US6643158B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dual input AC/DC to programmable DC output converter
Assignee: Igo Inc
•
Filing: 2001-12-03
•
Granted: 2003-11-04
•
Expires: 2021-12-03
Abstract
Abstract A power converter capable of receiving either an AC input voltage or a DC input voltage and generating a programmable DC output voltage. The converter comprises a first circuit that converts an AC input voltage to a predetermined DC first output voltage, and a second circuit that converts a DC input voltage to a predetermined second DC output voltage. The converter also comprise a third circuit which is adapted to receive the first and second DC voltages from first and second circuits to generate a selectable output DC voltage. In selected embodiments, the first and second DC output voltages provided by the first and second circuits, respectively, are generally the same value and are coupled to a common node that feeds the input terminal of the third circuit. Moreover, the third circuit is adapted to provide a selectable output DC voltage which may be set higher or lower than its DC input voltage. The third circuit may also be adapted to couple a set of removable programming keys that provide for a different associated DC output voltage. The programming key comprises a resistor, which may provide for a variety of functions, such as current-limiting, over-voltage protection, output voltage programming, and wrong-tip circuit protection.
Inventors
- 👤 Gilbert McDonald
- 👤 Charles Lord
- 👤 Steve Smith
- 👤 Gary DuBose
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:32
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/26; G06F1/263; H; H02; H02M; H02M1/00; H02M1/10; H02J; H02J9/00; H02J9/04; H02J9/06; H02J9/061; H02M3/00; H02M3/02; H02M3/04; H02M3/10; H02M3/145; H02M3/155; H02M3/22; H02M3/24; H02M3/28; H02M3/325; H02M3/335; H02M3/33561
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A power converter, comprising: a first input circuit adapted to receive an AC input voltage and generate a DC voltage; a second input circuit adapted to receive an DC input voltage and generate a DC output voltage; and an output circuit receiving said DC output voltage from both first and second input circuit and producing a programmable DC output voltage, said programmable DC output voltage being established by a single selectively removable key regardless of whether the converter input voltage is an AC or DC voltage, wherein different said programming keys establish different associated said DC output voltages, wherein said key includes a passive electrical component.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A power converter, comprising: a first input circuit adapted to receive an AC input voltage and generate a DC voltage; a second input circuit adapted to receive an DC input voltage and generate a DC output voltage; and an output circuit receiving said DC output voltage from both first and second input circuit and producing a programmable DC output voltage, said programmable DC output voltage being established by a single selectively removable key regardless of whether the converter input voltage is an AC or DC voltage, wherein different said programming keys establish different associated said DC output voltages, wherein said key includes a passive electrical component.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The converter of claim 1 wherein said output circuit includes a DC-to-DC down-converter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The converter of claim 2 wherein said second input circuit comprises an DC-to-DC up-converter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The converter of claim 3 wherein said up-converter and down-converter are switching converters operating at the same frequency.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The converter of claim 3 wherein said first and second circuits generate a similar said DC output voltage to a common node, said common node being coupled to said output circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The converter of claim 1 further comprising a tip adapted to be coupled to an external device to be powered by said converter, wherein said key is integral to said tip.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The converter of claim 1 wherein said removable key is a resistor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The converter of claim 1 wherein said key establishes a over-voltage protection function.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The converter of claim 1 wherein said key establishes an output voltage function.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The converter of claim 1 wherein said key establishes a wrong-tip function.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The converter of claim 1 wherein said key establishes an output current limiting function.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The converter of claim 1 wherein said first input circuit includes a switching device; wherein said switching device is an AC line switcher.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The converter as specified in claim 1 , wherein the selectively removable key forms a portion of the output circuit when selectively coupled thereto.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The converter as specified in claim 13 wherein the output circuit is a switching converter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The converter as specified in claim 13 wherein said selectively removable key is housed in a plug-in module.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The converter as specified in claim 1 , wherein the passive electrical component comprises a resistor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The converter as specified in claim 1 , wherein said second circuit generates said DC output as a fixed DC voltage even when said DC input voltage vanes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The converter as specified in claim 17 , wherein said first and second circuits generate a similar fixed said DC output voltage to a common node, said common node being coupled to said output circuit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The converter as specified in claim 4 , wherein said down-converter is frequency slaved to said up-converter.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-11-03 | 2007-05-05 | 2007-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-11-03 | 2011-05-05 | 2011-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-11-03 | 2015-05-05 | 2015-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |