Including Pre Or Post Regulation Patents (Class 323/266)
  • Publication number: 20090039840
    Abstract: A regulator included in a high voltage generator for supplying a high voltage to a semiconductor memory device is disclosed. The regulator includes a voltage dividing circuit configured to divide an output voltage of a charge pump, a comparing circuit configured to compare a reference voltage with a divided voltage by the voltage dividing circuit, a regulator driving circuit configured to couple selectively the voltage dividing circuit to a ground, and a high voltage discharging circuit configured to discharge the divided voltage applied to the comparing circuit when supply of a power supply voltage is stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Seok Joo LEE
  • Patent number: 7486056
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a linear power supply and an auxiliary power supply powered from the linear power supply. The auxiliary power supply comprises a switching regulator connected to receive, at an input thereof, the output voltage of the linear power supply and to generate therefrom an output voltage of the auxiliary power supply. The auxiliary power supply further comprises a detection circuit, connected to the linear power supply and to the switching regulator, that detects one of (i) a level of current drawn from the linear power supply and (ii) a level of voltage at an output of the linear power supply and that causes the switching regulator to reduce its load on the linear power supply when the detected level reaches a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Elster Electricity, LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth C. Shuey
  • Patent number: 7486055
    Abstract: There is provided a DC-DC converter including: a main switching element to perform an on-off operation; a first choke coil; an output capacitor; and a diode module. The diode module includes a first series circuit which includes an auxiliary switching element and a resonant capacitor, and a second series circuit which includes a flywheel diode and a resonant coil, wherein the first series circuit and the second series circuit are connected in parallel to each other. The DC-DC converter reduces the switching loss, deals with an extensive range of input and output voltage variation, and accommodates easy modifications from conventional circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Mineba Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaya Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20090021228
    Abstract: An electrical circuit and method of power management of a cellular telephone includes a battery adapted to produce a battery voltage; a LDO regulator operatively connected to the battery and adapted to provide a constant supply voltage from the battery voltage; and a DC-DC converter operatively connected to the LDO regulator, wherein the DC-DC converter is adapted to step down the constant supply voltage to a lower voltage level, wherein the LDO regulator and the DC-DC converter are embedded on a single integrated circuit chip. The constant supply voltage equals 3.6V at an output of the LDO, and the constant supply voltage is applied to an input of the DC-DC converter. Moreover, the battery voltage equals at most 5.5V.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Frank Carr, Ahmed A. Emira, Hassan Elwan
  • Publication number: 20090015217
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a power supply controller is configured to form a reference signal that has selectable values. The power supply controller is also configured to form a feed-forward signal in response to change in the value of the reference voltage and to use this feed-forward signal control the value of an output current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventor: Paul J. Harriman
  • Patent number: 7477096
    Abstract: A radiation tolerant high-power DC/DC converter is disclosed. The converter does not incorporate radiation-hardened parts, but instead uses p-channel FET switches that have a negative gate threshold voltage. With exposure to radiation, the gate threshold voltage decreases, becoming more negative. Thus, the gate is still controllable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Inventor: Steven E. Summer
  • Patent number: 7474082
    Abstract: This present invention relates to a voltage converting apparatus with auto-adjusting boost-multiple, which includes a microprocessor unit, a boost multiple control unit, a boost unit, and a voltage converting unit. According to the digital signal, the microprocessor unit generates an output voltage information and a converting multiple information. According to the output voltage information, the boost multiple control unit computes the corresponding relation between an output voltage and an input voltage in order to generate the boost multiple information. Based on the boost multiple information, the boost unit can amplify the output voltage to generate an converting operation voltage. The voltage converting unit operates between the converting operation voltage and a fist voltage, and converts a reference voltage into the output voltage according to the converting multiple information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Novatek Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Yi-Pin Huang, Feng-Jung Kuo, Jen-Hao Hsueh, Wen-Ping Chou
  • Patent number: 7474081
    Abstract: An apparatus having a rectifier topology for use on a three-phase electrical system is disclosed. The apparatus includes an input filter at each phase, a rectifier set at each phase in power communication with and downstream of each respective input filter, and a separate and independent booster section at each phase in power communication with and downstream of each respective rectifier set. Each booster section comprises two switches, thereby providing a six-switch three-level discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) boost rectifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Silvio Colombi, Claudio Balbiano, Lauro Strozzi
  • Publication number: 20090001946
    Abstract: A system and method for determining an initial duty cycle for startup of a voltage regulator involves generating a first current source responsive to an input voltage to the voltage regulator and generating a second current source responsive to an output voltage of the voltage regulator. A first capacitor is charged using the first current source responsive to a duty cycle of a PWM signal of the voltage regulator to a first voltage. A second capacitor is charged to a second voltage responsive to a period of the PWM signal of the voltage regulator. The initial duty cycle for startup of the voltage regulator is established as the duty cycle of the PWM signal when the first voltage is substantially equal to the second voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: INTERSIL AMERICAS INC.
    Inventors: GUSTAVO JAMES MEHAS, WEI CHEN, BRUCE L. INN
  • Patent number: 7466113
    Abstract: A driver package includes an integrated circuit (IC) comprising pull up circuitry capable of turning ON an associated switch and pull down circuitry capable of turning OFF the associated switch. The pull up circuitry may be coupled to a first bonding pad of the IC, and the pull down circuitry may be coupled to a second bonding pad of the IC. The driver package may further comprise a first conductive path coupled between the first bonding pad and a package pin of the driver package, where the package pin is coupled to the associated switch, and a second conductive path coupled between the second bonding pad and the package pin. The first conductive path may further provide a sensed signal representative of state of the associated switch to break before make control circuitry to assist in minimizing a break before make delay time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: 02Micro International Limited
    Inventors: Laszlo Lipcsei, Serban-Mihai Popescu
  • Patent number: 7466111
    Abstract: An input source voltage is supplied from a battery for example to a switching power supply circuit such as a switching DC-DC converter via a series regulator for stepping down the input source voltage by a constant voltage. The series regulator serves as a buffer having a variable resistance to reduce the switching noise generated by the switching power supply circuit, thereby reducing the switching noise in the input source voltage and in turn reducing adverse influence of the noise on other circuit blocks that operate at the input source voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takanobu Komaki
  • Patent number: 7456625
    Abstract: As for a transistor, overlapped are factors such as a variation of a gate insulation film which occurs due to a difference of a manufacturing process and a substrate used and a variation of a crystalline state in a channel forming region and thereby, there occurs a variation of a threshold voltage and mobility of a transistor. This invention provides an electric circuit which used a rectification type device in which an electric current is generated only in a single direction, when an electric potential difference was applied to electrodes at both ends of the device. Then, the invention provides an electric circuit which utilized a fact that, when a signal voltage is inputted to one terminal of the rectification type device, an electric potential of the other terminal becomes an electric potential offset only by the threshold voltage of the rectification type device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Kimura, Yasuko Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7456617
    Abstract: A power control system comprises a plurality of POL regulators, at least one serial data bus operatively connecting the plurality of POL regulators, and a system controller connected to the serial data bus and adapted to send and receive digital data to and from the plurality of POL regulators. The serial data bus further comprises a first data bus carrying programming and control information between the system controller and the plurality of POL regulators. The serial data bus may also include a second data bus carrying fault management information between the system controller and the plurality of POL regulators. The power control may also include a front-end regulator providing an intermediate voltage to the plurality of POL regulators on an intermediate voltage bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Power-One, Inc.
    Inventors: Alain Chapuis, Mikhail Guz, Dennis R. Roark
  • Publication number: 20080284389
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus that supplies an operating voltage to a microcomputer reliably resets the microcomputer before operation becomes unstable when an external power supply voltage decreases due to interruption. A switching regulator and series regulators are included. An externally supplied power supply voltage is stepped down to generate an intermediate voltage. The intermediate voltage is stepped down to generate an operating voltage for a microcomputer core. The intermediate voltage is stepped down to generate an operating voltage for an I/O port. When the intermediate voltage becomes lower than a reset determining voltage, the power supply apparatus outputs a reset signal to the microcomputer. When the power supply voltage decreases, the microcomputer can be reliably reset and the core can be prevented from operating erratically before the voltage becomes lower than a minimum core operating voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kawase, Toru Itabashi
  • Patent number: 7453239
    Abstract: A charging device that may perform charging with larger current is provided. The charging device comprises a switching element for increasing or decreasing charging power, a PWM controlling circuit for intermittently turning the switching element on or off, a current detecting circuit for detecting current flowing through the switching element, and a rectifying circuit for rectifying output voltage of the current detecting circuit in response to power supply voltage. The PWM controlling circuit has a limiter terminal for turning off the switching element when voltage equal to or above a determined value is input, and rectified voltage from the rectifying circuit is input to the limiter terminal. In this charging device, an amount of temperature increase of the switching element is suppressed so as to remain within a fixed range, and the charging power is not restricted unnecessarily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventor: Hitoshi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20080278123
    Abstract: A synchronous regulator includes a controller coupled to receive a reference signal and a feedback signal from the regulator operable to provide a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal at its output. The regulator includes at least one gate driver coupled to receive the PWM signal, and a synchronous output switch having a phase node there between controlled by the gate driver, and regulator input current measurement circuitry. The regulator input current measurement circuitry comprises a circuit operable for providing a signal representative of at least one phase node timing parameter, a sensing circuit operable for sensing inductor or output current provided by the regulator, and a calculation circuit coupled to receive the signal representative of the phase node timing parameters and the inductor or output current and is operable to determine the input current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventors: Gustavo James Mehas, Naveen Jain, Jayant Vivrekar, Jason Houston
  • Patent number: 7449869
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a digital controller for adjusting the duty ratio a pulse width modulation control signal used to control a power switch of a switch mode power converter. According to various embodiments, the digital controller comprises a voltage compensator module for generating a first signal (Dvoltage) representative of the duty ratio of the control signal based on a difference between an output voltage of the converter and a reference voltage. The controller also includes a current compensator module for generating a second signal (Dcorrection) representative of a modification to the duty ratio of the control signal based on an output current of the converter. A subtraction module subtracts the second signal (Dcorrection) from the first signal (Dvoltage) to thereby generate a third signal (D), which is used by a duty ratio PWM generator module to generate the pulse width modulation control signal with the appropriate duty ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Artesyn Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Piotr Markowski
  • Publication number: 20080272750
    Abstract: A device includes an output and a linear regulator coupled to the output. The device also includes a switching regulator coupled to the output and means for controlling said switching regulator in dependence on power loss in said linear regulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventor: Timo Aitto-Oja
  • Patent number: 7446511
    Abstract: An active power conditioner, connecting with a load and a power source in parallel, includes a DC power capacitor, a power converter, a high-frequency filter and a control circuit. The control circuit detects the voltage of the DC power capacitor and the current of the power source, thereby performing a closed loop control to stabilize the voltage of the DC power capacitor and performing a feed forward control to generate a driving signal for driving the power converter. The power converter actuates the DC power capacitor to supply a current via the high-frequency filter to reduce the reactive and harmonic components of load current. The load is converted to the linear resistance characteristic, observed from the power source side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Ablerex Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chin-Chang Wu, Hung-Liang Chou, Wen-Pin Hsu, Yu-Ting Kuo, Ya-Tsung Feng
  • Patent number: 7440300
    Abstract: A transformerless power conversion circuit is interconnected with an electric grid and converts an input DC power provided by a power generator into an AC power and feeding the AC power into the grid. The power conversion circuit includes a buck-boost converter converting the input DC power into two sets of DC power levels; and at least one half-bridge inverter converting the two sets of DC power levels into the AC power for feeding into the grid. The isolating transformer can be eliminated and the common ground problem for DC side and AC side is also solved. The power conversion circuit has significant improvement for device size, manufacture cost and conversion efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Konishi, Tain-Syh Luor, Yung-Fu Huang
  • Patent number: 7439717
    Abstract: A synchronously switched buck post regulator is revealed for multi-output forward converters. The synchronously switched buck post regulator accomplishes precise independent load regulation for each output and reduced magnetics volume by using a coupled inductor with a common core for all outputs plus a second smaller inductor for each output except the highest voltage output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: Ernest Henry Wittenbreder, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7436156
    Abstract: An arrangement comprising at least one electrical voltage source (1) and one first voltage converter circuit (2) with an output (3) and an input (4). In this arrangement, the electrical voltage source (1) is connected to the input (4) of the first voltage converter circuit (2) and the output (3) of the first voltage converter circuit (2) can be connected to an electrical load (5). An input circuit (6) comprising an electromechanical switching element (7) and an inductance (8) is formed and the switching element (7) automatically opens and closes once or several times in dependence on a physical quantity, wherein an output circuit (10) comprising a capacitive element is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Enocean GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Schmidt, Gerd Böhm
  • Patent number: 7432690
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for detecting occupancy in an area using multiple detection technologies (e.g., ultrasound and infrared sensing) to intelligently control switching of plural load circuits whereby one of the circuits is affected by photocell control. A programmable controller implements auto-on, manual-on, reversion to auto-on and override operations with respect to the separately controlled load circuits based on sensor outputs and user inputs. An improved power supply for an occupancy sensor and load control device employs a DC voltage derived from leakage AC voltage between line and ground to drive the sensors and other circuits, and a switching regulator with a switching cycle controlled by a pulse width modulated (PWM) subsystem of the apparatus, allowing synchronous, delayed or exclusive operation relative to the sensing technology such as the US transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Williams, Todd Blackman, Thomas J. Hartnagel, Vadim Konradi
  • Patent number: 7429851
    Abstract: A disclosed constant voltage power supply circuit (1) has an input terminal (Vdd), an output terminal (Vout), a constant voltage power supply unit (2) that generates a constant voltage (Vo1) with a ripple voltage (Vri), and a ripple removing circuit unit (3) for removing the ripple voltage so that a constant voltage (V1) without the ripple voltage is output at the output terminal (OUT). The ripple removing circuit unit comprises a resistor (R1) connected between the constant voltage power supply unit and the output terminal; a ripple voltage detection circuit unit (5) for detecting the ripple voltage and outputting a signal depending on the detected ripple voltage; and a current circuit unit (6, 7) for receiving the signal from the ripple voltage detection circuit unit and supplying a current (io1) to the output terminal or absorbing a current (io2) from the resistor in response to the received signal, so as to cancel the ripple voltage at the output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Junji Nishida
  • Publication number: 20080203982
    Abstract: A power supply system for a motherboard includes a voltage regulator circuit includes a system power source, and a voltage output terminal, a sampling circuit having an input, and an output receiving a high level sleep signal from a south bridge of the motherboard, a switching circuit having an input, and an output, a power connector having a control terminal connected to the output of the switching circuit, and a power source being connected to the power connector. When the voltage regulator circuit outputs a voltage greater than a predetermined stable voltage to the sampling circuit, the sampling circuit outputs a low level signal to the switching circuit which in return outputs a high level signal to the control terminal of the power connector to cut off power supply from the power source to the system power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD ., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: YING CHEN, JIN-LIANG XIONG
  • Publication number: 20080203983
    Abstract: A voltage regulator having an input terminal for receiving an input voltage and an output terminal for providing a regulated voltage, the voltage regulator including: a differential amplifier configured for receiving a reference voltage and a feedback signal being a function of the regulated voltage, and for providing a regulation signal according to a comparison between the reference voltage and the feedback signal, a regulation transistor having a control terminal for receiving the regulation signal, a first terminal for receiving the first voltage and a second terminal coupled with the output terminal of the voltage regulator, wherein a voltage-controlled circuit coupled to the output terminal, responsive to a voltage difference between the first voltage and the regulation voltage and adapted to sink from the output terminal a current depending on said voltage difference between the supply voltage and the regulation voltage, said current being related to a leakage current of the regulation transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.R.L.
    Inventors: Gioacchino Lo Lacono, Patrizia Milazzo, Salvatore Tricomi
  • Publication number: 20080192398
    Abstract: A small-scale semiconductor device having several trimming portions is disclosed. The device includes an auxiliary voltage regulator circuit outputting an output voltage and having a first trimming unit for adjusting the output voltage output from the auxiliary voltage regulator circuit; an auxiliary circuit comparing a first voltage with a second voltage and performing a prescribed operation based on the compared result, where the first voltage is in proportion to the output voltage of the auxiliary voltage regulator circuit and the second voltage is generated by a detecting unit, the auxiliary circuit including a second trimming unit for adjusting the first voltage; and a single test terminal, connected to receive any one of the first voltage and the second voltage, provided as an external terminal of the semiconductor device so as to adjust both the first and the second trimming units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventor: Kohsuke Inoue
  • Patent number: 7408329
    Abstract: A method of generating an output DC voltage of a gas discharge process voltage supply unit, in which in a first voltage transformation stage a first DC voltage is transformed into a second DC voltage of a predetermined voltage range, and the output DC voltage is generated from the second DC voltage in a second voltage transformation stage. A switching element of at least one boost converter is switched with a controlled pulse-duty factor for generating the output DC voltage in the second voltage transformation stage. This method permits striking and maintenance of a plasma process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Huettinger Elektronik GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Wiedemuth, Stefan Schirmaier, Markus Winterhalter
  • Patent number: 7408330
    Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a voltage up-conversion circuit includes a modulated voltage generator circuit, where the modulated voltage generator circuit is configured to receive an input voltage and generate a modulated voltage, and where the modulated voltage generator circuit includes at least one transistor. The voltage up-conversion circuit further includes a switching circuit coupled to the modulated voltage generator circuit, where the switching circuit is configured to couple the modulated voltage to a load capacitor when the modulated voltage is at a high level and decouple the modulated voltage to the load capacitor when the modulated voltage is at a low level. In the voltage up-conversion circuit, the load capacitor reaches a voltage greater a breakdown voltage of the at least one transistor in the modulated voltage generator circuit. The breakdown voltage can be a reliability breakdown voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Bin Zhao
  • Publication number: 20080174284
    Abstract: A regulator circuit receives a power supply and provides a regulated power supply output suitable for integrated circuitry. It has a controllable current source circuit, a controller and a capacitor, such that an output of the controllable current source circuit can provide a lower frequency current part of the regulated power supply output, and the capacitor can supply a higher frequency current part of the regulated power supply output. The controllable current source circuit is controlled according to feedback from the regulated power supply output, and to restrict a rate of change of the output of the controllable current source circuit. The amount of EMI noise caused by high rate of change of current in power supply lines to the regulator circuit can be reduced. This can be done more efficiently or using a smaller capacitor than known arrangements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: AMI Semiconductor Belgium BVBA
    Inventors: Junfeng Zhou, Wim Dehaene
  • Patent number: 7400119
    Abstract: A high voltage power supply for use in a system such as a microfluidics system, uses a DC-DC converter in parallel with a voltage-controlled resistor. A feedback circuit provides a control signal for the DC-DC converter and voltage-controlled resistor so as to regulate the output voltage of the high voltage power supply, as well as, to sink or source current from the high voltage supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: James F. Stamps, Daniel D. Yee
  • Publication number: 20080157733
    Abstract: A DC/DC converter includes a pre-regulator stage, which may include a boost converter, and a post-converter stage, which may include a charge pump. The duty factor of the pre-regulator stage is controlled by a feedback path that extends from the output terminal of the pre-regulator stage or the post-converter stage. The pre-regulator steps the input DC voltage up by a variable amount depending on the duty factor, and the post-converter steps the voltage at the output of the pre-regulator up or down by an positive or negative integral or fractional value. The converter overcomes the problems of noise glitches, poor regulation, and instability, even near unity input-to-output voltage conversion ratios.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: Advanced Analogic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard K. Williams
  • Publication number: 20080157732
    Abstract: A DC/DC converter includes a pre-converter stage, which may include a charge pump, and a post-regulator stage, which may include a boost converter. The duty factor of the post-regulator stage is controlled by a feedback path that extends from the output terminal of the DC/DC converter to an input terminal in the post-regulator stage. The pre-converter steps the input DC voltage up or down by a positive or negative integral or fractional value, and the post-regulator steps the voltage up by a variable amount depending on the duty factor at which the post-regulator is driven. The converter overcomes the problems of noise glitches, poor regulation, and instability, even near unity input-to-output voltage conversion ratios.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: Advanced Analogic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard K. Williams
  • Patent number: 7391627
    Abstract: A power converter comprises an inductor (LP) and a controllable switch (CF) coupled to the inductor. A switch controller (1) supplies a periodic switching signal (VC1) which has a repetition time and a duty cycle to the controllable switch (CF) to generate a periodical inductor current (IL) through the inductor. A generator (2) generates an emulated signal (IE) based on timing information (TI) which represents the repetition time and the duty cycle to emulate a current signal being representative of the inductor current. A comparator (3) compares the emulated signal (IE) with the current signal (CS) to obtain an error signal (E). A generator controller (4) receives the error signal (E) to supply a control signal (VD) to the generator (2) to adapt a property of the emulated signal (IE) to become substantially equal to a property of the current signal (CS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Johan Christiaan Halberstadt, Gerrit Van Der Horn
  • Patent number: 7392405
    Abstract: A digitally controlled device is provided to interface between a user of adjustable power unit and an adjustable power module, where the user provides an analog user input signal for adjusting the performance of the adjustable module using a user defined standard. The digitally controlled device provides the adjustable power module an analog input signal adapted to the standard used by the module. The digital controller device for controlling adjustable power module that comprises at least one analog to digital converter for converting analog user input signal to digital input, a micro-controller adapted to receive the input digital information and operate at least one digital to analog unit in response to the digital input information and at least one digital to analog converter unit adapted to produce analog input signal for controlling adjustable module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Ohm Power Solutions, Ltd.
    Inventors: Artur Nachamiev, Oleg Boyarko
  • Patent number: 7385376
    Abstract: A method for regulating a voltage in an integrated circuit device includes providing a first regulated output based upon a first voltage input range and subsequently receiving the first regulated output and providing a second regulated output based upon a second voltage input range of the first regulated output. A circuit is further provided that operates accordingly. Additionally, a clipper circuit is provided at the input to protect for over voltage conditions that may results, for example, from a charging battery to cause an output voltage of the battery to substantially exceed ordinary output voltage levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Alireza Zolfaghari
  • Publication number: 20080129255
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present technology provide voltage regulator-alternator configurations that can distribute loads among a plurality of alternators, and fail-safe mechanisms used in connection with such voltage regulator-alternator configurations. For example, certain embodiments of the present technology provide electrical systems that include voltage regulators with connections over which control signals, which indicate whether a detected voltage is higher or lower than a target voltage, can be transmitted to other voltage regulators and received from other voltage regulators. For example, certain embodiments of the present technology provide voltage regulators that include connections over which control signals can be transmitted to other voltage regulators and received from other voltage regulators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventor: German Holguin
  • Patent number: 7382113
    Abstract: The aim of this invention focuses on the development of a high-efficiency bidirectional converter for power sources with great voltage diversity. In traditional bidirectional converters, the circuit topology with transformer form is the common usual. Moreover, the soft-switching techniques including zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) or zero-current-switching (ZCS) are usually used for alleviating the corresponding switching losses. However, there are four and upward power semiconductor switches in these circuit schemes. By this way, it will result in the increase of production cost, and the degeneration of conversion efficiency. The coupled-inductor bidirectional scheme in the proposed converter only adopts three power semiconductor switches to accomplish the objective of bidirectional current control. Under the situation of non-isolation circuit topology, it still possesses the protection of electric safety for operators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Yuan Ze University
    Inventors: Rong-Jong Wai, Rou-Yong Duan
  • Patent number: 7359219
    Abstract: A power supply, including a step-up converter, a resonant converter, and control unit. The step-up converter is connected to the resonant converter; the step-up converter and the resonant converter are each connected to the primary control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Puls GMGH
    Inventors: Bernhard Erdl, Heiner Friedrich
  • Patent number: 7342384
    Abstract: In a switching regulator circuit having a function of bypassing a power supply and an output terminal, there is provided a switching regulator that obtains a stable output voltage even if the operation of the bypass function is changed over. A reference voltage that is inputted to an error amplifier is set to a higher voltage value in a bypass state, and is gradually decreased to a desired value when the bypass state is canceled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Michiyasu Deguchi
  • Patent number: 7340627
    Abstract: A method and device for supplementing current from the USB bus for enumerating USB devices that require additional current beyond that allowable by USB bus specification. A chargeable power source, such as a capacitor or rechargeable battery, is supplied to the enumeration circuitry and is charged from the USB bus for an initial period of time. The charged power source is then discharged to supplement the allowable current available for enumeration during a second period of time. It is during this second period of time that the enumeration takes place. The circuitry may exist in the USB device or may be supplied separately as a power monitor or power maintenance chip or device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy J. Harvey
  • Patent number: 7336057
    Abstract: A DC/DC converter includes: a boost converter that boosts an input voltage in accordance with a first control signal; an insulated converter that converts an output of the boost converter in accordance with a second control signal; a current sensor that detects an output current of the insulated converter; a first controller that generates the first control signal based on an error between the output current detected by the current sensor and a first threshold value; and a second controller that generates the second control signal based on an error between the output current detected by the current sensor and a second threshold value that is larger than the first threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventor: Nobuo Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 7336059
    Abstract: A system and method for charging and discharging a superconducting coil. The system comprising a boost converter coupled between a low-voltage bus and a high voltage bus, and a buck converter coupled between the high-voltage bus and the coil. The system being configured to charge and discharge the coil without reversing the current while reversing polarity, and to only supply high-voltages when necessary. The system further comprising means to dissipate excess energy during discharge. The method comprising pulse width modulating the solid-state switch of a boost converter to achieve a high-voltage from a low-voltage and then switching solid-state switches of a buck regulator to charge or discharge the coil in a non current reversing, polarity reversing manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Louis Steigerwald, Luis Jose Garces
  • Publication number: 20080036433
    Abstract: This present invention relates to a voltage converting apparatus with auto-adjusting boost-multiple, which includes a microprocessor unit, a boost multiple control unit, a boost unit, and a voltage converting unit. According to the digital signal, the microprocessor unit generates an output voltage information and a converting multiple information. According to the output voltage information, the boost multiple control unit computes the corresponding relation between an output voltage and an input voltage in order to generate the boost multiple information. Based on the boost multiple information, the boost unit can amplify the output voltage to generate an converting operation voltage. The voltage converting unit operates between the converting operation voltage and a fist voltage, and converts a reference voltage into the output voltage according to the converting multiple information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Applicant: NOVATEK MICROELECTRONICS CORP.
    Inventors: Yi-Pin Huang, Feng-Jung Kuo, Jen-Hao Hsueh, Wen-Ping Chou
  • Patent number: 7321223
    Abstract: In a switching power supply apparatus, the change in the voltage VOUT at the OUT terminal is transmitted to a V-I conversion circuit via an error amplification circuit and to an I-V conversion circuit, whereby the output voltage signal VL of the I-V conversion circuit is changed. The peak value of the drain current of a switching device changes since VL is used as the reference voltage of an overcurrent detection circuit. VL is transmitted to an intermittent oscillation control circuit having a hysteresis characteristic, and the switching device is subjected to intermittent oscillation. In the switching power supply apparatus, further reduction in power consumption can be attained during standby, particularly in a no-load condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Hachiya
  • Patent number: 7312972
    Abstract: An actuator driving circuit for driving an electromagnetic actuator, includes a boosting circuit which boosts a source voltage, and a boosted voltage controller which is connected to an output terminal of the boosting circuit, i.e., the downstream of the boosting circuit, to control a boosted voltage generated by the boosting circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuharu Hourai, Kenichi Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 7312652
    Abstract: A voltage regulation process, as well as a voltage regulation system, are discussed. A first voltage present at an input of the voltage regulation system is converted into a second, essentially constant voltage, which can be tapped at an output of the voltage regulation system. The voltage regulation system is provided with an additional device for assessing the efficiency of components connected to the second voltage. If it is determined that the efficiency of the components connected to the second voltage falls below a critical limit indicating the assessed efficiency, the second voltage can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Martin Brox
  • Publication number: 20070290662
    Abstract: A computer system includes a component, a power supply, and a direct current to direct current converter. The power supply provides a first direct current signal to the direct current to direct current converter. The direct current to direct current converter converts the first direct current signal into a second direct current signal, and provides the second direct current signal to the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: CHING-CHUAN LAN
  • Patent number: 7292014
    Abstract: A loading system and a controller thereof are disclosed. The controller includes an adjustable triangle wave generator, an error signal generator, and a pulse signal generator. The triangle-wave generator is adapted to perform an amplitude and frequency operation according to the reference voltage and the feedback voltage for generating an amplitude-frequency adjustable triangle wave according to a variation of the feedback voltage. The error signal generator is adapted to perform an error operation according to the feedback voltage and the reference voltage for outputting an error signal. The pulse signal generator is adapted to receive and compare the error signal and the amplitude-frequency adjustable triangle wave for outputting a pulse controlling signal for the loading system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Beyond Innovation Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Li-Min Lee, Chung-Che Yu
  • Patent number: RE40320
    Abstract: A permanent magnet alternator including a stationary stator including a plurality of spaced stator poles projecting inwardly from the stator, a winding circuit wound through the spaces between the stator poles, a rotor assembly mounted for rotation within the stator, including a plurality of permanent magnets fixedly mounted on an outer circumferential surface of the rotor in alternating polarity, and a retaining shield for reducing the effects of centrifugal motion of the rotor during operation of the alternator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: E-Tech Corporation
    Inventors: Julius J. Stevens, William C. Edmundson, Ronald E. Murray, Craig G. Young