Abstract: A zero-current switching multiple-output-regulator (“ZCS MOR”) converts power from an input source via a transformer to a main output and one or more auxiliary outputs. Each output is coupled to a respective winding of a transformer preferably by switches controlled as synchronous rectifiers. The synchronous rectifier for each auxiliary output preferably turns on at the start of current flow in its respective winding and off as its respective current returns to zero, independently of the other outputs. The synchronous rectifier for the main output may be held ON until the synchronous rectifiers for each of the auxiliary outputs stop conducting. In the event energy stored in the transformer is insufficient to supply one or more heavily loaded auxiliary outputs, the current in the winding for the main output is allowed to reverse thereby transferring energy from the main output capacitance to the heavily loaded auxiliary outputs. A feed back loop is preferably closed around the main output for regulation.

Abstract: A signal isolator comprises a multilayer substrate with conductive layers separated by insulation. A region within the substrate is defined by upper and lower conductive shields. A transformer, including primary and secondary windings, is formed in the region. Circuitry supported on an upper conductive layer includes a high frequency oscillator for receiving an input signal, the high frequency oscillator being connected to excite the primary winding in response to the signal. A detector circuit coupled to the secondary winding is adapted to provide an output signal in response to the high frequency oscillator excitation of the primary winding. The circuitry may be powered exclusively by power received from the input signal. The oscillator may modulate the primary excitation and the detector may vary the magnitude of the output in response to the modulation. A plurality of isolator channels may be provided on a single multilayer substrate.

Abstract: A zero voltage switching (ZVS) technique for use in isolated and non-isolated switching power converters and regulators, e.g. based upon buck, boost, buck-boost, and double-clamped topologies is disclosed. During a reverse energy phase of the converter operating cycle, energy is transferred in reverse from the load or the clamp capacitor to the inductor, allowing the current in the inductor to increase in magnitude with a reverse polarity, building up reverse energy. The reverse energy may be used for charging and discharging parasitic and other circuit capacitances for ZVS. The reverse energy phase is adjusted based upon circuit operating conditions, so that the amount of energy stored in the inductor L at the end of the reverse energy phase is approximately equal to, but preferably no greater than, that required to turn the switches ON at substantially zero voltage. Thus full ZVS may be achieved under a wide variety of operating conditions without incurring unnecessary losses.

Abstract: A vertical PCB inductive device is adapted to be surface mount soldered to a substrate. The inductive device may comprise a transformer having a plurality of windings or one or more discrete inductive devices. The inductive device, being amenable to volume production, may also provide cost savings by reducing the number of layers and the PCB area otherwise required by planar magnetics in a power converter. A power converter may be fashioned to be vertically oriented and surface mount soldered to a substrate such as a customer PCB.

Abstract: Power from an AC source at a source voltage is converted for delivery to a load at a DC load voltage, where the source voltage may vary between a high line voltage and a low line voltage in a normal operating range. DC-DC voltage transformation and isolation are provided in a first power conversion stage, the first stage having a CA input for receiving power from the source and a CA output for delivering a galvanically isolated unregulated AC adapter module (UAAM) voltage. First stage circuitry for performing the first power conversion stage is provided in a self-contained adapter module having input terminals for connection to the AC source and an output connected to the CA output for providing power to a second power conversion stage wherein the second power conversion stage is external to the adapter module.

Abstract: An vertical PCB inductive device is adapted to be surface mount soldered to a substrate. The inductive device may comprise a transformer having a plurality of windings or one or more discrete inductive devices. The inductive device, being amenable to volume production, may also provide cost savings by reducing the number of layers and the PCB area otherwise required by planar magnetics in a power converter. A power converter may be fashioned to be vertically oriented and surface mount soldered to a substrate such as a customer PCB.

Abstract: This document describes apparatus and methods for supplying electrical operating power to a thin form-factor display device, such as a flat panel video display device. In an illustrative example, components of a power supply for a flat panel video display are arranged to be substantially coplanar and adjacent to a display screen. The display screen and the power supply components may share a common housing. The power supply may provide appropriate electrical operating voltages to operate the display device. In some embodiments, an external thermally conductive panel of the display device is thermally coupled to components of the power supply through a low thermal impedance interface.

Abstract: This document describes apparatus and methods for a self-contained assembly having an encapsulated electronic module coupled to a heat removal device by a thermally conductive substance. In an illustrative example, the module includes at least one heat dissipating device thermally coupled by internal members to selected portions of a housing. The module housing includes a flat top surface with a perimeter adjoined to side surfaces. In one example, the heat removal device includes a cavity interior surface with an upper surface to match the module top surface, and side walls that match at least 50% by area of the selected portions of the module side surfaces. The cavity interior surface may receive at least 50% of the housing surface area. The matched portion of the cavity side surfaces may be at least 33% by area of the portion of the cavity upper surface that matches the module top surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adaptively configuring an array of voltage transformation modules is disclosed. The aggregate voltage transformation ratio of the adaptive array is adjusted to digitally regulate the output voltage for a wide range of input voltages. An integrated adaptive array having a plurality of input cells, a plurality of output cells, or a plurality of both is also disclosed. The input and output cells may be adaptively configured to provide an adjustable transformer turns ratio for the adaptive array or in the case of an integrated VTM, an adjustable voltage transformation ratio for the integrated VTM. A controller is used to configure the cells and provide digital regulation of the output. A converter having input cells configured as a complementary pair, which are switched out of phase, reduces common mode current and noise. Series connected input cells are used for reducing primary switch voltage ratings in a converter and enabling increased operating frequency or efficiency.

Abstract: A transformer-coupled buck-boost DC-DC power converter is disclosed. An active clamp circuit is provided to form a resonant circuit with the transformer to control the slew rate of the secondary current and allow the secondary switch to be turned ON at conditions of zero voltage and relatively low current. The characteristic resonant period of the active clamp transformer circuit may be less than the minimum converter operating period. A winding of the transformer is shunted during a clamp phase to retain energy in the transformer. ZVS phases are provided to reduce switching losses when switches in the converter are turned ON. An energy-storage phase may be varied to control the amount of energy stored per operating cycle. An input-storage phase may transfer energy to the clamp capacitor during a series of converter operating cycles and transfer said energy to the secondary during different converter operating cycles.

Abstract: Power conversion apparatus can include a circuit board with power conversion circuitry and a package. The package may be formed by encapsulating areas of the circuit board assembly either before or after the interface contacts are attached to the circuit board. A method for encapsulating two sides of a substrate can include providing a mold that fills a larger first cavity to create a sealing force on a smaller second cavity. The encapsulant flows through the first cavity into the second cavity. A thermal extender can include a surface for mounting a heat dissipating power converter and a surface for mating with an external circuit board. Interface conductors may mate with contacts on the heat dissipating power converter and with conductive regions on the external circuit board. A heat sink may be thermally coupled to remove heat generated by the power converter.

Abstract: Multi-cell DC-DC power converters are described. In an adaptive version the isolated regulating multi-cell converter adaptively configures the input cells in a series connection to share the input voltage and in a parallel configuration to share the input current. Double-clamped buck-boost ZVS switching DC-DC, active clamped flyback, and flyback converter topologies may be used in the cells of the converter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adaptively configuring an array of voltage transformation modules is disclosed. The aggregate voltage transformation ratio of the adaptive array is adjusted to digitally regulate the output voltage for a wide range of input voltages. An integrated adaptive array having a plurality of input cells, a plurality of output cells, or a plurality of both is also disclosed. The input and output cells may be adaptively configured to provide an adjustable transformer turns ratio for the adaptive array or in the case of an integrated VTM, an adjustable voltage transformation ratio for the integrated VTM. A controller is used to configure the cells and provide digital regulation of the output. A converter having input cells configured as a complementary pair, which are switched out of phase, reduces common mode current and noise. Series connected input cells are used for reducing primary switch voltage ratings in a converter and enabling increased operating frequency or efficiency.

Abstract: A transformer-coupled buck-boost DC-DC power converter is disclosed. An active clamp circuit is provided to form a resonant circuit with the transformer to control the slew rate of the secondary current and allow the secondary switch to be turned ON at conditions of zero voltage and relatively low current. The characteristic resonant period of the active clamp transformer circuit may be less than the minimum converter operating period. A winding of the transformer is shunted during a clamp phase to retain energy in the transformer. ZVS phases are provided to reduce switching losses when switches in the converter are turned ON. An energy-storage phase may be varied to control the amount of energy stored per operating cycle. An input-storage phase may transfer energy to the clamp capacitor during a series of converter operating cycles and transfer said energy to the secondary during different converter operating cycles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adaptively configuring an array of voltage transformation modules is disclosed. The aggregate voltage transformation ratio of the adaptive array is adjusted to digitally regulate the output voltage for a wide range of input voltages. An integrated adaptive array having a plurality of input cells, a plurality of output cells, or a plurality of both is also disclosed. The input and output cells may be adaptively configured to provide an adjustable transformer turns ratio for the adaptive array or in the case of an integrated VTM, an adjustable voltage transformation ratio for the integrated VTM. A controller is used to configure the cells and provide digital regulation of the output. A converter having input cells configured as a complementary pair, which are switched out of phase, reduces common mode current and noise. Series connected input cells are used for reducing primary switch voltage ratings in a converter and enabling increased operating frequency or efficiency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adaptively configuring an array of voltage transformation modules is disclosed. The aggregate voltage transformation ratio of the adaptive array is adjusted to digitally regulate the output voltage for a wide range of input voltages. An integrated adaptive array having a plurality of input cells, a plurality of output cells, or a plurality of both is also disclosed. The input and output cells may be adaptively configured to provide an adjustable transformer turns ratio for the adaptive array or in the case of an integrated VTM, an adjustable voltage transformation ratio for the integrated VTM. A controller is used to configure the cells and provide digital regulation of the output. A converter having input cells configured as a complementary pair, which are switched out of phase, reduces common mode current and noise. Series connected input cells are used for reducing primary switch voltage ratings in a converter and enabling increased operating frequency or efficiency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adaptively configuring an array of voltage transformation modules is disclosed. The aggregate voltage transformation ratio of the adaptive array is adjusted to digitally regulate the output voltage for a wide range of input voltages. An integrated adaptive array having a plurality of input cells, a plurality of output cells, or a plurality of both is also disclosed. The input and output cells may be adaptively configured to provide an adjustable transformer turns ratio for the adaptive array or in the case of an integrated VTM, an adjustable voltage transformation ratio for the integrated VTM. A controller is used to configure the cells and provide digital regulation of the output. A converter having input cells configured as a complementary pair, which are switched out of phase, reduces common mode current and noise. Series connected input cells are used for reducing primary switch voltage ratings in a converter and enabling increased operating frequency or efficiency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adaptively configuring an array of voltage transformation modules is disclosed. The aggregate voltage transformation ratio of the adaptive array is adjusted to digitally regulate the output voltage for a wide range of input voltages. An integrated adaptive array having a plurality of input cells, a plurality of output cells, or a plurality of both is also disclosed. The input and output cells may be adaptively configured to provide an adjustable transformer turns ratio for the adaptive array or in the case of an integrated VTM, an adjustable voltage transformation ratio for the integrated VTM. A controller is used to configure the cells and provide digital regulation of the output. A converter having input cells configured as a complementary pair, which are switched out of phase, reduces common mode current and noise. Series connected input cells are used for reducing primary switch voltage ratings in a converter and enabling increased operating frequency or efficiency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adaptively configuring an array of voltage transformation modules is disclosed. The aggregate voltage transformation ratio of the adaptive array is adjusted to digitally regulate the output voltage for a wide range of input voltages. An integrated adaptive array having a plurality of input cells, a plurality of output cells, or a plurality of both is also disclosed. The input and output cells may be adaptively configured to provide an adjustable transformer turns ratio for the adaptive array or in the case of an integrated VTM, an adjustable voltage transformation ratio for the integrated VTM. A controller is used to configure the cells and provide digital regulation of the output. A converter having input cells configured as a complementary pair, which are switched out of phase, reduces common mode current and noise. Series connected input cells are used for reducing primary switch voltage ratings in a converter and enabling increased operating frequency or efficiency.

Abstract: This document describes apparatus and methods for a self-contained assembly having an encapsulated electronic module coupled to a heat removal device by a thermally conductive substance. In an illustrative example, the module includes at least one heat dissipating device thermally coupled by internal members to selected portions of a housing. The module housing includes a flat top surface with a perimeter adjoined to side surfaces. In one example, the heat removal device includes a cavity interior surface with an upper surface to match the module top surface, and side walls that match at least 50% by area of the selected portions of the module side surfaces. The cavity interior surface may receive at least 50% of the housing surface area. The matched portion of the cavity side surfaces may be at least 33% by area of the portion of the cavity upper surface that matches the module top surface.