US5982160A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
DC-to-DC converter with inductor current sensing and related methods
Assignee: Harris Corp
•
Filing: 1998-12-24
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Granted: 1999-11-09
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Expires: 2018-12-24
Abstract
Abstract A DC-to-DC power converter includes at least one power switch, a pulse width modulation circuit for generating control pulses for the at least one power switch, an output inductor connected to the at least one power switch, and a current sensor connected in parallel with the inductor for sensing current passing through the inductor. The current sensor preferably includes a resistor and a capacitor connected together in series. The current sensor is connected to a peak current control loop circuit cooperating with the pulse width modulation circuit for controlling the at least one power switch responsive to the current sensor. The resistor and capacitor preferably have respective values so that the current sensor is a substantially instantaneous current sensor. The output inductor has an inductance and a direct current (DC) resistance defining a first time constant. In one embodiment, the resistor and capacitor of the current sensor define a second time constant within a predetermined range of each other. In another embodiment, the resistor and capacitor of the current sensor define a second time constant substantially equal to the first time constant.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael M. Walters
- 👤 Charles E. Hawkes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:44
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M3/00; H02M3/02; H02M3/04; H02M3/10; H02M3/145; H02M3/155; H02M3/156; H02M1/00; H02M1/0003; H02M1/0009
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A DC-to-DC converter comprising: at least one power switch; a pulse width modulation circuit for generating control pulses for said at least one power switch; an output inductor connected to said at least one power switch; a current sensor connected in parallel with said inductor for sensing current passing through said inductor, said current sensor comprising a resistor and a capacitor connected together in series; and a peak current control loop circuit cooperating with said pulse width modulation circuit for controlling said at least one power switch responsive to said current sensor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A DC-to-DC converter comprising: at least one power switch; a pulse width modulation circuit for generating control pulses for said at least one power switch; an output inductor connected to said at least one power switch; a current sensor connected in parallel with said inductor for sensing current passing through said inductor, said current sensor comprising a resistor and a capacitor connected together in series; and a peak current control loop circuit cooperating with said pulse width modulation circuit for controlling said at least one power switch responsive to said current sensor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A DC-to-DC converter according to claim 1 wherein said resistor and capacitor have respective values so that said current sensor is a substantially instantaneous current sensor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
A DC-to-DC converter according to claim 1 wherein said output inductor has an inductance and a direct current (DC) resistance defining a first time constant; wherein said resistor and capacitor of said current sensor define a second time constant; and wherein the first time constant and the second time constant are within a predetermined range of each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A DC-to-DC converter according to claim 3 wherein said predetermined range is plus or minus 10 percent at room temperature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
A DC-to-DC converter according to claim 1 wherein said output inductor has an inductance and a direct current (DC) resistance defining a first time constant; wherein said resistor and capacitor of said current sensor define a second time constant; and wherein the second time constant is substantially equal to the first time constant.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A DC-to-DC converter according to claim 1 further comprising a voltage regulation loop circuit cooperating with said peak current control loop circuit for setting a peak current level.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A DC-to-DC converter according to claim 6 wherein said voltage regulation loop circuit comprises a voltage divider connected to the output of the DC-to-DC converter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
A DC-to-DC converter according to claim 1 wherein said pulse width modulation circuit operates at a predetermined switching frequency; and wherein said current sensor defines a sensing bandwidth substantially above the predetermined switching frequency.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A DC-to-DC converter according to claim 1 further comprising an overload protection circuit connected to said current sensor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A DC-to-DC converter according to claim 1 wherein said at least one power switch comprises a high side power switch and a low side power switch connected together.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
125 words
A DC-to-DC converter comprising: at least one power switch; a pulse width modulation circuit for generating control pulses for said at least one power switch; an output inductor connected to said at least one power switch, said output inductor having an inductance and a direct current (DC) resistance defining a first time constant; a current sensor connected in parallel with said inductor for sensing a current passing through said inductor, said current sensor having a second time constant within a predetermined range of the first time constant so that said current sensor is a substantially instantaneous current sensor; and a peak current control loop circuit cooperating with said pulse width modulation circuit for controlling said at least one power switch responsive to said current sensor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
125 words
A DC-to-DC converter comprising: at least one power switch; a pulse width modulation circuit for generating control pulses for said at least one power switch; an output inductor connected to said at least one power switch, said output inductor having an inductance and a direct current (DC) resistance defining a first time constant; a current sensor connected in parallel with said inductor for sensing a current passing through said inductor, said current sensor having a second time constant within a predetermined range of the first time constant so that said current sensor is a substantially instantaneous current sensor; and a peak current control loop circuit cooperating with said pulse width modulation circuit for controlling said at least one power switch responsive to said current sensor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A DC-to-DC converter according to claim 11 wherein the predetermined range is plus or minus 10 percent at room temperature.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A DC-to-DC converter according to claim 11 wherein the second time constant is substantially equal to the first time constant.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
A DC-to-DC converter according to claim 11 further comprising a voltage regulation loop circuit cooperating with said peak current control loop circuit for setting a peak current level.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A DC-to-DC converter according to claim 14 wherein said voltage regulation loop circuit comprises a voltage divider connected to the output of the DC-to-DC converter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
A DC-to-DC converter according to claim 11 wherein said pulse width modulation circuit operates at a predetermined switching frequency; and wherein said current sensor defines a sensing bandwidth substantially above the predetermined switching frequency.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A DC-to-DC converter according to claim 11 further comprising an overload protection circuit connected to said current sensor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
A DC-to-DC converter according to claim 11 wherein said at least one power switch comprises a high side power switch and a low side power switch connected together.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
83 words
A DC-to-DC converter comprising: at least one power switch; a pulse width modulation circuit for generating control pulses for said at least one power switch; an output inductor connected to said at least one power switch; an instantaneous current sensor connected in parallel with said inductor for sensing an instantaneous current passing through said inductor; and a peak current control loop circuit cooperating with said pulse width modulation circuit for controlling said at least one power switch responsive to said instantaneous current sensor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
83 words
A DC-to-DC converter comprising: at least one power switch; a pulse width modulation circuit for generating control pulses for said at least one power switch; an output inductor connected to said at least one power switch; an instantaneous current sensor connected in parallel with said inductor for sensing an instantaneous current passing through said inductor; and a peak current control loop circuit cooperating with said pulse width modulation circuit for controlling said at least one power switch responsive to said instantaneous current sensor.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
A DC-to-DC converter according to claim 19 wherein said instantaneous current sensor comprises a resistor and capacitor.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
59 words
A DC-to-DC converter according to claim 20 wherein said output inductor has an inductance and a direct current (DC) resistance defining a first time constant; wherein said resistor and capacitor of said instantaneous current sensor define a second time constant; and wherein the first time constant and the second time constant are within a predetermined range of each other.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
A DC-to-DC converter according to claim 21 wherein said predetermined range is plus or minus 10 percent at room temperature.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
54 words
A DC-to-DC converter according to claim 20 wherein said output inductor has an inductance and a direct current (DC) resistance defining a first time constant; wherein said resistor and capacitor of said instantaneous current sensor define a second time constant; and wherein the second time constant is substantially equal to the first time constant.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
A DC-to-DC converter according to claim 19 further comprising a voltage regulation loop circuit cooperating with said peak current control loop circuit for setting a peak current level.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
A DC-to-DC converter according to claim 24 wherein said voltage regulation loop circuit comprises a voltage divider connected to the output of the DC-to-DC converter.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
34 words
A DC-to-DC converter according to claim 19 wherein said pulse width modulation circuit operates at a predetermined switching frequency; and wherein said current sensor defines a sensing bandwidth substantially above the predetermined switching frequency.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
A DC-to-DC converter according to claim 19 further comprising an overload protection circuit connected to said instantaneous current sensor.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
A DC-to-DC converter according to claim 19 wherein said at least one power switch comprises a high side power switch and a low side power switch connected together.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for regulating a DC-to-DC converter comprising at least one power switch, a pulse width modulation circuit for generating control pulses for the at least one power switch, an output inductor connected to the at least one power switch, and a peak current control loop circuit cooperating with the pulse width modulation circuit, the method comprising the steps of: sensing current passing through the inductor using a current sensor connected in parallel with the output inductor, the current sensor comprising a resistor and a capacitor connected together in series; and operating the peak current control loop circuit to control the at least one power switch responsive to the current sensor.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for regulating a DC-to-DC converter comprising at least one power switch, a pulse width modulation circuit for generating control pulses for the at least one power switch, an output inductor connected to the at least one power switch, and a peak current control loop circuit cooperating with the pulse width modulation circuit, the method comprising the steps of: sensing current passing through the inductor using a current sensor connected in parallel with the output inductor, the current sensor comprising a resistor and a capacitor connected together in series; and operating the peak current control loop circuit to control the at least one power switch responsive to the current sensor.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 29 wherein the resistor and capacitor have respective values so that the sensing step comprises sensing a substantially instantaneous current passing through the inductor.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method according to claim 29 wherein the output inductor has an inductance and a direct current (DC) resistance defining a first time constant; and further comprising the step of selecting the resistor and capacitor of the current sensor to define a second time constant within a predetermined range of the first time constant.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 31 wherein the predetermined range is plus or minus 10 percent at room temperature.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method according to claim 29 wherein the output inductor has an inductance and a direct current (DC) resistance defining a first time constant; and further comprising the step of selecting the resistor and capacitor of the current sensor to define a second time constant substantially equal to the first time constant.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 29 further comprising a voltage regulation loop circuit cooperating with the peak current control loop circuit for setting a peak current level.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 29 further comprising an overload protection circuit connected to the current sensor.
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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) | 2002-11-08 | 2003-05-10 | 2003-11-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-08 | 2007-05-10 | 2007-11-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-08 | 2011-05-10 | 2011-11-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |