Having Feedback Winding Inductively Coupled To Inverter Inductive Device (e.g., Tertiary Winding, Etc.) Patents (Class 363/21.16)
  • Patent number: 8811043
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a switching regulator, including: a power stage including at least one power transistor which switches according to a switch control signal to convert an input voltage to an output voltage; a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal generator generating a PWM signal according to the output voltage; an over current detection circuit comparing a current sensing signal with a reference signal to generate an over current signal indicating whether an over current is occurring; and a signal adjustment circuit adjusting the PWM signal or a clock signal to generate the switch control signal for controlling an ON time of the power transistor of the power stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Richtek Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Kuang-Fu Chang, Yu-Chang Chen
  • Patent number: 8804380
    Abstract: A switching mode power supply (SMPS) includes a power transistor coupled to the primary winding of transformer and a resistor coupled between the input power source and a control terminal of the power transistor for triggering a primary current flow through the power transistor for providing startup power. A primary side control circuit is configured to regulate the output of the SMPS. A secondary side control circuit is coupled to the secondary winding and being configured to provide a first electrical signal to the secondary winding when an output voltage of the SMPS is less than a first reference voltage, whereupon an awakening signal is induced in the auxiliary winding and causes the primary side control circuit to provide a turn-on signal to the power transistor. The primary side control circuit is configured to enter a standby mode or a normal operating mode in response to the awakening signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: BCD Semiconductor Manufacturing Limited
    Inventors: Xiaoru Gao, Yajiang Zhu, Chao Chen, Meiling Zhang
  • Patent number: 8804379
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Neoenergy Microelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Chan Hsu, Chong-Hock Yeam, Siang-Yu Yang
  • Publication number: 20140218978
    Abstract: A converter is suggested comprising a transformer providing a galvanic isolation between a primary side and a secondary side of the converter; at least one switching element; a converter control unit comprising a first pin for controlling the at least one switching element and a second pin for detecting a current signal in the at least one switching element during a first phase; and for detecting an output voltage signal of the secondary side of the converter and an information regarding a current in a secondary winding of the transformer during a second phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRIA AG
    Inventors: Tobias HEUKEN, Marc FAHLENKAMP
  • Patent number: 8796941
    Abstract: A method for operating a lamp, wherein in the preheating phase a first value of the voltage drop correlated with the reciprocal of the electrical resistance of a coil of the lamp is determined across a resistor at a first instant, and a second value of the voltage drop is determined at a second instant, may include: a) determining the difference between a first and the second value; b) b1) if the difference is greater than a first threshold value: carrying out an algorithm for lamp-type recognition; b2) if the difference is not greater than the first threshold value: c1) if the difference is greater than a second threshold value: d1) if the second value is greater than a third threshold value: determining a coil short circuit; d2) if the second value is not greater than the third threshold value: operating the lamp with the current set of operating parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: OSRAM Gesellschaft mit Beschraenkter Haftung
    Inventors: Peter Krummel, Andreas Mitze
  • Publication number: 20140211518
    Abstract: A controller circuit for the control of a power converter is disclosed. An example controller circuit generates a waveform that drives a switch that controls the power converter. The controller circuit includes a divider module that generates a modification factor based on a ratio of the two input signals of the module. The circuit includes a module that generates a first waveform configured for a critical conducting mode of operation of a power converter and an on-time adjuster module that modifies the first waveform based on the modification factor and generates a second waveform. The second waveform is delivered to the switch. An example modification factor is the ratio of the output voltage to the rectified input voltage of the power converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: ATMEL Corporation
    Inventors: Hong Zhang, Sean S. Chen, Dilip Sangam
  • Patent number: 8787046
    Abstract: A power supply device including a rectifying unit, a supplying unit, a controlling unit, a conversion unit and a detection unit is disclosed. The rectifying unit processes an alternating current (AC) voltage to generate a direct current (DC) voltage. The supplying unit generates an operation voltage according to an input voltage. The controlling unit receives the operation voltage and generating an enabling signal. The conversion unit transforms the DC voltage to generate an auxiliary voltage according to the enabling signal. The auxiliary voltage is not equal to the operation voltage. The detection unit detects the auxiliary voltage. When the auxiliary voltage is generated, the detection unit de-activates the supplying unit to stop generating the operation voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Wen-Cheng Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8780587
    Abstract: A control circuit of a switching regulator, which controls rectified power within a predetermined range, detects an input voltage and an input current to generate a voltage detection signal and a current detection signal respectively, and the voltage detection signal and the current detection signal are multiplied by one the other to generate a power index. The control circuit generates an error signal according to the power index and a reference signal. A low-pass-filter filters a high frequency band in the process. A control signal generation circuit of the control circuit generates a control signal according to the error signal. And a driver circuit of the control circuit generates an operation signal according to the control signal, for switching a power switch to convert the rectified power to an output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Richtek Technology Corporation, R.O.C.
    Inventors: Chia-Wei Liao, Jing-Meng Liu, Leng-Nien Hsiu, Pei-Yuan Chen
  • Patent number: 8780590
    Abstract: A fly-back power converter has a current-estimating control loop that senses the primary output current in a transformer to control the secondary output. A primary-side control circuit switches primary current through the transformer on and off. A discharge time when a secondary current through an auxiliary winding of the transformer is flowing is generated by sampling a voltage divider on an auxiliary loop for a knee-point. A normalized duty cycle is calculated by multiplying the discharge time by a current that is proportional to the switching frequency and comparing to a sawtooth signal having the switching frequency. The peak of a primary-side voltage is sensed from the primary current loop and converted to a current and multiplied by the normalized duty cycle to generate an estimated current. An error amp compares the estimated current to a reference to adjust the oscillator frequency and peak current to control primary switching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Hong Kong Applied Science & Technology Research Institute Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Wai Kit (Victor) So, Hing Kit Kwan, Chik Wai (David) Ng, Po Wah (Patrick) Chang
  • Publication number: 20140185336
    Abstract: A switching power supply apparatus includes a transformer having a primary winding, a secondary winding, and an auxiliary winding, a switching element coupled in series to the primary winding; an output circuit section generating a voltage output from power transferred from the primary winding to the secondary winding in response to a switching operation of the switching element, a feedback signal generation circuit section configured to, during a secondary side conduction period in which an electric current flows through the secondary winding, generate a feedback signal having a signal level corrected based on a length of the secondary side conduction period, from an auxiliary winding voltage induced in the auxiliary winding, and a control circuit section driving the switching element based on the feedback signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: SANKEN ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeki SUGAHARA, Yoshimichi TADAMASA
  • Patent number: 8767423
    Abstract: A power supply controller includes an input voltage sense input and an output voltage sense input coupled to sense an input voltage and an output voltage of a power supply. A current limit circuit includes a first variable resistance coupled in parallel with a second variable resistance. The first variable resistance responsive the input voltage of the power supply and the second variable resistance is responsive to the output voltage of the power supply. The current limit circuit is coupled to generate a current limit signal in response to an equivalent resistance of the first variable resistance coupled in parallel with the second variable resistance. A drive signal generator is coupled to generate a drive signal in response to the current limit signal to drive a power switch of the power supply to limit an output power of the power supply in response to the input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventor: William M. Polivka
  • Patent number: 8767412
    Abstract: Control devices can be destroyed or damaged by their supply voltage in the event of malfunction. The voltage supply according to the present invention comprises a means (12) having a primary part (121) and secondary part (122), the primary part (121) being connected to the voltage source (10) and being controllable by means of the voltage output (112) of the voltage converter (11), and the secondary part (122) comprising a first and a second mutually independent winding, a supply voltage for the control device being made available by means of the first winding, and the second winding being connected to the voltage input (111) of the voltage converter (11) so that a supply voltage, additional to the voltage source (10), for the voltage converter (11) is implemented by means of the second winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Wecht
  • Patent number: 8755203
    Abstract: An improved valley-mode switching (VMS) scheme and circuitry for implementing the improved VMS switching scheme in a switch-mode power converter are disclosed. For a given switching cycle, a desired switch turn-on time is determined based on a pulse width modulation, pulse frequency modulation, or other suitable power converter control scheme. Also, one or more times corresponding to local minimums (valleys) are predicted for the voltage across a power switch of the switching power converter. The power switch is turned on at a valley immediately subsequent or otherwise subsequent to the desired switch time determined according to the power converter control scheme. Thus, the improved VMS scheme enables low-voltage switch operation to reduce switching loss and EMI noise without restricting the control scheme of the power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Yong Li, Hien Huu Bui, Junjie Zheng, John William Kesterson
  • Publication number: 20140160809
    Abstract: System and method for regulating an output of a power conversion system. An example system controller includes a signal generator and a modulation and drive component. The signal generator is configured to receive at least a first signal indicating a magnitude of an input voltage received by a primary winding of a power conversion system and receive a second signal indicating a magnitude of a primary current flowing through the primary winding, and generate a third signal. The modulation and drive component is configured to receive at least the third signal, generate a drive signal based on at least information associated with the third signal, and output the drive signal to a switch to affect the primary current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: ON-BRIGHT ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI)CO., LTD.
    Inventor: ON-BRIGHT ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
  • Publication number: 20140146579
    Abstract: A controller of the power converter according to the present invention comprises a gate driver. The gate driver generates a gate-drive signal. The gate-drive signal is coupled to drive a power transistor to switch a transformer of the power converter for regulating an output of the power converter. The gate driver has a charge-pump circuit for charging pump a voltage level of the gate-drive signal. Therefore, the gate-drive signal can fully turn on the power transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: SYSTEM GENERAL CORP.
    Inventors: TA-YUNG YANG, CHIN-YEN LIN, JUNG-SHENG CHEN, LI LIN
  • Patent number: 8730687
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: System General Corporation
    Inventors: Ta-Yung Yang, Chao-Chih Lin
  • Publication number: 20140132179
    Abstract: The present application relates to switched mode power supplies and provides a method of control in which control is effected at the midpoint of the period in which the input switch is conducting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Conor McAuliffe, Paul Grogan
  • Publication number: 20140133194
    Abstract: A power converter controller includes a drive circuit coupled to control switching of a power switch to control a transfer of energy from an input of the power converter to an output of the power converter. A voltage sensor is coupled to the drive circuit to receive a feedback signal. The voltage sensor includes pulse sampler circuitry coupled to sample a first voltage representative of one of the peaks other than a first peak of ringing of the feedback signal in a first enabled switching cycle, sample a second voltage representative of the same peak of ringing of the feedback signal in a subsequent enabled switching cycle, and compare the sample of the first voltage with the sample of the second voltage and output a change signal based on the comparison. The drive circuit is further coupled to control switching of the power switch in response to the change signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Alex B. Djenguerian, Arthur B. Odell, Henson Wu
  • Publication number: 20140133195
    Abstract: A control device for controlling a switching power supply adapted to convert an input voltage into an output voltage according to a switching rate of a switching element. The control device includes first control means for switching the switching element in a first working mode at a constant frequency and second control means for switching the switching element in a second working mode at a variable frequency, under a maximum frequency, in response to the detection of a predefined operative condition of the switching power supply. The control device further includes means for selecting the first working mode or the second working mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.
    Inventors: Giovanni LOMBARDO, Claudio ADRAGNA, Salvatore TUMMINARO
  • Patent number: 8710760
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus for LED is provided. The power supply apparatus for LED includes a transformer, a first output unit, and a second output unit. The transformer includes a primary winding, a secondary winding receiving a power induced from the primary winding, and a tertiary winding receiving the power induced from the primary winding. The first output unit is connected to the secondary winding of the transformer, and outputs a first power current to an LED in a first operating condition. The second output unit is connected to the tertiary winding of the transformer, and outputs a second power current to the LED in a second operating condition. When the LED is connected to the power supply apparatus for LED, the power supply apparatus allows a current equal to or less than a predetermined current to flow in the LED, thereby protecting the LED from an overcurrent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung Rae Cho, Dong Young Huh
  • Patent number: 8711578
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a power supply controller is configured to adjust a peak value of a primary current through a power switch responsively to a difference between a demagnetization time and a discharge time of the parasitic leakage inductance of a transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Joel Turchi
  • Patent number: 8699241
    Abstract: There is provided a switching mode power supply including: a direct current (DC)/DC converting unit converting a DC power level; an auxiliary power supply unit discharged in a no load mode in which a load is not connected to an output terminal of the DC/DC converting unit; and a controlling unit sensing a change in impedance according to whether or not the load is connected to the output terminal to thereby determine whether or not the switching mode power supply is in the no load mode, and driving a pulse width modulation integrated chip (PWM IC) when a voltage level of the auxiliary power supply unit is at a preset level or less in the no load mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byoung Woo Ryu, Young Woon Choi, Seong Wook Choi
  • Patent number: 8693219
    Abstract: A power factor improvement circuit includes a low frequency filter unit installed between two electrodes of an output terminal of a rectifier unit for adjusting voltage and current inputted to a PWM control IC in-phase, and first and second compensation circuits installed at a current compensation terminal and a voltage compensation terminal of the PWM control IC respectively, and the first and second compensation circuits are provided for reducing the current gain of the phase adjustment unit to avoid any unnecessary action of the PWM control IC, so as to achieve the effect of controlling a power factor to a level over 0.90 when a full voltage of 90-264V is inputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignees: Wafly Ltd.
    Inventor: Jui-Chih Yen
  • Publication number: 20140078790
    Abstract: System and method for regulating a power conversion system. A system controller for regulating a power conversion system includes an operation-mode-selection component and a driving component. The operation-mode-selection component is configured to receive a first signal related to an output load of the power conversion system and a second signal related to an input signal received by the power conversion system and output a mode-selection signal based on at least information associated with the first signal and the second signal. The driving component is configured to receive the mode-selection signal and generate a drive signal based on at least information associated with the mode-selection signal, the driving signal corresponding to a switching frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: ON-BRIGHT ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventor: ON-BRIGHT ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
  • Publication number: 20140078789
    Abstract: A power converter includes a transformer with a primary and a secondary winding. Feedback and control is maintained on the primary-side while a separate load detection circuit detects dynamic load conditions on the secondary-side. The load detection circuit detects dynamic load conditions at the time when a load is connected to the output of the switching power converter and, in turn, generates an alert signal. A coupling circuit coupled to the load detection circuit at the secondary winding side of the transformer and to the controller at the primary winding side of the transformer transmits the alert signal to the controller. The controller regulates the output voltage based on the feedback signal generated at the primary side of the transformer while detecting and responding to the dynamic load condition based on the alert signal generated at the secondary side of the transformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: iWatt Inc.
    Inventors: Yong Li, Jiang Chen, Junjie Zheng, Jianming Yao, Xiaolin Gao
  • Patent number: 8670248
    Abstract: This invention provides a primary-side controlled power converter comprising: an RC network coupled to an auxiliary winding of a transformer of the primary-side controlled power converter to detect a reflected voltage of the transformer for generating a reflected signal, and a controller coupled to the RC network to receive the reflected signal for generating a switching signal; wherein the RC network develops a zero to provide a high-frequency path for shortening a rising time and a settling time of the reflected signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: System General Corporation
    Inventor: Ta-Yung Yang
  • Patent number: 8659915
    Abstract: A valley-detection device for quasi-resonance switching and a method using the same is disclosed, which uses first and second capacitors to connect with a comparator, and the comparator connects with an NMOSFET connecting to a transformer. When the NMOSFET is turned off, the energy stored in the transformer is discharged and a resonant signal across the source and the drain is generated, and a first constant current charges the first capacitor at a start time point of the resonant signal until a voltage of the resonant signal first reaches to a crossing voltage. Then, a second constant current charges the second capacitor when the voltage of the resonant signal equals to the crossing voltage while the voltage of the resonant signal varies from high to low. Finally, the comparator turns on the NMOSFET when a voltage of the second capacitor equals to a voltage of the first capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: SYNC Power Corp.
    Inventor: Cheng-Wen Tsui
  • Publication number: 20140043869
    Abstract: The power supply apparatus includes a switch element for turning ON and OFF supply of electric power to a primary winding of a transformer; a determining unit connected to an auxiliary winding of the transformer, for determining an ON-time of the switch element; and a switching unit for switching the ON-time determined by the determining unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Jun Hirabayashi
  • Publication number: 20140043868
    Abstract: A switching power supply system includes a transformer having a primary winding, a secondary winding and a tertiary winding, a switching device inputted to the primary winding carrying out switching operation on the basis of a first control signal or a second control signal, an output voltage producing section rectifying and smoothing a voltage generated in the secondary winding to produce an output voltage, an output voltage detecting section producing an output voltage detection signal based on a voltage generated in the tertiary winding, a checking pulse generator generating pulses of the first control signal, and a switching controlling section producing the second control signal on the basis of the output voltage detection signal. The switching power supply system is capable of carrying out stable control of the output voltage on the secondary winding side of the transformer with a low power loss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiko SAKURAI, Yukihiro NISHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20140016375
    Abstract: A switching mode power supply (SMPS) includes a transformer having a primary winding for coupling to an input power source, a secondary winding for providing an output voltage of the SMPS, and an auxiliary winding. The SMPS also has a power transistor coupled to the primary winding and a primary side control circuit coupled to the auxiliary winding and the power transistor. The primary side control circuit is configured to regulate the output of the SMPS by controlling the power switch in response to a feedback voltage signal that is representative of an output of the SMPS. The SMPs also has a secondary-side control circuit coupled to the secondary winding and being configured to cause the output voltage of the SMPS to discharge when the output voltage of the SMPS is higher than a first reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: BCD Semiconductor Manufacturing Limited
    Inventors: CHAO GAO, PINGAN ZHAO, CHAO CHEN
  • Patent number: 8630102
    Abstract: A power converter includes a dc input having first and second terminals. A main converter is coupled to the first terminal of the dc input. A standby circuit coupled to the second terminal of the dc input and the main converter. The main converter is coupled to control a transfer of energy from the dc input through the standby circuit to a main output of the main converter during a normal operating condition of the power supply. The standby circuit is coupled to decouple the main converter from the second terminal of the dc input during a standby operating condition of the power converter. A standby converter is coupled to the first and second terminals of the dc input to control a transfer of energy from the dc input to a standby output of the standby converter during the standby operating condition of the power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Balu Balakrishnan, David Michael Hugh Matthews
  • Publication number: 20140009977
    Abstract: Discloses are a constant current control unit and a control method, apt to a switched mode power supply with primary side control. The switched mode power supply comprises a power switch and an inductive device. A reflective voltage of the inductive device is detected to generate a feedback voltage signal. By delaying the feedback voltage signal, a delayed signal is generated. According to the feedback voltage and the delayed signal determining, a discharge time of the inductive device is determined when the power switch is OFF. According to the discharge time and a current-sense signal, a maximum average output current of the switched mode power supply is stabilized. The current-sense signal represents a current flowing through the inductive device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: LEADTREND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yu-Yun Huang, Yi-Lun Shen
  • Patent number: 8625309
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Kawamura
  • Publication number: 20140003098
    Abstract: Provided is a PWM control circuit for a DC-DC converter, flyback converter and a method of controlling a PWM of a DC-DC converter. The PWM control circuit for the DC-DC converter includes a current sensing unit configured to sense a primary-side current, a zero-current detecting unit configured to detect a zero-current from a secondary-side auxiliary winding, a time calculating unit configured to receive a main switch control signal and an output signal of the zero-current detecting unit to calculate a time from an OFF point of a main switch to a point that the secondary-side current becomes zero, and a control unit configured to receive an output signal of the current sensing unit and time information produced by the time calculating unit to calculate a secondary-side output voltage and perform PWM control with respect to the main switch according to the calculated secondary-side output voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Deuk Hee Park, Sang Hyun Cha, Youn Joong Lee, Chang Seok Lee
  • Publication number: 20130329469
    Abstract: The power supply apparatus includes the feedback winding of a transformer having a first winding, and a second winding whose number of turns is larger than that of the first winding. A voltage output from the transformer is detected. Based on the detected voltage, connection between a switch element and the first winding or the second winding is switched.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventor: Junichi Kubota
  • Patent number: 8605468
    Abstract: In a switching power supply, a current detection resistor is connected to a switching unit to detect a current flowing through the switching unit. A diode is connected in parallel to the current detection resistor to reduce heat generated in the switching unit by back electromotive force generated by an inductance component of the current detection resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinichiro Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8605462
    Abstract: The present invention provides a switching circuit to regulate an output voltage and a maximum output current at the primary side of a resonant power converter. The switching circuit includes a pair of switching devices and a controller. The controller is coupled to a transformer to sample a voltage signal thereof and generates switching signals to control the switching devices. The switching frequency of the switching signals is increased in response to the decrease of the output voltage. The increase of the switching frequency of the switching signals decreases the power delivered to the output of the resonant power converter. The output current is therefore regulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: System General Corporation
    Inventor: Ta-Yung Yang
  • Patent number: 8599581
    Abstract: A switching mode power supply, and a primary-side controlled PFM converter using the primary-side regulated PFM controller are discussed. In present embodiment, the primary side cycle by cycle switch peak current is no longer a constant. The time detector is added to monitor the waveform of primary-side sample voltage and then generate the duty cycle. The transfer function should be selected to satisfy a specific relationship of switching frequency and switch peak current against with output loading current. The new design shows higher switching frequency but lower value of switch peak current at light load condition. This resolves the audible noise and poor transient response issue from the prior art PFM controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Fremont Micro Devices (SZ) Limited
    Inventors: Yuquan Huang, Matthew Man Ho Ku
  • Patent number: 8599582
    Abstract: A control circuit includes a feedback circuit, a drive signal generator, an unregulated dormant mode and output reset control circuit, and a counter. The feedback circuit generates an enable signal and in response, the drive signal generator regulates the output of the power converter. The unregulated dormant mode and output reset control circuit powers down the drive signal generator such that the regulation is ceased when the energy requirement at the output has fallen below a threshold. The drive signal generator is then powered up after a first period of time such that the regulation resumes. The counter then counts cycles of a clock signal for which the enable signal indicates an increase in the energy requirement at the output. The counter disables the drive signal generator when a count of the counter reaches a threshold number to discharge the output to less than a regulation output voltage value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas J. Bailey, David Michael Hugh Matthews
  • Patent number: 8593832
    Abstract: A power converter includes a current controller coupled to an energy transfer element to selectively enable a first, second or third current in the current controller. The first current is substantially zero, the second current is greater than the third current, and the third current is greater than the first current. The third current only partially discharges a capacitance coupled to the energy transfer element and the current controller. A control circuit is to be coupled to the current controller to selectively enable the first, second or third current in the current controller. A first feedback circuit is coupled to generate a first feedback signal while the first current is enabled by the current controller after a full discharge pulse. A second feedback circuit is coupled to generate a second feedback signal while the first current is enabled in the controller after a partial discharge pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex B. Djenguerian, Arthur B. Odell, Henson Wu
  • Patent number: 8593841
    Abstract: A compensation circuit and method for constant current regulation of switching mode power supply are disclosed. The ringing waveform of a feedback signal, indicative of the output current of the power supply, causes error. To eliminate the error, a current source charges a capacitor in response to a demagnetizing oscillation signal indicative of the error caused by the ringing waveform of the feedback signal. The voltage across the capacitor is compared to a reference signal to generate a more accurate signal indicative of the conductive time of a secondary diode in a secondary winding of the switching mode power supply. This more accurate signal is inputted to a logic circuit to generate a constant current control signal to control a power switch of the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Chengdu Monolithic Power Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Siran Wang, Yuancheng Ren, Junming Zhang, En Li
  • Publication number: 20130307917
    Abstract: The power supply apparatus for obtaining a direct current from an alternating voltage source includes a first DC/DC converter for outputting a first direct current and a second DC/DC converter for a second direct current lower than the first direct current from the first DC/DC converter, and the output voltage of the first DC/DC converter is changed to a lower direct current and the second DC/DC converter is driven in a continuously-conducting state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Minoru Hayasaki, Keisuke Samejima
  • Publication number: 20130308350
    Abstract: System and method for regulating a power converter. The system includes a first signal generator configured to receive at least an input signal and generate at least a first output signal associated with demagnetization and a second output signal associated with sampling. Additionally, the system includes a sampling component configured to receive at least the input signal and the second output signal, sample the input signal based on at least information associated with the second output signal, and generate at least a third output signal associated with one or more sampled magnitudes. Moreover, the system includes an error amplifier configured to receive at least the third output signal and a first threshold voltage and generate at least a fourth output signal with a capacitor, the capacitor being coupled to the error amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: ON-BRIGHT ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiaomin Huang, Yaming Cao, Xiuhong Zhang, Lieyi Fang
  • Patent number: 8587969
    Abstract: A power converter is disclosed. An example power converter includes an energy transfer element coupled between a power converter input and a power converter output. A power switch is coupled to the energy transfer element and the power converter input. A feedback sampling circuit is coupled to receive a feedback signal representative of the power converter output to generate feedback signal samples during switching cycles. A switch conduction scheduling circuit is coupled to determine enabling and disabling of the power switch in future switching cycles in response to the feedback signal samples from a present switching cycle and one or more past switching cycles. A switch conduction control circuit is coupled to enable or disable conduction of the power switch during a switching cycle to control an amount of energy transferred from the power converter input to the power converter output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex B. Djenguerian, Balu Balakrishnan, Erdem Bircan, David Michael Hugh Matthews
  • Patent number: 8582329
    Abstract: A switching power converter provides regulated voltage to a load according to a desired regulation voltage. The switching power converter includes a transformer coupled to a switch and a switch controller for generating a control signal to control switching. The switch controller monitors a sensed voltage representing the output voltage of the switching power converter. The switch controller controls switching of the switch to operate the switching power converter in a continuous conduction mode while the sensed output voltage indicates that the output voltage is less than a first threshold voltage. The switch controller controls switching of the switch to operate the switching power converter in a discontinuous conduction mode while the sensed output voltage is above the first threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: iWatt Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaolin Gao, Yong Li, Hien Huu Bui, Fuqiang Shi
  • Patent number: 8582324
    Abstract: A pulse width modulation controller and method for output ripple reduction of a jittering frequency switching power supply detect the current of a power switch of the switching power supply to generate a current sense signal, and adjust the gain or the level of the current sense signal according to the switching frequency of the power switch to adjust the on time of the power switch, to reduce the output ripple of the switching power supply caused by the jittering frequency of the switching power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Richpower Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Kun-Yu Lin, Tzu-Chen Lin, Pei-Lun Huang
  • Patent number: 8582327
    Abstract: A method, in a power supply controller, of responding to an increase in current through a terminal of the power supply controller, is disclosed. The method includes regulating the terminal to a first voltage level and sensing a magnitude of a first current through the terminal while the controller is regulating the terminal to the first voltage level. The method also includes providing an initial response by the power supply controller in response to the magnitude of the first current exceeding a first threshold current level and then regulating the terminal to a second voltage level after the magnitude of the first current exceeds the first threshold current level. The magnitude of a second current through the terminal is sensed while the controller is regulating the terminal to the second voltage level and the controller determines a final response based on the magnitude of the second current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhao-Jun Wang, Stefan Bäurle, David Michael Hugh Matthews
  • Publication number: 20130294118
    Abstract: A fly-back power converter has a current-estimating control loop that senses the primary output current in a transformer to control the secondary output. A primary-side control circuit switches primary current through the transformer on and off. A discharge time when a secondary current through an auxiliary winding of the transformer is flowing is generated by sampling a voltage divider on an auxiliary loop for a knee-point. A normalized duty cycle is calculated by multiplying the discharge time by a current that is proportional to the switching frequency and comparing to a sawtooth signal having the switching frequency. The peak of a primary-side voltage is sensed from the primary current loop and converted to a current and multiplied by the normalized duty cycle to generate an estimated current. An error amp compares the estimated current to a reference to adjust the oscillator frequency and peak current to control primary switching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Hong Kong Applied Science & Technology Research Institute Company Limited
    Inventors: Wai Kit (Victor) SO, Hing Kit KWAN, Chik Wai (David) NG, Po Wah (Patrick) CHANG
  • Patent number: 8576588
    Abstract: The present technology are directed to switching mode power supplies with primary side control. In one embodiment, the switching mode power supply provides an equivalent current signal which represents a load current. The equivalent current signal is then used to control a switching circuit in the switching mode power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Naixing Kuang, Lei Du, Junming Zhang, Yuancheng Ren
  • Patent number: 8576587
    Abstract: A predictive synchronous rectification controller for controlling at least one synchronous rectification switch is provided. The synchronous rectification controller has a ramp generator, a peak sampling unit, and an output control unit. The ramp generator receives a synchronous signal and generates a ramp signal accordingly. The peak sampling unit generates a predicted reference voltage signal by retrieving a peak voltage of the ramp signal. The output control unit compares the ramp signal with the predicted reference voltage signal to generate a synchronous rectification control signal to control a conducting state of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Niko Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ta-Ching Hsu