With Automatic Control Of The Magnitude Of Output Voltage Or Current Patents (Class 363/21.01)
  • Patent number: 9531264
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to powering a switching controller of a switch mode power converter (SMPC), and more particularly to a method of providing power to a switching controller of a SMPC, to a charging circuit for supplying charge to a charge store for providing power to a switching controller of a SMPC, and to an SMPC comprising such a circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Ryan, Johan Piper
  • Patent number: 9515556
    Abstract: A method of regulating voltage with a switching regulator is disclosed. The method includes sensing an output voltage provided by the regulator. If the output voltage drops below a low voltage threshold, a burst of one or more current pulses is provided. If the output voltage raises above a high voltage threshold during the burst, discontinuing the burst of current pulses. The method includes counting a number of the one or more current pulses in the burst, and comparing the number of the one or more current pulses with at least one pulse threshold. The upper current threshold is adjusted based on the number of the one or more current pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Intersil Americas LLC
    Inventors: Xiping Yang, Sisan Shen, Congzhong Huang
  • Patent number: 9502954
    Abstract: A signal transmission circuit includes, in each of a first circuit connected to a first coil of an insulating transformer and a second circuit connected to a second coil of the insulating transformer, a transmitting circuit, a receiving circuit, a coil-side switching circuit, an input/output-side switching circuit, an abnormality detection circuit, a delay circuit, and a direction control section. In the signal transmission circuit, the direction control section controls the switching circuit to switch a signal direction between input and output, and the switching circuit switches between transmission and reception. The delay circuit delays a received signal and returns the resultant signal to the transmitting side, and the abnormality detection circuit detects abnormality to perform self-diagnosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Morokuma, Jun Tomisawa, Tetsuya Uchida, Kazuyasu Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 9496780
    Abstract: A DC-to-DC converter includes a transformer including a primary transformer coil connected to a power input terminal; a secondary transformer coil connected to a power output terminal; a switching circuit including a first sense circuit that detects a voltage condition of the transformer, the voltage received at the first sense circuit being used to regulate the duty cycle of the switch and to initiate a hiccup mode that dissipates power in the primary and/or secondary windings when the voltage condition detected at the first sense circuit indicates an overload of the transformer; a second sense circuit that detects an over-current condition at the switch and/or primary winding; and a further feedback path connected between the second sense circuit and the first sense circuit that provides a second signal to the first sense circuit to boost the first signal when an overload is detected, and to initiate the hiccup mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Frank Warnes
  • Patent number: 9490692
    Abstract: A circuit for correcting a power factor for an AC direct lighting apparatus that includes a valley signal generating unit configured to receive a full-wave rectified AC input voltage signal and configured to compare an internal reference voltage signal and the AC input voltage signal to generate a valley signal, a reference voltage control unit configured to receive the generated valley signal and count clock cycles of an internal clock to detect a frequency of the AC input voltage signal and configured to determine a frequency of a drive current to control a reference voltage signal based on the determined frequency of the drive current and a reference voltage control clock generating unit configured to generate a pulse width modulation signal associated with a pulse width of the reference voltage signal and configured to generate the reference voltage control clock signal based on the generated pulse width modulation signal and the controlled reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: MagnaChip Semiconductor, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gyu Ho Lim, Jin Wook Kim, Jong Hyun Yoon
  • Patent number: 9484824
    Abstract: An on/off controller device includes a control circuit to generate a control signal to switch a power switch between an on state and an off state to transfer energy from a primary side to a secondary side of a switched mode power supply. A comparator is coupled to generate an enable signal that enables and disables the switching of the power switch by the control circuit. The comparator compares a feedback signal with a variable threshold and switches the enable signal between enabling and disabling the switching of the power switch. The variable threshold is modulated to increase a fundamental frequency of the switching of the power switch by the control circuit. The variable threshold is modulated with a fixed amplitude pulse that is combined with a second threshold to modulate the variable threshold between a first higher value and a second lower value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex B. Djenguerian, Andrew J. Morrish, Arthur B. Odell, Kent Wong
  • Patent number: 9484840
    Abstract: A power inverter combination includes a half-bridge power inverter including first and second semiconductor power switches receiving input power having an intermediate node therebetween providing an inductor current through an inductor. A controller includes input comparison circuitry receiving the inductor current having outputs coupled to first inputs of pulse width modulation (PWM) generation circuitry, and a predictive control block having an output coupled to second inputs of the PWM generation circuitry. The predictive control block is coupled to receive a measure of Vin and an output voltage at a grid connection point. A memory stores a current control algorithm configured for resetting a PWM period for a switching signal applied to control nodes of the first and second power switch whenever the inductor current reaches a predetermined upper limit or a predetermined lower limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Ahmadreza Amirahmadi, Haibing Hu, Issa Batarseh
  • Patent number: 9484799
    Abstract: To reduce in-rush currents into a switched capacitor DC/DC converter and detect voltage and current faults, a converter controller is housed along with a current limit series transistor and fault detection circuitry. The series transistor is controlled to limit the in-rush current to a predetermined maximum level during start-up. If the duration of the current limit level, or the time for Vout to achieve a target voltage, exceeds a first threshold time, a first fault detector in the package shuts off the series transistor. During steady state operation, if the input current reaches the limit for a second threshold time or if Vout extends outside a certain range for the second threshold time, a second fault detector in the package shuts off the series transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Linear Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jindong Zhang, Jian Li
  • Patent number: 9455634
    Abstract: A power conversion apparatus, which converts power of a DC power supply and provides it to the loading, includes a transformer, an electronic switch, a leakage energy recycling circuit, and a output circuit. The transformer has a primary winding, which receives the power, and a secondary winding, which outputs the converted power. An end of the electronic switch is electrically connected to the primary winding; another end thereof is electrically connected to the DC power supply. The leakage energy recycling circuit is electrically connected to the primary winding, and repeatedly and alternatively outputs power of positive and negative voltage. The circuit receives and stores leakage energy of the transformer, and feedbacks it to the transformer. The output circuit is electrically connected to the secondary winding to receive the converted power and to provide it to the loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: HEP TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Po-Yen Chen, Ching-Tsai Pan, Ta-Sheng Hung
  • Patent number: 9401657
    Abstract: A power converter controller includes a switch driver circuit coupled to generate a drive signal to control switching of a power switch to control a transfer of energy from an input of the power converter to an output of the power converter. An input sense circuit is coupled to receive an input sense signal representative of the input of a power converter. A sense enable circuit is coupled to receive the drive signal to generate a sense enable signal to control the input sense circuit in response to the drive signal. The sense enable signal is coupled to control the input sense circuit to sense the input sense signal continuously in response to a first load condition, and sense the input sense signal only during a fraction of a switching period of the power switch in response to a second load condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhao-Jun Wang, Giao Minh Pham, Roland Sylvere Saint-Pierre
  • Patent number: 9395738
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for regulating a voltage level at a load. The method configures a current control mechanism to generate a current through a first inductor and a second inductor that are coupled in series and configures a voltage control mechanism to provide a portion of the current to regulate the voltage level. The second inductor isolates the load from a parasitic capacitance of the current control mechanism. An electric power conversion device for regulating the voltage level at the load comprises the current control mechanism that is coupled to an electric power source and configured to generate a current through the first inductor and the second inductor that are coupled in series and the voltage control mechanism that is coupled to the second inductor and configured to provide a portion of the current to regulate the voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventor: William J. Dally
  • Patent number: 9385615
    Abstract: An isolated switching power supply can include a switching element connected to an input power supply, a control circuit that ON/OFF-drives the switching element and generates an AC power in a secondary winding and in an auxiliary winding of the isolation transformer, an output circuit that rectifies the AC power generated in the on a secondary winding of the isolation transformer and outputs the rectified power, an internal power supply circuit that generates a driving power supply voltage for the control circuit from the AC power generated in the auxiliary winding, an output voltage detecting circuit that feeds back an output monitoring voltage obtained from the driving power supply voltage to the control circuit to control the ON/OFF driving of the switching element by the control circuit and an output voltage controller that changes a level of the output monitoring voltage obtained from the driving power supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenichi Nishijima
  • Patent number: 9379624
    Abstract: System and method for regulating an output of a power conversion system. An example system controller includes a signal generator and a modulation and drive component. The signal generator is configured to receive at least a first signal indicating a magnitude of an input voltage received by a primary winding of a power conversion system and receive a second signal indicating a magnitude of a primary current flowing through the primary winding, and generate a third signal. The modulation and drive component is configured to receive at least the third signal, generate a drive signal based on at least information associated with the third signal, and output the drive signal to a switch to affect the primary current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: On-Bright Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuan Lin, Weihua Wang, Xiuhong Zhang, Lieyi Fang
  • Patent number: 9356837
    Abstract: The disclosure provides an electronic device having network auto-switching functions and a network auto-switching method utilized in an electronic device. The electronic device comprises: a first network connecting unit having a first network transmission specification; and a second network connecting unit having a second network transmission specification different from the first network transmission specification. The network auto-switching method comprises: utilizing a detecting unit for detecting network connecting statuses of the first network connecting unit and the second network connecting unit to generate a detecting result; utilizing a network access unit for determining to select the first network connecting unit or the second network connecting unit to perform a network connecting operation or to not perform the network connecting operation at least according to the detecting result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Chung-Wen Tang, Liang-Wei Huang, Li-Han Liang, Ta-Chin Tseng
  • Patent number: 9356534
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a method. The method includes regulating a time for turning on a switch to transfer energy via a transformer in a first control mode, determining a turn-on time for a second control mode based on the regulated time in the first control mode, and controlling the switch based on the determined turn-on time in the second control mode to transfer energy via the transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Hao Peng, Wanfeng Zhang
  • Patent number: 9357598
    Abstract: A power supply control system for a switch-mode power supply comprises a cycle-by-cycle, asynchronous control scheme. The system makes use of including a signal summing and comparing stage and a control signal feedback system configured to control shaping of first and second portions of a comparison signal provided to comparator circuitry that generates a switching-circuitry drive signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Indice Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: James Hamond
  • Patent number: 9350251
    Abstract: A power conversion apparatus and an over power protection method thereof are provided. A number of times a sensing voltage exceeding a reference voltage is counted, so as to determine whether to disable a power switch in the power conversion apparatus according to the number of times the sensing voltage exceeding the reference voltage, in which the sensing voltage corresponds to a current flowing through the power switch on a resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Power Forest Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Kwan-Jen Chu
  • Patent number: 9331520
    Abstract: A device includes a charge controller to regulate a battery output voltage based on an input voltage and an input current received from a charging circuit. A loop controller monitors the input voltage and the input current to generate a feedback signal to adjust the input voltage to the charge controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Stephen C. Terry, Paul Brohlin
  • Patent number: 9325234
    Abstract: System and method for protecting a power conversion system. An example system controller includes a protection component and a driving component. The protection component is configured to receive a feedback signal, a reference signal, and a demagnetization signal generated based on at least information associated with the feedback signal, process information associated with the feedback signal, the reference signal, and the demagnetization signal, and generate a protection signal based on at least information associated with the feedback signal, the reference signal, and the demagnetization signal. The demagnetization signal is related to multiple demagnetization periods of the power conversion system, the multiple demagnetization periods including a first demagnetization period and a second demagnetization period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: On-Bright Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yunchao Zhang, Xiuhong Zhang, Lieyi Fang
  • Patent number: 9318960
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are high efficiency, low loss AC-DC power supply circuits, and associated control methods. In one embodiment, an AC-DC power supply circuit can include: (i) a rectifier configured to rectify an AC power supply to generate a DC input voltage; (ii) a first stage voltage converter configured to convert the DC input voltage to a first output voltage, and to convert a first control signal to a feedback signal that represents the first output voltage; and (iii) a second stage voltage converter configured to convert the first output voltage to a constant DC output signal, where the first control signal represents a duty cycle of the second stage voltage converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Silergy Semiconductor Technology (Hangzhou) LTD
    Inventors: Chen Zhao, Jie Yao
  • Patent number: 9286772
    Abstract: A security control apparatus, system and method are provided. The security control apparatus includes a wireless communication element that supports a plurality of wireless communication protocols. The wireless communication element is configured to provide wireless communications with a user interface device and at least one premise-based device. A remote communication element is configured to provide remote communications with a monitoring center. A processor is in communication with the local wireless communication element and the remote communication element. The processor is configured to use the wireless communication element to communicate with the user interface device to receive local control and configuration data. The processor is also configured to use the remote communication element to communicate data associated with at least one of a life safety feature and life style feature with the monitoring center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: ADT US HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Shapiro, Raymond North, Timothy Albert Rader, Jorge Perdomo, Anne-Marie Rouse, James Timothy Black
  • Patent number: 9282605
    Abstract: A driver circuit (1) for operating at least one load, such as a LED unit (7) is provided, comprising a switching controller (5) configured to at least control a switching device (13) between the discharging and charging mode of a storage inductor, in dependence on the inductor current (Is) and to control a duty cycle of the switching operation in dependence on at least one compensation signal, the compensation signal corresponding to either the input (VIN) voltage or the output voltage (VOUT), so that in case of a variation of the input (VIN) or output voltage (VOUT), the average output current, provided to the load, is maintained substantially constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Bing Lai
  • Patent number: 9276483
    Abstract: A method for controlling an active-clamp flyback power converter is provided. The method includes comprises: generating a switching signal in response to a feedback signal for switching a low-side transistor and regulating an output of the active-clamp flyback power converter; generating an active-clamp signal after the switching signal is disabled; generating a hysteresis bias to adjust the feedback signal; and generating a pulse signal periodically to enable the switching signal. The low-side transistor is coupled to switch a transformer. The switching signal is coupled to drive the low-side transistor. The active-clamp signal is coupled to drive a high-side transistor. A pulse width of the active-clamp signal is determined by a first resistor. The high-side transistor is connected in series with a capacitor to develop an active-clamp circuit. A minimum frequency of the switching signal is determined by a second resistor during a heavy load condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: SYSTEM GENERAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ta-Yung Yang, Yen-Ming Liu
  • Patent number: 9263946
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus, comprising: a driver connected to a power source voltage and configured to perform an ON/OFF operation of power supply to a load; a digital control circuit configured to perform an ON/OFF control of the driver; and an oscillator configured to output an oscillator signal for performing the ON/OFF control of the driver every constant period. The digital control circuit operates in a normal control mode in which the output operation of the oscillator signal by the oscillator and the ON/OFF operation of the driver are continuously activated, or in a low power control mode in which the output operation of the oscillator signal by the oscillator and the ON/OFF operation of the driver are intermittently activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shigekane Matsui
  • Patent number: 9219418
    Abstract: An example power supply regulator includes an energy transfer element, a switch, and a controller. The controller includes a switch signal generator, a modulation circuit, and a multi-cycle modulator circuit. The modulation circuit modulates the period of a modulation switching signal when an equivalent switching frequency is greater than a reference frequency and fixes the switching period when the equivalent switching frequency is less than the reference frequency. The multi-cycle modulator circuit enables the switch signal generator to provide a switch signal uninterrupted if the equivalent switching frequency is greater than the reference frequency and disables the switch signal generator for a first time period and then enables the switch signal generator for a second time period when the equivalent frequency is less than the reference frequency. The multi-cycle modulator circuit varies the first time period to regulate the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Balu Balakrishnan, Arthur B. Odell
  • Patent number: 9190835
    Abstract: A power factor correction (PFC) power conversion apparatus and a power conversion method thereof are provided. In the invention, by switching a detection switch disposed inside a control chip and connected to a detection pin of the control chip at a certain time, and performing a detection of an input voltage received by a boost power conversion circuit at the certain time through a collocation between a current detection auxiliary circuit and a current detection main circuit. Accordingly, an over current protection (OCP) point corresponding to whether an OCP mechanism is activated is compensated according to the detected result, and thus the detection manner of the OCP performed by the invention can be adaptively suitable for different input voltages. In the invention, according to the detected result, a brown out protection also can be performed, and the output of the boost power conversion circuit also can be changed or determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Power Forest Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Chun-Teh Chen
  • Patent number: 9172309
    Abstract: A switching mode power supply and a method of supplying power by using the same. The switching mode power supply includes a converting unit to convert an alternating current (AC) voltage input to the switching mode power supply to at least one direct current (DC) voltage by using at least one transformer, and a voltage controller to control a voltage level of an output voltage to be output to a system controller of the image forming apparatus from among the at least one DC voltage, where the system controller controls operations of the image forming apparatus. The voltage controller includes a switching unit to switch the voltage level of the output voltage from a first voltage level to a second voltage level when the image forming apparatus enters a power saving mode, where the second voltage level is lower than the first voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: An-sik Jeong
  • Patent number: 9166485
    Abstract: An electronic system and method includes a controller to control a switching power converter in at least two different modes of operation, a normal mode and an error reduction mode. The controller controls an amount of charge pushed (i.e. delivered) by the switching power converter to a load to reduce a charge quantization error. The charge quantization error represents an amount of charge pushed to the load beyond a target charge amount. The controller determines an amount of charge to be pushed to the load. Based on the amount of charge to be pushed to the load, the controller generates a current control signal that controls a current control switch in the switching power converter. Determination of the control signal depends on whether the controller is operating in normal mode or error reduction mode. The controller attempts to reduce the charge quantization error to avoid power fluctuations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Inventors: Siddharth Maru, Zhaohui He
  • Patent number: 9166479
    Abstract: A controller for use in a power converter includes a switching control and a sensor. The switching control generates a first signal to control switching of a power switch between a first state and a second state. The sensor receives a second signal from a single terminal of the controller during at least a portion of the time that the power switch is in the first state and during at least a portion of the time that the power switch is in the second state. The second signal is representative of a line input voltage during at least the portion of time that the power switch is in the first state and is representative of an output voltage during at least the portion of time that the power switch is in the second state. The sensor is coupled to be responsive to the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex B. Djenguerian, Balu Balakrishnan
  • Patent number: 9166497
    Abstract: A switching power source device includes a switching power supply main body switching an input voltage via a switching element to obtain a predetermined DC output voltage, a control circuit performing on/off-driving of the switching element; and a capacitor connected to the control circuit to be charged by an external power supply via an activation switch circuit during activation and charged by a voltage generated in the switching power supply main body after completion of activation to supply a control power voltage to the control circuit. The control circuit further includes a latch circuit set according to a latch signal emitted when an abnormality is detected, to stop the driving of the switching element, a discharge circuit receiving the latch signal to be turned on and discharging charges accumulated in the capacitor, and a comparator resetting the latch circuit when the control power voltage decreases to an operation stop voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masanari Fujii
  • Patent number: 9148061
    Abstract: System and method for regulating a power conversion system. A system controller for regulating a power conversion system includes a first controller terminal, a second controller terminal and a third controller terminal. The system controller is configured to receive an input signal at the first controller terminal and turn on or off a switch based on at least information associated with the input signal to adjust a primary current flowing through a primary winding of the power conversion system, receive a first signal at the second controller terminal from the switch, and charge a capacitor through the third controller terminal in response to the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: On-Bright Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lieyi Fang, Zhiqiang Sun
  • Patent number: 9130371
    Abstract: The invention relates to a portable power with available AC power comprises a power balance control circuit coupled to an output terminal of the chargeable lithium batteries, including a battery protection circuit coupled between a positive terminal of a lithium battery pack and a microcontroller, and a ?-type circuit coupled to an output terminal of the battery protection circuit and including an inductance, a first capacity and a second capacity, the inductance connected between the battery protection circuit and the AC supply unit in series, the first capacity and the second capacity respectively connected to both ends of the inductance and the ?-type circuit combined with the battery protection circuit for preventing an instant surge or high-current feedback which leads to the lithium battery damage. Moreover, the lithium battery pack is thin and light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Samya Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fu-I Yang
  • Patent number: 9130462
    Abstract: A multi-transformer LLC (resonant) power converter having at least two transformers including a first T1 and a second transformer T2 in series includes a switch network configured for receiving input power including a first and second switched node. Resonant circuitry is coupled between the first and second switched node including a series combination of an inductor, a capacitor, a primary winding of T1 and a primary winding of a T2. At least one switch is operable for providing a first mode that includes T2 in the resonant circuitry and a second mode that excludes T2 from the resonant circuitry. Secondary windings of T2 and T1 are connected electrically in parallel for driving an output capacitor (Co) through respective rectifiers which provide conversion from AC to DC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Haibing Hu, Xiang Fang, Issa Batarseh, Zheng John Shen
  • Patent number: 9112420
    Abstract: A current regulation apparatus is provided. The current regulation apparatus includes a trans unit, a first switching unit, a voltage detection unit, a voltage comparison unit, and a control unit. The trans unit includes an auxiliary winding unit. The first switching unit controls an operation of the trans unit. The voltage detection unit detects a voltage induced to the auxiliary winding unit. The voltage comparison unit compares a voltage detected by the voltage detection and a reference voltage. The control unit adjusts a turn-on section of the first switching unit according to an output voltage of the voltage comparison unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young Jong Kim, Hyun Sik Kim, Taek Soo Kim, Dong Young Huh
  • Patent number: 9093918
    Abstract: The present invention provides a control circuit for a power converter. The control circuit includes a switching circuit, an input-voltage detection circuit and a current-limit threshold. The switching circuit generates a switching signal coupled to switch a transformer of the power converter for regulating an output of the power converter in response to a feedback signal. The input-voltage detection circuit generates a control signal when an input voltage of the power converter is lower than a low-input threshold. The feedback signal is generated in response to the output of the power converter. A maximum duty of the switching signal is increased in response to the control signal. The current-limit threshold is for limiting a maximum value of a switching current flowing through the transformer. The current-limit threshold is increased in response to the control signal. An input of the power converter doesn't connect with electrolytic bulk capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: SYSTEM GENERAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ta-Yung Yang, Chih-Hsien Hsieh, Jung-Sheng Chen
  • Patent number: 9077247
    Abstract: A control circuit for controlling a power supply is revealed. The control circuit is used to generate a switching signal for switching the power supply. The control circuit has a detection terminal for detecting a status of the power supply. A first protection circuit is coupled to the detection terminal and to receive a first detection signal via the detection terminal, and the first protection generates a limit signal in response to the first detection signal, for limiting output of the power supply. A second protection circuit is coupled to the detection terminal and to receive a detection signal via thereto, and the second protection generates a protecting signal, for cutting off the output of the power supply, in response to the first detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Infinno Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Ren-Huei Tzeng
  • Patent number: 9078328
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting outage detection circuit is disclosed having a plurality of parallel branches connected at a common positive reference node. Each parallel branch comprises a branch resistor and a current controlled branch switching device connected in series. A constant current source is connected to the positive reference node and configured to deliver a substantially constant current to the positive reference node. The cathode of a zener diode is connected to the positive reference node. When current to a predetermined number of the branch resistors is interrupted due to the failure one or more LEDs connected to the control inputs of the branch switching devices, the voltage at the positive reference node increases beyond the breakdown voltage of the zener diode. In such a condition, excess current flow to the anode of the zener diode to supply an outage detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Grote Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Nakul Anand
  • Patent number: 9077251
    Abstract: Aspects of the provide a control circuit of a quasi-resonant switching power supply in which the switching frequency can be adequately reduced under a light load condition. Some aspects include a control circuit of a quasi-resonant switching power supply that performs switching operation of a switching element based on a bottom detection signal. The control circuit of the switching power supply can include a dummy signal generating circuit that generates a dummy signal for replacing the bottom detection signal when the bottom detection becomes unable due to damping of a resonant waveform with decrease of switching frequency, or when the number of bottoms in the resonant waveform exceeds a predetermined times. The use of the dummy signal can increase the number of skips and thus, reduces the switching frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Maruyama
  • Patent number: 9071160
    Abstract: A method and controller for power dependant mains under-voltage (“brown-out”) protection is disclosed. Brown-out protection is meant for protection against overheating due to low mains voltage and associated high mains current. The disclosed method and controller allow for lower mains voltages at low load by comparing the mains voltage with a signal indicating the actual power level of the power supply. In converters such as flyback converters, this brown-out protection can be implemented by comparing the actual peak voltage of the mains voltage with a control signal that indicates the power level. In other embodiments, the mains voltage is compared to a preset level by means of a comparator. Provided the voltage passes the preset level prior to opening the control window, the SMPS functions normally. Conversely, brown-out protection is initiated if the voltage does not pass the preset level before the control window opens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Frans Pansier
  • Patent number: 9069020
    Abstract: In various embodiments a method for determining a demagnetization zero current time, at which a transformer is substantially demagnetized, for a switched mode power supply comprising a transformer is provided, wherein the method may include: applying a first current through a winding of one side of the transformer; interrupting the current flow of the first current; measuring a time at which a voltage across a winding of another side of the transformer becomes substantially zero; and determining the demagnetization zero current time using the measured time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Marc Fahlenkamp, Ordwin Haase
  • Patent number: 9065342
    Abstract: A switching power supply includes: transformer 60 which includes a primary winding and a secondary winding and outputs, through the secondary winding, an AC voltage based on the current supplied to the primary winding; switching element 61 which controls current supply to the primary winding; rectifying/smoothing circuit 65 which converts the AC voltage output from the secondary winding into a DC voltage; voltage detecting circuit 62 which detects the DC voltage converted by rectifying/smoothing circuit 65; feedback amplifier 63 which is supplied with the DC voltage detected by voltage detecting circuit 62 as one input and which is supplied with a reference voltage as the other input, so as to output a difference between the input voltage values; and control circuit 64 which controls switching element 61, so as to eliminate the difference detected at feedback amplifier 63.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: NEC DISPLAY SOLUTIONS, LTD.
    Inventor: Hideaki Hosono
  • Publication number: 20150147080
    Abstract: The power supply apparatus includes a transformer having primary and secondary sides, a switching element, a feedback unit, a conversion unit that converts a current flowing in a primary winding of the transformer into a voltage, a control unit that controls operation of the switching element, a voltage switching unit that increases the voltage output from the conversion unit and feeds the increased voltage to the control unit when a continuous oscillation state is transited to an intermittent oscillation state. The voltage switching unit switches the voltage of the power supply that is input into the control unit to be higher when the continuous oscillation state is transited to the intermittent oscillation state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Uchiyama
  • Publication number: 20150138843
    Abstract: A DC/DC conversion circuit is configured with a first power converter and a second power converter that are connected through an insulation transformer, and performs power transition bidirectionally between two DC-voltage sources. In the case of charging the DC-voltage source in the side where the second power converter is placed, a control is made using a first rectifier-control mode in which the first power converter is placed under an output variable control according to an inverter operation and the second power converter is operated according to a rectifier operation. Then, when a charging current becomes an upper limit value or more, a control is made by switching the mode to a first inverter-control mode in which the first power converter is placed under an output fixed control according to the inverter operation and the second power converter is placed under an output variable control according to the inverter operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Sadayuki Inoue
  • Publication number: 20150138848
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling a cascaded converter has an upstream converter and a downstream converter coupled in series. An energy storage element is provided between the two converters for providing constant energy and to respond to a load step in the load of the system. An upstream controller is connected to the output of the downstream controller to control the duty cycle of the upstream converter as a function of the duty cycle of the downstream controller. The upstream converter controls the duty cycle of the upstream converter in order to maintain the duty cycle of the second converter at a substantially constant reference value. This control of the converters allows for reduction of the energy storage requirements of the cascaded system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Damien F. Frost, Peter Lehn, Aleksandar Prodic
  • Publication number: 20150137592
    Abstract: A power conversion system includes a DC-DC converter, a voltage detector, a current detector and a controller. The controller controls the DC-DC converter such that the DC-DC converter starts outputting power when the output voltage detected by the voltage detector is below a predetermined voltage and stops outputting the power when the output current detected by the current detector is below a reference current that corresponds to the conversion efficiency being larger than or equal to a predetermined conversion efficiency. The reference current is determined as a current value at which the conversion efficiency is decreased to be lower than the predetermined conversion efficiency when the output current exceeds the current value. The controller includes a limiting means that limits the output current not to exceed the reference current while the DC-DC converter is outputting the power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Toshiyuki KONO
  • Publication number: 20150138842
    Abstract: A method for controlling a power source is specified. The power source comprises a first converter (1) for converting an input voltage (UE) to an intermediate circuit voltage (UZK, UZK1), an intermediate circuit capacitor (2) and a second converter (3) for converting the intermediate circuit voltage (UZK, UZK1) to an output voltage (UA). A process is being controlled at the output of the second converter (3). A digital process controller predetermines at least one parameter and/or the value thereof to control the intermediate circuit voltage (UZK, UZK1) for the first converter (1) depending on an event at the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Fronius International GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Knoll, Alfred Hiesmayr
  • Publication number: 20150138847
    Abstract: A converter may include a transformer; a first circuit arrangement coupled to a first transformer side; a second circuit arrangement coupled to a second transformer side, wherein the second circuit arrangement is configured to provide an output voltage; a first coupler configured to provide information about the output voltage to the first circuit arrangement; wherein the first circuit arrangement is configured to determine a state of the secondary side based on the received information about the output voltage, and to generate a switch control signal dependent on the determined state; a switch circuit arranged on the second side; and a second coupler configured to provide a switch control signal from the first circuit arrangement to the switch circuit; wherein the switch circuit is coupled to the first circuit arrangement to provide a first circuit arrangement control signal to the first circuit arrangement depending on the switch control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Marc Fahlenkamp
  • Patent number: 9036374
    Abstract: There is provided a switching mode power supply having primary and secondary induction coils inductively coupled to each other and converting a voltage applied to the primary induction coil to supply the converted voltage to the secondary induction coil, the switching mode power supply including a power switching unit switching the voltage applied to the primary induction coil, a load information obtaining unit obtaining load information relating to a load connected to the secondary induction coil, a bias current controlling unit controlling a switching driving current based on the load information; and a driving unit driving the power switching unit based on the load information and the switching driving current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Hyun Kim, Hwan Cho, Byung Hoon Kim
  • Publication number: 20150131334
    Abstract: Provided is a switching power supply apparatus that shifts to an OFF mode when electronic equipment is on standby, and includes: an OFF mode delay circuit that delays shifting to the OFF mode; and an electric storage unit and a power supply circuit that function as a power supply source of an OFF mode control circuit. With the configuration, the power consumption can almost be eliminated, and the switching power supply apparatus can start without any charge in an electricity storage component such as a primary battery or a secondary battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Takashi Saji, Kensuke Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20150131331
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for supplying power to a device. The apparatus includes a transformer configured to output a predetermined voltage to a device varying in load; a switch configured to switch on and off the voltage output from the transformer in accordance with pulse width modulation (PWM) signals; a PWM signal supplier configured to supply the PWM signal to the switch; a feedback circuit which detects the output from the transformer and applies a control signal to the PWM signal supplier; and an output voltage controller which detects a load current of the device, and adjusts the control signal of the feedback circuit by adjusting the output detected by the feedback circuit in accordance with the detected load current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Won-myung WOO, Jin-hyung LEE, Seung-myen LEE