EP0496529A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Boost switching preregulator and controller therefor
Assignee: VLT Corp
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Filing: 1992-01-16
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2012-01-16
Abstract
Abstract The performance of AC to DC and DC to DC boost preregulators, and the performance of the equipment of which they form a part, can be improved by means of an adaptive boost switching preregulator which can, when used with a load capable of operating over a range of load voltages, increase or optimize the conversion efficiency and reliability of both the preregulator and the load by adaptively controlling the load voltage as a function of the voltage of the input source. Also, a gain-variable current controller can be provided which allows for accurately controlling the waveform and magnitude of the input current of a switching preregulator as the preregulator load (and hence the input current) varies over a wide dynamic range, yet does so by comparing signals whose magnitudes are essentially independent of the magnitude of the load. In this way, second order effects, which cause degradation in control of power factor in other preregulators as load is decreased, are rendered less significant. <IMAGE>
Inventors
- 👤 Patrizio Vinciarelli
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 22:30
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M1/00; H02M1/42; H02M1/4208; H02M1/4225; H02M3/00; H02M3/02; H02M3/04; H02M3/10; H02M3/145; H02M3/155; H02M3/156; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B70/00; Y02B70/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A boost switching preregulator comprising a boost switching power converter which converts power from a source of unipolar input voltage for delivery as a unipolar output voltage to a load, and a controller connected to said boost switching power converter to vary the magnitude of said unipolar output voltage in response to the magnitude of said unipolar input voltage and within a range such that (a) said unipolar output voltage is greater than or equal to the magnitude of said unipolar input voltage, and (b) the span of said range is at least ten percent of the maximum value of said range.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
31 words
The preregulator of claim 1 wherein said unipolar input voltage is an essentially DC voltage at level Vin, and said unipolar output voltage is an essentially DC voltage at level Vo.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The preregulator of claim 1 wherein said unipolar input voltage is a time-varying unipolar voltage derived from an AC source and having a peak value Vp, and said controller varies the value of said unipolar output voltage Vo within said range such that Vo is greater than or equal to Vp.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The preregulator of claim 1 wherein said range falls within a predetermined spread of operating load voltages associated with said load.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The preregulator of claim 1 wherein said controller causes said unipolar output voltage to increase (decrease) as said unipolar input voltage increases (decreases).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The preregulator of claim 1 wherein said controller varies said unipolar output voltage between two values.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
190 words
The preregulator of claim 1 wherein said controller is arranged to set the value of said unipolar output voltage either to a first load voltage value, Vo1, or a second load voltage value, Vo2, said first load voltage value being less than said second load voltage value, and said controller sets said unipolar output voltage equal to said second load voltage value, Vo2, if said unipolar input voltage is above a second input voltage value Vi2, Vi2 being less than Vo1, and sets said unipolar output voltage equal to said first load voltage, vol, if said unipolar input voltage is below a first input voltage value, Vi1, Vi1 being less than both Vi2 and Vo1, and said controller maintains said unipolar output voltage at said first load voltage value, Vo1, if said unipolar input voltage increases above said first input voltage value, Vi1, but does not exceed said second input voltage value, Vi2, and maintains said unipolar output voltage at said Second load voltage value, Vo2, if said input voltage decreases below said second input voltage value, Vi2, but does not become less than said first input voltage value, Vi1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
204 words
The preregulator of claim 3 wherein said controller sets the value of said unipolar output voltage either to a first load voltage value, vol, or a second load voltage value, Vo2, said first load voltage value being less than said second load voltage value, and wherein said controller sets said unipolar output voltage equal to said second load voltage value, Vo2, if the peak value of said unipolar input voltage is above a second input voltage value Vi2, Vi2 being less than Vo1, and sets said unipolar output voltage equal to said first load voltage, Vo1, if the peak value of said unipolar input voltage is below a first input voltage value, Vi1, Vi1 being less than both Vi2 and Vo1, said controller maintains said unipolar output voltage at said first load voltage value, Vo1, if the peak value of said unipolar input voltage increases above said first input voltage value, Vi1, but does not exceed said second input voltage value, Vi2, and maintains said unipolar output voltage at said second load voltage value, Vo2, if the peak value of said unipolar input voltage decreases below said second input voltage value, Vi2, but does not become less than said first input voltage value, Vi1.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The preregulator of claim 7 or 8 wherein Vi1 is essentially 200 volts, Vi2 is essentially 230 volts, Vo1 is essentially 250 Volts, and Vo2 is essentially 385 volts.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
99 words
The preregulator of claim 2 wherein said controller sets said unipolar output voltage, Vo, in accordance with the following predefined relationship: (a) Vo = Vo1 if said unipolar input voltage, Vin, is less than Vin1; (b) Vo = Vo2 if vin is greater than Vin2 and less than or equal to Vo2; (c) For values of vin between Vin1 and Vin2, Vo varies linearly between the values Vo1 and Vo2; where vin is the value of said unipolar input voltage; Vo2 is greater than both Vo1 and Vin2; Vo1 is greater than Vin1; and Vin2 is greater than Vin1.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
117 words
The preregulator of claim 3 wherein said controller sets said unipolar output voltage, Vo, in accordance with the following predefined relationship: (a) Vo = Vo1 if the peak value of said unipolar input voltage, Vin, is less than Vin1; (b) Vo = Vo2 if the peak value of said unipolar input voltage, Vin, is greater than Vin2 and less than or equal to Vo2; (c) For peak values of said unipolar input voltage, vin, between Vin1 and Vin2, Vo varies linearly between the values Vo1 and Vo2; where Vin is the peak value of said unipolar input voltage; Vo2 is greater than both Vo1 and Vin2; Vo1 is greater than Vin1; and Vin2 is greater than Vin1.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The preregulator of claim 10 or 11 wherein the operating load voltage range is between Vlmin and Vlmax, Vlmin and Vlmax being, respectively, the minimum and maximum values of the operating voltage range of said load, Vo1 being greater than Vlmin, and Vo2 being less than Vlmax.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The preregulator of claim 10 or 11 wherein Vo1 is essentially 300 volts, Vo2 is essentially 390 volts, Vin1 is essentially 270 V and Vin2 is essentially 380 V.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
81 words
The preregulator of claim 1 wherein said controller includes an adaptive reference source, said adaptive reference source accepting an input signal indicative of the magnitude of said unipolar input voltage, said adaptive reference source delivering a reference signal, vra, indicative of the value at which said controller is to maintain said unipolar output voltage, said adaptive reference source varying the magnitude of the reference signal, vra, as a means of adjusting the value of said unipolar output voltage over said range.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
88 words
The controller of claim 3 wherein said controller includes an adaptive reference source, said adaptive reference source accepting an input signal indicative of the peak value of said unipolar input voltage, said adaptive reference source delivering a reference signal, Vra, indicative of the value at which said controller is to maintain the average value of said unipolar output voltage, said adaptive reference source varying the magnitude of the reference signal, Vra, as a means of adjusting the average value of said unipolar output voltage over said predefined range.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
139 words
A controller for use in a boost switching preregulator of the kind having a boost switching power converter which converts power from a source of unipolar input voltage for delivery as a unipolar output voltage to a load, said controller comprising an input port for receiving an input signal indicative of the magnitude of said unipolar input voltage, an output port for delivery of a control signal to said boost switching power converter to control said unipolar output voltage, and control circuitry for varying said control signal in response to said input signal such that said unipolar output voltage will be greater than or equal to the magnitude of said unipolar input voltage, and said unipolar output voltage will vary within a range having a span that is at least ten percent of the maximum value of said range.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The controller of claim 16 wherein said unipolar input voltage is an essentially DC voltage at level Vin, and said unipolar output voltage is an essentially DC voltage at level Vo.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
54 words
The controller of claim 16 wherein said unipolar input voltage is a time-varying unipolar voltage derived from an AC source and having a peak value Vp, and said controller includes circuitry for varying the value of said unipolar output voltage Vo within said range such that Vo is greater than or equal to Vp.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The controller of claim 16 wherein said range falls within a predetermined spread of operating load voltages associated with said load.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The controller of claim 16 further comprising circuitry for causing said unipolar output voltage to increase (decrease) as said unipolar input voltage increases (decreases).
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The controller of claim 16 further comprising circuitry for varying said unipolar output voltage between two values.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
190 words
The controller of claim 16 further comprising circuitry arranged to set the value of said unipolar output voltage either to a first load voltage value, Vo1, or a second load voltage value, Vo2, said first load voltage value being less than said second load voltage value, and wherein said circuitry sets said unipolar output voltage equal to said second load voltage value, Vo2, if said unipolar input voltage is above a second input voltage value Vi2, Vi2 being less than Vo1, and sets said unipolar output voltage equal to said first load voltage, Vo1, if said unipolar input voltage is below a first input voltage value, Vi1, Vi1 being less than both Vi2 and Vo1, and said circuitry maintains said unipolar output voltage at said first load voltage value, Vo1, if said unipolar input voltage increases above said first input voltage value, Vi1, but does not exceed said second input voltage value, Vi2, and maintains said unipolar output voltage at said second load voltage value, Vo2, if said input voltage decreases below said second input voltage value, Vi2, but does not become less than said first input voltage value, Vi1.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
202 words
The controller of claim 18 further comprising circuitry for setting the value of said unipolar output voltage either to a first load voltage value, Vo1, or a second load voltage value, Vo2, said first load voltage value being less than said second load voltage value, and wherein said circuitry sets said unipolar output voltage equal to said second load voltage value, Vo2, if the peak value of said unipolar input voltage is above a second input voltage value Vi2, Vi2 being less than Vo1, sets said unipolar output voltage equal to said first load voltage, Vo1, if the peak value of said unipolar input voltage is below a first input voltage value, Vi1, Vi1 being less than both Vi2 and Vo1, maintains said unipolar output voltage at said first load voltage value, Vo1, if the peak value of said unipolar input voltage increases above said first input voltage value, Vi1, but does not exceed said second input voltage value, Vi2, and maintains said unipolar output voltage at said second load voltage value, Vo2, if the peak value of said unipolar input voltage decreases below said second input voltage value, Vi2, but does not become less than said first input voltage value, Vi1.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The controller of claim 22 or 13 wherein vi1 is essentially 200 volts, Vi2 is essentially 230 volts, Vo1 is essentially 250 volts, and Vo2 is essentially 385 volts.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
100 words
The controller of claim 16 further comprising circuitry for setting said unipolar output voltage, Vo, in accordance with the following predefined relationship: (a) Vo = Vo1 if said unipolar input voltage, Vin, is less than Vin1; (b) Vo = Vo2 if Vin is greater than Vin2 and less than or equal to Vo2; (c) For values of vin between Vin1 and Vin2, Vo varies linearly between the values Vo1 and Vo2; where Vin is the value of said unipolar input voltage; Vo2 is greater than both Vo1 and Vin2; Vo1 is greater than Vin1; and Vin2 is greater than Vin1.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
118 words
The controller of claim 18 further comprising circuitry for setting said unipolar output voltage, Vo, in accordance with the following predefined relationship: (a) Vo = Vo1 if the peak value of said unipolar input voltage, Vin, is less than Vin1; (b) Vo = Vo2 if the peak value of said unipolar input voltage, Vin, is greater than Vin2 and less than or equal to Vo2; (c) For peak values of said unipolar input voltage, vin, between Vin1 and Vin2, vo varies linearly between the values Vo1 and Vo2; where vin is the peak value of said unipolar input voltage; Vo2 is greater than both Vo1 and Vin2; Vo1 is greater than Vin1; and Vin2 is greater than Vin1.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
49 words
The controller of claim 22, 23, 25, or 26 wherein the operating load voltage range is between Vlmin and Vlmax, Vlmin and Vlmax being, respectively, the minimum and maximum values of the operating voltage range of said load, vo1 being greater than Vlmin, and Vo2 being less than Vlmax.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
The preregulator of claim 25 or 26 wherein Vo1 is essentially 300 volts, Vo2 is essentially 390 volts, Vin1 is essentially 270 V and Vin2 is essentially 380 V.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
79 words
The controller of claim 16 further comprising an adaptive reference source, said adaptive reference source accepting an input signal indicative of the magnitude of said unipolar input voltage, said adaptive reference source delivering a reference signal, Vra, indicative of the value at which said controller is to maintain said unipolar output voltage, said adaptive reference source varying the magnitude of the reference signal, Vra, as a means of adjusting the value of said unipolar output voltage over said range.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
82 words
The controller of claim 18 further comprising an adaptive reference source, said adaptive reference source accepting an input signal indicative of the peak value of said unipolar input voltage, said adaptive reference source delivering a reference signal, vra, indicative of the value at which said controller is to maintain said average unipolar output voltage, said adaptive reference source varying the magnitude of the reference signal, vra, as a means of adjusting the average value of said unipolar output voltage over said range.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
128 words
A controller for controlling the input current drawn by a switching power converter, notwithstanding wide variations in a load being supplied by said converter, said controller acting in response to a first signal, said controller comprising control circuitry for generating an input current control signal based on comparing a second signal to a third signal, said second signal being independent of variations in said input current or said first signal, said third signal being dependent on variations in said input current and said first signal, said control circuit being arranged so that said input current control signal drives the value of said third signal toward the value of said second signal, said third signal being maintained at a magnitude essentially equal to the magnitude of said second signal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
52 words
The controller of claim 31 wherein said second signal is a reference signal corresponding to a desired time varying waveform of said input current and the instantaneous magnitude of said third signal is based upon both the actual instantaneous magnitude of said input current and on the magnitude of said first signal.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
41 words
The controller of claim 32 wherein said third signal is a product of a transfer gain which varies monotonically with said first signal and a current sense signal whose magnitude is proportional to said actual instantaneous magnitude of said input current.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
187 words
The controller of claim 33 wherein said first signal is indicative of the desired magnitude of said input current, and said input current control signal controls the relative times at which one or more switches, included in said switching power converter, open and close, as a means of controlling said input current, and said controller further comprises a variable gain element which accepts said first signal and said current sense signal and delivers said third signal which is the product of said current sense signal and a transfer gain which varies monotonically as a function of said first signal, a current error amplifier which compares said third signal to said second signal, the output of said current error amplifier being delivered as said input current control signal in order to maintain said third signal essentially equal to said second signal, thereby controlling said input current, and wherein the magnitudes of said third signal and said second signal are maintained at a level essentially equal to the magnitude of said second signal as the magnitude of said first signal, and hence the magnitude of said input current, vary.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
13 words
The controller of claims 34 wherein said variable gain element comprises a multiplier.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
13 words
The controller of claims 34 wherein said variable gain element comprises a divider.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
82 words
The controller of claim 34 wherein said variable gain element comprises an electrically controllable resistance, said electrically controllable resistance having an input port for accepting said first signal and an output port comprising two output terminals, the resistance, R, between said output terminals varying monotonically as a function of the magnitude of said first signal, and wherein said current sense signal is a current which flows between said two output terminals, said third signal being the voltage across said two output terminals.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
43 words
The controller of claim 37 wherein said electrically controllable resistance comprises a field effect transistor, said two output terminals comprising the drain and source terminals of said field effect transistor, and said input port comprising the gate terminal of said field effect transistor.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
The controller of claim 37 or 38 wherein all of said input current flows between said two output terminals.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
20 words
The controller of claim 37 or 38 wherein a fraction of said input current flows between said two output terminals.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
26 words
The controller of claim 37 or 38 wherein said current sense signal is delivered to said electrically controllable resistance element by one or more current transformers.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of controlling a boost switching preregulator of the kind which converts power from a source of unipolar input voltage for delivery as a unipolar output voltage to a load, said method comprising varying the value of said unipolar output voltage in response to the magnitude of said unipolar input voltage and within a range such that (a) said unipolar output voltage is greater than or equal to the magnitude of said unipolar input voltage, and (b) the span of said range is at least ten percent of the maximum value of said range.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 42 wherein said unipolar input voltage is an essentially DC voltage at level Vin, and said unipolar output voltage is an essentially DC voltage at level Vo.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 42 wherein said unipolar input voltage is a time-varying unipolar voltage derived from an AC source and having a peak value Vp, and the value of said unipolar output voltage Vo is varied within a range such that Vo is greater than or equal to Vp.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 42 wherein said range falls within a predetermined spread of operating load voltages associated with said load.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for controlling the input current drawn by a switching power converter, notwithstanding wide variations in a load being supplied by said converter, said input current being controlled in response to a first signal, said method comprising generating an input current control signal based on comparing a second signal to a third signal, said second signal being independent of variations in said input current or said first signal, said third signal being dependent on variations in said input current and said first signal, said input current control signal being arranged to drive the value of said third signal toward the value of said second signal, said third signal being maintained at a magnitude essentially equal to the magnitude of said second signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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