Having Transistorized Inverter Patents (Class 363/16)
  • Publication number: 20120170322
    Abstract: A method of supplying direct-current (DC) power is presented herein. In the method, a first electrical signal and a second electrical signal are received. The first electrical signal alternates between a high voltage and a low voltage according to a constant duty cycle. The second electrical signal is synchronized with the first electrical signal. The first electrical signal is gated using the second electrical signal to produce a gated electrical signal with a duty cycle less than the duty cycle of the first electrical signal. The gated electrical signal is filtered to generate a DC output voltage. A difference between the generated DC output voltage and a reference DC voltage is determined. The duty cycle of the gated electrical signal is controlled by controlling the gating of the first electrical signal based on the difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jose Palathra Thomas, Sam Chaisitti, Priyanka Rajan Rele, Jorge Enrique Lugo Nevarez
  • Publication number: 20120170323
    Abstract: A charging AC adaptor includes: a first diode bridge connected to an AC terminal; a chopper controller connected to the first diode bridge; an insulating air core transformer connected to the chopper controller; a second diode bridge connected to a secondary side of the insulating air core transformer; a DC output terminal connected to the second diode bridge; and a common connection cable connected to the DC output terminal. The charging AC adaptor is connectable to a portable device via the common connection cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jun IIDA, Hiroyuki HATANO, Kimitake UTSUNOMIYA
  • Publication number: 20120170320
    Abstract: There are provided a method and an apparatus for generating a current command value for tracking the maximum power point of a solar energy generating system. The apparatus includes: a voltage detector detecting a voltage input into the flyback power converter; a first calculator calculating an output power from the detected input voltage; a second calculator calculating a power variation based on the calculated output power and a voltage variation of the input voltage; and a current command value generator generating a current command value for tracking the maximum power point of the solar cell module from the calculated voltage variation and the calculated power variation. Accordingly, a current command value after calculating an output power may be generated with only a voltage detector, without a current detector, thereby reducing the costs of a solar energy generating system by decreasing the costs for a high-priced current detector, and simplifying circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicants: RESEARCH & BUSINESS FOUNDATION SUNGKYUNKWAN UNIVERSITY, SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tae Won LEE, Yong Hyok JI, Chung Yuen WON, Don Sik KIM, Doo Young SONG, Min Ho HEO, Jin Wook KIM, Tae Hoon KIM, Young Ho KIM
  • Publication number: 20120170321
    Abstract: A feedback circuit of power supply according to the present invention comprises a switching controller, an optocoupler, an error amplifier and a timer. The switching controller generates a switching signal in accordance with a feedback signal for regulating an output voltage of the power supply. The optocoupler generates the feedback signal. The error amplifier is coupled to the output voltage of the power supply for generating an amplified signal. The amplified signal is connected to an input of the optocoupler. A remote on/off signal is further coupled to the input of the optocoupler. The timer generates a control signal to disable the switching signal in response to the feedback signal. The control signal is generated after a delay time when the feedback signal is lower than a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: SYSTEM GENERAL CORP.
    Inventors: TA-YUNG YANG, CHIEN-TSUN HSU
  • Patent number: 8213188
    Abstract: Provided is a bidirectional DC/DC converter which can control a boost voltage in a wide range. The DC/DC converter includes: three series circuits formed by a first to a sixth switch, each two of which are connected in series between a plus terminal and a minus terminal of a high voltage side; two transformers in which primary windings are connected in series and input terminals of the primary windings are connected to connection points of the switching elements; and a seventh to a tenth switch. The transformers have secondary windings, each of which is divided at the middle point. The middle points are connected to a minus terminal of a low voltage side. Respective terminals of the secondary windings are connected to a plus terminal of the low voltage side by the seventh to the tenth switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Shindengen Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Tada, Hisao Sato
  • Patent number: 8212493
    Abstract: A cascaded power converter having an auxiliary power supply operated from the second switching power stage provides efficient operation by activating the auxiliary power supply early in the startup process. A low energy transfer operating mode is initiated in the second switching power stage to charge the auxiliary power supply output without generating significant disruption at the load. After the first switching power stage is started and the intermediate node voltage has increased to a level sufficient to operate the second switching power stage, the final switching power stage enters a normal operating mode. The low energy transfer operating mode has a substantially reduced switching rate and pulse width from that of the normal operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Melanson, Mauro L. Gaetano, Eric King, Robert Grisamore, Zhaohui He
  • Patent number: 8213190
    Abstract: A single-stage isolated high power factor AC/DC converter with a leakage inductor energy recovery function includes a buck-boost circuit, for step-down or step-down a power supply; a transformer, electrically connected to the buck-boost circuit, for transforming the stepped-down or stepped-up power supply; a switch, electrically connected to the buck-boost circuit; an input capacitor, electrically connected to the buck-boost circuit; and an output circuit, for outputting the power supply transformed by the transformer. When the switch is cut off, the buck-boost circuit provides an energy recovery path to return energy stored in a leakage inductor of the transformer to the input capacitor. The energy stored in the leakage inductor of the transformer in a flyback converter or a forward converter is returned to the input capacitor through the energy recovery path. The problem caused by the leakage inductor of the transformer is solved without using any additional element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Macroblock, Inc.
    Inventor: Yan-Cun Li
  • Patent number: 8213187
    Abstract: A power supply control circuit for use in a power supply is disclosed. An example power supply control circuit includes a power switch coupled between first and second terminals. The first terminal is to be coupled to a positive input supply rail of the power supply. The second terminal is to be coupled to an energy transfer element input of the power supply. A sampling circuit is coupled to a third terminal. The sampling circuit coupled to sample a signal across the energy transfer element input of the power supply during an off time of the power switch to provide a sampled output of the power supply. The sampled output of the power supply is disabled from being be resampled by the sampling circuit during an on time of the power switch. A control circuit coupled to the sampling circuit and the power switch, the control circuit coupled to switch the power switch in response to the sampled output of the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventor: David Michael Hugh Matthews
  • Patent number: 8203855
    Abstract: A complex inductor according to the present invention changes its magnetic coupling polarity according to currents flowing its two inductors. The complex inductor includes a first magnetic member, around which first and third windings are formed, and a second magnetic member, around which second and fourth windings are formed. A first inductor is formed by connecting the first winding to the second winding, and a second inductor is formed by connecting the third winding to the fourth winding. The two magnetic members are made of a magnetic material having a magnetic permeability that gradually decreases as its magnetic flux density is increased. When the two windings are interconnected in a direction in which induced voltages generated in these windings by the current flowing in the second inductor weaken each other, the magnetic coupling polarity between the first and second inductors changes according to the current flowing in the inductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Computer Peripherals Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takae Shimada, Kimiaki Taniguchi, Hiroyuki Shoji
  • Publication number: 20120140523
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter is driven by single high input voltage, and includes a voltage converter circuit and a control circuit. The increase of the occupied area of the DC-DC converter is suppressed. The DC-DC converter includes an input terminal to which input voltage is applied; a voltage converter circuit connected to the input terminal, and including a first transistor; a control circuit configured to control the voltage converter circuit, and including a second transistor including a silicon material in a channel formation region; and a third transistor provided between the input terminal and the control circuit, and configured to convert the input voltage into power supply voltage that is lower than the input voltage. The first transistor and the third transistor include an oxide semiconductor material in channel formation regions. The first transistor and the third transistor are stacked over the second transistor with an insulating film provided therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kei Takahashi, Yoshiaki Ito
  • Publication number: 20120140529
    Abstract: The present invention is a new circuit topology to improve the efficiency of a flyback or push-pull converter or any other DC/DC converter that incorporates a transformer and whose switching device's active node (drain for MOSFETs and collector for IGBTs) has no direct energy releasing path to the power supply. The present invention uses an auxiliary DC/DC converter separate from the main DC/DC converter to reroute the parasitic energy stored in the transformer's or inductor's leakage inductance, allowing for the output of the main DC/DC converter to be augmented with the energy that would otherwise be lost. The energy stored in the leakage inductance is converted and redirected to either the load side or the power supply side of the main DC/DC converter in a series or a parallel configuration. The present invention significantly increases the overall efficiency of the system by eliminating the power loss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Norman Luwei Jin, Yimeng Jin
  • Patent number: 8194417
    Abstract: A two-stage switching power supply includes a first-stage power circuit, a second-stage power circuit, an output detecting circuit and a power control unit. The first-stage power circuit includes a first switching circuit. By conducting or shutting off the first switching circuit, an input voltage is converted into a bus voltage. The second-stage power circuit includes a second switching circuit. By conducting or shutting off the second switching circuit, the bus voltage is converted into an output voltage. The output detecting circuit generates an output detecting signal according to the output voltage. The power control unit controls operations of the first and second switching circuits according to the output detecting signal. A first-stage voltage gain value of the first-stage power circuit and a second-stage voltage gain value of the second-stage power circuit are altered with the output detecting signal, so that the output voltage is maintained at a rated value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Shih-Hsien Chang
  • Patent number: 8184455
    Abstract: A power adapter to receive at least one AC input power and transform to DC primary output power includes a power factor correction circuit to receive the AC input power and modulate to become a modulated power, an isolation voltage step-down circuit connecting to the power factor correction circuit to modulate the modulated power to a modulated lower voltage power, a switch voltage regulation circuit connecting to the isolation voltage step-down circuit to receive the modulated lower voltage power, and a voltage stabilization circuit connecting to the switch voltage regulation circuit. The switch voltage regulation circuit sets a determined output level and regulates the modulated lower voltage power to become a determined power at the determined output level. The voltage stabilization circuit modulates the determined power to become the primary output power and supplies the primary output power to a primary output end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: FSP Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Qiaoliang Chen, Ming Xu, Yongjiang Bai
  • Patent number: 8184421
    Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a power converter capable of not only boosting the voltage but also shutting-off the flowing current, by switching only the switch element. The power converter 1, comprises a first input-output portion 3, a second input-output portion 5, a first capacitor C1, a second capacitor C2 electrically connected with the first capacitor C1 in serial, a first current control block B1, a second current control block B2, a third current control block B3, a fourth current control block B4, and a switching controller 7 operable to switch certain current control blocks, wherein the current flowing direction is opposite to each other between a first current control element B1a (B2a, B3a, B4a) and a second current control element B1b (B2b, B3b, B4b) which compose the current control block B1 (B2, B3, B4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuto Watanabe, Satoshi Hashino, Mitsuaki Hirakawa
  • Publication number: 20120114363
    Abstract: A power supply system includes: a switching power supply and a rectifying/smoothing circuit, the switching power supply configured to output a first output voltage in a normal output mode; a step-down circuit; a control device that controls the switching of the switching power supply between the normal output mode, a low output mode, and an off mode; and an electric storage unit charged by the output of the step-down circuit in the normal output mode and supplies power to the control device in the off mode, wherein, when charging is needed in the mode other than the normal output mode and the low output mode, the control device controls the switching power supply to output the third output voltage, thereby charging the electric storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Katsumi INUKAI
  • Patent number: 8174849
    Abstract: An electric power converter facilitates performing soft switching in the two-way electric-power-conversion operation thereof, and reducing the manufacturing costs thereof and the losses caused therein, The electric power converter includes a first switching device; a second switching device; a first series circuit including capacitor, a diode, the primary winding of transformer, and a third switching device; a second series circuit including a capacitor, a fourth switching device, the primary winding of transformer, and a diode; a third series circuit including a diode and the secondary winding of transformer; and a voltage clamping element connected in parallel to the primary winding of transformer. The first series circuit is connected in parallel to the first switching device, and the second series circuit is connected in parallel to second switching device. The third series circuit is connected between the DC output terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masakazu Gekinozu
  • Publication number: 20120104857
    Abstract: A high-voltage power supply module includes a front-end power converting circuit, a first back-end circuit, a second back-end circuit, a ground terminal and a controlling unit. The front-end power converting circuit receives an input voltage and converts the input voltage into a bus voltage. The first back-end circuit receives the bus voltage and outputs a first voltage. The second back-end circuit receives the bus voltage and outputs a second voltage. The first back-end circuit and the second back-end circuit are connected with a connecting terminal. The ground terminal is connected with the connecting terminal. In response to the first voltage and the second voltage, a first control signal and a second control signal are respectively issued from the controlling unit to the first back-end circuit and the second back-end circuit, thereby adjusting the magnitudes of the first voltage and the second voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Yuan-Fang Lai, Ying-Sung Chang
  • Publication number: 20120106204
    Abstract: A driving frequency setting portion is provided. The driving frequency setting portion sets a switching frequency of a switching element on the basis of a notification from a driving phase number switching portion. A ripple current detected by a current sensor is in inverse proportion to inductance of reactor. Since a ripple current becomes the largest in the single-phase driving, in this embodiment, considering both the ripple current and switching loss, a switching frequency for the single-phase driving is set higher than a switching frequency for multiphase driving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Imanishi, Kota Manabe, Nobuyuki Kitamura, Takahiko Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20120092895
    Abstract: A circuit for potential-isolated power transfer from a primary side to a secondary side with two secondary-side output DC voltages, wherein the absolute value of the first output DC voltage is higher than the absolute value of the second output DC voltage. The circuit comprises a transformer, which has first and second windings with a common center tap on the primary side and a third winding on the secondary side. The ratio of the number of turns of the first and second windings is a function of the ratio of the two secondary-side output DC voltages. The center tap is connected to a DC voltage source, the first winding is connected to a first transistor and the second winding is connected to a second transistor. The transistors are connected to the primary-side reference potential. The output voltages are present at two diodes connected to the secondary-side third winding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: SEMIKRON Elektronik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alexander MUEHLHOEFER, Gunther KOENIGSMANN
  • Publication number: 20120092897
    Abstract: An electronic device (100) includes a power supply system (1) and a load circuit (2) connected to the power supply system (1). The load circuit (2) mutually switches between the first mode and the second mode. In the first mode, the load circuit (2) operates with electric power supplied from the power supply system (1). On the other hand, in the second mode, the load circuit (2) is brought into the state where the electric power does not need to be supplied from the power supply system (1). In response to the fact that the mode of the load circuit (2) is switched from the first mode to the second mode, a power supply control device (4) causes an AC/DC converter (7) to stop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideo Hara, Hiroaki Goda, Takashi Naiki
  • Publication number: 20120092896
    Abstract: A system simplification can be achieved by reducing the number of sensors required to detect currents and voltages when an output current is estimated. a switching power supply device 6 includes a current transformer 12, a switching circuit 13, a rectifying circuit 15, a smoothing circuit 16, an input voltage detecting circuit 18, a control part 19, an output voltage detecting circuit 22 and a PWM signal generating part 30. The control part 19 calculates a duty rate and an average value of voltage of the secondary side voltage of the current transformer 12 detected by the input voltage detecting circuit 18 based on a waveform of the detected voltage. The control part 19 calculates an output current lo based on the calculated duty rate, the calculated average value of voltage and an output voltage Vo detected by the output voltage detecting circuit 22.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: OMRON AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Hachiya, Yusaku Ido, Yasumichi Omoto
  • Patent number: 8159845
    Abstract: A current-sharing power supply apparatus is applied to regulate voltage level of an input DC voltage, and the regulated DC voltage is stabilized in a predetermined voltage to be used on rear-end circuits. The current-sharing power supply apparatus includes a square-wave generating circuit, a rectifier circuit, a conversion circuit, a rectifier circuit, a filter circuit, a first output terminal, and a second output terminal. The current-sharing power supply apparatus provides two output voltages with a multiple relation from the first output terminal and the second output terminal, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Chicony Power Technology Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Shu Lee, Shih-Chang Lee, Chien-An Chen, Jhe-Yu Lin
  • Publication number: 20120087154
    Abstract: A voltage supply device for a load, in particular for a network, has an energy store that can be connected to connection terminals and a voltage transformer with at least one electronic switch. A reverse polarity protection is in contact with the connection terminals and is designed to convert voltage delivered from the energy store into control voltage for active activation of the electronic switch when the polarity of the voltage is reversed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Peter Maisel, Martin Saliternig
  • Patent number: 8148934
    Abstract: A motor control apparatus includes a step-up/down converter and an inverter. The converter includes a coil, MOSFETs, capacitors and a control circuit. The control circuit turns on the MOSFET in the high potential side, while tuning off the MOSFET in the low potential side. After a predetermined time, the control circuit turns off the MOSFET in the high potential side and then turns on the MOSFET in the low potential side. It is checked whether the MOSFET, which is switched in the step-down operation, is normal or abnormal based on the voltages of the capacitors. The capacitors produce specific changes in the respective voltages in correspondence to the check result. Thus, the abnormality of the MOSFET can be determined based on the changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Terumoto Ogasawara
  • Patent number: 8143797
    Abstract: A direct current to alternating current (DC/AC) inverter is for driving a fluorescent lamp through quasi sine wave generation. The DC/AC inverter includes a frequency generator for generating a reference signal and a modulation signal, a pulse width modulator coupled to the frequency generator for providing a pulse width modulation signal according to said modulation signal, a driver circuit coupled to the pulse width modulator for generating at least one driving signal according to the pulse width modulation signal and the reference signal, a half bridge power switch unit coupled to the driver circuit, and a resonant tank coupled to the fluorescent lamp for outputting a quasi sine wave to drive the fluorescent lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Beyond Innovation Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Che Yu, Shih-Chung Huang, Chien-Pang Hung, Chih-Shun Lee
  • Patent number: 8143954
    Abstract: A device can be coupled to an electrical load for supplying electrical power to the electrical load. The device contains an oscillator unit and an auxiliary oscillator unit. The oscillator unit is configured to generate an output signal of the device which can be supplied to the electrical load and which has a first frequency. The auxiliary oscillator unit is electrically coupled to the oscillator unit. The auxiliary oscillator unit is configured to excite the oscillator unit to oscillate at a second frequency greater than the first frequency. The auxiliary oscillator unit contains a timing element which is configured and arranged to terminate the excitation of the oscillator unit after the expiration of a pre-specified period of time after the start of the oscillator unit and the auxiliary oscillator unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Stephan Bolz
  • Publication number: 20120068614
    Abstract: Various embodiments of systems for transmitting and receiving digital and analog signals across a single isolator, solid state lighting systems, and DC/DC converter feedback regulation control systems are disclosed. At least some of the circuits, systems and methods disclosed herein may be implemented using conventional CMOS design and manufacturing techniques and processes to provide, for example, a single integrated circuit or ASIC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Avago Technologies ECBU (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Gek Yong Ng, Richard Kok Keong Lum
  • Publication number: 20120069603
    Abstract: An adapter power supply includes an AC/DC converter converting a commercial AC power into a DC power; a DC/DC converter including a transformer composed of a primary terminal and a secondary terminal in order to output an output power by converting a link voltage of the DC power; and a controller presuming a load current of the output power through a primary current of the transformer and varying the link voltage of the DC power according to variation of the estimated load current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Byoung Woo RYU, Gun Woo MOON, Seong Wook CHOI, Jong Sun KIM, Dong Seong OH
  • Patent number: 8138700
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a synchronous rectification device (10) of the H-bridge type supplying a coil (5) of a phase of a synchronous machine, comprising four switches (21, 31, 22, 32) disposed on the electrical links (11, 12) of this H-bridge and intended to be instructed by an electronic circuit (40), characterized in that each switch comprises at least one transistor (T1) instructed by the electronic circuit (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Automotive Electronics
    Inventors: Stephane Monier, Jean-Yves Le Gouil
  • Publication number: 20120063172
    Abstract: There is provided a boost converter capable of reducing voltage stress within each element thereof, without using a separate loss snubber circuit, by clamping a voltage applied to an output diode to correspond to a difference between an input voltage and an output voltage. The boost converter includes a transformer including a primary winding receiving an input power and a secondary winding electromagnetically coupled to the primary winding and having a preset turn ratio therewith; a switching unit switching the input power transferred to the primary winding on and off according to a preset duty ratio; a stabilizing unit including an output diode rectifying the power outputted from the secondary winding to stabilize an output power; and a clamping unit clamping a voltage applied to the output diode to correspond to a difference between the input power and the output power during a switching on operation of the switching unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Hyo Young KIM, Jong Rak KIM, Sung Hun Oh, Jin Hwan KIM
  • Publication number: 20120057372
    Abstract: A resonant mode power converter is controlled with a control unit including a current limiting circuit coupled to receive a first current representative of a power converter output and a second current generated in response to a reference voltage. The current limiting circuit is coupled to limit the first current in response to the second current. An oscillator is coupled to receive the first current to generate a control signal having a control frequency in response to the first current. The power converter output is controlled in response to the control frequency of the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Anthony Reinberger, Paul Demone
  • Publication number: 20120051095
    Abstract: A power generation system configured to provide direct current (DC) power to a DC link is described. The system includes a first power generation unit configured to output DC power. The system also includes a first DC to DC converter comprising an input section and an output section. The output section of the first DC to DC converter is coupled in series with the first power generation unit. The first DC to DC converter is configured to process a first portion of the DC power output by the first power generation unit and to provide an unprocessed second portion of the DC power output of the first power generation unit to the output section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Louis Steigerwald, Ahmed Elasser, Juan Antonio Sabate, Maja Harfman Todorovic, Mohammed Agamy
  • Patent number: 8125208
    Abstract: A device and method for non-contact transmission of electrical energy by means of a transformer (1) comprising at least a primary side (2) and at least a secondary side (8), and where resonance is set up in a circuit comprising the primary winding (4) of the transformer (1) and a capacitor (14) connected in series with the primary winding (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventor: Geir Olav Gyland
  • Patent number: 8125304
    Abstract: An improved choke assembly for a power electronics device is provided. More specifically, a choke assembly with improved protection from environmental conditions such as dirt and water is provided. An improved choke assembly may include an insulative housing for an inductor coil that seals the inductor coil from the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John R Brubaker, Lixiang Wei
  • Patent number: 8116683
    Abstract: An adaptive inductive ballast is provided with the capability to communicate with a remote device powered by the ballast. To improve the operation of the ballast, the ballast changes its operating characteristics based upon information received from the remote device. Further, the ballast may provide a path for the remote device to communicate with device other than the adaptive inductive ballast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventor: David W. Baarman
  • Publication number: 20120025720
    Abstract: A power supply system includes a transformer having a primary winding on its primary side for coupling to a power source and one or more secondary windings on its secondary side. A first control circuit is disposed on the primary side of the transformer for controlling a current flow in the primary winding. A second control circuit disposed on the secondary side of the transformer, and the second control circuit is configured to provide a regulated output voltage. In the power supply system, the first control circuit is configured to generate a control signal for controlling the current flow in the primary winding without using a feedback control signal from the secondary side of the transformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: BCD Semiconductor Manufacturing Limited
    Inventors: Fan Chen, Xin Wu, Chaoqun Sun, Qanqing Wu
  • Patent number: 8107262
    Abstract: There is provided a variable switching frequency type power supply that can achieve high efficiency by fixing a switching duty cycle to 50% and varying switching frequency. A variable switching frequency type power supply according to an aspect of the invention may include: a switching unit switching input power; a transformation unit converting a voltage level of the power switched by the switching unit into a predetermined voltage level; a rectification unit rectifying the power converted by the transformation unit; and a control unit fixing a switching duty cycle of the switching unit to a predetermined switching duty cycle, and varying switching frequency of the switching unit according to a voltage level of output power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Sun Won, Sung Soo Hong, Chung Wook Roh, Sang Kyoo Han, Jong Sun Kim, Dong Seong Oh, Tae Won Heo, Dong Joong Kim, Don Sik Kim, Hak Ryong Kim
  • Publication number: 20120020118
    Abstract: A switching power supply apparatus including: a switching DC-DC converter for receiving an input voltage; a current detecting unit for detecting a current from the DC-DC converter; an input voltage detecting unit for detecting the decrease or cutoff of the input voltage; an overcurrent limiting circuit for stopping the operation of the DC-DC converter when the current detected by the current detecting unit exceeds a threshold; and a threshold control unit for changing the threshold of the overcurrent limiting circuit such that, if the decrease or cutoff of the input voltage is detected by the input voltage detecting unit, the period between the time when the decrease or cutoff of the input voltage is detected and the time when the operation of the DC-DC converter is stopped is prolonged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazutaka Takaki
  • Patent number: 8094466
    Abstract: The invention relates to a resonant converter (1) which has multiple outputs (7a, 7b) and contains a transformer (4) with a primary winding (5) and at least two secondary windings (6a, 6b) having different winding directions. In this way it is possible to design as cost-effectively as possible a resonant converter with multiple outputs, two of which can be controlled separately from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Duerbaum, Reinhold Elferich
  • Patent number: 8089785
    Abstract: A photovoltaic power conditioning unit for delivering power from a dc photovoltaic power source to an ac mains power supply is disclosed. The photovoltaic power conditioning unit may include a non-electrolytic energy storage capacitor, a dc-to-dc converter having an input connection coupled to an input and an output connection coupled to the energy storage capacitor. The photovoltaic power conditioning unit also may include a dc-to-ac converter having an input connection coupled to the energy storage capacitor and an output connection coupled to an output and a power injection control block configured to control an amount of power transferred from the dc-to-ac converter to the ac mains power supply based, at least in part, on an amplitude of a fluctuating sinusoidal component of a dc voltage on the non-electrolytic energy storage capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Enecsys Limited
    Inventor: Cuauhtemoc Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20110316430
    Abstract: In a first aspect, an LLC resonant converter is provided for driving a plurality of output circuits from a DC input signal. The LLC resonant converter includes: (a) an inverter circuit for converting the DC input signal to a square-wave signal; (b) an inductor network coupled to the inverter circuit; and (c) a plurality of transformers, each transformer including a primary winding and a secondary winding. The primary windings of the transformers are coupled in series, and the series-coupled primary windings are coupled in parallel with the inductor network. The secondary winding of each transformer is coupled to and provides a current to a corresponding one of the output circuits. The secondary winding currents are substantially equal, and power is processed by a single transformer between the DC input signal and each output circuit. Numerous other aspects are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Isaac Cohen, Bing Lu
  • Publication number: 20110311259
    Abstract: In a switching power source, an OFF-period of switching is set according to a resonance cycle when a transformer is driven.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Minoru Hayasaki, Kenichi Karino
  • Publication number: 20110310636
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter includes a current-source power converter that converts direct current into alternating current; a transformer that transforms the voltage of the alternating current output from the current-source power converter; a rectifier that converts the alternating current the voltage of which has been transformed by the transformer, into direct current; and a capacitor that is connected in series with winding of the transformer on the rectifier side, and blocks a direct-current component from being applied to the transformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: TDK-LAMBDA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuki IWAYA
  • Publication number: 20110310637
    Abstract: A controller controls a voltage-source power converter and a current-source power converter based on a detection value of a rail voltage input to the voltage-source power converter and a detection value of a charging voltage output from the current-source power converter, at the time of charging operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: TDK-LAMBDA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eiji TAKEGAMI
  • Patent number: 8081492
    Abstract: The first choke coil and the third choke coil are not magnetically coupled to the second choke coil and the fourth choke coil. Therefore, even in a case where a structure for increasing the heat radiation area is adopted, a pair of the first and third choke coils and a pair of the second and fourth choke coils located between the two ends of the capacitor maintain a state of equilibrium so as to be inversely proportional to mutual loss without affecting one another, and the output therefore stabilizes. Accordingly, the output of the switching power supply, that is, the rectified and smoothed output across the two ends of the capacitor stabilizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventor: Wataru Nakahori
  • Patent number: 8077482
    Abstract: Provided is a DC-DC converter that can reduce losses. Ein and C1 are serially connected. Q1 and Q2 are serially connected so that antiparallel diodes thereof face the same direction. A terminal of C1 that is not connected to Ein and a terminal of Q2 that is not connected to Q1 are connected. A terminal of Ein that is not connected to C1 and a terminal of Q1 that is not connected to Q2 are connected. A coil N1 of T is connected between a connection point of Ein and C1 and a connection point of Q1 and Q2. Among a pair of terminals of a coil N2, a terminal having the same polarity as a terminal the coil N1 that is connected to Ein is connected to the connection point of C1 and Q2 through D1 and the other terminal is connected to the connection point of Ein and C1. A coil N3 is connected to a smoothing circuit through a rectification circuit. The direction of D1 is set in such a manner that energy can be transferred to C1 from the coil N2 when Q1 is in a conduction state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventor: Sadanori Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8068355
    Abstract: A multiphase DC-to-DC power converter has two or more sets of input switches, each set of input switches driving primary windings of at least one associated transformer. Each transformer has one or two secondary windings, the secondary windings feeding power through output switches or rectifiers through an associated output inductor into a common filter. At least two of the output inductors are magnetically coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Volterra Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Alexandr Ikriannikov, Ognjen Djekic
  • Patent number: 8064226
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a control circuit with frequency compensation, which can be applied to an open-loop control system. The control circuit includes an oscillator which is additionally connected to a first comparator including a first input end, a second input end and a first output end. The first input end provides for inputting a sampling current, the second input end provides for inputting a total voltage of a reference voltage and a DC-level voltage, and the first output end outputs a down-conversion signal. When the sampling current is larger than the total voltage, the first comparator will generate the down-conversion signal to the oscillator to reduce a frequency of the oscillator, such that a current of the open-loop control system can be controlled effectively to prevent an electronic element form being burned down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Grenergy Opto, Inc.
    Inventors: Yen-Hui Wang, Chia-Chieh Hung
  • Patent number: 8054650
    Abstract: A switching power supply circuit includes a direct current (DC) power supply input, a first transistor, a capacitor, a first resistor, a second resistor, a switching circuit including a second transistor, and a first transformer including a first primary winding and a secondary winding. The DC power supply input is connected to a drain electrode of the first transistor via the capacitor. A gate electrode of the first transistor is connected to ground via the first resistor, and connected to the drain electrode of the first transistor via the second resistor. The DC power supply input is connected to a source electrode of the first transistor via the primary winding. The source electrode of the first transistor is grounded via the second transistor. The secondary winding is structured and arranged to drive a load circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignees: Innocom Technology (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Chimei Innolux Corporation
    Inventors: Jie-Jian Zheng, Tong Zhou
  • Publication number: 20110267842
    Abstract: A DC to DC converter for controlling the on time and off time of a pair of synchronous switches, which reside in the position of output rectifiers in a half bridge transformer type circuit is provided. The circuit is actually two identical circuits, one for each half of the transformer output. The circuits consist of a voltage reference, a dual comparator, a bias switch, and drive buffer as well as biasing means for proper set up of the various parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Archer