With Transistor As Control Means In The Line Circuit Patents (Class 363/80)
  • Patent number: 11962313
    Abstract: An oscillator circuit is provided that adapts to voltage supply variations. The circuit first and second delays lines connected inputs of an edge detector, one delay line supplied by a reference voltage and the other with a drooping supply voltage. The edge detector generates an output clock based on a relationship between the inputs. The output clock applied to the signal inputs of the first and second delay lines. The output clock has a voltage dependent frequency performance curve with a slope dependent at least on the second delay line delay and a delay of the edge detector. At least one of the first delay line, the second delay line, and the edge detector delay are adjusted to change the slope of the performance curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignees: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc., ATI Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Stephen Victor Kosonocky, Mikhail Rodionov, Joyce Cheuk Wai Wong
  • Patent number: 11837963
    Abstract: A power conversion apparatus includes: matrix converter circuitry configured to perform bidirectional power conversion between a primary side and a secondary side; and control circuitry configured to: calculate a deterioration level based on a secondary side current of the matrix converter circuitry, a carrier frequency, and a primary-secondary frequency difference between a primary side frequency and a secondary side frequency of the matrix converter circuitry; and output a deterioration notification in response to determining that the deterioration level exceeds a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Inventors: Hirotaka Karakama, Keisei Inoki, Yoichi Yano, Takahiro Uchino, Toshihiro Hanada
  • Patent number: 11695045
    Abstract: In a silicon carbide semiconductor device and a silicon carbide semiconductor circuit device equipped with the silicon carbide semiconductor device, a gate leak current that flows when negative voltage with respect to the potential of a source electrode is applied to the gate electrode is limited to less than 2×10?11 A and the gate leak current is limited to less than 3.7×10?6 A/m2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Keiji Okumura, Akimasa Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 11695322
    Abstract: An alternating current (AC)-side symmetrically-split single-phase inverter for decoupling, which includes an H-bridge inverter, the H-bridge inverter includes an upper half-bridge structure and a lower half-bridge structure that are symmetrical to each other, the upper half-bridge structure includes an upper half-bridge first unit and an upper half-bridge second unit in parallel, the upper half-bridge first unit includes an insulated-gate bipolar transistor G1, a diode D1, and a capacitor C3 in parallel, the upper half-bridge second unit includes an insulated-gate bipolar transistor G3, a diode D3, and a capacitor C4 in parallel; and the lower half-bridge structure includes a lower half-bridge first unit and a lower half-bridge second unit in parallel, the lower half-bridge first unit includes an insulated-gate bipolar transistor G2, a diode D2, and a capacitor C1 in parallel, the lower half-bridge second unit includes an insulated-gate bipolar transistor G4, a diode D4, and a capacitor C2 in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: East China Jiaotong University
    Inventors: Yonggao Zhang, Yue Fan, Peng Liu, Weidong Fu, Siyuan Ze, Chengkai Chai
  • Patent number: 11677314
    Abstract: A control circuit for a plurality of metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) in a bridge circuit for rectifying an alternating current (AC) input to generate a direct-current (DC) output includes first and second high side controls and first and second low side controls for providing gate voltage signals to respective MOSFETs in the bridge circuit. Dead time controls are provided for establishing dead time intervals between activation of complementary MOSFETs in the bridge circuit. The low side controls provide gate voltage signals having sloped edges and the dead time controls include Zener diodes having reverse bias thresholds for determining the duration of the dead time intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: Gary Lin, Chung-Ping Ku, Nowa Wang
  • Patent number: 11496052
    Abstract: An insulated power supply circuit includes a power input circuit including a switching control circuit and a switching element connected to a corresponding winding of a transformer, and power output circuits of two systems each including a regulator connected to a corresponding winding. By the control circuit controlling ON/OFF of the switching element in accordance with an output condition change command signal, which is generated based on a load condition at an output destination of each regulator, a voltage corresponding to an estimated value of a preset excitation level is generated, to thereby change the excitation level of the winding. Each regulator receives an output voltage generated in a corresponding winding in response to the change in excitation level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Engineering Company, Limited
    Inventor: Takanori Satake
  • Patent number: 11431261
    Abstract: A bulk capacitor circuit for an AC input AC/DC Switching Mode Power Supply, such as an AC/DC adapter/charger without active power factor correction, is provided, comprising a plurality of bulk capacitors having different voltage ratings, and driver and control circuitry comprising AC input voltage sensing and comparator circuitry, which enables selective connection of one or more of the plurality of bulk capacitors, responsive to a sensed AC input voltage range. A startup circuit provides power to the driver circuit initially, so that the AC input voltage can be determined before power-up and enabling of the DC/DC converter. This solution provides for a reduction in capacitor volume, with associated improvement in the power density of an isolated AC/DC power supply, while the startup circuit ensures that an appropriate bulk capacitance is connected at startup for low line AC input, to maintain the ripple voltage in an appropriate range for reliable operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: GaN Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Yajie Qiu, Xuechao Liu
  • Patent number: 11396241
    Abstract: A series circuit includes a capacitor connected in series with output terminals of a power converter. The power converter provides an auxiliary voltage and a controller controls the auxiliary voltage according to a selected function, such that the series circuit behaves as a capacitor, an inductor, or an impedance, based on the selected function. The controller may sense a voltage across the capacitor and use the sensed voltage to control the auxiliary voltage according to the selected function. The series circuit may be connected in parallel with output terminals of an AC-DC converter, wherein the series circuit operates according to a selected mode to produce the auxiliary voltage, and the auxiliary voltage substantially cancels a low frequency AC voltage ripple across the capacitor, such that a substantially pure DC output voltage is delivered to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Queen's University at Kingston
    Inventor: Yan-Fei Liu
  • Patent number: 11395385
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for a current converter circuit for airfield ground lighting are described herein. In some examples, one or more embodiments include a bi-directional switch, an inductor to store energy in response to the bi-directional switch being on, and an output capacitor to discharge power to an LED, where the bi-directional switch can switch off to cause the inductor to discharge to the output capacitor in response to a voltage across the output capacitor being less than a threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Nipun Kumar Chawda
  • Patent number: 11349470
    Abstract: A circuitry includes an electronic solid-state switch including a first power terminal and a second power terminal and a driver and switch protection system electrically connected to the electronic solid-state switch. The driver and switch protection system includes an isolated bias power circuit configured to output a direct current voltage of at least fifteen volts, a current buffer circuit electrically connected between the isolated bias power circuit and the electronic solid-state switch, and a snubber circuit electrically connected to the first power terminal and the second power terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Chandra S. Namuduri, Rashmi Prasad
  • Patent number: 11218145
    Abstract: A high temperature (HT) gate driver for Silicon Carbide metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (SiC MOSFET) uses commercial off-the-shelf COTS discrete components, and has an integrated short-circuit or overcurrent protection circuit and under voltage lock out (UVLO) protection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM
    Inventors: Kaushik Rajashekara, Parthasarathy Nayak, Sumit Kumar Pramanick
  • Patent number: 11133748
    Abstract: A half bridge DC-DC converter device includes a primary circuit and a secondary circuit, which include separate windings that are disposed around a magnetic core. The first circuit includes two switches and a drive circuit to turn the two switches on and off in an alternating fashion. The primary circuit further includes two thermal regulating components to regulate the current at the base of the two switches over a range of operating temperatures. The regulation of base current over a range of different operating temperatures results in the half bridge converter device being efficient and maintaining a stable switching frequency over the operational temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Gerald Ezekwem, Alireza Harrasi
  • Patent number: 10666126
    Abstract: A system for controlling power output of a power supply includes power conversion circuitry, output terminals, and a controller. The controller controls the power conversion circuitry to provide a known current to one or more leads, wherein the one or more leads are shorted at the distal end. The controller measures a voltage drop across the one or more leads shorted at the distal end. The controller stores a parameter determined based on the voltage drop, such as a resistance of the one or more leads. The controller controls the power conversion circuitry to provide a target voltage to the load based on the stored parameter when the one or more leads are not shorted at the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Versatile Power, Inc.
    Inventor: David Hoffman
  • Patent number: 10601342
    Abstract: A power conversion device according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes: first paired switching elements including first and second elements coupling, respectively, a first voltage line to a first node and a second voltage line to the first node, second paired switching elements including third and fourth elements coupling, respectively, the first voltage line to a second node and the second voltage line to the second node, third paired switching elements including fifth and sixth elements coupling, respectively, the first voltage line to a third node and the second voltage line to the third node; first and second low-pass filters provided, respectively, in a first path between the first node and a first output terminal and a second path between the second node and a second output terminal; and a control section selectively bringing one of the first and second paired switching elements into an OFF state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chienru Lung
  • Patent number: 10298122
    Abstract: A switching mode DC/DC power converter for delivering a direct current to a pulse radar unit. A first switching element connects and disconnects the power converter from a power source in each cycle of the power converter. An inductor charges and discharges in each cycle. A capacitor maintains a DC output voltage as the inductor charges and discharges in each cycle. A second switching element transfers energy from the inductor to the capacitor when the first switch disconnects the switching mode power converter from the power source. A control loop regulates the voltage with a time constant, to a predetermined value by controlling the first switching element. An on time for the first switching element in each cycle is chosen to allow the current through the inductor to fall to zero in each cycle. The cycle is shorter than RF pulse duration and time constant of the control loop is longer than the RF pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: SAAB AB
    Inventors: Niklas Janehag, Valter Nilsson
  • Patent number: 9921627
    Abstract: A control circuit for a programmable power supply is provided. It comprises a reference generation circuit generating a voltage-reference signal and a current-reference signal for regulating an output voltage and an output current of the power supply. A feedback circuit detects the output voltage and the output current for generating a feedback signal in accordance with the voltage-reference signal and the current-reference signal. A switching controller generates a switching signal coupled to switch a transformer for generating the output voltage and the output current in accordance with the feedback signal. A micro-controller controls the reference generation circuit. The micro-controller, the reference generation circuit, and the feedback circuit are equipped in the secondary side of the transformer. The switching controller is equipped in the primary side of the transformer. The control circuit can achieve good performance for the programmable power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Ta-Yung Yang
  • Patent number: 9831768
    Abstract: Systems and methods that provide control circuits having multiple sub-control inputs that control operation of a power electronics device (e.g., a power converter). Each of the multiple sub-control inputs are output from a separate sub-control circuit that includes a feedback circuit having an input tied to a common control node. The common control node is coupled to an input of a controller (e.g., a PWM controller). Outputs of each of the sub-control circuits are coupled to the common control node by a respective switch (e.g., diode, transistor, etc.) so that each of the sub-control circuits may be selectively coupled to the common control node to provide a control signal to a controller. Since components of each of the feedback compensations circuits are biased at a regulation voltage instead of a higher power supply voltage, the control circuit may switch between control modes with minimal delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: CRANE ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Cuon Lam, Sovann Song, Khoa Nguyen
  • Patent number: 9806624
    Abstract: An information feedback system is disclosed. The information feedback system comprises a separating device having the primary winding and the secondary winding, a first electrical switch and a controller. The secondary winding is coupled to an operation device through the first electrical switch. The first electrical switch and the operation device are coupled to the controller. The energy is discharged from the secondary winding to the operation device through the first electrical switch. The operation device receives the energy from the first electrical switch to generate a plurality of commands. The controller receives the commands and uses the first electrical switch to encode a plurality of signals to generate encoded information according to the commands. The separating device transmits the encoded information from the secondary winding to the primary winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Sync Power Corp.
    Inventors: Hsian-Pei Yee, Yung Ho Tan
  • Patent number: 9755505
    Abstract: A power converter consists of a power conversion circuit for converting alternating power into insulated direct power and a control unit. The control unit, based on a voltage of alternating voltage power supply and a circuital current flowing through the power conversion circuit, supplies pulse signals for alternatively opening or closing a group consisting of a first and a fourth switch and a group consisting of a second switch and a third switch to the two groups. Through the switching action, a current composed of the low-frequency component of an alternating voltage power supply mixed with the high-frequency component of a switch flows to the power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yutaka Usami
  • Patent number: 9520778
    Abstract: A control method used in a constant on-time switching converter includes: judging whether the switching converter enters into an ultrasonic mode; turning ON the low-side switch to discharge the output capacitor when the switching converter enters into the ultrasonic mode; generating an additional slope compensation signal during the discharge of the output capacitor; comparing a feedback signal indicative of the output voltage of the switching circuit with the sum of a reference voltage and the additional slope compensation signal; turning OFF the low-side switch and turning ON the high-side switch when the feedback signal decreases to reach the sum of the reference voltage and the additional slope compensation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: CHENGDU MONOLITHIC POWER SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Lijie Jiang, Chia-Hsin Chang, Wenbin Lu, Wangmiao Hu, Qian Ouyang
  • Patent number: 9490707
    Abstract: A control circuit for a switched mode power supply and a related method are provided for controlling switching elements in a power train of a switched mode power supply. The control circuit comprises a mode controller to monitor the output current to determine whether the output current exceeds a current threshold. The mode controller controls the switching controller to generate the switch control signals. When the current exceeds the current threshold, the power train operates in a continuous conduction mode, and upon determining that the output current has fallen to or below the current threshold, the operation of the power train is changed from the continuous conduction mode to a pulse skipping mode. The pulse skipping mode is entered from the continuous conduction mode and involves determining the amount of energy stored in a secondary circuit of the power train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Magnus Karlsson, Oscar Persson
  • Patent number: 9240711
    Abstract: A constant current control circuit with PFC function and its PFC circuit are provided. The PFC circuit comprises a valley-filled PFC circuit and a harmonic compensation circuit, whose output signal is supplied to the current control circuit. By adding the harmonic compensation circuit to the PFC circuit, the distortion of input current is decreased and the power factor is enhanced. Moreover, the whole circuit is simplified and its cost is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: INVENTRONICS (HANGZHOU), INC.
    Inventors: Liang'an Ge, Xiaoli Yao
  • Patent number: 9195251
    Abstract: In various embodiments a circuit arrangement is provided which may include: a first AC input node and a second AC input node; a first electronic switching device coupled between the first AC input node and an output node; a second electronic switching device coupled between the second AC input node and the output node; an inductor coupled between the first electronic switching device and the second electronic switching device; a controller configured to control the first electronic switching device and the second electronic switching device to, in a first mode, provide a first current path from the first AC input node to the output node via the inductor in a first current flow direction through the inductor; and, in a second mode, provide a second current path from the second AC input node to the output node via the inductor in a second current flow direction through the inductor, the second current flow direction being different from the first current flow direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRIA AG
    Inventors: Anton Mauder, Franz Hirler
  • Patent number: 9166395
    Abstract: This document discloses, among other things, apparatus and methods for dimmer control. In an apparatus example, a circuit can include an input configured to receive a control signal, a controller configured to modulate a pulse width of a pulse train using the control signal when the controller is enabled, an output configured to provide the pulse train to a driver, and first and second current limit detectors configured to receive load current information of the driver and to terminate an active pulse of the controller when a value of the load current information exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce Armstrong, Alexander H. Craig
  • Patent number: 9130473
    Abstract: A power factor correction circuit including a rectifier bridge, an energy storage component, a power switch, a second switch and a control circuit provides reduced THD and improved PF performance under a high input AC voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Chengdu Monolithic Power Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sicong Lin, Lianfeng Ding, Zhengxing Li
  • Patent number: 9118252
    Abstract: A switching power source includes: a transformer; a semiconductor switching element that is provided at a primary side of the transformer; a rectifying-and-smoothing circuit that is provided at a secondary side of the transformer; a switching controller configured to perform a switching control to turn on-and-off the semiconductor switching element, wherein the switching controller comprises: a stoppage circuit configured to perform a stoppage process to stop the switching control when a first-level control signal is input, a restart circuit configured to restart the switching control when a second-level control signal different in its level from the first-level control signal, and a limiting circuit configured to limit, at the time of a start-up of the switching power source, a performance of the stoppage process performed by the stoppage circuit until an output voltage of the switching power source increases to a target voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Katsumi Inukai
  • Patent number: 9106221
    Abstract: A system for receiving data is provided the system includes an inductive data device, such as a device that receives high-speed data over an inductive coupling. An adjustable impedance is coupled to the inductive data device, where the adjustable impedance is used for dynamically controlling ringing in the inductive data device, such as by damping ringing signals generated by circuit inductances or capacitances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: TRIUNE SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Amer Atrash, Ross E. Teggatz, Brett Smith, Wayne T. Chen
  • 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: 9001529
    Abstract: The present invention employs system and method in for distinguishing between power capabilities of various external power sources and a system that can communicate the identified power capabilities to the secondary side of the wireless power transfer system. Once the secondary side of the wireless power transfer system receives the power capability information, it adjusts the current available for a payload in accordance with the information received on power source capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Vladimir Alexander Muratov
  • Publication number: 20150049527
    Abstract: A power converter, which performs cooling of a switching element by using a boiling cooling apparatus that makes use of a boiling phenomenon of a coolant incorporated therein, includes a control unit to control an operation of the power converter based on a deviation between an element attachment surface temperature, which is a temperature of an attachment surface of the switching element, and a cooling apparatus intake air temperature. When the deviation between the element attachment surface temperature and the cooling apparatus intake air temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold, the control unit performs control of stopping the power converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuo Sugahara, Tomohiro Kobayashi, Ryosuke Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 8950939
    Abstract: A closure assembly comprising an article with a neck and a cap. The cap includes a tamper-evident ring having at least two ring segments, each ring segment having a base portion and an indicator portion. The article has for each segment a boss with a catch portion having a recess. Upon rotating the cap in an opening direction by the user from its closed position for the first time the head end of the indicator portion enters the recess of the catch portion and is then prevented from further rotation of the cap in opening direction, while the catch portion outer wall comes in the spacing between the spaced apart head end and trailing end, the frangible bridge between the head end and trailing end breaking and the indicator portion bending, folding, and/or buckling while being subjected to permanent deformation upon further rotation of the cap in opening direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: IPN IP B.V.
    Inventors: Laurens Last, Paul van den Hoonaard
  • Patent number: 8901466
    Abstract: The invention may enable provision of a method for facilitating operation of an induction heating device, and a pot detection method for an induction heating device and to an induction heating device. The induction heating device is characterized by determining a low point of a resonant cycle on a linking node of a parallel resonant circuit and a switching element, determining a low point voltage at the low point of the resonant cycle and switching on the switching element at the low point of the resonant cycle for a cycle duration that is determined depending on the low point voltage in such a manner that a low point voltage does not exceed a predetermined maximum value in the following resonant cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: E.G.O. Elektro-Geraetebau GmbH
    Inventors: Wilfried Schilling, Ralf Dorwarth, Martin Volk, Tobias Schönherr
  • Patent number: 8872434
    Abstract: A constant-current-drive LED module device includes a rectifier configured to receive and rectify an alternating current power source; a unidirectional LED module unit configured to connect to one end of the rectifier; and a constant current unit configured to connect between the unidirectional LED module unit and the other end of the rectifier to control constant current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Airtec System Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hye Man Jung, Seok Jin Ha, In Ki Park, Sang Shin Koo, Jong Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 8867239
    Abstract: Provided are a power supply device and a method of controlling the same. The power supply device includes: a power factor corrector which corrects a power factor of an initial power; a standby power supply unit which is connected to the power factor corrector, the standby power supply unit including a transformer which converts an input power received from the power factor corrector; a sensor which detects a level of an induced power corresponding to the input power; and a power supply controller which determines whether the level of the induced power exceeds a critical value, activates the power factor corrector to correct the power factor of the initial power if the level of the induced power exceeds the critical value, and supplies a driving power to the system based on the level of the induced power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-yong Joo, Hyo-soon Choi
  • Patent number: 8810143
    Abstract: A control system includes a detection circuit, a control circuit, and a dummy load system. The detection circuit is operable to detect a voltage level change of a direct-current voltage and output an activating signal when detecting the voltage level change of the DC voltage. The control circuit is operable to receive the activating signal. The dummy load system is electrically connected to the control circuit, and the control circuit controls the dummy load system by generating a turn-on signal in response to receiving the activating signal. A dimmer system and a control method thereof are further disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wei-Qiang Zhang, Li-Zhi Xu, Qi Zhang
  • Patent number: 8796602
    Abstract: An induction heating device includes the following elements: a resonance circuit; a power factor improvement circuit for boosting rectified output, supplying the output to an inverter, and improving the power factor of a commercial alternating current; and a load material detector for detecting the material of the load. The inverter includes switching elements forming a full-bridge circuit. The drive frequency of the switching elements is switched between a frequency substantially equal to a resonance frequency of the resonance circuit and a frequency substantially 1/n time (n being an integer equal to or larger than two) thereof, according to a detection result of the load material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Miyauchi, Izuo Hirota
  • Publication number: 20140198546
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a master-slave interleaved BCM PFC controller for controlling a PFC circuit with master and slave channels. In one embodiment, the PFC controller can include: a master channel controller that generates a master channel control signal and an inverted master channel control signal; a first phase shifter that provides a first phase shift for the master channel control signal, and generates a delayed opening signal therefrom; a second phase shifter that provides a second phase shift for the inverted master channel control signal, and generates a delayed shutdown signal therefrom; a slave channel controller that receives the delayed opening signal, the delayed shutdown signal, and a slave channel inductor current zero-crossing signal, and generates a slave channel control signal therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Silergy Semiconductor Technology (Hangzhou) LTD
    Inventors: Liangwei Sun, Qiukai Huang
  • Publication number: 20140159602
    Abstract: There is provided a power supply circuit including a power converting unit configured to convert a conduction angle controlled alternating-current voltage supplied via a power supply path and supply a direct-current voltage to a load, a control unit configured to detect a conduction angle of the alternating-current voltage and control the conversion of the voltage according to the detected conduction angle, and a power supply unit including a first branch path electrically connected to the power supply path, a semiconductor element configured to adjust an electric current flowing to the first branch path, a thermosensor configured to limit, if the temperature of the semiconductor element is equal to or higher than an upper limit temperature, an electric current flowing to the semiconductor element. The power supply unit converts the alternating-current voltage input via the first branch path and supplies a direct-current voltage to the control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: TOSHIBA LIGHTING AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: TOSHIBA LIGHTING AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8724355
    Abstract: A circuit exhibiting rectification and amplification characteristics. In particular, a full-wave rectifier, wherein the rectifier has the ability to simultaneously amplify and rectify an input voltage. The circuit comprises transconductor circuit, rectifying circuit and amplifying circuit. The transconductor circuit is adapted for receiving an input voltage from at least one voltage source. The input voltage is then converted into intermediate currents by the transconductor circuit. Thereafter, the rectifying circuit rectifies the intermediate currents current to produce a rectified current. Lastly, the amplification circuit amplifies the input voltage to produce the amplified voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Anadigics, Inc.
    Inventors: Aleksey Pinkhasov, Paul Sheehy, Julio Canelo, Nishant Dhawan
  • Publication number: 20140119076
    Abstract: A power converter used in the current control circuit and control method, consisting of a converter, a voltage divider circuit, a current sampling circuit, a first gain circuit, a differential amplifier, a second gain circuit, a multiplier, a saw tooth wave generator, a modulation comparator, and a driver. The invention samples inductor current through the current sampling circuit and generates the current sense signal, then processes again. With the differential amplifier, it compares the feedback voltage from the voltage divider circuit with the reference voltage, and the results along a modulation comparator output a drive signal to control the duty cycle in order to avoid the generation of inrush current. The present invention avoids inrush current caused by the large drive signal and achieves a good response rate and better system stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Luxmill Electronic Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Yu-Cheng CHANG, Mao-feng LAN, Chung-hung LIN
  • Publication number: 20140104907
    Abstract: A highly efficient power supply unit compatible with a single-phase three-wire system and an operating method of such a power supply unit are provided. The power supply unit includes first and second switching legs connected in parallel to a first capacitor leg with a DC power supply connected thereto. One end of the second capacitor leg is connected to the middle point of the first switching leg through a first inductor, and the other end is connected to the middle point of the second switching leg through a second inductor. The two ends of the second capacitor leg and the middle point of the second capacitor leg are defined as AC terminals. A switch is provided between middle points of first and second capacitor legs. A control part sets the switch to OFF when power is input/output only between one end of the second capacitor leg and the other end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Hitachi Information & Telecommunication Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takae SHIMADA, Akihiko KANOUDA, Nobuyuki AIHARA, Yoshihide TAKAHASHI
  • Publication number: 20140098582
    Abstract: A bridge rectifier circuit has first to fourth diode groups which are bridge-connected and each include a main diode and sub-diodes being enabled to be respectively connected in parallel to the main diode, first and second input terminals to which AC power is supplied, a first output terminal connected to the first input terminal via the first diode group and connected to the second input terminal via the second diode group, a second output terminal connected to the first input terminal via the third diode group and connected to the second input terminal via the fourth diode group, and a control circuit configured to detect a current flowing through at least one diode group and increases the number of sub-diodes connected in parallel to the main diode of the diode group through which the detected current flows in accordance with an increase in the detected current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: FUJITSU SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITED
    Inventors: Hideta Oki, Yukinori Maekawa
  • Patent number: 8693226
    Abstract: An inverter comprising: a circuit including arms connected in parallel, each of the arms including a first switch and a second switch connected in series; and a gate drive circuit configured to control, by pulse-width modulation using synchronous rectification, each of the first switch and the second switch to switch to an on-state or an off-state, wherein each of the first switch and the second switch includes: a channel region that is conductive in both a forward direction and a reverse direction in the on-state, and that is not conductive in the forward direction in the off-state; and a diode region that is combined as one with the channel region, and that is conductive only in the reverse direction, the diode region being unipolar, and the gate drive circuit synchronizes a timing at which the gate drive circuit outputs a signal for causing the first switch to switch to the on-state with a timing at which the gate drive circuit outputs a signal for causing the second switch to switch to the off-state, and
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Kitabatake, Shun Kazama
  • Publication number: 20140085948
    Abstract: A method is disclosed to at least partially prevent back powering of power sourcing equipment. In one or more implementations, the method includes detecting a magnitude of current through a current sensor, such as a transistor and/or a resistor. The active FET bridge is configured to rectify input power supplied by power sourcing equipment to a power over Ethernet (PoE) powered device. The method also includes causing the transistor to transition from a closed configuration to an open configuration to at least substantially prevent current flow through the transistor when the magnitude of current is below a predefined threshold to at least substantially prevent back powering of the PSE.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Thong A. Huynh, Gaoling Zou, Andrea Vigna, Mauro Ranzato, Gianluca Mariano
  • Publication number: 20140071722
    Abstract: In various embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided an energy harvesting apparatus, including: an energy harvester for generating electric power from an ambient source; a power conditioning circuit coupled to the output of the energy harvester; including: a boost converter module; a buck-boost converter module; and a power modification control module; wherein the power modification control module is configured to initialize the energy harvesting apparatus from inactivity to a normal energy harvesting state by operating the boost converter module, and operating the buck-boost converter when an output voltage of the power conditioning circuit rises to a predetermined value. A corresponding method of operating an energy harvesting apparatus is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Agency for Science, Technology and Research
    Inventors: Yuan Gao, I Made Darmayuda, San Jeow Cheng, Minkyu Je, Chun Huat Heng
  • Patent number: 8665620
    Abstract: A timing circuit of a controller generates a clock signal having a switching period for use by a pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit to control a switch of a power supply. The switching period of the clock signal is based on a charging time plus a discharging time of a capacitor included in the timing circuit. A first current source charges the capacitor while the timing circuit is in a normal charging mode. A second current source charges the capacitor while the timing circuit is in an alternative charging mode that is when the on time of the switch exceeds a threshold time. The current provided by the second current source is less than the current provided by the first current source such that the switching period of the clock signal is increased in response to the timing circuit entering the alternative charging mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Bäurle, Guangchao Zhang, Arthur B. Odell, Edward E. Deng
  • Publication number: 20140056042
    Abstract: Solid state switches of inverters are controlled by timing signals computed in power layer interface circuitry for individual inverters. Multiple inverters may be placed in parallel with common three-phase output. Common control circuitry generates timing signals or data used to reconstruct the common signals and sends these signals to the power layer interface circuitry. A processor in a power layer interface circuitry used these signals to recomputed the timing signals. Excellent synchronicity may be provided between parallel inverters that each separately reconstruct the timing signals based upon the identical received data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Richard H. Radosevich
  • Patent number: 8659922
    Abstract: A photovoltaic module-mounted AC inverter circuit uses one or more integrated circuits, several switches, solid dielectric capacitors for filtering and energy storage, inductors for power conversion and ancillary components to support the above elements in operation. The integrated circuit includes all monitoring, control, and communications circuitry needed to operate the inverter. The integrated circuit controls the switches in both an input boost converter and a single-phase or multi-phase output buck converter. The integrated circuit also monitors all power processing voltages and currents of the inverter and can take appropriate action to limit power dissipation in the inverter, maximize the available power from the associated PV module and shut down the inverter output if the grid conditions so warrant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Enphase Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert R. Rotzoll
  • Publication number: 20130336031
    Abstract: An AC/DC power conversion apparatus comprises an AC/DC converter for converting AC power to DC power for a load and a controller that maintains a power factor of the load as the load varies. The AC/DC converter includes an inductor and a plurality of switches that alternately connects and disconnects the inductor to and from an AC power source, to generate the DC power for the load. The plurality of switches is controlled by a plurality of switch drive signals generated by the controller, based on comparisons of an AC voltage from the AC power source to a DC output voltage produced by the AC/DC converter. To maintain the power factor of the load, the controller is configured to adjust the frequency of the plurality of switch drive signals in response to variations in the load while holding the duty cycles of the switch drive signals constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventor: Earl W. McCune, JR.
  • Publication number: 20130314958
    Abstract: Soft switching power converters are described. In one example, a solar power converter includes an inverter input to receive a direct current (DC) power input and an output to provide an alternating current (AC) power output. The converter includes a first and a second power branch, and a controller. The first power branch includes a plurality of first switches and a first current sensor configured to generate a first current signal. The second power branch includes a plurality of second switches and a second current sensor configured to generate a second current signal. The controller is configured to control switching of the first and second plurality of switches to provide the AC power output based at least in part on the first and second current signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventor: Gregory Allen Kern