140239937
    Abstract: A connector system includes a first connector having a plurality of first contact terminals, and a second connector having a plurality of second contact terminals. The second contact terminals are arranged such that, while connecting, the first contact terminals come into contact with a first subset of the plurality of second contact terminals in a first connecting stage. As the connection proceeds further the first contact terminals come into contact with a second subset of the second contact terminals. In the first connecting stage an electrical quantity between two of the first contact terminals is detectable. This electrical quantity is different from an electrical quantity in an uncoupled condition of the connectors. In the second connecting stage a further electrical quantity between at least two of the first contact terminals is detectable and different from the electrical quantity detected in the first connecting stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Edwards Lifesciences IPRM AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Pfeiffer, Reinhold Knoll, Tobias Thomamuller
  • Publication number: 20140239938
    Abstract: A line frequency detector receives an input signal representing a power source and detects a line frequency of the power source based on the input signal. The line frequency detector includes a first band pass filter having a pass band centered at an upper end of an expected frequency range of the power source and a second band pass filter having a pass band centered at a lower end of the expected frequency range. The input signal is filtered by the first and second band pass filters, generating a first characteristic signal and a second characteristic signal. The line frequency detector determines a characteristic ratio between the first characteristic signal and the second characteristic signal, and maps the characteristic ratio to the line frequency of the power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Dialog Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Kesterson
  • Publication number: 20140239939
    Abstract: A method for analyzing quality of electrical energy in a three-phase electric network, the method including: measuring a set of electrical magnitudes, the set including one electrical magnitude per phase; forming a space vector from an instantaneous three-dimensional transformation of the set of measured electrical magnitudes; and determining a set including at least one parameter representative of the quality of the electrical energy in the three-phase electric network, according to the space vector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES SAS
    Inventors: Benoit Leprettre, Octavian Craciun, Seddik Bacha, Pierre Granjon, Daniel Radu
  • Publication number: 20140239940
    Abstract: Disclosed is a radio frequency (RF) power calorimeter having a load electrically coupled to a RF input, a variable low-frequency power source electrically coupled to the load and configured to apply low-frequency bias to the load. The RF power calorimeter includes a thermal medium thermally coupled to the load. Additionally, the RF power calorimeter includes an outlet temperature sensor thermally coupled to the thermal medium, the outlet temperature sensor being positioned to measure the temperature of the thermal medium due to heating by the load. The RF power calorimeter also has circuitry configured to use temperature measurements of the thermal medium in thermal contact with an RF load in combination with the low-frequency bias to measure average power of an RF source electrically coupled to the RF input. Also disclosed in a method of measuring RF power using the RF power calorimeter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventors: Joel D. Meltzer, Albert H. Titus, Bilel Neji, Jing Xu
  • Publication number: 20140239941
    Abstract: A system to measure electrical energy of current in a secondary electrical conductor connected to a primary electrical conductor, the primary and secondary conductors having substantially same voltage. The system includes a primary module including an emitter and a unit for measuring voltage of the primary conductor, at least one secondary module including a receiver, an intensity sensor of current in the secondary conductor, and a unit for calculating energy of the current. The primary module compresses the measured voltage value and emits, to each secondary module, a first message containing the compressed measured voltage value. A time synchronization mechanism performs time synchronization of each intensity sensor with the voltage measuring unit. The calculating unit is connected to the receiver and can calculate energy from the measured voltage and intensity values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES SAS
    Inventors: Olivier Coutelou, Pascal Houbre, Francois Vincent
  • Publication number: 20140239942
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for contactless measurement of a relative position of a magnetic field source, which produces a magnetic field and a magnetic field sensor in relation to each other. The present invention further relates to a corresponding displacement sensor. According to the present invention, the magnetic field sensor detects at least two spatial components (Bz, By) of the magnetic field and a position signal is produced from the measured components. The method comprises the following steps of calculating the position signal based on a quotient of the two magnetic field components; and correcting, before the quotient is calculated, the magnetic field component, which extends in a movement direction between the magnetic field source and the magnetic field sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Tycxo Electronics AMP GmbH
    Inventor: Oliver Schaaf
  • Publication number: 20140239943
    Abstract: Apparatus for determining a location of a target, the apparatus comprising: first and second magnetic dipole beacons positioned at substantially a same spatial location having respectively first and second time dependent magnetic moments oriented in different directions that generate first and second magnetic fields having different time dependencies; at least one magnetic field sensor coil located at the location of the target that generates signals responsive to the first and second magnetic fields; and circuitry that receives the signals generated by the at least one sensor coil and processes the signals responsive to the different time dependencies of the magnetic fields to determine a location of the at least one sensor coil and thereby the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: SOREQ NUCLEAR RESEARCH CENTER
    Inventors: Arie Sheinker, Boris Ginzburg, Nizan Salomonski
  • Publication number: 20140239944
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for sensing whether carburization occurs or not on an inner surface of a pipe or tube by an electromagnetic testing, comprising: a first step of inserting a carburized tube P0 into an excitation coil 11 and into a detection coil 12, and determining a value of a parameter K; and a second step of setting conditions of the excitation coil so as to obtain the value of the parameter K determined in the first step, and thereafter, inserting a pipe or tube that is an inspection target into the excitation coil 11 and into the detection coil 12 and sensing whether carburization occurs or not on an inner surface of the pipe or tube based on an output signal outputted from the detection coil 12.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigetoshi Hyodo, Yoshikazu Takimoto
  • Publication number: 20140239945
    Abstract: A system of communicating vehicle detection is provided. The system may include a probe having at least a probe controller and a magnetic sensor for detecting the Earth's magnetic fields, and a control system having a main controller, an output port and a two-wire interface for communicating with the probe. The probe controller may be configured to quantify detected magnetic fields into a sensor output value per iteration at a predefined frequency, and initiate an interrupt per iteration the sensor output value is determined to exceed a predefined sensor value. The main controller of the control system may be configured to communicate a supply signal to the probe over a first line of the two-wire interface, monitor a return signal from the probe over a second line of the two-wire interface for interrupts, and generate a call signal on the output port indicative of confirmed vehicle detection if the number of consecutive interrupts in the return signal exceed a predefined interrupt limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Diablo Controls, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas W. Seabury