Patents Issued in January 24, 2017
  • Patent number: 9553516
    Abstract: This is a multi-level converter comprising one or more arms (B) to each be connected between a voltage source (VDC) and a current source (I). Each arm comprises two stages (E1, E2) in cascade, the first to be connected to the voltage source (VDC), the second to be connected to the current source (I). The first stage (Et1) comprises several elementary stages (E1n, . . . , E12, E11) of rank one to n in cascade, the elementary stage (E11) of rank one being connected to the second stage (Et2) and the elementary stage (E1n) of rank n having to be connected to the voltage source (VDC). Each elementary stage (E1n) comprises a pair of identical cells of NPC type (Cen1, Cen2) in series, the connection being direct in the elementary stage of rank 1, the connection being made via n?1 capacitive cells ((Can(1), . . . , Can(n?1)) for each elementary stage of rank greater than one, the second stage (Et2) comprising a floating capacitor cell (Ce10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER TOSHIBA INVERTER EUROPE SAS
    Inventor: Jean-Paul Lavieville
  • Patent number: 9553517
    Abstract: A system includes a first DC rail configured to be coupled to a first terminal of a first energy storage device (e.g., a battery), a second DC rail configured to be coupled to a first terminal of a second energy storage device (e.g., an ultracapacitor), and a plurality of converter legs coupled between the first and second DC rails and including at least one first converter leg configured to be coupled to a second terminal of the first energy storage device and at least one second converter leg configured to be coupled to second terminal of the second energy storage device. The system further includes a switch configured to couple and decouple the second terminals of the first and second energy storage devices. The at least one first converter leg and the at least one second converter leg provide different current capacities to deal with differences in power density of the energy storage devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Fllexgen Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert William Johnson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9553518
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a current of a multi-phase interleaved converter are provided. The method includes filtering, through a filter, currents flowing into converters of respective phases in a multi-phase interleaved converter having multiple phases, The method further includes receiving values of the filtered currents for respective phases and a duty ratio for any one of the multiple phases generated in response to a current flowing into the phase and adjusting duty ratios for phases other than the phase, based on the received current values for respective phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Hyun Wook Seong, Hui Sung Jang, Shin Hye Chun, Mu Shin Kwak
  • Patent number: 9553519
    Abstract: Techniques and devices related to power adapters for mobile devices and, in particular, small form factor power adapters that allow a voltage droop during a power pulse exceeding a maximum output of the power adapter are discussed. For example, a small form factor and low voltage power adapter may include an adapter output power protection control that limits an output of the power adapter in response to a power pulse exceeding a maximum output of the power adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Uan-Zo-Li, Christine Kim, Thyagarajan Srinivasan, George Daskalakis
  • Patent number: 9553520
    Abstract: A switching power source, a method and a control chip for controlling the same are provided. The switching power source includes: a filtering and rectifying module, connected with an AC power source and configured to filter and rectify an alternating current outputted from the AC power source to obtain a direct current; a control module, connected with the filtering and rectifying module and configured to obtain an amplitude of the alternating current from the direct current, to adjust a frequency of a control signal according to the amplitude, in which the control module decreases the frequency of the control signal continuously or intermittently when the amplitude increases, and to output the control signal; and a primary constant current circuit, connected with the control module and the filtering and rectifying module respectively, and configured to receive the control signal and to output a constant current according to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: BYD COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Wenhui Ye, Xiaohua Yang
  • Patent number: 9553521
    Abstract: First FET switches control supply of electricity from an external power supply to a primary winding of a transformer. A condenser is connected, in series, to a secondary winding of the transformer. A second FET switch is connected, in parallel, to the secondary winding and the condenser. The diode is connected, in parallel, to the second FET switch. A switch control unit acquires a value obtained by measuring a current flowing through the first FET switches and the second FET switch and controls, on the basis of the measurement result of the current, conduction of the first FET switches and the second FET switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Yu Yonezawa, Yoshiyasu Nakashima
  • Patent number: 9553522
    Abstract: A method for transferring electrical power in the sea includes generating AC power, guiding, at least partially underwater, the AC power through a cable from a first end of the cable to a second end of the cable, and changing a frequency of the AC power guided through the cable based on a value of power consumption of a load connected to the second end of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ove Boe, Espen Haugan
  • Patent number: 9553523
    Abstract: Described is a circuit for converting electric power between a three-phase grid and a single-phase grid. The circuit includes, in at least one embodiment, a first transformer that is connected to the three-phase grid, a number of first converter stages assigned to the first transformer, the associated DC intermediate circuits and the associated second converter stages. The second converter stages are connected to each other at the alternating-current side outputs with the aid of a series connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: GE Energy Power Conversion Technology Limited
    Inventors: Joerg Janning, Axel Brandt
  • Patent number: 9553524
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for converting alternating current into direct current implemented by a conversion device that comprises a three-phase bridge in which at least one arm is comprised of a first switch and of a second switch mounted in series, with the method comprising a step of regulating the direct voltage output by the conversion device, characterized in that it comprises a transition step which precedes the regulation step, with the transition step comprising the formation of signals for controlling first and second switches capable of limiting the amplitude of the inrush currents when switching the conversion device to the alternative network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: LABINAL POWER SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Roland Casimir, Vincent Giorgis, Paul Giraud
  • Patent number: 9553525
    Abstract: A method is disclosed to at least partially prevent back powering of power sourcing equipment. In one or more implementations, the method includes detecting a magnitude of current through a current sensor, such as a transistor and/or a resistor. The active FET bridge is configured to rectify input power supplied by power sourcing equipment to a power over Ethernet (PoE) powered device. The method also includes causing the transistor to transition from a closed configuration to an open configuration to at least substantially prevent current flow through the transistor when the magnitude of current is below a predefined threshold to at least substantially prevent back powering of the PSE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Thong A. Huynh, Gaoling Zou, Andrea Vigna, Mauro Ranzato, Gianluca Mariano
  • Patent number: 9553526
    Abstract: In a converter for converting energy from a generator to a power network, wherein the converter comprises multiple power modules, wherein each power module includes at least two power cells and a transformer for connecting the power cells to the power network, wherein each power cell includes a phase input, a phase output, a transformer output connected to the transformer, a rectifier circuit and an inverter, the transformer (T) of a power module (4.1, . . . , 4.n) includes one generator-side winding (10) for each of the power cells (5) and exactly one common grid-side winding for balancing an energy flow through the power cells (5) of a power module (4.1, . . . , 4.n).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: DET INTERNATIONAL HOLDING LIMITED
    Inventors: Kilian Noetzold, Michael Bragard, Karsten Fink, Richard Griessel, Ralf Wegener
  • Patent number: 9553527
    Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein relates to arrangements and techniques that provide for harvesting thermal energy within a display, for example an electrowetting display, of an image display apparatus and converting the thermal energy into electricity. The electrowetting display comprises a first substrate and a second substrate opposite to the first substrate, a plurality of pixel portions defined between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a hydrophobic surface on the first substrate. A first fluid is included within the pixel portions and on the hydrophobic surface, while a second fluid is included on the first fluid, wherein the second fluid is substantially immiscible with the first fluid. A pyroelectric layer is included between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the pyroelectric layer is configured to absorb thermal energy within the electrowetting display and output a voltage based upon the thermal energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Ramos Carneiro, Pavel Novoselov, Suki Sandhu
  • Patent number: 9553528
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a motor. The motor comprises windings. A switch bridge comprising a plurality of switches is configured to couple a power source to the windings. A motor controller is configured to control the plurality of switches. An undesired condition identifier is configured to identify an undesired condition when the motor is providing power to the power source, wherein the undesired condition is defined with respect to a characteristic of the power source. An undesired condition reducer is configured to reduce the undesired condition in response to identifying the undesired condition by the undesired condition identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher Pete Benson, Douglas C. Cameron
  • Patent number: 9553529
    Abstract: There is provided a motor controller including: a voltage generator that generates a voltage applied to a motor; a temperature detector that detects a temperature of a circuit; a rotation speed detector that detects a rotation speed of the motor; and a voltage controller that controls the voltage generator so as to generate a voltage of a duty ratio based on a speed instruction value, and that, in cases in which a temperature of an element configuring the circuit, computed based on the temperature of the circuit detected by the temperature detector, the rotation speed of the motor detected by the rotation speed detector, and a load of the circuit, reaches a predetermined threshold value or above, controls the voltage generator so as to generate a voltage of a duty ratio that is lower than the duty ratio based on the speed instruction value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: ASMO CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Takehide Omura
  • Patent number: 9553530
    Abstract: A power converter a controller that includes an instruction calculator calculating a first voltage instruction value that is applied to a first winding group, for example. An application voltage to the first winding group is controlled, for example, in a first period so that a first neutral point voltage shifts below a center-of-output value of an outputtable range is outputted, and a second neutral point voltage shifts above the center-of-output value of the outputtable range. The instruction calculator calculates the first instruction value for enabling a switching between the periods, after a lapse of a switch period that is variably calculated based on a preset physical quantity. In such manner, a ripple of a torque or an electric current accompanying the switching between the periods is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryo Kano, Takashi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9553531
    Abstract: A power converter that reduces a ripple of a torque and a ripple of an electric current in a switch period, having a controller including an instruction calculator that calculates a first voltage instruction value and a second voltage instruction value when, in a first period, a first neutral point voltage is shifted below a center-of-output value, and a second neutral point voltage is shifted above the center-of-output value, and, in a second period, the first neutral point voltage is shifted above the center-of-output value, and the second neutral point voltage is shifted below the center-of-output value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9553532
    Abstract: A control device for AC rotary machine includes a current vector detection section (3), a magnetic flux vector detection section (9), an adaptive observation section (8), a control section (4), a voltage application section (5), a deviation vector calculation section (6) for outputting a current deviation vector and a magnetic flux deviation vector, and a deviation amplification section (7). The adaptive observation section (8) calculates an estimated current vector, an estimated magnetic flux vector, and an estimated position, based on a voltage instruction vector and an amplified deviation vector. Further, the control section (4) superimposes a high-frequency voltage vector, and the magnetic flux vector detection section (9) calculates a detected magnetic flux vector, based on a magnitude of a high-frequency current vector having the same frequency component as the high-frequency voltage vector, included in a detected current vector, and on a magnitude of a rotor magnetic flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Ito, Yosuke Hachiya, Satoru Terashima
  • Patent number: 9553533
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for pre-charging the DC bus on a motor drive. Pre-charging techniques involve pre-charge circuitry including a manual switch, an automatic switch, and pre-charge control circuitry to switch the automatic switch between pre-charge and pre-charge bypass modes in response to an initialized pre-charge operation, input voltage sags, and so forth. In some embodiments, the pre-charge operation may be initialized by switching the manual switch closed. In some embodiments, the pre-charge operation may also be initialized by a detected voltage sag on the DC bus. The pre-charge circuitry may also be configured to disconnect to isolate a motor drive from the common DC bus under certain fault conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce W. Weiss, Doyle F. Busse, Jeremy J. Keegan, Lixiang Wei, Michael W. Loth, Rangarajan M. Tallam, Yogesh Patel
  • Patent number: 9553534
    Abstract: An electric power tool includes a drive source, a rechargeable battery that supplies power to the drive source, a voltage meter that measures voltage of the rechargeable battery, a temperature meter that measures temperature of the rechargeable battery, and a drive control unit that regulates the power supplied to the drive source from the rechargeable battery to drive the drive source. If the battery temperature measured by the temperature meter is lower than or equal to a predetermined temperature when the battery voltage measured by the voltage meter is lower than or equal to a predetermined voltage, the drive control unit drives the drive source differently from normal driving that is performed if the battery temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature when the battery voltage is higher than the predetermined voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Miwa, Masaki Ikeda, Naoki Tsuruta
  • Patent number: 9553535
    Abstract: A motor driving apparatus includes a rotor, a first yoke including a first magnetic portion, a first coil configured to, if energized, excite the first magnetic portion, a second yoke including a second magnetic portion, a second coil configured to, if energized, excite the second magnetic portion, a detecting portion including a first detection element, a second detection element, a third detection element, and a fourth detection element, each detection element being configured to detect a rotation position of the rotor, and a controller configured to switch a pole excited by the first magnetic portion and the second magnetic portion by switching an energization direction of the first coil and the second coil based on an output of the detecting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Chikara Aoshima
  • Patent number: 9553536
    Abstract: A stator arrangement includes a stator extending in a circumferential direction and plural teeth alternating with plural slots arranged along the circumferential direction. A first wire is arranged in a first slot of the plural slots. A second wire is arranged in a second slot of the plural slots, wherein the second slot is circumferentially adjacent to the first slot. A first converter has an input terminal connected to the first wire and a second converter has an input terminal connected to the second wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Mohammad Kimiabeigi
  • Patent number: 9553537
    Abstract: A de-glitch circuit, a de-glitch method and a short circuit protection device are provided. In a period during which a first flag signal is in a first logic state, the de-glitch circuit increases a counting result with a rising rate. In a period during which the first flag signal is in a second logic state, the de-glitch circuit decreases the counting result with a falling rate, wherein the rising rate is greater than the falling rate. The de-glitch circuit sets a logic state of a second flag signal according to a relationship between the counting result and a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: ACTRON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chih-Chun Lu
  • Patent number: 9553538
    Abstract: A system and method for reliable control of a high rotor pole switched reluctance machine (HRSRM) utilizing a sensorless reliable control system. The method comprising: energizing at least one of the plurality of stator phases; measuring a first current value and time taken by the first current value to reach a first peak value or preset threshold value of current; determining a self-inductance value; storing the self-inductance value and the first current value for each of the stator phases; measuring a second current value and time taken by an adjacent un-energized stator phase to reach a second peak value of current; determining a mutual inductance value; storing the mutual inductance value and the second current value for each of the stator phases; estimating a rotor position utilizing the self-inductance and mutual inductance values; and controlling the HRSRM based on the estimated rotor position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Software Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Mahesh Krishnamurthy, Trevor Creary
  • Patent number: 9553539
    Abstract: At least one example embodiment discloses a method of generating an output variable voltage. The method includes obtaining a selected mode of operation, the selected mode of operation being one of an voltage control mode and a frequency mode, determining an input voltage command based on the selected mode of operation, determining an input frequency command based on the selected mode of operation, adjusting at least one of the input frequency command and the input voltage command based on the selected mode of operation, generating a pulse width modulation reference based on the adjusted at least one of the input frequency command and the input voltage command and generating the output variable voltage based on the pulse width modulation reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Oleg Vodyakho, Kent Wanner
  • Patent number: 9553540
    Abstract: A power converter has a phase leg with upper and lower switching devices coupled across a DC link. A junction between the devices is coupled to a load. A current sensor detects direction of current flow from the junction to the load. A gate driver activates the devices according to upper and lower gate signals in response to pulse-width modulation (PWM) to generate nominal gate signals from a variable duty cycle. When the positive current direction is detected then the upper gate signal has turn-on and turn-off times shifted by a predetermined offset with respect to the nominal signals, and dead-times are added to the lower gate signals. When the negative direction is detected then the lower gate signal has turn-on and turn-off times shifted by the predetermined offset with respect to the nominal signals, and dead-times are added to the upper gate signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael W. Degner, Chingchi Chen, Jun Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 9553541
    Abstract: The purpose is to suppress ripple of voltage between terminals of smoothing condenser. Electric motor control apparatus is electric motor control apparatus that controls electric motor system having electrical power converter, smoothing condenser and three-phase AC electric motor, and has generating device that generates modulation signal by adding third harmonic signal to phase voltage command signal; controlling device that controls operation of electrical power converter by using modulation signal; and adjusting device that adjusts amplitude of third harmonic signal, adjusting device adjusts amplitude of third harmonic signal so that peak value of voltage between terminals of smoothing condenser in the case where amplitude of third harmonic signal is adjusted is smaller than peak value of voltage between terminals in the case where amplitude of third harmonic signal is not adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshifumi Yamakawa, Masaki Okamura, Naoyoshi Takamatsu
  • Patent number: 9553542
    Abstract: A hammer drill (100) comprises an electric motor (110), a piston (127) as a driving member and a controller (199) which controls and drives the electric motor (110). The piston (127) is reciprocated by rotation of the electric motor (110) and thereby a hammer bit (119) is driven in its longitudinal direction. The hammer bit (119) is moved forward in response to a forward movement stroke of the piston (127) and thereby a hammering operation is performed by the hammer bit (119). The controller (199) sets a duty ratio of a driving pulse signal which drives the electric motor (110) in the forward movement stroke of the piston (127) to be larger in order to prevent a reduction of a rotation speed of the electric motor (110) due to a load applied on the electric motor (110) during the forward movement stroke of the piston (127).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Machida, Yoshitaka Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 9553543
    Abstract: A photovoltaic system includes a pole member which stands on an installation surface, a connecting support member disposed on an upper end section of the pole member, a rail member supported by the connecting support member, and a photovoltaic cell module disposed on the rail member, wherein the pole supporting member includes a lower section that covers at least a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the upper end section of the pole member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Kitano, Kouki Uchida, Yoshiyuki Fujikawa
  • Patent number: 9553544
    Abstract: A supporting rack for a solar panel with a framework mountable on a surface such as a roof, this framework including two elongate runners extending parallel to each other and a cross-member extending between and connecting the two runners. Upper and lower clamp assemblies detachably and adjustably mount the solar panel on top of the framework so that the panel extends at an acute angle to the plane of the runners. There are two front clamp assemblies, each mountable on a respective runner and clamped to a front edge of the solar panel. A clevis pin connection pivotally connects the clamping mechanism to its respective runner. Two upper, rear clamp assemblies each have an adjustable J-clamp member and a back plate. After installation of the rack, the panel is pivotable from an operating position at an acute angle to the runners to a greater angle to facilitate maintenance or repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Polar Racking Inc.
    Inventor: Manish Nayar
  • Patent number: 9553545
    Abstract: Differential crystal oscillator circuits are disclosed that may provide low-power, low phase noise operation, and prevent latching at low frequency by providing a low impedance DC path using active super diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Alireza Khalili, Afshin Babveyh, Mazhareddin Taghivand
  • Patent number: 9553546
    Abstract: A differential output stage of an amplification device, for driving a load, comprises a first and a second differential output stage portion. The first differential output stage portion comprises: a first and a second output circuit; a first driving circuit comprising a first biasing circuit; a second driving circuit comprising a second biasing circuit. The first differential output stage portion comprises: a third output circuit connected between a first node of said first biasing circuit and a first differential output terminal, having a third driving terminal connected to a first driving terminal; a fourth output circuit connected between a first node of the second biasing circuit and the first differential output terminal, having a fourth driving terminal connected to a second driving terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: OPTIS CIRCUIT TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Pierangelo Confalonieri, Federico Guanziroli, Germano Nicollini
  • Patent number: 9553547
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed in the detailed description relate to a pseudo-envelope follower power management system used to manage the power delivered to a linear RF power amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Michael R. Kay
  • Patent number: 9553548
    Abstract: A circuit and method for regulating an output voltage are provided. The circuit includes a fully differential first stage amplifier, a second stage amplifier, and a power output driver transistor. The first stage amplifier receives a reference voltage and feedback voltage relative to an output voltage of the power output driver transistor. A differential output of the first stage amplifier is received at differential inputs of the second stage amplifier. The second stage amplifier provides a voltage at a control terminal of the power transistor. The output voltage of the power transistor is based on the voltage at the control terminal and a supply voltage coupled to the power output driver transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: NXP USA, INC.
    Inventors: Chang Joon Park, Ravi C. Geetla, Octavio A. Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 9553549
    Abstract: A heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) hybrid type RF (radio frequency) power amplifier includes a first device including an input terminal for receiving an RF signal, a pre-driver stage for amplifying the received RF signal, and an output terminal, the input terminal, the pre-driver stage and the output terminal being disposed in or over a first substrate; and a second device having a main stage having an HBT amplifier circuit disposed in or over a second substrate to further amplify the RF signal amplified by the pre-driver stage. The RF signal further amplified by the main stage is output through the output terminal of the first device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Young Kwon, David Bockelman, Marshall Maple, Joo Min Jung
  • Patent number: 9553550
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) switch semiconductor die and an RF supporting structure are disclosed. The RF switch semiconductor die is attached to the RF supporting structure. The RF switch semiconductor die has a first edge and a second edge, which may be opposite from the first edge. The RF supporting structure has a group of alpha supporting structure connection nodes, which is adjacent to the first edge; a group of beta supporting structure connection nodes, which is adjacent to the second edge; and an alpha AC grounding supporting structure connection node, which is adjacent to the second edge. When the group of alpha supporting structure connection nodes and the alpha AC grounding supporting structure connection node are active, the group of beta supporting structure connection nodes are inactive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Puliafico, David E. Jones, Paul D. Jones, Chris Levesque, William David Southcombe, Scott Yoder, Terry J. Stockert
  • Patent number: 9553551
    Abstract: The present invention breaks up the frequency bands which can be filtered by a simple low-loss band-pass or low pass filter. The second harmonic frequency is reduced by use of a non-linear clipper element which controls the driving waveform symmetry and can reduce the harmonics by as much as 5-15 db which makes the filter much simpler and allows the amplifier to remain wide-band. The output waveform from the amplifier is symmetrical or nearly symmetrical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Bayruns, Tim Gittemeier
  • Patent number: 9553552
    Abstract: An amplifying module having one input terminal and one output terminal and passing an antenna signal input through the input terminal towards the output terminal. The amplifying module includes a first switch connected to the input terminal, a plurality of filters selectable by the first switch, a plurality of amplifiers respectively connected to the plurality of filters and amplifying a signal that has passed through the filters, and a second switch for connecting the amplified signal to the output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Hoon Lee, Ho Soo Seo
  • Patent number: 9553553
    Abstract: An engine sound synthesis system is operable to analyze sound. Operation of the system may include providing an input sound signal to be analysed and determining a fundamental frequency of the input signal from the input signal or from at least one guide signal. Furthermore, the frequencies of higher harmonics of the fundamental frequency are determined, thus determining harmonic model parameters. A harmonic signal based on the harmonic model parameters is synthesized and a residual signal is estimated by subtracting the harmonic signal from the input signal. Residual model parameters are estimated based on the residual signal. Furthermore, a corresponding method for synthesizing a sound signal is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Christoph
  • Patent number: 9553554
    Abstract: A signal processing device includes an excessive input estimating unit that estimates excessive input of a target signal, a controller that calculates frequency characteristics which will lessen the excessive input of the target signal from the excessive input information estimated by the excessive input estimating unit, and a frequency characteristic modification unit that modifies the frequency characteristics of the target signal in accordance with the frequency characteristics the controller calculates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masaru Kimura, Kohei Teramoto, Takashi Yamazaki, Takuya Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 9553555
    Abstract: Provided is a terrestrial broadcast wave reception-use antenna device having performance that is equivalent to or better than that of a conventional device in frequency bands at or below an FM band even if an antenna element length is shortened to approximately 55 [mm]. An amplifier (12-A) is configured so as to include a compound semiconductor HEMT for amplifying a received wave having a frequency at or below a resonant point of an antenna element (10) among received waves of the antenna element (10), the compound semiconductor HEMT having an equivalent noise resistance of 2 [?] or smaller for the received frequency so that a noise figure (NF) is approximately constant over a wide frequency band at or below the FM band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Yokowo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wasuke Yanagisawa, Hirotoshi Mizuno, Masayo Horie
  • Patent number: 9553556
    Abstract: An RF unit receives predetermined signals. The RF unit amplifies the received signals. A gain control unit controls the gain at the RF unit based on the amplified signal and has the RF unit use the controlled gain. The gain control unit performs different controls on the received signals, depending on the case when the received signal is a known signal placed in the beginning of packet signal and the case when the received signal is a signal other than the packet signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Keisuke Higuchi
  • Patent number: 9553557
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing an input sound signal, the apparatus including: gain circuitry configured to control a gain based on a plurality of respective sub-signals of the input sound signal; and an amplification apparatus configured to adjust the amplification of all the plurality of amplitudes based on the common gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventors: Brett Anthony Swanson, Phyu Phyu Khing
  • Patent number: 9553559
    Abstract: Bias tees, according to certain embodiments of the present invention, include switches in the AC signal path, the DC signal path, or both, to improve the capability of the bias tees to be used for high impedance AC measurement, low current DC measurement, or both. Optical control of the switches, as well as control of the switches using a DC bias present within the AC signal input to the bias tee, is described. Including a set of diodes into the DC signal path, rather than a switch, provides enhanced capability of the bias tee to be used for high impedance AC measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: KEITHLEY INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Gregory Sobolewski
  • Patent number: 9553560
    Abstract: In a quartz crystal unit, the unit comprising a case, a quartz crystal tuning fork resonator and a lid, the resonator having a tuning fork base, and first and second tuning fork tines, each of the first and second tuning fork tines having a first side surface and a second side surface opposite the first side surface, the first side surface of the first tuning fork tine confronting the second side surface of the second tuning fork tine; at least one groove having a plurality of surfaces including a first surface being formed in at least one of first and second main surfaces of each of the first and second tuning fork tines so that only the first surface of the at least one groove is directly opposite the first side surface of the corresponding tuning fork tine and a width of the at least one groove is greater than or equal to a distance in the width direction of the at least one groove measured from an outer edge of the at least one groove to an outer edge of the corresponding one of the first and second tunin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: PIEDEK TECHNICAL LABORATORY
    Inventor: Hirofumi Kawashima
  • Patent number: 9553561
    Abstract: A vibrating device having vibrating arms connected to a supporter. The vibrating arms have an n-type Si layer which is a degenerated semiconductor and an exciter provided on the n-type Si layer. The exciter has a piezoelectric thin film and a first and second electrodes with the piezoelectric thin film interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keiichi Umeda, Takehiko Kishi, Toshio Nishimura, Takashi Hase
  • Patent number: 9553562
    Abstract: The compact C-multiplier includes four MOSFETs operating in the subthreshold region using the translinear principle. The multiplier is controllable to meet designer requirements. A Tanner Tspice simulator is used to confirm the functionality of the design in 0.13 pm CMOS Technology. The circuit operates from a ±0.75 supply voltage. Simulation results indicate that the multiplication factor is large compared to existing designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventors: Munir A. Al-Absi, Eyas Saleh Al-Suhaibani, Muhammad Taher Abuelma'atti
  • Patent number: 9553563
    Abstract: Provided herein are apparatus and methods for a variable gain passive attenuator with multiple layer attenuation devices. In certain configurations, at least two rows of stacked FETs are layered in blocks, namely H (horizontal) blocks in a hierarchical schematic representation of the variable gain passive attenuator. Each stack of FETs receives a control signal, and by delaying a second control signal with respect to a first control signal, performance and linearity can be enhanced while insertion loss is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward P. Jordan
  • Patent number: 9553564
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with converting an input signal into an output signal with a different sampling rate. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a feedforward circuit configured to receive the input signal comprised of discrete data samples with the first sampling rate and to generate a first intermediate value based, at least in part, on a feedforward coefficient and the input signal. The apparatus includes a feedback circuit configured to generate a second intermediate value that is based, at least in part, on a feedback coefficient and a predetermined number of previous samples of the output signal. The apparatus includes a signal combiner configured to combine the first intermediate value and the second intermediate value together to interpolate a data sample of the output signal at the second sampling rate. The output signal is a converted form of the input signal at the second sampling rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: MARVELL INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    Inventors: Erfan Soltanmohammadi, Kapil Jain
  • Patent number: 9553565
    Abstract: A method an apparatus for performing automatic frequency compensation (or control) is disclosed. A method and apparatus for performing automatic frequency compensation (or control) is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes a radio receiver receiving a radio signal and detecting a preamble in the radio signal. The method further includes freezing an automatic frequency compensation (AFC) loop responsive to detecting the preamble. A clock source of the AFC loop may be switched from a first clock signal to a second clock signal. The method further includes subsequently unfreezing the AFC loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Hendricus de Ruijter, Wentao Li
  • Patent number: 9553566
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a voltage mode driver circuit includes a first voltage adjusting circuit configured to provide an adjustable first pseudo-supply voltage to a first node based on a first supply voltage, including generating the first pseudo-supply voltage based on a first reference voltage and feedback from the first node. In this embodiment, the voltage mode driver circuit includes switching circuitry configured to selectively couple one of the first node or a second node to a first differential output terminal and a different one of the first node or the second node to a second differential output terminal based on a data signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: MoSys, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric D. Groen, Charles W. Boecker