US5140510A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Constant frequency power converter
Assignee: General Dynamics Mission Systems Inc
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Filing: 1991-03-04
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Granted: 1992-08-18
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Expires: 2011-03-04
Abstract
Abstract A constant frequency power converter which includes a system to switch a resonant capacitive or inductive element during the power transfer cycle in a clamped series resonant converter. A feedback control system generates a pulse width modulated signal to switch the resonant element at the appropriate time. A conventional power MOSFET can be used as the switching device. The resonant control elements may be operated in series or parallel depending on the basic resonant topology selected. Applications include high frequency power converters where small size is of prime concern.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald G. Myers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 17:31
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M3/00; H02M3/22; H02M3/24; H02M3/28; H02M3/325; H02M3/335; H02M3/337; H02M3/3376; H02M3/01; H02M3/33569; H02M3/33571; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B70/00; Y02B70/10; Y02P; Y02P80/00; Y02P80/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A constant frequency power converter comprising: first and second signal inputs; first and second signal outputs; a clamped series resonant converter (CSRC) connected separately to both the first and second signal inputs and both the first and second signal outputs; feedback control loop means coupled to the CSRC; and feedback isolator means coupled separately to the first and second signal outputs and to the feedback control loop means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
A constant frequency power converter comprising: first and second signal inputs; first and second signal outputs; a clamped series resonant converter (CSRC) connected separately to both the first and second signal inputs and both the first and second signal outputs; feedback control loop means coupled to the CSRC; and feedback isolator means coupled separately to the first and second signal outputs and to the feedback control loop means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
81 words
A constant frequency power converter as claimed in claim 1 wherein the feedback control loop means comprises: first and second capacitive means coupled together in a first series combination forming a first terminal connection between them; first clamping means coupled in parallel to the first series combination of the first and second capacitive means; second clamping means coupled in parallel to the second capacitive means; and switching means coupled to the first terminal connection, the feedback isolator means, and the CSRC.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
80 words
A constant frequency power converter as claimed in claim 2 wherein the switching means comprises: pulse width modulation means connected to the CSRC, to the second signal input, and also to the feedback isolator means; and a switch of three switch connections wherein the first switch connection is coupled to the first terminal connection, and the second switch connection and the third switch connection are coupled together and also coupled to the feedback isolator means and the second signal input.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A constant frequency power converter as claimed in claim 3 wherein the switch is a power metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
78 words
A constant frequency power converter as claimed in claim 1 wherein the feedback control loop means comprises: switching means coupled to the feedback isolation means and the CSRC; first capacitive means coupled in series to the switching means to form a second series combination; second capacitive means coupled in parallel with the second series combination; first clamping means coupled in parallel to the first capacitive means; and second clamping means coupled in parallel to the second capacitive means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
79 words
A constant frequency power converter as claimed in claim 5 wherein the switching means comprises: pulse width modulator means connected to the CSRC, to the second signal input, and also to the feedback isolator; and a switch of three switch connections wherein the first switch connection is coupled to the first terminal connection, and the second switch connection and the third switch connection are coupled together and also coupled to the feedback isolator means and the second signal input.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A constant frequency power converter as claimed in claim 6 wherein the switch is a power metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A constant frequency power converter as claimed in claim 3 wherein the switching means further comprises current feedback means coupled between the pulse width modulation means and the CSRC.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for the conversion of power at a constant frequency, comprised of the steps of: providing an input signal to first and second input terminals of a clamped series resonant converter (CSRC); increasing current in the CSRC resonant at a first resonant frequency; controlling the switching of at least one reactive element into the CSRC resonant circuit to provide a new resonant frequency for the CSRC; manipulating voltages across the at least one reactive element of the CSRC resonant circuit; eliminating the current in the CSRC resonant circuit; and outputting a constant frequency signal from the CSRC.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for the conversion of power at a constant frequency, comprised of the steps of: providing an input signal to first and second input terminals of a clamped series resonant converter (CSRC); increasing current in the CSRC resonant at a first resonant frequency; controlling the switching of at least one reactive element into the CSRC resonant circuit to provide a new resonant frequency for the CSRC; manipulating voltages across the at least one reactive element of the CSRC resonant circuit; eliminating the current in the CSRC resonant circuit; and outputting a constant frequency signal from the CSRC.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
109 words
A method for the conversion of power at a constant frequency as claimed in claim 9, the method further comprising the step of repeating the steps of: providing an input signal to first and second input terminals of a clamped series resonant converter (CSRC); increasing current in the CSRC resonant at a first resonant frequency; controlling the switching of at least one reactive element into the CSRC resonant circuit to provide a new resonant frequency for the CSRC; manipulating voltages across the at least one reactive element of the CSRC resonant circuit; eliminating the current in the CSRC resonant circuit; and outputting a constant frequency signal from the CSRC.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method for the conversion of power at a constant frequency as claimed in claim 9 wherein the step of manipulating the voltages across the at least one reactive element of the CSRC resonant circuit comprises the steps of: clamping the voltages across a plurality of capacitive elements in the resonant circuit; and removing charge from the plurality of capacitive elements in the resonant circuit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method for the conversion of power at a constant frequency as claimed in claim 11, wherein the step of controlling the switching of a reactive element into the CSRC resonant circuit to provide a new resonant frequency comprises the steps of: feeding back output of the CSRC as input to a pulse width modulator (PWM); and providing PWM output to the CSRC and to a switch.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
59 words
A feedback loop control system for use with a clamped series resonant converter (CSRC) at constant frequency, comprising: a pulse width modulator (PWM) coupled to the CSRC; switching means coupled to the PWM; a plurality of reactive means coupled to the CSRC and the switching means; and the switching means coupled to at least one of the reactive means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
59 words
A feedback loop control system for use with a clamped series resonant converter (CSRC) at constant frequency, comprising: a pulse width modulator (PWM) coupled to the CSRC; switching means coupled to the PWM; a plurality of reactive means coupled to the CSRC and the switching means; and the switching means coupled to at least one of the reactive means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A feedback loop control system as claimed in claim 13 wherein the PWM and the switching means are each coupled to a feedback isolator.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
50 words
A feedback loop control system as claimed in claim 14 wherein the plurality of reactive means comprises: first capacitive means; second capacitive means coupled in parallel with the switching means forming a parallel combination; and the first capacitive means and the parallel combination coupled in series forming a series combination.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
A feedback loop control system as claimed in claim 15 wherein the feedback loop control system further comprises: first clamping means coupled in parallel to the series combination; and second clamping means coupled in parallel to the second capacitive means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
52 words
A feedback loop control system as claimed in claim 15 wherein the switching means further comprises a switch of three switch connections wherein: the first switch connection is coupled to the first capacitive means; and the second switch connection and the third switch connection are coupled together and to the feedback isolator.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
A feedback loop control system as claimed in claim 16 wherein the switching means includes a power metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-08-18 | 1996-02-17 | 1996-08-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-08-18 | 2000-02-17 | 2000-08-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-08-18 | 2004-02-17 | 2004-08-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |