US6577515B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Asymmetric power supply including a fast response converter
Assignee: GlobalFoundries US Inc
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Filing: 2001-03-02
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Granted: 2003-06-10
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Expires: 2021-03-02
Abstract
Abstract An asymmetric multi-converter power supply including a first converter and a second converter coupled to provide power to an output node. A control circuit is coupled to the second converter and is configured to selectively enable the second converter depending upon a voltage at the output node. The control circuit may be configured to enable the second converter only in response to determining that the voltage at the output node is not within a predetermined range. Alternatively, the first converter is configured to provide power through a first series inductor and the second converter is configured to provide power to the output node through a second series inductor. The second series inductor having a smaller inductance than the first series inductor. Additionally, the second converter may be characterized by a transient response time that is faster than a transient response time of the first converter.
Inventors
- 👤 Barry K. Kates
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 06:15
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M3/00; H02M3/22; H02M3/24; H02M3/28; H02M3/325; H02M3/335; H02M3/02; H02M3/04; H02M3/10; H02M3/145; H02M3/155; H02M3/156; H02M3/158; H02M3/1584
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 41
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A power supply comprising: a first converter configured to provide DC power to an output node; a second converter configured to provide DC power to said output node in parallel with said first converter; wherein said second converter is characterized by a transient response time that is faster than a transient response time of said first converter; and a control circuit coupled to said second converter and configured to selectively enable said second converter depending upon a voltage at said output node; wherein said control circuit is configured to enable said second converter only in response to determining that said voltage at said output node is not within a predetermined range.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
A power supply comprising: a first converter configured to provide DC power to an output node; a second converter configured to provide DC power to said output node in parallel with said first converter; wherein said second converter is characterized by a transient response time that is faster than a transient response time of said first converter; and a control circuit coupled to said second converter and configured to selectively enable said second converter depending upon a voltage at said output node; wherein said control circuit is configured to enable said second converter only in response to determining that said voltage at said output node is not within a predetermined range.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The power supply as recited in claim 1 , wherein said second converter is configured to provide said DC power in response to one or more transient voltage events at said output node.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The power supply as recited in claim 2 , wherein said first converter is configured to provide said DC power in a steady state.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The power supply as recited in claim 1 , wherein said control circuit is further configured to disable said second converter in response to determining that said output voltage at said output node is within said predetermined range.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The power supply as recited in claim 1 , wherein said control circuit is further configured to alternately enable and disable said second converter in response to detecting a voltage corresponding to a predetermined current at said output node.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The power supply as recited in claim 1 , wherein said second converter is a buck-derived fast response converter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The power supply as recited in claim 1 , wherein said predetermined range is a range of voltages between a positive percentage of said output voltage and a negative percentage of said output voltage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
97 words
A power supply comprising: a first converter configured to provide power to an output node through a first series inductor; a second convertor configured to provide power to said output node through a second series inductor, wherein said second inductor has a smaller inductance than said first series inductor; and a control circuit coupled to said second convertor and configured to selectively enable said second converter depending upon a voltage at said output node; wherein said second converter is characterized by a transient response time that is faster than a transient response time of said first converter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
97 words
A power supply comprising: a first converter configured to provide power to an output node through a first series inductor; a second convertor configured to provide power to said output node through a second series inductor, wherein said second inductor has a smaller inductance than said first series inductor; and a control circuit coupled to said second convertor and configured to selectively enable said second converter depending upon a voltage at said output node; wherein said second converter is characterized by a transient response time that is faster than a transient response time of said first converter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The power supply as recited in claim 8 , wherein said second converter is configured to respond to one or more transient voltage events at said output node.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The power supply as recited in claim 9 , wherein said first converter is configured to provide said power in a steady state.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The power supply as recited in claim 8 , wherein said control circuit is further configured to enable said second converter only in response to determining that said voltage at said output node is not within a predetermined range.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The power supply as recited in claim 8 , wherein said control circuit is further configured to disable said second converter in response to determining that said output voltage at said output node is within said predetermined range.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The power supply as recited in claim 8 , wherein said control circuit is further configured to alternately enable and disable said second converter in response to detecting a predetermined current through said second series inductor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The power supply as recited in claim 8 , wherein said second converter is a buck-derived fast response converter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
The power supply as recited in claim 8 , wherein said predetermined range is a range of voltages between a positive percentage of said output voltage and a negative percentage of said output voltage.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
111 words
A system comprising: a microprocessor; and a power supply coupled to said microprocesor, said power supply including: a first converter configured to provide power to an output node through a first series inductor; a second converter configured to provide power to said output node through a second series inductor, wherein said second series inductor has a smaller inductance than said first series inductor; and a control circuit coupled to said second converter and configured to selectively enable said second converter depending upon a voltage at said output node; wherein said second converter is characterized by a transient response time that is faster than a transient response time of said first converter.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
111 words
A system comprising: a microprocessor; and a power supply coupled to said microprocesor, said power supply including: a first converter configured to provide power to an output node through a first series inductor; a second converter configured to provide power to said output node through a second series inductor, wherein said second series inductor has a smaller inductance than said first series inductor; and a control circuit coupled to said second converter and configured to selectively enable said second converter depending upon a voltage at said output node; wherein said second converter is characterized by a transient response time that is faster than a transient response time of said first converter.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system as recited in claim 16 , wherein said second converter is configured to respond to one or more transient voltage events at said output node.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system as recited in claim 17 , wherein said first converter is configured to provide said power in a steady state.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system as recited in claim 16 , wherein said control circuit is further configured to enable said second converter only in response to determining that said output voltage is not within a predetermined range.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system as recited in claim 16 , wherein said control circuit is further configured to disable said second converter in response to determining that said output voltage is within said predetermined range.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system as recited in claim 16 , wherein said control circuit is further configured to alternately enable and disable said second converter in response to detecting a predetermined current through said second series inductor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system as recited in claim 16 , wherein said second converter is a buck-derived fast response converter.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system as recited in claim 16 , wherein said predetermined range is a range of voltages between a positive percentage of said output voltage at said output node and a negative percentage of said output voltage at said output node.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
84 words
A power supply comprising: a first converter configured to provide DC power to an output node; a second converter configured to provide DC power to said output node in parallel with said first converter; wherein said second converter is characterized by a transient response time that is faster than a transient response time of said first converter; and a control circuit coupled to said second converter and configured to enable said second converter during one or more transient voltage events at said output node.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
84 words
A power supply comprising: a first converter configured to provide DC power to an output node; a second converter configured to provide DC power to said output node in parallel with said first converter; wherein said second converter is characterized by a transient response time that is faster than a transient response time of said first converter; and a control circuit coupled to said second converter and configured to enable said second converter during one or more transient voltage events at said output node.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
The power supply as recited in claim 24 , wherein said first converter is configured to provide said DC power in a steady state.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
39 words
The power supply as recited in claim 24 , wherein said control circuit is further configured to enable said second converter only in response to determining that a voltage at said output node is not within a predetermined range.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
37 words
The power supply as recited in claim 24 , wherein said control circuit is further configured to disable said second converter in response to determining that said voltage at said output node is within said predetermined range.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
39 words
The power supply as recited in claim 24 , wherein said control circuit is further configured to alternately enable and disable said second converter in response to detecting a voltage corresponding to a predetermined current at said output node.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
The power supply as recited in claim 24 , wherein said second converter is a buck-derived fast response converter.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
37 words
The power supply as recited in claim 24 , wherein said control circuit is further configured to disable said second converter in response to determining that a voltage at said output node is within a predetermined range.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
34 words
The power supply as recited in claim 24 , wherein said predetermined range is a range of voltages between a positive percentage of said output voltage and a negative percentage of said output voltage.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of operating a power supply including a first converter, a second converter and a control circuit, said method comprising: the first converter providing DC power to an output node; the control circuit selectively enabling the second converter depending upon a voltage at said output node; and the second converter providing DC power to said output node in parallel with said first converter during one or more transient voltage events occurring at said output node; wherein said second converter is characterized by a transient response time that is faster than a transient response time of said first converter.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of operating a power supply including a first converter, a second converter and a control circuit, said method comprising: the first converter providing DC power to an output node; the control circuit selectively enabling the second converter depending upon a voltage at said output node; and the second converter providing DC power to said output node in parallel with said first converter during one or more transient voltage events occurring at said output node; wherein said second converter is characterized by a transient response time that is faster than a transient response time of said first converter.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as recited in claim 32 further comprising the first converter providing said DC power in a steady state.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as recited in claim 32 further comprising alternately enabling and disabling said second converter in response to detecting a voltage corresponding to a predetermined current at said output node.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as recited in claim 32 further comprising disabling said second converter in response to detecting that said voltage at said output node is within a predetermined range.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method as recited in claim 32 , wherein said predetermined range is a range of voltages between a positive percentage of said voltage at said output node and a negative percentage of said voltage at said output node.
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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) | 2006-06-09 | 2006-12-09 | 2007-06-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-06-09 | 2010-12-09 | 2011-06-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-06-09 | 2014-12-09 | 2015-06-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |