Using Choke And Switch Across Source Patents (Class 323/222)
  • Patent number: 11368085
    Abstract: A snubber circuit connected to a rectifying circuit including a reference potential node, an output potential node, and the snubber circuit comprises a snubber capacitor; a snubber diode; and a snubber resistor, wherein a negative electrode of the snubber capacitor is connected to the reference potential node, an anode of the snubber diode is connected to the switch node and a cathode of the snubber diode is connected to a positive electrode of the snubber capacitor, one end of the snubber resistor is connected to the positive electrode of the snubber capacitor, and another end of the snubber resistor is connected to the output potential node, and a reverse recovery time of the snubber diode is longer than a reverse recovery time of the rectifying element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takeshi Shiomi
  • Patent number: 11360152
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a controller, an optional current source coupled to the controller, a voltage sampler coupled to the controller, a current detector coupled to the controller, and memory coupled to the controller, where memory includes code segments executable by the controller to: (a) apply a current pulse to a cell; (b) measure a voltage of the cell during the current pulse; (c) calculate an impedance of the cell from the measured voltage; and (d) determine an operational state of the cell from the impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Rainer Fasching, Georgy Zerkalov
  • Patent number: 11355962
    Abstract: The invention describes an apparatus (100) for transferring electrical power to an electrical load (110), comprising: a primary circuit (115), an electrical source (105) adapted for supplying said primary circuit with a direct input voltage, a secondary circuit (120) adapted for feeding the electrical load (110), and a coupling device (125) adapted for transferring electrical power from the primary circuit (115) to the secondary circuit (120), wherein the primary circuit (115) comprises: a converter (300) adapted for receiving the input voltage, for modifying said input voltage and for outputting said modified voltage, and a wave generator (190) comprising at least one switching circuit provided with at least one active switch (250), which is adapted for receiving in input the modified voltage in output from the converter (300), for converting said modified voltage into voltage waves and for applying said voltage waves to said coupling device (125), and wherein said converter comprises at least one active swi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: EGGTRONIC ENGINEERING S.P.A.
    Inventors: Igor Spinella, Enrico Dente, Giovanni Mascia
  • Patent number: 11347083
    Abstract: The Present invention is a measuring system including a measuring device 10 that is attached to a living body, the measuring device 10 being configured to store information about an amount of electric power generated using sugars in a body fluid or bodily secretion of a living body, and a container device 15 for storing the measuring device 10, the container device 15 receiving the information about the amount of electric power generated, which is stored in the measuring device 10, using a near-field wireless communication method when the measuring device 10 is stored in the container device 15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: JAPAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGENCY
    Inventor: Kiichi Niitsu
  • Patent number: 11349392
    Abstract: A power voltage generator includes a booster, a voltage sensor, a constant voltage controller and a constant current controller. The booster is configured to boost an input voltage to an output voltage based on an on-off operation of a switch. The voltage sensor is configured to generate a sensing voltage by sensing the output voltage. The constant voltage controller is configured to generate a first switching signal to control the switch by comparing the sensing voltage with a reference voltage. The constant current controller is configured to generate a gain based on a ratio of an electrode signal of the switch and a target signal by comparing the electrode signal of the switch with the target signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventors: Kyun Ho Kim, Jung-taek Kim, Joon Suk Baik, Sang Su Han, Jae Woo Ryu, Myung Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 11342842
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a switching regulator having a dual mode control. The switching regulator includes an error amplifier configured to receive an output voltage of a power source, and to generate an error voltage based on a difference between the output voltage of the power source and a reference voltage. The switching regulator additionally includes a PFM controller configured to receive the error voltage from the error amplifier, and to generate a clock signal having a switching frequency based on a difference between the error voltage and a modulation voltage. Moreover, the switching regulator includes a PWM controller configured to receive the clock signal and an error signal determined based on a load current sensed at an output of the power source, and to generate a control signal to control the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Erhan Ozalevli, Yanhui Xie, Dharmesh C. Bhagatwala
  • Patent number: 11336172
    Abstract: A control unit for a switching converter has an inductor element coupled to an input and a switch element coupled to the inductor element and generates a command signal having a switching period to switch the switch element and determine a first time period in which an inductor current is flowing in the inductor element for storing energy and a second time period in which energy is transferred to a load. An input current is distorted relative to a sinusoid by a distortion factor caused by current ripple on the inductor current. The duration of the first time period is determined based on a comparison between a peak value of the inductor current and a current reference that is a function of an output voltage of said voltage converter. A reference modification stage modifies one of the current reference and sensed value of the inductor current to compensate for distortion introduced by the distortion factor on the input current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventor: Giovanni Gritti
  • Patent number: 11316431
    Abstract: A concentration control circuit can include: a voltage feedback circuit configured to generate a current reference signal representing an error between a voltage reference signal and an output voltage feedback signal shared by each of a plurality of power stage circuits of a multi-phase power converter to adjust a respective phase current; and a clock signal generation circuit configured to generate a clock signal to adjust at least one of switching frequency and phase of each of the power stage circuits, where the clock signal is adjusted in accordance with a change of the current reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Silergy Semiconductor Technology (Hangzhou) LTD
    Inventors: Zhiyuan Shen, Kaiwei Yao
  • Patent number: 11316423
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a half-bridge comprising: a first power semiconductor; a second power semiconductor connected in series with the first power conductor; a controller for the power semiconductors; a line starting at connection node of the power semiconductors; and a meter for measuring the current in the line. The controller is configured to: compare the current with an upper threshold value and a lower threshold value; switch off the first power semiconductor if the upper threshold value is reached; switch on the second power semiconductor after a first dead time has elapsed; and switch off the second power semiconductor if the lower threshold value is reached; and switch on the first power semiconductor after a second dead time has elapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Christopher Fromme, Marvin Tannhäuser
  • Patent number: 11290088
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of parallel-connected semiconductor switches (e.g., silicon carbide (SiC) metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) or other wide-bandgap semiconductor switches) and a plurality of driver circuits having outputs configured to be coupled to control terminals of respective ones of the plurality of semiconductor switches and configured to drive the parallel-connected semiconductor switches responsive to a common switch state control signal. The driver circuits may have respective different power supplies, which may be adjustable. Respective output resistors may couple respective ones of the driver circuits to respective ones of the semiconductor switches. The output resistors may be adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventor: Geraldo Nojima
  • Patent number: 11290010
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a switching power circuit, includes: a switching transistor that is connected between an input terminal and a node; a driving circuit that supplies a PWM driving signal to the switching transistor; and a phase compensation circuit that supplies a feedback voltage to an error amplifier, in which the properties of the phase compensation circuit are switched in accordance with the voltage of the node immediately before the switching transistor is turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA ELECTRONIC DEVICES & STORAGE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshimasa Namekawa, Ryoma Matsuo, Katsumasa Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11277068
    Abstract: A switched-mode power controller includes a primary side controller circuit configured in a startup mode of operation to generate a fixed switching frequency pulse width modulation (PWM) signal with incrementing duty-ratio value. The PWM signal drives a main-switch that charges an inductive device with stored energy and discharges the stored energy into a capacitor on a secondary side to generate a power controller output voltage. Based on a comparison of the power controller output voltage with a reference voltage, the primary side controller circuit is configured to stop the incrementing of the duty-ratio of the PWM signal and begin a quasi-resonant mode of operation during which the primary side controller circuit reduces a number of valleys detected in one or more off-times of the main-switch in one or more respective main-switch switching periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Appulse Power Inc.
    Inventor: Aleksandar Radic
  • Patent number: 11277066
    Abstract: A control circuit is introduced for facilitating inrush current reduction for a voltage regulator providing an output voltage variable in response to an output voltage selection. The control circuit includes a soft-start circuit, a soft-start tracking circuit, and a controller. The soft-start circuit is utilized for providing a soft-start signal. The soft-start tracking circuit includes a first input terminal for receiving a feedback signal from the voltage regulator, a second input terminal coupled to the soft-start circuit, and an output terminal coupled to the soft-start circuit. The controller, coupled to the soft-start tracking circuit, is configured to output an enabling signal to the soft-start tracking circuit selectively in accordance with the output voltage selection. The soft-start tracking circuit is operable in response to the enabling signal so that the soft-start signal provided by the soft-start circuit substantially follows the feedback signal from the voltage regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: ELITE SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: Yao-Ren Chang
  • Patent number: 11258354
    Abstract: An embodiment PFC control circuit includes a first terminal providing a drive signal to an electronic switch of a boost converter, a second terminal receiving a feedback signal indicative of an output voltage generated by the boost converter, and a third terminal connected to a compensation network. An error amplifier generates a current as a function of the voltage at the second terminal and a reference voltage, wherein an output of the error amplifier is coupled to the third terminal. A driver circuit generates the drive signal as a function of the voltage at the third terminal, and selectively activates or deactivates the generation of the drive signal as a function of a burst mode enable signal. A detection circuit generates the burst mode enable signal as a function of the voltage at the second terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Alfio Pasqua, Salvatore Tumminaro, Marco Sammartano, Claudio Adragna
  • Patent number: 11258362
    Abstract: A boost converter includes a voltage divider circuit, a first comparator, a tunable inductive element, a power switch element, a second comparator, an output stage circuit, and a controller. The voltage divider circuit receives an input voltage. The tunable inductive element is coupled to the voltage divider circuit. The total inductance of the tunable inductive element is controlled by the first comparator. The output stage circuit is coupled to the tunable inductive element and the power switch element. The output stage circuit includes a tunable resistive element. The total resistance of the tunable resistive element is controlled by the second comparator. When the boost converter operates in a first mode, an output voltage of the output stage circuit has a relatively high voltage level. When the boost converter operates in a second mode, the output voltage of the output stage circuit has a relatively low voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: ACER INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Tzu-Tseng Chan
  • Patent number: 11246202
    Abstract: An LED lighting driver has a switched mode power supply which generates an auxiliary power supply. The auxiliary power supply circuit has a first power supply inductor and a second power supply inductor in series with each other. The second power supply inductor is selectively switched into or out of the auxiliary power supply circuit, thereby varying a transformer ratio to the main energy storage inductor. The switching may be made based on a light output mode or a standby mode being in operation. The standby mode then enables more efficient generation of an auxiliary supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Theo Gerrit Zijlman, Bertrand Johan Edward Hontele, Marinus Joseph Maria Kahlman, Min Yang
  • Patent number: 11231743
    Abstract: A timer includes a timing counter configured to generate a timing datum, a clock pulse signal generation circuit configured to generate a clock pulse signal used to operate the timing counter, and an interface circuit configured to receive an access signal, wherein the timing counter is an asynchronous counter, and the clock pulse signal generation circuit generates the clock pulse signal having a first pulse width when there is a possibility that the interface circuit receives the access signal, and generates the clock pulse signal having a second pulse width longer than the first pulse width when there is no possibility that the interface circuit receives the access signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Inventor: Masayuki Kamiyama
  • Patent number: 11218116
    Abstract: A power management integrated circuit (PMIC) can improve the ramp up speed of a boost converter with the inclusion of a controllable switch that may modify the connection of an output capacitor to reduce the ramp time as the output voltage is ramping to a desired boost setpoint. The switch may be controlled using jump start logic to switch a first plate or terminal of the output capacitor from a ground connection to a voltage supply connection. Once a threshold voltage is reached, the first plate of the capacitor may be switched from the supply voltage to ground. The PMIC may further include a quick start assembly that can drive the boost converter at a high duty-cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Wendy Ng, James Jason LoCascio
  • Patent number: 11205958
    Abstract: A power conversion system including a power conversion unit, a power circuit and a precharge circuit is provided. The power conversion circuit includes an input port, an output port, switching power conversion units and at least one storage device. The storage device is connected between the input and output ports in series. The power circuit is electrically connected to the power conversion circuit for receiving the input voltage and outputting a supply voltage to the power conversion circuit, and the power circuit includes a magnetic element. The precharge circuit precharges the storage device. The precharge circuit includes a winding and a rectifier filter circuit connected to each other. The winding is coupled to the magnetic element for receiving a conversion voltage. The rectifier filter circuit is electrically connected to the storage device so as to receive the conversion voltage and output a charge voltage to the corresponding storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Da Jin, Yahong Xiong, Qinghua Su
  • Patent number: 11205969
    Abstract: An inverter device includes a converter circuit and an output circuit. The converter circuit generates a DC intermediate voltage based on a DC input voltage from a power source. The converter circuit includes: a first inductor and a first switch that are coupled in series across the power source; a second switch and a second inductor that are coupled in series across the power source; and a diode and a capacitor that are coupled in series between a common node of the first inductor and the first switch and a common node of the second switch and the second inductor. The output circuit generates an AC output voltage based on the DC intermediate voltage across the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: I SHOU UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Chien-Hsuan Chang
  • Patent number: 11205963
    Abstract: A power conversion system is provided. The power conversion system includes a power conversion circuit, a bootstrap circuit and at least N driving circuits, where N is an integer larger than 1. The power conversion circuit includes an input port, an output port, N switching power conversion units and N nodes. The switching power conversion unit includes a first switch and a second switch. The bootstrap circuit includes N bootstrap capacitors and N bootstrap switches. The N bootstrap switches are serially connected in sequence. Two ends of the bootstrap capacitor are connected to the corresponding node and the second terminal of the corresponding bootstrap switch respectively. The first terminal of the (N)th bootstrap switch receives a supply voltage. The driving circuit is connected to the corresponding bootstrap capacitor and outputs driving signals for controlling the switches according to the positive electrode voltage of the bootstrap capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Da Jin, Yahong Xiong, Qinghua Su
  • Patent number: 11205957
    Abstract: A boost converter includes a first inductor, a first switch element, a second switch element, a tuning circuit, and an output stage circuit. A first parasitic capacitor is built in the first switch element. The first switch element selectively couples the first inductor to a ground voltage according to a first control voltage. A second parasitic capacitor is built in the second switch element. The second switch element selectively couples the first inductor to the output stage circuit according to a second control voltage. The tuning circuit includes a second inductor, a third inductor, and a discharge path. The first parasitic capacitor resonates with the second inductor and is coupled through the discharge path to the ground voltage, or the second parasitic capacitor resonates with the third inductor and is coupled through the discharge path to the ground voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: ACER INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Tzu-Tseng Chan
  • Patent number: 11190109
    Abstract: The invention provides a control circuit for controlling the operation of a power converter having a switch connected to an output of the power converter, said control circuit comprising a first amplifier for sensing an output voltage of the power converter and a second amplifier configured to derive a frequency compensated error signal output, to provide a frequency control compensation loop to an input of the power converter and the output of the second amplifier is connected to the switch of the power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: ADVANCED ENERGY INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Morrison, Jonathan James Wilkinson, Phelim Bradley
  • Patent number: 11176804
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide addressable detection and alarm systems and methods for controlling a combined circuit by a control panel. In an example, a combined circuit may include one or more addressable initiating devices and one or more non-addressable notification appliances communicatively coupled with paired wires in parallel. The control panel may receive, on the paired wires, an indication of an anomaly from an addressable initiating device and transmit, on the paired wires, the alarm signal to the one or more addressable initiating devices and the one or more non-addressable notification appliances, wherein a first state of the alarm signal activates the one or more non-addressable notification appliances and deactivates the one or more addressable initiating devices, and wherein a second state of the alarm signal deactivates the one or more non-addressable notification appliances and activates the one or more addressable initiating devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Fire Protection LP
    Inventor: Joseph Piccolo, III
  • Patent number: 11165360
    Abstract: A method includes providing a transformer with primary and current injection windings, a primary switch connected to the primary winding, a parasitic capacitance reflected across the primary switch, a secondary rectifier means, and a current injection circuit including a current injection switch connected to the current injection winding, and a unidirectional current injection switch connected to the current injection winding. The method includes switching on the current injection switch to start a current injection flowing from a controlled voltage source, through the unidirectional current injection switch and further through the current injection winding. The current injection reflects into the primary winding, thereby discharging the parasitic capacitance reflected across the primary switch. The method includes turning on the primary switch with a delay time after the current injection switch turns on and turning off the current injection switch after the current injection reaches zero amplitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Rompower Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Ionel Jitaru
  • Patent number: 11152859
    Abstract: In some examples, a system includes a battery, a first voltage regulator with an input, and a second voltage regulator with an input. The input of the second voltage regulator is shifted in phase relative to the input of the first voltage regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Govindaraj G
  • Patent number: 11152808
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that manages use of a battery in a portable electronic device. During operation, the system operates a charging circuit for converting an input voltage from a power source into a set of output voltages for charging the battery and powering a low-voltage subsystem and a high-voltage subsystem in the portable electronic device. Upon detecting the input voltage from the power source and a low-voltage state in the battery during operation of the charging circuit, the system uses a first inductor group in the charging circuit to down-convert the input voltage to a target voltage of the battery that is lower than a voltage requirement of the high-voltage subsystem. The system also uses a second inductor group in the charging circuit to up-convert the target voltage to power the high-voltage subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jamie Langlinais, Mark A. Yoshimoto, Lin Chen
  • Patent number: 11139670
    Abstract: A charger circuit with temperature compensation function includes: a power converter, an input voltage sense circuit, an output adjustment circuit and a charging control circuit. The power converter converts an input voltage supplied from a photovoltaic power module to an output voltage. The input voltage sense circuit generates a signal related to the input voltage according to the input voltage. The output adjustment circuit generates an output adjustment signal according to the signal related to the input voltage. The charging control circuit generates a control signal according to the output adjustment signal, thereby adjusting a level of an output current supplied from the power converter. When a level of the input voltage is smaller than a predetermined voltage threshold, the power converter decreases the output current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: RICHTEK TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kuo-Chi Liu, Chang-Yu Ho
  • Patent number: 11128218
    Abstract: An adaptive frequency adjusting system is provided. An error amplifier outputs an error amplified signal according to an output voltage of a power converter and a reference voltage. When a comparator determines that a voltage of a slope signal reaches a voltage of the error amplified signal within a maximum on-time of an upper bridge switch, the comparator outputs a reset signal. When the comparator determines that the voltage of the slope signal fails to reach the voltage of the error amplified signal and the maximum on-time ends, the comparator outputs the reset signal and instructs a clock generator to output a clock signal having a lower frequency. A driver circuit turns off the upper bridge switch and turns on a lower bridge switch according to the reset signal, and drives the upper bridge switch based on the clock signal having the lower frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: ANPEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chun-Kai Hsu, Chih-Heng Su
  • Patent number: 11095263
    Abstract: A signal amplifier for use in a power converter includes a variable reference generator coupled to generate a reference signal in response to a dimming control signal. A variable gain circuit is coupled to receive the reference signal, the gain signal, and a feedback signal representative of an output of the power converter. The variable gain circuit is coupled to output a first adjusted signal in response to the reference signal and the gain signal. The variable gain circuit is coupled to output a second adjusted signal in response to the feedback signal and the gain signal. An auxiliary amplifier is coupled to output the gain signal in response to the first adjusted signal and a set signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Lance M. Wong, Qing McIntosh, Zhao-Jun Wang
  • Patent number: 11095118
    Abstract: A method of controlling discharge of a holdup capacitor in a power system having a voltage source, a holdup capacitor and a load. The method including operably connecting the voltage source to the load, monitoring a first voltage of the voltage source, and if the first voltage of the voltage source drops below a selected threshold, directing energy from the holdup capacitor to the load via a first path, and directing energy from the holdup capacitor to the load via a second path if a selected condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pervaze Humayun, Midhun M. Hegden
  • Patent number: 11095207
    Abstract: A power factor correction circuit with burst setting includes a conversion circuit, a control unit, and a burst setting circuit. The burst setting circuit respectively sets at least one burst period when an input power source is at a rising edge of a positive half cycle, a falling edge of the positive half cycle, the rising edge of a negative half cycle, and the falling edge of the negative half cycle, and provides a burst setting signal corresponding to the at least one burst period to the control unit so that the control unit limits the conversion circuit to perform a burst operation during the at least one burst period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: ASIAN POWER DEVICES INC.
    Inventors: Yeu-Torng Yau, Tsung-Liang Hung
  • Patent number: 11081958
    Abstract: A converter system includes a first switch, a first sensing unit configured to generate a first sensed signal proportional to a current through the first switch, a second sensing unit (118) configured to generate a second sensed signal based on a difference between a reference voltage and a feedback voltage, a DC compensation unit configured to generate a slope peak DC signal relative to a slope peak of a slope compensation signal, and a signal combination unit configured to generate a control signal based on the first and second sensed signals, the slope compensation signal and the slope peak DC signal to switch off the first switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jian Liang, Weicheng Zhang, Linghan Xie
  • Patent number: 11081889
    Abstract: Systems and methods for shut-down of a photovoltaic system. In one embodiment, a method implemented in a computer system includes: communicating, via a central controller, with a plurality of local management units (LMUs), each of the LMUs coupled to control a respective solar module; receiving, via the central controller, a shut-down signal from a user device (e.g., a hand-held device, a computer, or a wireless switch unit); and in response to receiving the shut-down signal, shutting down operation of the respective solar module for each of the LMUs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Tigo Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Maxym Makhota, Daniel Eizips, Dan Kikinis
  • Patent number: 11080984
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide non-addressable detection and alarm systems and methods for controlling a combined circuit by a control panel. In an example, a combined circuit may include paired wires, one or more initiating devices, and one or more notification appliances communicatively coupled with the paired wires in parallel. The control panel may monitor the one or more initiating devices in a standby mode while maintaining the one or more notification appliances in an off state. When the control panel detects an anomaly from one or more initiating devices, the control panel may switch the combined circuit to an alarm mode. In the alarm mode, the control panel may activate the one or more notification appliances and maintain the one or more initiating devices in an off state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS FIRE PROTECTION LP
    Inventor: Joseph Piccolo, III
  • Patent number: 11071184
    Abstract: The disclosure describes techniques for driving a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in a parallel connection by using PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) dimming. The techniques of this disclosure describe the generation and application of a fixed phase shift map to a driver matrix based on pixel position. Each pixel corresponds to an LED light source. In the fixed phase shift map, each pixel will have a pre-defined phase shift calculated to induce a determined variation in turn-on time for geometrically neighbouring pixels to spread out current demand over time during PWM dimming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Rosario Chiodo, Adolfo De Cicco, Pietro Vallese
  • Patent number: 11063513
    Abstract: This invention is an AC/DC one stage, one switch, and one inductor converter, to be used as an electronic power factor controller. This converter Buck-Boost topology is capable of converting a power line AC to a positive DC with a voltage conversion ratio close to unity. When used for a universal line voltage 85-250 VAC, it may have an output voltage close to 240 VDC instead of the traditional Boost converters having the d output voltage range of +380-400 VDC. The circuit's lower output voltage and its simplicity and low cost, make it a viable candidate to replace the Boost converters in any application, where lowering the output DC voltage along with lowering manufacturing costs are desirable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Inventor: Kazimierz J Breiter
  • Patent number: 11063533
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a control circuit (10) for controlling a resonant power converter. It is described to generate (210) a modulation signal. A carrier signal is generates (220), wherein the generation of the carrier signal comprises measuring at least one signal from the power converter. A switching signal is generated (230) that is useable to control a value of at least one magnitude of the resonant power converter based on the modulation signal and the carrier signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Albert Garcia I Tormo, Oliver Woywode, Christoph Kahl, Bernhard Wagner
  • Patent number: 11057981
    Abstract: A system and method for providing high power factor wired lamp control that include receiving a lighting control input though a switch that is associated with at least one of: an operation and a function of at least one lamp. The system and method also include processing a digital data packet that includes at least one electronic data command associated with the lighting control input. The system and method additionally include implementing at least one powerline interruption associated with an AC power cycle to communicate the digital data packet to the at least one lamp. The system and method further include controlling the at least one lamp to operate based on the lighting control input based on the receipt of the digital data packet communicated through the AC power cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: ENERGY FOCUS, INC.
    Inventors: Laszlo A. Takacs, Attila Tomasovics, Greg Flies, David Nicolay, John Davenport, Zhang Liang, Jay Seifert
  • Patent number: 11043892
    Abstract: A totem-pole bridgeless power factor corrector and a power factor correction method are provided. The totem-pole bridgeless power factor corrector obtains a duty cycle of next state by a predictive valley-peak current control method, and uses an OR gate element to combine PWM signals generated by an average current control method and the predictive valley-peak current control method, thereby enabling a digital signal processor to update the duty cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Jing-Yuan Lin, Ruei-Sheng Tsai, Zhong-Heng Li, Pin-Hsien Liu, Huang-Jen Chiu
  • Patent number: 11043838
    Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments herein provide a UPS comprising a UPS input configured to be coupled to an AC power source and to receive input AC power, an interface configured to be coupled to a DC power source and to receive backup DC power, a UPS output configured to provide output power derived from at least one of the input AC power and the backup DC power to a load, a converter comprising a converter input coupled to the UPS input, a converter output, a first converter path coupled between the converter input and the converter output, and a second converter path coupled between the converter input and the converter output, and a controller configured to operate the first converter path and the second converter path to convert the input AC power into DC power and provide the DC power to the converter output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IT CORPORATION
    Inventors: David E. Reilly, Emanuel Landsman
  • Patent number: 10998819
    Abstract: A DC-DC conversion scheme is described that includes a buck converter including a first switch connected in series with a first inductor, the first switch and first inductor providing a switched connected between an input and an output, a second switch being connected across output, and a DC boost arrangement connected between the first switch and the first inductor, the DC boost arrangement including second and third magnetically linked inductors, the second inductor being connected in series between the first switch and the first inductor, and the third inductor being electrically connected to a point intermediate the first and second inductors, the windings of the second and third inductors being such that a change in current flowing through the second inductor induces a boost current in the third inductor supplementing the current flowing through the second inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: University of Plymouth
    Inventors: Mohammed Ahmed, Ali Al-Omari
  • Patent number: 10985646
    Abstract: A ZVS boost converter can include a boost inductor coupled to a DC voltage bus, a main switch configured to selectively store energy from the DC voltage bus in the boost inductor and deliver the stored energy to a load, a synchronous rectifier, and a resonant circuit coupled across the main switch. The resonant circuit can allow for zero voltage switching of the main switch and the synchronous rectifier switch. The resonant circuit can be a series resonant RC circuit. The boost converter can be operated in a continuous current mode, with the main switch operated at a constant frequency with a variable duty cycle to maintain output voltage regulation and the synchronous rectifier operated complementarily to the main switch. The duty cycle of the main switch can be controlled using a current window controller. The ZVS boost converter may be incorporated in a power factor corrected AC-DC converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: InHwan (Simon) Oh
  • Patent number: 10985657
    Abstract: A switch-mode power supply includes a drive transistor, an inductor, and a compensation network. The drive transistor includes a drive transistor current output terminal. The inductor includes an inductor input terminal and an inductor output terminal. The inductor input terminal is coupled to the drive transistor current output terminal. The compensation network is disposed across the inductor. The compensation network is configured to detect voltage drop across the inductor, and to conduct a current from the inductor output terminal to the drive transistor current output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Sangwoo Lee
  • Patent number: 10978961
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided including acts of receiving input Alternating Current (AC) power, providing the input AC power to at least one diode bridge to generate Direct Current (DC) power, providing, by the at least one diode bridge, the DC power to at least one set of diodes, providing, by the at least one set of diodes, the DC power to at least one output reactor, and providing, by the at least one output reactor, the DC power to an output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Henning Roar Nielsen
  • Patent number: 10976764
    Abstract: A compensator is described with higher bandwidth than a traditional differential compensator, lower area than traditional differential compensator (e.g., 40% lower area), and lower power than traditional differential compensator. The compensator includes a differential to single-ended circuitry that reduces the number of passive devices used to compensate an input signal. The high bandwidth compensator allows for faster power state and/or voltage transitions. For example, a pre-charge technique is applied to handle faster power state transitions that enables aggressive dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) and voltage transitions. The compensator is configurable in that it can operate in voltage mode or current mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Sergio Carlo Rodriguez, Alexander Lyakhov, Gerhard Schrom, Keith Hodgson, Sarath S. Makala, Sidhanto Roy
  • Patent number: 10971998
    Abstract: A charging apparatus for an electric vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes an AC power input terminal receiving one AC input power from among single-phase AC power and multi-phase AC power. A power factor corrector having full bridge circuits receives the AC input power through the AC power input terminal. A link capacitor is charged through the power factor corrector. A first switch connects any one of an AC power input line and a neutral line of the AC power input terminal to the power factor corrector and a second switch selectively connects the AC power input terminal to the power factor corrector, or the link capacitor. The power factor corrector and the switch network operate based on a condition of received AC input power. The second switch includes a third switch and a fourth switch that connect each full bridge circuit to a positive battery electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jongpil Kim, Woo Young Lee, Gyu Yeong Choe, Hyun-Wook Seong, JinYoung Yang, Jung Hong Joo, DongGyun Woo, Dong Sup Ahn, Hyung Bin Ihm, Youngkook Lee, Jin Hwan Jung, SeungHyun Han, Sihun Yang
  • Patent number: 10963032
    Abstract: A power supply and a method to provide power to a load via a power delivery network are presented. The power delivery network adds a pole and/or zero to a transfer function of the power supply. The power supply has a feedback unit to sense a load voltage at the load and to provide a feedback voltage which is indicative of the load voltage. The power supply has an input amplifier provides an error voltage based on the feedback voltage. The power supply has a power converter to provide power to the power delivery network depending on the error voltage. The power supply has an equalization unit to add a zero and/or a pole to the transfer function of the power supply, such that the pole and/or zero of the power delivery network is partially compensated. The equalization unit is located between an input amplifier and a power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Frank Kronmueller, Mark Childs, Ahmed Shaban
  • Patent number: 10958168
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operating a switched-mode power supply (SMPS). One example method generally includes comparing a signal representative of an amount of current across an inductive element of the SMPS with at least three thresholds, selecting a configuration of the SMPS based on the comparison, and configuring the SMPS based on the selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Linfei Guo, Chengwu Tao, Joseph Duncan, Xiaocheng Jing, Amir Parayandeh, Justin Philpott
  • Patent number: 10954755
    Abstract: System and method are disclosed for supplying downhole power using a high-impedance alternator. The system includes a high-impedance alternator coupled with a rectifier at its output terminals, and a current fed power converter coupled with the rectifier providing a regulated voltage to a downhole load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: George D. Goodman