Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100062560 | APPLICATION SPECIFIC SOLAR CELL AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURE USING THIN FILM PHOTOVOLTAIC MATERIALS - A method for manufacture of application specific solar cells includes providing and processing custom design information to determine at least a cell size and a cell shape. The method includes providing a transparent substrate having a back surface region, a front surface region, and one or more grid-line regions overlying the front side surface region. The one or more grid regions provide one or more unit cells having the cell size and the cell shape. The method further includes forming a layered structure including photovoltaic materials overlying the front surface region. Additionally, the method includes aligning a laser beam from the back surface region to illuminate a first region within the one or more grid-line regions, subjecting a first portion of the layered structure overlying the first region to the laser beam to separate the first portion of the layered structure from the first region, and scanning the laser beam along the one or more grid-line regions to cause formation of one or more unit cells having the cell size and cell shape. The method further includes transferring the one or more unit cells. | 03-11-2010 |
20110071659 | Application Specific Solar Cell and Method for Manufacture Using Thin Film Photovoltaic Materials - A method for manufacture of application specific solar cells includes providing and processing custom design information to determine at least a cell size and a cell shape. The method includes providing a transparent substrate having a back surface region, a front surface region, and one or more grid-line regions overlying the front side surface region. The one or more grid regions provide one or more unit cells having the cell size and the cell shape. The method further includes forming a layered structure including photovoltaic materials overlying the front surface region. Additionally, the method includes aligning a laser beam from the back surface region to illuminate a first region within the one or more grid-line regions, subjecting a first portion of the layered structure overlying the first region to the laser beam to separate the first portion of the layered structure from the first region, and scanning the laser beam along the one or more grid-line regions to cause formation of one or more unit cells having the cell size and cell shape. The method further includes transferring the one or more unit cells. | 03-24-2011 |
20130306130 | SOLAR MODULE APPARATUS WITH EDGE REFLECTION ENHANCEMENT AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME - A monolithic integrated solar module with edge reflection enhancement includes a plurality of thin-film photovoltaic cells formed overlying a surface region of a glass substrate except in vicinities of peripheral edge regions. The solar module further includes a mask tape applied on a conductor bar disposed within the peripheral edge regions and coupled with the plurality of thin-film photovoltaic cells and an edge seal material disposed within the peripheral edge regions in a vicinity of the mask tape and an end region of the glass substrate. Additionally, the solar module includes a top glass panel disposed overlying the plurality of thin-film photovoltaic cells, the mask tape, and the edge seal material. Moreover, the solar module includes a reflector structure comprising one or more angled surfaces being configured to facilitate scattering of incoming sunlight from the vicinities of the peripheral edge regions partially to the plurality of thin-film photovoltaic cells. | 11-21-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090116141 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM ,AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING OUT-GASSING AND HUMIDITY IN A CLOSED SPACE-CONSTRAINED ENVIRONMENT - An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for controlling out-gassing and humidity in a closed space-constrained environment. In particular, an environment control device is disclosed which is made using thermoforming techniques such that the walls of the device are much thinner than other conventional devices. This allows for the device to be used in space-constrained environment while still providing a sufficient amount of absorber material such as a desiccant. The apparatus includes a base made up of a thin flexible plastic film thermoformed to create a cavity having at least one wall, the cavity having an opening on one side. An absorber material, such as a desiccant, is placed inside the cavity, and a cover made up of a permeable layer sealed to the base opening to complete an enclosure for holding the absorber material. | 05-07-2009 |
20100266754 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING A MAGNETIC DISK - A system and associated methods are described for preparing a magnetic disk for installation within a disk drive system. For example, a polyfunctional lubricant may be mixed with a chemical agent to esterify the polyfunctional lubricant and cap hydroxyl groups of the polyfunctional lubricant. The magnetic disk may then be dip coated with the polyfunctional lubricant and chemical agent mixture. A polishing system then polishes the magnetic disk via an abrasive polishing tape after dip coating the magnetic disk. A portion of the chemical agent is then removed from the magnetic disk to bond a portion of the lubricant to the magnetic disk to prevent the lubricant from interfering with a read/write head when installed within a disk drive system. | 10-21-2010 |
20110141628 | LAMINATED MONOLITHIC POLYMER FILM DESICCANTS FOR MAGNETIC STORAGE DEVICES - A desiccant device that emits no contamination and is therefore suitable for use in an electronic device such as a magnetic disk drive system. The desiccant device includes a pouch formed of a laminate layer. The laminate layer includes a thin, non-permeable monolithic membrane laminated to a porous media. The thin, non-permeable monolithic membrane is thin enough to allow a desired vapor to pass there-through by molecular diffusion, but does not include any voids, pores or holes that would allow gas, liquid or solid to permeate there-through. Since the permeable membrane only passes vapor by molecular diffusion, it prohibits any dust fibers or other contamination from emitting from the desiccant device and thereby prevents contamination of the electronic device such as the disk drive. | 06-16-2011 |
20110157747 | INHIBITING OXIDATION OF ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS IN A HARD DISK DRIVE (HDD) - An information storage system including an enclosure, a rotating data storage medium including a surface, a slider including an ABS and an airborne oxidizable contaminant disposed in the enclosure. The system also includes an antioxidant absorbed onto the surface of the data storage medium. The antioxidant inhibits oxidation of the oxidizable contaminants at an interface between the ABS and the rotating data storage medium. | 06-30-2011 |
20120137751 | APPROACHES FOR DETECTING LEAKS IN A HARD-DISK DRIVE (HDD) COVER - Approaches for a testing apparatus for evaluating a cover of a hard-disk drive. The testing apparatus may detect whether the cover has a defect that prevents the cover from being sufficiently airtight. The testing apparatus includes a base structure that comprises a concave recess shaped to receive the cover to be tested. When the cover is disposed within the concave recess, the cover forms a first chamber in the concave recess between the cover and the base structure. The testing apparatus also includes a removable lid. When the removable lid covers the concave recess with the cover disposed therein, the removable lid forms a second chamber in the concave recess between the cover, the base structure, and the removable lid. The testing apparatus also includes a means for introducing helium gas to one of the chambers and a means for detecting how much helium gas leaks from that chamber. | 06-07-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110051577 | Using an Atmospheric Pressure Sensor in a Hard-Disk Drive (HDD) - Approaches for determining the likelihood that a hard-disk drive (HDD) will experience an imminent error in operation, and preventing the same, using an atmospheric pressure sensor are provided. The HDD comprises an atmospheric pressure sensor capable of determining the altitude at which the HDD is currently located. The HDD also comprises a risk assessment component capable of (a) determining an expression of how likely it is that the HDD will experience an imminent error in operation based, at least in part, upon the current altitude of the HDD, and (b) communicating the expression to a user of the HDD. The HDD may optionally comprise one or more of a particle counter, differential pressure sensor, and a chemical vapor sensor for use by the risk assessment component. If the HDD is above a particular altitude, the Thermal Fly-Height control settings of the heads may be adjusted to reduce risk of error. | 03-03-2011 |
20110051582 | Predicting Operational Problems in a Hard-Disk Drive (HDD) - A method and apparatus for determining the likelihood that a hard-disk drive (HDD) will experience an imminent error in operation is provided. The HDD comprises a differential pressure sensor capable of measuring the difference in the pressure between the interior and the exterior of the enclosure. The differential pressure sensor may reside in a breather filter covering an air passage within the enclosure. The HDD also comprises a risk assessment component capable of (a) determining an expression of how likely it is that the HDD will experience an imminent error in operation based, at least in part, upon the difference in pressure measured by the pressure sensor, and (b) communicating the expression to a user of the HDD. The HDD may optionally comprise one or more of an atmospheric pressure sensor, a particle counter, and a chemical vapor sensor which may be used by the risk assessment component. | 03-03-2011 |
20110090592 | Integrated Upstream Spoiler and Particle Filter in a Hard-Disk Drive (HDD) - Approaches for integrating an upstream spoiler with a particle filter in a hard-disk drive (HDD). According to an approach, a single part may comprise an upstream spoiler and an opening. The single part has a structure which enables an airborne particle filter to be positioned over or within the opening. The airborne particle filter, which covers the opening, has a curvature that follows the curvature of a shroud. When the upstream spoiler diverts a flow of air, which circulates within the enclosure when the magnetic-recording disk is rotating, from the magnetic-recording head, the upstream spoiler creates an area of relatively greater pressure. Air in the area of greater pressure flows through the airborne particle filter to an area of relatively lesser pressure, thereby removing airborne particles within the enclosure of the HDD. Alternately, the airborne particle filter may be positioned within slits present in the shroud and the upstream spoiler. | 04-21-2011 |
20120002320 | PARTICLE-CAPTURING DEVICE INCLUDING A COMPONENT CONFIGURED TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL FUNCTION WITHIN AN ENCLOSURE EXCLUSIVE OF CAPTURING PARTICLES - A particle-capturing device. The particle-capturing device includes a component having a surface that is configured to be disposed inside an enclosure, and is configured to make contact with an air-stream carrying particles within the enclosure. The component includes an electrostatic particle-capturing portion that includes a dielectric electrically insulating portion, and a plurality of charged portions. The charged portions are embedded in the dielectric electrically insulating portion, and are configured to generate an electrostatic field coupled with the surface that captures the particles from a flow of the air-stream and confines the particles at the surface. In addition, the component is configured to provide at least one additional function within the enclosure exclusive of capturing particles. | 01-05-2012 |
20120039000 | MAGNETIC STORAGE DEVICE WITH MEANS FOR SUPPLYING A BENEFICIAL VAPOR VIA A DESICCANT DEVICE - Approaches for desiccant device within an enclosure protecting sensitive electronic equipment. A hard-disk drive (HDD) may comprise a desiccant device that provides a source of a beneficial vapor, such as an antioxidant, a vapor corrosion inhibitor, or a colubricant, within an enclosure of the HDD. The desiccant device absorbs water vapor within the enclosure but does not absorb the beneficial vapor within the enclosure. The desiccant device may comprise a desiccant that has a plurality of micropores within a size range selected so as to allow the absorption of water but exclude the absorption of the beneficial vapor. The desiccant may be, but need not be, within the same physical container as the source of the beneficial vapor. | 02-16-2012 |
20120293890 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENHANCING AIR FLOW CIRCULATION IN DISK DRIVES - A disk drive disk has a disk rim and a shroud faces the disk rim. At least one of the disk rim and the shroud interior surface have features formed thereon that cause both axial and circumferential air flow when the disk is rotated relative to the shroud, and the features extend for an axial distance of no more than the axial thickness of the disk. The features may extend both axially and circumferentially relative to said at least one of the disk rim and the shroud interior surface. The features may be slanted or helical slits. The disk rim also may be asymmetric, such as asymmetrically beveled. | 11-22-2012 |
20130044391 | MAGNETIC STORAGE DEVICE WITH MULTI-FUNCTIONAL COMPONENT FOR CONTROLLING CHEMICAL AND WATER VAPOR THEREIN - Approaches for desiccant device within an enclosure protecting sensitive electronic equipment. Electronic equipment, such as a hard-disk drive (HDD), may comprise a desiccant device a desiccant device that comprises a first desiccant material, a second desiccant material, and an activated carbon layer. The first desiccant material has a relatively high rate of water vapor absorption while the second desiccant material has a relatively low rate of water vapor absorption. The activated carbon layer absorbs airborne organic airborne particles. The desiccant device may be a breather filer or may be disposed entirely within the interior of the electronic equipment, e.g., the desiccant device may be a recirculation filter. | 02-21-2013 |
20130044392 | MAGNETIC STORAGE DEVICE WITH HUMIDITY CONTROL DEVICE INCORPORATING A DIFFERENTIALLY PERMEABLE MEMBRANE - Approaches for desiccant device within an enclosure protecting sensitive electronic equipment. Electronic equipment, such as a hard-disk drive (HDD), may comprise a desiccant device that possesses a water vapor permeability rate that matches or is substantially similar to the water vapor permeability rate of the enclosure. In this way, desiccant devices may prevent the desiccant material enclosed within from releasing large amounts of humidity into the interior of the electronic equipment. The desiccant device may be constructed using a laminate material that comprises an interior facing material and an exterior facing material. The exterior facing material permits water to diffuse faster therethrough than the interior facing material. | 02-21-2013 |
20130044393 | MAGNETIC STORAGE DEVICE WITH DYNAMIC HUMIDITY CONTROL SYSTEM TO MITIGATE WATER VAPOR TRANSIENTS - Approaches for desiccant device within an enclosure protecting sensitive electronic equipment. Electronic equipment, such as a hard-disk drive (HDD), may comprise a desiccant device that possesses a water vapor permeability rate that matches or is substantially similar to the water vapor permeability rate of the enclosure. In this way, desiccant devices may prevent the desiccant material enclosed within from releasing large amounts of humidity into the interior of the electronic equipment. | 02-21-2013 |
20130088795 | HELIUM FILLED SEALED HDD USING GAS FLOW DIVERSION FILTRATION TO IMPROVE PARTICLE CLEANUP - Approaches for a hard-disk drive (HDD) comprised within a sealed enclosure that is filled with a substantially helium gas are provided. The HDD may include a shroud that surrounds a majority of a perimeter of a magnetic-recording disk. The HDD may also include an upstream spoiler having one or more wings. The shape of the upstream spoiler diverts a flow of the substantially helium gas that circulates when the magnetic-recording disk is rotating from a magnetic-recording head to a plenum chamber. The plenum chamber has a mouth that allows a portion of the circulating flow of substantially helium gas to flow therein. The mouth of the plenum chamber is a gap in the shroud that is prior to the upstream spoiler in the circulating flow of the substantially helium gas. A portion of the plenum chamber is formed using a particle filter opposing the gap. | 04-11-2013 |
20130114163 | MAGNETIC STORAGE DEVICE WITH DUAL STAGE HUMIDITY CONTROL - Approaches for desiccant device having a dual stage humidity control for use within sensitive electronic equipment. Electronic equipment, such as a hard-disk drive (HDD), may comprise a desiccant device that comprises a first absorbing portion that comprises a first desiccant material and a second absorbing portion that comprises a second desiccant material. The first absorbing portion possesses a relatively rapid permeation rate for water vapor, while the second absorbing portion possesses a relatively low permeation rate for water vapor. The first desiccant material may have a relatively high rate of water vapor absorption, while the second desiccant material may have a relatively low rate of water vapor absorption. In this way, embodiments allow for the sensitive equipment to be dried out rapidly in manufacturing and yet have a slow reversible water absorption rate during operation. | 05-09-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110019313 | SELF-ALIGNED DOUBLE FLUX GUIDED TMR SENSOR - A magnetic head according to one embodiment includes an array of sensor structures formed on a common substrate. Each sensor structure further comprises: a magnetic tunnel junction sensor spaced from a media-facing surface of the head; and a flux guide between the media-facing surface of the head and the sensor, the flux guide guiding magnetic flux from a magnetic medium adjacent the media-facing surface to the sensor. Additional systems and methods are also presented. | 01-27-2011 |
20110261487 | MATERIAL FOR USE IN A TMR READ GAP WITHOUT ADVERSELY AFFECTING THE TMR EFFECT - Structures and methods for fabrication servo and data heads of tape modules are provided. The servo head may have two shield layers spaced apart by a plurality of gap layers and a sensor. Similarly, the data head may have two shield layers spaced apart by a plurality of gap layers and a sensor. The distance between the shield layers of the servo head may be greater than the distance between the shield layers of the data head. The material of the gap layers may include tantalum or an alloy of nickel and chromium. The material for the gap layers permits deposition of gap layers with sufficiently small surface roughness to prevent distortion of the tape module and increase the stability of the tape module operation. | 10-27-2011 |
20120152891 | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A MAGNETIC TAPE HEAD USING A TMR SENSOR - A method for manufacturing a magnetic tape head having a data sensor and a servo sensor. The data sensor and servo sensor are each separated from first and second magnetic shields by a non-magnetic gap layer, and the gap thickness for the servo sensor is larger than the gap thickness for the data sensor. The method involves depositing a first gap layer over shield structures, then depositing a second gap layer using a liftoff process to remove the second gap layer over the data sensor region. A plurality of sensor layers are then deposited, and a stripe height defining mask structure is formed over the data and servo sensor regions, the mask having a back edge that is configured to define a stripe height of the data and servo sensors. An ion milling is then performed to define the stripe height and to remove gap material from the field. | 06-21-2012 |
20140342085 | MATERIAL FOR USE IN A TMR READ GAP WITHOUT ADVERSELY AFFECTING THE TMR EFFECT - Structures and methods for fabrication servo and data heads of tape modules are provided. The servo head may have two shield layers spaced apart by a plurality of gap layers and a sensor. Similarly, the data head may have two shield layers spaced apart by a plurality of gap layers and a sensor. The distance between the shield layers of the servo head may be greater than the distance between the shield layers of the data head. The material of the gap layers may include tantalum or an alloy of nickel and chromium. The material for the gap layers permits deposition of gap layers with sufficiently small surface roughness to prevent distortion of the tape module and increase the stability of the tape module operation. | 11-20-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120224598 | Polarity Independent Laser Monitor Diode Current Sensing Circuit For Optical Modules - A laser bias control and monitoring circuit receives a monitor diode current on an input node and generate a bias current for a laser diode on an output node where the monitor diode current flows into (positive polarity) or out of (negative polarity) the input node. The laser bias control and monitoring circuit includes a polarity independent current sensing circuit configured to receive the monitor diode current in either positive or negative polarity and to generate a normalized output current having a magnitude proportional to a magnitude of the monitor diode current. In this manner, the laser bias control and monitoring circuit can be used with laser diode and monitor diode combination in either the common anode or the common cathode configuration, or with the monitor diode current being provided from the anode or cathode of the monitor diode. No reprogramming or reconfiguration of the circuit is required. | 09-06-2012 |
20130279903 | Noise Discriminator for Enhanced Noise Detection In A Passive Optical Network Burst Mode Receiver - A noise discriminator circuit and a noise discrimination method in a burst mode receiver is configured to determine the validity of an incoming burst signal by analyzing the timing of the signal edges of incoming signal to look for a time duration conforming to the preamble data bits of a valid burst signal. In one embodiment, the noise discriminator circuit and method analyze the time duration between signal edges of the same pulse of an incoming signal. In another embodiment, the noise discriminator circuit and method analyze the time duration between a first set of pulses of an incoming signal and the time duration between signal edges of a second set of pulses of the incoming signal. When the time durations are within a given time range relating to a predetermined timing separation of a valid burst signal, the incoming signal is validated as a valid burst signal. | 10-24-2013 |
20130279905 | Noise Discriminator for Passive Optical Network Burst Mode Receiver - A noise discriminator circuit and a noise discrimination method in a burst mode receiver is configured to determine the validity of an incoming burst signal by analyzing the timing of the signal edges of incoming signal to look for a time duration conforming to the preamble data bits of a valid burst signal. In one embodiment, the noise discriminator circuit and method analyze the time duration between signal edges of the same pulse of an incoming signal. In another embodiment, the noise discriminator circuit and method analyze the time duration between a first set of pulses of an incoming signal and the time duration between signal edges of a second set of pulses of the incoming signal. When the time durations are within a given time range relating to a predetermined timing separation of a valid burst signal, the incoming signal is validated as a valid burst signal. | 10-24-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120168910 | MULTI-NARY GROUP IB AND VIA BASED SEMICONDUCTOR - Methods and devices are provided for forming multi-nary semiconductor. In one embodiment, a method is provided comprising of depositing a precursor material onto a substrate, wherein the precursor material may include or may be used with an additive to minimize concentration of group IIIA material such as Ga in the back portion of the final semiconductor layer. The additive may be a non-copper Group IB additive in elemental or alloy form. Some embodiments may use both selenium and sulfur, forming a senary or higher semiconductor alloy. | 07-05-2012 |
20120270363 | MULTI-NARY GROUP IB AND VIA BASED SEMICONDUCTOR - Methods and devices are provided for forming an absorber layer. In one embodiment, a method is provided comprising of depositing a precursor material onto a substrate, wherein the precursor material may include or may be used with an additive to minimize concentration of group IIIA material such as Ga in the back portion of the final semiconductor layer. The additive may be a non-copper Group IB additive in elemental or alloy form. Some embodiments may use both selenium and sulfur | 10-25-2012 |
20120313200 | MULTI-NARY GROUP IB AND VIA BASED SEMICONDUCTOR - Methods and devices are provided for forming multi-nary semiconductor. In one embodiment, a method is provided comprising of depositing a precursor material onto a substrate, wherein the precursor material may include or may be used with an additive to minimize concentration of group IIIA material such as Ga in the back portion of the final semiconductor layer. The additive may be a non-copper Group IB additive in elemental or alloy form. Some embodiments may use both selenium and sulfur, forming a senary or higher semiconductor alloy. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. | 12-13-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120105039 | Delay Block for Controlling a Dead Time of a Switching Voltage Regulator - Embodiments for at least one method and apparatus for controlling timing of switch control signals of a switching voltage regulator disclosed. One method includes generating a regulated output voltage based upon a switching voltage, generating the switching voltage through controlled closing and opening of a series switch element and a shunt switch element, and controlling, by a delay block, the closing and opening of the series switch element and a shunt switch element. The delay block control includes receiving, by the delay block, a timing signal, generating a one of a series switch control signal and a shunt switch control signal by controllably delaying the timing signal with a first delay, and generating one other of the series switch control signal and the shunt switch control signal by inverting, and controllably delaying the timing signal with a second delay. | 05-03-2012 |
20120105045 | Controlling a Skew Time of Switches of a Switching Regulator - Embodiments for methods and apparatuses for controlling a skew time of switches of a switching voltage regulator are disclosed. One method includes generating a switching voltage through closing and opening of a series switch and a shunt switch as controlled by a series switch control signal and a shunt switch control signal. An error signal is generated that is proportional to a relative displacement of an on-interval of the series switch and an off-interval of the shunt switch. A relative delay of the series switch control signal and the shunt switch control signal is adjusted based on the error signal, and a regulated output voltage is generated based upon the switching voltage. | 05-03-2012 |
20120274297 | Voltage Regulator Bypass Resistance Control - Embodiments for at least one method and apparatus of controlling a bypass resistance of a voltage regulator are disclosed. One method includes generating a regulated output voltage based upon a switching voltage. The switching voltage is generated through controlled closing and opening of a series switch element and a shunt switch element, the series switch element and the shunt switch element being connected between voltages based on an input voltage. Control of a duty cycle of the switching voltage is provided by sensing and feeding back the regulated output voltage. The bypass resistance is controlled based on an integration of a difference between the duty cycle and a maximum duty cycle. | 11-01-2012 |
20120293156 | Assisting an Output Current of a Voltage Converter - Methods, apparatuses and systems for assisting an output current of a voltage converter, are disclosed. One method includes detecting a request for a positive change in an output voltage of the voltage converter, selecting an output current assist value based on the requested positive change in the output voltage, for a predetermined load, and assisting the output current with the selected output assist current. | 11-22-2012 |
20120326680 | COMMON CASCODE ROUTING BUS FOR HIGH-EFFICIENCY DC-TO-DC CONVERSION - Embodiments for at least one method and apparatus of generating a regulated voltage are disclosed. One method includes generating the regulated voltage through controlled closing and opening of a series switch element and shunt switch element. This method includes closing the series switch element during a first period, the series switch element comprising a plurality of series switch elements segments. The method includes applying a switching gate voltage to gates of series switching transistors of a subset of the plurality of series switch elements segments of the series switch element, wherein only the series switching transistors of the subset of the plurality of series switch elements segments of the series switch element turn on, while series protection transistor of more than the subset of the plurality of series switch elements segments of the series switch element turn on. The shunt switch element during is closed during a second period. | 12-27-2012 |
20130249505 | DC-DC CONVERTER ENABLING RAPID OUTPUT VOLTAGE CHANGES - Embodiments for methods, apparatus and systems for operating a voltage regulator are disclosed. One embodiment of the voltage regulator generates a switching voltage through controlled closing and opening of a series switch element and a shunt switch element. The voltage regulator further includes a switched output filter that includes a plurality of capacitors for filtering the switching voltage and generating an output voltage. A mode controller is operative to disconnect at least one of the plurality of capacitors upon receiving a first indicator, where disconnecting causes the at least one of the plurality of capacitors to electrically float, wherein while the at least one capacitor is disconnected the output voltage is changed from a first value to a second value, return the output voltage to a first value or a third value upon receiving a second indicator, and reconnect the at least one of the plurality of capacitors. | 09-26-2013 |
20130267187 | Multimode Operation DC-DC Converter - Embodiments for at methods, apparatus and systems for operating a voltage regulator are disclosed. One apparatus includes a switching voltage regulator, wherein the switching voltage regulator includes a series switch element, a shunt switch element, a switching controller and a switched output filter. The switching controller is configured to generate a switching voltage through controlled closing and opening of the series switch element and the shunt switch element. The switched output filter filters the switching voltage and generates a regulated output voltage, wherein the switched output filter includes a plurality of capacitors that are selectively included within the switched output filter. | 10-10-2013 |
20130321076 | Assisting A Load Current of a Switching Voltage Regulator - Embodiments for at methods, apparatus and systems for operating a voltage regulator are disclosed. One method includes generating, by a switching controller, a switching voltage through controlled closing and opening of a series switch element and a shunt switch element, and generating an output voltage by filtering the switching voltage with an output inductor and a load capacitor. The method further includes generating an assisting current based on a value of current conducted through the output inductor, and assisting the load current by summing the assisting current with the current conducted through the inductor. | 12-05-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110234187 | Voltage Regulator Bypass Resistance Control - Embodiments for at least one method and apparatus of controlling a bypass resistance of a voltage regulator are disclosed. One method includes generating a regulated output voltage based upon a switching voltage. The switching voltage is generated through controlled closing and opening of a series switch element and a shunt switch element, the series switch element and the shunt switch element being connected between voltages based on an input voltage. A control of a duty cycle of the switching voltage is provided by sensing and feeding back the regulated output voltage. The bypass resistance is controlled based on a parameter related to the duty cycle, wherein the control of the duty cycle is persistent during the control of the bypass resistance. | 09-29-2011 |
20120105034 | Controlling a Dead Time of a Switching Voltage Regulator - Embodiments for at least one method and apparatus of controlling a dead time of a switching voltage regulator are disclosed. One method includes generating a regulated output voltage based upon a switching voltage. The method included generating the switching voltage through controlled closing and opening of a series switch element and a shunt switch element, wherein the dead time comprises time that both the series switch element and the shunt switch element are open. The duration of the dead time is adjusted based on a rate of change of the switching voltage. | 05-03-2012 |
20120244916 | Multimode Operation DC-DC Converter - Embodiments for at methods, apparatus and systems for operating a voltage regulator are disclosed. One method includes generating, by a switching controller, a switching voltage through controlled closing and opening of a series switch element and a shunt switch element. Further, the method includes generating, by a switchable output filter, a regulated output voltage by filtering the switching voltage, wherein the switchable output filter comprises a plurality of capacitors that are selectively included within the switchable output filter. | 09-27-2012 |
20140009130 | Suppressing Oscillations in an Output of a Switched Power Converter - Embodiments of systems, methods and apparatuses of a switching voltage regulator are disclosed. One switching voltage regulator includes a series switch element, a shunt switch element, a PWM controller, and a mode controller. The PWM controller includes an error amplifier and a switching controller. The error amplifier generates an error signal based on a difference between a reference voltage and an output voltage. Further, the switching controller is operative to generate switch element control voltages based on the error signal, for controlling opening and closing of the series switch element and the shunt switch element, wherein the opening and closing of the series switch element and the shunt switch element generates a switching voltage. The mode controller is operative adjust a gain of the error amplifier over a selected range of frequencies based on a parameter indicative of a likelihood of oscillations in the output voltage. | 01-09-2014 |
20140253065 | REDUCING HIGH-FREQUENCY NOISE IN PULSE-SKIPPING MODE OF A VOLTAGE REGULATOR - Embodiments of systems, methods and apparatuses of a voltage regulator are disclosed. One apparatus of the voltage regulator includes a series switch element, wherein the series switch element comprises a plurality of partitioned series switch elements, a shunt switch element, and a switching controller. The switching controller is operative to control the series switch element and the shunt switch element in an idle state, wherein none of the plurality of partitioned series switch elements are active, control the series switch element and the shunt switch element in a burst state, wherein N of the plurality of partitioned series switch elements are active, and control the series switch element and the shunt switch element in a transition state, wherein M of the plurality of partitioned series switch elements are active, and wherein M is less than N. | 09-11-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100042413 | Voice Activated Application Service Architecture and Delivery - A system and method for retrieving distributed content responsive to voice data are disclosed. Voice data is transmitted from a source client device to media server which applies a mixing table to route the voice data to one or more destinations described by the mixing table. The media server also analyzes the received voice data for one or more events. Responsive to detecting an event, the media server communicates with an application server, which modifies the mixing table so that subsequent data is also routed to a media generator which analyzes voice data received after detection of the event for a command. The media generator communicates with the application server to retrieve data from a user data source, such as a website, associated with a detected command. The media generator produces an audio representation of the retrieved data which is communicated to the source client device via the media server. | 02-18-2010 |
20110259879 | Multi-Zone Induction Heating for Improved Temperature Uniformity in MOCVD and HVPE Chambers - Embodiments of the invention generally relate to apparatuses and methods for utilizing a plurality of induction heat sources to uniformly heat a plurality of substrates within a processing chamber. By utilizing multiple heating zones that are each separately powered, the temperature distribution across the susceptor, over which the substrates rotate, may be uniform. The heat sources may be disposed outside of the processing chamber. In one embodiment, a processing chamber is provided which includes a susceptor disposed adjacent a first side of a window, a substrate carrier coupled with the susceptor, an inner inductive heating element disposed adjacent a second side of the window opposite the first side, an outer inductive heating element separate from and encompassing the inner inductive heating element and disposed adjacent to the second side of the window, and a parasitic load ring positioned below the outer inductive heating element. | 10-27-2011 |
20120028461 | METHODS FOR DEPOSITING METAL IN HIGH ASPECT RATIO FEATURES - Methods for depositing metal in high aspect ratio features formed on a substrate are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method includes applying first RF power at VHF frequency to target comprising metal disposed above substrate to form plasma, applying DC power to target to direct plasma towards target, sputtering metal atoms from target using plasma while maintaining pressure in PVD chamber sufficient to ionize predominant portion of metal atoms, depositing first plurality of metal atoms on bottom surface of opening and on first surface of substrate, applying second RF power to redistribute at least some of first plurality from bottom surface to lower portion of sidewalls of the opening, and depositing second plurality of metal atoms on upper portion of sidewalls by reducing amount of ionized metal atoms in PVD chamber, wherein first and second pluralities form a first layer deposited on substantially all surfaces of opening. | 02-02-2012 |
20120149192 | METHODS FOR DEPOSITING METAL IN HIGH ASPECT RATIO FEATURES - Methods of depositing metal in high aspect ratio features are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of processing a substrate includes applying RF power at VHF frequency to a target comprising metal disposed in the PVD chamber above the substrate to form a plasma from a plasma-forming gas, sputtering metal atoms from the target using the plasma while maintaining a first pressure in the PVD chamber sufficient to ionize a predominant portion of the sputtered metal atoms, depositing the ionized metal atoms on a bottom surface of the opening and on a first surface of the substrate, applying a first RF power to redistribute at least some of the deposited metal atoms from the bottom surface and upper surface to sidewalls of the opening, and repeating the deposition the redistribution processes until a first layer of metal is deposited on substantially all surfaces of the opening. | 06-14-2012 |