Abstract: A magnetic component for an electronic circuit includes first and second bobbins having respective core-receiving passageways. Each bobbin includes multiple slots with a winding insert in each slot. The winding inserts function as windings as well as guides for winding a coil of wire around the respective bobbins. The first and second bobbins are positioned on respective first and second legs of a magnetic core. The coils of wire are wound on the two bobbins in opposite directions such that the magnetic fluxes provided by the coils are in phase. The winding inserts have connection prongs that can be positioned in opposite direction such that the winding inserts of the first bobbin are connectable to a first printed circuit board and the winding inserts of the second bobbin are connectable to a second printed circuit board.

Abstract: A power switching device is provided with an integrated current sensor. The device includes component housing and multiple terminal legs extending therefrom. A current sensor assembly includes an interior cavity having a galvanically insulating tubular sleeve extending therethrough. A toroidal inductive winding resides within the first cavity and is circumferentially disposed about the sleeve, with one leg of the device defining a (single-turn) primary winding and the winding defining a secondary winding magnetically coupled to the device leg. Current sensing terminals are associated with respective locations along the inductive winding, wherein a current through the encapsulated terminal leg is detectable via respective current sensing leads extending from the assembly housing. A damping inductive element such as a ferrite bead may be provided within a second interior cavity defined by the assembly housing to suppress high frequency oscillations associated with a second (e.g.

Abstract: A circuit and method are provided for recuperating energy and decreasing driver power consumption in a switching converter. An inductor is directly connected between a gate driver and a gate electrode of a switch. A first burst pulse signal is generated, wherein energy from a power source is stored in the inductor and transferred to a parasitic capacitance of the switch. A driving pulse signal is subsequently generated to the gate electrode of the switch, wherein the gate voltage is equal to the supply voltage and no balancing current flows through the inductor. After the driving pulse signal is terminated a second burst pulse signal is generated, wherein energy is accumulated in the inductive element and returned to the power source. The energy provided from the power source during the first burst pulse signal is equal to the energy returned to the power source during the second burst pulse signal.

Abstract: A distributed planar inductor is provided with energy storage components featuring high energy storage density, multilayer winding and low copper losses. The inductor includes a magnetic core with a plurality of vertically oriented posts, a plurality of horizontally oriented plates coupled to define an interior, and a conductive winding extending through the interior. The vertical posts each include a plurality of energy storage elements coplanar in orientation with respect to the winding and having a substantially two dimensional structure. The conductive winding may comprise co-planar winding tracks extending through the interior, for example vertically coupled in parallel. A set of co-planar winding tracks may correspond to respective layers in a multilayer printed circuit board, and for example may comprise printed circuit board tracks vertically interconnected by vias extending there-through.

Abstract: A DC/DC converter is provided for operation within a narrow voltage range during normal conditions, while allowing for a wider input voltage range for short periods of time. A first switch is coupled across first and second input terminals, and a capacitor is coupled in parallel with the first switch and across the input terminals. A second switch is coupled in series with the first input terminal and between the first switch and the capacitor. Operation of the switches is regulated in accordance with a bypass mode of operation when received input power is within a defined range, and a boost mode of operation when received input power is less than a threshold value, wherein the received input power is boosted to a bulk output power within the defined range. Boost operations may in various embodiments be provided via, for example, a critical conduction scheme or continuous conduction scheme.

Abstract: A power distribution system includes a server rack comprising a vertically stacked plurality of power shelf assemblies. Each assembly has first and second opposing sides defining vertical planes, and third and fourth opposing sides extending between the first and second sides. For each assembly, a first bus bar extends along a horizontal plane between the third and fourth sides, a second bus bar extends along the horizontal plane between the first bus bar and the first side of the assembly, a first set of power supply pins extends along the horizontal plane from the first bus bar toward the second side of the assembly, and a second set of power supply pins extends along the horizontal plane from the second bus bar toward the second side of the assembly, wherein the second set of power supply pins further protrude through respective apertures in the first bus bar.

Abstract: A power converter is provided with a totem-pole power factor correction (PFC) circuit for bridgeless line rectification, and current sensing circuit that can be selectively disabled to reduce unwanted current sense signal components and undesirable current transformer voltage stresses. The totem-pole PFC has at least a first leg with first and second switching elements coupled in series. A PFC inductor is coupled between an AC input on a first end and a node between the switching elements. The current sensing circuit includes a first transformer winding coupled in series with the first switching element, a second transformer winding magnetically coupled to the first winding and configured to deliver current from the first winding to a current sense terminal during an active phase for the first switching element, and a shunt circuit configured to disable the current sensing circuit during a freewheeling phase for the first switching element.

Abstract: A method is provided of operating a resonant converter, the converter having a controller and power stage and providing an output voltage, by determining a characteristic frequency of the power stage. The characteristic frequency is defined as a natural oscillation frequency of the power stage observed right after the power stage control signals from the controller are disabled. The converter is operated at the characteristic frequency during ramp-up or ramp-down of the converter output voltage and/or during overload or input overvoltage conditions.

Abstract: A commutation current steering method is provided for a power converter having an isolation transformer, a plurality of primary ZVS switches, a plurality of secondary switches for synchronous rectification, and a boosting resonant circuit. A commutation current is shared between all of the switches, and a resonance is induced in the boosting resonant circuit by controlling each of the synchronous rectifier switches to turn off at a time prior to a turn-off time for a corresponding one of the switches operating under ZVS conditions, wherein the primary current is boosted above a minimum commutation value during ZVS periods. The ZVS switches are further driven with a constant dead time, and the synchronous rectifier switches are driven to provide a fixed time relation with respect to all of the switches.

Abstract: A low profile (1U) power distribution system includes a power shelf assembly having a first side and an opposing second side. First and second bus bars extend across the assembly and substantially in parallel with the first and second sides, the second bar positioned behind the first bar. One row of power supply pins extends from the bars to engage power supply units within the assembly. A first set of pins extends from the first bus, while a second set extends from the second bar and protruding through respective apertures in the first bar. An insulating material may be provided to electrically insulate power supply pins of the second bar from the first bar. The reduced height profile of the bars allows for cooling air to pass through the remaining >50% of the assembly, which may now desirably include additional electrical circuits within the cooling channel.