Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090250751 | MOS DEVICE WITH LOW ON-RESISTANCE - Some of the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) device comprising a drain region, a gate region surrounding the drain region and formed in a loop around the drain region, a plurality of source regions arranged around the gate region, wherein each source region is situated across from a corresponding side of the drain region, and a plurality of bulk regions arranged around the gate region, wherein one or more of the plurality of source regions separate one or more of the plurality of bulk regions from the gate region. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. | 10-08-2009 |
20100117571 | EXTERNAL DISTURBANCE DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TWO-PHASE MOTOR CONTROL SYSTEMS - A system includes a power control module, a period determination module, and a control module. The power control module controls current through stator coils of a motor to rotate a rotor. The period determination module determines a first length of time between a first set of induced stator coil voltages and determines a second length of time between a second set of induced stator coil voltages. The control module determines whether an external disturbance disturbs rotation of the rotor based on a difference between the first and second lengths of time. | 05-13-2010 |
20100119386 | MOTOR CONTROL SYSTEM - A control system for a fan includes a control housing that is external to a fan housing for the fan. At least one fan control module is within the control housing and communicates remotely with terminals within the fan housing via at least one wire. The at least one fan control module includes a detection module. The detection module detects induced voltages in at least one of a plurality of stator coils within the fan housing via the at least one wire without receiving signals from a sensor in the fan housing. | 05-13-2010 |
20100134055 | MOTOR SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD WITHOUT PULSE-WIDTH MODULATION - A motor control system includes a power control module and a detection module. The power control module controls power applied to first and second stator coils of a motor to rotate a rotor. The rotor induces voltages in the first and second stator coils when the rotor is rotating. The detection module determines a first time when a first voltage is induced in the first stator coil and determines a second time when a second voltage is induced in the second stator coil after the first voltage is induced. The detection module determines a speed of the rotor based on a difference between the first and second time. The power control module applies current through the second stator coil a predetermined period after the second time. The power control module determines the predetermined period based on the speed of the rotor. | 06-03-2010 |
20100215509 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROGRAMMING OF A COOLING FAN VIA A SERIAL PORT COMMUNICATION MODE - Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method that comprises, based upon receipt of a mode command, changing an operating mode of a fan motor controller of a fan to a serial port communication protocol, programming a memory of the fan motor controller with an operating parameter of the fan, and based upon receipt of a serial port command, changing the operating mode of the fan motor controller from the serial port communication protocol to another protocol. | 08-26-2010 |
20110038184 | Isolated AC-DC Converter with Master Controller on Secondary Side and Slave Controller on Primary Side - An isolated alternating current (AC)-direct current (DC) converter is disclosed. The isolated AC-DC converter comprises a slave control circuit including a slave driver module configured to receive a command and to control coupling of the slave control circuit to a primary-side inductor of a transformer based on the command, a master control circuit coupled to a secondary-side inductor of the transformer, the master control circuit including a master control module configured to sense a feedback voltage across a load and to generate the command based on the feedback voltage and a reference voltage, and a coupler configured to communicate the command from the master control module to the slave driver module and to provide isolation between the master control module and the slave driver module. | 02-17-2011 |
20110181232 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADAPTIVE TORQUE ADJUSTMENT AND MOTOR CONTROL - A system includes a target speed module and a pulse-width modulation (PWM) control module. The target speed module is configured to provide a first waveform based on a first speed setting for a motor. A start of a first cycle of the first waveform corresponds to at least one of a first current or a first voltage. The PWM control module is configured to shift a phase of the first waveform by a torque angle adjustment value to generate a second waveform. A start of a first cycle of the second waveform corresponds to at least one of a second voltage or a second current. The second voltage is greater than the first voltage, and the second current is greater than the first current. The PWM control module is configured to control the motor based on the second waveform. | 07-28-2011 |
20120007531 | FAN MOTOR CONTROL SYSTEMS - A fan system includes a motor control module external to a motor housing of a fan assembly. The motor control module includes a speed control module. The fan assembly includes a fan and the motor housing. One or more first conductors are configured to connect the motor control module to a motor in the motor housing. One or more second conductors are configured to connect the motor control module to a host device control module. The host device control module is separate from the motor control module and is configured to generate a control signal. The speed control module is configured to control speed of the fan based on the control signal. | 01-12-2012 |
20120068649 | BACK-EMF DETECTION FOR MOTOR CONTROL - Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with back-EMF detection for motor control are described. In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a drive circuit configured to apply excitation signals to respective inputs of a motor, a signal inhibit circuit configured to convey a signal to inhibit application of the excitation signals during an interval, and a measuring circuit configured to measure a back-electromotive force (EMF) signal crossing a reference signal during the interval. | 03-22-2012 |
20120206072 | EXTERNAL DISTURBANCE DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TWO-PHASE MOTOR CONTROL SYSTEMS - A system includes a power control module, a period determination module, and a control module. The power control module controls current through stator coils of a motor to rotate a rotor. The period determination module determines a first length of time between a first set of induced stator coil voltages and determines a second length of time between a second set of induced stator coil voltages. The control module determines whether an external disturbance disturbs rotation of the rotor based on a difference between the first and second lengths of time. | 08-16-2012 |
20120294051 | High-Voltage Startup Circuit - A system including a power transistor configured to receive an alternating current (AC) line voltage and a control circuit. During a rising portion of a half cycle of the AC line voltage, the control circuit is configured to turn on the power transistor when the AC line voltage reaches a first value and turn off the power transistor when the AC line voltage reaches a second value. The second value is greater than the first value. During a falling portion of the half cycle, the control circuit is configured to turn on the power transistor when the AC line voltage reaches the second value and turn off the power transistor when the AC line voltage reaches the first value. | 11-22-2012 |
20120313692 | SUPER-HIGH-VOLTAGE RESISTOR ON SILICON - An integrated circuit (IC) including a first layer of a conducting material; a second layer of an insulating material, where the second layer has a first side arranged adjacent to the first layer, and a second side; and a substrate arranged adjacent to the second side of the second layer. A first well arranged in the substrate. The first well is adjacent to the second side of the second layer. The substrate and the first well have opposite doping. | 12-13-2012 |
20120326234 | BALLAST RESISTOR FOR SUPER-HIGH-VOLTAGE DEVICES - An integrated circuit (IC) including a well region of the IC having a first doping level and a plurality of semiconductor regions implanted in the well region. Each of the plurality of semiconductor regions has a second doping level. The second doping level is greater than the first doping level. A plurality of polysilicon regions are arranged on the plurality of semiconductor regions. The polysilicon regions are respectively connected to the semiconductor regions. The plurality of semiconductor regions is a drain of a metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET). | 12-27-2012 |
20130043726 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRIAC APPLICATIONS - Aspects of the disclosure provide a circuit. The circuit includes a control circuit and a return path circuit. The control circuit is configured to operate in response to a first conduction angle of a dimmer coupled to the circuit. The first conduction angle is adjusted to control an output power to a first device. The dimmer has a second conduction angle that is independent of the control of the output power to the first device. The return path circuit is configured to provide a return path to enable providing power to a second device in response to the second conduction angle. | 02-21-2013 |
20130154510 | CURRENT BALANCING CIRCUITS FOR LIGHT-EMITTING-DIODE-BASED ILLUMINATION SYSTEMS - A system including a first transistor, a second transistor, and a comparator. The first transistor is configured to supply a first current to a first load connected to a first terminal of the first transistor. The second transistor is configured to supply a second current to a second load connected to a first terminal of the second transistor, wherein the first current and the second current have a predetermined ratio. The comparator is configured to compare a voltage at the first terminal of the first transistor or a voltage at the first terminal of the second transistor to a reference voltage, and to adjust, based on the comparison, biasing of the first transistor and the second transistor to maintain the predetermined ratio between the first current and the second current. | 06-20-2013 |
20140097777 | DRIVING A ROTATING DEVICE BASED ON A COMBINATION OF SPEED DETECTION BY A SENSOR AND SENSOR-LESS SPEED DETECTION - Some of the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method comprising detecting, based on a sensor and a back electromagnetic force generated in a rotating device, a speed of the rotating device; and based on (i) the speed detected using the sensor or (ii) the speed detected using the back electromagnetic force, driving the rotating device. | 04-10-2014 |
20140111131 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WINDOWLESS BEMF DETECTION - A zero crossing of a motor current waveform at the terminal of a brushless sensor-less multi-phase DC motor is determined without opening a non-drive period while the motor is continuously driven. A voltage level at a first threshold at the terminal of a motor is detected. At a first time, a current flow switch connected to the terminal is switched. At a second time, a voltage level at a second threshold is detected at the terminal of the motor. The zero crossing is determined between the first time and the second time and used to synchronize the driving of the motor. | 04-24-2014 |
20140111218 | FAILURE PREDICTION IN A ROTATING DEVICE - Some of the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method comprising: during an operation phase, operating a rotating device at a first speed; during the operation phase, monitoring a first current consumed by the rotating device to operate at the first speed; comparing the first current to a second current measured during a calibration phase while rotating the device at a second speed, wherein the first speed is substantially equal to the second speed; and based on comparing the first current and the second current, predicting a possible failure of the rotating device. | 04-24-2014 |
20140112035 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO REDUCE OVERCURRENT DURING THE STARTUP OF A SWITCHING REGULATOR - A power supply apparatus includes an inductor to store and discharge energy and a circuit to charge the inductor using a plurality of charging pulses. The circuit skips a charging pulse of the plurality of charging pulses to reduce overcurrent associated with the inductor. | 04-24-2014 |
20140159595 | CURRENT BALANCING CIRCUITS FOR LIGHT-EMITTING-DIODE-BASED ILLUMINATION SYSTEMS - A system includes first, second, and third sets of LEDs and a control module. The first set of LEDs outputs light having wavelengths in a wavelength range in a spectrum of ultraviolet light and is coated with a phosphor to convert the ultraviolet light to blue light having wavelengths in a wavelength range in a spectrum of blue light. The second and third sets of LEDs output light having wavelengths in a wavelength range in the spectrum of blue light and is coated with phosphors to convert the blue light to light having wavelengths in a wavelength range in a spectrum of green, yellow, and red light. The second set of LEDs generates less red light than green light. The third set of LEDs generates less green light than red light. The current control module controls currents through the first, second, and third sets of LEDs to generate white light. | 06-12-2014 |
20140159596 | PHOSPHOR AND LED PLACEMENT FOR WHITE LED-BASED LAMPS - A system including a base portion, which includes first and second sets of light emitting diodes (LEDs) to emit blue light having first and second wavelengths in first and second wavelength ranges in a spectrum of blue light, a glass layer arranged at a second predetermined distance from the base portion, and a plurality of coatings of first and second phosphors having a predetermined length arranged in an alternating pattern on a surface of the glass layer facing toward the LEDs. The LEDs of the first and second sets are arranged on the base portion in an alternating pattern and are separated from each other by a first predetermined distance. Centers of the coatings of the first and second phosphors respectively align with centers of corresponding LEDs in the first and second sets. | 06-12-2014 |
20140159600 | LED-BASED LAMP WITH USER-SELECTABLE COLOR TEMPERATURE - A lamp including a first set of light emitting diodes configured to generate first light, a second set of light emitting diodes configured to generate second light, and a third set of light emitting diodes configured to generate third light. The first light, the second light, and the third light combine to produce white light. A first switch is located at a base portion of the lamp. The state of the first switch corresponds to a color temperature of the white light. A color temperature adjustment module is configured to vary outputs of the first, second, and third sets of light emitting diodes in accordance with the color temperature of the white light selected by a user using the first switch. | 06-12-2014 |
20140160725 | LIGHT EMITTING DIODES GENERATING WHITE LIGHT - A system including a first set of light emitting diodes, a second set of light emitting diodes, and a control module. The first set of light emitting diodes is configured to emit blue light having first wavelengths in a first wavelength range in a spectrum of blue light. The first set of light emitting diodes includes a green phosphor configured to convert the blue light having the first wavelengths to green light. The second set of light emitting diodes is configured to emit blue light having second wavelengths in a second wavelength range in the spectrum of blue light. The second set of light emitting diodes includes a red phosphor configured to convert the blue light having the second wavelengths to red light. The first wavelength range is less than the second wavelength range. The control module is configured to control currents through the first set of light emitting diodes and the second set of light emitting diodes. | 06-12-2014 |
20140268937 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SUPPLYING POWER AT STARTUP - A system including a switch and a control circuit. The switch is configured to receive a first voltage. The control circuit is configured to, during a rising portion of a half cycle of the first voltage, (i) turn on the switch in response to the first voltage reaching a first value, and (ii) turn off the switch in response to the first voltage reaching a second value, where the second value is greater than the first value. The control circuit is further configured to, during a falling portion of the half cycle of the first voltage, (i) turn on the switch in response to the first voltage reaching the second value, and (ii) turn off the switch in response to the first voltage reaching the first value. | 09-18-2014 |
20140333242 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADAPTIVE MOTOR SPEED CONTROL - A system including memory to store a plurality of sets of values, where each set is used to control speed of a different type of motor. A pulse width modulation (PWM) module receives an input indicating a type of motor sensed in the system, selects a set corresponding to the type of the sensed motor, and generates, based on the selected set, a pulse width modulation signal to control speed of the sensed motor. A speed module receives a requested speed for the sensed motor and generates an output indicating a range of speed corresponding to the requested speed. The PWM module selects, based on the range of speed, a value from the selected set; shifts, based on the selected value, the pulse width modulation signal; and adjusts, based on the shifted pulse width modulation signal, the speed of the sensed motor by adjusting torque applied to the sensed motor. | 11-13-2014 |
20140354200 | APPARATUSES FOR CONTROLLING OPERATION OF A MOTOR OF A FAN ASSEMBLY BASED ON AN INDUCED VOLTAGE OR A BACK ELECTROMOTIVE FORCE - An integrated circuit for controlling operation of a motor of a fan assembly. The fan assembly includes a housing and a fan. The motor is in the housing. The housing is void of sensors. The motor is configured to rotate the fan. The integrated circuit includes a detection module and a first control module. The detection module is separate from the fan assembly. The detection module is configured to detect a voltage induced in a first coil of the motor or a back electromotive force received from the first coil of the motor. The first control module is configured to receive a control signal from a second control module and control the operation of the fan based on (a) the control signal, and (b) the voltage induced in the first coil of the motor or the back electromotive force. The second control module is separate from the integrated circuit. | 12-04-2014 |
20150022117 | CURRENT BALANCING CIRCUITS FOR LIGHT-EMITTING-DIODE-BASED ILLUMINATION SYSTEMS - A system including a plurality of switches and a comparator. The plurality of switches is configured to respectively supply a plurality of currents via respective terminals to a plurality of sets of light emitting diodes. The sets of light emitting diodes are configured to respectively output light having wavelengths in a plurality of wavelength ranges in a spectrum of blue light. The comparator is configured to compare a reference voltage to a voltage at one of the terminals of one of the plurality of switches connected to one of the sets of light emitting diodes, and to adjust, based on the comparison, biasing of the plurality of switches to maintain a predetermined ratio of the plurality of currents. | 01-22-2015 |
20150187754 | BALLAST RESISTOR FOR SUPER-HIGH-VOLTAGE DEVICES - An integrated circuit including a well region, a plurality of semiconductor regions implanted in the well region, and a plurality of polysilicon regions arranged on each of the plurality of semiconductor regions. The well region has a first doping level. Each of the plurality of semiconductor regions has a second doping level. The second doping level is greater than the first doping level. The polysilicon regions are respectively connected directly to the plurality of semiconductor regions. | 07-02-2015 |
20150214874 | ACTIVE CLAMP FOR MOTOR DRIVER - An apparatus includes a clamp control circuit configured to control a first current to have a magnitude substantially equal to that of a second current when the second current has a first flow direction. The clamp control circuit is configured to control the first current to be substantially zero when the second current has a second flow direction. A method includes determining a value of a first current, controlling a second current to have a substantially zero value when the first current flows in a first direction, and controlling the second current to have a magnitude substantially equal to that of the first current when the first current flows in a second direction. The first current flows in the first direction when a winding of a motor is being supplied with energy and flows in the second direction when the winding of the motor is discharging energy. | 07-30-2015 |
20150271889 | CURRENT BALANCING FOR LIGHT-EMITTING-DIODE-BASED ILLUMINATION SYSTEMS - A system includes first, second, and third sets of LEDs. The first set of LEDs generates ultraviolet light and converts the ultraviolet light to blue light using a phosphor coated on the first set of LEDs. The second and third sets of LEDs generate blue light and convert the blue light to green, yellow, and red light using phosphors coated on the second and third sets of LEDs. The second set of LEDs outputs less red light than green light. The third set of LEDs outputs less green light than red light. A combination of the blue, green, yellow, and red light output by the first, second, and third sets of LEDs produces white light. | 09-24-2015 |