Abstract

A level shifter for level-shifting a digital input signal referenced to an input ground potential to a digital output signal referenced to an output ground potential, comprising: a capacitor; a driver circuit, including an input node coupled to the digital input signal, and an output node coupled to a first terminal of the capacitor; a receiver circuit, including a first input node coupled to a second terminal of the capacitor, and an output node coupled to the digital output signal; and a latching feedback circuit, including a first input node coupled to the output node of the receiver circuit, and an output node coupled to the second terminal of the capacitor to latch a toggled signal. An optional resistor can be inserted to increase the output resistance of the latching feedback circuit to be substantially larger than the output resistance of the driver circuit.

IPC Classes  ?

• H03L 5/00 - Automatic control of voltage, current, or power
• H03K 3/012 - Modifications of generator to improve response time or to decrease power consumption
• H03K 19/017 - Modifications for accelerating switching in field-effect transistor circuits

Abstract

An apparatus and methods to fabricate the apparatus for balancing a string of N series-connected electrical energy units (such as battery cells or modules) comprising: a transformer with a magnetic core and N windings; N switch circuits; N driver circuits, each driver circuit operable to turn ON/OFF a respective switch circuit in a charging or discharging or idling configuration; and a controller circuit. In a novel way, the controller circuit selects each electrical energy unit for charging or discharging or idling, and controls simultaneously coupling all selected-for-discharging electrical energy unit(s) to respective winding(s) in discharging configuration(s) for a first period of time to simultaneously energize the respective winding(s); then immediately or after a short delay, the controller circuit controls simultaneously coupling all selected-for-charging electrical energy unit(s) to respective winding(s) in charging configuration(s) for a second period of time to be charged with respective induced current(s).

IPC Classes  ?

• H02J 7/00 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries

Abstract

A driver for a power transistor switch comprising a FET complementary output stage which is driven by another FET complementary pre-driver stage which is further driven by an input-buffer and level-shifter stage. The pre-driver stage includes a current-limiting and cross-delaying circuit which is inserted in between drains terminals of a complementary FET pair. The current-limiting and cross-delaying circuit limits shoot-current at the pre-driver stage; and in conjunction with the FET pair and the input-buffer and level-shifter stage, it is adapted to delay turning on one complementary output FET until after the other complementary output FET is turned off, thereby preventing cross conduction at the output stage.

IPC Classes  ?

• H03K 17/26 - Modifications for temporary blocking after receipt of control pulses
• H03K 17/16 - Modifications for eliminating interference voltages or currents

Abstract

An apparatus and methods to fabricate the apparatus for balancing a string of N series-connected electrical energy units (such as battery cells or modules) comprising: a transformer with a magnetic core and N windings; N switch circuits; N driver circuits, each driver circuit operable to turn ON/OFF a respective switch circuit in a charging or discharging or idling configuration; and a controller circuit. In a novel way, the controller circuit selects each electrical energy unit for charging or discharging or idling, and controls simultaneously coupling all selected-for-discharging electrical energy unit(s) to respective winding(s) in discharging configuration(s) for a first period of time to simultaneously energize the respective winding(s); then immediately or after a short delay, the controller circuit controls simultaneously coupling all selected-for-charging electrical energy unit(s) to respective winding(s) in charging configuration(s) for a second period of time to be charged with respective induced current(s).

IPC Classes  ?

• H02J 7/00 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries