Abstract: A magnetic device, method of manufacture therefor and a power supply employing the magnetic device. In one embodiment, the magnetic device includes a metal substrate and a first dielectric layer formed over the metal substrate. The magnetic device further includes a first conductive layer formed over only a portion of the dielectric layer and a magnetic core mounted proximate the first conductive layer adapted to impart a desired magnetic property thereto.

Abstract: An impedance network for passive shoot-through protection of active switches in clamp-mode topologies. In one exemplary embodiment a switch-mode converter, includes: a primary switch; an auxiliary switch coupled in series with a capacitor; and an impedance network, coupled to the primary switch and the auxiliary switch; configured to limit current during simultaneous conduction of the primary and auxiliary switches. The impedance network includes a resistor coupled in series to a diode and both in parallel with an inductor. The impedance network permits the design of a clamp-mode converter without the need for a delay between switch turn-off and turn-on of primary and auxiliary switches.

Abstract: For use in a power system having a power train, a rectifier having an input and an output and a method of controlling the rectifier. The rectifier comprises: (1) switching circuitry coupled between the input and the output, the switching, circuitry adapted to operate in selected one of (a) a bidirectional mode of operation and (b) an unidirectional mode of operation to rectify substantially alternating current at the input to produce substantially direct current at the output; and (2) control circuitry coupled to a control input of the switching circuitry, the control circuitry capable of sensing a characteristic of the power system and transitioning the switching circuitry between the bidirectional mode and the unidirectional mode as a function of the characteristic thereby to prevent substantial reverse power flow through the rectifier.

Abstract: For use in a power system having a power train, a rectifier having an input and an output and a method of controlling the rectifier. The rectifier comprises: (1) switching circuitry coupled between the input and the output, the switching circuitry adapted to operate in selected one of (a) a bidirectional mode of operation and (b) an unidirectional mode of operation to rectify substantially alternating current at the input to produce substantially direct current at the output; and (2) control circuitry coupled to a control input of the switching circuitry, the control circuitry capable of sensing a characteristic of the power system and transitions the switching circuitry between the bidirectional mode and the unidirectional mode as a function of the characteristic thereby to prevent substantial reverse power flow through the rectifier.

Abstract: A power supply module package suitable for both high packaged power density and cost effective manufacture. In an exemplary embodiment, the power supply module includes: (1) at least one printed circuit board containing conductors for interconnecting components of the power supply, (2) a thermally conductive baseplate or case operable for transferring heat generated inside the module to the outside environment, wherein the external package dimensions are of a sufficiently small size to allow the user the greatest flexibility in the design of the overall circuit assembly, (3) at least one power magnetic device operable for providing electrical isolation between the input and the output of the power module, and (4) a set of electrical leads to facilitate communication and power flow between the module and circuitry being powered.

Abstract: A rectifier having an input and an output and a method of controlling the rectifier. The rectifier comprises: (1) switching circuitry coupled between the input and the output, the switching circuitry adapted to operate in selected one of (a) an active bidirectional mode of operation and (b) an inactive unidirectional mode of operation to rectify substantially alternating current at the input to produce substantially direct current at the output and (2) control circuitry coupled between the rectifier output and a control input of the switching circuitry, the control circuitry capable of sensing an output current level of the rectifier and transitioning the switching circuitry between the active bidirectional mode and the inactive unidirectional mode as a function of the output current level thereby to prevent substantial reverse power flow through the rectifier.

Abstract: For use in a power system having a power train, a rectifier having an input and an output and a method of controlling the rectifier. The rectifier comprises: (1) switching circuitry coupled between the input and the output, the switching circuitry adapted to operate in selected one of (a) a bidirectional mode of operation and (b) an unidirectional mode of operation to rectify substantially alternating current at the input to produce substantially direct current at the output; and (2) control circuitry coupled to a control input of the switching circuitry, the control circuitry capable of sensing a characteristic of the power system and transitioning the switching circuitry between the bidirectional mode and the unidirectional mode as a function of the characteristic thereby to prevent substantial reverse power flow through the rectifier.

Abstract: A synchronous rectifier for use with a clamped-mode power converter uses in one embodiment a hybrid rectifier with a MOSFET rectifying device active in one first cyclic interval of the conduction/nonconduction sequence of the power switch and a second rectifying device embodied in one illustrative embodiment as a low voltage diode rectifying device active during an alternative interval to the first conduction/nonconduction interval. The gate drive to the MOSFET device is continuous at a constant level for substantially all of the second interval which enhances efficiency of the rectifier. The diode rectifier device may also be embodied as a MOSFET device. The subject rectifier may be used in both forward and flyback power converters.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for eliminating cross conduction of self-driven synchronous rectifiers in power converters caused by non-idealized ringing of parasitic capacitances and inductors. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes synchronous rectifiers or some hybrid topology having at least one synchronous rectifier coupled to a damping circuit having at least one switching device. The switching device is activated (ON) at a time when at least one of the synchronous rectifiers is supposed to remain inactive (OFF). Accordingly, when the switching device is ON, the device effectively dampens any ringing present at the synchronous rectifier that may cause the rectifier to inappropriately transition ON. The damping circuit of the present invention utilizes the same signals present to control the synchronous rectifier(s) and requires no additional control circuitry. Additionally, the damping circuit dramatically improves the efficiency of self synchronous power converters and is topology independent.

Abstract: A power converter and a method of operating a power converter. The power converter includes: (1) a transformer for receiving bipolar electrical input power from a power source, the power substantially free of dead time and (2) a hybridge rectifier coupled to the transformer and including first and second output inductors of independently selectable, differing inductance, the hybridge rectifier receiving the input power from the transformer and rectifying the input power to produce an output power substantially free of ripple current at a predetermined duty cycle operating point of the converter, the first and second output inductors being of independently selectable, differing inductance thereby to allow the predetermined duty cycle operating point to be adjustable.

Abstract: A synchronous rectifier for use with a clamped-mode power converter uses in one embodiment a hybrid rectifier with a MOSFET rectifying device active in one first cyclic interval or the conduction/nonconduction sequence of the power switch and a second rectifying device embodied in one illustrative embodiment as a low voltage bipolar diode rectifying device active during an alternative interval to the first conduction/nonconduction interval. The gate drive to the MOSFET device is continuous at a constant level for substantially all of the second interval which enhances efficiency of the rectifier. The bipolar rectifier device may also be embodied as a MOSFET deice. The subject rectifier may be used in both forward and flyback power converters.

Abstract: A synchronous rectifier for use with a clamped-mode power converter uses in one embodiment a hybrid rectifier with a MOSFET rectifying device active in one first cyclic internal of the conduction/nonconduction sequence of the power switch and a second rectifying device embodied in one illustrative embodiment as a low voltage bipolar diode rectifying device active during an alternative interval to the first conduction/nonconduction interval. The gate drive to the MOSFET device is continuous at a constant level for substantially all of the second interval which enhances efficiency of the rectifier. The bipolar rectifier device may also be embodied as a MOSFET device. The subject rectifier may be used in both forward and flyback power converters.