US6433527B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Phase failure detector for multi-phase switching regulators
Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products Inc
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Filing: 2001-06-01
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Granted: 2002-08-13
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Expires: 2021-06-01
Abstract
Abstract The present invention offers a low cost, reliable, on chip implementation that takes advantage of the nature of the average current mode topology to detect phase failures within a multi-phase system. The invention further includes sensing average current to the load, generating error voltages and changing duty cycles when the sensed load current is not at the desired level.
Inventors
- 👤 Mansour Izadinia
- 👤 Hendrik Santo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:54
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M3/00; H02M3/02; H02M3/04; H02M3/10; H02M3/145; H02M3/155; H02M3/156; H02M3/158; H02M3/1584
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
A multiphase DC to DC switching circuit contained on a single integrated circuit chip for controlling power switching devices in a DC to DC converter having first and second converter circuits operating to provide power to a common load comprising: a current sense circuit sensing the voltage across a sense resistor in series with the common load; a first pulse width modulator controlling a first phase of power switching devices of the first converter circuit; a second pulse width modulator controlling a second phase of power switching devices of the second converter circuit; a feedback circuit responsive to the voltage across the sense resistor; control circuits for controlling the first and second pulse width modulators responsive to the feedback circuit and a commanded output voltage; the control circuits also being responsive to the detection that one phase is not supplying power to the load.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
A multiphase DC to DC switching circuit contained on a single integrated circuit chip for controlling power switching devices in a DC to DC converter having first and second converter circuits operating to provide power to a common load comprising: a current sense circuit sensing the voltage across a sense resistor in series with the common load; a first pulse width modulator controlling a first phase of power switching devices of the first converter circuit; a second pulse width modulator controlling a second phase of power switching devices of the second converter circuit; a feedback circuit responsive to the voltage across the sense resistor; control circuits for controlling the first and second pulse width modulators responsive to the feedback circuit and a commanded output voltage; the control circuits also being responsive to the detection that one phase is not supplying power to the load.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The multiphase DC to DC switching circuit of claim 1 wherein the voltage across the sense resistor is input to an operational amplifier.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The multiphase DC to DC switching circuit of claim 2 further comprised of an operational amplifier having an output responsive to the voltage across the sense resistor and a command voltage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The multiphase DC to DC switching circuit of claim 1 wherein a filter is used to determine a phase failure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The multiphase DC to DC switching circuit of claim 4 further comprised of a digital filter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The multiphase DC to DC switching circuit of claim 5 wherein the digital filter receives input signals from logic gates.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The multiphase DC to DC switching circuit of claim 4 wherein the filter is an analog filter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The multiphase DC to DC switching circuit of claim 1 wherein the control circuits are also responsive to average current delivered to the load.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The multiphase DC to DC switching circuit of claim 8 wherein the control circuit generates an average current that is proportional to an error voltage between a desired output voltage and an actual output voltage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
117 words
A multiphase DC to DC switching circuit contained on a single integrated circuit chip for controlling power switching devices in a DC to DC converter having first and second converter circuits supplying power to a common load comprising: a first phase first pulse width modulator controlling the power switching devices of the first converter circuit; a second phase second pulse width modulator controlling the power switching devices of the second converter circuit; a feedback circuit responsive to the power supplied by each phase to the common load; and a control circuit for controlling the first and second pulse width modulators responsive to the feedback circuit detection that one phase is not supplying power to the common load.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
117 words
A multiphase DC to DC switching circuit contained on a single integrated circuit chip for controlling power switching devices in a DC to DC converter having first and second converter circuits supplying power to a common load comprising: a first phase first pulse width modulator controlling the power switching devices of the first converter circuit; a second phase second pulse width modulator controlling the power switching devices of the second converter circuit; a feedback circuit responsive to the power supplied by each phase to the common load; and a control circuit for controlling the first and second pulse width modulators responsive to the feedback circuit detection that one phase is not supplying power to the common load.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The multiphase DC to DC switching circuit of claim 10 wherein the control circuit contains a filter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The multiphase DC to DC switching circuit of claim 11 wherein the filter is a digital filter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The multiphase DC to DC switching circuit of claim 12 wherein the digital filter contains a plurality of flip-flops.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The multiphase DC to DC switching circuit of claim 10 wherein the control circuit is responsive to average current delivered to the load.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The multiphase DC to DC switching circuit of claim 14 wherein the control circuit generates an average current that is proportional to an error voltage between a desired output voltage and an actual output voltage.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The multiphase DC to DC switching circuit of claim 15 wherein the pulse width modulator circuits contain a flip-flop.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The multiphase DC to DC switching circuit of claim 16 wherein the pulse width modulator circuits contain a clock oscillator.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The multiphase DC to DC switching circuit of claim 15 wherein the desired and actual voltages are compared using an operational amplifier.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The multiphase DC to DC switching circuit of claim 10 further comprising a third phase third pulse width modulator controlling the power switching devices of the third converter circuit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The multiphase DC to DC switching circuit of claim 19 further comprising a fourth phase fourth pulse width modulator controlling the power switching devices of the fourth converter circuit.
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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) | 2005-08-12 | 2006-02-11 | 2006-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-12 | 2010-02-11 | 2010-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-12 | 2014-02-11 | 2014-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |