US5959443A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Controller circuit for controlling a step down switching regulator operating in discontinuous conduction mode
Assignee: Asahi Kasei Toko Power Devices Corp
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Filing: 1997-11-14
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Granted: 1999-09-28
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Expires: 2017-11-14
Abstract
Abstract A controller circuit for controlling and continuously varying the average value of discontinuous current pulses in a step down switching regulator operating in discontinuous conduction mode effects improvements in efficiency and output ripple of the switching regulator.
Inventors
- 👤 Troy J. Littlefield
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 13:57
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05F; G05F1/00; G05F1/10; G05F1/46; G05F1/56; G05F1/565; H; H02; H02M; H02M3/00; H02M3/02; H02M3/04; H02M3/10; H02M3/145; H02M3/155; H02M3/156; H02M3/1563
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
249 words
A controller circuit for controlling a step down switching regulator of the type having an input voltage source connected to a first switching device to be controlled by said controller circuit, an output terminal for providing a substantially constant output voltage that is less than an input voltage provided by the input voltage source, a capacitor connected to the output terminal, an inductive energy storage element connected between the first switching device and the output terminal, a current sensing resistor connected in series with the inductive energy storage element, and a rectifying device connected between ground and the first switching device, the controller circuit comprising: first circuit means for monitoring the output voltage of the switching regulator to generate a first feedback signal; second circuit means for monitoring a current flowing in the inductive energy storage element to generate a second feedback signal; third circuit means for initiating a first state of operation in response to the first feedback signal, the current flowing in the inductive energy storage element continuously increasing during the first state of operation; fourth circuit means for initiating a second state of operation in response to the first feedback signal, the current flowing in the inductive energy storage element continuously decreasing during the second state of operation; and fifth circuit means for initiating a third state of operation in response to the second feedback signal, the current flowing in the inductive energy storage element being substantially equal to zero during the third state of operation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
249 words
A controller circuit for controlling a step down switching regulator of the type having an input voltage source connected to a first switching device to be controlled by said controller circuit, an output terminal for providing a substantially constant output voltage that is less than an input voltage provided by the input voltage source, a capacitor connected to the output terminal, an inductive energy storage element connected between the first switching device and the output terminal, a current sensing resistor connected in series with the inductive energy storage element, and a rectifying device connected between ground and the first switching device, the controller circuit comprising: first circuit means for monitoring the output voltage of the switching regulator to generate a first feedback signal; second circuit means for monitoring a current flowing in the inductive energy storage element to generate a second feedback signal; third circuit means for initiating a first state of operation in response to the first feedback signal, the current flowing in the inductive energy storage element continuously increasing during the first state of operation; fourth circuit means for initiating a second state of operation in response to the first feedback signal, the current flowing in the inductive energy storage element continuously decreasing during the second state of operation; and fifth circuit means for initiating a third state of operation in response to the second feedback signal, the current flowing in the inductive energy storage element being substantially equal to zero during the third state of operation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A controller circuit as in claim 1 wherein said rectifying device comprises a second switching device and said fourth circuit means is operative for turning on said second switching device during said second state of operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A controller circuit as in claim 1 wherein a minimum duration of said first state of operation is a function of the second feedback signal exceeding a first reference signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A controller circuit as in claim 3 wherein said rectifying device comprises a second switching device and said fourth circuit means is operative for turning on said second switching device during said second state of operation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A controller circuit as in claim 1 wherein a maximum duration of said first state of operation is a function of the second feedback signal exceeding a second reference signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A controller circuit as in claim 5 wherein said rectifying device comprises a second switching device and said fourth circuit means is operative for turning on said second switching device during said second state of operation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
A controller circuit as in claim 1 wherein a minimum duration of said first state of operation is a function of the second feedback signal exceeding a first reference signal and a maximum duration of said first state of operation is a function of the second feedback signal exceeding a second reference signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A controller circuit as in claim 7 wherein said rectifying device comprises a second switching device and said fourth circuit means is operative for turning on said second switching device during said second state of operation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A controller circuit as in claim 7 wherein the minimum and maximum duration of the first state of operation effectively limits a minimum and a maximum peak current flowing through the inductive energy storage element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A controller circuit as in claim 9 wherein said rectifying device comprises a second switching device and said fourth circuit means is operative for turning on said second switching device during said second state of operation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
A controller circuit as in claim 9 wherein the response to the first feedback signal serves to continuously vary a nominal peak current flowing through the inductive energy storage element between said minimum peak current and said maximum peak current.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
A controller circuit as in claim 11 wherein said rectifying device comprises a second switching device and said fourth circuit means is operative for turning on said second switching device during said second state of operation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
236 words
A controller circuit for controlling a step down switching regulator of the type having an input voltage source connected to a first switching device to be controlled by said controller circuit, an output terminal for providing a substantially constant output voltage that is less than an input voltage provided by the input voltage source, a capacitor connected to the output terminal, an inductive energy storage element connected between the first switching device and the output terminal, and a rectifying device connected between ground and the first switching device, the controller circuit comprising: first circuit means for monitoring the output voltage of the switching regulator to generate a first feedback signal; second circuit means for integrating a differential voltage across the inductive energy storage element to generate a second feedback signal; third circuit means for initiating a first state of operation in response to the first feedback signal, the current flowing in the inductive energy storage element continuously increasing during the first state of operation; fourth circuit means for initiating a second state of operation in response to the first feedback signal, the current flowing in the inductive energy storage element continuously decreasing during the second state of operation; and fifth circuit means for initiating a third state of operation in response to the second feedback signal, the current flowing in the inductive energy storage element being substantially equal to zero during the third state of operation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
236 words
A controller circuit for controlling a step down switching regulator of the type having an input voltage source connected to a first switching device to be controlled by said controller circuit, an output terminal for providing a substantially constant output voltage that is less than an input voltage provided by the input voltage source, a capacitor connected to the output terminal, an inductive energy storage element connected between the first switching device and the output terminal, and a rectifying device connected between ground and the first switching device, the controller circuit comprising: first circuit means for monitoring the output voltage of the switching regulator to generate a first feedback signal; second circuit means for integrating a differential voltage across the inductive energy storage element to generate a second feedback signal; third circuit means for initiating a first state of operation in response to the first feedback signal, the current flowing in the inductive energy storage element continuously increasing during the first state of operation; fourth circuit means for initiating a second state of operation in response to the first feedback signal, the current flowing in the inductive energy storage element continuously decreasing during the second state of operation; and fifth circuit means for initiating a third state of operation in response to the second feedback signal, the current flowing in the inductive energy storage element being substantially equal to zero during the third state of operation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
A controller circuit as in claim 13 wherein said second circuit means comprises a clocked integrator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
A controller circuit as in claim 13 wherein said rectifying device comprises a second switching device and said fourth circuit means is operative for turning on said second switching device during said second state of operation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
A controller circuit as in claim 13 wherein a minimum duration of said first state of operation is a function of the second feedback signal exceeding a first reference signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
A controller circuit as in claim 16 wherein said rectifying device comprises a second switching device and said fourth circuit means is operative for turning on said second switching device during said second state of operation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
A controller circuit as in claim 13 wherein a maximum duration of said first state of operation is a function of the second feedback signal exceeding a second reference signal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
A controller circuit as in claim 18 wherein said rectifying device comprises a second switching device and said fourth circuit means is operative for turning on said second switching device during said second state of operation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
53 words
A controller circuit as in claim 13 wherein a minimum duration of said first state of operation is a function of the second feedback signal exceeding a first reference signal and a maximum duration of said first state of operation is a function of the second feedback signal exceeding a second reference signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
A controller circuit as in claim 20 wherein said rectifying device comprises a second switching device and said fourth circuit means is operative for turning on said second switching device during said second state of operation.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
A controller circuit as in claim 20 wherein the minimum and maximum duration of the first state of operation effectively limits a minimum and a maximum peak current flowing through the inductive energy storage element.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
36 words
A controller circuit as in claim 22 wherein said rectifying device comprises a second switching device and said fourth circuit means is operative for turning on said second switching device during said second state of operation.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
40 words
A controller circuit as in claim 22 wherein the response to the first feedback signal serves to continuously vary a nominal peak current flowing through the inductive energy storage element between said minimum peak current and said maximum peak current.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
A controller circuit as in claim 24 wherein said rectifying device comprises a second switching device and said fourth circuit means is operative for turning on said second switching device during said second state of operation.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
236 words
A controller circuit for controlling a step down switching regulator of the type having an input voltage source connected to a first switching device to be controlled by said controller circuit, an output terminal for providing a substantially constant output voltage that is less than an input voltage provided by the input voltage source, a capacitor connected to the output terminal, an inductive energy storage element connected between the first switching device and the output terminal, and a rectifying device connected between ground and the first switching device, the controller circuit comprising: first circuit means for monitoring the output voltage of the switching regulator to generate a first feedback signal; second circuit means for sensing a current flowing in the inductive energy storage element to generate a second feedback signal; third circuit means for initiating a first state of operation in response to the first feedback signal, the current flowing in the inductive energy storage element continuously increasing during the first state of operation; fourth circuit means for initiating a second state of operation in response to the first feedback signal, the current flowing in the inductive energy storage element continuously decreasing during the second state of operation; and fifth circuit means for initiating a third state of operation in response to the second feedback signal, the current flowing in the inductive energy storage element being substantially equal to zero during the third state of operation.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
236 words
A controller circuit for controlling a step down switching regulator of the type having an input voltage source connected to a first switching device to be controlled by said controller circuit, an output terminal for providing a substantially constant output voltage that is less than an input voltage provided by the input voltage source, a capacitor connected to the output terminal, an inductive energy storage element connected between the first switching device and the output terminal, and a rectifying device connected between ground and the first switching device, the controller circuit comprising: first circuit means for monitoring the output voltage of the switching regulator to generate a first feedback signal; second circuit means for sensing a current flowing in the inductive energy storage element to generate a second feedback signal; third circuit means for initiating a first state of operation in response to the first feedback signal, the current flowing in the inductive energy storage element continuously increasing during the first state of operation; fourth circuit means for initiating a second state of operation in response to the first feedback signal, the current flowing in the inductive energy storage element continuously decreasing during the second state of operation; and fifth circuit means for initiating a third state of operation in response to the second feedback signal, the current flowing in the inductive energy storage element being substantially equal to zero during the third state of operation.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
36 words
A controller circuit as in claim 26 wherein said rectifying device comprises a second switching device and said fourth circuit means is operative for turning on said second switching device during said second state of operation.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
30 words
A controller circuit as in claim 26 wherein a minimum duration of said first state of operation is a function of the second feedback signal exceeding a first reference signal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
A controller circuit as in claim 28 wherein said rectifying device comprises a second switching device and said fourth circuit means is operative for turning on said second switching device during said second state of operation.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
A controller circuit as in claim 26 wherein a maximum duration of said first state of operation is a function of the second feedback signal exceeding a second reference signal.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
36 words
A controller circuit as in claim 30 wherein said rectifying device comprises a second switching device and said fourth circuit means is operative for turning on said second switching device during said second state of operation.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
53 words
A controller circuit as in claim 26 wherein a minimum duration of said first state of operation is a function of the second feedback signal exceeding a first reference signal and a maximum duration of said first state of operation is a function of the second feedback signal exceeding a second reference signal.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
36 words
A controller circuit as in claim 32 wherein said rectifying device comprises a second switching device and said fourth circuit means is operative for turning on said second switching device during said second state of operation.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
35 words
A controller circuit as in claim 32 wherein the minimum and maximum duration of the first state of operation effectively limits a minimum and a maximum peak current flowing through the inductive energy storage element.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
36 words
A controller circuit as in claim 34 wherein said rectifying device comprises a second switching device and said fourth circuit means is operative for turning on said second switching device during said second state of operation.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
40 words
A controller circuit as in claim 34 wherein the response to the first feedback signal serves to continuously vary a nominal peak current flowing through the inductive energy storage element between said minimum peak current and said maximum peak current.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
36 words
A controller circuit as in claim 36 wherein said rectifying device comprises a second switching device and said fourth circuit means is operative for turning on said second switching device during said second state of operation.
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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) | 2002-09-27 | 2003-03-29 | 2003-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-09-27 | 2007-03-29 | 2007-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-09-27 | 2011-03-29 | 2011-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |