Including Pre Or Post Regulation Patents (Class 323/266)
  • Patent number: 8335090
    Abstract: A solar power supply system includes at least one solar power conversion circuit and an inverter circuit. Each solar power conversion circuit comprises a solar module and a direct current (DC) module. The solar module converts the solar power into the DC signals. The DC module with two-stage conversion comprises a DC transformer circuit and a maximum power point tracking circuit, to boost the DC signals and adjust output power of the solar module to a maximum value. The inverter circuit converts the boosted DC signals output from the solar power conversion circuits into AC signals and combines the AC signals into the AC utility network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Ampower Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei-Chi Huang, Tsung-Liang Hung, Yu-Hsiao Chao, Chi-Hsiung Lee
  • Patent number: 8331113
    Abstract: The invention discloses a control circuit for an AC-DC converter. The control circuit includes a power control circuit for comparing an input current sensing signal generated by sensing an input current of the AC-DC converter and a power level control input and in response thereto generating a frequency modulation control signal, in which the frequency modulation control signal is used to control the output power of the AC-DC converter and suppress harmonics of the input current, and a square wave generator connected to the power control circuit for generating a driving signal used to drive the switch circuit of the AC-DC converter according to the frequency modulation control signal, in which the frequency of the driving signal is varied with the frequency modulation control signal, thereby suppressing harmonics of the input current and regulating the switching frequency the AC-DC converter, and regulating the output power of the AC-DC converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Pak-Chuen Tang, Kwong-Ming Ching, Chung-Hei Poon
  • Patent number: 8331119
    Abstract: Supply circuit (3) for an electric apparatus (1) having a positive supply line (5) and a negative supply line, to which lines a polarity inversion detection module (18), an inrush current module (18) and a capacitive filter element (14) are connected, wherein the capacitive filter element is mounted on a secondary line (15), the ends of which are connected to the positive and negative line, respectively; the circuit comprising a first MOSFET transistor (16) channel N and a second MOSFET transistor (17) channel N mounted in series on the positive line, wherein the first transistor has a gate which is connected to the inrush current detection module and the second transistor has a drain which is connected to the positive line prior to the point of connection between the positive line and the secondary line and a gate which is connected to the polarity inversion detection module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Michel Plaideau, Mickael Tihy
  • Patent number: 8314601
    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: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Kimura, Yasuko Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8305052
    Abstract: A controlled power supply comprising: a) an array of low voltage current sources; b) a plurality of switch power supplies coupled to each of the storage capacitors and respective ones of the pulse loads being coupled to each of the switch power supplies; c) each of the storage capacitors being configured for storing energy during an inactive portion of a load switching cycle of the respective switch power supply to which the corresponding storage capacitor is coupled when the pulse loads are inactive; d) a respective output capacitor in association with each of the switch power supplies for feeding voltage to the respective pulse loads during an active portion of the load switching cycle; and e) the respective storage capacitor being configured for supplying the stored energy via the respective to the respective switch power supply to which the storage capacitor is coupled to each of the pulse loads coupled to switch power supply during an active portion of the load switching cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Elta Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Enrique Batikoff, Robert Zelig
  • Patent number: 8299765
    Abstract: A power supply control device includes a boost type power supply controller boosting an input voltage, a step down power supply controller reducing an output of the boost type power supply controller to output an output voltage, a first control loop including the boost type power supply controller, and a second control loop including the step down power supply controller, wherein the output voltage is controlled by the second control loop during a predetermined period beginning after the power supply control device enters a power-on state, and wherein the output voltage is controlled by the first control loop after the predetermined period passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Takeshi Hirano
  • Patent number: 8289791
    Abstract: Provided is a test method for a memory device including a plurality of storage regions and an SPO recovery unit. The test method stores data in the plurality of storage regions. The test method shuts off supply of power to the memory device and resupplies the power to the memory device. The test method determines an operational state of the SPO recovery unit after the resupplying step based on the stored data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: SeongHwan Moon, Chul-Hoon Byun
  • Patent number: 8278888
    Abstract: A power regulation scheme includes a first voltage regulation portion connected in parallel with a second voltage regulation portion that regulates a voltage if an open condition occurs within the first voltage regulation portion. Each voltage regulation portion may include a first voltage regulator connected in series with a second voltage regulator that regulates the voltage if a short condition occurs within the first voltage regulator. Each voltage regulation portion may utilize a switching element to route an output voltage of the first voltage regulator past the second voltage regulator if the output voltage has been regulated and/or to force the output voltage to be regulated by the second voltage regulator if the output voltage has not been regulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick K. Egan, Jordan R. Keuseman, Michael L. Miller
  • Patent number: 8264210
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to regulate voltage used to power an ASIC comprising an ASIC having a signal source and a modulator. The modulator establishes a characteristic of a signal created by the signal source to indicate a voltage level to be used to power the ASIC. The signal is communicated to a voltage regulator to apply an optimal voltage to the ASIC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mehran Ataee, Udupi Harisharan, Jun Qian, Thomas A. Hamilton, Senthil Somasundaram
  • Patent number: 8253395
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are provided for optimizing a bus voltage supplied to a switching power converter to keep the duty cycle of the switching power converter to within a desirable operating range. In some embodiments, the duty cycle of the switching signal used to drive the switching power converter is monitored (e.g., indirectly) to determine whether the duty cycle is approaching an undesirable level. For example, as the duty cycle decreases (e.g., approaches or crosses a certain threshold), embodiments decrease the bus voltage. This may, in turn, allow the switching power converter to output substantially the same output to the load, while using a more efficient (e.g., larger) duty cycle. Certain embodiments use similar techniques, along with certain bus voltage optimization techniques, to control a bus voltage as a function of feedback from multiple switching power converters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Microsemi Corporation
    Inventors: Pierre Irissou, Etienne Colmet-Daage
  • Patent number: 8248043
    Abstract: A control circuit for a DC-DC converter includes a controller configured to control, based on a feedback voltage, a first switch provided between an inductor and a reference potential and a second switch provided between a coupling node of the first switch and the inductor and an output terminal, a third switch provided between the second switch and the output terminal and turned off when an overcurrent flows in a coupling path between the second switch and the output terminal, and a selector configured to select a voltage of a first position which is located on a side of the second switch in the coupling path as the feedback voltage when the third switch is turned off, or a voltage of a second position which is located on a side of the output terminal in the coupling path as the feedback voltage when the third switch is turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventors: Koichi Inatomi, Naoki Nagase
  • Patent number: 8248044
    Abstract: Embodiments for at least one method and apparatus of controlling a bypass resistance of a voltage regulator are disclosed. One method includes generating a regulated output voltage based upon a switching voltage. The switching voltage is generated through controlled closing and opening of a series switch element and a shunt switch element, the series switch element and the shunt switch element being connected between voltages based on an input voltage. A control of a duty cycle of the switching voltage is provided by sensing and feeding back the regulated output voltage. The bypass resistance is controlled based on a parameter related to the duty cycle, wherein the control of the duty cycle is persistent during the control of the bypass resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: R2 Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. C. Brown, Bret Rothenberg, Lawrence M. Burns
  • Patent number: 8248145
    Abstract: An electronic system includes a low breakdown voltage (LBV) switch internal to an integrated circuit controller to control conductivity of an external, high breakdown voltage (HBV) switch. In at least one embodiment, the internal LBV switch and a cascode configuration of the LBV and HBV switches allow the controller to control the LBV switch and the HBV switch using an internal (“on-chip”) control signal. In at least one embodiment, the LBV switch and the cascode configuration of the HBV switch also allows the controller to control the LBV and HBV switches with more accuracy and less parasitic losses relative to directly controlling the HBV switch. Thus, in at least one embodiment, the low breakdown voltage switch is fabricated as part of an integrated circuit controller, and the high breakdown voltage switch is fabricated separately and located external to the integrated circuit controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Melanson
  • Patent number: 8248050
    Abstract: A biologic and medical multi-channel low voltage micro-electric-field generator including a power supply unit, at least one micro-electric-field generating unit set comprising a step-down unit, a linear regulator unit, and a pulse generating and outputting unit, and a programmable logic control unit. The micro-electric-field generating unit set is connected to an output end of the power supply unit. The step-down unit depresses the voltage of frequency power. The linear regulator unit regulates the output of the step-down unit. The pulse generating and outputting unit turns on/off the output of the linear regulator unit and connects to a network electrode group. The programmable logic control unit controls the characteristics of the output pulse from the pulse generating and outputting unit. The generator is applicable in gene, protein, drug and/or a variety of plasmids delivery to the organs, cells within the tissues of large animal or human.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Suntek Medical Scientific and Technologies (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Luyi Sen
  • Patent number: 8228047
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for performing power conversion operations in a portable device are used to convert an input voltage to a voltage at an output. The conversion operations use a two-stage conversion to convert the input voltage to a first voltage and to convert the first voltage to a second voltage. A switching frequency is altered with changes in the input voltage. The switching frequency is selected based on the input voltage level and/or to maintain a substantially consistent ripple at the output, which can correspond to the first voltage and/or the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Li Li, Ronil D. Patel
  • Patent number: 8218338
    Abstract: A universal input switching power supply has the rectifier, a signal detecting unit detecting a voltage of an external AC power and outputting a detecting signal, a PFC circuit converts a first DC power from the rectifier to a second DC power with different voltage according to the detecting signal; and a parallel and serial type DC to DC converter converting the second DC power with different voltage to a constant voltage of the third DC power. The parallel and serial type DC to DC converter has a transformer having a primary and secondary coils and physically changes a turn ratio of the primary and secondary coils of a transformer thereof according to a voltage ratio of the second DC power and the third DC power. Accordingly, the universal input switching power supply has good transforming efficiency at different AC power source conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Acbel Polytech Inc.
    Inventor: Wei-Liang Lin
  • Publication number: 20120169304
    Abstract: A method combining linear LDO and switching regulators to eliminate complex duty cycle control methods therefore allowing increased switching frequencies for higher performance and less cost, discrete or fully integrated high efficiency regulators. Apparatus making PWM system an open loop digital circuit, while maintaining analog close loop with traditional linear regulator by combining both techniques in a simplified form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventor: Tacettin Isik
  • Patent number: 8207718
    Abstract: An exemplary switching power supply circuit includes a transformer, a switching control circuit, a DC-DC converter, and a signal selecting circuit. The transformer converts a DC voltage into a first DC voltage and a second DC voltage. The switching control circuit controls a current flowing on the transformer for generating the first DC voltage and the second DC voltage. The DC-DC converter converts the first DC voltage or the second DC voltage into a third DC voltage. The signal selecting circuit selects the first DC voltage or the second DC voltage for the DC-DC converter to generate the third DC voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignees: Innocom Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Chimei Innolux Corporation
    Inventors: Li-Jun Zhao, Tong Zhou
  • Patent number: 8207719
    Abstract: A series regulator circuit includes one or more transistors each having a channel with one end coupled to an input node to receive an input voltage and another end coupled to an output node, and having a control node to receive a control voltage, a control circuit configured to adjust the control voltage in response to a voltage of the output node such that the voltage of the output node is set equal to a voltage setting selected by an output voltage setting signal, and a switch circuit configured to change an operating condition, excluding the control voltage, of the one or more transistors in conjunction with a change in the voltage setting of the output node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Tetsuyoshi Shiota
  • Publication number: 20120153907
    Abstract: A circuit converts an input voltage to an output voltage. The circuit includes a first stage voltage converter that receives the input voltage and converts the input voltage. The first stage voltage converter includes a first buck converter having a double rail output: a first rail at a high intermediate voltage and a second rail at a low intermediate voltage. The circuit also includes a second stage voltage converter that receives the output rails and produces the output voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Francesco Carobolante, Aleksandar Prodic
  • Patent number: 8203372
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for regulating a synchronous rectifier DC-to-DC converter by adjusting one or more existing synchronous rectifiers in the converter are provided. By regulating an existing synchronous rectifier, the rectifier may function as a modulator for post regulation over a limited range of output voltages suitable for load regulation, without introducing an additional conversion stage for post regulation, which typically decreases efficiency and power density. Independent post regulation of an existing synchronous rectifier may improve the load regulation, reduce output voltage ripple and improve the transient response of the converter. By operating independently from the main control loop, post regulation may most likely avoid the limitations of the main control loop, such as limited gain bandwidth and a relatively slow transient response. Such post regulation may be added to isolated or non-isolated switched-mode power supplies, such as forward or buck converters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas Paul Arduini
  • Patent number: 8205101
    Abstract: A power supply for providing power to devices in a network is described as incorporating an integral coupling feature that terminates the provision of power from an upstream power supply while maintaining connectivity of communications signals and ground from an upstream portion to a downstream portion of the network relative to the power supply. The power supply includes a logic feature that monitors a power status of an upstream power supply and/or its own power status. When the logic feature detects a power cycle, it initiates a coordinated power cycle of the associated power supply and/or other networked power supplies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Furukawa, Nicholas R. Goebel, Amy L. Stachowiak
  • Publication number: 20120146598
    Abstract: A power converting apparatus includes a power converter, a first resistor, a second resistor, a current controller, a voltage sensor, a sample/holder, and a switch controller. The power converter converts an input voltage into an output voltage. The first resistor is connected to an output of the power converter, and the second resistor is connected to the first resistor. The current controller controls a first current to make the first current that is less than a second current flowing in the first resistor flow in the second resistor, and outputs a third current corresponding to the first current. The voltage sensor senses a first voltage corresponding to the third current. The sample/holder samples the first voltage, and outputs the sampled voltage. The switch controller controls an operation of the power converter based on a voltage output from the sample/holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventor: Younwoong CHUNG
  • Patent number: 8198876
    Abstract: An approach is provided for a power factor compensating method to compensate other electronic devices that use a common power source in order to improve power factor from the perspective of a power company. The other electronic device is a type of a non-linear load, and the method enables a compensator to receive a supply voltage from the power source commonly connected to the traditional electronic devices and disables a load of the compensator for a period. The period corresponds to a range that makes an overall supply current more proportional to the supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Inventors: Richard Landry Gray, Po Ming Tsai
  • Patent number: 8183711
    Abstract: A power extractor suitable for locations proximate to the sink of a signal channel is disclosed. The power extractor can generate power from the signal channel without substantially disturbing a quality of signals within the channel. In one embodiment, the power extraction circuit can include: a current source coupled to a sink side of a signal channel, where the signal channel is independent of any power supply signal, the current source being high impedance to maintain signal quality within the signal channel; a first regulator configured to generate a first regulated supply from a current derived from the signal channel using the current source; and a second regulator coupled to the first regulator, where the second regulator is configured to generate a second regulated supply from the first regulated supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Quellan, Inc.
    Inventors: Georgios Asmanis, Faouzi Chaahoub
  • Patent number: 8179705
    Abstract: A power subsystem is actively optimized to improve total subsystem efficiency in a way that is responsive to changes in load requirements, power supply variations, and subsystem temperature variations. Detailed, multidimensional power loss models are developed for constituent devices which are then combined into a power subsystem containing a controller and circuity for measuring device operating parameters such as input and output voltage, output current, and temperature. Operating parameters are continually monitored, and set points are correspondingly changed based on the detailed power loss models to achieve maximum overall efficiency for the instantaneous operating state of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Power-One, Inc.
    Inventor: Alain Chapuis
  • Publication number: 20120105028
    Abstract: A power supply is described, which comprises a first stage DC-to-DC voltage conversion block, and a second stage voltage conversion block having a feedback circuit to regulate the output voltage (Vout) thereof so as to reduce changes in the output voltage as the output current (Iout) drawn by a load changes. The power supply also includes a capacitor connected between the first and second stage voltage conversion blocks to supply current to the second stage voltage conversion block when the input voltage (Vint) to the second stage voltage conversion block changes due to changes in output current (Iout) of the second stage voltage conversion block. The first stage voltage conversion block comprises a feedback circuit to regulate the output voltage of the first stage voltage conversion block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET L M ERICSSON (PUBL)
    Inventors: Johan Hörman, Per Lindman
  • Patent number: 8154262
    Abstract: A power supply unit for supplying electric current of a supply voltage to a control unit in an electronic control system has switching regulator dropping an input voltage to an intermediate voltage, a first series regulator producing electric current of the supply voltage from the intermediate voltage, and a second series regulator producing electric current of the supply voltage lower than electric current produced in the first series regulator. During the standby mode of the control unit, an FET of the switching regulator is locked to the on state to accumulate electric charge in a capacitor of a smoothing circuit, while an output transistor of the first series regulator is locked to the off state. When a wake-up condition is satisfied in the control unit, the FET starts the switching operation, and the output transistor immediately starts the driving operation while using the charge supplied from the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Kanayama
  • Patent number: 8148945
    Abstract: A device configured to suppress the occurrence of an inrush current is provided at a low cost, where the device includes a power circuit configured to generate a voltage used to drive a load, a capacitor connected to a supply line provided to supply power from the power circuit to the load, the capacitor being configured in such manner to stabilize the potential of the load, a charging/discharging circuit that supplies an amount of power smaller than a predetermined amount of power to the capacitor and that discharges the smaller amount of power from the capacitor, a charging circuit that supplies an amount of power larger than the predetermined amount of power to the capacitor, and a switch circuit configured to make each of the charging/discharging circuit and the charging circuit operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiko Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8135357
    Abstract: A switchable inductor-capacitor-inductor (L-C-L) network, which includes an integrated T/R switch, can advantageously bridge a PA and an LNA of a wireless device. The first inductor can function as an RF choke that provides power to the PA. In one embodiment, the first inductor can be advantageously implemented using the bond wires already attached to the PA, thereby requiring no additional inductors to provide the integrated T/R switch and minimizing use of valuable silicon area. The second inductor can function as a source inductor for and cancel an input parasitic capacitance of the LNA. A set of capacitors can act as blocking capacitors to provide DC isolation between the LNA and the PA, thereby protecting the LNA from high voltages. The L-C-L network can also advantageously function as an impedance matching network for at least one of the PA and the LNA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Qualcomm Atheros, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard T. Chang, David Weber
  • Patent number: 8134350
    Abstract: A device for precharging a voltage converter is provided with a precharging unit, capable of assuming a closed state, as well as with a control unit for the precharging unit, the precharging unit being capable of operating according to a precharging state limiting the value of the precharging current passing through it, the control unit being capable of commanding the operation of the precharging unit according to the precharging state and, once the precharging has been completed, of commanding the precharging unit to change over from the precharging state to the closed state. The assembly has a chopping voltage converter and such a device disposed at the input of the converter. The aircraft is equipped with such a device or with such an assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Olivier Rieux-Lopez, Olivier Goguet
  • Patent number: 8115461
    Abstract: A power supply circuit with low noise and low power consumption and a battery device using the power supply circuit. If a voltage VDD is higher than a prescribed voltage, a charge pump circuit 140A is operated in “½ mode” (a step-down ratio of “2”), steps down the voltage VDD, and outputs an intermediate voltage VCPO. Since the voltage VDD is stepped down, the intermediate voltage VCPO being input into a first LDO 135 is about half the case where no step-down is carried out, and the power being consumed in a MOS transistor Q11 (FIG. 3) of the first LDO 135 is greatly reduced. Therefore, the increase in power consumption of the first LDO 135 due to a voltage increase in the voltage VDD can be suppressed. Also, since the heat sink of the first LDO 135 can be reduced in size or omitted by the suppression of power consumption, the size and weight of the device can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Katsura Yoshio
  • Patent number: 8111054
    Abstract: A voltage conversion device capable of enhancing conversion efficiency includes a charge pump for generating output voltage linear to input voltage according to the input voltage, a feedback unit for generating a feedback signal according to the output voltage generated by the charge pump, and a regulating unit for outputting and adjusting the input voltage according to the feedback signal provided by the feedback unit, so as to keep the output voltage unchanged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: NOVATEK Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Chih-Jen Yen, Tsung-Yin Yu
  • Patent number: 8106638
    Abstract: An exemplary power control circuit (24) includes a scaler circuit (245) configured for outputting a control signal, a voltage converter (27) configured for converting a received voltage into a plurality of desired voltages, a first control unit (28), a second control unit (29), and a coupling circuit (26). The first control unit is configured for controlling whether a first voltage is applied to the voltage converter. The second control unit is configured for controlling whether to transmit a second voltage applied thereto. The coupling circuit is between the first and second control units. The coupling circuit enables the second control unit to function ahead of the voltage converter according to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignees: Innocom Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Chimel Innolux Corporation
    Inventor: Shun-Ming Huang
  • Patent number: 8102162
    Abstract: An integrated circuit controller for controlling the operation of a voltage converter which includes a first comparator for comparing a voltage associated with an input of a boost converter with a threshold voltage and generating a control signal in response thereto. A second comparator compares a second voltage associated with an output of the boost converter with the threshold voltage and generates a second control signal in response thereto. Driver circuitry generates a first switching transistor drive signal and a second switching transistor drive signal. The first switching transistor drive signal is used for driving an upper gate switching transistor of a buck converter. The second switching transistor drive signal may be configured in a first mode of operation to drive a lower gate switching transistor of the buck converter and may be configured in a second mode of operation to drive a switching transistor of the boost converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventors: Zaki Moussaoui, Leigh Cormie, Jun Liu
  • Patent number: 8093831
    Abstract: A boost DC/DC power converter is disclosed that has a low voltage source, an inductor and a switching device that forms a series loop, a diode in series with a capacitor coupled across the switching device, a voltage divider coupled across the capacitor and a pulse width modulator that is coupled to the voltage divider. The boost converter includes a first push controller coupled across the switching device to provide a first push voltage of sufficient magnitude to turn the switching device on where the low voltage source by itself is not capable of generating a voltage of sufficient magnitude to operate the switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventor: Qi Deng
  • Patent number: 8093879
    Abstract: A semiconductor circuit (10a) comprises a first terminal section (17) to be connected to a connection point of two external resistors; a second terminal section (18) to be connected to an external circuit; a voltage circuit section having a first terminal connected to the second terminal section (18); a reference voltage circuit section (102) which outputs a predetermined voltage; an operational amplifier (104) having a first input terminal connected to the reference voltage circuit section (102), a second input terminal connected to the first terminal section (17), and an output terminal connected to a second terminal of the voltage circuit section; an abnormality detecting circuit which detects an abnormal voltage of the first terminal section (17); a normal signal generating unit (130) which generates a normal signal; and a switching circuit which, when the abnormality detecting circuit detects the abnormal voltage, does not output a voltage based on the first terminal section (17) to the second terminal s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., Sanyo Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuji Yamamoto, Nobuyuki Ohtaka
  • Publication number: 20120001602
    Abstract: A power regulation scheme includes a first voltage regulation portion connected in parallel with a second voltage regulation portion that regulates a voltage if an open condition occurs within the first voltage regulation portion. Each voltage regulation portion may include a first voltage regulator connected in series with a second voltage regulator that regulates the voltage if a short condition occurs within the first voltage regulator. Each voltage regulation portion may utilize a switching element to route an output voltage of the first voltage regulator past the second voltage regulator if the output voltage has been regulated and/or to force the output voltage to be regulated by the second voltage regulator if the output voltage has not been regulated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick K. Egan, Jordan R. Keuseman, Michael L. Miller
  • Patent number: 8085028
    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: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Kimura, Yasuko Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8085012
    Abstract: In a sensor driving/measuring system, specifications required by a sensor which requires a high applied voltage are implemented with const increase suppressed. A semiconductor integrated circuit for use in a sensor driving/measuring system driven by a battery includes: a sensor driver for outputting a given voltage to be applied to a sensor; a measuring circuit for receiving and measuring a voltage obtained, through current-voltage conversion, from a current generated in the sensor; and a booster. The booster boosts a given pre-boost voltage to obtain a boosted voltage and supplies the boosted voltage as a power supply voltage to the sensor driver and the measuring circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsutoshi Fujita
  • Patent number: 8084823
    Abstract: A FET device for synchronous rectification of the present invention, a FET having no body diode, the characteristics have gate minimization threshold voltage equal or over load voltage, can be achieve FET turn on, and gate minimization threshold voltage under load voltage, can be achieve FET turn off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Inventor: Chao-Cheng Lu
  • Patent number: 8072784
    Abstract: An exemplary electronic device includes a controller, a first convertor, a second convertor, and a switching unit. The first convertor is configured for receiving a first voltage from an external power supply and converting the first voltage into a second voltage. The controller is coupled to the first convertor for generating a start signal when receiving the second voltage. The second convertor is connected to the controller for receiving the first voltage, converting the first voltage into a third voltage to power an operating unit of the electronic device, and converting the first voltage into a fourth voltage to power the controller when receiving the start signal. The switching unit is coupled to the controller and the first convertor for disabling the first convertor when the controller receives the fourth voltage. A related power supply unit is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Lung Hung, Tao Wang, Wen-Ming Chen, Wang-Chang Duan, Qiang Huang, Shi-Ming Zhang
  • Patent number: 8072195
    Abstract: A voltage converter connectable to a power source (PS) and a load (LD) provides a regulated output voltage (Vout) from a voltage (Vin) power source by switchable current paths including an inductive element (L). The voltage converter includes a plurality of switching elements for switching the current paths of the voltage converter as a forward-phase current path when the input voltage corresponds to the output voltage, as an up-phase current path when the input voltage is lower than the output voltage, and as a down-phase current path when the input voltage is higher than the output voltage. A central controller controls a switching state of the plurality of switching elements, a current sensing unit including a comparator for sensing a current flowing through at least one of the switching elements, and a plurality of processing units for processing the current sensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: ST-Ericsson SA
    Inventors: Dennis Aan De Stegge, Hermanus Johannes Effing, Henricus Cornelis Johannes Buthker
  • Patent number: 8072196
    Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for providing a dynamically configured low drop out regulator that has zero quiescent current and a fast transient response. A power supply control circuit is provided that comprises a switcher circuit and a low drop out regulator and a control signal circuit. When the output voltage of the low drop out regulator is in a steady state condition the control signal circuit generates control signals that turn off the operation of the low drop out regulator to provide zero quiescent current. When the output voltage is not in a steady state condition the control signal circuit generates control signals that turn on the operation of the low drop out regulator to provide a fast transient response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Yushan Li
  • Patent number: 8063619
    Abstract: Power is supplied to an information handling system chipset with a single voltage regulator having dual phases. A first phase of the voltage regulator provides power to a low power state power rail in an independent mode to support a low power state, such as a suspend or hibernate state. A second phase of the voltage regulator provides power to a run power state power rail in combination with the first phase by activation of a switch, such as a MOSFET load switch, that connects the low power state power rail and the run power state power rail. Voltage sensed from both power rails is applied to control voltage output so that the run power state power rail is maintained within more precise constraints than the low power state power rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Guangyong Zhu, Merle J. Wood, Joseph A. Clegg
  • Patent number: 8054053
    Abstract: When power is turned on and in a state in which a power supply voltage is not supplied from the switching power supply to the second clock generating section, the first clock generating section generates a first clock signal with a frequency that is preset in the first clock generating section, without using a third clock signal from the frequency dividing section, to cause the first switching section to operate. By the first switching section operating, a power supply voltage is supplied from the switching power supply to the second clock generating section. After the second clock generating section has started to operate, a third clock signal (a clock signal obtained by dividing the frequency of a second clock signal generated by the second clock generating section) is supplied from the frequency dividing section to the first clock generating section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Onkyo Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiko Katayama
  • Patent number: 8050062
    Abstract: A system for supplying AC power from a DC power source, such as a photovoltaic array is disclosed. The system includes a converter and an inverter coupled by a DC link. Control methods and systems are provided to maintain the DC source voltage and the DC link voltage below the open-circuit voltage of the DC power source. During steady state conditions, the DC source voltage and the DC link voltage are maintained below the open-circuit voltage of the DC power source by controlling the output of the inverter. The DC link voltage is temporarily adjusted to allow for higher DC link transients when the DC power source is first coupled or re-coupled to the system. During conditions when the inverter is decoupled from the system, the converter is controlled to maintain the DC link voltage below the open-circuit voltage of the DC power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, David Smith, Anthony William Galbraith
  • Patent number: 8040115
    Abstract: A power regulation circuit includes at least a first regulator connected to a second regulator in series forming a first regulator pair and a third regulator connected to a fourth regulator in series forming a second regulator pair. The first regulator pair is connected in parallel with the second regulator pair. Each individual regulator is configured to separately regulate an input voltage to a predetermined regulated output voltage. The second regulator pair regulates the input voltage if a short condition occurs within the first regulator pair and the second and fourth regulators each regulate the input voltage if an open condition occurs within the first or third regulator respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick K Egan, Jordan R Keuseman, Michael L Miller
  • Publication number: 20110248690
    Abstract: An electrical circuit includes a rectifier having an input for receiving an alternating current (AC) voltage and an output for supplying a first direct current (DC) voltage. The circuit also includes a first regulator having an input electrically connected to the rectifier for receiving the first DC voltage and an output for supplying a second DC voltage. The circuit further includes a second regulator having an input electrically connected to the output of the first regulator for receiving the second DC voltage and an output for providing a third DC voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: MAXITROL COMPANY
    Inventor: Frank Mimick
  • Patent number: 8035367
    Abstract: A voltage control method includes producing an error signal based on a difference between a reference signal and an adaptor voltage and an adaptor current corresponding to the adaptor voltage, regulating, based on the error signal, the adaptor voltage, comparing a reference voltage to a voltage proportional to a potential corresponding to an identifying voltage corresponding to the adaptor voltage, detecting, based on the comparison result, whether or not a couplable external power source is suitable, and setting based, on the detection result, a potential corresponding to the identifying voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventors: Mayo Kitano, Masatoshi Kokubun, Takashi Matsumoto