Portable computer having built-in AC adapter incorporating a space efficient electromagnetic interference filter

Claim 2

A volume efficient line filter, comprising: a first connector for electrically connecting said input side of said line filter to an alternating current main; a bridge rectifier circuit having an AC input side electrically connected to said first connector and not to any capacitor, and a DC output side, said bridge rectifier circuit converting alternating current to direct current; an electromagnetic interference filter having an input side electrically connected to said DC output side of said bridge rectifier circuit and an output side, said electromagnetic interference filter removing noise from said direct current output by said bridge rectifier circuit; and a second connector for electrically connecting said output side of said electromagnetic interference filter to a DC output line.

Claim 3

A volume efficient line filter according to claim 1 wherein said electromagnetic interference filter further comprises a multilayer ceramic capacitor electrically connected in parallel with said DC output side of said bridge rectifier circuit.

Claim 4

A volume efficient line filter according to claim 2 wherein said electromagnetic interference filter further comprises: first inductor means for providing a common mode choke of line noise, said first inductor means electrically connected in parallel with said multilayer ceramic capacitor; and second inductor means for providing a differential mode choke of line noise, said second inductor means electrically connected to said first inductor means.

Claim 5

A volume efficient line filter according to claim 3 and further comprising a bulk capacitor electrically connected to said first and second inductor means, said bulk capacitor converting direct current output by said bridge rectifier circuit into stored energy for transfer to said DC output line.

Claim 6

The volume efficient line filter of claim 1, wherein said AC input side of said bridge rectifier circuit is connected to a transient voltage suppressor, but is not connected to any electromagnetic interference filter.

Claim 7

The volume efficient line filter of claim 1, wherein said AC input side of said bridge rectifier circuit is not connected to any inductor.

Claim 8

A volume efficient power supply, said power supply converting alternating current to direct current, comprising: a first connector for electrically connecting said power supply to an alternating current main; a bridge rectifier circuit having an AC input side electrically connected to said first connector and not to any capacitor, and a DC output side, said bridge rectifier circuit converting alternating current to direct current; an electromagnetic interference filter having an input side electrically connected to said DC output side of said bridge rectifier circuit and an output side, said electromagnetic interference filter removing noise from said direct current output by said bridge rectifier circuit; and a second connector for electrically connecting said output side of said electromagnetic interference filter and an output line.

Claim 9

A volume efficient power supply, said power supply converting alternating current to direct current, comprising: a first connector for electrically connecting said power supply to an alternating current main; a bridge rectifier circuit having an AC input side electrically connected to said first connector and not to any capacitor, and a DC output side, said bridge rectifier circuit converting alternating current to direct current; an electromagnetic interference filter having an input side electrically connected to said DC output side of said bridge rectifier circuit and an output side, said electromagnetic interference filter removing noise from said direct current output by said bridge rectifier circuit; and a second connector for electrically connecting said output side of said electromagnetic interference filter and an output line.

Claim 10

The volume efficient power supply of claim 7, wherein said AC input side of said bridge rectifier circuit is connected to a transient voltage suppressor, but is not connected to any electromagnetic interference filter.

Claim 11

The volume efficient power supply of claim 7, wherein said AC input side of said bridge rectifier circuit is not connected to any inductor.

Claim 12

A volume efficient power supply according to claim 7 wherein said electromagnetic interference filter further comprises a multilayer ceramic capacitor electrically connected in parallel with said DC output side of said bridge rectifier circuit.

Claim 13

A volume efficient power supply according to claim 10 wherein said electromagnetic interference filter further comprises: first inductor means for providing a common mode choke of line noise, said first inductor means electrically connected in parallel with said multilayer ceramic capacitor; and second inductor means for providing a differential mode choke of line noise, said second inductor means electrically connected to said first inductor means.

Claim 14

A volume efficient power supply according to claim 11 and further comprising a bulk capacitor electrically connected to said first and second inductor means, said bulk capacitor converting direct current output by said bridge rectifier circuit into stored energy for transfer to energy demanding components coupled to said output line.

Claim 15

A volume efficient power supply according to claim 12 wherein said volume efficient power supply is coupled to a portable personal computer.

Claim 16

A volume efficient power supply converting alternating current to direct current, comprising: a first connector for electrically connecting said power supply to an alternating current main; a bridge rectifier circuit having an AC input side electrically connected to said first connector and a DC output side, said bridge rectifier circuit converting alternating current to direct current; an electromagnetic interference filter having an input side electrically connected to said DC output side of said bridge rectifier circuit and an output side, said electromagnetic interference filter removing noise from said direct current output by said bridge rectifier circuit; and a second connector for electrically connecting said DC output side of said electromagnetic interference filter and an output line; wherein said electromagnetic interference filter further comprises a multilayer ceramic capacitor electrically connected in parallel with said DC output side of said bridge rectifier circuit; wherein said electromagnetic interference filter further comprises: first inductor means for providing a common mode choke of line noise, said first inductor means electrically connected in parallel with said multilayer ceramic capacitor; and second inductor means for providing a differential mode choke of line noise, said second inductor means electrically connected to said first inductor means; and further comprising a bulk capacitor electrically connected to said first and second inductor means, said bulk capacitor converting direct current output by said bridge rectifier circuit into stored energy for transfer to energy demanding components coupled to said output line; wherein said volume efficient power supply is coupled to a portable personal computer, and housed within a main chassis portion of said portable personal computer.

Claim 17

A volume efficient power supply converting alternating current to direct current, comprising: a first connector for electrically connecting said power supply to an alternating current main; a bridge rectifier circuit having an AC input side electrically connected to said first connector and a DC output side, said bridge rectifier circuit converting alternating current to direct current; an electromagnetic interference filter having an input side electrically connected to said DC output side of said bridge rectifier circuit and an output side, said electromagnetic interference filter removing noise from said direct current output by said bridge rectifier circuit; and a second connector for electrically connecting said DC output side of said electromagnetic interference filter and an output line; wherein said electromagnetic interference filter further comprises a multilayer ceramic capacitor electrically connected in parallel with said DC output side of said bridge rectifier circuit; wherein said electromagnetic interference filter further comprises: first inductor means for providing a common mode choke of line noise, said first inductor means electrically connected in parallel with said multilayer ceramic capacitor; and second inductor means for providing a differential mode choke of line noise, said second inductor means electrically connected to said first inductor means; and further comprising a bulk capacitor electrically connected to said first and second inductor means, said bulk capacitor converting direct current output by said bridge rectifier circuit into stored energy for transfer to energy demanding components coupled to said output line; wherein said volume efficient power supply is coupled to a portable personal computer, and housed within a main chassis portion of said portable personal computer.

Claim 18

The volume efficient power supply of claim 14, wherein said AC input side of said bridge rectifier circuit is connected to a transient voltage suppressor, but is not connected to any electromagnetic interference filter.

Claim 19

The volume efficient power supply of claim 14, wherein said AC input side of said bridge rectifier circuit is not connected to any inductor.

Claim 20

A volume efficient AC adapter for a portable personal computer, said AC adapter converting alternating current to direct current, comprising: a first connector for electrically connecting said AC adapter to an alternating current main; a bridge rectifier circuit having an AC input side electrically connected to said first connector and not to any capacitor, and a DC output side, said bridge rectifier circuit converting alternating current to direct current; an electromagnetic interference filter having an input side electrically connected to said DC output side of said bridge rectifier circuit and an output side, said electromagnetic interference filter removing noise from said direct current output by said bridge rectifier circuit; and a second connector for electrically connecting said output side of said electromagnetic interference filter and said portable personal computer.

Claim 21

A volume efficient AC adapter for a portable personal computer, said AC adapter converting alternating current to direct current, comprising: a first connector for electrically connecting said AC adapter to an alternating current main; a bridge rectifier circuit having an AC input side electrically connected to said first connector and not to any capacitor, and a DC output side, said bridge rectifier circuit converting alternating current to direct current; an electromagnetic interference filter having an input side electrically connected to said DC output side of said bridge rectifier circuit and an output side, said electromagnetic interference filter removing noise from said direct current output by said bridge rectifier circuit; and a second connector for electrically connecting said output side of said electromagnetic interference filter and said portable personal computer.

Claim 22

A volume efficient AC adapter for a portable personal computer according to claim 11 wherein said electromagnetic interference filter further comprises a multilayer ceramic capacitor electrically connected in parallel with said DC output side of said bridge rectifier circuit.

Claim 23

A volume efficient AC adapter for a portable personal computer according to claim 18 wherein said electromagnetic interference filter further comprises: first inductor means for providing a common mode choke of line noise, said first inductor means electrically connected in parallel with said multilayer ceramic capacitor; and second inductor means for providing a differential mode choke of line noise, said second inductor means electrically connected to said first inductor means.

Claim 24

A volume efficient AC adapter for a portable personal computer according to claim 19 and further comprising a bulk capacitor electrically connected to said first and second inductor means, said bulk capacitor converting direct current output by said bridge rectifier circuit into stored energy for transfer to said portable personal computer.

Claim 25

A volume efficient AC adapter for a portable personal computer according to claim 20 and further comprising a transient voltage suppressor electrically connected in parallel with said AC input side of said bridge rectifier circuit.

Claim 26

A volume efficient AC adapter for a portable personal computer according to claim 21 and further comprising a fuse electrically connected between said first connector and said AC input side of said bridge rectifier circuit.

Claim 27

A volume efficient AC adapter for a portable personal computer according to claim 20 and further comprising a transient voltage suppressor electrically connected in parallel with said multilayer ceramic capacitor.

Claim 28

A volume efficient AC adapter for a portable personal computer according to claim 23 and further comprising a fuse electrically connected between said first connector and said AC input side of said bridge rectifier circuit.

Claim 29

An AC adapter for a portable personal computer, said AC adapter converting alternating current to direct current, comprising: a first connector for electrically connecting said AC adapter to an alternating current main; a bridge rectifier circuit having an AC input side electrically connected to said first connector and not to any capacitor, and a DC output side, said bridge rectifier converting alternating current to direct current; an electromagnetic interference filter having an input side electrically connected to said DC output side of said bridge rectifier circuit and an output side, said electromagnetic interference filter including: a multilayer ceramic capacitor electrically connected in parallel with said DC output side of said bridge rectifier circuit; first inductor means for providing a common mode choke of line noise, said first inductor means electrically connected in parallel with said multilayer ceramic capacitor; second inductor means for providing a differential mode choke of line noise, said second inductor means electrically connected to said first inductor means; a bulk capacitor electrically connected in parallel with said output side of said electromagnetic interference filter, said bulk capacitor converting direct current output by said bridge rectifier circuit into stored energy for transfer to said portable personal computer; a second connector for electrically connecting said output side of said electromagnetic interference filter and said portable personal computer.

Claim 30

An AC adapter for a portable personal computer, said AC adapter converting alternating current to direct current, comprising: a first connector for electrically connecting said AC adapter to an alternating current main; a bridge rectifier circuit having an AC input side electrically connected to said first connector and not to any capacitor, and a DC output side, said bridge rectifier converting alternating current to direct current; an electromagnetic interference filter having an input side electrically connected to said DC output side of said bridge rectifier circuit and an output side, said electromagnetic interference filter including: a multilayer ceramic capacitor electrically connected in parallel with said DC output side of said bridge rectifier circuit; first inductor means for providing a common mode choke of line noise, said first inductor means electrically connected in parallel with said multilayer ceramic capacitor; second inductor means for providing a differential mode choke of line noise, said second inductor means electrically connected to said first inductor means; a bulk capacitor electrically connected in parallel with said output side of said electromagnetic interference filter, said bulk capacitor converting direct current output by said bridge rectifier circuit into stored energy for transfer to said portable personal computer; a second connector for electrically connecting said output side of said electromagnetic interference filter and said portable personal computer.

Claim 31

The AC adaptor of claim 25, wherein no capacitor except said bulk capacitor is connected to said second inductor means.

Claim 32

The AC adaptor of claim 25, wherein said AC input side of said bridge rectifier circuit is not connected to any inductor.

Claim 33

The AC adaptor of claim 25, wherein said AC input side of said bridge rectifier circuit is connected to a transient voltage suppressor, but is not connected to any electromagnetic interference filter.

Claim 34

An AC adapter for a portable personal computer according to claim 25 and further comprising a transient voltage suppressor electrically connected in parallel with said AC input side of said bridge rectifier circuit.

Claim 35

An AC adapter for a portable personal computer according to claim 29 and further comprising a fuse electrically connected between said first connector and said AC input side of said bridge rectifier circuit.

Claim 36

An AC adapter for a portable personal computer according to claim 25 and further comprising a transient voltage suppressor electrically connected in parallel with said multilayer ceramic capacitor.

Claim 37

An AC adapter for a portable personal computer according to claim 31 and further comprising a fuse electrically connected between said first connector and said AC input side of said bridge rectifier circuit.

Claim 38

For a portable personal computer having a main chassis portion and at least one energy demanding component positioned within said main chassis portion, an internal AC adapter positioned within said main chassis portion, said internal AC adapter converting alternating current received from an alternating current main to direct current for transmission to said at least one energy demanding component, said internal AC adapter comprising: a first connector for electrically connecting said internal AC adapter to said alternating current main; a bridge rectifier circuit having an AC input side electrically connected to said first connector and not to any capacitor, and a DC output side; and a space efficient electromagnetic interference filter having an input side electrically connected to said DC output side of said bridge rectifier circuit and an output side; said bridge rectifier circuit converting alternating current received from said first connector to direct current for transmission to said space efficient electromagnetic interference filter; said space efficient electromagnetic interference filter including at least one capacitative element for filtering noise from said direct current transmitted to said space efficient electromagnetic filter by said bridge rectifier circuit; said at least one energy-demanding component being electrically connected to said output side of said space efficient electromagnetic interference filter and receiving filtered direct current therefrom; whereby placement of said electromagnetic interference filter on said DC output side of said bridge rectifier circuit enables usage of reduced size capacitors for said at least one capacitative element.

Claim 39

For a portable personal computer having a main chassis portion and at least one energy demanding component positioned within said main chassis portion, an internal AC adapter positioned within said main chassis portion, said internal AC adapter converting alternating current received from an alternating current main to direct current for transmission to said at least one energy demanding component, said internal AC adapter comprising: a first connector for electrically connecting said internal AC adapter to said alternating current main; a bridge rectifier circuit having an AC input side electrically connected to said first connector and not to any capacitor, and a DC output side; and a space efficient electromagnetic interference filter having an input side electrically connected to said DC output side of said bridge rectifier circuit and an output side; said bridge rectifier circuit converting alternating current received from said first connector to direct current for transmission to said space efficient electromagnetic interference filter; said space efficient electromagnetic interference filter including at least one capacitative element for filtering noise from said direct current transmitted to said space efficient electromagnetic filter by said bridge rectifier circuit; said at least one energy-demanding component being electrically connected to said output side of said space efficient electromagnetic interference filter and receiving filtered direct current therefrom; whereby placement of said electromagnetic interference filter on said DC output side of said bridge rectifier circuit enables usage of reduced size capacitors for said at least one capacitative element.

Claim 40

The AC adaptor of claim 33, wherein said AC input side of said bridge rectifier circuit is not connected to any inductor.

Claim 41

The AC adaptor of claim 33, wherein said AC input side of said bridge rectifier circuit is connected to a transient voltage suppressor, but is not connected to any electromagnetic interference filter.

Claim 42

An internal AC adapter for a portable personal computer according to claim 33 wherein said at least one capacitative element further comprises a multilayer ceramic capacitor.

Claim 43

An internal AC adapter for a portable personal computer according to claim 36 wherein said multilayer ceramic capacitor is electrically connected in parallel with said DC output side of said bridge rectifier circuit.

Claim 44

An internal AC adapter for a portable computer according to claim 33 wherein said at least one capacitative element is connected in parallel with said DC output side of said bridge rectifier circuit.

Claim 45

An internal AC adapter for a portable personal computer according to claim 38 wherein said space efficient electromagnetic filter further comprises at least one inductive element for blocking noise contained in said direct current transmitted to said space efficient electromagnetic filter by said bridge rectifier circuit.

Claim 46

An internal AC adapter for a portable personal computer according to claim 39 and further comprising an energy storage element electrically connected in parallel with said space efficient electromagnetic interference filter, said energy storage element converting direct current output by said bridge rectifier circuit into stored energy for transfer to said at least one energy-demanding component of portable personal computer.

Claim 47

An internal AC adapter for a portable personal computer according to claim 40 wherein said energy storage element further comprises a bulk capacitor.

Claim 48

An internal AC adapter for a portable personal computer according to claim 40 and further comprising a transient voltage suppressor electrically connected in parallel with said AC input side of said bridge rectifier circuit.

Claim 49

An internal AC adapter for a portable personal computer according to claim 42 and further comprising a fuse electrically connected between said first connector and said AC input side of said bridge rectifier circuit.

Claim 50

An internal AC adapter for a portable personal computer according to claim 40 and further comprising a transient voltage suppressor electrically connected in parallel with said multilayer ceramic capacitor.

Claim 51

An internal AC adapter for a portable personal computer according to claim 44 and further comprising a fuse electrically connected between said first connector and said AC input side of said bridge rectifier circuit.

Claim 52

An internal AC adapter for a portable personal computer according to claim 40 wherein said first connector further comprises a plug-in connector for insertably receiving said alternating current main and wherein said main chassis portion defines an access aperture through which said plug-in connector may be accessed.