DC-to-DC Switching converters

Claim 1

A switching regulator for supplying a substantially non-pulsating flow of converted current comprising: first and second terminals for connection of a primary energy source therebetween, the voltage from which source may range between low-voltage or high-voltage conditions; third and fourth terminals for connection of load means therebetween; switching control means for supplying first control signal pulses and second control signal pulses interleaved in time with said first control signal pulses, with substantial intervals between each of said first control pulses and the succeeding second control pulse and between each second control pulse and the succeeding first control pulse, at least under primary energy source conditions other than said low-voltage condition, the durations of said first and second control pulses as compared to the durations of intervals between them being controllable responsive to a feedback error signal; a first transformer having first and second primary windings and a secondary winding; a second transformer having a primary winding with first and second ends and at least a first secondary winding; first switching means responsive to said first control signal pulses for selectively completing a connection of the first primary winding of said first transformer between said first terminal and the first end of the primary winding of said second transformer; second switching means responsive to said second control signal pulses for selectively completing a connection of the second primary winding of said first transformer between said first terminal and the second end of the primary winding of said second transformer; third switching means responsive to said first control signal pulses for selectively completing a connection between the second end of the primary winding of said second transformer and said second terminal; fourth switching means responsive to said second control signal pulses for selectively completing a connection between the first end of the primary winding of said second transformer and said second terminal; means for supplying converted currents, all of the same polarity, from the secondary windings of said first and second transformers to said load means, one of said first and second transformers being connected for providing current during the times said control pulses are supplied and the other being connected for providing flyback current during the substantial intervals between control pulses to maintain a substantially constant flow of converted current despite non-conduction of said first, second, third and fourth switching means; means responsive to the sum of the converted currents flowing through said load means for developing a feedback signal; and a comparator comparing said feedback signal to a reference level for developing said feedback error signal to complete a degenerative feedback loop for controlling the respective lengths of said control pulses and said substantial intervals between control pulses.