Using Diode Patents (Class 323/229)
  • Patent number: 11879932
    Abstract: Techniques regarding autonomous identification of aged circuits are provided. For example, one or more embodiments described herein can comprise a system, which can comprise a memory that can store computer executable components. The system can also comprise a processor, operably coupled to the memory, and that can execute the computer executable components stored in the memory. The computer executable components can comprise an identification component, operatively coupled to the processor, that can identify an aged circuit by analyzing a current-voltage characteristic curve for a distortion in a sub-threshold quiescent current signature of the aged circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Franco Stellari, Peilin Song, Naigang Wang
  • Patent number: 10880964
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for overcoming LED flicker caused by an asynchronous control of an LED on or off state and a switched-mode power supply for the LED. A supplementary control system is adapted to override a primary control system for the switched-mode power supply, and control an energy storage inductor of the switched-mode power supply. In particular, in response to an indicated desire to switch the LED on, the supplementary control system sets the current in the energy storage inductor to a predetermined level. In this way, when the LED is switched on, the current through the inductor is known and LED flicker is thereby reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Theo Gerrit Zijlman, Bertrand Johan Edward Hontele, Henricus Marius Joseph Maria Kahlman
  • Patent number: 10598737
    Abstract: A device for testing a power supply. The device includes a modulation generator, and a connection between the modulation generator and the power supply under test through which a load is injected to the power supply under test. A resistive load generator applies a resistive load to the power supply. A reactive load generator applies a reactive load to the power supply. A load selector selectively applies the resistive load and/or the reactive load to the power supply to be tested. The device further includes a discharge network that automatically or manually discharges capacitors of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO Intetnational America, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Szawarski, Grant Porter
  • Patent number: 10511219
    Abstract: A switching power supply includes a power converter with an inductor and first and second switches that converts a voltage Vac to a voltage Vdc, a detector with a winding that detects zero timing of an inductor current, and a driving signal generator that switches on the second switch based on the zero timing and then switches on the first switch. The driving signal generator ends a period T2 before the zero timing by executing a measuring process for an on period T1 of the second switch, a process that calculates the period T2 from T2=T1×|Vac|/(Vdc?|Vac|)?Tc using a correction time Tc, a process that switches on the first switch for only the period T2, a process that measures an elapsed time between the periods T2 and T1, and a process that changes the correction time Tc so that the elapsed time becomes a target time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ken Matsuura, Min Lin
  • Patent number: 10465891
    Abstract: A circuit board includes: an inductor and a control IC which are included in a switching power supply circuit; and a substrate having a first face, a second face on a reverse side of the first face, and an opening in a center portion of the substrate. The inductor is disposed on the first face, the control IC is disposed on the second face, and at least part of the inductor overlaps with at least part of the control IC when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the first face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shun Kusuda
  • Patent number: 9041382
    Abstract: A power-supply circuit for a DC appliance includes an input unit including a first terminal and a second terminal so as to receive a DC current, an output unit including a third terminal to output the DC current entered by the input unit and a fourth terminal, a connection unit including a first conductive line and a second conductive line so as to interconnect the input unit and the output unit, a rectifier unit including first to fourth diodes coupled as a bridge diode format so as to rectify the input DC current in a predetermined direction, an inductor unit that is connected in series to the rectifier unit in such a manner that the input DC current is gradually increased from an abrupt change time point of the DC current, and a condenser unit that is connected in series to the inductor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyun Cheol Jin, Han Sol Seo, Hyun Soo Park
  • Publication number: 20140159678
    Abstract: One cable compensation circuit is connected to a shunt regulator to generate a feedback voltage corresponding to an output voltage of a power supply device. The cable compensation circuit controls cathode impedance of the shunt regulator according to the output current of the power supply device to compensate a voltage drop generated in a cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Youngbae PARK, Eunsung JANG, Jaehan YOON, Byunghak AHN, Jin-Tae KIM, Taesung KIM, Gwanbon KOO, Keun-Eui HONG
  • Patent number: 8736238
    Abstract: The configurations of a buck type and a buck/boost type converter systems and a controlling method thereof are provided in the present invention. The proposed buck/boost type converter system includes a rectifier bridge, a first auxiliary circuit including a first unidirectional switch coupled to the rectifier bridge and a second unidirectional switch coupled to the first unidirectional switch, a first capacitor coupled to the first unidirectional switch and the rectifier bridge, a buck/boost converter having a first input terminal coupled to the first unidirectional switch, a second input terminal coupled to the first capacitor, a first output terminal coupled to the second unidirectional switch and a second output terminal, a second capacitor electrically connected to the first and the second output terminals in parallel, and a DC source coupled to the second unidirectional switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Fei Li, Hongjian Gan, Fei Ji, Xin Li
  • Publication number: 20140132231
    Abstract: A DC conversion circuit in the disclosure includes a buck-boost converter and a resonant stage circuit. The buck-boost converter has two input ends, a negative output end and a positive output end. The buck-boost converter receives a first DC signal via its two input ends, and outputs a second DC signal via its two output ends. The resonant stage circuit has two input ends and two output ends. The resonant stage circuit receives the second DC signal via its two input ends, converts the second DC signal into energy for power charging, and outputs the energy to a load via its two output ends. Then, the resonant stage circuit converts the energy, which is used for power charging, to form a negative voltage by a resonance effect, and outputs the energy to the load via its two output ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Wen-Tien TSAI, Ching-Ran LEE, Po-Yen CHEN, Ching-Tsai PAN
  • Publication number: 20140117872
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a non-dissipative snubber circuit configured to boost a voltage applied to a load after the load's impedance rises rapidly. The voltage boost can thereby cause more rapid current ramping after a decrease in power delivery to the load which results from the load impedance rise. In particular, the snubber can comprise a combination of a unidirectional switch, a voltage multiplier, and a current limiter. In some cases, these components can be a diode, voltage doubler, and an inductor, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: ADVANCED ENERGY INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Finley
  • Publication number: 20140103889
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter for delivering electrical power to a load includes an output filter having an inductor and an output capacitor, a first switch, and a second switch. The first switch is configured to alternately couple and decouple the inductor to and from a DC input voltage as power is being delivered to the load. The second switch is configured to electrically disconnect the output capacitor when the load is removed or deactivated. Disconnecting the output capacitor allows the DC-DC converter to rapidly transition from an operating state to a disabled state, obviating any need to discharge the output capacitor in order to fully disable the DC-DC converter. Residual energy stored in the electric field of the output capacitor and/or the magnetic field of the inductor at the time the load is next reactivated is available to hasten transition back to the operating state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventor: Earl W. McCune, JR.
  • Patent number: 8489378
    Abstract: A model for a silicon controlled rectifier includes three diode models connected in series, with the middle diode model being reverse biased. Each diode model corresponds to and can be configured to simulate DC operation of a junction in the silicon controlled rectifier. The model can be used to evaluate behavior of a circuit that includes the silicon controlled rectifier. For example, the circuit can include an electrostatic discharge protection circuit that includes the silicon controlled rectifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Junjun Li, Rahul Nayak
  • Patent number: 8368364
    Abstract: In order to achieve an object to reduce a surge voltage and suppress noise generation, the present invention provides a DC-DC converter with a snubber circuit, which boosts a voltage Vi of a DC power supply. The snubber circuit includes: a series circuit connected to both ends of a smoothing capacitor Co and including a snubber capacitor Cs and a snubber resistor Rs; a snubber diode Ds1 connected to a node at which the snubber capacitor Cs and the snubber resistor Rs are connected, and to a node at which a reactor Lr1 and an additional winding 1b of a transformer T1 are connected; and a snubber diode Ds2 connected to the node at which the snubber capacitor Cs and the snubber resistor Rs are connected, and to a node at which a reactor Lr2 and an additional winding 2b of a transformer T2 are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignees: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd., National University Corporation Shimane University
    Inventors: Hideki Asuke, Hideharu Takano, Mamoru Tsuruya, Masayoshi Yamamoto, Takahiro Kawashima, Shigeyuki Funabiki
  • Publication number: 20130027825
    Abstract: In one general aspect, an apparatus can include an energy storage device configured to store energy during an unclamped inductive switching test of a target device, and a switch device configured to shunt at least a portion of energy away from the target device in response to the target device changing from a breakdown state to a failure state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: DAREN W. KELLER, JOHN T. ANDREWS
  • Patent number: 8350540
    Abstract: A storageless DC-DC converter is provided having simultaneously ultra high efficiency of 99.5% in an ultra compact size leading to 1 kW/inch3 power density, while also providing a regulation over the wide input DC voltage range. In addition to fixed 2 to 1 step-down voltage conversion the continuous output voltage reduction is obtained by use of a new method of the modulation of the freewheeling time of one of the two current rectifiers. This provides a simple regulation of the output voltage via a standard duty ratio control, despite the wide range of the input voltage change and simultaneous wide range of the load current change. An alternative control method customarily used in classical resonant converters to control output voltage by change of the switching frequency with a fixed duty ratio control is also demonstrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Cuks, LLC
    Inventor: Slobodan Cuk
  • Patent number: 8319516
    Abstract: A circuit is configured for testing an inrush current of a power supply. The circuit includes a capacitor module, a voltage meter, a semiconductor switch, and a current meter. The capacitor module is connected to an power source for storing electric charge. The voltage meter is connected to the capacitor module for measuring a voltage across the capacitor module. The semiconductor switch is capable of connecting the capacitor module to the power supply and being closed when the voltage across the capacitor module reaches a predetermined value. The current meter is capable of measuring the inrush current at the time the power supply is powered on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ling-Yu Xie
  • Patent number: 8274395
    Abstract: A system for monitoring batteries comprises a current control element coupled in parallel to a diode and across a battery. The current control element measures current on the cathode end of the diode. Once the voltage potential reaches a threshold, the current control element routes the current from the cathode end of the diode to the anode end of the diode thereby reducing the voltage potential across the battery terminal. Accordingly, a battery sensing element is prevented from falsely sensing a presence of an operable battery due to leakage current of the diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: ADTRAN, Inc.
    Inventors: Earl Erickson, William Shindel
  • Patent number: 8193731
    Abstract: An LED lamp driven by alternating current includes at least a first constant-current supplying device, at least a second constant-current supplying device and at least an LED load. A terminal of the first constant-current supplying device is connected to the first connecting terminal of the AC power source. A terminal of the second constant-current supplying device is connected to the second connecting terminal of the AC power source. The LED load is connected between the first constant-current supplying device and the second constant-current supplying device in series. Through the current limiting function of the first constant-current supplying device and the second constant-current supplying device, the LED lamp may be protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventors: Ying-Chia Chen, Hui-Hua Lien
  • Publication number: 20110316494
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a switching power supply device including an integrated body and a plurality of external terminals. In the integrated body, a first switching element, a constant current element, and a diode are connected in series. The plurality of external terminals include a first external terminal connected to a main terminal of an element disposed on one end side of the integrated body and a second external terminal connected to a main terminal of an element disposed on another end side of the integrated body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: TOSHIBA LIGHTING & TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kitamura, Yuji Takahashi, Koji Suzuki, Koji Takahashi, Toru Ishikita
  • Publication number: 20110221403
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a conventional circuit connected with the direct-current (DC) power supply in series through the semiconductor forward voltage drop, for producing voltage drop to lower the output DC voltage, however, if the output current is smaller, the voltage drop produced is not enough, the floating-voltage accordingly rises and damages the load, so a shunting current load is arranged in the circuit to suppress the floating-voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
  • Patent number: 7944190
    Abstract: The control circuit 30 of power supply unit and power supply unit 10 controlling output power with electric power supplied from the external power 15, comprise a monitoring portion 40 monitoring current I1 and voltage outputted from the external power supply 15 and output power of the external power supply 15 and a setting portion e1 which sets an upper limit value of current outputted from the external power supply 15 based on a monitoring result of the monitoring portion 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventors: Hidekiyo Ozawa, Morihito Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 7888925
    Abstract: A method of operating a synchronous power converter generates a control signal in a load current compensation circuit based on a light load condition at the converter, where the control signal controls a gate driver for at least one power switch of the converter. When the gate driver is turned off via the control signal, the method monitors one or more comparison signals in a reference voltage adjustment module of the compensation circuit, a first comparison signal of the one or more comparison signals indicative of a voltage level at a phase node of the converter. Based on a remaining body diode conduction level associated a body diode with the at least one power switch as detected by at least a second comparison signal, the method adjusts a reference voltage for the at least one power switch with the adjustment module until the body diode is no longer conducting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventor: Noel B. Dequina
  • Patent number: 7880450
    Abstract: A switching power supply includes: a first switch provided between one end of a DC power supply and one end of a load; a second switch provided between a node of the first switch located on a load side and another end of the DC power supply; a capacitor provided between the second switch and the another end of the DC power supply; a third switch provided between a node of the first switch located on a DC power supply side and a node between the second switch and the capacitor; and a delay circuit that is provided between the third switch and the node between the second switch and the capacitor and delays a current for charging the capacitor, wherein the second switch is turned on in a period during which the first switch is kept on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Taiyo Yuden Mobile Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu Yonezawa, Naoyuki Mishima
  • Patent number: 7876075
    Abstract: A control circuit and control method for a power converter detects change of the output voltage of the converter, and performs the time-optimal control function when the change exceeds the default value. According to the voltage slew rate detected at the time of the change exceeding the default value, a time interval T1 from the change exceeding the default value being detected to the current of the inductor rising to be the same as the output current of the converter is estimated, and the time intervals T2 and T3 are figured out based on the time interval T1. The parasitic resistance of the output capacitor of the converter is taken into account during estimating process such that even if the output capacitor has larger parasitic resistance, the output voltage can be back to the steady state value accurately to avoid the time-optimal control being triggered repeatedly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Richtek Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Bo Yi Chiu, Dan Chen, Wei-Hsu Chang
  • Publication number: 20100259232
    Abstract: The present application describes a system and method for driving a power supply device in an initial activation stage. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing in the power supply device at least one voltage regulator that is coupled with a voltage output adapted to supply a power voltage to a client device, receiving a signal indicative of an activation of the power supply device, and converting the at least one voltage regulator to an equivalent shunting circuit coupled between the voltage output and a reference voltage. Before power voltages are applied at the outputs of the power supply device, shunting paths are thus provided for releasing undesired currents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: HIMAX TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Hsien-Ting Huang, Yaw-Guang Chang
  • Patent number: 7379312
    Abstract: A high-voltage device having a measuring resistor, also called a bleeder, is plunged into an electrical field whose voltage varies in the same way as the voltage along the bleeder. To achieve this, the capacitive elements are distributed in two rows, each row defining a plane. Along each row, the potentials are growing. The space between the two rows is sufficient for the bleeder to be placed therein. The bleeder is formed either by series-connected resistors or by a screen-printed resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Georges William Baptiste, Denis Perillat-Amede, Laurence Abonneau
  • Patent number: 7321224
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter is structured such that a main switching element has one terminal connected to one terminal of a DC power supply and has the other terminal connected to one terminal of a first winding of a resonance coil, a choke coil has one terminal connected to one terminal of a second winding of the resonance coil and has the other terminal connected to one terminal of an output capacitor, a rectifier diode has one terminal connected to the connection of the first and second windings and has the other terminal connected to the other terminal of the output capacitor and also to the other terminal of the DC power supply, and a series circuit including an auxiliary switching element and a clamping capacitor is provided between the other terminal of the DC power supply and the connection of the main switching element and the first winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Iwamoto, Masaya Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20070271069
    Abstract: A signal conditioning integrated circuit includes both signal conditioning circuitry and memory devoted to storing end-user downloadable coefficients. In a preferred embodiment, the integrated circuit is an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), and the end-user downloadable coefficients, based upon a mathematical equation pre-selected by the end-user, are pre-stored in the ASIC when a sensor device with which the ASIC is associated is calibrated. This results in a customized and more cost-effective and space-efficient signal-conditioning apparatus with improved functionality over that available in the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Anthony M. Dmytriw, Lamar F. Ricks
  • Patent number: 7026799
    Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit assembly for operating a luminous signal, particularly an LED signal, comprising at least one light-emitting diode (D) to which a resistance (R) is serially connected and a control (St) is connected in parallel. In order to adjust the luminous power of the luminous signal to various degrees of brightness during the day and at night, the control (St) is provided with a controlled source of current so as to specify a parallel current (I_P) which reduces the current (I_D) flowing through the light-emitting diode (D).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengellschaft
    Inventors: Norbert Pöpplow, Dirk Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 6717830
    Abstract: A circuit for lowering the effective voltage drop of a semi-conductor diode. The circuit includes a first Metal Oxide Semi-conductor (MOS) device connected in parallel with the diode. A bias voltage which is close to but lower than the threshold voltage is applied to the MOS device. When a forward voltage is applied to the diode, this voltage is added to the source to drain voltage of the MOS device which turns it on. The MOS device then bypasses the diode to effectively overcome the inherent forward voltage drop of the diode. The circuit is advantageously applied to a rectifier circuit to reduce input voltage requirements and improve the efficiency of the rectifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Zarlink Semiconductor AB
    Inventor: Tony Ohlsson
  • Patent number: 6040688
    Abstract: A current supply device for supplying a direct current, a sinusoidal current or a pulsed current to a load, the device having a conductor portion arranged for being connected in series with the load, the conductor portion being coupled with a magnetic circuit having at least one air-gap, a magnetic field detector device being arranged in the air-gap and being connected to a measuring or control circuit for producing an output signal representing the current supplied by the current supply device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Liaisons Electronique - Mecaniques Lem S.A.
    Inventor: Pierre Strubin
  • Patent number: 5990576
    Abstract: The positive potential side output of a voltage source (1) is connected to the positive potential side of a first circuit (10) through a terminal (6); the ground (negative potential) side output of voltage source (1) is connected through a terminal (8) to the ground (negative potential) side of first circuit (10). Also, the positive potential side output of voltage source (1) is lowered by a prescribed voltage .DELTA. V by a Schottky barrier diode (2) and is connected to the positive potential side of second circuit (11) through a terminal (7); the ground (negative potential) side output of voltage source (1) is raised by a prescribed voltage .DELTA. V by a Schottky barrier diode (4) and is connected to the ground (negative potential) side of second circuit (11) through a terminal (9). A power supply voltage supplying circuit can thereby be provided wherein latch-up is avoided while still keeping current consumption and electromagnetic interference (EMI) low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masaki Sakai, Hironori Fujii, Takaaki Ishii
  • Patent number: 5930133
    Abstract: A tunnel diode is used as a rectifying device. The tunnel diode is so implemented as to suppress a flow of a current relative to an applied forward voltage of AC which is greater than a voltage at a peak value of a tunnel current. Stated in another word, use is made of a semiconductor of a wide forbidden band width so as to enable the forward turn-on voltage of the diode to be made greater than a maximum value of the applied voltage. Upon application of a reverse voltage to the diode, on the other hand, a greater tunnel current flows from a zero bias time. By connecting the tunnel diode, unlike an ordinary diode, in a reverse-bias fashion in the rectifying circuit, it is possible to realize a rectifying device whose turn-on voltage is zero and to prevent less rectifying efficiency at a power supply circuit of low voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Kouhei Morizuka
  • Patent number: 5554924
    Abstract: A high speed shunt regulator comprises a DC current source, a DC voltage reference/current shunt circuit, and first and second Schottky diodes connected in series with each other between the DC current source and the DC voltage reference/current shunt circuit. An output port for the load is connected between the first and second Schottky diodes. The Schottky diodes have little parasitic capacitance and virtually no reverse recovery. Consequently, the amount of current passing through the Schottky diodes can change in one nanosecond and the shunt regulator can accommodate high frequency fluctuations in the load while maintaining rated voltage. In other words, the Schottky diodes serve the function of "isolating" the slower semiconductors of the DC current source and reference voltage/current shunt circuit from the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jerry K. McMahon, Floyd W. Olsen, Matthew F. Seward
  • Patent number: 5446320
    Abstract: A circuit for connecting the power supply output of a computer to ground when the system is shut down to counter adverse effects of backfeed voltage which includes a MOSFET between the power supply output and ground. In one embodiment the MOSFET is switched on by a signal that deactivates the system power supply. In an alternative embodiment, two MOSFETs are used. The first MOSFET is controlled directly by the power supply output and shorts the second MOSFET's gate to ground when the power supply output generates a significant voltage. If the second MOSFET's gate is grounded, the MOSFET deactivates and opens a circuit between the power supply output and ground. When the power supply is turned off, the second MOSFET activates and grounds the power supply output. A resistor between the power supply output and ground allows the power supply to generate five volts when the system is power cycled and deactivate the second MOSFET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corp.
    Inventors: Donald G. Scharnberg, Patrick R. Cooper
  • Patent number: 5426579
    Abstract: Instabilities in the output voltage provided from an AC power supply system connected to a power factor correcting load are suppressed by a stabilizer which is connected across the output lines from the power supply system to the load. The stabilizing apparatus includes a rectifier having AC input nodes connected to the power supply system output lines, and DC output nodes at which DC voltage appears. A capacitor and resistor are connected in parallel across the output nodes of the rectifier. During normal operation, where the peak AC voltage from the power supply system is substantially constant, the capacitor charges up to a voltage level near the zero to peak value of the AC voltage waveform, with the charge on the capacitor slowly dissipated through the parallel resistor at a rate that does not substantially dissipate the charge between peaks of the AC voltage waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Best Power Technology, Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven J. Paul, Phillip A. Board, Michael W. Hogan
  • Patent number: 5260643
    Abstract: A programmable reference voltage generator includes a diode arrangement for generating a reference voltage in response to a control current. An array of memory cells is provided for adjusting the control current, the memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells connected to the diode arrangement through a plurality of current paths. Each of the memory cells is disposed to conduct current when programmed to store a first binary value, and to not conduct current when programmed to store a second binary value. A programming circuit is used to store a selected one of the first and second binary values in each memory cell, thereby causing the reference voltage to assume a selected magnitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Bal S. Sandhu
  • Patent number: 5099191
    Abstract: A tunnel diode voltage reference circuit includes a tunnel diode; bias voltage circuit for biasing the tunnel diode to operate in the region of the peak current where the tunnel diode output current variation is a fraction of the bias voltage variation; and circuits responsive to the tunnel diode output current, for isolating the tunnel diode output from load variations and converting the tunnel diode output to a reference voltage. A resistance may be placed in parallel with the tunnel diode for raising the negative resistance region to the levels of the peak region to flatten the slope of the negative resistance region between the peak and the valley regions, reducing the reference voltage variation at bias points greater than the peak voltage of the tunnel diode characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis A. Galler, Randall J. Pflueger
  • Patent number: 5014214
    Abstract: The use of the input protection diodes in a microcomputer unit based control system in conjunction with a diode input circuit and an active pull-down network provided by a switched voltage regulator to protect the microcomputer unit from damage due to high voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Glowczewski, Keith B. Carle
  • Patent number: 4948989
    Abstract: A radiation-hardened temperature-compensated precision voltage reference includes two diodes connected in series having a prescribed operating current (I.sub.B) flowing therethrough. In one embodiment, a first of the two diodes comprises a reversed-biased avalanche diode (32), and a second of the two diodes comprises a forward biased Schottky diode (30). In another embodiment, a reversed biased avalanche diode (42) is connected in series with a reverse biased tunneling diode (40). Both diodes of either embodiment include opposite and offsetting temperature and neutron coefficients of voltage. A method of adjusting the temperature and neutron coefficients of at least one of the two diodes includes selectively adjusting the current density of one of the diodes by selectively trimming the area of the diode dipole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: Science Applications International Corporation
    Inventor: James P. Spratt
  • Patent number: 4873480
    Abstract: A switching network for improving the conversion efficiency of a photovoltaic power supply comprises a variable coupling circuit for coupling an array of photovoltaic cells to a load resistance. The combined effective impedance of the network and load is varied to match the value required for maximum output power. A switching transistor (22) which connects the source module (20) to the load (30) is pulse-width modulated with a variable duty cycle determined by the control signal from the sensor circuit. A photovoltaic cell (32) similar to those comprising the photovoltaic power module (20) is used to track variations in the ambient light intensity. The open-circuit voltage of a sensor cell (32) is used to determine the proper value of duty cycle required for maximum power transfer. The output voltage of the module (20) is sampled and compared with the proper value to produce a control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Inventor: Donald L. Lafferty
  • Patent number: 4814686
    Abstract: A reference d.c. voltage generator is disclosed which includes a series circuit for first and second field effect transistors or FETs. The first FET serves as a high-impedance constant current supply, while the second FET functions as a resistor for generating at its soure a reference d.c. voltage. A series circuit of two FETs is connected between the gate and source of the first FET to bias the first FET such that a current flowing therein is kept constant, whereby the gate-source voltage thereof can be stabilized even when the power supply voltage is fluctuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1989
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Yohji Watanabe
  • Patent number: 4686451
    Abstract: In a GaAs integrated circuit, a voltage reference generator includes a pair of Schottky diodes and a first, current-source connected, depletion-mode MESFET coupled in series to conduct current from a ground node to a voltage supply node. The current-source connected FET causes a constant current to flow from the ground node through the diodes, producing a constant voltage drop which generates a constant reference voltage at a reference node between the diodes and FET. A second pair of Schottky diodes is connected in series between the source of the FET and the voltage supply node, in a loop coupling the source to the gate of the FET, to provide a voltage difference Vgs across the FET proportional to voltage drop across the second pair of diodes. This voltage difference varies with fabrication process and temperature variations and causes the first FET to modify the amount of current flow to compensate so as to maintain a constant voltage drop across the first pair of diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: Triquint Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Y. Li, Frederick G. Weiss
  • Patent number: 4673864
    Abstract: A plurality of controlled avalanche semiconductor elements, are connected in series and are irradiated with a controllable quantity of light to form circuits which in principle can switch an unlimited high voltage or can control such a voltage. Dissipating auxiliary means to obtain a uniform voltage distribution cross the circuit are not required. As a light source, light-emitting diodes can be used so that the elements can be controlled at a low-voltage level and with DC separation the circuit can be used in high-voltage amplifiers, high-voltage regulators or high-voltage stabilizers, deflection voltage generators, high-voltage switches in X-ray apparatus, lasers, ignition systems in combustion engines etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1987
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Petrus A. Dessens, Reiner F. Rumphorst
  • Patent number: 4590417
    Abstract: A voltage controlled diode attenuator has no coils and, therefore, may be built in integrated circuit form. At least one pair of similarly poled diodes and a resistor are connected in a series circuit. An input signal and variable control voltage are applied to a junction between first and adjoining sides of the pair of diodes. An output voltage appears at an opposite side of one of the diodes. A differential amplifier applies a fixed bias voltage to the output terminal, and a negative feedback is connected between the opposite side of the one diode and an input to the differential amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1986
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Tanaami, Osamu Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 4492914
    Abstract: A temperature-compensating bias circuit for biasing a transistor circuit such as a multivibrator is disclosed. In the bias circuit, a series circuit formed of a first resistor and a parallel circuit consisting of a first circuit includes a second resistor and n diodes and a second circuit which includes a third resistor and m diodes, is connected between a power source line and a ground line. A voltage generated from a bias output terminal for driving the multivibrator has the effect of cancelling temperature drift of the multivibrator, and includes temperature drift represented by a temperature coefficient which varies according to the number of diodes in the first and second circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1985
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hisakazu Hitomi
  • Patent number: 4378521
    Abstract: A circuit which performs regulator or limiter functions at current and voltage levels below the operating ranges of conventional zener diodes. The output of an op amp is connected through a diode to a main input terminal which may be connected between a power source and one end of a load resistor. A first current limiting resistor connects the main input terminal to the inverting input of the op amp. A second current limiting resistor connects the non-inverting input of the op amp to the wiper terminal of a potentiometer which permits adjustment of a simulated zener voltage V.sub.z. A pair of supply voltage terminals of the op amp are connected to voltages V.sub.cc and V.sub.ee, respectively. A pair of fixed terminals of the potentiometer are also connected to voltages V.sub.cc and V.sub.ee, respectively. The simulated zener voltage V.sub.z may be positive or negative, and may be adjusted to any value within limits determined by voltages V.sub.cc and V.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1983
    Assignee: General Dynamics, Pomona Division
    Inventor: Richard W. Thorpe
  • Patent number: 4352053
    Abstract: A temperature compensating voltage generator circuit for compensating temperature characteristics of an electric circuit whose electrical characteristic varies in accordance with the change of the ambient temperature and whose electrical characteristic can be changed or controlled by a control voltage. The temperature compensating voltage generator circuit comprising a plurality of temperature sensitive resistor circuits, a plurality of diode circuits and one or more resistor circuits. A temperature compensating voltage from the temperature compensating voltage generator circuit being independently adjustable at each predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1982
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Takuro Oguchi, Zenichi Ohsawa, Shinichi Murai
  • Patent number: 4321524
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transistorized voltage limiter as a dipole having in the conduction direction the characteristic similar to that of the Zener diode. When low voltage is involved, this transistorized voltage limiter can replace the Zener diode in various electronic circuits for the stabilization of voltage. Moreover, it has a small dynamic resistance and eliminates noises in the curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1982
    Inventor: Marko Petrovic