3680 results about "Voltage converter" patented technology

A drive unit for driving a corresponding one of organic EL elements of an active matrix EL display device includes a blanking switch for blanking the video signal stored in a storage capacitor in each frame period before the start of the next frame period. A drive transistor drives a corresponding EL element based on the correct current supplied for this If the video signal is a current signal, a transistor operating as a current-voltage converter is provided

An electrooptical communications and power cable has at least one light waveguide, which is arranged in a central multifibre bundle consisting of a smooth flexible metal tube and provided with a primary jacket. Two layers of stranded metal wires are extended coaxially to the multifibre bundle. The metal wires are also used for relieving a traction and / or transversal load. The internal metal wire layer consists of metal wires exhibiting a good electric conductivity. The external metal wire layer has metal wires which are arranged alternately individually and / or group groupwisely and exhibit a good electrical conductivity and metal wires exhibiting a high traction strength. The two wire layers are held at a distance (a) from each other by an insulating layer. The communications and power cable is used first of all for an electrooptical power connection between two voltage converters in an intelligent system.

A sensing module operates with a sense amplifier sensing a conduction current of a memory cell via a coupled bit line under constant voltage condition in order to minimize bit-line to bit-line coupling. The rate of discharge of a dedicated capacitor as measured by a change in the voltage drop there across in a predetermined period is used to indicate the magnitude of the conduction current. The voltage cannot drop below a minimum level imposed by a circuit for maintaining the constant voltage condition on the bit line. A voltage shifter is used to boost the voltage during the discharge and to unboost the voltage after the discharge, so that the change in voltage drop properly reflects the rate of discharge without running into the minimum level.

A patient-worn energy delivery apparatus for imparting electrical therapy to the body of a patient responsive to an occurrence of a treatable condition includes a voltage converter for converting electrical energy from an initial voltage to a final voltage, and a defibrillator electrically coupled between the converter and the patient and having an energy reservoir for receiving the electrical energy. The defibrillator produces preshaped electrical pulses such as defibrillation pulses and cardioversion pulses. The apparatus additionally includes an energy delivery controller electrically coupled to the patient and the converter and the defibrillator. The controller causes the converter to provide the electrical energy to the defibrillator at a specific charging rate in response to an energy level in the reservoir. The apparatus may include a plurality of electrodes interposed between the defibrillator and the patient and each electrode preferably has an impedance reducing means contained therein. One embodiment of the apparatus may include a H-bridge to produce a positive-going pulse segment and the negative-going pulse segment within the biphasic exponential signals. The apparatus periodically measures the energy as it is being delivered to the patient and can pre-emptively stop or truncate the pulse in the event an error condition is detected, such as an overvoltage condition or if the energy level approaches a predetermined level. The electrical components which store and release the energy minimize the size and expense of the apparatus, while isolating the microcomputer from the high energy levels as the therapeutic pulse is delivered.

A string over-voltage protection system and method for arrays of photovoltaic panels. The system and method includes a device for use in a photovoltaic array power system. The device includes a voltage converter. The voltage converter is adapted to be coupled to a photovoltaic panel in a string of photovoltaic panels. The device also includes a string over-voltage protection circuit. The string over-voltage protection circuit is coupled to the voltage converter. The string over-voltage protection circuit senses a string voltage and determines if a string over-voltage condition exists. Additionally, the string over-voltage protection circuit is configured to disable the voltage converter in the event of a string over-voltage condition.

A light-emitting element capable of emitting light having a preferred gradation level depending on display data. During a precharge period, a data driver applies a precharge voltage to a capacitor via a data line. After the application of the precharge voltage, a voltage converter reads a first reference voltage Vref(t1) and a second reference voltage Vref(t2) to generate a compensation voltage based on a difference between the respective reference voltages. Based on the compensation voltage, a voltage calculator compensates an original gradation level voltage Vorg having a value in accordance with display data generated by a gradation level voltage generator. The voltage calculator generates a compensated gradation level voltage Vpix corresponding to a variation amount of an element characteristic for a transistor Tr13 for driving light emission to apply the compensated gradation level voltage Vpix to a data line Ld.

A new system-level approach to managing the delivery of DC voltage and current. Several system level functions may be enabled without requiring separate ICs to perform those functions. Supervisory functions for a voltage converter may be performed by a central control module or chip that may be coupled to point-of-load voltage converters comprised in digital power management devices (DPMD) through a serial digital bus. The DPMDs may also use the high-speed serial digital bus to provide real-time feedback information to the central control module or chip. Single DPMDs may be combined together in a current sharing configuration in a “plug-and-play” fashion, where the control logic in each DPMD is capable of automatically establishing control loops required a multi-phase supply. Feedback necessary for establishing control may be transmitted across the digital bus coupling the devices. The supervisory functions may be included in each DPMD, which may communicate with each other over a serial digital bus, where the DPMDs singly or together may operate to perform control of their respective POLs, enabling configurations that do not require a central control module.

An inverter is provided, which includes: a voltage converter that converts a DC voltage from an external device into an AC voltage to drive at least a lamp and includes a primary coil and first and second secondary coils connected in series; a current sensor that senses at least a current flowing in the first or second secondary coil and generate at least a sensing signal based on the sensed at least a current; a feedback signal generator that generates a feedback signal based on the at least a sensing signal from the current sensor; and a controller that controls the voltage converter based on the feedback signal such that a tube current flowing in the at least a lamp keeps substantially constant.

A method and apparatus for aggregating power from multiple sources generates a single direct current regulated voltage. The apparatus comprises a plurality of slave voltage converters and a master pulse width modulator circuit. Providing a plurality of direct current power sources, current is drawn through a plurality of lines connected to the plurality of direct current power sources. An open circuit voltage for each direct current power source is unknown. Each line of the plurality of lines has a line resistance. The line resistance of at least some of the plurality of lines may be unknown. The line resistance of at least some of the plurality of lines is large. The single direct current regulated voltage is generated from the drawn current.

A biosensor apparatus and method with sample type and cell volume detection. The apparatus includes a sine wave generator to apply an AC signal to a biosensor cell containing a sample, a current-to-voltage converter, a phase shifter, a square wave generator, a synchronous demodulator, and a low pass filter which yields a signal proportional to the effective capacitance across the biosensor cell, which is proportional to the volume of the sample. In addition, the current-to-voltage converter yields a signal indicative of the type of sample contained within the biosensor cell. The method includes applying a sine wave to the biosensor cell, shifting the phase of the resultant signal, generating a square wave synchronous with the sine wave, demodulating the resultant signal with the square wave, and filtering the demodulated signal to produce a signal proportional to the effective capacitance across the biosensor cell. The biosensor apparatus and method are capable of determining sample type and measuring glucose levels over a wide range of sample volumes.

A system supplies electrical power to a remote electrical device. The system includes an AC / DC voltage converter coupled to the AC voltage source for converting an AC voltage from the AC voltage source to a high DC voltage output at a first location. The AC / DC voltage converter comprises a plurality of AC / DC voltage converter components which, on the input side thereof, are connected in parallel with the AC voltage source and which, on the output side thereof, are connected serially to an electric conductor. The electric conductor extends to a plurality of voltage converters at a remote location having inputs connected serially to the electrical conductor and having outputs providing an appropriate voltage to the electrical device, the plurality of voltage converters converting the high DC voltage to either a lower DC voltage or an alternating voyage without a cooling mechanism that would otherwise be needed when less than the plurality of voltage converters are implemented to convert the high DC voltage to the lower DC voltage or alternating voltage.

One embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus that measures the average-output-current produced by a switching regulator within an electronic device. The apparatus includes current-sensing-circuitry coupled to a switching field-effect-transistor (FET) within the switching regulator, wherein the current-sensing-circuitry is configured to bypass a small sense current from the conducting current of the switching-FET according to a sense ratio, wherein the conducting current is controlled by a control signal for the switching regulator. The apparatus also includes a current-to-voltage-converter coupled to the current-sensing-circuitry which is configured to convert the sense current into a sense voltage. The apparatus further includes voltage-averaging-circuitry which is configured to produce an average-sense-voltage from the sense voltage. This sense voltage is coupled to the input of the voltage-average-circuitry through a switch, which is gated by the control signal. The average-output-current of the switching regulator is indicated by the average-sense-voltage.

An integrated current-to-voltage conversion circuit converts a first current to an output voltage representative of the first current. The circuit includes a first contact pad and second and third contact pads capable of being coupled across a first resistor. A first operational amplifier has a first input coupled to the first contact pad for producing a first voltage thereat, a second input for receiving a reference voltage, and a first output coupled to the third contact pad. A second voltage appears at the third contact pad. A second operational amplifier has a second output at which a third voltage appears, a first input coupled to the second output, and a second input coupled to the second contact pad. The output voltage is substantially equal to the difference between the second and third voltages.

A voltage converter having four switches Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, connected in series and operated in pairs in a complementary fashion. An input voltage is provided across the four switches. A middle capacitor is connected in parallel with two middle switches Q2, Q3. Voltage output is provided across switches Q3 and Q4 (i.e. at a midpoint of the four switches). Series-connected output capacitors can be connected in parallel with the set of four switches. The middle capacitor alone or in combination with parallel connected capacitors, when connected to the input voltage or output terminals functions as a capacitive voltage divider for voltage conversion and / or regulation with extremely high efficiency and which can provide either step-down or step-up function. Also, an output inductor can be provided as a perfecting feature to further increase efficiency. Alternatively, two of the four switches can be replaced with rectifying diodes. Alternatively, the voltage converter has two or more sets of four switches connected in parallel. The two sets can be connected by resistor-capacitor ladder, or an inductor-capacitor ladder for charge / voltage sharing to reduce voltage ripple.

A powering subassembly for a portable electronic device includes a main battery, a converter, a backup battery, and a controller. The main battery provides a main voltage and the backup battery can provide a backup voltage. The converter receives the main voltage and increases the main voltage to at least one operating voltage. The controller receives the operating voltage from the converter, monitors the voltage of the main battery, and compares the monitored main battery voltage to a main battery low voltage threshold. The controller transmits a disconnect signal to decouple the main battery from the converter if the monitored voltage from the main battery is less than the main battery low voltage threshold. The controller transmits a connection signal to couple the backup battery to the converter if the monitored voltage is less than the main battery low voltage threshold. The backup battery provides the power for a predetermined minimum amount of time.

A patient-worn energy delivery apparatus for imparting electrical therapy to the body of a patient responsive to an occurrence of a treatable condition. The apparatus includes a voltage converter for converting electrical energy from an initial voltage to a final voltage at a plurality of charging rates, and a defibrillator electrically coupled between the converter and the patient and having an energy reservoir for receiving the electrical energy. The defibrillator produces preshaped electrical pulses such as defibrillation pulses and cardioversion pulses. The apparatus additionally includes an energy delivery controller electrically coupled to the patient and the converter and the defibrillator. The controller causes the converter to provide the electrical energy to the defibrillator at a specific charging rate in response to an energy level in the reservoir. The apparatus may include a plurality of electrodes interposed between the defibrillator and the patient and each electrode preferably has an impedance reducing means contained therein. One embodiment of the apparatus may include a H-bridge to produce a positive-going pulse segment and the negative-going pulse segment within the biphasic exponential signals.

Embodiments provide a capacitive voltage multiplier for efficiently producing multiples, including fractional multiples, of a power supply voltage use high, medium and low voltage field effect transistors for switching terminals of various capacitors into and out of connection with power supply or ground voltages in charge mode and with an output or other capacitor terminals for series connection in pump mode. A single non-overlapping clock is level-shifted up to the maximum voltage level required for switching to produce a desired output, then level shifted back down to lower levels with delay added as necessary according to embodiments.

A voltage converter improves the efficiency thereof by connecting a boost converter and an LDO regulator with a buck converter in parallel. The boost converter boosts up a supply voltage to generate a first output voltage at a first output, and the buck converter bucks down the supply voltage to generate a second output voltage at a second output. When the second output voltage is lower than a threshold, the LDO regulator converts the first output voltage to a third voltage at said second output.

A voltage converter including a capacitive voltage divider combined with a buck converter and battery charger. The converter includes four capacitors, a switch circuit, an inductor and a controller. The capacitors form a capacitor loop between an input node and a reference node and include a fly capacitor controlled by the switch circuit, which is controlled by a PWM signal to half the input voltage to provide a first output voltage on a first output node, and to convert the first output voltage to the second output voltage via the inductor. The controller controls the PWM signal to regulate the second output voltage, and provides a voltage control signal to control the input voltage to maintain the first output node between a predetermined minimum and maximum battery voltage levels. A battery charge path is coupled to the reference node and battery charge mode depends upon the battery voltage.

A voltage converter having four switches Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, connected in series and operated in pairs in a complementary fashion. An input voltage is provided across the four switches. A middle capacitor is connected in parallel with two middle switches Q2, Q3. Voltage output is provided across switches Q3 and Q4 (i.e. at a midpoint of the four switches). Series-connected output capacitors can be connected in parallel with the set of four switches. The middle capacitor alone or in combination with parallel connected capacitors, when connected to the input voltage or output terminals functions as a capacitive voltage divider for voltage conversion and / or regulation with extremely high efficiency and which can provide either step-down or step-up function. Also, an output inductor can be provided as a perfecting feature to further increase efficiency. Alternatively, two of the four switches can be replaced with rectifying diodes. Alternatively, the voltage converter has two or more sets of four switches connected in parallel. The two sets can be connected by resistor-capacitor ladder, or an inductor-capacitor ladder for charge / voltage sharing to reduce voltage ripple.

A digital core embodied within a semiconductor die that requires plural separate power supply voltage domains is situated within any of a variety of integrated circuit packaging technologies. Within the integrated circuit package including this semiconductor die also exists a switch mode DC-to-DC voltage converter, preferably a synchronous step-down regulator powering the entire integrated circuit from one supply voltage. The components contained within the integrated circuit package along with the semiconductor die include the switch mode power supply's power switching transistors, inductor core and windings, digital open-loop output voltage fixing circuitry, output capacitors and substrate for mounting said components when integrated within a packaging technology that does not already include a substrate.

This invention generally relates to a bootstrap circuit for a switch mode power supply, a controller for a switch mode voltage converter, a switch mode flyback converter comprising the bootstrap circuit, a switch mode forward converter comprising the bootstrap circuit, and a method of bootstrapping a switch mode power converter. The bootstrap circuit comprises: a current bleed impedance (Rht1) to bleed current from an input power supply (VH+); circuitry to deliver current from the input power supply (VH+) via the current bleed impedance (Rht1) to the base of a power switch (Q1) such that the power switch (Q1) is operable to amplify the current delivered from the internal power supply; a passive circuit (Dst) to provide the amplified current to a reservoir capacitor (Cdd); and the passive circuit element (Dst) further to substantially block reverse current flow from the supply input (Vdd) to the emitter of the power switch (Q1).

Methods and an apparatuses for generating a word-line voltage are disclosed. A word-line voltage generator includes a first current source, an adjustable current source, adjustable current sink, and a voltage converter, all operably coupled to a current sum node. The first current source generates a first current having a temperature coefficient substantially equal to a temperature coefficient of at least one bit cell. The adjustable current source generates a second current that is substantially independent of a temperature change. The adjustable current sink sinks a third current that is substantially independent of a temperature change. The voltage converter is configured for generating a word-line signal having a word-line voltage proportional to a reference current, wherein the reference current comprises the first current, plus the second current, and minus the third current.

According to an aspect of the invention, a motor drive circuit includes a first energy storage device configured to supply electrical energy, a bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter coupled to the first energy storage device, a voltage inverter coupled to the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter, and an input device configured to receive electrical energy from an external energy source. The motor drive circuit further includes a coupling system coupled to the input device, to the first energy storage device, and to the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter. The coupling system has a first configuration configured to transfer electrical energy to the first energy storage device via the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter, and has a second configuration configured to transfer electrical energy from the first energy storage device to the voltage inverter via the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter.

A battery pack having a secondary battery is disclosed. The battery pack comprises at least one voltage converter; and switching means for switching an operation mode of the voltage converter to one of a charging mode and a discharging mode, in the charging mode, a charging voltage being output to the secondary battery, in the discharging mode, a voltage of the secondary battery being converted into a predetermined discharging voltage and the converted voltage being output.

The increasing number of mobile battery-powered small appliances with different feed voltages and connecting devices is calling for a universal and compact energy supply apparatus which provides for an uncomplicated and at the same time cost-efficient adjustability to as many small appliances as possible. To this end, the present application proposes a universal power supply unit consisting of an energy station with an integrated voltage converter in combination with various appliance-specific adapter cables with a group of electronic components. This generates an individual programming signal in the adapter cable which when coupling the adapter cable to the energy station causes a corresponding setting of the required output values. This leads to a simple matching of the unit with various small appliances and provides for a large field of applications. In particular, by feeding solar energy the power supply unit may be rendered autarchic in terms of energy.

A drive circuit supplies a drive current to a plurality of light emitting diodes. The drive circuit includes a voltage converter circuit having a particular topology and including at least one inductive element and at least one switching element. The drive circuit senses a current through one of the inductive and switching elements and generates a feedback signal from the sensed current. The feedback signal has a value indicating the drive current being supplied to the light emitting diodes and the drive circuit controls the operation of the voltage converter responsive to the feedback signal.

Disclosed are systems and methods which provide voltage conversion in increments less than integer multiples of a power supply (e.g., battery) voltage. A representative embodiment provides power supply voltage multipliers in a binary ladder distribution to provide a desired number of output voltage steps using a relatively uncomplicated circuit design. By using different sources in various combinations and / or by “stacking” different sources in various ways, the voltage multiplier circuit may be used to provide desired voltages. In order to minimize the number of components used in a voltage converter of an embodiment, a capacitive voltage converter circuit uses one or more storage capacitors in place of pump capacitors in a voltage generation cycle. Also, certain embodiments do not operate to generate an output voltage until the time that voltage is needed.