38th week of 2014 patent applcation highlights part 69 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140266064 | Battery Cell Unit Comprising a Battery Cell and a Monitoring and Actuation Unit for Monitoring the Battery Cell and Method for Monitoring a Battery Cell - A battery cell unit includes a battery cell and a monitoring and actuation unit for monitoring the function state of the battery cell. A coupling unit is provided in the battery cell unit, in which coupling unit two half-bridges forming a full-bridge are arranged, which half-bridges each comprise a first power semiconductor coupled to a positive pole of the battery cell, a second power semiconductor coupled to a negative pole of the battery cell and a central connection and are connected to a respective other output terminal of the battery cell unit via the respective central connection. The battery cell is configured to operate, in the normal operating mode, the power semiconductors of the half-bridges in such a way that a battery cell voltage of the battery cell is present at the output terminals of the battery cell unit optionally with a positive or negative orientation. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266065 | MULTI-MODAL FLUID CONDITION SENSOR PLATFORM AND SYSTEM THEREOF - This invention encompasses embodiments for multi-modal integrated simultaneous measurement of various aspects of fluids contained in circulating systems such as automotive reciprocating engines and vehicle transmissions. These circulating systems perform constant internal lubrication, and heat and contaminant removal to protect the internal moving parts from the inherent friction and damage in normal operation. Most commonly this is achieved with fluids based on hydrocarbon and/or related synthetics, which, over time, can lose their protective properties, and vary in their performance or breakdown/decay due to internal and external events. Several components within the lubricant fluid can be measured and can provide insight into the efficacy of the system to perform its designed mission. The mass and level of the fluid may also be monitored on an on-going basis. Described herein is a real-time, simultaneous, integrated, multi-modal sensor system for early warning notification. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266066 | CLAMPING DEVICE FOR AN ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL STACK - A clamping device for an electrochemical cell stack is provided. The clamping device can include a first plate and a second plate. The second plate can be positionable relative to the first plate such that a space between the first plate and the second plate can be sized to receive an electrochemical cell stack. The device also can include a coupling member coupling the first plate to the second plate. At least one of the first and second plates can be movable away from the other plate. The coupling member can have a first end portion and a second end portion. The device further can include an elastic member disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266067 | Electrical Extension - An apparatus and method for configuring an electrical extension device, including measuring an electric current level being drawn from at least one of a plurality of electrical plugs by at least one of a plurality of loads; comparing the electric current level with a threshold to derive a comparison; and determining whether or not to charge the at least one of the plurality of loads based on the comparison. Additionally, the apparatus and method is for charging each of the at least one of the plurality of loads, wherein the charging is associated with a time duration, determining a charging state of one of the at least one of the plurality of loads and/or terminating the charge to the one of the at least one of the plurality of loads if the charging state indicates that it is at a fully charged capacity. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266068 | PULSE BATTERY CHARGER METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR IMPROVED CHARGING OF LITHIUM ION BATTERIES - The inventions herein relate to devices and methods to impart charge to lithium ion battery cells. Still further, the present invention incorporates to pulse charging methods and systems related thereto that provide improvements in charging speed, efficiency and additional benefits. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266069 | Power Converter Circuit Including at Least One Battery - A circuit includes a first power converter circuit and a second power converter circuit. The input of the second power converter circuit is coupled to the output of the first power converter circuit and is configured to receive an input signal. A rechargeable battery is coupled to the output of the first power converter circuit. A charge control circuit is configured to control charging the rechargeable battery by controlling the second power converter circuit. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266070 | Apparatus and Method for Enhancing Battery Life - An apparatus and method for enhancing battery life including monitoring a first voltage level of a battery; receiving a first indication of the first voltage level; comparing the first indication to a first threshold to derive a comparison; determining if the battery needs charging based on the comparison; and configuring at least one switching mechanism to engage at least one capacitor to charge the battery. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266071 | BATTERY PACK AND BATTERY CHARGER - A battery pack includes: a connecting portion connected to a battery charger; a battery chargeable by the battery charger connected to the connecting portion; an environment temperature detecting element detecting an environment temperature around the battery; and a control circuit. The control circuit periodically detects the environment temperature via the environment temperature detecting element and controls the battery charger to suspend starting of charging the battery or to temporarily discontinue charging the battery when a variation of the environment temperature detected exceeds a predetermined range, when the battery charger is connected to the connecting portion. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266072 | SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR BATTERY BALANCING - A battery system includes multiple battery cells having multiple cell voltages, and a balancing module. The battery module coupled to multiple battery cells and configured to specify a first voltage threshold according to an amount of a charging current supplied to the battery cells in constant current charging mode, and to initiate a balance check of the battery cells if the first voltage threshold is not satisfied by a cell voltage of the plurality of cell voltages | 2014-09-18 |
20140266073 | ENERGY STORAGE CIRCUIT - An energy storage (ES) circuit, including: a plurality of terminals configured to: connect to a pulse load having an input voltage and drawing a low current during a first interval and a high current during a second interval; and connect to a power supply having a source voltage and delivering a source current; an energy storage capacitor connected to the plurality of terminals; and a bidirectional direct current (DC) to DC converter configured to: recharge, during at least a portion of the first interval, the energy storage capacitor using a plurality of charge drawn from the source current; and reduce a drop in the input voltage during the second interval by delivering a difference between the source current and the high current to the pulse load using the plurality of charge stored in the energy storage capacitor. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266074 | DC POWER SIGNAL GENERATION FOR ELECTRO-CHEMICAL REACTOR - Various systems, processes, and techniques may be used for converting alternating current power to direct current power for an electro-chemical reactor. In certain implementations, a system and a process may include the ability to receive an alternating current power signal, convert the alternating current signal to a direct current signal, and distribute the direct current signal to at least two power conversion modules coupled to a mounting structure. Each power conversion module may be able to convert a portion of the direct current signal to a high-frequency alternating current signal, adjust the voltage of the high-frequency alternating current signal, convert the voltage-adjusted high-frequency alternating current signal to a direct current power signal, and filter the direct current power signal. The system and the process may include the ability to combine the direct current power signals from the modules into an output direct current power signal for an electro-chemical reactor. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266075 | Methods Of Enhancing Electrochemical Double Layer Capacitor (EDLC) Performance And EDLC Devices Formed Therefrom - The invention broadly encompasses energy storage devices or systems and more specifically relates to methods of enhancing the performance of electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLCs), or supercapacitors or ultracapacitors, and devices formed therefrom. In some embodiments, the invention relates generally to energy storage devices, such as EDLCs that use phosphonium-based electrolytes and methods for treating such devices to enhance their performance and operation. Embodiments of the invention further encompass phosphonium-based electrolytes comprised of phosphonium ionic liquids, salts, and compositions employed in such EDLCs. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266076 | EPGS ARCHITECTURE WITH MULTI-CHANNEL SYNCHRONOUS GENERATOR AND COMMON UNREGULATED PMG EXCITER - A generator system includes a generator having a stationary portion and a rotating portion. The generator includes a permanent magnet based exciter with permanent magnets disposed on the stationary portion. A first channel includes a first main field winding and a first main field power converter disposed on a rotating portion. The first main field power converter selectively delivers voltage from the exciter winding to the first main field winding. A second channel includes a second main field winding and a second main field power converter disposed on the rotating portion. The second main field power converter selectively delivers voltage from the exciter winding to the second main field winding. A generator control unit is connected to the first channel and the second channel. The generator control unit monitors an output voltage at each of the first channel and the second channel and generates the first and second control signals based on the output voltage. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266077 | VARIABLE SPEED CONSTANT FREQUENCY SYSTEM WITH GENERATOR AND ROTATING POWER CONVERTER - An electric power generating system includes a brushless wound field synchronous generator with n-number of power generating channels and n-number of bidirectional switches alternatively controlled to provide ac power at the output. Each power generating channel includes a control rotating transformer, a rotating power converter supplying power to field winding from the rotating power supply, and a center-tap single phase armature winding connected to the bidirectional switches. Rotating power converter modulates current in the field winding to obtain desired frequency and phase at the system output. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266078 | GENERATOR ARCHITECTURE WITH MAIN FIELD ROTATING POWER CONVERTER - A generator includes a stationary portion and a rotating portion. The stationary portion includes a main armature winding and the rotating portion includes a main field winding a main field rotating power converter that selectively controls current supplied to the main field winding. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266079 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING ROTATING MAIN FIELD CONVERTER - A generator system includes a generator having a stationary portion and a rotating portion. An exciter field winding and a main armature winding are disposed on the stationary portion. An exciter armature winding and a main field winding are disposed on the rotating portion. A frequency demodulator is configured to extract a frequency modulated control signal from the exciter armature winding and to demodulate the frequency modulated control signal to generate a demodulated control signal. The generator includes a main field rotating power converter to selectively control current in the main field winding in response to the demodulated command signal. The generator system includes a generator control unit in electrical communication with the generator to monitor the output voltage at the main armature winding and to output an exciter current including the frequency modulated control signal to the exciter field winding based on the output voltage. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266080 | ROTATING ELECTRICAL MACHINE - A rotating electric machine and a method of magnetizing a rotor of a brushless rotating electric machine are disclosed, the method including forming a stationary magnetic field, rotating a rotor of a magnetizing machine in the stationary magnetic field for producing alternating current, rectifying the alternating current with a controllable bridge situated in the rotor, receiving control instructions wirelessly to the rotor, controlling a magnitude of current with the controllable bridge based on the control instructions, and feeding the controlled current to the magnetizing winding of the rotating electric machine. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266081 | ADAPTIVE ADJUSTMENT TO OUTPUT RIPPLE IN A DEAD ZONE - An embodiment relates to a method for adjusting a dead zone, wherein an amplitude of an oscillating signal is determined, and wherein the dead zone is adjusted based on the amplitude of the oscillating signal. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266082 | METHOD AND IMPLEMENTATION FOR ELIMINATING RANDOM PULSE DURING POWER UP OF DIGITAL SIGNAL CONTROLLER - A switching mode power converter includes a DSC with a digital PWM module configured for complementary operation mode during normal operation. The control algorithm of the DSC is configured such that during an initialization stage immediately following power up of the device relevant digital PWM modules used for interleaving operation are reconfigured to temporarily operate in an independent operation mode with the duty cycle associated with each channel set at zero. The reconfigured digital PWM modules remain set in the independent operation mode for a predefined period of time. Once the predefined time period is reached, the reconfigured digital PWM modules are again reconfigured back to the original complementary operation mode configuration and the control algorithm resumes normal operation of the DSC and digital PWM modules. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266083 | Energy-Saving Device with a Voltage-Regulating Function - An energy-saving device is electrically connected between an output terminal of an electric power and an input terminal of a load and includes a current dividing unit connected with the load in parallel, and a voltage dividing unit connected with the load serially. The current dividing unit has an input terminal electrically coupled to an output terminal of the load and an output terminal electrically coupled to the input terminal of the load. The voltage dividing unit has an input terminal electrically coupled to the output terminal of the electric power and an output terminal electrically coupled to the input terminal of the load. Thus, the voltage dividing unit drops the voltage of the load applied by the electric power, and the current dividing unit increases the current flowing into the load, so that the energy-saving device achieves an energy-saving purpose. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266084 | DC-DC CONVERTER - A DC-DC converter, having an output voltage and including at least one electronic switch: first circuitry controlling the output voltage by adjusting a switching frequency of the electronic switch, and second circuitry adjusting the switching frequency toward a target switching frequency when the switching frequency significantly deviates from the target switching frequency. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266085 | Control Method of High Efficient Buck-Boost Switching Regulator - The present disclosure relates to methods and circuits to achieve a buck-boost switching regulator that allows changing operation modes without causing large output ripples during transition of operation modes Increased error amplifier output voltage range over which the converter stays in its present operating mode (buck or boost or buck-boost), resulting in hysteresis between error amplifier output voltage and output voltage). The larger the hysteresis, the smaller will be the likeliness of having to switch between modes. A first embodiment is combining masking logic applied to signals driving the switches of the switching regulator and offset feedback to outputs of the error amplifier in order to providing hysteresis to suppress operation mode bounce and to minimize ripples while a second embodiment is monitoring pulse width of PWM pulses by a pulse width checker. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266086 | Coupled Inductors With Non-Uniform Winding Terminal Distributions - A coupled inductor includes a ladder magnetic core including two opposing rails extending in a lengthwise direction and joined by a plurality of rungs. The coupled inductor further includes a respective winding wound around each of the plurality of rungs. The plurality of rungs are divided into at least two groups of rungs, and a lengthwise separation distance between adjacent rungs in each group of rungs is less than a lengthwise separation distance between adjacent rungs of different groups of rungs. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266087 | START-UP CIRCUIT FOR VOLTAGE REGULATION CIRCUIT - Among other things, techniques and systems are provided to pre-charge a node of a primary circuit, such as a voltage regulator or bandgap voltage reference, via a start-up circuit. The node is charged to a specified voltage during a pre-charge operation that occurs while the primary-circuit is powered-off. The pre-charge operation comprises discharging a voltage from the node during a first portion of the pre-charge operation and re-charging the node to the specified voltage during a second portion of the pre-charge operation. In some embodiments, the specified voltage is substantially equivalent to a switching voltage of a drive transistor of the primary circuit. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266088 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR CIRCUIT WITH CONTROLLED VOLTAGE VARIATION - According to one embodiment, a voltage regulator circuit includes a first regulator, and a second regulator. The first regulator includes a first transistor of a first conductive type, which outputs a second voltage that is generated from a first voltage and lower than the first voltage to an output node. The first regulator is usually operated. The second regulator includes a second transistor of a second conductive type, which outputs the second voltage generated from the first voltage to the output node. The second transistor is operated in a weak inversion region when data is input or output. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266089 | CONTROLLED START-UP OF A LINEAR VOLTAGE REGULATOR WHERE INPUT SUPPLY VOLTAGE IS HIGHER THAN DEVICE OPERATIONAL VOLTAGE - A controlled start-up circuit mechanism in a linear voltage regulator can handle a higher supply voltage at start-up and limits the voltage seen at the devices to be lower than the maximum allowed operation voltage. The circuit may regulate voltage for operating a device coupled to a host when the host supply exceeds that necessary for device operation. The controlled start-up mechanism handles a sudden ramp up or spike of supply voltage relative to the device's operational voltage. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266090 | SWITCHING REGULATOR WITH ADAPTIVE PWM/PFM MODULATOR - A switching regulator controller for a buck switching regulator incorporates a multi-mode adaptive modulator configured to automatically select between a first operation mode and a second operation mode as a function of the output voltage being generated. In one embodiment, the switching regulator controller compares the output voltage to a comparator reference voltage and is configured to operate in a selected operation mode based on the output voltage. In this manner, a single switching regulator controller can be used in multiple instances of an electronic system to supply circuitry that may have different operational requirements. In one embodiment, the switching regulator controller is configured to operation in a PWM/PFM mode and a PWM mode as a function of the output voltage, which indicates the circuit application to which the switch regulator controller is used to supply. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266091 | Voltage Regulators with Load-Dependent Bias - This document describes systems and techniques related to voltage regulators. The subject matter of this document can be embodied in a method that includes measuring an output current of a switching regulator. The switching regulator includes a high-side transistor and a low side-transistor wherein the high-side transistor and the low-side transistor are driven using a first gate voltage and a second, different gate voltage, respectively. The method also includes adjusting a direct-current (DC) voltage source of the switching regulator such that the first gate voltage is adjusted in accordance with the measured output current. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266092 | REFERENCE COMPENSATION MODULE AND SWITCHING REGULATOR CIRCUIT COMPRISING THE SAME - A switching regulator circuit and a reference compensation module employed for compensating a reference signal in the switching regulator circuit. The switching regulator circuit with a reference ground having an average offset voltage referenced to a package ground pin, wherein the average offset voltage is proportional to an output current of the switching regulator circuit with a first factor. The reference compensation module may be configured to receive a second reference signal having a bandgap reference voltage with respect to the reference ground and a reference compensation signal proportional to the output current with a second factor, and configured to provide the first reference signal based on compensating the second reference signal with the reference compensation signal to substantially cancel out the average offset voltage from the first reference signal with respect to the ground pin. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266093 | INTERNAL COMPENSATION FOR POWER MANAGEMENT INTEGRATED CIRCUITS - A voltage regulator integrated circuit comprises a control circuit driving at least one power switch to provide a regulated voltage at an output of an inductor/capacitor (LC) circuit coupled to the at least one power switch; an error amplifier having a first input coupled to a feedback signal representative of the regulated output voltage and a second input coupled to a reference signal; and a compensation network coupled to an output of the error amplifier and configured to provide a compensation voltage. The compensation network includes at least one digitally programmable resistor array and at least one digitally programmable capacitor array. Each array provides a plurality of user selectable component values. The control circuit includes a pulse modulator configured to modulate an input voltage based on the compensation voltage. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266094 | Split-Switcher Voltage Regulator Architecture - A power management system that can include an application processor and a power management unit (PMU). The PMU can generate a regulated output voltage based on control signals generated by a switch control module of the application processor. The control signals can be determined based on a comparison of monitored voltages within the application processor and a generated reference voltage. The reference voltage can be generated based on fed back signals corresponding to the control signals. The application processor and the PMU can be formed utilizing different size manufacturing process technologies. For example, the PMU can be formed utilizing a larger size manufacturing process technology than the application processor. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266095 | STEP-DOWN SWITCHING CIRCUIT - The step-down switching circuit includes an amplifier capacitor having a first end connected to the feedback terminal and a second end connected to a second input of the amplifier. The step-down switching circuit includes a first resistor having a first end connected to the first end of the amplifier capacitor. The step-down switching circuit includes a second resistor having a first end connected to a second end of the first resistor and a second end connected to an output of the amplifier. The step-down switching circuit includes a third resistor having a first end connected to the second end of the first resistor and a second end connected to the second end of the amplifier capacitor. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266096 | BUCK-BOOST CIRCUIT - In accordance with some embodiments, a buck-boost circuit is contemplated which is bi-directional. That is, the buck-boost circuit be configured to produce a load voltage for a load responsive to a source voltage from a voltage source, and the buck-boost circuit may also be configured to produce a charging voltage for the voltage source responsive to a second voltage source connected to the load. In an embodiment, the buck-boost circuit may be operating in boost mode when providing the load voltage and may be operating in buck mode when providing the charging voltage. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266097 | METHOD FOR CONVERTING A HIGH VOLTAGE LEVEL TO A LOW VOLTAGE LEVEL - An integrated circuit for converting a high voltage level to a low voltage level comprises a high side driver, a low side driver electrically coupled with the high side driver, a circuit electrically coupled with the high side driver and a first node between the high side driver and the low side driver, and a false signal filter electrically coupled with the circuit. The circuit is configured to substantially turn off the high side driver if the high side driver leaves a cutoff region of the high side driver during a tri-state mode. The false signal filter is configured to screen signals that are outside of the tri-state mode. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266098 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR WITH CURRENT LIMITER - A voltage regulator includes an amplifier having a first input coupled to a first reference voltage and a second input coupled to a voltage feedback signal; a multiplexer having a first input coupled to an output of the amplifier, a second input coupled to a voltage clamp signal, and a control input; and a control circuit having a first input coupled to an over current indicator, a second input coupled to a no over voltage indicator, a third input coupled to a timer signal, and an output coupled to the control input of the multiplexer. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266099 | IN-RUSH CURRENT CONTROL FOR CHARGE-PUMP LDO - A circuit for a charge-pump low-dropout (LDO) regulator may include a comparator circuit configured to control a pass transistor based on an error signal. A pre-charge path may be provided between a supply voltage and an output node of the regulator. The pre-charge path may be configured to allow charging of an output capacitor to a pre-charge voltage during a pre-charge operation mode. The output capacitor may be coupled between the output node of the regulator and ground potential. The pass transistor may be configured to allow charging of the output capacitor during an LDO mode of operation. A charge-pump circuit may be configured to provide a current for charging the output capacitor during the LDO mode of operation. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266100 | Method to Limit the Inrush Current in Large Output Capacitance LDO's - The present document relates to a pre-charge circuit of electronic circuits having Miller compensation and significant output capacitance such as LDOs or multistage amplifiers. The pre-charge circuit limits an inrush current right after enabling of the electronic circuit. The pre-charge circuit limits and clamps the fast charging of the Miller capacitor. A delay circuit disables the pre-charge circuit when the bias conditions of the Miller capacitor are close to normal bias conditions. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266101 | PROGRAMMABLE VOLTAGE REGULATOR - A programmable linear voltage regulator and system for programming the regulator that improves the speed, power usage, and stability over conventional linear voltage regulators is disclosed. A controller that has knowledge of the current or expected activation of various loads sends bias control signals to a programmable biasing circuit of an error amplifier in the voltage regulator to adjust the bias current in accordance with the load current the regulator produces or is expected to produce. A look up table associated with the controller can be used to correlate the bias control signals with current or expected load conditions. Programming of the programmable biasing circuit may precede the enablement of a new load condition to ready the voltage regulator to handle the upcoming change in load current. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266102 | METHODS AND APPARATUS INCLUDING A CURRENT LIMITER - In one general aspect, an apparatus can include a load terminal, and a power source terminal. The apparatus can include a current limiter coupled to the load terminal and coupled to the power terminal. The current limiter can be configured to limit a current from the power source terminal to the load terminal using an electric field activated in response to a difference in voltage between the power source terminal and the load terminal. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266103 | DIGITALLY ASSISTED REGULATION FOR AN INTEGRATED CAPLESS LOW-DROPOUT (LDO) VOLTAGE REGULATOR - Techniques are described that embed a digital assisted regulator with an LDO regulator on a chip without requiring a capacitor external to the chip and to regulate a voltage without undershoot. The digital assisted regulator responds to information regarding operation of the LDO regulator and to a signal that provides advance notification of a load change. When the advance notification signal is received, the digital assisted regulator pulls a circuit's supply voltage up to a chip's incoming supply voltage. When the correct operating voltage has been reached and any undershoot problem removed, the digital assisted regulator balances the current it provides with the current provided by the LDO regulator, to allow a quick response time for other load changes. Also, bandwidth of an LDO regulator may be expanded by use of an advance notice signal to increase bias current of an LDO output device to meet an upcoming load change. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266104 | AN LDO AND LOAD SWITCH SUPPORTING A WIDE RANGE OF LOAD CAPACITANCE - A method to maintain stability of a low drop-out (LDO)/load switch linear voltage regulator (LVR). The method includes determining, during a power-up phase and by a capacitance sensing circuit, an estimated output capacitance value at an output node of the LDO/load switch LVR, and adjusting, based on the estimated output capacitance value, an adaptive RC network in the LDO/load switch LVR, wherein the adaptive RC network produces an adaptive zero in a feedback network transfer function of the LDO/load switch LVR, wherein the adaptive zero reduces an effect of a non-dominant pole in the open loop transfer function of the LDO/load switch LVR, and wherein a frequency of the adaptive zero is inversely proportional to the estimated output capacitance value. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266105 | LOW DROP OUT REGULATOR AND CURRENT TRIMMING DEVICE - A regulator comprises an amplifier, a bias circuit, and a current trimming circuit. The bias circuit is coupled to the amplifier and supplies a first bias current to the amplifier in a first mode of a system including the regulator. The current trimming circuit is coupled to the bias circuit to adjust the first bias current. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266106 | LDO AND LOAD SWITCH SUPPORTING A WIDE RANGE OF LOAD CAPACITANCE - A novel architecture and method to maintain stability of a low drop-out (LDO)/load switch linear voltage regulator (LVR). The architecture and method also support optionally determining, during a power-up phase and by a capacitance sensing circuit, an estimated output capacitance value at an output node of the LDO/load switch LVR, and adjusting, based on the estimated output capacitance value, an adaptive RC network in the LDO/load switch LVR, wherein the adaptive RC network produces an adaptive zero in a feedback network transfer function of the LDO/load switch LVR, wherein the adaptive zero reduces an effect of a non-dominant pole in the open loop transfer function of the LDO/load switch LVR, and wherein a frequency of the adaptive zero is inversely proportional to the estimated output capacitance value. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266107 | USB Regulator with Current Buffer to Reduce Compensation Capacitor Size and Provide for Wide Range of ESR Values of External Capacitor - A voltage regulator comprises a large gm current buffer driver added between a first stage of an operation amplifier and a last stage power transistor. This current buffer allows a significant reduction in the maximum internal and external compensation capacitances needed for regulator stability. The current buffer compensation circuit allows a wide range of external capacitor sizes that increases the flexibility in choosing the external capacitor types (with low to high ESR ratings). | 2014-09-18 |
20140266108 | SINGLE SUPPLY AMPLIFIER WITH SWING TO GROUND - An amplifier circuit has a voltage input terminal, for receiving Vin, and a voltage output terminal, for outputting Vout. A feedback circuit controls Vout to match Vin. A differential input stage receives Vin and Vout and generates a first output signal. An output stage comprises a pull down circuit for Vout. A main MOSFET is controlled by the first output signal to pull down Vout to match Vin when Vout is above a threshold voltage Vtrans. An auxiliary MOSFET, in parallel with the main MOSFET, is controlled by the first output signal to pull down Vout to match Vin when Vout is below Vtrans. The main MOSFET is turned substantially off when Vout is below Vtrans. A headroom generator coupled between the Vout terminal and a drain of the auxiliary MOSFET allows the auxiliary MOSFET to operate in its active region and pull Vout to ground. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266109 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING VOLTAGE RINGING IN A POWER CONVERTER - In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, systems and methods may include an input configured to indicate a switching node voltage of a switching node of a power converter comprising a first switch device coupled at its non-gate terminals between a ground voltage and the switching node and a second switch device coupled at its non-gate terminals between an output supply node and the switching node. The systems and methods may also include a predriver circuit coupled to the input and a gate terminal of the first switch device, the predriver circuit configured to drive an input voltage signal to the gate terminal of the first switch device and configured to select an effective impedance of the gate terminal of the first switch device based on the input. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266110 | Duty-Cycle Dependent Slope Compensation for a Current Mode Switching Regulator - An electronic circuit may output a slope compensation signal for performance of slope compensation of a current mode switching regulator. The circuit may generate a voltage across a storage device that is supplied to a voltage-to-current converter, which may generate a first current in response to the supplied voltage. Current mirror circuitry may mirror the current and supply the mirrored current to the storage device to generate the voltage. The current mirror circuitry may also mirror the current to generate a second mirrored current, which may be supplied to an output of the electronic circuit. In addition to using the first mirrored current to generate the voltage, the voltage may be generated by pulling down the voltage to ground in accordance with a duty cycle of a switching signal used for generation of an output of the current mode switching regulator. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266111 | MULTIPHASE CONVERTER CONTROLLER WITH CURRENT BALANCE - A multiphase converter controller with current balance, configured to control a plural converting circuit to commonly supply an output voltage, is disclosed. The multiphase converter controller comprises a feedback circuit, a fixed on-time circuit, and a multiphase logical circuit. The feedback circuit detects the output voltage to generate a feedback control signal. The fixed on-time circuit generates an on-time signal according to the feedback control signal, and a pulse width of the on-time signal is determined according to a single timer. The multiphase logical circuit chooses a corresponding converting circuit, generates a phase signal according to a sequence of the feedback control signal and controls the corresponding converting circuit according to the on-time signal. Wherein, the fixed on-time circuit determines a correction value according to currents of the plural converting circuit and the phase signal, so as to correct the pulse width of the on-time signal. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266112 | POWER REGULATOR SYSTEM WITH ADAPTIVE RAMP SIGNAL GENERATOR - One embodiment includes a power regulator system. The system includes a switch control stage configured to generate at least one activation signal based on a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal and to control a respective at least one switch to generate an output voltage. The system also includes a feedback stage configured to generate the PWM signal based on a ramp signal and a feedback voltage that is based on the output voltage. The system further includes a ramp generator stage configured to adaptively generate the ramp signal based on the output voltage and based on the at least one activation signal. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266113 | Voltage Regulators with Multiple Transistors - A voltage regulator has an input terminal and a ground terminal. The voltage regulator includes a high-side device, a low side device, and a controller. The high-side device is coupled between the input terminal and an intermediate terminal. The high-side device includes first and second transistors each coupled between the input terminal and the intermediate terminal, such that the first transistor controls a drain-source switching voltage of the second transistor. The low-side device is coupled between the intermediate terminal and the ground terminal. The controller drives the high-side and low-side devices to alternately couple the intermediate terminal to the input terminal and the ground terminal. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266114 | METHOD OF OPERATING VOLTAGE REGULATOR - A voltage regulator circuit comprises an amplifier having an inverting input and a non-inverting input. The amplifier is configured to generate a control signal based on a reference signal at the inverting input of the amplifier and a feedback signal at the non-inverting input of the amplifier. The voltage regulator circuit also comprises an output node, a first power node, a second power node, and a driver that generates a driving current flowing toward the output node in response to the control signal. The driver is coupled between the first power node and the output node. A first transistor having a gate is coupled between the output node and the second power node. A bias circuit outside the amplifier supplies a bias signal to the gate of the first transistor, which is configured to operate in a saturation mode based on the bias signal supplied by the bias circuit. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266115 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR CIRCUIT - A voltage regulator circuit includes a transistor and a capacitor. The transistor includes a gate, a source, and a drain, a first signal is inputted to one of the source and the drain, a second signal which is a clock signal is inputted to the gate, an oxide semiconductor layer is used for a channel formation layer, and an off-state current is less than or equal to 10 aA/μm. The capacitor includes a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode is electrically connected to the other of the source and the drain of the transistor, and a high power source voltage and a low power source voltage are alternately applied to the second electrode. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266116 | DIGITALLY CONTROLLED CURRENT MODE POWER CONVERTER - A current mode converter includes a converter stage comprising a first switch, a second switch, an inductor, and a capacitor, and a digital-to-analog converter configured to convert a digital target current signal to an analog current signal. The current mode converter further includes a slope compensation circuit coupled to the digital-to-analog converter and is configured to convert the analog target current signal to a slope compensated analog target signal. A comparator is coupled to the converter stage and the slope compensation stage and is configured to generate and output a signal when a value of an actual analog signal is equal to a value of the slope compensated analog target signal. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266117 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR 100 PERCENT DUTY CYCLE IN SWITCHING REGULATORS - The present disclosure includes systems and methods for 100% duty cycle in switching regulators. A switching regulator circuit includes a ramp generator to produce a ramp signal having a period and a comparator to receive the ramp signal and an error signal, and in accordance therewith, produce a modulation signal. In a first mode of operation, the ramp signal increases to intersect the error signal, and in accordance therewith, changes a state of a switching transistor during each period of the ramp signal. In a second mode of operation, the error signal increase above a maximum value of the ramp signal, and in accordance therewith, the switching transistor is turned on for one or more full periods of the ramp signal. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266118 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR - A voltage regulator includes a driving circuit, a feedback circuit, first and second control circuits and a resistor. The driving circuit is coupled to an input node and an output node and generates an output voltage at the output node from an input voltage at the input node. The feedback circuit is coupled to the output node and generates a feedback voltage based on the output voltage. The first control circuit is coupled to the feedback circuit and the driving circuit to control the output voltage based on the feedback voltage. The resistor has opposite first and second terminals. The first terminal of the resistor is coupled to the output node. The second control circuit is coupled to the second terminal of the output stage resistor and the feedback circuit to control the feedback voltage based on a regulated voltage at the second terminal of the resistor. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266119 | NON-LINEAR CONTROL FOR VOLTAGE REGULATOR - Described is an apparatus having a non-linear control to manage power supply droop at an output of a voltage regulator. The apparatus comprises: a first inductor for coupling to a load; a capacitor, coupled to the first inductor, and for coupling to the load; a first high-side switch couple to the first inductor; a first low-side switch coupled to the first inductor; a bridge controller to control when to turn on and off the first high-side and first low-side switches; and a non-linear control (NLC) unit to monitor output voltage on the load, and to cause the bridge controller to turn on the first high-side switch and turn off the first low-side switch when a voltage droop is detected on the load. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266120 | INTERNAL COMPENSATION FOR POWER MANAGEMENT INTEGRATED CIRCUITS - A voltage regulator integrated circuit comprises a control circuit driving at least one power switch to provide a regulated voltage at an output of an inductor/capacitor (LC) circuit coupled to the at least one power switch; an error amplifier having a first input coupled to a feedback signal representative of the regulated output voltage and a second input coupled to a reference signal; and a compensation network coupled to an output of the error amplifier and configured to provide a compensation voltage. The compensation network includes at least one digitally programmable resistor array and at least one digitally programmable capacitor array. Each array provides a plurality of user selectable component values. The control circuit includes a pulse modulator configured to modulate an input voltage based on the compensation voltage. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266121 | DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING A SWITCHING MODE POWER SUPPLY - An apparatus for controlling an output voltage of a switching mode power supply (SMPS) by adjusting a switching duty ratio is provided. A comparator outputs a state signal varying depending on a comparison result between an output voltage of the SMPS and a reference voltage. A clock generator generates an internal chip operating frequency and a switching frequency of the SMPS. A digital controller determines on/off of current cells depending on the state signal input from the comparator. A digital pulse width modulator (DPWM) determines a duty ratio of a digital pulse width modulation signal by determining a charging/discharging time of an internal capacitor based on an amount of current of the current cell. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266122 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR TRANSIENT COMPENSATION OF SWITCHING POWER REGULATORS - Apparatus and methods for generating a drive signal of a switching signal are disclosed. A first circuit receives an oscillating reference signal, a first compensation signal, a second compensation signal, and a third compensation signal. The first compensation signal is indicative of an error between an output voltage of a power converter and a reference voltage. The second compensation signal is indicative of the error relative to a threshold. The third compensation signal is indicative of an output current of the power converter. The first circuit generates a comparison signal having a waveform including pulses having durations based at least partly on a combination of the periodic reference signal, the first compensation signal, the second compensation signal, and the third compensation signal. A second circuit receives a clock signal and the comparison signal and generates a drive signal for activation and deactivation of a driver transistor. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266123 | TRUNCATED RAMP WAVEFORMS IN SWITCHING REGULATORS - The present disclosure includes systems and methods using truncated ramp signal in switching regulators. In one embodiment, a switching regulator includes a truncated ramp generator to produce a truncated ramp signal comprising a ramp component and a constant component. A comparator receives the truncated ramp signal and a first signal, and in accordance therewith, produces a modulation signal. The first signal is based on an output voltage or an output current, and the first signal intersects the constant component of the truncated ramp signal in response to a change in the output voltage or output current, and in accordance therewith, the first switching transistor changes state. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266124 | SWITCHING-CAPACITOR REGULATOR WITH CHARGE INJECTION MODE FOR HIGH LOADING CURRENT - A switching-capacitor regulator with a charge injection mode for a high loading current is provided, where the switching-capacitor regulator is used to generate an output voltage at an output node, and the switching-capacitor regulator includes a storage capacitor, a switch module, a current source and a control unit. The switch module is coupled between the storage capacitor, a first supply voltage, a second supply voltage and the output node. The current source is coupled to the output node, and is used for selectively providing a current to the output node. The control unit is coupled to the switch module and the output node, and is used for controlling the switch module to selectively charge or discharge the storage capacitor, and for controlling the current source to selectively provide the current to the output node, to adjust a voltage level of the output voltage. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266125 | Buck-Boost Voltage Converter Circuits for Solid State Lighting Apparatus - A voltage converter includes a converter circuit and a control circuit coupled to the converter circuit and configured to selectively operate the converter circuit in a boost mode or a floating buck mode in response to a level of an input voltage supplied to the voltage converter circuit. The converter circuit may further include an inductor, a first control switch coupled to the control circuit, and a second control switch coupled to the control circuit. The control circuit may be configured to control a state of the first control switch in the boost mode in response to a level of current in the inductor, and the control circuit may be configured to control a state of the second control switch in the floating buck mode in response to the level of current in the inductor. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266126 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EDGE CONTROL IN A SWITCHED OUTPUT STAGE - In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, systems and methods may include a switch coupled at its gate terminal to an input signal voltage, the input signal voltage for controlling a gate voltage of a gate terminal of a driver device coupled at its non-gate terminals between a rail voltage and an output node. The systems and methods may also include a diode having a first terminal and a second terminal, the diode coupled to a non-gate terminal of the switch such that when the switch is enabled, the first terminal is electrically coupled to the gate terminal of the driver device and the second terminal is electrically coupled to the output node. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266127 | LOW POWER AND DYNAMIC VOLTAGE DIVIDER AND MONITORING CIRCUIT - A voltage divider circuit is provided that automatically and dynamically adjusts its voltage divider chains as a supply voltage changes. The voltage divider circuit includes a plurality of voltage divider branches having different divider factors to divide the supply voltage and obtain a divided supply voltage. Additionally, a control circuit is coupled to the plurality of voltage divider branches and adapted to automatically monitor the supply voltage and dynamically select a voltage divider branch from among the plurality of voltage divider branches to maintain a selected divided supply voltage within a pre-determined voltage range. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266128 | Transient Suppression with Lossless Steady State Operation - A power supply efficiently suppresses transient voltages by storing the maximum charge expected in the transient and releasing it during the transient event at a rate in an equal but opposite amount to the transient, preventing the battery voltage from collapsing. The described power supply provides improved efficiency compared to conventional architectures for transient suppression, thus increasing the length of time between battery charges and creating a better user experience. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266129 | Method and System for Regulating Battery Voltages in Handheld/Portable Electronic Systems - A power supply circuit ( | 2014-09-18 |
20140266130 | Voltage Regulators with Kickback Protection - The subject matter of this document can be embodied in a method that includes a voltage regulator having an input terminal and an output terminal. The voltage regulator includes a high-side transistor between the input terminal and an intermediate terminal, and a low-side transistor between the intermediate terminal and ground. The voltage regulator includes a low-side driver circuit including a capacitor and an inverter. The output of the inverter is connected to the gate of the low-side transistor. The voltage regulator also includes a controller that drives the high-side and low-side transistors to alternately couple the intermediate terminal to the input terminal and ground. The controller is configured to drive the low-side transistor by controlling the inverter. The voltage regulator further includes a switch coupled to the low-side driver circuit. The switch is configured to block charge leakage out of the capacitor during an off state of the low-side transistor. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266131 | Power Converter Circuit - A power converter circuit includes an input and an output. A supply circuit is configured to receive an input signal from the input and to generate a number of supply signals from the input signal. A number of converter units are provided. Each of the plurality of converter units is configured to receive one of the plurality of supply signals and to output an output signal to the output. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266132 | RECONFIGURABLE SWITCHED CAPACITOR POWER CONVERTER TECHNIQUES - An apparatus for converting a first voltage into a second voltage includes a reconfigurable switched capacitor power converter having a selectable conversion gain. converter includes a cascade multiplier switched capacitor network having capacitors, each of which electrically connects to a stack node and to a phase node. A controller causes the network to transition between first and second operation modes. In the first mode, at least one capacitor is isolated from a charge transfer path of the reconfigurable switched capacitor power converter. Consequently, in the first mode of operation, the power converter operates with a first gain. In the second mode, the power converter operates with a second conversion gain. Meanwhile, a third voltage across the at least one capacitor is free to assume any value. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266133 | POWER CONVERTING CIRCUIT AND CONTROL CIRCUIT THEREOF - A power converting circuit includes an upper gate switch, a transistor, a current source circuit, a comparator circuit, a delay circuit, and a pulse width modulation signal generating circuit. The transistor and the current source circuit provide a reference signal. The comparator circuit generates a comparing signal according to the reference signal and an output signal provided by the upper gate switch. The delay circuit generates a delay signal according to the comparing signal and a clock signal. The pulse width modulation signal generating circuit generates a control signal for the upper gate switch according to the delay signal and the clock signal for configuring the conduction status of the upper gate switch. The power converting circuit adjusts the conduction time of the upper gate switch according to the reference signal and the output signal. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266134 | SOFT START SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MULTI-STAGE STEP-UP CONVERTERS - A control circuit for a step-up converter includes a soft start module configured to control states of N transistor pairs of the step-up converter, where N is an integer greater than two. A driver module is in communication with the soft start module and configured to generate a first signal when N transistor pairs of the step-up converter are ready to switch. A first charging circuit is configured to charge (N−1) capacitors of the step-up converter to an input voltage of the step-up converter in response to the first signal and to generate a second signal when charging is complete. A second charging circuit is configured to sequentially charge the (N−1) capacitors of the step-up converter to (N−1) predetermined voltage values in response to the first signal and the second signal and before operation of the step-up converter begins. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266135 | MULTI-LEVEL STEP-UP CONVERTER TOPOLOGIES, CONTROL AND SOFT START SYSTEMS AND METHODS - A multi-level, step-up converter circuit includes an inductor including one terminal in communication with an input voltage supply. N transistor pairs are connected in series, where N is an integer greater than one. First and second transistors of a first pair of the N transistor pairs are connected together at a node. The node is in communication with another terminal of the inductor. Third and fourth transistors of a second pair of the N transistor pairs are connected to the first and second transistors, respectively. (N−1) capacitors have terminals connected between the N transistor pairs, respectively. An output capacitor has a terminal in communication with at least one transistor of the N transistor pair. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266136 | HYBRID DIGITAL PULSE WIDTH MODULATION (PWM) BASED ON PHASES OF A SYSTEM CLOCK - Pulse width modulation (PWM) based on selectable phases of a system clock may be implemented with respect to leading-edge-modulation (LEM), trailing-edge-modulation (TEM), and/or dual-edge-modulation. An initial pulse may be generated based on a duty command, synchronous with the system clock, and may be registered with a D flip-flop under control of a selected phase of the system clock. Alternatively, a target count may be derived from the duty command, and an edge of the PWM pulse may be initiated when a count of the selected phase equals the target count. The pulse edge may be registered by a D flip-flop to a SR flip-flop under control of the selected phase. The phases of the system clock may be shared amongst multiple systems to generate multiple PWM signals. A system may include a DLL and digital logic, which may consist essentially of combinational logic and registers. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266137 | CURRENT GENERATOR, METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME, AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME - A current generator includes a first current generation circuit configured to generate a first current having a first current noise which depends on a change in a supply voltage, a second current generation circuit configured to generate a second current having a second current noise which depends on the change in the supply voltage, and a current subtracting circuit configured to generate a third current with the first current noise and the second current noise removed by subtracting the second current from the first current. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266138 | BAND GAP REFERENCE CIRCUIT - A band gap reference circuit is provided that includes a first resistor (R | 2014-09-18 |
20140266139 | Bandgap Reference Circuit - A circuit for generating a temperature-stabilized reference voltage on a semiconductor chip includes a differential amplifier having a first input, a second input and an output. The circuit further includes a CTAT circuit configured to generate a CTAT voltage at an output thereof. A first resistor is coupled between the output of the differential amplifier and the output of the CTAT circuit. Further, the first resistor is connected between the first input and the second input of the differential amplifier. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266140 | Voltage Generator, a Method of Generating a Voltage and a Power-Up Reset Circuit - A voltage generator is provided which is reliable, self starting and only requires a few components. The voltage generator comprises a first stage that provides a current to a second stage. The first stage has a temperature coefficient of one sign, such as positive, and the second stage has an opposing temperature coefficient, e.g. negative. The responses are summed such that the overall temperature coefficient is reduced. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266141 | DIGITAL VOLTAGE COMPENSATION FOR POWER SUPPLY INTEGRATED CIRCUITS - Systems and methods for digital voltage compensation in a power supply integrated circuit are provided. In at least one embodiment, a method comprises receiving a digital voltage code, the digital voltage code corresponding to an output voltage value; setting an output count on a first counter to change from a present first digital count corresponding to a present voltage code value toward a target first digital count corresponding to a new voltage code value; and setting a second count to an offset count value on a second counter when the new voltage code value is received. The method also comprises combining the second count with the output count to form a combined count value; and decrementing the second count value from the offset count value to zero when the first counter reaches the target first digital count. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266142 | Switching Module for Voltage Regulator - The present disclosure provides techniques for an improved switching module for voltage regulators or transformers with voltage regulating taps. The switching module disclosed herein includes a first bypass switch and a second bypass switch coupled to the first bypass switch, at least one prime mover coupled to and configured to actuate at least one of the first bypass switch and the second bypass switch, and at least one load breaking switch coupled between the first and second bypass switches. In certain example embodiments, a separate prime move is configured to actuate each of the bypass switches and the load breaking switch. In certain other example embodiments, one or more of the bypass switches and the load breaking switch is actuated by a shared prime mover. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266143 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR - A method includes receiving, at a voltage regulator, an activity adjustment signal from a digital circuit. The method also includes controlling one or more variable impedance elements of the voltage regulator to modify an output voltage provided to the digital circuit. The output voltage is based at least in part on the activity adjustment signal. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266144 | ON-CHIP POWER CONVERTER CIRCUIT AND ON-CHIP POWER SUPPLY USING THE POWER CONVERTER CIRCUIT - An on-chip power converter and an on-chip switching power supply implemented using a film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) in place of an inductor. This MEMS device offers high inductance density and high Q factor. FBARs can be conveniently fabricated in a CMOS compatible process. FBARs also shows better EMI results than conventional inductors. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266145 | POWER FLOW CONTROL APPARATUS - A power flow control apparatus comprising a current distribution circuit arranged to distribute an input current into a plurality of branches such that the input current is distributed into a plurality of individual branch currents; wherein each of the plurality of branches includes an inductive arrangement arranged to form an inductive coupling with an associated inductive arrangement of at least one other associated branch, and a plurality of compensator units in electrical communication with the plurality of branches, wherein each compensator unit is arranged to deliver a branch compensating voltage relative to the branch current. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266146 | CURRENT DISTRIBUTION APPARATUS - A current distribution apparatus comprising a common current source arranged to deliver an input current into a plurality of branches such that the input current is distributed into a plurality of individual branch currents, wherein each of the plurality of branches includes an inductive arrangement arranged to form an inductive coupling with an associated inductive arrangement of at least one other associated branch. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266147 | System and Apparatus for Nanopore Sequencing - A piezoelectric substrate having a nanopore opening that separates two reservoirs of conductive fluid may provide for sensitive biological measurements by allowing control of the size of the nanopore according to piezoelectric stimulation of the substrate. Multiple embodiments are provided of monolithic piezoelectric substrates and nanopores for this purpose as well as a control system for controlling the nanopore dimensions electrically using AC or DC waveforms. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266148 | COIN-LEVEL DETERMINATION SYSTEM FOR COIN BOX - A system for detecting the level of coins in a coin box of a vending machine includes a voltage output circuit, a coin detecting circuit, and an indication circuit. The voltage output circuit receives a DC voltage, and provides a stable reference voltage. The coin detecting circuit receives the stable reference voltage, and detects the resistance of the coins in the coin box on the basis that the aggregate of accumulated coins creates an electrical connection across the coin box in parallel with known-value resistors in the coin detecting circuit. An amplification of the reference voltage takes place and the indication circuit receives the amplified reference voltage, to indicate by display or otherwise that the coin box is filled with coins or is not yet filled with coins. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266149 | COVER-TESTING FIXTURE FOR RADIO FREQUENCY SENSITIVE DEVICES - A method for determining variations in the metallic content of a cover of a mobile communications device at different locations simultaneously includes configuring a radio frequency signal generator to generate a standing wave along a transmission line including a first conductor formed from a thin conductive film on a first side of a first nonconductive substrate and transmitting a signal on a frequency corresponding to the standing wave to excite a plurality of magnetic and electric field peaks along the first conductor coinciding with the positioning of the cover at different locations wherein the transmission line also includes a second conductor formed from a thin metallic film substantially covering a first side of a second nonconductive substrate positioned parallel to the first nonconductive substrate whereby the second conductor is electromagnetically coupled to the first conductor to identify detectable deviations in the scattering parameters (S-11) or return loss response of the transmission line. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266150 | METHODS OF AND APPARATUS FOR MEASURING METAL CLEANLINESS - Methods and apparatus for measuring the cleanliness of molten metals. Direct current is passed between electrodes through molten metal advancing through a passage in an electrically resistive wall. A voltage signal is analyzed for the presence of solid generally non-metallic inclusions in the metal. Direct current is supplied by one or more ultra-capacitors and the decay in discharge voltage of the capacitor(s) is compensated for by passing the current from each capacitor through a resistor ladder network circuit having resistors connected in parallel. Individual resistors are switched on or off in a sequence effective to change the resistance of the circuit and maintain the current within a predetermined range. Heat generation and noise pick-up are minimized by maintaining a low discharge voltage and measurement current while using FETs only in the fully ON or OFF conditions to switch the resistors into or out of the circuits. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266151 | HIGH VOLTAGE INTERROGATOR PLUG WITH EXTERNAL GROUNDING - An interrogator plug for interfacing with the output socket of a pulsed power system to provide external leads engagable by a volt measurement device. The interrogator plug is sized to replicate a conventional plug such that the interrogator plug can be inserted into the output plug. The interrogator plug has lead assemblies positioned to engage the contacts of the output socket ordinarily engaged by conventional plugs. The interrogator plug can also include a divider circuit linked to a coaxial output for providing a reduced voltage current having an operational voltage safely measurable by conventional voltmeters. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266152 | ON-CHIP EYE DIAGRAM CAPTURE - An eye diagram capture device includes a delay line arranged to receive a digital signal and output time delayed version of the digital signal. An edge detection circuit is arranged to receive the digital signal and the time delayed version of the digital signal, the edge detection circuit operating to output a signal corresponding to a logical value of the digital signal received coincident with an edge of the time delay version of the digital signal. A voltage comparator is arranged to receive the digital signal and a reference voltage. The voltage comparator operates to output a first signal when the a voltage of the digital signal and the reference voltage are equal to each other. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266153 | ARBITRATION DEVICE, ARBITRATION METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - An arbitration device comprises a determining unit that determines priority of each of a plurality of electrical devices according to at least either a position or an action status of a person present in a target area for control; and a calculating unit that calculates electrical power to be allotted to each of the electrical devices in such a way that a total of electrical power allotted to a plurality of the electrical devices is within a limit value and the electrical devices having the priority at high levels are allotted with electrical power on a priority basis. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266154 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR STORING ENERGY USAGE DATA BASED ON TEMPERATURE - A system includes a utility meter. The utility meter includes a sensor configured to detect a utility usage, a processor configured to determine an ambient temperature of the utility meter, and a memory configured to store a data collection system. The data collection system is configured to be utilized by the processor to store the utility usage at least partially according to the ambient temperature of the utility meter. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266155 | DIGITAL MULTI-METER - A multi-meter including a current input, a common input, a display, a first current measurement circuit, a second current measurement circuit, and a controller. The controller includes a first input and a second input. The controller operable to receive a first voltage from the first current measurement circuit at the first input, receive a second voltage from the second current measurement circuit at the second input, determine a value for a current being measured based on the first voltage if the first voltage is below a predetermined threshold, determine a value for a current being measured based on the second voltage if the first voltage is above the predetermined threshold, generate an output signal related to the determined value for the current, and provide the output signal to the display. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266156 | Aircraft Wheel Speed Sensor - In some aspects of what is described herein, an aircraft wheel speed sensor system includes a pair of conductors coupled between an electro-mechanical system and a control system. The control system is configured to apply a carrier voltage signal to the pair of conductors and to detect a modulated current signal on the pair of conductors. The electro-mechanical system includes a stator and a rotor that moves upon rotation of an aircraft wheel. The stator includes a winding disposed about the rotor. The winding is configured to produce the modulated current signal on the pair of conductors in response to movement of the rotor. The modulated current signal has a frequency that is dependent on a rotational speed of the aircraft wheel. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266157 | POSITION MEASUREMENT USING ANGLED COLLECTORS - A magnetically-based position sensor. The sensor includes a magnet, a first collector, a second collector, and a magnetic sensing element. The magnet has at least two poles, and moves along a path. The first collector has a first end and a second end and is configured to collect a magnetic flux. In addition, the first collector is positioned at an angle relative to an axis running parallel to the path and perpendicular to the magnet. The second collector is configured to collect a magnetic flux, and is positioned at an angle relative to the axis running parallel to the path and perpendicular to the magnet, and parallel to the first collector. The magnetic sensing element is coupled to the first and second collectors. A magnetic flux is collected by the first and second collectors, and varies as the magnet moves along the path such that the magnetic flux collected by the first and second collectors indicates a position of the magnet along the path. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266158 | Magnetic Angle Position Sensor - In an embodiment, a method may be used to measure a plurality of positions associated with a plurality of magnets based on, for example, a magnetic angle of the magnets. The method may include various acts that may involve, for example, measuring magnetic field components associated with the plurality of magnets. In addition, the acts may include identifying a first angle and a second angle based on the measured magnetic field components. The identified first and second angles may be used to identify a position of a first magnet of the plurality of magnets and a second magnet of the plurality of magnets. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266159 | HIGH TEMPERATURE HALL SENSOR FOR MAGNETIC POSITION SENSING - A position sensor comprises a group III-nitride Hall effect sensor arranged to measure magnetic field from a magnet wherein the group III-nitride Hall effect sensor and the magnet are arranged to move relative to one another in response to movement of an element whose motion is to be monitored. The electrically conductive layer of the group III-nitride Hall effect sensor may comprise a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) defined by an Al | 2014-09-18 |
20140266160 | Methods Of Determining Performance Information For Individuals And Sports Objects - Methods for determining performance information for an object located within an area include obtaining magnetic field information for the area, measuring first magnetic field data when the object is located at a first position within the area, and determining performance information for the object within the area based on the magnetic field information for the area and the first magnetic field data. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266161 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAGNETOSTRICTIVE SENSING - Magnetostrictive sensing systems and methods are disclosed. One such system comprises a magnetostrictive wire having first and second ends. A magnet is movable along a length of the magnetostrictive wire. An excitation device is operable to apply an electrical excitation signal to the magnetostrictive wire. A torsional motion sensor is operable to detect a torsional motion of the magnetostrictive wire. A reflective termination is configured to reflect the torsional motion of the magnetostrictive wire. A processor is in communication with the excitation device and the torsional motion sensor. The processor is programmed to (i) apply the electrical excitation signal to the magnetostrictive wire with the excitation device, (ii) identify whether the torsional motion detected by the torsional motion sensor has been reflected by the reflection termination, and (iii) calculate a position of the magnet along the magnetostrictive wire based on only the detected torsional motion reflected by the reflection termination. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266162 | POSITION SENSOR WITH IMPROVED SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO - A magnetostrictive position sensor achieves an improved signal to noise ratio by implementing several electronic control features, including: enclosing a waveguide within an approximately tubular return conductor, adjusting the energy of an interrogation pulse and then clamping the waveguide, tracking the peak voltage of a sensed signal, cutting off the signal of a pickup during the time period outside of a signal time frame, adjusting the pass band of a filter based on an interrogation rate and waveguide length, zeroing and scaling a signal without digitizing the signal, and avoiding noise from an interrogation voltage generator. | 2014-09-18 |
20140266163 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR RAPID DETECTION OF ROTATION DIRECTION - Embodiments relate to sensor systems and methods for rapidly detecting a direction of rotation. In one embodiment, a sensor system is configured to identify positive and negative peaks of both speed and direction signals and to evaluate a sequential order of the peaks. A direction of rotation can be identified rapidly from the evaluation of the sequential order of peaks. | 2014-09-18 |