Parallel Connected Patents (Class 323/272)
  • Patent number: 11283433
    Abstract: A method for the PWM actuation of more than one HV component for converting the power required by the HV components, in which each HV component is actuated by means of an individual PWM control circuit, and to a device for carrying out the method, wherein individual PWM control circuits are provided for the PWM actuation of 2 . . . n HV components, and wherein means are provided for asymmetrically splitting the phase shifts of the individual PWM actuation provided by the PWM circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Paul Leinsle, Jürgen Scherschmidt, Markus Prepens
  • Patent number: 11264833
    Abstract: A device may include a rectifier circuit providing a rectified DC signal, a rechargeable energy-storage element, and a power-management integrated circuit (PMIC). The PMIC may include a charging circuit for the rechargeable energy-storage element; a current-sensing circuit that measures a current provided by the rectified DC signal; a programmable current limit; a voltage-sensing circuit that measures a voltage on the rechargeable energy-storage element; and a controller that regulates the current provided to a DC output of the PMIC. the DC output of the PMIC may be regulated based at least in part on the current provided by the rectified DC signal; the programmable current limit; and the voltage on the rechargeable energy-storage element. The DC output of the PMIC may provide energy to a plurality of other energy-consuming subsystems on the device and to the charging circuit for the rechargeable energy-storage element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Adam Warren, Eric Marschalkowski, William Alan Saperstein
  • Patent number: 11245333
    Abstract: Provided is a power conversion device using a magnetic coupling reactor and being capable of reducing the number of parts and reducing the size of not only the magnetic coupling reactor but also an input capacitor. The magnetic coupling reactor is connected between a semiconductor switch element group, which executes power conversion, and the input capacitor. The coupling factor of two reactors in the magnetic coupling reactor is kept to a value equal to or less than a set value, for example, 0.8. The set value takes into consideration an area in which a ripple current of the input capacitor increases rapidly in response to a rise in coupling factor. The ripple current flowing in the input capacitor is reduced by thus setting the coupling factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Mao Kawamura
  • Patent number: 11245323
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a multi-phase power supply dynamic response control circuit and a control method. When a rapid rise of the load is detected, an output PWM signal is temporarily adjusted to enter a second operation mode from a first operation mode to supplement energy to the load and prevent the output voltage from decreasing. The present invention requires little modification to the existing circuit, and adopts simple, explicit and efficient detection method, realizing rapid dynamic response by providing sufficient energy for the load when the load current is suddenly increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: SHANGHAI BRIGHT POWER SEMICONDUCTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shun-Gen Sun
  • Patent number: 11233454
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to implementing an auto-inductance-detection architecture to reconstruct current monitor output (IMON) when a low-side switch in a power stage is on. In an illustrative example, an IMON generation circuit may include a variable resistor. A close loop control (e.g., OTA, switches, and variable resistor) may be configured to adjust a resistance value of the variable resistor automatically. The IMON generation circuit may also include a low pass filter coupled to a switching node of the power stage to receive a corresponding signal and provide a DC value. The difference between the corresponding signal and the DC value may be configured to enable or disable the close loop control. By providing the close loop control, the IMON generation circuit may advantageously perform auto-inductance detection (AID) and provide a more accurate IMON reconstruction method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: ALPHA AND OMEGA SEMICONDUCTOR INTERNATIONAL LP
    Inventor: Xiangcheng Wang
  • Patent number: 11228248
    Abstract: In one form, a multiphase controller for controlling a plurality of phases using a corresponding plurality of phase controllers includes a plurality of inputs, each for receiving a respective current monitor signal, an averaging circuit for generating an averaged signal representative of an average of current monitor signals received from said plurality of inputs, wherein each phase controller generates an error voltage in response to said averaged signal and said respective current monitor signal, controls a drive signal in response to said error voltage and a control voltage, and provides a digital signal representative of a difference between said error voltage and said control voltage. The multiphase controller provides an adjustment signal representative of said digital signal divided by a corresponding output current for each phase controller, and said adjustment signal adjusts a corresponding error voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Alessandro Zafarana
  • Patent number: 11221400
    Abstract: A photomultiplier pixel cell includes a photon detector coupled to detect an incident photon. A quenching circuit is coupled to quench an avalanche current in the photon detector. An enable circuit is coupled to the photon detector to enable and disable the photon detector in response to an enable signal. A buffer circuit is coupled to the photon detector to generate a digital output signal having a pulse width interval in response to the avalanche current triggered in the photon detector. A first one of a plurality of inputs of a digital-to-analog converter is coupled to the buffer circuit to receive a digital output signal. The digital-to-analog converter is coupled to generate an analog output signal having a magnitude that is responsive to a total number of digital output signals received concurrently within the pulse width interval at each one of the plurality of inputs of the digital-to-analog converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Eric A. G. Webster, Olivier Bulteel
  • Patent number: 11223237
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a rectifier configured to convert an alternating current voltage into a direct current voltage, wherein the alternating current voltage is generated by a receiver coil configured to be magnetically coupled to a transmitter coil of a wireless power transfer system, a high efficiency power converter connected to the rectifier, the high efficiency power converter comprising a first stage and a second stage connected in cascade and a controller configured to detect a plurality of operating parameters and generate a control signal applied to a control loop of the first stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: NuVolta Technologies (Hefei) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zeng Li, Junxiao Chen, Jinbiao Huang, Xintao Wang
  • Patent number: 11204614
    Abstract: A current balance circuit including a current sensing front end for sensing an output signal from each of a plurality of switching regulators and a current sensor for receiving the sensed output signal and converting the sensed signal into a sensed current signal. The current balance circuit further includes a current averaging circuit for receiving the sensed output signals and determining an average current output for the plurality of switching regulators and a current difference circuit for receiving the average current value and the sensed current signals and determining a current difference for each of the plurality of switching regulators. A calibration circuit is included for receiving the current differences and calculating a calibration value corresponding to each of the plurality of switching regulators which provides an indication of how to adjust a current output of the plurality of switching regulators to balance the current across the plurality of switching regulators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited
    Inventors: Ying-Chih Hsu, Alan Roth, Eric Soenen
  • Patent number: 11196345
    Abstract: An interleaved power converter includes a control circuit and multiple phase-shifted subconverters each having at least one power switch. The control circuit is coupled to the subconverters for controlling the power switches to balance currents in the subconverters over multiple periods. The control circuit includes a current compensator configured to determine a first duty cycle multiple times over the multiple periods, generate a PWM control signal having a present value of the first duty cycle for controlling the power switch of one of the subconverters during a period, determine a second duty cycle based on the present value of the first duty cycle and a previous value of the first duty cycle, and generate another PWM control signal having the second duty cycle for controlling the power switch of another one of the subconverters during the period. Other example power converters and control circuits are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Astec International Limited
    Inventors: Yancy Fontanilla Boncato, Ronnie Bachiller Gozun
  • Patent number: 11171562
    Abstract: Multi-sense point voltage regulator systems are provided for usage in conjunction with power-regulated devices, such as system-on-chip and microcontroller unit devices. In embodiments, the multi-sense point voltage regulator system includes a multiplexer selector circuit and a voltage regulator. The multiplexer selector circuit is configured to: (i) monitor a local voltages at multiple sense points within an integrated circuit (IC) die circuit structure; and (ii) generate a feedback voltage indicative of a lowest one of the monitored local voltages. The voltage regulator is configured to generate a regulated power supply output voltage as a function of a differential between the feedback voltage and the reference voltage, with the regulated power supply output voltage provided to the IC die circuit structure to drive operation thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: NXP USA, INC.
    Inventors: Andre Luis Vilas Boas, Marcelo Fukui, Andre Gunther
  • Patent number: 11147132
    Abstract: A method of controlling a switching converter having a plurality of interleaved parallel branches, can include controlling conduction phases of power switches of the plurality of interleaved parallel branches to be overlapped when a load changes from a light load to a heavy load, in order to improve dynamic response performance of the switching converter. A control circuit for a switching converter with a plurality of interleaved parallel branches, can control conduction phases of power switches of the interleaved parallel branches to be overlapped when a load changes from a light load to a heavy load, in order to improve dynamic response performance of the switching converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Silergy Semiconductor Technology (Hangzhou) LTD
    Inventors: Fusong Huang, Kailang Hang
  • Patent number: 11139658
    Abstract: A power conversion system has a plurality of power tracking converters connected in parallel to an output of an energy source such as a solar system. A communication system between the converters implements a sequence of operation of the converters, such that in response to a communication signal from a preceding converter in the sequence, each converter performs tuning of its power tracking function and then provides a communication signal to the next converter in the sequence. Each converter for example functions as a maximum power point tracking system. The system may be made from a set of smaller units so that different systems may be formed from a small set of standard components. By operating the converters in a sequence, conflict between the converters and instability is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: SIGNIFY HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Priya Ranjan Mishra, Goutam Maji
  • Patent number: 11128132
    Abstract: A system includes a first input line for a first voltage source, wherein the first input line is connected to a first output. A second input line is included for a second voltage source, wherein the second input line is connected to a second output and is in parallel with the first input line. A first series pass element is connected in series with the first input line, and a second series pass element is connected in series with the second input line. A controller is operatively connected to the first series pass element and to the second series pass element to throttle at least one of the first series pass element and the second series pass element to balance output current in the first and second outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Wilson, Steven A. Avritch
  • Patent number: 11108322
    Abstract: A multi-phase switch-mode power supply to control an output in two possible modes is disclosed. A first mode can be applied for normal load conditions. In the first mode, control is achieved using an error signal based on a difference between an output voltage and a set voltage level. In heavy load conditions a load attempts to draw too more power than the switch-mode power supply can provide. As a result, control of the output voltage is lost and the current of each phase becomes saturated at a limit. When this condition is detected, a second mode can be applied. In the second mode, control is achieved using an error signal based on a difference between an output current and a set current level. The set current level is chosen so that the current of each phase is no longer saturated and control of the output current is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Han Zou
  • Patent number: 11099588
    Abstract: A power combining technique includes receiving a first voltage at a first input and a second voltage at a second input. The power combining technique further includes combining, with at least two power converters, power received from the first and second inputs into a single power rail. A power balancing technique further includes controlling the at least two power converters such that a first one of the power converters outputs an amount of current to the single power rail that is proportional to and/or equal to the amount of current output by another of the power converters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Jeffrey Anthony Morroni
  • Patent number: 11095224
    Abstract: In a current equalization circuit, where a first inductor is connected to a first resistor, a second inductor is connected to both the first inductor and a second resistor, the input end of the first resistor and the input end of the second resistor are respectively connected to a first input end and a second input end of an error detection sub-circuit, a first output end of the error detection sub-circuit is connected to a first error adjustment sub-circuit, a second output end of the error detection sub-circuit is connected to a second error adjustment sub-circuit, the first error adjustment sub-circuit adjusts an input current of the first inductor based on a voltage signal from the error detection sub-circuit, and the second error adjustment sub-circuit adjusts an input current of the second inductor based on a voltage signal from the error detection sub-circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dongqi Huang, Shaoqing Dong
  • Patent number: 11094807
    Abstract: A power MOS stage includes a first power MOS device and a second power MOS devices connected in parallel between a first node and a second node, the first power MOS device having a first voltage rating and the second power MOS device having a second voltage rating that is lower than the first voltage rating. A driver circuit is configured to drive control nodes of the first and second power MOS devices in a sequential manner when actuating the power MOS stage by actuating the first power MOS device before actuating the second power MOS device. The control nodes of the first and second power MOS devices are further driven in a sequential manner when deactuating the power MOS stage by deactuating the second power MOS device before deactuating the first power MOS device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Alberto Cattani, Alessandro Gasparini
  • Patent number: 11081962
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a plurality of voltage sources, one or more processors embedded with the plurality of voltage sources, and memory storing processor executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to modify duty cycles of the voltage sources, and to modify timing for each phase of a multiphase cycle. In some cases, the apparatus: transfers, for each phase of the multiphase cycle, power from a different source of a plurality of sources to a load; determines, for each phase of the multiphase cycle, an input voltage associated with the transferred power, an output voltage associated with the transferred power, and current from the source associated with the transferred power; determines a duty cycle associated with the source; modifies duty cycles of the voltage sources; and modifies timing for each phase of the multiphase cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: UPLIFT SOLAR CORP.
    Inventor: Eric Dupont Becnel
  • Patent number: 11073886
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a system for balancing input current for power supplies a voltage detector configured to detect an input voltage to a power supply of a plurality of different power supplies. The system further includes one or more circuit elements configured to adjust one or more properties of the one or more circuit elements based at least in part on the detected input voltage in an attempt to maintain a consistent current input across the plurality of different power supplies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Mingchun Xu, Michael Timothy Kauffman
  • Patent number: 11042136
    Abstract: A computer device configured to monitor control signals from more than one adjustment system indicating a need to adjust operation of at least one energy storage; convert the control signals into current values; compare the control signals and select the one with the smallest current value; and control operation of at least one control device configured to regulate the current of the energy storage based on the selection by dispatching an adjustment signal by internet based communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Liikennevirta Oy/Virta Ltd
    Inventor: Jussi Ahtikari
  • Patent number: 11031869
    Abstract: A dual mode switching regulator includes a PWM/PFM control architecture with PFM frequency foldback based on extending switching cycle off time TOFF. A controller includes a PWM/PFM clock generator that, in response to assertion of a TOFF control signal, extends the nominal PWM switching cycle off-time TOFFnom for an extended off-time TOFFext (variable), so that switching cycle off-time is [TOFFnom+TOFFext]. A TOFF modulator generates the TOFF control signal based on generating a TOFF control voltage from an ITOFF control current equal to [IPWM-IPFM], generated by sourcing an IPWM reference current, and, in response to a PFM load condition, sinking an IPFM control current. The TOFF control signal is asserted when the TOFF control voltage is not substantially equal to a TOFF reference voltage at the end of TOFFnom, to cause the PWM/PFM clock generator to extend switching cycle off-time to [TOFFnom+TOFFext], with the duration of TOFFext determining PFM switching frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Tawen Mei, David Zakharian, Karen Chan
  • Patent number: 10985654
    Abstract: A switching regulator configured to generate a level-controlled output voltage from an input voltage, the switching regulator includes an inductor, an output capacitor configured to generate the level-controlled output voltage based on a current flowing through the inductor, at least two flying capacitors, and a plurality of switches configured to form electrical connections when the switching regulator operates in a first operating mode to, alternately charge each of the at least two flying capacitors using the input voltage, and provide a first boosted voltage to the inductor using a charged flying capacitor among the at least two flying capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Nomiyama, Seung-chan Park, Jong-beom Baek
  • Patent number: 10985645
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an alternatingly-switched parallel circuit, an integrated power module and an integrated power package. The alternatingly-switched parallel circuit includes a first bridge arm and a second bridge arm at least partly formed in a chip containing a plurality of first cell groups and a plurality of second cell groups. The plurality of first cell groups are configured to form the first upper bridge-arm switch and the plurality of second cell groups are configured to form the second upper bridge-arm switch, or the plurality of first cell groups are configured to form the first lower bridge-arm switch and the plurality of second cell groups are configured to form the second lower bridge-arm switch. The plurality of first cell groups and the plurality of second cell groups are switched on and off alternatingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Delta Electronics (Shanghai) CO., LTD
    Inventors: Chaofeng Cai, Le Liang, Yan Chen, Xiaoni Xin
  • Patent number: 10978949
    Abstract: A DC-DC power converter including switched inductance circuits arranged in parallel is described. Operation includes determining a commanded current and activation commands for the switched inductance circuits based upon the commanded current. This includes executing the activation commands and monitoring current in the switched inductance circuits. An average measured current is determined for each of the switched inductance circuits, and a modified activation command is determined for each of the switched inductance circuits based upon the average measured current. A time portion of the modified activation command that exceeds an end time point of a subsequent time period is determined, and the modified activation commands for the switched inductance circuits are executed, including forward-shifting that time portion of the modified activation command for each of the switched inductance circuits that exceeds the end time point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Brent S. Gagas, Brian A. Welchko
  • Patent number: 10978950
    Abstract: Provided is multi-phase interleaving control in a power supply device. In power control by the power supply device where the dead beat control is applied to the multi-phase interleaving, combined current of the multi-phase current values is used as control current in the multi-phase control based on the multi-phase interleaving, thereby achieving control independent of the number of the detectors and the control system independent of the number of phases, and further, this control current is used to perform constant current control, so as to prevent overshooting and undershooting. The power supply device has multi-phase interleaving control that performs multi-phase control using a plurality of phase current values, provided with an LC chopper circuit constituting a step-down chopper circuit that operates according to the multi-phase control of multi-phase interleaving, and a controller for performing step response control according to the multi-phase control of the LC chopper circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: KYOSAN ELECTRIC MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Itsuo Yuzurihara, Ryosuke Ohma, Hiroshi Kunitama, Yu Hosoyamada
  • Patent number: 10958175
    Abstract: A phase-redundant voltage regulator can include multiple regulator phases connected in parallel between a common regulator input and a common regulator output. Each regulator phase includes a voltage regulator that receives an input voltage and drives a respective output voltage. The voltage regulator also includes a plurality of linear regulators, each having a linear ORing device electrically connected between the regulator output of a respective regulator and an output of the linear regulator. The voltage regulator also includes an amplifier having inputs electrically connected to a remote voltage sense input and to a reference voltage input. An output of the voltage regulator is electrically connected to an input of the linear ORing device. The amplifier controls the linear ORing device to drive a voltage on the output of the linear regulator equivalent to a voltage on the reference voltage input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick Egan, Michael Lee Miller
  • Patent number: 10951118
    Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit included in a computer system may include multiple phase circuits each coupled to a regulated power supply node via a corresponding inductor. The phase circuits may modify a voltage level of the regulated power supply node using respective control signals generated by a digital control circuit that processes multiple data bits. An analog-to-digital converter circuit may compare the voltage level of the regulated power supply node to multiple reference voltage levels and sample the resultant comparisons to generate the multiple data bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Sanjay Pant, Fabio Gozzini, Hubert Attah, Jonathan F. Bolus, Wenxun Huang
  • Patent number: 10917009
    Abstract: An autozeroed comparator controls a frequency fsw of the input voltage inputted to a DC/DC converter. A digital frequency synchronization circuit is connected to the autozeroed comparator so as to form a phase locked loop, wherein the DES circuit controls the hysteretic window of the autozeroed comparator so as to lock fsw to a clock reference frequency. A plurality of slave phase circuits may be connected to the master phase circuit including the DFS circuit and the autozeroed comparator. Duty cycle calibration circuits adjust a duty cycle signal applied to each of the slave phase circuits, in response to average current measured in the slave phase circuits, so that each slave phase circuit is synchronized with the master phase circuit. A 6 A 90.5% peak efficiency 4-phase hysteretic quasi-current-mode buck converter is provided with constant frequency and maximum ±1.5% current mismatch between the slave phases and the master phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignees: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Philippe C. Adell, Ming Sun, Bertan Bakkaloglu
  • Patent number: 10911036
    Abstract: An accelerating discharge device includes a first parallel inductive element, a second parallel inductive element, a first capacitor, a noise suppression element, a one-way element, a first discharge circuit, a second discharge circuit, a first switch element, and a second switch element. The first parallel inductive element generates a first control voltage according to a first input voltage. The second parallel inductive element generates a second control voltage according to a second input voltage. The first switch element selectively couples the first parallel inductive element through the second discharge circuit to a ground according to the first control voltage. The second switch element selectively couples the second parallel inductive element through the second discharge circuit to the ground according to the second control voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: ACER INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Tzu-Tseng Chan
  • Patent number: 10903738
    Abstract: A voltage converter circuit comprises a charge pump circuit, a pulse width modulation (PWM) filter stage circuit, and a control circuit. The charge pump circuit includes multiple switching transistors arranged as a switching bridge including a first bridge portion connected to a second bridge portion; a midpoint capacitor connected to a circuit node coupling the first bridge portion and the second bridge portion; and a first flying capacitor coupled to the first bridge portion and the second bridge portion. The PWM filter stage circuit is coupled to the charge pump circuit and a first input/output terminal and includes a first inductor coupled to the first flying capacitor and the second bridge portion of the switching bridge. The control circuit is configured to control activation of switching transistors of the switching bridge to generate a regulated voltage at the first input/output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Analog Devices International Unlimited Company
    Inventors: Jindong Zhang, Jian Li
  • Patent number: 10903737
    Abstract: Provided is a power circuit in which a first input terminal is connected to a first end of a second inductor, a second end of the second inductor is connected to a first end of a first reactor, the second end of the second inductor is connected to a first end of a second reactor, the first input terminal is connected to a first end of a first inductor, a second end of the first inductor is connected to a first end of a bypass capacitor, a second end of the bypass capacitor is connected to a second output terminal, the first inductor and the second inductor are magnetically coupled to each other, and a control circuit performs switching control over first and second switching elements, using an interleaving method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Noriaki Takeda, Taiki Nishimoto
  • Patent number: 10897139
    Abstract: A switching control circuit for controlling a multi-channel switching circuit having switching circuits, input terminals coupled to input voltage signals, and an output terminal for providing an output voltage signal, can include: a logic control circuit configured to receive an external operation signal and a first single pulse signal, and to generate an enable signal, a trigger signal, and feedback control signals; a reference voltage regulation circuit configured to receive the enable signal, the trigger signal, and a maximum one of the input voltage signals, and to generate a reference voltage signal; and feedback circuits corresponding to the switching circuits, where the plurality of feedback circuits are configured to receive the feedback control signals, a minimum one of two input voltage signals that are participating in the switching operation, the reference voltage signal, and the output voltage signal, and to generate switching control signals for controlling the switching circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Silergy Semiconductor Technology (Hangzhou) LTD
    Inventors: Yongbin Cai, Junjie Li
  • Patent number: 10897198
    Abstract: A voltage conversion apparatus includes a power supply circuit with a first switch, a voltage conversion circuit, and a protective circuit with a detection circuit. The first switch transmits a power to generate an input voltage. The voltage conversion circuit generates a first voltage. A second switch of the voltage conversion circuit receives the input voltage. A third switch of the voltage conversion circuit is coupled between the second switch and a ground terminal. The detection circuit generates a first control signal based on the first voltage, a second voltage that corresponds to the first voltage, and a reference voltage. When a voltage value of an error signal is less than the reference voltage, the detection circuit outputs the first control signal to turn off the first switch. The voltage value of the error signal corresponds to a voltage difference between the first voltage and the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: ASUSTEK COMPUTER INC.
    Inventors: Tao Chen, Xiao-Feng Zhou, Ching-Ji Liang
  • Patent number: 10892676
    Abstract: Provided is a power supply circuit in which a first input terminal is connected to a first end of a first reactor, the first input terminal is connected to a first end of a second reactor, a first end of a first inductor is connected the first input terminal, a second end of the first inductor is connected to a first end of a second inductor, a second end of the second inductor is connected to a first end of a bypass capacitor, a second end of the bypass capacitor is connected to a second output terminal, the first reactor and the first inductor are magnetically coupled to each other, the second reactor and the second inductor are magnetically coupled to each other, and a control circuit performs switching control over first and second switching elements, using an interleaving method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Taiki Nishimoto, Noriaki Takeda
  • Patent number: 10886849
    Abstract: Current regulating techniques utilizing buck-boost circuitries are disclosed. A buck switching device is used in an input stage of a buck-boost circuitry of some embodiments for regulating an input current thereof, and a boost switching device is used in an output stage thereof. A control system is used to set the buck switching device into a closed state at a beginning of each cycle of a periodic timing signal, and open the buck switching device to cause the input current to converge towards a defined target current value, while an unrelated controller changes in each cycle the boost switching device into an open state based on an input/output dependent force-on duty cycle value, and thereafter change the boost switching device back into the closed state whenever the output current of the boost circuit drops below a determined threshold current value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: A.B. POWER LTD.
    Inventor: Avraham Owshanko
  • Patent number: 10873300
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has a drive transistor coupled to a load and a current detection circuit. The current detection circuit includes: an operational amplifier amplifying a potential difference between voltage of a first terminal and voltage of a second terminal; a sense transistor passing sense current between the first terminal and the drive transistor; a voltage supply circuit having a first current source and supplying voltage higher than voltage supplied to the grounding voltage terminal to the second terminal; a third terminal outputting current based on the sense current; a second current source coupled between the third terminal and the grounding voltage terminal; and a current source control circuit controlling current of the first and second current sources. Detection current detected by the current detection circuit is current obtained by subtracting the current of the second current source from the current based on the sense current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keisuke Kimura
  • Patent number: 10859616
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor integrated circuit includes a signal supply controller to supply a signal, which allows a level of a resistance value of one of the first and second switching elements to be a predetermined level, to the elements via shared signal wire, and to set a current flowing through the higher-potential side terminal in the one of the first and second switching elements to a value which causes the level of the resistance value to be the predetermined level. In a state where the level of the resistance value of the one of the first and second switching elements is set to the predetermined level, another of the first and second switching elements is brought into a conducting state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation
    Inventor: Masanori Kinugasa
  • Patent number: 10826377
    Abstract: A power converter, a control circuit and a control method for the same. Ground references of a first controller and a second controller are different to isolate drive signals of a first transistor and a second transistor. Thus the first transistor and the second transistor are controlled to be switched between on and off alternatively to achieve power conversion. The circuit is simple in structure and easy to implement with a low cost. The ground reference of the first controller is an intermediate node of a bridge arm of the power converter, so as to facilitate sampling and acquiring a feedback signal, thereby achieving closed-loop control of the power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: SILERGY SEMICONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGY (HANGZHOU) LTD
    Inventors: Jian Deng, Jin Jin
  • Patent number: 10802070
    Abstract: A testing device includes a switch, a sensing circuit, and a control circuit. The switch is coupled to a power supply circuit, and the power supply circuit is configured to output a supply voltage to a device under-test via the switch. The sensing circuit is coupled to the device under-test, and the sensing circuit is configured to receive an input voltage from the device under-test and to output a sensing signal according to the input voltage. The control circuit is coupled to the sensing circuit, the power supply circuit, and the switch. The control circuit is configured to control the power supply circuit to stop outputting the supply voltage at a first time and to turn off the switch at a second time according to the sensing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: CHROMA ATE INC.
    Inventors: Ching-Hua Chu, Cheng-Hsien Chang
  • Patent number: 10778086
    Abstract: A power source switching circuit for powering an electronic component includes a soft-start circuit, a first input connected to a standby power source, a second input connected to a main power source, and an output. The output provides a voltage to the electronic component and is configured to be alternatively electrically connected to the first input or the second input. When the power source switching circuit is in a standby mode, the output is connected to the first input and the standby power source. When the power source switching circuit is in a main mode, the output is connected to the second input and the main power source. When the power source switching circuit is initially activated to the standby mode, the soft-start circuit is enabled. When the power source switching circuit subsequently switched from the main mode to the standby mode, the soft-start circuit is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: QUANTA COMPUTER INC.
    Inventors: Yu-Shin Liao, Kuo-Chan Hsu, Yun-Teng Shih, Cheng-Hung Yu
  • Patent number: 10778101
    Abstract: A controller for a multi-phase switching regulator includes an error amplifier configured to generate an error signal indicative of the difference between a feedback voltage and a reference voltage; a loop calculator configured to generate control signals in response to the error signal to drive the power stages; and a dynamic phase management control circuit configured to generate a power efficiency value in response to the input current, the input voltage, the output current, and the output voltage. The dynamic phase management control circuit generates a phase selection signal indicating a first number of power stages to be activated in response to the first current signal and the power efficiency value. The phase selection signal is provided to the loop calculator to activate the first number of power stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: ALPHA AND OMEGA SEMICONDUCTOR (CAYMAN) LTD.
    Inventor: Richard Schmitz
  • Patent number: 10761119
    Abstract: Implementations of voltage sensing systems may include: a high side current mirror coupled to a reference current source coupled to at least one diode. The at least one diode may be coupled to a resistor and to a comparator. The resistor may be coupled to the ground. The comparator may be coupled with a reference voltage. The comparator may be configured to receive a comparison voltage from the diode and output whether the comparison voltage is higher or lower than the reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Catalin Ionut Petroianu, Alexandra-Oana Petroianu, Pavel Londak
  • Patent number: 10749350
    Abstract: A system and method of wireless power transfer using a power converter with a bypass mode includes a power converter. The power converter includes a pulsed switch, a capacitor configured to supply a drive voltage to the pulsed switch, a first circuit configured to charge the capacitor when the power converter operates in a switched mode of operation, and, a second circuit configured to charge the capacitor when the power converter operates in a bypass mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Integrated Device Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Rosario Pagano, Christopher Joseph Daffron, Angel Maria Gomez Arguello, Siamak Abedinpour
  • Patent number: 10727746
    Abstract: A multi-phase DC-DC power converter includes an error amplifier, a comparator, a phase selection circuit, a plurality of phase circuits and a width detecting circuit. The plurality of phase circuits are each associated with a phase of the multi-phase DC-DC power converter, each including a turn-on clock generation circuit, a first switching transistor, a second switching transistor, an output inductor, and a control logic. In a load transition state, when the width detecting circuit detects that a comparison output signal exceeds a predetermined width, the phase selection circuit adjusts one of the plurality of phase signals based on a force trigger signal, and outputs, corresponding to a force trigger signal, one of the plurality of on-signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: ANPEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tzu-Yang Yen, Hsin-Tai Lin
  • Patent number: 10714928
    Abstract: A diagnostic system is provided. A first monitoring application sets a first voltage regulator status flag equal to a first fault value when a first voltage value is greater than a first maximum voltage value. A first diagnostic handler application transitions each of a high voltage switch and a low voltage switch to an open operational state when the first voltage regulator status flag is equal to the first fault value. A second monitoring application sets a second voltage regulator status flag equal to a second fault value when the second voltage value is less than a first minimum voltage value. A second diagnostic handler application transitions the high voltage switch and the low voltage switch to the open operational state when the second voltage regulator status flag is equal to the second fault value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kerfegar K. Katrak
  • Patent number: 10707748
    Abstract: The invention relates to control of a DC converter having multiple parallel-connected DC converter modules. Here, a common variable for the voltage control is formed for the control of all the DC converter modules. In addition, a separate current controller is provided for each DC converter module. For each DC converter module, a control variable can be formed from the individually determined current control and the jointly determined voltage control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Gholamabas Esteghlal
  • Patent number: 10700607
    Abstract: A control circuit of a multi-phase converter can include: an inductor current sampling circuit configured to generate a plurality of sampling signals corresponding to a plurality of channels of the multi-phase converter, where each of the sampling signals characterizes an inductor current of a corresponding channel; an error circuit configured to generate a plurality of error signals corresponding to the plurality of channels, where each of the error signals characterizes an error between the inductor current of the corresponding channel and a reference current; and a modified circuit configured to modify the sampling signals of the corresponding channels according to the plurality of error signals to generate a plurality of modified sampling signals, where the control circuit balances the inductor currents between the plurality of channels according to the plurality of modified sampling signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Silergy Semiconductor Technology (Hangzhou) LTD
    Inventors: Chienchun Chen, Liwei Yen
  • Patent number: 10700601
    Abstract: The disclosure discloses a power conversion device and a power conversion system. The power conversion device comprises a plurality of conversion branches, each comprising an input terminal and an output terminal. The input terminals of the plurality of conversion branches are connected in parallel, and the output terminals of the plurality of conversion branches are connected in series. An output voltage of the power conversion device is a sum of voltages at the output terminals of the plurality of conversion branches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xinwei Liu, Xingkuan Guo
  • Patent number: 10680511
    Abstract: A DC-DC converting controller is disclosed. The DC-DC controller includes a current sensing unit, a parameter setting pin, a parameter setting unit and an error amplifier. The current sensing unit provides a sensing current. The parameter setting pin is coupled to an external parameter setting unit. The parameter setting unit is coupled to the current sensing unit and the parameter setting pin. The parameter setting unit has an internal parameter setting unit. The parameter setting unit generates a droop current according to the external parameter setting unit and the sensing current. The error amplifier includes a first input terminal and a second input terminal. The first input terminal receives an output feedback voltage and the second input terminal receives a first reference voltage. The second input terminal is coupled to a terminal of the internal parameter setting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: UPI SEMICONDUCTOR CORP.
    Inventors: Chih-Lien Chang, Pei-Ling Hong, Cheng-Ching Hsu