For Resonant-type Converter Patents (Class 363/21.02)
  • Patent number: 8300428
    Abstract: A resonant power conversion apparatus includes a transformer T1 having a primary winding n1, a secondary winding n2, a tertiary winding n3, and a reset winding nR, a series circuit of switches S1 and S2, a capacitor Cr1 and diode D1 to the switch S1, a capacitor Cr2 and diode D2 to the switch S2, a series circuit of the winding n1 and a diode Dn1, a series circuit of the winding nR and a diode DR, a reactor Lr connected between a connection point of the switches S1 and S2 and a connection point of the windings n2 and n3, a switch S10 connected between the DC power source and the winding n2, a switch S20 connected between the DC power source and the winding n3, and a controller 10 configured to perform a zero-voltage switching operation of the switches S1 and S2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignees: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd., National University Corporation Shimane University
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Terui, Hideki Asuke, Hideharu Takano, Masayoshi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8301079
    Abstract: An adaptive inductive ballast is provided with the capability to communicate with a remote device powered by the ballast. To improve the operation of the ballast, the ballast changes its operating characteristics based upon information received from the remote device. Further, the ballast may provide a path for the remote device to communicate with device other than the adaptive inductive ballast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventor: David W. Baarman
  • Patent number: 8300429
    Abstract: A power supply includes a PFC (power factor correction) converter that has an input and an output. The PFC converter input is coupled to an input of the power supply. The power supply also includes a resonant mode converter that has an input and an output. The resonant mode converter input is coupled to the PFC converter output and the resonant mode output is coupled to an output of the power supply. A control unit is also included in the power supply and is coupled to receive a feedback signal that is representative of the output of the power supply. The control unit is coupled to provide control signals coupled to control switches of the resonant mode converter at a controlled switching frequency to control the output of the power supply. The control unit is further coupled to provide a PFC control signal coupled to control a switch of the PFC converter at a switching frequency that is harmonically related to the controlled switching frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond K. Orr, Roger Colbeck, Hartley Horwitz, Philip Craine, Mircea C. Boros
  • Publication number: 20120262953
    Abstract: A resonant power converter draws current from a source that provides a supply current. Multiple quasi-resonant converters are interleaved and each quasi-resonant converter receives the supply current and forms a phase-shifted current according to drive signals supplied by a controller. Each phase-shifted current includes a dead-time delay and is phase-shifted relative to the other phase-shifted currents. The dead-time delay is determined as a time value within a calculated dead-time delay range having a dead-time delay minimum and a dead-time delay maximum. The outputs of each quasi-resonant converter are added together thereby reducing the AC components of current. Two, three, or four quasi-resonant power converters can be interleaved, each forming phase-shifted currents that are phase-shifted relative to the other phase-shifted currents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: FLEXTRONICS AP, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Jungreis, Antony Brinlee, Paul Garrity
  • Publication number: 20120262955
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a converter circuit with input voltage balance includes a plurality of modules having inputs electrically series-connected to each other and outputs electrically parallel-connected to each other and a plurality of switching circuits with each electrically connected to an input connection node of a corresponding module and its immediate next module, and configured such that when an input voltage of the corresponding module or its immediate next module is in a desired range from a first predetermine value to a second predetermined value greater then the first predetermined value, the switching circuit operates in an open state, while when the input voltage is out of the desired range, the switching circuit operates in a conductive state so as to regulate the input voltage of the corresponding module or its immediate next module in the desired range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: DELTA ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: CHAO YAN, YIQING YE, CHONGFENG ZHENG, JIANPING YING
  • Publication number: 20120262954
    Abstract: An off line resonant converter with improved power factor and merged line rectification is disclosed. An example off line resonant converter includes a boost storage inductance circuit to be coupled to receive an ac input line voltage. A switcher circuit is coupled to the boost storage inductance circuit. The switcher circuit includes stacked first and second passive switching devices coupled to the boost storage inductance circuit. The switcher circuit further includes stacked first and second active bidirectional switching devices coupled to the stacked first and second passive switching devices. The stacked first and second active bidirectional switching devices are controlled to generate a square wave signal and to alternately store energy in and receive energy from the boost storage inductance circuit such that a pulsating current is conducted between the boost storage inductance circuit and the switcher circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Rajko Duvnjak
  • Patent number: 8289730
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for power generation systems are described. In particular, embodiments of the invention relate to the architecture of power conditioning systems for use with fuel cells and methods used therein. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and systems usable to reduce ripple currents in fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Ranganathan Gurunathan, Ramesh Srinivasan, Pavana Kumar
  • Patent number: 8284570
    Abstract: A modulation control method and system for a resonance circuit that generally relate to electrical communication technique. In the system, a controlling chip of the resonance circuit is connected to associated controlling means providing voltage matching and resistance control. The controlling means provides controlling parameters to the chip in accordance with input voltage. The controlling chip modulates the resonance circuit accordingly. A phase-shifting pulse width modulation controlling chip or a pulse width modulation controlling chip is connected to a voltage matching module and a resistance controlling module, wherein the voltage matching module matches the voltage ranges and the resistance controlling module adjusts the equivalent resistance of RT terminal to the external as the voltage of loop circuit changes accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Emerson Network Power, Energy Systems, North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Chunhui Zhu, Haizhou Zhao, Zhiyu Liu
  • Patent number: 8284571
    Abstract: In a PFC (power factor correction) control unit for controlling a PFC converter, a transconductance amplifier is coupled to receive a feedback signal representative of an output voltage of the PFC converter. The transconductance amplifier is coupled to generate an output error signal in response to the feedback signal. A PWM (pulse width modulated) converter is coupled to receive the output error signal, the PWM converter is coupled to generate a PWM signal in response to the output error signal. A chopper is coupled to receive the PWM signal. The chopper is coupled to switch a current representative of an input current of the PFC converter in response to the PWM signal. A filter is coupled to receive the switched current representative of the input current of the PFC converter. The filter is coupled to generate a PFC converter control signal in response to the filtered switched current representative of the input current of the PFC converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Colbeck, Mircea Cristian Boros
  • Publication number: 20120250361
    Abstract: A DC/DC converter, a power converter and a control method thereof are disclosed, where the DC/DC converter includes an output circuit having a load, a rectangular wave generator having a bridge arm, a resonant tank, a detection unit and a control unit. The bridge arm includes a first and a second switches connected each other. The detection unit detects a signal related to a state of the load. When the state of the load is a light-load or a no-load, the control unit controls ON/OFF state of the first and second switches by pulse width modulation mode to convert an input voltage into at least one rectangular wave for the resonant tank. A duty ratio of the first switch is within a first or second predetermined range, and a duty ratio of the second switch is complementary to the duty ratio of the first switch, whereby a voltage gain of the DC/DC converter is greater than 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: DELTA ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Pei-Qing HU, Hong-Yuan JIN, Hong-Jian GAN, Jian-Ping YING
  • Publication number: 20120250360
    Abstract: A controller for use in an LLC resonant converter is disclosed. An example controller is controlled by detecting a maximum frequency signal to set a maximum switching frequency of the LLC resonant converter. A burst stop frequency and a burst start frequency are programmed in response to the maximum switching frequency. The burst stop frequency and the burst start frequency are fractions of the maximum switching frequency. The LLC resonant converter is switched in response to a feedback signal to regulate an output of the LLC resonant converter. The steps of switching the LLC resonant converter in a burst mode in response to the feedback signal reaching a value corresponding to the programmed burst start frequency and of stopping the switching of the LLC resonant converter in the burst mode in response to the feedback signal reaching a value corresponding to the programmed burst stop frequency are repeated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Raymond K. Orr, Hartley F. Horwitz, Paul W. DeMone
  • Publication number: 20120250358
    Abstract: A DC/DC converter, a power converter and a control method thereof are disclosed, where the DC/DC converter includes an output circuit, a rectangular wave generator, a resonant tank, a detection unit and a control unit. The output circuit has a load. The rectangular wave generator converts an input voltage into at least one rectangular wave. The resonant tank provides a first voltage based on the rectangular wave for the output circuit. The detection unit detects a signal related to a state of the load. When the state of the load is light-load or a no-load, the control unit controls a working frequency or a duty ratio of the rectangular wave, so that the duty ratio of the rectangular wave is within a predetermined range, in which a voltage gain of the DC/DC converter is greater than another voltage gain under the condition of 50% duty ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: DELTA ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hong-Yuan Jin, Pei-Qing Hu, Hong-Jian Gan, Jian-Ping Ying
  • Publication number: 20120250362
    Abstract: In a switching regulator control circuit according to aspects of the invention, a drain current is converted to a voltage Vis with a resistance. The voltage is delivered to a multiplication circuit. The multiplication circuit generates and outputs a voltage that is a product signal of the voltage and a voltage that is proportional to a duty factor. A comparator circuit compares the voltage with an error signal delivered to the other comparison input terminal of the comparator. When the voltage has reached the error voltage, the comparator delivers a turn-off instruction through an OR circuit to a terminal of a flip-flop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jian CHEN
  • Patent number: 8279628
    Abstract: Audible noise in resonant switching power converter during low-power burst mode operation is reduced by spreading the spectrum generated by the bursts, thereby reducing the amplitude of audio spectrum peaks in the current supplied through the resonant tank from a switching circuit. The spreading can be accomplished by varying the intervals between the bursts and/or by varying a pulse pattern within the bursts. The pulse pattern within the bursts can be varied by varying the number of pulses in the bursts, the polarity of the initial pulse of the bursts, and/or the duration of pulses within the bursts either uniformly or randomly. The burst pulse pattern may also be selected in alternation from a set of pulse patterns stored in a memory and the selection may be made randomly or systematically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Melanson
  • Patent number: 8278857
    Abstract: A motor control device is electrically connected with a motor. The motor control device includes a controller and a driving circuit. The controller has a default value of time and generates a first driving signal and a second driving signal. The driving circuit includes a first switching element and a second switching element, the first switching element and the second switching element receive the first driving signal and the second driving signal respectively, and the first switching element and the second switching element are switched on or switched off alternately according to the first driving signal and the second driving signal respectively, so as to drive the motor to operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Yu-Liang Lin, Ming-Yen Lin, Chia-Wen Kuo, Kuan-Ting Lee
  • Patent number: 8279633
    Abstract: The configurations of a parallel-connected resonant converter circuit and a controlling method thereof are provided in the present invention. The proposed circuit includes a plurality of resonant converters, each of which has two input terminals and two output terminals, wherein all the two input terminals of the plurality of resonant converters are electrically series-connected, and all the two output terminals of the plurality of resonant converters are electrically parallel-connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Haoyi Ye, Jianhong Zeng, Hongyang Wu, Chao Yan, Teng Liu, Jianping Ying
  • Publication number: 20120243266
    Abstract: A controller for use in a power converter includes a control circuit coupled to control switching of a power switch coupled between a positive input supply rail of the power converter and an energy transfer element input of the power converter. A sampling circuit is coupled to the control circuit and is coupled to receive a signal across the energy transfer element input during an off time of the power switch to provide a sampled output of the converter. The sampled output of the power converter is disabled from being resampled by the sampling circuit during an on time of the power switch. A switch conduction scheduling circuit is included in the control circuit and is coupled to the sampling circuit such that the control circuit is coupled to switch the power switch in response to the sampled output of the power converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: David Michael Hugh Matthews
  • Patent number: 8264857
    Abstract: A direct current-direct current (DC/DC) converter operated in the resonant mode of operation for converting a direct input voltage into a direct output voltage with a bridge circuit located on the input side and incorporating switching elements, with a resonance circuit incorporating a resonance inductance and a resonance capacitance as well as with a high-frequency transformer for galvanic separation is disclosed, the transformer incorporates at least one primary winding and at least one secondary winding with at least two winding terminals each. The alternating current (AC) output of the bridge circuit is connected to the primary winding and a rectifier bridge with diodes to the secondary winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Regine Mallwitz, Peter Zacharias
  • Patent number: 8258652
    Abstract: A power transmission device includes: a power transmission coil to transmit electric power to a power receiving coil by an electromagnetic induction method; a driving unit to supply a driving voltage to the power transmission coil; a detection unit to detect an electric current flowing in the power transmission coil based on the driving voltage; a control unit to change an amplitude of the driving voltage; a starting point detection unit to detect the amplitude of the driving voltage as a characteristic point at which an electric current starts to flow in the power receiving coil, on a characteristic line representing a relationship between the driving voltage supplied to the power transmission coil and the electric current detected by the detection unit; and a transmission stopping control unit to stop power transmission by the power transmission coil if the characteristic point is not detected by the starting point detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Shigeo Sekino, Kaoru Someya
  • Publication number: 20120206943
    Abstract: A VHF switching power converter comprising one or more VHF switching frequency resonant synchronous rectifiers receives an output from an inverter and delivers a DC output to a load. The power converter includes a controller for controlling at least one of the one or more VHF switching frequency resonant synchronous rectifiers based on feedback derived from a waveform of at least one of the rectifiers. The controller controls a phase angle of at least one of the rectifiers with a delay locked loop. The power converter delivers a regulated DC output via adjustment of a phase shift between at least one of the one or more rectifiers and the inverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: ONCHIP POWER
    Inventors: Anthony D. Sagneri, Jae-Won George Hwang, Justin Michael Burkhart, Fred Chen
  • Patent number: 8243475
    Abstract: Provided is a resonance converting apparatus. The resonance converting apparatus preferably includes a resonant circuit, a bridge-type converter, and a synchronous rectification circuit. In which the resonant circuit has a transformer. The bridge-type converter connects with a primary side of the transformer, and operates open or close according to a switching signal. The synchronous rectification circuit further includes a pair of rectification transistors and driving circuits. The driving circuits correspondingly connect with channels to the rectification transistors, and respectively examine the current passing through the rectification transistors. A sensing signal is then generated. In accordance with the switching signal and the sensing signal, a driving signal is generated for driving the rectification transistor. Consequently the apparatus can raise the efficiency of the resonance converting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignees: Silitek Electronic (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., Lite-On Technology Corporation
    Inventors: LiuChun Zhou, Zhong Zeng, Xin Guo, Ji Li, ZhiHong Ye
  • Publication number: 20120201055
    Abstract: A power supply includes a rectifier for rectifying an AC line voltage to generate a link voltage, a link capacitor for charging the link voltage, a control switch for controlling charge of the link capacitor, a converter for converting the link voltage to a DC voltage, and a switch controller. When the converter operates in a standby operation mode, the switch controller controls on-off of the control switch through a pulse signal having an on-time determined based on a peak value of a detected AC line voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Sang Cheol MOON, Young-Bae PARK
  • Patent number: 8239694
    Abstract: System(s) and method(s) are provided for dynamically scaling switching frequencies and clock sources of switched mode power supplies (SMPSs) in a mobile station. Switching frequency is scaled to an optimal value in response to at least one of (i) a change in mode of operation for wireless communication employed by the mobile station, an additional mode of operation is triggered, (ii) a change in operation conditions of a set of loads associated with functionality of the mobile is determined, or (iii) an LO spur set-off by a SMPS in the presence of an interference signal with a frequency splitting from an operational band that matches the SMPS frequency or at least one of its harmonics. Switching frequencies can be selected from a lookup table, or through an analysis of switching frequencies available to the mobile and operational criteria. A set of clock sources can provide an ensemble of switching frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: QUALCOMM, Incorporated
    Inventors: Juhi Saha, Ching Chang Shen, Timothy Paul Pals, Soon-Seng Lau
  • Patent number: 8238122
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a DC/DC converter (1) with primary side (11) consisting of a resonant converter, which DC/DC converter (1) comprises a first and a second transformer (T1, T2), connected in series on the primary side (11) and on the secondary side (12) of the DC/DC converter. The secondary side (12) comprises an autotransformer (Tcd) consisting of a first and a second winding (Tcda, Tcdb) connected to a common center tap (Tcdc), where the first winding (Tcda) of the autotransformer (Tcd) is connected to the secondary winding (T1b) of the first transformer (T1), forming a first output connection point (P1), the second winding (Tcdb) of the autotransformer (Tcd) is connected to the secondary winding (T2b) of the second transformer (T2), forming a second output connection point (P2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Grover Victor Torrico-Bascopé, Fernando Ruiz Gomez
  • Patent number: 8238121
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a DC/DC converter (1) with primary side (11) consisting of a resonant converter, which DC/DC converter (1) comprises a first and a second transformer (T1, T2), connected in series on the primary side (11) and on the secondary side (12) of the DC/DC converter. The secondary side (12) comprises an autotransformer (Tcd) consisting of a first and a second winding (Tcda, Tcdb) connected to a common center tap (Tcdc), where the first winding (Tcda) of the autotransformer (Tcd) is connected to the secondary winding (T1b) of the first transformer (T1), forming a first output connection point (P1), the second winding (Tcdb) of the autotransformer (Tcd) is connected to the secondary winding (T2b) of the second transformer (T2), forming a second output connection point (P2), and the center tap (Tcdc) of the autotransformer (Tcd) is connected to the positive output (21) of the secondary side (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Grover Victor Torrico-Bascopé, Fernando Ruiz Gomez
  • Publication number: 20120188797
    Abstract: A switching power source apparatus includes a first series circuit including a first switch element and a second switch element, a second series circuit including a resonant capacitor, a resonant reactor, and a primary winding of a transformer, a rectifying-smoothing circuit of a voltage of a secondary winding of the transformer, a controller of the first and second switch elements, a current detector detecting a current of the resonant capacitor Cri when the first switch element is ON, an integration circuit of the current of the current detector integrating the voltage signal over a period in which the voltage signal is equal to or greater than a first reference voltage, and an overcurrent protector of the first switch element if an output voltage of the integration circuit is equal to or greater than a second reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryouta NAKANISHI
  • Patent number: 8223513
    Abstract: An inverter includes a pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit, a direct current (DC) voltage input terminal, a storage capacitor, a first transformer, a soft start circuit, and a first transistor. The PWM circuit includes a first output terminal. The first transformer includes a first primary winding. The first primary winding includes a first terminal and a second terminal capable of being grounded via the storage capacitor. The soft start circuit includes an inductor and a first capacitor. A gate electrode of the first transistor is connected to the first output terminal. A source electrode of the first transistor is connected to the first terminal of the first transformer via the inductor. A drain electrode of the first transistor is connected to the DC voltage input terminal and connected to the source electrode via the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignees: Innocom Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Chimei InnoLux Corporation
    Inventors: Li-Jun Zhao, Tong Zhou
  • Publication number: 20120176817
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter has at least first and second power converters, with the inputs of the power converters connected in series so that DC current through the input of the first power converter also flows through the input of the second power converter, and the outputs of the power converters are connected in parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Bing Lu
  • Patent number: 8217323
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an inverter circuit in which soft start can be implemented by a simple circuit added thereto. In high-frequency heating apparatus for driving a magnetron, a DC power supply is chopped by two semiconductor switching devices, and this is output as an AC current through a resonance circuit. The high-frequency heating apparatus includes a dead time generation circuit for turning off the semiconductor switching devices concurrently. In the high-frequency heating apparatus, a drive unit for driving the aforementioned semiconductor switching devices has a function of limiting the lowest frequency of a frequency with which the semiconductor switching devices are driven. The aforementioned lowest frequency is set to be high at the beginning of operation of the high-frequency heating apparatus, and the aforementioned lowest frequency is set to be lower gradually thereafter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Haruo Suenaga, Hideaki Moriya, Shinichi Sakai, Hisashi Morikawa, Toyotsugu Matsukura, Nobuo Shirokawa
  • Patent number: 8213189
    Abstract: A switching power supply includes a control circuit controlling ON and OFF of switching devices Q1 and Q2 and having an error amplifying circuit that controls a DC output voltage at a constant preset value, an oscillator circuit that controls the switching frequency in response to the output signal level FB of an error amplifying circuit, and a pulse width control circuit PWM that controls the pulse width in response to the output signal such that the ON-periods of switching devices Q1 and Q2 are equal to each other. The ON and OFF of switching devices Q1 and Q2 is controlled based on the output from oscillator circuit VCO when the output signal is higher than a threshold level. The switching frequency is fixed when the output signal level FB is lower than the threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukihiro Nishikawa
  • Publication number: 20120163038
    Abstract: The present invention provides a control circuit of an LLC resonant converter including a minimum switching frequency variable circuit of varying a minimum switching frequency corresponding to an AC input voltage of the LLC resonant converter; and a first pulse signal generating unit and a second pulse signal generating unit to generate a first pulse signal and a second pulse signal based on a switching frequency limited by the minimum switching frequency variable circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Sang Gab Park, Nam Jin Park, Han Hee LEE, Hyo Joong An, Gyu Min Park, Heung Gyoon Choi
  • Publication number: 20120161654
    Abstract: A constant current power supply device according to the present invention includes: an error amplifier to amplify an error signal of an error voltage between a voltage of a current detection resistor and a reference voltage, and a second control circuit to sample and hold the error signal in an ON period of the external signal, output the error signal to a first control circuit, hold the error signal just before the external signal is turned from ON to OFF, increase an amplification ratio of the error amplifier by a predetermined magnification ratio in an OFF period of the external signal, and output the increased error signal to the first control circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Osamu OHTAKE
  • Publication number: 20120163037
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a resonant converter, including: a power conversion circuit alternately switching applied DC power to output a predetermined level of output power; and a control circuit fixing an operating frequency and controlling the level of the output power by varying the comparison voltage level that is a comparison target of the operating frequency, by determining that a short circuit occurs when the output current of the power conversion circuit is a reference current or more by comparing the output current of the power conversion circuit with the reference current. By this configuration, the output current can be constantly controlled even when the short circuit occurs in the output of the resonant converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sungsoo HONG, Chungwook RHO, Sangkyoo HAN, Jonghae KIM, Jaesun WON, Taewon LEE, Jinwook KIM
  • Publication number: 20120163039
    Abstract: A controller for a resonant converter, wherein the controller is configured to operate the resonant converter in a high power mode of operation by adjusting a first control parameter to vary the output power and a low power mode of operation by adjusting a second control parameter to vary the output power. The controller is configured to set the value of the first control parameter when changing between the high power mode of operation and the low power mode of operation such that the output power is substantially consistent during the changeover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Hans Halberstadt
  • Patent number: 8199534
    Abstract: A resonant converter comprises switching circuitry (1) for supplying pulses, at a controllable frequency, to a resonant circuit so as to power the primary circuit (3, 12) of a transformer (4). The secondary winding (5a, 5b) of the transformer (4) delivers an AC signal which is rectified and then produces a load current. On the primary side, the converter has a resistor (13) for deriving a first electrical signal representative of the current in the primary circuit (3, 12), and an auxiliary winding (14) which is closely coupled to the secondary winding (5a, 5b) and across which an auxiliary voltage is induced as a consequence of the close coupling of the winding (14) to the secondary winding (5a, 5b). A resistor/capacitor combination (16, 17) integrates the auxiliary voltage with respect to time to derive a second electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Hans Halberstadt
  • Patent number: 8199535
    Abstract: A switching power source apparatus has a controller generating a drive signal that controls an ON/OFF period of a switching element 3. The controller includes a load tester for testing the switching power source apparatus when detecting an edge of the drive signal after the switching element is switched from ON to OFF, a bottom detector of the switching element during an OFF period thereof, a bottom skip state tester, and a bottom skip operation tester carrying out a pseudo resonant operation that turns on the switching element at a first minimum voltage point if the apparatus is in a heavy load state, and if the apparatus is in the light load state and if the bottom skip state has continued for a first predetermined time, shift the pseudo resonant operation to a bottom skip operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaaki Shimada
  • Publication number: 20120134705
    Abstract: A current resonance type switching power supply device controls an ON/OFF operation of two switching elements according to an amount of change in voltage of a current resonance capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takayuki Fukutani
  • Patent number: 8189351
    Abstract: A modular-based, zero-current-switched (ZCS), isolated full-bridge boost converter with multiple inputs is disclosed. Each converter module is used to match the connected input source and control the amount of power drawn from the source. The power from various sources are combined together and delivered to the load through a multiphase transformer. The input inductor of each boost-derived converter module keeps the input current constant and acts as a current source to drive the multiphase transformer through a phase-shifted-controlled full bridge converter. By connecting an auxiliary circuit across the full-bridge input in each module, the transformer leakage inductance and output capacitance of the switching devices are used to create resonant paths for facilitating zero-current-switching of all switching devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Astec International Limited
    Inventors: Shu Hung Chung, Siu Wai Leung, Kee Ming Chan
  • Publication number: 20120127761
    Abstract: A circuit (1202) for a resonant converter (1204; 1326), the resonant converter configured to operate in a burst mode of operation, the circuit configured to: receive a signal (1206; 1308) representative of the output of the resonant converter; compare the received signal (1206; 1308) representative of the output of the resonant converter with a reference signal (1208; 1304) in order to provide an error signal (1310); and process the error signal (1310) in order to provide a control signal (1210; 1328), wherein the control signal (1210; 1328) is configured to set the switching frequency of the resonant converter in order to control the output power during the on-time of a burst of the resonant converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Hans Halberstadt, Frans Pansier
  • Patent number: 8184456
    Abstract: A resonant power converter circuit stage can be configured to: i) receive a rectified voltage derived from an AC input voltage; ii) convert the rectified voltage to an internal voltage based on the application of a duty cycle that varies depending on the input voltage and the output dynamic load, and iii) convert the internal voltage to a DC output voltage for driving the dynamic load based on application of a switching frequency that varies depending on a dynamic load. The efficiency of the power converter system can be increased by setting the internal DC voltage magnitude to be load adaptive. Variation of the internal DC voltage depending on the dynamic load enables the resonant converter circuit to operate at a switching frequency near its optimum resonance frequency. This method results in constant power converter system efficiency over a wide range of loading. In order to further increase the light load efficiency interleaved resonant power converters with load, adaptive internal DC voltage are used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: Praveen K. Jain, Mohammed S. Agamy
  • Patent number: 8179699
    Abstract: An embodiment of a power-supply controller comprises a switching-control circuit, an error amplifier, and a signal generator. The switching-control circuit is operable to control a switch coupled to a primary winding of a transformer, and the error amplifier has a first input node operable to receive a feedback signal, a second input node operable to receive a comparison signal, and an output node operable to provide a control signal to the switching-control circuit. The signal generator is operable to generate either the feedback signal or the comparison signal in response to a compensation signal that is isolated from a secondary winding of the transformer and that is proportional to a load current through a conductor disposed between the secondary winding and a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Salvatore Tumminaro, Salvatore Giombanco, Alfio Pasqua, Claudio Adragna
  • Publication number: 20120113687
    Abstract: The improved DC-DC converter apparatus includes a primary side circuit and a secondary side circuit that is galvanically isolated from the primary. The primary side induces a voltage in the secondary side that provides an output voltage for driving POLs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: Carl Wildrick
  • Publication number: 20120113686
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus and method of regulating is provided. A converter circuit includes a primary switching element and an auxiliary switching element. The auxiliary switching element is for transferring a reflected voltage signal. A transformer includes a primary and a secondary, the primary is coupled with the converter circuit. The converter circuit comprises a primary and an auxiliary switch for selectively determining a resonant frequency. The auxiliary switch is enabled by a driver having an independent power source so as to allow as strong a driver as necessary to drive a large auxiliary switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: FLEXTRONICS AP, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Telefus, Bahman Sharifipour
  • Patent number: 8174851
    Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment a method of operating a resonant power supply comprises controlling the resonant power supply in a discontinuous way. According to an exemplary embodiment a resonant power supply comprises a first switching element, and at least one energy storing element, wherein the resonant power supply is adapted to be controlled in a discontinuous way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Reinhold Elferich
  • Publication number: 20120106207
    Abstract: A resonant transformer and resonant converter are disclosed. The resonant transformer includes a first bobbin, a first primary winding coil, plural first secondary winding coils, a second bobbin, a second primary winding coil, plural second secondary winding coils and a magnetic core assembly. The first bobbin includes a first winding section and plural single-trough second winding sections. Plural pins are arranged at the first winding section. The first primary winding coil is wound around the first winding section and connected with the pins. The first secondary winding coils are wound around respective single-trough second winding sections. The second bobbin includes a third winding section and plural single-trough fourth winding sections. The second primary winding coil are wound around the third winding section and connected with the pins at the first winding section of the first bobbin. The second secondary winding coils are wound around respective single-trough fourth winding sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Hsin-Wei Tsai, Shih-Hsien Chang, Ching-Hsing Tien
  • Publication number: 20120106206
    Abstract: The invention discloses a power supply having a single stage converter for performing power factor correction to reduce high-frequency harmonics in the input current and performing resonant conversion to achieve zero-voltage switching or zero-current switching for power conversion. The inventive single stage converter includes a switching circuit, a resonant circuit, a power control circuit, and a square wave generator. The switching circuit includes at least one switch and the resonant circuit includes a LLC resonant tank. The power control circuit includes a proportional differential circuit such as a power amplifier configured in a negative feedback topology, and the square wave generator is configured to generate driving signals based on the frequency modulation control signal generated by the comparison of the sensed input current and a user-defined power level input, thereby allowing the square wave generator to regulate the switching operation of the switching circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Pak-Chuen Tang, Kwong-Ming Ching, Chung-Hei Poon
  • Publication number: 20120099344
    Abstract: A control device controls a switching circuit of a resonant converter having an output direct current. The switching circuit includes at least a half-bridge of at least a first and a second transistor connected between an input voltage and a reference voltage. The half-bridge is adapted to generate a periodic square-wave voltage for driving the resonant circuit of said resonant circuit and the periodic square-wave voltage oscillates between a high voltage corresponding to the input voltage and a low voltage corresponding to the reference voltage. The control device comprises a generator adapted to generate a periodic square-wave signal for driving the half-bridge. The control device comprises a detector adapted to detect the phase-shift between the periodic square-wave signal generated by the generating means and the current flowing through the resonant circuit, and adapted to control the turning off of the half-bridge when the phase-shift exceeds a first phase-shift value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventor: Claudio Adragna
  • Patent number: 8164925
    Abstract: [Problems] To provide a non-contact power feeder that is high efficient and high power factor and has no load dependence. [Means for Solving Problems] A series capacitor Cs1 is connected to a primary winding 1 driven by an AC power supply 3 and a parallel capacitor Cp2 is connected to a secondary winding 2. The capacitance Cp is set to Cp?1/{2?f0×(x0+x2)} and the capacitance Cs converted to the primary side is set to Cs?(x0+x2)/{2?f0×(x0×x1+x1×x2+x2×x0)}, where f0 is the frequency of the power supply, x1 is a primary leakage reactance of the primary winding 1, x2 is a secondary leakage reactance of the secondary winding 2 converted to the primary side and x0 is an excitation reactance converted to the primary side. By setting Cp and Cs to the above values, the transformer of the non-contact power feeder is substantially equivalent to an ideal transformer. If it is driven by a voltage type converter, the output voltage (=load voltage) becomes substantially constant voltage regardless of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: National University Corporation Saitama University
    Inventors: Shigeru Abe, Hiroyoshi Kaneko
  • Publication number: 20120087155
    Abstract: An AC-DC converter is disclosed. The AC-DC converter includes an OFF-time clamping circuit. The OFF time clamping circuit outputs a triggering signal when a main switch circuit of the AC-DC converter is switched from ON state to OFF state. When an input AC voltage is too small, and a terminal voltage at a first current-conducting terminal of the main switch circuit of the AC-DC converter is lower than a specific voltage such that a switching control circuit can not turn on the main switch circuit again, the switching control circuit can still turn on the main switch circuit again by the triggering signal. Therefore, the OFF time of the main switch circuit is clamped. The switching control circuit can control the switching operation of the main switch circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Pak-Chuen Tang, Kwong-Ming Ching, Chung-Hei Poon
  • Patent number: 8154153
    Abstract: A power supply system is introduced herein. The power supply system includes a power converter to supply a power source to an electronic circuit through an output cable of the power supply. A communication unit is coupled to the output cable of the power supply to develop a communication channel between the power converter and the electronic circuit in order to report the status of the power converter to the electronic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Systems General Corp.
    Inventors: Ta-yung Yang, Jenn-Yu G. Lin