Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080225446 | Transient reversing voltage detecting circuit - A current balancing circuit includes a voltage detecting circuit having a detecting diode, and a control switch having an input part and an output part, the input part is coupled in series to the detecting diode and disposed opposite to the detecting diode for detecting abnormal and/or reverse voltages and for preventing electric circuits or facilities from being damaged by the abnormal and/or reverse voltages. The input part may be a photodiode having a positive or negative side coupled to the negative or positive side of the detecting diode. A resistor or a divider diode may be used to protect the voltage detecting circuit. | 09-18-2008 |
20080239593 | Failure detection in a voltage regulator - A control logic detects voltage regulator failure in a power supply. The control logic comprises first and second lines configured for respective connection to a controller node and a phase node of a voltage regulator, a delay element coupled to the first line configured to delay signals at the controller node into alignment with signals at the phase node, and a level detector coupled to the second line configured to convert the signals at the phase node into at least two digital representations indicative of respective signal thresholds. A logic compares timing of the delayed signals with the digital representations and detects occurrence of a voltage regulator fault based on the timing comparison. | 10-02-2008 |
20080247099 | Overcurrent Detecting Circuit and Regulator Having the Same - The present invention provides an overcurrent detection circuit capable of suppressing fluctuations in the overcurrent detection level when the input supply voltage or temperature fluctuates. The overcurrent detection circuit | 10-09-2008 |
20080266727 | Control of a power semiconductor switch - Method and arrangement for controlling the gate control voltage (U | 10-30-2008 |
20080278868 | OVERHEAT PROTECTION CIRCUIT - An overheat protection circuit of a semiconductor apparatus has an output current detecting circuit for detecting an output current of a constant voltage circuit; a temperature detector for detecting a temperature of the apparatus; an output current control circuit for controlling the output current in accordance with output of the temperature detector; a bias current source for providing a bias current for the temperature detector; and a switch for controlling the bias current from the bias current source to the temperature detector. The output current control circuit interrupts the output current when the temperature detector detects a temperature that is higher than a predetermined temperature. The output current detecting circuit and the output current control circuit may be used to control the switch to prevent oscillation of the output current in the vicinity of the predetermined temperature. | 11-13-2008 |
20080285185 | SEMICONDUCTOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - An integrated circuit formed on a semiconductor chip includes voltage regulators for stepping down an externally-supplied power voltage to produce an internal power voltage, and internal circuits which operate based on the internal power voltage. The voltage regulators are laid in the area of the buffers and protective elements for the input/output signals and power voltages so that the overhead area due to the on-chip provision of the voltage regulators is minimized. The internal power voltage is distributed to the internal circuits through a looped main power line, with an electrode pad for connecting an external capacitor for stabilizing the internal power voltage being provided on it, so that the internal power voltage is stabilized and the power consumption of the integrated circuit is minimized. | 11-20-2008 |
20080297957 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROGRAMMING AND CONTROLLING OVER CURRENT TRIP POINT LIMITS IN VOLTAGE REGULATORS - A system and method for controlling an over current protection trip point for a voltage regulator includes an input for receiving a monitored operating parameter of the voltage regulator. Control logic responsive to this input generates a digital current control signal. A digital to analog controller converts the digital current control signal to an analog current control signal and this analog current control signal is used for controlling a current source for generating a current that establishes the over current protection trip point of the voltage regulator. | 12-04-2008 |
20080304187 | FAULT CONDITION PROTECTION - A power converter controller circuit is disclosed. In one aspect, a power converter controller circuit includes a control circuit to generate a switching signal to be coupled to a power switch to control power delivered to an output of a power converter. A timing circuit is to be coupled to the power switch and coupled to receive a feedback signal and the switching signal. The timing circuit is to disable the power switch from receiving the switching signal in response to the feedback signal after detection of a fault condition. The feedback signal repeatedly transitions between first and second states in response to the output when the power supply operates normally. The feedback signal maintains its state when the power supply is in the fault condition. The feedback signal transitions between the first and second states independently from the switching signal. | 12-11-2008 |
20090002901 | Power protection apparatus and electronic control unit - A power protection apparatus including: a switch unit | 01-01-2009 |
20090052096 | Power Supply Controller - A gate driver | 02-26-2009 |
20090116153 | POWER CONVERSION SYSTEM AND OVER-LOAD PROTECTION DEVICE THEREOF - A power conversion system and over-load protection device thereof includes a first detection circuit, a charging/discharging circuit, and a second detection circuit. The discharging/charging circuit charges based on a feedback signal relative to output of the power conversion system. A switching-disabling control signal is produced based on the charge of the discharging/charging circuit, to disable the power conversion system. | 05-07-2009 |
20090116154 | DISCHARGING CONTROL APPARATUS OF SWITCHING DEVICE FOR INVERTER - Disclosed is a discharging control apparatus of a switching device for an inverter capable of reducing a spike voltage when the switching device is turned off and reducing a turn-off time of the switching device, the apparatus comprising, a fast discharge circuit section configured to provide a discharging path through which a gate voltage of the switching device is fast discharged at a first discharging speed, an idle discharge circuit section configured to provide a discharging path through which the gate voltage of the switching device is idly discharged at a second discharging speed slower than the first discharging speed, and a spike voltage reduction controller configured to control such that the gate voltage is discharged simultaneously via the fast discharge circuit section and the idle discharge circuit section, when the switching device is turned off in the state that a normal current flows in the switching device, so as to reduce a spike voltage and simultaneously fast turn the switching device off. | 05-07-2009 |
20090135531 | OVERCURRENT PROTECTION CIRCUIT, LOAD DRIVING DEVICE, MOTOR DRIVING DEVICE, ELECTRIC APPLIANCE, POWER SUPPLY DEVICE - In an overcurrent protection circuit | 05-28-2009 |
20090141411 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR MODULE CONTROL CIRCUIT - An exemplary voltage regulator module (VRM) control circuit includes a VRM providing a plurality of phases, each of the phases connected to a control terminal of a corresponding electric switch; a comparator comprising a non-inverting terminal connected to a first power source and grounded via the electric switches respectively, an inverting terminal connected to a reference voltage, and an output terminal; and a control switch connected between an enable terminal of the VRM and ground, the control switch comprising a control terminal connected to the output terminal of the comparator, wherein, if one of the phases of the VRM is lost, the corresponding electric switch is turned off, and a voltage of the non-inverting terminal of the comparator is higher than the reference voltage, the comparator outputs a control signal to the control switch for turning on the control switch, thus turning off the VRM. | 06-04-2009 |
20090168274 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF PROVIDING OVERLOAD AND SHORT-CIRCUIT PROTECTION FOR SWITCHED MODE POWER SUPPLY - A method of providing overload and short-circuit protection for a Switched Mode Power Supply (SMPS). The method may rely upon sensing a temperature change rate for a component of the SMPS and implementing a protection scheme when the temperature change rate exceeds a desired temperature change rate. The implementation scheme may include permanently or temporarily shutting-off the component. | 07-02-2009 |
20090180219 | APPARATUS FOR DETECTING ERROR OCCURRING TO POWER CONVERTER AND DETECTING METHOD THEREOF - An apparatus is applicable to a power converter comprising a primary winding for receiving an input voltage and a secondary winding for generating an output voltage to power a load. The apparatus comprises a detecting circuit, a comparing circuit, and a determining circuit. The detecting circuit is configured to generate a feedback signal according to the output voltage. The comparing circuit is coupled to the detecting circuit and configured to compare the feedback signal and a threshold and accordingly generates an indication signal indicative of the over high output voltage. The determining circuit, which is in response to the indication signal, is configured to trigger an over voltage protection mechanism preventing the power converter from powering the load. Since the feedback signal is instantly responsive to the output voltage, the occurrence of an error can be rapidly and correctly detected, allowing rapid and correct protection for the power converter. | 07-16-2009 |
20090213505 | Operation Detection Devices Having a Sensor Positioned to Detect a Transition Event from an Overcurrent Protection Component and Related Methods - An operation detection device for an overcurrent protection component is provided. The overcurrent protection component has a closed state and an open state and outputs a transition event responsive to a transition between the closed state and the open state. The operation detection device includes a housing configured to attach to the overcurrent protection component. A sensor is positioned in the housing at a location selected to allow the sensor to detect the transition event. A switch circuit is operatively coupled to the sensor and is configured to generate an output signal indicating a change in state of the overcurrent protection component responsive to detection of the transition event by the sensor. | 08-27-2009 |
20090219654 | Two Level Current Limiting Power Supply System - A two level current limiting power supply system is capable of reducing thermal stress during current overload conditions. According to an exemplary embodiment, the power supply system includes a measurement device for measuring a current supplied to a load, and a processor for disabling the current to the load for a first disable period if the current exceeds a first threshold for a first test period, and for disabling the current to the load for a second disable period if the current exceeds a second threshold for a second test period. | 09-03-2009 |
20090262468 | TEMPERATURE PROTECTION CIRCUIT, POWER SUPPLY, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A temperature protection circuit comprises means adapted to compare the temperature being monitored with each of threshold temperatures and judging that the temperature being monitored reaches a threshold temperature when the temperature being monitored is maintained at the threshold temperature or more for a predetermined confirmation period, means adapted to set a longer confirmation period as the threshold temperature compared with the temperature being monitored is lower, means adapted to generate one of corresponding temperature protection signals (Sarm, Slmt, Stsd | 10-22-2009 |
20090262469 | CIRCUIT FOR PROTECTING A DC NETWORK WITH DC LOADS AGAINST OVERVOLTAGE - A circuit (S) for protecting a DC network having DC loads ( | 10-22-2009 |
20090268355 | SAFETY OUTPUT DEVICE FOR USE IN A POWER CONVERTER AND POWER CONVERTER PROVIDED WITH THE SAME - The present invention relates to a safety output device for use in a power converter that includes a converter main body adapted for outputting a direct-current electric power at a predetermined voltage. The safety output device is adapted for being associated with an electricity consuming device that is powered by the power converter and comprises a wire set adapted for being electrically connected to the converter main body, a sensing controller for measuring a voltage difference in the wire set, and a switch adapted for being actuated by the sensing controller to permit electric conduction from the converter main body to the electricity consuming device when the voltage difference is detected to be substantially equal to the predetermined voltage. | 10-29-2009 |
20090273865 | POWER SUPPLY WITH ADJUSTABLE OUTPUTTED VOLTAGE - A power supply with adjustable outputted voltage includes an AC power input processing circuit and a DC power input processing circuit. The AC power input processing circuit has at least one voltage adjuster that is electrically connected with the DC power input processing circuit for adjusting the outputted voltage. The DC power input processing circuit includes a current sensor, a DC/DC converter, a ripple filter, and a DC/DC self-drive switch. When an extremely large inputted current is detected by the current sensor and the DC/DC converter stops actions, the DC/DC self-drive switch is turned off to protect the circuit. | 11-05-2009 |
20090279214 | PROTECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR A POWER CONVERTER - A power converter uses a PWM controller to provide a driver output to modulate the duty of the power converter. A protection apparatus and method compare a current sense input of the PWM controller with a reference voltage to assert a signal representing failure, count the number of cycles where the signal representing failure is asserted, and reset an enable signal to inhibit the driver output if the signal representing failure is asserted in several cycles. | 11-12-2009 |
20090284876 | Electric Power Converter - A voltage source converter including a string of series connected active semiconducting elements. The converter includes in case of an active semiconducting element failure a calculation element configured to calculate an operation dc voltage including a sum of dc ratings of each remaining active semiconducting element in the string, and a regulator configured to regulate the converter to assume the operation dc voltage over the converter. | 11-19-2009 |
20090290269 | Power converter - The objective of the present invention is to provide a power converter capable of not only boosting the voltage but also shutting-off the flowing current, by switching only the switch element. The power converter | 11-26-2009 |
20090296287 | OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION SYSTEM - An overvoltage protection system includes a voltage divider, a compare circuit, and a switch discharge circuit. A voltage regulator module is connected to the switch discharge circuit via the voltage divider. The compare circuit is connected to the switch discharge circuit. When the voltage regulator module outputs an overvoltage, the compare circuit turns on the switch discharge circuit to discharge remaining power in motherboard components and turn off the computer. The overvoltage protection circuit gives a rapid response to overvoltage output from the voltage regulator module, thereby protecting the motherboard components from being damaged. | 12-03-2009 |
20090303641 | SWITCHING REGULATOR AND OPERATIONS CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A switching regulator is disclosed. In the switching regulator, when a power source voltage is lowered to a first predetermined value due to an overcurrent, a voltage boost operation is temporarily stopped, and a delay timer of a delay circuit is not reset. When the overcurrent is detected again due to a rise of the power source voltage after temporarily stopping the voltage boost operation, the delay timer of the delay circuit continues to count the delay period. The voltage boost operation is completely stopped by receiving a signal output from the delay circuit when the delay timer completes the counting after passing a predetermined delay period. | 12-10-2009 |
20090316311 | SWITCHING REGULATOR AND OPERATION CONTROL METHOD - In a switching regulator, a low voltage malfunction prevention circuit controls operations of a PWM comparator and a output buffer circuit, such that when a power source voltage is lower than a predetermined value, a switching transistor is forcibly turned off, and when the power source voltage is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the switching transistor is turned on/off in accordance with pulse signals from the PWM comparator. Furthermore, the low voltage malfunction prevention circuit generates a second reference voltage that is lower than a first reference voltage and that rises quickly in accordance with the rise of the power source voltage. The state of the power source voltage inside an IC is detected by comparing the first reference voltage with the second reference voltage. | 12-24-2009 |
20090323231 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - In a semiconductor device, low-level signals are output from a terminal voltage detecting circuit when the connection between an external terminal and a resistor is cut off, or when the connection between the resistor and a ground voltage is cut off, or when the external terminal short-circuits to the ground voltage. Accordingly, a PMOS transistor is turned on so that an oscillating circuit stops oscillating and outputs high-level signals from its output terminal. | 12-31-2009 |
20100007998 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR DETECTING A POWER SYSTEM COMPONENT FAILURE - An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for detecting a power system component failure. The invention includes detecting an amount of input power provided on a power supply side of a connector, where the connector is configured to connect a switching power supply to a load such that power flows from the switching power supply to the load through the connector; detecting an amount of output power provided on a load side of the connector; determining if the amount of input power detected on the power supply side of the connector is more than a predefined threshold amount greater than the amount of output power detected on the load side of the connector; and shutting down the switching power supply the amount of detected input power is more than the predefined threshold amount greater than the amount of detected output power. | 01-14-2010 |
20100007999 | STEP-UP SWITCHING REGULATOR - A first transistor is provided between one terminal of a synchronous rectifying transistor and the back gate thereof, with a body diode of the first transistor being in an orientation such that the cathode thereof corresponds to the output terminal side. A second transistor is provided between the other terminal of the synchronous rectifying transistor and the back gate thereof, with a body diode of the second transistor being in an orientation such that the cathode thereof corresponds to the switching terminal side. During a first period from the boosting stopped state up to the boosting operation state of the switching regulator, a switch control unit instructs the synchronous rectifying transistor to perform a switching operation with the switching transistor set to the OFF state, the first transistor set to the ON state, and the second transistor set to the OFF state. | 01-14-2010 |
20100014195 | Power Supply Controller - A comparator receives, on its second input terminal, a third anomaly threshold voltage from a threshold voltage generator, and outputs a low-level breaking indication signal to a control logic portion when a terminal voltage falls below the third anomaly threshold voltage. Three threshold setting resistors are serially connected between the source of a power MOSFET and a ground terminal. A divided voltage at the connecting point between the threshold setting resistors and is outputted as the third anomaly threshold voltage. | 01-21-2010 |
20100020450 | POWER SUPPLY SWITCHING APPARATUS WITH SEVERE OVERLOAD DETECTION - Power supply switching apparatus comprising an output switch for supplying power from a power supply to a load connected to an output terminal, a driver for controlling turn-on of said output switch, and a control signal generator for controlling said driver to produce a desired progressive turn-on characteristic. The apparatus also includes overload detection means responsive to a parameter of the load relative to a reference signal to provide a fault signal in case of detection of an overload condition after a turn-on phase of said output switch. The control signal generator is responsive to the reference signal to activate said overload detection means to provide a fault signal during the turn-on phase of the output switch even in presence of a severe overload condition at the output terminal. | 01-28-2010 |
20100027169 | POWER DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENT - An arrangement and a method for distributing power supplied by a power source to two or more of loads (e.g., electrical vehicular systems) is disclosed, where a representation of the power taken by a particular one of the loads from the source is measured. The measured representation of the amount of power taken from the source by the particular one of the loads is compared to a threshold to provide an overload signal in the event the representation exceeds the threshold. Control signals dependant on the occurring of the overload signal are provided such that the control signal decreases the output power of the power circuit in case the overload signal occurs. | 02-04-2010 |
20100033882 | Circuit Arrangement and Method for Increasing the Safety of an Electronic Operating Device - A circuit arrangement for increasing the safety of an electronic operating device comprising: mains input terminals ( | 02-11-2010 |
20100039735 | Diode Loss Detection for Low Side MOSFET of a Synchronous Output Stage - An embodiment of the invention relates to a switch-mode power converter including an inductor and an external rectifying diode. A series arrangement of a resistor and a switch are coupled in parallel with the external rectifying diode. The resistor and the switch enable continuous conduction mode, even at substantially no output current. A comparator senses a current level in the resistor. When the current level crosses a threshold level, the power converter is shut down. The current level is sensed with a second resistor coupled to a current source to produce a current sensing arrangement dependent on a ratio of resistances. Advantageously, the current level is sensed with clamp circuits coupled to the comparator, each clamp circuit including a series circuit arrangement of a field-effect transistor with a gate coupled to a voltage source. | 02-18-2010 |
20100046123 | Semiconductor switch control device - A semiconductor switch control device includes a current detecting unit that detects a current that flows in a semiconductor switch, a voltage detecting unit that detects a voltage, and a temperature detecting unit that detects a temperature. A transient thermal resistance value providing unit provides a transient thermal resistance value Z | 02-25-2010 |
20100046124 | Boost DC-DC converter control circuit and boost DC-DC converter having protection circuit interrupting overcurrent - A boost DC-DC converter control circuit includes a transistor which is disposed between an input terminal and an output terminal of a boost DC-DC converter, and which is configured to interrupt an overcurrent between the two terminals. The control circuit includes an amplifier configured to amplify a difference between a voltage of the transistor on a side of the input terminal and a voltage of the transistor on a side of the output terminal, and a comparator configured to compare an output voltage from the amplifier with a predetermined reference voltage. On- and off-states of the transistor are controlled in response to an output voltage from the comparator. | 02-25-2010 |
20100067152 | ABNORMAL CURRENT PREVENTIVE CIRCUIT OF DC-DC CONVERTER - The voltage of a detection resistor connected to the drain of a low-side switching device is normally a negative voltage, but a positive voltage appears when a countercurrent occurs in an abnormal state. A current comparator monitors the voltage of the detection resistor, transmits high output to an AND circuit whole the voltage of the detection resistor is a negative voltage to maintain the output voltage of the current comparator in a low state when an output signal of a driver can be transmitted to the low-side switching device, and allows the output voltage of the current comparator in a low state when the voltage of the detection resistor becomes a positive voltage, thereby forcibly turning off the low-side switching device. | 03-18-2010 |
20100103567 | Circuit arrangement for protecting electronic devices against incorrect logic voltages - The invention is based on the problem of devising a circuit arrangement ( | 04-29-2010 |
20100110593 | POWER FACTOR CORRECTION CIRCUIT AND DRIVING METHOD THEREOF - The present invention relates to a set protection circuit for when a diode short-circuit defect occurs in a power factor correction circuit of a critical conduction mode. In a conventional power factor correction circuit, an excessive amount of current flows to a switch if a diode is short-circuited so that the switch is damaged. In order to prevent damage to the switch, the present invention provides a method for stopping turn-on of the switch when a switch current is excessive. | 05-06-2010 |
20100123978 | Short circuit and open circuit protection for a boost converter - A boost converter includes a load disconnect switch connected between a voltage input terminal and an inductor, a power switch connected to the inductor by a switching node, a diode connected between the switching node and a voltage output terminal, and an output capacitor connected to the voltage output terminal to provide an output voltage. A protection apparatus is connected to the load disconnect switch, switching node and power switch to monitor the voltage at the switching node and the output voltage to provide open circuit and short circuit protection for the boost converter. | 05-20-2010 |
20100123979 | SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY PROTECTION SYSTEM, MOTHER BOARD AND COMPUTER - By using switching power supplies a, b, and n, which have detection function of over-current, over-voltage and low voltage, in the case where a short-circuit occurred in a load which is connected to output of a switching power supply, and in the case where a MOSFET of the switching power supply is in a short-circuit state and broken, a main power is forced to be off, and a failure log of the switching power supply is stored in a non-volatile memory unit EEPROM; and also in the case where the main power was turned off and on, even if an abnormal log of the switching power supply logged in the non-volatile memory unit, reclosing of the main power is suppressed and which of the switching power supply occurred failure is notified to the outside. | 05-20-2010 |
20100157487 | SHORT CIRCUIT CURRENT RATCHETING IN SWITCH MODE DC/DC VOLTAGE REGULATORS - A regulator with a high side pass device and a low side pass device coupled in series to the high side pass device is disclosed. The apparatus further includes a control module coupled to the high side pass device and the low side pass device. The control module is coupled to the high side pass device and the low side pass device to control the high side pass device and the low side pass device. The control module is operable to lock out the high side pass device under certain conditions. | 06-24-2010 |
20100165519 | CURRENT IN-RUSH LIMITING CIRCUIT USING SWITCHABLE CURRENT LIMITING ARRANGEMENT - An apparatus includes first and second input terminals, a conversion circuit, a current limiting resistive device, a triac and a second winding. The first and second input terminals are configured to be connected to a source of input power. The conversion circuit is operably connected to the first and second terminals, and includes a first inductive winding coupled between the first terminal and a switching device. The conversion circuit also includes a rectifier coupled between the first inductive winding and a first output, and a capacitor coupled between the first output and circuit ground. | 07-01-2010 |
20100188784 | CIRCUITRY AND METHODOLOGY FOR PROTECTING A BOOST DC/DC CONVERTER - Protection circuitry protects a boost converter coupled between input and output nodes for driving a load coupled to the output node. The protection circuitry may comprise a first circuit configured for monitoring a voltage at the output node, the voltage being caused by a signal having a voltage proximate to, or lower than, an input voltage of the boost converter. The protection circuitry may also include a second circuit configured for coupling together the input node with respect to the output node and enabling the boost converter only if the monitored voltage exceeds a reference voltage. | 07-29-2010 |
20100188785 | DEVICE FOR MONITORING AND PROTECTING THE POWER SUPPLY OF ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT AND METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING SAID DEVICE - A device for monitoring and protecting electrical equipment, placed in series on a power supply line between an electrical power source and the equipment, includes:
| 07-29-2010 |
20100195254 | OVERCURRENT AND BROWN OUT PROTECTION APPARATUS - A discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) converter is provided. The converter comprises a transformer having a primary and a secondary side, an RCD network, a rectifier, a switch, and a controller. The transformer has primary side with a first primary winding and a second primary winding and has a secondary side with a secondary winding. The RCD network is coupled to the first primary winding and is adapted to receive energy from the leakage inductance of the first primary winding. The rectifier is coupled to the second primary winding. The switch is coupled between the RCD network and ground. The controller receives indicia of a rectified voltage from the rectifier, indicia of current from the switch, indicia of transformer magnetization and controls the actuation of the switch. Preferably, the controller provides an actuation signal to the switch with actuation periods that are separated from one another by an interval that allows energy within the transformer to substantially dissipate. Average output current of this converter is generally limited from the peak switch current level that is allowed by the controller and a switching frequency that the controller allows the converter to operate. | 08-05-2010 |
20100208393 | IDENTIFICATION AND PROTECTION OF AN AEROSPACE AC-DC POWER SYSTEM IN THE PRESENCE OF DC CONTENT DUE TO FAULTY LOADS - A fault protection system for an AC-DC distribution system detects the presence of DC content at individual loads, isolates the load responsible for the fault from the remainder of the distribution system, and blocks DC content from being propagated from the faulty load to the AC source. The fault protection system includes at least one circuit breaker connected to monitor the AC current provided to the individual electrical load and to detect the presence of DC content indicative of the load being faulty. In response to detected DC content, the circuit breaker trips open to disconnect the electrical load from the AC distribution system to prevent DC content from being propagated to adjacent loads. | 08-19-2010 |
20100208394 | POWER CONVERTER AND METHOD THEREOF - A power converter includes a transformer, a switch element, a control circuit, an over-current detecting circuit, and a compensation signal generating circuit. The transformer includes a primary winding and at least an auxiliary winding. The control circuit is coupled to the switch element, and controls on/off status of the switch element to control a primary current flowing through the primary winding. The over-current detecting circuit compares the primary current with a current limit, and then controls the control circuit to turn off the switch element if the primary current is greater than the current limit. The compensation signal generating circuit is coupled between the auxiliary winding and over-current detecting circuit, and provides an adjustment value to calibrate the current limit according to an output of the auxiliary winding; wherein the adjustment value varies with time when the switch element is turned on. | 08-19-2010 |
20100226050 | PROTECTION CIRCUIT, RESONANT CONVERTER INCLUDING THE PROTECTION CIRCUIT, AND PROTECTING METHOD OF THE RESONANT CONVERTER - The present invention relates to a protection circuit, a resonance converter having the same, and a protection method thereof. | 09-09-2010 |
20100226051 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE OF AN INVERTER - Aspects of the invention are directed to methods and apparatus to protect an inverter from failure due to neutral lifting. In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of controlling an inverter in a UPS, the inverter being selectively coupled to a power line and comprising an input to receive an input voltage from the power line. The method comprises acts of monitoring the input voltage, detecting based on the act of monitoring, that the input voltage exceeds a predetermined high threshold value, isolating the inverter from the power line responsive to detecting that the input voltage exceeds a predetermined high threshold value, determining whether or not a neutral lifting condition exists on the power line, indicating that the inverter is in a fault state if the neutral lifting condition exists, and reconnecting the inverter to the power line if the neutral lifting condition does not exist. | 09-09-2010 |
20100238595 | Excess-Current Protection Circuit And Power Supply - An excess-current protection circuit includes an outer input terminal, an outer output terminal, a driver transistor connected between the input terminal and the output terminal to control an excess current, an excess-current control circuit, and an excess-current detection circuit. The excess-current control circuit compares a predetermined first bias voltage with a voltage obtained by a current flowing through a first sense transistor multiplied by a resistance value of a sense resistor and controls the gate voltage of the driver transistor in accordance with a comparison result. The excess-current detection circuit compares voltage difference between the drain and source of the driver transistor with a predetermined second bias voltage and controls the gate voltage of the driver transistor in accordance with a comparison result. | 09-23-2010 |
20100259855 | DIMMER CIRCUIT WITH OVERCURRENT DETECTION - Disclosed is a method and apparatus for detecting an overcurrent condition in a dimmer circuit having two switches, each for controlling power delivered to a load, each switch having a respective anti-parallel diode. The method comprises sensing a voltage drop across one of the anti-parallel diodes, comparing the sensed voltage drop with a reference voltage, and determining that an overcurrent condition exists if the sensed voltage drop exceeds the reference voltage. Also disclosed is a dimmer circuit embodying the method. | 10-14-2010 |
20100271736 | Protecting lower voltage domain devices during operation in a higher voltage domain - Circuitry is disclosed that comprises: a high voltage rail for providing a high voltage level corresponding to a first higher voltage domain; an intermediate voltage source, a low voltage rail; and a plurality of devices configured to operate in a second lower voltage domain; said circuitry being configured such that a first set of said plurality of devices are arranged in an upper voltage region where they are powered between said high voltage rail and an intermediate voltage rail powered by said intermediate voltage source and a second set of said plurality of devices are arranged in a lower voltage region where they are powered between said intermediate voltage rail and said low voltage rail, said circuitry being configured such that on power up said intermediate voltage source is powered before said high voltage rail, said circuitry further comprising: an isolating circuit arranged in said upper voltage region, said isolating circuit comprising at least one switching device for connecting said intermediate voltage source to at least one node in said circuitry in response to said high voltage rail being powered, and for isolating said at least one node from said intermediate voltage source and for connecting said at least one node to said high voltage rail in response to said intermediate voltage source being powered and said high voltage rail not being powered in order to impede current flow from said intermediate voltage source to said high voltage rail via said node when said high voltage rail is not powered. | 10-28-2010 |
20100277837 | DEVICE ARRANGED FOR CONVERTING AN AC INPUT VOLTAGE TO A DC OUTPUT VOLTAGE - The present invention relates to a device arranged for converting an AC input voltage to a DC output voltage, comprising a bridgeless boost converter; and a surge protection system. The surge protection system comprises a first protection diode (Dprot | 11-04-2010 |
20100277838 | FAULT CONDITION PROTECTION - A regulator for a switched mode power supply includes switching regulator logic, a counter and a logic gate. The switching regulator logic is coupled to receive a feedback signal and to generate a switching signal in response. The feedback signal periodically cycles between a first state and a second state when the power supply operates normally. The counter is coupled to receive the feedback signal and an output of the counter indicates an auto-restart mode of the regulator in response to the feedback signal remaining in the first state for a predetermined count. An output of the logic gate enables the power switch to turn on and off in response to the switching signal when the output of the counter does not indicate the auto-restart mode and the output of the logic gate disables the power switch in response to the output of the counter indicating the auto-restart mode. | 11-04-2010 |
20100309589 | Inverter device - The inverter device includes an IGBT bridge circuit, a drive block which has an upper arm photocoupler and a lower arm photocoupler, and a control block including a CPU which generates gate signals and supplies them to the photocouplers . The control block includes an upper arm shutdown circuit and lower arm shutdown circuit which individually shutdown the gate signals of the upper arm and lower arm IGBTs in accordance with shutdown signals input from the exterior, and the shutdown circuits carry out a shutdown operation in accordance with the shutdown signals, which have mutually inverted logics. | 12-09-2010 |
20100321837 | ELECTRONIC PROTECTION UNIT FOR AUTOMATIC CIRCUIT BREAKERS AND RELATIVE PROCESS - Electronic protection unit comprising a control unit and a main and auxiliary power supply stage to supply electrical power to said control unit. The auxiliary power supply stage comprises electronic means suitable to generate an auxiliary power supply voltage, in response to a light radiation received in input. In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a process to manage an electronic protection unit of a power line, in emergency condition. | 12-23-2010 |
20110002068 | SWITCHING REGULATOR WITH FAULT PROTECTION AND METHOD THEREOF - A switching regulator with fault protection and method thereof. The switching regulator comprises a switching circuit, a control circuit, a fault detection circuit and a fault timer. The fault detection circuit is electrically coupled to the switching circuit to detect whether a fault condition exists and generate a fault signal accordingly. The fault timer starts to time once the fault signal becomes valid, and is reset when the fault signal becomes invalid. If the fault time reaches a first time threshold, the control circuit is disabled, and the switch in the switching circuit is turned off. | 01-06-2011 |
20110002069 | ELECTRIC CIRCUIT - A functional element is prevented from breakdown and deterioration because of mounting and demounting of the functional element immediately after cut-off of driving power from a constant-current power supply or during supply of the driving power. | 01-06-2011 |
20110007432 | Power Node Switching Center With Active Feedback Control Of Power Switches - A circuit fault detector and interrupter which consists of parallel current conduction paths, including a path through a mechanical contactor and a path through a power electronics switch having active feedback control. A fault can be detected by a fault detection circuit within 50 microseconds of the occurrence of the fault, causing the mechanical contactor to be opened and the fault current to be commutated via a laminated, low-inductance bus through the power electronics switch. The power electronics switch is thereafter turned off as soon as possible, interrupting the fault current and absorbing the inductive energy in the circuit. The fault current can be interrupted within 200 microseconds of the occurrence of the fault, and the device reduces or eliminates arcing when the mechanical contactor is opened. | 01-13-2011 |
20110007433 | FILTER APPLIANCE FOR A MULTIPHASE ELECTRICAL CONVERTER DEVICE - A filter appliance comprises first electrical terminals ( | 01-13-2011 |
20110007434 | OVER CURRENT PROTECTING DEVICE AND METHOD ADAPTED TO DC-DC CONVERTER - The invention discloses an over current protecting device and the method thereof. The over current protecting device is adapted to a DC-DC converter. A voltage output end of the DC-DC converter may generate an output current and transmit the output current to a load on a motherboard via a power copper layer on the motherboard. The over current protecting method includes the following steps: detecting a voltage drop on the power copper layer; controlling the DC-DC converter to operate normally when the voltage drop is smaller than a threshold value; and controlling the DC-DC converter to stop operating when the voltage drop is larger than the threshold value. | 01-13-2011 |
20110007435 | SHORT CIRCUIT PROTECTING DEVICE AND METHOD THEREOF FOR DC-DC CONVERTER WITH SOFT-START FUNCTION - The invention discloses a short circuit protecting device adapted to a DC-DC converter with a soft-start function, and a voltage output terminal of the DC-DC converter increases an output current in segments in multiple time periods after the DC-DC converter is started. The short circuit protecting device including a voltage sensor connected to the voltage output terminal to sense the output voltage; a start timer generating a enable signal in a predetermined period after the DC-DC converter is started; a comparison circuit connected to the voltage sensor and the start timer and comparing the output voltage with a predetermined voltage according to the enable signal. The sum of the time period is a startup time of the DC-DC converter, and the startup time is longer than the predetermined period. When the output voltage is smaller than the predetermined voltage, a comparison circuit outputs a control signal to stop the DC-DC converter. | 01-13-2011 |
20110019315 | OVER-CURRENT PROTECTION FOR DC-TO-DC CONVERTERS - A DC-to-DC converter includes a switching control circuit adapted to provide a control signal having a duty cycle. A switching regulator is adapted to receive both a supply voltage having the first voltage level and the control signal. The switching regulator is further adapted to provide an output signal at the second voltage level as a function of both the supply voltage and the control signal. In addition, a current sensing circuit is adapted to provide at least one alarm signal based the duty cycle of the time-varying signal. Other systems and methods are also disclosed. | 01-27-2011 |
20110019316 | INRUSH CURRENT CONTROL - An inrush current control circuit selectively short-circuit bypasses an inrush current limiting resistor (R | 01-27-2011 |
20110019317 | TUNABLE VOLTAGE ISOLATION GROUND TO GROUND ESD CLAMP - A tunable voltage isolation ground to ground ESD clamp is provided. The clamp includes a dual-direction silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) and trigger elements. The SCR is coupled between first and second grounds. The trigger elements are also coupled between the first and second grounds. Moreover, the trigger elements are configured to provide a trigger current to the dual-direction silicon controlled rectifier when a desired voltage between the first and second grounds is reached. | 01-27-2011 |
20110043951 | Temperature Variance Nullification In An Inrush Current Suppression Circuit - The temperature dependence of an inrush current suppression circuit comprising a MOSFET having an input terminal coupled to a direct current input voltage can a transistor electrically coupled to the MOSFET can be reduced by matching the temperature coefficient of a transistor to a component electrically coupled to the transistor. | 02-24-2011 |
20110051296 | LOAD DRIVE DEVICE - The load drive device of the present invention comprises a load drive unit for switching on/off output current that flows to an inductive load; and an overcurrent protection circuit for detecting whether the output current is in an overcurrent state, wherein the load drive unit has an output transistor connected to one end of the inductive load; and a pre-driver for generating a control signal of the output transistor in accordance with an input signal, and the pre-driver has a first drive unit for switching on/off the output transistor during normal operation; and a second drive unit for switching off the output transistor more slowly than the first drive unit during overcurrent protection operation. | 03-03-2011 |
20110058284 | THERMOELECTRIC DEVICE UTILIZED AS VOLTAGE SNUBBER - An electric circuit includes a plurality of electric circuit elements. The circuit is prone to creating voltage spikes on a pair of spaced lines. A jumper line connects the pair of spaced lines. A thermoelectric element is connected on the jumper line such that the voltage spike will pass through a hot node on the thermoelectric element. A cool node of the thermoelectric element is positioned adjacent to components which require cooling. | 03-10-2011 |
20110058285 | OVER-CURRENT PROTECTION DEVICE FOR A SWITCHED-MODE POWER SUPPLY - An over-current protection device is employed to control switching associated with a switched mode power supply to prevent the excessive buildup of current. The device includes a function for relating the switching of the SMPS with a monitored output of the SMPS. This function is selectively modified to ensure the current associated with the SMPS does not exceed a maximum value and does not fall below a minimum value. | 03-10-2011 |
20110058286 | ELECTRICAL APPARATUS WITH HIGHER DURABILITY AGAINST SURGES - An electrical apparatus, which is immovable in a facility, comprises plural electric circuits. Each electric circuit has one or more resistance elements and is connected to each input terminal connected a power source. The electric circuits are arranged positionally closely with each other. In each electric circuit, a desired functional circuit is connected in series to the resistance element, and a protection circuit is connected in series to the resistance element and connected in parallel with the functional circuit. A discharge member is provided in each electric circuit and arranged between each input terminal and the functional circuit. The discharge member includes a discharge gap which allows the discharge member to face with the discharge member of an adjacently arranged electric circuit. The discharge gap discharge deliberately to the adjacently positioned discharge member when a voltage applied to any of the electric circuits exceeds a predetermined voltage value. | 03-10-2011 |
20110058287 | METHOD OF FORMING A DETECTION CIRCUIT AND STRUCTURE THEREFOR - In one embodiment, a power supply controller is configured to use a current to detect two different operating conditions on a single input terminal. | 03-10-2011 |
20110063760 | DC/DC Converter Overcurrent Protection - A DC/DC converter and a method protect a MOSFET driven by the converter from overcurrent conditions. No extra pins are required to sense the current, which saves IC package area and cost. | 03-17-2011 |
20110090604 | Digitally Controlled AC Protection and Attenuation Circuit - A protection and attenuation circuit for sensitive AC loads is described. The circuit provides AC power protection and attenuation utilizing high-efficiency switch-mode techniques to attenuate an AC power signal by incorporating a bidirectional, transistorized switch driven from a pulse width modulation signal, PWM. The circuit monitors characteristics of the AC power signal driving a known load and characteristics of the load or other elements and determines the duty cycle of the pulse width modulated signal, PWM, based upon the duration and amplitude of the over-voltage, over-current, over-limit or other event. | 04-21-2011 |
20110090605 | SEMICONDUCTOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - An integrated circuit formed on a semiconductor chip includes voltage regulators for stepping down an externally-supplied power voltage to produce an internal power voltage, and internal circuits which operate based on the internal power voltage. The voltage regulators are laid in the area of the buffers and protective elements for the input/output signals and power voltages so that the overhead area due to the on-chip provision of the voltage regulators is minimized. The internal power voltage is distributed to the internal circuits through a looped main power line, with an electrode pad for connecting an external capacitor for stabilizing the internal power voltage being provided on it, so that the internal power voltage is stabilized and the power consumption of the integrated circuit is minimized. | 04-21-2011 |
20110096445 | Surge Current Detection In A Switch By Detecting Change In A duty Cycle - An embodiment of the invention provides a surge current protection circuit. The surge current protection circuit comprises a peak current detector and a current sensing device. When the peak current detector detects when a surge current has occurred, by monitoring a change in duty cycle on a node of a HS (high side) switch, a LS (low side) switch is activated. The current sensing device senses the current drawn through the LS switch. When the current sensing device senses a current that exceeds a current limit, the HS switch is turned off for a period of time such that the surge current is reduced. | 04-28-2011 |
20110102950 | POWER FACTOR CORRECTION CIRCUIT AND DRIVING METHOD THEREOF - The present invention relates to a power factor correction circuit and a driving method thereof. | 05-05-2011 |
20110102951 | POWER SUPPLY AND THE CONTROL METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME AND POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM INCORPORATING SUCH POWER SUPPLIES - Disclosed is a power supply and a power supply system using such power supply. The inventive power supply includes a power converter for converting an input voltage into an intermediate output voltage, an output protection circuit connected to an output terminal of the power converter and an output terminal of the power supply for protecting the power converter by its ON/OFF operations, and a control unit connected to the output protection circuit for controlling the output protection circuit. When an operating frequency of the power converter is higher than a first reference frequency and the intermediate output voltage is higher than a first reference voltage, the control unit outputs a first control signal to a control terminal of the output protection circuit to turn off the output protection circuit. | 05-05-2011 |
20110102952 | METHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF AN OSCILLATING SIGNAL AND OF AN ELECTRICAL PROTECTION DEVICE OR MEASUREMENT INSTRUMENT HAVING AN OSCILLATION IDENTIFICATION DEVICE - A method for producing an oscillation signal which indicates oscillation in an electrical power supply system, in which measured values that characterize current and voltage at a measurement point in the electrical power supply system are detected and are converted to digital current and voltage vector measured values. Impedance values are calculated in the complex numerical domain from the current vector measured values and the voltage vector measured values. A curve profile formed by the impedance values is considered and, if appropriate, the oscillation signal is produced using characteristic properties of the curve profile. In order to provide a method in which an oscillation can be identified as reliably as possible, a first oscillation supposition signal is produced when the separation of the impedance values from an oscillation center point remains substantially the same and a second oscillation supposition signal is produced when the rate at which the impedance values approach the curve profile remains substantially the same. The oscillation signal is produced when both the first and the second oscillation supposition signal are present. A protective device or measurement instrument has a corresponding oscillation identification device. | 05-05-2011 |
20110110000 | Power System Having Voltage-Based Monitoring for Over Current Protection - A power control system reduces power losses by utilizing an over current protection method that detects an over current event based on a power utilization factor P | 05-12-2011 |
20110122535 | SECONDARY SIDE PROTECTION METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A SWITCHING POWER CONVERTER - The present invention discloses a secondary side protection method for a switching power converter, used to turn off a secondary side switch according to a secondary side voltage signal, wherein the secondary side voltage signal has falling edges corresponding to the start instants of secondary side discharge periods, and rising edges corresponding to the end instants of the secondary side discharge periods, the method comprising the steps of: measuring the time interval between two adjacent the rising edges repeatedly to derive discharge end cycle times; and generating a first turn-off signal to turn off the secondary side switch when the relative difference of two successive the discharge end cycle times exceeds a predetermined percentage. The present invention also provides a secondary side protection apparatus according to the method. | 05-26-2011 |
20110128654 | SHORT CIRCUIT CURRENT RATCHETING IN SWITCH MODE DC/DC VOLTAGE REGULATORS - A regulator with a high side pass device and a low side pass device coupled in series to the high side pass device is disclosed. The apparatus further includes a control module coupled to the high side pass device and the low side pass device. The control module is coupled to the high side pass device and the low side pass device to control the high side pass device and the low side pass device. The control module is operable to lock out the high side pass device under certain conditions. | 06-02-2011 |
20110134573 | SAFETY SWITCHING ARRANGEMENT FOR OUTPUTTING A SWITCHING SIGNAL - A safety switching arrangement is proposed for outputting a switching signal for at least one switch or the safety-oriented interruption of a circuit which can be used to control the disconnection of the power supply for a load. In at least one embodiment, the safety switching arrangement includes at least one evaluation circuit which emits a respective unsafe drive signal for the at least one switch at a respective output. The safety switching arrangement also includes a programmable logic unit which can be supplied with the drive signal(s) at a respective input and is connected to the at least one switch in order to drive the at least one switch with a safe drive signal. The programmable logic unit is in the form of a testing and monitoring device which can test and monitor the correct function of the respective switch during operation. At least one embodiment of the invention finally has a safe non-floating first terminal of the at least one switch, which terminal is connected to a respective feedback input of the programmable logic unit in order to monitor the potential state of said terminal. The relevant potential state during error-free operation corresponds to the safe drive signal for the at least one switch. | 06-09-2011 |
20110141631 | POWER FACTOR CORRECTION TYPE SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY UNIT - A power factor correction type switching power supply unit can change reference values of an overcurrent limit at an optimum timing at a time of an overcurrent protection of a step-up type converter, so that no sudden change occurs in an inductor current. A detection level selection circuit selects one of first and second threshold values with a selection signal, and outputs it as an overcurrent detection level to an overcurrent detection circuit. An input voltage monitoring circuit determines the selection signal in such a way that the larger of two threshold values is selected when an alternating current input voltage exceeds a first reference voltage, and the smaller threshold value is selected when the alternating current input voltage does not exceed a second reference voltage, and outputs the selection signal to the detection level selection circuit at a timing at which the alternating current input voltage approaches a zero. | 06-16-2011 |
20110141632 | REVERSAL CONNECTION PROTECTING CIRCUIT - The present invention discloses a reversal connection protecting circuit. The reversal connection protecting circuit includes a power supply interface, a secondary battery, a reversal connection driving unit and a power switching unit. The reversal connection protecting circuit further includes an anti-reversal unit. And the reversal connection protecting circuit further includes a processing unit and a warning interface. According to the present invention, the inconvenience brought by substituting a fuse that is melted in a protecting circuit under the condition that the power supply of the protecting circuit is reversely connected in prior art is overcome. | 06-16-2011 |
20110149444 | SURGE PROTECTION CIRCUIT - A surge protection circuit is disclosed for an electrical Load which may be for instance an LED load which is directly connected to a supply such as mains supply, and comprises a plurality of switches which are distributed across a plurality of semiconductor die. A surge detector detects the start of a spike in the supply, which results from, for example the commencement or interruption of a nearby inductive load, and opens all the switches. By distributing the switches across multiple die the peak voltage across each is reduced relative to using a single die; thereby each die can stay within the absolute maximum voltage capacity. Each die may have its own surge detector; alternatively, a single surge detector may be used which communicates with the switches on each of the die. In an extension the bridge rectifier may be integrated into the circuit distributed across the die. In this embodiment additional inter-die clamping diodes are required to prevent unsafe floating of the edge connections of each die. | 06-23-2011 |
20110157751 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROTECTING OVERVOLTAGE OF HIGH VOLTAGE INVERTER - Disclosed herein is an overvoltage protection apparatus and method of a high voltage inverter adapted to protect a load without any adverse effect from an overvoltage aroused by voltage fluctuation attributable to an impedance difference among an inverter, a load and a cable connected between the inverter and the load, wherein the apparatus and method converts a voltage command signal given as a digital signal into an analog reference signal by a main control unit, compares the analog reference voltage with a sawtooth wave having a predetermined voltage level and frequency in order to generate a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal, determines the pulse width of the PWM signal, and converts the pulse width of the PWM signal to have a predetermined time interval in a case the pulse width of the PWM signal is less than a predetermined time interval. | 06-30-2011 |
20110157752 | OVERCURRENT DETECTION CIRCUIT, INVERTER, COMPRESSOR, AND AIR-CONDITIONING MACHINE, AND ADJUSTING METHOD FOR ADJUSTING OVERCURRENT DETECTION CIRCUIT - A current detection device for detecting an electric current flowing through an inverter, an overcurrent level generation device for generating an abnormality judgment reference value, an overcurrent detection device for generating an interruption signal to the inverter on the basis of an output of the current detection device and the abnormality judgment reference value, and an adjusting apparatus for correcting the abnormality judgment reference value of the overcurrent level generation device on the basis of the output at a time when a constant electric current is applied to the current detection device are provided. The overcurrent level generating device is provided with one or a plurality of resistance value adjusting sections, and generates the abnormality judgment reference value in correspondence to a resistance value of the resistance value adjusting section. The adjusting apparatus performs a zapping operation by means of applying a reverse-bias to a zener diode, and corrects the abnormality judgment reference value. | 06-30-2011 |
20110164339 | SURGE PROTECTION CIRCUIT - A surge protection circuit for a circuit having a rectification module. The surge protection circuit includes a first diode, a second diode, a capacitor and a discharge device. The anode of the first diode is connected to a first input of the rectification module, and the anode of the second diode is connected to a second input of the rectification module. The cathodes of the first and second diodes are both connected to the first plate of the capacitor. The second plate of the capacitor is connected to the negative output of the rectification module. The capacitor is configured such that it is consistently charged to substantially the peak value of a supply voltage during normal operation between surge events. The discharge device is connected to the first plate of the capacitor and is configured to discharge the capacitor when the voltage across the capacitor is in excess of the peak of the maximum value of the normal supply voltage and not discharge the capacitor when the voltage across the capacitor is not in excess of the peak of the maximum value of the normal supply voltage. | 07-07-2011 |
20110194214 | HIGH DIMMING RATIO CONTROL AND SHORT CIRCUIT PROTECTION FOR LED DRIVE WITH STEP UP CONVERTER - The present invention discloses a step up circuit with output floating for driving a load such as a LED or a series of LEDs in a string. The step up circuit comprises an input port, an output port, an inductor, an input capacitor, an output capacitor, a first switch, a second switch and a third switch. The third switch S | 08-11-2011 |
20110194215 | EMI Noise Shielding Device - An EMI noise shielding device applied to a power supply control system includes a first resistor with a terminal electrically coupled to a terminal of a second resistor to form an input terminal, a differential amplifier for receiving a feedback voltage (Vfb) signal containing a noise from the input terminal to perform a first filter process to generate a first node voltage (VA) signal, a signal converter for receiving the first node voltage (VA) signal to perform an analog-to-digital signal conversion process and a second filter process to generate a second node voltage (VB) signal, and a digital control circuit for receiving the second node voltage (VB) signal to perform a determination process and a third filter process to generate a third node voltage (VC) signal. Therefore, the noise signal contained in the feedback voltage (Vfb) signal can be filtered to maintain the normal operation of the power supply control system. | 08-11-2011 |
20110194216 | Protection Circuit for Protecting an Intermediate Circuit of a Solar Inverter Against Overvoltages - An input-side protective circuit for protecting an intermediate circuit of an inverter against overvoltages, wherein the input-side protective circuit includes an upstream element for limiting the voltage of the intermediate circuit connected upstream of the intermediate circuit and which is bridgeable by a mechanical switching device that is controllable such that it opens in a feed-in operation of the inverter when an intermediate circuit voltage is greater than a specified voltage limit. The protective circuit also includes an electronic voltage limiter connected downstream of the upstream element and connected in parallel to the intermediate circuit. | 08-11-2011 |
20110194217 | POWER SUPPLIES WITH TESTABLE CURRENT LIMITERS, AND METHODS OF OPERATING SAME - A power supply ( | 08-11-2011 |
20110205672 | MOTOR CONTROLLER AND ELECTRIC POWER STEERING DEVICE - A microcomputer detects and determines whether a problem exists in a power supply breaker of an ECU functioning as a motor controller. Specifically, the microcomputer determines whether there is a malfunction caused by a short circuit in a first FET based on the output voltage and output voltage that are detected in a first FET and a second FET, respectively, when the switching states of the first and second FETs are both off. Afterwards, the microcomputer determines whether there is a malfunction caused by a break in the first FET based on the output voltages of the first and second FETs that are detected when only the first FET is switched on. If the microcomputer determines that the first FET is free from any malfunction, the microcomputer determines whether there is a malfunction caused by a short circuit or a break in the second FET by comparing the output voltage of the first FET and a charge voltage of a smoothing capacitor that are detected afterwards. | 08-25-2011 |
20110211281 | POWER SUPPLY WITH OPEN-LOOP PROTECTION - A power supply with an open-loop protection according to the present invention comprises a transformer, a switch, a signal generation circuit, a feedback detection circuit, a brown-out detection circuit, and a delay circuit. The transformer receives an input voltage. The switch is coupled to the transformer for switching the transformer. The signal generation circuit generates a switching signal to control the switch. The feedback detection circuit generates a pull-high signal in response to a feedback signal of the power supply. The brown-out detection circuit generates a delay signal in response to the pull-high signal and the input voltage. The delay circuit counts a delay time in response to the delay signal for generating a disabling signal coupled to the signal generation circuit to latch the switching signal. The brown-out detection circuit is utilized to detect whether the input voltage is in the brown-out condition for determining whether the open-loop protection is executed. | 09-01-2011 |
20110211282 | SELF-ADJUSTABLE OVERCURRENT PROTECTION THRESHOLD CIRCUIT, A METHOD FOR GENERATING A COMPENSATED THRESHOLD SIGNAL AND A POWER SUPPLY EMPLOYING THE CIRCUIT OR METHOD - A power supply employing a compensated threshold signal for overcurrent protection and a method for generating the compensated threshold signal are disclosed herein. Additionally, a self-adjusting overcurrent threshold circuit is provided. In one embodiment, the self-adjusting overcurrent threshold circuit includes: (1) a fixed threshold source configured to provide a constant threshold signal for the overcurrent protection circuit, (2) an analog signal processor, coupled to the fixed threshold source, configured to monitor designated parameters of the converter and generate a threshold adjustment signal based thereon and (3) a combiner configured to combine the constant threshold signal with the threshold adjustment signal to provide the compensated threshold signal. | 09-01-2011 |
20110216448 | OVERCURRENT PROTECTION CIRCUIT - An overcurrent protection circuit includes a load driver for driving a load, a controller for turning ON and OFF the load driver, a current sensor for measuring a load current flowing through the load, and an add/subtract circuit for performing both an addition operation and a subtraction operation on a previous calculation result or for performing only the subtraction operation on the previous calculation result so as to produce a present calculation result. The addition operation uses an added value depending on the presently measured current. The subtraction operation uses a subtracted value depending on the presently measured current. The controller turns OFF the load driver, when the present calculation result of the add/subtract circuit exceeds a predetermined determination value. | 09-08-2011 |
20110216449 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FAULT DETECTION OF SERIES DIODES IN RECTIFIERS - A method and apparatus for fault detection of series diodes in rectifiers is disclosed, wherein the voltages across one or both of the individual diodes, and/or the voltage across the pair of diodes are measured to determine a ratio between two of those voltages. The ratio is then analyzed to determine if a fault (e.g., a short circuit or an open circuit) is present. In some embodiments, circuitry can be included to compensate for the normal variations in diode characteristics (e.g., reverse leakage current, reverse recovery charge) between the pair of series diodes to minimize the potential for erroneous fault detection. | 09-08-2011 |
20110222192 | MAGNETIC ENERGY REGENERATION SWITCH PROVIDED WITH PROTECTION CIRCUIT - A protection circuit equipped magnetic energy recovery switch including a magnetic energy recovery switch having at least two reverse-conductive type semiconductor switches and two capacitors employs a protection circuit and control method for protecting the capacitors against an overvoltage or short-circuited discharge, and protecting the reverse-conductive type semiconductor switches and a load against an overvoltage or overcurrent, and can be used a controller or a current limiter. | 09-15-2011 |
20110235219 | PROTECTING DEVICE - A protecting device includes a power plug, a switch circuit, and a power supply circuit. The switch circuit is connected to the power plug. The power supply circuit is connected to the switch circuit and the power plug. When the temperature of the protecting device is higher than a predetermined temperature, a voltage at a node between a thermo-sensor and a variable resistor is higher than a turn-on voltage of a second electrical switch to turn on the second electrical switch, a first electrical switch is turned off, the power supply circuit is disconnected from the power plug to stop the electronic device from working. | 09-29-2011 |
20110235220 | REGULATING SYSTEM HAVING OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION CIRCUIT AND CURRENT PROTECTION CIRCUIT - A regulating system includes an input port having a first input terminal and a second input terminal, an output port having a first output terminal and a second output terminal, a regulating circuit, an over-current protection circuit, and an overvoltage protection circuit. The overvoltage protection circuit includes a regulating diode, a first bipolar transistor and a second bipolar transistor. The first output terminal is connected to the base of the first bipolar transistor via the regulating diode and grounded via first bipolar transistor. A base of the second bipolar transistor connects to the collector of the first bipolar transistor. The second output terminal is grounded via the second transistor. When an output voltage of the first output terminal increases over a predetermined voltage, an electrical connection between the second output terminal and ground is cut off to stop providing output voltage from the output port | 09-29-2011 |
20110235221 | BRIDGING UNIT - A converter cell of a modular converter is provided. The converter cell includes a bridging unit which has a mechanical bistable relay, an electronic switch, a drive for switching the relay and the electronic switch, and an energy store for supplying power to the mechanical relay, the electronic switch and the drive. The drive includes passive overvoltage detection configured to charge the energy store if the overvoltage is exceeded. The drive includes an additional switch which is closed when a voltage on the energy store exceeds a predefined value, and the drive supplies current from the energy store to at least one of the relay and the electronic switch. The drive has hysteresis, such that, if the voltage on the energy store is undershot, at least one of the relay and the electronic switch is still supplied with current from the energy store. | 09-29-2011 |
20110242709 | POWER SOURCE VOLTAGE PROTECTIVE DEVICE AND POWER SOURCE VOLTAGE PROTECTION METHOD - A microcomputer 10 is equipped with a CPU 13 and an AD converter 15. The AD converter 15 is supplied with the same power source voltage as the CPU 13, and converts a reference voltage Vref into digital data using the received power source voltage and outputs the digital data as a conversion value. The CPU 13 detects a state of the power source voltage by calculating a voltage variation of a power source voltage for ordinary operation on the basis of a first conversion value obtained by AD-converting the reference voltage Vref by the AD converter 15 in a state that a standard power source voltage Vcc including no voltage variation is supplied to the AD converter 15 and a second conversion value obtained by AD-converting the reference voltage Vref by the AD converter 15 in a state that the power source voltage for ordinary operation is supplied to the AD converter 15. | 10-06-2011 |
20110249367 | FIELD DEVICE FOR DETERMINING AND/OR MONITORING A PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESS VARIABLE - A field device for determining and/or monitoring a physical or chemical, process variable in automation technology. The field device comprises: at least one microcontroller; a supply unit of limited capacity as primary voltage supply; and a detection circuit, which signals the microcontroller of a failure of the supply unit so early by means of a detection signal that sufficient time is available to take suitable safety measures, in order to avoid loss of data. The detection circuit is so embodied that a reference voltage required for detection of a voltage decline of the supply unit has an almost constant offset from the supply voltage of the supply unit and adjusts to the supply voltage, until the detection circuit, in the case of an abrupt subceeding of the reference voltage, or an abrupt voltage decline of the supply voltage, sends a detection signal to the microcontroller. | 10-13-2011 |
20110255198 | MOTOR DRIVE GROUND FAULT DETECTION - A motor drive ground fault detection device operates by computing the total RMS voltage of all the phases, and comparing the total RMS voltage to a threshold to determine if a ground fault has occurred. | 10-20-2011 |
20110279930 | Switching regulator control circuit - The present invention discloses a switching regulator control circuit which distinguishes the output short-circuit condition, which imposes immediate danger, from other mild over current conditions. The switching regulator control circuit includes: an over current judgment circuit comparing a current sense signal with a current limit to generate an over current indication signal; a time comparison circuit comparing the over current indication signal with a clock signal to generate an output short-circuit indication signal; and a timer receiving the over current indication signal and the output short-circuit indication signal, wherein when the output short-circuit indication signal does not indicate output short-circuit, the timer counts a first time period, and when the output short-circuit indication signal indicates output short-circuit, the timer counts a second time period shorter than the first time period, for better safety protection. | 11-17-2011 |
20110317314 | Short Circuit Protection Circuit, Short Circuit Protection Method and Power Supply Device Thereof - A short circuit protection circuit for a power supply device includes a driving transistor, for controlling to output an input voltage to a load according to a first control voltage; a shutdown transistor, coupled with the driving transistor, for controlling a level of the first control voltage according to a second control voltage; and an energy storage module, coupled with the shutdown transistor, for storing energy of the input voltage, to output a specific voltage as the second control voltage in a specific interval after short-circuit occurs. | 12-29-2011 |
20110317315 | DRIVING DEVICE FOR SEMICONDUCTOR ELEMENT - A driving device for driving a semiconductor element can include a plurality of protection circuits that detect information necessary for performing protection operation for semiconductor elements that include a power conversion apparatus, a pulse signal generation circuit that sets a pulse sequence signal with a pulse width differently for each of the protection circuits and outputs a pulse sequence signal corresponding to the protection circuit that has been first detected a need for protection operation. The device can also include an alarm signal forming circuit that forms an alarm signal by ON-OFF control of a switching element and externally outputs the alarm signal, and a protection operation state discrimination circuit that discriminates existence of a protection operation state based on the alarm signal from the alarm signal forming circuit, and an alarm control circuit that delivers the pulse sequence signal outputted from the pulse signal generation circuit. | 12-29-2011 |
20120002332 | OVERVOLTAGE CIRCUIT, AND MOTOR STARTER, OVERLOAD RELAY AND LOW-POWER SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME - A motor starter includes a contactor and an overload relay. The overload relay includes a power supply having a voltage, a processor powered by the power supply voltage and being structured to control the contactor, and an overvoltage circuit. The overvoltage circuit includes a voltage reference having a voltage, a comparator, a load and a switch. The comparator includes a first input for the power supply voltage, the first input cooperating with the voltage of the voltage reference to determine a threshold voltage, a second input for voltage reference voltage, and an output. The switch is controlled by the comparator output and is structured to electrically connect the power supply voltage to ground through the load whenever the power supply voltage exceeds the threshold voltage. | 01-05-2012 |
20120008238 | Transistor Half-Bridge Control - A circuit for driving a transistor half bridge is disclosed that comprises a series circuit of a first and a second transistor both having intrinsic or external free-wheeling diodes coupled in parallel. The circuit for driving a transistor half bridge comprises: an over-current detection circuit that is configured to signal an over-current condition when a load current flowing through the first transistor exceeds a first threshold; a protection circuit that is coupled to the over-current detection circuit and that is configured to disable an activation of the first transistor in response to a detected over-current and to re-enable the activation of the first transistor after a first time interval has elapsed; an evaluation circuit that is coupled to the over-current detection circuit and that is configured to check whether a further over-current condition is detected within a second time interval that follows the first time interval. An active free-wheeling by activating the second transistor is disabled when a further over-current condition is detected within the second time interval, and an active free-wheeling by activating the second transistor is enabled during the first time interval when no further over-current condition is detected within the second time interval. | 01-12-2012 |
20120033333 | POWER PROTECTION CIRCUIT - A power protection circuit includes a power providing unit, a first and second voltage converters, a first and second switches, a first and second voltage detecting circuits, and a first and second warning circuits. The first switch connects between the power providing unit and the first voltage converter. The second switch connects between the power providing unit and the second voltage converter. The first and second voltage detecting circuits are respectively connected to the first and second voltage converters. The first and second warning circuits are respectively connected to the first and second voltage detecting circuits. When the input voltage of the first voltage detecting circuit drops, the first switch turns off the first voltage converter, the first warning circuit signals a warning; when the input voltage of the second voltage detecting circuit drops, the second switch turns off the second voltage converter, the second warning circuit signals a warning. | 02-09-2012 |
20120044599 | Surge Suppression Circuit for a Load Control Device - A surge suppression circuit for a load control device allows the load control device to pass hipot testing, while providing improved protection of the load control device during surge events. The load control device comprises a load control circuit and a filter circuit for preventing noise generated by the load control circuit from being provided to an AC power source. The surge suppression circuit comprises a clamping device adapted to be electrically coupled across the AC power source, and first and second spark gaps coupled across the filter circuit for limiting the magnitude of the voltage generated by inductive components of the filter circuit. The filter circuit may comprise a common-mode choke, and two series-connected capacitor having their junction connected to earth ground. Alternatively, the filter circuit may additionally comprise a differential-mode choke. | 02-23-2012 |
20120044600 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING ARC FLASH EVENTS USING CURRENT AND VOLTAGE - A power circuit protection system includes a current sensor configured to measure a first current level through a conductor of the circuit, a voltage sensor configured to measure a first voltage level across a plurality of conductors of the circuit, and a controller communicatively coupled to the current sensor and to the voltage sensor. The controller is configured to receive a first signal from the current sensor, wherein the first signal is representative of the first current level, and receive a second signal from the voltage sensor, wherein the second signal is representative of the first voltage level. Based on the first signal and the second signal, the controller is configured to determine whether to activate a first circuit protection device or a second circuit protection device. | 02-23-2012 |
20120044601 | STARTUP PROTECTION CIRCUIT AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE USING THE SAME - A startup protection circuit includes an initialization unit and a protection unit. The initialization unit generates a first level signal when initially receiving a supply voltage, which is larger than or equal to a predetermined voltage from a power source. The protection unit generates the first level signal when the supply voltage is smaller than the predetermined voltage. A processing unit is connected to the power source, and is initialized according to the first level signal. A related electronic device is also provided. | 02-23-2012 |
20120044602 | REGULATING SYSTEM HAVING OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION CIRCUIT AND OVERCURRENT PROTECTION CIRCUIT - A regulating system includes an input port, an output port; and an overvoltage protection circuit. The an overvoltage protection circuit includes a fuse, a semiconductor controlled rectifier (SCR), a first resistor, and a voltage regulator. The fuse includes a first end and a second end. The SCR includes a gate, an anode, and a cathode. The regulator includes a cathode and an anode. The first end of the fuse is connected to the input port, the second end of the fuse is connected to the anode of the SCR, the cathode of the SCR is connected to the ground, the gate of the SCR is connected to the anode of the regulator through the first resistor, the cathode of the regulator is connected to the output port. | 02-23-2012 |
20120063037 | CONTINUOUS POWER PROTECTION - A power supply including a switching voltage regulator detects a peak power fault if a peak power limit is exceeded during a switching cycle of the voltage regulator. A second fault condition exists if a second power limit, lower than the peak power limit, is exceeded over a second time period, longer than the first time period. The switching voltage regulator is stopped in response to either the first or the second fault condition. Responsive to the second fault condition, the switching voltage regulator may be stopped until AC power is cycled or until a predetermined time period has elapsed. | 03-15-2012 |
20120063038 | POWER-SUPPLY MODULE WITH ELECTROMAGNETIC-INTERFERENCE (EMI) SHIELDING, COOLING, OR BOTH SHIELDING AND COOLING, ALONG TWO OR MORE SIDES - An embodiment of a power-supply module includes a package having sides, a first power-supply component disposed in the package, and an electromagnetic-interference (EMI) shield disposed adjacent to two sides of the package. For example, such a module may include component-mounting platforms (e.g., a lead frame or printed circuit board) on the top and bottom sides of the module, and these platforms may provide a level of EMI shielding specified for a particular application. Consequently, such a module may provide better EMI shielding than modules with shielding along only one side (e.g., the bottom) of the module. Moreover, if the module components are mounted to, or otherwise thermally coupled to, the shielding platforms, then the module may provide multi-side cooling of the components. | 03-15-2012 |
20120075753 | ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FOR CONVERTING DC VOLTAGE INTO AC VOLTAGE - An electronic system has IGBT, on driving FET and off driving FET connected with the gate of the IGBT, and a control circuit. The on driving FET in an on state supplies electric charge to the IGBT gate. The off driving FET in an on state releases the charge from the GET gate. The control circuit controls each of the on FETs according to a driving signal to be set in the on and off states every switching period of time and to control the voltage at the IGBT gate. When on-failure occurs in the on driving FET set in the on state so as to keep the on driving FET in the on state in spite of control of the control circuit, the control circuit controls a controlled element other than the off driving FET to set the IGBT in the off state. | 03-29-2012 |
20120081816 | Integrated variable output power supply protection circuit - A solid state power supply control circuit is disclosed. Specifically, the present invention discloses a power coupler enclosing a power supply control circuit, where the power control circuit enables transient increases in current in response to a demand from an active load device, while preventing overvoltage conditions from damaging the power coupler or the active load device. The power supply control circuit further prevents output faults in the power cable or a failure in the active load device from creating conditions which would damage the power coupler and/or the active load device. | 04-05-2012 |
20120087048 | PHOTOVOLTAIC INVERTER WITH CONTROL FOR PERFORMING LOW VOLTAGE RIDE THROUGH - A photovoltaic inverter for coupling a direct current photovoltaic source to an alternating current energy grid and performing a low voltage ride through. The inverter includes a power bridge to convert direct current voltage to alternating current voltage. A switching crowbar is coupled to the photovoltaic energy source and the power bridge. The crowbar has a switching device having a closed position causing the switching crowbar to dissipate energy from the photovoltaic energy source and an open position to allow direct output from the photovoltaic source to the power bridge. A voltage sensor detects a low voltage condition on the grid. A controller is coupled to the voltage sensor and controls the switching crowbar when a low voltage condition is detected. The switching device is placed in the closed position when the voltage from the photovoltaic energy source is higher than a predetermined threshold voltage and the switching device being placed in the open position when the voltage of the photovoltaic source reaches the voltage when the low voltage condition is detected. | 04-12-2012 |
20120092795 | N-Way Power Supply Over Current Protection - A method and apparatus for managing over current protection in a power supply unit is disclosed. One aspect of certain embodiments includes comparing for each conductor of a plurality of conductors the current flowing through the particular conductor with over current protection limit associated with that particular conductor. | 04-19-2012 |
20120092796 | N-Way Power Supply Over Current Protection - A method and apparatus for managing over current protection in a power supply unit is disclosed. One aspect of certain embodiments includes comparing for each conductor of a plurality of conductors the current flowing through the particular conductor with over current protection limit associated with that particular conductor. | 04-19-2012 |
20120106007 | Shunt Regulator for Overvoltage Protection at Transformer Rectifier Unit of Electrical Generating System - An electrical system includes an alternating current (AC) source; a transformer rectifier unit (TRU) connected to the AC source, the TRU configured to receive AC power from the AC source, convert the AC power to direct current (DC) power, and output DC power; a DC bus configured to receive the DC power output by the TRU; at least one DC load powered by the DC bus; and a shunt regulator connected to the output of the TRU, the shunt regulator configured to overload the output of the TRU in the event of an overvoltage condition at the output of the TRU, such that a voltage available to the DC bus during the overvoltage condition does not exceed a reference voltage. | 05-03-2012 |
20120106008 | SPIKE SUPPRESSION CIRCUIT AND CONVERSION CONTROL CIRCUIT - A spike suppression circuit for filtering out voltage oscillation produced by an inductive component and a conversion control circuit are disclosed. The spike suppression circuit includes an energy release path and a detection circuit. One end of the energy release path is coupled to a connection terminal of a circuit, and the other end thereof is coupled to a reference voltage. The detection circuit is coupled to the connection terminal. The detection circuit has a high-pass component for turning on the energy release path when the voltage on the connection terminal has a high-frequency signal. | 05-03-2012 |
20120113551 | Method and Apparatus of Providing Over-Temperature Protection for Power Converters - The present invention provides a power converter. The power converter includes a transformer, a power switch and a controller. The transformer has a primary winding, a secondary winding and an auxiliary winding. The power switch is coupled to the primary winding of the transformer to regulate the power converter. The controller has an output terminal for generating a driving signal to switch the power switch in response to a switching signal. A thermal resistor is coupled to the output terminal of the controller. The driving signal is adjusted across the thermal resistor during an off-period of the switching signal. | 05-10-2012 |
20120113552 | SEMICONDUCTOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - An integrated circuit formed on a semiconductor chip includes voltage regulators for stepping down an externally-supplied power voltage to produce an internal power voltage, and internal circuits which operate based on the internal power voltage. The voltage regulators are laid in the area of the buffers and protective elements for the input/output signals and power voltages so that the overhead area due to the on-chip provision of the voltage regulators is minimized. The internal power voltage is distributed to the internal circuits through a looped main power line, with an electrode pad for connecting an external capacitor for stabilizing the internal power voltage being provided on it, so that the internal power voltage is stabilized and the power consumption of the integrated circuit is minimized. | 05-10-2012 |
20120140362 | Method of Operating a Heating Element for Underfloor Heating - A heating element includes two flexible plastics layers connected in overlying relationship with first and second conductors each running along the element between the layers the side edges with a row of printed conductive strips at right angles to the conductors. A grounding layer comprising a sheet of foil laminated to a carrier is laminated to the heating element. A reinforcing layer in the form of a bitumen anti-fracture membrane is applied on one surface and a reinforcing layer of a fiber reinforced material is applied on the opposite surface for engagement into a tile adhesive layer. A resistor is provided between the grounding layer and the ground terminal of a GFI or similar device for controlling the heating current so as to avoid false triggering of the GFI. | 06-07-2012 |
20120140363 | Overvoltage Protection for Inverters that Comprise an EMC Filter at Their Input End - In an overvoltage protection apparatus before an inverter configured to feed electric energy from a DC voltage source into an AC power grid, the overvoltage protection apparatus includes a DC voltage input stage. The DC voltage input stage includes, at least two current-carrying lines and an EMC filter including interference suppressing capacitors and interference suppressing inductors, and surge arrestors configured to divert overvoltages with respect to ground are connected to the current-carrying lines after the EMC filter, from a point of view of the DC voltage source. | 06-07-2012 |
20120154958 | USE OF A JFET AS A FAILSAFE SHUTDOWN CONTROLLER - Various embodiments disclose methods and systems for controlling operation of a regulator controller integrated circuit. The regulator controller integrated circuit may include a run input and a voltage supply input. A voltage supply, having an on state and an off state, may be coupled with the voltage supply input of the regulator controller integrated circuit. A JFET that has a source, a drain, and a gate may be present. The source of the JFET may be coupled with electrical ground. The drain of the JFET may be coupled with the run input of the regulator controller integrated circuit. The gate of the JFET may be coupled with the voltage supply. Such embodiments may disable a regulator unless a supply voltage is present without requiring a supply voltage for control circuitry. | 06-21-2012 |
20120194947 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR - Provided is a voltage regulator capable of providing overcurrent protection without increasing current consumption even when an output current increases. An overcurrent protection circuit includes: a sense resistor provided to a drain of an output transistor, for sensing an output current; an offset comparator for comparing voltages at both terminals of the sense resistor; and a first transistor including a gate connected to an output of the offset comparator. A current path between a detection transistor and the sense resistor is eliminated, and hence a current for detection does not increase even when an output current is large. | 08-02-2012 |
20120206841 | POWER CONVERTER AND METHOD OF OPERATION - A power converter includes a first phase leg including a first di/dt reactor and a first control section, the first di/dt reactor and the first control section being coupled between an active line and a neutral line. The power converter also includes a first current crowbar coupled between the active line and the neutral and a controller coupled to the first di/dt reactor, the control section and the first current crowbar and configured to activate the current crowbar based on a voltage across the first di/dt reactor. | 08-16-2012 |
20120206842 | FAULT CONDITION PROTECTION - A switched mode power supply includes a transformer and an integrated circuit regulator. The integrated circuit regulator is coupled to the transformer and includes switching regulator logic, a counter, and a switching transistor. The regulator logic generates a switching signal in response to the feedback signal. The counter receives the feedback signal, where the feedback signal periodically cycles between a first state and a second state when the switched mode power supply operates normally. An output of the counter indicates an auto-restart mode of the regulator in response to the feedback signal remaining in the first state for a predetermined count due to a fault condition. The switching transistor is coupled to be turned on and off in response to the switching signal when the output of the counter does not indicate the auto-restart mode and is disabled when the output of the counter indicates the auto-restart mode. | 08-16-2012 |
20120206843 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTION AND CONTROL OF DC ARC FAULTS - A method and apparatus for managing DC arc faults. At least a portion of the method is performed by a controller comprising at least one processor. In one embodiment, the method comprises identifying, based on a first signature of a power converter, an arc fault; determining, based on the first signature, a type of the arc fault; and performing an action on the power converter based on the type of the arc fault. | 08-16-2012 |
20120212861 | Voltage spikes control for power converters - A novel inductive overvoltage suppression circuit for power converters is presented. High amplitude voltage spikes are generally occurring in high frequency power converters in presence of small parasitic inductances coupled to the power distribution rails, in correspondence of the switching transitions, particularly when high load currents are required. The presented invention proposes active clamps to limit the amplitude of the overvoltage. Furthermore the excess energy in the parasitic inductances is utilized to provide energy and/or a signal to determine when to turn on the next phase power device with the fastest transition possible without incurring in cross-conduction currents in the power stage of the converter, thus improving its overall performance, and circuit reliability in addition to achieving high conversion efficiency. | 08-23-2012 |
20120218668 | BIAS VOLTAGE CIRCUIT FOR BIASING A TRANSIENT SUPPRESSION DEVICE AND APPARATUS USING SAME - Embodiments provide a charge pump circuit which produces a bias voltage that is applied to a transient suppression device used to clamp both positive and negative transients on signal lines. The bias voltage can be set to a level that is above the sum of a DC voltage differential between positive and negative signal lines and the maximum signal voltage. | 08-30-2012 |
20120218669 | System and Method for Operating Inverters - There is provided a control system and method related to the use of insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) devices in vehicles. An exemplary control method includes receiving a status signal that indicates a fault condition in the operation of an IGBT device of an affected converter. The exemplary method also includes sending a control signal that turns off all IGBTs of the affected converter. The exemplary method additionally includes receiving a second status signal for each of the IGBTs that indicates whether each of the IGBTs successfully turned off. The exemplary method further includes generating an indication that the fault condition relates to a saturation condition or a power supply being outside a designated range, depending on a duration of the fault signal. | 08-30-2012 |
20120218670 | POWER SUPPLY DEVICE HAVING OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION FUNCTION - There is provided a power supply device having an overvoltage protection function against an overvoltage caused by a lightning strike, a power surge, or the like. The power supply device having an overvoltage protection function includes: a power supply unit inverting input power to supply driving power; a controller controlling an inverting operation of the power supply unit in response to an external control signal; and a protection unit interrupting the control signal provided to the controller to stop the inverting operation of the power supply unit when a voltage level of the input power is equal to a pre-set voltage level or higher. | 08-30-2012 |
20120229937 | HIGH CURRENT DC SWITCHING CONTROLLER WITH FAULT MONITORING - A system includes a control switch and a control module. The control switch is configured to drive current through an electrical load in a closed state, and disconnect the electrical load from a power supply in an open state. The control module is configured to connect to a thermostat switch that operates in one of an open state or a closed state based on a temperature of the thermostat switch. The control module is further configured to control a state of the control switch based on a state of the thermostat switch and detect a fault in the control switch based on the state of the thermostat switch and a voltage across the control switch. | 09-13-2012 |
20120236439 | ELECTRICAL ACCUMULATOR UNITS WITH SAFE TURN-OFF - An electrical accumulator unit includes a power storage device, a first switch, a power converter, a controller, and a dissipation circuit for dissipating energy remnant in the power converter when the electrical accumulator unit is turned Off. The first switch connects the power storage device to the power converter, which includes at least a second switch that is selectively turned On and Off to regulate the transfer of power between the power storage device and an output of the electrical accumulator unit. The controller turns Off the electrical accumulator device by turning Off the first switch, thereby disconnecting the power storage device from the power converter, and turning On the second switch to connect the dissipation circuit to the power converter in a recirculation circuit path that dissipates energy stored in the power converter. | 09-20-2012 |
20120243128 | DISCRETE INPUT SIGNAL GENERATION VIA OUTPUT SHORT-CIRCUIT DETECTION - A controller has an output for supplying power to an output device. The controller monitors the supplied power to provide short-circuit protection to the output device. The controller also receives discrete inputs at the output based on the introduction of temporary short-circuit conditions introduced by a momentary switch connected between outputs of the controller in parallel with the output device. The controller detects short-circuit conditions in the output and distinguishes between short-circuit fault conditions and discrete inputs generated by activation of the momentary switch based on measured characteristics of the detected short-circuit conditions. | 09-27-2012 |
20120257308 | Surge Protection Circuit - The present invention discloses a surge protection circuit for a line driver. The surge protection circuit includes a transistor, including a first terminal coupled to a positive output pad of the line driver and a second terminal coupled to a negative output pad of the line driver, an inverter, including an output terminal coupled to a third terminal of the transistor, and a first RC circuit, including a resistor having a terminal coupled to an input terminal of the inverter and another terminal coupled to a power supply, and a capacitor having a terminal coupled to the input terminal of the inverter and another terminal coupled to a ground. A first RC time constant of the first RC circuit is substantially equal to or greater than a period of a differential mode surge signal. | 10-11-2012 |
20120257309 | ELECTRONIC CONTROL DEVICE - A control circuit is provided including a trigger circuit having a capacitor connected between a pulse generator and a second switching element, and a latch circuit connected via a diode, between a junction of a load with a first switching element and the control terminal of the second switching element, wherein when the pulse generator outputs a drive signal, both of the first switching element and the second switching element are turned on and the second switching element is held in the ON state through the latch circuit by a voltage at the junction. When the drive signal is stopped, both of the first switching element and the second switching element are turned off; meanwhile if the load is short-circuited, the first switching element and the second switching element are turned off through the latch circuit by the voltage at the junction. | 10-11-2012 |
20120257310 | CIRCUIT PROTECTION DEVICE AND PROTECTION METHOD - A circuit protection device is applied to a power supply module. The circuit protection device includes a judgment module and a control module. The judgment module includes a comparing unit, a feedback unit and a reset unit. The comparing unit has an output terminal, a first input terminal and a second input terminal. The feedback unit is electrically connected to the output terminal and the first input terminal. The reset unit is electrically connected to the feedback unit and the first input terminal. The control module is electrically connected to the comparing unit and the reset unit of the judgment module. The comparing unit receives a first reference signal representing the output current of the power supply module and a second reference signal representing the output voltage of the power supply module, and outputs a judgment signal to the control module. | 10-11-2012 |
20120257311 | Over Voltage Protection of a Switching Converter - Embodiments for at least one method and apparatus of generating a regulated voltage are disclosed. One apparatus includes a voltage regulator. The voltage regulator includes regulator circuitry for generating a regulated voltage from a first power supply and a second power supply, and voltage spike protection circuitry for voltage-spike-protecting the regulator circuitry. The voltage spike protection circuitry includes a charge-storage circuit, and at least one switching element, wherein the at least one switching element comprises a plurality of switching block segments. The charge-storage circuit includes charge-storage circuit segments, and each charge-storage circuit segment is physically closer to at least one of the plurality of switching block segments the charge-storage circuit segment protects, than any other switching block segment. | 10-11-2012 |
20120257312 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROGRAMMING AND CONTROLLING OVER CURRENT TRIP POINT LIMITS IN VOLTAGE REGULATORS - A system and method for controlling an over current protection trip point for a voltage regulator includes an input for receiving a monitored operating parameter of the voltage regulator. Control logic responsive to this input generates a digital current control signal. A digital to analog controller converts the digital current control signal to an analog current control signal and this analog current control signal is used for controlling a current source for generating a current that establishes the over current protection trip point of the voltage regulator. | 10-11-2012 |
20120293892 | POWER PROTECTION CIRCUIT - A power protection circuit includes a fuse, a plurality of voltage converters, and controller. The fuse is electrically connected to a power source to transfer electric energy. The controller controls the fuse and the voltage converters, and the voltage converters are selectably electrically connected to or disconnected from the power source through the fuse. When the output voltage of a voltage converter exceeds a predetermined voltage of the voltage converter, the controller blows the fuse to the voltage converters. Hence, a computer cannot be restarted immediately before troubleshooting and replacement of the blown fuse, which can protect the voltage converters and the adjacent components in the computer due to direct reboot. | 11-22-2012 |
20120293893 | SEMICONDUCTOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - A power source circuit includes a voltage converter circuit and a control circuit that includes a voltage divider circuit and a protective circuit. The protective circuit includes a first oxide semiconductor transistor in which an off-state current is increased as temperature is increased, a capacitor that accumulates the off-state current as electric charge, a second oxide semiconductor transistor, and an operational amplifier including a non-inverting input terminal to which a reference voltage is input. The first oxide semiconductor transistor is provided near the voltage converter circuit or an element that generates heat in the control circuit. | 11-22-2012 |
20130003230 | POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR A DISPLAY PANEL - A power supply system for a display panel includes a power supply regulator that regulates a power supply voltage of a display driver of a power supply circuit connected to the display panel, and a protection circuit that protects the display driver against an overvoltage. | 01-03-2013 |
20130027815 | ADJACENT TERMINAL FAULT DETECTION - This relates to detecting unwanted couplings between a protected terminal and other terminals in an integrated controller of a power supply. Offset and clamp circuitry may apply a positive or negative offset voltage and clamp current to one or more terminals of the controller. In the event that a terminal having the offset voltage and clamp current is accidentally coupled to the protected terminal, the offset voltage and clamp current may be applied to the protected terminal. The protected terminal may be coupled to a fault detection circuitry operable to detect a fault signal at the protected terminal. The fault detection circuitry of the controller may cause the power supply to shut down in response to a detection of the fault signal at the protected terminal or may cause the power supply to shut down in response to a detection of a predefined threshold number of cycles in which the fault signal is detected. | 01-31-2013 |
20130033786 | High Efficiency Power Regulator and Method - An embodiment high efficiency power regulator comprises a three-terminal converter and a protection device. The three-terminal converter comprises a first terminal coupled to a positive terminal of an input voltage bus, a second terminal coupled to a positive terminal of an output voltage bus and a third terminal coupled to the protection device. The protection device comprises an inrush current limiting element connected in series with a reverse polarity protection device. | 02-07-2013 |
20130050879 | High Efficiency Bridgeless PFC Converter and Method - An embodiment bridgeless power factor correction circuit comprises a first boost converter and a second boost converter connected in parallel. A first switch is coupled between the input of the first boost converter and ground. A second switch is coupled between the input of the second boost converter and ground. Both the first switch and the second switch help to reduce the common mode noise of the bridgeless power factor correction circuit. The bridgeless power factor correction circuit further comprises two surge protection diodes coupled between the inputs of two boost converters and the output of the bridgeless power factor correction circuit. | 02-28-2013 |
20130050880 | SOLID STATE POWER CONTROLLER FOR HIGH VOLTAGE DIRECT CURRENT SYSTEMS - A solid state power controller system can include a direct current load, a solid state power controller apparatus including an alternating current sensor coupled to the direct current load, a direct current sensor coupled to the direct current load, a voltage sensor coupled to the direct current load, a main switch coupled to the direct current load via the alternating and direct current sensors, an auxiliary switch coupled in parallel to the main switch, a current limiting resistor coupled in series to the auxiliary switch and a solid state power controller coupled to the main switch, the auxiliary switch, the alternating current sensor, the direct current sensor, and the voltage sensor, and a direct current power source coupled to the solid state power controller apparatus. | 02-28-2013 |
20130070372 | PROTECTION CIRCUIT, RESONANT CONVERTER INCLUDING THE PROTECTION CIRCUIT, AND PROTECTING METHOD OF THE RESONANT CONVERTER - The present invention relates to a protection circuit, a resonance converter having the same, and a protection method thereof. A resonance converter having high-side and low-side switches senses a current flowing through the low-side switch and determines a zero voltage switching failure by using a width of a current flowing to a negative direction of the low-side switch. | 03-21-2013 |
20130094111 | ELECTRICAL SURGE PROTECTOR AND METHOD OF PROVIDING THE SAME - Some embodiments include an electrical surge protector. Other embodiments of related systems and methods are also disclosed. | 04-18-2013 |
20130114166 | INVERTER FOR AN ELECTRIC MACHINE AND METHOD FOR OPERATING AN INVERTER FOR AN ELECTRIC MACHINE - An inverter for an electric machine, and a method for operating the inverter, has at least one output stage unit for producing a connection between the electric machine and a power supply network, a control unit for controlling the output stage unit, a supply unit independent of the power supply network for power supply of the output stage unit, at least one emergency operation control assigned to the output stage unit for controlling the output stage unit such that switching elements are switched into a short circuit operation, at least one emergency operation supply assigned to the output stage unit for generating a power supply from the power supply network, and a coordination control, which activates or deactivates the emergency operation control as a function of a status signal of the independent supply unit and a standby signal of the control unit. | 05-09-2013 |
20130120880 | ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE PROTECTION CIRCUIT AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An electronic device includes a power supply, a load, a voltage conversion unit, a feedback unit, and an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit. The power supply provides an input voltage. The voltage conversion unit converts the input voltage to an output voltage which is supplied to the load. The voltage conversion unit includes a feedback pin and an output pin for outputting the output voltage. The feedback unit is connected to the output pin and the feedback pin for sampling the output voltage to generate a feedback signal. The voltage conversion unit receives the feedback signal through the feedback pin and adjusts the output voltage according to the feedback signal. The ESD protection circuit is connected to the feedback pin and is used for eliminating an ESD surge current flowing through the feedback pin. | 05-16-2013 |
20130135774 | LIGHT-EMITTING DIODE DRIVING CIRCUIT HAVING SHORT CIRCUIT PROTECTION - The present invention discloses a light-emitting diode driving circuit having short circuit protection. The light-emitting diode driving circuit has a boost circuit, a first switch unit, a light-emitting diode string and a control chip. The boost circuit receives an input voltage and outputs a relatively higher output voltage. The first switch unit is connected between the boost circuit and the light-emitting diode string. The control chip is connected to the boost circuit and the first switch unit, and controls the first switch unit to be cut off when the light-emitting diode string is short-circuited, so as to cut off the current loop from the input power source to the light-emitting diode string to achieve the object of short-circuit protection and stopping power consumption. | 05-30-2013 |
20130135775 | SYSTEM AND METHOD PROVIDING OVER CURRENT PROTECTION BASED ON DUTY CYCLE INFORMATION FOR POWER CONVERTER - System and method for protecting a power converter. An example system controller for protecting a power converter includes a signal generator, a comparator, and a modulation and drive component. The signal generator is configured to generate a threshold signal. The comparator is configured to receive the threshold signal and a current sensing signal and generate a comparison signal based on at least information associated with the threshold signal and the current sensing signal, the current sensing signal indicating a magnitude of a primary current flowing through a primary winding of a power converter. The modulation and drive component is coupled to the signal generator. | 05-30-2013 |
20130155551 | NEUTRAL POINT CLAMPED POWER CONVERTER FAULT DETECTION, IDENTIFICATION, AND PROTECTION - A fault detection, identification, and protection system for a phase leg of a three-level neutral point clamped (NPC) power converter includes a fault detection circuit, the fault detection circuit configured to determine, based on signals received from the two inner switches and two outer switches via their respective gate drivers, the presence of a fault in the phase leg; a fault identification circuit, the fault identification circuit being configured to determine, based on signals from the fault detection circuit, a location of the fault in the phase leg; and a protection circuit, the protection circuit being configured to turn off at least one of the inner switches or outer switches in response to the identification of the location of the fault by the fault identification circuit. | 06-20-2013 |
20130170077 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A GROUND FAULT INTERRUPTER AS WELL AS GROUND FAULT INTERRUPTER FOR A FREQUENCY CONVERTER - A conventional ground fault interrupter in an arrangement with a frequency converter and electrical machines may be accidentally tripped due to operation-related leakage currents. This can be prevented by operating a ground fault interrupter for a frequency converter receiving a mains current in the following manner: receiving switching information about switching operations in the frequency converter, measuring a signal associated with a common mode current in a power line device which conducts the mains current to the frequency converter, determining, based on the switching information, an expected signal expected for the common mode current produced by the switching operations, identifying, based on the measured signal and the expected signal, a fault current, and interrupting the mains power depending on the identified fault current. A ground fault interrupter is hereby provided with an evaluation unit configured to carry out the method. | 07-04-2013 |
20130176647 | DRIVER CIRCUIT AND METHOD OF GENERATING AN OUTPUT SIGNAL - A driver circuit of an integrated circuit is described. The driver circuit comprises a signal node coupled to receive an output signal of the integrated circuit; an inductor circuit having a resistor coupled in series with an inductor between a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is coupled to the signal node; an electro-static discharge protection circuit coupled to the second terminal of the inductor circuit; and an output node coupled to the second terminal of the inductor circuit. A method of generating an output signal is also disclosed. | 07-11-2013 |
20130182353 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR OVER-VOLTAGE DETECTION SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS - Monitoring of a core logic internal voltage regulator output is performed to detect, alarm and put an integrated circuit device into a safe mode when the voltage on the core logic exceeds a safe operating voltage value. This allows putting the integrated circuit devise into a predictable, detectable and safe mode, and to alarm the over-voltage condition to a system monitor to alert on a fault and subsequent fault disposition. | 07-18-2013 |
20130188284 | Early Break Inverter Bypass Safety Switch - An early break bypass switch provides a modular system for bypassing an inverter when needed without allowing switching induced damage to the inverter. In an embodiment of the invention, a shaft-mounted switch provides rotatable cams and sliding followers for positive opening contacts while providing an auxiliary switch section for breaking and making contact to an inverter controller in a specific sequence relative to inverter power. In this way, the inverter is both isolated from the line power and also protected during switching from being damaged by switching-induced spikes and transient signals and surges. | 07-25-2013 |
20130222951 | FAULT PROTECTION CIRCUIT FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SYSTEM - A fault protection scheme for a photovoltaic power converter system is provided. According to aspects of the present disclosure, a fault protection circuit is coupled between a power converter and a ground reference. The fault protection circuit includes a fuse and a current sensor coupled in series with the fuse. A controller is configured to receive current readings from the current sensor and compare the current readings to a current threshold. The current threshold is selected to be less than the fuse current rating of the fuse. The controller identifies a fault condition if the current flowing through the ground protection circuit exceeds the current threshold value. A contactor can also be provided to temporarily lift the power converter relative to the ground reference to determine the existence of other fault paths in the system. | 08-29-2013 |
20130229731 | DISTRIBUTED MAXIMUM POWER POINT TRACKING SYSTEM, STRUCTURE AND PROCESS - Distributed maximum power point tracking systems, structures, and processes are provided for power generation structures, such as for but not limited to a solar panel arrays. In an exemplary solar panel string structure, distributed maximum power point tracking (DMPPT) modules are provided, such as integrated into or retrofitted for each solar panel. The DMPPT modules provide panel level control for startup, operation, monitoring, and shutdown, and further provide flexible design and operation for strings of multiple panels. The strings are typically linked in parallel to a combiner box, and then toward and enhanced inverter module, which is typically connected to a power grid. Enhanced inverters are controllable either locally or remotely, wherein system status is readily determined, and operation of one or more sections of the system are readily controlled. The system provides increased operation time, and increased power production and efficiency, over a wide range of operating conditions. | 09-05-2013 |
20130235492 | SWITCH UNIT AND POWER GENERATION SYSTEM THEREOF - The present disclosure provides a switch unit and a power generation system thereof. The switch unit includes a contact switch having a main contact and a control terminal, where the control terminal receives a first drive signal to turn on the contact switch; and a bi-directional controllable switch structure, which is connected in parallel to two ends of the main contact of the contact switch and receives one or more second drive signals to turn on the switch structure. When the switch unit performs a turn-off operation, the bi-directional controllable switch structure provides a commutation bypass for the contact switch, so as to protect the contact switch. | 09-12-2013 |
20130235493 | PROTECTION CIRCUIT AND POWER MANAGEMENT CIRCUIT AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An electronic device includes a power supply for providing a supply voltage, an interface circuit electrically connected to an external device, a switch circuit and a protection circuit. The switch circuit is connected between the power supply and the protection circuit, and is capable of being turned on to transmit a supply voltage from the power supply to the interface circuit through the protection circuit for powering the interface circuit or can be turned off to stop transmitting the supply voltage. When the external device generates a large reverse voltage, it is transmitted to the protection circuit through the interface circuit, and the protection circuit eliminates the reverse voltage. | 09-12-2013 |
20130242437 | BUCK CIRCUIT - A buck circuit includes a first inductor, a second inductor, a first capacitor, a second capacitor, a first resistor, a second resistor, a first electronic switch, a second electronic switch, a controller, a voltage input terminal, and a voltage output terminal. The relationship of the capacitance C of the first capacitor, the resistance R of the first resistor, the inductance L of the first inductor, and the equivalent impedance Z of the first inductor is R*C=L/Z. The controller detects voltage of the first capacitor, determines whether current of the first inductor is more than a preset value according to the voltage of the first capacitor, and executes over-current protection when the current of the first inductor is more than the preset value. | 09-19-2013 |
20130242438 | DRIVER FOR SWITCHING ELEMENT AND CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ROTARY MACHINE USING THE SAME - In a driver, a dissipating unit dissipates, upon a potential difference between input and output terminals of a switching element being lower than a predetermined potential, electrical charge for overcurrent detection between the input and output terminals. The dissipating unit includes a rectifier having a pair of first and second conductive terminals. The first conductive terminal is connected to the input terminal of the switching element. An overcurrent determiner determines that an overcurrent flows between the input and output terminals of the switching element upon determination that electrical charge has not been dissipated by the dissipating unit despite the change of the switching element from the off state to the on state. A failure determiner determines whether there is a failure in the dissipating unit as a function of a potential at a point on the first electrical path from the failure determiner to the second conductive terminal. | 09-19-2013 |
20130250457 | ADJACENT TERMINAL FAULT DETECTION - This relates to detecting unwanted couplings between a protected terminal and other terminals in an integrated controller of a power supply. Offset and clamp circuitry may apply a positive or negative offset voltage and clamp current to one or more terminals of the controller. In the event that a terminal having the offset voltage and clamp current is accidentally coupled to the protected terminal, the offset voltage and clamp current may be applied to the protected terminal. The protected terminal may be coupled to a fault detection circuitry operable to detect a fault signal at the protected terminal. The fault detection circuitry of the controller may cause the power supply to shut down in response to a detection of the fault signal at the protected terminal or may cause the power supply to shut down in response to a detection of a predefined threshold number of cycles in which the fault signal is detected. | 09-26-2013 |
20130258530 | POWER SUPPLY CONTROL APPARATUS INCLUDING OVERCURRENT DETECTION CIRCUIT - A comparator includes a first potential supply terminal, a second potential supply terminal supplying a different potential from that of the first potential supply terminal, a first transistor of a first conductivity type coupled between the first potential supply terminal and a first node, and including a control terminal coupled to a first terminal, a second transistor of the first conductivity type coupled between the first potential supply terminal and a second node, and including a control terminal coupled to a second terminal, a third transistor of a second conductivity type coupled between the first node and a third terminal, and including a control terminal coupled to the second node, and a fourth transistor of the second conductivity type coupled between the second node and the second potential supply terminal, and including a control terminal coupled to the second node. | 10-03-2013 |
20130271876 | SWITCHING CONTROL CIRCUIT AND SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY APPARATUS - In a switching control circuit, a length of a soft start period is set in accordance with a time constant of an external circuit connected to a soft start terminal of a switching control IC. A current flowing through a switching element is detected at a current detection terminal. When the value of the current exceeds a first predetermined current value, a second overcurrent protection function is performed, so that a switching operation is stopped. When the value of the current exceeds a second predetermined current value, a second overcurrent protection function is performed, so that the switching element is quickly turned off and a current peak value is limited. On the basis of a voltage at the soft start terminal after the soft start period has elapsed, one of the setting and non-setting of the first overcurrent protection function is selected. | 10-17-2013 |
20130279047 | LOAD DRIVE DEVICE - The load drive device of the present invention comprises a load drive unit for switching on/off output current that flows to an inductive load; and an overcurrent protection circuit for detecting whether the output current is in an overcurrent state, wherein the load drive unit has an output transistor connected to one end of the inductive load; and a pre-driver for generating a control signal of the output transistor in accordance with an input signal, and the pre-driver has a first drive unit for switching on/off the output transistor during normal operation; and a second drive unit for switching off the output transistor more slowly than the first drive unit during overcurrent protection operation. | 10-24-2013 |
20130293986 | Current Limit Circuit Architecture For Low Drop-Out Voltage Regulators - A current limiting circuit for a linear regulator includes an output stage transistor and a replica transistor, which have gates coupled to receive an output voltage from a linear amplifier and sources coupled to load circuitry. A drain of the output stage transistor is coupled to a V | 11-07-2013 |
20130321959 | METHOD AND DEVICE TO PROTECT AN ESP POWER SUPPLY FROM TRANSIENT OVER-VOLTAGES ON THE POWER GRID - A power supply converter unit is disclosed, in particular for an electrostatic precipitator, converting the frequency of alternating input supply ( | 12-05-2013 |
20130335862 | OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR POWER SYSTEM WITH MULTIPLE PARALLEL-CONNECTED SWITCHING POWER SUPPLIES - An OVP system which includes a plurality of OVP circuits coupled to respective parallel-connected switching power supplies. Each OVP circuit comprises a bus voltage overvoltage detection circuit having a first output which toggles when the voltage on the common power bus exceeds a reference voltage, a modulation flag detection circuit which receives a value that varies with a parameter associated with the PWM or PFM drive signals generated for the switching power supply to which the OVP circuit is coupled and has a second output which toggles when the parameter value exceeds a reference parameter value, logic circuitry which toggles an output when both the first and second outputs toggle, and an overvoltage response circuit which initiates a course of action such as latching or shutting down the switching power supply to which the OVP circuit is coupled when the logic circuitry's output toggles. | 12-19-2013 |
20130335863 | Protecting An Operation Control Unit Connected To An Electric Machine Via A Long Cable - A system for operating an electric machine and a method for protecting an operation control unit in such a system. The system includes an operation control unit, an alternating current cable connecting the machine with the operation control unit and an electric short-circuiting arrangement. This arrangement is connected to terminals of the operation control unit facing the cable and short circuits these terminals based on a detected overvoltage. | 12-19-2013 |
20130342938 | SHORT SENSING CIRCUIT, SHORT SENSING METHOD AND POWER SUPPLY DEVICE COMPRISING THE SHORT SENSING CIRCUIT - A short-circuit sense circuit and a power supply according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention use an auxiliary voltage, which is a both-end voltage of an auxiliary coil coupled with a predetermined turn ratio to a secondary side coil coupled to an output voltage. After termination of a start-up period, the short-circuit sense circuit samples a sense voltage, which is a voltage of a node between a first sense resistor and a second sense resistor coupled in series to both ends of the auxiliary coils and determines whether a short-circuit occurs according to a short-circuit sense signal that depends on a result of comparison between the sampled voltage and a predetermined reference voltage. | 12-26-2013 |
20140002932 | Switching Regulator with Negative Current Limit Protection | 01-02-2014 |
20140002933 | MODULAR MULTILEVEL CONVERTER VALVE PROTECTION METHOD | 01-02-2014 |
20140029141 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR - Provided is a voltage regulator including an overcurrent protection circuit using a simple circuit. The voltage regulator includes the overcurrent protection circuit including: a first sense transistor having a gate connected to an output terminal of an error amplifier circuit and a drain connected to a sense resistor; a second sense transistor having a gate connected to the output terminal of the error amplifier circuit; and a control transistor having a gate connected to an output terminal of a control circuit, a source connected to a drain of the second sense transistor, and a drain connected to the sense resistor, in which the control transistor is turned on in response to a detection signal output by the control circuit until a reference voltage exceeds a predetermined voltage. | 01-30-2014 |
20140036395 | NEAR FIELD RF COMMUNICATORS HAVING REFINED ENERGY SHARING CHARACTERISTICS UTILIZING IMPROVED SHUNT CURRENT CONTROL - A near field RF communicator has an inductive coupler to enable inductive coupling with a magnetic field of an RF signal; a rectifier to rectify an AC voltage derived from an RF signal inductively coupled to the inductive coupler; and a regulator to regulate a voltage derived from an RF signal inductively coupled to the inductive coupler, the regulator having a voltage-controlled impedance and a regulator controller to provide a control voltage for the voltage controlled impedance and to vary the control voltage in dependence upon a current flowing through the voltage controlled impedance. To prevent the voltage regulator from drawing excess current and energy from an RF field in which the communicator is present the voltage regulator is controlled to provide a chosen impedance characteristic. | 02-06-2014 |
20140049859 | Alternative Power Converter System - An energy power converter system is provided. According to one embodiment, the system includes a plurality of parallel converters; a main transformer with a separate magnetic path for magnetic fields are generated in the transformer by a summation of currents coming from the plurality of parallel converters electrically coupled to the main transformer; and a converter control device electrically coupled to the plurality of parallel converters and the main transformer. The converter control device may be configured to discontinue electrical flow in the system based at least in part on detection of an electrical fault condition. | 02-20-2014 |
20140055887 | MOTOR DRIVE DEVICE - A motor drive device for driving a motor, which has a plurality of winding pairs, includes a plurality of inverter units for the plurality of winding pairs. The inverter units are coupled in parallel to a power source. A plurality of capacitors provided for the plurality of inverter units, and a plurality of power relays are disposed between the power supply and the inverter units. In particular, a power relay is provided for each of the inverter units. A control unit detects a short failure of the power relay, and simultaneously turns ON the power relays that do not have a short failure. In such manner, damage to the power relays as well as damage to other electronic components of the motor driver device due to a large electric current is prevented. | 02-27-2014 |
20140055888 | POWER MODULE AND METHOD OF OPERATING A POWER MODULE - A power module ( | 02-27-2014 |
20140078624 | SEMICONDUCTOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT WITH ESD PROTECTION CIRCUIT - According to an embodiment, a semiconductor integrated circuit includes a first power supply terminal, a second power supply terminal, a regulator circuit, an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit, and a level shift circuit. A first voltage is applied to the first power supply terminal. A second voltage different from the first voltage is applied to the second power supply terminal. The regulator circuit adjusts the second voltage, and outputs the second voltage adjusted as an output voltage to an output terminal. The ESD protection circuit discharges ESD generated at the output terminal. The level shift circuit level-shifts the magnitude of the first voltage to the magnitude of the second voltage, and outputs a first control signal to electrically separate the regulator circuit from the ESD protection circuit depending on whether or not the first and second voltages are applied. | 03-20-2014 |
20140085756 | PROTECTION CIRCUIT AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE USING THE SAME - A protection circuit connected between a power supply and a load comprises an interface unit, a control unit, and a first switching unit. The interface unit is capable of connecting to the load. The control unit generates a variable duty cycle of a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal when the interface unit is connected with the load. The first switching unit is connected between the control unit and the interface unit. The first switching unit switches between a turned-on state and a turned-off state based on the PWM signal. | 03-27-2014 |
20140085757 | SURGE BLOCKING INDUCTOR - A surge blocking inductor. In one embodiment, the surge blocking inductor comprises a core; a first winding wound about the core in a first direction; and a second winding wound about the core in a second direction, wherein the first winding and the second winding are magnetically independent when the core is in a non-saturated state, and wherein the first winding and the second winding are coupled magnetically when the core is in a saturated state. | 03-27-2014 |
20140092500 | GROUND LOSS MONITORING CIRCUIT AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT COMPRISING THE SAME - A reference voltage loss monitoring circuit having a first and second reference node. The reference nodes are connected to a voltage reference. A first connection device is connects the first reference node to the second reference node, and includes a first diode to allow a current flowing from the first reference node to the reference ground node and not conversely. The first diode includes a first main transistor. A second connection device connects the second reference node to the first reference node, and includes a second diode to allow a current flowing from the second reference node to first reference node and not conversely. The second diode includes a second main transistor. Each of the first and second connection devices further includes a secondary transistor mirrored with the main transistor of the connection devices. The secondary transistor has an output coupled to a diagnostic circuit, for delivering to the diagnostic circuit a signal indicative of a loss of voltage reference on a respective reference node. | 04-03-2014 |
20140126087 | ELECTRIC POWER CONVERSION APPARATUS, CURRENT-CARRYING DEVICE THAT CARRIES AC POWER, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING CURRENT-CARRYING DEVICE THAT CARRIES AC POWER - A current-carrying device that carries AC power, including: an adjacent portion in which the AC power is input from or output to an external device; and a fuse portion that is adjacent to the adjacent portion, in which a cross-sectional area of the fuse portion is smaller than that of the adjacent portion, and in which a magnetic flux density generated in the fuse portion is smaller than a magnetic flux density generated in the adjacent portion when a structure of the fuse portion is made identical with that of the adjacent portion. | 05-08-2014 |
20140126088 | PROTECTION CIRCUIT, SWITCH CONTROL CIRCUIT, AND POWER SUPPLY DEVICE COMPRISING THE SAME - Exemplary embodiments relate to a protection circuit, a switch circuit, and a power supply device including the same. The protection circuit includes: a detection circuit that generates a detection voltage that is increased by fluctuation of a comparison voltage; and an SCR (Silicon-Controlled Rectifier Thyristor) that includes a gate where the detection voltage is inputted, an anode electrically connected to a power voltage, and a cathode connected to a predetermined reference voltage, which is turned on when the detection voltage is inputted in the gate, and is turned off when a current does not flow to the anode. | 05-08-2014 |
20140139954 | BOOST TYPE POWER CONVERTING APPARATUS WITH PROTECTION CIRCUIT - A boost type power converting apparatus is disclosed. The boost type power converting apparatus includes a boost type power converting circuit and a protection circuit. The boost type power converting circuit receives an input voltage and generates an output signal at an output terminal thereof according to the input voltage, and outputs the output signal to a load. The protection circuit is coupled between the boost type power converting circuit and the load in series to form an electrical loop, and turns on or off the electrical loop according to the output signal. | 05-22-2014 |
20140153140 | Overvoltage Protection - A power supply arranged to charge a smoothing capacitance via a resistive element for soft-starting in the event that one or more conditions for normal operation are not complied with is arranged to detect that a voltage across at least part of the smoothing capacitance exceeds an excess voltage threshold and, responsive to the detecting, interrupt charging of the smoothing capacitance via the resistive element for soft-starting. | 06-05-2014 |
20140160600 | REVERSE VOLTAGE CONDITION PROTECTION IN A POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM - One embodiment includes a power system. The system includes a power switch device that is activated to provide an output voltage to a load in response to an input voltage. The power switch device includes a control terminal and a bulk connection. The system also includes a reverse voltage control circuit configured to passively couple the input voltage to one of the control terminal and the bulk connection in response to a reverse voltage condition in which an amplitude of the input voltage becomes negative. The system further includes an output shutoff circuit configured to passively couple the output voltage to a neutral-voltage rail during the reverse voltage condition. | 06-12-2014 |
20140160601 | SWITCH MODE POWER SUPPLY, CONTROL CIRCUIT AND ASSOCIATED CONTROL METHOD - A switch mode power supply having an output terminal configured to provide an output voltage, the switch mode power supply has a first switch, a second switch and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to provide a first switching control signal to turn ON and turn OFF the first switch, and when the switch mode power supply works in a power saving mode, the first switch is turned ON if a voltage feedback signal is less than a reference voltage and a current flowing through the second switch is less than a bias current. | 06-12-2014 |
20140177107 | OVERLOAD AND SHORT-CIRCUIT SENSING CIRCUIT AND CONVERTER PROTECTING CIRCUIT AND METHOD - Disclosed herein are an overload and short-circuit sensing circuit and a converter protecting circuit and method. The overload and short-circuit sensing circuit includes: an overcurrent sensing unit sensing a primary current of a converter; a voltage level adjusting unit adjusting a voltage level of the sensed primary current; a rectifying unit rectifying the signal adjusted by the voltage level adjusting unit; a short-circuit sensing unit sensing a current induced to a primary side of the converter due to a short-circuit or an overcurrent at a secondary side of the converter, separately from the overcurrent sensing unit; and a delay unit delaying the signal provided from the rectifying unit and the induced current sensing signal provided from the short-circuit sensing unit and providing the delayed signals to a control circuit for protecting the converter. | 06-26-2014 |
20140192441 | DC/DC Converter with III-Nitride Switches - Disclosed is a buck converter for converting a high voltage at the input of the buck converter to a low voltage at the output of the buck converter. The buck converter includes a control circuitry configured to control a duty cycle of a control switch, the control switch being interposed between the input and the output of the buck converter. | 07-10-2014 |
20140218826 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING A DESATURATION FAULT IN AN INVERTER MODULE - A method for monitoring an inverter module for a multi-phase electric motor/generator includes deactivating operation of the inverter module, monitoring voltage on a high-voltage bus configured to supply electric power to the inverter module, detecting occurrence of a true fault when a change in the voltage on the high-voltage bus is greater than a predetermined threshold, and detecting occurrence of a false fault when the change in the voltage on the high-voltage bus is less than the predetermined threshold. | 08-07-2014 |
20140218827 | POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM - A power supply system includes: a switching power supply; a switching unit for switching a connection state between an AC power supply and the switching power supply; an electricity storage unit; an auxiliary power supply circuit for feeding charging current to the electricity storage unit; a driving circuit for driving the switching unit; a voltage detection circuit for detecting a voltage of the AC power supply; and a control device configured to perform: an overvoltage detection process of determining whether the AC power supply is an overvoltage based on a detection value of the voltage detection circuit; and a process of, in a case where an overvoltage is detected, keeping the switching unit at a cutoff state where the alternating current power supply and the switching power supply are disconnected. | 08-07-2014 |
20140233137 | DC-to-DC Converter - A DC-to-DC converter for transporting energy between two networks includes two or more converter circuits connected in parallel, wherein a first semiconductor switch that can be actuated as a function of a voltage drop across the first semiconductor switch is arranged in series to each converter circuit or a second semiconductor switch that can be actuated as a function of a voltage drop across the second semiconductor switch is arranged in series to each converter circuit. | 08-21-2014 |
20140240872 | POWER-SUPPLY UNIT - A power-supply unit includes a high-voltage source that generates a high voltage between a positive electrode and a negative electrode, a smoothing capacitor connected between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, a discharge portion that includes a resistor and a first switching device connected in series with each other, and is connected between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and a discharge control portion that controls the first switching device to one of an ON state and an OFF state. When an abnormal condition in which current flows through the resistor is detected while the discharge portion controls the first switching device so as to keep the first switching device in the OFF state, the high-voltage source is controlled so as to keep generating a given high voltage for fusing the resistor. | 08-28-2014 |
20140240873 | Switching Power Supply Circuit with Protective Function - A switching power supply circuit includes a transformer having primary, secondary and tertiary windings; a primary-side rectifying-and-smoothing circuit that converts AC power to DC power then smoothes it; a secondary-side rectifying-and-smoothing circuit that smoothes secondary-side power; a tertiary-side rectifying-and-smoothing circuit that smoothes power from the tertiary winding; a switching circuit that switches the primary winding; a pulse width control circuit that controls the switching of the switching circuit; an output-error detecting circuit that detects a deviation of a secondary-side DC output voltage from a reference voltage; and a ripple-voltage detecting-and-controlling circuit that detects a ripple-voltage of the secondary-side DC output voltage and stop-controls the output-error detecting circuit, wherein a stop-control signal from the ripple-voltage detecting-and-controlling circuit causes the output-error detecting circuit to stop outputting, then a drive signal to the switching circuit is stopped, thus the operation of the switching power supply circuit is stopped. | 08-28-2014 |
20140247522 | SCALABLE POWER SUPPLY CIRCUIT INCLUDING PROTECTION FEATURES - A power supply circuit and method for supplying power are provided. The power supply circuit includes a front end circuit, a power factor correction circuit, and a drive circuit. The front end circuit is configured to generate a direct current voltage based on an input voltage. The front end circuit includes a first surge protection circuit. The power factor correction circuit is configured to generate a driving voltage based on the generated direct current voltage. The power factor correction circuit includes a second surge protection circuit and an over-temperature protection circuit. The drive circuit is configured to generate an output voltage for a load based on the driving voltage. The drive circuit includes a third surge protection circuit, a startup circuit, and an open-circuit protection circuit. | 09-04-2014 |
20140247523 | SWITCHING REGULATOR AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE - There is provided a switching regulator including an overcurrent protection circuit which is able to automatically return from an overcurrent state. The switching regulator includes an error amplification circuit which amplifies a difference between a feedback voltage and a reference voltage based on an output voltage and outputs the amplified difference; a PWM comparator which compares an output of the error amplification circuit with an output of a triangular wave oscillation circuit, and controls an output transistor; an overcurrent detection circuit which monitors a load current flowing through a load connected to an output terminal, detects that the load current is an overcurrent, and outputs an overcurrent detection signal causing a switching operation to stop; and a negative feedback control circuit which receives the overcurrent detection signal, and controls the load current to a predetermined current value. | 09-04-2014 |
20140254048 | PROTECTION CIRCUIT AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE USING THE SAME - An exemplary protection circuit is provided to provide a controlled, latency-free, steady voltage. The circuit includes a switch module, an induction, a response module, a protection chip, and a sequence controller. The protection chip turns on the switch module when the voltage provided by a capacitor is less than a threshold voltage, thus the connection between the power supply device and the conversion circuit is enabled. The protection chip further outputs a high level signal to the sequence controller upon receiving an induction signal from the induction module. The sequence controller outputs a low level signal to the response module upon receiving the high level signal, to turn off a connection between the first end of the capacitor and ground, otherwise, a high signal is output to turn on the connection between the first end of the capacitor and ground. | 09-11-2014 |
20140254049 | METHOD FOR ELIMINATING AN ARC DRIVEN BY MEANS OF AT LEAST ONE PHASE VOLTAGE SOURCE OF A CONVERTER CIRCUIT - A method for eliminating an arc driven by at least one phase voltage source of a converter circuit is disclosed. The converter circuit can include a converter unit and an energy storage circuit, wherein the at least one phase voltage source can be connected on an AC voltage side of the converter unit, and the converter unit can have a plurality of actuable power semiconductor switches. The method can include monitoring a state variable of the converter circuit for a predeterminable threshold value of the state variable to detect an arc, and actuating at least one of the plurality of actuable power semiconductor switches of the converter unit upon detecting a discrepancy between the state variable and the predeterminable threshold value. | 09-11-2014 |
20140293488 | PROTECTING AGAINST TRANSIENTS IN A POWER CONTROL SYSTEM - A system for providing alternating current to at least one inductive load, the system including at least one switching means for switching power to the load on and off, controller adapted for controlling the at least one switching means and a pre-magnetization device, wherein the pre-magnetization device is configured to generate pulses which cause the switching means to pre-magnetize the inductive load. | 10-02-2014 |
20140293489 | Systems and Methods for Use in Identifying and Responding to Type of Grid Fault Event | 10-02-2014 |
20140300998 | POWER MEASUREMENT AND PROTECTION APPARATUS - A power measurement and protection apparatus includes a first connector, a second connector, a setting element, a power setting unit, a power measurement unit, a control unit, and a switch. The first connector is electrically connected to an electronic device. The second connector is electrically connected to a power supply. The power setting unit sets a reference power according to signals input by the setting element, and outputs the reference power to the control unit. The electronic device is powered by the power supply through the second connector, the switch, and the first connector in that order. The power measurement unit measures an actual power of the electronic device, and outputs the actual power to the control unit. The control unit turns off the switch to stop the electronic device from being powered by the power supply, when the actual power is greater than the reference power. | 10-09-2014 |
20140300999 | EXCESS POWER PROTECTION CIRCUIT - A protection circuit against excess power includes a power supply, a converter, a voltage divider, a comparison module, and a switch. The converter converts a first input voltage from the power supply into a first output voltage. The voltage divider divides the first output voltage into a first divided voltage. Using negative-coefficient thermistors as resistances, the first divided voltage increases when a temperature around the voltage divider increases. The comparison module compares the first divided voltage to a preset voltage and outputs a first or a second signal corresponding to the result of the comparison. The switch allows the power supply to continue operating or to shut down according to the first or to the second signal. | 10-09-2014 |
20140307351 | Over-current Protection Circuit for Light Source Driving Module and Related Backlight Module - The present invention discloses an overcurrent protection circuit for a light source driving module and a related backlight module. The overcurrent protection circuit includes an average value overcurrent protection circuit for detecting an average voltage at a node where the switch is connected to the detection resistor and generating the turning-off signal to turn off the switch when the average voltage is larger or equal to a threshold average voltage, wherein the average voltage is formed by an average current of the switch. Through the above-mentioned mechanism, the present invention can prevent the working power of a power device from being larger than its rated power. Therefore, it also prevents the power device from catching a fire due to a potential high temperature. | 10-16-2014 |
20140307352 | OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION CIRCUIT - An overvoltage protection circuit includes a first connector connected to an alternating current (AC) power source, a second connector connected to an electronic device, an alternating current to direct current (AC/DC) rectifying circuit, a voltage regulating diode, a relay, a first electronic switch, and a second electronic switch. The first connector is connected to the AC/DC rectifying circuit. The AC/DC rectifying circuit is connected to the first electronic switch through the voltage regulating diode. The first electronic switch is connected to the second electronic switch. The second electronic switch is connected to the relay. The first connector is connected to the second connector through the relay. | 10-16-2014 |
20140313620 | VOLTAGE PROTECTION CIRCUIT - Voltage protection circuit connected between a current protection circuit and a load. The voltage protection circuit includes a comparator, an inverter, and an electronic switch. The current protection circuit is connected between the load and a power supply circuit for protecting the load from over-current. When an output voltage of the power supply circuit is less than a rated voltage of the load, the load receives the output voltage of the power supply circuit as normal. The power supply circuit stops outputting the output voltage to the load for protection, when the output voltage of the power supply circuit is greater than the rated voltage of the load. | 10-23-2014 |
20140321003 | POWER SUPPLY CIRCUIT - Power supply circuit comprises an under voltage protection unit and a voltage conversion unit electrically connected to the under voltage protection unit. The under voltage protection unit comprises a control chip, an npn-type bipolar junction transistor (BJT), a pnp-type BJT, and first fourth resistors. The under voltage protection unit and the voltage conversion unit are electrically connected to a power supply. When a voltage of the power supply is in a normal range, the under voltage protection unit outputs a first control signal to the voltage conversion unit. The voltage conversion unit converts the voltage of the power supply into an operation voltage, and outputs the operation voltage. When the voltage of the power supply is less than a threshold voltage, the under voltage protection unit outputs a second control signal to the voltage conversion unit, and the voltage conversion unit does not operate. | 10-30-2014 |
20140321004 | CONTROL MEANS FOR AN ELECTRICALLY ADJUSTABLE PIECE OF FURNITURE - A control means comprises a control segment ( | 10-30-2014 |
20140327991 | USER EQUIPMENT AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF - An electronic device comprising a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), a battery for supplying power to the PCB and at least one moisture detection sheet mounted on the PCB and the PCB shuts off power from the battery in response to detected electrical current conduction via the at least one moisture detection sheet. | 11-06-2014 |
20140334043 | Surge Protection Circuit, Switching Power Supply, and Surge Protection Method - A surge protection circuit, a switching power supply, and a surge protection method are provided that can prevent a power supply from being damaged by a high energy surge voltage discharged from a terminal device to an output end of a power supply. The surge protection circuit is applied to the switching power supply. The power supply includes a transformer. The circuit includes a surge protection tube. When a surge voltage on the terminal device is greater than a discharge voltage of the surge protection tube, the surge protection tube is conducted and discharges the surge voltage on the terminal device to the ground wire end at the high voltage side of the transformer. The embodiments of the present invention are applicable to the field of electronic technologies. | 11-13-2014 |
20140347767 | POWER CONVERTER WITH SWITCHING ELEMENT - In a power converter, a driver that drives, according to a control signal, a switching element of a switch circuit for converting input power to output power. The control signal represents how to drive the switching element. A controller outputs the control signal to the driver for controlling the driver. A measuring unit measures a value of input power input to the switch circuit. A protection determining unit determines, based on the measured value of the input power, whether there is a need to protect the power converter. The protection determining unit outputs a stop control signal to at least one of the driver and the controller based on a result of the determination of whether there is a need to protect the power converter. The stop control signal represents whether to forcibly stop drive of the switching element. | 11-27-2014 |
20140362478 | POWER SYSTEM AND SHORT-CIRCUIT PROTECTION CIRCUIT THEREOF - A short-circuit protection circuit adapted to a voltage regulator module is provided. The voltage regulator module includes a high side transistor and a low side transistor. The short-circuit protection circuit includes a short-circuit detecting circuit, a first switch, and a second switch. The short-circuit detecting circuit includes a detecting terminal coupled with the high side transistor. The high side transistor is connected with the low side transistor and a load, and the low side transistor is coupled with a ground. The first switch is connected with the low side transistor in parallel. The second switch coupled between the high side transistor and the power supply. The first switch is turned on before the power supply is powered on, the short-circuit detecting circuit sends a detecting voltage to the high side transistor via the detecting terminal to determine whether the high side transistor is short-circuited to control to second switch. | 12-11-2014 |
20140362479 | PROTECTION CIRCUIT FOR PROTECTING VOLTAGE SOURCE CONVERTER - Disclosed is a power converting apparatus capable of protecting a voltage source converter in the event of a short circuit in a power converting apparatus using a plurality of voltage source converters. The power converting apparatus comprises a semiconductor protection circuit connected in parallel to a converter arm unit including a plurality of voltage source converters, thus enabling overcurrent generated in the event of a short circuit to flow through the semiconductor protection circuit. | 12-11-2014 |
20140362480 | SAFETY SWITCHING DEVICE WITH POWER SUPPLY - A safety switching device for switching on or off a hazardous installation in a failsafe manner has a failsafe control/evaluating unit and a power supply for providing at least one operating voltage for the control/evaluating unit. The power supply has a voltage converter for converting an input voltage into an output voltage of a defined output voltage value. The output voltage corresponds to the operating voltage. The power supply has a fault detector for detecting a fault condition of the voltage converter. The fault detector has a comparator for comparing a currently existent output voltage with a defined reference voltage. The fault detector provides a fault condition signal upon detection of a predetermined deviation from the reference voltage. The power supply also has a switch which disconnects the input voltage of the voltage converter when the fault condition signal is present. | 12-11-2014 |
20150029618 | NON-TRANSFORMER ISOLATED DC-DC POWER SUPPLY INCLUDING SHUT DOWN CIRCUIT - A direct current-to-direct current (DC-DC) power supply includes a voltage converter module that converts an input voltage having a first voltage level into an output voltage having a second voltage level that is less than the first voltage level. An over-voltage detection module receives the second voltage and generates an over-voltage signal indicating an over-voltage condition of the DC-DC power supply. A shutdown module receives the over-voltage signal and generates a shutdown signal in response to the over-voltage condition. An over-voltage protection module interposed between the shutdown module and the input of the voltage converter module. The over-voltage protection module is configured to selectively inhibit delivery of the input voltage to the voltage converter module in response to the shutdown signal. | 01-29-2015 |
20150055257 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR - Provided is a voltage regulator including an overcurrent protection circuit in which an output voltage-output current characteristic exhibits an optimal fold-back characteristic even when an overcurrent state is detected. The overcurrent protection circuit includes a control circuit for generating a current in accordance with an output voltage, and controls a gate of an output transistor with use of a current obtained by subtracting the current from a sense current flowing in accordance with an output current. | 02-26-2015 |
20150146327 | ADAPTIVE FAULT CLEARING BASED ON POWER TRANSISTOR TEMPERATURE - A system includes a current measurement unit, an overload timer, and a processing unit. The current measuring unit measures current through a power transistor, and the overload timer measures an overload time associated with the measured current. The processing unit receives a user-specified overload time setting or a user-specified overload amperage setting associated with a protection device connected in series with a load, receives a temperature measurement of a component associated with the power transistor or a measurement of overload time associated with the current, wherein the power transistor supplies the current to the load and the protection device, and selectively turns off the power transistor based on the measured temperature, the measured current through the power transistor, and the user-specified overload amperage setting or based on the measured temperature, the measured overload time, and the user-specified overload time. | 05-28-2015 |
20150146328 | SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY AND ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT - A switching power supply converts an input voltage to a predetermined output voltage by controlling a switching device. The switching power supply includes a controller and a current detector. The controller controls the switching device. The current detector detects electric current flowing through the switching device. The controller starts a forced-OFF action to forcedly turn OFF the switching device when the current detected by the current detector exceeds a predetermined threshold and then ends the forced-OFF action at a start of a predetermined switching period. | 05-28-2015 |
20150146329 | REVERSE CURRENT DETECTOR CIRCUIT - A circuit ( | 05-28-2015 |
20150303720 | VOLTAGE SUPPLY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISABLING OPERATION OF A DC-DC VOLTAGE CONVERTER - A voltage supply system having a first battery with a first anode and a first cathode, and a contactor coupled in series between the first anode and an electrical node is provided. The system includes a first voltage sensor generating a signal indicative of a first voltage level of the first battery, and a second voltage sensor generating a signal indicative of a second voltage level between the electrical node and the first cathode. The system includes a DC-DC voltage converter coupled between the electrical node and the first cathode; and a second battery, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor disables operation of the DC-DC voltage converter such that the converter does not apply a voltage to the second battery, if both the first voltage level is substantially equal to the second voltage level, and the first voltage level is less than a first threshold voltage level. | 10-22-2015 |
20150333502 | SHORT-CIRCUIT PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR POWER CONVERTERS - One example includes a power converter system. The system includes a switching circuit configured to activate at least one power supply switch in response to a driver signal to provide an output voltage at an output based on an input voltage at an input and based on an inductor current associated with an inductor. The at least one power supply switch includes a parasitic diode that interconnects the inductor and the output. The system also includes a short-circuit protection system configured to detect a short-circuit condition and to deactivate the at least one power supply switch in response to the detection of the short-circuit condition to provide the inductor current from the inductor to the output through the parasitic diode in response to the deactivation of the at least one power supply switch. | 11-19-2015 |
20150372471 | SEMICONDUCTOR MODULE - A semiconductor module which includes a plurality of control circuits that respectively drive a plurality of semiconductor elements on and off and a plurality of signal output circuits for the respective control circuits and which output operation status information, where the signal output circuits are respectively provided with signal output terminals having an open-drain configuration, and the signal output terminals each are connected to an internal lead frame on which the power semiconductor elements and the control circuits are mounted. | 12-24-2015 |
20150372481 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROTECTING A POWER CONVERTER DURING AN ADVERSE VOLTAGE EVENT - The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for protecting a power converter of a renewable energy power system and/or a stand-alone energy storage system connected to a power grid during an adverse voltage event, such as a high voltage ride through (HVRT) event. In one embodiment, the method includes monitoring, via a control system, a current-voltage parameter of the power converter, wherein the current-voltage parameter is indicative of an adverse voltage event occurring at the power grid. Another step includes transferring, via a switching power supply, energy from a DC link of the power converter to one or more energy storage devices of an energy storage system coupled to the power converter when the current-voltage parameter indicates that an adverse voltage event is occurring. | 12-24-2015 |
20150372671 | SWITCHING ELEMENT DRIVING CIRCUIT - A switching element driving circuit includes a current detection unit that outputs a driving stop signal based on a level of current flowing through the switching element, and first and second control elements each connected to a control terminal of the switching element. A comparator controls the first control element based on a result of comparison of an output voltage of the driving circuit main unit with a first reference voltage. A differential amplifier drives the second control element in accordance with a voltage difference between the output voltage of the driving circuit main unit and a second reference so as to maintain the output voltage equal to the second reference voltage. An operation stopping unit stops the comparator and the differential amplifier to drive the first and second control elements, respectively, in response to the driving stop signal. | 12-24-2015 |
20150380922 | DRIVING DEVICE AND DRIVING METHOD - A driving device is configured to drive a power semiconductor switch module based on a main control signal. The driving device includes a voltage-modulating unit and a driving module. When the voltage-modulating unit receives a protection signal, the voltage-modulating unit generates a turn-off pulse signal based on the protection signal. Moreover, the driving module is configured to turn off the power semiconductor switch module based on the turn-off pulse signal. Also disclosed herein is a driving method. | 12-31-2015 |
20150380927 | POWER SUPPLY APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The power supply apparatus includes a first power supply unit for outputting a first voltage; a second power supply unit for outputting a second voltage different from the first voltage; a switch unit operating with the first voltage, which is disposed in a power supply path connecting to the second power supply unit, for supplying and shutting down power to the second power supply unit; a detection unit for detecting that a predetermined voltage or higher is supplied to the first power supply unit; and a control unit for controlling the switch unit to stop the output of the first voltage from the first power supply unit, when the detection unit detects that the predetermined voltage or higher is supplied to the first power supply unit. | 12-31-2015 |
20160028221 | OUTPUT MODULE FOR PROGRAMMABLE CONTROLLER - An output module for programmable controller includes an output common output circuit that supplies load current to each of the load output circuits, and the control circuit controls ON/OFF of the output common output circuit in accordance with an instruction from the higher-level device. | 01-28-2016 |
20160028258 | PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT OF UNIT CELL - The protective circuit includes a voltage dividing circuit connected in parallel between a first electrode and a second electrode of the unit cell and including a first voltage dividing resistor and a second voltage dividing resistor; a first switching device connected to a junction between the first voltage dividing resistor and the second voltage dividing resistor; a second switching device connected between the junction and the third switching device; and a fourth switching device connected between the junction and the third switching device, wherein, when output voltage of the unit cell becomes equal to or lower than a first reference voltage, the fourth switching device and the first switching device are sequentially turned off, the second switching device is turned on, and the third switching device is turned off, so that voltage output through the first output terminal can be cut off. | 01-28-2016 |
20160043539 | SHORT-CIRCUIT PROTECTION FOR VOLTAGE REGULATORS - Circuits and methods for providing short-circuit protection in a voltage regulator are disclosed. A voltage regulator includes a pass switch, a voltage error amplifier, a driver circuit, and a short-circuit protection circuit. The pass element is coupled to a power supply and a load, and generates an output voltage in response to a drive signal. The voltage error amplifier generates an error voltage based on a difference of a reference voltage and the output voltage and the driver circuit generates the drive signal in response to the error voltage. The short-circuit protection circuit senses the drive signal and provides a high-resistance path to the driver circuit in a short-circuit event. In a short-circuit event, the high-resistance path clamps current in the driver circuit thereby clamping a voltage difference between the first and third terminals and thereby limiting a load current in the short-circuit event. | 02-11-2016 |
20160069938 | INPUT VOLTAGE DETECTION CIRCUIT WITH A PARAMETER SETTING FUNCTION APPLIED IN A POWER CONVERTER AND PARAMETER SETTING AND CIRCUIT PROTECTING METHOD THEREOF - A parameter setting and circuit protecting method applied in a power converter are disclosed. An input voltage of the power converter is detected to generate a first detecting signal related to the input voltage. The first detecting signal will be thence compared with a threshold so as to generate a protecting signal for protecting the power converter. When a parameter setting signal is triggered, a current is provided so as to make the first detecting signal to generate a variation, thereby setting a parameter in accordance with the variation. | 03-10-2016 |
20160072273 | POWER SUPPLY CIRCUIT - A power supply circuit includes an input circuit and a switch circuit. The switch circuit includes a first switch and a second switch. The input circuit receives a first DC voltage. A first terminal of the first switch receives a control signal. A second terminal of the first switch is grounded. A third terminal of the first switch is electrically coupled to a first terminal of the second switch. A second terminal of the second switch outputs a second DC voltage. A third terminal of the second switch is electrically coupled to the input circuit. When the second DC voltage is overvoltage, the first switch receives the control signal and turns off, the second switch turns off, the second terminal and the third terminal of the second switch are cut off, and the second terminal of the second switch can not output the second DC voltage. | 03-10-2016 |
20160072276 | OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION CIRCUIT - An overvoltage protection circuit includes a supplying power circuit, a triggering circuit, and a controlling circuit. The supplying power circuit coverts AC power into DC power. The supplying power circuit includes a voltage detective point. The triggering circuit is connected to the voltage detective point. The triggering circuit is triggered when the voltage detective point in a high level voltage. The controlling circuit is connected to the triggering circuit. The controlling circuit includes a power supply point. The controlling circuit cuts off the power supply point when the triggering circuit is triggered. | 03-10-2016 |
20160074038 | POWER MANAGEMENT THROUGH SEGMENTED CIRCUIT AND VARIABLE VOLTAGE PROTECTION - The present disclosure provides a surgical instrument control circuit. The control circuit includes a primary processor, a safety processor, and a segmented circuit. The segmented circuit includes a plurality of circuit segments in signal communication with the primary processor. The plurality of circuit segments includes a power segment configured to provide a segment voltage to the primary processor, the safety processor, and each of the plurality of circuit segments. The power segment is configured to provide variable voltage protection of each segment. | 03-17-2016 |
20160079748 | Over-Current Protection Circuit And Method - A determination is made as to when the current flowing through a transistor exceeds a predetermined threshold. When the current exceeds the predetermined threshold, the transistor is deactivated. The deactivating of the transistor is effective to limit the current that flows through the transistor. The limiting of the current is effective to prevent damage to the transistor in an over current condition. The transistor is maintained in a deactivated state until a time off circuit resets the DC-DC converter circuit. The maintaining of the transistor in the deactivated state until a time off circuit resets the DC-DC converter circuit is additionally effective to reduce the time on (Duty Cycle—D.C.) and frequency to further prevent damage to the transistor due to switching power losses. | 03-17-2016 |
20160087420 | CURRENT CONTROLLER AND PROTECTION CIRCUIT - A current controller for generating a control signal which controls supply current flowing from a power source to a load includes an interface circuit which sets a threshold based on an instruction from an outside of the current controller, a threshold setting circuit which stores and outputs the threshold, a sensing circuit which determines a current or a temperature of a sensing element, and outputs a signal indicating that the supply current should be interrupted as the control signal if a determined current or a determined temperature exceeds the threshold, and a sensing control circuit which generates a clock signal including pulses with a predetermined period. The sensing circuit determines the current or the temperature of the sensing element during an active period of the clock signal. | 03-24-2016 |
20160098055 | UNIVERSAL OPTO-COUPLED VOLTAGE SYSTEM - A system for providing one or more voltages at predetermined magnitudes. The system may be supplied with power having a range of voltage magnitudes without affecting the predetermined magnitudes of the one or more voltages provided by the system and without a need to change circuitry of the system. The system may be connected, for example, from 28 VDC to 250 VAC without affecting the predetermined magnitudes of the output voltage or voltages. This system is protected from a mistaken power hook-up thought to be for 28 VDC but actually being connected to 250 VAC, which could be a disaster for a system not having the present circuitry. The system may be used for supplying power for opto-couplers in relay detection and other applications. The system may incorporate lightning and reverse polarity protection, reference and regulated voltages, an output driver, and input isolation circuitry. | 04-07-2016 |
20160126720 | IRREGULARITY DETECTION DEVICE FOR A POWER SWITCH - An irregularity detection device for a power switch determines if a temperature-dependent resistance on a current path of the power switch is abnormal according to if a voltage on the current path is greater than or equal to a configuration value when the power switch is turned on, and generates an irregularity alarm associated with the power switch based on the determination result. | 05-05-2016 |
20160156171 | HIGH VOLTAGE CURRENT SOURCE WITH SHORT CIRCUIT PROTECTION | 06-02-2016 |
20160164273 | OVER-VOLTAGE PROTECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME - An over-voltage protection apparatus includes an input voltage detection module ( | 06-09-2016 |