Abstract: A switched mode converter is disclosed that includes mode logic for switching between voltage mode and current mode. The converter includes sensing circuitry for sensing current on the primary side, load current on the secondary side, and converter output voltage. When load current is less than a predetermined value, the converter operates in voltage mode wherein output voltage of the voltage mode controller is used to control the duty cycle of a PWM controller. When load current is greater than a predetermined value, the converter operates in current mode wherein primary current is used to control the PWM controller. Thus during a light load when the converter is voltage controlled there is no need for a minimum load to stabilize the control loop. In current-mode the control loop will have faster transient response and avoid flux imbalance. Thereby providing advantages of both voltage and current controlled switched mode converters.

Abstract: A protection system and method for a battery charger is disclosed for detecting a thermal runaway condition in a battery during charging in order to protect the battery when such a thermal runaway condition has been detected. The protection system in accordance with the present invention does not require external temperature sensors nor does it rely on actions by the technician or user. Briefly, the protection system includes one or more electrical sensors normally provided with conventional battery chargers for sensing one or more electrical parameters during charging and providing an indication of a possible thermal runaway condition based upon the trend of the electrical charging parameters. In general, the protection system monitors the charging characteristics of a battery for a complete or partial charging cycle.

Abstract: A high frequency battery charger includes a converter, drive logic, and control logic. The converter transforms a DC voltage into a high frequency AC voltage. The drive logic controls a conversion of the high frequency AC voltage through a train of pulses. The control logic adjusts the output of the converter to maximize a charging cycle of a battery. The method of transforming an AC input into a direct current output used to charge a rechargeable battery includes transforming an AC input into a first DC output; transforming the first DC output into a high frequency AC output; transforming the high frequency AC output into a second DC output; and passing a charging current to an external load when the load is correctly connected to an output.

Abstract: A switched mode converter is disclosed that includes mode logic for switching between a voltage mode and a current mode. The converter includes circuitry for sensing current on the primary side of the transformer, load current on the secondary side, and output voltage. When the load current is less than a predetermined value, the output voltage of the voltage mode controller is used to control the duty cycle of a PWM controller. When the load current is greater than a predetermined value, the primary current is used to control the PWM controller. During a light load the converter is voltage controlled and there is no minimum load needed to stabilize the control loop. In a current-mode, the control loop will have a relatively faster transient response and avoid flux imbalance in push-pull topology. The converter provides the advantages of both known voltage controlled and current controlled switched mode converters.

Abstract: A switched mode converter is disclosed that includes both voltage mode and current mode control. The switched mode converter also includes mode logic for switching between a voltage mode and a current mode. The converter includes current sensing circuitry for sensing the switcher current on the primary side of the transformer and the load current on the secondary side as well as voltage sensing circuitry for sensing the converter output voltage. When the load current is less than a predetermined value, the converter operates in a voltage mode. During the voltage mode, the output voltage of the voltage mode controller is used to control the duty cycle of a pulse width modulation (PWM) controller. When the load current is greater than a predetermined value, the converter operates in a current mode. In a current mode, the primary switcher current is used to control the PWM controller.

Abstract: A high frequency battery charger includes a converter, drive logic, and control logic. The converter transforms a DC voltage into a high frequency AC voltage. The drive logic controls a conversion of the high frequency AC voltage through a train of pulses. The control logic adjusts the output of the converter to maximize a charging cycle of a battery. The method of transforming an AC input into a direct current output used to charge a rechargeable battery includes transforming an AC input into a first DC output; transforming the first DC output into a high frequency AC output; transforming the high frequency AC output into a second DC output; and passing a charging current to an external load when the load is correctly connected to an output.

Abstract: A switched mode converter is disclosed that includes both voltage mode and current mode control. The switched mode converter also includes mode logic for switching between a voltage mode and a current mode. The converter includes current sensing circuitry for sensing the switcher current on the primary side of the transformer and the load current on the secondary side as well as voltage sensing circuitry for sensing the converter output voltage. When the load current is less than a predetermined value, the converter operates in a voltage mode. During the voltage mode, the output voltage of the voltage mode controller is used to control the duty cycle of a pulse width modulation (PWM) controller. When the load current is greater than a predetermined value, the converter operates in a current mode. In a current mode, the primary switcher current is used to control the PWM controller.

Abstract: An iron core transformer with at least one primary winding and at least one secondary winding of which at least one of the windings are wound with aluminum wire is disclosed for use in relatively low power applications, for example 5 kVa or below. The primary and secondary windings are connected to primary and secondary terminals. In order to overcome the effects of oxidation of the aluminum wire over time which can result in compromising the connection between the aluminum wire and its corresponding terminal, the terminals are formed as insulation displacement type terminals that are configured to strip any coatings or other contaminants on the aluminum wire during insertion of the aluminum wire into the terminal. The terminals are further configured to apply a constant spring biasing force against the aluminum conductor after it has been inserted.

Abstract: A booster apparatus is provided for applying electrical power to a device in which a power source having positive and negative terminals is disposed in a housing, with electrical cables extending from respective positive and negative or grounded terminals to exterior of the housing, with an electrical switch interposed in one of said electrical cables interior of the housing manually actuable from outside of the housing, with an electrical circuit operatively coupled to one of the cables and the electrical switch, whereby the electrical circuit effects automatic closing of an electrical switch upon imposition of a predetermined minimum voltage to the cables, and effects opening of the electrical switch upon the second cable having a voltage less than the predetermined minimum voltage, and with a voltage comparator and its associated circuitry to indicate a level of charge for the power source.