Microsemi Corporation

Ixys Corporation

Sierra Applied Sciences, Inc.

Hüttinger Elektronik Gmbh & Co. Kg

Charles Coleman

Sam Seiichiro Ochi

Ernest H Wittenbreder

Yeshoda Yedevelly

Methods, systems, and devices are described for an adjustment module that interacts with a parameter detection module to provide a threshold value for initiating switching of a switching module in a cyclical electronic system. Aspects of the present disclosure provide a switching module used in conjunction with an inductor that is coupled with the switching module. The threshold voltage for switching the switching module may be adjusted to provide switching at substantially zero volts while maintaining sufficient energy in the inductor to drive the voltage at a switching element in the switching module to zero volts. Such auto-adjustment circuits may allow for enhanced efficiency in cyclical electronic systems. The output of an up/down counter may be used to set another parameter that effects the performance of the cyclical electronic system in order to enhance the performance of the cyclical electronic system.

Auto-optimization circuits and methods for cyclical electronic systems

Methods, systems, and devices are described for providing a communication system for handling pulse information. Embodiments of the invention provide a pulse shaping unit operable to avoid saturation of the pulse transformer, while being easily incorporated into IC processes. Some embodiments of the pulse shaping unit provide a two-to-three level driver unit for converting a two-level input voltage signal to a three-level driver signal for driving a pulse transformer. Other embodiments of the pulse shaping unit provide components configured to differentially drive a pulse transformer, effectively converting a two-level input voltage signal to a three-level driver signal.

Pulse transformer driver

Methods, systems, and devices are described for both power and control signal transmission through a single coupled inductor. A current driver generates a cyclical current signal on a primary winding of a coupled inductor, to induce a voltage signal at the secondary winding corresponding to the cyclical current signal. A rectifier module is coupled with the secondary winding and configured to rectify the signal induced at the secondary winding. A control timing signal module is coupled with the primary winding and configured to induce voltage pulses on the secondary winding, the induced voltage pulses having an insubstantial impact on the output of the rectifier module. A switching module coupled with the secondary winding is configured to receive the voltage pulses and control a switching signal for a power switch coupled with the output of the rectifier and provide power to a load coupled with the output of the rectifier.

Gate driver power and control signal transmission circuits and methods

A junction device driver is provided that includes a current regulator, an inductor coupled with the current regulator, and a switching module coupled with the inductor. The current regulator is configured to generate a current, and the inductor is configured to store energy generated by the current produced by the current regulator. The switching module is configured to control a conduction current for a gate of a junction device. The conduction current is generated, initially, from the stored energy of the inductor to thereby provide a relatively high initial current. As the energy stored in the inductor is discharged, the current level drops to a lower level that is sufficient to maintain the junction device in an 'on' state.

Junction gate driver with tapped inductor current source

A radio frequency (RF) generator comprises a first half bridge including first and second power transistors; a second half bridge including first and second power transistors; an RF output node coupling output nodes of the first and second half bridges, the output node outputting RF signals to a load; positive and negative rails coupled to a power source; and a first commutation inductor provided to store energy to commutate at least one of the half bridges.

RF generator with commutation inductor

A radio frequency (RF) generator includes a first half bridge including first and second power transistors; a second half bridge including first and second power transistors; an output node coupling the first and second half bridges and RF signals to a load; positive and negative rails coupled to an AC power source via a rectifier; a first blocking capacitor provided between the positive rail and the load; a second blocking capacitor provided between the negative rail and the load; and a voltage regulator configured to output a given voltage to the first and second bridges, wherein the first and second blocking capacitors are configured to isolate the load from the AC power source.

RF generator with voltage regulator

A radio frequency (RF) generator comprises a first half bridge including first and second power transistors; a second half bridge including first and second power transistors; an output node coupling the first and second half bridges and RF signals to a load; positive and negative rails coupled to an AC power source via rectifier; a first blocking capacitor provided between the positive rail and the load; and a second blocking capacitor provided between the negative rail and the load. The first and second blocking capacitors are configured to isolate the load from the AC power source.

RF generator with phase controlled MOSFETs

A radio frequency (RF) generator comprises a first half bridge including first and second power transistors; a second half bridge including first and second power transistors; an output node coupling the first and second half bridges and RF signals to a load; positive and negative rails coupled to a power source; a first blocking capacitor provided between the positive rail and the load; a second blocking capacitor provided between the negative rail and the load; and an offline rectification circuit configured receive an alternating current (AC) from an AC power source and output a direct current (DC) to the first and second bridges, wherein the first and second blocking capacitors are configured to isolate the load from the AC power source.

RF generator with reduced size and weight

A heatsink for a power device comprises an upper conductive plate providing a first surface; a lower conductive plate providing a second surface; a middle conductive plate provided between the upper and lower plates, the middle plate having a hollow portion and a solid portion, the hollow portion defining an area to receive coolant, wherein the power device is provided on the first or second surface, so that heat generated by the power device can be transferred to the coolant. The heatsink further comprises an input port coupled to the hollow portion of the middle plate to provide the coolant into the hollow portion; and an output port coupled to the hollow portion of the middle plate to remove the coolant from the hollow portion.

Heatsink for power devices

Autoranging power supply apparatus may comprise a power output section having a plurality of pairs of output terminals, each of which has a maximum voltage and current rating. A switching network associated with the power output section connects and disconnects the plurality of pairs of output terminals to the external load. A control system connected to the switching network operates the switching network in response to changes in the impedance of the external load to connect and disconnect to the external load selected ones of the plurality of pairs of output terminals of the power output section to compensate for impedance variations in the external load and to prevent from being exceeded the maximum voltage and current ratings for each of the plurality of pairs of output terminals.

Auto-ranging power supply

A circuit for producing an alternating output current may comprise a first current regulator and a second current regulator. The first current regulator produces a first phase of the alternating output current and regulates the current of the first phase. The second current regulator produces a second phase of the alternating output current and regulates the current of the second phase. A first polarity reversing circuit operatively associated with the first current regulator periodically reverses the polarity of the first phase. A second polarity reversing circuit operatively associated with the second current regulator periodically reverses the polarity of the second phase. A control system operatively associated with the first and second current regulators and the first and second polarity reversing circuits controls the operation of the first and second current regulators and the first and second polarity reversing circuits.

A.C. power supply having combined regulator and pulsing circuits

Power supply apparatus according to the present invention may comprise a direct current source and a phase-shift converter circuit connected to the direct current source. A rectifier is connected to the output of the phase-shift converter circuit and rectifies a modulated output signal produced by the phase-shift converter circuit. An average current sensor connected to the rectifier senses the time average current in the rectifier and produces an average current feedback signal. A control device connected to the average current sensor and to the phase-shift converter circuit is responsive to the average current feedback signal and operates the phase-shift converter circuit in accordance with the average current feedback signal.

Phase-shift power supply

A combined regulator and pulsing circuit may comprise a first diode having a cathode that is electrically connected to a positive terminal of a supply of direct current and to a first output terminal of the combined regulator and pulsing circuit. A first switching device is electrically connected between the anode of the first diode and a negative terminal of the supply of direct current. An inductor is electrically connected between the anode of the diode and a second output terminal of the combined regulator and pulsing circuit. The first plate of a capacitor is electrically connected to the first output terminal, and a second switching device is electrically connected between the second plate of the capacitor and the second output terminal. A control system is operatively associated with the first and second switching devices and operates the first and second switching devices between the conducting and non-conducting states.

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Fort Collins, CO, United States of America

Charles Coleman