Patent US6788033B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6788033B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Buck-boost DC-DC switching power conversion
Assignee: Vicor Corp
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Filing: 2002-08-08
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Granted: 2004-09-07
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Expires: 2022-08-08
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus operates at a power level within a range of power levels that includes a rated maximum power level of the apparatus. The apparatus includes circuit elements to deliver power at an output voltage to a load from a source at an input voltage using an inductor selectively connected between the source and the load during a power conversion cycle. The inductor conducts a current having an average positive value during the power conversion cycle. A first switching device is interposed between the source and a first terminal of the inductor. A second switching device is interposed between a second terminal of the inductor and the load. A switch controller turns ON the first switching device during a time interval within the power conversion cycle during which the current is negative.
Inventors
- 👤 Patrizio Vinciarelli
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 11:06
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M3/00; H02M3/02; H02M3/04; H02M3/10; H02M3/145; H02M3/155; H02M3/156; H02M3/158; H02M3/1582
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
Apparatus to operate at a power level within a range of power levels that includes a rated maximum power level of the apparatus, the apparatus comprising circuit elements to deliver power at an output voltage to a load from a source at an input voltage using an inductor selectively connected between the source and the load during a power conversion cycle, the inductor conducting a current having an average positive value during the power conversion cycle, a first switching device interposed between the source and a first terminal of the inductor, a second switching device interposed between a second terminal of the inductor and the load, and a switch controller to turn ON the first switching device during a time interval within the power conversion cycle during which the current is negative.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
Apparatus to operate at a power level within a range of power levels that includes a rated maximum power level of the apparatus, the apparatus comprising circuit elements to deliver power at an output voltage to a load from a source at an input voltage using an inductor selectively connected between the source and the load during a power conversion cycle, the inductor conducting a current having an average positive value during the power conversion cycle, a first switching device interposed between the source and a first terminal of the inductor, a second switching device interposed between a second terminal of the inductor and the load, and a switch controller to turn ON the first switching device during a time interval within the power conversion cycle during which the current is negative.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the input voltage is within a range of input voltages that is less than the output voltage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the input voltage is within a range of input voltages that is greater than the output voltage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the input voltage is within a range of input voltages that includes the output voltage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the first switching device is turned ON at a time when the voltage across the first switching device is less than the input voltage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the first switching device is turned ON at a time when the voltage across the first switching device is essentially zero.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 also including a third switching device interposed between ground and the first terminal of the inductor, the switch controller controlling the opening and closing of the third switching device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 7 in which the third switching device is turned ON at a time when the voltage across the third switching device is less than the input voltage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the second switching device comprises a rectifier.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the second switching device is turned ON at a time when the voltage across the second switching device is less than the output voltage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 also including a fourth switching device interposed between ground and the second terminal of the inductor, the switch controller controlling the opening and closing of the fourth switching device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the fourth switching device is turned ON at a time when the voltage across the fourth switching device is less than the output voltage.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 12 in which the fourth switching device is turned ON at a time when the voltage across the fourth switching device is essentially zero.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , 7 , or 11 in which the switching devices comprise MOSFETs.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the power conversion cycle includes phases.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 15 in which the duration of at least one of the phases is controlled as a function of load.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 15 in which the duration of at least one of the phases is controlled as a function of a difference in magnitude between the input voltage and the output voltage and the maximum duration of the power conversion cycle is constrained to limit the minimum frequency of a succession of the power conversion cycles.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 15 in which the duration of the power conversion cycle increases as the power level decreases.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 15 in which the minimum and maximum durations of the power conversion cycle are constrained to limit the maximum and minimum frequencies of a succession of the power conversion cycles.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 15 in which the phases comprise a clamped phase.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 20 in which the duration of the clamped phase is minimized at the rated maximum power level.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 15 in which the phases comprise an in-out phase.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 22 in which the duration of the in-out phase increases as the magnitude of the difference between the input voltage and the output voltage decreases and the maximum duration of the power conversion cycle is constrained to limit the minimum frequency of a succession of the power conversion cycles.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 15 in which the phases comprise a free-wheel phase.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 15 in which the phases comprise an input phase.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 25 in which the duration of the input phase decreases as the input voltage increases.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 25 in which the duration of the input phase increases as the load increases.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 15 in which the power conversion cycle uses the same sequence of phases regardless of whether the input voltage is above, below, or approximately the same as the output voltage.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the apparatus has a power density greater than 200 Watts/cubic inch.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the apparatus has a conversion efficiency greater than 97% at an operating condition within the range of power levels.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the apparatus has a conversion efficiency greater than 97% when the input voltage level is within 10% of the output voltage level at the rated maximum power level.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
106 words
A method comprising delivering average power within a range of power levels including a maximum power level from a source at an input voltage to a load at an output voltage, selectively connecting an inductor to deliver the average power from the source to the load during a power conversion cycle, the average power flowing from the inductor through a second switching device to the load, and closing a first switching device that is interposed between the source and the inductor during a time interval within the power conversion cycle during which power flows from the inductor through the first switching device back to the source.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
106 words
A method comprising delivering average power within a range of power levels including a maximum power level from a source at an input voltage to a load at an output voltage, selectively connecting an inductor to deliver the average power from the source to the load during a power conversion cycle, the average power flowing from the inductor through a second switching device to the load, and closing a first switching device that is interposed between the source and the inductor during a time interval within the power conversion cycle during which power flows from the inductor through the first switching device back to the source.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
68 words
A method comprising converting power for delivery to a load at an output voltage from a source at an input voltage that can be higher or lower than the output voltage, the power being converted in a switching converter having a power density of at least 200 Watts per cubic inch by storing energy in an inductor operating in a discontinuous mode, with switching occurring at zero voltage.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
68 words
A method comprising converting power for delivery to a load at an output voltage from a source at an input voltage that can be higher or lower than the output voltage, the power being converted in a switching converter having a power density of at least 200 Watts per cubic inch by storing energy in an inductor operating in a discontinuous mode, with switching occurring at zero voltage.
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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) | 2007-09-07 | 2008-03-08 | 2008-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-09-07 | 2012-03-08 | 2012-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-09-07 | 2016-03-08 | 2016-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |