Semiconductor Type Patents (Class 363/53)
  • Patent number: 11881764
    Abstract: A multilevel converter system is provided. The multilevel converter system includes a multilevel converter and a short-circuit protection circuit. The multilevel converter includes a first segment and a second segment electrically connected to the first segment, wherein the first and second segments are each configured to convert a first current to a second current. The first segment includes a plurality of first switches. The second segment includes a plurality of second switches. The short-circuit protection circuit is electrically connected to the multilevel converter, wherein the short-circuit protection circuit includes at least one electrical component that is electrically connected in parallel with at least one of the plurality of first switches and the plurality of second switches. The short-circuit protection circuit is configured to protect the plurality of first switches and the plurality of second switches from a short-circuit current during a short-circuit condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Zheyu Zhang, Kenneth McClellan Rush, Luca Tonini, Hao Tu
  • Patent number: 11835977
    Abstract: A constant voltage circuit amplifies an error between a reference voltage and an output voltage by an operational amplifier, and controls a load current based on the amplified voltage so that the output voltage becomes a constant voltage. The constant voltage circuit includes voltage detector means that detects only AC components of the output voltage limited to a predetermined band and outputs a detected voltage; voltage amplifier means that amplifies AC components of the detected voltage and outputs an amplified voltage; judgment means that outputs a judgment signal indicating whether or not the amplified voltage equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold; and controller means configured to increase a current value of the constant current source included in the operational amplifier, based on the judgment signal, thereby temporarily increasing a current consumption of the operational amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Nisshinbo Micro Devices Inc.
    Inventor: Kenji Mii
  • Patent number: 11784503
    Abstract: A charging system for charging a battery includes a rectifier that rectifies power received from an AC power source into a DC signal for charging the battery and an arc detection circuit that measures noise added to the DC signal and generates a measured noise signal. A processor analyzes the measured noise signal to detect a series-arc and, when a series-arc is detected, causes a shunt of the AC current of the rectifier for a period of time to reduce a DC output of the rectifier toward zero. A passive arc detection circuit is inserted between the rectifier and the battery and includes a filter capacitor and a sense resistor in parallel with a smoothing capacitor. A voltage across the sense resistor is amplified, digitized, and outputted as the measured noise signal. The DC signal may be scanned to obtain the measured noise signal in different frequency windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: InductEV Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Wolgemuth
  • Patent number: 11616452
    Abstract: A switching device is provided. The apparatus includes a switching circuit and a noise filter. The switching circuit is capable of switching a connection destination of a first power conversion circuit other than a second power conversion circuit among the plurality of power conversion circuits between a phase corresponding to the first power conversion circuit and a certain phase of the external power supply. The second power conversion circuit corresponds to the certain phase of the external power supply. In the noise filter, a capacitor is provided on a side of the multiple-phase AC supply of the switching circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shoichi Hara
  • Patent number: 11569754
    Abstract: A single-phase and three-phase compatible AC-DC conversion circuit includes a first switching component, a second switching component, a third switching component, three switch bridge arms, a fourth switching component, a pre-charge resistor, a capacitor assembly, and a control unit. Each switch bridge arm has an upper switch and a lower switch connected in series. The fourth switching component is coupled between a first phase of a three-phase power source and a common-connected node of the switch bridge arm corresponding to a second phase of the three-phase power source. The control unit turns on the fourth switching component, turns on the upper switch coupled to the first switching component, and turns on the lower switch coupled to the fourth switching component to provide a discharge path so that the capacitor assembly discharges through the pre-charge resistor on the discharge path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Cheng-Te Li, Chih-Yuan Chuang
  • Patent number: 11303202
    Abstract: A power factor correction circuit includes an error signal generation unit configured to output an error signal obtained by amplifying a difference between an output voltage and a referential voltage. A pulse width modulation unit is configured to receive the error signal to generate a pulse width modulation signal to control an on-time of a switching element. An input interruption detection unit is configured to detect an interruption state of an AC input voltage. When the input interruption detection unit detects an input interruption state, the input interruption detection unit causes the pulse width modulation unit to shorten the on-time of the switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Hiasa
  • Patent number: 11289996
    Abstract: A converter assembly has multi-phase multi-stage converters which are connected to parallel-connected transformers. The converter assembly contains series-connected partial converters, each having three parallel-connected bipolar phase modules, which are formed of two series-connected converter modules. The connection points of the converter modules form the phase connections for the transformers. The phase modules of a first partial converter consist only of unipolar sub-modules and those of a second partial converter consists only of bipolar sub-modules. A controller respectively reduces at least the partial DC voltage of the second partial converter, wherein the partial DC voltage thereof can be inverted at least until compensating the partial DC voltage of the first partial converter if the direct current exceeds a target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Andre Schoen
  • Patent number: 11169219
    Abstract: Disclosed is a bus short-circuit detection method and circuit, a storage medium and a processor. The method includes that: a weak electricity charge circuit is started in a case that a strong voltage detection circuit detects that a bus voltage of a unit is abnormal before the bus voltage is charged, wherein the weak electricity charge circuit is configured to charge the bus; charge current variation of the weak electricity charge circuit is detected; and a pre-charge circuit is started in a case that the charge current variation indicates that the bus is not in a short-circuited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignees: GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES (WUHAN) CO., LTD, GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES, INC. OF ZHUHAI
    Inventors: Jian Yang, Biao Dai, Xiaomeng Zhu, Ai Song, Haisong Cheng
  • Patent number: 11075585
    Abstract: A synchronous rectifier circuit and a display device are provided. In some implementations, the circuit includes a controller, a first MOSFET and a protection circuit. A first detection terminal of the controller is connected with a first end of the first MOSFET, an input of the controller is connected with a second end of the first MOSFET and configured to input a driving voltage to the first MOSFET, and a ground terminal of the controller is connected with a third end of the first MOSFET. An output of the protection circuit is connected with the control end of the controller. The protection circuit is configured to send a control signal to the controller when receiving a shutdown signal and/or a power-down signal of an alternating current power supply. The control signal is configured for the controller to stop sending the driving voltage to the first MOSFET or supplying power to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Hisense Visual Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuanzhi Gao, Wentao Han
  • Patent number: 11067626
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement includes a microcontroller having a first analog-to-digital converter whose input is connected to the output of a first multiplexer whose output is connected to a first comparison device for comparing reference voltages, and a first serial interface circuit connected to the first comparison device. A voltage generating circuit includes a second analog-to-digital converter whose input is connected to the output of a second multiplexer whose output is connected to a number of registers, which are connected to a safety value generator and store digital values together with a respective safety value, and a second serial interface circuit connected to the registers. The first and second serial interface circuits are connected to each other for communication of the microcontroller with the voltage generating circuit, the first interface circuit being connected to a second comparison device for comparing supply voltages and/or currents with desired voltages and/or desired currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Wunderlich, Alfons Fisch, Bernhard Bieg
  • Patent number: 10998828
    Abstract: The task of the present invention is to enhance safety of an insulation-type DC/DC converter. The present invention relates to an insulation-type DC/DC converter, an AC/DC converter, a power adapter and an electronic device. A switch transistor is disposed on a primary side of a transformer, and a synchronous rectification transistor is disposed on a secondary side of the transformer. A primary-side control portion performs switch-driving of the switch transistor, and a secondary-side control portion controls turn-on and turn-off of the synchronous rectification transistor. A pulse transformer portion for implementing bi-directional communication between the primary-side control portion and the secondary-side control portion is disposed between the primary side and the secondary side. For example, signals associated with turn-on and turn-off of the switch transistor are transceived between the primary-side control portion and the secondary-side control portion by a pulse transformer portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Hara
  • Patent number: 10855190
    Abstract: A magnetic integrated device is disclosed, the device includes: a first magnetic core base and a second magnetic core base that are parallel and a first magnetic core column, a second magnetic core column, and a third magnetic core column that are located between the first magnetic core base and the second magnetic core base; and a first winding, a second winding, and a third winding are wound on the first magnetic core column, the second magnetic core column, and the third magnetic core column respectively in a same manner to form a closed magnetic flux loop, where the first winding, the second winding, and the third winding are separately used for connecting to a branch of a three-phase parallel circuit, and in all branches of the three-phase parallel circuit, values of currents are the same, and a difference between each two current phases is 120 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Heqian Yang, Changsheng Pei, Yongtao Liang
  • Patent number: 10811994
    Abstract: A multi-phase multi-stage power converter includes a phase module having a power converter module formed of two-pole submodules connected in series and having a plurality of semiconductor switches connected in series, an energy store charged and discharged by the semiconductor switches, a bypass switch short-circuiting the energy store upon exceeding a first limit voltage, and a signal input for a blocking signal opening all semiconductor switches. The submodules are protected from overloading in a simpler manner by connecting a module arrester in parallel with the power converter module. The module arrester limits the power converter voltage like a valve upon exceeding a second limit voltage. The module arrester operates in blocking mode below the second limit voltage and in conducting mode above the second limit voltage. A current limiting the power converter voltage flows through the module arrester in conducting mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Jan Christoph Stankewitz, Ewgenij Starschich, Markus Vor Dem Berge
  • Patent number: 10778106
    Abstract: A power conversion system includes a first capacitor, an isolated type converter circuit, and a control circuit. The first capacitor is connected to the direct-current power supply via an inrush current prevention circuit. The inrush current prevention circuit is switchable at least between a high-impedance state and a low-impedance state. The converter circuit includes a transformer, and the first capacitor is connected to a primary winding wire of the transformer. The control circuit controls the inrush current prevention circuit and the converter circuit to cause the converter circuit to start operating, and then, the control circuit switches the inrush current prevention circuit from the high-impedance state to the low-impedance state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yutaka Kamon, Fumito Kusama, Takaaki Norisada, Makoto Ozone
  • Patent number: 10637294
    Abstract: Magnetic-coupling-based wireless power transfer systems and schemes are provided that ensure fast wireless power transfer to charge batteries of electric vehicles (EVs) with high power transfer efficiencies and safety to humans and other animals in or near the EVs. A wireless power transfer system can include a direct 3-phase AC/AC converter with a circuit topology that enables bidirectional power flow. The direct 3-phase AC/AC converter can convert a power input at a low frequency, such as 3-phase 50/60 Hz, into a power output at a high frequency, such as a frequency in a range of 10-85 kHz for wireless power transfer applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: The Florida International University Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Arif Sarwat, Masood Moghaddami
  • Patent number: 10498152
    Abstract: A precharging circuit for precharging an intermediate circuit capacitor of a converter formed from at least one electrolytic capacitor using a grid current from a supply grid before the converter is connected to the supply grid and is used for the reformation of at least one electrolytic capacitor of the intermediate circuit capacitor. A method is provided for the reformation of an intermediate circuit capacitor of a converter formed from at least one electrolytic capacitor, which is connected to the supply grid using a precharging circuit. A converter is created for converting an AC grid voltage into a direct voltage or vice versa, with a device for the reformation of electrolytic capacitors of an intermediate circuit capacitor of the converter using an integrated precharging circuit of the converter. Existing hardware can be used for the reformation of electrolytic capacitors in a converter, and the expense associated with the reformation can be minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: GE ENERGY POWER CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Thomas Kolbe, Christian Bernhard Keller
  • Patent number: 10263558
    Abstract: System, apparatus and methods are provided for identifying a phase loss condition in a motor drive. In one example, a power conversion system includes an active rectifier, a switching inverter, and a controller. The controller is operative to generate rectifier switching control signals to operate the rectifier, measure AC input voltage signals and determine grid current signals. If the rectifier circuit is not in a switching mode, the controller identifies a suspected AC input phase loss condition if two of the AC input voltage signals are in phase with one another. If the rectifier is in the switching mode, the controller identifies a suspected AC input phase loss condition if the absolute value of the sum of two of the grid current signals is less than a predetermined non-zero threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ahmed Mohamed Sayed Ahmed, Kanikesh Yedla, Zhenyu Ye, Prathamesh R. Vadhavkar
  • Patent number: 10099573
    Abstract: A drive system includes a drive device including an electric power generator; a fuel cell; a secondary battery; a fuel cell step-up converter including a diode; a relay connected to wiring between the fuel cell step-up converter and the drive device; a secondary battery step-up converter connected; a fuel cell voltage sensor; a secondary battery voltage sensor; and a controller. The controller stops the secondary battery step-up converter when a short-circuit fault of the diode is detected, disconnects the relay when a voltage of the fuel cell is higher than a voltage of the secondary battery after stopping the secondary battery step-up converter, and when the voltage of the secondary battery is higher than or equal to the voltage of the fuel cell, executes a voltage control process which increases the voltage of the fuel cell relative to the voltage of the secondary battery, and disconnects the relay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryosuke Oya
  • Patent number: 10038368
    Abstract: PFC device and controlling method thereof, and an electronic device are provided. The device includes: first and second input terminals configured to receive AC input signal including alternating positive and negative half-cycles; an output terminal configured to provide output signal; an inductor a first terminal of which is coupled with the first input terminal; a first bridge arm including first and second switch components whose first connection point is coupled with second terminal of the inductor; a second bridge arm including third and fourth switch components whose second connection point is coupled with the second input terminal; a first current sampling unit configured to sample falling edge of an inductor current flowing through the inductor; a switch controlling unit configured to generate switch control signal based on sampling result to control the first and second switch components to change switch status. Influence of parasitic parameters on the circuit is reduce.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chun Mei, Zhou Chen, Fangshun Zhu
  • Patent number: 9966839
    Abstract: A switching power supply device includes an energy storage element which is charged with a voltage generated in an auxiliary winding of a transformer; a switching control circuit to which the terminal voltage of the energy storage element is given as a power supply voltage and which controls the switching operation of a switching element; an initial operation control circuit which, when it is detected that the power supply voltage is lower than a first voltage, causes a current supply circuit to stop the switching operation until the power supply voltage rises to a second voltage; and a switching suppression circuit which, when it is detected that the power supply voltage is lower than a third voltage which is higher than the first voltage and lower than the second voltage, causes the current supply circuit to stop the switching operation for a predetermined period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jian Chen
  • Patent number: 9544953
    Abstract: A light source driving apparatus, a display apparatus and a driving method thereof are disclosed. The light source driving apparatus includes a tapped-inductor boost converter (TIBC) circuit, the TIBC circuit including: a switching unit configured to be turned on and off in accordance with a preset cycle; a tapped inductor configured to transfer a current from a primary side to a secondary side as the switching unit is turned on; and a snubber configured to include a clamp capacitor and clamp diode configured to clamp a voltage of the switching unit, a resonance capacitor configured to perform a resonance as being charged and discharged corresponding to a switching cycle of the switching unit, and first and second resonance diodes configured to charge and discharge the resonance capacitor. Thus, the TIBC circuit provided with the lossless snubber can prevent the voltage stress from increasing during the resonance since the voltage of the switching unit is clamped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jeong-il Kang
  • Patent number: 9525357
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are control and drive circuits and methods for synchronous rectification switching power supply bias voltage generating circuits configured for a switching power supply. In one embodiment, a control and drive circuit can include: (i) a primary side switch controller configured to generate a primary side switch control signal; (ii) a logic circuit configured to generate a first control signal based on the primary side switch control signal; (iii) a converting circuit configured to generate a second control signal based on the first control signal; and (iv) a synchronous rectifier switch controller configured to generate a synchronous rectifier switch control signal based on the second control signal such that phases of the primary side switch control signal and the synchronous rectifier switch control signal are the same or inverse based on a topology of the synchronous rectification switching power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Silergy Semiconductor Technology (Hangzhou) LTD
    Inventor: Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 9479076
    Abstract: It is presented a converter cell (10a; 10b) arranged to be used in a high voltage multilevel converter. The converter cell comprises: an energy storage element (16a; 16b) and a plurality of switching elements (S1, . . . , S8). The plurality of switching elements comprises at least one thyristor (S3; S8) and a plurality of transistors (S1, S2, S4; S5, S6, S7). Each one of the at least one thyristor (S3; S8) is provided in a position for a switching element in the converter cell where, during normal operation of the converter cell, the at least one thyristor is in a continuous conducting state. This reduces the power losses of the converter cell. A corresponding multilevel converter and a method are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Alireza Nami, Liwei Wang
  • Patent number: 9331596
    Abstract: A boosting AC-to-DC converter An AC-to-DC converter may include a main rectifier, a first auxiliary rectifier, a second auxiliary rectifiers and a transformer assembly. The transformer assembly may include a set of primary windings arranged in a first multiphase configuration and connected to the main rectifier, a first set of secondary windings arranged in a second multiphase relationship and connected to the first auxiliary rectifier and a second set of secondary windings arranged in a third multiphase configuration and connected to the second auxiliary rectifier. The second multiphase configuration of the first set of secondary windings and the third multiphase configuration of the second set of secondary windings may be in phase shifting relationships relative to the first multiphase configuration of the set of primary windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Evgeni Ganev, William Warr, Keming Chen
  • Patent number: 9297838
    Abstract: There is provided a power supply monitoring circuit including a holding part holding, every time a local maximum value of a power supply voltage which fluctuates is detected, the local maximum value as a local maximum voltage value, a power stop detector detecting whether or not supply of the power supply voltage is stopped based on whether or not a state that a value of the power supply voltage is smaller than a first reference value according to the local maximum voltage value continues longer than a predetermined period, and a reference value controller decreasing the first reference value during a period in which the value of the power supply voltage exceeds a second reference value smaller than the first reference value and in which stop of the supply of the power supply voltage is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Watanabe, Mitsuru Yamane
  • Patent number: 9293984
    Abstract: In order to offer a power supply circuit that can minimize the drop in efficiency by reducing losses during voltage conversion, in an improved-power factor circuit, a control circuit performs a step-up operation in which a control signal for turning on a first switching element (Tr1) and switching a second switching element (Tr2) is output, and a step-down operation in which a control signal for turning off the second switching element (Tr2) and switching the first switching element (Tr1) is output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Komiya, Takeshi Shiomi, Yoshifumi Yaoi, Masaru Nomura, Kohichiroh Adachi, Yoshiji Ohta, Hiroshi Iwata
  • Patent number: 9288854
    Abstract: In a display device, a backlight unit including a power converter configured to generate a light source driving voltage in response to a voltage control signal, a plurality of light emitting diode strings each configured to receive the light source driving voltage through an end thereof, and a controller connected to the other end of each of the plurality of light emitting diode strings and configured to generate a plurality of current control signals used to control a current flowing through each of the plurality of light emitting diode strings and the voltage control signal. The controller is configured to generate the voltage control signal in response to a current control signal from among the plurality of current control signals, which is applied to a light emitting diode string configured to receive a lowest forward driving voltage among the plurality of light emitting diode strings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Soo Choi, Kyunho Kim, Eun Chul Shin, Hwanwoong Lee, Taegon Im
  • Patent number: 9281758
    Abstract: A power supply circuit includes a rectifier module configured to rectify an input voltage and a capacitor including a first terminal coupled to the rectifier module. In addition, the power supply circuit includes first and second transistors. The first transistor couples to a second terminal of the capacitor, and the second transistor couples in series to the first transistor. The power supply circuit also includes a resistor, configured to set an inrush current value, in parallel with the second transistor. When coupled to a power supply, the power supply circuit is configured to turn-on the first transistor such that an inrush current flows, at the inrush current value, through the capacitor, first transistor, and resistor. After a delay time, the power supply circuit is configured to turn-on the second transistor such that the inrush current drops to around zero, thus maintaining a low impedance path during steady-state operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Lei Wang, Mehran Mirjafari, Ashish Razdan
  • Patent number: 9207271
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to coupling a first transformer to a first load, coupling a second transformer to a second load, applying a single phase power source to the first transformer, applying an inverted version of the power source to the second transformer, coupling a sensing circuit to the first and second transformers, and monitoring, by the sensing circuit, signal contributions associated with the first and second transformers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth D. Milkie
  • Patent number: 9178429
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter including a transformer having a primary-side winding and a secondary-side winding with a center tap, and a storage choke. A rectifier circuit is connected to each of the taps at the ends of the secondary-side winding and generates a rectified output voltage at a second output of said DC-DC converter. A snubber circuit is switched via the rectifier circuit and stores energy occurring in said rectifier circuit. (An actuation apparatus includes a switching time determining device designed to determine a time interval as a function of the output voltage, the charge stored in the snubber circuit and the current fluctuations of the current through the storage choke occurring as a result of the rectification. A storage signal generator generates an actuation signal for discharging the snubber circuit as a function of the determined time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jian Tian, Stefan Koch, Ralf-Peter Bergmann
  • Patent number: 9136699
    Abstract: A dynamic damper in a lighting driving circuit for limiting an inrush current includes a damper circuit and a timing circuit comprising capacitor. The damper circuit is connected to the timing circuit. When an input voltage is provided to the dynamic damper, the capacitor begins to be charged and the capacitance-voltage of the capacitor rises. The damper circuit enters to a first working state and generates a dynamic damper resistor value. When the capacitance-voltage of the capacitor is greater than a first threshold voltage, the damper circuit enters to a second working state and the dynamic damper resistor value begins to decrease. When the capacitance-voltage of the capacitor is greater than a second threshold voltage, the damper circuit enters to a short-circuit state, and the dynamic damper resistor value decreases to zero to facilitate the normal work of the power source converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: MACROBLOCK, INC.
    Inventors: Lon-Kou Chang, Hsing-Fu Liu, Li-Wei Yen, Jyun-Ji Chen
  • Patent number: 9110005
    Abstract: A stud detector has a voltage source, a first device, and a second device. The first device serves to generate a voltage that is galvanically decoupled from the voltage source. The second device serves for the potential-free transmission of a control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Zibold, Andrej Albrecht
  • Patent number: 9052660
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a timing roller for conveying paper in the image forming apparatus, a first motor receiving supply of electric power from a power source for driving the timing roller, a second motor receiving supply of electric power from the power source, a sensor for detecting whether a jam occurs at the conveyance roller, a drive relay for cutting off supply of electric power from the power source to the first and second motors, if occurrence of a jam is detected, and a control circuit for controlling an operating state of the second motor such that regenerative power produced at the first motor due to rotation of the conveyance roller is supplied to the second motor, if occurrence of a jam is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Hidenori Mine, Takahiro Tsujimoto, Masahiro Kamiya, Yutaka Yamamoto, Nobuhiro Matsuo, Seiichi Kirikubo
  • Publication number: 20150146459
    Abstract: Disclosed are a high-voltage protection circuit, a high-voltage protection method and a power supply. The high voltage protection circuit comprises a main relay, an auxiliary relay, a first resistor, a second resistor, a first capacitor and a second capacitor, wherein one end of the main relay is connected to the input port of a live line, and the other end thereof is connected to the output port of the live line; one end of the auxiliary relay is connected to the input port of the live line, and the other end thereof is connected between the first resistor and the second resistor; one end of the first capacitor is connected to the output port of the live line, and the other end thereof is connected to a neutral line parallel to the live line; the second capacitor is connected to both ends of the main relay in parallel; and the second resistor and the first resistor are connected between the input port and the output port of the live line in series in sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: ZTE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fengfu Du, Binchuan Dai, Jiang Wang
  • Patent number: 9041245
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes a converter to convert AC power into DC power, an SMPS to convert the DC power into DC powers desired by loads, a capacitor to interconnect the converter and the SMPS, a PTC element connected to the converter, a first switch connected in parallel with the PTC element, and a second switch connected in series with the first switch. The method includes turning on the second switch to start charging of the capacitor, turning on the first switch to charge the capacitor to a target voltage level, and turning off both the first switch and second switch if a voltage across the capacitor rises over the target voltage level, to discharge the voltage across the capacitor so as to lower the voltage across the capacitor to the target voltage level or lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ho Yoon, Dae Hyun Lim, Joong Ki Moon, Sung Wook Kang
  • Publication number: 20150138853
    Abstract: A control circuit of a power supply is provided. The power supply includes a current-sense circuit, a voltage-sense circuit, an output voltage regulation circuit, and a current regulation circuit. The current-sense circuit generates a current-sense signal in response to an output current of the power supply. The voltage-sense circuit generates a voltage-sense signal in response to an output voltage of the power supply. The output voltage regulation circuit is coupled to regulate the output voltage of the power supply according to a voltage reference signal and the voltage-sense signal. The output current regulation circuit is coupled to regulate the output current of the power supply according to a current reference signal and the current-sense signal. The output voltage of said power supply is programmable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Ta-Yung YANG, Jian-Ming FU, Ju-Hyun KIM, Chi-Yin LO
  • Patent number: 9030848
    Abstract: A DC to DC converter can include a reverse-blocking semiconductor switch that makes a synchronously rectifying MOSFET become parallel-connected with a capacitor that is connected to a power supply of a controller IC for a conventionally used synchronously rectifying circuit. The reverse-blocking semiconductor switch can be driven either by signals for adjusting a voltage of the capacitor within a permitted range of voltage of the power supply of the controller circuit, or by signals that are determined by a signal obtained from voltage across the MOSFET and the signals for adjusting a voltage of the capacitor within a permitted range of voltage of the power supply of the controller circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadahiko Sato
  • Patent number: 9000601
    Abstract: The respective main electrodes of the semiconductor switching elements such as IGBTs, which are respectively mounted on the plurality of insulating boards, are electrically connected to each other via the conductor member. This configuration makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of the resonant voltage due to the junction capacity and the parasitic inductance of each semiconductor switching element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Power Semiconductor Device, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsunori Azuma, Kentaro Yasuda, Takahiro Fujita, Katsuaki Saito, Yoshihiko Koike, Michiaki Hiyoshi
  • Patent number: 9001537
    Abstract: A power factor correction (PFC) circuit includes an AC power, a first bridge arm and a second bridge arm. The first bridge arm includes first and second switches connected in series with each other. A second terminal of the first switch is connected to a first terminal of the second switch, and coupled to a first end of the AC power via a first inductor. The second bridge arm includes third and fourth switches connected in series with each other. A second terminal of the third switch is connected to a first terminal of the fourth switch and a second end of the AC power. The third and fourth switches operate in ON/OFF states by use of a control signal having an operation frequency consistent with that of the AC power. The on-state resistance of the third and fourth switches is lower than that of the first or second switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Hong-Yuan Jin, Yan Chen, Hong-Jian Gan, Jian-Ping Ying
  • Patent number: 9001536
    Abstract: A voltage smoothing circuit is configured to smooth a voltage outputted from a power supply portion. The voltage smoothing circuit includes first and second smoothing capacitors, a first balancing resistor, and a second conduction regulating portion. The first smoothing capacitor and the second smoothing capacitor are connected in series to each other and are connected in parallel to the power supply portion. The first balancing resistor is connected in parallel to the first smoothing capacitor. The second conduction regulating portion is connected on a current path in parallel with the second smoothing capacitor and conducts current in one direction on the current path in a case where a voltage equal to or greater than a second predetermined voltage has been applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sumio Kagimura, Masafumi Hashimoto, Hiroshi Dohmae, Hirotaka Doi, Toshiaki Sato, Shinichi Ishizeki
  • Publication number: 20150070950
    Abstract: An AC-DC converter device includes a first overvoltage protection circuit connected between a first DC output terminal and a first control terminal of a gate pulse controller. The first overvoltage protection circuit is configured to turn off a first switch if the output voltage between the DC output terminals is above a threshold voltage. A galvanic insulation barrier is connected either between the first overvoltage protection circuit and the first control terminal or between the first control terminal and the first switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: ELTEK AS
    Inventors: Erik Myhre, Thomas Olsen, Jan Tore Brastad
  • Patent number: 8971070
    Abstract: An interface arrangement for coupling between an AC system and a DC system. The arrangement includes a converter for conversion between AC and DC and having a DC side with a first and a second terminal for connection to the DC system and an AC side with a group of terminals for being coupled to the AC system, a transformer having a primary side with a first set of primary windings for being coupled to the AC system and a secondary side with a second set of secondary windings coupled to the converter, where the transformer is equipped with a third set of auxiliary windings and a short-circuiting device is connected between the third set of auxiliary windings and ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventor: Ying Jiang Häfner
  • Publication number: 20150043257
    Abstract: Disclosed is an inrush current suppressor circuit of a power supply circuit that supplies stand-by voltage from AC voltage. At a stand-by mode, only a diode and a resistor for suppressing inrush current are provided, and a capacitor provided in common between a stand-by power supply part and a start-up power supply part is charged, so that the inrush current is suppressed at both of sand-by and start-up modes and the number of devices of a circuit and power consumption are reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Won Seok Nam
  • Patent number: 8942013
    Abstract: A system and method for protecting an electrical power generation system from an over-voltage. The output voltage of a multi-phase rectifier, operatively connected between the output terminals of an electric machine and a load, is monitored. The input of the multi-phase rectifier is short-circuited upon detection that the output voltage has reached a threshold voltage. Removal of the short-circuiting of the input of the multi-phase rectifier is synchronized with a substantially zero-crossing of phase current flowing through switching devices in the rectifier once the output voltage is no longer above the threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Kevin A. Dooley
  • Publication number: 20150023074
    Abstract: An AC/DC electrical converter device having a source mode and a recovery mode, and for connection, on the AC side, to an AC voltage source and, on the DC side, to a DC power distribution network. It includes an AC/DC converter, a switching cell with two switches (K1, K2) that are bidirectional for current, the switches sharing a common point (A) and each having a respective end terminal (B1, B2), a filter stage, and a control unit for the cell; the converter is for connection on the AC side to the voltage source and is connected on the DC side to the cell; in use, the first switch (K1) is connected between the converter and the DC power distribution network via the filter stage, the second switch (K2) forming a combination in parallel with the filter stage and the DC power distribution network. The control means are able to manage a short-circuit current in source mode by operating on the first and second switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Guillermo Garcia-Soto
  • Patent number: 8929107
    Abstract: A surge protection module is disclosed. An example surge protection module includes a first terminal coupled to a first output terminal of a rectifier of a power supply. A second terminal is coupled to a first input terminal of a switching converter of the power supply. A third terminal is coupled to a second output terminal of the rectifier and a second input terminal of the switching converter. A variable resistance circuit is coupled between the first and second terminals. A control circuit is coupled between the first and third terminals and coupled to control the variable resistance circuit. A resistance of the variable resistance circuit is responsive to a magnitude of a voltage between the first and third terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Min Kang, Jose Requinton Del Carmen, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150003125
    Abstract: There is provided a power supply having a surge protection circuit for protecting a product from a power surge by way of efficiently discharging a surge voltage or a surge current introduced through AC input power terminals to be applied to the product during the use of the product. The power supply having a surge protection circuit includes a discharging unit having discharge patterns disposed between power lines of input power terminals to discharge a surge voltage introduced into each of the power lines of the input power terminals; and a power supplying unit converting the power input via the input power terminals into predetermined power to supply the converted power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kang Hee LEE, Jun Woo PARK, Sung Soo HONG, Jae Sun WON, Dong Kyun RYU, Seung Wan YU, Seung Ho HAN, Hwa Hun CHIN
  • Patent number: 8891264
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a rectifier circuit and methods of making the same for use in wireless devices (e.g., RFID tags). The present invention is drawn to a rectifier circuit comprising first and second diode-wired transistors in series, each having a gate oxide layers of the same target thickness. The first diode-wired transistor receives an alternating current and the second diode-wired transistor provides a rectifier output. The first and second diode-wired transistors are configured to divide between them a first voltage differential across the rectifier circuit. The gate oxides are exposed to a peak stress that is similar to a stress on the gate oxide of logic transistors made using the same process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Thin Film Electronics ASA
    Inventors: James Montague Cleeves, Patrick Smith
  • Patent number: 8891265
    Abstract: A switch-mode converter including an inductive transformer having a secondary winding associated with at least one first switch, including, in parallel with the first switch, at least one first diode in series with a capacitive element; and in parallel with the capacitive element, an active circuit for limiting the voltage thereacross.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Tours) SAS
    Inventors: Bertrand Rivet, Aurélien Hamadou
  • Publication number: 20140334201
    Abstract: A system including a converter and a snubber circuit. The converter converts an alternating current voltage into a direct current voltage and outputs the direct current voltage across an inductance and a switch connected in series. The inductance has a center tap connected to a node, which is connected to a load. In response to the switch being turned on, a first current flows through the inductance and the switch. In response to the switch being turned off, a second current flows from the node to the load. The snubber circuit is connected across the node and a junction of the inductance and the switch. In response to the switch being turned off, the snubber circuit receives a third current from the junction, and supplies a first portion of the third current to the node. The second current and the first portion of the third current flow through the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Marvell World Trade Ltd.
    Inventor: Sehat Sutardja