US3663940A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Controllable, load insensitive power converters
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1970-05-21
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Granted: 1972-05-16
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Expires: 1990-05-21
Abstract
Abstract Circuitry for converting DC or AC voltage to a higher or lower DC or AC voltage by directing current alternately through a pair of inductive-capacitive loops. A portion of the inductance of each loop is magnetically coupled to another inductance whose current is rectified and supplied to a load. Voltage sensing circuits are utilized to time the flow of current through the pair of loops. Energy is magnetically coupled from the load circuit to the inductance of the pair of loops to improve starting and overload operating conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 Francisc Schwarz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 04:30
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M5/00; H02M5/02; H02M5/04; H02M5/22; H02M5/25; H02M5/27; H02M3/00; H02M3/22; H02M3/24; H02M3/28; H02M3/305; H02M3/315; H02M7/00; H02M7/42; H02M7/44; H02M7/48; H02M7/505; H02M7/515; H02M7/523; H02M7/5233; H02M7/5236
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
398 words
A controllable, load current insensitive electronic power converter for energizing a load comprising: 1. a primary section including: a. a first source of electric energy; b. a first switchable loop capacitively connected to said source of electric energy; c. a second switchable loop capacitively connected to said source of electric energy; d. a transformer having its primary winding commonly connected in said first and second switchable loops; and, e. inductor means commonly connected in said first and second switchable loops; and, 2. a secondary section including: a. a first diode bridge circuit; b. the secondary winding of said transformer connected across one pair of opposing terminals of said first diode bridge circuit; c. a smoothing filter connected across the other pair of opposing terminals of said first diode bridge circuit; said load being connected across said other pair of opposing terminals of said first diode bridge circuit; and wherein: said first switchable loop comprises a first electronic switch, a first inductor, the primary winding of said transformer and a first capacitor, the junction between said first electronic switch and said first capacitor being connected to one side of said first source of electric energy; said second switchable loop comprises a second electronic switch, a second inductor, said primary winding of said transformer and a second capacitor, the junction between said second electronic switch and said second capacitor being connected to the second side of said first source of electric energy; and, said primary winding of said transformer and said inductors being joined to form a series connection, one terminal of said series connection being connected to both otherwise unconnected terminals of said first and second capacitors, and the second terminal of said series connection being connected to both otherwise unconnected terminals of said first and second electronic switches through said first and second conductors, respectively; and including: a first secondary winding coupled to said first inductor, said first secondary winding being connected to one terminal of said first diode bridge and connected through a third electronic switch to the other terminal of said first diode bridge; and a second secondary winding coupled to said second inductor, said second secondary winding being connected to one terminal of said first diode bridge, but with opposite polarity to said first secondary winding of said inductor, and connected through a fourth electronic switch to the other terminal of said first diode bridge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
398 words
A controllable, load current insensitive electronic power converter for energizing a load comprising: 1. a primary section including: a. a first source of electric energy; b. a first switchable loop capacitively connected to said source of electric energy; c. a second switchable loop capacitively connected to said source of electric energy; d. a transformer having its primary winding commonly connected in said first and second switchable loops; and, e. inductor means commonly connected in said first and second switchable loops; and, 2. a secondary section including: a. a first diode bridge circuit; b. the secondary winding of said transformer connected across one pair of opposing terminals of said first diode bridge circuit; c. a smoothing filter connected across the other pair of opposing terminals of said first diode bridge circuit; said load being connected across said other pair of opposing terminals of said first diode bridge circuit; and wherein: said first switchable loop comprises a first electronic switch, a first inductor, the primary winding of said transformer and a first capacitor, the junction between said first electronic switch and said first capacitor being connected to one side of said first source of electric energy; said second switchable loop comprises a second electronic switch, a second inductor, said primary winding of said transformer and a second capacitor, the junction between said second electronic switch and said second capacitor being connected to the second side of said first source of electric energy; and, said primary winding of said transformer and said inductors being joined to form a series connection, one terminal of said series connection being connected to both otherwise unconnected terminals of said first and second capacitors, and the second terminal of said series connection being connected to both otherwise unconnected terminals of said first and second electronic switches through said first and second conductors, respectively; and including: a first secondary winding coupled to said first inductor, said first secondary winding being connected to one terminal of said first diode bridge and connected through a third electronic switch to the other terminal of said first diode bridge; and a second secondary winding coupled to said second inductor, said second secondary winding being connected to one terminal of said first diode bridge, but with opposite polarity to said first secondary winding of said inductor, and connected through a fourth electronic switch to the other terminal of said first diode bridge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
a secondary section including: a. a first diode bridge circuit; b. the secondary winding of said transformer connected across one pair of opposing terminals of said first diode bridge circuit; and c. a smoothing filter and a load connected in parallel across the other pair oF opposing terminals of said first diode bridge circuit;
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
a secondary section including: a. a first diode bridge circuit; b. the secondary winding of said transformer connected across one pair of opposing terminals of said first diode bridge circuit; and c. a smoothing filter and a load connected in parallel across the other pair oF opposing terminals of said first diode bridge circuit;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
said control means comprises: a. a two output sequencer having its input connected to the output of said comparator; b. a first electronic switch actuating pulse generator having its input connected to one output of said sequencer and its output connected to said first switchable loop; and, c. a second electronic switch actuating pulse generator having its input connected to the second output of said sequencer and its output connected to said second switchable loop.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
said control means comprises: a. a two output sequencer having its input connected to the output of said comparator; b. a first electronic switch actuating pulse generator having its input connected to one output of said sequencer and its output connected to said first switchable loop; and, c. a second electronic switch actuating pulse generator having its input connected to the second output of said sequencer and its output connected to said second switchable loop.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
117 words
a secondary section including: a. a first diode bridge circuit; b. a secondary winding of said transformer connected across one pair of opposing terminals of said first diode bridge circuit; and c. a smoothing filter connected across the other pair of opposing terminals of said first diode bridge circuit; and including: a secondary winding on said first inductor; a third electronic switch connected in series with said secondary winding on said first inductor across said other pair of opposing terminals of said first diode bridge; a secondary winding on said second inductor; and, a fourth electronic switch connected in series with said second Inductor across said other pair of opposing terminals of said first diode bridge circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
117 words
a secondary section including: a. a first diode bridge circuit; b. a secondary winding of said transformer connected across one pair of opposing terminals of said first diode bridge circuit; and c. a smoothing filter connected across the other pair of opposing terminals of said first diode bridge circuit; and including: a secondary winding on said first inductor; a third electronic switch connected in series with said secondary winding on said first inductor across said other pair of opposing terminals of said first diode bridge; a secondary winding on said second inductor; and, a fourth electronic switch connected in series with said second Inductor across said other pair of opposing terminals of said first diode bridge circuit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
316 words
a secondary section including: a. a first diode bridge circuit; b. the secondary winding of said transformer connected across one pair of opposing terminals of said first diode bridge circuit; c. a smoothing filter connected across the other pair of opposing terminals of said first diode bridge circuit; said load being connected across said other pair of opposing terminals of said first diode bridge circuit; and wherein: said first switchable loop comprises a first electronic switch, a first inductor, the primary winding of said transformer and a first capacitor, the junction between said first electronic switch and said first capacitor being connected to one side of said first source of electric energy; said second switchable loop comprises a second electronic switch, a second inductor, said primary winding of said transformer and a second capacitor, the junction between said second electronic switch and said second capacitor being connected to the second side of said first source of electric energy; and, said primary winding of said transformer and said inductors being joined to form a series connection, one terminal of said series connection being connected to both otherwise unconnected terminals of said first and second capacitors, and the second terminal of said series connection being connected to both otherwise unconnected terminals of said first and second electronic switches through said first and second conductors, respectively; and including: a first secondary winding coupled to said first inductor, said first secondary winding being connected to one terminal of said first diode bridge and connected through a third electronic switch to the other terminal of said first diode bridge; and a second secondary winding coupled to said second inductor, said second secondary winding being connected to one terminal of said first diode bridge, but with opposite polarity to said first secondary winding of said inductor, and connected through a fourth electronic switch to the other terminal of said first diode bridge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
316 words
a secondary section including: a. a first diode bridge circuit; b. the secondary winding of said transformer connected across one pair of opposing terminals of said first diode bridge circuit; c. a smoothing filter connected across the other pair of opposing terminals of said first diode bridge circuit; said load being connected across said other pair of opposing terminals of said first diode bridge circuit; and wherein: said first switchable loop comprises a first electronic switch, a first inductor, the primary winding of said transformer and a first capacitor, the junction between said first electronic switch and said first capacitor being connected to one side of said first source of electric energy; said second switchable loop comprises a second electronic switch, a second inductor, said primary winding of said transformer and a second capacitor, the junction between said second electronic switch and said second capacitor being connected to the second side of said first source of electric energy; and, said primary winding of said transformer and said inductors being joined to form a series connection, one terminal of said series connection being connected to both otherwise unconnected terminals of said first and second capacitors, and the second terminal of said series connection being connected to both otherwise unconnected terminals of said first and second electronic switches through said first and second conductors, respectively; and including: a first secondary winding coupled to said first inductor, said first secondary winding being connected to one terminal of said first diode bridge and connected through a third electronic switch to the other terminal of said first diode bridge; and a second secondary winding coupled to said second inductor, said second secondary winding being connected to one terminal of said first diode bridge, but with opposite polarity to said first secondary winding of said inductor, and connected through a fourth electronic switch to the other terminal of said first diode bridge.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
262 words
a secondary section including: (a) a first diode bridge circuit; (b) the second winding of said transformer connected across one pair of opposing terminals of said first diode bridge circuit; (c) a smoothing filter connected across the other pair of opposing terminals of said first diode bridge circuit; said load being connected across said other pair of opposing terminals of said first diode bridge circuit; and wherein: said first switchable loop comprises a first electronic switch; said first inductor, the primary winding of said transformer and a first capacitor, the junction between said first electronic switch and said first capacitor being connected to one side of said first source of electric energy; said second switchable loop comprises a second electronic switch, said first inductor, said primary winding of said transformer and a second capacitor, the junction between said second electronic switch and said second capacitor being connected to the second side of said first source of electric energy; and said primary winding of said transformer and said inductors being joined to form a series connection, one terminal of said series connection being connected to both otherwise unconnected terminals of said first and said second capacitors, and the second terminal of said series connection being connected to both otherwise unconnected terminals of said first and second electronic switches through said first and second conductors, respectively; and including: a third electronic switch connected in parallel with the series connected first inductor and primary transformer winding; and, a fourth electronic switch also connected in parallel with the series connected first inductor and primary transformer winding.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
262 words
a secondary section including: (a) a first diode bridge circuit; (b) the second winding of said transformer connected across one pair of opposing terminals of said first diode bridge circuit; (c) a smoothing filter connected across the other pair of opposing terminals of said first diode bridge circuit; said load being connected across said other pair of opposing terminals of said first diode bridge circuit; and wherein: said first switchable loop comprises a first electronic switch; said first inductor, the primary winding of said transformer and a first capacitor, the junction between said first electronic switch and said first capacitor being connected to one side of said first source of electric energy; said second switchable loop comprises a second electronic switch, said first inductor, said primary winding of said transformer and a second capacitor, the junction between said second electronic switch and said second capacitor being connected to the second side of said first source of electric energy; and said primary winding of said transformer and said inductors being joined to form a series connection, one terminal of said series connection being connected to both otherwise unconnected terminals of said first and said second capacitors, and the second terminal of said series connection being connected to both otherwise unconnected terminals of said first and second electronic switches through said first and second conductors, respectively; and including: a third electronic switch connected in parallel with the series connected first inductor and primary transformer winding; and, a fourth electronic switch also connected in parallel with the series connected first inductor and primary transformer winding.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
130 words
A controllable, load insensitive elecTronic power converter as claimed in claim 1 including: a resistive voltage divider network connected in parallel with said smoothing filter; a second source of electric energy; a comparator connected to said resistive voltage divider network and to said second source of electric energy; a two output sequencer having its input connected to the output of said comparator; a first firing pulse generator having its input connected to one output of said sequencer and its output connected to the control terminal of the first of said first and second electronic switches; and, a second firing pulse generator having its input connected to the second output of said sequencer and its output connected to the control terminal of the second of said first and second electronic switches.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
A controllable, load current insensitive electronic power converter for energizing a load comprising:
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
A controllable, load current insensitive electronic power converter for energizing a load comprising:
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
247 words
a control section including: a. a voltage sensing means connected across the output of said smoothing filter so as to sense the output voltage; and, b. control means connected to said voltage sensing means and to said first and second switchable loops for controlling the rate of switching of said switchable loops in accordance with the sensed output voltage; and wherein: said first switchable loop comprises a first electronic switch, a first inductor, the primary winding of said transformer and a first capacitor, the junction between said first electronic switch and said first capacitor being connected to one side of the first source of electric energy; said second switchable loop comprises a second electronic switch, said first inductor, said primary winding of said transformer and a second capacitor, the junction between said second electronic switch and said second capacitor being connected to the second side of said first source of electric energy; and, said primary winding of said transformer and said inductor being joined to form a series connection, one terminal of said series connection being connected to both otherwise unconnected terminals of said first and said second capacitors, and the second terminal of said series connection being connected to both otherwise unconnected terminals of said first and second electronic switches; and including: a third electronic switch connected in parallel with the series connected first inductor and primary winding; and a fourth electronic switch also connected in parallel with the series connected first inductor and primary winding.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
247 words
a control section including: a. a voltage sensing means connected across the output of said smoothing filter so as to sense the output voltage; and, b. control means connected to said voltage sensing means and to said first and second switchable loops for controlling the rate of switching of said switchable loops in accordance with the sensed output voltage; and wherein: said first switchable loop comprises a first electronic switch, a first inductor, the primary winding of said transformer and a first capacitor, the junction between said first electronic switch and said first capacitor being connected to one side of the first source of electric energy; said second switchable loop comprises a second electronic switch, said first inductor, said primary winding of said transformer and a second capacitor, the junction between said second electronic switch and said second capacitor being connected to the second side of said first source of electric energy; and, said primary winding of said transformer and said inductor being joined to form a series connection, one terminal of said series connection being connected to both otherwise unconnected terminals of said first and said second capacitors, and the second terminal of said series connection being connected to both otherwise unconnected terminals of said first and second electronic switches; and including: a third electronic switch connected in parallel with the series connected first inductor and primary winding; and a fourth electronic switch also connected in parallel with the series connected first inductor and primary winding.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
8 words
A controllable, load insensitive electronic power converter comprising:
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
8 words
A controllable, load insensitive electronic power converter comprising:
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
A controllable, load insensitive electronic power converter as claimed in claim 4 wherein:
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
A controllable, load insensitive electronic power converter as claimed in claim 4 wherein said electronic switches are all power transistors.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
8 words
A controllable, load insensitive electronic power converter comprising:
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
8 words
A controllable, load insensitive electronic power converter comprising:
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
A controllable, load insensitive electronic power converter as claimed in claim 7 including means to prevent recharging of said smoothing filter capacitor for the duration of its discharge into a pulse forming load network.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
A controllable, load insensitive electronic power converter as claimed in claim 7 wherein the smoothing filter consists of a capacitor connected across said other pair of opposing terminals of said diode bridge circuit.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
185 words
A controllable, load insensitive electronic power converter as claimed in claim 7 wherein: said first switchable loop comprises said first electronic switch, said first inductor, the primary winding of said transformer and a first capacitor, the junction between said first electronic switch and said first capacitor being connected to one side of said first source of electric energy; said second switchable loop comprises said second electronic switch, said second inductor, the primary winding of said transformer and a second capacitor, the junction between said second electronic switch and said second capacitor being connected to the second side of the source of electric energy; and, said primary winding of said transformer being part of said first and second said switchable loops, one terminal of said primary winding of said transformer being connected to otherwise unconnected terminals of said first and second capacitors, and said primary winding of said transformer being connected to the otherwise unconnected terminal of the series combination of said first electronic switch and first inductor and to the otherwise unconnected terminal of the series combination of said second electronic switch and second inductor.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
A controllable, load insensitive electronic power converter as claimed in claim 10 wherein said first and second electronic switches are controlled rectifiers and said third and fourth solid state switches are rectifier diodes.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
123 words
A controllable, load insensitive electronic power converter as claimed in claim 11 including: a resistive voltage divider network connected in parallel with said smoothing filter; a second source of electric energy; a comparator connected to said resistive voltage divider network and to said second source of electric energy; a two output sequencer having its input connected to the output of said comparator; a first firing pulse generator having iits input connected to one output of said sequencer and its output connected to the gate of one of said silicon controlled rectifiers; and, a second firing pulse generator having its input connected to the second output of said sequencer and its output connected to the gate of the other of said silicon controlled rectifiers.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
37 words
A controllable load insensitive electronic power converter as claimed in claim 12 wherein: said first source of electric energy develops a unipolar voltage at all times; and, said second source of electric energy is of constant magnitude.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
30 words
A controllable, load insensitive electronic power converter of unipolar signals as claimed in claim 12 wherein said second source of electric energy is of unipolar voltage and varies with time.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
37 words
A controllable, load insensitive electronic power converter as claimed in claim 12 wherein said first source of energy is a three phase AC source of electric energy which is first rectified by a full wave rectifier bridge.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
A controllable, load insensitive electronic power converter as claimed in claim 15 wherein said second source of electric energy is of fixed magnitude.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
31 words
A controllable, load insensitive electronic power converter as claimed in claim 15 wherein said second source of electric energy is of unipolar voltage and varies in a predetermined manner with time.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
32 words
A controllable load insensitive electronic power converter as claimed in claim 10 wherein said first and second electronic switcHes are power transistors, and said third and fourth electronic switches are controlled rectifiers.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-16 | 1975-11-15 | 1976-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-16 | 1979-11-15 | 1980-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-16 | 1983-11-15 | 1984-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |