US5654881A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Extended range DC-DC power converter circuit
Assignee: BAE Systems Controls Inc
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Filing: 1996-03-01
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Granted: 1997-08-05
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Expires: 2016-03-01
Abstract
Abstract A single-stage power converter has an input-to-output transfer characteristic with two portions, each having a different operational characteristic, with each portion being selected by changing ONLY the duty-cycle of the power switching devices. At low input voltage the converter operates as a Boost converter, while operating as a Buck converter for greater input voltages. This transfer characteristic is provided by a circuit wherein the primary winding center tap of a split-primary power transformer is coupled through an inductive element, with one of the pair of push-pull power switching devices connected to each primary winding end. Secondary winding rectification and filtering provides the power supply output in the Boost mode, and a portion of the power supply output in the Buck mode. The remainder of the Buck-mode output is supplied by the energy stored in the inductive element, preferably by use of a secondary winding on a transinductor (multiple-winding inductive) element having a primary winding providing the energy-storing inductance L.
Inventors
- 👤 Jonathan Joseph Albrecht
- 👤 Jason Andrew Young
- 👤 William Anders Peterson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:34
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M3/00; H02M3/22; H02M3/24; H02M3/28; H02M3/325; H02M3/335; H02M3/337; H02M3/3372
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A power converter, comprising: a power transformer having a split-primary winding with a tap connected between first and second primary winding ends, and a secondary winding flux coupled to the primary winding; input means for receiving an input voltage; output means for providing an output voltage; a transinductor having a primary winding connected between said input means and said split-primary winding tap, and having a secondary winding flux-coupled to the transinductor primary winding; first and second power switching means each for controllably causing a flow of current from an associated different one of said first and second primary winding ends; unidirectional-conduction means coupled to both said transformer secondary winding and said transinductor secondary winding for rectifying flux-coupled energy to provide an output voltage V o to said output means; and means for operating said power switching means in a cyclic fashion, and for controlling only a duty-cycle of the power switching means to maintain the output voltage V o at a preselected level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
A power converter, comprising: a power transformer having a split-primary winding with a tap connected between first and second primary winding ends, and a secondary winding flux coupled to the primary winding; input means for receiving an input voltage; output means for providing an output voltage; a transinductor having a primary winding connected between said input means and said split-primary winding tap, and having a secondary winding flux-coupled to the transinductor primary winding; first and second power switching means each for controllably causing a flow of current from an associated different one of said first and second primary winding ends; unidirectional-conduction means coupled to both said transformer secondary winding and said transinductor secondary winding for rectifying flux-coupled energy to provide an output voltage V o to said output means; and means for operating said power switching means in a cyclic fashion, and for controlling only a duty-cycle of the power switching means to maintain the output voltage V o at a preselected level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The converter of claim 1, wherein said operating means receives a feedback sample of said output voltage V o for controlling only said switching means duty-cycle to selectively operate in a Buck portion or a Boost portion of an input-to-output transfer characteristic to regulate said output voltage at said preselected level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The converter of claim 1, wherein each of the transformer and transinductor has a substantially similar primary winding-to-secondary winding turns ratio N:1.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The converter of claim 1, further comprising: another output means; and another unidirectional-conduction means coupled to both said secondary windings for rectifying other flux-coupled energy to provide at said another output means another converter output voltage of substantially the same amplitude V o but of opposite polarity as the output voltage at said output means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
The converter of claim 4, wherein said transinductor has a pair of secondary windings; each of said unidirectional-conduction means and said another unidirectional-conduction means being coupled to a different one of said pair of secondary windings and connected to corresponding different ones of said output means and said another output means to provide oppositely-poled ones of said output voltage and said another output voltage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The converter of claim 1, wherein the switching means are semiconductor switching devices.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
10 words
The converter of claim 6, wherein the devices are MOSFETs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The converter of claim 1, wherein each of the unidirectional-conducting means comprises at least one diode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The converter of claim 8, wherein each diode is a semiconductive diode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The converter of claim 1, wherein the switching means are a pair of switching devices operated in a push-pull mode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The converter of claim 1, wherein the switching means are switched at a operating frequency greater than 1 KHz.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The converter of claim 11, wherein the switching means are switched at a operating frequency on the order of 500 KHz.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The converter of claim 1, wherein the output voltage is always less than a maximum input voltage.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The converter of claim 13, wherein the input voltage is variable over at least a 10:1maximum-to-minimum range.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The converter of claim 1, wherein the input voltage is variable over at least a 10:1 maximum-to-minimum range.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The converter of claim 1, wherein the power transformer has a split-secondary winding, having a center tap connectable to a converter common potential.
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) | 2000-08-04 | 2001-02-03 | 2001-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-08-04 | 2005-02-03 | 2005-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-08-04 | 2009-02-03 | 2009-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |