Having Feedback Isolation (e.g., Optoisolator, Transformer Coupled, Etc.) Patents (Class 363/21.15)
  • Patent number: 8339815
    Abstract: Ripple of an input voltage is used to modulate a switching operation frequency of a switch mode power supply. A sensing voltage corresponding to the input voltage is received, a current ripple that is proportional to a difference between a peak value of the sensing voltage and the sensing voltage is generated, and a modulation control signal that is variable by the current ripple is generated. A switching frequency is modulated using an oscillator signal that is variable by the modulation control signal, and reduces the output voltage ripple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Fairchild Korea Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang-Il Lee, Jin-Tae Kim, Gwan-Bon Koo
  • Publication number: 20120320639
    Abstract: A power supply includes an energy transfer element coupled between an input and an output. A switch is coupled to an input of the energy transfer element. A threshold detection circuit includes in an integrated circuit coupled to measure a signal from a resistive external circuit coupled between fourth and first external terminals of the integrated circuit during an initialization period after the fourth external terminal has been charged to a supply threshold value. A regulator circuit is coupled between second and fourth external terminals of the integrated circuit. The regulator circuit is coupled to charge the fourth external terminal to the supply threshold value during the initialization period. A selection circuit is coupled to the threshold detection circuit to select a parameter/mode of the integrated circuit in response to the measured signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Alex B. Djenguerian, Robert J. Mayell, Kent Wong
  • Publication number: 20120301172
    Abstract: A switching power supply includes a transformer, a switching unit configured to switch a voltage input to the primary side of the transformer, a control unit configured to control the operation of the switching unit, and a detection unit configured to detect as a voltage a current flowing through the primary side of the transformer and supply the voltage to the control unit, wherein the detection unit controls the voltage to be supplied to the control unit based on the operating state of the switching unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Odate, Keisuke Samejima
  • Patent number: 8320139
    Abstract: A switching regulator with frequency limitation comprises a switch, a current sensing circuit, a voltage feedback circuit, a control circuit and a frequency limitation circuit. The current sensing circuit senses the current flowing through the switch and generating a current sensing signal representative of it. The voltage feedback circuit senses the output signal of the switching regulator and generates a feedback signal accordingly. The control circuit compares the current sensing signal with the feedback signal and turns off the switch based on the comparison result. The frequency limitation circuit is electrically coupled to the control circuit to limit the switching frequency of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Hu, James C. Moyer, Junming Zhang, Yuancheng Ren
  • Publication number: 20120281440
    Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated switch-mode power supply device capable of sufficiently reducing power consumption in a standby mode. An isolated switch-mode power supply device includes: a capacitor that supplies control power for controlling switching of a switching element; a first control unit that includes a constant current supplying unit that controls switching of the switching element; a switching element that connects or disconnects the first control unit and the capacitor; a capacitance element unit having a capacitor to which a constant current is supplied from the constant current supplying unit, a capacitor charge voltage of the capacitance element unit changing according to an outputted voltage in the standby mode; and a second control unit that controls power supply to the first control unit by closing or opening the switching element during a switching pause period in the standby mode according to the capacitor charge voltage of the capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: Shindengen Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Hayashi, Hiroshi Narisawa
  • Publication number: 20120275199
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention discloses a switch-mode power supply controller and associated method. In an embodiment, the controller comprises an on-time controller, an off-time controller, a switch control signal generator, and a jittering signal generator, wherein the jittering signal generator couples jitter into the on-time or the off-time of a primary switch of the power supply. Therefore the EMI performance may be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Chengdu Monolithic Power Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yike Li, Xiangyong Xu
  • Publication number: 20120257423
    Abstract: Switching-mode power conversion system and method thereof. The system includes a primary winding configured to receive an input voltage and a secondary winding coupled to the primary winding. Additionally, the system includes a compensation component configured to receive the input voltage and generate at least a clock signal based on at least information associated with the input voltage, and a signal generator configured to receive at least the clock signal and generate at least a control signal based on at least information associated with the clock signal. Moreover, the system includes a gate driver configured to receive at least the control signal and generate a drive signal based on at least information associated with the control signal, and a first switch configured to receive the drive signal and affect a first current flowing through the primary winding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: ON-BRIGHT ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Lieyi Fang
  • Publication number: 20120250365
    Abstract: A switching power supply includes a rectifying unit configured to rectify an input alternating voltage, a storage unit configured to smooth the voltage rectified by the rectifying unit and store as a DC voltage, a pulse signal generation unit configured to generate a pulse signal from the DC voltage stored in the storage unit, and a detection unit configured to detect that a commercial alternating current power supply has been turned off based on the pulse signal generated by the pulse signal generation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shinichiro Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20120250366
    Abstract: A flyback converter with primary side and secondary side feedback control includes a transformer, a secondary-side feedback unit and a feedback control unit. The secondary-side feedback unit is electrically connected to a secondary winding of the transformer and comprises an isolated signal transceiver device and an error amplifier. The feedback control unit is electrically connected to an auxiliary winding of the transformer and operatively connected to the isolated signal transceiver device. When the flyback converter is operated in heavy load conditions, the feedback control unit receives a secondary feedback control signal sent from the isolated signal transceiver device for feedback control. When the flyback converter is operated in light load conditions, the feedback control unit receives a primary feedback control signal sensed by the auxiliary winding for feedback control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Kuan-Sheng WANG, Wei-Chan HSU, Jan-He LI
  • Publication number: 20120243271
    Abstract: A power converter with reduced power dissipation at light loads and method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the power converter includes an opto-isolator circuit configured to produce an output signal dependent on an output characteristic of the power converter. The power converter also includes a controller configured to control the output characteristic to a first regulated value when the output signal is greater than or equal to a threshold level, and control the output characteristic to a second regulated value less than the first regulated value when the output signal is less than the threshold level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: Ralf Schröder genannt Berghegger
  • Publication number: 20120243272
    Abstract: A constant current power supply apparatus is provided which can drive a load with a constant current, even if the circuit configuration is such that a time delay is generated in the feedback control of a converter, or the like. An FB period restricting circuit including an ON generation circuit, OR circuit, inverter, and PMOS restricts the period during which an FB signal is fed back, to the logical sum of the ON period of an SW signal for driving an LED array on and a replenishment period generated by the OR circuit based on the SW signal. An FB signal generation circuit including a differential amplifier, NMOS, reference voltage, capacitor, and shunt regulator generates, in the replenishment period other than the ON period of the SW signal, an FB signal corresponding to an output current having flown through the LED array during the ON period of the SW signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventors: Masaaki SHIMADA, Yoshimichi TADAMASA
  • Patent number: 8274800
    Abstract: A digital signal processing circuit which performs average current control is disposed on a secondary side of a transformer of an isolated DC-DC converter, and a switching control signal output from the digital signal processing circuit is transmitted to a switching element included in a power factor correction converter through an isolated drive circuit. The digital signal processing circuit obtains an average value of currents supplied to an inductor in accordance with a voltage output from a bias winding of the inductor or an output from a secondary side of a current transformer which detects a drain current of the switching element. Furthermore, the average value of the currents corresponds to a waveform (full-wave rectification sine wave) of an input voltage Vi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Uno, Tomokuni Tokugawa, Tatsuya Hosotani
  • Publication number: 20120230064
    Abstract: The present invention provides a controller for a power converter. The controller comprises a PWM circuit, a detection circuit, a signal generator, an oscillation circuit, a valley-lock circuit, a timing circuit and a burst circuit. The PWM circuit generates a switching signal coupled to switch a transformer of the power converter. A feedback signal is coupled to control and disable the switching signal. The detection circuit is coupled to the transformer via a resistor for generating a valley signal in response to a waveform obtained from the transformer. The signal generator is coupled to receive the feedback signal and the valley signal for generating an enabling signal. The oscillation circuit generates a maximum frequency signal. The maximum frequency signal associates with the enabling signal to generate a turning-on signal. The turning-on signal is coupled to enable the switching signal. A maximum frequency of the turning-on signal is limited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: System General Corporation
    Inventors: Ta-Yung YANG, Chao-Chih Lin
  • Publication number: 20120224400
    Abstract: A television includes a power supply circuit including a transformer that converts input voltage to output voltage, an input voltage monitoring circuit that monitors the input voltage based on a voltage value of a primary side or a secondary side of the transformer, and a control unit that determines whether or not the input voltage exceeds a specified value based on monitoring results of the input voltage monitoring circuit and provides a warning or notification that the input voltage is excessive when it is determined that the input voltage exceeds the specified value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: FUNAI ELECTRIC., LTD.
    Inventor: Fumihito IZAWA
  • Publication number: 20120218787
    Abstract: Disclosed is a stabilized voltage power supply comprising an A/D converting circuit configured to convert an alternate current voltage received from an external power supply to an initial direct current voltage; a PWM signal output unit configured to generate and output a PWM signal; a control switch configured to alternatively carry out, based on control of the received PWM signal, switching between a turn-on state and a turn-off state so as to convert the initial direct current voltage to a pulse voltage whose duty ratio is the same with that of the PWM signal; a final converting circuit configured to convert the pulse voltage to a final direct current voltage, and output the final direct current voltage to an external load via an output terminal; and a feed unit configured to feed the final direct current voltage back to the PWM signal output unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Qilin Fan
  • Publication number: 20120212981
    Abstract: A power converter includes an output unit, a first transformer, a switch unit, and a processing unit. The first transformer includes a primary winding and a secondary winding. The primary winding is coupled between an input voltage and a first node. The switch unit is coupled between the first node and a second node. The processing unit is coupled between the input voltage and the first node. When the switch unit is in an OFF state, the processing unit is used to receive a first sensing voltage and store a sensing power of the first sensing voltage through a first path, isolate the first sensing voltage from feeding in through a second path different from the first path simultaneously, and then release the stored sensing power through the second path. The first sensing voltage is generated as the switch unit switches from an ON state to the OFF state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventor: Cody Lin
  • Patent number: 8248826
    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: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Salvatore Tumminaro, Salvatore Giombanco, Alfio Pasqua, Claudio Adragna
  • Patent number: 8238124
    Abstract: Dual-mode AC/DC power converters and associated methods of operation are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the AC/DC converter includes a primary winding, a switching transistor coupled to the primary winding, the switching transistor configured to carry a drain-source current, and a feedback voltage port configured to carry a feedback voltage. The feedback voltage port is coupled to the switching transistor to switch off the switching transistor when the drain-source current reaches a peak current limit. The peak current limit increases with increasing feedback voltage if and only if the feedback voltage satisfies an ordered relationship with a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Huanyu Lu, En Li
  • Publication number: 20120194131
    Abstract: A charging device for charging a battery pack, having a control circuit for a switched-mode power supply transformer assigned to the charging device, the transformer having at least one primary winding switchable using a power switch and at least one first secondary winding for generating an electrical output voltage for charging the battery pack, the output voltage having a first amplitude which is predefinable by a control unit and adjustable using a first voltage limiting control loop. The transformer has at least one second secondary winding for generating at least one electrical auxiliary voltage having a second amplitude which is predefinable by the control unit and adjustable using a second voltage limiting control loop in order to at least reduce an energy feed assigned to an operation of the control circuit from the primary winding to the secondary windings in a standby mode of the control circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventor: Alexander Osswald
  • Patent number: 8228692
    Abstract: Switching-mode power conversion system and method thereof. The system includes a primary winding configured to receive an input voltage and a secondary winding coupled to the primary winding. Additionally, the system includes a compensation component configured to receive the input voltage and generate at least a clock signal based on at least information associated with the input voltage, and a signal generator configured to receive at least the clock signal and generate at least a control signal based on at least information associated with the clock signal. Moreover, the system includes a gate driver configured to receive at least the control signal and generate a drive signal based on at least information associated with the control signal, and a first switch configured to receive the drive signal and affect a first current flowing through the primary winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: On-Bright Electronic (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lieyi Fang
  • Publication number: 20120155123
    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: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: RICHTEK TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventors: Chien-Fu TANG, Issac Y. CHEN, Jiun-Hung PAN
  • Publication number: 20120155122
    Abstract: A controller for a power converter is provided. The controller includes a sense current integrating circuit, a reference current integrating circuit and a drive signal generation circuit. The sense current integrating circuit performs an integrating operation to a sense current representative of a conduction current flowing through a power switch of the power converter and thereby outputs a first integrating result. The reference current integrating circuit performs another integrating operation to a reference current and thereby outputs a second integrating result. The drive signal generation circuit determines a switching period of the power switch according to a status of an output voltage of the power converter cooperative with a relative magnitude relationship between the first integrating result and the second integrating circuit. Furthermore, a controlling method for such power converter also is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: RICHTEK TECHNOLOGY CORP
    Inventors: Chien-Fu TANG, Isaac Y. CHEN, Jiun-Hung PAN
  • Publication number: 20120147631
    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: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Satoru NATE
  • Publication number: 20120147630
    Abstract: System and method for protecting a power converter. The system includes a duty-cycle detection component configured to receive a modulation signal, determine a first duty cycle corresponding to a first period of the modulation signal, compare the first duty cycle with a threshold duty cycle, and generate a duty-cycle comparison signal. Additionally, the system includes a threshold generator configured to receive the duty-cycle comparison signal and generate a threshold signal corresponding to a second period of the modulation signal, the second period being after the first period, and a comparator configured to receive the threshold signal and a first signal and to generate a first comparison signal. The first signal is associated with an input current for a power converter. Moreover, the system includes a pulse-width-modulation component configured to receive the first comparison signal and generate the modulation signal for adjusting the input current for the power converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: ON-BRIGHT ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yaming Cao, Jinya Dong, Yunchao Zhang, Lieyi Fang
  • Patent number: 8199537
    Abstract: A switching power converter detects low load conditions based on the ratio of a first peak current value for peak current switching in constant voltage regulation mode to a second peak current value for peak current switching in constant current regulation mode. The power supply load is considered to have a low load if the ratio is lower than a predetermined threshold. Once a low load condition is detected, the switching frequency of the switching power converter is reduced to a level that minimizes switching loss in the power converter. In addition, the switching power converter also adjusts the switching frequency according to the sensed input line voltage. An offset is added to the switching period to reduce the switching frequency of the switching power converter, as the input line voltage is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: iWatt Inc.
    Inventors: Liang Yan, Xiaoyan Wang, Jun Zheng, Junjie Zheng, Clarita Poon
  • Patent number: 8193738
    Abstract: A dimmable light emitting diode (LED) device with low ripple current includes a LED module, a phase dimmer, a voltage converting module, a driving module and a feedback module. The flyback converter of the voltage converting module adds a secondary forward winding connecting to a phase cut-off detector to provide a detecting voltage in proportion to current level of the output current across the LED module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Phihong Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Jen Chu, Yi-Jing Chen, Hung-Chun Chung
  • Publication number: 20120134706
    Abstract: A switching power supply device including: a transformer configured to include a primary winding, a secondary winding, and an auxiliary winding; a switching unit configured to switch a current that flows through the primary winding of the transformer; a control unit configured to control a switching operation of the switching unit; a starting resistor connected between a voltage input side of the primary winding and a power supply terminal of the control unit; a voltage supply unit configured to rectify and smooth a voltage output from the auxiliary winding and supply the resultant to the power supply terminal; and an activation control unit configured to control activation timing of the control unit by inputting a voltage to an ON/OFF terminal of the control unit, the activation control unit being connected between the voltage input side of the primary winding and a ground side of the auxiliary winding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Atsunobu Mori
  • Patent number: 8169803
    Abstract: A power transistor chip and an application circuit thereof have a junction field effect transistor to act as a start-up circuit of an AC/DC voltage converter. The start-up circuit can be turned off after the PWM circuit of the AC/DC voltage converter operates normally to conserve the consumption of the power. Besides, the junction field effect transistor is built in the power transistor chip. Because the junction field effect transistor is fabricated with the same manufacturing process as the power transistor, it is capable of simplifying the entire process and lowering the production cost due to no additional mask and manufacturing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Richtek Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chih-Feng Huang, Kuo-Chin Chiu
  • Patent number: 8164927
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a switch control device and a switch control method. The present invention controls a switching operation of a power switch that controls output power of a switching mode power supply (SMPS). The present invention generates an operation current corresponding to an input voltage of the SMPS and counts a compensation period in which a power supply voltage generated by the operation current increases from a predetermined counter low-reference voltage to a predetermined counter high-reference voltage. The present invention generates a compensation feedback current depending on the count result, generates a total feedback current by summing a main feedback current having a predetermined value and the compensation feedback current, and generates a power limit current of which a maximum value increases and decreases depending on the total feedback current. Turn-off of the power switch is determined by comparing the current flowing on the power switch with the power limit current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Fairchild Korea Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Cheol Moon, Young-Bae Park
  • Patent number: 8159839
    Abstract: A control circuit for use in a power converter with an unregulated dormant mode of operation is disclosed. In one aspect a power converter includes a drive signal generator that is coupled to generate a drive signal to control switching of a power switch coupled to the control circuit to regulate a flow of energy to an output of the power converter in response to an energy requirement of one or more loads coupled to the output of the power converter. A regulator circuit is coupled to charge a capacitor. The capacitor determines a time period. The regulator circuit is coupled to not charge the capacitor if the energy requirement of the one or more loads coupled to the output of the power converter falls below a threshold. The regulator is coupled to again charge the capacitor after the time period has elapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventor: David Michael Hugh Matthews
  • Patent number: 8149601
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention relates to a power converter operable in a continuous conduction mode and a discontinuous conduction mode that includes a current-sense circuit element configured to produce a current-sense signal dependent on a current in an inductor of the power converter, and a difference circuit configured to produce a difference signal representing a difference of the current-sense signal and a signal representing an output characteristic of the power converter such as an output voltage. The difference signal is constrained to be above a difference signal threshold value. A slope compensation circuit is configured to produce a slope-compensated signal that includes a sum of the difference signal and the current-sense signal. A controller is configured to control a duty cycle of a power switch of the power converter in response to the slope-compensated signal by comparing the slope-compensated signal with a voltage threshold controlled by a feedback circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Gong Xiaowu, Kok Siu Kam, Thian Yaw Hann
  • Patent number: 8143810
    Abstract: A LED driver arrangement including a switching-mode stage to produce a drive current for feeding a LED from a DC input; a current sensor for the current fed to the LED for producing a feedback signal; error amplifier circuitry for generating a control signal from the feedback signal; and control circuitry sensitive to the control signal to control the switching-mode stage so that the drive current fed by the switching-mode stage to the LED corresponds to the LED current. An opto-coupler feeds the control signal to the control circuitry, and the opto-coupler having associated biasing circuitry to increase current on the opto-coupler when the LED current decreases. The opto-coupler is configured to saturate when the drive current reaches a minimum level. There is also an auxiliary supply voltage for the control circuitry to keep the auxiliary supply voltage above a minimum level when the opto-coupler is saturated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Osram AG
    Inventor: Alberto Ferro
  • Patent number: 8125800
    Abstract: An isolated switching regulator has a closed-loop soft-start feature that allows tighter regulation of the output voltage and eliminates or reduces overshoot. It also has an optional reset feature which will resoft-start the regulator during recovery from a fault on the output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: H. Pooya Forghani-zadeh, Luis Alberto Huertas-Sanchez, Gregory Wallis Collins
  • Patent number: 8125801
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed to extend an on time period of switch to regulate a transfer of energy from an input of a power supply to an output of a power supply. One example integrated circuit includes an energy transfer element coupled between an input and an output of the power supply. A switch is coupled to the input of the energy transfer element. A controller is coupled to the switch to control switching of the switch to regulate a transfer of energy from the input of the power supply to the output of the power supply in response to a feedback signal received from the output of the power supply. The controller is coupled to limit a maximum on time period of the switch a first maximum on time period in response to a first range of power supply operating conditions and to a second maximum on time period for a second range of power supply operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Chan Woong Park, Alex B. Djenguerian, Kent Wong
  • Patent number: 8125797
    Abstract: A radiation tolerant electrical component is provided without a radiation hardened material FET. A p-channel MOSFET provides switching capabilities in radiated environments because its gate voltage starts at a negative value and becomes more negative with exposure to radiation. Therefore, the gate is still controllable when exposed to radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Modular Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven E. Summer
  • Publication number: 20120026759
    Abstract: A power converter with low power consumption during a standby operating condition. An example power controller includes a main converter coupled to a dc input of the power converter to control a transfer of energy from the dc input of the power converter to a main output of the power converter. A standby converter is also included and is coupled to the dc input of the power converter to control a transfer of energy from the dc input of the power converter to a standby output of the power converter during a standby operating condition of the power converter. A standby circuit is also included and is coupled to the dc input of the power converter and coupled to the main converter. The standby circuit decouples the main converter from the dc input of the power converter during the standby operating condition of the power converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Balu Balakrishnan, David Michael Hugh Matthews
  • Publication number: 20120008345
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for output voltage calibration of a primary feedback flyback power module extract the difference between the output voltage of the power module and a target value, and according thereto, calibrate a reference voltage which is used in regulation of the output voltage, to thereby calibrate the output voltage to be the target value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: RICHTEK TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventors: CHIEN-FU TANG, ISAAC Y. CHEN, LIANG-PIN TAI
  • Publication number: 20120008346
    Abstract: A control circuit can be provided with a comparator detecting a turning-off of a semiconductor switch from a voltage generated in an auxiliary winding of a transformer and inputted to a zero current detecting terminal, a timer outputting a signal after a specified length of time from the time at which the turning-off of the semiconductor switch is detected, and a comparator detecting from voltages inputted to a current detecting terminal a second voltage signal different from an ordinary first voltage signal inputted when the semiconductor switch is made turned-on. Thus, the second voltage signal supplied from mode switching circuits as an externally inputted mode switching signal can be made also detected by the existing current detecting terminal. By detecting the second voltage signal after the specified length of time from the turning-off of the semiconductor switch, switching of an operation mode becomes possible without newly providing any specialized terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro KAWAMURA
  • Patent number: 8085559
    Abstract: A current mode resonant converter integrates current information from a first drive transistor to generate an integration signal. The integration signal is added to a sawtooth signal to generate a quasi-sawtooth signal. The quasi-sawtooth signal is compared to an error signal indicative of an output voltage of the resonant converter. The first drive transistor is switched OFF when the quasi-sawtooth signal reaches the level of the error signal. Once the first drive transistor is turned off, a second drive transistor is turned on for the same time duration same as the first drive transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Hangseok Choi
  • Patent number: 8085560
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes: a transformer which converts input power supplied to a primary winding to be induced to a secondary winding; a current detector which detects an output current of the secondary winding of the transformer; a voltage detector which detects an output voltage of the secondary winding of the transformer; a switch which adjusts the output voltage outputted by the transformer; and a controller which controls the switch to maintain output power obtained by multiplying the output current by output voltage, within a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung-hak Lee
  • Patent number: 8085558
    Abstract: A resonant converter includes a square wave generator including a first switch and a second switch, and generating a first square wave corresponding to an input voltage by alternately turning on/off the first and second switches; a resonator including a first coil of a primary coil of a transformer, and generating a resonance waveform corresponding to the first square wave; and an output unit including a second coil of a secondary coil of the transformer, and outputting a voltage corresponding to a current generated in the second coil corresponding to the resonance waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Fairchild Korea Semiconductor, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hang-Seok Choi
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20110299306
    Abstract: An example power supply controller includes a regulation circuit, a current sense circuit, and a response circuit. The regulation circuit is coupled to regulate a sense terminal to a voltage level. The current sense circuit is coupled to the sense terminal to sense a current through the sense terminal a measurement delay period after a magnitude of the current through the sense terminal reaches a first threshold current level. The response circuit is coupled to the sense circuit and is responsive to the current through the sense terminal only after the measurement delay period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Zhao-Jun Wang, Stefan Bäurle, David Michael Hugh Matthews
  • Publication number: 20110292692
    Abstract: The present invention provides an isolated regulating power converter with opto-coupled feedback of output (Vo) with respect to a reference level (Vset) for regulation to a converter controller. The sense of the feedback signal is such that the opto-coupler LED is ON when Vo<Vset and OFF when Vo>Vset with the effect that the LED current and power loss is zero during the times when Vo>Vset, as is normal case for many controllers at low or no load. This saves power under such circumstances. Additionally, as the LED does not load the output during this time, the proportion of time for which Vo>Vset is increased, meaning that the timing at which the switch must again be on to meet demand is extended, producing a further power saving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: Texas Instruments (Cork) Limited
    Inventor: Colin Gillmor
  • Patent number: 8054656
    Abstract: A switching control circuit is coupled to a switching device and an auxiliary winding of a transformer, wherein a primary winding of the transformer is coupled to the switching device. The switching control circuit includes a voltage receiver, a comparing unit and a propagation delay circuit, wherein the voltage receiver is coupled to the auxiliary winding of the transformer for receiving a reflected voltage signal and transforming the reflected voltage signal into a peak voltage signal, while the switching device is turned off. The comparing unit is coupled to the voltage receiver for receiving the peak voltage signal and a first threshold voltage, and outputting a comparison result. The propagation delay circuit is coupled to the comparing unit for receiving the comparison result, and outputting a PWM signal to turn on the switching device after a delay time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: System General Corp.
    Inventors: Ying-Chieh Su, Chih-Chi Chang
  • Publication number: 20110255311
    Abstract: A flyback converter system and feedback controlling apparatus and method of operating the same are disclosed. The feedback controlling apparatus for the flyback converter system includes a primary feedback loop unit for generating a primary feedback signal, and a secondary feedback loop unit for generating a secondary feedback signal, a loop selector. In light-load conditions, the loop selector supplies the primary feedback signal to a PWM controller for feedback control, and the secondary feedback loop unit is disabled by a power monitor to save electrical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Wei-Chan HSU, Chong-Hock Yeam, Siang-Yu Yang
  • 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: 8035999
    Abstract: An isolating self-oscillation flyback converter includes a coupling transformer T1, a FET TR1, a transistor TR2, a photoelectric coupling isolator OC1 and a load feedback circuit Adj. The common polarity terminal of a feedback winding Nfb of the coupling transformer T1 is connected to the gate of the FET TR1 via a capacitance C1 and a resistance R2, and connected to the base of the transistor TR2 via a capacitance C2. The base of the transistor TR2 is also connected to the emitter of the photoelectric coupling isolator OC1. The photoelectric coupling isolator OC1 is connected to the positive terminal of the output voltage. The opposite polarity terminal of the feedback winding Nfb is connected to the collector of the photoelectric coupling isolator OC1 via a resistance R5, and connected to ground via a capacitance C5. The common polarity terminal of the feedback winding Nfb is also connected to the cathode of a diode D, and the anode of the diode D is connected to ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Mornsun Guangzhou Science & Technology Limited
    Inventors: Jiangjian Huang, Jianfeng Song
  • Patent number: 8027174
    Abstract: An advantage of the present invention is to provide an adapter power supply which varies a link voltage of DC power serving an input power of a DC/DC converter according to variation of a load current estimated by measuring a secondary current using a lossless current measurement technique at a primary terminal of a transformer of the DC/DC converter and thus presuming a load current of an output power. An adapter power supply according to present invention may include an AC/DC converter converting a commercial AC power into a DC power; a DC/DC converter including a transformer composed of a primary terminal and a secondary terminal in order to output an output power by converting a link voltage of the DC power; and a controller presuming a load current of the output power through a primary current of the transformer and varying the link voltage of the DC power according to variation of the estimated load current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byoung Woo Ryu, Gun Woo Moon, Seong Wook Choi, Jong Sun Kim, Dong Seong Oh
  • Publication number: 20110216560
    Abstract: An AC/DC two stage converter includes a non-isolated switch-mode regulated AC/DC voltage step-down first stage converter comprising an AC input and a first DC output. The AC voltage applied to the AC input is rectified and switch-mode regulated to a first DC voltage at the first DC output. The first DC voltage is lower than a peak voltage of the AC voltage applied to the AC input. An isolated switch-mode regulated DC/DC second stage converter includes a second DC input coupled to the first DC output and at least one second DC output, wherein the first DC voltage is switch-mode regulated to a second DC voltage at a second DC output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventor: Sheng Ye