Current Limiting Patents (Class 361/93.9)
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Patent number: 12100991Abstract: A dual-input power switching system includes a first DC power source, a second DC power source, a DC conversion circuit, and a boost-up circuit. The first DC power source provides a first DC voltage, and the second DC power source provides a second DC voltage. The DC conversion circuit receives the first DC voltage or the second DC voltage being an input voltage, and converts the input voltage to supply power to a load. The boost-up circuit provides a hold-up voltage to boost up the input voltage when the first DC power source stops supplying power to lead to power drop of the input voltage, such that the input voltage reaches to a specific voltage that is greater than the second DC voltage and afterward naturally decreases to be less than or equal to the second DC voltage.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2022Date of Patent: September 24, 2024Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.Inventors: Yuan-Fang Lee, Chang-Chih Chen, Chih-Chiang Chan
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Patent number: 12057693Abstract: A hybrid circuit breaker includes a semiconductor circuit breaker, connected between a first output end of a converter of a power supply or a source branch and a first end of a damping module; a first mechanical circuit breaker, connected in parallel to the semiconductor circuit breaker, an energy absorber, connected in parallel to the semiconductor circuit breaker, and a controller coupled to the semiconductor circuit breaker and the first mechanical circuit breaker, and when a current flowing through the converter is greater than a safe current, the controller is configured to control the first mechanical circuit breaker to be disconnected, and control the semiconductor circuit breaker to be closed.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2019Date of Patent: August 6, 2024Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Feng Du, Wei Gang Chen
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Patent number: 11960346Abstract: One or more embodiments of a regulator circuit for providing power to a load device having a first power demand profile over time. The regulator circuit comprises a regulator and an energy storage device coupled to the regulator and the load device. The regulator circuit is configured to scavenge provided energy that is available beyond the first power demand profile. Further, the regulator circuit is configured to store that energy in the energy storage device, and the energy storage device is configured to augment deliverable peak power to the load device when the load device requires more power than is provided by the regulator circuit.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2020Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: GROQ, INC.Inventors: James David Sproch, Dinesh Maheshwari
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Patent number: 11955957Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a circuit for driving an electronic switch includes a control circuit configured to trigger a switch-on and a switch-off of the electronic switch in accordance with an input signal, wherein the control circuit is further configured to trigger the switch-off of the electronic switch in response to an under-voltage signal signaling an under-voltage state; and an under-voltage detection circuit configured to signal the under-voltage state when a supply voltage received at a supply node is below an under-voltage threshold value, wherein the under-voltage threshold value depends on a load current passing through the electronic switch.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2021Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Christian Djelassi-Tscheck, Michael Asam, Mirko Bernardoni, David Jacquinod, Andre Mourrier, Mario Tripolt
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Patent number: 11668489Abstract: A communication circuit for indoor and outdoor units of an air conditioner and an air conditioner. The circuit includes an outdoor unit sending module, an outdoor unit receiving module, an indoor unit receiving module, an indoor unit sending module, a weak electricity grounding end and a voltage regulation rectifying circuit, wherein the voltage regulation rectifying circuit, the outdoor unit receiving module, the outdoor unit sending module, the indoor unit receiving module, the indoor unit sending module and the weak electricity grounding end are sequentially connected in series to form a loop; the voltage regulation rectifying circuit is configured to convert alternating current of a main control board of an indoor unit into direct current, and supply electricity to the loop.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: GUANGDONG GIWEE TECHNOLOGY CO. LTD.Inventors: Zhicheng Pu, Zhijie Zhang
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Patent number: 11626724Abstract: A load control device includes a power supply terminal connected to a power source via a fuse, a load driver configured to drive loads by electric power supplied from the power source via the fuse and the power supply terminal, a current detector configured to detect load currents that flow through the loads, respectively, and a controller. The controller is configured to calculate a total current that flows through the fuse based on the load currents detected by the current detector, calculate a physical quantity correlating with the total current and related to a connecting member that connects between the fuse and the power supply terminal in response to that the total current is equal to or higher than a predetermined current value, and limit at least one of the load currents in response to that the physical quantity is equal to or greater than a reference value.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2021Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: DENSO ELECTRONICS CORPORATIONInventors: Yukiko Matsubara, Kazunori Ozawa
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Patent number: 11527880Abstract: The present invention is applied to a power system of a power plant including a three-winding transformer, and relates to a double incoming breaker system, including: a plurality of main circuit breakers respectively connected one by one to the plurality of first non-safety class high voltage buses and the plurality of second non-safety class high voltage buses; a plurality of auxiliary circuit breakers, one of which is connected in series to one of the plurality of main circuit breakers; a first power source measurer installed to correspond to the main circuit breaker and measuring a power source level of a non-safety class high voltage bus applied to the main circuit breaker; a second power source measurer installed to correspond to the auxiliary circuit breaker and measuring a power source level at an installed first point thereof; and a controller that outputs a first open signal to the main circuit breaker when an abnormal situation of the non-safety class high voltage bus is checked through the power soType: GrantFiled: August 31, 2018Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: KOREA HYDRO & NUCLEAR POWER CO., LTD.Inventors: Yun-Ho Kim, Han-Sang Kim, Che-Wung Ha
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Patent number: 11489332Abstract: Exemplary protection circuitry for wireless power systems can include a battery disconnect circuit, a load dump protection circuit, and/or a coil disconnect circuit. One or more of these protection circuits may be employed by a wireless power receiver. Further, one or more of these protection circuits may enable a wireless power receiver to be able to protect itself independently from a wireless power transmitter, thereby increasing safety of the wireless power system.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2020Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: WITRICITY CORPORATIONInventors: Milisav Danilovic, Morris P. Kesler, Conor Rochford
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Patent number: 11456594Abstract: In the conventional elimination of a short-circuited point by using fuses, due to the fuse characteristics, it is not possible to ensure cooperation at the respective melting times of fuses in a short-circuit state. To solve such a problem, provided are a converter which limits a current passing through a distribution line in a short-circuit state and has a constant power drooping characteristic of passing a current greater than or equal to a rated current through the distribution line for a fixed time, and relays which have an operating characteristic of detecting a current greater than or equal to the rated current and hierarchically opening switches within the fixed time.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2019Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventor: Kenichi Fukuno
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Patent number: 11387646Abstract: Examples described herein relate to a power management system. The power management system may include an input power filter coupled between a common power bus having a first voltage level and a load. The input power filter may include a variable impedance circuit coupled to an input capacitor. Further, the power management system may include a bus voltage controller coupled to the input power filter to detect a transient event causing a surge in a load current drawn by the load and to alter an impedance of the variable impedance circuit to limit an input current flowing via the variable impedance circuit, thereby maintaining voltage on the common power bus within a predefined range from the first voltage level.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2020Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LPInventors: Mohamed Amin Bernat, Kailash Kishore Mirpuri, Daniel Humphrey
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Patent number: 11362506Abstract: An electrical safety system comprises a main safety device including a N-type transistor and an auxiliary safety device including a P-type transistor, alternately activated under command of a controller. The N-type transistor and the P-type transistor have the function of overcurrent protection, respectively in a first operating mode and in a second operating mode. The auxiliary safety device includes a passive component, connected in series with the P-type transistor, for providing a voltage drop when a current passes through the passive component, and a driving circuit for turning off the P-type transistor under control of the voltage drop exceeding a first threshold, in the second operating mode.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2020Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: APTIV TECHNOLOGIES LIMITEDInventors: Markus Heinrich, Guillaume Tournabien
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Patent number: 11330223Abstract: The present disclosure describes a display apparatus. The display apparatus includes a power source, a power supply circuit, a load and a control circuit. The power source is configured to supply electric power to the load. The power supply circuit connects the power source and the load respectively, and configured to turn on or off an electric path between the power source and the load. The control circuit connects with the power source and the power supply circuit respectively and configured to control the power source circuit to determine whether the power supply supplies power to the load.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2020Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: HISENSE VISUAL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Benyou Li, Shou Tian
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Patent number: 11290102Abstract: In a method for protecting a field-effect transistor, which is operated in a switching mode, against an overload current in a switched-on switching state, an electric drain-source voltage between a drain connection and a source connection of the field-effect transistor is detected. The drain-source voltage is compared with a predefined voltage comparison value, and the field-effect transistor is switched into a switched-off switching state in the event that the drain-source voltage is greater than the voltage comparison value. For the purpose of providing a temperature compensation of the protection, the temperature of the field-effect transistor is detected; and the voltage comparison value is adjusted depending on the temperature. The voltage comparison value is, in addition, also dependent on time during the switched-on switching state.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2018Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Andreas März, Mark-Matthias Bakran
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Patent number: 11290011Abstract: A power conversion apparatus includes: a power supply circuit, a load switch and a control circuit. The power supply circuit generates a first power. The load switch controls the power path from the power supply circuit to a load. The control circuit generates a switching control signal to control a conduction level of the load switch according to an enable signal. The control circuit controls a level of the switching control signal to soft start from a first level to a second level. During the soft start period, the switching control signal has plural waveform segments including a first waveform segment and a second waveform segment. A level variation speed of the first waveform segment is higher than a level variation speed of the second waveform segment. The first waveform segment level precedes the second waveform segment level.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2020Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: RICHTEK TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Yu-Lung Hung, Hsing-Shen Huang
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Patent number: 11269366Abstract: Embodiments of digital low-dropout (LDO) regulators and methods for operating a digital LDO regulator are described. In one embodiment, a digital LDO regulator includes a clamp circuit configured to generate a clamp voltage in response to an input voltage of the digital LDO regulator, a gate driver circuit configured to generate a drive voltage in response to the input voltage and the clamp voltage, and at least one transistor device configured to generate an output voltage in response to the input voltage and the drive voltage. Other embodiments are also described.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2020Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: NXP B.V.Inventor: Minwen Shi
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Patent number: 11258250Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for improved stability of driver amplifiers. In one example, a system includes an NMOSFET power device operable to generate a current signal at a drain terminal. The system further includes a current comparison amplifier operable to amplify a difference signal comprising a difference between a replica current signal of the NMOSFET power device and a reference current signal to drive a current comparison amplifier voltage output signal. The system further includes a PMOSFET clamp device comprising a source terminal coupled to a gate terminal of the NMOSFET power device operable to limit a voltage at the gate terminal of the NMOSFET power device responsive to the current comparison amplifier voltage output signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2018Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: SYNAPTICS INCORPORATEDInventors: Dan Shen, Balakishan Challa, Lorenzo Crespi
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Patent number: 11204634Abstract: Example systems relate to power monitoring and reduction processes. An example system may include a modular computing device including a plurality of universal serial bus (USB) ports and a power supply unit coupled to the modular computing device. The example system may further include an embedded controller coupled to the power supply unit and to the plurality of USB port. The embedded controller may monitor a level of power consumed by the system and determine whether a surge event has occurred in the system. In response to the determination that the surge event has occurred, the embedded controller may determine whether an agency event has occurred in the system and initiate a power reduction process in response to the determination.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2016Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Robert C Brooks, Michael R Durham, Mark A. Piwonka
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Patent number: 11183999Abstract: A control circuit controlling to drive a switching device includes a first detection circuit that detects whether a power supply voltage received by a drive circuit that drives the switching device drops below a first level, a second detection circuit that receives a current flowing through the switching device and detects whether the current exceeds a first value, and an abnormality detection circuit that causes the drive circuit to turn off the switching device, based on whether a condition that the power supply voltage is lower than the first level and the current flowing through the switching device is larger than the first value is satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2020Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventor: Shinichi Tezuka
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Patent number: 11177734Abstract: An adaptive method to protect a DC to DC buck converter from destruction in the event of a short circuit to ground at the output is described. The short circuit protection method is small and inexpensive, and uses very low current, allowing the buck converter to remain active and protected, as it self regulates below an acceptable maximum peak current. Inductor current is sensed in the current-mode loop circuitry and an over-current comparator is used. A masking interval generator is required to mask false over-current triggers caused by converter switching-induced glitches. Simple logic is used to detect if the current-limit comparator indicates over-current at the end of the masking interval and to implement over-current pulse-skipping on genuine over-current detection.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2015Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) LimitedInventors: Nicolas Borfigat, Guillaume deCremoux
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Patent number: 11057675Abstract: A media streaming device is provided that includes a media streaming module, a super capacitor and a protection module. The media streaming module provides the media stream. The super capacitor has a first terminal coupled to a power-supplying path and a second terminal coupled to a ground terminal. The protection module includes a current limiter and a disabling unit. The current limiter receives a power signal and performs current-limiting to generate a fixed-current power to charge the super capacitor and supply power to the media streaming module through the power-supplying path. The current limiter further detects a voltage of the first terminal of the super capacitor. The disabling unit disables the media streaming module when the voltage of the first terminal of the super capacitor is not higher than a voltage threshold value, and enables the media streaming module when the voltage is higher than the voltage threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2018Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: REALTEK SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATIONInventors: Chao-Min Lai, Chien-Liang Chen
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Patent number: 11050358Abstract: A power module including a half bridge circuit having first and second switching elements respectively included in an upper arm and a lower arm thereof, and upper and lower arm drive circuits which respectively drive the first and second switching elements. The power module includes a first ground terminal on a ground side of the second switching element, a second ground terminal connected, via a first ground wiring, to the first ground terminal, a third ground terminal connected, via a second ground wiring including a dumping resistor, to the first ground terminal, a current detection circuit detecting a current flowing through the second switching element, and a control ground switching circuit which performs switching according to a value of the current detected by the current detection circuit, so as to connect a ground terminal of the lower arm drive circuit to the second or third ground terminal.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2020Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventor: Ryu Araki
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Patent number: 11022993Abstract: The disclosure relates to an energy supply apparatus for the overcurrent-protected electric power supply to an electric consumer, including a power supply device configured to provide an electric current for the electric consumer, and a controllable power protection element configured to disable a supply of electric current to the electric consumer when the electric current reaches a first current limit value, wherein the controllable power protection element comprises an adjustable second current limit value set by the power supply device, wherein the power supply device receives an increased power requirement of the electric consumer within a time interval and to control the controllable power protection element for a duration of the time interval to set the second current limit value, and wherein the controllable power protection element disables the supply of the electric current to the electric consumer upon reaching the second current limit value by the electric current.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2018Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Olaf Schmidt, Lars Alsdorf, Hartmut Henkel
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Patent number: 11012064Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a main power semiconductor switching element, a current sense semiconductor switching element and a current sense semiconductor switching element protection circuit. The main power semiconductor switching element drives a load by switching. The current sense semiconductor switching element detects current flowing in the main power semiconductor switching element. The current sense semiconductor switching element protection circuit is provided between a gate of the main power semiconductor switching element and a gate of the current sense semiconductor switching element so as to protect the gate of the current sense semiconductor switching element at a reference potential different from that of the gate of the main power semiconductor switching element.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2018Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.Inventor: Sho Nakagawa
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Patent number: 10949375Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may provide methods and apparatus for an interface. The interface may be configured to detect a hot unplug condition based on a first output voltage at an output terminal of a first buffer circuit and a second output voltage at an output terminal of a second buffer circuit, wherein the first and second buffer circuits receive a common input. The interface may further detect the hot unplug condition based on a difference of a peak magnitude of the first output voltage and a peak magnitude of the second output voltage.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2019Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Athar Ali Khan. P, Namrata Maniram Pandey
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Patent number: 10896790Abstract: A dynamically coordinatable electrical distribution system includes a plurality of intelligently-controlled protection devices (PDs), a communication and control bus (comm/control) bus, and a central computer. The plurality of intelligently-controlled PDs is configured to protect a plurality of associated electrical loads from faults, developing faults, and other undesired electrical anomalies. Each of the PDs further has electrically adjustable time-current characteristics. The intelligently-controlled PDs are communicatively coupled to the comm/control bus and configured to report current data representative of real-time currents flowing through their respective loads to the central computer, via the comm/control bus. The central computer is configured to communicate with the plurality of PDs over the comm/control bus and dynamically coordinate the time-current characteristics of the plurality of PDs based on the current data it receives from the PDs.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2018Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: Atom Power, IncInventors: Ryan Kennedy, Denis Kouroussis
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Patent number: 10871793Abstract: According to an embodiment, a constant voltage power source circuit has a voltage feedback circuit that controls an output voltage depending on a control voltage. It has a current feedback circuit that detects an output current, keeps the control voltage at a constant voltage until the output current reaches a predetermined current value, and changes a value of the control voltage at a time when the output current reaches the predetermined current value.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2018Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage CorporationInventors: Toshimasa Namekawa, Kosuke Tashiro
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Patent number: 10847926Abstract: The invention relates to a housing lid for a field device comprising a screw thread, a receiving and transmitting unit, a battery unit, and a communication interface. The screw thread secures the housing lid to the field device. The receiving and transmitting unit is embodied wirelessly to receive information produced by at least one external unit and to transmit information produced by the field device to the external unit. The battery unit supplies the receiving and transmitting unit and/or the field device with electrical energy. The communication interface is in electrical contact with the battery unit, with the receiving and transmitting unit and via a corresponding communication interface of the field device with the field device.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2017Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Endress+Hauser SE+Co. KGInventors: Armend Zenuni, Philipp Reichert, Harald Schäuble
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Patent number: 10797592Abstract: A regulated current-fed power system employs power branching units connected in series. Each power branching unit includes a plurality of parallel-redundant converter groups connected in series with each other within a current path for the regulated current. Each parallel-redundant converter group includes at least two direct current (DC)/DC converters connected in parallel with each other, each sharing the power load. A protection device connected in series with each DC/DC converter disconnects the respective DC/DC converter from the regulated current when the respective DC/DC converter short circuits, with the remaining DC/DC converter(s) then receiving more of the power load. An active clamp connected in parallel with all of the DC/DC converters within a parallel-redundant converter group temporarily sinks a portion of the regulated current when one of the DC/DC converters fails in a short-circuit condition.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2018Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Boris S. Jacobson, John C. Cochran, Jason D. Adams, Mark S. Langelier
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Patent number: 10763662Abstract: A two-terminal electronic fuse device involves two switches, four diodes, switch control circuitry, and a storage capacitor, connected in a particular topology. When AC current flows through the fuse, a charging current charges the storage capacitor. Energy stored in the storage capacitor is then used to power the switch control circuitry. If the voltage on the storage capacitor drops, then the switches are opened briefly and at the correct time. Opening the switches allows the charging current to flow. By opening the switches and charging the storage capacitor only at times of low current flow through the fuse, the disturbance of load current flowing through the fuse is minimized. If an overload current condition is detected, then the fuse has tripped and first and second switches are opened. If the capacitor does not need charging and there is no overload condition, then the switches remain closed.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2017Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.Inventor: Leonid A. Neyman
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Patent number: 10644499Abstract: A current limiter circuit for limiting current through a pass device is disclosed. The current limiter circuit includes a accurate/fast current limiter circuit, a coarse/slow current limiter control circuit and a pass device having an input port, an output port and an on/off control port. A control circuit couple to the accurate/fast current limiter circuit and the on/off control port is also included. The accurate/fast current limiter circuit is coupled to the input port and the output port and the coarse/slow current limiter control circuit is coupled to the input port and the output port and an on/off control port of the accurate/fast current limiter circuit.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2017Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: NXP B.V.Inventor: Bin Shao
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Patent number: 10564709Abstract: Voltage regulation techniques for electronic devices are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may comprise an electronic element comprising one or more integrated circuits, a voltage regulator to regulate an input voltage of the electronic element, the voltage regulator to source an output current comprising at least a portion of an input current of the electronic element, the voltage regulator to operate in a current-limiting mode to limit the output current when the input current exceeds a threshold current, and a capacitor bank comprising one or more capacitors, the capacitor bank to source a supplemental current to supplement the output current of the voltage regulator when the voltage regulator operates in the current-limiting mode. Other embodiments are described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2018Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: INTEL CORPORATIONInventors: Brian J. Griffith, Viktor D. Vogman
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Patent number: 10547170Abstract: A semiconductor device according to related art has a problem that a clamp voltage that clamps an output voltage cannot adaptively vary in accordance with a power supply voltage, and it is thus not possible to reduce heating of a semiconductor chip to a sufficiently low level. According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a drive circuit (10) that controls on and off of an output transistor (13) and an overvoltage protection circuit (12) that controls a conductive state of the output transistor (13) when an output voltage Vout reaches a clamp voltage, and the overvoltage protection circuit (12) has a circuit structure that sets the clamp voltage to vary in proportion to a power supply voltage VDD.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2017Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATIONInventors: Akihiro Nakahara, Makoto Tanaka
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Patent number: 10491126Abstract: A controller for use in a power converter includes comparator coupled to generate a regulation signal in response to a regulation reference and an output sense signal. The output sense signal is representative of an output of the power converter. A drive signal generator is coupled to the comparator to generate a drive signal to control switching of a power switch of the power converter in response to the regulation signal. The drive signal generator is further coupled to generate an operation sense signal representative of an operational state of the power switch. A foldback control is coupled to the comparator and the drive signal generator to generate the regulation reference in response to the regulation signal and the operation sense signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2018Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.Inventors: Tiziano Pastore, Sundaresan Sundararaj
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Patent number: 10454265Abstract: A bridge-type circuit comprises a H-bridge switch module and a buffering and reclosing module. The H-bridge switch module comprises four power semiconductor switch devices. Every two of the four power semiconductor switch devices are connected in series in the same direction to form a bridge arm, and the two bridge arms are further connected in parallel. Middle points of the two bridge arms respectively serve as an input terminal and an output terminal. The buffering and reclosing module is connected in parallel with the two bridge arms of the full bridge module. Also provided are a direct current breaking device formed by connecting the above bridge-type circuits in cascade and a control method thereof. The direct current breaking device is provided with the buffering and reclosing module, such that line voltage fluctuation generated during a reclosing operation is small.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2017Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignees: NR ELECTRIC CO., LTD, NR ENGINEERING CO., LTDInventors: Dongming Cao, Taixun Fang, Yeyuan Xie, Bing Yang, Wei Shi, Wei Lv, Wenjie Wang, Bin Liu, Tao Wang
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Patent number: 10424437Abstract: A Fault Current Limiter (FCL) comprising a magnetisable limb, an electrically conductive coil associated with the magnetisable limb and arranged to induce a field in the limb member and magnets spaced such that the coil is positioned intermediate the spaced magnets. Magnetisable shield elements are positioned at either end of the coil.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2015Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: Faultcurrent LimitedInventors: Andrew Cheer, Jeremy Hall
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Patent number: 10424918Abstract: A fault current limiter, including: an inductor, a direct current circuit breaker, a shunt resistor, and a first fixed resistor. The inductor includes wound superconducting wires. The direct current circuit breaker and the inductor are connected in series to form a series branch. The shunt resistor is connected in parallel to the series branch. The first fixed resistor is connected in parallel to the direct current circuit breaker.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2017Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: HUAZHONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYInventors: Li Ren, Siyuan Liang, Yuejin Tang, Ying Xu, Zhong Xia, Zuoshuai Wang, Jing Shi, Jingdong Li, Lihui Zhang, Sinian Yan, Zhangwei Yang, Yi Zhang
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Patent number: 10373784Abstract: A superconducting arcing induction type DC circuit breaker includes a superconducting fault current limiter and an arcing induction type DC circuit breaker connected in series to each other. The arcing induction type DC circuit breaker includes an induction member that has a through-hole, is continuously formed in a 360-degree direction, and has a certain shape and thickness, and an induction needle that protrudes from an inner surface of the induction member toward a center of the induction member. A contact point where an anode and a cathode, which are mechanical contacts, approach from opposite directions and come into contact with each other is formed in the through-hole of the induction member, and the anode and the cathode are separated in a direction far away from each other.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2017Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION, CHOSUN UNIVERSITYInventors: Hyo-Sang Choi, Sang-Yong Park, In-Sung Jeong, Hye-Won Choi, Jun-Beom Kim, Yu-Kyeong Lee, No-A Park, Sun-Ho Hwang
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Patent number: 10366987Abstract: Described example embodiments include an integrated circuit having a first channel area with a first FET formed in a semiconductor substrate, the substrate providing a contact to the drain. A second channel area includes a second FET formed in the semiconductor substrate. A pilot FET couples to the first FET in a current mirror configuration. A third FET has a conductivity opposite the first and second FETs and couples to the source of the pilot FET. An op amp includes an output coupled to the gate of the third FET. Signals from the drain of the second FET and the source of the pilot FET couple to the inverting input of the op amp. Signals from the source of the first FET and the drain of the first FET couple to the non-inverting input of the op amp. Methods and additional apparatus are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2016Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: David J. Baldwin, Hector X. Roman, Md. Abidur Rahman
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Patent number: 10357144Abstract: A switching circuit includes a first switch and a second switch respectively connecting a first terminal and a second terminal of an electrical coil to a positive terminal of a voltage source, a third switch and a fourth switch respectively connecting the first terminal and the second terminal of the electrical coil to a negative terminal of the voltage source, and a controller to control the switching circuit in a current control mode to alternate a voltage polarity of the voltage source to thereby control a magnitude and direction of the electrical current of the electrical coil, and to control the switching circuit in a current hold mode to disconnect the electrical coil from the voltage source and to short-circuit the electrical coil to maintain the magnitude and direction of the electrical current at the transition time when the switching circuit switched to the current hold mode.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: GIVEN IMAGING LTD.Inventors: Semion Khait, Abraham Roth
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Patent number: 10310003Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for fault protection in a DC power transmission network or grid that aid in determining the location of a fault in the network. The method involves, in the event of a fault, controlling at least one current limiting element of the network so as to limit a fault current flowing to below a first current level which is within the expected current operating range of the network in normal operation, i.e. a safe level. The fault current is then controlled to maintain a non-zero level of fault current flow and the characteristics of the fault current flow at different parts of the network are determined by fault current detection modules. The location of the fault is then determined based on the determined characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2015Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbHInventors: Colin Davidson, David Reginald Trainer, Carl Barker, Oleg Bagleybter
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Patent number: 10298147Abstract: A power device includes a semiconductor relay and a pre-charger that has a reference voltage generator and a controller. The semiconductor relay is disposed at a position between a battery supplying electric power to a power converter that serves as a load and a smoothing capacitor connected on a battery side of the power converter in parallel with the power converter. The reference voltage generator generates a reference voltage having a gradually-increasing voltage value in a pre-charge period, prior to a turning ON of the semiconductor relay accompanying a turning ON of an ignition switch. The controller controls the semiconductor relay such that a charge voltage which is an inter-terminal voltage of the smoothing capacitor is set to a preset value according to the reference voltage.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2018Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Takashi Imura
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Patent number: 10281946Abstract: A bandgap voltage reference is provided in quasi-parallel with a resistor in the input path of a digital input circuit. Because of the quasi-parallel nature, the current used by the digital input circuit is limited to an amount based on the value of the external resistor. The input current is split between circuitry used to provide the logic signal across the selected isolation barrier and a sink transistor so that the current remains constant. This allows the digital input circuit to accurately limit input current without needing field-side power.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2018Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Shailendra Kumar Baranwal, Anant Shankar Kamath
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Patent number: 10244596Abstract: Disclosed are a light emitting diode (LED) driver circuit having improved flicker performance and an alternating current-driving type LED lighting device including the same. The LED driver circuit can remove an LED off period using a charging and discharging circuit during a compensation period so as to reduce light output deviation of an LED lighting device, and provide a driving voltage to another element of the LED lighting device, using the charging and discharging circuit during an additional discharging period so as to simultaneously improve power efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2015Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sung Ho Jin, Sang Wook Han, Young Do Jung, Hyung Jin Lee
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Patent number: 10007283Abstract: Provided is a voltage regulator capable of suppressing fluctuation in a limited current. The voltage regulator includes: a first differential amplifier circuit configured to compare a voltage based on an output voltage and a reference voltage to each other, to thereby output a first voltage; a second differential amplifier circuit configured to compare the first voltage and a second voltage to each other, to thereby output a third voltage; a first transistor configured to receive the third voltage at a gate thereof such that the output voltage is generated at a drain thereof; a second transistor, which includes a gate connected in common to the gate of the first transistor and has a predetermined size ratio to the first transistor; and a voltage generating unit, which includes one end connected to a drain of the second transistor and is configured to generate the second voltage at the one end.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2017Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: ABLIC INC.Inventors: Kosuke Takada, Masayuki Uno
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Patent number: 9985431Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a current limiter having an inrush limiting stage and a discharge limiting stage. The inrush limiting stage is communicatively coupled in series with the discharge limiting stage. The inrush limiting stage is configured to receive a first input current in a first direction, perform an inrush limiting operation on the first input current and pass an inrush limited output current in the first direction to the discharge limiting stage. The discharge limiting stage is configured to pass the inrush limited output current substantially unchanged in the first direction. The discharge limiting stage is further configured to receive a second input current in a second direction, perform a discharge limiting operation on the second input current and pass a discharge limited output current in the second direction to the inrush limiting stage. The inrush limiting stage is further configured to pass the discharge limited output current substantially unchanged in the second direction.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2015Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATIONInventor: Scott C. Wohlfarth
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Patent number: 9977443Abstract: A low dropout linear regulator, a starting method, an electronic device, and a chip are provided. Wherein the low dropout linear regulator comprises an error amplifier circuit, an over current circuit and an over-current adjustor, the starting method includes: beginning a soft-starting process of the low dropout linear regulator and turning on a first transistor and a second transistor to provide a over current to raise an output voltage of the low dropout linear regulator; maintaining the ‘turn on’ state of the first transistor and the second transistor and decreasing the over current according to a signal obtained from the error amplifier circuit after the output voltage of the low dropout linear regulator reaches a starting voltage of the error amplifier circuit; wherein the error amplifier circuit begins to operate when the output voltage of the low dropout linear regulator reaches the starting voltage of the error amplifier circuit.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2017Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: MEDIATEK SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.Inventors: Jun-Yan Guo, Hong-Sing Kao
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Patent number: 9948084Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to a DC circuit breaker and a circuit breaking method thereof which comprises: a measuring portion for measuring a DC current conducted through a first circuit portion; the first circuit portion for conducting and blocking the DC current; and a second circuit portion for conducting and blocking the DC current which is bypassed from the first circuit portion and controlling the open/close operation of the first circuit portion according to a measuring result of the measuring portion, wherein, in the first circuit portion and the second circuit portion, switching elements, which are included in each of them, are connected in a parallel configuration such that a high switching operation during a blocking operation can be improved and the DC current can be blocked in a safer and more efficient manner, and a circuit breaking method of the DC circuit breaker.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.Inventor: Jung-Wook Sim
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Patent number: 9946292Abstract: A power supply circuit includes a N-channel switching element having a drain connected to an input terminal and a source connected to an output terminal, and a P-channel switching element having a drain connected to the output terminal and a source connected to the input terminal. A voltage detection circuit is connected to the input terminal and configured to detect a level of an input voltage supplied at the input terminal. A voltage boosting circuit is configured to boost the input voltage and supply a boosted voltage to a gate of the N-channel switching element. A control circuit is configured to control the N-channel switching element, the P-channel switching element, and the voltage boosting circuit based on the level of the input voltage detected by the voltage detection circuit.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2017Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventor: Satoshi Wakimoto
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Patent number: 9927828Abstract: According to an embodiment, a voltage regulator includes a linear voltage regulator (LVR) and a transient feedback circuit. The LVR a primary feedback loop, an input terminal configured to receive an input voltage, and an output terminal configured to output a regulated voltage. The transient feedback circuit is coupled to the output terminal and the primary feedback loop, and is configured to provide a first current with a first polarity to the primary feedback loop when current flowing through the output terminal is increasing.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2015Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: STMicroelectronics International N.V.Inventors: Hemant Shukla, SaurabhKumar Singh, Nitin Bansal
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Patent number: 9912254Abstract: A power delivery system includes a rotary transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding and configured to transfer power between stationary coupling elements on a stationary side and rotational coupling elements on a rotational side. The rotational coupling elements share a central axis with the stationary coupling elements, and are adapted to rotate with respect to the stationary coupling elements. The power delivery system includes an isolation transformer that drives the primary winding of the rotary transformer, and a plurality of power inverter stages whose outputs are adapted to be summed and coupled to the rotary transformer. A plurality of output power converters receive transmitted power from the rotary transformer. A plurality of control elements, disposed on the rotating side, are configured to close a feedback loop on desired and actual performance of the output power converters, and to control the power inverter stages.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2013Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Analogic CorporationInventor: Adrian Delforge