Including P-n Junction (e.g., A Diode, A Zener Diode, Or Transistor) Patents (Class 361/91.5)
  • Patent number: 11587921
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes, a semiconductor element, a wiring member arranged to sandwich the semiconductor element, a sealing resin body. The semiconductor element has an SBD formed thereon with a base material of SiC which is a wide band gap semiconductor. The semiconductor element has two main electrodes on both surfaces. The wiring member includes (i) a heat sink electrically connected to a first main electrode and (ii) a heat sink and a terminal electrically connected to a second main electrode. The semiconductor device further includes an insulator. The insulator has a non-conducting element made of silicon. The insulator has joints on both of two surfaces for mechanical connection of the heat sinks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoru Sugita, Kosuke Yuzawa, Susumu Yamada, Kenji Komiya
  • Patent number: 11563322
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a unipolar power transistor and an RC snubber. The RC snubber has a capacitor between a poly silicon structure and a semiconductor substrate. The capacitor has a p-n junction. The RC snubber has a resistor between a source of the unipolar power transistor and a first layer forming the capacitor. The unipolar transistor and the RC snubber are coupled in parallel. The RC snubber and the unipolar power transistor are formed monolithically on the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Dethard Peters, Thomas Basler, Paul Sochor
  • Patent number: 11456590
    Abstract: A short circuit detection module includes a power unit including a battery for providing a voltage of the battery, a monitoring unit, a switch unit, a heating unit and a control unit. The monitoring unit is connected with the power unit. The switch unit includes a first MOSFET, the monitoring unit is connected with the source electrode of the first MOSFET. The heating unit is connected with the drain electrode of the first MOSFET, the drain electrode of the first MOSFET transmits a heating current to the heating unit. A heating voltage is generated at an output terminal of the short circuit detection module. The control unit is connected with and controls the power unit, the monitoring unit, the switch unit and the heating unit. When the heating voltage is greater than a critical value of the heating voltage, the control unit turns off the first MOSFET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chin Huang Tseng, Wen Bing Hsu, Hui Lin Lai
  • Patent number: 11381228
    Abstract: A sensor output circuit is limited with high accuracy, and reduces radio wave radiation by signal transmission using a single-line signal. The sensor output includes a pulse signal Vin that changes according to a physical quantity to be measured, MOS transistors that perform on/off operations according to the pulse signal Vin, a constant current source that generates a constant current, a MOS transistor which generates a gate voltage of a MOS transistor, MOS transistors which form a current mirror circuit, and the MOS transistor which works to maintain a drain voltage of the MOS transistor at a constant voltage, and the output terminal which is driven by the MOS transistors connected in series. In addition, an output signal from the sensor output circuit is transmitted to a control circuit via an output signal line. The control circuit includes a pull-up resistor, a capacitor, and an input gate circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Matsumoto, Hiroshi Nakano, Akira Kotabe
  • Patent number: 11374031
    Abstract: An electrostatic protection circuit and a manufacturing method thereof, an array substrate and a display apparatus in the field of display technology are provided. This electrostatic protection circuit includes: a discharge sub-circuit, a buffer sub-circuit and an electrostatic protection line, wherein the electrostatic protection line is a common electrode line; the buffer sub-circuit includes a third transistor and a fourth transistor; a gate and a second electrode of the third transistor are both connected to a first electrode of the fourth transistor, and the first electrode of the third transistor is connected to a signal line; a gate and a second electrode of the fourth transistor are both connected to the signal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: BOE Technology Group Co., LTD.
    Inventor: Chunping Long
  • Patent number: 11342840
    Abstract: A switching device includes a first switch and a threshold voltage adjustment circuitry. The first switch is configured to be selectively turned on according to an enable signal, in order to connect a first pin to a second pin. The threshold voltage adjustment circuitry is configured to adjust a voltage level of a bulk terminal of the first switch according to the enable signal and a voltage provided from a power source. In response to the voltage being de-asserted, the threshold voltage adjustment circuitry is further configured to cut off a signal path between the bulk terminal and the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: REALTEK SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Leaf Chen, Ya-Hsuan Sung, Li-Chen Liu
  • Patent number: 11336274
    Abstract: The present disclosure mainly provides a clamping circuit, coupled to a first end and a second end of a switching transistor through a first node and a second node, comprising: an RCD circuit, comprising a first resistor and a first capacitor connected in parallel between the second node and a third node, and a diode having a negative electrode coupled to the third node; and a first stabilivolt diode, having a negative electrode coupled to the first node and a positive electrode coupled to a positive electrode of the diode at a fourth node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Delta Electronics (Shanghai) CO., LTD
    Inventors: Lifeng Qiao, Wuying Li, Dehui Zhang, Teng Liu, Jianping Ying
  • Patent number: 11271559
    Abstract: A method of generating a gate drive signal for driving a control terminal of a power switch includes detecting a system input signal; determining a signal pulse of the system input signal being a first signal pulse following a power up event, or following an idle period, or following removal of a fault condition; and in response, generating a soft gate drive signal to drive the control terminal of the power switch to softly turn on the power switch. In another embodiment, the method includes determining a duration of the on period of the system input signal exceeding a maximum on duration and in response, disabling the gate drive signal to turn off the power switch; and determining a deassertion transition of the system input signal and in response, blocking the system input signal from the gate drive signal for a minimum off duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Alpha and Omega Semiconductor (Cayman) Ltd.
    Inventors: Bum-Seok Suh, Wonjin Cho, Son Tran
  • Patent number: 11257633
    Abstract: A power contact health assessor system includes a pair of terminals adapted to be connected to a set of switchable contact electrodes of a power contact and a contact separation detector configured to determine a time of separation of the set of switchable contact electrodes during deactivation of the power contact. The system includes a controller circuit operatively coupled to the pair of terminals and the contact separation detector. The controller circuit is configured to determine within a first observation window, a plurality of contact stick durations and an average contact stick duration. One or more additional observation windows with corresponding average contact stick durations are configured. A health assessment for the set of switchable contact electrodes may be based on a subsequent contact stick duration for a contact cycle after the first observation window and the corresponding average contact stick durations for the one or more additional observation windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Arc Suppression Technologies
    Inventors: Reinhold Henke, Robert Thorbus
  • Patent number: 11177651
    Abstract: A limiter comprising of a step-up circuit with an input node and an output node for electrically stepping up an output signal at the output node from an input signal at the input node. A threshold switch circuit is connected to the step-up circuit for limiting peak voltages of the output signal from the step-up circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: SOFTRONICS, LTD.
    Inventor: Robert H. Sternowski
  • Patent number: 11075515
    Abstract: A device comprises a rectifier configured to convert an alternating current voltage into a direct current voltage, a first overvoltage protection apparatus connected to inputs of the rectifier and a second overvoltage protection apparatus connected to an output of the rectifier, wherein the first overvoltage protection apparatus and the second overvoltage protection apparatus are controlled based upon a switching frequency of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: NuVolta Technologies (Hefei) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sichao Liu, Jinbiao Huang
  • Patent number: 11025249
    Abstract: A switch having a drain, a source, and a control. The switch comprising a depletion-mode transistor including a first, a second, and a control terminal and an enhancement-mode transistor including a first, a second, and a control terminal. The first terminal of the depletion-mode transistor is the drain of the switch and the control of the depletion-mode transistor is coupled to the source of the switch. The control of the enhancement-mode transistor is coupled to the control of the switch, the second terminal of the enhancement-mode transistor is the source of the switch. The switch comprises a clamp circuit to clamp a voltage of the first terminal of the enhancement-mode transistor to a threshold, the clamp circuit comprises a resistor and a pn-junction device coupled between the first and second terminals of the enhancement-mode transistor and between the second terminal and the control of the depletion-mode transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Hartley Horwitz, Sorin Georgescu, Kuo-Chang Robert Yang
  • Patent number: 10965116
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an overvoltage-proof circuit capable of preventing damage caused by an overvoltage at moments of starting and/or stopping operation. An embodiment of the overvoltage-proof circuit includes a protected circuit and a protecting circuit. The protected circuit receives a power supply voltage to operate, and includes: a protected component, in which an upmost voltage that the protected component can withstand is lower than the power supply voltage; and at least one operational switch(es) operable to enable or disable the protected circuit according to an enabling signal. The protecting circuit is coupled to the protected component, and starts protecting the protected circuit from an overvoltage before a transition of the enabling signal, in which the overvoltage is greater than the upmost voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: REALTEK SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chia-Wei Yu, Hung-Chen Chu, Yung-Tai Chen
  • Patent number: 10826488
    Abstract: A switch device includes a common node that is connected to end nodes, such as that of computer interface ports. The switch device includes several switch circuits that can be connected in series to form a switch path between the common node and an end node. A switch circuit can include a main switch, such as a transistor that can be configured to withstand a positive or negative voltage surge by automatically changing the connection of its gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lei Huang, Na Meng, Kenneth P. Snowdon
  • Patent number: 10826315
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a wireless power charging circuit includes a wireless power receiver configured to receive wireless power from a receive coil and to produce a first voltage; an open loop capacitor divider coupled to receive the first voltage from the wireless power receiver and configured to provide a second voltage, the second voltage being reduced from the first voltage; and a linear battery charger coupled to receive the second voltage from the open loop capacitor and configured to provide a charging voltage to provide to a battery coupled to the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Integrated Device Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Rui Liu, Lijie Zhao
  • Patent number: 10784787
    Abstract: A circuit includes a first field-effect transistor and a second field-effect transistor. The first field-effect transistor includes a first diode with drain, source, gate and first additional electrodes. The second field-effect transistor includes a second diode with drain, source, gate and second additional electrodes. A first switch selectively connects the gate and drain electrodes of the first field-effect transistor. A second switch selectively connects the gate and drain electrodes of the second field-effect transistor. A control circuit controls the first and second switches. The first additional electrode is coupled to the gate electrode of the second field-effect transistor, and the second additional electrode is coupled to the gate electrode of the first field-effect transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (TOURS) SAS
    Inventors: Bertrand Rivet, Greca Jean Charles, Frederic Lanois
  • Patent number: 10770909
    Abstract: A switching power converter is provided with an overvoltage protection circuit that monitors the differential data signal voltages in a data interface such as a USB data interface powering a load device to detect soft short conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: DIALOG SEMICONDUCTOR INC.
    Inventors: Jianming Yao, Yong Li, Dickson Wong
  • Patent number: 10566787
    Abstract: Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of inrush current detection and reduction are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a method for transmitting power to a load comprising operating a solid-state switching device of a power distribution network device with a microcontroller-based controller, the solid-state switching device including a gate and structured to receive a signal with the gate so as to control the switching device to receive power from a power source and selectively provide power including an output current to the load; detecting an overcurrent condition in the output current; operating the solid-state switching device in order to determine the load is a capacitive load in a charging condition in response to detecting an overcurrent condition; and operating the solid-state switching device so as to reduce the magnitude of the output current during the charging condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: ABB S.P.A.
    Inventors: Rostan Rodrigues, Taosha Jiang, Yu Du
  • Patent number: 10511165
    Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit assembly for protecting a unit to be operated from a supply network against overvoltage, comprising an input having a first and a second input connection, which are connected to the supply network, an output having a first and a second output connection, to which the unit to be protected can be connected, and a protection circuit, which is provided between the first and the second input connections in order to limit the voltage present at the first and the second input connections. According to the invention, the protection circuit has a power semiconductor, in particular an IGBT, wherein a series circuit consisting of a diac, i.e., a bidirectional electrode, and a Zener element is connected between the collector and the gate of the power semiconductor, wherein the sum of the Zener voltage and the diac voltage results in a clamping voltage for the power semiconductor, which lies above the voltage of the supply network and defines the protection level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: DEHN + SÖHNE GMBH + CO. KG
    Inventors: Franz Schork, Ralph Brocke, Thomas Böhm, Dominik Donauer
  • Patent number: 10381787
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a first switch configured to connect a first sideband use (SBU) terminal of a Universal Serial Bus Type-C (USB-C) controller to a first SBU terminal of a USB-C receptacle. The electronic device also includes a second switch configured to connect a second sideband use (SBU) terminal of the USB-C controller to a second SBU terminal of the USB-C receptacle. The electronic device further includes a voltage protection circuit configured to deactivate one or more of the first switch and the second switch when a voltage exceeding a predetermined threshold is detected. The voltage protection circuit includes a first set of diodes coupled to the first SBU terminal of the USB-C controller and a second set of diodes coupled to the second SBU terminal of the USB-C controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas Alexander Bodnaruk, Derwin W. Mattos
  • Patent number: 10381877
    Abstract: An electrical energy receiving end capable of overvoltage protection and a wireless electrical energy transmission device are provided. An electrical energy receiving coil is divided into a first receiving coil and a second receiving coil, so that under normal operation the first receiving coil and the second receiving coil jointly resonate with an impedance matching network to receive energy. When the electrical energy receiving end has an overvoltage, the first receiving coil and the impedance matching network (or the second receiving coil and the impedance matching network) form a loop, and due to the impedance mismatch, the energy received by the electrical energy receiving end is greatly reduced to solve the problem of overvoltage at the electrical energy receiving end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Ningbo WeiE Electronic Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hengyi Su
  • Patent number: 10342077
    Abstract: Provided are an LED driving circuit and a tube lamp. A grounding terminal of a rectifying unit of the LED driving circuit is electrically connected to a first ground wire, and an input terminal of an impedance detection and protection unit is electrically connected to a second input terminal of a first filtering unit. The grounding terminal is electrically connected to the first ground wire. The impedance detection and protection unit is configured to detect an impedance between the second input terminal of the first filtering unit and the first ground wire, so as to control the second input terminal of the first filtering unit to connect to or disconnect from the first ground wire according to a magnitude of the detected impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: CH LIGHTING TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jizhong Pu, Caiying Gan, Jiaming Zhou
  • Patent number: 10230354
    Abstract: A method for voltage balancing series-connected power switching devices (IGBTs) each connected in parallel with a respective diverter having controllable impedance to controllably conduct current diverted from the associated power switching device, the method comprising the step of controlling each diverter to follow a series of at least two successively higher impedance states during an OFF period of the power switching devices. The series of impedance states for each diverter comprises a first impedance and then a second, higher impedance, the first impedance occurring in response to an indication of a start of the OFF period. The first impedance state preferably occurs during a tail current of the power switching device in parallel with the respective diverter and the second or later impedance state during a leakage current of that power switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: MASCHINENFABRIK REINHAUSEN GMBH
    Inventors: Robert John Leedham, Mark Snook
  • Patent number: 10205380
    Abstract: In one implementation, a power converter with over-voltage protection includes a power switch coupled to a power supply through a tank circuit, and a control circuit coupled to a gate of the power switch. The control circuit is configured to turn the power switch OFF based on a current from the tank circuit, thereby providing the over-voltage protection to the power converter. In one implementation, the power converter is a class-E power converter. In one implementation, the control circuit is configured to sense the current from the tank circuit based on a voltage drop across a sense resistor coupled to the power switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Americas Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Ribarich, Jorge Cerezo, Ajit Dubhashi
  • Patent number: 10187054
    Abstract: A switch having a first terminal, a second terminal and a control terminal. The switch includes a normally-on device with a first terminal, a second terminal, and a control terminal. The first terminal of the normally-on device is the first terminal of the switch. The control terminal of the normally-on device is coupled to the second terminal of the switch. A normally-off device includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a control terminal. The control terminal of the normally-off device is coupled to the control terminal of the switch. The second terminal of the normally off-device is the second terminal of the switch. The first terminal of the normally-off device is coupled to the second terminal of the normally-on device. A clamp circuit is coupled across the normally-off device. The clamp circuit is coupled to clamp a voltage of the first terminal of the normally-off device to a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Hartley Horwitz, Sorin Georgescu, Kuo-Chang Robert Yang
  • Patent number: 10026557
    Abstract: A chip capacitor according to the present invention includes a substrate, a pair of external electrodes formed on the substrate, a capacitor element connected between the pair of external electrodes, and a bidirectional diode connected between the pair of external electrodes and in parallel to the capacitor element. Also, a circuit assembly according to the present invention includes the chip capacitor according to the present invention and a mounting substrate having lands, soldered to the external electrodes, on a mounting surface facing a front surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki Yamamoto, Keishi Watanabe, Hiroshi Tamagawa
  • Patent number: 9928979
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement for activating a control device includes: a first switch in a main current path, via which the control device is activated; an alternative current path; and a control logic which compares a voltage present for activating the control device to a threshold voltage and opens the first switch if the threshold voltage falls below so that a higher volume of an interference current effectuated by the present negative voltage flows via the alternative current path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Kaiser, Carsten Hermann, Ralph Bauer, Johannes Kunst
  • Patent number: 9848472
    Abstract: An LED device with energy compensation includes a first LED driving circuit, a second LED driving circuit, and a capacitor. The first LED driving circuit includes a first LED driver and a plurality of first LED groups controlled by the first LED driver. The second LED driving circuit including a second LED driver and a plurality of second LED groups controlled by the second LED driver. The second LED driving circuit is connected in parallel with the first LED driving circuit. The capacitor has a first terminal coupled to the second LED driving circuit and a second terminal coupled to one of the first LED driving circuit and the second LED driver. A power source is coupled to the first LED driving circuit, the second LED driving circuit, and the first terminal of the capacitor for applying an AC power to the first terminal of the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: ALFASEMI INC.
    Inventors: Yu-Cheng Chang, Chang-Hung Hsieh
  • Patent number: 9759880
    Abstract: Tower systems suitable for use at cellular base stations include a tower, an antenna mounted on the tower, a remote radio head mounted on the tower and a power supply. A power cable having a power supply conductor and a return conductor is connected between the power supply and the remote radio head. A shunt capacitance unit that is separate from the remote radio head that is electrically coupled between the power supply conductor and the return conductor of the power cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: John C. Chamberlain, Jose Rabello
  • Patent number: 9641092
    Abstract: Provided is a power converter 3 that directly converts polyphase AC power to AC power. A converter circuit has a plurality of first switching elements 311, 313 and 315 that are connected to each phase R, S or T of the polyphase AC power to enable switching for turning on current-carrying bidirectionally, and a plurality of second switching elements 312, 314 and 316 that are connected to each phase to enable switching for turning on current-carrying bidirectionally. The converter circuit comprises input lines R, S and T connected to each input terminal, and output lines P and N connected to each output terminal. Parts of wiring 347 and 348 of protection circuits 32 are located between output lines P and N. The wiring distance between each protection circuit 32 and the corresponding switching element can be shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignees: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD., NAGAOKA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hironori Koyano, Takamasa Nakamura, Masao Saito, Kouji Yamamoto, Tsutomu Matsukawa, Manabu Koshijo, Junichi Itoh, Yoshiya Ohnuma
  • Patent number: 9564485
    Abstract: A switch driving circuit electrically opens and closes a switch circuit including two N-channel type semiconductor switching elements series connected in a reverse direction, thereby electrically opening and closing a path between a DC power supply and an inverter circuit. The switch driving circuit has a reference potential point in common with the inverter circuit and supplies an opening/closing control signal to the switch circuit. The switch driving circuit includes a half bridge circuit including two semiconductor switching elements series connected between a driving power supply and the reference potential point. Two protection diodes are connected in parallel to the semiconductor switching elements respectively. At least one current blocking diode is configured to block current from flowing from the reference potential point through the diode to the switch circuit side when the DC power supply is connected to the inverter circuit in reverse polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Sari Maekawa, Shigeru Fukinuki, Shin Kumagai
  • Patent number: 9276397
    Abstract: A drive control method based on detected dielectric breakdown is provided. The drive control method includes individually determining whether dielectric breakdown of high voltage components occurs according to whether a switch for electrically connecting a high voltage battery and other high voltage components is opened and a condition of each of the high voltage components when dielectric resistance of a vehicle is measured to determine that dielectric breakdown of a high voltage system occurs. An operation of the high voltage components, the dielectric breakdown of which occurs, is stopped according to a determination result, when dielectric breakdown of high voltage components, which do not affect vehicle driving among the high voltage components, occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jong Hu Yoon, Mi Ok Kim
  • Patent number: 9257949
    Abstract: The invention relates to a “push-pull” amplifier, comprising an input (12) and an output (14), which includes: a main amplification branch comprising two amplification transistors (18, 20) connected in opposite series between two supply voltages (V+, V?), the amplifier output (14) being connected between the two transistors (18, 20), and a control circuit (22, 24) for each amplification transistor (18, 20) connected to the input (12) to each receive as an input the signal to be amplified. The main amplification branch comprises, between each transistor (18, 20) and the output (14), a member having a nonlinear response (38, 40) and means (30, 32) for introducing at the input of the control circuit (22, 24) of each transistor (18, 20), a nonlinear compensating signal suitable for bringing about the circulation of a minimum current in the member having a nonlinear response (38, 40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: DEVIALET
    Inventors: Mathias Moronvalle, Pierre-Emmanuel Calmel
  • Patent number: 9196817
    Abstract: This patent document discloses high voltage switches that include one or more electrically floating conductor layers that are isolated from one another in the dielectric medium between the top and bottom switch electrodes. The presence of the one or more electrically floating conductor layers between the top and bottom switch electrodes allow the dielectric medium between the top and bottom switch electrodes to exhibit a higher breakdown voltage than the breakdown voltage when the one or more electrically floating conductor layers are not present between the top and bottom switch electrodes. This increased breakdown voltage in the presence of one or more electrically floating conductor layers in a dielectric medium enables the switch to supply a higher voltage for various high voltage circuits and electric systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Roger W. Werne, Stephen Sampayan, John Richardson Harris
  • Patent number: 9076858
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first pad configured to carry a signal, a first receiver having an input node, a second receiver having an input node, a first pass gate, and a second pass gate. The first pass gate is coupled between the first pad and the input node of the first receiver. The first pass gate is configured to be turned on when the signal on the first pad is greater than a first voltage level. The second pass gate is coupled between the first pad and the input node of the second receiver. The second pass gate is configured to be turned on when the signal on the first pad is less than a second voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Chung-Hui Chen
  • Publication number: 20150131189
    Abstract: A circuit breaker for high voltage direct current (HVDC) power transmission includes a module with a pair of terminals for connection to an electrical network, and four of conduction paths. Each first conduction path includes a mechanical switch connected in series with at least one first semiconductor switch to selectively allow current to flow between the first and second terminals through the first conduction path in a first mode of operation or commutate current from the first conduction path to the second conduction path in a second mode of operation. The second conduction path also has a semiconductor switch to selectively allow current to flow between the terminals through the second conduction path or commutate current from the second conduction path to the third conduction path in the second mode of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Colin Charnock Davidson, Colin Donald Murray Oates, Alistair Burnett
  • Patent number: 9025290
    Abstract: A protective circuit includes a first jack, a second jack, a first control unit, a detecting circuit, and a logic control circuit. The first jack is connected to a power supply, and includes a grounding wire and a live wire. The second jack is connected to a load, and includes a grounding wire and a live wire. The first control unit includes a first relay, the first relay is connected to the live wire of the first jack and the live wire of the second jack. The detecting circuit detects whether the grounding wire of the first jack is grounded, and outputs indication signals accordingly. The logic control circuit outputs a control signal to the first control unit according to the indication signals to turn on/off the first relay, for allowing the live wire of the first jack to be connected to/disconnected from the live wire of the second jack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wan-Hong Zhang, Hong-Ru Zhu
  • Patent number: 9013848
    Abstract: A protection circuit for a power transistor includes a first transistor connected in parallel with the power transistor and having a control terminal connected to a first power supply voltage through a first resistive element; and a first set of diodes connected between a first terminal and a control terminal of the first transistor. In operation, the voltage at the first terminal of the first transistor is clamped to a clamp voltage and the first transistor is turned on to conduct current in a forward conduction mode when an over-voltage condition occurs at a first terminal of the power transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Incorporated
    Inventor: Sik K. Lui
  • Patent number: 9006863
    Abstract: A diode string voltage adapter includes diodes formed in a substrate of a first conductive type. Each diode includes a deep well region of a second conductive type formed in the substrate. A first well region of the first conductive type formed on the deep well region. A first heavily doped region of the first conductive type formed on the first well region. A second heavily doped region of the second conductive type formed on the first well region. The diodes are serially coupled to each other. A first heavily doped region of a beginning diode is coupled to a first voltage. A second heavily doped region of each diode is coupled to a first heavily doped region of a next diode. A second heavily doped region of an ending diode provides a second voltage. The deep well region is configured to be electrically floated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Peng Hsieh, Jaw-Juinn Horng
  • Publication number: 20150098162
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for bootstrap and over voltage protection (OVP) combination clamping. In one embodiment, method is provided to use the same bootstrap capacitors and bootstrap terminals for an over voltage protection circuit. In one embodiment, an integrated circuit for a wireless power receiver comprises a first rectifier input terminal RX1, a second rectifier input terminal RX2, a first bootstrap terminal HSB1, a second bootstrap terminal HSB2. A first and a second bootstrap circuit are coupled to HSB1 and HSB2 to power the rectifier circuit in a regular mode. A over voltage protection (OVP) circuit is coupled between HSB1 and HSB2. The OVP circuit is turned on to connect HSB1 and HSB2 together in an OVP mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Active-Semi, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Kohout
  • Patent number: 8988840
    Abstract: Provided is an overcharge prevention circuit for clamping a voltage value of an electric power generation unit in an overcharged state to a constant value, in which the number of elements is small and which does not consume electric power unnecessarily. The overcharge prevention circuit includes: a backflow prevention diode; a clamping transistor having a gate connected to a cathode of the backflow prevention diode, a source connected to an anode thereof, and a drain connected to an overcharge prevention switch. Upon detection of overcharge, a current is discharged via the clamping transistor and the overcharge prevention switch, thereby clamping a potential of the electric power generation unit to around a voltage of an electricity storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Makoto Mitani, Kotaro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8981482
    Abstract: A device used as an ESD protection structure, which is a modified N-type LDMOS device is disclosed. A conventional LDMOS includes only one N-type heavily doped region as a drain in an N-type lightly doped region (11), while the device of the invention includes a P-type heavily doped region (22) in an N-type lightly doped region (11), dividing the N-type heavily doped region into two N-type heavily doped regions (21, 23) unconnected and independent to each other. The N-type heavily doped region (21) close to the gate (14) has no picking-up terminal. The N-type heavily doped region (23) away from the gate (14) together with the P-type heavily doped region (22) is picked up and connected to an input/output bonding pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Shanghai Huahong Grace Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Xiang Gao
  • Patent number: 8982524
    Abstract: A low forward voltage drop transient voltage suppressor utilizes a low-reverse-voltage-rated PN diode electrically connected in parallel to a high-reverse-voltage-rated Schottky rectifier in a single integrated circuit device. The transient voltage suppressor is ideally suited to fix the problem of high forward voltage drop of PN diodes and high leakage of low reverse breakdown of Schottky rectifiers. The low-reverse-voltage PN rectifier can be fabricated through methods such as 1) double layers of epi (with higher concentration layer epi in the bottom) or 2) punch through design of PN diode by base with compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Vishay General Semiconductor, LLC
    Inventors: Lung-Ching Kao, Pu-Ju Kung, Yu-Ju Yu
  • Patent number: 8982520
    Abstract: A system and method for efficient input/output (I/O) port overvoltage protection of a high-speed port. An interfacing system for connecting peripheral devices to a computing system comprises ports for conveying serial communications bi-directional signals and an overvoltage protection circuit. The protection circuit prevents an overvoltage condition on one port in response to an overvoltage event on a corresponding second port. In one embodiment, the interfacing system connects USB peripheral devices to an automotive infotainment system comprising an automotive battery potiential greater than a USB power supply. In addition, the overvoltage protection circuit is able to transmit signals between the two ports without signal attenuation defined by an industry standard specification such as Universal Serial Bus (USB) Implementers Forum (IF) eye pattern diagram test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Standard Microsystems Corporation
    Inventors: Alexei A. Predtetchenski, Hans L. Magnusson
  • Publication number: 20150061530
    Abstract: A light source driving apparatus, a display apparatus and a driving method thereof are disclosed. The light source driving apparatus includes a tapped-inductor boost converter (TIBC) circuit, the TIBC circuit including: a switching unit configured to be turned on and off in accordance with a preset cycle; a tapped inductor configured to transfer a current from a primary side to a secondary side as the switching unit is turned on; and a snubber configured to include a clamp capacitor and clamp diode configured to clamp a voltage of the switching unit, a resonance capacitor configured to perform a resonance as being charged and discharged corresponding to a switching cycle of the switching unit, and first and second resonance diodes configured to charge and discharge the resonance capacitor. Thus, the TIBC circuit provided with the lossless snubber can prevent the voltage stress from increasing during the resonance since the voltage of the switching unit is clamped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jeong-il KANG
  • Publication number: 20150055262
    Abstract: A snubber circuit includes a capacitor and a buffer device. The buffer device has a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal is electrically connected to the capacitor. When the buffer device operates in a first conduction mode, a charge current flows from the second terminal to the first terminal through the buffer device. When the buffer device switches from the first conduction mode to a second conduction mode, the buffer device generates a discharge current which flows from the first terminal to the second terminal through the buffer device over a specific period of time, such that after the buffer device enters the second conduction mode, a relative maximum voltage level appearing first at the second terminal is lower than a voltage level at the first terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventor: Kuo-Fan Lin
  • Patent number: 8958189
    Abstract: A high voltage semiconductor switch includes a first field-effect transistor having a source, a drain and a gate, and being adapted for switching a voltage at a rated high-voltage level, the first field-effect transistor being a normally-off enhancement-mode transistor, a second field-effect transistor having a source, a drain and a gate, connected in series to the first field-effect transistor, the second field-effect transistor being a normally-on depletion-mode transistor; and a control unit connected to the drain of the first field-effect transistor and to the gate of the second field-effect transistor and being operable for blocking the second field-effect transistor if a drain-source voltage across the first field-effect transistor exceeds the rated high-voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Joachim Weyers, Franz Hirler, Anton Mauder
  • Publication number: 20150043118
    Abstract: An input protection circuit changes the voltage of a signal to be input to an input circuit to a predetermined voltage or less and outputs the signal. The input protection circuit includes a first NMOS transistor and a second NMOS transistor. The first NMOS transistor includes a source to which an input signal is input, a gate to which a voltage based on a first voltage is applied, and a drain that outputs the signal to the input circuit based on the input signal and the gate voltage. The second NMOS transistor includes a source and a gate to each of which the voltage based on the first voltage is applied, and a drain that outputs a second voltage to the input circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Hidehiko YAJIMA, Satoru KODAIRA
  • Publication number: 20150043116
    Abstract: A high voltage semiconductor switch includes a first field-effect transistor having a source, a drain and a gate, and being adapted for switching a voltage at a rated high-voltage level, the first field-effect transistor being a normally-off enhancement-mode transistor, a second field-effect transistor having a source, a drain and a gate, connected in series to the first field-effect transistor, the second field-effect transistor being a normally-on depletion-mode transistor; and a control unit connected to the drain of the first field-effect transistor and to the gate of the second field-effect transistor and being operable for blocking the second field-effect transistor if a drain-source voltage across the first field-effect transistor exceeds the rated high-voltage level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Joachim Weyers, Franz Hirler, Anton Mauder
  • Publication number: 20150043117
    Abstract: A charger with over-voltage and over-current protection and a method for using the same are provided. The charger comprises a first interface, a second interface, a voltage stabilizing unit, a control unit, an input voltage sampling unit, a switch unit, and a current sampling unit. The voltage stabilizing unit receives an input voltage of an external power supply and provides a constant working voltage to the control unit. The input voltage sampling unit detects the input voltage real-timely. The current sampling unit detects charging current of the battery rod real-timely. The control unit determines whether the input voltage detected by the input voltage sampling unit generates over-voltage or not, or determines whether the charging current detected by the current sampling unit generates over-current or not, and controls the switch unit to turn on or turn off according to the determination results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Zhiyong Xiang