Patent US5786992A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5786992A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Efficient power conversion
Assignee: VLT Corp
•
Filing: 1996-07-29
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Granted: 1998-07-28
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Expires: 2016-07-29
Abstract
Abstract In a power conversion scheme, a power conversion apparatus consisting of boost conversion elements for effecting a boost conversion of power originating from a varying voltage source; additional conversion elements for also effecting conversion of power originating from the varying voltage source; and circuitry for selectively configuring the conversion elements with respect to delivery of power to a load to achieve greater conversion efficiency than if all of the power delivered to the load were constrained to flow through the additional conversion elements and at least some of the boost conversion elements. In another aspect power is converted from a voltage source having a predetermined source voltage range, and delivered to a load via two sets of power conversion elements, each set for effecting conversion of power from the voltage source, at least one of the sets having an input operating voltage range narrower than the source voltage range. The apparatus includes control circuitry for configuring and reconfiguring interconnections of the two sets with the voltage source and the load to provide an input operating voltage range for the apparatus which is greater than the input operating range of the set of power conversion elements having the narrower input operating voltage range. In another aspect, the input voltage operating range is enhanced for a power conversion circuit which has two sets of power conversion elements arranged to share power delivered to a load. The circuit is selectively configured with the two sets in series or not in series in a manner so that the input voltage operating range of the power conversion circuit is broader than the input voltage operating range of either of the sets of power conversion elements.
Inventors
- 👤 Patrizio Vinciarelli
- 👤 Richard E. Beede
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 11:58
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M1/00; H02M1/42; H02M1/4208; H02J; H02J1/00; H02J1/10; H02J1/102; H02M1/10; H02M1/4225; H02M3/00; H02M3/02; H02M3/04; H02M3/10; H02M3/145; H02M3/155; H02M3/156; H02M3/158; H02M3/22; H02M3/24; H02M3/28; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B70/00; Y02B70/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 72
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
Apparatus for converting power from a varying voltage source and delivering it to a load, comprising boost conversion elements for effecting a boost conversion of power originating from the varying voltage source, additional conversion elements for also effecting conversion of power originating from the varying voltage source, and a power factor correcting controller for causing variations in current drawn from the voltage source to follow variations in voltage of the voltage source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
72 words
Apparatus for converting power from a varying voltage source and delivering it to a load, comprising boost conversion elements for effecting a boost conversion of power originating from the varying voltage source, additional conversion elements for also effecting conversion of power originating from the varying voltage source, and a power factor correcting controller for causing variations in current drawn from the voltage source to follow variations in voltage of the voltage source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising circuitry for selectively configuring the conversion elements with respect to delivery of power to the load to achieve greater conversion efficiency than if all of the power delivered to the load were constrained to flow through the additional conversion elements and at least some of the boost conversion elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the circuitry selectively configures the conversion elements so that during some periods the power delivered to the load is constrained not to flow through the boost conversion elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the power is constrained not to flow through the boost conversion elements more than half of the time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the circuitry selectively configures the conversion elements based on the voltage level of the varying voltage source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the circuitry selectively configures the conversion elements based on when the voltage level of the varying voltage source falls within a specific range of values.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the circuitry selectively configures the conversion elements based on when the voltage level of the varying voltage source passes a threshold.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the threshold is based on a minimum input operating voltage of the additional conversion elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein power converted by the boost conversion elements is delivered to the additional conversion elements for further conversion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein all of the power converted by the boost conversion elements is delivered to the additional conversion elements for further conversion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein power converted by the boost conversion elements is delivered to the additional conversion elements via a unidirectional element biased to permit current to pass only from the boost conversion elements toward the additional conversion elements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein power converted by the boost conversion elements is delivered via a short circuit path directly to the additional conversion elements.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein during the periods when the power is constrained not to flow through the boost conversion elements, it is delivered from the voltage source to the additional conversion elements via a unidirectional component.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the voltage source is connected to the boost conversion elements via a switch which in one state disconnects the voltage source from the boost conversion elements.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the voltage source is connected to the boost conversion elements via a short circuit path.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the circuitry for selectively configuring the conversion elements comprises a switch controller for controlling the switch.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the additional conversion elements have a minimum input operating voltage and the boost conversion elements deliver power to the additional conversion elements at a voltage which is greater than the minimum input operating voltage of the additional conversion elements.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the additional conversion elements provide galvanic isolation between the source and the load.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the power factor correcting controller is associated with the additional conversion elements.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the power factor correcting controller regulates the voltage across the load to a predetermined value.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the voltage source comprises an AC source and further comprising a rectifier for rectifying the AC source.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the rectifier comprises a full wave rectifier.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the rectified power from the input power source is delivered via a short circuit path directly to the input of the boost conversion elements.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the voltage source comprises an AC source and further comprising a rectifier for rectifying the AC source.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the rectifier comprises a full wave rectifier.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the additional conversion elements comprise a pair of converters operating in a power sharing arrangement.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 26 further comprising reconfiguration control circuitry for connecting the pair of converters either in series or in parallel.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said power sharing arrangement comprises power sharing control circuitry.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the reconfiguration control circuitry connects the pair of converters in series when the voltage of the input source crosses a threshold.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the reconfiguration control circuitry connects the pair of converters in parallel when the voltage of the input source crosses a threshold.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 29 or 30 wherein the threshold is related to the maximum input operating voltage of either converter.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the converters share essentially equally in the power delivered to the load.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the converters comprise ZCS converters.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 33 wherein one of the ZCS converters comprises a booster and the other ZCS converter comprises a driver.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus of claim 33 wherein each of the converters of the pair has a positive input and a negative input, and further comprising a switch connecting the positive inputs of the two converters, a switch connecting the negative inputs of the two converters, and a diode connecting the positive input of one of the converters to the negative input of the other converter.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the additional conversion elements comprise more than two converters operating in a power sharing arrangement.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 26 further comprising output control circuitry for connecting the outputs of the pair of converters either in series or in parallel.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the output control circuitry connects the outputs of the pair of converters in series when the voltage at the input of the converters crosses a threshold.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the output control circuitry connects the outputs of the pair of converters in parallel when the voltage at the input of the converters crosses a threshold.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 38 or 39 wherein the threshold is related to the minimum input operating voltage of either converter.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising separate full wave rectifier circuits, the first rectifier circuit being interposed between the input source and the boost conversion elements, and the second rectifier circuit being interposed between the input source and the additional conversion elements.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the output of the second rectifier circuit is connected by a short circuit path to the input of the additional conversion elements.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 41 wherein the rectifier circuits comprise six unidirectional elements forming two bridges each having four of the unidirectional elements, two of the unidirectional elements belonging to both bridges, one of the bridges having its output connected to the boost conversion elements, the other having its output connected to the additional conversion elements.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
55 words
A method for converting power from a varying voltage source and delivering it to a load, comprising causing a boost conversion of power originating from the varying voltage source in boost conversion elements, another conversion of power originating from the varying voltage source in additional conversion elements, and power factor correcting the conversion of power.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
55 words
A method for converting power from a varying voltage source and delivering it to a load, comprising causing a boost conversion of power originating from the varying voltage source in boost conversion elements, another conversion of power originating from the varying voltage source in additional conversion elements, and power factor correcting the conversion of power.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 44 wherein the conversions are caused selectively in a manner, with respect to delivery of power to the load, to achieve greater conversion efficiency than if all of the power delivered to the load were constrained to flow through the additional conversion elements and at least some of the boost conversion elements.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 45 wherein the conversions are caused selectively to achieve a greater input voltage operating range for the apparatus than if all of the power delivered to the load were constrained to flow only through the additional conversion elements.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 44 wherein the additional conversion is caused to occur in two converters.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 47 further comprising selectively connecting the inputs of the two converters in parallel or series.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 47 further comprising selectively connecting the outputs of the two converters in parallel or series.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
107 words
Apparatus for converting power from a voltage source having a predetermined source voltage range, and delivering it to a load comprising two sets of power conversion elements, each set for effecting conversion of power from the voltage source, at least one of the sets having an input operating voltage range narrower than the source voltage range, and control circuitry for configuring and reconfiguring interconnections of the two sets with the voltage source and the load to provide an input operating voltage range for said apparatus which is greater than the input operating range of the set of power conversion elements having the narrower input operating voltage range.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
107 words
Apparatus for converting power from a voltage source having a predetermined source voltage range, and delivering it to a load comprising two sets of power conversion elements, each set for effecting conversion of power from the voltage source, at least one of the sets having an input operating voltage range narrower than the source voltage range, and control circuitry for configuring and reconfiguring interconnections of the two sets with the voltage source and the load to provide an input operating voltage range for said apparatus which is greater than the input operating range of the set of power conversion elements having the narrower input operating voltage range.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the two sets operate in a power sharing arrangement.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the control circuitry connects the outputs of the two sets either in series or in parallel.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the control circuitry connects the outputs of the two sets in series when the voltage at the input of the two sets crosses a threshold.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the control circuitry connects the outputs of the two sets in parallel when the voltage at the input of the two sets crosses a threshold.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 53 or 54 wherein the threshold is related to the minimum input operating voltage of either of the sets.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the sets share essentially equally in the power delivered to the load.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the two sets comprise ZCS converters.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for enhancing the input voltage operating range of a power conversion circuit which has two sets of power conversion elements arranged to share power delivered to a load, comprising configuring the circuit with the two sets selectively in series or in parallel so that the input voltage operating range of the power conversion circuit is broader than the input voltage operating range of either of the sets of power conversion elements.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for enhancing the input voltage operating range of a power conversion circuit which has two sets of power conversion elements arranged to share power delivered to a load, comprising configuring the circuit with the two sets selectively in series or in parallel so that the input voltage operating range of the power conversion circuit is broader than the input voltage operating range of either of the sets of power conversion elements.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 58 wherein the two sets are configured in series by configuring their inputs in series.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 58 wherein the two sets are configured in series by configuring their outputs in series.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 58 wherein the two sets are configured in parallel by configuring their inputs in parallel.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 58 wherein the two sets are configured in parallel by configuring their outputs in parallel.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
81 words
An apparatus for converting power from a voltage source having a predetermined source voltage range, and delivering it to a load comprising two sets of power conversion elements arranged to share power delivered to a load, each set having an input voltage operating range, circuitry for selectively configuring the power conversion elements in series or in parallel so that an input voltage range of the configuration is greater than the input voltage operating range of either set of power conversion elements.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
81 words
An apparatus for converting power from a voltage source having a predetermined source voltage range, and delivering it to a load comprising two sets of power conversion elements arranged to share power delivered to a load, each set having an input voltage operating range, circuitry for selectively configuring the power conversion elements in series or in parallel so that an input voltage range of the configuration is greater than the input voltage operating range of either set of power conversion elements.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 63 wherein configuring the power conversion elements in series comprises connecting their inputs in series.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 63 wherein configuring the power conversion elements in series comprises connecting their inputs in parallel.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 63 wherein configuring the power conversion elements in parallel comprises connecting their inputs in parallel.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 63 wherein configuring the power conversion elements in parallel comprises connecting their outputs in parallel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-07-27 | 2002-01-26 | 2002-07-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-07-27 | 2006-01-26 | 2006-07-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-07-27 | 2010-01-26 | 2010-07-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |