Having Feedback Isolation (e.g., Optoisolator, Transformer Coupled, Etc.) Patents (Class 363/21.07)
  • Publication number: 20140334197
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a power supply with multiple operating modes, to detect a load condition of an electronic device, and to automatically change between the multiple operating modes to supply an output direct current (DC) signal to the electronic device based on the load condition detected by the load detection mechanism. The power supply includes multiple control topologies that are each associated with one of the operating modes. Changing from a first operation mode to a second operation mode includes changing from a first control topology associated with the first operation mode to a second control topology associated with the second operating mode to supply the output DC signal at a predetermined voltage level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, LP.
    Inventors: Yu Zhao, Lip Kiat Ho, Poo Heng Ng
  • Patent number: 8885361
    Abstract: A device and a method for operating a low power switch mode power supply, where DC input power is converted to AC power by an oscillator, which AC power is transformed to an AC voltage and AC current, which output power is converted into DC power, where the DC voltage is used as a feedback signal for controlling the oscillator. It is the objective of the invention to reduce a standby power consumption of power consuming devices. The oscillator comprises a first and a second current loop, which first current loop generates an activation current for the second current loop, where the primary coil of a transformer is part of the second current loop, and where the second loop comprises a current/voltage measuring system and generates increasing current in the second current loop and closes the current flow in the second current loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: ZZzero ApS
    Inventors: Rene Ingemann Pedersen, Jan Knudsen
  • Publication number: 20140327718
    Abstract: A power supply system includes: a switching power supply configured to rectify and smooth an alternating current voltage of an alternating current power supply and generate a direct current voltage; a small-capacity power supply having a power supply capacity smaller than a power supply capacity of the switching power supply; a sensor configured to output a detection voltage corresponding to a detection target; and a control device. The control device comprises: a reference voltage generation circuit configured to be fed with power from the small-capacity power supply and generate a reference voltage, a comparison circuit configured to compare the detection voltage output from the sensor with the reference voltage and generate a comparison voltage corresponding to the comparison result of the comparison circuit, and a monitoring unit configured to monitor the detection target based on the comparison voltage during the switching power supply is stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Isao KUBO
  • Publication number: 20140301111
    Abstract: A power converter employing a control system configured to make multiple functional use of a circuit node therein and method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the power converter includes a power train including at least one power switch. The power converter also includes a control system including an opto-isolator circuit, including a resistor, configured to receive an output signal from the power converter and provide a feedback signal to a feedback node for the control system to provide a switch control signal for the at least one power switch. The control system also includes a current source configured to produce multiple voltage levels at the feedback node in accordance with the resistor, thereby enabling multiple functional uses of the feedback node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: POWER SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventors: Aaron Jungreis, Antony Brinlee, Paul Garrity
  • Patent number: 8811044
    Abstract: There is provided a power supply device including: a first controller operating a pulse width modulation (PWM) control integrated circuit (IC) when a load is connected to an output terminal thereof; a second controller determining whether to operate the PWM control IC according to a change in voltage of an auxiliary capacitor connected to the first controller when a load is not connected to the output terminal; and a constant voltage circuit unit supplying a constant voltage to the first controller and the second controller when the PWM control IC operates. Power consumption can be considerably reduced when a load is not connected to the output terminal of the power supply device. Also, since elements for controlling the power supply device are implemented as a single integrated circuit (IC), a leakage current can be reduced to thus minimize power consumption. In addition, voltage can be supplied to the IC while reducing switching noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Chul Gong, Hwan Cho
  • Patent number: 8811041
    Abstract: A power supply includes a first circuit, a second circuit, a feedback circuit and a controller. The first circuit has a first switch, and the second circuit has a second switch. The first circuit transforms an input voltage to a middle voltage, and the second circuit transforms the middle voltage to an output voltage. The feedback circuit electrically connects to the controller and the output voltage respectively. The controller includes a first sub-control unit and a second sub-control unit. The first sub-control unit electrically connects to the first switch and the second sub-control unit electrically connects to the second switch. The controller generates a compensation voltage signal for the first sub-control unit and the second sub-control unit to control the first switch and the second switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Richtek Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Kuang Feng Li, Kuo Chi Liu, I-Fan Chen, Yen-Te Lee
  • Patent number: 8804378
    Abstract: A method of optimizing a gain adjustment value Kadj for a digital controller in an isolated switched mode power supply. The power supply includes an opto-coupler having a current transfer ratio (CTRX) within a range defined by a minimum current transfer ratio (CTRMIN) and a maximum current transfer ratio (CTRMAX). The method includes determining the CTRX of the opto-coupler, determining an optimal gain adjustment value KadjX based on the determined CTRX of the opto-coupler, and storing the optimal gain adjustment value KadjX in the digital controller. The method can be performed by the digital controller or by a programming device external to the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Astec International Limited
    Inventors: Antonio Remetio Soleno, Jonathan Ross Bernardo Fauni
  • Publication number: 20140185332
    Abstract: A switching power supply circuit (101) includes a first rectifier circuit (102) converting an alternate current to a direct current, a switching operator (20), a switching transformer (103) including a primary coil supplied with a switched current and a secondary coil inducing power corresponding to the current, a second rectifier circuit (30) rectifying the power induced by the secondary coil, and a control circuit (40) changing a ratio of a current flowing to a photocoupler (107) to an output voltage from the second rectifier circuit (30) in a standby mode and in a power-on mode to reduce a noise of the switching transformer in each of the modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takeshi Tazawa
  • Patent number: 8767418
    Abstract: A power converter employing a control system configured to make multiple functional use of a circuit node therein and method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the power converter includes a power train including at least one power switch. The power converter also includes a control system including an opto-isolator circuit, including a resistor, configured to receive an output signal from the power converter and provide a feedback signal to a feedback node for the control system to provide a switch control signal for the at least one power switch. The control system also includes a current source configured to produce multiple voltage levels at the feedback node in accordance with the resistor, thereby enabling multiple functional uses of the feedback node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Power Systems Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Aaron Jungreis, Antony Brinlee, Paul Garrity
  • Patent number: 8767415
    Abstract: The present invention discloses circuits and methods for high efficiency and fast response AC-DC voltage converters. In one embodiment, an AC-DC voltage converter can include: (i) a first stage voltage converter having an isolated topology with a power factor correction function, where the first stage voltage converter is configured to convert an AC input voltage to a series-connected N branches of first stage voltages, where N is a positive integer of at least two; (ii) a second stage voltage converter having a non-isolated topology, where the second stage voltage converter is configured to convert one of the N branches of the first stage voltages to a second stage voltage; and (iii) where the second stage voltage and a remaining of the N branches of the first stage voltages are configured to be series-connected and converted to a DC output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Silergy Semiconductor Technology (Hangzhou) Ltd.
    Inventor: Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 8754617
    Abstract: A reverse shunt regulator includes a MOSFET connected between a cathode and an anode, a switch and a current source serially connected between the cathode and the anode, and an error amplifier having a positive input node to receive an internal reference voltage, a negative input node connected to the reference electrode, and an output node connected to a control electrode of the MOSFET. When the voltage of the reference electrode is within a range, the larger the voltage of the reference electrode is, the less the current of the MOSFET is. Application of this reverse shunt regulator to a flyback converter for output feedback will reduce the power loss in a green mode of the flyback converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Richtek Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chien-Fu Tang, Issac Y. Chen, Jiun-Hung Pan
  • Patent number: 8724346
    Abstract: A DC/DC converter includes a transformer including primary and secondary coils and an auxiliary coil disposed in a primary coil side; a first output capacitor including a first end having a fixed electric potential and a second end; a first diode disposed in a direction where a cathode of the first diode faces the first output capacitor, between the second end of the first output capacitor and one end of the secondary coil; a switching transistor disposed on a path of the primary coil; a second output capacitor including a first end having a fixed electric potential and a second end; a second diode and a switch disposed between the second end of the second output capacitor and the first port of the auxiliary coil; and a control circuit receiving voltage generated in the second output capacitor through a power supply port and controlling turn-on/off of the switching transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoru Nate
  • Patent number: 8717781
    Abstract: A direct current (DC)/DC converter capable of lowering power consumption and capable of being started in a short time is provided. A voltage generated at a second output capacitor is input to a power supply terminal. An input voltage is input to a high voltage terminal. A charging transistor is a N-channel Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor disposed between the high voltage terminal and the power supply terminal and applied with a bias so that the charging transistor is normally on. In a first state, in which the voltage of the power supply terminal is lower than a specified first threshold voltage, a current limiting circuit limits a charging current flowing from the high voltage terminal to the power supply terminal, and in a second state in which the voltage is higher than a second threshold voltage, the current limiting circuit lowers the charging current substantially to zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoru Nate
  • Patent number: 8687382
    Abstract: The present invention discloses circuits and methods for high efficiency and fast response AC-DC voltage converters. In one embodiment, an AC-DC voltage converter can include: (i) a first stage voltage converter having an isolated topology with a power factor correction function, where the first stage voltage converter is configured to convert an AC input voltage to a series-connected N branches of first stage voltages, where N is a positive integer of at least two; (ii) a second stage voltage converter having a non-isolated topology, where the second stage voltage converter is configured to convert one of the N branches of the first stage voltages to a second stage voltage; and (iii) where the second stage voltage and a remaining of the N branches of the first stage voltages are configured to be series-connected and converted to a DC output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Silergy Semiconductor Technology (Hangzhou) Ltd.
    Inventor: Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 8665613
    Abstract: The invention relates to a switched mode power converter and a method of operating such a converter A switched mode power converter according to the invention includes a transformer (2) having a primary winding (2a) and at least one secondary winding (2b) and a secondary side rectifier circuit including an output filter (6, 10) coupled to the at least one secondary winding (2b), and a secondary side active switch device (S3) coupled between the at least one secondary winding and the output filter. The converter further includes primary side and secondary side control means (12, 16, 18) for regulating the switching of the primary side and secondary side switches, respectively, and configured so as to reduce the duty cycle of the primary side switch device (S1) during a lower power mode of operation of the converter, the reduction of the duty cycle of the primary side switch being determined with reference to the duty cycle of the secondary side switch (S3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Peter Degen, Humphrey De Groot, Jan Dikken
  • Publication number: 20140036548
    Abstract: A control circuit of a power converter is provided. It comprises a voltage detection circuit detecting a reflected signal for generating a voltage-loop signal. A current detection circuit detects a current of a transformer for generating a current-loop signal. An oscillator generates an oscillation signal in accordance with an output load of the power converter. A PWM circuit generates a switching signal according to the voltage-loop signal, the current-loop signal and the oscillation signal for regulating an output of the power converter. A load detection circuit receives a detection signal through an signal-transfer device for increasing a switching frequency of the switching signal. The detection signal is generated once the output is lower than a low-voltage threshold. The oscillation signal determines the switching frequency of the switching signal. The control circuit reduces the voltage drop of the output when the output load is changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: SYSTEM GENERAL CORP.
    Inventors: TA-YUNG YANG, LI LIN, JUNG-SHENG CHEN
  • Patent number: 8634213
    Abstract: A method of operation for flyback power converter includes operating a controller of the flyback power converter in a regulation mode when a control signal is below a first threshold. The control signal is provided as an input to a terminal of the flyback power converter. When the control signal is below a second threshold and above the first threshold, the controller is operated in a limiting mode. The controller is operated in an external command mode when the control signal is below a third threshold and above the second threshold. Lastly, when the control signal is above the third threshold, the controller is operated in a protection mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Yury Gaknoki, Tiziano Pastore, Mingming Mao, David Michael Hugh Matthews
  • Patent number: 8629631
    Abstract: Improving start-up time of a light emitting diode (led) driver at lower input voltage is accomplished with a quick start circuit comprising a constant current source that replaces the traditional trickle charge start-up path for charging of a Vcc capacitor supplying operating voltage to an SMPS controller. Also the constant current source will only be operational during SMPS start-up, then will turn off after the SMPS is capable of producing its own regulated power supply to the Vcc terminal of the SMPS controller, thereby minimizing E2/R power losses in the SMPS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Scott Edward Rhodes, William Thomas Hopkins
  • Patent number: 8625308
    Abstract: A switched-mode power supply includes a soft-burst circuit to minimize or prevent distracting audible noise. The power supply includes a control circuit for controlling switching of an output transistor to deliver a regulated output voltage to a load. The control circuit adjusts the operating frequency of the power supply based on a control signal. The soft-burst circuit discharges a storage device to minimize or prevent audible noise when the control signal reaches a particular level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Fairchild Korea Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Tae Kim, Kwang-Il Lee, Gwan-Bon Koo
  • Publication number: 20140002180
    Abstract: An integrated circuit may include a signal generator configured to generate a switching signal and a switching unit coupled to the signal generator. The switching unit may be configured to generate a pulsed current based on the switching signal using a first voltage. The integrated circuit may also include an inductive unit coupled to the switching unit. The inductive unit may be configured to receive the pulsed current and to generate a second voltage different from the first voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: HENRY M. DAGHIGHIAN, CURTIS ROBINSON, LUCY HOSKING
  • Patent number: 8614615
    Abstract: An energy transfer assembly with tuned leakage inductance and common mode noise compensation is disclosed. An example energy transfer assembly for use in a resonant power converter includes a first winding wound around a bobbin mounted on a magnetic core. The first winding has a first number of layers proximate to a first end along a length of the bobbin and a second number of layers proximate to a second end along the length of the bobbin. The energy transfer assembly also includes a second winding wound around the bobbin. The second winding has a third number of layers proximate to the first end along the length of the bobbin and a fourth number of layers proximate to the second end along the length of the bobbin. The first and second windings are wound around the bobbin such that at least a portion of one of the first and second windings overlaps at least a portion of an other one of the first and second windings around the bobbin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason E. Cuadra, John R. Estabrooks, Raymond K. Orr
  • Patent number: 8587967
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to a power apparatus. The power apparatus includes a power converter configured to convert an input voltage to an output voltage for providing power at an output thereof to which a load is connectable. The converter can include an isolation barrier configured to electrically isolate the output and the load from an input source that provides the input voltage. The system also includes a control loop that includes indirect sense circuitry configured to indirectly derive an indication of at least one of output current and output power of the converter. The control loop is configured to control output current or output power based on the indirectly derived indication of output current or output power, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Isaac Cohen
  • Patent number: 8587970
    Abstract: A switching power supply apparatus includes a PFC converter, a DC-DC converter, and primary-side and secondary-side digital control circuits that control the PFC converter and the DC-DC converter. On the basis of a voltage detected by an output voltage detection circuit, the primary-side digital control circuit transmits data about the on-time of a switching element of the DC-DC converter to the primary-side digital control circuit. On the basis of this data, the primary-side digital control circuit controls the on-time of the switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Uno, Akio Nishida
  • Patent number: 8582322
    Abstract: A power supply unit includes a switching power converter responsive to a control signal to switch a power switch thereof to provide an output voltage and an output current for a load. To reduce light-load or no-load power consumption of the power supply unit, the power supply unit repeats a process of stopping switching the power switch and recovering switching the power switch for a period of time once the output voltage decreases to be lower than a reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Richtek Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chi Liu, Fu-Sheng Tsai, Chung-Cheng Chang, Kuang-Feng Li, Yen-Te Lee
  • Patent number: 8576584
    Abstract: A switching control IC outputs a rectangular wave signal from an output terminal thereof to a driving circuit. A feedback circuit compares a value of a divided voltage of a voltage across output terminals of a switching power supply device with a reference voltage, generates a feedback signal, and inputs the feedback signal into a feedback terminal of the switching control IC. A capacitor and a Zener diode are connected between the feedback terminal and a ground terminal. The Zener diode is selectively connected, and a voltage at the feedback terminal is changed in accordance with the presence of the Zener diode. A voltage at the feedback terminal is detected, and one of a latch method and a hiccup method is selected as a method for an overcurrent protection operation in accordance with the detected voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Hosotani
  • Patent number: 8576585
    Abstract: A power device includes a power supply module, a first electrical isolation unit, a second electrical isolation unit, a feedback control unit, and a comparing unit. The power supply module includes a feedback compensating terminal and an output terminal, the feedback compensating terminal provides a related voltage of output power, and the output terminal provides an output voltage. When the related voltage of output power is smaller than the predetermined voltage, the comparing unit controls the first electrical isolation unit to change operation of the feedback control unit and the second electrical isolation unit, to allow the power supply module to adjust the output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Unihan Corporation
    Inventors: Chao-Tung Fan Chiang, Yi-Min Lin, Li-Yang Lin
  • Patent number: 8570770
    Abstract: An opto-isolator multi-voltage detection circuit is capable to handle a wide range of input voltages ranging from about 9 volts DC to about 240 volts AC includes an input voltage, an opto-isolator, a rectifier, a voltage divider, first and second transistors, and a DC to DC converter. The voltage divider operatively coupled to the first and second transistors is capable of evenly dividing the input voltage across the first and second transistors. The DC to DC converter operatively coupled to the transistors, the voltage divider, and the opto-isolator is capable of maintaining an output current from the rectifier. The use of the DC to DC converter, the voltage divider, and the transistors provide benefit of reducing a power dissipated throughout the entire circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventors: Clyde T. Eisenbeis, Stephen G. Seberger
  • Patent number: 8564978
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an off line DC-DC converter comprising a transformer (180) coupled to a monolithic integrated circuit (400). The transformer applies an input supply DC voltage (Vin) applied to a primary winding (181) of the transformer to produce an output supply DC voltage provided from a secondary winding (182). The monolithic integrated circuit (400) comprises a switching regulator including a switch (151) and a switch controller (100) on a first portion of the monolithic integrated circuit. A capacitive isolator (201) is provided on a second portion of the monolithic integrated circuit. The monolithic integrated circuit regulates the output supply DC voltage and isolates the output supply DC voltage from the input supply DC voltage with respect to electrical shock hazard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Anton Werner Keller
  • Patent number: 8520415
    Abstract: Some of the embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus comprising a voltage sensor circuit configured to generate a voltage feedback signal indicative of an output voltage of the apparatus, a current sensor circuit configured to generate a current feedback signal indicative of a load current of the apparatus, a converter configured to receive the current feedback signal, and generate a fault signal that is indicative of a fault condition associated with the load current, and an optocoupler configured to receive the voltage feedback signal and the fault signal, and generate a feedback signal that is indicative of the output voltage and indicative of the fault condition. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Ravishanker Krishnamoorthy, Hong Liang Zhang, Wanfeng Zhang
  • Patent number: 8508157
    Abstract: A power supply device for driving a light emitting diode (LED) capable of controlling the switching of multiple output powers, in synchronization with the frequency of one of the multiple output powers and simplifying a power conversion stage in supplying power for driving an LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae Shik Kim, Heung Gyoon Choi, Yun Ki Kang, Tae Hyung Kang, Sang Gab Park
  • Patent number: 8498135
    Abstract: Embodiments of circuits and methods for a switching mode power supply are described in detail herein. In one embodiment, a switching mode power supply includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding to supply power to a load, a feedback circuit that generates a feedback signal that varies in relation to the load on the secondary winding, a switching circuit coupled to the primary winding to control current flow through the primary winding, and a control circuit coupled to the switching circuit to control the on/off status of switching circuit in response to the feedback signal and the current flow through the primary winding. The control circuit comprises a spectrum shaping circuit configured to generate a spectrum shaping signal in response to the feedback signal. The spectrum shaping signal can then be used to regulate the switching frequency and the spectrum shaping range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: En Li, Junming Zhang, Yuancheng Ren
  • Patent number: 8488340
    Abstract: A regulated power apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes an input power converting circuit configured for receiving a rectified voltage and for generating an increased voltage. An intermediate power regulating circuit generates a regulated voltage that has a lower voltage than a minimum output voltage of the input power converting circuit. The intermediate power regulating circuit is coupled to receive the increased voltage. An output power converting circuit is coupled with the intermediate power regulating circuit. The output power converting circuit receives the regulated voltage and generates an output voltage that is lower than the regulated voltage. The output power converting circuit comprises a buck converter configured to operate at a fixed duty cycle. A regulation circuit is coupled with the intermediate power regulating circuit and coupled with the output power converting circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Flextronics AP, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Zhang, Aaron Jungreis
  • Patent number: 8446134
    Abstract: A power supply for converting AC to a regulated DC output current, utilizing two serial switched mode power supplies, the first providing an intermediate DC output voltage with only moderate ripple properties, this output being input to the second, which operates as a DC/DC converter to provide the desired output with low ripple and good regulation. The diode rectifier assembly has no reservoir/smoothing capacitor, or one of much smaller capacitance than in prior art power supplies. The large resulting rectifier output ripple is overcome by use of the two power supply units, at least the first having a smoothing capacitor at its output. A majority of the energy stored in this capacitor is utilized during each AC half cycle. Such power supplies also provide improved hold-up times. The power supply is also constructed to have low standby power consumption, by use of a double burst configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Techtium Ltd.
    Inventors: Dror Manor, Pascal Lebens, Ronny Van Rooij
  • Patent number: 8441816
    Abstract: According to an example embodiment, a controller for a Switched Mode Power Supply having opto-coupler-based feedback from secondary to primary side, is disclosed, in which the optocoupler current varies inversely with the output voltage over a voltage control range. The converter is thereby enabled to consume less power than do conventional converters, when in lower-power standby mode. Also disclosed are low-voltage startup and over-voltage protection arrangements combined with such a controller. Corresponding methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Hans Halberstadt
  • Publication number: 20130051085
    Abstract: A power supply includes a first circuit, a second circuit, a feedback circuit and a controller. The first circuit has a first switch, and the second circuit has a second switch. The first circuit transforms an input voltage to a middle voltage, and the second circuit transforms the middle voltage to an output voltage. The feedback circuit electrically connects to the controller and the output voltage respectively. The controller includes a first sub-control unit and a second sub-control unit. The first sub-control unit electrically connects to the first switch and the second sub-control unit electrically connects to the second switch. The controller generates a compensation voltage signal for the first sub-control unit and the second sub-control unit to control the first switch and the second switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Kuang Feng Li, Kuo Chi Liu, I-Fan Chen, Yen-Te Lee
  • Publication number: 20130027986
    Abstract: An AC to DC converter system is disclosed in which a conversion circuit for converting an AC input signal to a DC output signal is operably coupled with a communication circuit designed for sensing output indicative of the presence or absence of a load at the DC output. The system is designed so that the conversion circuit operates in an inactive standby state when there is no load, and in an active state for supplying DC power when a load is present. The system is configured to operate using ultra-low power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Amer Atrash, Wayne Chen, Ross Teggatz, Brett Smith
  • Patent number: 8335092
    Abstract: In an ON/OFF type isolated DC-DC converter that stores electromagnetic energy in a main transformer during an ON period of a power switch and releases the electromagnetic energy to an output during an OFF period of the power switch, high-speed, highly stable output voltage control without the need for a photocoupler, for which the allowable temperature range is relatively narrow and the current transfer ratio changes over time, is performed. An integrating circuit including a resistor and a capacitor generates a ramp wave, and the ramp wave is superposed on a reference voltage of a reference voltage source Vref through a capacitor. A comparator compares a voltage Vo that is proportional to an output voltage of a converter with the reference voltage on which the ramp wave has been superposed, and transmits an inversion timing signal through a pulse transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadahiko Matsumoto, Tatsuya Hosotani
  • Patent number: 8331111
    Abstract: A switching power supply device 100 includes: zener diodes ZD31 and ZD32 that become conducting when the voltage values of direct current voltages VO1 and VO2 are equal to or more than their zener voltage values, respectively; an overcurrent protection circuit 131 that makes a switching portion 12 stop generating the direct current voltages if an overcurrent that is equal to or more than a previously set current threshold value flows in the secondary winding 23 of a transformer 2; and a diode D3 one end of which is connected to the output end of a regulator 32 and the other end of which is connected between voltage divider resistances R41 and R42, the forward direction of the diode D3 being from the voltage divider resistances R41 and R42 to the regulator 32.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiko Udagawa
  • Publication number: 20120257421
    Abstract: A switch-mode power converter includes a power isolation transformer and a drive transformer having their various windings collectively wound on a magnetic core having a center leg and outer legs. A primary winding and one or more secondary windings of the power transformer are wound on the center leg, and first and second windings of the drive transformer are wound on an outer leg. A primary control circuit controls one or more primary switches to supply the input voltage to the primary winding. A secondary control circuit controls secondary switches connected between the secondary windings and a load. Another control circuit controls operation the primary and secondary control circuits based at least in part on a feedback signal. The drive transformer windings are further configured to provide isolation between the primary control circuit and the synchronous rectifier control circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventor: Milivoje Brkovic
  • Patent number: 8279635
    Abstract: A driving circuit for an opto-coupler comprising a switched mode regulator configured to convert a first voltage to a second voltage, the switched mode regulator operable in accordance with a control signal (311) representative of the first voltage, and wherein the second voltage is used to drive the diode (304a) of the opto-coupler (304), in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Joan Wichard Strijker
  • Patent number: 8259470
    Abstract: A control circuit, a control method, and a power supply device are provided. The control circuit includes an obtaining sub-circuit, adapted to obtain a voltage signal from a reverse surge current when the reverse surge current appears on a primary side of a switch power circuit of a synchronous rectification circuit; a maintaining sub-circuit, adapted to continuously output a first control signal in a preset first time period when the voltage signal is greater than a preset first voltage threshold; and a control sub-circuit, adapted to control and switch off switch tubes of the secondary side of the switch power circuit of the synchronous rectification circuit according to the first control signal. Thus, a reverse current surge of the switch power circuit of the synchronous rectification circuit can be effectively suppressed, and the safety of a switch power supply of the synchronous rectification circuit can be effectively protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaodong Fan, Lei Feng, Fugao Zhao, Zhihua Liu
  • Publication number: 20120176818
    Abstract: A power converter constituted of: a control circuitry; an electronically controlled switch responsive to the control circuitry; a power transformer exhibiting a primary winding and a secondary winding; a sense transformer comprising a primary current sense winding, an error current sense winding and a feedback winding, the primary current sense winding of the sense transformer and the primary winding of the power transformer coupled in series with the electronically controlled switch; a transconductance error amplifier coupled to an output of the secondary winding of the power transformer, the transconductance amplifier arranged to drive a current through the error current sense winding of the sense transformer whose value reflects an electrical characteristic of the output of the secondary winding of the power transformer, wherein the feedback winding of the sense transformer is coupled to a feedback input of the control circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSEMI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Thomas GATI
  • Publication number: 20120051097
    Abstract: A regulated power apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes an input power converting circuit configured for receiving a rectified voltage and for generating an increased voltage. An intermediate power regulating circuit generates a regulated voltage that has a lower voltage than a minimum output voltage of the input power converting circuit. The intermediate power regulating circuit is coupled to receive the increased voltage. An output power converting circuit is coupled with the intermediate power regulating circuit. The output power converting circuit receives the regulated voltage and generates an output voltage that is lower than the regulated voltage. The output power converting circuit comprises a buck converter configured to operate at a fixed duty cycle. A regulation circuit is coupled with the intermediate power regulating circuit and coupled with the output power converting circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: FLEXTRONICS AP, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Zhang, Aaron Jungreis
  • Patent number: 8120931
    Abstract: A control circuit for use in a power converter has a multi-function terminal, a current comparator circuit, and an under-voltage detection circuit. The current comparator circuit compares current flowing through a power switch of the power converter with a reference value through the multi-function terminal when the power switch is on, and turns the power switch off when the current reaches the reference value. The under-voltage detection circuit determines whether an input voltage of the power converter is less than a predetermined value through the multi-function terminal when the power switch is turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Leadtrend Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Yuan-Wen Chang, Chun-Teh Chen, Ren-Yi Chen, Yi-Shan Chu
  • Patent number: 8098501
    Abstract: A comparator detects whether a feedback signal of an output voltage detecting circuit for a switching power supply circuit reaches a control voltage. A comparator detects an operating state of the switching power supply circuit, which is instructed by a switching instruction signal, by comparing the instruction signal with a reference voltage. The comparators are connected to a decision circuit which outputs to a control circuit a signal instructing a normal state until the feedback signal reaches the control voltage, and thereafter a signal instructing a normal state or a stand-by state that is instructed by the switching instruction signal. Thus, the control circuit makes the switching power supply circuit operate in a normal state until the output voltage reaches the control voltage. After the output voltage reaches the control voltage, the switching power supply circuit operated in an operation state instructed by the switching instruction signal to enable stable startup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Sonobe
  • Patent number: 8077487
    Abstract: In a first aspect, in a Primary Side Regulation (PSR) power supply, some primary current pulses are used to forward bias an output diode such that an auxiliary winding voltage can be properly sampled after each pulse. The samples are used to regulate the power supply output voltage (VOUT). Other primary current pulses, however, are of a smaller peak amplitude. These pulses are not used for VOUT regulation, but rather are used to determine whether the VOUT has dropped. In a second aspect, a transient current detector circuit within the PSR controller integrated circuit detects whether an optocoupler current has dropped in a predetermined way. If the TRS current detector detects that the optocoupler current has dropped, then the power supply stops operating in a sleep mode and is made to operate in another higher power operating mode in which the power supply switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Active-Semi, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven Huynh
  • Patent number: 8068353
    Abstract: A switching mode power supply (SMPS) circuit includes: a rectifying unit that rectifies an AC voltage applied from an AC input terminal; a power factor correction (PFC) and standby voltage output unit that is connected to the rectifying unit and has a PFC part and a standby voltage output part integrated therein; a PFC and standby voltage control unit that is connected to the PFC and standby voltage output unit and controlling the PFC and standby voltage output unit; and a DC/DC conversion unit that is connected to the PFC and standby voltage output unit and outputting a main voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Ho Kim, Kwang Seung Cho, Heung Gyoon Choi
  • Patent number: 8040699
    Abstract: A low-cost integrated circuit is used as a secondary side constant voltage and constant current controller. The integrated circuit has four terminals and two amplifier circuits. A first amplifier circuit is used to sense a voltage on a FB terminal and in response to cause a first current to flow through an OPTO terminal. A second amplifier circuit is used to sense a voltage between a SENSE terminal and a SOURCE terminal and in response to cause a second current to flow through the same OPTO terminal. The FB terminal is used for output voltage feedback and is also used to supply power onto the integrated circuit. The SOURCE terminal is used for output current feedback and is also used as power supply return for the integrated circuit. The cost of the integrated circuit is reduced by having only four terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Active-Semi, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Huynh, Zhibo Tao, David J. Kunst, Matthew Grant
  • Patent number: 8040119
    Abstract: A valley detecting circuit and method are provided for a voltage across a switching device, which detect a voltage across the switching device to produce a first voltage proportional to the voltage across the switching device, clamp the first voltage to produce a second voltage, level shift the second voltage to produce a third voltage, and compare the second voltage with the third voltage to determine a valley for the first voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Richtek Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Tzu-Chen Lin
  • Patent number: 8040705
    Abstract: A circuit with an isolation interface and a remote on/off function is disclosed. The circuit includes a controller included in a primary side of the circuit. The controller is coupled to receive a primary side feedback signal and the controller is configured to enter a shutdown mode when the primary side feedback signal exceeds a feedback signal threshold. The circuit also includes an isolation interface coupled to galvanically isolate the primary side from a secondary side of the circuit. The isolation interface translates a secondary side feedback signal from the secondary side into the primary side feedback signal on the primary side. The isolation interface is configured to adjust the primary side feedback signal to exceed the feedback signal threshold in response to an on/off signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Mayell