Having Feedback Winding Inductively Coupled To Inverter Inductive Device (e.g., Tertiary Winding, Etc.) Patents (Class 363/21.16)
  • Publication number: 20080123372
    Abstract: A control circuit includes a switch coupled to a transformer of a power converter for switching the transformer. A sampling circuit is coupled to the transformer to sample a reflected voltage of the transformer to generate a voltage signal. A switching circuit generates a switching signal to control the switch in response to the voltage signal. The minimum on time of the switching signal is changed in response to the change of an input voltage of the power converter. Because the pulse width of the reflected voltage is narrower at light load, the minimum on time of the switching signal helps the reflected voltage detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventor: Ta-yung Yang
  • Publication number: 20080112194
    Abstract: The invention concerns control of a switched-mode power supply. A switched-mode power supply according to the invention comprises a secondary switch that enables a secondary side of the switched-mode power supply to charge magnetic energy into a transformer of the switched-mode power supply. The switched-mode power supply comprises also a control circuitry that controls the operation of the secondary switch. Due to the fact that the secondary side is able to return energy to a primary side of the switched-mode power supply the control of the switched-mode power supply can be fast. Furthermore, a need for an isolator circuit, e.g. an optical isolator, is avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventor: Esa Sarkela
  • Patent number: 7362592
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a switching control circuit for a primary-side controlled power converter. A voltage-waveform detector produces a voltage-feedback signal and a discharge-time signal. A current-waveform detector generates a current-waveform signal by measuring a primary-side switching current. An integrator generates a current-feedback signal by integrating the current-waveform signal with the discharge time. A time constant of the integrator is correlated with the switching frequency, thus the current-feedback signal is proportional to an output current of the power converter. A PWM circuit controls the pulse width of the switching signal in response to the outputs of a voltage-loop error amplifier and a current-loop error amplifier. The output voltage and the maximum output current of the power converter are therefore regulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: System General Corp.
    Inventors: Ta-yung Yang, Guo-Kiang Hung, Jenn-yu G. Lin, Chuh-Ching Li, Shao-Wei Chiu
  • Patent number: 7362593
    Abstract: A voltage-waveform detector produces a voltage-feedback signal and a discharge-time signal by multi-sampling a voltage signal of a transformer. The discharge-time signal represents a discharge time of a secondary-side switching current. A voltage-loop error amplifier amplifies the voltage-feedback signal and generates a control signal. An off-time modulator correspondingly generates a discharge-current signal and a standby signal in response to the control signal and an under-voltage signal. The under-voltage signal indicates a low supply voltage of the controller. An oscillator produces a pulse signal in response to the discharge-current signal. The pulse signal determines the off-time of the switching signal. A PWM circuit generates the switching signal in response to the pulse signal and the standby signal. The standby signal further controls the off-time of the switching signal and maintains a minimum switching frequency. The switching signal is used for regulating the output of the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: System General Corp.
    Inventors: Ta-yung Yang, Guo-Kiang Hung, Jenn-yu G. Lin, Chuh-Ching Li, Feng Cheng Tsao
  • Patent number: 7359220
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a control circuit and an associated method of controlling the output voltage of a primarily controlled power switching supply with a primary-sided switch and a transformer with an auxiliary winding, in which after opening the primary-sided switch an auxiliary voltage for indicating the output voltage is induced. The induced voltage is supplied to a control circuit as control variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: FRIWO Mobile Power GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf Schröder Gen. Berghegger
  • Patent number: 7349229
    Abstract: A causal sampling circuit is developed to measure a reflected voltage and demagnetizing time of the transformer. It includes a signal-generation circuit to generate a sample signal for sampling the reflected voltage of the transformer. A ramp signal of the sampling circuit is generated in response to the demagnetizing of the transformer. A first reference signal is generated in accordance with the magnitude of the ramp signal after the transformer is fully demagnetized. A second reference signal is generated in response to the ramp signal and a bias signal. The sample signal is enabled in response to the demagnetizing of the transformer. The sample signal is disabled once the second reference signal is higher than the first reference signal. A sample-and-hold circuit is coupled to the transformer to sample the reflected voltage of the transformer in response to the sample signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: System General Corp.
    Inventor: Ta-Yung Yang
  • Patent number: 7342812
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sensing the output current in a switch mode power supply (SMPS) using primary side sensing are described. A module senses a current in a primary winding of a transformer and a voltage on a primary or auxiliary winding of the transformer, and which includes a multiplier coupled to an output of a signal averager averaging a primary winding current and to an output of a timing signal generator using the sensed voltage to signal when a secondary winding is powering an output of the SMPS, to multiply an averaged current sense signal by a fraction of a total cycle period of said SMPS during which the secondary winding is providing power to provide a signal estimating an output current of the SMPS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Cambridge Semiconductor Limited
    Inventors: Johan Piper, David M. Garner, David Robert Coulson
  • Patent number: 7339804
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter of the present invention includes: an activation circuit which activates a control circuit for controlling a turning on and off of a switching element; a second rectifying and smoothing circuit which supplies an output voltage, as a power supply, to the control circuit, the output voltage being obtained by rectifying and smoothing a voltage in a tertiary winding of a transformer; an overcurrent protection circuit which limits an output current to be supplied to a load when overloaded; an overcurrent detection circuit which detects that the load is in an overcurrent state, and which outputs a detection signal during a period when the overcurrent protection circuit is operated; and an activation current switching circuit which switches outputs from the activation circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihiro Uchida
  • Publication number: 20080049459
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus that includes a power supply having a primary coil and a secondary coil. The secondary coil generates an output voltage and a feedback voltage related to the output voltage. The feedback voltage is sampled at a time instant that is digitally controllable. The output voltage is determined from the feedback voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Matthew Blaha, Albert Molina, Patrick J. Quirk, Fadi Saibi
  • Patent number: 7330360
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter is provided, which includes a transformer including a primary coil and a secondary coil, a boost converter connected to the primary coil of the transformer and generating a first voltage, and a flyback converter connected to the secondary coil of the transformer and generating a second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Gil Lee, Don-Chan Cho, Jong-Seo Lee, Gi-Cherl Kim, Sang-Yu Lee
  • Patent number: 7319601
    Abstract: A bootstrap circuit for switching power supplies (SMPS), a switching power supply including a bootstrap circuit, and an integrated circuit of a switching power supply, are provided. The bootstrap circuit (13) for switching power supplies includes a first supply voltage (Vin) coming from a first terminal and a second supply voltage (Vcc) coming from a second terminal and a third terminal (30). The bootstrap circuit includes: a first current path between the first terminal and the third terminal (30); a second current path between the first terminal and the second terminal; a third current path between the second terminal and the third terminal (30); and a two-way voltage regulator (M3, Dz2, R5, R6) placed along the second current path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Mauro Fagnani, Albino Pidutti, Claudio Adragna
  • Publication number: 20080007977
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sensing the output current in a switch mode power supply (SMPS) using primary side sensing are described. A module senses a current in a primary winding of a transformer and a voltage on a primary or auxiliary winding of the transformer, and which includes a multiplier coupled to an output of a signal averager averaging a primary winding current and to an output of a timing signal generator using the sensed voltage to signal when a secondary winding is powering an output of the SMPS, to multiply an averaged current sense signal by a fraction of a total cycle period of said SMPS during which the secondary winding is providing power to provide a signal estimating an output current of the SMPS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: Johan Piper, David M. Garner, David Robert Coulson
  • Patent number: 7310248
    Abstract: A switching power supply for achieving a constant current drooping characteristic of sufficient accuracy with low cost and the minimum number of components. In the switching power supply, a secondary duty limiter circuit outputs a clock signal from the time a switching element is turned off until the time the on duty of secondary current, which starts flowing to a secondary winding of a transformer, is fixed at a predetermined value. A clock signal selector circuit selects and outputs the clock signal when a load increases and the on duty of the secondary current reaches the predetermined value. Consequently, when the load increases, a direct current output voltage decreases and an output characteristic becomes a constant current drooping characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Mori
  • Patent number: 7301786
    Abstract: A quasi resonant type switching power supplying unit includes an overcurrent limiting circuit and an oscillation level comparison circuit. The overcurrent limiting circuit (i.e., a level determining circuit and a reference voltage generating circuit) receives a reverse electromotive voltage generated from an auxiliary winding which is electromagnetically connected with a primary winding when a MOSFET is in an OFF state, and produces a reference voltage stepwise based on the reverse electromotive voltage. The oscillation level comparison circuit receives a feedback voltage corresponding to electric power supplied to a load, and produces a control signal that switches the MOSFET into an OFF state when the feedback voltage exceeds the reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasunari Noguchi, Yoshio Fujimura
  • Patent number: 7295450
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling the output voltage of a primary-controlled switched-mode power supply unit having a primary-side switch and a transformer with an auxiliary winding in which an auxiliary voltage which images the output voltage is induced after the primary-side switch is opened. The voltage induced in the auxiliary winding is fed to a control circuit as the control variable. The present invention also relates to a control circuit for performing such a control method and to an associated switched-mode power supply unit. To adjust the output voltage and the output current in the simplest and most economical way while minimizing the cost of the components needed, the switching frequency of the primary-side switch is so adjusted in dependence on the auxiliary voltage in the present invention that the output voltage and the output current of the switched-mode power supply unit adopt values in accordance with a predetermined output characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Friwo Mobile Power GmbH
    Inventor: Ralf Schröder genannt Berghegger
  • Patent number: 7280374
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a single-stage power factor correction circuit that includes a first rectifier, a second rectifier, a full bridge rectifier, a capacitor, a seventh rectifier, a fly back transformer, and a switch. Unlike traditional single-stage power factor correction circuits, the present invention just needs to pass through two rectifiers at positive and negative half cycles, so as to reduce the conduction loss and lower the temperature of the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Inventor: Ming-Ho Huang
  • Publication number: 20070230224
    Abstract: A load control device includes a control circuit and a protection circuit. The control circuit controls driving of an electric load. The protection circuit monitors a power supply voltage supplied to the control circuit and stops control of driving the load by the control circuit, when the power supply voltage drops below a threshold value. The protection circuit provides the threshold value with a hysteresis characteristic having a width determined by a product of a wiring resistance of a path for supplying a driving current to the load and a maximum value of the driving current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masao Yamada, Satoshi Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 7274574
    Abstract: A circuit with a magnetically variable transformer having primary and secondary windings wound on a magnetic core wherein the transformer core with associated windings is placed in close proximity to an independently wound control coil. The transformer core is placed within the bore of the control coil and an optional focusing armature concentrates the magnetic field at the poles. Application of a control current forms poles at the control coil extremities and causes a change in permeability of the transformer core thereby altering the power output of the transformer inversely to the magnitude of the control current. The control current from the output of the secondary coil of a current transformer in series with the load and conditioned by a feedback conditioning circuit modulates the level of the control current. The magnetically variable transformer controls a D.C. to A.C. inverter circuit, which is useful in supplying power to a fluorescent lamp and other A.C. receptive loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Inventor: George E. Biegel
  • Patent number: 7272024
    Abstract: A synchronized rectification circuit and a switching power supply device having little power loss with respect to a wide range of input voltages and having a high efficiency, comprising first and second switch elements, first and second capacitors connected with each other capable to equalize held voltages thereof in response to sift of an input AC voltage to intermediate voltage (for example 0V), a first driving circuit for turning on a switch element according to the held voltage changed in response to shift the input AC voltage to 0V from a negative polarity voltage and turning off the switch element earlier than a time where the input voltage shifts to the negative polarity voltage from 0V, and a second driving circuit to drive a switch element in the same way but in reverse phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Tamura Corporation
    Inventors: Geliang Shao, Hiroaki Takada
  • Patent number: 7259972
    Abstract: A power converter includes a switch and a controller. The switch switches electrical power in the power converter. The controller generates a switching signal to control the switch in response to a first feedback signal associated with a voltage control loop and a second feedback signal associated with a current control loop. The controller can also allow the switching frequency to hop from frequency to frequency according to a digital pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: System General Corporation
    Inventor: Ta-yung Yang
  • Patent number: 7259973
    Abstract: In a semiconductor apparatus for controlling a switching power supply including a switching element and a switching operation control circuit, the switching operation of the switching element is controlled as follows: a comparison is made between an output voltage of an I-V converter, which detects the current of a control terminal and converts the current into a voltage, and a reference voltage of predetermined upper and lower limit voltages for detecting a standby state, and the switching operation of the switching element is stopped when the output voltage of the I-V converter is lower than the standby detection lower limit voltage, and the switching operation of the switching element is restarted when the output voltage of the I-V converter is higher than the standby detection upper limit voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuji Yamashita
  • Patent number: 7254045
    Abstract: A power factor is improved using a simplified structure without particularly providing a power factor improving circuit, and high efficiency is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Noritoshi Imamura
  • Publication number: 20070171686
    Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for the electrical isolation of signal lines, with an input (IN) for applying an input signal, an output (OUT) for releasing an output signal, and an initial branch (1) with an opto-coupler (OK) for optically coupling the input (IN) to the output (OUT), such that the input (IN) and the output (OUT) are connected in electrically isolated fashion by a second branch (2) with a capacitor (C1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventor: Siegbert Wohrle
  • Patent number: 7239532
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a primary-side feedback switching power supply that uses a sample-and-hold circuit to obtain a corner voltage of a harmonic wave voltage while the primary-side auxiliary winding is operating at a discontinuous mode as a feedback control, and provides both voltage regulation and current limit functions. A stable voltage output is provided within the nominal input voltage and nominal output load, such that when the output reaches a current limit, the output voltage drops but the output current is controlled to remain unchanged, so as to provide an over-current protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Niko Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Da-Jing Hsu, Hui-Qiang Yang
  • Patent number: 7233505
    Abstract: A flyback converter is comprised of a primary side and a secondary side. The primary side includes a primary winding and a switch both connected in series. The secondary side includes a secondary winding, a tertiary winding, a first resistor, a capacitor, a second resistor, and an MOSFET (metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor). The first resistor, the capacitor, and the second resistor are connected in series and together connected in parallel with the tertiary winding. The MOSFET is connected in parallel with the first resistor at its gate and source. Accordingly, when the switch is turned on/off, the power energy provided at the primary side can be transferred to the secondary side in a flyback manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Power Mate Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lien-Hsing Chen, Lien-Chien Ke
  • Patent number: 7230838
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for suppressing circuit noise due to parasitic elements in switch mode power supplies. The presented embodiments use actively controlled damping devices such as controllable resistors, current sources, and tri-state power devices to achieve required damping and to minimize power loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Peng Xu
  • Patent number: 7218536
    Abstract: The invention concerns a converter which includes two input terminals and two output terminals, a main transformer presenting primary and secondary windings connected between the input terminals and the output terminals respectively, a switching device, a first inductance and a first capacitance forming a first resonant circuit with the primary winding of the main transformer, a wound regulation transformer, presenting a primary winding, and a secondary winding connected in series with one of the windings of the main transformer, a switching device, a second inductance and a second capacitance forming a second resonant circuit with the primary winding of the regulation transformer and with this switching device and a command forming the first and second resonant circuits at a resonance frequency less than or equal to the resonance frequencies of the resonant circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Agence Spatiale Europeenne
    Inventor: Simon Henry Weinberg
  • Patent number: 7218532
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a switching mode power supply (SMPS) include: a power supply for supplying power to a secondary coil of a transformer according to an operation of a main switch, the main switch being coupled to a primary coil of the transformer; a feedback circuit for generating a feedback voltage corresponding to an output voltage; a control module for stopping the main switch when the feedback voltage is lower than a reference voltage in a standby operation mode; an integrated circuit (IC) power unit for generating a constant voltage, the IC power supply being coupled to the secondary coil of the transformer; and a current generator for using the constant voltage to generate a plurality of constant currents for operating a plurality of ICs, and generating a constant current from among the constant currents when the main switch performs no switching on/off operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Fairchild Korea Semiconductor, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Ho Choi, Young-Chul Ryu, Dong-Young Huh
  • Patent number: 7184279
    Abstract: A solid state switching circuit utilizes a transformer in series with the circuit's switching device by which energy initially stored in the primary of the transformer is recovered in resonant circuitry connected to the secondary of the transformer for transfer of the energy to the load when the switching device is not conducting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Thermatool Corp.
    Inventor: Thomas G. Lee
  • Patent number: 7170763
    Abstract: In a capacitor charger, a transformer has a primary winding connected between an input voltage and a switch for generating a primary current flowing through the primary winding by switching the switch to thereby induce a secondary current flowing through a secondary winding of the transformer and a secondary voltage tapered from the secondary winding, a control apparatus and method adjusts the on-time period for the switch in response to the input voltage. The charging time and charging current are independent of the input voltage, and there is no power loss resulted from current sense to the primary current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Richtek Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chung-Lung Pai, Kwan-Jen Chu, Chun-Yen Huang, Jing-Meng Liu
  • Patent number: 7161814
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter is provided which comprises an inductance element 10 having a plurality of in-phase windings NB, NA wound around a common magnetic core and connected to a load 5; a normal power source 16 for generating a reference voltage; a comparator 18 for comparing a voltage produced across winding NA with reference voltage VR of normal power souce 16 to produce an error signal. As a same electric current IO flows through the windings NB, NA of inductance element 10 in the opposite directions to each other to produce in magnetic core of inductance element 10 opposed magnetic fluxes which countervail each other and any kind of noise such as ripple and spike noises causing voltage fluctuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihiro Uchida
  • Patent number: 7161815
    Abstract: A switching power supply for achieving a constant current drooping characteristic of sufficient accuracy with low cost and the minimum number of components. In the switching power supply, a secondary duty limiter circuit outputs a clock signal from the time a switching element is turned off until the time the on duty of secondary current, which starts flowing to a secondary winding of a transformer, is fixed at a predetermined value. A clock signal selector circuit selects and outputs the clock signal when a load increases and the on duty of the secondary current reaches the predetermined value. Consequently, when the load increases, a direct current output voltage decreases and an output characteristic becomes a constant current drooping characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Mori
  • Patent number: 7154762
    Abstract: An input voltage is applied by an NMOS transistor (34) driven by an oscillation circuit (60) to a primary winding (32a) of a transformer (32) intermittently. A voltage induced in a secondary winding (32b) is rectified and smoothed by an output circuit (91) to be an output voltage. In a normal mode where no standby signal is supplied, the oscillation circuit (60) controls the NMOS transistor (34) so that the output voltage is stabilized at a predetermined first value. When a standby signal is supplied, a detection circuit (100) detects the standby signal and transmits the detection to a starting circuit (40). The starting circuit (40) starts the oscillation circuit (60) when a voltage of a capacitor (33) reaches an upper limit, and stops the oscillation circuit (60) when this voltage lowers below a lower limit. This upper limit is lower than an upper limit at which the starting circuit (40) starts the oscillation circuit (60) in the normal mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuichi Furukoshi, Mizuki Utsuno
  • Patent number: 7123488
    Abstract: A DC/DC converter has a transformer having a primary winding, a secondary winding, and an auxiliary winding, a switching transistor connected in series to the primary winding, a control transistor for turning the switching transistor on or off, and a feedback control circuit connected to the control transistor and the auxiliary winding. The feedback control circuit includes a Zener diode having a substantially zero temperature coefficient. The Zener diode has a Zener voltage which lies in a range between 5 volts and 6 volts. In order to cancel a temperature characteristic of the control transistor, the temperature coefficient of the Zener diode is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Hirabayashi, Hirotaka Yamamoto, Eiji Yoshida, Toru Yoshino
  • Patent number: 7116564
    Abstract: Overload protecting operation is performed by controlling the current peak value of a switching device 1 through the use of a comparator 8, a NAND circuit 5, and so on according to variations in feedback current being input to a feedback signal control circuit 11, internally setting the overcurrent protection of switching device 1 through the use of a clamp circuit 12, charging a capacitor 34 when having fallen below a specified current smaller than current required for the overcurrent protection for a fixed time period, and detecting rise in voltage VOL at the capacitor 34 to a constant voltage to stop switching operation. By achieving the overload protection under normal load and the overcurrent protection against peak load in a single switching power supply unit, problems such as the complexity of the unit and an increase in the element count of the control circuit are solved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoru Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7106603
    Abstract: A switch-mode self-coupling power device additionally increases a set of high voltage auxiliary winding in the transformer and increases a control circuit and an energy transmitting circuit in the primary side circuit of the conventional circuit. When the load is too low, the control circuit may control the energy transmitting circuit according to the variation of the load so that the voltage of the high voltage auxiliary winding can be transmitted to a controller for operation through the energy transmitting circuit. Therefore, the design of PWM controller (pulse width modulation controller) auxiliary power circuit according to the present invention, which is not limited by the magnitude of a dummy load at the secondary side of the transformer, can conform to international regulations and is a product with industrial purpose and conforming to green mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Li Shin International Enterprise Corporation
    Inventors: Feng-Hsu Lin, Wen-Yu Lu
  • Patent number: 7075802
    Abstract: A semiconductor device (51) for controlling a switching power supply, includes a switching element (1) and a switching control circuit. During an intermittent switching operation of the switching element (1), when a return signal is outputted from a light load detection circuit (32) before the counting of a counter circuit (14), the switching operation of the switching element (1) is restarted at the timing of a transformer reset signal from a transformer reset detection circuit (13) after the return signal is outputted. When the return signal is outputted from the light load detection circuit (32) after the counting of the counter circuit (14), the switching operation of the switching element (1) is restarted, regardless of the transformer reset signal, only when the return signal is outputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Tetsuji Yamashita
  • Patent number: 7064966
    Abstract: A transformer has a primary winding connected between a pair of dc input terminals via a voltage regulator switch, and a secondary winding connected between a pair of dc output terminals via a rectifying and smoothing circuit. The dc output voltage being applied to the load from the dc output terminals is detected, and the detector output voltage dually divided, to provide two feedback signals of different magnitudes. One of these feedback signals is used by a mode selector circuit to provide a mode select signal for causing the voltage regulator switch to be driven continuously under normal load, and at intervals under light load. Delivered to a conduction terminator circuit, the other feedback signal is thereby used to provide conduction terminator pulses for terminating conduction through the voltage regulator switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyasu Yamada, Mitsugu Furuya
  • Patent number: 7061225
    Abstract: An apparatus and method thereof for measuring an output current from a primary side of a power converter are provided. A peak detector is designed to sample a peak value of a converted voltage of a primary-side switching current. A zero-current detector detects a discharge-time of a secondary-side switching current through an auxiliary winding of a transformer. An oscillator generates a switching signal for switching the power converter. An integrator generates an integrated signal by integrating the converted voltage of the primary-side switching peak current with the discharge-time. The time constant of the integrator is correlated with the switching period of the switching signal. The integrated signal is thus proportional to the output current of the power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: System General Corp.
    Inventors: Ta-yung Yang, Guo-Kiang Hung, Jenn-yu G. Lin
  • Patent number: 7061780
    Abstract: The invention presents a switching control circuit for a primary-side-controlled power converter. A pattern generator produces a digital pattern to control a programmable capacitor that is connected to an oscillator, which produces frequency hopping to reduce the EMI. A voltage-waveform detector produces a voltage-feedback signal and a discharge-time signal by multi-sampling a voltage signal of a transformer. A current-waveform detector and an integrator generate a feedback signal. The integration of a current-waveform signal with a timing signal generates the average-current signal. Time constant of the integrator is correlated to the switching frequency. The oscillator generates the timing signal and a pulse signal in response to the output of a current-loop error amplifier. A PWM circuit generates the switching signal in response to the pulse signal and the output of a voltage-loop error amplifier for switching the switching device and regulating the output of the power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: System General Corp.
    Inventors: Ta-yung Yang, Guo-Kiang Hung, Jenn-yu G. Lin, Feng Cheng Tsao, Chiu Shao Wei
  • Patent number: 7054169
    Abstract: A switched-mode power supply (SMPS) that operates in a burst mode when an electronic device that receives power from the SMPS demands a low level of power as when in a stand-by mode or cut-off mode. The SMPS contains a first power supply unit for receiving a power and rectifying it, and, according to a level of an output for the load, distinguishing between a normal mode and a burst mode to perform switching according to a timing corresponding to the normal mode and the burst mode to supply a first power. The SMPS also contains an output power supply unit for receiving the first power from the first power supply unit according to a winding ratio of a coil to generate a power for driving the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Fairchild Korea Semiconductor, Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-Young Huh, Yong-Jin Joo
  • Patent number: 7054170
    Abstract: A power-mode controlled power converter is capable of supplying a constant output voltage and output current. A PWM controller generates a PWM signal in response to a voltage sampled from a transformer auxiliary winding. A programmable current-sink and a detection resistor compensate for a voltage drop of an output rectifier. A low-pass filter integrates a switching-current voltage to an average-current signal. An attenuator produces an input-voltage signal from a line-voltage input signal. The PWM controller multiplies the average-current signal with the input-voltage signal to generate a power-control signal. An error-amplifier compares the power-control signal with a power-reference voltage to generate a limit voltage. The limit voltage controls the power delivered from a primary-side circuit to a secondary-side circuit of the power-mode controlled power converter. Since the power-reference voltage varies in proportional to output voltage variations, a constant output current is therefore achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: System General Corp.
    Inventors: Ta-yung Yang, Chern-Lin Chen, Jenn-yu G. Lin, Guo-Kiang Hung
  • Patent number: 7035122
    Abstract: A switching power supply includes a switch, a bias-sensor to sense the switch-voltage, and a zero-crossing detector (ZCD) to sense time instances when the bias-sensor voltage crosses zero. ZCD generates a ZCD-signal, which transitions between a first and a second level at the sensed crossing instances, with a delay. ZCD-signal is coupled to a blanking circuit, generating a blank-signal and a pulse-signal, controlling the switch. The on-time of the switch can be modified by the input voltage and load. The blank-signal between on-times is adjusted to compensate for this modification, keeping the switching frequency below a predetermined limit and reducing the switching frequency. The switching power supply further includes a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal generator, coupled to the blanking circuit and to the switch. PWM signal generator turns on the switch controlled by the pulse-signal of the blanking circuit. Blanking circuit is controlled by either the on-time or a control voltage and input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Fairchild Korea Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-Won Kim, Dong-Young Huh
  • Patent number: 6987677
    Abstract: A switching power supply apparatus (200) for controlling the operation of a switching FET (225) adapted for switching a rectified smoothed output of a primary side rectifying smoothing circuit (215) by a switching controlling circuit (230) having a hysteresis low-voltage mistaken operation prohibiting circuit. An output of a ternary winding (220C) of a converter transformer is rectified and smoothed by a rectifying smoothing circuit (238) to drive the switching controlling circuit (230). An output voltage of the ternary winding (220C), varied in dependence upon the load state on the secondary side of a converter transformer (220) is set so as to be lower than a low voltage protective voltage in case the voltage is lower than a design load and so as to be higher than the low voltage protective voltage in case the voltage is higher than the design load, in order to carry out an intermittent operation during standby time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Konno
  • Patent number: 6980444
    Abstract: It is an object to control the peak of drain current and control overload in a same switching device in a switching power supply which has a load of a transformer and so on, and to prevent a complicated circuit and an increase in the number of terminals of a control circuit. Overload protection is performed as follows: according to a change in a feedback current which is an input to a feedback signal control circuit, the peak value of the current of a switching element, a switching operation is performed intermittently to reduce power consumption when the feedback current decreases at a light load, and an increase in the voltage of an FB terminal is detected and the switching operation is stopped in an overload state where overload protection is performed on the switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoru Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6980446
    Abstract: When an AC power source (1) is turned on, energy is accumulated in a backup capacitor (63) by an energy supply circuit (64). An internal power source (65) supplies the energy accumulated in the capacitor (63) to a control unit (49). Thus, a power factor improvement circuit (40-2) operates. When the power factor improvement circuit (40-2) operates to output a predetermined voltage, an output voltage detection circuit (67) detects the voltage, and switches the internal power source (66) on. The turned on internal power source (66) supplies the energy in the capacitor (63) to a control unit (56) to operate a DC/DC conversion circuit (50). In this way, by operating the DC/DC conversion circuit (50) after operating the power factor improvement circuit (40-2), the capacity of the capacitor (63) can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Simada, Tomoyasu Yamada
  • Patent number: 6977824
    Abstract: A control circuit controlling output current at the primary side of a power converter is provided. A waveform detector generates a current-waveform signal. A discharge-time detector detects a discharge-time of a secondary side switching current. An oscillator generates an oscillation signal for determining the switching frequency of the switching signal. An integrator generates an integrated signal by integrating an average current signal with the discharge-time. The average current signal is generated in response to the current-waveform signal. The time constant of the integrator is correlated with the switching period of the switching signal, therefore the integrated signal is proportional to the output current. An error amplifier amplifies the integrated signal and provides a loop gain for output current control. A comparator controls the pulse width of the switching signal in reference to the output of the error amplifier. Therefore, the output current of the power converter can be regulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: System General Corp.
    Inventors: Ta-yung Yang, Guo-Kiang Hung
  • Patent number: 6972970
    Abstract: A transformer has a primary winding connected between a pair of dc input terminals via a switch, a secondary winding connected between a pair of output terminals via a first rectifying and smoothing circuit, and a tertiary winding connected to a second rectifying and smoothing circuit for feeding a switch control circuit. Included in the switch control circuit is a switch control pulse generator circuit whereby the switch is driven to provide a constant dc voltage at the output terminals. A mode selector circuit is connected to the switch control pulse generator circuit to cause the switch to be driven continuously under normal load, and at intervals under light load. The intermittent driving of the switch is suspended, and the switch driven continuously, in the event of a drop in the output voltage of the second rectifying and smoothing circuit to a predefined value during operation in light load mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoyasu Yamada
  • Patent number: 6963496
    Abstract: A voltage converter including a transformer having a primary winding connected in series with a switch for cutting-up a supply voltage and having a secondary winding associated with a capacitor providing a D.C. low voltage, and a self-oscillating control circuit of the switch for detecting the end of the demagnetization of an auxiliary winding of the transformer, to turn the switch on, and for detecting the current in the on-state switch to turn it off when this current reaches a reference point. The reference point is made variable according to the voltage across the auxiliary winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventor: Igor Bimbaud
  • Patent number: RE39933
    Abstract: A single input pin (48) provides multi-functional features for programming a power supply (10). By connecting the appropriate interface circuit (92, 100, or 112) to the single input pin (48), the power supply (10) is programmed for specific behaviors during power up and toggling of an on/off switch (96, 108). In one mode of operation a light emitting diode (106) in the interface circuit (100) is optically coupled to a microprocessor for signaling the closure of the on/off switch (108), allowing the microprocessor to control the power supply (10) through an opto-coupler (102). In another mode of operation, the single on/off switch (96) controls the power supply (10). In yet another mode of operation, Zener diode (118) in the interface circuit (112) controls the power supply (10) during brown-out and black-out conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Jefferson W. Hall, Jade H. Alberkrack