Patents Issued in January 17, 2017
  • Patent number: 9548617
    Abstract: A battery-charging base for a portable information device, which is provided so as to easily connect and disconnect, to and from a battery-charging plug connector, a battery-charging slot for a portable information terminal, is a battery-charging base that is capable of holding one of a plurality of types of portable information terminals that are different in length and width sizes and positions of battery-charging slots provided at lower ends thereof, and charging the held one of the plurality of types of portable information terminals by inserting the battery-charging plug connector into the battery-charging slot of the held one of the plurality of types of portable information terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: NEC Platforms, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadamine Toh
  • Patent number: 9548618
    Abstract: An efficient system to heat the insole of a heated insole of a shoe in which the Intelligent Circuit (IC) for a flat lithium battery is located outside the shoe and the placement of the heater for the insole is between more efficient heat insulation and heat conducting members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Schawbel Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Shapiro, James K. Lynch, Ian Nicholson Whitehead
  • Patent number: 9548619
    Abstract: A method to control storage into and depletion from multiple energy storage devices. The method enables an operative connection between the energy storage devices and respective power converters. The energy storage devices are connectible across respective first terminals of the power converters. At the second terminals of the power converter, a common reference is set which may be a current reference or a voltage reference. An energy storage fraction is determined respectively for the energy storage devices. A voltage conversion ratio is maintained individually based on the energy storage fraction. The energy storage devices are stored individually with multiple variable rates of energy storage through the first terminals. The energy storage is complete for the energy storage devices substantially at a common end time responsive to the common reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Meir Gazit
  • Patent number: 9548620
    Abstract: A system comprising a plurality of stacks and a plurality of converters, each of the plurality of converters is operable to charge a corresponding stack for adsorbing ions in a liquid, wherein when one of the plurality of stacks is charged or discharged at a first state, one of the plurality of converters associating with the stack operates in a first mode, and is configured to indirectly convert a first voltage to a second voltage at least by an intermediate stage, one of the plurality of stacks is charged or discharged at a second state, one of the plurality of converters associating with the stack operates in a second mode, and is configured to directly convert the first voltage to the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Min Hu, Yunfeng Liu, Hai Yang
  • Patent number: 9548621
    Abstract: A contactless connector apparatus is provided with a first coil closely opposed to a second coil so as to be electromagnetically coupled thereto. The first coil includes: an inner transmitter coil wound around an axis passing through its center; and an outer transmitter coil wound around the axis and outside the inner coil. One end of the outer transmitter coil is connected to one end of the inner transmitter coil such that, when a current flows through the transmitter coils, a direction of a loop current generated around the axis by a current flowing through the inner transmitter coil is opposite to that of a loop current generated around the axis by a current flowing through the outer transmitter coil. A self-inductance of the outer transmitter coil is larger than that of the inner transmitter coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Asanuma, Atsushi Yamamoto, Tsutomu Sakata, Akio Hidaka, Toshiaki Kikui
  • Patent number: 9548622
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for wirelessly charging a mobile computing device and utilizing the mobile computing device as a power source. The apparatus includes: a first data and power interface; a second data and power interface; a wireless charging unit; and a control unit. The operation of the wireless charging unit and the control unit is configured to provide a first mode of operation of the apparatus when an external source connected to the apparatus via the second data and power interface is a load device in which power is delivered from the mobile computing device to the load device via the first and second data and power interfaces, and a second mode of operation of the apparatus in which power is delivered from a power receiver of the wireless charging unit to the mobile computing device via the first data and power interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald Vick, Thomas Oberhauser
  • Patent number: 9548623
    Abstract: A communication module includes a communication module, having an inductive energy transfer unit, a transfer driver coupled to the inductive energy transfer unit and configured to generate driver signals for operating the inductive energy transfer unit, a charging processor coupled to the transfer driver and configured to control the inductive energy transfer unit to operate in an inductive power charging operation mode, and a communication processor coupled to the transfer driver and configured to control the inductive energy transfer unit to operate in a near field communication (NFC), operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Gerd Bruechmann, Ulrich Rittner
  • Patent number: 9548624
    Abstract: A charger for wirelessly charging an electronic device by electromagnetic induction includes a coil assembly and a control unit. The control unit includes an identification module, a detection module, a comparing module, and an allocating module. The identification module identifies the electronic device. The detection module detects power rating and required electric power of the electronic device. The comparing module compares residual electric power of the wireless charger with the required electric power of the electronic device. The allocating module selects a portion of the residual electric power of the wireless charger. The coil assembly converts the portion of the residual electric power of the wireless charger into electromagnetic waves, and directs the electromagnetic waves to the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Chiun Mai Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Po-Sun Wei
  • Patent number: 9548625
    Abstract: Wireless power transfer between power transmitters and power receivers may be established by a digital ping phase during which the wireless power transmitter applies a power signal and waits for a valid response message from the power receiver. The response message may include an identification code and a checksum byte used by the power transmitter to validate the identification code. When a valid response is received, the power transmitter transitions to a power transfer phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: POWERMAT TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventors: Elieser Mach, Oz Moshkovich, Ian Podkamien, Yuval Koren
  • Patent number: 9548626
    Abstract: Power is provided to a remote device by receiving external energy from a laser source and storing the energy in a storage battery. A photovoltaic receiver capable of alignment in a preferred reception direction for receiving energy is used to receive energy from a source of excitement energy, and is configured to receive energy from a laser which is directed to the photovoltaic receiver. A charging circuit receives power from the photovoltaic receiver and is used to charge the storage battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Ayax D. Ramirez, Shannon D. Kasa, Stephen D. Russell
  • Patent number: 9548627
    Abstract: A system for detecting latent defects within a redundant power architecture includes a plurality of redundant power supplies, each having one or more output power rails, connected in a redundant fashion to a system load; each power supply output having fault-isolating OR'ing circuitry that prevents reverse current flow when free of defects; each power supply having means for adjusting its output voltage; each power supply having means for monitoring an internal voltage therein, and, based on characteristics of the monitored internal voltage, determining the presence of latent defect/s in the fault-isolating “OR'ing” circuitry. Further, the system operates to shift the load demanded from power supplies in redundant power architectures to allow the power supplies to run at their optimum electrical efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: EMC IP Holding Company LLC
    Inventors: Joseph P. King, Jr., Phillip J. Roux, Michael A. Faulkner, Robert M. Beauchamp, Robert A. Guenther
  • Patent number: 9548628
    Abstract: The invention is a portable power supply having a built in battery, switch matrix, external voltage and impedance sensing means, inverter, and charging circuitry. The device uses a power plug for receiving AC from a wall electric receptacle; a transformer for transforming high voltage input to a low voltage output; a rectifier, for rectifying the low alternating voltage to direct voltage; at least one battery rechargeable by said direct voltage; an inverter, for inverting direct voltage supplied by the rechargeable battery to relatively low alternating voltage, which is supplied to the secondary winding of the transformer; and an alternating current (AC) socket, for receiving high voltage from the primary winding of the transformer. Both AC and DC of various voltages may be supplied by this device in a portable manner, which uses a single transformer both for recharging batteries and for supplying AC power produced via the batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Inventor: Yaakov Shmuel Haim Ben Aharon
  • Patent number: 9548629
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve systems, methods, and the like, for an energy interface system for interfacing alternative energy sources with a utility power source on a premises. The energy interface system provides flexibility in the use and distribution of utility energy sources and alternative energy sources based on several measurements and criteria of the interface system. For example, the energy interface system may allow for the energy consumption to adapt to changing parameters, such as utility rate schedules, cost of alternative fuels and utility premiums for consumption or generation of energy at particular times. The energy interface system also allows for deferment of charging or other high-energy loads to be recognized by the system at otherwise low-energy times. In addition, the energy interface system allows for monitoring and communication with the system for ease of configuring the system based on one or more criteria or measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Milbank Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: John V. Siglock
  • Patent number: 9548630
    Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply apparatus includes a cooler cooling a converter/chopper circuit and a cooler cooling a PWM inverter. The converter/chopper circuit and the cooler make up one integrated unit. Accordingly, a smaller apparatus can be achieved, compared with a conventional apparatus in which a cooler is provided for each of a converter and a chopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eduardo Kazuhide Sato, Masahiro Kinoshita, Yushin Yamamoto, Tatsuaki Amboh
  • Patent number: 9548631
    Abstract: An antenna for harvesting RF energy includes a radiator; and a ground plane onto which the radiator is supported. Further, the antenna includes a vertical ground plane that is formed on the ground plane in a direction parallel to the radiator at a location spaced by a predetermined distance from the radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Jung Ick Moon, Seong-Min Kim, In Kui Cho
  • Patent number: 9548632
    Abstract: A signal generator generates an electrical signal that is sent to an amplifier, which increases the power of the signal using power from a power source. The amplified signal is fed to a sender transducer to generate ultrasonic waves that can be focused and sent to a receiver. The receiver transducer converts the ultrasonic waves back into electrical energy and stores it in an energy storage device, such as a battery, or uses the electrical energy to power a device. In this way, a device can be remotely charged or powered without having to be tethered to an electrical outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: UBEAM INC.
    Inventor: Meredith Perry
  • Patent number: 9548633
    Abstract: Provided is a stator of a motor which is capable of reducing an iron loss generated in a motor and thereby attaining a high-efficient motor. A stator of a motor comprises a yoke of a tubular shape; and teeth each of which includes an extending portion extending inward in a radial direction of the yoke from the yoke and an increased-width portion formed at a tip end of the extending portion so as to have a greater width than the extending portion in a circumferential direction of the yoke; wherein the extending portion has a narrower portion having a smaller width than a remaining portion of the extending portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Ogawa, Yuichi Yoshikawa, Ikuo Ozaki, Toshiyuki Tamamura, Hirokazu Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 9548634
    Abstract: A spin rotary member includes a substrate, a spin injector made of a ferromagnetic material magnetized in a substrate in-plane direction, and provided on the substrate, a spin rotor made of a ferromagnetic material having a magnetic moment rotatable in the substrate in-plane direction, and provided on the substrate, being separated from the spin injector, a channel part made of a non-magnetic material, arranged between the spin injector and the spin rotor, and bonded with the spin injector and the spin rotor directly or through an insulating layer, and a spin rotation control part configured to control a rotation direction of spin of the channel part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignees: Japan Science and Technology Agency, The University of York
    Inventor: Atsufumi Hirohata
  • Patent number: 9548635
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thrust washer (28) for an electric machine (10, 12) intended to be arranged on a shaft (16) between a bearing (18) and a rotor (14), preferably a rotating electrical contact element (24) impacted by brushes (38), and/or a disk pack (36) of the rotor (14). The thrust washer (28) is provided with an area for sealing having two end faces (32, 34). On each end face (32, 34), at least one radial abutment section (50, 52) for the bearing (18), or the rotor (14), is provided. The thrust washer (28) according to the invention is characterized in that it is made of at least one hard component (54) and one soft component (56), wherein the part of the radial abutment section (50, 52) abutting the rotor (14) and/or the bearing (18) is formed by the soft component (56).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Schuler, Wolfgang Winkler, Gerald Kuenzel, Lena Behelfer
  • Patent number: 9548636
    Abstract: An electromechanical flywheel machine includes a multi-wall containment system used in connection with a motor-generator for exchanging energy with a flywheel mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Rotonix Hong Kong Limited
    Inventor: Claude Michael Kalev
  • Patent number: 9548637
    Abstract: A linear actuator with an electric drive device includes a stator and a rotor, wherein the stator is arranged in a fixed location in a drive housing and the rotor is mounted for rotary motion relative to the stator and with a transmission arrangement which is arranged coaxial with an axis of rotation of the drive device to convert the rotary movement of the rotor into a linear movement, wherein a threaded spindle of the transmission arrangement is non-rotatably connected to the rotor and positively coupled to a spindle nut slidably accommodated in the drive housing and connected to a torque tube, which extends along the axis of rotation, and wherein a brake device is assigned to the rotor and/or to the threaded spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: FESTO AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Martin Rapp, Erwin Bezjak, Martin Fuss, Eric Angue, Michael Schottner
  • Patent number: 9548638
    Abstract: An alignment stage including: a base plate; one or more X direction thrust generation guide mechanisms for generating thrust and performing guidance in the direction of a straight line X; a pair of lower plates disposed above the X direction thrust generation guide mechanisms; a pair of upper plates provided corresponding to the lower plates, respectively; a pair of rotatable bearings disposed between the lower plates and the upper plates; one or more Y direction thrust generation guide mechanisms for generating thrust and performing guidance in the direction of a straight line Y perpendicular to the straight line X; and a table plate disposed above the Y direction thrust generation guide mechanisms. With this configuration, it is possible for the alignment stage to be compact and easy to assemble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: THK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takafumi Komatsu, Katsuya Fukushima
  • Patent number: 9548639
    Abstract: A power generation unit is connected with an engine rotary shaft via an accessory gearbox. A rotor extends through the accessory gearbox and a drive gear is disposed at an intermediate portion of the rotor for driving the latter. Permanent magnet elements are mounted on opposite side portions with the intermediate portion intervening therebetween, and stator coils are disposed so as to confront respective outer peripheries of the permanent magnet elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko Goi, Kenichiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9548640
    Abstract: A rotor is disclosed, which includes a plurality of axially extending slots disposed about the rotor; a plurality of conductors radially stacked within each of the axial slots; and an axially extending subslot at a radially inward end of each of the slots. In each slot, a cooling path is provided, extending radially outward from the subslot. The cooling path includes at least one manifold, each manifold including at least one ingress passage, at least one egress passage axially distanced from the ingress passage, and a plurality of axially extending passages in fluid connection at a first end with one of the at least one ingress passages, and at a second end with one of the at least one egress passages. Each of the plurality of axially extending passages is disposed at a different radial depth in the slot from each other axially extending passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Anil Kumar Tolpadi, Christopher Anthony Kaminski, Gustavo Adolfo Ledezma, Rebinth Jose Robin
  • Patent number: 9548641
    Abstract: A linear and rotary actuator system includes a shaft member moving linearly in an axial direction and rotating around an axis line, a hollow rotor surrounding the shaft member, a stator of a rotary motor having a space for holding the rotor and which rotates the rotor around the axis line, linear bearings, that rotates together with the rotor to transmit rotation of the rotor of the rotary motor to the shaft member and accepts linear movement of the shaft member, an angle measuring unit for measuring a rotation angle of the rotor, and a rotary motor driver for controlling the rotary motor in such a manner that the rotation angle of the rotor of the rotary motor measured by the angle measuring unit conforms to a command value. The rotation angle of the shaft member is controlled by controlling the rotation angle of the rotor of the rotary motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: THK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Aso, Shuhei Yamanaka, Takayuki Kuze
  • Patent number: 9548642
    Abstract: A sensing apparatus (20) based on fiber optics including fiber gratings for monitoring stator slot temperatures in an electromotive machine (10) is provided. The apparatus may include a dielectric strip (22) to be received in a gap between a first stator bar (16) and a second stator bar (18) in a stator slot (14). One or more optical fibers (24, 25) may be disposed in the dielectric strip and extend along a longitudinal axis of the dielectric strip. A plurality of sites 28 in the optical fiber include a respective fiber Bragg grating arranged to have a respective optical response in a wavelength spectrum indicative of a value of temperature at the grating site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Evangelos V. Diatzikis, Luis Alberto de Almeida Ferreira, Francisco Manuel Moita Araujo
  • Patent number: 9548643
    Abstract: A instrumented housing for an electric motor actuator is provided. The instrumented housing may have a ribbon gage coupled to a housing of an electrical motor actuator. The ribbon gage may have one or more strain gages. The strain gages may measure the tension on the housing when the electric motor actuator exerts a load. A cover may extend over at least a portion of the housing and ribbon gage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Rehfus, Joseph E Beason, David Drennen, Harald Klode, Thomas Freshour, Jantzen Hinton
  • Patent number: 9548644
    Abstract: A method of resin sealing a permanent magnet in a magnet insertion portion of a laminated body, the body formed by laminating plural core sheets and including the plural portions formed around a shaft hole in a center of the plural portions, the portion connected to an internal space via an opening. The method includes a first process of positioning a blocking member blocking the opening from a side of the space in a way that the member is vertically-placed in a lower die or an upper die, while the both dies hold the body from both sides in an axial direction and close the portion; and a second process of filling a resin extruded from a resin reservoir portion provided in the die or the die into the portion having the magnet inserted and having the opening closed by the member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignees: MITSUI HIGH-TEC, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Akira Nagai, Go Kato, Yoshitada Yamagishi
  • Patent number: 9548645
    Abstract: A motor-generator utilizes a multi-part rotor encircling a stator, the rotor including a plurality of rotor segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Rotonix Hong Kong Limited
    Inventors: Claude Michael Kalev, Heath F. Hofmann
  • Patent number: 9548646
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a linear vibration motor including: a stator part having an internal space formed therein and including a main magnet mounted therein; a vibrator part including a coil disposed to face the main magnet and accommodated in the internal space of the stator part; and an elastic member connecting to the stator part and the vibrator part to each other, wherein the vibrator part further includes an auxiliary magnet disposed to face the main magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: MPLUS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seok Jun Park, Yong Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 9548647
    Abstract: A driver circuit, in accordance with one example, includes a controllable current source operably coupled to the load and configured to sink or source a first current in accordance with a control signal. A controllable switch is responsive to an input signal, operably coupled to the current source, and configured to take over, or not, the first current in accordance with an input signal. The first current is directed as a load current through the load when the controllable switch is driven into a blocking state. The first current is directed through the controllable switch when the controllable switch is driven into a conducting state thus bypassing the load. An input signal includes a first series of pulses defining the desired load current waveform in accordance with a desired modulation scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Fabrizio Cortigiani, Franco Mignoli
  • Patent number: 9548648
    Abstract: A power converter includes at least a first phase including a high-side MOSFET transistor (HSA) and a low-side (LS) MOSFET transistor (LSA) driving a first output inductor. The first phase further includes an active gate drive assist circuit including first MOSFET switch (first switch) and second MOSFET switch (second switch) positioned in series between a source of HSA and a drain of LSA. A capacitor (CS) is between the source of HSA and drain of LSA. A bootstrap capacitor (CA) having a reference terminal is connected to a node between the first switch and the second switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Michael G. Amaro, Joseph Maurice Khayat, Pradeep S. Shenoy
  • Patent number: 9548649
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter includes: a converter including a first transistor, a second transistor and an inductor; a first gate driver and a second gate driver configured to respectively control the first and second transistors; a pulse width modulation (PWM) control circuit configured to output a PWM signal to the first gate driver and a first logic circuit, the first logic circuit configured to receive the PWM signal and a second logic signal, and to output a first logic signal to the second gate driver; and a second logic circuit configured to receive a first control signal and a second control signal, and to output the second logic signal to the first logic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jin-Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 9548650
    Abstract: Devices and methods for monitoring and determining alternating current (AC) power system parameters are provided. In some implementations, the device can include a processor; and at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for implementing a number of components. The components include a monitor configured to: sense an AC line voltage signal and an AC current voltage signal; filter the AC line voltage signal; calculate average AC line voltage and current values based, at least, on a DC voltage and current values corresponding to the AC line voltage and current signals, respectively; determine fundamental AC line voltage and current signals based, at least, on zero crossings of the respective average AC line voltage value and the average AC line current value; and determine one or more AC power system parameters based, at least, on the fundamental AC line voltage signal and the fundamental AC line current signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Sangsun Kim, Eduardo Marcelo Lipiansky
  • Patent number: 9548651
    Abstract: A circuit for controlling a switched-mode DC-DC converter. An inductor is connected between a switching node and an output node, and an output capacitor is connected in series with the inductor. An RC circuit is connected in parallel with the inductor to compensate for ripple voltage. In a discontinuous current mode, a pulse is applied to the switching node and then removed. In this mode, an RC time constant for the RC circuit is increased during the falling edge of a difference signal such that the difference signal does not drop below zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Song Guo
  • Patent number: 9548652
    Abstract: System and method for protecting a power converter. The system includes a duty-cycle detection component configured to receive a modulation signal, determine a first duty cycle corresponding to a first period of the modulation signal, compare the first duty cycle with a threshold duty cycle, and generate a duty-cycle comparison signal. Additionally, the system includes a threshold generator configured to receive the duty-cycle comparison signal and generate a threshold signal corresponding to a second period of the modulation signal, the second period being after the first period, and a comparator configured to receive the threshold signal and a first signal and to generate a first comparison signal. The first signal is associated with an input current for a power converter. Moreover, the system includes a pulse-width-modulation component configured to receive the first comparison signal and generate the modulation signal for adjusting the input current for the power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: On-Bright Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yaming Cao, Jinya Dong, Yunchao Zhang, Lieyi Fang
  • Patent number: 9548653
    Abstract: A method includes comparing, by a voltage-second (VS) controller, a first duty cycle used to control a first switch at a primary side of a power transformer of a DC-to-DC converter with a threshold. The method further includes if a value of the first duty cycle is less than the threshold, controlling, by the VS controller, a second duty cycle used to control a second switch at a secondary side of the power transformer, and maintaining a voltage level at an output voltage node at a non-zero value, and if the value of the first duty cycle is greater than the threshold, controlling, by an output voltage loop, the second duty cycle based on the first duty cycle, and monotonically increasing the voltage level the at the output voltage node from the non-zero value to a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Frank Tang, Kening Gao, Sheng Lin, Danyang Zhu
  • Patent number: 9548654
    Abstract: Temperature, process and supply compensated delay circuits, DC to DC converters and integrated circuits are presented in which switch driver dead time delays are provided using a plurality of cascaded CMOS inverter circuits with a first inverter coupled through a diode-connected MOS transistor to a regulated voltage or circuit ground and a MOS capacitor is provided between the first inverter output and the regulated voltage or circuit ground to provide a controlled delay time. A second cascaded CMOS inverter is powered by a compensated voltage which decreases with temperature to operate as a comparator, and certain embodiments include one or more intermediate CMOS inverters to form a level shifting circuit between the second inverter and the final output inverter, with the level shift inverters powered by successively higher compensated voltages that decrease with increasing temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jun Yi, Xuechun Ou
  • Patent number: 9548655
    Abstract: A differential dynamic charge pump circuit comprising; a first charging stage in series with a second charging stage; the first charging stage comprising a first circuit input for receiving an alternating clock signal; a second circuit input for receiving an inverted version of the alternating clock signal; a first output inverter arrangement configured to receive output voltages from upper and lower charge pump arrangements and having a first output and a second output for providing a dynamic differential output; the second charging stage comprising a first input and a second input configured to receive the output signal from the first stage; a second output inverter arrangement configured to receive output voltages from upper and lower charge pump arrangements and having a first output and a second output for providing a dynamic differential output of the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Selcuk Ersoy, Robert Hendrikus Margaretha van Veldhoven
  • Patent number: 9548656
    Abstract: A low voltage ripple charge pump with slew rate control includes a frequency divider, a clock generator, a current mirror, a switching circuit, a diode network, two capacitors, and a comparator. The frequency divider generates a clock signal from an oscillating signal. The clock generator generates first and second clock signals from the clock signal. The current mirror generates first and second current signals using a reference current. The switching circuit generates first and second voltage signals using the first and second clock signals and the first and second current signals. The comparator generates the oscillating signal based on the first and second voltage signals. The capacitors receive the voltage signals and are connected to the diode network for generating an output signal. The charge pump has low output voltage ripple with small filtering capacitance, which is achieved via slew rate control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Yang Wang, Jie Jin, Jianzhou Wu, Hao Zhi
  • Patent number: 9548657
    Abstract: When a control device simultaneously drives first and second direct-current power converter circuits, the control device can arbitrarily control a first voltage and a second voltage, and a load voltage by changing at least one of first and second duties. The control device generates a loop current, which discharges a first power source and charges a second power source, or a loop current, which charges the first power source and discharges the second power source, in a loop circuit where a first reactor and a second reactor are connected in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasumichi Ohnuki, Satoshi Hashino
  • Patent number: 9548658
    Abstract: A control circuit configured to control a switch-type converter, can include: (i) a state detect circuit configured to generate an error amplifying signal according to a feedback voltage and a reference voltage, to compensate the error amplifying signal by a ramp compensation signal having a predetermined frequency, and to generate a state signal by comparing the compensated error amplifying signal against a voltage ripple signal, where the voltage ripple signal changes along with an inductor current of the switch-type converter; and (ii) a control signal generator configured to generate control signals to control the switch-type converter according to the state signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Silergy Semiconductor Technology (Hangzhou) LTD
    Inventors: Kailang Hang, Jiubing Luo
  • Patent number: 9548659
    Abstract: A controller for controlling operation of a switching regulator including a modulator, a discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) controller, an audible DCM (ADCM) controller, and a sub-sonic discontinuous conduction mode (SBDCM) controller. The modulator generally operates in a continuous conduction mode. The DCM controller modifies operation to DCM during low loads. The ADCM controller detects when the switching frequency is less than a super-sonic frequency threshold and modifies operation to maintain the switching frequency at a super-sonic frequency level. The SBDCM controller detects a sub-sonic operating condition during ADCM operation and responsively inhibits operation of the ADCM mode controller to allow a SBDCM mode within a sub-sonic switching frequency range. The SBDCM operating mode allows for efficient connected standby operation. The SBDCM controller allows operation to return to other modes when the switching frequency increases above the sub-sonic level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: INTERSIL AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: M. Jason Houston, Steven P. Laur
  • Patent number: 9548660
    Abstract: A fast transient switching voltage regulator includes a reference signal generator to provide a reference in a feedback path to control switching. The reference signal generator is operative to incorporate a voltage offset into the reference signal timed with the control pulses used to control the switching. The voltage offset moves the reference signal out of the way of pulses introduced in the feedback path due to capacitance ESL in the output capacitor of the switching voltage regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Inventors: Marko Harry Koski, Visu Vaithiyanathan Swaminathan
  • Patent number: 9548661
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter is provided. The DC-DC converter includes at least one converter circuit configured to include an inductor and to supply a current to a load through the inductor; and a controller configured to sense the current to generate a sensed signal, to sample and hold the sensed signal at a predetermined sampling time to detect an average current of the inductor, and to control an operation of the at least one converter circuit according to the average current. The sampling time is set to a time in a period while the inductor current is less than a peak and greater than a valley.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kudo Ryotaro, Gwang Yol Noh, Hwa Yeal Yu
  • Patent number: 9548662
    Abstract: A switching power-supply circuit includes a transformer, a first switching element, a first rectifying/smoothing circuit generating a first output voltage by rectifying and smoothing the output of a first secondary winding, a second rectifying/smoothing circuit generating a second output voltage by rectifying and smoothing the output of a second secondary winding, a first feedback circuit generating a feedback signal according to the first output voltage, and a first switching control circuit. When the voltage of the second secondary winding is greater than the second output voltage and the second output voltage is less than the voltage of a reference-voltage circuit, a second rectifier circuit turns on a rectifier switch element, and stabilizes the second output voltage by controlling the number of pulses per unit time in a pulse current flowing through the second rectifier circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Hosotani
  • Patent number: 9548663
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a circuitry for adjusting output voltage, which is set between an input voltage source and an internal device, and the circuitry comprises an output voltage converter, a signal controller, and first and second switching transistors. Wherein, the output voltage converter comprises an input coil, a first output coil and a second output coil that are connected in series. The first switching transistor is coupled to the first output coil and the internal device. The second switching transistor is coupled to the second output coil and the internal device. The signal controller is coupled to the internal device, and is further coupled to the first and the second switching transistors. The invention satisfies usage requirement between different internal devices of which the output voltages are greatly different without changing voltage output mode, and the objects to have output voltage with wide range, and lower cost of design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Dan Cao
  • Patent number: 9548664
    Abstract: A gate-power-supply device is provided with an inverter circuit, a transformer, and rectifier circuits. The device includes secondary-side parallel capacitors, connected in parallel to secondary-side coils of the transformer, for cancelling inductance components of the secondary-side coils at the drive frequency of the inverter circuit. The device includes a primary-side series capacitor, connected in series to a primary-side coil of the transformer, for cancelling the imaginary term (inductance component) of the combined impedance of the gate drivers, the rectifier circuits, the secondary-side parallel capacitors, the secondary-side coils, transformer cores and the primary-side coil, which are a load viewed from the inverter circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Yabumoto, Kazufumi Tanaka, Hiroyasu Iwabuki
  • Patent number: 9548666
    Abstract: A circuit for use in a switched mode power supply comprising includes an integrated circuit, a transformer, a capacitor, a low voltage circuit and a current limiting resistor. The IC jitters the switching frequency of the switch based on a bias voltage of the integrated circuit. The IC also includes a current source configured to supply current for operation of the switching regulator when insufficient current is available from the bias input pin. The transformer includes primary, secondary and auxiliary windings. The primary winding receives a rectified line voltage and is coupled to the switch. The capacitor is coupled between the bias input pin and ground. The low voltage circuit is coupled to the auxiliary winding, and provides current to the bias input pin. The current limiting resistor limits current produced by the low voltage circuit to less than that required for operation of the IC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Landis+Gyr Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas G. Block, Matt E. Kraus
  • Patent number: 9548667
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a constant on-time isolated converter comprising a transformer with a primary side and a secondary side. The primary side is connected to an electronic switch and secondary-side is connected to a load and a processor. The processor is connected to a driver on primary side through at least one coupling element and to the electronic switch. The processor receives an output voltage or an output current across the load generating a control signal accordingly. The driver receives the control signal through the coupling element and accordingly changes the ON/OFF state of the electronic switch, regulating the output voltage and the output current via the transformer, where the duration of the ON/OFF state of the electronic switch is determined between the moment control signal changes from negative to positive and the moment it changes from positive to negative to achieve a high-speed load transient response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Alpha and Omega Semiconductor (Cayman) Ltd.
    Inventors: Tien-Chi Lin, Chih-Yuan Liu, Yung-Chuan Hsu, Pei-Lun Huang