US5594629A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High-frequency switching circuits operable in a natural zero-voltage switching mode
Assignee: General Electric Co
•
Filing: 1996-02-20
•
Granted: 1997-01-14
•
Expires: 2016-02-20
Abstract
Abstract A dc-to-dc power converter, comprising a transformer, a single primary-side power switching device and a parallel combination of a diode and a capacitance, is controlled to operate in a "natural" zero-voltage switching mode such that the power switching device is switched with zero-voltage thereacross. Due to the simplicity of the circuit, i.e., very few components, and its high-frequency capability, it can be implemented using high-density packaging techniques. Such a converter is useful in ultra-high-density point-of-load dc-to-dc converters for distributed power systems.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L. Steigerwald
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:30
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M3/00; H02M3/02; H02M3/04; H02M3/10; H02M3/145; H02M3/155; H02M3/22; H02M3/24; H02M3/28; H02M3/325; H02M3/335; H02M3/33569; H02M3/33576
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A dc-to-dc power converter, comprising: a transformer comprising a primary winding and a secondary winding, said transformer dividing the converter into a higher dc voltage primary side and a lower dc voltage secondary side; a single primary-side power switching device; a parallel combination of a diode and a capacitance situated on said secondary side; and control means for operating said power converter in a natural zero-voltage switching mode without actively reversing current in said secondary winding, thereby minimizing circulating currents in said switching device, such that the voltage across said power switching device resonates down to substantially zero as the current through said diode resonates substantially to zero whereupon said control means turns on said primary-side switching device with substantially zero-voltage thereacross.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A dc-to-dc power converter, comprising: a transformer comprising a primary winding and a secondary winding, said transformer dividing the converter into a higher dc voltage primary side and a lower dc voltage secondary side; a single primary-side power switching device; a parallel combination of a diode and a capacitance situated on said secondary side; and control means for operating said power converter in a natural zero-voltage switching mode without actively reversing current in said secondary winding, thereby minimizing circulating currents in said switching device, such that the voltage across said power switching device resonates down to substantially zero as the current through said diode resonates substantially to zero whereupon said control means turns on said primary-side switching device with substantially zero-voltage thereacross.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The converter of claim 1 wherein said control means switches said primary-side switching device with an approximately 50% or greater duty cycle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The converter of claim 1 wherein said transformer comprises a tapped inductor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The converter of claim 1 wherein said transformer comprises an HDI structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The converter of claim 1, further comprising frequency control means for regulating the output voltage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The converter of claim 1 wherein said parallel combination of said diode and said capacitance is implemented using another power switching device.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
215 words
A dc-to-dc power converter,comprising: a transformer comprising a primary winding said and a secondary winding, said transformer dividing the converter into a higher dc voltage primary side and a lower dc voltage secondary side; a primary-side power switching device; a secondary-side power switching device having an integral parasitic diode; and control means for operating said power converter at frequencies below a threshold frequency in a natural zero-voltage switching mode without actively reversing current in said secondary winding, thereby minimizing circulating currents in said switching device, such that the voltage across said primary-side power switching device resonates down to substantially zero as the current through said parasitic diode resonates substantially to zero whereupon said control means switches said primary-side power switching device with substantially zero-voltage thereacross, said secondary-side power switching device remaining off at frequencies below said threshold frequency, said control means operating said power converter in a zero-voltage switching mode at frequencies above said threshold frequency such that the current is reversed in said secondary-side power switching device until there is sufficient energy storage such that said secondary-side power switching device is turned off to allow the voltage across said primary-side power switching device to resonate down to substantially zero whereupon said control means turn on said primary-side power switching device with substantially zero-voltage thereacross.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
215 words
A dc-to-dc power converter,comprising: a transformer comprising a primary winding said and a secondary winding, said transformer dividing the converter into a higher dc voltage primary side and a lower dc voltage secondary side; a primary-side power switching device; a secondary-side power switching device having an integral parasitic diode; and control means for operating said power converter at frequencies below a threshold frequency in a natural zero-voltage switching mode without actively reversing current in said secondary winding, thereby minimizing circulating currents in said switching device, such that the voltage across said primary-side power switching device resonates down to substantially zero as the current through said parasitic diode resonates substantially to zero whereupon said control means switches said primary-side power switching device with substantially zero-voltage thereacross, said secondary-side power switching device remaining off at frequencies below said threshold frequency, said control means operating said power converter in a zero-voltage switching mode at frequencies above said threshold frequency such that the current is reversed in said secondary-side power switching device until there is sufficient energy storage such that said secondary-side power switching device is turned off to allow the voltage across said primary-side power switching device to resonate down to substantially zero whereupon said control means turn on said primary-side power switching device with substantially zero-voltage thereacross.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The converter of claim 7 wherein said control means switches said primary-side power switching device with an approximately 50% or greater duty cycle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The converter of claim 7 wherein said transformer comprises a tapped inductor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The converter of claim 7 wherein said transformer comprises an HDI structure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The converter of claim 7, further comprising frequency control means for regulating the output voltage.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4189764A
Cited
US4672303A
Cited
US4783695A
Cited
US4864479A
Cited
US4912622A
Cited
US4870555A
Cited
US4866587A
Cited
US5057986A
Cited
US5177675A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-01-14 | 2000-07-15 | 2001-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-01-14 | 2004-07-15 | 2005-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-01-14 | 2008-07-15 | 2009-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |