Regulating Transformer Patents (Class 315/282)
  • Patent number: 11688543
    Abstract: A power control module and a method to create the power control module is provided. The power control module includes a plurality of transformers, wherein each transformer of the plurality of transformers includes a stack of ferrite cores comprising a plurality of ferrite cores and a continuous winding. The continuous winding has a plurality of turns through each ferrite core of the plurality of ferrite cores. The plurality of ferrite cores are oriented such that the plurality of ferrite cores are stacked together with legs of the plurality of ferrite cores oriented in opposite directions, and wherein the continuous winding comprises a folded section that extends between the plurality of ferrite cores of the stack of ferrite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Arthur Edward Brockschmidt, Jr., Shailesh Atreya, Justin M. Rapozo, Kenneth P. Kollias, Tina Stoia
  • Patent number: 11324092
    Abstract: A load control device may utilize a feedback signal representative of an average magnitude of the load current conducted through an electrical load to control the amount of power delivered to the electrical load. The feedback signal may be generated based on a sense signal that is electrically isolated from the line voltage input of the load control device. Depending on the operational characteristics of the electrical load, the feedback signal may be generated using different techniques. In one example technique, the sense signal may be integrated and filtered to derive the feedback signal. In another example technique, the sense signal may be used in conjunction with an input power of the load control device and an efficiency parameter of the load control device to derive the feedback signal. In yet another example technique, values derived from the foregoing two techniques may be blended together to obtain the feedback signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventor: Stuart W. DeJonge
  • Patent number: 11304275
    Abstract: A light emitting device includes a light source panel including light emitting units, and a printed circuit board including a light source driving circuit electrically connected to the light source panel. The light source driving circuit receives a feedback voltage from each of the light emitting units, and compares the feedback voltage with a reference voltage to output a current control signal. Each of the light emitting units includes a light emitting diode connected to a first voltage line, a switching element connected with the light emitting diode and operating in response to the current control signal, and a resistor electrically connected between a feedback node and a second voltage line. The resistor includes a conductive pattern having a predetermined width disposed on the light source panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dae-Sik Lee, Jiyoun Seo
  • Patent number: 10904979
    Abstract: A load control device may utilize a feedback signal representative of an average magnitude of the load current conducted through an electrical load to control the amount of power delivered to the electrical load. The feedback signal may be generated based on a sense signal that is electrically isolated from the line voltage input of the load control device. Depending on the operational characteristics of the electrical load, the feedback signal may be generated using different techniques. In one example technique, the sense signal may be integrated and filtered to derive the feedback signal. In another example technique, the sense signal may be used in conjunction with an input power of the load control device and an efficiency parameter of the load control device to derive the feedback signal. In yet another example technique, values derived from the foregoing two techniques may be blended together to obtain the feedback signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventor: Stuart W. DeJonge
  • Patent number: 10609796
    Abstract: Programmable drivers (or power supplies) for solid state light sources are disclosed, on which output regulation is improved to expand the dimming range to 1% and reduce and/or remove flicker. Additional fault conditions are set up to avoid latching, and thus provide for a controllable restart feature. Such drivers include an isolated half bridge resonant converter with an improved control approach designed to regulate very low current though primary side in a feed-forward loop. Such drivers include both digital and analog loops that improve the performance in steady state and/or during transients, particularly for a lighting load, in comparison to a single full digital control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventors: Eliseo Carcamo Olmos, Luis Manuel Leon Lara
  • Patent number: 10047447
    Abstract: A process for superimposing AC over DC, which feeds a group of electrolytic cells for electrowinning or electrorefining copper and other products, characterized by (a) incorporating an inductor which is connected between the terminals of two consecutive middle cells of the group of electrolytic cells, wherein the inductor functions are to act as a filter for the AC and as conducting means for the DC; (b) incorporating a capacitor connected in parallel to the original DC source, wherein the capacitor functions are to act as conducting means for the AC and as a filter for the DC; and (c) incorporating an AC source connected to the terminals of an inductor installed in the middle point of the group of electrolytic cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: HECKER ELECTRONICA POTENCIA Y PROCESOS S.A.
    Inventors: Juan Pablo Bustos Robledo, Cristian Alejandro Villavicencio Araya
  • Patent number: 9704644
    Abstract: An embedded device 105 is assembled within a flexible circuit assembly 30 with the embedded device mid-plane intentionally located in proximity to the flexible circuit assembly central plane 115 to minimize stress effects on the embedded device. The opening 18, for the embedded device, is enlarged in an intermediate layer 10 to enhance flexibility of the flexible circuit assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Inventor: James Jen-Ho Wang
  • Patent number: 9058781
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display for displaying either a flat image or a stereoscopic image, comprising: a panel; and a backlight unit for providing a light source to the panel. The backlight unit comprising: a switch circuit and an oscillator. One end of the switch circuit is electrically connected with a first resistor, and another end of the switch circuit is electrically connected with a second resistor. When the switch circuit is turned on, the first resistor is connected with the second resistor in parallel. The oscillator is electrically connected with the first resistor and the switch circuit. When the switch circuit is turned off, the oscillator outputs a first frequency, and when the switch circuit is turned on, the oscillator outputs a second frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Poshen Lin, Liangchan Liao, Xiang Yang
  • Patent number: 9030119
    Abstract: A solid state lighting driver arrangement exhibiting a plurality of LED strings receiving power from a single power source, the single power source providing a discontinuous current, wherein a plurality of first windings are provided, each associated with a particular LED string and coupled to provide current balancing between the various LED strings. The discontinuous current resets the windings during the off time or during a reversal period. In one particular embodiment, a second winding is magnetically coupled to each of the first windings, and the second windings are connected in a closed in-phase loop. In another particular embodiment, at least two of the first windings are magnetically coupled to each other, thus ensuring a balance between current in each LED string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Microsemi Corporation
    Inventor: Xiaoping Jin
  • Patent number: 8907588
    Abstract: An illumination system detects a peak value of a voltage of a transformer supplying an LED module by analyzing the current value of the voltage and an on-time of the voltage. Based on the detected peak value, a property of the illumination system is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Terralux, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Brandt
  • Publication number: 20140333226
    Abstract: A light source for producing variable illumination coupled to at least one device includes a light chip assembly, and an LED driver module. The light chip assembly includes multiple LEDs on a silicon substrate, a heat-sink coupled to the light chip assembly, the silicon substrate being coupled to an inner core region of the heat-sink via a thermally conductive adhesive. The LED driver module includes housing, a load stabilization LED driver circuit within the housing, the load stabilization LED driver circuit being configured to drive the light chip assembly, a printed circuit coupled to the load stabilization LED driver circuit and a power supply for providing an alternating current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: LEDZWORLD SDN. BHD.
    Inventor: LEDZWORLD SDN. BHD.
  • Patent number: 8847506
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-output current-balancing circuit, which in one embodiment can include: (i) a transformer having a primary winding and a plurality of secondary windings, where the primary winding receives an AC input current; (ii) a plurality of first and second rectifier circuits and a plurality of first current balancing components, where each of the first and second rectifier circuits and the first current balancing components is coupled to a corresponding secondary winding, where each the first current balancing component is configured for current balancing between each of the first and second rectifier circuits of the corresponding secondary winding; and (iii) at least one second current balancing component, where each second current balancing component is coupled to a pair of the second rectifier circuits that correspond to different secondary windings, where the second current balancing components are configured for current balancing between different the secondary windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Silergy Semiconductor Technology (Hangzhou) Ltd
    Inventors: Chen Zhao, Feng Yu
  • Patent number: 8729819
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-output current-balancing circuit, which in one embodiment can include: (i) a transformer having a primary winding and a plurality of secondary windings, where the primary winding receives an AC input current; (ii) a plurality of first and second rectifier circuits and a plurality of first current balancing components, where each of the first and second rectifier circuits and the first current balancing components is coupled to a corresponding secondary winding, where each the first current balancing component is configured for current balancing between each of the first and second rectifier circuits of the corresponding secondary winding; and (iii) at least one second current balancing component, where each second current balancing component is coupled to a pair of the second rectifier circuits that correspond to different secondary windings, where the second current balancing components are configured for current balancing between different the secondary windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Silergy Semiconductor Technology (Hangzhou) Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen Zhao, Feng Yu
  • Patent number: 8723440
    Abstract: The invention relates to an AC voltage conversion and switching device comprising a main circuit and a switching circuit. The input of the device is connected to the power supply, and the output to the consumer. In the main circuit a controlled transformer (T) is inserted. The essence of the invention lies in that the secondary coil (6) of the transformer (T) is connected in series between the input (8) and the output (10) for decreasing the voltage at the consumer (F) during operation, and the secondary coil (6) of the transformer (T) is bridged by a first controlled switch (12), whereas the primary coil (7) of the transformer (T) is connected in series with a second controlled switch (18), and the serial circuit formed by the primary coil (7) and the second controlled switch (18) is connected parallel with the consumer (F), the switches (12; 18) are in an operational connection with a central control unit (K).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Gradix Holdings Ltd.
    Inventor: Kálmán Csikszentimrei
  • Patent number: 8692478
    Abstract: The invention provides a current balancing circuit, which includes a plurality of light-emitting diode assemblies; an AC power generator for providing currents required by the light-emitting diode assemblies; and a plurality of current-equaling elements connected to the AC power generator, each of which is connected to a common mode connecting two light-emitting diode assemblies for balancing currents of the light-emitting diode assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lizhi Xu, Weiqiang Zhang, Jianping Ying
  • Patent number: 8664877
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a light driving apparatus which may stably drive an LED light at a normal operation by feeding back the output voltage of the LED light and stably drive the LED light at an abnormal operation by feeding back the voltage supplied to the LED light, and the light driving apparatus includes: a rectifier circuit; a transformer circuit; a power factor correction circuit; a smoothing circuit; a constant-current driving circuit; a dimming control circuit; a photo-coupler; a sample and hold circuit; a first photo-coupler driving circuit for feeding back the voltage output from the sample and hold circuit and applying the feedback voltage as a driving voltage of the photo-coupler; and a second photo-coupler driving circuit for feeding back the voltage output from the smoothing circuit and supplied to the LED module and supplying the feedback voltage as a driving voltage of the photo-coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Dongwoon Anatech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Ho Jin, Hyun Il Park, Ju Seong Kim
  • Patent number: 8624510
    Abstract: A control circuit (1) for light emitting diode arrangements (11), used particularly for backlighting LC flat screens. The circuit has a plurality of control channels (5, 5?) in each of which one or more light emitting diode arrangements (11) are disposed. The circuit has a balancing device (23) which allows currents in the individual control channels (5, 5?) to be balanced. Each control channel (5, 5?) has a separate dimming device (13) through which a brightness of the light emitting diode arrangements (11) in this control channel (5, 5?) can be changed separately from the other control channels (5, 5?). For this purpose, the control circuit has a compensation device (16) which allows a flow of current in the individual control channels (5, 5?) to be balanced when the light emitting diodes have different brightnesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mykhaylo Raykhman, Manfred Schlenk, Hans Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 8610366
    Abstract: A lighting ballast and associated methods balance current through resonant inductors that have inductance variation, and are further effective to balance lamp currents in the range from full brightness to full dimming. The ballast includes a lighting power source, a balancing transformer having a plurality of windings, a first resonant tank circuit having one or more transformer windings and a second resonant tank circuit having a like number of transformer windings. Each of the windings for the first resonant tank are reversed in direction in association with a corresponding winding for the second resonant tank, such that the only current passing through the windings is a current difference between the two windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Universal Lightning Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Xiong, Danny Pugh, Candice Ungacta
  • Patent number: 8517593
    Abstract: A feeding body 106 has a cylindrical part capable of housing a light source cartridge 104. A feeding coil L2 for supplying AC power to the light source cartridge 104 is buried in the bottom surface of the cylindrical part of the feeding body 106. A power transmission control circuit 108 supplies AC power to the feeding coil L2. The feeding body 106 can change the insertion depth of the light source cartridge 104 and has, in the inner wall, a screw groove for stabilizing the position of the light source cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Urano
  • Patent number: 8446098
    Abstract: An LED driving circuit includes a first and a second LED modules, a first and a second switching converters, an extreme voltage detecting and selecting circuit, a current balance circuit and a controller. The first switching converter transforms electric power of an input power supply into a first output voltage for lighting the first LED module. The second switching converter transforms electric power of the input power supply into a second output voltage for lighting the second LED module. The current balance circuit balances the currents flowing through the first and the second LED modules. The extreme voltage detecting and selecting circuit detects the first and the second LED modules and selects to output one of detecting results. The controller controls the transforming of the first switching converter and the second switching converter to light the first and the second LED modules in response to the outputted detecting result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Green Solution Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shian-Sung Shiu, Li-Min Lee, Chung-Che Yu, Xi Tu, Ying Wang
  • Patent number: 8436551
    Abstract: An arc discharge detecting circuit includes; a voltage dividing part which divides a driving voltage provided to a light source, a detecting part which includes a loop-shaped wiring spaced apart from the voltage dividing part and which detects a current corresponding to an arc discharge flowing through the voltage dividing part using a coupling capacitance generated between the loop-shaped wiring of the detecting part and a wiring of the voltage dividing part, and an output part connected to the detecting part to output a detection voltage corresponding to the arc discharge. Accordingly, the arc discharge detecting circuit may improve a sensitivity of detecting an arc discharge as a current source type using the coupling capacitors, a design may be simplified, and manufacturing costs may be decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-Jae Lee, Hyeon-Yong Jang
  • Patent number: 8432104
    Abstract: A load current balancing circuit that operates with a direct current (DC) power supply includes at least one transformer having a first inductive element adapted to couple in series with a first load and a second inductive element adapted to couple in series with a second load. The first load is parallel to the second load. The load balancing circuit further includes at least one switch adapted to operate at one or more switching frequencies associated with at least one driving signal. The switch is configured to periodically interrupt respective current flows through the first inductive element and second inductive element substantially simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuequan Hu, Milan Jovanovic
  • Patent number: 8390210
    Abstract: A light driver circuit device for synchronously driving a plurality of cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) is provided. The light driver circuit device includes an inverter circuit board and a balance circuit board. The inverter circuit board has an inverter circuit coupled to a driving signal for outputting a driving voltage to drive the CCFLs synchronously. The balance circuit board and the inverter circuit board are installed separately, and the balance circuit board has a balance circuit coupled to a terminal of each CCFL and the inverter circuit. The CCFL driving architecture is designed to install the inverter circuit and the balance circuit individually, thus effectively reducing the space of the driving circuit and the total cost of the circuit design. Furthermore, the balance circuit board can balance the current in each CCFL effectively, and there is no limitation to where the balance circuit board can be disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Au Optronics Corporation
    Inventors: Cheng-Neng Liao, Chia-Hung Sun, Huang-Ti Lin, Chin-Chuang Chueh
  • Patent number: 8350498
    Abstract: A system includes multiple dynamic current equalizers (DCEs). Each DCE includes a first control loop configured to regulate a current through a circuit branch associated with the dynamic current equalizer. The first control loop includes a first amplifier having two inputs. Each DCE also includes a second control loop configured to regulate a control signal. The second control loop includes a second amplifier having two inputs coupled to the inputs of the first amplifier. The first amplifier has an input offset compared to the second amplifier. The DCEs are configured such that one DCE regulates the control signal while one or more other DCEs regulate the currents through the associated circuit branches based on the control signal. The DCEs can be configured to achieve one or more ratios between multiple currents flowing through multiple circuit branches, where the one or more ratios are defined by resistances coupled to the DCEs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Hok-Sun Ling
  • Publication number: 20120306402
    Abstract: The invention relates to an AC voltage conversion and switching device comprising a main circuit and a switching circuit. The input of the device is connected to the power supply, and the output to the consumer. In the main circuit a controlled transformer (T) is inserted. The essence of the invention lies in that the secondary coil (6) of the transformer (T) is connected in series between the input (8) and the output (10) for decreasing the voltage at the consumer (F) during operation, and the secondary coil (6) of the transformer (T) is bridged by a first controlled switch (12), whereas the primary coil (7) of the transformer (T) is connected in series with a second controlled switch(18), and the serial circuit formed by the primary coil (7) and the second controlled switch (18) is connected parallel with the consumer (F), the switches (12; 18) are in an operational connection with a central control unit (K).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: GRADIX HOLDING LTD.
    Inventor: Kálmán Csikszentimrei
  • Patent number: 8288961
    Abstract: The instant disclosure relates to a LED backlight driving module. The driving module utilizes a plurality of second power isolation transformers interconnected to each other in series and connected to a secondary winding of a first power isolation transformer in parallel to produce a plurality of second driving signals with uniform current, and driving corresponding LED light bars with uniform brightness. Optionally, a base voltage circuit can be used to provide a base voltage with negative voltage level on the other end of LED light bars, so as to lower the positive voltage level of the second driving signals. Thus, it is beneficial that the LED backlight driving module provides higher power conversion efficiency and has lower design cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignees: Silitek Electronic (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., Lite-On Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Wen-Sheng Chen, Chih-Lung Liu, Ming-An Chiu
  • Patent number: 8258715
    Abstract: A fluorescent lamp includes three transformers, a power supply, a converter, and four lamp tubes. The converter converts a direct current (DC) provided by the power supply into an alternating current (AC) generated in a first transformer and a second transformer for driving the four lamp tubes to emit light. The third transformer is connected to the four lamp tubes to balance working electric potentials of the four lamp tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignees: Innocom Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Chimei Innolux Corporation
    Inventors: Li-Jun Zhao, Tong Zhou
  • Patent number: 8232734
    Abstract: An electronic ballast for driving a gas discharge lamp comprises an inverter circuit that operates in a partially self-oscillating manner. The inverter circuit comprises a push-pull converter having a main transformer having a primary winding for producing a high-frequency AC voltage, semiconductor switches electrically coupled to the primary winding of the main transformer for conducting current through the primary winding on an alternate basis, and gate drive circuits for controlling the semiconductor switches on a cycle-by-cycle basis. The drive circuits control (e.g., turn on) the semiconductor switches in response to first control signals derived from the main transformer, and control (e.g., turn off) the semiconductor switches in response to second control signals received from a control circuit. The control circuit controls the semiconductor switches in response to a peak value of an integral of an inverter current flowing through the inverter circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Newman, Jr., Mark S. Taipale
  • Patent number: 8193723
    Abstract: An LED current-balance driving circuit for driving a plurality of LED strings comprises a feedback transformer, a plurality of current-balance transformers, a plurality of full-wave rectifiers and a current control circuit. The feedback transformer has a detecting winding and an outputting winding for outputting a feedback signal. Each of the current-balance transformers has a primary winding and a secondary winding. The primary windings of the current-balance transformers and the detecting winding of the feedback transformer are coupled in series to compose a current-balance loop with an AC power being supplied thereto. Each of the full-wave rectifiers is coupled between a corresponding secondary winding of the current balance transformers and a corresponding LED string of the LED strings. The current control circuit receives the feedback signal and controls the AC power according to the feedback signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Top Victory Investments Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin-An Li, Chi-Hsin Li
  • Patent number: 8174203
    Abstract: A lamp driving circuit includes a first printed circuit board and a second printed circuit board. The first printed circuit board includes a switching unit for switching an input power source, a control unit for controlling the switching unit, an inverter transformer connected to the switching unit, and a voltage conversion unit for converting a feedback reference current for controlling an output current applied from the inverter transformer into a reference voltage and applying the reference voltage to the control unit. The voltage conversion unit is connected to the inverter transformer and the control unit. The voltage conversion unit is connected to a first feedback terminal. The second printed circuit board includes a plurality of balance coils connected to a plurality of lamps so that the same output currents are applied to the lamps, a second feedback terminal connected to the first feedback terminal, and a current conversion unit connected to the second feedback terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ju Rae Kim, Jong Rak Kim, Min Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 8080947
    Abstract: A current-sharing transformer includes a magnetic core assembly, a primary winding coil and multiple secondary winding coils. The magnetic core assembly includes a main magnetic post and multiple minor magnetic posts. The primary winding coil is wound around the main magnetic post. The secondary winding coils wound around respective minor magnetic posts. The secondary winding coils are connected to respective DC loads through respective rectifier circuits. The magnetic paths between respective minor magnetic posts and the main magnetic post are equal, so that the magnitudes of currents passing through the DC loads are balanced by the current-sharing transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Shih-Hsien Chang, Po-Nien Ko
  • Patent number: 8072159
    Abstract: A multi-lamp driving circuit for driving a plurality of lamps includes at least one power stage circuit, at least one transformer circuit, a balancing circuit, and a control circuit. The power stage circuit converts external electrical signals to alternating current (AC) signals. The transformer circuit is connected to the power stage circuit, to convert the AC signals to high voltage electrical signals capable of driving the lamps. The balancing circuit balances current flowing through the lamps, and includes a capacitor balancing circuit and a transformer balancing circuit. The control circuit is connected between the balancing circuit and the power stage circuit, to control output of the power stage circuit according to variation of the current flowing through the lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Ampower Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Hung Chen, Chin-Po Cheng, Yong-Long Lee
  • Patent number: 8067902
    Abstract: An electronic ballast for driving a gas discharge lamp having first and second electrodes comprises an inverter circuit and a symmetric resonant tank circuit for minimizing the RFI noise produced at the electrodes of the lamp. The inverter circuit receives a substantially DC bus voltage generates a high-frequency AC voltage. The symmetric resonant tank circuit comprises a split resonant inductor having first and second windings magnetically coupled together. The first and second windings electrically coupled between the respective electrodes of the lamp and the inverter circuit. The symmetric resonant tank further comprises first and second capacitors coupled in series electrical connection between the electrodes of the lamp with the junction of the first and second capacitors coupled to the DC bus voltage at the input of the inverter circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Newman, Jr., Mark S. Taipale
  • Patent number: 8054001
    Abstract: A circuit structure for LCD backlight is disclosed in the present invention. The circuit structure includes an inverter topology, a current balance circuit, and a plurality of loads. The current balance circuit is coupled to the plurality of loads and capable of balancing current of N loads by using N/2?1 balance chokes. The circuit structure may further include a protection circuit which is coupled to the low voltage sides of the plurality of loads. The protection circuit is capable of sensing lamp voltages and providing a feedback signal to a controller. Furthermore, the protection circuit is composed of count-reduced and cost-competitive electronic elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: O2Micro Inc
    Inventors: Xiaojun Wang, Sheng-Tai Lee, Youling Li, Da Liu, Ru Guo
  • Patent number: 8049432
    Abstract: An electronic ballast for driving a gas discharge lamp comprises a measurement circuit for measuring a lamp current flowing through the lamp and a lamp voltage produced across the lamp. The ballast comprises a first winding magnetically coupled to a main transformer of an inverter circuit, and a second winding magnetically coupled to a resonant inductor of a resonant tank circuit. The first and second windings are coupled in series electrical connection to generate a voltage representative of the magnitude of the lamp voltage. The ballast further comprises a current transformer having primary windings coupled in series with the electrodes of the lamp. The measurement circuit integrates the current conducted through secondary windings of the current transformer only during every other half-cycle of the lamp voltage to generate a control signal representative of the magnitude of the lamp current that is in-phase with the lamp voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Taipale, Robert C. Newman, Jr., Scott E. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 8049433
    Abstract: Disclosed is an inverter circuit. The inverter circuit comprises a transformer comprising a primary coil and a secondary coil wound at a predetermined turn ratio, a first switch circuit comprising first and second switch devices commonly connected with a first end of the primary coil of the transformer, a second switch circuit comprising third and fourth switch devices commonly connected with a second end of the primary coil of the transformer, and a third switch circuit comprising fifth and sixth switch devices commonly connected with a part of the primary coil of the transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae Hyun Han
  • Patent number: 8049430
    Abstract: An electronic ballast for driving a gas discharge lamp comprises an inverter circuit that operates in a partially self-oscillating manner. The inverter circuit comprises a push-pull converter having a main transformer having a primary winding for producing a high-frequency AC voltage, semiconductor switches electrically coupled to the primary winding of the main transformer for conducting current through the primary winding on an alternate basis, and gate drive circuits for controlling the semiconductor switches on a cycle-by-cycle basis. The drive circuits control (e.g., turn on) the semiconductor switches in response to first control signals derived from the main transformer, and control (e.g., turn off) the semiconductor switches in response to second control signals received from a control circuit. The control circuit controls the semiconductor switches in response to a peak value of an integral of an inverter current flowing through the inverter circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Newman, Jr., Mark S. Taipale
  • Patent number: 8040073
    Abstract: A gas-discharge lamp igniter is disclosed which has a group of gas-discharge lamps, such as those for LCD backlighting, connected in parallel with one another between the pair of outputs of an AC power supply. Provided one for each lamp to be energized, current-balancing transformers have their secondary windings serially interconnected. The lamps are connected to one of the pair of outputs of the AC power supply via the respective primary windings of the current-balancing transformers and the serial connection of the secondary windings thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kengo Kimura
  • Patent number: 8025775
    Abstract: A vacuum plasma generator with an output for feeding a plasma discharge for treatment of workpieces in a vacuum chamber has a connection for the junction to AC voltage mains, a rectifier connected to a converter with a control input for the setting and/or regulation of the converter output voltage, and a controlled full bridge circuit connected to the converter output with a potential-free generator output, which transposes the converter output voltage into pulses of 1 to 500 kHz. A potential-isolating transformer is switched into the bridge for the galvanic decoupling of the generator output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Oerlikon Trading AG, Truebbach
    Inventors: Gerhard Tuymer, Andreas Schutze
  • Patent number: 8008867
    Abstract: A backlighting arrangement constituted of: a means for receiving an alternating current comprising a first lead and a second lead; at least one luminaire; and at least one first balancing transformer pair each associated with a particular one of the at least one luminaire, the primary of a first balancing transformer of the first balancing transformer pair serially coupled between the first lead of the means for receiving an alternating current and a first end of each of the at least one luminaire, and the primary of a second balancing transformer of the first balancing transformer pair serially coupled between the second lead of the means for receiving an alternating current and a second end of each of the at least one luminaire. The secondaries of all of the at least one first balancing transformer pair are serially connected in a closed in-phase loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Microsemi Corporation
    Inventor: Xiaoping Jin
  • Patent number: 8004205
    Abstract: A backlight module control system includes a power supply, a first backlight sub-module, a second backlight sub-module, a first transformer and a second transformer. The power supply is utilized for providing an operating power to the backlight module control system. A primary side and a secondary side of the first transformer are respectively coupled to the power supply and a first node of the first backlight sub-module. A primary side of the second transformer is coupled to the power supply, and a secondary side of the second transformer is coupled to the secondary side of the second transformer and a first node of the second backlight sub-module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Chunghwa Picture Tubes, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chi-Hsiu Lin, Wei-Wen Chung, Chien-Yang Chen, Shih-Hen Chao
  • Patent number: 7990072
    Abstract: A backlighting arrangement constituted of: a driving transformer; at least one balancing transformer; a plurality of luminaires, a first end of each of the plurality of luminaires connected to a high voltage lead of the driving transformer and a second end of each of the plurality of luminaires connected to a unique end of a winding of the at least one balancing transformer, wherein each pair of the luminaires is associated with a particular winding of one of the at least one balancing transformers, and wherein the first end and the second end of each of the luminaires is in physical proximity of the driving transformer and the at least one balancing transformer, the constituent lamps of the luminaires arranged in parallel and generally extending axially away from the proximity of the driving transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Microsemi Corporation
    Inventor: Xiaoping Jin
  • Patent number: 7990071
    Abstract: A lamp drive circuit used for driving a number of lamps is provided. The lamps are used in a backlight module. The backlight module is used for providing a light source when a liquid crystal display displays. The lamps are respectively electrically connected to a coil. The coils have the same number of turns and have the same magnetic circuit, so that the currents flowing through the lamps are balanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chin-Der Wey, Yi-Chun Yeh, Chia-Hung Sun, Hsing-Ju Chen
  • Patent number: 7986104
    Abstract: A discharge lamp lighting apparatus includes a first inverter, a second inverter to output a voltage whose phase is opposite to that of a voltage provided by the first inverter, a discharge lamp connected between a first output terminal of the first inverter and a first output terminal of the second inverter, a first current detection circuit arranged between a second output terminal of the first inverter and a common potential and having a first current detection element and a second current detection element that are connected in series, a second current detection circuit arranged between a second output terminal of the second inverter and the common potential and having a third current detection element and a fourth current detection element that are connected in series, and a protection circuit to detect a current abnormality according to a composite signal of outputs of the second and fourth current detection elements and stop the operation of the first and second inverters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kengo Kimura
  • Patent number: 7952298
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for driving a lamp are provided. In one embodiment, an inverter having four switching elements is split into two inverter arms that are deployed at separate terminals of a floating lamp structure to achieve even light output. A controller drives both inverter arms such that power switching lines do not cross the floating lamp structure. In one embodiment, the controller adjusts the brightness of the lamp structure by adjusting the phase difference between outputs of a first inverter arm relative to a second inverter arm. In one embodiment, the controller adjusts the brightness by symmetrically pulse width modulating the outputs of the first inverter arm and the second inverter arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Microsemi Corporation
    Inventor: Xiaoping Jin
  • Patent number: 7948736
    Abstract: The invention provides a balance transformer and a backlight apparatus using the same. The balance transformer comprises a first main coil, a second main coil, a first induction coil, and a conductor. The first main coil has a first contact point and a second contact point, and the second main coil has a third contact point and a fourth contact point. The first induction coil is corresponding to the first main coil and the second main coil. The conductor is then series connected to the first contact point and the fourth contact point. Accordingly, the balance transformer drives the backlight apparatus to light and balances the currents of a plurality of light units of the backlight apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Darfon Electronics Corp.
    Inventors: Ming Feng Liu, Chao Jung Lin
  • Patent number: 7940011
    Abstract: A lamp drive circuit used for driving a number of lamps is provided. The lamps are used in the backlight module. The backlight module is used for providing a light source when a liquid crystal display displays. The lamps are respectively electrically connected to a coil. The coils substantially have the same coil turns and have the same magnetic circuit, so that the currents flowing through the lamps are balanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: AU Optronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chin-Der Wey, Yi-Chun Yeh, Chiah-Hung Sun, Hsing-Ju Chen
  • Patent number: 7938548
    Abstract: A projection device includes: a projector unit that has at least a light source and a projection optical system housed in a chassis; a control unit that is assembled with a chassis separate from the chassis of the projector unit; and a rotation support member that rotatably supports the projector unit and the control unit around a rotation axis that extends perpendicular to a surface of the chassis of the projector unit and a surface of the chassis of the control unit, with these surfaces facing to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Hirotake Nozaki, Nobuhiro Fujinawa, Akira Ohmura
  • Patent number: 7902765
    Abstract: The invention provides a circuit system for driving a high-intensity discharging lamp, comprising a boosting circuit, an ignition coil circuit and a clamp circuit. The boosting circuit includes a first transformer and a first switch, in which the primary of the first transformer receives an input power, the secondary of the first transformer produces a boosting DC voltage, and the first switch is connected to the first transformer to control turning-on and turning-off of the first transformer. The ignition coil circuit is connected to the boosting circuit for converting the boosting DC voltage into a switching AC voltage to drive a load. The clamp circuit is connected to the boosting circuit and the ignition coil circuit for directing energy, reflected from the secondary of the first transformer to the primary of the first transformer, to the secondary of the first transformer as the first switch is turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignees: Tatung University, Tatung Company
    Inventors: Hung-Ching Lu, Te-Lung Shih
  • Patent number: 7902768
    Abstract: A driving arrangement for feeding a current generated by a high frequency generator (10) coupled with a magnetic element (11) to a plurality of LED cells (33) each including at least one LED. The arrangement includes a respective plurality of LED channels (1, 2, 3, 4; 1?, 2?, 3?, 4?) arranged in a parallel configuration and one or more coupled inductors (L12, L23, L34) the couple in pairs the channels of the plurality of LED channels (1, 2, 3, 4; 1?, 2?, 3?, 4?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: OSRAM Gesellschaft mit beschraenkter Haftung
    Inventor: Nicola Zanforlin