With Plural Condition Sensing Patents (Class 323/285)
  • Patent number: 9853547
    Abstract: An example apparatus includes a first switch having a control terminal, coupled to a voltage source and coupled to a switch node; a second switch having a control terminal, coupled to the switch node and to a voltage reference; a first inductor coupled to the switch node and to a load; a third switch having a control terminal, coupled to the voltage source and to an auxiliary node; a fourth switch having a control terminal, coupled to the auxiliary node and to the voltage reference; a second inductor coupled to the switch node and the auxiliary node; a fifth switch having a control terminal, coupled to the switch node and to the auxiliary node; and timing circuitry configured to output signals to the control terminals of the first switch, the second switch, the third switch, the fourth switch and the fifth switch to supply current to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Saurav Bandyopadhyay, Thomas Matthew LaBella
  • Patent number: 9841779
    Abstract: A reference signal generator used with a switching mode power supply which converts an input voltage to an output voltage. The reference signal generator provides a reference signal consisting of a constant voltage signal and a variable voltage signal which is varying according to a duty cycle of the switching mode power supply during a startup period of the switching mode power supply and is varying according to a ratio of the input voltage at an end of the startup period to the input voltage of real time after the startup period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yiwei Wang, Yike Li
  • Patent number: 9779663
    Abstract: An organic light emitting display, a method for driving the same, and a method for manufacturing the same are discussed. The organic light emitting display according to an embodiment includes a panel including subpixels each having a compensation circuit including a reference voltage supply transistor, which receives a reference voltage and initializes a node of a gate electrode or a drain electrode of a driving transistor using the reference voltage, a scan driver supplying a scan signal to scan lines of the panel, a data driver supplying a data signal to data lines of the panel, a timing controller that controls the scan driver and the data driver, and a reference voltage compensation unit supplying the reference voltage including a reverse voltage opposite a ripple generated in the reference voltage to the subpixels and cancel the ripple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: LG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jihun Kim, Sangho Yu, Woojin Nam, Joongsun Yoon, Minkyu Chang
  • Patent number: 9755514
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method receives a shed comparison signal that is based on a comparison of a voltage detected from a voltage converter to a reference voltage and receives a zero cross signal that indicates whether a current from the voltage converter has crossed zero. The shed comparison signal is sampled for a first number of clock cycles to generate shed comparison sampled values. Also, the zero cross signal is sampled for a second number of clock cycles to generate zero cross sampled values where the second number of clock cycles are less than the first number of clock cycles. The method determines a change between a shed state and an unshed state based on the shed comparison sampled values for the first number of clock cycles or the zero cross sampled values for the second number of clock cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Stuart Pullen, William Rader
  • Patent number: 9731121
    Abstract: A switch-operated therapeutic agent delivery device is described. Embodiments of the operated therapeutic agent delivery device include a switch that can be operated by a user, a device controller connected to the switch through a switch input where the device can actuate the device when certain predetermined conditions are met, following performance of both a digital switch validation test and an analog switch validation test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Incline Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: John Lemke, Scot Satre, Corinna X. Chen, Brian W. Read, Jason E. Dougherty, Nitin B. Joshi
  • Patent number: 9712060
    Abstract: A method manages hysteretic DC-DC buck converters each including a hysteretic comparator operating according to a respective hysteresis window. The method includes, in a given converter, verifying if a respective feedback voltage reaches a lower threshold in order to enter a switch-on period of the converter, The method comprises: while the verifying indicates that the lower threshold is not reached, detecting if another converter has entered a respective switch on period and, in the affirmative, entering a hysteresis voltage adjustment procedure, include increasing by a given amount the amplitude of the hysteresis window of the given converter by reducing the lower threshold of the hysteresis window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Paolo Pulici, Massimo Mazzucco
  • Patent number: 9712059
    Abstract: A controller for a multiphase power converter has a plurality of DC to DC converters coupled in parallel between a voltage source and a single output terminal is provided. The controller includes a voltage sensing circuit coupled to the output terminal. An internal pulse generating circuit is couplable to the voltage sensing circuit for generating an internal pseudo-pulse width modulated signal. An ON time signal distribution circuit is couplable to an output of the internal pulse generating circuit and couplable to driver circuit for driving each of the plurality of DC to DC converters. A multiphase power converter and method also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Jiwei Fan
  • Patent number: 9685816
    Abstract: A power receiver for a wireless power transmission system that includes a power transmitter has input circuitry that converts power received from the power transmitter into an input signal. A regulator regulates the input signal to generate a regulated output signal based on a current reference signal and a voltage reference signal, and a load receives the regulated output signal. The regulator controls at least one of the current reference signal and the voltage reference signal to control power loss within the regulator. In one embodiment, the regulator globally controls the voltage of the rectified input signal and locally controls the current reference signal to limit power loss in the regulator as well as meet system load requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: NXP USA,INC.
    Inventors: Zhendong Fei, Xiang Gao, Chongli Wu
  • Patent number: 9681092
    Abstract: A cable TV amplifier system, including: an amplifier module, including a body, a power connecting port, a signal input port, and a plurality of signal output ports; and a power converter, including an AC power input terminal, at least one DC power output terminal, and a switching power converting circuit for converting an AC voltage to a DC voltage to power the amplifier module; wherein, the switching power converting circuit includes a surge protection circuit, a bridge rectifying circuit, an energy transmission unit, a feedback unit, and a control unit, and the control unit will stop outputting a pulse width modulation signal when the AC voltage has an amplitude larger than a first level or smaller than a second level, the first level being higher than the second level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: LANTEK ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Shan-Jui Lu
  • Patent number: 9667143
    Abstract: A power conversion circuit includes an input port, an output port, a power conversion chip, a path switch, and a protection module. The input port is electrically connected to a power source and the output port is electrically connected to a function module. The power conversion chip includes a voltage input pin electrically connected to the input port and a voltage output pin electrically connected to the output port. The power conversion chip converts the power voltage to an output voltage. The path switch includes a control terminal, a first path terminal connected to the input port, and a second path terminal connected to the voltage input pin. The protection module is connected between the control terminal and the output port, and detects the output voltage on the output port, and turns off the path switch when the output voltage is greater than a predetermined voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: ScienBiziP Consulting(Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Qiang Nie
  • Patent number: 9653991
    Abstract: A power converter may include an inductor, a switch turned on or turned off according to a control signal to control the flow of a current flowing through the inductor, and a control unit for outputting the control signal to turn on or turn off the switch by integrating a current flowing through the switch to compare the integrated current with the size of a preset reference voltage. The power converter and a driving method for the same may reduce errors of current control and have a simple structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Solum Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Man Dong Lee, Seung Kon Kong, Hyun Ku Kang, Dae Hoon Han, Jung Eui Park
  • Patent number: 9641080
    Abstract: A circuit may include a switching signal generator to generate a high-side switching signal and a low-side switching signal. A low-side switch may be connected to the output of the circuit and to the switching signal generator to receive the low-side switching signal. A plurality of high-side switches may be connected to corresponding inputs of the circuit. A matrix may be configured to selectively connect the high-side switching signal to two or more of the high-side switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Shadi Hawawini, Giovanni Garcea
  • Patent number: 9627993
    Abstract: An AC-DC conversion circuit is disclosed. The AC-DC conversion circuit has an inputting module, a rectifying module, a transforming module, an outputting module, a voltage detecting module, and a controlling module. The voltage detecting module is used to detect the DC voltage outputted from the rectifying module, the controlling module is used to control whether the AC-DC conversion circuit works or not according to a detecting result of the voltage detecting module. This prevents damage of the AC-DC conversion circuit and unstable output voltage by disposing the voltage detecting module and the controlling module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dan Cao
  • Patent number: 9627908
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a combined battery/capacitor energy storage device. The device includes a first device terminal, a second device terminal, a battery connected between the first terminal and the second terminal, and a capacitor connected in parallel with the battery. In one aspect, a rectifier is connected between the first terminal and the capacitor, the rectifier configured to allow substantially unidirectional current flow from the first terminal to the capacitor. In another aspect, a switch is between the capacitor and the first terminal. In another aspect, a current limiter extends between the first terminal and the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ilya Kaminsky, Robert Shaw Lynds, Mikael Setterberg, Priya Bendale, Ha Q. Hung, Thomas J. Dougherty, John Miller, Jeremy Cowperthwaite
  • Patent number: 9614444
    Abstract: A switched mode power converter includes a power stage, a main compensator, and a voltage ramp circuit. The power stage is operable to output a voltage to a load. The main compensator is operable to control switching of the power stage so that the voltage output by the power stage corresponds to a target voltage indicated to the switched mode power converter. The voltage ramp circuit includes a voltage ramp generator and a dynamic voltage transition compensation circuit. The voltage ramp generator is operable to generate a voltage ramp that starts at a first voltage corresponding to the target voltage and ends at a second voltage corresponding to a new target voltage. The dynamic voltage transition compensation circuit is responsive to the voltage ramp generator and operable to modify the output voltage response of the switched mode power converter based on one or more compensation parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Amir Babazadeh, Benjamim Tang
  • Patent number: 9608521
    Abstract: Provided is a DC/DC converter capable of operating a circuit to perform stable control even when an output voltage becomes 0 V at the time of activation of a power supply voltage or due to a load short circuit. The DC/DC converter includes an ON-timer circuit including: a ripple generation circuit configured to generate and output a ripple component based on a control signal; an averaging circuit configured to output a signal obtained by averaging an output of the ripple generation circuit; a timer circuit configured to generate and output an ON-time signal based on the signal of the averaging circuit and the control signal; and an activation circuit configured to increase a voltage of an output terminal of the ripple generation circuit to a predetermined voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: SII SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiomi Shiina, Masayuki Uno
  • Patent number: 9608519
    Abstract: A switching converter having a power stage with a main switch to convert an input voltage to an output voltage; a current sense circuit generating a current sense signal indicative of a current flowing through the main switch; a PWM generator generating a PWM signal; an OFF time controller generating an OFF time control signal relating to the input voltage and the output voltage; and a logic circuit generating a switching signal based on the OFF time control signal and the PWM signal to control the main switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Chengdu Monolithic Power Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chuan Ding, Tianzhu Zhang
  • Patent number: 9602008
    Abstract: A power conversion apparatus supplies power from a DC power supply to a capacitive load by a current input push-pull DCDC converter provided with switching elements Q1 and Q2. When a capacitive load voltage is not larger than a second predetermined value, a first mode is used which turns ON one of the switching elements Q1 and Q2 alternated with turning OFF both. When the capacitive load voltage is larger than the second predetermined value but not larger than a first predetermined value, a second mode is used which turns ON both of the switching elements Q1 and Q2, then turns ON one of them, then turns OFF both, sequentially. When the capacitive load voltage is larger than the first predetermined value, a third mode is used, turning ON both of the switching elements Q1 and Q2 alternated with turning ON one of them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Tomita, Kimikazu Nakamura, Shinya Goto, Katsutoyo Misawa, Yuuichi Handa, Seiji Iyasu
  • Patent number: 9595830
    Abstract: The invention is a method of tracking the overall maximum power point of a grounded bipolar photovoltaic array by tracking and regulating the voltage of the weaker of the two monopolar subarrays at any instant in time. The transfer between subarrays being tracked for the maximum power point is seamless when the voltage of one subarray becomes lower than the other. This tracking method insures stable operation and maximum power transfer under all balanced and unbalanced PV array conditions. This tracking algorithm would typically be part of a larger digital power converter control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: RENEWABLE POWER CONVERSION, INC.
    Inventor: Richard Travis West
  • Patent number: 9584006
    Abstract: A circuit includes a device monitoring component, a voltage error component, a current error component, a power error component, an error selecting component, a filter instruction component and a filter. The device monitoring component monitors load voltage and load current, and outputs a device state signal. The voltage error component outputs a voltage error signal. The current error component outputs a current error signal. The power error component outputs a power error signal. The error selecting component outputs a selected error signal. The filter instruction component outputs a filter instruction based on the device state signal. The filter outputs a modification signal to modify operation of a device so as to modify one of the load voltage, the load current and the load power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Brent Alan McDonald, John C Vogt
  • Patent number: 9585219
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a light emitting element driving apparatus for controlling a light emitting unit including serially connected light emitting element arrays. The apparatus includes a rectifying unit configured to provide a rectified signal to the light emitting unit according to a result of rectifying an alternating current (AC) signal, a switching unit configured to selectively connect output terminals of the light emitting element arrays to a first node, an amplifying unit configured to amplify each of reference voltages having different levels and a voltage of a second node and to generate first amplified signals controlling the switching unit according to an amplification result, a sensing resistor connected between the second node and an electrical ground, and a current sensing circuit configured to generate mirrored current by mirroring current supplied from the first node and to provide the mirrored current to the second node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Dongbu Hitek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Young Kook Ahn
  • Patent number: 9577509
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a switching circuit, an error amplifier circuit, a current threshold circuit, and an over-current detection circuit. The switching circuit provides a switching duty cycle that includes a charge portion and a discharge portion. The error amplifier circuit generates an error signal representative of a difference between a target voltage value and a voltage at an output of the voltage regulator circuit. The switching circuit adjusts the switching duty cycle to regulate the voltage at the output using the error signal and a reference waveform signal. The current threshold circuit generates an adaptive peak current limit threshold. The over-current detection circuit generates an over-current signal when the reference waveform signal satisfies the adaptive peak current limit threshold during the charging portion of the switching cycle. The switching circuit interrupts one or more switching cycles when the reference waveform signal satisfies the adaptive peak current limit threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Analog Devices Global
    Inventors: Basa Wang, Zhijie Zhu
  • Patent number: 9577527
    Abstract: Current metering for transitioning to low power operation in switching regulators is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a method is provided that includes generating pulse width modulated charging cycles that enable current to flow to an inductor to adjust an output voltage, and detecting a skipped charging cycle. The method also includes determining whether a number of charging cycles are skipped over a time interval that begins when the skipped charging cycle is detected. The method also includes transitioning to a low power operating mode if it determined that the number of charging cycles have been skipped over the selected time interval. During the low power operating mode pulse frequency modulated charging cycles are generated that enable the current to flow to the inductor to generate the output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Active-Semi, Inc.
    Inventors: Narasimhan Trichy, James Allen Kohout
  • Patent number: 9564826
    Abstract: First and second switch are connected in series to both terminals of a DC power source. A series circuit comprising a reactor, a primary winding of a transformer, and a capacitor connected in series, and is connected to a node between the first and second switches and one terminal of the DC power source. A rectifier smoothing circuit rectifies and smoothens a voltage generated across a secondary winding of the transformer and outputs a DC voltage. A control circuit alternately turns the first and second switches on and off. A voltage detection circuit detects the DC voltage from the rectifier smoothing circuit. A signal generation circuit generates a feedback signal from the DC voltage detected by the voltage detection circuit, and outputs the signal for turning the first and second switches on and off. A load current detection circuit detects load current contained in resonance current flowing through the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: SANKEN ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeki Sugahara, Osamu Ohtake
  • Patent number: 9525334
    Abstract: A control circuit with multiple feedback loops configured for a switching power supply, can include: (i) a plurality of feedback circuits configured to receive a plurality of feedback signals of a power stage circuit, and to correspondingly generate a plurality of error signals; (ii) a plurality of switching circuits configured to transfer the error signals to a compensation circuit, where each switching circuit is correspondingly coupled to one of the feedback circuits, and where only one of the switching circuits is turned on to correspondingly transfer one of the error signals to the compensation circuit when in a steady status; (iii) the compensation circuit being configured to receive the error signals, and to generate a compensation signal; and (iv) a PWM control circuit configured to receive the compensation signal, and to generate a PWM control signal to control operation of a power switch in the power stage circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Silergy Semiconductor Technology (Hangzhou) LTD
    Inventor: Jun Chen
  • Patent number: 9520791
    Abstract: Power supplies and power controllers are disclosed. A disclosed power supply has a power controller, a power switch, an auxiliary winding, a first circuit and a second circuit. The power controller is a monolithic integrated circuit with a multi-function pin and a gate pin. A control node of the power switch is coupled to the gate pin. The first circuit is coupled between the multi-function pin and the auxiliary winding and has a diode. The second circuit is coupled between the multi-function pin and a ground line, and has a thermistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Leadtrend Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chin-Ho Wu, Ren-Yi Chen, Yi-Shan Chu
  • Patent number: 9504107
    Abstract: A backlight unit includes a DC-DC converter that converts a first voltage to a second voltage in response to a driving pulse signal and a driving controller that outputs the driving pulse signal in response to an over-current control signal to control a reference voltage and a level of the second voltage. The driving controller controls the reference voltage in response to the over-current control signal such that the reference voltage increases prior to the second voltage by a predetermined time when the second voltage needs to be increased. In addition, the driving controller controls the reference voltage in response to the over-current control signal when the second voltage needs to be decreased such that the reference voltage decreases later than the second voltage by the predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Woojin Lee, Yu-chol Kim, Yeong Won Kim
  • Patent number: 9502115
    Abstract: An input signal is amplified into an output signal that is to be applied to an electrical load including a capacitive component. An amplifier stage includes a pre-amplifier module to receive a first supply voltage, and an output module to receive a second supply voltage. The pre-amplifier module includes a first gain block to pre-amplify the input signal into a first pre-amplified signal, and a second gain block to pre-amplify the input signal into a second pre-amplified signal. A feedback block feeds back the output signal as a feedback signal. A combination element combines the first pre-amplified signal and the feedback signal into a combined signal. The output module combines the combined signal and the second pre-amplified signal into the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Antonino Conte, Maria Giaquinta
  • Patent number: 9490623
    Abstract: An overcurrent detection circuit and method for one or more capacitive loads includes sensing current being supplied to the one or more capacitive loads to thereby generate a sensed current, and sensing a voltage rate of change across the one or more capacitive loads to thereby generate a differentiator output. The differentiator output is added to a fixed reference setpoint to thereby generate an overcurrent setpoint. The sensed current is compared to the overcurrent setpoint, and an overcurrent trip signal is supplied when the sensed current is greater than or equal to the overcurrent setpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Marotta, Nasrullah Habeeb M, Rajamohan Revindranathan, John Dylan Michael, Dale Trumbo
  • Patent number: 9484813
    Abstract: A boost converter includes an inductor configured to have one terminal connected with an input power source; a switching element configured to be connected between another terminal of the inductor and a reference potential terminal; a rectifier configured to be connected between the other terminal of the inductor and an output terminal; and a controller configured to boost a voltage of the input power source using the inductor by applying a duty drive to the switching element in a switching cycle so that a command value of a current to be flowing into the inductor is equivalent to an average value of a current flowing into the inductor during an off period during which the switching element is duty-off in the switching cycle, and to have the voltage output from the output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ken Toshiyuki
  • Patent number: 9483065
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes a power regulator system. The system includes a power stage configured to provide an output voltage to a load in response to an input voltage and a control signal. The system also includes a feedback system that receives the input voltage and is configured to generate the control signal based on the output voltage. The system further includes a load detector configured to determine a state of the load and to set the power to the feedback system based on determining the state of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: H. Pooya Forghani-zadeh, Luis Alberto Huertas-Sanchez, Sungho Beck
  • Patent number: 9484800
    Abstract: A soft-start circuit for a switching regulator (e.g., a buck converter) in which the soft-start circuit supplies a DC ramp voltage to the switch regulator's pre-driver such that the pulsed gate voltage supplied to power switch during the initial soft-start operating phase includes a series of pulses having amplitudes that respectively gradually change (e.g., sequentially increase from 0V to the system operating voltage), whereby the regulated output voltage passed from the power switch to the load is gradually increased at a rate that prevents voltage overshoot and inrush current. The DC ramp voltage is generated, for example, by a current source that begins charging a capacitor at the beginning of the initial soft-start operating phase. This arrangement allows a constant-frequency ramp signal generated by a single oscillator to be shared by multiple switch regulators that are fabricated on an IC chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Tower Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Alexander Faingersh, Erez Sarig
  • Patent number: 9479046
    Abstract: A PFC circuit includes: a switching circuit having a power switch; an on time control circuit for controlling an on time period of the power switch; a first off time control circuit; a second off time control circuit; and a logic circuit selectively controls the power switch working under CCM or DCM; when working under CCM, the first off time control circuit controls an off time period of the power switch and when working under DCM, the second off time control circuit controls the off time period of the power switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: CHENGDU MONOLITHIC POWER SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sicong Lin, Yiqing Jin, Yuancheng Ren, Junming Zhang
  • Patent number: 9444333
    Abstract: In an example, a system and method are disclosed for providing a single control law that is operable to regulate both small-signal, steady-state operation, and large-signal transients of a switching regulator. The control law is based on detecting a zero-crossing of capacitor current, and projecting in advance a turning point for either ramping up or ramping down capacitor voltage at a target voltage. Certain embodiments may realize the control function in high-speed analog components, although certain other embodiments may implement the same or a similar control law in a digital controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Audy, Evaldo M. Miranda
  • Patent number: 9444324
    Abstract: Disclosed is a synchronous DC-DC converter including: a clock signal generator which generates a clock signal; a gate driving part which is connected to the clock signal generator and outputs a first delay clock signal and a second delay clock signal with respect to the clock signal; a switching part which is connected to the gate driving part and includes a first switching element and a second switching element which are complementarily switched according to each of the first delay clock signal and the second delay clock signal; and a controller which is connected to the switching part and generates a control signal which is usable by the gate driving part in order to control a dead time between the first switching element and the second switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: HiDeep Inc.
    Inventor: Wonwoo Lee
  • Patent number: 9442167
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for using a tester channel as device power have been disclosed. By utilizing a tester channel output as an input, a voltage and current driver are used to boost the input which is followed by a current to voltage converter which can be used as a device power supply for a device under test. Additional tester channels may be used to sense and force voltages, measure currents, supply output voltage, and relay control, etc. for changing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: INTEGRATED DEVICE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Boon Tean Leow
  • Patent number: 9431906
    Abstract: A converter circuit has an error amplifier to provide an error signal; a proportional amplifier to provide a gain signal according the error signal and an output voltage of the converter circuit; a first comparator, generating a pulse signal according to the gain signal and a comparison signal; and a timer, generating a timing signal according to the pulse signal to indicate the on time and the off time of the converter circuit; and wherein either the gain signal or the comparison signal comprises a ramp component, and wherein the on time of the converter circuit is constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Chengdu Monolithic Power Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bo Yang, Xiaoyu Xi
  • Patent number: 9413265
    Abstract: A driving device of a synchronous rectification apparatus is provided. The driving device includes a voltage detection part disposed on a power input terminal to detect a voltage value of a power inputted through the power input terminal, an adjustment part receiving the voltage value detected through the voltage detection part, the adjustment part adjusting the receive voltage value to output the adjusted voltage value, and a comparison part receiving the voltage value adjusted through the adjustment part into a positive terminal and a synchronous rectification starting value into a negative terminal, the comparison part outputting an command value of the synchronous rectification apparatus, which is obtained by comparing the received voltage value with the synchronous rectification starting value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Woo Sup Kim, Chul Woo Park, Jae Ho Lee, Hong Tae Park
  • Patent number: 9407148
    Abstract: A multi-phase SMPS has N switching circuits; a setting signal generator generating a setting signal based on an output signal of the SMPS; a clock signal generator generating a system clock signal; and a controller receiving the setting signal and the system clock signal, the controller generating N shifted phase clock signals according to the system clock signal, and the N shifted phase clock signals forming loop phase clocks, and the controller further generates N switching control signals based on the setting signal and the N shifted phase clock signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Yanchuan Guo
  • Patent number: 9397550
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for protecting a power conversion system. A system controller includes a first controller terminal and a second controller terminal. The first controller terminal is configured to provide a drive signal to close and open a switch to affect a first current flowing through a primary winding of a power conversion system. The second controller terminal is configured to receive first input signals during one or more first switching periods and receive second input signals during one or more second switching periods. The system controller is configured to determine whether a temperature associated with the power conversion system is larger than a predetermined temperature threshold, and in response to the temperature associated with the power conversion system being larger than the predetermined temperature threshold, generate the drive signal to cause the switch open and remain open to protect the power conversion system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: On-Bright Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaomin Huang, Huawei Lyu, Qiang Luo, Lieyi Fang
  • Patent number: 9385610
    Abstract: A power supply injects a series of “tickle” pulses into a pulse width modulated (PWM) controller to induce the controller to generate PWM pulses at a minimum switching frequency, preferably one that is super-sonic (especially for audio applications). The switching frequency may also be selected or controlled such that it avoids resonances in the power supply. The “tickle” pulses may be clocked by the same clock that times the PWM controller, and they may be shaped to help ensure that the power supply maintains some regulation during low-load conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Bose Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth B. DelPapa, Michael Nussbaum, Andrew Ferencz
  • Patent number: 9351365
    Abstract: A lighting system comprising an LED assembly that comprises a first and second LED unit said LED units being serial connected is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: ELDOLAB HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Marc Saes, Petrus Johannes Maria Welten
  • Patent number: 9337731
    Abstract: A power converting system produces an input signal regulated with respect to an input signal. The power converting system has a first inductive element having a first node coupled to an input node, and a second inductive element having a first node coupled to an output node. A first switching element is coupled to a second node of the first inductive element. A first capacitive element is coupled between the second node of the first inductive element and of the second inductive element. A control circuit sets a duty cycle of the first switching element to a first value for providing the output signal of a first polarity responsive to the input signal of the first polarity, and to set the duty cycle of the first switching element to a second value for providing the output signal of a second polarity responsive to the input signal of the first polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: LINEAR TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Albert M. Wu, Matthew Anthony Topp
  • Patent number: 9312754
    Abstract: A voltage generating unit generates a standard output voltage and sends to a voltage output side. A voltage detection unit detects a voltage of the voltage output side and informs a voltage gain control unit. When the voltage of the voltage output side is decreasing due to a dynamic load, the voltage gain control unit is configured to control the voltage generating unit to increase a gain of a voltage generated by the voltage generating unit, and the voltage generated by the voltage generating unit is lower than the standard output voltage. Then, the voltage gain control unit is configured to control the voltage generating unit to decrease the gain of the voltage generated by the voltage generating unit, and the voltage generated by the voltage generating unit is equal to the standard output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: CHICONY POWER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wen-Nan Huang, Shiu-Hui Lee, Ching-Guo Chen, Yao-Wen Tsai
  • Patent number: 9307592
    Abstract: A constant current driving device includes an electronic device, a transistor, a rectifying circuit, a current limiting element, an impedance element, and a first and a second energy storage element. A first end of the electronic device is connected to a first end of a load element. A first end of the transistor is connected to a second end of the load element, a second end of the transistor is connected to a second end of the electronic device through an impedance element, and a control end of the transistor is connected to the second end of the electronic device through a first energy storage element. The rectifying circuit connected between the first end and the control end of the transistor. The current limiting element is connected in parallel with the rectifying circuit. The second energy storage element is connected between the first and second end of the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Optromax Electronics Co., LTD
    Inventor: Kuo-Tso Chen
  • Patent number: 9300199
    Abstract: A control circuit of a power supply is provided. The power supply includes a current-sense circuit, a voltage-sense circuit, an output voltage regulation circuit, and a current regulation circuit. The current-sense circuit generates a current-sense signal in response to an output current of the power supply. The voltage-sense circuit generates a voltage-sense signal in response to an output voltage of the power supply. The output voltage regulation circuit is coupled to regulate the output voltage of the power supply according to a voltage reference signal and the voltage-sense signal. The output current regulation circuit is coupled to regulate the output current of the power supply according to a current reference signal and the current-sense signal. The output voltage of said power supply is programmable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: SYSTEM GENERAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ta-Yung Yang, Jian-Ming Fu, Ju-Hyun Kim, Chi-Yin Lo
  • Patent number: 9287776
    Abstract: A circuit and method for operating a switching mode power supply. A clock is driven by a current source to generate pulses at a fixed frequency using pulse width modulation for normal load demands. For light load demands, the current to the clock is reduced, and therefore the clock generates pulses at a lower, variable frequency and fixed duration using pulse frequency modulation. Thus, depending on the load condition, either fixed frequency pulses or fixed duration pulses are automatically provided to a power stage for conversion to an output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Tawen Mei
  • Patent number: 9287777
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an average current controller, an average current control method and a buck converter using the average current controller. The average current controller includes a first comparator for generating a high H signal, a multivibrator for generating a TAVG pulse signal by receiving a high H signal outputted from the first comparator, a timing generator for generating a signal CH_ON to charge/discharge a capacitor by using at least the TAVG pulse signal, an integrator circuit unit for charging/discharging the capacitor, a second comparator for outputting a corresponding signal, an up/down counter for increasing or decreasing a counting value and a digital/analog converter for outputting by converting an output (digital signal) of the up/down counter into an analog signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: SOLUM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jong Tae Hwang, Chan Woo Park, Sang Hyun Cha, Deuk Hee Park, Yun Joong Lee
  • Patent number: RE46138
    Abstract: An integrated circuit with multi-functional parameter setting and a multi-functional parameter setting method thereof are provided. The multi-functional parameter setting method includes the following steps: providing the integrated circuit, wherein the integrated circuit includes a multi-functional pin and a switch unit, wherein the multi-functional pin is coupled to an external setting unit, and the switch unit includes an operational amplifier; sensing a programmable reference voltage of the external setting unit through one operation of the switch unit and executing a first function setting according to the programmable reference voltage; and sensing a programmable reference current related to the external setting unit through another operation of the switch unit and executing a second function setting according to the programmable reference current. wherein a value of the programmable reference current is related to the programmable reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: uPI Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Hung-Hsuan Cheng, Wei-Ling Chen
  • Patent number: RE46419
    Abstract: An adaptive pulse positioning modulator including a sense circuit which provides a compensation signal indicative of output voltage error, a filter circuit having an input receiving the compensation signal and an output providing an adjust signal, a leading ramp circuit which provides a repetitive first leading edge ramp signal having a slope which is adjusted by the adjust signal, a comparator circuit which provides a first start trigger signal when the first leading edge ramp signal reaches the compensation signal and a first end trigger signal when a first trailing edge ramp signal reaches the compensation signal, a trailing ramp circuit which initiates ramping of the first trailing edge ramp signal when the first start trigger signal is provided, and a pulse control logic which asserts pulses on a PWM signal based on the trigger signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: INTERSIL AMERICAS LLC
    Inventors: Robert H. Isham, Weihong Qiu