Switched (e.g., On-off Control) Patents (Class 323/271)
  • Patent number: 11444539
    Abstract: A switching regulator including a first converting stage and a second converting stage may be provided. The first converting stage may include a first output capacitor connected between a first output node and ground, the first converting stage configured to receive a first input voltage and provide an output voltage by adjusting a level of the output voltage based on a first dynamic voltage scaling (DVS) rate relating to a first load condition of a processing circuit. The second converting stage may include a second output capacitor connected between a second output node and the ground, the second converting stage configured to receive a second input voltage and provide the output voltage by adjusting the level of the output voltage based on a second DVS rate relating to a second load condition of the processing circuit, which is heavier than the first load condition of the processing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Nomiyama, Ik-hwan Kim, Ji-seon Paek
  • Patent number: 11444533
    Abstract: A power stage includes a power converter having high- and low-side switches, a driver circuit that drives the switching power converter based upon a PWM signal, and a current sensing circuit that detects a low-side current level on the low-side switch, and provides a current level signal that includes the low-side current level. The power stage turns on the low-side switch at a first time, and estimates a first low-side current level at the first time. In estimating the first low-side current level, the power stage detects a second low-side current level at a second time while the low-side switch is turned on, the second time being after the first time, and detects a third low-side current level at a third time while the low-side switch is turned on, wherein the third time is after the second time. The first low-side current level is estimated based upon the second and third low-side current levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Feng-Yu Wu, Guangyong Zhu, Shiguo Luo
  • Patent number: 11431250
    Abstract: A voltage regulator having a multi-level, multi-phase architecture is disclosed. The circuit includes a two-level buck converter and an N-level buck converter each coupled to an output node, wherein N is an integer value of three or more. During operation, the two-level buck converter provides one of two possible voltages to a first inductor. The N-level buck converter provides, during operation, one of N voltages to a second inductor. The first and second inductors each convert respectively received voltages to currents, which are provided to a common output node. A control circuit controls the activation of transistors in each of the two-level and N-level buck converters in such a manner as to cause the voltage on the output node to be maintained at a desired level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Jay B. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 11431243
    Abstract: A system may include a pre-charge stage and a voltage converter. The pre-charge stage may include a controller circuit configured to generate a control voltage and a current regulator electrically coupled to the controller circuit and configured to generate a first voltage, a second voltage, and a third voltage. The voltage converter may include a capacitor, a hold capacitor, and switches. The capacitor may include a first plate and a voltage on the first plate may be equal to the first voltage. The capacitor may include a second plate and a voltage on the second plate may be equal to the second voltage. The hold capacitor may include a plate and a voltage on the plate may be equal to the third voltage. The current regulator may be configured to regulate a current on the switches during accumulation of an initial charge on the capacitor and the hold capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Smart Prong Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall Sandusky, Neaz Farooqi
  • Patent number: 11424717
    Abstract: A closed-loop switch-mode boost converter includes a switching signal generator circuit, a switch-mode boost amplifier, a filter circuit, and an error amplifier circuit. The switching signal generator circuit receives an input signal and outputs a switching signal. A duty-cycle of the switching signal has a first non-linear relationship to an amplitude of the input signal. The switch-mode boost amplifier receives the switching signal and produces an output signal. An amplitude of the output signal has a second non-linear relationship to the duty-cycle of the switching signal, and the output signal has a linear relationship to the input signal based on the first and second non-linear relationships. The filter circuit receives the output signal and outputs a filtered output signal. The error amplifier circuit receives the input signal and the filtered output signal and produces a feedback control signal. The filtered output signal is adjusted based on the feedback control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Silanna Asia Pte Ltd
    Inventors: Steven E. Rosenbaum, Stuart B. Molin
  • Patent number: 11418113
    Abstract: An inductor current emulator circuit includes a ramp signal generation circuit and an emulator control circuit. The inductor emulator circuit generates a ramp signal for emulating an inductor current flowing through an inductor of a power stage circuit. The ramp signal generation circuit generates the ramp signal according to a first signal and a second signal. A current sense signal is related a high side switch current flowing through the high side switch or a low side switch current flowing through the low side switch. The emulator control circuit obtains a first difference integration value and a second difference integration value of differences between the current sense signal and the ramp signal during a first duration and a second duration, respectively, to generate the first signal and the second signal, respectively. Center time points of the first duration and the second duration are different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: RICHTEK TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hsuan-Ju Chen
  • Patent number: 11411491
    Abstract: Voltage dividing circuitry is provided for use in a voltage converter for converting at least one input Direct Current, DC voltage to a plurality of output DC voltages. The voltage dividing circuitry including a voltage input port to receive an input DC voltage and an inductor having an input-side switch node and an output-side switch node. The output side switch node is connectable to one of a plurality of voltage output ports to supply a converted value of the input DC voltage as an output DC voltage. The flying capacitor interface has a plurality of switching elements and at least one flying capacitor, the flying capacitor interface to divide the input DC voltage to provide a predetermined fixed ratio of the input DC voltage at the input-side switch node of the inductor. A voltage converter and a power management integrated circuit having the voltage dividing circuitry are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Vivek De, Krishnan Ravichandran, Harish Krishnamurthy, Khondker Ahmed, Sriram Vangal, Vaibhav Vaidya, Turbo Majumder, Christopher Schaef, Suhwan Kim, Xiaosen Liu, Nachiket Desai
  • Patent number: 11398174
    Abstract: An electromagnetic interference suppression circuit, a driving method thereof, and an electronic apparatus are provided. In the electromagnetic interference suppression circuit, a signal generating sub-circuit may generate a plurality of parallel target sequence signals, each with a period greater than a period threshold and a quantity of target sequence signals greater than a quantity threshold; and a frequency generating sub-circuit may output a frequency-jittered drive signal, for driving a switch mode power supply to operate, to the switch mode power supply under the control of the plurality of parallel target sequence signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignees: BOE Technology Group Co., LTD, Hefei Xinsheng Optoelectronics Technology Co., LTD
    Inventors: Xiaoshi Liu, Jianjun Wang, Zejun Chen, Rui Wang
  • Patent number: 11395388
    Abstract: There is presented a current driver and a corresponding method for driving a current-controlled component such as a semiconductor light source with a driving current. The current driver includes a current regulator for regulating the driving current, a power circuit, and an input stage. The input stage receives a first signal and a second signal and is operable in two phases. In the first phase, the first signal is used to power the power circuit, and in the second phase, the second signal is used to power the power circuit. The current driver may be implemented in an array of cells in which each cell includes a current driver coupled to a current controlled component. The array of cells may be a part of a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Ze Han, Nailong Wang, Zhenyu Song
  • Patent number: 11387179
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) package includes a substrate having a first region and a second region. The substrate includes a conductive path between the first region and the second region. The IC package also includes a lead frame having a first member and a second member that are spaced apart. The IC package further includes a half-bridge power module. The half-bridge power module includes a capacitor having a first node coupled to the first member of the lead frame and a second node coupled to the second member of the lead frame. The half-bridge power module also includes a high side die having a high side field effect transistor (FET) embedded therein and a low side die having a low side FET embedded therein. A source of the high side FET is coupled to a drain of the low side FET through the conductive path of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Makoto Shibuya, Kengo Aoya, Woochan Kim, Vivek Kishorechand Arora
  • Patent number: 11381173
    Abstract: A switching regulator which has load transient quick response ability includes at least one power stage circuit and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal generation circuit and a quick response (QR) signal generation circuit. The PWM signal generation circuit generates a PWM signal according to an output voltage and a QR signal, to control a power switch of the corresponding power stage circuit, thus converting an input voltage to the output voltage. The QR signal generation circuit includes a differentiator circuit and a comparison circuit. The differentiator circuit performs a differential operation on a voltage sensing signal related to the output voltage, to generate a differential signal. The comparison circuit compares the differential signal with a QR threshold signal, such that when the differential signal exceeds the QR signal, the PWM signal generation circuit performs a QR procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: RICHTEK TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yung-Jen Chen, Yu-Chieh Lin, Chia-Chi Liu, Fu-To Lin
  • Patent number: 11381166
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a switch power supply circuit, which includes a step-down transistor, a control module, a first switch transistor, a second switch transistor, a third switch transistor, and a power switch transistor. In the switch power supply circuit of the present disclosure, the first terminal of the second switch transistor is directly coupled with the input voltage, and the second switch transistor can directly obtain sufficient driving current from the input voltage to drive the power switch transistor. The present application can ensure the reliability and efficiency of the system without an additional energy storage capacitor, which reduces the costs of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: CRM ICBG (WUXI) CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Jin Li, Yong You
  • Patent number: 11360126
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a current detecting circuit includes: a normally-ON type first switching element that includes a drain, a source, and a gate; a normally-OFF type second switching element including a drain that is connected to the source of the first switching element, a source that is connected to the gate of the first switching element, and a gate; and a differential amplification circuit that outputs a voltage according to a voltage between the drain and the source of the second switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA ELECTRONIC DEVICES & STORAGE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideaki Majima
  • Patent number: 11342846
    Abstract: A controller includes a comparator having an inverting input coupled to a voltage converter output, a non-inverting input coupled to a voltage source, and an output. The controller includes a timer having a start input coupled to the converter that indicates that current through a converter inductor is less than a threshold; a stop input coupled to the comparator output; and an output having a digital value corresponding to the time between receiving asserted signals at start input and at stop input. The controller includes a time comparator having a first input coupled to the timer output and a second input to receive a time value. The time comparator asserts one of its outputs based on the digital and time values. The controller includes an accumulator coupled to the time comparator outputs, the accumulator configured to maintain, increase, or decrease an output value based on the asserted time comparator output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Johann Erich Bayer, RĂ¼diger Ganz, Ivan Shumkov
  • Patent number: 11329564
    Abstract: A control system for a battery system is provided. The control system includes: an N-phase DC-DC converter including N single phase DC-DC converters (wherein N is a whole number greater than one); a first microcontroller configured to control a first fraction of the N single phase DC-DC converters; and a second microcontroller configured to control a second fraction of the N single phase DC-DC converters. The first and second microcontrollers are connected to each other via a data line. In a first operation mode, control operations of the first microcontroller and the second microcontroller are synchronized via the data line to commonly control the N single phase DC-DC converters, and in a second operation mode, the first microcontroller and the second microcontroller independently control the first fraction and the second fraction, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mandic Renato, Maximilian Hofer
  • Patent number: 11329563
    Abstract: A buck-boost converter working in a buck mode with buck switching cycles, a boost mode with boost switching cycles or a buck-boost mode with buck-boost switching cycles. Each of the buck-boost switching cycles has an AC phase, an AD phase and a BD Phase, and the duty cycle of the AC phase is determined by a reference signal, a feedback signal and an inductor current sense signal, the duty cycle of the AD phase is controlled and maintained at a preset duty threshold, the time period of the buck-boost switching cycle equals the time period of the buck switching cycle and the time period of the boost switching cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Chengdu Monolithic Power Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Changjiang Chen
  • Patent number: 11323110
    Abstract: A duty timing detector includes a saw-tooth voltage generator that outputs a saw-tooth voltage in synchronization with a toggle signal repeatedly transitioning between a high level and a low level. A sample block obtains a level of the saw-tooth voltage in synchronization with the toggle signal and outputs the obtained level as a first sample voltage. A hold block stores the first sample voltage in synchronization with the toggle signal and outputs the stored first sample voltage as a second sample voltage. A voltage divider divides the second sample voltage to output a division voltage. A comparator compares the saw-tooth voltage and the division voltage to detect a target timing in each duty of the toggle signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hyunseok Nam
  • Patent number: 11303275
    Abstract: A system may include a power source. The power source supplies a first voltage. The system may also include a voltage regulator that receives the first voltage and supply a second voltage. Additionally, the system may include a microcontroller that receives the second voltage and output the second voltage via an output pin. Further, the system may include a switching element that receives the second voltage from the output pin of the controller at a first terminal and receives the first voltage from the power supply at a second terminal. The switching element selectively charges a first capacitor based on a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Messersmith, William T. Glaser, Michael J. Lemberger
  • Patent number: 11296690
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an input-voltage control circuit outputs an input voltage when a control signal is in an enabled state. A backflow prevention circuit includes a first transistor and a first body diode. The first transistor turns on to output the input voltage to the input-voltage control circuit when the control signal is in the enabled state. The first body diode is formed in the first transistor and having an anode connected to the first terminal of the first transistor and a cathode connected to a second terminal of the first transistor. The booster circuit receives the input voltage outputted from the input-voltage control circuit and boosts the input voltage to generates a boosted voltage. The boosted voltage is outputted from the driver circuit and supplied to the control terminal of an external output transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA ELECTRONIC DEVICES & STORAGE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hibiki Otsu, Shuji Toda
  • Patent number: 11294411
    Abstract: A power stage controller includes: a multi-phase pulse control circuit; a current sense circuit; a comparator; an error amplifier; and a mode controller. The mode controller includes a mode controller input and a summation circuit. The summation circuit has a first summation circuit input, a second summation circuit input and a summation circuit output, the first summation circuit input is coupled to the error amplifier output, and the summation circuit output is coupled to the first comparator input. The mode controller is configured to: select one of a main controller mode or a secondary controller mode responsive to a mode control voltage at the mode controller input; bypass the summation circuit responsive to selection of the main controller mode; and enable the summation circuit responsive to selection of the secondary controller mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Rohit Narula, Muthusubramanian Venkateswaran, Preetam Charan Anand Tadeparthy
  • Patent number: 11290090
    Abstract: A power transistor is switched on and off with an on-time that is held constant and an off-time that is varied. When the off-time is detected to be less than a threshold value that is greater than a minimum off-time limit, the on-time is extended. Then the power transistor is switched on and off with the extended on-time that is held constant and the off-time that varies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Silanna Asia Pte Ltd
    Inventors: Robert Eric Fesler, William E. Rader, III, Yashovardhan R. Potlapalli
  • Patent number: 11290013
    Abstract: An integrated circuit apparatus includes a first regulator circuit configured to generate a first regulated voltage; a second regulator circuit configured to generate a second regulated voltage; and a control circuit configured to perform selection with respect to the first regulator circuit and the second regulator circuit such that one regulator circuit among the first regulator circuit and the second regulator circuit is in an on-state and another regulator circuit is in an off-state. The control circuit is configured to: cause the second regulator circuit to be in the on-state upon detecting that a load current is greater than or equal to a predetermined load current; and cause the first regulator circuit to be in the on-state upon detecting that the load current is less than the predetermined load current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: MINEBEA MITSUMI Inc.
    Inventor: Kosuke Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11285819
    Abstract: A current mode control type switching power supply device includes a first switch having a first terminal connected to a first application terminal to which an input voltage is applied, and a second switch having a first terminal connected to a second terminal of the first switch and a second terminal connected to a second application terminal to which a predetermined voltage lower than the input voltage is applied. A current sensor is configured to sense current flowing in the second switch. A controller configured to control the first switch and the second switch, wherein the controller is configured to control the first switch and the second switch independently of a difference between the input voltage and an output voltage and in addition in accordance with the current sensed by the current sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuhei Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 11276681
    Abstract: A modular concept for Silicon Carbide power devices is disclosed where a low voltage module (LVM) is designed separately from a high voltage module (HVM). The LVM having a repeating structure in at least a first direction, the repeating structure repeats with a regular distance in at least the first direction, the HVM comprising a buried grid with a repeating structure in at least a second direction, the repeating structure repeats with a regular distance in at least the second direction, along any possible defined direction. Advantages include faster easier design and manufacture at a lower cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: II-VI DELAWARE, INC.
    Inventors: Adolf Schöner, Nicolas Thierry-Jebali, Christian Vieider, Sergey Reshanov, Hossein Elahipanah, Wlodzimierz Kaplan
  • Patent number: 11271384
    Abstract: Load control interlocks are disclosed and described. The interlocks provide for coupling a power circuit to one or more load circuits once the one or more load circuits and the power circuit are both coupled to the interlock, and disconnects the power circuit from the one or more load circuits if the one or more load circuits or the power circuit are uncoupled form the interlock or an electrical connection between the power circuit and the one or more load circuits is broken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Western Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Kralik, Brandon McLellan
  • Patent number: 11271482
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter and a DC-DC converter operation method are provided. The DC-DC converter includes a power stage, an error amplifier, a pulse width modulation (PWM) generator, and a gate controller. The power stage includes a first transistor and a second transistor. The voltage dividers are configured to perform a voltage division on a first node of the power stage and a second node to generate a first voltage and a second voltage. The first node is an output node of the DC-DC converter and the second node is a node between the first transistor and the second transistor of the DC-DC converter. The comparator is configured to compare the first voltage and the second voltage to generate a turn-on time signal of the first transistor according to a comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Chun Chang, Alan Roth, Eric Soenen, Ying-Chih Hsu
  • Patent number: 11239754
    Abstract: A bidirectional power converter includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a main reactor, a plurality of sub-circuits and a controller. The sub-circuits each include an upper switching element, a lower switching element, two diodes, and a sub-reactor. The controller sequentially controls the sub-circuits such that: the lower switching element is turned on and turned off and then the upper switching element is turned on and turned off in each of the sub-circuits, while a current is flowing from the first terminal toward the second terminal; and the upper switching element is turned on and turned off and then, the lower switching element is turned on and turned off in each of the sub-circuits, while the current is flowing from the second terminal toward the first terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hyoungjun Na, Ken Toshiyuki
  • Patent number: 11228247
    Abstract: A parallel power supply device according to the present invention includes: a plurality of DC/DC converters connected in parallel to perform power conversion between a DC power supply and a common load; a voltage detector to detect a voltage of the common load; and a plurality of control circuits each to control a corresponding one of the plurality of DC/DC converters, wherein during parallel operation of the plurality of DC/DC converters, the plurality of control circuits control the plurality of DC/DC converters by proportional control using a same target voltage value and a same proportional gain, based on a voltage value of the common load detected by the voltage detector. Therefore, in the parallel power supply device in which the plurality of DC/DC converters are connected in parallel, the individual DC/DC converters can supply electric power to the load independently and equally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusuke Higaki, Hidehito Yoshida, Yu Kawai, Takahiro Kato
  • Patent number: 11223281
    Abstract: The present disclosure, in an aspect thereof, has an object to effectively reduce transient current in a rectifier circuit. In a rectifier circuit, a current flows from a power supply to a coil when a transistor is turned on. Then, when the transistor is turned off, a second rectifier current flows from the coil to a second rectifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takeshi Shiomi
  • Patent number: 11215664
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an integrated circuit that includes an in-circuit power switch coupled to a power supply node, a functional circuit coupled between the in-circuit power switch and a ground node, a test circuit, and a test power switch coupled to the test circuit, wherein the test power switch is a replica of the in-circuit power switch. The test circuit is configured to determine characteristics of the test power switch, and to measure a voltage difference across the in-circuit power switch. The test circuit is also configured to use the characteristics of the test power switch and the voltage difference to determine a power consumption of the functional circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ke Yun, Weibiao Zhang, Bruno W. Garlepp, Gin S. Yee
  • Patent number: 11211865
    Abstract: A series capacitor buck converter includes a first half-bridge circuit including a first high side power switch (HSA) and first low side power switch (LSA) connected in series having a first switching node (SWA) therebetween which drives a first output inductor, a second half-bridge circuit including a second HS power switch (HSB) and second LS power switch (LSB) connected in series having a second switching node (SWB) therebetween which drives a second output inductor. A transfer capacitor (Ct) is connected in series with HSA and LSA and between the first and second half-bridge circuits. A first current source is coupled for precharging Ct with a charging current (I_in) and a second current source is coupled to Ct for providing an output current (I_out). A feedback network providing negative feedback forces I_out to match I_in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Joseph Maurice Khayat, Sergio Carlo-Rodriquez, Michael G. Amaro, Ramanathan Ramani, Pradeep S. Shenoy
  • Patent number: 11205379
    Abstract: Provided are a pixel circuit and a drive method thereof, a display substrate, and a display device. The pixel circuit includes a current source sub-circuit and a voltage divider sub-circuit. The current source sub-circuit is configured to update a stored drive voltage based on a voltage at the data signal terminal when the gate signal terminal receives a gate drive signal, and output a drive current based on the stored drive voltage when the switch signal terminal receives a light-emitting control signal, a current value of the drive current being positively correlated to a voltage value of the drive voltage. The voltage divider sub-circuit is configured to regulate an equivalent resistance value of the voltage divider sub-circuit in an output path of the drive current based on a signal received by the voltage division control signal terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shengji Yang, Xue Dong, Xiaochuan Chen, Hui Wang, Pengcheng Lu
  • Patent number: 11183860
    Abstract: System and method for discharging a capacitor. An example system includes a signal detector and a discharge control component. The signal detector is configured to receive an input signal and generate a detection signal based on at least information associated with the input signal, the input signal being associated with an alternate current signal received by a capacitor including a first capacitor terminal and a second capacitor terminal. The discharge control component configured to receive at least the detection signal and generate an output signal to discharge the capacitor if the detection signal satisfies one or more conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: On-Bright Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Miao Li, Lieyi Fang
  • Patent number: 11177737
    Abstract: In a described example, a circuit includes a mode control circuit having an input and a mode control output. The mode control output is adapted to be coupled to a mode input of a DC-to-DC power converter. The mode control circuit is configured to provide a mode control signal at the mode control output. The mode control signal has a frequency and a duty cycle for causing the power converter to operate within an inaudible frequency range by transitioning the power converter between a power save mode and a pulse width modulation (PWM) mode. The mode control circuit is configured to control the duty cycle responsive to the input of the mode control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Brigitte Hauke, Milos Acanski, Christian Schmoeller
  • Patent number: 11172556
    Abstract: A light emitting element drive device generates a single output current while switching a target current value for each of a plurality of light emitting elements, and supplies the single output current to the plurality of light emitting elements in a time division manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Aoki, Ryo Takagi, Masaaki Nakayama
  • Patent number: 11146186
    Abstract: The invention concerns a circuit for recuperating electrical energy from a mechanical resonator (402) comprising: a voltage inversion circuit (408) configured to invert the voltage across a capacitance (Cp) of the mechanical resonator, the voltage inversion circuit comprising: a capacitor (Cint); and a charge transfer circuit configured: to discharge a voltage of a first polarity held by the capacitance of the mechanical resonator to said capacitor during a first period; and to charge a voltage, of opposite polarity to the first polarity, to the capacitance of the mechanical resonator during a second period using the voltage potential stored by said capacitor during the first period; wherein the charge transfer circuit comprises an inductance and at least one switch controllable to limit the current passing through the inductance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT À L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Adrien Morel, Gaël Pillonnet, Yohan Wanderoild
  • Patent number: 11128224
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed for adaptive synchronous rectifier control. An example apparatus includes an adaptive off-time control circuit to determine a first voltage and a second voltage when a drain voltage of a switch satisfies a voltage threshold, the first voltage based on a first off-time of the switch, the second voltage based on the first off-time and a first scaling factor, determine a third voltage based on a second scaling factor and a second off-time of the switch, the second off-time after the first off-time, and determine a third off-time of the switch based on at least one of the second voltage or the third voltage. The example apparatus further includes a driver to turn off the switch for at least the third off-time after the second off-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Bharath Balaji Kannan, Bing Lu
  • Patent number: 11099624
    Abstract: A sensor device includes an image sensing array, a frame buffer, a first read line, a second read line and an energy accumulator. The image sensing array is configured to sense reflected light from a working surface and includes a plurality of sensing pixels and a plurality of self-powered pixels. The sensing pixels respectively output image data according to the sensed reflected light. The self-powered pixels respectively output photocurrent according to the sensed reflected light. The first read line is coupled between the sensing pixels and the frame buffer. The second read line is coupled between the self-powered pixels and the frame buffer. The energy accumulator stores electrical energy of the photocurrent via a charge path between the self-powered pixels and the energy accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventor: Guo-Zhen Wang
  • Patent number: 11101734
    Abstract: A multi-level buck converter includes an input power source, an input capacitor, first to fourth switches, a clamp capacitor, an output inductor, a clamp switch, a clamp diode, an output capacitor, an output load, a current detection circuit, a voltage detection circuit and a control circuit. The current detection circuit detects whether an inductor current of the output inductor exceeds a predetermined current value, and if so, the output clamp signal controls the clamp switch to be turned on. The voltage detection circuit generates a duty cycle control signal according to an error between an output voltage and a target output voltage. The control circuit controls the first to the fourth switches to sequentially enter a first mode, a second mode, a third mode, and a fourth mode in a first part of a duty cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Jing-Yuan Lin, Jun-Ru Wang, Pin-Hsien Liu, Huang-Jen Chiu
  • Patent number: 11095225
    Abstract: A control method for a power supply apparatus is provided. Firstly, at least one of an output voltage or an output current of the resonant converter is sampled. Then, an error signal is generated according to a reference value and at least one of the output voltage or the output current. While the resonant converter is in a burst mode, a first switching signal and a chopping signal are generated according to the error signal. The chopping signal has a chopping period and a duty cycle. The chopping period and the duty cycle are dynamically adjusted according to the error signal. Then, a second switching signal is generated according to the chopping signal and the first switching signal. A switch unit of the resonant converter is turned on or turned off according to the second switching signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Kailiang Zhan, Xiaobing Rong, Xinwei Liu
  • Patent number: 11095214
    Abstract: A startup circuit initializes a voltage of a capacitor of a switch-capacitor regulator. The startup circuit includes a voltage forming circuit and a control unit. The voltage forming circuit selectively electrically connected to the top and the bottom of the capacitor. In a first operation phase, the voltage forming circuit is electrically connected to the top and bottom of the capacitor, and the top and bottom of the capacitor are connected to each other, and the voltages of the top and bottom are set as a preset high voltage. In a second operation phase, the voltage forming circuit disconnects the top and the bottom, and generates current flowing out from the bottom of the capacitor until the voltage cross the capacitor is equal to the preset initial voltage. In the third operation phase, the startup circuit is disconnected from the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: NUVOTON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yeh-Tai Hung, Chung Ming Hsieh, Chung-He Li
  • Patent number: 11088620
    Abstract: A multi-level switching power converter includes a string of N upper transistors and a string of N lower transistors, where N is an integer greater than one. The N upper transistors are electrically coupled in series between a first power node and a switching node, and the N lower transistors are electrically coupled in series between the switching node and a reference node. The multi-level switching power converter further includes N?1 flying capacitors, an inductor, a bypass transistor, and a controller. The bypass transistor is electrically coupled between the switching node and the reference node. The controller is configured to (a) control switching of the N upper transistors and the N lower transistors and (b) cause the bypass transistor to operate in its on state in response to all of the N lower transistors operating in their respective on states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: MAXIM INTEGRATED PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Cory B. Arnold, Ilija Jergovic
  • Patent number: 11082038
    Abstract: In one aspect, a circuit includes a gate driver having a first input connected to a first node and a second input connected to a second node; an epi diode connected to the first node; a switch connected to the first node; a capacitor having a top plate connected to the switch and a bottom plate connected to the second node; and a first clamp connected the first node and to the second node. The switch being open isolates the first node from negative transient effects from the top plate of the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Ross, James McIntosh, Gianluca Allegrini
  • Patent number: 11073853
    Abstract: A power supply includes a voltage regulator, a transistor, a current-to-voltage transform circuit, and a comparator. The voltage regulator receives a control signal, a source voltage, and a control voltage, and outputs a supply voltage according to the control voltage and the control signal. The transistor has a first terminal receiving the source voltage, and a control terminal coupled to the voltage regulator. The current-to-voltage transform circuit has a first terminal coupled to a second terminal of the transistor, a second terminal for receiving a reference voltage. The comparator has a first input terminal for receiving a comparison signal, a second input terminal coupled to the first terminal of the current-to-voltage transform circuit, and an output terminal for outputting the control voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: RichWave Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chih-Sheng Chen, Chia-Jung Yeh
  • Patent number: 11063435
    Abstract: An adaptive stability control system includes a direct current (DC) bus and one or more distributed controllers. The DC bus is configured to provide bidirectional pulsed power flow and energy storage. The distributed controller is configured to continuously measure an impedance of the DC bus and execute at least one adaptive control algorithm to regulate impedance of the DC bus to maintain stability of the bidirectional pulsed power flow and energy storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignees: RAYTHEON COMPANY, UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Boris S. Jacobson, David H. Altman, Charles P. Scheffler, Regan A. Zane
  • Patent number: 11057031
    Abstract: Methods and devices to address start up of half-bridge circuits including D-mode power FETs are disclosed. The disclosed devices overcome possible issues of output overload or excess current through gate-source of power FETs during start up. Methods and devices based on monitoring coupling capacitors voltages and pre-charging such coupling capacitors using current sources are also described. The current sources can be implemented using negative voltages provided by negative voltage sources such as charge pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: PSEMI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Arezu Bagheri, Buddhika Abesingha, Ronald E. Reedy
  • Patent number: 11057030
    Abstract: Methods and devices to address start up of half-bridge circuits including D-mode power FETs are disclosed. The disclosed devices overcome possible issues of output overload or excess current through gate-source of power FETs during start up. Voltage monitoring is used to address the issue of output overload and pre-charging of coupling capacitors are described as solutions to uncontrolled pre-charging of coupling capacitors. Pre-charging of coupling capacitors are implemented using current sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: PSEMI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Arezu Bagheri, Buddhika Abesingha
  • Patent number: 11043802
    Abstract: A shutdown apparatus for a photovoltaic module is provided. Only one first switch is connected in series in an output circuit of the photovoltaic module, and a controller controls the first switch to be switched on in a normal power generation state and controls the first switch to be switched off in a shutdown state. If a short circuit fault occurs in the first switch, the controller controls a second switch connected in parallel with the photovoltaic module to be switched on, thereby causing the output of the photovoltaic module short-circuited and ensuring a reliable shutdown. In addition, the second switch is in the shutdown state when the photovoltaic module normally provides output, and the second switch does not cause losses to the output of the photovoltaic module, such that it is not necessary to select a device with a low impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: SUNGROW POWER SUPPLY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zongjun Yang, Yanfei Yu, Hua Ni
  • Patent number: 11043891
    Abstract: Described is a controller for an AC to DC or a DC to AC multi-phase power converter of a type having N power converter phases, where N is greater or equal to 2. The controller comprises a control module configured to change or vary a phase shift angle of the input current or output current for each of the N power converter phases such that an average phase shift value for each of said N power converter phases over a control module AC line cycle is about, near or substantially the same value. In an embodiment of an AC/DC or a DC/AC multi-phase power converter of a type having N power converter phases arranged in parallel, an advantage of arranging the average phase shift value for each power converter phase to be substantially equal or about equal over an AC line cycle is that it reduces or eliminates any imbalances in the input currents or output currents of the N power converter phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited
    Inventors: Sui Pung Cheung, Qing Chun Li, Xin Li, Tin Ho Li
  • Patent number: 11038425
    Abstract: The present embodiments relate generally to power controllers, and more particularly to synthetic current hysteretic control of a buck-boost DC-DC controller. In one or more embodiments, a controller includes PFM-PWM and Buck-Boost transitions with minimal circuitry and power consumption. In these and other embodiments, the controller includes a low-Iq synthetic ripple generator for use in implementing hysteretic control of a buck-boost controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics America Inc.
    Inventor: Gwilym Francis Luff