Having Transistorized Inverter Patents (Class 363/16)
  • Patent number: 8050059
    Abstract: Various example embodiments are disclosed. According to one example embodiment, a charging probe may include an alternating current (AC) input configured to receive current from an AC source, a rectifier circuit configured to rectify the current received from the AC source, a primary coil, and a control circuit configured to convert the rectified current into a regulated voltage across a primary coil. The primary coil may be configured to induce a magnetic field from the regulated voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventor: George Sotiriou
  • Patent number: 8040706
    Abstract: A pulse width modulated half bridge dimming controller for dimming a lighting ballast is described. The top half of the bridge is comprised of two switches, the top switch set, and the bottom half of the bridge is comprised of two switches, the bottom switch set. Each switch also has a diode in parallel with it. The drivers for the switches are configured so that each of the switches can be turned on and off independently of all of all the other switches. Preferably, the controller is capable of operating in all four quadrants. In one preferred embodiment the switches are IGBTs. The switches are controlled in a manner so that when one of the switch sets changes states, the second switch set has one switch on and one switch off, so that one of the diodes in the second switch set is disposed to block shoot through and provide a path to allow current to continue flowing in the inductive load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Sinewave Energy Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Gregory H. Leyh
  • Patent number: 8035367
    Abstract: A voltage control method includes producing an error signal based on a difference between a reference signal and an adaptor voltage and an adaptor current corresponding to the adaptor voltage, regulating, based on the error signal, the adaptor voltage, comparing a reference voltage to a voltage proportional to a potential corresponding to an identifying voltage corresponding to the adaptor voltage, detecting, based on the comparison result, whether or not a couplable external power source is suitable, and setting based, on the detection result, a potential corresponding to the identifying voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventors: Mayo Kitano, Masatoshi Kokubun, Takashi Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20110242853
    Abstract: A high voltage power supply is provided. The high voltage power supply includes an inverter which converts a DC voltage input to the high voltage power supply into a first AC voltage, a transformer including an input winding unit and a plurality of output winding units, wherein the input winding unit receives the first AC voltage from the inverter and the plurality of output winding units generates and outputs a second AC voltage, and a voltage multiplier unit which boosts the second AC voltage output by the transformer and outputs a boosted voltage, and the voltage multiplier unit includes a plurality of voltage multipliers which are connected to each other in series and the plurality of voltage multipliers may be connected to the plurality of output winding units respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Pankaj AGARWAL, Kang-hyun YI, Sung-jin CHOI, Joon-hyun YANG
  • Publication number: 20110235369
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for regulating a synchronous rectifier DC-to-DC converter by adjusting one or more existing synchronous rectifiers in the converter are provided. By regulating an existing synchronous rectifier, the rectifier may function as a modulator for post regulation over a limited range of output voltages suitable for load regulation, without introducing an additional conversion stage for post regulation, which typically decreases efficiency and power density. Independent post regulation of an existing synchronous rectifier may improve the load regulation, reduce output voltage ripple and improve the transient response of the converter. By operating independently from the main control loop, post regulation may most likely avoid the limitations of the main control loop, such as limited gain bandwidth and a relatively slow transient response. Such post regulation may be added to isolated or non-isolated switched-mode power supplies, such as forward or buck converters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventor: Douglas Paul Arduini
  • Publication number: 20110235368
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for conversion of high voltage AC to low voltage high current DC without using high voltage capacitors or transformers. A single switch is used to perform both the functions of pre-regulation and switching conversion. An input voltage detector determines when the input power AC is below a predetermined voltage limit. A threshold voltage generator provides a threshold voltage corresponding to the output voltage. A voltage comparator coupled to the input voltage detector and threshold voltage generator enables a pulse generator to activate the switch to gate a number of pulses of the input power below the predetermined voltage limit at predetermined frequency to a transformer. The converter regulates its output voltage by changing the input voltage threshold at which it starts switching, instead of using PWM or other known regulation technique.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: SmartSynch, Inc.
    Inventor: Zafarullah Khan
  • Patent number: 8027175
    Abstract: A power supply adjusting apparatus includes a primary isolation converting unit, adapted to convert voltage or current of an input power supply signal and output a power supply signal that meets an expected voltage or current requirement. The power supply adjusting apparatus also includes a voltage adjustment controlling unit, adapted to output an adjustment control signal with respect to the output voltage according to an expected output voltage and a tracked signal provided by a powered apparatus. Further, the power supply adjusting apparatus includes a secondary non-isolation adjusting and converting unit, adapted to convert the power supply signal outputted by the primary isolation converting unit to an expected voltage according to the adjustment control signal outputted by the voltage adjustment controlling unit and output the adjusted power supply signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhihua Liu, Xujun Liu
  • Patent number: 8027174
    Abstract: An advantage of the present invention is to provide an adapter power supply which varies a link voltage of DC power serving an input power of a DC/DC converter according to variation of a load current estimated by measuring a secondary current using a lossless current measurement technique at a primary terminal of a transformer of the DC/DC converter and thus presuming a load current of an output power. An adapter power supply according to present invention may include 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: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byoung Woo Ryu, Gun Woo Moon, Seong Wook Choi, Jong Sun Kim, Dong Seong Oh
  • Publication number: 20110221279
    Abstract: A ground power unit having a power supply unit capable of accepting a wide range of AC input voltages and producing one or more DC power signals for powering components of the GPU is disclosed. In one embodiment, the power supply unit includes a rectifier that converts an AC input power to a DC link power. The power supply unit includes a gate driving circuit that has a power MOSFET transistor which, under the control of a PWM controller, produces a switched DC signal. The DC link power and the output of the gate drive circuitry are provided to a transformer, which modulates the signals and produces a first DC output power signal that is load independent and a second DC output power signal that is load dependent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Milind Ratnaparkhi, Keith Welker
  • Patent number: 8018186
    Abstract: An electronic system for controlling a fan motor includes a microcontroller and a drive circuit. The microcontroller draws power from a first voltage source and generates control signals for sending drive current to stator coils of a fan motor via the drive circuit. The electronic system further includes a second voltage source to provide the microcontroller with an amount of energy sufficient to operate for a short period of time when the voltage of the first voltage source drops below a predetermined level. The microcontroller is configured to detect when the voltage level of the first voltage source drops below a given level and generates control signals for the drive circuit to discharge energy in the stator coils of the fan motor to quickly stop operation of the fan motor within a short period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Scott Frankel, Christopher Best
  • Patent number: 8018740
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method of reducing surge current in an LLC converter. The LLC converter comprises a switching circuit having a first switch and a second switch, a resonant circuit, and a rectification circuit. During start up of the LLC converter, first and second signals having a fixed period and a variable duty cycle are applied to the first and second switches respectively. When a predetermined voltage on a load configured to be coupled to the rectification circuit is reached, the first and second signals are changed to signals having a variable period and a fixed duty cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Bosheng Sun, Yuwei Luo, Zhong Ye
  • Patent number: 8014172
    Abstract: A resonant mode power converter is controlled with a control unit including a feedback circuit coupled to generate a first current representative of an output of the power converter. A current limiting circuit is coupled to receive the first current 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. An output voltage of the power converter is controlled in response to the control frequency of the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Reinberger, Paul Demone
  • Patent number: 8014174
    Abstract: The present invention can include an image forming apparatus having an electrical load, a supplying circuit configured to supply an electrical power to the electrical load, and an output circuit configured to output a voltage according to a current value of the electrical power being supplied to the electrical load. The present invention may also provide for a controller configured to control an electrical current flowing in the electrical load based on an output voltage value of the output circuit as a feedback value, and an inhibiting circuit configured to inhibit a reverse current to flow in the output circuit when the supplying circuit is turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsumi Inukai
  • Patent number: 8004253
    Abstract: A two-stage converter including a buck converter and a DC-DC converter that receives power from the buck converter. The DC-DC converter generates an output voltage of the two-stage converter. A buck control circuit generates a drive signal for the buck converter. The drive signal is based on a first signal representing the output voltage, a second signal representing load applied to the buck converter, and a compensation signal. A characteristic of the compensation signal varies based on the drive signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Astec International Limited
    Inventor: Israel G. Beltran
  • Publication number: 20110188878
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus needs to control an output voltage to a target voltage for a short time. A power supply apparatus of the present invention detects voltages output from a piezoelectric transformer. The power supply apparatus also detects peak values in a plurality of detected voltages according to a plurality of frequencies of pulse signals for the piezoelectric transformer, and identifies a frequency corresponding to the highest peak value, and a frequency corresponding to a next peak value next to and on a higher- or lower-frequency side of the frequency corresponding to the highest peak value. Moreover, the power supply apparatus sets an initial frequency used when starting to control the output voltage of the piezoelectric transformer to the target voltage, within a frequency range between the two identified frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Watanabe, Soichiro Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20110181115
    Abstract: A system for managing AC energy harvested from a harvesting device (1) including a coil (4) including switching circuitry (S1-S4) coupled between first (7A) and second (7B) terminals of the coil. The switching circuitry includes first (S1), second (S2), third (S1), and fourth (S4) switches. A switch controller (17) closes the second and fourth switches to allow build-up of current (ILh) in the coil, opens one of the second and fourth switches, and closes a corresponding one of the third and first switches in response to the built-up inductor current reaching a predetermined threshold value (Ihrv) to steer the built-up inductor current through the corresponding one of the third and first switches to a current-receiving device (24 and/or RL,CL).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventor: Vadim V. Ivanov
  • Patent number: 7986534
    Abstract: An apparatus to generate a high voltage includes a switching part to control a voltage induced in a secondary coil of a power transforming part, by interrupting a current in a primary coil of the power transforming part, a digital controlling part to control the interruption operation of the switching part according to supplied control data. The switching part, the digital interfacing part and the digital controlling part may be embodied in an ASIC chip (application-specific integrated circuit). An optimum control according to an output state of the apparatus is easily achieved, manufacturing time for tuning each parameter is reduced and heat generation in the apparatus is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-min Chae, Joong-gi Kwon, Chul-woo Oh, Jong-hwa Cho, Sang-yong Han
  • Publication number: 20110170318
    Abstract: A variable voltage converter (VVC) is configured to provide bidirectional voltage boost and buck from an input side to an output side. A VVC can include a voltage control portion and a battery charging portion. When incorporated into an inverter system controller (ISC) for a hybrid electric vehicle, the VVC can be configured to charge a battery during both high and low ISC dc bus voltage conditions. A VVC can be configured to receive power from an ac power source through a plug coupled to the VVC via a soft start rectifier. Accordingly, the VVC with integrated battery charger can be used to charge a battery for a Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) from a standard ac electrical outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Lihua Chen
  • Patent number: 7977819
    Abstract: Provided is a power converter having an inverter (13) wherein capacitors (12) are connected in parallel on a direct current side, and a power supply circuit configured to supply the inverter with a direct current from a power supply (1) and a power storage element (14). A controller using such power converter is also provided for electric rolling stocks. The power supply circuit is provided with a power supply switch (S1) arranged between the power supply and the inverter, a DC-to-DC converter (15A) arranged between the power storage element and the inverter, and a bypass switch (S2) arranged between the power storage element and the inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Kitanaka
  • Patent number: 7979223
    Abstract: A system for power hardware in the loop testing is described. The system includes a power system and a control system, the power system connected to a power converter of a device under test, the control system being in communication with the power system and the power converter. The control system determines the voltage input to the power system by utilizing the voltage output of the power converter, the voltage input determination being made by a control algorithm comprising.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Antonello Monti, Salvatore D'Arco
  • Publication number: 20110164437
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method of reducing surge current in an LLC converter. The LLC converter comprises a switching circuit having a first switch and a second switch, a resonant circuit, and a rectification circuit. During start up of the LLC converter, first and second signals having a fixed period and a variable duty cycle are applied to the first and second switches respectively. When a predetermined voltage on a load configured to be coupled to the rectification circuit is reached, the first and second signals are changed to signals having a variable period and a fixed duty cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Bosheng Sun, Yuwei Luo, Zhong Ye
  • Publication number: 20110148319
    Abstract: When a voltage V detected by a voltage detecting section is lower than a first threshold value Vth1, an NPN transistor is turned on, a control terminal Ve is placed at a low level, and an overload protection circuit section halts the operation of a switching circuit section. When the voltage V detected by the voltage detecting section becomes higher than the first threshold value Vth1, the NPN transistor is turned off, the control terminal Ve is placed at a high level, and the overload protection circuit section resets the halt of the operation of the switching circuit section and makes the operation resumed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Noriaki Terazawa
  • Patent number: 7965523
    Abstract: In a switching power supply device, a first switch element, which defines a main switch element of a DC-DC converter, and a third switch element, which defines a switch element of a power-factor correcting circuit, are controlled such that turn-on timings are synchronized while on-period control is independently performed to thereby prevent an increase in switching frequency and prevent noise by eliminating intermittent oscillation. Thus, it is possible to prevent intermittent oscillation control due to an increase in switching frequency of the first switch element under a light load state or a no load state. This eliminates problems of the frequency of intermittent oscillation that falls within an audible frequency range causing noise and increasing ripple voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Yamaguchi, Tatsuya Hosotani, Takuji Yokawa
  • Publication number: 20110141770
    Abstract: A system and method for converting a relatively high voltage into a relatively low voltage, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a first series of pulses at the relatively high voltage and a first frequency; and converting the first series of pulses into a second series of pulses at a second voltage lower than the relatively high voltage and a second frequency higher than the first frequency. The first series of pulses may be a waveform and the converting step may be triggered by the waveform of the first series of pulses exceeding the relatively low voltage. The first series of pulses may be direct current pulses and the receiving step may comprise receiving an alternating current voltage and rectifying the alternating current voltage into the first series of pulses. The second frequency may be some multiple of the first frequency, such as twice the first frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: EMERSON ELECTRIC CO.
    Inventor: Glenn Wilson
  • Patent number: 7957160
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide low harmonic distortion AC power for distribution by converting energy from natural or renewable sources into electrical form, and constructing a current waveform on a primary winding of a transformer by recapturing inductive energy previously stored in the transformer so as to transform the converted electrical energy into substantially sinusoidal AC voltage at a secondary winding of the transformer. For example, AC power may be supplied to a utility power grid from raw electrical energy from renewable energy sources (e.g., solar cells). An inverter may construct the primary winding current waveform using two unidirectional switches. On each half cycle, one of the switches first applies energy previously recaptured from primary winding inductance, and then applies the raw energy to the transformer primary winding at the utility power grid frequency. Accordingly, the constructed primary winding current may exhibit substantially improved total harmonic distortion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Flyback Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Babcock, David J. Babcock, Phillip N. Smith
  • Patent number: 7952892
    Abstract: A DC converter comprises a half bridge supply circuit and one or more flyback or forward converter output circuits, and optionally also an LLC converter whose control can determine a common variable switching frequency. The half bridge supply circuit produces a 50% duty output alternating between two input voltages, such as zero and a voltage Vin. In each flyback or forward converter output circuit, a switch connects a transformer primary to the half bridge supply circuit output in a PWM controlled manner to regulate a respective flyback or forward converter DC output which is produced by the converter output circuit, with a duty ratio less than 50% whereby switching losses are reduced. Soft switching is further facilitated by the half bridge supply circuit having two transistors controlled in a complementary manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond K. Orr
  • Patent number: 7953369
    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: February 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventor: David W. Baarman
  • Patent number: 7952301
    Abstract: A circuit with a magnetically variable inductor that is placed in close proximity to an independently wound control coil and connected in parallel to a current transformer having primary and secondary windings wound on a magnetic core wherein the transformer core with associated windings. The inductor core is placed within the bore of the control coil and an optional focusing armature concentrates the magnetic field at the poles. Application of a control current forms poles at the control coil extremities and causes a change in magnetic properties of the inductor core thereby altering the power output of the current transformer inversely to the magnitude of the control current. The control current from the output of the secondary coil of a current transformer in series with the load and conditioned by a feedback conditioning circuit modulates the level of the control current. The magnetically variable inductor controls a D.C. to A.C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Inventor: George E. Biegel
  • Patent number: 7952296
    Abstract: A feedback circuit is utilized in a DC/AC inverter having a first power switch and a second power switch for driving a fluorescent lamp. The feedback circuit includes a protection circuit for disabling the first power switch and the second power switch when no fluorescent lamp is electrically connected, a first capacitor having a first terminal electrically connected to an output of the DC/AC inverter, a second capacitor having a first terminal electrically connected to a ground, and a second terminal electrically connected to a second terminal of the first capacitor, a diode having an anode electrically connected to the second terminals of the first and second capacitors, and a cathode electrically connected to the protection circuit, and a first resistor having a first terminal electrically connected to the cathode of the diode, and a second terminal electrically connected to the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Beyond Innovation Techology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Che Yu, Shih-Chung Huang, Chien-Pang Hung, Chih-Shun Lee
  • Publication number: 20110122656
    Abstract: A power device with isolated varying-frequency PWM control contains a transformer having a primary side and a secondary side; a varying-frequency PWM chip located at the secondary side, the varying-frequency PWM chip containing a frequency adjustment circuit and PWM control circuit, the PWM control circuit having at least an output terminal; a sampling circuit connected to the varying-frequency PWM chip; and a separation circuit having at least a terminal connected to the varying-frequency PWM chip; wherein the at least one terminal of the PWM control circuit drives a switch so that various types of transformer is applicable; the frequency adjustment circuit of the varying-frequency PWM chip dynamically adjusts a periodic signal's frequency according to load condition so that a pulse signal from the PWM control circuit is adjusted as well to reduce switching loss and to enhance energy conservation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventor: CHANG-HSING CHEN
  • Patent number: 7948194
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring current for a motor drive including at least high-side and low-side switching transistors includes a driver circuit for driving a gate of the low-side switching transistor. First circuitry measures a drain to source voltage across the low-side switching transistor and generates a voltage output responsive thereto. Second circuitry has a first state of operation that samples the voltage output of the first circuitry when the low-side switching transistor is turned on and has a second state of operation to sample the voltage output of the first circuitry when the low-side switching transistor is turned off. The second circuitry further generates a monitored output current responsive to the sampled voltage output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Ralph Garcia
  • Patent number: 7944713
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a single stage DC to DC electric power conversation circuit which has a transfer gain variable by pulse-width modulation over a continuum from zero to beyond unity. Conversion efficiency of the circuit is optimal when the transfer gain is set to its middle range, where a large part of power is transferred from input directly to output without undergone electro-magnetic conversion. Conversion efficiency is therefore very high and such a high efficiency occurs under normal operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: PI International Ltd.
    Inventor: Chi Hung Cheung
  • Patent number: 7940533
    Abstract: A step-down voltage converter (100) for generating an output voltage (VOUT) from an input voltage (VIN) is provided. The converter (100) includes a switch (111) having a first terminal (112) and a second terminal (114), wherein the second terminal (114) is electrically coupled with the output voltage (VOUT). Also included is a rectifier (117) having a first terminal (118) and a second terminal (120), wherein the second terminal (120) is electrically coupled with the output voltage (VOUT). A first inductor (124) electrically couples the first terminal (112) of the switch (111) with the input voltage (VIN). A second inductor (126) magnetically coupled with the first inductor (124) electrically couples the first terminal (118) of the rectifier (117) with a voltage reference (128). A switch controller (110) coupled with the output voltage (VOUT) is configured to control the switch (111).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Mansfield, Stig Lindemann
  • Patent number: 7936573
    Abstract: A bi-directional DC-DC converter uses a transformer for both step-down and step-up operations. A switching frequency for operating a switching device is set separately for the step-down and step-up operations. When, for example, the switching frequency during the step-up operation is lower than the switching frequency during the step-down operation, the range in which the duty ratio in PWM control can be controlled is widened, compensating for step-up ratio insufficiency. Conversely, step-down ratio insufficiency is compensated for by making the switching frequency during the step-down operation lower than the switching frequency during the step-up operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsumi Yamauchi, Hiroyuki Shoji, Seigou Yukutake, Toshikazu Okubo
  • Publication number: 20110097100
    Abstract: A high-voltage power supply comprises the following components. A piezoelectric transformer outputs a voltage in accordance with a supplied drive frequency. A rectification part is connected to an output side of the piezoelectric transformer. A drive frequency generating part generates the drive frequency supplied to the piezoelectric transformer. A voltage detection part detects an output voltage of the piezoelectric transformer or the rectification part. A control part controls the drive frequency generating part such that a drive frequency corresponding to the output voltage detected by the voltage detecting part is generated. A first time constant, which is a time constant of the control part, is smaller than a second time constant, which is a time constant of a control target including the piezoelectric transformer and the rectification part. A third time constant, which is a time constant of the voltage detecting part, is smaller than the second time constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Osamu Nagasaki
  • Publication number: 20110090715
    Abstract: A transformer includes a first secondary winding, a second secondary winding, and a third secondary winding. The second secondary winding and the third secondary winding are wound to include the same number of turns and to have opposite magnetic polarities. A low-pass filter includes a second inductor defined by a leakage inductance of the second secondary winding connected in series with the second secondary winding, a second inductor defined by a leakage inductance of the third secondary winding connected in series with the third secondary winding, and a second capacitor. An output voltage is output from an output terminal of the low-pass filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tatsuya HOSOTANI
  • Patent number: 7916503
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a DC-DC converter including a soft-start function of a soft start in response to a soft-start signal, comprises: a detection circuit that detects whether the soft-start signal is active at an end of a soft-start operation; and an output voltage control circuit that controls an output voltage based on detection result of the detection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventors: Morihito Hasegawa, Takashi Matsumoto, Ryuta Nagai
  • Publication number: 20110069513
    Abstract: A current-sharing power supply apparatus with a bridge rectifier circuit includes a conversion circuit, a square-wave generating circuit, a resonant circuit, a rectifier circuit, and a filter circuit. The conversion circuit has two transformers, and each of the transformers has a primary winding and at least one secondary winding. The square-wave generating circuit is electrically connected to a DC voltage to switch the DC voltage into a pulsating voltage. The resonant circuit is electrically connected to the square-wave generating circuit, and having a first capacitor and the primary windings of the transformers. The rectifier circuit has at least four switch components, and electrically connected to the secondary windings of the transformers to rectify an AC output voltage into a rectified voltage, and the rectified voltage is outputted to at least one voltage output terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Inventors: Chung-Shu Lee, Shih-Chang Lee
  • Patent number: 7911809
    Abstract: A switching power supply circuit includes a direct current (DC) power supply input terminal, a first transformer including a first primary winding, a second transformer, and a pulse generating circuit, and a startup circuit. The pulse generating circuit includes first and second first switching units connected in series and two voltage division resistors connected in series between the DC power supply input terminal and ground, and two capacitors connected in parallel with one of the two voltage division resistors. The second transformer includes a second primary winding connected between control terminal and second conducting terminal of the first switching unit, a second secondary winding; and an assistant winding connected between the control terminal of the second switching unit and ground. The second conducting terminal of the first switching unit is grounded via the second secondary winding, the first primary winding and a capacitor in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignees: Innocom Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Chimel Innolux Corporation
    Inventors: Jie-Jian Zheng, Tong Zhou
  • Patent number: 7911808
    Abstract: A comparing circuit and a control loop are used to maintain the peak level of current flowing through an inductor of a flyback converter. An inductor switch control signal controls an inductor switch through which the inductor current flows. The inductor current increases at a ramp-up rate during a ramp time and stops increasing at the end of the ramp time. The comparing circuit generates a timing signal that indicates a target time at which the inductor current would reach a predetermined current limit if the inductor current continued to increase at the ramp-up rate. The control loop then receives the timing signal and compares the target time to the end of the ramp time. The pulse width of the inductor switch control signal is increased when the target time occurs after the end of the ramp time. Adjusting the pulse width controls the peak of the inductor current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Active-Semi, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Huynh, Matthew Grant, David Kunst, Zhibo Tao
  • Patent number: 7912430
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement for wirelessly exchanging data with a reader device, including an antenna for converting electromagnetic radiation into an antenna voltage, an analogue circuit for demodulating an information signal based on the antenna voltage, and a digital circuit for processing of the information signal and for receiving power from the analogue circuit. The circuit arrangement also includes a decoupling circuit, which is interconnected between the analogue circuit and the digital circuit and provides a decoupling of both circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Walter Kargl, Richard Sbuell
  • Publication number: 20110058392
    Abstract: A current-sharing power supply apparatus includes a conversion circuit, a square-wave generating circuit, a resonant circuit, a rectifier circuit, and a filter circuit. The conversion circuit has two transformers, and each of the transformers has a primary winding and at least one secondary winding. More particularly, two secondary windings of the two transformers are electrically connected in series. The square-wave generating circuit is electrically connected to a DC voltage to switch the DC voltage into a pulsating voltage. The resonant circuit is electrically connected to the square-wave generating circuit, and having a first capacitor and the primary windings of the transformers. The rectifier circuit has at least two switch components, and electrically connected to the secondary windings of the transformers to rectify an AC output voltage into a rectified voltage, and the rectified voltage is outputted to at least one voltage output terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Shih-Chang Lee, Chung-Shu Lee
  • Publication number: 20110058393
    Abstract: A switching power supply device that uses a SJ-MISFIT reduces a surge in voltage caused by the oscillation of drain current. The switching power supply device of the present invention, which is switched by a switching element that is a MOSFET having a super junction structure, includes an oscillation reduction diode connected in anti-parallel to the switching element, wherein when a characteristic curve of output capacitance Coss of the switching element relative to a drain-to-source voltage VDS is approximated by a first line, second line and third line corresponding to lines A, B and C shown in FIG. 2, junction capacitance CD2 of the oscillation reduction diode at a point b where a characteristic curve of the junction capacitance CD2 of the oscillation reduction diode and the second line cross each other is 40% or more of the output capacitance Coss of the switching element at a point a where the first and second lines cross each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventor: Tohru SUZUKI
  • Patent number: 7903433
    Abstract: A converter for a multi-phase current network can include a plurality of current sensors, each of the plurality of current sensors being configured to detect current for a respective phase of the multi-phase network. A current averaging circuit is configured to provide an indication of the average current for the multi-phase network based on the current detected by each of the plurality of current sensors. A modulator is configured to modulate at least one phase of the multi-phase network independently of each other phase of the multi-phase network based on a difference between the current detected for the at least one phase and the average current for the multi-phase network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian A. Carpenter, Christopher J. Sanzo, Biranchinath Sahu, Tetsuo Tateishi
  • Patent number: 7894212
    Abstract: A switching power supply device includes a first series circuit of first and second switching elements connected in parallel with a DC power supply. An isolation transformer has primary and secondary windings and first and second auxiliary windings, a first layer including the primary windings between a second layer of the two auxiliary windings, and a third layer of the secondary windings. A capacitor in series with the primary windings defines a second series circuit in parallel with the second switching element. A rectifying and smoothing circuit includes a rectifying diode and a smoothing capacitor, connected to the secondary windings. First and second control circuits turn on and off the first and second switching elements based on voltages generated in the two auxiliary windings, to obtain a DC output from the rectifying and smoothing circuit, enabling an adequate auxiliary windings voltage and stable switching operation including stable zero-voltage turn-on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukihiro Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 7894224
    Abstract: A voltage drive system is provided having a plurality of modulators and a plurality of cascaded switching circuits which collectively generate a single-phase output signal to a load. Each modulator receives a phase current error and has an adder which generates a modulated phase current error based on the phase current error and based on a signal having a phase. For each respective modulator, the phase of the respective signal is different. Each respective modulator changes a respective gate input when the respective modulated phase current error changes from being within a predetermined current range to being outside of the predetermined current range. Each respective switching circuit receives the respective gate input and generates a respective output terminal voltage based on the respective gate input. The change in the respective gate input effectively causes a switching event of the respective switching circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: DRS Power & Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James A Ulrich, Ashish R Bendre
  • Patent number: 7889517
    Abstract: A power system having a power converter with an adaptive controller. The power system is coupled to a load and includes a power system controller that receives a signal indicating a system operational state of the load and selects a power converter operational state as a function thereof. The power system also includes a power converter with a power switch that conducts for a duty cycle to provide a regulated output characteristic at an output thereof. The power converter also includes a controller that receives a command from the power system controller to enter the power converter operational state and provides a signal to control the duty cycle of the power switch as a function of the output characteristic and in accordance with the command, thereby regulating an internal operating characteristic of the power converter to improve an operating efficiency thereof as a function of the system operational state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Flextronics International USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Artusi, Ross Fosler, Allen F. Rozman
  • Patent number: 7884444
    Abstract: This application relates to a semiconductor device comprising a first chip comprising a first electrode on a first face of the first chip, and a second chip attached to the first electrode, wherein the second chip comprises a transformer comprising a first winding and a second winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Bernhard Strzalkowski
  • Publication number: 20110019439
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus with a current-sharing function includes a conversion circuit, a square-wave generating circuit, a resonant circuit, and a rectifier-filter circuit. The conversion circuit has two transformers, and each of the transformers has a primary winding and two secondary windings. More particularly, two secondary windings of the different transformers are electrically connected in series and then the two in-series secondary windings are electrically connected in parallel. The square-wave generating circuit is used to switch a DC voltage into a pulsating voltage. The resonant circuit is electrically connected to the square-wave generating circuit, and having a first capacitor and the primary windings of the transformers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Shih-Chang Lee, Chung-Shu Lee
  • Patent number: 7876581
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a power converter transformer for suppressing conduction EMI (ElectroMagnetic Interference) includes a primary winding positioned at a primary side; a secondary winding positioned at a second side and coupled with the primary winding; a parasitic capacitor connected between one end of the primary winding and one end of the secondary winding; a switching unit connected to the other end of the primary winding; a Y-capacitor connected between the switching unit and a ground terminal; an auxiliary winding positioned at the secondary side and coupled with the secondary winding; and an auxiliary capacitor connected between the one end of the primary winding and the auxiliary winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong Hae Kim, Dong Seong Oh, Dea Min Jang, Jin Wook Kim, Il Woon Lee, Jae Sun Won, Erlan Dzhunusbekov, Dmitry Berdnikov