Input Level Responsive Patents (Class 323/299)
  • Publication number: 20130051495
    Abstract: A receiver circuit. A receiving stage is coupled to a first supply voltage and an input signal, and operative to generate a first intermediate signal from the input signal based on the first supply voltage. A compensation stage is coupled to a second supply voltage and the first intermediate signal, and operative to generate a second intermediate signal by adjusting duty cycle of the first intermediate signal upon detecting changes in the first supply voltage to compensate for the changes in the first supply voltage. An outputting stage is coupled to the second supply voltage and operative to generate an output signal based on the second supply voltage upon receiving the second intermediate signal. A voltage of the output signal is adjusted to a level of the second supply voltage and the output signal has a 50% duty cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: NANYA TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Amna Z. Shawwa, Chia-Jen Chang
  • Patent number: 8379421
    Abstract: When a commercial power supply E operates normally, converter sections PFC1, PFC2 connected in parallel to each other can operate to approximate the input current from the commercial power supply E to the waveform and phase of the input voltage to correct a power factor while supplying stabilized output voltages Vo1, Vo2 to a load. When the voltage of the commercial power supply E drops, the smoothing capacitor Co1 operates as an input power supply to power the converter section PFC2, which allows the smoothing capacitor Co2 to supply the stabilized output voltage Vo2 to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Oita University
    Inventor: Kimihiro Nishijima
  • Patent number: 8373405
    Abstract: A power supply voltage detection circuit of the present invention includes a reference signal generation circuit that generates a reference signal according to a power supply voltage, a first transistor having a current flowing between a first terminal and a second terminal, where the current is controlled according to the reference signal, a voltage generation circuit that generates a control voltage according to a potential difference between the power supply voltage and the first terminal of the first transistor, and a second transistor that controls whether or not to output the power supply voltage according to the control voltage. Such circuit configuration enables to accurately detect a low voltage state of the power supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Yuji Fujita
  • Patent number: 8373394
    Abstract: A system and method for dynamically adjusting capacitance added in parallel to an electrical line input for improving efficiency of an electrical system. A microprocessor monitors in real time the current and voltage wave forms of a system and selects the optimum amount of capacitance from a bank of capacitors of different values. The system is implemented at the utility transformer to encourage adoption of the device by utility companies and customers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: EcoEarthEnergy, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry N. Huta, Stephen R. Phillips, Robert E. Morgan
  • Publication number: 20130033249
    Abstract: A process for controlling a current supplied to a load includes, in at least one aspect, detecting input to control a current supplied to a load operated by a driving signal, and in response to detecting the input, modifying the driving signal to control the current supplied to the load, wherein modifying the driving signal comprises alternately applying a first duty cycle and a second duty cycle to the driving signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: MARVELL INTERNATIONAL LTD.
    Inventor: MARVELL INTERNATIONAL LTD.
  • Patent number: 8362753
    Abstract: A switching power supply circuit includes a power circuit, a switching circuit and a load. The switching circuit includes a first filter module, a power processing unit, a stability module, and a second filter module. The first filter module receives a voltage signal from the power circuit and sends a filtered first voltage signal to the power processing unit; the power processing unit outputs a second voltage signal, the stability module stabilizes the second voltage signal and sends a third voltage signal to the second filter module; the second filter module filters the third voltage signal and sends a drive voltage to the load. In response to the second voltage signal instantaneously changing from high to low or low to high, during the change in current, power of the second voltage signal is stored in the stability module and released through the second filter module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignees: Innocom Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Chimei Innolux Corporation
    Inventor: Jie-Jian Zheng
  • Publication number: 20130015832
    Abstract: A voltage regulator and a memory device including same are provided. The voltage provider includes a resistive circuit configured to output at least one divided voltage; at least one driver circuit configured to be connected to the resistive circuit and to set the at least one divided voltage; and a compensation circuit configured to be connected to the at least one driver circuit, to receive a predetermined voltage, and to apply a power supply voltage to the at least one driver circuit. The at least one driver circuit may set the at least one divided voltage based on the power supply voltage received from the compensation circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Gil Won YOON, Dong Il JUNG
  • Patent number: 8351172
    Abstract: A power supply control apparatus includes an output transistor coupled between a first power supply line and an output terminal, the output terminal being configured to be coupled with a load, a discharge transistor coupled between a gate of the output transistor and the output terminal, and rendered conductive when the output transistor is brought into a non-conduction state, a negative voltage control unit coupled between the first power supply line and the gate of the output transistor, and bringing the output transistor into a conduction state when the counter electromotive voltage applied to the output terminal from the load exceeds a predetermined value, a diode having a cathode coupled with the first power supply line, and an anode, a third resistor provided between the anode of the diode and a second power supply line, and a compensation transistor coupled between the second power supply line and the output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Nakahara
  • Patent number: 8351232
    Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a power factor corrector for low loads and a related method. The power factor corrector raises power factor at low loads or high mains voltages by having the a greater amount of current delivered to the load during the falling time of the absolute value of the mains AC voltage than during the applicable rising time. Various embodiments achieve this by increasing the switch-on time of a control switch during the falling time so that the majority of the switch-on time during a mains period occurs during the falling time. This may involve using a timing voltage increasing over a period within each half mains cycle to increase the switch-on time of conversion cycles in the falling time. This may also involve shifting the power conversion in time domain during each half mains cycle so that a majority of the time occurs during the falling time. Various embodiments may employ both methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Cheng Zhang
  • Publication number: 20130002346
    Abstract: There is disclosed a power supply stage, and a method of controlling such, comprising: a means for generating an intermediate supply signal in dependence on a reference signal representing a desired power supply; and a plurality of adjusting means, each adapted to generate an adjusted supply signal tracking the reference signal, in dependence on the generated intermediate supply signal and the reference signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2010
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: NUJIRA LIMITED
    Inventor: Gerard Wimpenny
  • Patent number: 8344709
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a circuit having a voltage estimation circuit to receive a first voltage and generate an estimation of an output voltage of a power conversion circuit based on the first voltage. The first voltage is from a circuit node between a first terminal of a switch and a first terminal of an inductor. The circuit further comprises a current estimation circuit to receive a first current and generate an estimation of an output current of the power conversion circuit based on the first current. The first current is a current through the switch. The circuit further includes a pulse width modulation circuit to produce a pulse width modulated signal based on the estimation of an output voltage and the estimation of an output current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Marvell World Trade Ltd.
    Inventors: Wanfeng Zhang, Jianqing Lin, Shaoan Dai
  • Patent number: 8344718
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter includes a switching element to generate a pulse waveform by repeatedly admitting and cutting off the input voltage, a fluctuation component restraining circuit to restrain a fluctuation component generated in superposition on the pulse waveform and having a shorter cycle than a cycle of the pulse waveform, and a control circuit to operate the fluctuation component restraining circuit when the input voltage is equal to or larger than a reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Mitsuo Saeki, Koichi Matsuda, Akira Takeuchi
  • Publication number: 20120326692
    Abstract: A power-supply control apparatus uses a margin setting unit to set the value of a margin that is added to a request voltage value VID1 of an electronic device, which dynamically changes the operation voltage. A margin adding unit calculates a control voltage value VID2 by adding the margin to the request voltage value VID1 and outputs the control voltage value VID2 to a power-supply apparatus. Therefore, the power-supply apparatus can supply a margin-included voltage value that is changed in accordance with a change in the operation voltage of the electronic device. Accordingly, it is possible to check the electronic device, which dynamically changes its operation voltage, by using a margin that is properly set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Tohru KOIZUMI, Kensuke Ishida
  • Publication number: 20120326690
    Abstract: A circuit having an active mode and a sleep mode includes a power transistor, an amplifier, and a protection circuit. The power transistor has a first current electrode coupled to a first power supply terminal, a second current electrode as an output of the circuit for coupling to a load, and a control electrode, wherein the power transistor is characterized by having a threshold voltage and a leakage current, wherein the leakage current occurs between the control electrode and the first current electrode during the sleep mode. The amplifier has an output coupled to the control electrode of the power transistor that provides an active output during the active mode. The protection circuit detects the leakage current and prevents the leakage current from developing a voltage on the control electrode of the power transistor that exceeds the threshold voltage of the power transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: FREESCALE SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Thierry Sicard, Laurent Guillot
  • Publication number: 20120326691
    Abstract: A voltage converter has an input terminal and only N output terminals, and includes a DC-DC power supply block having an input node and an output node, (N+1) switches including N main output switches and an auxiliary switch each having a first end and a second end, and a switch control circuit. The DC-DC power supply block includes an inductor, and a switch module configured for alternating between a first interconnection configuration and a second interconnection configuration during a predetermined time period. First ends of the (N+1) switches are coupled to the output node, and second ends of the N main output switches are coupled to the N output terminals, respectively. The switch control circuit is configured for controlling the switch module and the (N+1) switches, wherein the (N+1) switches are switched on alternately during the predetermined time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Chien-Wei Kuan, Yen-Hsun Hsu
  • Publication number: 20120321916
    Abstract: A method is provided for mitigating hydrogen evolution within a flow battery system that includes a plurality of flow battery cells, a power converter and an electrochemical cell. The method includes providing hydrogen generated by the hydrogen evolution within the flow battery system to the electrochemical cell. A first electrical current generated by an electrochemical reaction between the hydrogen and a reactant is sensed, and the sensed current is used to control an exchange of electrical power between the flow battery cells and the power converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Inc.
    Inventors: Rachid Zaffou, Arun Pandy, Michael L. Perry
  • Patent number: 8331113
    Abstract: The invention discloses a control circuit for an AC-DC converter. The control circuit includes a power control circuit for comparing an input current sensing signal generated by sensing an input current of the AC-DC converter and a power level control input and in response thereto generating a frequency modulation control signal, in which the frequency modulation control signal is used to control the output power of the AC-DC converter and suppress harmonics of the input current, and a square wave generator connected to the power control circuit for generating a driving signal used to drive the switch circuit of the AC-DC converter according to the frequency modulation control signal, in which the frequency of the driving signal is varied with the frequency modulation control signal, thereby suppressing harmonics of the input current and regulating the switching frequency the AC-DC converter, and regulating the output power of the AC-DC converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Pak-Chuen Tang, Kwong-Ming Ching, Chung-Hei Poon
  • Patent number: 8332168
    Abstract: An instrument power controller (120) for adaptively providing an output voltage VO and an output current IO that together maintain a substantially constant electrical output power PO is provided. The controller (120) includes inputs (121) for receiving an input power PI, outputs (122) for providing the substantially constant output power PO to a variable impedance load L, and a communication path (126) for receiving a load voltage VL. The instrument power controller (120) is configured to determine an input voltage VI and an input current II, determine an effective resistance RL of the load L and set the output voltage VO and the output current IO based on the input voltage VI, the input current II, and the effective resistance RL. The output voltage VO is substantially independent from the input voltage VI. The output voltage VO and the output current IO are varied to maximize a load power PL while maintaining the substantially constant electrical output power PO.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventor: William M Mansfield
  • Patent number: 8330434
    Abstract: A power supply includes a rectifier having an AC input and a DC output and a power factor correction (PFC) preregulator, coupled to the rectifier, that increases a power factor of the power supply. The PFC preregulator includes a controller that integrates an input power to determine energy consumption and outputs a signal indicative of the energy consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Melanson
  • Patent number: 8330444
    Abstract: According to one configuration, a monitor circuit monitors a delivery of power supplied by one or more switch devices to a dynamic load. Based on an amount of power delivered to the load as measured by the monitor circuit, a control circuit produces a voltage control signal. A gate bias voltage generator circuit utilizes the voltage control signal to generate a switch activation voltage or bias voltage. A switch drive circuit uses the switch activation voltage as generated by the bias voltage generator to activate each of the one or more switch devices during a portion of a switching cycle when a respective switch device is in an ON state, and the respective switch device conducts current from a voltage source through the switch device to the load. The control circuit adjusts the voltage control signal to modify a level of the switch activation voltage depending on the dynamic load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: James Noon, Lawrence Spaziani, Robert T. Carroll, Venkat Sreenivas
  • Publication number: 20120308218
    Abstract: A switching power converter current limit reference circuit generates an output-referred input current reference (or an input-referred output current reference) which takes into account a converter's input voltage, output voltage, and efficiency, thereby enabling implementation of a DC, or average, input current regulation scheme. A reference current (Iref) is provided which represents the desired average current limit. Circuitry multiplies Iref and the complement of the converter's duty cycle D (1-D) together. When Iref represents a desired input current limit, the resulting product represents the average output current achievable when Iref=Iin for the prevailing duty cycle D. When Iref represents a desired output current limit, the resulting product represents the average input current achievable when Iref=Iout for prevailing duty cycle D.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: GAVIN GALLOWAY, Michael McPartlin
  • Patent number: 8325129
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a back light assembly that emits light on a liquid crystal panel; and an inverter that controls brightness of the light emitted from the back light assembly according to a difference between video data of at least three frames that are sequentially inputted to the liquid crystal panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong Kyoung Oh
  • Patent number: 8320875
    Abstract: Emergency communication initiated from an internet protocol enabled device may be recognized and established. An address representative of a designated recipient with which communication is to be established may be provided to a first communication service operating on the internet protocol enabled device, such as a wireless mobile device. The communication may be a non-voice communication or a voice communication. The communication may be determined to be indicative of an emergency. The communication may be established with a recipient associated with the designated recipient address via a second communication service operating on the internet protocol enabled device and a predetermined network upon the communication being indicative of an emergency. The predetermined network may provide the communication between the internet protocol enabled device and the recipient securely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Charles Musgrove, Brian Daly, Dewayne Sennett
  • Patent number: 8315717
    Abstract: A client device manages consumption of power supplied by an electric utility to one or more power consuming devices. Power flow to the power consuming devices is controlled by one or more controllable devices, which are controlled by the client device. The client device receives a power control message, such as from a remote system controller. The power control message may have been issued in furtherance of a power reduction event initiated by the electric utility. The power control message indicates an amount of electric power to be reduced and/or identification of at least one controllable device to be instructed to disable a flow of electric power to one or more associated power consuming devices. Responsive to the power control message, a flow of electric power is disabled or otherwise reduced to at least one power consuming device based on the contents of the power control message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Consert Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Forbes, Jr., Joel L. Webb
  • Patent number: 8314601
    Abstract: As for a transistor, overlapped are factors such as a variation of a gate insulation film which occurs due to a difference of a manufacturing process and a substrate used and a variation of a crystalline state in a channel forming region and thereby, there occurs a variation of a threshold voltage and mobility of a transistor. This invention provides an electric circuit which used a rectification type device in which an electric current is generated only in a single direction, when an electric potential difference was applied to electrodes at both ends of the device. Then, the invention provides an electric circuit which utilized a fact that, when a signal voltage is inputted to one terminal of the rectification type device, an electric potential of the other terminal becomes an electric potential offset only by the threshold voltage of the rectification type device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Kimura, Yasuko Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8310219
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter including, an inductor; and a driving switching element for performing switching to a flow path to flow an electric current through the inductor; wherein the DC-DC converter drives the driving switching element by PWM control using a PWM control pulse to convert a direct-current input voltage supplied from a direct-current power source and to output a direct-current voltage having a piece of electric potential different from that of the direct-current input voltage, and wherein the DC-DC converter drives the driving switching element by the PWM control under a first condition, and the DC-DC converter makes the driving switching element be in an on-state continuously while the output direct-current voltage is lower than a desired level under a second condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Kuroyabu, Keizo Kumagai, Takashi Hiroshima
  • Publication number: 20120280664
    Abstract: A handheld device includes an electronic instrument and a capacitive power supply for storing and delivering power to the electronic instrument. The capacitive power supply includes at least one capacitor, and an electronic circuit operable to boost a voltage from the capacitor to a higher voltage for use by the electronic instrument. The capacitive power supply can be rapidly recharged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: WELCH ALLYN, INC.
    Inventor: Robert J. Wood
  • Publication number: 20120280671
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an on-time control module for compensating a switching frequency in a switching regulator. The on-time control module includes an average voltage generating circuit, for generating an average voltage related to a duty according to an input voltage and the duty, and an on-time controller, for generating a control signal of an on-time related to the duty according to the input voltage and the duty voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Chih-Yuan Chen, Liang-Hsiang Chiu
  • Patent number: 8305063
    Abstract: An example controller for a power supply includes a drive signal generator and a compensation circuit. The drive signal generator is to be coupled to control switching of a switch included in the power supply to regulate an output voltage of the power supply in response to a sensed output voltage such that the output voltage of the power supply is greater than an input voltage of the power supply. The compensation circuit is coupled to the drive signal generator and is also coupled to output an offset current to adjust the sensed output voltage in response to the input voltage of the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhao-Jun Wang, Giao M. Pham
  • Patent number: 8299773
    Abstract: A power supply comprises an input voltage detector that detects a drop in input voltage that corresponds to an input voltage loss. A power converter is coupled to the input voltage detector. The power converter, which may be a boost converter or a power factor correction converter, has a switching device that is actuated in accordance with a duty cycle. A duty cycle adjuster is responsive to detection of the drop in the input voltage to adjust the duty cycle of the switching device in order to limit an input current surge through the switching device below a desired level after the input voltage returns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Yungtaek Jang, Milan M. Jovanovic, Yi-Hsin Leu, Ming-Tsung Hsieh, Wei-Hsin Wen, Chi-Hsing Huang
  • Patent number: 8301313
    Abstract: A wind park system is disclosed. Briefly described, one embodiment comprises at least one wind power installation having a generator for the delivery of electrical power to an electrical network, characterized in that the power delivered to the network by the wind park is regulated or adjusted in dependence on the network frequency of the electrical network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Inventor: Aloys Wobben
  • Patent number: 8294447
    Abstract: A DC/DC converter comprising voltage conversion circuitry for generating a regulated output voltage responsive to an input current and at least one switching control signal. A current control loop generates the at least one switching control signal to limit an input current responsive to the input current, a reference voltage and a slope signal injected with the reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventor: Manjing Xie
  • Patent number: 8294448
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is provides which includes: a first boost circuit that generates a first boost voltage by boosting an external voltage and supplies the first boost voltage to an internal circuit; and a first circuit that supplies the external voltage to an output of the first boost circuit when power is turned on and supplies the first boost voltage to the output of the first boost circuit when the external voltage reaches a given voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Atsushi Nakakubo
  • Patent number: 8289011
    Abstract: A switched mode power supply (SMPS) suitable for use with a transmitter is disclosed. A digital signal processing unit, using a reference voltage and a voltage signal from the power source as inputs, determines the duty cycle for a voltage converter, such as a buck-boost converter, of the SMPS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Kari Olavi Vigelius
  • Patent number: 8283909
    Abstract: A switching mode power supply apparatus includes a conversion unit to convert input power into output power having a predetermined voltage by performing a switching operation, a light emitting unit to emit light if the voltage of the output power exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage, a light receiving unit to receive the light emitted from the light emitting unit and output a signal indicative of the voltage of the output power, a switching controller to control the switching operation of the conversion unit according to the voltage of the output power indicated by the signal output from the light receiving unit, and a disconnection unit to disconnect power applied to the light receiving unit if a voltage of the power applied to the light receiving unit exceeds a predetermined trigger voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tae-kwon Na
  • Patent number: 8283900
    Abstract: A method for controlling a boost converter having a duty cycle includes the steps of receiving an electric current command for the boost converter, measuring a source current for the boost converter, regulating the duty cycle as a function of the electric current command and the source current, subject to a first minimum limit if a rapid change in duty cycle is required above a predetermined threshold and a second minimum limit if the rapid change in duty cycle is not required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technologies Operations LLC
    Inventors: Seok-Joo Jang, Ray M. Ransom
  • Publication number: 20120249109
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a communication system with monitored input state of an input device. The input device has an input connection, a ground connection and an input circuit connected between the input connection and the ground connection. The input circuit is designed to detect an input signal. A sensor device is also provided, which is connected to the input connection and optionally the ground connection. The communication system also has a current-increasing device connected to the input connection and the ground connection, which is designed to furnish an increased current for the input circuit for an adjustable time period as a function of the voltage lying on the input connection. A power supply is also provided to supply power to the sensor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Viktor Oster
  • Publication number: 20120249110
    Abstract: A power converter (14) can include a switching system (18) to convert a direct current (DC) input voltage to an output voltage based on a switching signal having a duty-cycle. A controller (16) can set the duty-cycle of the switching signal, depending on the DC input voltage, to one of a substantially constant value, such that the output voltage follows the DC input voltage in a normal mode, and a value that varies inversely with respect to the DC input voltage, such that the output voltage is substantially constant in another mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: David Paul Mohr, Daniel Humphrey
  • Publication number: 20120249108
    Abstract: A constant frequency ON-time control system applied to a voltage regulator is disclosed. The voltage regulator determines a time length of an input voltage inputted thereto according to an ON-time and thereby regulates an output voltage. The constant frequency ON-time control system includes a constant frequency ON-time control circuit for computing the ON-time according to a system duty cycle of the voltage regulator and a frequency setting parameter and a frequency setting parameter adjusting circuit for generating a frequency setting parameter adjust value according to an OFF-time corresponding to the ON-time and taking a result of operation between the frequency setting parameter adjust value and a preset frequency setting parameter as the frequency setting parameter. The frequency setting parameter adjusting circuit uses the frequency setting parameter adjust value to change the result of operation for varying the frequency setting parameter when the OFF-time is shorter than a reference value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: RICHTEK TECHNOLOGY CORP
    Inventors: AN-TUNG CHEN, TING-JUNG TAI
  • Patent number: 8278904
    Abstract: A power supply system uses improved Class G amplifier architecture for high bandwidth operation with low distortion. The power supply system switches between multiple power supply rails, depending on the signal level handled by the power supply system. The lowest usable supply rail voltage is chosen to minimize power dissipation in the output driver, thus optimizing efficiency. Each supply rail has an associated driver capable of sourcing current to the amplifier output. When a supply rail is selected, its associated driver is enabled and other driver(s) not associated with the selected supply rail are disabled via separate disable control signals. The disabling of the deselected driver may be delayed until current above a predetermined threshold is sensed at the output of the enabled driver. In addition, the frequency of switching between the power rails may be limited via various means designed to limit distortion in the power supply system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Quantance, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent Roger Jensen, Serge Francois Drogi, Martin Tomasz
  • Patent number: 8278891
    Abstract: Feedback voltage stabilizing apparatus, method, and power conversion system are disclosed. The apparatus includes a first switching unit, a second switching unit, and a conduction control unit. In which, the first switching unit is coupled to a feedback circuit for controlling whether a feedback signal is transmitted from a first end to a second end. The second switching unit is for avoiding voltage vibrations which caused by the feedback signal occurring at the second end. By capturing a detection signal, the conduction control unit can determine whether to simultaneously turn on the first switching unit and the second switching unit, in order to eliminate the voltage vibrations, or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Lien Chang Electronic Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Kong Chan, Po-Yuan Yu
  • Patent number: 8274248
    Abstract: A rotation speed detection circuit includes an internal clock generation portion which receives an input of a period signal whose period varies in accordance with rotation speed of a motor and generates an internal clock signal having a predetermined number of pulses in one period of the period signal, and an internal clock counter portion which counts the number of pulses of the internal clock signal for a predetermined period every one period of the period signal and delivers a count value thereof as a digital data signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Hirata, Yoshifumi Shigmogaki
  • Patent number: 8273979
    Abstract: DC-DC converters are described that employ a time-averaged modulated bypass diode to facilitate the efficient harvest of power in photovoltaic systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Xandex, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven P. Weir
  • Publication number: 20120236672
    Abstract: A high voltage generating circuit includes first and second high voltage pump circuits and an oscillator. The oscillator is configured to output a first clock signal driving the first high voltage pump circuit and a second clock signal driving the second high voltage pump circuit. The oscillator includes a first delay circuit configured to output the second clock signal by delaying the first clock signal by a first delay time. The first delay circuit is configured to adjust the first delay time according to a period of the first clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: CHEON AN LEE, DOOGON KIM
  • Patent number: 8269476
    Abstract: A load controller includes: an input circuit which detects that a drive instruction signal is less or equal to a first input threshold value; a constant current source activated in accordance with a detection by the input circuit; a PWM signal generating unit that is activated by the constant current source and generates a PWM signal; a comparator that is activated by the constant current source and compares the drive instruction signal with a second input threshold value set to be lower than the first input threshold value; a logic calculation unit that carries out a logic calculation of the PWM signal with a compared result of the comparator; a drive control unit that operates in accordance with an output from the logic calculation unit to generate a PWM drive control signal; and a load driving element that is driven by the PWM drive control signal to control a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignees: Yazaki Corporation, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroo Yabe, Tsuyoshi Uchikura, Tatsumi Tashiro, Akihiro Tanaka, Masahiro Kasai
  • Publication number: 20120229114
    Abstract: A DC/DC boost converter includes a first boost driving unit, a second boost driving unit connected in parallel with the first boost driving unit, and a capacitor electrically connected to the first and second boost driving units. The first boost driving unit is utilized for performing a first driving operation according to an input voltage and a first control signal. The first driving operation includes a first energy-storing operation and a first energy-releasing operation. The second boost driving unit is utilized for performing a second driving operation according to the input voltage and a second control signal different from the first control signal. The second driving operation includes a second energy-storing operation and a second energy-releasing operation. The first and second energy-releasing operations are employed to alternately charge the capacitor for generating an output voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventor: Chen-Hao Yang
  • Patent number: 8258763
    Abstract: There is provided a switching power supply unit having an overcurrent detection circuit capable of automatically selecting either a current detection method using an resistor or a current detection method using an external current detection resistor and of performing optimized overcurrent protection depending on applications. In the control circuit of the switching power supply unit for detecting a current flowing through a high-side switch as a current detection signal and comparing it with an overcurrent detection threshold value to detect an overcurrent and turning off the high-side switch to protect the switching power supply unit, a first current detection terminal connected to a power supply side terminal of the high-side switch or to a load side terminal of the high-side switch and a temperature compensating means to switch for temperature compensation on an overcurrent detection threshold value or on a current detection signal are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaru Nakamura, Chiharu Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8253404
    Abstract: A disclosed constant voltage circuit is configured to become active or inactive and convert an input voltage applied to an input terminal into a predetermined constant voltage for output from an output terminal. The circuit includes an output transistor for supplying, from the input terminal to the output terminal, an output current, an error amplifier circuit unit for controlling operations of the output transistor to make a first proportional voltage, which is proportional to the output voltage from the output terminal, equal to a predetermined reference voltage, a ramp voltage generating circuit unit for generating and outputting a ramp voltage whose voltage level increases at a predetermined speed from start-up, and an amplifier circuit unit for amplifying the voltage difference between the ramp voltage and a second proportional voltage, which is proportional to the output voltage, and outputting the amplified voltage difference to a control electrode of the output transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kohji Yoshii
  • Publication number: 20120215372
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for controlling a photovoltaic panel while ensuring the power source operates safely include determining a temperature of the photovoltaic panel, determining a voltage provided from the photovoltaic panel, determining a parameter based on the voltage and the temperature and controlling a power converter based on the determined parameter. The power converter may be a pulse amplitude modulated current converter (PAMCC). The PAMCC may be controlled through tables of pulse durations based on the determined parameter. The voltage output may be controlled through a fast control loop and through a slower control loop, and the power demand from the solar panel may be controlled such that the output voltage does not vary from the expected value by more than a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: Array Converter Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Kernahan, Sorin Spanoche, Aldrin Aviananda, Shiloh Hawley, David Stewart
  • Patent number: 8248399
    Abstract: A driving-voltage generation apparatus and a liquid crystal display (LCD) having the same are provided. The driving-voltage generation apparatus includes an input node coupled to an input voltage, a voltage converter configured to convert the input voltage into an output voltage and output the output voltage, and a voltage cutoff unit electrically connected between the input node and the voltage converter. The voltage cutoff unit is configured to sense the input voltage and selectively cut off the supply of the input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Do-Hyeon Park, Myoung-Ha Jeon