Overvoltage Patents (Class 361/91.1)
  • Patent number: 12261550
    Abstract: A converter circuit converts AC electric power into DC power. An inverter circuit converts the DC power into AC power. A capacitor is connected in parallel to each of the converter circuit and the inverter circuit between these circuits. The capacitor allows variation of an output voltage from the converter circuit, and absorbs variation of an output voltage from the inverter circuit due to a switching operation. An overvoltage protection circuit includes a resistor and a semiconductor element connected in series to each other. The overvoltage protection circuit is connected in parallel to the capacitor to protect the inverter circuit from an overvoltage. First and second control units respectively control the inverter circuit and the overvoltage protection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Ryou Matsuyama, Masaki Kono, Tomoisa Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 12248032
    Abstract: A fault managed power system (FMPS) and method monitors and detects fault currents in PoE, PFC, and other cables that indicate likely human contact with cable conductors. The level of current detected through the human body combined with a fast response time limits the energy to prevent a person from experiencing ventricular fibrillation, resulting in a so-called touch-safe level. For overload and short-circuit fault protection, the system automatically and immediately removes power from the cables. This limits the amount of energy provided into the fault, thereby maintaining touch-safe operation and also preventing electrical fires and system component protection. The system/method can accomplish this even at voltage levels considerably higher than existing touch-safe standards, for example. Class 2 (below 50 Vac) power supplies. Such a system/method allows the amount of power in applications like PoE and PFC to be safely increased to levels much greater than the current maximum (100 W).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Shea, Pawan Kumar Modi
  • Patent number: 12228591
    Abstract: A current sensing system includes a pre-calibrated busbar, a voltage sensor, a temperature sensor and a controller. The pre-calibrated busbar has a known resistance, a known variation in resistance with respect to temperature and known dimensions. The voltage sensor detects a difference in voltage between a first location and a second location on the pre-calibrated busbar. The temperature sensor detects an ambient temperature of the pre-calibrated busbar. The controller determines a resistance of the busbar between the first location and the second location based on the known resistance, known variation in resistance, known dimensions and the ambient temperature. The controller additionally determines a current flowing through the pre-calibrated busbar based on the difference in voltage and the determined resistance. The current sensing system has numerous applications including using the determined current to control an operating condition of a solid state circuit breaker or a solid state power controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Armen Baronian, Yash Veer Singh, Piranavan Suntharalingam, Mikhail Goykhman, Galen Chui
  • Patent number: 12224575
    Abstract: A method may include receiving, via at least one processor, a first set of data indicative of a fault being present and send a first signal to a breaker based on the first set of data. The first signal may cause the breaker to open a plurality of poles of the breaker. The method may then involve receiving a second set of data indicative of the fault being cleared and sending a second signal to the breaker based on the second set of data. The second signal may cause the breaker to close a first pole of the plurality of poles at a first time and close a second pole of the plurality of poles at a second time different from the first time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kyle B. Adkins, Aiman Kerim, Juerg Merki, Randall S. Langer, Andrew E. Carlson, David Elmiger
  • Patent number: 12176715
    Abstract: A distribution system includes: at least one Power Management System (PMS) that controls electrical power transmitted by the distribution system; and a first power station located at an onshore platform including an onshore terminal that distributes electric power to the first power station and to at least one onshore load, a plurality of onshore reactors that monitor inbound reactive power received from the onshore terminal or that monitor outbound reactive power sent to a remote location, and an onshore synchronous motor that operates on the inbound reactive power received from the onshore terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Yaseen Saleh, Wasseem Ali Khardawi
  • Patent number: 12166433
    Abstract: A method for operating a power converter as an inverter between a DC voltage and an AC voltage grid is disclosed. For each AC voltage phase of the AC voltage grid, the power converter has at least one half-bridge which is connected to the AC voltage phase and has two semiconductor switches. Each semiconductor switch is reversed-connected in parallel with a diode. An activation angle range is determined for each semiconductor switch within an angle period, the lower range limit of which activation angle range is formed by subtracting a pre-firing angle from the lower range limit of a switch angle range, and the upper range limit of which activation angle range is formed by subtracting a pre-extinction angle from the upper range limit of the switch angle range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: René Junghänel, Klaus Nieberlein
  • Patent number: 12155201
    Abstract: A soft turn-off active clamp protection circuit and a power system are disclosed. The circuit includes a gate connection terminal, a drain connection terminal, a source connection terminal, a discharge capacitor, an overvoltage signal acquisition module, a negative feedback module, a discharge current control module and a turn-off control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: SUNWODA MOBILITY ENERGY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Binbin Chen, Xiaodong Chen
  • Patent number: 12142910
    Abstract: A power control device includes: an output voltage controller configured to control an output voltage based on a feedback voltage corresponding to the output voltage; and an overvoltage protector configured to continue or stop the operation of the output voltage controller based on a first detection result of whether the output voltage has exceeded an output voltage threshold value and a second detection result of whether the feedback voltage has fallen to or below a feedback voltage threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Okajima
  • Patent number: 12111332
    Abstract: Movement of photovoltaic panels is measured using an array of low-cost devices. Accelerometers are mounted on photovoltaic panels across a site to measure wind speed and direction. Time stamped data from the devices is transmitted to a central computing device which calculates a rolling, lagging wind speed and direction. Measured movement of the photovoltaic panels is used to determine when to place photovoltaic panels in a protective stow mode to reduce damage during a wind event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: AVSENSOR, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Thomas Needham, Frank Carl Oudheusden
  • Patent number: 12062905
    Abstract: A modular load management system comprises one or more compact modules designed to fit in the wiring troughs of a standard AC distribution panel of a building. The modules include one or more input terminals to receive electrical power from one or more circuit breakers in the panel and deliver power to load circuits of the building via one or more output terminals. The modules contain at least one disconnect switch for disconnecting circuits from breakers in response to a remote or locally-generated control signal. The modules may also include current sensors on some or all terminals, such that power and energy flow may be monitored on a per-circuit basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Generac Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Hallam, Jonathan Li, Ching Kun Meng
  • Patent number: 12053798
    Abstract: Drive circuitry for driving a piezoelectric transducer, the circuitry comprising: an inductor; a first reservoir capacitor; a switch network; and control circuitry configured to control operation of the switch network to selectively couple the inductor to one of a power supply, the first reservoir capacitor and the piezoelectric transducer, wherein the circuitry is operative in a discontinuous mode to transfer charge between the reservoir capacitor and the piezoelectric transducer, and wherein a polarity of the first reservoir capacitor is opposite to a polarity of the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic Inc.
    Inventor: John Paul Lesso
  • Patent number: 12055963
    Abstract: A PD controller integrated circuit of a USB apparatus is disclosed, including a CC pad, a first switch, a second switch, a PD controller circuit, a high voltage sensing circuit, and a switch control circuit. The high voltage sensing circuit senses the CC pad. When a current voltage of the CC pad does not exceed a rated range, the first switch and the second switch connected in series between the CC pad and the PD controller circuit are turned on. When the current voltage exceeds the rated range, the first switch and the second switch are turned off, and the switch control circuit maintains a voltage of a common node between the first switch and the second switch at a reduced level lower than the current voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: VIA LABS, INC.
    Inventor: Jung-Chang Liu
  • Patent number: 11984719
    Abstract: A circuit protection system is provided herein that minimizes the disconnection time of a circuit while protecting other electrical components. Some configurations comprise a set of parallel circuit interruption devices, each connected in series with respective fuses. A control device sets a state of the circuit interruption device based on a current of the circuit. Under certain current loads, the circuit is interrupted without causing a fuse to blow. Under other current loads, the circuit is interrupted by having one or more fuses blow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: RIVIAN IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Putnam, Nathaniel C. Wynn
  • Patent number: 11979097
    Abstract: A converter circuit converts AC electric power into DC power. An inverter circuit converts the DC power into AC power. A capacitor is connected in parallel to each of the converter circuit and the inverter circuit between these circuits. The capacitor allows variation of an output voltage from the converter circuit, and absorbs variation of an output voltage from the inverter circuit due to a switching operation. An overvoltage protection circuit includes a resistor and a semiconductor element connected in series to each other. The overvoltage protection circuit is connected in parallel to the capacitor to protect the inverter circuit from an overvoltage. First and second control units respectively control the inverter circuit and the overvoltage protection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Ryou Matsuyama, Masaki Kono, Tomoisa Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 11973076
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit, coupled between a first reference terminal and a second reference terminal; the ESD protection circuit includes a first voltage divider, a second voltage divider, a first trigger circuit and a second trigger circuit. The first trigger circuit includes a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is coupled to the first reference terminal, and the second terminal is coupled to the second reference terminal via the first voltage divider. The second trigger circuit includes a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is coupled to the second reference terminal, the second terminal is coupled to the first reference terminal via the second voltage divider, and the second trigger circuit and the first trigger circuit are in parallel connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Fang Lai, Liang-Yu Su, Hang Fan
  • Patent number: 11966283
    Abstract: An exemplary computing device includes a plurality of circuits and/or a plurality of in-situ monitors configured to generate outputs that indicate one or more operating conditions of the circuits. The computing device also includes a system management unit configured to detect a potentially faulty voltage-to-frequency ratio implemented by one of the circuits based at least in part on one or more of the outputs. The system management unit is also configured to modify the potentially faulty voltage-to-frequency ratio based at least in part on one or more of the outputs. Various other devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Divya Madapusi Srinivas Prasad, Sudhanva Gurumurthi, Yasuko Eckert, Jeffrey Richard Rearick, Sankaranarayanan Gurumurthy, Amitabh Mehra, Shidhartha Das, Alex W. Schaefer, Vikram Ramachandra, Vilas Sridharan
  • Patent number: 11967816
    Abstract: An input/output (I/O) interface includes a resistance-to-current (R/I) converter; an internal resistor; first, second, and third current sources; first and second diodes; and a comparator. The R/I converter is coupled to an I/O pin and generates an output current based on an external resistance at the I/O pin during an analog operating mode. The internal resistor is coupled to the I/O pin and to ground. The first current source is coupled to the R/I converter circuit. The first diode is coupled to the R/I converter and to the I/O pin. The second current source is coupled to the R/I converter and the first diode and to ground. The second diode is coupled to the I/O pin and to the third current source. The comparator has inputs coupled to the I/O pin and to a reference voltage, and outputs a control signal indicative of a digital operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ishaan Kubba, Sreeram Nasum Subramanyam, Shishir Goyal, Deep Banerjee
  • Patent number: 11962175
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, an electronic device may include a battery, a resonance circuit, a rectifier, a DC/DC converter, a charger, a switch, an overvoltage protection circuit configured to perform an overvoltage protection operation or to stop the overvoltage protection operation based on the voltage at the output terminal of the rectifier, a control circuit, and a communication circuit, and the control circuit may be configured to: based on a periodic repetition of a performance of the overvoltage protection operation and a stop of the overvoltage protection while the switch is in an off state, identify a first period during which the overvoltage protection operation is stopped, based on the first period, identify an expected voltage at an output terminal of the rectifier, to be expected, wherein the expected voltage is a voltage if the switch is in an on state, based on the expected voltage, identify whether an occurrence of an overvoltage is expected if the switch is in the on state, and control the c
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Beomwoo Gu, Kangho Byun, Hyunseok Shin, Sungku Yeo, Youngho Ryu, Chongmin Lee
  • Patent number: 11959947
    Abstract: An overvoltage protection circuit for a control unit for a vehicle includes an input terminal for applying an electrical input voltage, a test terminal for applying an electrical test voltage, and an output terminal for providing an electrical output voltage to supply the control unit. The overvoltage protection circuit also includes a reference device to provide a reference voltage using the input voltage. The overvoltage protection circuit includes a dividing device to provide a divided voltage using the output voltage. The overvoltage protection circuit includes a control device to provide a regulation signal using the reference and divided voltages. The overvoltage protection circuit includes a regulation device connected between the input and output terminals. The regulation device provides the output voltage using the input voltage and the regulation signal. The overvoltage protection circuit includes a modification device to modify a value of the divided voltage using the test voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHRZEUGE GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Feucht, Guenter Herrmann, Frank Scholl
  • Patent number: 11959975
    Abstract: A method and monitoring device for selectively determining partial insulation resistance and partial system leakage capacitance of an outgoing line in a branched ungrounded power supply system monitored using an insulation monitoring device actively superposing a measuring alternating voltage on the ungrounded power supply system. Using an equivalent circuit diagram of the branched ungrounded power supply system as a basis, the partial insulation resistance having the current/voltage ratios applicable in linear systems are derived from the known measuring voltage and the inner resistance of the insulation monitoring device and from the total insulation resistance and the stationary partial current measured in the corresponding outgoing line and in the settled state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: BENDER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Carsten Hartmann
  • Patent number: 11935884
    Abstract: Overvoltage protection circuits are provided. In some embodiments, an overvoltage protection circuit includes a first diode made of a first semiconductor material having a bandgap width greater than that of silicon. A second diode is included and is electrically cross-coupled with the first diode. The second diode is made of a second semiconductor material different from the first semiconductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l., STMICROELECTRONICS (TOURS) SAS
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Simonnet, Sophie Ngo, Simone Rascuna'
  • Patent number: 11887979
    Abstract: A transient voltage suppression device and a manufacturing method therefor, the transient voltage suppression device including: a substrate, a first conductivity type well region and a second conductivity type well region disposed in the substrate. The first conductivity type well region includes a first well, a second well, and a third well. The second conductivity type well region includes a fourth well that isolates the first well from the second well, and a fifth well that isolates the second well from the third well. The device further includes a Zener diode well region provided in the first well, a first doped region provided in the Zener diode well region, a second doped region provided in the Zener diode well region, a third doped region provided in the second well, a fourth doped region provided in the third well, and a fifth doped region provided in the third well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: CSMC TECHNOLOGIES FAB2 CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shikang Cheng, Yan Gu, Sen Zhang
  • Patent number: 11876366
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an electronic circuit including a first switch coupling a first node of the circuit to an input/output terminal of the circuit; a second switch coupling the first node to a second node of application of a fixed potential; and a high-pass filter having an input coupled to the terminal and an output coupled to a control terminal of the second switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Alps) SAS
    Inventor: Michel Bouche
  • Patent number: 11870241
    Abstract: A power control device includes: an output voltage controller configured to control an output voltage based on a feedback voltage corresponding to the output voltage; and an overvoltage protector configured to continue or stop the operation of the output voltage controller based on a first detection result of whether the output voltage has exceeded an output voltage threshold value and a second detection result of whether the feedback voltage has fallen to or below a feedback voltage threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Okajima
  • Patent number: 11846664
    Abstract: Electrostatic discharge (ESD) test systems include a FET-based pulse generator using pairs of back-to-back FETs coupled to produce an ESD pulse based on discharging a capacitor that is coupled in series with a device under test (DUT). A number of FETs can be selected based on an intended ESD test voltage magnitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventor: Marcos Hernandez
  • Patent number: 11848552
    Abstract: A USB Type-C/Power Delivery controller chip includes a first pin for receiving a first voltage, a second pin for receiving a second voltage, and a third pin for coupling to the CC pin of a USB connector. The USB controller chip includes a VCONN power supply circuit having a blocking field effect transistor (BFET) coupled in series with a hot-swap field FET (HSFET) between the first and third pins, and first and second Zener diodes coupled anode-to-anode between the HSFET's source and gate. A cable detection circuit includes a BFET coupled between the second and third pins, and a Zener diode coupled between the BFET's gate and a lower rail. A power delivery physical layer circuit includes a receiver and a transmitter, each coupled to the third pin through a respective BFET, the respective BFETs each having a Zener diode coupled between respective gates and the lower rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Rajdeep Mukhopadhyay, Pulkit Shah, Vinod Joseph Menezes
  • Patent number: 11835592
    Abstract: The present application provides method and circuit for monitoring a voltage of a power supply, which adopts a divided voltage circuit to obtain a divided voltage from an input voltage of an input power source generated from the power supply, for detecting the input voltage according to the divided voltage by adopting a first detection circuit and a second detection circuit. Also, judging whether the divided voltage is clamped according to a clamp threshold value to determine the first detection circuit or the second detection circuit detecting a detection current and determine another detection circuit detecting the divided voltage. Hereby, the input voltage transmitted from a rectification circuit to the power supply is monitored, and the dependence between the two detection circuits is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Infsitronix Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Yuan-Kai Cheng
  • Patent number: 11820649
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for detecting movement of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device. The system uses a drive voltage signal source for generating a low frequency drive voltage signal for driving the MEMS device. An excitation signal source may be used for generating an excitation signal which is also applied to the MEMS device. The excitation signal has a frequency which is above a physical response capability of the MEMS device, such that operation of the MEMS device is not significantly affected by the excitation signal. A sensing impedance is used to help generate a signal which is responsive to the capacitance of the MEMS device. The capacitance of the MEMS device changes in response to movement of the MEMS device. An output subsystem is provided which responds to changes sensed by the sensing impedance, and which produces an output voltage signal. A filter filters the output voltage signal to produce a filtered output voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Matthew Panas, Princess Corral, Steven L. Hunter, Phillip Harris Paul
  • Patent number: 11804706
    Abstract: An over-voltage protection circuit includes an over-voltage detection circuit, a voltage generator and a switch for providing over-voltage protection between two pins of a USB Type-C port. The over-voltage detection circuit provides an over-voltage signal according to the level of the second pin. The switch includes a first end coupled to the first pin, a second end coupled to the second pin and a control end coupled to a control signal. When the over-voltage signal does not indicate an over-voltage occurrence at the second pin, the voltage generator provides the control signal having a first level for operating the switch in a first region. When the over-voltage signal indicates an over-voltage occurrence at the second pin, the voltage generator adjusts the control signal to a second level for cutting off the switch. The switch operates in a second region after the over-voltage occurrence and before the switch is cut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: ITE Tech. Inc.
    Inventors: Yi-Chung Chou, Chih-Yuan Kuo, Dong-Shan Chen
  • Patent number: 11798766
    Abstract: The invention provides a surge protector, in particular for information technology and/or communications technology systems, which is equipped with: a housing (ST, BT; GT); a first input terminal (E1) for applying a first external voltage signal; a second input terminal (E2) for applying a second external voltage signal; a first output terminal (A1) for outputting the first external voltage signal; a second output terminal (A2) for outputting the second external voltage signal; a surge protection circuit device (G1, R1, Z1; G1, G2, R1, R2, Z1; G1, G2, R1, R2, Z1, Z2), at least part of which is provided on a circuit board (P) located in the housing (ST, BT; G); a first current path (ST1) for conducting the first external voltage signal from the first input terminal (E1) to the first output terminal (A1) bypassing the surge protection circuit device (G1, R1, Z1; G1, G2, R1, R2, Z1; G1, G2, R1, R2, Z1, Z2); a second current path (ST2) for conducting the second external voltage signal from the second input termin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: DEHN SE
    Inventors: Florian Gäck, Julius Schrafl, Markus Götz, Hans Herold, Thomas Böhm, Benjamin Moosburger, Thomas Sellerer, Dominik Wölfl, Michael Hess
  • Patent number: 11799303
    Abstract: A battery protection circuit includes: a charging control switch connected in series to a big current path between a battery module configured with a plurality of cells connected in series and a plurality of pack terminals; a battery controller for controlling the charging control switch based on cell voltages of the cells; and a plurality of first protection circuits connected to the respective cells on the big current path, and intercepting or allowing a current flowing to the corresponding cell based on the cell voltage of the corresponding cell from among the cells, wherein the first protection circuits respectively include at least one switch connected in series between neighboring cells or between one of the cells and a first pack terminal from among the pack terminals, and a cell controller for controlling the at least one switch according to a cell voltage of the corresponding cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-Chan Han, Woojin Lee
  • Patent number: 11784488
    Abstract: Electrical overstress protection for high speed interfaces are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a semiconductor die with bidirectional protection against electrical overstress is provided. The semiconductor die includes a first pad, a second pad, a forward protection silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) electrically connected between the first pad and the second pad and configured to activate in response to electrical overstress that increases a voltage of the first pad relative to a voltage of the second pad, and a reverse protection SCR electrically connected in parallel with the forward protection SCR between the first pad and the second pad and configured to activate in response to electrical overstress that decreases the voltage of the first pad relative to the voltage of the second pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Analog Devices International Unlimited Company
    Inventors: Javier A. Salcedo, Srivatsan Parthasarathy, Enrique C. Bosch
  • Patent number: 11777304
    Abstract: A high voltage protection system for saddle type vehicle detects the short circuiting of any wire. The high voltage protection system provides three different modules: a high voltage protection circuit, a fault collection circuit, and a fault detection circuit, working together to detect the short circuiting or voltage spike and disconnect the vehicle loads from the power supply to prevent an accident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Das Surajit, Geddadi Krishnamohan, Samraj Jabez Dhinagar
  • Patent number: 11764204
    Abstract: Herein disclosed are systems and circuitry for protecting against overdrive and electrostatic discharge. For example, protection circuitry may include field effect transistors to discharge overdrive outside of an operational voltage range of a circuit in some embodiments to prevent damage to the circuit. Further, the protection circuitry may utilize diode features inherent in the field effect transistors to protect against electrostatic discharge in some embodiments. The circuitry may be implemented in radio frequency sampling analog-to-digital converters and can provide for single-ended signal input and/or output for the analog-to-digital converters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph D. Moore, Franklin M. Murden, Peter Delos, Srivatsan Parthasarathy, Javier Salcedo, John Guido
  • Patent number: 11742654
    Abstract: A disclosed under-voltage lockout (UVLO) circuit includes an automatic UVLO threshold configuration. The UVLO circuit may include an over-voltage protection circuit that receives power from a power source, a peak detector that detects a peak voltage output for the power source, a voltage threshold generator that sets a UVLO threshold based on the peak voltage output, and a comparator that compares an instantaneous voltage with the UVLO threshold and configures an operating mode of a device based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: CalAmp Corp.
    Inventors: Justin Flor, Russell Cook
  • Patent number: 11728642
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a protection circuit in a semiconductor device includes first and second transistors including gates electrically connected to a first node, and connected in series to each other between the first and second lines, third and fourth transistors including gates electrically connected to a second node between the first and second transistors, and connected in series to each other between the first and second lines, and a fifth transistor including a gate electrically connected to a third node between the third and fourth transistors, and provided between the second node and the second line. The protection circuit further includes an arithmetic circuit configured to perform calculation using a first signal received from the second node to output a second signal, and a sixth transistor configured to receive the second signal to output a control signal to the arithmetic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Kioxia Corporation
    Inventors: Shigefumi Ishiguro, Yasuhiro Suematsu, Takeshi Miyaba, Kimimasa Imai, Maya Inagaki
  • Patent number: 11721973
    Abstract: An overvoltage protection circuit which can be applied to a motor controller is provided. The overvoltage protection circuit is coupled to an input terminal for receiving an input voltage. The overvoltage protection circuit comprises a switch circuit, a controller, and a comparing unit. When the input voltage is greater than a first voltage, a discharging mechanism is forced to start so as to suppress a voltage spike. When the input voltage is less than a second voltage, the discharging mechanism is closed so as to operate normally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Global Mixed-mode Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Rong-Chin Lee
  • Patent number: 11705716
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system and method for protecting an electronic device from high voltages that may exceed tolerance limits for circuitry within the electronic device. A protection circuit blocks high voltages from the device components through gating techniques. Such gating techniques may similarly be used to control whether power is received by the electronic components when an error condition is detected by a control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Yao Ding, Arun Jayadev Rao
  • Patent number: 11705274
    Abstract: An arrangement for an overvoltage protection of a subsea electrical apparatus and a method for operating it. The arrangement includes a tank submersible below a water surface level, an electrical apparatus accommodated in the tank, and a surge arrester arrangement accommodated in the tank and coupled to a power supply of the electrical apparatus in the tank for providing the overvoltage protection of the electrical apparatus. The arrangement further includes a controllable grounding switch for connecting the surge arrester arrangement to a ground point in response to a control of the grounding switch to a closed state and for disconnecting the surge arrester arrangement from the ground point in response to a control of the grounding switch to an open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Heinz Lendenmann, Kim Missing, Esa Virtanen, Thomas Wagner
  • Patent number: 11677232
    Abstract: A circuit protection system is provided herein that minimizes the disconnection time of a circuit while protecting other electrical components. Some configurations comprise a set of parallel circuit interruption devices, each connected in series with respective fuses. A control device sets a state of the circuit interruption device based on a current of the circuit. Under certain current loads, the circuit is interrupted without causing a fuse to blow. Under other current loads, the circuit is interrupted by having one or more fuses blow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Putnam, Nathaniel C. Wynn
  • Patent number: 11676752
    Abstract: Embodiments of a discharge circuit are disclosed for quickly and safely discharging energy from an inductor load. The discharge circuit comprises a first switch, a second switch and a voltage regulator. The inductor load couples between the first switch and the second switch. During fast demagnetization, a high side switch is tuned off to decouple the load from a voltage source and the second switch is turned on. Voltage on one end of the load is pushed high and maintained at a predetermined level due to the voltage regulator. The predetermined voltage pulls down the current at the inductive load and causes temperature of the discharge circuit going up quickly. Once the temperature reaches a predetermined threshold, a comparing circuit outputs a signal to a driver and eventually pulls down voltage of the inductor load for low-power demagnetization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Siro Buzzetti, Danilo Ranieri, Marco Pio Demicheli
  • Patent number: 11664654
    Abstract: A power supply includes a power converter, a protection circuit, and a control circuit. The protection circuit includes an input for receiving an input voltage, an output for providing an output voltage to the power converter, a first switching device coupled in a current path between the input and the output, and a second switching device coupled across the first switching device. The control circuit is configured to sense the input voltage and the output voltage, in response to the output voltage exceeding a first defined threshold, turn off the first switching device and turn on the second switching device to supply power to the power converter, and in response to the input voltage exceeding a second defined threshold, turn off the second switching device to disconnect the power source from the power converter. Other example power supplies and protection circuits are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Astee International Limited
    Inventors: Ruel Joyosa Tolentino, Jahres Rederi Masangkay Satur, Khanderao Madhav Gaikwad
  • Patent number: 11646571
    Abstract: A modular load management system comprises one or more compact modules designed to fit in the wiring troughs of a standard AC distribution panel of a building. The modules include one or more input terminals to receive electrical power from one or more circuit breakers in the panel and deliver power to load circuits of the building via one or more output terminals. The modules contain at least one disconnect switch for disconnecting circuits from breakers in response to a remote or locally-generated control signal. The modules may also include current sensors on some or all terminals, such that power and energy flow may be monitored on a per-circuit basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Generac Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Hallam, Jonathan Li, Ching Kun Meng
  • Patent number: 11637424
    Abstract: An electrical stress protection circuit includes a detection circuit including a first transistor connected to a driving voltage rail and turned on when electrical stress is provided, and a bypass transistor turned on in response to a signal output when the first transistor is turned on and configured to provide electrical stress to a reference voltage rail. An electronic device configured to perform a predetermined function, includes a detection circuit including a first transistor connected to a driving voltage rail and turned on when electrical stress is provided, and an electrical stress protection circuit including a bypass transistor turned on in response to a signal output when the first transistor is turned on and configured to provide electrical stress to a reference voltage rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Anapass Inc.
    Inventor: Byung Il Hong
  • Patent number: 11594909
    Abstract: A control device of a power supply circuit includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry includes a state-of-charge calculator and a target calculator. The state-of-charge calculator calculate a state of charge of the first battery. The target calculator calculates a target voltage range. When an output voltage of the first battery detected by a voltage sensor cannot be acquired and an acquisition failure occurs, after the occurrence of the acquisition failure, the state-of-charge calculator is configured to obtain the state of charge of the first battery, as a held state-of-charge, that was calculated before the occurrence of the acquisition failure. When a pre-charge process is performed in a state in which the acquisition failure is occurring, the target calculator is configured to calculate an estimated output voltage of the first battery from the held state-of-charge and calculate the target voltage range based on the estimated output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takahiro Hatano
  • Patent number: 11585866
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting a neutral voltage connection, involve determining when a value of a neutral current is equal to zero, wherein the neutral current comprises a difference between a current flowing through two legs of an electrical meter to an end customer, wherein each of the two legs comprises a first voltage with respect to a ground and a second voltage with respect to one another; and verifying that the neutral current has been detected to zero, in response to determining that the value of the neutral current is equal to zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Juan Valdivia Avila, Scott Holdsclaw
  • Patent number: 11569654
    Abstract: A power control device includes: an output voltage controller configured to control an output voltage based on a feedback voltage corresponding to the output voltage; and an overvoltage protector configured to continue or stop the operation of the output voltage controller based on a first detection result of whether the output voltage has exceeded an output voltage threshold value and a second detection result of whether the feedback voltage has fallen to or below a feedback voltage threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Okajima
  • Patent number: 11532606
    Abstract: Overvoltage protection circuits are provided. In some embodiments, an overvoltage protection circuit includes a first diode made of a first semiconductor material having a bandgap width greater than that of silicon. A second diode is included and is electrically cross-coupled with the first diode. The second diode is made of a second semiconductor material different from the first semiconductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS, STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Simonnet, Sophie Ngo, Simone Rascunà
  • Patent number: 11522361
    Abstract: Embodiments of a single event latch-up (SEL) protection circuit are provided, including: a first circuitry block coupled to a source of an input voltage a load, and digitally controlling a first switch; the first switch generates a load and senses an instantaneous load current iLoad. A second circuitry block is configured to generate an average iLoad and generate single event latch-up triggers (i.e., SEL fault detection) as a function of at least a comparison of the inst_iLoad and average iLoad; wherein this first circuitry block contains the analog based SET filtering needed to reduce false SEL triggers. A supervisor module generates on/off commands for the first switch, responsive to receiving the SEL detection in excess of a pre-programmed delay to provide the final SET filtering to prevent false SEL triggers. The first circuitry block removes the load voltage at N1 upon receiving an off command from the supervisor module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Paul W. Schwerman, George M. Brown, Jr., Richard L. Marshall
  • Patent number: 11522441
    Abstract: A switching converter controller includes a detection circuit, an input load circuit, and a timer circuit. The detection circuit is configured to compare voltage at a power stage voltage input to a line undervoltage threshold voltage to initiate a soft stop operation. The input load circuit is coupled to the power stage voltage input. The input load circuit is configured to, responsive to the soft stop operation, switchably reduce a resistance from the power stage voltage input to a ground terminal. The timer circuit is configured to set a duration of reduced resistance from the power stage voltage input to the ground terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Jean Picard