US6323626B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
DC/DC converter for a fuel cell having a non-linear inductor
Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
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Filing: 2000-02-14
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Granted: 2001-11-27
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Expires: 2020-02-14
Abstract
Abstract A DC/DC converter for a fuel cell includes an input node for receiving DC supply power from the fuel cell. An output node provides a DC output voltage. An inductor has inductance which varies with respect to inductor current. The inductor includes a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal is coupled with the input node for receiving DC supply power from the fuel cell. A switch is coupled between the second terminal of the inductor and ground. A control circuit switches the switch between an open position and a closed position.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen Raiser
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 00:28
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M3/00; H02M3/02; H02M3/04; H02M3/10; H02M3/145; H02M3/155; B; B60; B60L; B60L58/00; B60L58/30; B60L2210/00; B60L2210/10; H01; H01M; H01M2250/00; H01M2250/20; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/30; Y02E60/50; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/60; Y02T10/72; Y02T90/00; Y02T90/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A DC/DC converter for a fuel cell, the converter comprising: an input node for receiving DC supply power from the fuel cell; an output node for providing a DC output voltage; an inductor having inductance which varies with respect to inductor current, said inductor including a first terminal and a second terminal, said first terminal coupled with said input node for receiving DC supply power from the fuel cell; a switch coupled between said second terminal of said inductor and ground; and a control circuit for switching said switch between an open position and a closed position, wherein the inductance of said inductor decreases as the inductor current through said inductor increases.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A DC/DC converter for a fuel cell, the converter comprising: an input node for receiving DC supply power from the fuel cell; an output node for providing a DC output voltage; an inductor having inductance which varies with respect to inductor current, said inductor including a first terminal and a second terminal, said first terminal coupled with said input node for receiving DC supply power from the fuel cell; a switch coupled between said second terminal of said inductor and ground; and a control circuit for switching said switch between an open position and a closed position, wherein the inductance of said inductor decreases as the inductor current through said inductor increases.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The converter of claim 1 , wherein the inductance of said inductor varies with respect to the inductor current through said inductor at a non-constant rate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The converter of claim 1 , wherein said inductor has a maximum inductance at a minimum inductor current.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The converter of claim 3 , wherein the maximum inductance produces a minimum amount of ripple current when said switch is disposed in the closed position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The converter of claim 1 , including a first capacitor coupled between said output node and ground.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The converter of claim 5 , including a first diode coupled between said second terminal of said inductor and said output node for preventing current from flowing from said first capacitor to said second terminal of said inductor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The converter of claim 5 , including a second capacitor coupled between said input node and ground.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The converter of claim 1 , wherein said switch is a transistor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The converter of claim 1 , wherein said control circuit is a micro-controller.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
In a DC/DC converter for a fuel cell, the converter having a step-up voltage circuit, the improvement comprising: an inductor having inductance which varies with respect to inductor current, wherein the inductance of said inductor decreases as the inductor current through said inductor increases.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
In a DC/DC converter for a fuel cell, the converter having a step-up voltage circuit, the improvement comprising: an inductor having inductance which varies with respect to inductor current, wherein the inductance of said inductor decreases as the inductor current through said inductor increases.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improvement of claim 10 , wherein the inductance of said inductor varies with respect to the inductor current through said inductor at a non-constant rate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The converter of claim 10 , wherein said inductor has a maximum inductance at a minimum inductor current.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The converter of claim 12 , wherein the maximum inductance produces a minimum amount of ripple current when said switch is disposed in the closed position.
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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) | 2004-11-26 | 2005-05-28 | 2005-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-11-26 | 2009-05-28 | 2009-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-11-26 | 2013-05-28 | 2013-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |